The Last Princess

by Marissa Craig

  “You don’t have to wait for me.”

  I look back and see her damp. A towel barely covers her. I’ve known her for three years. I was attracted to her since the moment I looked at her. We’ve gotten pretty close but always just short of intercourse. It would just make her confused.

  How can a man sit idly by when a woman looks like that and the doors are closed. I approach her and she pulls her towel closer.

  “We’re already late so it’s fine to fool around for a bit.”

  “Do you not remember what happened last night?” she asks holding up her hand to me.

  I stop and think. Last night I said what I needed to say. I won’t marry her but I’ll still have my fun with her.

  “We have an understanding,” I clarify.

  “Yes, that you’ll never marry me.”

  “That’s correct but it’s fine to-”

  “No! You can’t keep doing this. Our relationship is either on or off. And you made it clear that it’s off.”

  “Cause I won’t marry you doesn’t mean-”

  “I’m not gonna be your mistress!”

  She….she has the nerve to yell at me. She has the nerve to reprimand me and deny me. I take a step closer to her and my boot crunches on something. Looking up at her I see her staring at my foot in horror. She runs into the bathroom and locks herself in.

  “What’s the big deal?” I question.

  I lift up my foot and reach down. A used condom wrapper. She was with someone last night.

  “Yumiko!”

  I bang on her bathroom door and she doesn’t answer. Who was she with? I have to know. There were so many people here last night; I can’t narrow it down.

  “Who were you with!”

  “It’s not your business,” she yells from the other side.

  Someone touched her. Of course that’s my business. They did it in my palace, in the room I gave her. I bang on the door harder and I just hear her crying on the other side.

  “Stop it,” she says sobbing. “You’re only hurting me. You can’t break my heart and then act like you still own it. Please, just go.”

  I’m only hurting her? Does she think I’m not hurt too? I can’t help what both of us were born into.

  “Please, just stop all this,” she says.

  “Who was it?” I ask again softly.

  “You don’t get to ask that.”

  I don’t get to ask? I care…she has to get that. I’m hurt that she would lie down with another man in my house. Stupid woman doesn’t get that I have to do my duty as crown prince but I still want to be with her despite that. I’m trying to make it all work. I’m trying to make it work for her.

  “You’re supposed to be my woman.”

  “You’re a liar.”

  “Fine,” I say to her. “Let’s be done with it then. It’s obvious you’ll never be able to understand what I’ve been trying to tell you.”

  “Please, go.”

  “For the record….you were plenty good enough for me. You just didn’t know how to act like it.”

  I say it’s over but I don’t know if I can just give up on her. I’ve never had real feelings for a woman before so I don’t know how to get rid of them. Never felt jealously; always felt superior to every man. But there’s a man that she would choose to lie down with over me. I take the long way to the dining area thinking about all my words to her.

  “So it looks like everyone’s running late,” Kyoya says to me.

  “Um, yeah.”

  “Good morning, Kantarou-sama,” the princess says to me touching my arm.

  He opens the door the dining room to let me in. Seeing my face he closes it.

  “Setsuna-san, go in and save a place for me.”

  She goes in and he stays next to me in the hall. Is it that easy to tell I’m uneasy.

  “I heard about your little debacle last night,” he says to me. “It will go over like a prank. Some desperate attempt by the exiled woman.”

  “After that false announcement, I took Yumiko-san aside to make things clear. I told her I love her but I’ll never marry her. I assumed she would grow up a little and get that we could be together in secret.”

  “No woman wants that,” he says.

  “You somehow get to have everything you want. Why can’t I?”

  “A lot was sacrificed so I could get my way. Don’t think it’s easy to live with,” he tells me.

  So I have to sacrifice to get my way.

  “Like I told father, you can’t control people,” he says opening the door. “Yumiko-san is not someone you can control like you want to.”

  That’s becoming obvious. Inside mother sits at the head of the table with father. Kyoya takes his place next to Setsuna-san and Kira scoffs from across the table.

  “Sorry for being late,” I announce.

  “You’re not the latest,” father says. “Where’s Yumiko-san?”

  “On her way.”

  I sit down next to Kira and across from Kyoya. Let’s get this over with.

  “Setsuna-san, you’re really glowing. You must have really enjoyed yourself last night,” mother says to her.

  “Nothing happened!” she screams at mother. “I kept my hands to myself.”

  “Dear? Did something happen last night? The two of you left so suddenly.”

  “Don’t tell me,” Kira says to her. “You did it with Kyo-nii?”

  “I did not!”

  Her face is so red. Looks like everyone was fooling around last night. Kyoya touches her hand and she lowers her head.

  “What’s it like being with such an old man? I bet he forced you,” he teases her again.

  “Kyoya-sama is not old and he didn’t force me. A-and we didn’t do anything.”

  “That’s enough,” Kyoya quiets her. “Now isn’t the time for bickering.”

  “We have more pressing matters than the princess’ chastity,” father announces.

  “Did he remember to call you by your name?” Kira teases again.

  “Shut up!”

  “Settle down, Setsuna-san,” father calms her. “Don’t make me tell you again.”

  “Sorry, king.”

  It’s quiet as we all take a sip of tea to calm our nerves. Kyoya looks pleased; I wonder if he did deflower the princess. All must be forgiven between them. But she’s so short compared to him. I wonder how it looked. Did she even know what she was doing. There’s a knock at the dining room door.

  “Kantarou, please open the door,” father says.

  I thought we had servants for that. I push my seat back. Father must be saving his rage for Yumiko-san. He looks pleased so far. I open the door and immediately hear giggling.

  “Uh-”

  “Good morning, Kantarou-sama.”

  “Uh….C-chiyo-san?”

  “Let her in, dear,” mother calls. “I invited her for breakfast so we can all meet her.”

  I didn’t expect to see her so soon. She snatches up my arm startling me. She was different in the meeting. Very distant and quiet. She knew I was a big deal. Now she’s smiling and holding me like I’ve known her for years.

  “I can sit next to you, right?” she asks me.

  “I…guess.”

  I lead her in. Kyoya keeps his head down and Setsuna-san hides her face behind him examining her.

  “So rare to see my Kantarou with a young woman on his arm. I like this look,” mother says.

  “It’s quite a match,” father adds.

  Chiyo-san steps over to the other side of the table. Her heels echo as she walks. It’s all I hear. I feel so out of it.

  “It’s wonderful to meet you, princess. My name is Chiyo Subera.” she says bowing in front of Setsuna-san.

  The princess stares confused then touches her shoulder.

  “No need to bow. I’m not your princess.”

  “But you are. You’re a wonderful figure in Han. Everyone admires your courage and perseverance. It’s really an honor to meet you and to see how much you’ve g
rown since that day we all got to look at you.”

  “There’s no need to try and win my favor.”

  “But when I marry Kantarou-sama, we will be like sisters.”

  “You have a lot of training to go through before you’ll be accepted. Your grand display at to say your name to me is not something a queen would do.”

  “I look forward to your teachings,” she says smiling.

  “M-my teachings?”

  The door opens again and Yumiko-san steps in startled. She finally got herself cleaned up. I’m tempted to stand but remember we’re supposed to be done with each other.

  The ladies take their seats across from each other. The sound of heels echoing makes me feel like something bad is about to happen. Chiyo-san sits down taking my arm again.

  It’s quiet again. I reach to have my tea but this woman is grabbing me too tightly.

  “I’m sorry for last night, Chiyo-san. My mother just misunderstood.”

  “It’s easy for someone to misunderstand. You two are too close. Anyone could mistake it for dating.”

  “That won’t be the case anymore.”

  Yumiko-san glances over at me. This isn’t what she wants. She doesn’t want to see another woman latched onto me. I try to shake off Chiyo-san but she grips me tighter. This is just hurting her. I don’t want to hurt her. She’ll just do something unlike herself.

  “I agree with Chiyo-san,” father says. “You spend too much time with Yumiko-san. We don’t want people to misunderstand like last night.”

  “It won’t be a problem, king,” Yumiko-san says to him.

  It’s like she’s close to tears. I guess we have to end it. That’s what she wants.

  “Kantarou, perhaps you and Chiyo-san would like a stroll through the gardens,” mother suggests.

  “Yes, that sounds lovely.”

  My body moves on its own fulfilling everyone’s expectations. I look back at her and she won’t even look at me. She wipes her eye and I want to run back to her. Chiyo-san pulls me away.

  “I can’t wait to see your gardens. I’d like to have a real tour of the palace. I’ll learn it all soon enough but I’d love to have my hubby show me around.”

  “You’re not the same girl I met in the meeting,” I say to her when we’re finally alone.

  I shake her hand off me and step away. I would have never picked her if I knew she’d be this clingy and pompous. It’s like she has an agenda. No one plays me.

  “I admit I was nervous then.”

  “You are here, not cause I like you. You’re here cause I need a woman to stand next to me and blow kisses to my people. Do you get that?”

  “You love her, don’t you? The disgraced princess.”

  “Who I love isn’t a concern of yours.”

  “Could you think about me a little,” she says to me. “I was forced to marry you. The situation is no different than what Setsuna-san is going through and I know you’re fond of her. I want to be in love with the man I marry. I’m trying. Why won’t you? Do you really just want to stand next to me and not feel anything for me?”

  So there isn’t an agenda.

  “You already picked me so can you try to have a relationship with me and treat me like a woman and not an object. Be nice to me and let me enjoy having such a handsome man to hold on to.”

  She has a point. My mind is so set on someone else; I haven’t been being fair to her.

  “Sorry,” I say to her. “I can see how this must be an exciting time for you. So what do you want to see first?”

  “How about your room.”

  “Hm?”

  I know that look. Lips slightly parted and hips sticking out. Her finger rests on her top button. Yumiko-san has already made her choice. She’s not waiting for me; she doesn’t want to be with me in secret. I wonder if she did the same thing to seduce a man last night.

  “Don’t be that kind of girl,” I tell her. “That kind of girl gets no respect from me.”

  Chapter 60: Setsuna

  “I think I’m happy now,” I say to him.

  “That’s nice to hear.”

  Kyoya-sama is out in the garden with me. He sits under the tree writing while I sketch the new flowers. I always wanted to do this with him. I can’t stop smiling. Just weeks ago it was Captain Saki sitting in his place….This is much better.

  “If you’re happy, I’m happy. Thank you for not giving up on me,” he says.

  I wanted to but I just couldn’t. I look back at him shyly. He’s worth the wait. When he catches me looking I snap forward.

  “Are you ready to go back with me?” he asks. “You should know a king can’t leave his country unattended for too long.”

  “Everyone was very nice at my birthday party but I’m afraid if I go back they might….call me a traitor again.”

  I love my country so much but I’ve been fearful of going back after how I left. I left twice in a hurry because I was threatened.

  My shoulders stiffen feeling him close to me. He sits down hugging me from behind.

  “No one would dare say a harmful word to you. I’ll protect you.”

  I feel safe in his embrace.

  “I thought you might be a bit hesitant. I set up an interview so that your people can get to know you better.”

  “An interview? What will they ask me?”

  “Just simple questions so they can see what kind of person you are. Of course they’ll ask you about me and the kind of person I am.”

  “I’ve never done an interview.”

  “I’ll be right beside you. And if it’s something you don’t want to answer, I’ll tell them to back off.”

  “My mother never did interviews. She wasn’t very close with the people.”

  “I know they’ll love you.”

  He hugs me tighter. I would like my people to know I care about them. I want them to know my parents cared too. They were just so bound by traditions and didn’t say it.

  “It sounds like fun.”

  “I’ll go finalize the details. I’ll be right back.”

  So nice of him. He cares about my legacy. An interview will be fun. My teachers schooled me about dealing with the public. I haven’t had a teacher in so long. These past few years I haven’t been gaining knowledge, just experiences. It’s what Kyoya-sama wanted for me.

  “Hello, Setsuna-san.”

  I snap out of my daze and see Captain Saki sitting in front of my sketch subject. How did I not notice him?

  “Um, hi. I haven’t seen you since the party. Have you been doing your other captain duties well?”

  It’s odd to look at him. I confessed something terrible to Kyoya-sama. I don’t know why I said it; it just awkwardly came out. My mouth felt so dirty after saying those words. I don’t like Captain Saki like that.

  “I had more fun guarding you. But I do get to practice my combat skills a bit more.”

  “Well, what have you been doing?”

  “Patrolling the capitol mostly.”

  He tilts my sketchbook down to see. I’ve shown him my sketches before. I surrender the book to him and he goes through the pages.

  “You seem happy with Kyoya-sama near you. I was afraid to interrupt.”

  “It’s okay to show yourself. I’ve missed you.”

  “Have you now? I’ve missed you too.”

  He stops at a page and stares. I look forward and grab the book from him. I sketched some other things in there.

  “Who’s that?” he asks.

  “That’s my parent’s killer.”

  I didn’t want to forget what I saw so I sketched him. I spent days trying to get it right. He holds out his hand and I willingly pass him the book.

  “Why remember such a thing?” he asks me.

  “It’s just. . .I met him multiple times. The first time was when he broke into the palace and killed everyone. He was deadly but after that day when I met him again he was different. He talked to me more….admitted things to me. I know he felt in charge somehow but wh
en I last met him he felt pained.”

  I touch my neck remembering how frantic he was when he cut me. It was an accident. He didn’t want me to see his face.

  “I think he knows me.”

  “Are you looking to see him again?”

  I nod.

  “Why?” he asks me.

  “I never got an answer for why he did it.”

  Here I am talking to him like normal again. My comfort with him has returned.

  “I’m going on another patrol tonight. Did you want to come with me? I can sneak you out.”

  “But the last time-”

  “I won’t let you out of my sights.”

  Tempting but I’m not supposed to leave. That rule is crucial since I got hurt last time.

  “Come,” he says to me. “Maybe we’ll find some answers.”

  “I don’t think I should.”

  “We haven’t been able to have any fun together like we use to. I could take you to a movie theater-”

  “A movie theater? Really?”

  “I’ll come get you later. I have to find some clothes for you to wear.”

  “I didn’t agree,” I tell him.

  “I know you’re coming,” he says standing up. “You can’t resist a chance to see the real world.”

  That’s very true. And I would love to go to a theater. He reaches down his hand to me and I take it. I’ve never worn the clothes girls normally wear; mother was always against it. He pulls me up and I brush the dirt off.

  “You can’t tell anyone. Not even Kyoya-sama,” he says to my ear.

  I don’t want to lie to him.

  “Setsuna-san.”

  I push Captain Saki away as Kyoya-sama approaches. He might misunderstand. He stares at us and I take another step away.

  “Ayato-san,” he says. “I haven’t seen you in a while.”

  “I’ve been on patrol.”

  “But you still find your way here, looking at my girlfriend.”

  “It’s what she wants. I’m pretty good at giving her what she wants.”

  I feel like there are daggers being thrown between them. They just stare at each other talking in monotone voices.

  “Um-”

  “Come, Setsuna-san,” Kyoya-sama says to me.