Alluring Secret [TechiNeru]

The Price of Betrayal

The warm weather was long gone as the kingdom dons in snow. The sky is washed with grey, watery light illuminating patches to brilliance. The path sparkles and crunches, like sugar underfoot. Unlike in Keyaki where the streets, houses and buildings are covered in snow; in Gana one can marvel at the beauty of all four seasons where nature takes on different color for each season.

About a year had passed since the crown princess, Hirate Yurina's sudden disappearance. The royal family has given up searching for her whereabouts - not because they don't care but because Yurina herself wants to cut-off ties with them and live a normal life, but this was kept as secret between the family members; to the royal family, what she had done was a disgrace. The very reason why her elder brother was announced as a crown prince and her disappearance was treated like she had spirited away. Not even Memi, her betrothed was informed of this, everyone knows how the young girl would react to such news. Only Yuta, Yurina's elder brother and the one who succeeded the throne in her place knows her whereabouts.

In the corner of the Gana Village stood the sole tavern in the village and though the night was young, it was already bustling with both youth and of old age. But a young man who seems to be out of place with his fancy clothing, sits by the counter as he sips his applejack brandy. A drink made of distilled apples and was one of his favorites. His little sister prefers the cocktail version though, the one he was patiently waiting ever since he step foot in the small village. He had sent a letter a while ago about his visit and was wondering if his dear little sister would honor his presence. He did miss her a lot. After a while, the bell above the entrance rang as a youth stood by the doorway. Indeed she looks like a fine young lad with her messy hair cropped short.

It took quite some time before the young girl caught sight of him, she smiled as she waves a hand in greeting before weaving her way through the crowded bar.

"Would you like me to order your favorite cocktail?" Yuta asks to which Yurina nods.

After telling the shopkeeper that they had confidential matters to discuss, they moved to a private room on the second floor. Yurina then orders her drink as Yuta drank his' in one gulp in an accustomed manner.

"It's delicious, don't you think?" Yuta inquires the girl as soon as her drink arrives.

"Delicious." Yurina declares, "The quality of apples this year is particularly great. That's why the alcohol is delicious too."

"I see you made use of the orchard then."

"It was thanks to you that I am able to stand on my own now. I am truly grateful of your little gift."

Yuta chuckles at her sister's cheekiness.

"Well, it is the only gift I can give you without our parents finding out where you are."

"That, I am truly grateful to you, Niichan. By the way, how is everyone?"

"Somehow mom and dad had respected your decision, but you know our father, he was furious. He did say that don't you ever run back for help."

Yurina sighs, "That's understandable. Who would be happy with what I did, right?"

Yuta stays silent for while before continuing, "Although everyone treated your disappearance as if you've spirited away."

Yurina chuckles dryly.

"I am thinking of letting Memi meet you."

"Don't. You're engaged now. She'll waver if she sees me."

"But.."

"Believe me, Niichan." Yurina tells her brother as she gently squeezes his hand.

Yuta engulfs his little sister in a hug, "as you wish, my dear little sister."

Neither of them knew that they were already seen by the young princess of the neighboring kingdom, Memi.

******

Yurina woke up the next morning to see the pile of snow outside her and Neru's bedroom window. She reached for the lamp by the bedside table, drowsily turning it on. In the dim-lit room, the latter was nowhere to be found. Neru must've been up early to help out their maids for breakfast.

The moment her bare feet touched the cold floor, a shiver went through her body. It seemed to have gotten a bit colder. She puts on a robe before approaching the dresser to dress up herself. Perhaps it was the alcohol she had the previous evening as she had noticed some bags under her eyes as she stares at her reflection in the mirror. Thinking back, she vaguely remember the worried look of Neru when she got home drunk. It was her first time to get herself wasted and the girl might've been shocked with her state.

"Yurina...."

A name that hadn't been called in a long time until last night. In the mirror was another version of herself. It might've been obvious but ever since she became Techi, the name was never called again, even by her best friends Manaka and Risa. Neru had never spoke of the Yurina that she had fallen in love with before. She sometimes wonders if the older girl completely forgot about her former lover or could she have come to hate her for abandoning her like that.

On the morning of her birthday, she had received a letter from her brother with his salutations for her birthday. She sent a reply through Manaka who then gave her another letter from her brother asking her to meet up with him a week later on the lone tavern in the village. She was elated at the invitation and had excused herself from Neru telling her that she had important matters with a business partner. She was glad that her brother wants to visit her and hadn't forgot about her existence at all. Even though what she did was out of her own greed, she had never thought her brother would go out of his way into this small village to visit his runaway little sister.

"I'm sorry, Yurina.." She tells herself as she stares unto her reflection in the mirror. Somehow, she felt weird to apologize to herself. Yurina was her past self, not a completely different person. And even if she is living as Techi now, she couldn't deny the fact that she is still that same old Yurina. She might've changed her name and appearance, but not her personality.

Ever since she became Techi, she had many changes. Before the servants where keen to comply whatever she wishes. She had loads of spare time that she spends in the library, but becoming a commoner, even in the guise of someone who is rich, she had experienced doing jobs and chores that she had never done before. The life was new to her and she had most of her first time at everything.

"Yurina, I had never regretted any of this. I am glad that I became Techi. I am glad that I became a commoner and I am glad to be loved by Neru. I am truly happy right now."

She thought that if anyone where to see her talking to her reflection in the mirror would find it humorous. Yet she thought again that this was the decision she chose to make. For herself, for those that she had betrayed and for Neru.

She pats her cheek to rid herself off the low spirits. She had so much to do today. As she stares out the window, she realized the thick snow that must've piled up overnight. She must help out shoveling the snow. After which, she can enjoy the freshly baked bread that Neru prepared for her breakfast. Then she'll dress up to head for town for some errands.

As she continues to go over her agenda for the day, she finds her mood lifted a bit. It seems that being able to think positively had never changed from when she was still a princess.

She dresses herself up quickly and stared out the window now with new vigor, as she hopes for a good day ahead. She then heads out searching for her love to bid her good morning.