日向導 - A Hyūga's Guide

Chapter Three: An Invitation

The squeals of Sakura filled the room, making Hinata wince in annoyance at the shrill sound that filled her ears. Setting down her chopsticks as she looked at Kizashi who kept rereading the scroll in front of him, she waited for him to finish whatever it was he had been saying.

"Aren't you excited, Hinata? This is an invite to the Palace to see the Crown Prince." Sakura clasped her hands together and let out a sigh as she imagined how the event would go.

Long ago, the pink haired woman had developed a crush on the son of the Emperor. She had since then anticipated meeting him by whatever means necessary. This was her moment to finally take a peek at the young man.

Everyone in the village gossiped about the Crown Prince. No one has seen his face, nor did they know his name but that just added in their adoration for a figure so mysterious. The rumours involved there being two sons, but everyone was interested in the oldest one.

He was said to be calm and collective, smart yet very kind with a smile so heartwarming that it made the sun jealous. Thinking about it now, it made her heart beat faster and a blush form on her cheeks. Oh to be looked at by the Crown Prince.

"What could the dinner possibly be for?" Mebuki asked, confused as to why they were receiving such a sudden notice from the Emperor himself.

"He needs to marry." Hinata mumbled, avoiding their questioning gazes. How could she possibly know that?

Sakura cleared her throat and nodded. "The Emperor is looking to marry his son, maybe both of his sons, so they can have an heir before inheriting the throne."

"Is that true?" Mebuki asked her husband to verify what her daughters were saying. If that was the case, this would be a wonderful opportunity for them to change their status in the country. To be referred to as the Crown Prince's mother-in-law made her hands sweaty in envy.

"Perhaps it is." Kizashi put the scroll down. "Since Sakura has been invited—"

"What about Hinata?" Sakura interrupted. "Isn't this about the daughters of noble clans? Surely she is being summoned as well."

"I'm not sure if we can send her with you..." He frowned and thought for a moment. "If we cannot, Hinata shall accompany you as some sort of guard."

Hinata raised her eyebrow in confusion. If she wasn't allowed to go, which she highly suspected to be an excuse to send their actual daughter, why would they want her to pretend to be an escort? "It's alright if I stay home."

"Do you have no interest in the Crown Prince?" Sakura looked at Hinata in shock. Every woman she knew had some sort of crush on the mysterious man; even the civilians in the village who stood no chance against the noble clans had fantasies about meeting the Uchiha Brothers.

She shook her head. "There is nothing to be interested in. You have no clue what he's like; his habits, his interests, nor his looks. Everyone is infatuated with the idea of him that they have constructed from the rumours they've heard. Frankly, that does not interest me." She stood up from the pillow she sat on and bowed to excuse herself.

"You talk as if you know him." Sakura muttered.

Hinata did not respond as she left the room. Once she was standing outside, she took a deep breath and sighed. She really did not understand why the Haruno family was so excited about dinner, and the idea of meeting the son of the Emperor. It made no sense to her because they had not once shown any interest in the Crown Prince. Besides that, the competitive nature that the dinner will manifest would no doubt send them into a bigger frenzy.

That was if Sakura piqued the interest of the Crown Prince.

"Are you ready for bed, Lady Hinata?" Yuriko bowed to her slightly and offered a smile once she realized the tense nature of her lady. "Is something wrong?"