Alluring Secret [TechiNeru]

The Deal

"Are you sure about this, Yurina? You know our father well and mother won't be very happy about it too." Yuta, Yurina's older brother asked her for the second time around.

"Yes. Please tell them, let me live peacefully as an ordinary citizen and I had found the love I wanted with someone else." Yurina replied. She had decided this the moment she allowed Neru to fall in love with her as Techi and she even confessed to the girl.

"You know, Memi isn't gonna like this. The girl is madly in love with you, sis."

"Memi to me, is like my little sister. That's why I ran away from the palace. Away from the royal engagement. Besides, I know you like her, brother." Yurina replies, she reaches out for her brother's hand and gave it a light squeeze, "I'd rather you take care of her than me breaking her heart every waking moment of our marriage because I don't even love her."

"You know, it was Memi who recognized you at first glance," Yuta says with a sad smile, "kept insisting that it was you even when I tried my best to coax her it's not you. Who would've guesed that it was actually my little sister!"

"Please tell her, I am so sorry." Yurina said as she looks at her brother's eyes.

"So tell me, what did you see in the Nagahama heiress that you even changed," his brother paused and gestured to her before continuing, "a lot."

Yurina smiles, of course she couldn't forget how she fell in love with the older girl, it was mainly because of the many people that day, it was only Neru who dared to reach out a helping hand to her. All the other people just stared at her being harrassed and tried to get away from the scene but Neru didn't. She bravely rescued her. Even offered shelter and help. It was more than what she could ask for and enough to make her fall the girl. She was happy when she found out that like her, Neru is also an avid reader. Pipi and Risa were not much of a bookworm although Risa's father had been the one that had taught her a lot, it was surprising that her daughter prefer to goof around with Pipi.

"She makes me happy. To tell you the truth, I already gave up on her once and even after that thought of going back to the palace. But I was given this second chance with her; this, I would not let go." Yurina replies with conviction. She hands over her brother her necklace which had their family crest on it as a pendant. A sign that she's giving up her title as a princess.

Yuta sighs in defeat. He had come to this secluded shop on the outskirts of town and even dressed as a commoner as Manaka had asked him and hadn't expected to see his sister. But after knowing her sister's decision and reconfirming with it, he accepts the necklace. He hadn't informed his parents, his majesties, of this meeting but now that it comes down to this, he can't possibly just stay quiet and let them ruin what happiness his little sister found.

"I'd let them know about it, don't worry. I'll be watching from a far." He smiles gently. He wanted to do something more for his sister so he rummaged his pocket for a key and handed it to Yurina who took it with puzzled eyes. "This is the key to one of my hidden villas. Nobody knows about this property being mine. Besides, I figured you'll be needing a safe haven for you in the future where you wont be needing their help." He says as he gestures towards the table where the MonaRisa couple are.

"T-This is too much..." Yurina replies quite unsure of how to respond with her brother's little gift.

"It is not. You're gonna need it. I'll give Manaka the rest of the details of the property. Take it as my wedding gift." He smiles gently at his younger sister.

Yurina embraces Yuta as tears had began streaming down her face, "Thank you, Onii-sama."

"I had to go, before father and mother sends out the guards looking for me." Yuta says to which Yurina had answered with a nod.

She watched her brother disappear from her vision as he exits the small shop they were in. She stares at the key in her hand. A future together with Neru. Now, that aint a bad idea.

The MonaRisa couple approaches her, "Let's go, Techi?" Yurina nods with a smile as she gets up from her sit and they head out into the busy streets.

*****

Yuta heeves a deep sigh as he went back to his own quarters. As he had expected, his father, the emperor, had gone into a fit of rage after hearing Yurina's message. His mother in tears as she cried, hugging her husband. Trying her best to contain the emperor's rage within the 4 corners of the meeting room they were in. He was glad that it was only the three of them there. No council, no servants nor bodyguard. He don't want this family matter to leak out to the people's ear.

"If she wants to live a commoner's life, then so be it! But don't she dare come crawling back for help!" The emperor exclaimed.

"Now you really did it, Techi." Yuta mumbles to no one in particular. He heeves another sigh as he tries to come up with a better way to tell Memi about Yurina's decision. He knows that Memi would probably, like his father, loose control. He just hopes he can convince Memi to stop chasing after his sister. He too, wanted Yurina to be able to hold unto the happiness she had found.

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A/N: I know this update is kinda short and I am very much sorry about that. This has been more like a filler chapter. But it is one that needs to be conveyed as well.