The Beard

Part One

The Imperial Palace, Japan

the near future

The forest was shrouded in glistening mists that clung to the green-black leaves of each tree. When you looked around, there were no wooden planks, no blackened campfires, no traces of humanity. It was sentineled only by faint clouds and winds that lifted footprints and flung them into obscurity.

But there wasn't simply a forest to guard the Imperial family; there were gardens and courtyards and bushes trimmed into fanciful shapes. There was a tranquil Zen garden, complete with soft white sands and cracked gray stones. Even inside the Palace, words scattered like seeds ready to grow.

"Sadako, do you understand how difficult this will be for our family?"

As the family sat in the dining room, two servants stood with their backs pressed up against the wall. Their eyes darted from side to side, as if they were pretending not to overhear. The Princess nodded, her black bob swinging neatly along her cheeks.

"I know how it sounds, Mom. But you have to understand, it would be more difficult if I never said a word."

Her parents exchanged looks. As the Emperor's sister, Natsumi knew the wrath of the press— even if Sadako wasn't the main heir. They knew damn well her cousin, Prince Hinata, hadn't received the same scrutiny— despite his position as heir.

"Auntie and Uncle can't know," the Princess continued, "And they won't. I'll be careful of that."

Mom pulled up a Daily Mail article on her phone, tapping a crimson fingernail on the paparazzi photo.

"You certainly weren't careful when you were caught kissing that flower-shop girl."

"Mo-om! That was four months ago! And Auntie and Uncle never said anything!"

"But we had to pay all the other papers not to report it. Thank the gods they never read the Daily Mail."

"The Daily Mail sucks anyway."

Mom arched a well-plucked brow and leaned forward.

"It was a close call, though. If any sightings of you and a woman get in the wrong hands...."

"Personally, I see no problem." Her father smiled warmly, patting her on the shoulder. "Your family are stuffy anyway, and they probably won't notice a thing unless you were making out with a girl."

"Junichiro!"

"Sorry, Natsumi. But wouldn't you say the same?"

"Unfortunately. I have no issue with how you are, Sadako. It's just that, well...as the Imperial family, you know how people will talk. The media. Everywhere you look! I can't have you endure that."

"Maybe we can get them to talk about something else," her father offered.

"Well, to be safe...we need to find someone."

"Find someone?!" the Princess demanded, jumping to her feet, "Someone to...what? 'Cure' me? Show me pictures of men in Speedos until I turn straight?"

Her beefy, bespectacled father burst into laughter until her mother nudged his ribs.

"Sorry, sorry!"

"No, I have a better idea." Her mother folded her hands. "One that'll work with your interests as well as Auntie and Uncle's."

"Oh, come on. I have nothing in common with those old farts, Mom."

"Neither do I, but you know how it is. They think just because Uncle is a Yamato he's somehow special." She shook her head. "Rich people dementia, this royal nonsense."