Kingdoms - Kuroko no Basket [ On Hold ]

One

Chapter One: Who's the first prince?

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"Did you hear? There's someone important coming to our village." A teenage girl muttered to her friend.

"No, who?" Her friend replied, careful not to let her skirt get scratched by the occasional fallen twigs.

The two girls were busy working on the fields amongst all the other women of the village, collecting ripe fruits and harvesting.

"Girls, be careful," An older woman brushed by, her basket nearly full as she swiftly picked strawberries beside them, "The man who's arriving is someone you shouldn't purposely deal with. He's a man that'll do things for himself only, a man who does not listen to others."

"Is he a royal?" Hearing about the mysterious man piqued the interests of the girls.

"Yes, a royal indeed. But not the best royal. Don't be naive, girls, because soon you'll have to face him and you'll wish for your life right there on the spot."

And the woman was right. Not long after the next dawn approached, every girl below the age of twenty was woken up and was ordered to dress themselves as fine as possible. Without much choice, they tidied themselves up and their mothers adorned them with jewellery and their best dress. The girls were sent to the village centre, their mothers' faces solemn and displeased.

"To all, I present the eldest Prince of the fourth kingdom - Prince Hanamiya Makoto."

All the bowing girls stopped breathing, the name ringing in their ears. They heard the mayor of the village welcome the prince.

"We have gathered all the girls of age that is under twenty here for you, your highness." Even though their eyes were staring at the floor, they could still detect the sweeping motion of the mayor's sleeve as he gestured towards the girls.

"You've done well, mayor." The mayor was being praised but it doesn't sound sincere at all.

"As you all may know, the king is sickly and has told me to begin my duties as the next king." A suppressed gasp traveled through the watching villagers, to which the prince ignored.

"And although it may be a surprise, I have not yet indulged myself in matters that concern women." It was a surprise - a sadistic prince like him was thought to be a womanizer.

"So, I am here today to select," He paused, eyes scanning over the backs of all the bowing girls, "a *concubine for myself."

Whispers and gasps rippled through the crowds.

The mayor became anxious, but he knew that there was no chance that a bride was going to be selected. A concubine was much more feasible.

"Mayor?" The prince knew that a concubine would be selected whether the mayor complied or not, but the gesture of approval created a good image.

"Do as you wish."

And so the prince began to walk, eyeing the many girls.

"I'd like to see their faces." All of them lift their face and torso, remaining in a kneeled position.

One girl caught the prince's eye, but he can tell why. Her dress is a magnificent colour, paired with a sheer veil that flowed from her styled hair, beautiful ornaments hanging from all over her body. Someone of high standard.

But what enticed him the most was that she wad staring at him directly in the eyes, and though she kept a neutral expression, her eyes were stone-hard.

The girl was breathtakingly beautiful and seemed fit to even become a queen, but the prince was only here for a concubine - and she looked as if she would hate the job.

"I'd like her." The girl was asked to stand and she does it easily, despite how heavy her dress must be, or her hair.

"This is my niece, one of the prettiest girls of our village." The mayor decided to put in a say, but all the prince was focused on was the girl as she made her way towards him and his entourage.

"Prince Hanamiya, I am Suiren Mairu and I am pleased to serve you."

"Very well, let us leave."

And as they watch the carriages ride away, all the girls said a silent prayer for the mayor's niece.

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*concubine - a concubine is a woman who lives with a man but has lower status than his wife or wives, otherwise known as a mistress.