Love Unexplained

Scroll 6: Why do you Love Me?

After reading the note, she walked out to the balcony and looked up at the sky. To Utsukushi's surprise, it was already nightfall. She sighed and let her head drop in disappointment, but, before she could turn to her room in shame, she noticed something strange in the garden below.

Peeking her interest, Utsukushi hurried to the door. Tip-toeing her way down the stairs and softly walking down the hall, Utsukushi made her way to the entrants of the garden. She stopped when she heard a voice coming from the ballroom.

"But father," the voice seemed to say.

"It was you who said I was to choose, was it not? You always claim that if I were to become a true king I must make choices, good or bad." The prince declared.

Utsukushi peeked inside, just enough to see Prince Ōji, the king, and the queen all standing in the middle of the ballroom. They seemed to be arguing, the subject being her.

"I'm not sure how much I care for Utsukushi, but I know that I care so much as to wish for nothing but her happiness."

Utsukushi was hidden by the door just enough so they wouldn't see or hear her. She listened close with unease; she could feel a frosty chill run over her as her heart pounded.

This time, the king spoke.

"Nonsense Ōji, you don't even know this girl." He proclaimed.

"How can you love someone you don't know? It's crazy! Besides, she doesn't even know the first thing about being a princess! You have to marry a proper princess, just like all the other princes do." She heard the king say.

"Father, you yourself don't know her, and yet you judge her by how she acts and the way she speaks."

"I, for one, can see more than you. I have seen the fear she so desperately hides, the loneliness in her heart, and the struggle in her eyes. This morning when I went to fetch her, I witnessed the sighting of a broken soul."

The prince's kind words made Utsukushi's heart seem to soar. Her face was hot and her hands were shaky.

"I admire and envy Utsukushi for embracing who she is. I choose her not because she's a proper princess like you so wish her to be, but because I feel in my heart that she is the right choice." Stating so, he turned his eyes away from the king, as if to be ashamed.

"Please understand," he continued, "I do not wish to make you angry, but only do what is right."

Utsukushi didn't know what to do. She didn't want to hear any more, but she couldn't move her body, something deep inside was telling her to stay and listen.

Finally, the queen spoke with a sigh, "My dear son I do understand." she hesitated for a moment then gentle placed one hand on his shoulder and the other on his cheek.

"All we want is for you to be happy, and make the right choices towards being king. If you truly care so deeply for this girl, then I will not argue." She finished, smiling warmly.

For a second, Utsukushi could feel a tear roll down her cheek, but didn't know why.

"But," she heard the queen say suddenly.

"I want you to learn more about her, and get to know her better. If you plan on making her your bride, I suggest you spend your time with her wisely. If you're not careful, some other man will steal her heart."

Utsukushi saw Ōji smile at the thought and acknowledged it. The prince bowed and said his goodnights.

"I'll see if she's alright. She must be awake by now." He called to them as they too went their separate way.