The Last Princess

by Marissa Craig

  “I just wanna head back to the party-”

  “Talk.”

  I tense up. I don’t know what it is but Kyoya-sama seems so much scarier these days. In his interviews he’s sharp and ruthless. Maybe I’m thinking about that. I clear my throat nervously.

  “I still haven’t forgiven you for….a lot of things.”

  “What can I do to help?”

  “I don’t know. I just wanna get back to the party.”

  I break away from him and run down the hall. I’m not ready to be near him. Definitely don’t want to be alone with him.

  Chapter 55: Yumiko

  What am I supposed to be looking for? I’m not military trained so why put me on security duty. I keep telling him, “I’m studying fashion design” but he never listens. Still insists on making me do things unrelated to fashion.

  The ladies here have some pretty nice dresses.

  “Um, excuse me.”

  Especially this one. I love the white beading at the bottom contrasting with the blue dress. And the bust line is pretty too. Oh….it’s her.

  “You’re Yumiko Yamamoto-san, princess of Morinaga.”

  “I’m not a princess.”

  “My name is Chiyo Subera. It’s really nice to meet you.”

  “It is?”

  “Yes,” she says smiling. “When you started at the university I really wanted to be friends with you but I was a bit too shy. I never would have thought I would be…chosen by your boss.”

  She went to school with me? It’s a big school so it’s possible. She’s adorable; that’s very different from me. Unconsciously I am sizing her up. Why did he choose her?

  “He’s not my boss,” I correct her.

  “Then what is Kantarou-sama to you?”

  Ugh, it’s that cute head tilt. I use to be able to do that. Since when does Kantarou-sama like cute girls.

  “Uh…he’s like…”

  She’s the one that should be explaining her position, not me. I was here first. She stares at me with her stupid head tilted as I stammer.

  “Okay, he’s my boss,” I sigh.

  “I guess I’ll be your boss soon. And I know you’re not a princess.”

  She smiles and takes a shrimp from the table. She’s gonna be a problem. I take back what I said about the dress. She turns around flipping her wavy brown hair at me. I have to get rid of her. Kantarou-sama cannot have a woman like that.

  “Why the sullen look. It’s a party isn’t it?”

  I am done watching this buffet. It brings nothing but bitches. My mother stands in front of me flashy as ever. She wears a low cut red gown. It’s a beautiful gown but she makes it look ugly.

  “I couldn’t help but overhear. Is that woman Kantarou-sama’s choice?”

  “Yeah.”

  “And what are you doing to stop her?”

  “Nothing. He’s not into me like that. He just wants me to work for him.”

  That’s what I gather. He’s intent on keeping me under him in a way I didn’t have in mind.

  “Maybe now you’d like some advice from me,” she offers.

  I don’t want to interfere but it’s gonna kill me to watch him marry her. I look up at the stage and see him laughing with his little brother. There’s so many sides to him; he’s allowed me to see them all. If he shows all that to Chiyo-san, there’ll be nothing special or unique between us.

  “Introduce me to him,” she says to me.

  “Really?”

  “Yes, let’s go.”

  She grabs my arm and heads for the stage. I’m tempted to go with this plan of hers. Before I can change my mind she starts making a scene.

  “Prince, it’s lovely to meet you,” she says climbing the stairs.

  He stands up alerted. He takes notice of me and relaxes. Mother goes right up to him and hugs him.

  “Who is this woman?” he asks me.

  “My mother-”

  “I’m Ju Mei Asahina-Yamamoto. Thank you so much for taking care of my daughter and that lovely niece of mine.”

  She backs away from him and gives Kira-sama a flirtatious wave. He straightens up in his seat. It’s embarrassing but I wanna see where she’s going with this.

  “It’s been no problem taking care of her,” he says to her. “She’s a lovely woman.”

  “So nice to hear you say that. Cause of my reputation, I thought no one would make an honest woman out of her. It’s often the case with being labeled a bastard child.”

  She grabs my hand and pulls me forward. I bump into him and he braces me grabbing my shoulders. I haven’t been this close to him in a while. I miss his cologne.

  “Your mother told me you were making your marriage announcement today. Please let me do the honor,” she says.

  No, don’t do this. She’s gonna ruin everything the king has planned for his country.

  “Mother, don’t-”

  “Sorry to interrupt the birthday party, everyone,” my mother says turning to the crowd. “But when I heard the good news, I couldn’t keep it in.”

  She raises her hand to display us like some sort of art piece. I push away from him and try to reach her.

  “Kantarou Niwa-sama has just asked for permission to marry my daughter.”

  The crowd cheers and claps. I turn back to Kantarou-sama and he looks down at me pissed off. Any backtracking now will make people not take him seriously. So much hate in his eyes.

  “You have my blessing, prince. You have my country’s blessing.”

  He grabs my hand and pulls me behind the stage curtain. The crowd starts whistling. He pulls me further from the stage then out into one of the hallways. He’s silent until we reach his office. He throws me in and slams the door shut.

  “I didn’t tell her to-”

  “Do you realize what you’ve done!”

  I stumble back as he approaches me. I bump into his desk and quickly move around it. There’s no telling what he’ll do.

  “You just cost the palace billions of dollars. The Subera family has money, more money than your entire country. And what do you have? Nothing but a bastard title.”

  He’s never called me that before. He keeps approaching and I back against the wall. I don’t think he’ll hit me. That’s never been his style. But he’s furious; I can tell by his breathing.

  “Kantarou-sama, I didn’t know she would do that. I just wanted to introduce you to my mother. I’m sorry,” I beg him. “I’ll talk to Chiyo-san. I’ll apologize to her and make it better.”

  “You’ll get on your knees and beg for her forgiveness.”

  “I will.”

  “This isn’t about your feelings or mine. It’s about the future of my country. That’s something you’ll never understand.”

  He turns around and heads back for the door. Am I that bad? I fall to the floor crying. I was happy when all those people cheered for us. They didn’t mind us being together. He’s the only one against it.

  “Do I really have nothing to offer you? Not your country but you. Do you really not want me?”

  I hug my knees and cry into my dress. I have to leave the palace tonight. I’ll have to beg Chiyo-san to marry him, the man I love.

  I feel his warmth above me and open my eyes. He’s kneeling down to me. His eyes look pained too. I reach out and touch his cheek. His eyes gaze into mine.

  “Isn’t it enough to just be near me?” he asks softly.

  “No.”

  “It has to be.”

  “It’s not enough. I can’t watch you be with her. I want you to be with me.”

  He leans in and kisses me. I wrap my arms around him and he pulls me to sit in his lap. For a while we kiss behind his desk. Our minds empty of any worry or reality. But when we part, it all sets in.

  “I want you to listen carefully and keep this between us,” he says.

  I nod to him.

  “I love you,” he whispers to me. “And it’s because I love you that I can’t marry you. You have to step aside. We can only have our
moments in the dark.”

  “Kantarou,” I say tearing up again.

  He places me on the floor still gasping for air between cries. I’ll never get to be with him. The door slams closed and I fall to his carpet with my head right where he would put his feet.

  Chapter 56: Kyoya

  I followed right after her but she’s yet to step back into the party. She stands at the doorway looking in at all the people that came just to see her. I step behind her and she doesn’t notice.

  Setsuna-san always seemed smart and wise for her age. She’s effectively punishing me for what I’ve done. And because she’s a bit older, I can’t win her back with a kiss. She’d rather cling to Ayato-san and worry about her relationship with him than her relationship with me. She thinks I’m not capable of jealously but…I think he’s a threat.

  I can’t let him know that.

  When I saw him kiss her in the hallway, I wanted to grab him by the neck and strangle him. She was blushing and that made me even angrier. We’ve never fought over a girl.

  “Can I escort you in?” I ask her.

  She turns around stumbling away from me. I hold out my hand to her and she just stares.

  “I’m not ready just yet.”

  I look into the room and see Kira on stage. Mother hugs him and makes her speech to all her guests.

  “He needs his attention too. How considerate of you,” I say to her.

  “I’m afraid he might cause a scene if I go in. Like announce his love for me.”

  “You have your pick of lot of men.”

  She keeps her eyes away from me. I miss looking into her big eyes.

  “I don’t see it that way.”

  “How close are you with Ayato-san?”

  “He’s just my friend.”

  “Does he kiss you often?”

  She turns back to me smiling. Don’t tell me. She wouldn’t pursue him.

  “All the time,” she says staring at me. “I spent a lot of time with him. Naturally we’ve gotten closer.”

  She’s lying. She’s feeding off what I say to make me jealous. These games don’t suit her at all.

  “We spent a lot of nights together and we would watch movies and sneak snacks from the kitchen. He’s a lot of fun. And I like him a lot. Especially when he kisses me.”

  “Here’s the thing you should know about me,” I say leaning down to her. “I will kill any man that tries to take you from me. So think carefully about what you’re saying.”

  “W-we spend a lot of time together but it’s just as friends,” she stammers. “It’s never been anything more than that.”

  “Good.”

  But she likes him enough to protect him. I’m on the fence about whether he should keep guarding her. Since she’s sixteen now I can be more public with our love. I want to take her back with me but I need protection for her. He follows my orders blindly and that’s what I need but…can he control his emotions?

  The crowd starts clapping listening to mother talk on stage. I grab Setsuna-san’s hand and pull her forward. Now is as good a time as any to start being public.

  “Oh, the two lovers emerge. I’ve been looking for you,” mother announces.

  I pull her on stage and keep her beside me. The clapping goes on and on and I feel the sweat on her hands.

  “Thank you all for coming to celebrate my brother’s birthday and my princess’ birthday,” I say to the crowd. “I’ve spent a lot of time away trying to get Morinaga back in order after the tragedy. And she’s been waiting patiently for me while recovering from her heartache.”

  It’s a great story. The princess has lost so much but she holds on to me. Her people trust me because she sees me as her only hope. They see me that way too. It all worked out perfectly.

  “I’ve done my best for you but I feel like it’s never enough,” I tell her. “I can’t stay away from you much longer so please give into my selfishness and come back to Morinaga with me.”

  The crowd claps and screams their support.

  “Welcome back, princess,” I hear.

  “She’s a queen now,” I correct.

  I’m a king with everything. The Han people love me and the Morinaga people love me. Setsuna-san loves me despite everything I’ve done and everything I’ve done that she doesn’t know about.

  I’m on top of the world now. Finally I have my path. I turn to her in front of everyone and hug her close. She looks frightened.

  “How about a dance,” mother suggests.

  I’ve never danced with her before; I know she’s trained. I lead her off stage and the crowd separates. With all eyes on us she stuffs her face into my chest.

  “Why so shy?” I whisper.

  “They’re all looking at me.”

  “Cause you’re a queen.”

  I shuffle across the floor with her and she holds onto me tighter. She stays at my chest listening to my heartbeat. I missed being romantic with a woman. Sex was nothing compared to having her in my arms.

  “Happy birthday,” I whisper to her. “Sorry I didn’t get you a present.”

  “You are my present. All I wanted was to see you.”

  “I have to give you more than that.”

  I slide my hand to her lower back. She’s picked up a curve or two. I know one way to make her forget about her trust.

  “Stay in my room tonight,” I whisper to her. “I’ll give you another present.”

  “I’m not old enough for that.”

  “I think you are. Aren’t you curious?”

  I kiss her neck and she turns her head away. What’s this? She’s still wearing a bandage. But she cut herself weeks ago.

  “Why are you still wearing a bandage?” I ask her.

  “It still hasn’t healed.”

  Hasn’t healed? I take my hand from her back and peel the bandage away slowly. It’s fresh red. It’s just like the cut she got on her face years ago.

  “Ayato,” I breathe out.

  He did this! He cut her!

  “Tell me what happened that night you left the palace,” I say deeply.

  I’m having trouble controlling myself. I want to run and punish him but I need to know for sure. I need to hear it myself.

  “I already told you-”

  “Tell me the truth,” I say squeezing her hand.

  “You’re hurting me.”

  “Tell me the truth now.”

  The crowd cheers on and I hide my face against her neck.

  “They look so good together,” I hear from the crowd.

  “I already told-”

  “The truth, Setsuna.”

  What’s she hiding from me? She’s not supposed to lie to me.

  “I was in a hotel room with Captain Saki.”

  “And what did you two talk about?”

  “We talked about what I read in your journal. We talked about his past, about how he met you. A-and he asked….if….”

  “Tell me,” I urge her.

  “He asked if I would be okay if it was the two of us and I said no. He seemed sad after that and left the room. I waited for him but he didn’t come back.”

  “And how did you get all the cuts?”

  I lift my head scanning the room as I twirl her around. Where is he?

  “The masked man came back,” she says softly. “He did it. But I don’t think he meant to hurt me. He said he loved me. I didn’t want to say anything because I didn’t want people to know you killed the wrong man.”

  “You’re not protecting me by hiding things from me. Don’t lie to me again.”

  The song ends and I grab her hand and lead her off the floor. The crowd cheers as we exit.

  “Save it for your wedding night!”

  I keep tugging her behind me and she struggles to keep up. I need to trap her some place so I can confront him. But knowing him, he’s close. I turn around and Ayato-san stands at the corner. He knows I know. And he knows I’m ruthless when it comes to Setsuna-san. She’s yet to see him.

  I keep h
er turned away while we stare each other down. He’s never challenged me. What’s gotten into him? If I send him away, he’ll be unpredictable. Only Ayato-san and I know the details of the royal massacre. He was the tool and I was the one directing him. I have to work on controlling him again. I can’t let my emotions ruin my plan.

  I think about our years together. He’s never been in love. And I know how sweet Setsuna-san can be. I left him to take care of her and he’s been pushing down his feelings the whole time.

  With her still turned away from him I start to speak.

  “Ayato-san walked away that night because you rejected him,” I tell her.

  “I didn’t.”

  “He wanted to be with you and you told him you wanted to be with me. Didn’t you?”

  “He’s my bodyguard-”

  “You’re much more to him than you think. Tell me you’ll never fall in love with him.”

  He looks shocked. I want him to hear it. If he hears it for himself then he’ll give up and things can go back to normal. He’ll punish himself and I won’t have to.

  “I can’t say that,” she softly.

  “What?”

  “If you would have stayed away a bit longer, I might have. I’m sorry.”

  Chapter 57: Ayato

  I think I heard her correctly; I’m so shocked.

  “If you would have stayed away a bit longer, I might have,” I repeat in my head.

  “I might have….I might have,” I repeat again.

  Setsuna-san runs away from him without seeing me. So I had a chance. I never thought she saw me that way. Maybe she was starting to.

  Kyoya-sama walks up to me in my daze.

  “Don’t look so smug.”

  He punches me and I fall to the floor. Still smiling. I can’t believe I had a chance. He kicks me and I lay still. I can tolerate a lot of pain. This doesn’t hurt at all. For once I’m on the same level as Kyoya-sama. Setsuna-san likes me.

  “Why are you smiling?” he asks leaning down to me.

  “S-she likes me.”

  “So what. You think that means you can have her?”

  “I-”

  “She will always be at my side. And you will sit there with your sword in your hand and do nothing.”

  I try to sit up and he slams his hand on my face to push me down.