Royal Midnight Kiss (Falling In Love With A Prince In Disguise) 1

Chapter 1 (A friend in need)

Sitting in front of my PC at work

I type furiously

I can finally see the end of a project that has taken several months to complete

"Phew... I think I'll take a short break."
I press the Enter key and sigh. I stretch leisurely, hearing small bones pop somewhere in my body.

"Is the translation proceeding smoothly?"

When I hear the voice of the company president coming from right behind me, I straighten up in a panic.

"Yes, I think the first draft will be ready next week."

"I see" he said, "I'll be looking forward to that then. The books you've translated have been beautifully written."

"Thank you, sir."
When the president compliments me with a casual smile on his face, my heart secretly dances in my chest

Since university, the only thing I've ever been good at was translating. I've loved books all my life. It feels as if though my life started when I first began translating previously untranslated books into Japanese. Now I can translate books into Japanese from English and several other languages.

Thanks to that... I was able to get my current job at Happiness Link.

The translation company, Happiness Link, is a small company with about 15 employees. The president and my coworkers are all wonderful people (although the president sometimes accept strange jobs. But I suppose any job that helps me increase my knowledge is a good thing...)

Thinking this, I once again face my keyboard, when....

"Hey do you have a minute?"

Naomi Hara, my coworker and friend approaches me with a receipt in one hand. Nao joined the company at the same time I did. She's lively, sociable and very fashionable.

"You gave me this yesterday" she said, "but your name is missing."

"Oh, sorry! I'll add it right now."

"There's no hurry, I can wait."

"Ok, thanks. Let's see, I put my name here, right...?
"My name is...."

China Haruna

After writing my name, I hand the receipt to Nao.

"Ok, perfect! I'll give this to accounting."

"Thank you Nao."

I have confidence in my work as a translator, but...
I've always been bad at business details. So Nao always helps me out
(But if I don't eventually learn to do these things on my own...)

Just as these thoughts run through my mind, the cellphone on my desk signals an incoming call.

(That name...)
The name displayed on the screen is that of a childhood friend whom I haven't been in touch with for years

It's Mindori Sakurai.

When I was still a university student, Mindori decided to work for the Ministry Of Foreign Affairs. My mother tells me he is currently on a rapid rise through the ranks of the elite.

(It's rare to get a call from Mindori! I wonder if something's happened?)

"Hello?"

And he is calling during work hours? I have a bad feeling about this.
Sure enough, when I answer the phone...

"China? It's been a long time. I'm sorry to call you so abruptly, but there is something I need your help with."

"Huh? What kind of help?"

"I'm not sure where to start..."
To summarize Mindori's explanation....

Several years ago, the Japanese government established a new initiative called JODA. JODA is the name of an initiative that provides support and assistance for various arts and cultures to friendly nations on a state level. Because of this initiative, currently important personages from a number of countries are visiting Japan.

"Today we are holding a party for them. This morning, at that location, the company entrusted with interpreting duties created a major problem..."

"Oh", I said, "I heard about that company in the news today. It was involved in illicit trade"

"Yes, and because of that, the interpreters who were supposed to come tonight won't be there."
Mindori sighs heavily, as though exhausted.

"So although I know it's very sudden, we'd like to ask you to work for us as an interpreter."

Me?
"But why me?"

"You speak Orlandese and Asham, don't you...?", He asked "and also Marshallese?"

"I don't have confidence in my speaking ability" I said in my defence,"but I have translated books in those languages."

"That's good enough!"

Through the phone, Mindori's voice sounds jubilant.

"Come immediately! There's not much time."

***************
Hi guys. This is my first book ever 😇 and so...
Tell me what you think of it and like it if u may😘
Hope to hear from all of you 😁
Toodles😃
And stay cool😎