Dirty Laundry 3/3
Title: Dirty Laundry part 3/3
Author: me
Pairing: kitayama/fujigaya mainly
Genre: AU, modern fairy tale, crack
Rating: R
Disclaimer: I used to own a pair of roller skates
Summary: Prince Hiromitsu sent proposal letters just like he was supposed to, hoping that his and his lover's plan would be enough to call the wedding off. However, as soon as he arrived to the new capital and met the princess of Sen, an issue possibly bigger than that emerged. Is his secret out? Did somebody kidnap the princess? Who is the butt naked guy kneeling in front of him?
Author's note: The final part... I so hope Senga doesn't speak English XD
Music Theme: A-Ha - Take On Me (The Twelves Remix)
"Where is the princess?.." he forced himself to speak, as his throat suddenly felt very, very dry.
Young man in front of him sat down on the bed, and released a sigh.
"I thought you'd be relieved. Maybe happy even. I guess it was just a stupid girl's fantasy after all? Well then, hold onto your jewels and listen closely. The princess is here. I AM the princess. Got it? I am Kento, and Kento is a guy. This hair?" he gestured towards his head "it's real, most of it anyway. Try to pull if you don't believe, just don't tear them out. And my legs, don't they look perfectly girly? You think a guy can be born with legs like that? It's years of gymnastics and diets! Or my voice! I used to love singing, but I will never be able to do it right anymore. It was either chemically induced sickness resulting in irreparable damage to my vocal chords, or continuing with hormones that would make me grow real deal boobs. You can clearly hear which one I chose, and let me tell you the hard decision didn't come without knowing you'd probably prefer me this way."
Hiromitsu blinked, still not able to fully process what he just heard. Meanwhile, the...prince(?) of Sen got comfortable on the side of his bed, not minding the fact he was naked the least bit.
"Why do you think anyone would prefer their wife this way?" Hiro asked cautiously, still not fully convinced a bunch of guys with a camera wouldn't come out of behind the curtains any second now.
"Not anyone" Kento reached for the bottle of his favourite liquor that he abandoned on the end table next to the fridge before, and continued, while pouring himself another glass. "You. Did you know our chamber maids have a secret gossip forum in the Internet? I got the password out of one of the girls back at home, with a dildo I might add, but I was only twelve at the time, so she's the pedophile lesbian to blame, suggesting an innocent kid to use a strap on and... well, nevermind that. The point is, you've got quite a fanbase, fanfiction even. And there are bets going on about how many of your friends have you slept with."
Hiro felt like he's just got too much input and needed time to analyze, hopefully somewhere away from the chair he was sitting in, somewhere with fresh air and vodka, with no chocolate in it. Unfortunately, princess Kento of Sen didn't realize that and went on with the explanation.
"Oh, don't get me wrong" he said grinning "it's not like this whole circus with me being a guy happened on purpose. On the contrary, when my mother was pregnant, and even for a short while after I was born, everybody including the doctors were sure I was a girl. That's why and how the agreement with your father went through. Ever heard of pseudohermaphroditism? I can see from your expression you did not. In very short terms, it's when you look between the newborn's legs and can't make heads or tails of what you see. Might be a big bean, might as well be a tiny tinky, you get the vibe?"
The crown prince of Northern Mountain wasn't sure if he wanted to 'get the vibe'. He kept listening to Kento's rough and at times bordering obscene explanations of how at first no one was particularly surprised, as years of in-breeding within royal dynasty have delivered much worse results on occasion, yet a month after his birth the body parts welcomed by nobody decided to say 'hello world' anyway, and therefore make father the king face the possibility of the worst scandal ever, by having to admit that the girl his wife died bearing now suddenly turned out to be a boy. He didn't want to risk losing the treaty, so he chose not to admit anything at all.
"What were you going to do about the heir?" Hiro asked while massaging his temples, still in shock.
"Oh, that's easy. Like I told you, I've been fooling around quite a lot with my ladies-in-waiting, most of them think I'm bisexual, and the rest is sure as hell that I'm a lesbian. They also think I used dildos on them, which is only partially true. Anyway, some are used to blindfold, some will also agree for a threesome, getting one or another knocked up shouldn't be a problem. If we both bone her there will be no way telling who's the actual father without tests, so it will be like, born between you and me. After we made sure the baby is on its way, we say I got one as well, and the only issue we'll have to deal with will be finding a dead infant to pass for that poor girl's kid while we take the one she gave birth too. I've been a woman my whole life, believing that's who I truly am for the better half of it, so you can be sure I'll make a good mother. As far as I'm concerned, the kid may never know the truth."
"You... you thought of this?" The prince blinked. He was starting to feel a little bit sick.
"Why yes, I had several years to figure it out. Good wit, huh?" Kento grinned a very wide grin and moved closer to Hiro's chair once again. "So... wanna have some fun with the hot princess here? While it's still at least a little illegal? After I accept your proposal tomorrow all the banging will be..."
That remark about banging was simply too much. Hiromitsu didn't let him finish, he stood up, shook Kento's hand off of his shirt where it managed to climb while the not-exactly-princess was trying to lure him, and shouted:
"Stop it right now! Cross dressing, deceiving, threesomes with strangers, dead babies?! I lived all my life in guilt and came here knowing I might have to give it all up for the sake of my nation, and you not only top every sin I could imagine with it's nightmare version, you do it with a smile?! You disgust me! There's nothing I would want less in this life than to spend the rest of it with you! If you dare to accept the proposal, I will expose you, be sure of that!!"
Having said that, Hiro left the chamber slamming the door behind him, He was so furious! He wasn't sure what made him more angry - the fact the princess turned out to be a man and a pervert, or that she, no he, he was proud of himself and expected Hiromitsu to be pleased!
He spent most of the night rolling on the bed fighting frustration. The anger was so strong that he didn't even call Taisuke like he promised, to tell how things were going. He only remembered that next morning, when he was making himself that herb tea he already got used to drinking.
Of course, he totally forgot to tell Kento about his and Taisuke's master plan. On the other hand, with the mighty plan "the princess" had it wouldn't matter if Hiro was capable of producing offspring or not, as long as Kento himself was.
Hiro sat back in his chair, looked outside the window at the beautiful inner garden and asked himself for the hundredth time: why would Kento do such a thing?
Only this time, surprising himself, he came up with an answer. Didn't the guy tell him that he actually thought he was a female for more than a half of his life?.. That would mean he spent some eleven years without ever seeing a naked person, playing dolls and thinking he would someday become Hiro's bride. After finding out the truth he could only come out and cause the biggest scandal ever, with enough power to destroy the frail, just-made trust between the two countries... or keep up the pretense. He must have spent his whole life preparing to become the queen, and the only thing he managed to get for himself was not taking any more hormones, in exchange for trainings, diets, and having his vocal chords ruined forever. He must have been terrified of what Hiro's reaction would be, but getting to know that the prince of Northern Mountain was into guys, he's seen it as his chance and... possibly, in a very clumsy way, tried to make it all work?
The idea of stealing babies and planting dead ones in their place was still as abominable as when he first heard of it, but now Hiro had to admit, other than that, and acting a little bit too rotten even for a spoiled princess, Kento now appeared to him as more of a tragic character, than a disgusting brat.
Suddenly Hiro felt guilty. Kento's attempt to woe him was bound to fail, basically because Hiro had Taisuke. But Kento did his best anyway, and what did he get in return? His husband-to-be telling him that he was disgusting and threatening to expose what he spent his whole life hiding carefully?
Amends had to be made. Naturally the prince still couldn't let the wedding happen, but at the very least he had to go and apologize.
With a strong resolution to do so, he emerged from his room much earlier than planned and went to princess' quarters, but to his surprise, there was nobody there. It was way too early for the lunch-party, but too late to just wander off anywhere, especially if one had to tape their breasts up and arrange that futuristic hairdo. Still, the princess wasn't there.
Hiro went down to the garden to watch preparations and ask around, but no one seemed to have seen Kento and her bodyguards. The time was passing, Hiromitsu was getting impatient and nervous again, knowing for a fact that in case the princess did anything reckless, he was the one to blame.
The princess of Sen reappeared unharmed a few minutes before noon, just when the party was about to start, making everyone speechless for a long while.
Instead of an elegant dress, the princess wore a rather simple suit, which was far from her usual lavish style. But that wasn't the biggest surprise. It was her head. Or rather, the thousand of thin, long braids, with colourful lace braided in, that the princess' hairdresser used to create all kinds of science-fiction inspired hairstyles with. They were gone. A humble circle of regular auburn hair with some golden reflexes surrounded Kento's face, and ended above his chin. It looked fresh, and nice, but together with the suit, somehow made him appear almost like a different person. He also didn't have that trademark I'm-in-control smile on his face, in turn he looked very, very sad.
Hiromitsu tried to gesture at him, to let him know he had something important to tell him, but the princess wouldn't look his way, now light and small head was hanging down all the time. Soon all the guests gathered and only then Kento surprised them again, not waiting for the food to come in, instead stepping up to the rose-decorated podium prepared for the engagement ritual, took a deep breath, turned on the microphone, and spoke.
"Dear Sirs and Madams, thank you very much for gathering today at the new royal palace, to kindly celebrate the joining of two great nations, as well as the official engagement of prince Hiromitsu and myself. I am sure that the new country we are creating together will be stronger, wealthier and happier than any of us members of both royal families could have ever imagined, especially with the help of people like you. It is thanks to your hard work and kind advice that we completed the new law, and managed to build a new capital city that is already famous in the whole world, all that in mere 20 years. There is only one duty we, royal families have left to fulfill. However, I regret to tell you, we will not be able to do so. What I am trying to tell you is that I, princess Kento cannot marry prince Hiromitsu and become his wife. I cannot be mother to his children, the new dynasty. It is my fault and I am going to take full responsibility, whatever all of you will decide fit for the selfish sin I am going to admit now. The reason, dear lords and ladies is..."
Adding to everyone's confusion, the princess took off the jacket as she was talking about taking responsibility, and when she entered the last sentence she started unbuttoning her shirt. Hiromitsu realized what she was going to do at the last moment, and dashed to the platform shouting "STOOOOP!" as if his own life depended on it.
He got what he wanted, the princess stopped with her hand immobile at the third button. On ly he now stood on the top of the platform, in front of the microphone, and all eyes were turned at him. There was no way to grab the princess and simply take her somewhere to have a talk in private, they were both adults, and this was a very official, very important gathering. With press all over the place.
Hiromitsu took a deep breath. He avoided bad publicity for his whole life. There was next to no gossip about him, except for that gay thing, but he made damn sure that was unaccounted for, nothing more than gossiping chambermaids.
Oh well. There's gotta be that first time for everything.
"Everyone" he started, adjusting the mike to his height, and making that specific, very unpleasant high sound at the process, that cause everybody to wince. "I am sorry for this ill-mannered entrance of mine, however, I in no way can accept the princess taking the blame for something I myself asked her to do."
Kento blinked.
"I didn't want to release this fact to the public prematurely, because I am still undergoing some tests, and there are treatments being prepared too, there is however a very good chance that I cannot sire a child."
There was a murmur among the people gathered. One could also almost feel how all the journalists tightened on the spot. Hiro continued, from time to time giving meaningful glances to Kento.
"I explained the situation to the princess yesterday. I must have sounded very harsh, and for that I would like to humbly apologize. The bottom line though, is that knowing there is very little chance for me and her producing a new dynasty, princess Kento should be given a choice. She has spent all her life preparing to be a mother of a child to a man she doesn't even know. There will be no child, so why should she be forced to marry that man? I advised the princess not to accept my proposal today, because I want to give her more time and a chance to freely decide as whom does she want to live the rest of her life. Please, don't blame her, for that she yearns to have at least a taste of the life she deserves. Aren't we going to build a happy country? A country of freedom? I believe we should therefore be prepared to accept a little bit more possibilities..."
Somehow, Hiro forgot what he was going to say after that, and for terribly long period of about two seconds the garden was dead silent. After that, an old baronet who was sitting close to the podium stood up. Hiromitsu was afraid she was going to ostentatiously leave, and apparently so was Kento, as Hiro could feel the other squeezing the prince's sleeve as a sign of stress. But the baronet, to everybody's surprise, started clapping her hands. Slowly at first, but other aristocrats and journalists started to join in, and in no time the garden was resounding with applause. Hiromitsu smiled, gently held Kento's hand in front of everyone.
Later that day, shortly before he was to leave, he heard knocking on his door. The princess came in.
"Thank you for saving me..." he said, bowing to Hiromitsu "but what are you going to do about that lie? Isn't it going to get out the moment they actually test you?.."
"Don't worry, it actually wasn't that much of a lie" he said, having already decided to make mango herbs his favourite drink for as long as possible, and cut the number of people who knew why to the necessary minimum "I'm sorry for yesterday. And... I hope you know I meant what I said in the garden. You should choose yourself who you want to be. Don't rush. And don't worry about marrying me anymore."
Kento nodded. He headed towards the door.
"You know" he said when just about to go out "if it's only about the kid, we could still get married, and get your boyfriend to marry my girlfriend as soon as we find some, make them prime ministers or something so that they'd live here, and it could still work... I mean, without threesomes with blindfolded strangers nor dead babies."
"Get lost before I change my mind about exposing you!" Hiro hissed, and Kento disappeared outside, laughing out loud. Hiro was smiling himself, the kid wasn't so bad, he was simply a case of an overactive imagination. The offer he made this time was worth remembering though, as idealistic as the prince was, he understood all Hell could break lose politics-wise if the dynasties didn't get joined eventually.
A few minutes later, Hiromitsu was outside the palace, waiting for a car, when a phone call came to his mobile. He didn't have to check the caller ID, he simply put the speaker to his ear.
"It's alright" he answered to whatever was said on the other side "there will be no wedding at least for a time being, and the princess is cool about it. Ultimately though... there is something I will want to talk to you about once I'm home."
Author: me
Pairing: kitayama/fujigaya mainly
Genre: AU, modern fairy tale, crack
Rating: R
Disclaimer: I used to own a pair of roller skates
Summary: Prince Hiromitsu sent proposal letters just like he was supposed to, hoping that his and his lover's plan would be enough to call the wedding off. However, as soon as he arrived to the new capital and met the princess of Sen, an issue possibly bigger than that emerged. Is his secret out? Did somebody kidnap the princess? Who is the butt naked guy kneeling in front of him?
Author's note: The final part... I so hope Senga doesn't speak English XD
Music Theme: A-Ha - Take On Me (The Twelves Remix)
"Where is the princess?.." he forced himself to speak, as his throat suddenly felt very, very dry.
Young man in front of him sat down on the bed, and released a sigh.
"I thought you'd be relieved. Maybe happy even. I guess it was just a stupid girl's fantasy after all? Well then, hold onto your jewels and listen closely. The princess is here. I AM the princess. Got it? I am Kento, and Kento is a guy. This hair?" he gestured towards his head "it's real, most of it anyway. Try to pull if you don't believe, just don't tear them out. And my legs, don't they look perfectly girly? You think a guy can be born with legs like that? It's years of gymnastics and diets! Or my voice! I used to love singing, but I will never be able to do it right anymore. It was either chemically induced sickness resulting in irreparable damage to my vocal chords, or continuing with hormones that would make me grow real deal boobs. You can clearly hear which one I chose, and let me tell you the hard decision didn't come without knowing you'd probably prefer me this way."
Hiromitsu blinked, still not able to fully process what he just heard. Meanwhile, the...prince(?) of Sen got comfortable on the side of his bed, not minding the fact he was naked the least bit.
"Why do you think anyone would prefer their wife this way?" Hiro asked cautiously, still not fully convinced a bunch of guys with a camera wouldn't come out of behind the curtains any second now.
"Not anyone" Kento reached for the bottle of his favourite liquor that he abandoned on the end table next to the fridge before, and continued, while pouring himself another glass. "You. Did you know our chamber maids have a secret gossip forum in the Internet? I got the password out of one of the girls back at home, with a dildo I might add, but I was only twelve at the time, so she's the pedophile lesbian to blame, suggesting an innocent kid to use a strap on and... well, nevermind that. The point is, you've got quite a fanbase, fanfiction even. And there are bets going on about how many of your friends have you slept with."
Hiro felt like he's just got too much input and needed time to analyze, hopefully somewhere away from the chair he was sitting in, somewhere with fresh air and vodka, with no chocolate in it. Unfortunately, princess Kento of Sen didn't realize that and went on with the explanation.
"Oh, don't get me wrong" he said grinning "it's not like this whole circus with me being a guy happened on purpose. On the contrary, when my mother was pregnant, and even for a short while after I was born, everybody including the doctors were sure I was a girl. That's why and how the agreement with your father went through. Ever heard of pseudohermaphroditism? I can see from your expression you did not. In very short terms, it's when you look between the newborn's legs and can't make heads or tails of what you see. Might be a big bean, might as well be a tiny tinky, you get the vibe?"
The crown prince of Northern Mountain wasn't sure if he wanted to 'get the vibe'. He kept listening to Kento's rough and at times bordering obscene explanations of how at first no one was particularly surprised, as years of in-breeding within royal dynasty have delivered much worse results on occasion, yet a month after his birth the body parts welcomed by nobody decided to say 'hello world' anyway, and therefore make father the king face the possibility of the worst scandal ever, by having to admit that the girl his wife died bearing now suddenly turned out to be a boy. He didn't want to risk losing the treaty, so he chose not to admit anything at all.
"What were you going to do about the heir?" Hiro asked while massaging his temples, still in shock.
"Oh, that's easy. Like I told you, I've been fooling around quite a lot with my ladies-in-waiting, most of them think I'm bisexual, and the rest is sure as hell that I'm a lesbian. They also think I used dildos on them, which is only partially true. Anyway, some are used to blindfold, some will also agree for a threesome, getting one or another knocked up shouldn't be a problem. If we both bone her there will be no way telling who's the actual father without tests, so it will be like, born between you and me. After we made sure the baby is on its way, we say I got one as well, and the only issue we'll have to deal with will be finding a dead infant to pass for that poor girl's kid while we take the one she gave birth too. I've been a woman my whole life, believing that's who I truly am for the better half of it, so you can be sure I'll make a good mother. As far as I'm concerned, the kid may never know the truth."
"You... you thought of this?" The prince blinked. He was starting to feel a little bit sick.
"Why yes, I had several years to figure it out. Good wit, huh?" Kento grinned a very wide grin and moved closer to Hiro's chair once again. "So... wanna have some fun with the hot princess here? While it's still at least a little illegal? After I accept your proposal tomorrow all the banging will be..."
That remark about banging was simply too much. Hiromitsu didn't let him finish, he stood up, shook Kento's hand off of his shirt where it managed to climb while the not-exactly-princess was trying to lure him, and shouted:
"Stop it right now! Cross dressing, deceiving, threesomes with strangers, dead babies?! I lived all my life in guilt and came here knowing I might have to give it all up for the sake of my nation, and you not only top every sin I could imagine with it's nightmare version, you do it with a smile?! You disgust me! There's nothing I would want less in this life than to spend the rest of it with you! If you dare to accept the proposal, I will expose you, be sure of that!!"
Having said that, Hiro left the chamber slamming the door behind him, He was so furious! He wasn't sure what made him more angry - the fact the princess turned out to be a man and a pervert, or that she, no he, he was proud of himself and expected Hiromitsu to be pleased!
He spent most of the night rolling on the bed fighting frustration. The anger was so strong that he didn't even call Taisuke like he promised, to tell how things were going. He only remembered that next morning, when he was making himself that herb tea he already got used to drinking.
Of course, he totally forgot to tell Kento about his and Taisuke's master plan. On the other hand, with the mighty plan "the princess" had it wouldn't matter if Hiro was capable of producing offspring or not, as long as Kento himself was.
Hiro sat back in his chair, looked outside the window at the beautiful inner garden and asked himself for the hundredth time: why would Kento do such a thing?
Only this time, surprising himself, he came up with an answer. Didn't the guy tell him that he actually thought he was a female for more than a half of his life?.. That would mean he spent some eleven years without ever seeing a naked person, playing dolls and thinking he would someday become Hiro's bride. After finding out the truth he could only come out and cause the biggest scandal ever, with enough power to destroy the frail, just-made trust between the two countries... or keep up the pretense. He must have spent his whole life preparing to become the queen, and the only thing he managed to get for himself was not taking any more hormones, in exchange for trainings, diets, and having his vocal chords ruined forever. He must have been terrified of what Hiro's reaction would be, but getting to know that the prince of Northern Mountain was into guys, he's seen it as his chance and... possibly, in a very clumsy way, tried to make it all work?
The idea of stealing babies and planting dead ones in their place was still as abominable as when he first heard of it, but now Hiro had to admit, other than that, and acting a little bit too rotten even for a spoiled princess, Kento now appeared to him as more of a tragic character, than a disgusting brat.
Suddenly Hiro felt guilty. Kento's attempt to woe him was bound to fail, basically because Hiro had Taisuke. But Kento did his best anyway, and what did he get in return? His husband-to-be telling him that he was disgusting and threatening to expose what he spent his whole life hiding carefully?
Amends had to be made. Naturally the prince still couldn't let the wedding happen, but at the very least he had to go and apologize.
With a strong resolution to do so, he emerged from his room much earlier than planned and went to princess' quarters, but to his surprise, there was nobody there. It was way too early for the lunch-party, but too late to just wander off anywhere, especially if one had to tape their breasts up and arrange that futuristic hairdo. Still, the princess wasn't there.
Hiro went down to the garden to watch preparations and ask around, but no one seemed to have seen Kento and her bodyguards. The time was passing, Hiromitsu was getting impatient and nervous again, knowing for a fact that in case the princess did anything reckless, he was the one to blame.
The princess of Sen reappeared unharmed a few minutes before noon, just when the party was about to start, making everyone speechless for a long while.
Instead of an elegant dress, the princess wore a rather simple suit, which was far from her usual lavish style. But that wasn't the biggest surprise. It was her head. Or rather, the thousand of thin, long braids, with colourful lace braided in, that the princess' hairdresser used to create all kinds of science-fiction inspired hairstyles with. They were gone. A humble circle of regular auburn hair with some golden reflexes surrounded Kento's face, and ended above his chin. It looked fresh, and nice, but together with the suit, somehow made him appear almost like a different person. He also didn't have that trademark I'm-in-control smile on his face, in turn he looked very, very sad.
Hiromitsu tried to gesture at him, to let him know he had something important to tell him, but the princess wouldn't look his way, now light and small head was hanging down all the time. Soon all the guests gathered and only then Kento surprised them again, not waiting for the food to come in, instead stepping up to the rose-decorated podium prepared for the engagement ritual, took a deep breath, turned on the microphone, and spoke.
"Dear Sirs and Madams, thank you very much for gathering today at the new royal palace, to kindly celebrate the joining of two great nations, as well as the official engagement of prince Hiromitsu and myself. I am sure that the new country we are creating together will be stronger, wealthier and happier than any of us members of both royal families could have ever imagined, especially with the help of people like you. It is thanks to your hard work and kind advice that we completed the new law, and managed to build a new capital city that is already famous in the whole world, all that in mere 20 years. There is only one duty we, royal families have left to fulfill. However, I regret to tell you, we will not be able to do so. What I am trying to tell you is that I, princess Kento cannot marry prince Hiromitsu and become his wife. I cannot be mother to his children, the new dynasty. It is my fault and I am going to take full responsibility, whatever all of you will decide fit for the selfish sin I am going to admit now. The reason, dear lords and ladies is..."
Adding to everyone's confusion, the princess took off the jacket as she was talking about taking responsibility, and when she entered the last sentence she started unbuttoning her shirt. Hiromitsu realized what she was going to do at the last moment, and dashed to the platform shouting "STOOOOP!" as if his own life depended on it.
He got what he wanted, the princess stopped with her hand immobile at the third button. On ly he now stood on the top of the platform, in front of the microphone, and all eyes were turned at him. There was no way to grab the princess and simply take her somewhere to have a talk in private, they were both adults, and this was a very official, very important gathering. With press all over the place.
Hiromitsu took a deep breath. He avoided bad publicity for his whole life. There was next to no gossip about him, except for that gay thing, but he made damn sure that was unaccounted for, nothing more than gossiping chambermaids.
Oh well. There's gotta be that first time for everything.
"Everyone" he started, adjusting the mike to his height, and making that specific, very unpleasant high sound at the process, that cause everybody to wince. "I am sorry for this ill-mannered entrance of mine, however, I in no way can accept the princess taking the blame for something I myself asked her to do."
Kento blinked.
"I didn't want to release this fact to the public prematurely, because I am still undergoing some tests, and there are treatments being prepared too, there is however a very good chance that I cannot sire a child."
There was a murmur among the people gathered. One could also almost feel how all the journalists tightened on the spot. Hiro continued, from time to time giving meaningful glances to Kento.
"I explained the situation to the princess yesterday. I must have sounded very harsh, and for that I would like to humbly apologize. The bottom line though, is that knowing there is very little chance for me and her producing a new dynasty, princess Kento should be given a choice. She has spent all her life preparing to be a mother of a child to a man she doesn't even know. There will be no child, so why should she be forced to marry that man? I advised the princess not to accept my proposal today, because I want to give her more time and a chance to freely decide as whom does she want to live the rest of her life. Please, don't blame her, for that she yearns to have at least a taste of the life she deserves. Aren't we going to build a happy country? A country of freedom? I believe we should therefore be prepared to accept a little bit more possibilities..."
Somehow, Hiro forgot what he was going to say after that, and for terribly long period of about two seconds the garden was dead silent. After that, an old baronet who was sitting close to the podium stood up. Hiromitsu was afraid she was going to ostentatiously leave, and apparently so was Kento, as Hiro could feel the other squeezing the prince's sleeve as a sign of stress. But the baronet, to everybody's surprise, started clapping her hands. Slowly at first, but other aristocrats and journalists started to join in, and in no time the garden was resounding with applause. Hiromitsu smiled, gently held Kento's hand in front of everyone.
Later that day, shortly before he was to leave, he heard knocking on his door. The princess came in.
"Thank you for saving me..." he said, bowing to Hiromitsu "but what are you going to do about that lie? Isn't it going to get out the moment they actually test you?.."
"Don't worry, it actually wasn't that much of a lie" he said, having already decided to make mango herbs his favourite drink for as long as possible, and cut the number of people who knew why to the necessary minimum "I'm sorry for yesterday. And... I hope you know I meant what I said in the garden. You should choose yourself who you want to be. Don't rush. And don't worry about marrying me anymore."
Kento nodded. He headed towards the door.
"You know" he said when just about to go out "if it's only about the kid, we could still get married, and get your boyfriend to marry my girlfriend as soon as we find some, make them prime ministers or something so that they'd live here, and it could still work... I mean, without threesomes with blindfolded strangers nor dead babies."
"Get lost before I change my mind about exposing you!" Hiro hissed, and Kento disappeared outside, laughing out loud. Hiro was smiling himself, the kid wasn't so bad, he was simply a case of an overactive imagination. The offer he made this time was worth remembering though, as idealistic as the prince was, he understood all Hell could break lose politics-wise if the dynasties didn't get joined eventually.
A few minutes later, Hiromitsu was outside the palace, waiting for a car, when a phone call came to his mobile. He didn't have to check the caller ID, he simply put the speaker to his ear.
"It's alright" he answered to whatever was said on the other side "there will be no wedding at least for a time being, and the princess is cool about it. Ultimately though... there is something I will want to talk to you about once I'm home."