Royal - HinaYachi ♚

Chapter 5

Shouyou made a big gulp. It's the time of the truth. He stands in front of the king's room. He knocks on the door and slowly pushed it. The light slowly hits his face. He saw his father sitting on his chair behind his desk. He was staring outside through the wall of glass in front of him. The chamber is smaller compared to his room. The king turns his head around with a serious face. His expression softens when he saw that it's just his son.

"Shouyou, what brings you here? It's so rare of you to visit your father. Natsu always comes after my work," he chuckled. He's giving off the father vibe to indicate that he's speaking to the boy as his father, not as a king.

"Ah, well... the thing is..." Shouyou's eyes travel around the room to avoid his father's. He walks forward to face his father.

"Is it about Princess Runa? What's wrong? You two don't get along?"

"No, that's not it," the lad shakes his head. "We do get along and she's nice to me. It's just that... I, no, we want to cancel the marriage."

The older man turns his eyes into slits. "What?"

Shouyou lifted his head to make contact with his father's gaze. "We are both against it, especially the princess. She has someone she likes and if the nuptials were to continue, they will be broken and I'll definitely feel guilty for doing this."

The king made a big sigh. "You know, we have a good reason for this. We're not just doing it just because we want to. As we said before, it will strengthen both parties if we conjoin through your marriage. Another reason is we want you to find your queen. You'll be taking my place in a few years and we will never know what will happen to me even before your coronation. If I got eliminated, like for tomorrow, you'll be taking the title as a king instantly. And as a king, you'll be needing a pillar. Trust me, it is much easier to have someone by your side when you're ruling. You can ask for their opinions about lots of things and you will also be needing an heir who will also take your place."

Shouyou scowls. "Don't say things like getting eliminated. It's not funny."

"But it's not impossible."

"I just have to get married, right?"

"Not just marrying someone you just met around. This person must also hold intelligence because you... you know, being you, must find someone your opposite."

The lad knows what his father is trying to say and he's not even offended. He already knows that himself that he's an idiot.

"Alright. But spare Princess Runa here. She deserves someone who is much better."

"But she's the only princess who is near your age. Why? Do you like older ones?"

"No! I'm not talking about that! I mean, I'm not marrying a princess."

His father's eyes widened. He froze in the seat while contemplating about what his son has said. "No way. Shouyou, answer me honestly. Are you into guys?"

"Huh? No! Why did you ask?"

"You said you're not marrying a princess so you must be into princes."

"No! I mean I'm gonna marry who is not a royalty!"

The king's expression shifted to a serious one. "What do you mean?"

"I'm gonna marry a girl who is not a royalty. You said earlier that I must find someone who is intelligent. Well, I know just the perfect person for that."

"And this person is?"

"One of the royal maids, Yachi Hitoka-san. Er, well, I haven't talked to her about this yet because I still need your approval," Shouyou made some hand gestures while explaining.

The name rings a bell for the king. He tries to recall where he heard the name Yachi but can't remember at all. "Yachi? I think I know the name but..."

"It was your previous advisor. His wife used to be a maid here, as well," the prince interrupted the old man's train of thought. "Both resigned when they decided to get married. It was really a long time so it's no wonder you'll forget. Yachi-san told me that, by the way."

The man looks at the lad with wide eyes. "That's right. I finally remember that wise man. How dare me to forget my previous right hand?" He made a dramatic pained expression. The king really gets silly when he's not in front of the townspeople. "His wife was pretty good-looking. How about the daughter?"

The prince sweat drops. "What's with the question? But, well, yeah, she looks cute," he looks away with a slight blush on his face. "And she's really nice."

The king leans back in his chair and crosses his arms. He has this satisfied look on his face. "Inherited the old man's intellect and her mother's looks, what a lucky person," he nods to himself like an idiot. "But are you sure with this? People will raise their eyebrows because you are going to marry a commoner. I have no complaints with this since it's the good old friend's kid."

Shouyou smiled. "Hundred percent sure. She's the only person I know who is the most befitting for the position."

The man stares into his son's eyes. "You're finally in love, huh?" He whispered.

"Pardon?"

"Nothing. I'm just glad that you're starting to make your own decisions. I'm proud of you. I'll talk to this girl tomorrow. What would you do if she rejects it?"

Reject? That never crossed his mind. Is he really that confident to make assumptions that the girl likes him back? He can see her blushing face when they are together but she's just probably flustered around him. Wait, don't be a pessimist. That's really out of character.

"I'll just pray she won't."

ⓐⓝ

Since Author-san here is not a fan of happy endings, it may or may not be a happy story. *laughs*