A Quest of The Heart

Suspicious Much

Momo was away with Fuyumi at her princess lessons in another part of the castle as Kemeko was looking around trying to figure out where the prince's chambers was. She decided to ask one of the maids.

"Excuse me Bridget, can you escort me to the prince's chambers? I have something I have to give him and am too shy to give it to him in person?"

Natsuo happened to overhear the conversation and appeared clearing his throat.

"Ah hem, Kemeko you can always wait until later to give whatever you have to you Shouto when he comes back from town with our parents and yours? Didn't anyone tell you, that you really can't be allowed in his chambers until you're officially married? Didn't your parents teach you that? Now stop asking questions about my brother's chambers."

Kemeko didn't like that answer and glared at the prince as he shot her a suspicious look.

"Why not go in the library and get a good book, we have been told that you like to read all kinds of books. The library is on the third floor on the left. Trust me there are plenty of books to keep you occupied until Shouto's return."

He watched her as she made her way to the third floor and approached the maids and butlers.

"Under no circumstances do any of you reveal to her where Shouto's chambers are? A real princess would not be asking a question like that especially one that has supposedly been betrothed to Shouto as a baby. If I find out that any of you reveal my brother's chambers to her the one responsible will have to deal with my father personally and you all know that is not good. Now I am off to my training with Iida, keep a close eye on Princess Kemeko while I am training."

They all bowed to him.

"Yes, your majesty we shall watch her very closely. When is the prince due back from the city?"

Natsuo looked at them.

"Later on, this evening, and until then do not let her out of your sights understood?"

They all nodded as they watched the young prince exit the castle to meet Sir Iida. As Natsuo exited the castle Sir Iida looked at him.

"Your majesty, what seems to be bothering you? You seem like you are worried or suspicious about something."

Natsuo looked at him.

"The princess seems a little off to me. I know my bastard father told us all to just go along with it until Princess Momo can reveal she is the princess. It's just this one seems very suspicious to me all of a sudden. She's not the timid, shy girl she was a few days ago when she arrived. Now she is asking where Shouto's chambers are. I don't trust her for some reason and think when my little brother returns, I think I am going to make him aware of my suspicions. Anyway, let's drop it Sir Iida and let's get to training, shall we?"

As they young prince was training his fiancée a young brown-haired girl named Anika approached.

"Wow Natsuo, honey I never knew you were interested in learning sword skills. I think you're brave enough without them."

Natsuo looked up as Sir Iida disarmed him.

"Princess Anika, all the princes are required to learn swordsmanship in order to protect the castle and of course their loved ones. Why don't you go join Princess Kemeko in the library so the prince here can get back to training and concentrate. Make sure you keep an eye on her please, Natsuo here has his suspicions about her."

At that mention Natsuo disarmed Sir Iida.

"There is no way that I will let her go by her, she can't be trusted. Anika sweetie you can watch just keep quiet so I can concentrate on my training."