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As the Crown Prince of Japan, Hiro could accept not having a normal life. He could accept the piles and piles of work he needed to complete each day, he could accept always being in the public's eye, and he could accept his every action and word always being used as a representation of his entire country. He could accept all of that … but not this. His entire life had been planned out for him but he had always managed to rein some type of control. For instance, when he was younger, the media would hound after every little scoop of gossip that they could get about him. It used to overwhelm him (just as any child would be). It wasn't until he was seven where he put his foot down and told them firmly that he wouldn't allow this type of behavior around him any longer. That was also the day the people of Japan discovered how strong of a crown prince they've gotten. After all, any seven year old that could hold such a hard gaze and speak with an elegant yet tenacious voice was going to grow up to be someone amazing. And yes, the media did stop preying after the Royal Family, ashamed to be scolded by their seven year old prince (although they still scrambled over whenever a press conference was announced). But an engagement that had been set for him since before he was born? That wasn't something he could take control over so easily. The only thing he could do was show some measly resistance. But damn if all else, he was going to resist as much as he could or his name wasn't Hiro Hikaru Himura!

It wasn't a surprise when his parents had announced their intentions to get him married with a stranger. Sure, he wasnt expecting it to be so soon (he was only twenty), but it wasn't like he didn't know that this was going to occur eventually. Hiro was someone who liked to be prepared for anything life could give him, taking careful precautions to never let anything throw him off. But of course it was easier said than done. No matter how much he stopped trying to mentally count down the days his fiance would walk into his home, he couldnt. It was always on the back of his mind, especially when he would lay in bed at the end of a long day. But like an oncoming tsunami, it was something you couldnt stop even when you knew of it beforehand. The only thing he could do was brace himself. His Okaa-sama was a tenacious women; once she had an idea, there was nothing in the land or sea that could stand in her way. And usually, Hiro admired this trait and had even emulated it as a part of his own personality. But when he sat in that conference room with the equally as clueless Imai at his side while their parents announced their doom, he saw that familiar glint in his Okaa-samas eyes. The look a lion would get when they found their prey laying wounded and defenseless. He didn't know why but Okaa-sama was determined to make this particular girl his wife. He didn't know what made this girl so special that a picky woman like his Okaa-sama would not only approve but vouch for her as well. But he didn't want to find out. He didn't want to know anything about his fiance.

It was simple really.

All he had to do was ignore her until the two years were up. The term “fiance” didn't have much meaning to him. It was just that, a word. He didn't have a face, voice, personality, or even a name to match the word with and that was the key. The less he knew about her the better it would be. The less attachments formed, the easier it would be. The palace was big enough for him to never bump into her and he had an entire wing to himself. As long as he didn't interact with her, it would be fine. And that was what he was determined to do. He had it all set up. On the day she would arrive, he had made sure to pile up as much work as he could so he could spread them out and do them all on that day. His Otoo-san had told him to at least greet her but with one look at his overcrowded desk, he didn't push any further. Surprisingly, his parents didn't ask him to greet her again for the first two months and he figured that they just wanted to give her space to adjust. The news about his fiance spread like wildfire throughout the palace. He could hear his attendants whisper about her when they didn't realize he was near. They were all fascinated by her, a foreigner who turned their mundane palace life into something new. In the beginning, it was just curiosity and some suspicion that drove them but after months passed, it shifted to encouragement and even silent support. He resisted the urge to reprimand them, not wanting it to seem like he was irritated over something, no...someone so insignificant. Yes, she should be as unimportant and mundane as a new attendant coming to work in the palace.That was how it should have been.

But fate, who is usually at his side, has been disagreeing with him lately.

The attendants gossip had been one thing but when Imai came gliding into his library one afternoon, Hiro could feel a sudden sense of doom looming over him. It took a total of ten seconds filled with teasing glances from Imai and a flick of his fan before Hiro understood why. “Aniki...I meet someone very interesting today.”, his younger brother started off, no doubt smiling behind his chosen silk fan of the day. Hiro restrained himself from letting out a groan and instead glared at Imai, daring him to continue. Unfortunately, what was a knife-cutting danger sign to anyone else was simply flicked away by the only person immune to it. “Surely you know who it is? Its been the talk of the palace for a few months now..” Imai continued, feigned ignorance coming off of him in waves. Hiro tightened the brush in his hand, steadying his strokes and willing for whatever was coming to end quickly. “Its my future sister-in-law of course!” Imai exclaimed with faux enthusiasm, snapping his fan closed and showing off his very amused grin. Hiro felt his temple pulse and he decided that enough was enough. Slamming his brush down, he leaned forward into his hands, ignoring the loose splatters of ink. “What? What do you want?” he muttered, somehow exhausted and definitely defeated. Did all younger brothers have the power to be this draining in under five minutes? Imai chuckled, “Now, now Aniki, lets not get worked up too fast. It has been a long time since Ive had something to tease you with!”. Hiro groaned swiping his brush back in his hands and trying to regain focus on his task. Since he knew his brothers goal was nothing but wanting to annoy him, Hiro figured the best solution was to ignore him till he got tired and left him alone.

“Okay okay!” Imai said, tone much more serious, “But seriously Aniki! How long will you continue to be stubborn? Its not like Okaa-sama is going to marry you both right then and there if you just go out to meet her”. Imai just didn't understand what he was going through. He wouldn't understand even if Hiro did explain his thoughts. He wouldnt understand until… suddenly Hiro smirked and turned to his younger brother, a menacing look in his eyes. Imai took a hasty step back as Hiro said “Ah yes. Lets see if you'll be singing the same tune when YOUR fiance enters the palace in a few months”. Imai visibly paled, all amusement wiped from his face. Hiro turned back, satisfied, and resumed his work in peace, all while Imai staggered away towards the exit. Hiro could help but chuckle as he watched his usually graceful brother sway around as if his soul was sucked right out of him. It was when Imai was right at the door that he turned with a sheepish expression on his face,

“We’re both in trouble, aren't we?”

Hiro couldn't agree more. 

                                                             ****

It was when he had just forgotten about you-know-who that he heard the jingles of jewelry one random early evening. His day had been peaceful, he had cleanly broken off an arrangement with an annoyingly arrogant politician, had finished all his work earlier than usual, and had even perfected fighting with a newly crafted sword! It was a perfect day, which was why he wasn't expecting anything but a perfect evening. The jingles startled him out his peace and he set down the book he was reading as soon as he heard them. The sound was not at all common to him and he couldn't help but put a hand to the sword resting near his table. He could hear the guards saying something and since there was no yelling or sounds of combat, he could only assume there wasn't a threat. But still, there came no announcement of who it was and therefore they didn't have any intentions of meeting with him… so why were they here in the first place? Hiro concentrated on the soft jingles once more, some clear bells while others were the clinking of several thin somethings banging together. Neither his Okaa-sama nor his Obaa-sama* wore actual bells on themselves so it couldn't be them. And why would they just stand around the front of his doors? A few minutes of silence passed until the jingles started once more and something solid was set near his door. Hiro rose swiftly and walked towards the entrance, his footsteps not making a  sound. He startled once more when something passed through the small gap underneath his heavy door. He forced himself to blink a few times just to make sure that what he was seeing was real.

Did someone just pass him a note like he was a sulking child petulantly locked away in his room?

The childish prints on the paper only furthered these thoughts as Hiro started at it in numb shock. Someone… had just… thrown a piece of paper into his bedroom chambers! For a moment, Hiro felt disoriented and disconnected from reality. ‘Was this what people mean when they say they’re experiencing a midlife crisis? Am I getting it early because of my personality? Imai has always said that I sometimes act like an old man…’. His thoughts were interrupted by the sound of faint footsteps receding, the jingling fading along with them. It snapped him out of his stupor and Hiro called in one of his attendants, Teru, whom he was the most closest to and whom he considers a friend. Teru came rushing in, his energetic bounce and amicable smile putting Hiro more at ease. “How may I help you Your Majesty?” he asked, reminding Hiro of an eager puppy. Hiro nodded, pointing at the offending article, “Throw out that trash and check to see what is outside”. Although confused at the request, Teru swiped the paper as told and opened one of the doors, stepping outside. Hiro heard him conversing with the attendants stationed outside, no doubt their subject being none other than the person who had come visiting just moments before. Hiro sighed and strode back to his seat, grabbing his book. He didn't need to hear them to know who it was. He had already figured it out after his mind had cleared. Who else would do something so odd without fear besides her? He heard Teru come back in, closing the door behind him. “Your Majesty, it seems that it's the Crown Princess that has sent this note to you. She has also left a small sample of her cooking for you to taste. Perhaps… this is her way of trying to get close to you…” he said, the last bit especially low. “Hm.” Hiro replied back inattentively, flipping to a new page. Teru sighed as he carried the two items away. 

As he was left alone, Hiro narrowed his eyes. So the girl was done getting used to her new lavish life and has now come knocking at his door?

 What did Teru say? A way to get close to him? 

Hmph. 

Who did she think he was? A fool? He had seen the constant tricks and facades of many women since he was young (for them, there was no shame in trying to match their daughters with a six year old) and although this method wasn't the usual, the outcome wouldn't be any different than the others. Constant compliments, overly extravagant words, rare gifts, batting lashes, revealing clothes, coy looks, talent parades, sob stories, and accomplishments have all been thrown at him before. He has even had someone threaten suicide if he wouldn't agree to "love" her. He could make a book of ways women have tried to squirm their way into his family in the past. 

And if none of the others phased him, then a measly piece of paper and bells were not going to break him. 

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GLOSSARY:

*Obaa-sama: A way to address your Grandmother with respect in Japanese

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SECOND PART SHALL BE UPDATED SOON! I just wanted you guys to get something as soon as possible!

Thank you all so much for waiting so patiently~ I hope you all enjoyed this update~ 

Now accepting Tapas Ink! They're greatly appreciated!