Love or Vengeance - Chapter 3：Revelations and Confessions

Back at the mansion, in their private gym,

“That’s it. You’re getting better.” Said Cana as she blocked another of Yamato’s attacks.

“T-Thank you.” Said a very out of breath Yamato as he leaned on his wooden sword.

“I think that’s enough for today. Come on.” Said Cana as she extended her hand to him.

“That was great Yamato-kun. You really are improving.” Said Reina.

“Of course he is. Cana-chan is teaching him after all.” Said Akari.

“I’m still surprised to know that Cana-san can fight so well.” Said Reina as she handed Yamato his towel.

“I just wish I never had to teach this to Yamato.” Said Cana.

“Why is that?” Asked Yamato.

“Because the only reason you are training now is to fight Kiba, isn’t it?

Yamato looked down then up again at Cana.

“Yes. I have to find him in order to get to the one behind all of this.”

“I still can’t believe that Kiba would betray us like this.” Said Akari.

“But something doesn’t sit right with me.” Said Reina.

“What is it?” Asked Yamato.

“Why was Kiba so set on killing you and Cana-san? I mean, I know that the guy barking orders is behind everything. But why?”

Yamato looked at Cana and nodded.

“Are you sure about this?” Asked Cana.

“Yes. They need to know. They are already know most of it. Might as well tell them the whole truth.”

“What truth?” Asked Akari.

“I knew there was more to the story.” Said Reina.

“The truth is everyone, that my parents that you know have been killed. By Cana-chan.”

“WHAT?!!” Asked the two in shock.

“But why would you do that Cana-chan?” Asked Akari.

“Because those two were not my real parents. They were people hired just like Kiba was. To pretend to be my parents and eventually kill me.”

“It can’t be. They were such kind people.” Said Reina who was still shocked.

“The day before Cana-chan transferred to our school is when it all went down. That’s when they decided to get rid of me. Luckily Mochizuki-san sent Cana-chan in order to save me.”

“Okay. So he’s been keeping watch over you since you and Cana-chan were childhood friends. So he knew when he needed to step in.” Said Akari.

“Not quite. Cana-chan and I were never childhood friends. The truth is that Mochizuki-san knew me from way back. You remember King Claudius and Queen Sylvia? You know about the tragedy 14 years ago, right? The assassination of the king and queen as well as their second born son, Prince Julius Wiseragna.”

“Wait. You don’t mean what I think you do, right?” Said Reina with an amazed look.

“Yes I am. I am the dead prince. The second prince, Julius Wisseragna.”

“WHAT?! Yamato is the dead prince?! But how?” Asked Akari.

“I was never killed. I was taken from my parents on the night of the assassination and given to those two people I’ve been calling parents for the past 14 years.”

“It all makes sense now.” Says Reina.

“So…your engagement is also a fake one?” Asked Akari.

Yamato looked at Cana.

“No. It isn’t. Although the whole purpose of this engagement was to help as a backstory to why I know Cana-chan if anyone from school was to ask. She was originally sent there to protect me.”

“Not very manly there Yamato.” Said Akari as she slapped him on the back.

“Akari! He’s the prince. How could you hit him like that? My apologies, your highness.” Said Reina as she bowed.

“Come on guys. I may be a prince, but you don’t need to be formal with me. I’m still the Yamato you all know.”

“Are you sure?” Asked Reina.

“Of course. Don’t let my status bother you.”

“See Rei Rei? Yamato is still Yamato.”

“Well, now that you know our secret, swear not to tell anybody.”

“We swear. Don’t worry. Our lips are sealed.” Said Reina.

“But, if your engagement is not fake, it means that you two will actually get married?” Asked Akari.

“Well about that…” Said Yamato as he looked at Cana.

Cana looked back at him with questioning eyes. There was a moment of silence.

“We’re going to give you guys some space.” Said Reina as she dragged Akari outside.

“No fair. I wanna hear too.” Said Akari as she protested.

“Yamato-kun. It’s been bothering me for quite some time now. We never really considered your feelings. Are you okay with this engagement?” Asked Cana.

“At first, everything seemed really rushed. Everything was moving too fast. I saw my parents being killed right in front of my eyes. Then I find out that they were fakes and that my real parents are the dead king and queen. The world I knew suddenly turned upside down in just one day. And then I was told to get engaged to you for my safety. Not really the way I imagined my life with be at this point in time.”

“Yes. I understand what you mean. And if it bothers you in any way, I can talk to my father to cancel the engagement.” Said Cana as she looked down.

“At first, I would have jumped at that. But now things are different.”

“Different how?” Asked Cana as she looked up at him with a questioning look.

“These past two weeks have really change my life. Bad things happened all the time. I even found out that my so called best friend is out to kill me. But there is one thing that I am really grateful for.”

“What is it?”

“Meeting you made everything that has happened to me seem like nothing. You’ve been with me every step of the way. The day you jumped in front of me and got shot, I nearly lost my mind. I was terrified. Terrified of losing you.”

“What?” Said a very surprised Cana.

“Cana-chan,” said Yamato as he took her hand, “I love you and I want to spend the rest of my life with you. Which is why I wish to stay engaged to you. If that’s okay with you of course.”

Cana was standing there surprised at Yamato’s sudden confession. A tear rolled down her cheek.

“Yamato-kun, I wish to stay with you as well. I love you too.” Said Cana as she hugged him.

Yamato held her tight.

“Then let’s always be together. But promise me that you will never do something like that again. I can’t bear to go through that again.”

“But I have to protect you.”

“No buts. It is my duty as prince and as your fiance to protect you. So from now on, I want you to rely on me more. Besides, with you as my teacher, I’ll get stronger in no time at all.”

“Very well. I will rely on you from now on, Yamato.” Said Cana as she looked up to him.

Yamato then lowered his head and his lips touched hers into a passionate kiss, strengthening their bond.

“Aww. I want a prince of my own.” Said Akari.

“Wow, Yamato-kun. I didn’t know you were such a romantic.” Said Reina.

“W-what?! How long have you been there?” Asked Yamato as his face turned red.

“The whole time. Remember? We never left.” Said Reina.

“But don’t mind us. We’re just having fun enjoying the show.” Said Akari. “Oh. All this romance made me hungry.”

“Then why don’t we all go inside and get something to eat?” Asked Cana.

“That would be great. Come on guys.” Said Yamato as he started heading out of the gym.

◆◆◆

Two weeks later,

“Hyahh!!” Shouted Yamato as he hit Cana’s wooden sword out of her hands.

“Amazing. You managed to get this far in just two weeks. Well done, Yamato-kun.” Said Cana as she went to pick up her sword.

“Well, I couldn’t have done it without you.” Said Yamato as he smiled at her.

“I suppose that’s enough for today.”

“Already? But we just started.”

“Just started? We’ve been training for five hours.”

“I guess you’re right. I’ve been training so much that I forget what time it is.”

“Come on. Let’s go inside and take a shower. We’re sweating all over.”

Inside the mansion,

“Welcome back, masters.” Said Ayumi. “The bath is ready for you.”

“Thank you Suzutski-san. Cana-chan, you can go first. I’ll take one after you.”

“Umm… Yamato-kun?”

“What is it?”

“I don’t mind…” Said Cana who looked away as she turned red.

“You don’t mind what?”

“I… I don’t mind us taking a bath together.”

“Say what?!” Said a very surprised Yamato.

“You don’t want to?”

“It’s not a matter of wanting or not. I mean… I want to. No! I mean… We’re still teenagers.” Said Yamato as he turned red.

“I know but… we’re also engaged. So it’s fine.”

“Are you sure?”

“Yes. You may go in first. I’ll be right behind you.”

“Alright.” Said Yamato as he made his way to the bath.

In the bath,

“What could she be thinking? I mean, I don’t really mind. What guy wouldn’t want to take a bath with a beautiful girl? But now that it’s actually happening…”

“Yamato-kun, I’m coming in.” Said Cana from the other side of the door.

“O-okay.” Said Yamato as he put his head halfway inside the water.

Cana entered the room wearing nothing but a towel. Her blonde hair looked more alluring than usual.

“Wow. She sure is beautiful. Ahh! What am I doing in here looking at her like a pervert? I’m a man for crying out loud. A prince for that matter. This should be nothing.”

“Yamato-kun.”

“Y-yes?!” Said Yamato as he quickly removed his head from the water.

“Would… would you like me to wash your back?”

“S-sure. I’d like that.”

“This feels great. Am I sure I’m not dreaming?”

“Is this okay?” Asked Cana a bit unsure.

“Y-yeah. Thank you.”

“I’m glad.” Said Cana as she kept scrubbing.

Yamato looked into the mirror in front of him and saw Cana. Her red cheeks complimented her gorgeous blond hair. And the way she sparkled in the steamy atmosphere around us made her look even more beautiful.

“Yamato-kun? Is something the matter?” Said Cana who also looked into the mirror.

“Oh…ummm…no. It’s just that…”

“What is it?”

“You look really beautiful.”

“Oh. Thank you.” Said Cana who blushed even more.

“Want me to wash your back now?” Offered Yamato.

“Yes. If you don’t mind.”

Cana stands up and lets her towel fall to the floor.

“C-Cana-chan?! What are you doing?” Said Yamato as he covered his eyes.

“Yamato-kun, look at me.”

“But…”

“Please.”

Yamato slowly opened his eyes to see Cana standing before him.

“Look.”

Yamato looks at her side which had a scar.

“It’s almost gone.” Says Cana as she takes his hand and places it on the scar.

“I’m really sorry for putting you in so much danger. I was weak and couldn’t even protect you.”

“I told you to stop thinking that way. My duty was to protect you. There was no way that I would let the prince die. At that time, I thought of protecting you as a duty that I had to fulfill. But now, I want to protect you because I can’t imagine my life without you.” Said Cana with tears in her eyes. “You mean everything to me. So please. Don’t feel like it was your fault.”

Yamato looked at her with so much love in his eyes. He then lifted his hand from her side to clean away her tears.

“Don’t worry. I won’t ever leave you.”

“Promise?”

“Promise.”

Cana then buried herself into his chest. Yamato held her tight.

“I promise to never let you go.”

At school,

“Wow Yamato. For a prince you’re actually pretty dumb.” Said Akari.

“Yeah. You barely passed.” Said Reina.

“Oh shut up.” Said Yamato as he looked at his test scores.

“Well look on the bright side. You won’t have to take any make ups.” Said Cana.

“Easy for you to say.” Said Yamato.

Cana was holding her tests which all had perfect scores.

“You’re amazing Cana-san.” Said Reina.

“Yeah. I’ve never seen anyone have a perfect score on all the tests before.” Said Akari.

“Oh it’s nothing really.”

“How do you do it?” Asked Reina.

“I just study like any other person.” Said Cana.

“Then you must be a genius.” Said Akari.

“Yeah. You’re strong, beautiful and smart. Not to mention royalty. You’re the perfect woman.” Said Reina.

“Oh I’m not that special.” Said Cana.

“I beg to differ.” Said Yamato.

Cana then turned red as she smiled.

“Oh how romantic. At least you’re good at something, Yamato.” Said Akari. “Where is my prince?”

“Probably still waiting in the tower for you to rescue him.” Said Reina.

“He’s better off there, that’s for sure.” Said Yamato in a low voice.

“Would you mind saying that again?” Asked Akari as she put Yamato in a headlock.

“Ow ow ow ow! Nothing. I said nothing.”

“Good.”

“By the way Yamato, since you’re the prince, does that mean that you will be going to the ball in two days?” Asked Reina.

“Ball? What ball?” Asked Yamato looking confused.

“Oh. I forgot to tell you. The king is organizing a ball in two days and we have been invited.” Said Cana.

“How come you live in the same house but didn’t even know about it. Don’t you watch the news or anything?” Asked Akari.

“Oh shut up. So we’re going, aren’t we?”

“Of course we are. My father is the duke so it’s only natural that we go.”

“Is there a problem Yamato?” Asked Reina.

“No…um…it’s just that I will be meeting the king. Who is supposed to be my elder brother. I have no idea what to do. I mean, it’s only recently that I found out that I’m a prince.”

“Don’t worry Yamato. You’ll be fine. We’ll be there with you.” Said Cana as she held his hand.

“Yeah. Come on. You’re the prince. There’s no need to feel scared.” Said Akari.

“You’re right. Thanks.”

◆◆◆

At home,

“My prince, forgive me for not informing you sooner.” Apologized Ishin.

“Not to worry. Cana-chan has already filled me in. Now all that’s left is to get ready.”

“Very well. But the ball is in two days. Isn’t it too early to get ready?”

“Well, I’m the prince, right? It’s time to learn to act like one.”

“Of course. I believe Cana already has that covered.”

“Yes father. I will teach Yamato-kun how to act and behave like a prince.” Said Cana.

◆◆◆

The next day,

“Come on Yamato. You can do it. It’s not that hard.” Said Akari.

“How come you mastered everything Cana thought you, but can’t even walk with some books on your head?” Said Akari as she continued to tease him.

“Well if you think it’s so easy, why don’t you try it?”

“Don’t mind if I do.” Said Akari as she took the books from him.

“Yes. That’s the way Akari-chan.” Said Cana.

“See? Told you I could do it.” Said Akari as she put down the books.

“Akari.” Said Yamato as he went and looked in to her eyes.

“W-what? Why are you looking at me like that?”

“Are…are you a princess too?”

“Oh shut up.” Said Akari as she hit him in the head with one of the books.

“Ouch! It hurts.”

“But still Yamato. How come you mastered everything Cana thought you, but couldn’t master this?” Asked Reina.

“It doesn’t matter. I’ll keep trying until I get it right.”

“At least your morale is intact.” Said Akari

◆◆◆

Finally, on the day of the ball,

“You look very handsome, Yamato-kun.” Said Cana as she arranged his coat.

“You’re even more beautiful.” Said Yamato.

“There. All done. Let’s go. Father must be waiting for us.”

“Oh there you are. You both look wonderful.” Said Ishin. He then looked at Yamato. “My prince, is there any problem?”

“Ah. No. It’s just…”

“You’re worried about meeting King Victor, isn’t it?” Asked Cana as she placed a hand on his shoulder.

“Yes. I’m very nervous. Plus, would he even believe me?”

“Not to worry. Just leave everything to me. I will talk with the king.” Said Ishin.

“Very well. Shall we?” Asked Yamato as he offered Cana his arm.

◆◆◆

At the palace,

“Welcome Mochizuki-sama. His majesty is waiting for you in his study. Please follow me.” Said a young woman.

“Thank you. Take us to him.” Said Ishin as he motioned for the two to follow him.

Knock, knock!

“Come in.” Answered King Victor.

“Your Majesty, Mochizuki-sama and his daughter have arrived.”

“Bring them in.”

“Your majesty, it’s good to see you.” Said Ishin as he greeted the king.

“Ishin-san. Welcome. It’s been a long time since I have seen you. And Cana-san. You’ve grown into a beautiful young woman. I’m so glad to see that you are alright after your assassination attempt. I was really worried.”

“Thank you for your concern, your majesty.” Said Cana as she bowed.

“And who might this young man be?” Asked the king as he looked at Yamato.

“Good evening, your majesty. My name is Tanaka Yamato.” Said Yamato with a bow.

“Oh, Tanaka-san. Ishin has told me about you. You’re Cana-san’s fiancé, if I am not mistaken.”

“Yes. That he is. But you see, your majesty, there is more to his story. That is the reason why I requested to speak with you in private today.”

“Yes. You have told me that. Please, tell me.”

“Your majesty, fourteen years ago, as we all know, the royal family, except for you, has been assassinated. Due to that, you were made king.”

“Yes. That is correct. But what does that have to do with Tanaka-san?”

“Your majesty, on the day of the assassination, Prince Julius wasn’t killed along with the king and queen. He was kidnapped by the assassins and has been living in this city with two of them pretending to be his parents ever since.”

“What did you say? My brother is alive? And he’s been in this city all along? But how can this be?”

“Yes, your majesty. It is all true. I myself found out a little over a month ago. The two assassins living with him have received orders to kill him. But I saved him in the last moment.”

“But I don’t understand what all this has to do with Tanaka-san.”

“Yamato-san, please come forward.” Said Ishin as he motioned for Yamato to come next to him. “Your majesty, Yamato-san is Prince Julius.”

“What?! Julius? Brother, is it really you?”

“Yes your majesty. I am Julius Wisseragna. Your younger brother.”

“This is amazing. I never would have thought that you’d be alive. I’m at a complete loss for words. But Ishin-san, how did you find him?”

“When the royal family was assassinated, it troubled me that we couldn’t find Prince Julius’s body. So I came to the conclusion that he was still alive. I didn’t tell you in so that I wouldn’t get your hopes up in the off chance my theory proved to be wrong. I’ve searched for the past fourteen years and in the last moment; I got a strong lead that lead me to where Prince Julius was and managed to save him in the last moment.”

“I see. And you didn’t waste any time and got him engaged to Cana-san.” Said King Victor jokingly.

“That was in order to protect him. But the two of them are very much in love.”

“Is that so? Well done brother. I see that you’ve taken after father.”

“T-Thank you, your majesty.” Said Yamato who was still nervous.

“No need to be formal with me, brother. Loosen up. We are family after all. No need to be nervous. We used to be so close when we were young. I might be king now, but I am still your older brother Victor.”

“A-Alright, Victor.”

“There we go.”

“Tee hee.” Giggled Cana.

“What are you laughing for?” Asked Yamato.

“The way you are behaving is reminding me of our first day as a couple. I was so nervous.”

“That’s true. You kept calling me “your majesty” in school all day.”

“Ishin-san, I am very grateful for bringing my brother back. I can’t thank you enough.”

“There’s no need to thank me, your majesty. I think of both of you as my very own sons.”

“If you don’t have any problem with it, I would like to announce my brother’s return and his engagement to Cana-san in tonight’s ball.” Said King Victor.

“I don’t have anything against it. I’m sure the people will be overjoyed to hear that Prince Julius is alive. And having you by his side is going to put a wall in front of the assassins that are after him. But we should ask the two of them first.”

Yamato looked at Cana who smiled back at him as she took his hand and nodded.

“We don’t have anything against the idea.” Said Yamato.

“Then it’s settled.” Said King Victor.

Knock, knock!!!

“Your majesty, the ball is about to begin.” Said a young woman.

“We are on our way. Julius, or should I call you Yamato instead?”

Yamato looked at Ishin, Cana and then at his clothes.

“I believe it’s time to take my role as Prince Julius Wisseragna seriously.”

“Well said. Now, let’s go enjoy this ball. It is a day of celebration after all. We’ve got a lot of catching up to do later.”

◆◆◆

Somewhere, in the palace, close to the King’s room,

“I see. So everything is going according to plan. Soon everything will fall into place. Just you wait and see, Yamato.” Said Kiba.