[Fanfic] We'll Always Have Paris - Chapter Thirty - One: A Disappointing Revelation
I'm on a roll in updating these week so please applaud me. LOL. :D
As always, this is unbeta-ed so tell me if there are any errors and mistakes. Comments, suggestions, reactions and criticisms are gladly welcomed. Happy reading! :)
Disclaimer: I am no way related to Arashi, Johnny's Entertainment or the Japanese Imperial Family. All names and events pertaining to any member of the Imperial family are purely fictional.
Chapter Thirty - One: A Disappointing Revelation
The usual thirty-minute drive from the palace to the hospital only took about fifteen minutes today. Her security convoy dashed the highway without halting even on stoplights. This is one of those rare moments she was glad that she have this power, their cars only need to blaze the sirens and banner the Imperial seal and every vehicle on the road will give way willingly.
Hearing Sho choking up in tears and sounding so vulnerable made her so restless. She wanted to go find Kiyomizu and do as Sho says but at the same time, she wanted to run fast to where he is and hug him in her arms and tell him that everything is going to be okay. She doesn’t know what went wrong, just yesterday, they were so happy having dinner with her family, they grew fond of him and accepted him wholeheartedly. And then suddenly, a few hours later, Sho greeted her with a distraught phone call.
She wonders if it’s about his agency or the fans or the media but seeing how Kiyomizu is involved, is it something to do with her side, as well? The IHA never mingle with their romantic relationships, especially with the female members of the family so she doesn’t see them as the problem. It’s also not about her father, he was impressed with Sho’s achievements and his personality that he instantly liked him. She knows surely that her father would not do anything to disappoint her.
Sayumi rushes up to her father’s suite but she arrived to a silent and empty room. The lights are off, curtains closed and the bed is neatly arranged. She wonder where he went, even Kiyomizu and the guards on his floor aren’t around. She quickly strides off to the nurses’ station and asks for her father’s whereabouts. A nurse said he went to the hospital garden to get some fresh air. Her father constantly asked if he can go out of his room but she keep denying him of his wish, she fear the media will bombard him once he leave his room. She’s just looking out for him, those hungry reporters still manages to get inside the hospital premises with their tricks.
But now that she’s not around bossing him around and her father knows very well that Kiyomizu will do as he wish, he was granted his request. Her father always gets what he wants and he sure practices his powers.
Hurriedly, Sayumi went down to the garden and saw her father on his wheelchair face to face with Kiyomizu who’s sitting on a bench. From the look on their faces they seem to be talking about a serious matter. The problem resides on them, not with Sho’s agency, she was sure of that the moment she saw them talking.
With a fast beating heart, Sayumi took her time and slowly walk towards them. Kiyomizu saw her instantly and her father look over his shoulder to see her. He gave her a small smile but she knows something is really wrong.
“You got me.” Her father tried to sound cheerful, smiling guardedly at her. “You weren’t around so I asked Kiyomizu to bring me down.” He is talking his escape from his room to avoid the real problem here.
Kiyomizu nodded calmly before standing up from the bench to let her sit. She sat, eyebrows twitching as she stare at the tended grass on the ground.
“What happened?” She slowly lifted her head up, accusing eyes straight into her father’s. “Why did I just hear Sho crying so helplessly over the phone? He rarely shows his real emotions, because I know he doesn’t want to look weak in front of me but that…” She cast her index finger to the air in anger as she tried hard not to cry. “That is just too much! He’s in pain and he can’t even tell me why!”
“Sayumi…” Her father’s calm voice said, placing his on hers but she shoves it away.
“What did you all do? Tell me!” She yelled at the top of her lungs as she stood up and accused everyone around, her father, Kiyomizu and even her father’s security team.
“Please calm down, Princess Sayumi.” Kiyomizu went to her side but she also shoves him away.
“Sit down and calm yourself and I will tell you everything, Sayumi.” Her father commanded. He couldn’t meet her eyes as he stares blankly to afar.
Sayumi wipes away her tears, sullenly went back to sit and buried her face in her palms. A tense-filled silence creeps in as her father collects himself before he ordered Kiyomizu to keep the security away. The butler hesitated at first but the Crown Prince insists that he wanted this conversation to be private.
Once the place is clear and Kiyomizu is carefully watching them from afar, he finally faces his daughter, who’s silently crying as she covers her face with her hand.
“I thought you understand me.” Sayumi shakes her head unacceptably. “You know how much I love him and how much I needed him in my life. I went through so much pain just to get him back only for you to take him away.”
“It’s not me, Sayumi. It’s your grandfather. He wants Sakurai-san out.” He dropped his head down, sadness is also seen on his face.
Sayumi look at him questionably, her eyebrows meeting in confusion. “Why? He didn’t even object when Nee-chan got married. Why does he care all of a sudden?”
She barely meets with her grandparents when she was still living in Japan and she can’t even remember any striking memories she had with them. More than being her grandparents, they are just the Emperor and Empress of Japan to her.
“He couldn’t object with your sister’s marriage because it’s too late to do so. She got married without their consent.”
Sayumi rubbed the bridge of her nose with her fingers, she still couldn’t understand. “I thought female members of the family are free to choose on who they want to be with? We don’t have a claim to the throne so the IHA and his Imperial Majesty doesn’t need to interrogate our future marriage partners.”
Her father stares quietly at her before he cleared his throat. “There’s just too much things you don’t know, Yumi, the things happening here while you were abroad... I think it’s about time you know everything.”
She feels even heavier now. The look on her father’s face tells that she wouldn’t like what she’s about hear.
“You know how our family struggled without a male heir for almost four decades. My brother and I don’t have any sons, your grandfather’s brother has no children and his uncle doesn’t have male-line grandsons... Our family is the oldest hereditary monarchy and we fear it just might end soon.”
“A male heir was born eleven years ago, to your brother.” Sayumi reminded him and he nodded nonchalantly.
“Yes but looming concerns over the size and legitimacy of our family in the future generations were address by higher officials.” He meaningfully eyed her to see if she understands what he meant. “Yes, we finally have a new heir and our problems are gone for now but what about the future? What if your cousin’s future wife couldn’t produce any sons?”
“Isn’t that the problem of the future government and IHA officials?” Sayumi raised an eyebrow. “The boy is eleven years old, he probably have at least seven more decades to live. Why are you guys stressing over problems that may happen decades from now? And there’s a fifty-fifty chance his future wife may bear him a son. Why don’t you, as the next Emperor, marry him early so he can have more time producing a freaking male heir?”
She’s losing her patience again. This topic of succession is her weakness, she hated talking about it because it is the reason why she didn’t have a normal childhood.
“Your grandfather wanted to fix the problem before he dies. That’s his wish.” He remained calm even after she almost erupts in frustration.
“Grandfather shouldn’t stress himself over this problem.” Sayumi is shaking her head venomously. “He should enjoy life, spend quality time with Grandmother instead of noosing around problems he couldn’t solve.”
“Sayumi.” He raised his voice at her. “Don’t talk about your grandfather like that.”
She dropped her head down in retreat.
“Many high officials, including the Prime Minister, expressed their interest in changing the constitution, allowing female heir to create their own branch of the family without losing their Imperial status. Your grandfather supports the decision to amend the law… I also expressed my support.”
“You wanted me to succeed you?” She asked while eyeing him with dismay.
“Your sister is already married so it falls to you. The government is working in secret to reform the constitution and according to one finalized article, only the unmarried female members of the family, until the time the law is finally passed, is allowed to succeed.” Her father informed her.
Sayumi twitched her eyebrow. “It’s already in the works?” She asked, surprised and her father nodded carefully.
“It’s in secret, for now. The government will announce it when the time is right. Right now they don’t want any pressure from the media and the people.”
“And I don’t know a single thing about it? My future is about to be altered and I don’t have a single clue about it?” She stood up from her seat, turned her back to her father as she tried to control her growing anger.
“Your mother and I decided to tell you, Sayumi. We were planning on visiting you in America but unfortunately… we met an accident before we can even see you.”
“Mother knows?” Her voice creaks as she slightly turned her head on him. She went back to her seat, rubbing her fingers on her forehead and up to her hair.
The issue regarding the succession of the female members of the family has been going on for quite a while now, that explains those weird conversations she had with her mother a few months before she died. She’s unusually very worried and kept on telling her to understand her father for working so hard. She’s preparing her for this news, unfortunately, her mother is not around by the time she received it. Sayumi secretly wishes that she’s here, maybe her presence will make her less angry.
She looked up at the bright morning sky, she wonders if her mother is watching over them right now from heaven.
Finally, everything’s coming to her understanding, her grandfather’s reasons for disapproving Sho for her.
“I know now… I get it now. Grandfather wants someone he approved to be my husband, someone who’s worthy as an Emperor. Apparently, he thinks Sho doesn’t fit his requirements.” She accused angrily.
“You treated Sho so nicely last night, you made him feel welcome and you successfully win him over. You made him believe that you accepted him! You took advantage of him! And you took advantage of my trust!” She cried out her frustrations, her pain, the resentment she feels.
“I like him for you!” Her father countered. “Sakurai-san is good man and I see his potential.”
“But still you let Grandfather hurt him like that.” She replied.
“Your grandfather has lined up a number of potential partners for you but I will go and talk to him about Sakurai-san. I will tell him that I approve of him for you.”
“As if he will listen to you.” Sayumi reacted harshly. “He already dismissed him even without knowing what he’s capable of. Grandfather always gets what he wants.”
“Trust me, I will get your grandfather to like Sakurai-san. I will not stop until he does, if that is enough for you to trust me.”
The tears escaped her eyes again. “I trusted you all my life, yet you allowed these people to change my future without my knowledge.” She was talking softly, the pain is visible in her voice. Her father couldn’t answer back, he’s guilty of her judgement. “You know I don’t want this, right? And yet you still supported the amendment.”
“I think you’re going to be an amazing leader, Sayumi. I want to see you prove yourself to those people who wronged you when you were a child, make them eat their own words and show them that you are better than any leader who sat on that throne… You have a pure heart, Sayumi. You value honestly and justice. You will win the hearts of the people once you become their Empress.”
“But I don’t want to be an Empress.” She mumbled quietly. “I want to be normal and live a simple life. I don’t need to be an Empress to help people. I can help and win their hearts if I want to even without a prestigious title attached to my name.”
He knows she is right. Sayumi has done a great job reaching out to people by volunteering to charity and by learning about the politics so she can help everyone with her acquired knowledge. He felt sorry for keeping everything from her.
“You never once disappointed me, Father. You always look after me, always wishing for what’s best for me. You do everything in your power to keep me from harm even if you know it will affect your reputation. I was so glad you are my father, I couldn’t ask for anyone else who can do a better job than you.”
Tears are streaming down her cheeks, her father’s hands are reaching for hers as he squeeze it tightly.
“I just don’t expect you to do this. You are taking away my future with this decision… and for once, you disappointed me.”
Sayumi lets go of his hand, stood up from her seat and started walking away from him. She was too far away when a single tear rolled down her father’s eye.
Kiyomizu quickly went to the Crown Prince’s side, instructing the security to stop her from leaving the hospital premises.
“Leave her be, Kiyomizu.” The Crown Prince commanded, he quickly calmed himself down before Kiyomizu can see the look on his face. “I know where she’s going and I know she’s going to be safe in his arms.”
As always, this is unbeta-ed so tell me if there are any errors and mistakes. Comments, suggestions, reactions and criticisms are gladly welcomed. Happy reading! :)
Disclaimer: I am no way related to Arashi, Johnny's Entertainment or the Japanese Imperial Family. All names and events pertaining to any member of the Imperial family are purely fictional.
Chapter Thirty - One: A Disappointing Revelation
The usual thirty-minute drive from the palace to the hospital only took about fifteen minutes today. Her security convoy dashed the highway without halting even on stoplights. This is one of those rare moments she was glad that she have this power, their cars only need to blaze the sirens and banner the Imperial seal and every vehicle on the road will give way willingly.
Hearing Sho choking up in tears and sounding so vulnerable made her so restless. She wanted to go find Kiyomizu and do as Sho says but at the same time, she wanted to run fast to where he is and hug him in her arms and tell him that everything is going to be okay. She doesn’t know what went wrong, just yesterday, they were so happy having dinner with her family, they grew fond of him and accepted him wholeheartedly. And then suddenly, a few hours later, Sho greeted her with a distraught phone call.
She wonders if it’s about his agency or the fans or the media but seeing how Kiyomizu is involved, is it something to do with her side, as well? The IHA never mingle with their romantic relationships, especially with the female members of the family so she doesn’t see them as the problem. It’s also not about her father, he was impressed with Sho’s achievements and his personality that he instantly liked him. She knows surely that her father would not do anything to disappoint her.
Sayumi rushes up to her father’s suite but she arrived to a silent and empty room. The lights are off, curtains closed and the bed is neatly arranged. She wonder where he went, even Kiyomizu and the guards on his floor aren’t around. She quickly strides off to the nurses’ station and asks for her father’s whereabouts. A nurse said he went to the hospital garden to get some fresh air. Her father constantly asked if he can go out of his room but she keep denying him of his wish, she fear the media will bombard him once he leave his room. She’s just looking out for him, those hungry reporters still manages to get inside the hospital premises with their tricks.
But now that she’s not around bossing him around and her father knows very well that Kiyomizu will do as he wish, he was granted his request. Her father always gets what he wants and he sure practices his powers.
Hurriedly, Sayumi went down to the garden and saw her father on his wheelchair face to face with Kiyomizu who’s sitting on a bench. From the look on their faces they seem to be talking about a serious matter. The problem resides on them, not with Sho’s agency, she was sure of that the moment she saw them talking.
With a fast beating heart, Sayumi took her time and slowly walk towards them. Kiyomizu saw her instantly and her father look over his shoulder to see her. He gave her a small smile but she knows something is really wrong.
“You got me.” Her father tried to sound cheerful, smiling guardedly at her. “You weren’t around so I asked Kiyomizu to bring me down.” He is talking his escape from his room to avoid the real problem here.
Kiyomizu nodded calmly before standing up from the bench to let her sit. She sat, eyebrows twitching as she stare at the tended grass on the ground.
“What happened?” She slowly lifted her head up, accusing eyes straight into her father’s. “Why did I just hear Sho crying so helplessly over the phone? He rarely shows his real emotions, because I know he doesn’t want to look weak in front of me but that…” She cast her index finger to the air in anger as she tried hard not to cry. “That is just too much! He’s in pain and he can’t even tell me why!”
“Sayumi…” Her father’s calm voice said, placing his on hers but she shoves it away.
“What did you all do? Tell me!” She yelled at the top of her lungs as she stood up and accused everyone around, her father, Kiyomizu and even her father’s security team.
“Please calm down, Princess Sayumi.” Kiyomizu went to her side but she also shoves him away.
“Sit down and calm yourself and I will tell you everything, Sayumi.” Her father commanded. He couldn’t meet her eyes as he stares blankly to afar.
Sayumi wipes away her tears, sullenly went back to sit and buried her face in her palms. A tense-filled silence creeps in as her father collects himself before he ordered Kiyomizu to keep the security away. The butler hesitated at first but the Crown Prince insists that he wanted this conversation to be private.
Once the place is clear and Kiyomizu is carefully watching them from afar, he finally faces his daughter, who’s silently crying as she covers her face with her hand.
“I thought you understand me.” Sayumi shakes her head unacceptably. “You know how much I love him and how much I needed him in my life. I went through so much pain just to get him back only for you to take him away.”
“It’s not me, Sayumi. It’s your grandfather. He wants Sakurai-san out.” He dropped his head down, sadness is also seen on his face.
Sayumi look at him questionably, her eyebrows meeting in confusion. “Why? He didn’t even object when Nee-chan got married. Why does he care all of a sudden?”
She barely meets with her grandparents when she was still living in Japan and she can’t even remember any striking memories she had with them. More than being her grandparents, they are just the Emperor and Empress of Japan to her.
“He couldn’t object with your sister’s marriage because it’s too late to do so. She got married without their consent.”
Sayumi rubbed the bridge of her nose with her fingers, she still couldn’t understand. “I thought female members of the family are free to choose on who they want to be with? We don’t have a claim to the throne so the IHA and his Imperial Majesty doesn’t need to interrogate our future marriage partners.”
Her father stares quietly at her before he cleared his throat. “There’s just too much things you don’t know, Yumi, the things happening here while you were abroad... I think it’s about time you know everything.”
She feels even heavier now. The look on her father’s face tells that she wouldn’t like what she’s about hear.
“You know how our family struggled without a male heir for almost four decades. My brother and I don’t have any sons, your grandfather’s brother has no children and his uncle doesn’t have male-line grandsons... Our family is the oldest hereditary monarchy and we fear it just might end soon.”
“A male heir was born eleven years ago, to your brother.” Sayumi reminded him and he nodded nonchalantly.
“Yes but looming concerns over the size and legitimacy of our family in the future generations were address by higher officials.” He meaningfully eyed her to see if she understands what he meant. “Yes, we finally have a new heir and our problems are gone for now but what about the future? What if your cousin’s future wife couldn’t produce any sons?”
“Isn’t that the problem of the future government and IHA officials?” Sayumi raised an eyebrow. “The boy is eleven years old, he probably have at least seven more decades to live. Why are you guys stressing over problems that may happen decades from now? And there’s a fifty-fifty chance his future wife may bear him a son. Why don’t you, as the next Emperor, marry him early so he can have more time producing a freaking male heir?”
She’s losing her patience again. This topic of succession is her weakness, she hated talking about it because it is the reason why she didn’t have a normal childhood.
“Your grandfather wanted to fix the problem before he dies. That’s his wish.” He remained calm even after she almost erupts in frustration.
“Grandfather shouldn’t stress himself over this problem.” Sayumi is shaking her head venomously. “He should enjoy life, spend quality time with Grandmother instead of noosing around problems he couldn’t solve.”
“Sayumi.” He raised his voice at her. “Don’t talk about your grandfather like that.”
She dropped her head down in retreat.
“Many high officials, including the Prime Minister, expressed their interest in changing the constitution, allowing female heir to create their own branch of the family without losing their Imperial status. Your grandfather supports the decision to amend the law… I also expressed my support.”
“You wanted me to succeed you?” She asked while eyeing him with dismay.
“Your sister is already married so it falls to you. The government is working in secret to reform the constitution and according to one finalized article, only the unmarried female members of the family, until the time the law is finally passed, is allowed to succeed.” Her father informed her.
Sayumi twitched her eyebrow. “It’s already in the works?” She asked, surprised and her father nodded carefully.
“It’s in secret, for now. The government will announce it when the time is right. Right now they don’t want any pressure from the media and the people.”
“And I don’t know a single thing about it? My future is about to be altered and I don’t have a single clue about it?” She stood up from her seat, turned her back to her father as she tried to control her growing anger.
“Your mother and I decided to tell you, Sayumi. We were planning on visiting you in America but unfortunately… we met an accident before we can even see you.”
“Mother knows?” Her voice creaks as she slightly turned her head on him. She went back to her seat, rubbing her fingers on her forehead and up to her hair.
The issue regarding the succession of the female members of the family has been going on for quite a while now, that explains those weird conversations she had with her mother a few months before she died. She’s unusually very worried and kept on telling her to understand her father for working so hard. She’s preparing her for this news, unfortunately, her mother is not around by the time she received it. Sayumi secretly wishes that she’s here, maybe her presence will make her less angry.
She looked up at the bright morning sky, she wonders if her mother is watching over them right now from heaven.
Finally, everything’s coming to her understanding, her grandfather’s reasons for disapproving Sho for her.
“I know now… I get it now. Grandfather wants someone he approved to be my husband, someone who’s worthy as an Emperor. Apparently, he thinks Sho doesn’t fit his requirements.” She accused angrily.
“You treated Sho so nicely last night, you made him feel welcome and you successfully win him over. You made him believe that you accepted him! You took advantage of him! And you took advantage of my trust!” She cried out her frustrations, her pain, the resentment she feels.
“I like him for you!” Her father countered. “Sakurai-san is good man and I see his potential.”
“But still you let Grandfather hurt him like that.” She replied.
“Your grandfather has lined up a number of potential partners for you but I will go and talk to him about Sakurai-san. I will tell him that I approve of him for you.”
“As if he will listen to you.” Sayumi reacted harshly. “He already dismissed him even without knowing what he’s capable of. Grandfather always gets what he wants.”
“Trust me, I will get your grandfather to like Sakurai-san. I will not stop until he does, if that is enough for you to trust me.”
The tears escaped her eyes again. “I trusted you all my life, yet you allowed these people to change my future without my knowledge.” She was talking softly, the pain is visible in her voice. Her father couldn’t answer back, he’s guilty of her judgement. “You know I don’t want this, right? And yet you still supported the amendment.”
“I think you’re going to be an amazing leader, Sayumi. I want to see you prove yourself to those people who wronged you when you were a child, make them eat their own words and show them that you are better than any leader who sat on that throne… You have a pure heart, Sayumi. You value honestly and justice. You will win the hearts of the people once you become their Empress.”
“But I don’t want to be an Empress.” She mumbled quietly. “I want to be normal and live a simple life. I don’t need to be an Empress to help people. I can help and win their hearts if I want to even without a prestigious title attached to my name.”
He knows she is right. Sayumi has done a great job reaching out to people by volunteering to charity and by learning about the politics so she can help everyone with her acquired knowledge. He felt sorry for keeping everything from her.
“You never once disappointed me, Father. You always look after me, always wishing for what’s best for me. You do everything in your power to keep me from harm even if you know it will affect your reputation. I was so glad you are my father, I couldn’t ask for anyone else who can do a better job than you.”
Tears are streaming down her cheeks, her father’s hands are reaching for hers as he squeeze it tightly.
“I just don’t expect you to do this. You are taking away my future with this decision… and for once, you disappointed me.”
Sayumi lets go of his hand, stood up from her seat and started walking away from him. She was too far away when a single tear rolled down her father’s eye.
Kiyomizu quickly went to the Crown Prince’s side, instructing the security to stop her from leaving the hospital premises.
“Leave her be, Kiyomizu.” The Crown Prince commanded, he quickly calmed himself down before Kiyomizu can see the look on his face. “I know where she’s going and I know she’s going to be safe in his arms.”