Perhaps, She Does

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The Little Princess clapped her hands when she saw her mother walking out of the room. It has been years since the last time they wore kimono, so they took the chance to wear it again. Fuyu went out of the room wearing a pink and white kimono with sakura imprints. Her hair was styled with different kinds of flowers from the garden and she was also wearing a few sets of jewelry that her husband gave to her. The mother and daughter were wearing the same kimono designs and Higa was sitting on the couch while watching the two most important persons in his life having fun with dressing up.

"Too bad, I don't have any yukata with the same design." He said and Fuyu chuckled softly before asking one of the helpers to bring out the huge box that contains the yukata he will wear for the celebration. He gave her a questioning look before opening it.

"Isn't it nice if we would have matching clothes with our daughter?" She said softly before asking him to get up from his seat and wear the yukata she prepared for him. He kissed her forehead and chuckled more before gently pushing him inside the room to change.

A few minutes had passed and he finally went out of the room to show off the yukata. They were just on time to travel to the celebration venue. There was a carriage waiting for them outside and when they were done with everything, they already proceeded. Higa carried the Little Princess in his arms as they entered the carriage. She looked outside and admired the beautiful and sparkling night of Edo. The celebration for the newborn Crown Prince is something that everyone anticipated. She traced the gold ring around her finger and smiled softly. She was relieved that she married Higa.

It only took them a short while to arrive at the venue. Higa showed the invitation he received and they proceeded inside the hall. The guards looked at each other because they thought that they saw the Empress with another man and with a little girl. Everyone was celebrating the real purpose of the event until the whole family of the Higa Household walked in. Fuyu smiled softly and looked around. Everyone seemed to be taken aback when they saw her.

"I think it is better for us to introduce ourselves to some of our business partners." Higa whispered to her and she nodded her head. She followed him as he approached a familiar figure. It was the Master of the Aoyama Household. She smiled softly and greeted Makoto since she already saw him when they were on their way back to Edo.

"Gia was here. She just went to the washroom. Would you like to come along with us?" Makoto asked and the older one nodded while he was carrying the Little Princess in his arms. Hanahime greeted her uncle with a smile, waving her hand.

"I can't believe that the Master of the Higa Household is finally here." She froze on her spot when she heard that voice. Higa gently squeezed her hand, assuring her that she would be safe besides him.

"Greetings, Your Highness." Higa bowed his head after carefully placing down Hanahime. The little one held on his hand tightly while looking up at her biological father. Fuyu took a deep breath and turned around to face him. She smiled softly and the Emperor clenched his fist tightly.

"My wife prepared a gift for the Crown Prince." The older one added and she handed a box that was full of baby clothes from another country. The Royal servants took the gift and she bowed at the Emperor.

"Wife? I didn't know that you got married. Since when?" The Emperor asked and everyone in the hall could feel the tension building up between the two men. Gia finally arrived from the washroom and she greeted them, making the younger woman smile sweetly.

"Since last year, Your Highness. It was a church wedding. We were also able to officiate our marriage by the law." Higa answered and Fuyu looked at Gia when she held her arm gently. They knew what could happen if the Emperor would not be able to suppress his anger.

"I see. Congratulations on your wedding. It was a shame that I wasn't able to attend it." The Emperor smiled at them and this sent chills down to her spine. Seeing him act like that is something that she needs to worry about.

They suddenly heard the doors opening and the Royal guards announced that the Empress and the Crown Prince finally arrived. The Emperor stared at her for a few seconds before walking in front to welcome his family. The Empress was carrying the Crown Prince in her arms and she smiled faintly while standing on her spot. The Emperor stood beside them and the Royal servant was there to give the crown to him. It was also the coronation night of the Crown Prince. They focused their attention on them and after a while, they congratulated the new Crown Prince.

Everyone continued the event happily and then, the Little Princess asked her parents if she could give her gift to the Empress personally. Higa and Fuyu smiled at her and accompanied her. Hanahime was holding a small velvet box and it contained a necklace that they bought before going back to Edo. Yuki gently bit her lips when she saw the real Fuyu. Indeed, they looked like twins. The only difference is Fuyu is more beautiful than her.

"This is my gift to the Empress. Please accept it, Your Highness." Hanahime said as she handed the velvet box. She bowed her head and the Empress was hesitating. Though the Emperor urged her to accept it. She forced a smile and accepted the gift. She opened the velvet box and it was a gold necklace with a diamond pendant.

"Thank you so much. It is beautiful." Yuki said and Hanahime smiled widely before going back to her parents. The whole family excused themselves and then, they went back to Makoto and Gia's side.

After a while, the Empress let the Crown Prince to sleep in his grandparents' room as she already had the hunch on what might happen that night. She entered their bedroom and she saw her husband standing near the window. He was already wearing his night clothes. She took a deep breath before silently approaching him and hugging him from behind. She missed him. It has been two whole months since the last time she saw him.

"Sho.. would you sleep with me tonight? I missed you." She whispered and he turned around to look at her. She stared deep in his eyes and realized that he was seeing her as Fuyu instead as Yuki.

"My dearest winter.." He mumbled while caressing her cheeks. He leaned closer and kissed her lips gently. She gripped on his clothes tightly and kissed him back. She wouldn't dare to cry that night. It was the only time she could ever make love with him again. She needed to set aside her feelings.

"Sho.. Please take me.." She begged quietly as she guided him to their bed. She took her clothes off and he started to ravish her body like a wild animal. She hissed in pleasure when he was able to satisfy her needs as his woman.

"Let's separate, Yuki." He muttered while sitting on the edge of the bed. She gripped on the blankets tightly while trying her best not to cry. It was painful for her. She loved him even though he loved someone else.

"Thank you, Sho.." She whispered and then, he stood up from his seat to put back his clothes on. He left her alone in their bedroom and she started crying. She swiped all things on the dresser table with her arms and the servants rushed in to stop her. The former Empress also rushed to her side and asked what happened.

"I did everything, Mother.. I love him but he doesn't love me back.." She cried hard while the former Empress was hugging her tight. She cried even more and the older woman asked everyone to leave them alone for a while.