Alluring Secret [TechiNeru]

That Which Was Abandoned

Techi had sacrificed a lot of things when she left the palace. Her position as crown princess and future Queen, the grandeur of the life she had lived, she went into hiding so that her father, the king wont be able to trace her and had even gave up her birth name, severing ties from her family even her from her elder brother who had supported her decision; all for her freedom to love and the path she wanted to walk on. None of those decisions had she regretted. To her all of those were deemed necessary to be able to break out of her shell.

She had been wanting to tell Neru about all of these but was unsure how her lover would take it. Most especially if she found out that Yurina and Techi are the same person, much more if she knew that she's their Kingdom's crown princess. She couldn't believe it herself when Neru believed that she was Manaka's cousin and didn't seem to recognize her at all. Even so, she was glad that even though she lost so much, she manage to gain Neru's unconditional love and had even chose to come with her. She knew it was a risky bet as Neru was engaged with Fuyuka then. Well, even if Neru had married Fuyuka, she'd continue to remain in contact with her even if they'd only be friends. But the ways things had turned out, she was thankful for that as well. It was more than she wished for, how the turn of events were unexpectedly unfolding how she hoped it to be that it scares her. She's filled with what ifs. She fears that the happiness she's enjoying at the moment will be gone in just a blink of an eye.

As she glanced out the window, she could spot the leaves of the trees turning red and yellow; an indication that autumn is upon them. It was somewhat melancholic as she stares off into the distance, listening to the chirping of the birds. It was something she had never taken notice back in the palace walls.

It's almost a year since she left everything behind. She had grown accustomed to the simple life they've been living. She almost forgot that she's a princess if not for the letter her brother had sent her.

She thought back to the letter, although the sender was unknown, she'd recognize her brother's handwriting as he had helped her a lot in her studies when they were younger. It was a letter of greetings, today was her 20th birthday. She smiled at how her brother never forgets her birthday. She had never written a letter before and she wasn't sure how to respond.

As she rests her head on her hand staring out into oblivion, with her muddled thoughts, the light knocking against her wooden door had broken her out of her reverie. "Come in." She chimed, her eyes never leaving the view out of her window.

Manaka came in cheerfully. Techi had totally forgot that the MonaRisa couple visited her two days ago and had planned to throw her a birthday party.

"Let's begin the preparations!" Manaka declared.

And by preparations, she meant to say dressing Techi up. Ever since they were young she would help her best friend pick out dresses  for parties and this was not an exception. She had went to trouble Techi's brother for clothes; well she basically barged into his room and sift through his wardrobe for clothes for Techi, not that Techi doesn't have any decent clothes to wear but she wanted to have Techi dressed up as a prince. She can have them tailored for Techi but it would be a waste of time and money when her brother had so many of them in his closet. She even asked the prince to pick some of Techi's dresses, she wanted Techi and Neru to wear matching clothing. She knew very well how the siblings' clothes as tailored to match each other. 

Techi sighed at Manaka's antics, she was about to retort until she saw what Manaka brought with her. She couldn't be mistaken by the clothing that lay on her bed, it was the one that her brother wore during his coming of age ceremony. It was a dark green military uniform - that of a field marshal. Techi had admired the attire and had told him how she wanted to wear the same outfit, she wore then a dark green dress to match her brother's outfit.

"How did you?" Techi inquired her mischievous friend.

"I had my ways." was Manaka's reply, shrugging her shoulder as she gives her a toothy grin.

"Don't you think you're overdoing this?" 

"You call this overdoing? Then, how about your birthday celebration back in  the palace?" Manaka retorts back.

Techi sighs in defeat. Indeed instead of a birthday party it was more of a ball. "Just don't overdo it, okay?"

"You're being reluctant here. It's your birthday we're celebrating, of course we had to make it flashy!" 

"Did you forgot I am disguised as a mere country folk here?"

"Nonsense! Birthdays comes once a year only. And it ought to be done as flashy as it can be. Just leave it to me."

Birthdays, Techi totally forgot about her birthday if it weren't for Manaka and Risa barging into her estate, telling Neru about their plans for her upcoming birthday. Neru was shocked for Techi had failed to mention her about her birthday. It was a huge commotion that made everyone excited and somehow upsets Neru.

"Now, this will be your first party ever since coming to live here on your own with the love of your life!" Manaka exclaims, gesturing the young girl to approach her.

"Do I really need to wear these?" Techi asked, she was still hesitant that to wear the outfit, she's worried someone would recognize her or Neru would realize her true identity. She isn't ready to tell her lover yet.

"If you're worried Neru would find out about you being the crown princess. There's nothing to worry. Besides, Neru will wear a matching outfit!" Manaka squeals in excitement.

Techi gawked at her best friend's words. Could she possibly... No, that's absurd. How, could Manaka get a hold of her wardrobe. Unless...

Seeing Techi's expression, Manaka grins widely. She tackles Techi, "Now let's get you dressed, Tecchan!~"

"Gyaaah! I knew it'd come down to this! Risa!!! Neru!! Help!!" Techi struggles to free herself from her best friend.

"Oh my, asking for help from the ladies are we?~ That's unbecoming of you~" Manaka teases the younger girl.

Manaka is Manaka after all. She can be someone you can lean and depend on, she can cheer you up with her jokes and antics. But most of all, she's quite the bully.

Neru and Risa along with the maids and butlers, who sure enough they had heard the noise the best friends were making, were gathered in the hall downstairs, chattering as if to encourage Manaka's dress-up game. Techi had peered downstairs to complain.

"Happy Birthday, Master Techi!

There was a burst of crackers and showering of flowers. The group of people in the hall were toasting wine, too impatient to wait any longer.

"....Even though I hadn't even come out yet..."

Techi smiles as she sees everyone enjoying themselves, Manaka had joined the group as she intertwines hers and Risa's hand. She was the star today, and she couldn't possibly just mop around with her worries in her mind today.

"Alright everyone, let's have some fun today! Enjoy yourselves to your heart's content!" Techi announces to the crowd who cheerfully smiles at her way, some of them nodding, others answered back with an energetic yes.

"Tecchan~"

She hadn't noticed how or when had Neru came to stand beside her. She indeed was wearing the matching dress to her outfit, the very same dress she'd worn during her brother's coming of age ceremony. In her hand was a small, wrapped box.

"Happy Birthday, Techi... Thank you... For being born.. And completing my life."

"Neru.." Techi engulfed her in a hug, "Thank you and you complete my life too."

Today. Even just for today. Techi had decided to let her worries slip off her mind as she enjoys the festivity her lover and best friends had made.