“And that monster, Kantarou-sama.”
He is the crown prince. That’s a big deal. Who am I to talk back to him. Oh man, he was right. We’re all waiting in the sitting room. I’m told he landed. My little cousin holds my hand. She does it all and she’s finally smiling about it. If I was the last princess, I would fold under the pressure.
“I’m gonna make you proud,” I whisper to her.
“I want you to make yourself proud. Tell him you want to pursue modeling.”
“He’ll laugh at it.”
“Kantarou Niwa-sama has arrived,” a servant steps in.
We all stand to receive him. His heavy boots bang on the floor. His eyes scan all of us then land to me.
“Thank you for your visit, Kantarou-sama. It’s nice to meet you again. How is your family?”
“Preparing for the press release. I was told to remind you to watch.”
“Of course,” aunt says. “I’m sorry our daughter cannot be a part of it.”
“How are you, Setsuna-san?” he says to her slyly.
We’re not supposed to talk which such a heavy presence. She bows to him.
“Yumiko-san will be in my care. Thank you for trusting her to me.”
He bows lightly. We’re all surprised.
“I’m gonna miss you,” Setsuna-chan says to me.
She breaks away from her mother’s side and hugs me.
“I’m gonna miss you too.”
“Girls, show some respect-”
“No,” Kantarou-sama speaks. “It’s quite alright. These girls seem like sisters.”
“Say hello to Kyoya-sama for me,” she says.
“Yumiko-san, we have to get back,” he says to me.
He reaches his hand out to me. I guess it’s a formality. I take his hand and feel his strength immediately. I cross the room to his side and my family seems so far away now. Setsuna-chan fights back tears.
“I’ll see you soon,” I say to her.
“Yumi…”
I walk the hallway in silence with the crown prince. He’s still holding my hand. This is a way to start my own reputation but I could easily mess this up. I’d be embarrassing him too so I doubt he’ll let that happen.
“I’m glad you came to your senses.”
I must remember the training I had when I was younger. I’m not supposed to speak back. We leave the house and walk the runway. I’ve never been on a private jet. I’ve never been allowed to leave the country. The wind blows fiercely and I touch my hair to keep it in place.
I follow behind him up the steps to the plane. Out of sight he finally lets go of me and plops down in a seat. I guess I should sit across from him. He’s so tall. He crosses his leg and commands the seat he’s in.
A servant hands him a drink; it looks like alcohol. He starts ignoring me immediately.
“You have a habit of staring.”
“Sorry.”
“Sit beside me. You don’t deserve to sit across from me.”
I move to the window seat beside him. He doesn’t even bother to uncross his legs. I have to squeeze to fit in. I guess my first cultural lesson is to stay quiet. Han men seem stuck in another century.
“Where’s that fire you showed me before? You’re not talking back now.”
“If I may speak. I would like to apologize to you. Indeed I didn’t realize your position when I spoke back to you. I am honored that the crown prince would take me in his care.”
“So you see what a big deal I am.”
“Yes, I do.”
“I’ve been meaning to ask you something. Why are you called a disgraced royal?”
He doesn’t know. I guess he wouldn’t take the energy to inquire on his own. There’s no secret.
“My mother and the king are siblings. She married a general from our army. It came out when I was about ten that the general wasn’t my father. Mother couldn’t say who my real father was. The general divorced her. He wants nothing to do with me. She left the palace out of embarrassment. I haven’t seen her for many years.”
“So she was labeled a whore cause she didn’t know who the father was.”
“It’s not that she can’t remember. She just couldn’t say.”
“But you’ve since been labeled the same. So you can’t be married off.”
“I suppose.”
“You’d make a great mistress. You’re plenty beautiful.”
I look over at him. He’s looking over at me. Is he checking me out? Am I even in his league?
“I’ll keep you away from Kyoya.”
He laughs and continues drinking. I was flattered when he said I was beautiful. I touch my cheek thinking about my makeup. I despised him this morning. That won’t change.
“Since you’re in my care, I will not allow you to soil your reputation. You will be my assistant from now on.”
“Assistant?”
“It will be great exposure for you. I’ll be changing your uniform. That dress is too provocative.”
There’s not even a piece of skin showing. It’s hard to move in so I don’t mind a change. It goes against what my aunt said but I don’t mind.
“You can leave us,” he suddenly shouts.
I didn’t realize the servant was behind us. A door quietly closes. Looks like we’re taking off. I’ve never been on a plane before. I’ve been on a roller coaster so I figured it must be the same. It’s fast and….I’m scared.
“Looking out the window won’t help.”
He grabs my head and pulls me into his chest. The engine is so loud. I hear his heartbeat and try to mimic the pattern in my head.
“You women are so backwards. This is your first time on a plane.”
I’m gonna ignore him. It gets quiet as we settle in the air. I try to pull away from him but he’s set on keeping me at his chest.
“I think I’m okay. I won’t look out the window.”
I open my eyes and it’s dark. He had the servant close all the shades. He pushes me away and goes back to his drink. That was sweet of him to shield me.
“Thank you,” I say to him.
He finishes his drink and throws it to the seat across. He turns his eyes to me and takes hold of me again. I’m quiet as he lowers me down and lays on top of me. I’m not naïve, I know what’s going on. It’s not my first time with a man.
He kisses me and pulls at my belt. It’s a hard outfit to get off but he’s strong enough to pull me out of it. As good as all this feels, he said I was only good enough to be a mistress.
“No,” I say to him. “Please stop.”
“Why?”
His voice sounds gentle for once. He has so much longing. His hands are so big; he fits my face so well. I want to stop but….oh it feels so good. I squeal and try to hide my face.
I don’t want to be the mistress but what else can I be. I’m not good enough to be with the crown prince.
“For now on you call me commander,” he whispers to me.
“Yes.”
I’m ready to explode just from his kisses. Suddenly he stops. He gets off me and stands up. I lay motionless as he stares as me.
“Fix yourself,” he says. “I got carried away.”
It’s quiet for the rest of the trip. He sits in the seat behind me. What made him want to make out with me and what made him stop. I can’t even scan his face for clues.
Chapter 12: Kira
“So Kan-nii gets a girlfriend too.”
“Shut it!”
He slaps my head. I’m only saying what it looks like. Seems a bit backwards that he gets the slutty cousin when he’s crown prince.
“Yumiko-san is my new assistant. She’s taking part in a cultural exchange. Try to respect her, brat.”
I fix my hair back. She smiles at me. I know that look.
“Nice to meet you again, Kira-sama.”
“You’re thinking that I’m cute, aren’t you?”
“Yes, how’d you know?”
“That’s what everyone thinks.”
I walk over to father’s office. It must be his stupid idea to make the slutty cousin his assistant.
“When I see you, you’re always pouting?” he says to me.
“Yumiko-san just arrived. She’s Kan-nii’s assistant.”
“That should be good for her.”
“I think it’s stupid.”
“I think my little Kira is jealous cause he doesn’t have a girl to play with,” mother comes in.
She pulls me in the office and to the couch. I ignore her as she plays with my clothes. Always tugging and shining buttons.
“You’re a handsome boy so don’t worry.”
“I know I’m handsome but…”
“Are you jealous because Yumiko-san will be playing with Kantarou? She’s a bit too old for you-”
“Ugh! You’re impossible!”
The real problem is that I’m not important around here. Where’s my assistant and my future bride. They give me nothing but books. I…I like girls too.
“How come Kyo-nii and Kan-nii are so good with girls?”
Mother holds her mouth. She should just leave. It’s embarrassing to talk around her.
“Tomoko, can you leave us alone.”
“Yes, darling.”
She leaves out snickering. I wish she would act her age. Father stays at his desk with his paperwork.
“Kantarou is twenty-five and Kyoya is twenty. They have had time to develop their interactions with girls. They weren’t always as smooth as you think they are.”
“What do you mean?”
“They were nervous the first time they found a girl they liked. No amount of studying can prepare you for that. They just followed their instincts, no matter how awkward it was.”
Seems they’ve always been good with girls. So they make mistakes too.
“To be honest, Kyoya was never crazy about girls. He just let them be around him. Kantarou…”
Father starts laughing.
“What?” I urge him.
“He’s really awkward, even today. I know he thinks Yumiko-san is attractive. Just watch their interactions.”
“He likes her?”
“I don’t know about that but he’s attracted to her.”
“What’s the difference?” I ask him.
“Right now, his mind is fixated on her beauty and her body. He wants to touch her. He hasn’t given himself the chance to like her.”
“He talked to you about this?”
“No. That first meeting showed a lot. When we met with the Asahina family I could tell everyone’s feelings. Kantarou was lusting after Yumiko-san without even knowing it. Kyoya was smitten with Setsuna-san. And you…you were jealous of Kyoya.”
“What!”
“Because you and Setsuna-san are the same age, you want to be engaged to her instead. Yes, it makes more sense but I think Kyoya and Setsuna-san are well matched.”
Damn that old man’s perception skills.
“But what about the age difference?”
“It seems like a lot now because she is a kid and he’s an adult but it won’t matter when she’s older. And you know…I could tell Setsuna-san likes you. She wants you as a friend. Neither of you have any.”
“But…when will I get to be with a girl?”
“They’re everywhere, just find one you like.”
That’s his advice to me. It’s terrible but he’s right. I never thought much about brother’s engagement. I never had the feeling of wanting to be with a girl. As the meeting approached, I grew jealous. If Setsuna-san was promised to me, I wouldn’t have to struggle to find a girl or have her accept me. She would just be waiting for me. She would have prepared her whole life to meet me. Stupid Kyo-nii.
“Hm? What do you really think of Setsuna-san?” he asks me.
“I think she’s an idiot. So is Kyo-nii.”
“Kira,” father says.
I want to storm out.
“Be patient.”
So I should just wait. Wait for a girl to like me. I don’t see how that can happen. I’m fairly intimidating.
Chapter 13: Kyoya
“Welcome Prince Kyoya. It’s very rare the royal family has an announcement to make concerning you.”
I sit on stage among a crowd of reporters, fans and cameras. I convinced father that I can handle this myself. I can but, my exposure to the people is fairly limited. They don’t know much about me so now is my chance to have them cheering for me.
“Thank you for having me.”
“You’re a busy prince. I wonder what you could have to say.”
“I’m to be married soon,” I say out loud.
The crowds riles up. I bet she’s watching too…Setsuna-san. Coming forward with this brings my plan even closer. The guilt strikes my heart again.
“Yes, it all seems to add up. Your trip to Morinaga and the beautiful Yumiko Yamamoto-san coming into the palace. You’re a lucky man.”
“I’m afraid you’re mistaken. But I do admit that Yumiko-san is beautiful.”
Setsuna-san will no longer be my secret.
“I’m to marry the beautiful princess Setsuna Asahina.”
“The princess? Isn’t she a child?”
“She is in age but her intellect is very advanced. And so in time, I will become the King of Morinaga.”
Perhaps this was too much to say at once.
“Are you serious, prince.”
“Yes. The princess and I are different in a lot of ways. She’s a traditional Morinaga woman, with traditional values but she values our culture as well. She speaks perfect Hangese. I hope people can believe in us.”
“Prince, how could you make this decision-”
“I’m not surprised by your opposition. I’m sure there are many that are opposed. But know that as a Han man and a prince I have very high expectations. The princess exceeds all of them. I should hope she feels the same about me.”
“I don’t exactly have opposition. This is just surprising-”
“The union is far off.”
“But, prince, you speak like this is a personal union between the two of you. This is clearly Morinaga trying to secure a future king.”
“If that was really all it was, I wouldn’t speak so highly of her.”
The opposition is good. It’s better than I thought. Even my interviewer is opposed. Time to end it.
“I hoped congratulations were in order but this is fine with me. I have business to attend to.”
I get up and leave the stage. Kan-nii and his assistant wait for me behind the curtain. She hands me a bottle of water.
“Thank you, Yumiko-san. I still think this is a waste of your talent.”
“Don’t spoil her,” he cuts in. “But I must say, I like the arrogance you showed out there.”
“Figured you would. I don’t really think I was being arrogant.”
“I’d say you made the people feel ashamed of their displeasure,” she says to me.
“Did I say you could voice your opinion?”
“No, she’s right.”
It’s exactly what I wanted. I want to visit her one more time. I want to make sure she can handle all this.
“I’ll be going back to Morinaga to check on her.”
“You spoil your woman already,” Kan-nii scoffs.
“I think it’s sweet,” she tells me. “I’m glad you care about her. Would you mind delivering a present for me?”
“Not at all.”
“You better leave before the reporters sneak in,” he tells me. “I’ll have the press directed at father while you’re away.”
My car is waiting for me. As I approach the side door I stop hearing high heels after me.
“Yes,” I say back at her.
“Can I ride back to the palace with you?”
“Certainly.”
I feel on ed
ge around her. She’s going to suffer too. She rides next to me in the town car. She’s changed a bit from being here. It’s been a few weeks. She dresses in that tight uniform Kan-nii picked for her and she’s become mild spoken.
I feel like I know her from Setsuna-san’s letters. She’s the only one to treat Setsuna-san like a normal girl. Yumiko-san got to live a normal life after her mother’s disgrace. I remember the story. Father warned me that even royal women can be disloyal, not mother of course.
“You,” she starts to say. “You care for her a lot.”
“She couldn’t have survived her captive years without you. She told me so.”
“Really?”
“In her letters.”
“I misjudged you. I didn’t think you would care enough to read her letters.”
“But you still encouraged her to write me. Why?”
“Cause it kept her going. Why are you so nice to her? Isn’t she a burden to you? Deep down you must want to play with women your own age and live the life of a rich prince.”
“I want you especially to understand that….when I met her, I took her seriously. I plan on falling in love with her. Even though she’s not here, she’s on my mind. I wonder if she’s sad or not. I wonder if she’s smiling or lonely. I wonder if she has the same thoughts about me.”
“You’re serious?”
“I am.”
She looks over at me. I need Yumiko-san to believe in me too.
“You and your brother are very similar. You’re both snakes.”
“I would agree to that on all matters except this one. Call me whatever you want.”
My intentions are bad. She’s right about that. Kan-nii and I only care about power, that’s true. But I’m not lying about loving that girl.
We get to the palace and I announce my intentions to travel back to Morinaga. I should bring Setsuna-san something too. I don’t know what she likes.
“How could I not know?” I say to myself.
“She always wanted to try Han food. You should bring her some,” Yumiko-san says at my office door.
She holds out a little box to me. It’s pink with a red ribbon.
“What is this?” I ask her.
“Her gift. It’s a bracelet I saw in the market.”
“I should have bought her jewelry.”
“I think it’s cute that you’re flustered about this. Have you ever had a girlfriend?”
The Last Princess Page 4