The Escape From Empress (Anime Story)

Chapter 10: Money

- Tsukiko Hokke's POV -

In the Royal Garden

I looked to my left and saw the florist planting more anemones. The more anemones I see, the more my body shivers.

"Princess, are you okay?" Jiro stood next to me while holding a book.

I closed my eyes and then smiled. "Yes, I'm just admiring the anemones." I took a pause. "Is Yukiharu finished with the documents?"

"Yes, today is his day off." Jiro opened his book to look at Yukiharu's schedule. "Wait a minute... Yukiharu modified the schedule! He has a lot of work to do!" He ran into the House and looked for Yukiharu.

"Have you realized your feelings for Jiro?" Grandpa walked up to me.

"Grandpa, do you have nothing better to do?" I asked.

"Nope." He smiled.

In the Bedroom

I grabbed the novel The Guy I've Always Loved from the table and sat on the couch. "Now, where did I read up to?"

Knock Knock

"Come in!" I put the table back on the table.

"Hey, Princess." Hana walked into the room and handed me a letter. "A letter came for you."

"Thank you." I gave permission for Hana to leave the room and then I opened the letter.

Dear Tsukiko,

How has life been without me? I hope you've missed me as much I've missed you. Whenever you have time, may you send money back home? Even though we have money, isn't it better to have more? Remember, the only reason why I made you engaged to the crowned prince is so you can help the family. I finally found you a place where you have some use. Don't even think of betraying us.

Sincerely, Your Mother

I closed the letter and put it back in the envelope. "I love you too, Mother." My eyes darkened and I headed towards Yukiharu's office.

"Princess, do I have permission to put your new dress in your bedroom?" One of the servants asked. "Princess?"

My eyes continued to be darkened and I walked past him.

"Princess, what tea would you like in the royal garden?" One of the maids asked. "Princess?"

Again, my eyes continued to be darkened and I walked past her.

"Princess, are you okay?" Jiro appeared in front of me.

Suddenly, my eyes changed back and I was out of the phase. "Um... yes. I don't know what happened. I was reading a letter from my mother and then everything went dark."

"It's a good thing you're alright now." Jiro put his hand on my shoulder.

My heart started to beat faster. "Yeah..."

In Yukiharu's Office

Jiro and I entered Yukiharu's office as Yukiharu was sleeping at his desk.

Then, Jiro shook his head. "Why is he always like this...?"

"I know right, I'm embarrassed to be engaged to him." I shook my head as well.

"But you love him, don't you?" Jiro looked at me.

"Huh?" I looked up at him. "Oh, oh, yes. I love him..." I tightened my lips into a smile.

"I should wake him up." He walked toward Yukiharu's desk.

I pouted and whispered, "I actually like you... Wait... What did I just say?"

Jiro took a book from the desk and released it on top of Yukiharu's head. "Wake up."

Yukiharu, immediately, woke up. "Hey, why'd you do that!" He put his hand on his bump.

"Because you weren't doing your work." Jiro put his hands behind his body to look punctual.

A stream of tears ran down Yukiharu's face. "I'm losing so many brain cells."

I walked up to Yukiharu. "Yukiharu, I was wondering if you can lend me some money."

"Sure, how much?" He grabbed a piece of paper and pen.

"1 dollar."

Yukiharu and Jiro looked at me confused. "Huh?"

"I know it's weird but I just need 1 dollar." I put my hands together and prayed.

"Sure?" Yukiharu put down the pen and took out 1 dollar from his wallet.

I took the money and left the room. "Thank you."

As I left the room, Yukiharu and Jiro continued to look at each other confused.

In the Bedroom

I sat down at the desk and took out an envelope. "You didn't tell me how much you wanted, Mother." I slipped the 1 dollar in the envelope, sealed it, and wrote To the House of Kanshi on top of it.

I put the pen down and continued to sit at the desk. If I do this, I could really get in trouble with Mother. I sighed and took out the 1 dollar.

In Yukiharu's Office

"Sorry but I meant 1000 dollars." I begged Yukiharu who was sitting at his desk.

Yukiharu smiled. "That's more like it."

"What do you mean?" I tilted my head.

"You were too shy to ask for more because you wanted to go shopping, right?" He gave me 1000 dollars from his wallet.

I sweat-dropped. "Of course."

I feel horrible for using him... Why Mother... Why put me in this pressure?