§My Future Queen§

Confusion

At Izumi's castle
There it was...Izumi's worst nightmare- losing Katsumi. She couldn't believe what she was reading. Why would Katsumi run away like this? Was it something she had done? Izumi cursed herself for coming to apologize very late. Maybe Katsumi got tired of waiting.
Izumi collapsed right there. The exhaustion took a toll on her. The noise made other workers wake up and check the source of noise. They were absolutely stunned to see their princess in such a fragile state. The commotion got Shoto's attention who was about to leave. He ran towards the servant quarters and saw Izumi passed out. Ochako came in a little later. Both were in a state of panic. Shoto immediately took Izumi in his arms and asked Ochako to alert the infirmary. He carried her swiftly to the infirmary.

The next morning
Izumi, laid down on the infirmary bed, scanned the room she is in. Unable to process the events of last night but realization hit her quickly. She got up frantically and ran out of the infirmary, only to be stopped by her mother.
The older woman looked at her daughter with concern and disbelief. The look which made Izumi the saddest.  Her mother sat her down and gently stroked her daughter's back and looked at the medicine team signaling them to leave the room. 

"What's wrong my child?"  Inko asked, perhaps a little too late, only for Izumi to break down in tears. "What's wrong with me? I screw up whenever it's related Katsumi! Be it now or 5 years ago or 10 years ago! I keep making her run away! this is not my intention at all...why does this happen to me all the time! why am I so unlucky in love..." Izumi complained to her mother like a child. Her mother could only hug her in empathy , controlling her tears, Inko said, "I suppose it's my cursed fate in love which passed on to you, my daughter, I am sorry" 

the entire room was filled with Izumi's desperate cries. The castle attendants couldn't believe their ears. They never thought their strong and graceful princess would end up in such a state and that too because of love. As news travelled fast, the entire Todoroki family came to check on Izumi as she was like family to them. The Todoroki couple tried convincing Queen Inko to pursue the matter further. Shoto couldn't care less for Katsumi's actions, he just wanted to be with Izumi. The Queen wanted answers but was also glad that this chapter might have ended. Duke Enji volunteered to be the envoy to Kingdom of Aurora and seek a clear answer. It was revealed that Ruby was actually Princess Katsumi of Aurora. She infiltrated the Kingdom as spy in disguise of Izumi's personal maid. Although Queen Inko knew about this since the beginning, cause c'mon how hard is it to recognise that ash-blonde hair and fiery eyes. The Todoroki family were extremely upset on this matter. Izumi had enough and she stepped up to defend her love, "Will you all just shut it? She is not like how you portray her to be...she was concerned about the relationship between our kingdoms since someone here did not give a proper reply to Aurora" Izumi said as she faced Queen Inko at the latter part of the conservation. "I had my reasons which I would like to discuss with you in private" Inko replied.

"Don't you think it's a little too late to do that? Be whatever  it may be but it doesn't excuse the insincerity on our side" Izumi retaliated. Inko kept her calm knowing she was wrong but Izumi's anger was not acceptable. Shoto understood the mother-daughter tension and jumped in saying, "Your Highness, princess seems to be unwell. Please allow her to rest" Shoto bowed.

The adults seemed pleased with Shoto's intervention. Inko dismissed the Princess and Shoto volunteered to escort her.

Upon sensing the tension in the room, Queen Inko decided to let this matter go and focus on Izumi's recovery. The physicians reported that the princess might have been under distress for a long period of time which resulted in her collapsing, physiological effects like constant fatigue seemed to plague the princess's health. The physicians have prescribed the princess with rest and non-rigorous activities for her early recovery. So, all the things Izumi loves to do are banned for her till she recovers. When will she recover? What's her ailment? The answer to these questions were out of reach for the physicians at that time. Medical practices were rigid and holistic caring didn't exist. At least not in Galilee. Galilean physicians can treat external wounds, internal damage to organs and fractures; but not the ailment of heart. 

At Kingdom of Aurora

It's been a month since Katsumi returned to Aurora, but it felt like years to her. No news from the kingdom of Galilee reached her ears, or anybody's in that kingdom. Katsumi felt guilty for leaving but she had all rights to leave a place that humiliated her. But she never heard such a thing from Izumi herself. It's understandable that nobody talks ill of you directly to you, but Katsumi never felt the feeling of disgust radiating from Izumi' presence whenever she saw her. On the contrary the very sweet and accepting nature of Izumi made her stay for so long at Galilee. So why did she believe the letters and one bad night with Izumi?

The mental turmoil was getting to Katsumi. She couldn't think straight. The thought of abandoning her lover over a piece of paper, made her anxious. So, she decided to meet Izumi and clear the misunderstanding that may or may not have been her fault. But who's to blame? 

"Are you sure about this decision, my dear?" King Masaru asked his beloved Daughter. "Yes, I am father" Katsumi replied, the most determined look flashed on her face. "Alright then-" "It's easier said than done" Queen Mitsuki interrupted her blind husband. He was blind in the fatherly love he has for Katsumi. The father-daughter duo looked at the slightly annoyed look on Mitsuki. "Care to explain, hag?" Katsumi said, annoyed with her mom's typical pessimism. "You don't talk like that with me, young lady!" Mitsuki retaliated. Masaru just sighed in the corner. "WHAT ARE YOU SIGHING FOR?!" The mother-daughter duo spat, angry with Masaru's laid-back nature. Masaru's shoulder just dropped. "What exactly is so wrong with the idea of confession?" Katsumi asked. "It's complicated. You don't have now what you had then with her. What if she refuses to see you? That will just be embarrassing for us. Also, you left on your own resolution; so, what makes you think she will welcome you with open arms?" Mitsuki explained. "That's precisely the reason I want to meet her. To clear misunderstandings between us!" Katsumi retaliated. "You don't understand. They are heartless people. They don't understand the ways of the heart. They never forget let alone forgive" replied Mitsuki. "Mother, I know you are worried and all, but this isn't about you and Queen Inko. It's about me and Izumi" Mitsuki looked shocked. "Yes, I know you and her have a broken friendship due to past conflicts. So, I understand your prejudice" Katsuki said, pitying her mother's history. "If it's possible then why don't you try to straighten out your friendship with Queen Inko" Katsumi said. "I do not care about what you want to do, so do not come between my personal affairs" Mitsuki said and left the room. "I think that would mean I can go meet Izumi?" Katsumi said. "Well not after you upset your mother" Masaru said while putting down his cup of tea. "You were here the entire time; she was becoming overbearing" Katsumi defended herself. Masaru looked disappointed. Katsumi sighed softly and held her father's hand and said, "Please let me go...it's about my only love...the one I waited for so long." Masaru sighed, he of course couldn't say no to that, and caressed Katsumi's face in approval of her proposal.

Then suddenly Mitsuki came with a letter- a royal letter. "Here... a letter from Galilee" she handed it over to Katsumi and sat beside Masaru. Katsumi did not how to feel. A letter that she awaited is finally here. Should she be happy or sad? She isn't sure what the letter would say. Heck! Just get over it. Katsumi opened the letter and read its contents. "What does it say?" Mitsuki asked nervously, held Masaru's hand, and looked anxiously at Katsumi's face. "It's an invitation..." Katsumi said, almost choking on her saliva. "Invitation to what?" Masaru asked gently.

"It's an invitation to Princess Izumi's wedding with King Kosuke" Katsumi said.