The Last Princess

by Marissa Craig

  “Sorry to interrupt. I will prepare both.”

  “Wait,” I say to her. “Don’t be rude.”

  She shakes in the doorway. I examine him closely. He doesn’t dislike her like she thinks. Wait a minute…his eyes are watering.

  “N-nice to see you again, sir,” she says bowing to him.

  “It has been a long time. You look well.”

  “T-thank you, sir.”

  “You’re very lucky the commander took you under his care. He’s doing a fine job.”

  “You can leave now,” I say to her.

  She runs away quickly. He turns from me quickly taking his sleeve to his eye. I knew it would get to him.

  “She was scared to see you again. She thinks you don’t like her,” I say to him.

  “What happened was out of my control. She stayed in the palace and I couldn’t. It’s nice to see she’s doing okay. I hope she hasn’t been a burden to you.”

  “Not at all. We get along well. Soon enough we’ll be family.”

  “Yes, when your brother marries Setsuna-san. Is he running late?”

  “Just finishing up a call.”

  We take our seats. After some time Kyoya comes in. He sits next to me without a word.

  “Hello, prince.”

  “Sorry for being late. I had to follow up on some intel.”

  “What kind?” the general asks.

  “Kantarou will explain.”

  I guess it’s time to start the show.

  “Highly confidential,” I say to him. “We found the murderer, the one responsible for the royal massacre.”

  “Found him? Isn’t it a group?”

  “It was one but he’s being guarded as a sort of hero in the lower district known as Highland Row-”

  “I want it burned,” Kyoya speaks. “The entire district. It will help cut down on our crime rate since that place holds all type of criminals.”

  “Yes, there are drug dealers and thieves. They can be trailed not burned.”

  “I’m the king so we do this my way.”

  “But your reputation-”

  “I want people to know that I’m a person that kills anyone that harms my princess.”

  “But that’s close to two thousand people,” the general says. “Do you really want to avenge the people that died in the royal massacre by causing a massacre of your own?”

  Now is the time to make his choice. What kind of king will he be? With all the guilt he’s facing, how will he respond. He can continue wallowing in regret or go forward like the monster that started all this.

  “Tell him the killer’s name,” Kyoya says to me.

  I take the photo from my pocket and slide it across the table.

  “He’s just known as Yee,” I say to him.

  He’s our fall guy.

  “I want him brought to me so he can confess. His dwelling examined and his district burned for hiding him,” Kyoya says to him. “Can you do this or do I have to bring in my own men.”

  The general looks at the picture. I look over at my brother. He’s pretty convincing. After this he’ll be cemented as a leader. The general will have his back and the citizens will grow to respect his cruel ways.

  “I’ll make arrangements. Once we talk to this man then we’ll decide how to punish his district. Maybe we can meet in the middle.”

  A smile spreads across my brother’s face.

  Chapter 41: Setsuna

  The day is coming. I’m so happy. When I turn sixteen everything will get better. I can leave the palace and explore the world. Maybe even get a job and spend my own money. I’ve been alone here for a long time. Everyone else is away bettering themselves.

  Yumi-chan is in school. She’s doing well and calls often; I can’t ask for anything more than that. Kira-kun is at the academy. He sends me letters and I write back pleasant responses. I don’t know how to talk to him anymore. I feel so confused about what he did. That night I was happy to see the moon with him but he was so mean. He put tons of doubt in my head that I have yet to get over. The kiss…was unexpected.

  I felt so tarnished but couldn’t tell anyone. I feel like I’m the one that’s been unfaithful. It’s better to forget it. He said he liked me but I’m sure he’s gotten over it.

  I see Kantarou-sama often. He visits me and allows me to talk to him more. He sounds like he’s gotten stronger from doing his work in two countries. He’s more familiar with politics and acting like a leader. I see Kyoya-sama too but just on the television. I watch all of his appearances. It’s the only time I get to see him.

  For three years Kyoya-sama hasn’t said a word to me. I call him and he ignores it. I get someone to call for me and as soon as he hears my voice he leaves on important business. What could I have done wrong? My worried face would just alert everyone.

  Since I lost my parents and had to abandon my palace, the Niwa family has been nothing but nice to me. They even scold me when I do something wrong. But when I am close to sadness, they are quick to worry; probably fear I will get sick again.

  Kyoya-sama said that he would work hard so we could be together soon. There was this big report a few years ago about how he caught the murderer. A man named Yee hiding in a lower district. I knew it wasn’t the real killer. That man entered the royal house on the memorial day and no one seemed to notice. He wouldn’t be hiding in a lower district or caught. I bet he’s in Han, still watching me. I can’t prove it was Captain Saki; I let go of those suspicions after spending time with him. He’s my closest friend now.

  Captain Saki speaks highly of Kyoya-sama. He tells me all the time about how busy the soon to be king is. I believe it but Kyoya-sama said he loved me. I just don’t get how he can stay so far away from the person he loves. I write him letters and try to pass messages through Kantarou-sama but I get no response. I’m sure he’ll come to my sixteenth birthday party. Then we can clear all this up, whatever the misunderstanding is.

  “Uh-I told you about coming here. This is no place for a girl.”

  He finally shows up. Captain Saki has been by my side since Kyoya-sama left. He’s someone I can count on. I was waiting in his room for him. He doesn’t like when I visit the barracks.

  “So you were in the shower,” I guess.

  The towel around the waist is a good indicator. He’s not shy about it. He goes to his closet and drops the towel. I immediately shut my eyes.

  “How did you get in here anyway?”

  “What you’re doing is really uncalled for,” I tell him.

  “It’s my room.”

  “But I’m sitting right here.”

  “Just give me a sec.”

  He’s entirely too comfortable. With everyone gone he’s been my playmate. He watches shows with me and takes me on walks. I can leave the palace just not the palace walls. It’s been a big improvement. He doesn’t seem to have much of a life outside of guarding me. He goes on small assignments but he’s never away too long.

  “Something wrong?” he asks me.

  “My birthday is coming up soon.”

  “I know.”

  “I was hoping we could try calling Kyoya-sama again. I want to invite him to the party.”

  I open my eyes. Good, he’s clothed.

  “I’m sure he’s busy,” he tells me.

  “I wanna try. Please.”

  “Fine, but let’s get you out of here first.”

  If he answers I’ll speak fast. I just wanna see him. That’s the only gift I want. We leave the barracks and walk along the garden path. This time will be different. I won’t mention that I miss him.

  He takes out his phone and dials.

  I hold it close with two hands.

  “Hello.”

  It’s him!

  “K-Kyoya-sama, it’s me Setsuna.”

  “I don’t have time-”

  “Please wait! Please. I just wanted to…”

  He’s gone. I needed this. I needed to speak with him. I doubt his love for me. My head drops and I try to hol
d back my tears.

  “He’s just really busy.”

  “No, he just doesn’t want to talk to me. I wish I knew what I did wrong.”

  “Nothing,” he says to me. “You’re perfect. You’ve always been perfect.”

  “So I guess he’s the one that changed then.”

  It must be another woman. I get up and run back to my room. I’m such an idiot.

  “Oh! Setsuna-san, I’m glad to see you,” Tomoko-sama says.

  I was almost there. I keep my head down to the queen. She tries to peek in to see my face but I avoid her.

  “I wanted to tell you that we’ll be having two birthday parties.”

  “Why’s that?”

  “Kira’s birthday is in a few months so we will celebrate your birthdays together. Should be fun, right? He’ll be coming home soon.”

  I have to see him? I haven’t seen him since that night.

  “Um…that’s great. I need to get to the bathroom. I’m sorry.”

  I run pass her. Before I get to my room I pass Kyoya-sama’s office. The door is always locked. My father’s office was his most private place. He said it held all types of explanations.

  I try the door again and it opens. That’s odd; it really should be locked. The darkness is chilling. I step inside and close the door behind me. He was in this room more than anywhere else. This room probably holds the key to his way of thinking.

  With the light on it still feels chilling in here. This room hasn’t been used in three years; maybe that’s why it’s haunting. Books here range from war tactics to botany. I had no idea he likes plants.

  Oh! This one is about computer systems. I had no idea he had an interest in software development. It’s like I don’t know him at all. Never had the chance to spend time with him and figure these things out.

  I sit down at his desk. It’s relaxing. I wanna believe his presence is here. I wanna believe he’s the good person I made him out to be.

  Pulling out his drawer I see the peach envelopes and folded up letters. He kept them. I can’t believe he treasured them. Sorting through them I find my first one. I was seven when I wrote this.

  “Dear Kyoya-sama, my name is Setsuna,” I read aloud. “Please be nice to me. I want a friend.”

  That’s all I wrote in my first letter to him. Then I started complaining to him and begging him. He must have been fed up with me before we even met. All I did was complain to him. Underneath I find a journal.

  I shouldn’t read this but I’m curious. I wrote all of my feelings to him in these letters but he never wrote back. Maybe this holds his thoughts. Just one page and I’ll put it away. I want to know what he thinks of me. But this hasn’t been written in for three years.

  I still want to know what he thought about. I want to know who Kyoya-sama really is…even if it scares me.

  Chapter 42: Kyoya

  “Please wait! Please. I just wanted to…”

  I place the phone on the desk. I just can’t speak to her anymore.

  “He’s just really busy,” I hear.

  “No, he just doesn’t want to talk to me. I wish I knew what I did wrong.”

  She sounds close to tears. She could never do anything wrong. How could she even think that.

  “Nothing. You’re perfect. You’ve always been perfect.”

  “So I guess he’s the one that changed then.”

  I hate hearing her sad voice. She’s been sad since I’ve been away. I still can’t talk to her. Have I changed? I suppose so. I realized that I don’t deserve it all. I can’t have power and her beside me. She doesn’t deserve a man like me. A man that would kill hundreds of innocents then thousands to cover his ass. She deserves to be free.

  “You still there?” Ayato-san says on the other side.

  “Don’t have her call me again.”

  “I think this time was too much for her. You really should have said something.”

  “Who are you to tell me what she needs,” I say to him.

  “I’m here…you’re not. I’m the perfect one to tell you what she needs.”

  I haven’t seen what she looks like lately. Kan-nii admitted that she’s grown into a beautiful woman. Not sure how she could get any more beautiful. I know what she needs but I refuse to give it to her.

  “Just make her stop calling,” I say to him.

  I hang up and hold my head. Whenever I hear her voice I get a headache. She sent me letters so I know what’s on her mind. She’s turning sixteen; the magic number. It means we’re able to get married…able to have sex and restore her bloodline.

  I still love her but all I can be is cold.

  At night I lay alone still thinking about the princess’ words. I remember when I first found out about her. I was thirteen. Father told me right before I started at the military academy. I didn’t think I had much of a position. Kantarou was heir and just graduated the academy. All the focus should have been on him. That day all types of things went through my head.

  “Kyoya, come here a minute,” father says to me.

  Kantarou lowers his sword. Good timing; I was about to be defeated. There’s no way I can beat him. He’s so much taller and stronger than me. I don’t know why he insists on sparring with me.

  “What’d you do?” Kan-nii asks.

  “I have no idea.”

  “Perhaps it’s that weird friend of yours.”

  What could Ayato have done now? Father retreats to his office. Before I follow I better ask. Ayato was watching us spar. When I approach he gets up to run away.

  “Wait! What did you do?”

  “It could be a number of things. I’m afraid to admit,” he says.

  “Seriously, why do you cause so much trouble?”

  “I…never meant to cause trouble for you, Kyoya-sama. I did mark the baby’s face while it was sleeping. I stole one of the queen’s bras and burnt a few of the roses-”

  “Anything else?”

  He shakes his head. It’s good he’s coming to the academy with me. He needs it. I sigh and he lowers his head.

  “I’ll behave,” he promises yet again.

  He’s a street orphan and now he lives in my palace. He should be more thankful.

  “Go wipe Kira’s face before someone sees.”

  I better see what father’s wants. I go to his office and step inside bowing.

  “Good news, Kyoya!” mother shrieks.

  I lift my head. So it’s good news. She runs over and hugs me; always smothering me with her bosom.

  “This isn’t about Ayato?”

  “No. But I’m sure whatever he did will come to light soon,” she tells me. “Tell him the good news, Eri-san.”

  She guides me to a chair then stands right next to father. I get the feeling this is good news for them and not me.

  “You’ve heard of the country, Morinaga, correct?” he asks me.

  “Yeah, a little.”

  “The king there, Hajime Asahina, is a good friend of mine. We’ve always been on each other’s side. You know our countries share the same ancestors.”

  “Um…it would be great to meet a friend of yours,” I say to him.

  I’m not sure what to say.

  “He had an accident a while ago. He’s unable to have any more children.”

  “Are you sending me to him?” I ask.

  “In a way, yes,” mother adds on. “He has a little girl. She’s five like Kira. She’s the only one that can carry on the Morinaga legacy.”

  I look at them confused.

  “And she will carry on that legacy with you,” father explains. “You’re engaged to the Morinaga princess.”

  “I didn’t give my answer.”

  “You don’t get an answer. You should be honored.”

  “I get they need a mate for her but why not Kira?”

  “It’s you. That’s all there is to it.”

  “Isn’t this exciting, dear,” mother squeals.

  I’m engaged to a five year old. My role is determined. I’m th
e second prince; I was supposed to have an open path not be a pawn.

  “You don’t look happy,” she guesses. “Did you fall in love with someone else?”

  “No. I just think this is a big thing for you to decide without me.”

  “Your father and I were arranged. It’s how you find an ideal mate.”

  “What makes you think this five year old is ideal for me?”

  “I don’t know,” father says. “But you’re ideal for her. Now that’s enough. You won’t see her for many years. I respect you enough to tell you.”

  He respects me enough to tell me. There’s no respect at all.

  “You can leave now, if you like,” he tells me.

  I’ll gladly go. In my room all I can think about is how I’ll never have a life. I’ll just be a figure head going to functions and waving to people that aren’t even my people.

  “I wiped the baby’s face. He woke up though….what’s wrong?”

  Ayato stands at my door. He’s not a royal. He’s not bound by anything. He can do mischief and not be scolded. He can be whatever he wants when he gets older. All I’ll ever be is a foreign husband.

  “Kyoya-sama, was your father mad at what I did. I’ll take responsibility so you don’t-”

  “It’s not you. Father respected me enough to tell me about my arranged marriage.”

  “But your brother doesn’t even have a wife yet.”

  “It’s unfair. I always stayed out of the way so that he would allow me to be myself. I guess none of that matters.”

  “So who is it?” he asks me. “Is she pretty? Does she have big or really big boobs?”

  “She’s five; she’s Morinaga’s last princess.”

  He walks in and sits next to me. I intended on playing video games but I’m not in the mood. He picks up the controller and plays in my place.

  “Don’t you realize what this means,” he says to me.

  “I can never command a unit in the Han military.”

  “That’s not what you want. That’s what your brother wants. What I was trying to say is that if you marry that girl, you’ll be a king. And when you’re king you can do whatever the hell you want. Even marry your son off to a baby.”

  “Huh?”

  “You’ll be supreme. You may not know what you wanna do in your life but at least you can do anything. You should be thanking that little girl.”