The Royal Fiancé -White Prince - Chapter 1 Part 5
Apologies for the delay! ;A;)/
I wanted the whole of chapter 1 to be up in this post so it took awhile. (Ps chapter 1 is the longest chapter in the book, 73/252 pages of the main story)
Was also busy with full-time work.
Ps theres an area that I left in red and blank that I can’t seem to find OAO. Uh just comment and tell me where it is, thanks! (Fixed!)
This update contains
– some action (not R18 just yet – that’s in chapter 2)
– an awesome picture
Disclaimer:
I DO NOT OWN THIS WORK, ASUMA RISAI (the author) DOES.
PS. n.o.body owns Shiori either.
For any re-posts or re-uploads, please credit this blog!
This is a one man’s show aka no editors, proofreaders, so on and so forth. If there’s any grammatical error or terrible linguistic crime being committed in the post, just drop me a mail or a comment.
And now, on to the real stuff.
Enjoy!
“Kurosaki-san is one of Ecuratol’s largest customer. He was the person who brought Ecuratol’s grape wines over to j.a.pan and popularised them amongst its citizens.”
“I understand.”
That is the very reason why Shiori has decided to personally apologise to for his grave mistake.
The decision was not to call the exporter to report to Shiori, who was part of the royal family, but for Shiori himself to walk out of the palace doors, and to make a trip down to personally visit the exporter.
This person was the largest link between j.a.pan and Ecuratol’s diplomacy. As such, Shiori could never allow his mistake to offend this person.
“Kurosaki-san is well informed about the recent spate of poor quality royal champagne being circulated in the export market.”
Shiori bit his lower lip. Amidst the numerous poor quality royal champagne being made available in the market, it was inevitable that there were countless accusations that Shiori and the royal family were the masterminds behind this occurrence in a bid to ama.s.s more wealth.
His own selfish mistake could potentially deal a large blow to his country’s reputation.
Shiori’s pride would never allow such a thing to happen.
“Initially, Kurosaki-san was very furious.”
“His anger is understandable. I intend to reimburse the damages in full.”
“Understood. Would you like me to report this incident to Shou-sama?”
Shiori recalled the look of triumph and happiness that Shou had on the wedding banquet’s evening.
“I will discuss this matter with him at a later time.”
It was only due to the fact that Shiori had an unparalleled sense of taste that he was allowed to take on the responsibility of issuing the royal branding. In turn, this responsibility, duty and job was the only reason why Shiori was of value to Ecuratol.
Should he lose the right to continue this duty……
Immediately upon his arrival, there was a valet to open the car’s door and receive Shiori. The valet then guided Shiori through several unfamiliar corridors and brought him to the entrance of a room.
Despite knowing that Shiori would be arriving, Kurosaki failed to open the room’s door nor welcome Shiori.
This probably indicated that Kurosaki’s anger was yet to be quelled.
However, Shiori did not consider rebuking Kurosaki’s disrespectful behaviour as Shiori was here to seek forgiveness and make amends.
Shiori’s subordinate helped to open the room’s door. “Kurosaki-sama, Shiori-sama has arrived.”
“Pardon my intrusion.” Shiori took a step into the suite. In the middle of the suite stood a man with jet black hair donned in a well-fitting black suit. He had a st.u.r.dy frame, and exuded a certain uncouth and rough feeling.
“—!”
(He was…… that evening’s!)
A shock ran through Shiori’s body.
The man who was reprimanded severely by Shiori during Shou’s wedding banquet, and at the same time, the man who made a fool out of Shiori.
The extremely vulgar man from that evening stood before Shiori.
(Impossible! Could it be that he is……!)
“I am Oki Kurosaki.” That man did not mention that it was his first time meeting Shiori in his short greeting. Smiling, he kneeled down in front of Shiori, swiftly taking Shiori’s hand and planted a kiss on the back of his hand. Startled, Shiori furiously withdrew his hand.
Shiori’s subordinates seemed to think that Kurosaki’s actions were merely a manner of showing respect to Shiori, who was a member of the royal family.
Should they not have met under such circ.u.mstances that evening, Shiori would have gladly accepted Kurosaki’s gesture.
And yet……
The back of his hand felt numb. The lips used to lightly kiss the back of Shiori’s hand were the very same lips that intertwined with his own that evening……
Kurosaki’s sharp looking eyes gave a quick devilish glance towards Shiori.
“Please, take a sit,” Kurosaki stood up straight and gestured to a nearby chair.
“For Your Highness to personally visit and offer me an apology…… Does this indicate that you are admitting to your error?”
Shiori bit down on his lower lip tightly.
This could not be. Could it be that this guy……!
Shiori looked over to the man standing directly opposite him.
The same man who had offended Shiori greatly.
‘How is it possible that he is a very important client to Ecuratol……?’
Shiori simply could not afford to offend Kurosaki.
He was someone with a large enough influence to require a personal apology from someone in the royal family.
j.a.pan is one of Ecuratol’s largest export market, and Kurosaki was the key mediator that had made this feat possible.
He was the man who had the crucial role in helping Ecuratol’s champagne garner widespread demand throughout j.a.pan.
Kurosaki wore a well-pressed outer jacket over his suit today.
His tie was perfectly in place, unruffled. Despite his neat and formal attire, Kurosaki still exuded an air of boldness and dominance – that of a wild beast, making people feel that he was a man with a powerful influence.
” Your Highness, if I’m not mistaken, you have not answered my question?”
“Yes……” Shiori’s words got caught in his throat. He clenched his jaw forcefully.
“I will compensate and cover for the losses you have incurred over the course of this incident in full.” With great effort, Shiori managed to squeeze out a single line.
“However, it should be noted that this banquet is meant to welcome foreign delegates to j.a.pan. We even promised our distinguished guests that they would be having a taste of the exquisite royal-approved champagne. For a fiasco like this to happen, I am afraid that what I have lost is more than just monetary in nature – rather, the delegates’ trust.”
“For that to happen…… I am really sorry.”
Shiori quietly clenched his fist that was resting on his lap.
The man he was dealing with now is not someone whom he could treat carelessly. To make matters worse, it seemed that this man, who knows Shiori’s blunder, was not intending to let Shiori off lightly.
He was someone who climbed up the corporate ladder on his own, thus developing various skills that made him a shrewd man, someone who could make others submit to him easily. Shiori knew that he simply could not outwit someone who has such vast experience in the cutthroat world of business.
“Ah. Recently, I have heard rumours that there are several restaurants that carry the champagne with the royal branding – except that these champagnes were that of very poor quality.”
Shiori jerked his head up.
“That is……”
“And here I thought that it was your personal, discreet orders for such lousy champagnes to be sold at high prices.”
“That was definitely not by my orders…!” Frustrated, Shiori stood up furiously.
“Your Highness!” His subordinates cried out, trying to restrain Shiori emotionally.
That man was clearly directly calling Shiori’s integrity into question. His eyes were focused steadily on Shiori.
With that harsh stare of his, it was not an exaggeration to say that people felt as if they were being forced into a tight corner.
“Did you think that I was blissfully unaware of this scandal? Should you have the intention to cheat, I would not hesitate to make the necessary preparations to make this incident known to the general public.”
“Please do not announce this incident publicly. It was an error purely on my part, and not anyone else’s—!”
Without finishing what he wanted to say, Shiori abruptly fell silent.
He knew that Kurosaki had just exposed his biggest weakness. Consequently, this weakness would be used by this man against Shiori.
Kurosaki stood up.
“May I invite all of you to leave the room for awhile?” Kurosaki ordered Shiori’s subordinates as he walked towards the window.
Allow them to leave first. Otherwise…….
With just the look in his eyes, Kurosaki made Shiori unable to protest.
” Shiori-sama.”
“……Just leave.”
“Is that okay with you, Your Highness?”
“Just wait outside the room for further orders from me.”
Not daring to disobey his orders, Shiori’s subordinates slowly filtered out of the room in a single file.
Almost instantaneously, the room fell silent, and only Shiori and Kurosaki were left.
“Would you like me to turn a blind eye to your grave mistake?”
Towards Shiori, Kurosaki’s att.i.tude seemed to have taken a complete 180-degree turn.
This was Kurosaki’s true colours – cunning and rough.
Kurosaki moved towards the table placed beside the window.
Two wine gla.s.ses and the bottle of champagne that Shiori had labelled wrongly as a royal champagne were placed neatly on the table.
Kurosaki poured the champagne into the two gla.s.ses. Raising one of the gla.s.ses, he downed the champagne in one, big swallow.
This crude manner of drinking was expected of this sort of uncouth man.
“If you would like me to forget about this incident, do bow your head low and request for forgiveness. I haven’t heard your apology yet.”
Casting a side glance towards Kurosaki while standing up, Shiori replied, “……I have already mentioned that I am very sorry for this incident to have occurred.”
Thank Goodness his subordinates were not in the room to witness his own awkward behaviour and the difficult situation he was in.
To someone like Shiori who has an extremely large pride, this was an unprecedented saving grace.
“That wasn’t enough.” Towards Shiori’s behaviour, Kurosaki merely snorted coldly.
“To make me forget about this matter’s existence, you will need to beg me for forgiveness.”
“In your dreams–!”
Once again, Shiori stopped himself mid-way. He could only glare resolutely at Kurosaki.
Kurosaki looked at a humiliated Shiori with mild interest.
That evening, during the banquet, it was Shiori who had humiliated him. As such, Shiori knew that this man would be out to seek revenge against him. However, it would not be a wise decision to aggravate this man.
Kurosaki was absentmindedly holding and swirling the gla.s.s of champagne in his hand, as if demonstrating to Shiori that he had solid evidence against him.
With such knowledge in the hands of this man, n.o.body would know how twisted the rumours of Shiori’s mistake regarding the royal branding would be should Kurosaki start spreading it.
Shiori refused to owe this man a favour.
To add on to Shiori’s misery, he had his own brother’s position to take into consideration – his brother that had gained everything – Shou.
For Shou to secure the King’s position, Shiori’s very existence was undesirable.
One simple minute mistake made by Shiori would result in Shou losing all the power and influence he has. It was likely that Shou was nothing short of being overjoyed that he held such material to make Shiori lose his position as a royalty.
Although Shiori has always been compared to Shou since they were young, Shiori has not, even once, won Shou in anything.
Shou was the centre of the country’s affection and blessing, and had a tight grasp of his life’s happiness.
Shiori was an existence merely to be a foil to, to be compared to Shou.
Even if he had to give up on his own pride, this time, Shiori absolutely did not want to be under Shou’s shadow.
“I- I beg of you.”
Upon seeing Shiori’s shoulder shaking and biting his lips from the humiliation that he suffered, Kurosaki could not help but to sneer at Shiori.
Even if he had to bow down to this cra.s.s man, Shiori had something he desperately wanted to protect.
n.o.body – even Shou nor the people around him, knew what Shiori was trying so hard to protect.
He just needed to push through this incident.
He just had to repress himself for this instant.
At any rate, Shiori told himself, he would not be seeing this man ever again.
“Apology not accepted.”
“You!” Shiori lifted his head.
“Why…!”
Why was it that no matter what Shiori did, it was simply not enough? Was it because his desperation for forgiveness when imploring Kurosaki was simply inadequate?
Shiori’s pupils lit up with rage.
“Do not push your luck…!”
Upon hearing Shiori blurt out what he truly wanted to say, Kurosaki continued, “I’m guessing that you are planning to suffer for only this short period of time, am I right?”
“…!”
Shiori’s face burned a bright red as his true thoughts were revealed.
“Do you truly understand my position?”
“Your position…?” Shiori knitted his brows.
“The crown prince favours and trusts me a lot. I can report your insolent behaviour towards me that evening and how you have obstructed an important shipment to j.a.pan. Moreover, I can report to the crown prince that you have a.s.sisted and have involvement in the fake royal champagne scandal, and that this scandal was carried out with the hopes of removing the crown prince from power, no less.”
This man clearly knew about the strained relationship between Shiori and Shou.
“I did not carry out any of those matters……!”
“This royal label and this bottle of champagne has already been exported to j.a.pan. The evidence is crystal clear, and in my hands.”
The words spoken by this man versus the words that Shiori would speak.
Who would Shou be inclined to believe?
No, this was not a matter of which party Shou would choose to believe in.
Shiori’s failure would play in Shou’s favour, and thus, Shou would most likely not let go of this golden opportunity to drag Shiori down.
To make matters worse, the predicament that Shiori was in was bad – there were currently several bottles of fake royal champagne circulating in the market. Should Shiori make a misstep amidst the storm of allegations against the royal family, then needless to say, Ecuratol’s wine industry’s reputation would literally fall to zero.
This would then greatly reduce the country’s income.
And all this would happen due to Shiori’s own…
mistake.
“If you agree to a condition that I set, I will pretend that this matter never occurred.”
“And what is your condition?”
“It’s a very simple condition.”
Following that, Kurosaki listed out his condition matter-of-factly, but this condition made Shiori unable to believe what he had just heard.
He was to be this man’s slave.
Was it to make Shiori clean, do the laundry and settle this man’s daily living needs?
Seeing a perplexed expression on Shiori’s face, Kurosaki gave a small smirk.
“I want you to please me every night, and let me penetrate you mercilessly.”
“You……!”
The thing that this man hoped for was……
“Simple, isn’t it? However, to someone like you, this would be no small feat.” He slowly crossed his hands in front of his chest.
“You always have that disdainful look on your face whenever you see me, as if you were looking at a piece of worthless trash. I think that this method would be the most effective method for you.”
And this was the very reason why this man thought of such a punishment.
“Regardless of how much money you are willing to fork out, it will never help to earn back the trust I lost amongst the foreign delegates. As such, I would like you to use your body as compensation for the damage caused to my reputation.”
“You low-life!” Shiori shot a glare full of utter disgust towards the man.
“I won’t deny what you just said. But from today onwards, you will be using that body of yours every night to satisfy this low-life of a man that you look down upon so much.”
Kurosaki paced towards Shiori.
“For a n.o.ble like you, such a reality is unthinkable, isn’t it?” chuckled Kurosaki darkly.
“I will behave like a wild beast as you think I am one, and use my own way to embrace you.”
He certainly managed to guess whatever Shiori thought of him.
“And your reply?”
It was now impossible for Shiori to reject. He was already out of options.
“Ah!”
Kurosaki grabbed Shiori’s hand firmly and yanked him aggressively, causing Shiori to lose his balance.
Shiori was pushed onto the tabletop.
Fl.u.s.tered, Shiori tried to escape and struggled into a sitting position. Kurosaki stood in front of Shiori and was visually sizing Shiori up from head to toe.
“Since you understand the position that you are in, you should no that you have no right to resist, right?”
His face drew nearer to Shiori’s, and with that single sentence, Shiori was too afraid to even make a single movement.
“Wu…!”
Shiori felt a hot and wet tongue against the nape of his neck. Kurosaki’s hand slowly slid Shiori’s overcoat open – rubbing, caressing Shiori’s bare skin.
“Uu… Uu…” Shiori shut his eyes forcefully.
Taking advantage of the fact that Shiori was not in a position to reject his advances, his touches grew increasingly daring. He pulled Shiori’s waist closer to himself as his right hand continued to caress Shiori’s chest.
Both of their servants were still waiting outside the room. It was probably unthinkable to them that such a lewd business exchange between their two employers was happening just a few metres away.
“Nnggh!”
His fingers aggressively skimmed the surface of Shiori’s body and pinched Shiori’s nipple.
“Oh……!”
Shiori bit down on his lips tightly as he felt a wave of acute pain pa.s.sing through his lower body.
His chest gradually grew number.
As Kurosaki twisted Shiori’s nipple with an even greater force, he sneered at Shiori’s reactions.
“Ah, ah……!” Unable to suppress himself any longer, Shiori let out a soft moan.
Hearing his own voice, Shiori frantically covered his mouth, wanting to surppress any further embarra.s.sing sounds he might make.
Upon seeing this, Kurosaki was pleased.
Kurosaki did not seem to mind Shiori desperately trying to mask his voice – after all, their subordinates were still stationed outside the room.
Nor did he seem to mind Shiori’s clumsy resistance as his action of playing with Shiori’s nipples never once stopped.
Teasingly, Kurosaki used his finger to trace small circles around Shiori’s chest and continuously pulled and pressed Shiori’s nipples roughly.
Despite being teased at a place where he should feel nothing at all, Shiori still felt a tingling sensation.
To Shiori, this feeling was severely humiliating.
However, this man’s insulting actions failed to stop.
“…They’re erect.”
Shiori’s cheeks flushed a crimson red upon hearing that man’s words.
“Your mouth says no, but your body, in contrast, is quite honest huh. Even though you desperately want to protect your ego, I daresay that in no moments time, you will be the one to desire me and this pleasure.”
Shiori glared furiously at the man.
He will absolutely never desire this man.
The only reason why he would choose to silently accept such an unreasonable request is that he wanted to take full responsibility of the trouble that his mistake had resulted in.
Yet, despite such pure motives, his body still burned, and his nipples grew numb……
Could it be that this man would relentlessly carry out such actions until Shiori himself would be unable to resist and be willing to beg this uncouth man for release?
That would be frightening.
As Shiori’s lower body begun to burn hotter, he unknowingly started to sway his hips.
Seeing that Shiori’s knees started to rub against each other, expressing Shiori’s extreme discomfort, Kurosaki started to put more effort into caressing Shiori’s lithe body.
“Ah! Ah!”
Under Kurosaki’s touches, Shiori became unable to bear it anymore, and allowed his moans to escape. The longing tucked underneath Shiori’s underwear started to grow stiff. Should Kurosaki slide his hand downwards to caress Shiori’s lower body, he would immediately find out Shiori’s wanton response to his fondling.
And yet, somewhere in Shiori’s heart desired his weak spot to be caressed – though not by Kurosaki’s hand, as he would rather do it himself.
“You don’t want your little princely brother to discover your mistake right? Thus, in order to protect your own pride, you would rather choose to sell your body.”
“No…! …!”
Shiori denied Kurosaki’s accusation as he panted.
Although hiding his mistake was not his intention, it was true that in Shiori’s mind, Shou’s arrogant profile kept appearing and resurfacing.
Shiori was always compared to Shou in every aspect anyone can ever think of. However, today, Shou having ascended the throne, is the epitome of success and honour, while in contrast, Shiori who has expanded his efforts tirelessly and worked his life for the country, has nothing.
Despite such a cruel reality, Shiori still wanted to protect his country’s reputation no matter what means he had to resort to – even if it meant that he would merely be a tool and be used by others.
Shiori furiously attempted to push Kurosaki away, but Kurosaki ignored Shiori’s feeble resistance, and the hand that was used to caress Shiori’s chest……
slowly slid downwards.
“You…!”
With practised movements, that man undid Shiori’s belt, pulled down his zippers, and gripped Shiori’s member tightly through Shiori’s underwear.
“Ya, ah…!”
Shiori gasped breathlessly.
“Unhand me! No, no, do not touch…!”
“What nonsense are you spouting? This, HERE, is already so hard.”
“…!”
That man unmercifully and bluntly pointed out Shiori’s lewd reactions.
Kurosaki’s hand reached underneath Shiori’s underwear and started kneading Shiori’s rock-hard desire.
It was as if electricity went through all parts of Shiori’s body.
“It’s already so wet.”
Hearing sounds which implied a wet stickiness, Shiori knew that his hard member was already lasciviously leaking out a sweet fluid.
Shiori’s body trembled under such direct contact and the shame he felt.
Kurosaki supported Shiori who seemed that he was about to fall backwards at any moment.
Unconsciously, Shiori gripped Kurosaki’s forearm tightly as there was nothing nearby that could support him.
Kurosaki leaned his face toward Shiori and teasingly licked Shiori’s ear.
Being held in a manner akin to lovers who are pa.s.sionately hugging, Shiori could no longer bear Kurosaki’s aggressive fondling.
“Ah… Hahh, ahh…! No, I’m already —”
To Shiori, this level of stimulation was simply too intense for him.
Slick sounds of Kurosaki licking Shiori’s skin and sticky sounds which indicated that his privates were being played with all flowed into Shiori’s ears.
The pain that constantly throbbed throughout Shiori’s body slowly became waves of pleasure that ebbed and flowed relentlessly. Shiori’s pants and various lewd sounds reverberated throughout the room.
Tracing Shiori’s neck suggestively with his tongue, Kurosaki proceeded to suck it softly. An angry red hickey bloomed on Shiori’s pale neck, reminiscent of something vivid staining a pure snowy field which people would not be able to miss.
Suffering, Shiori knitted his eyebrows and could do nothing but tightly cling to Kurosaki’s hand.
Shiori was well aware that, if this continues on, he would most likely, under this man’s hand, reach an o.r.g.a.s.m.
That would simply be too horrifying.
Shiori did not know what would become of him should he allow himself to succ.u.mb to such a lascivious act.
Perhaps his pride would be smashed into smithereens – he might even fall apart.
Due to his upbringing as a royalty, Shiori was already very used to suppressing his instinctive reactions and emotions, and yet, this man sought to unmask Shiori’s pretense completely.
“To feel such pleasure under the hands of a man you scorn – how does it feel?”
A low laughter flitted across Shiori’s ear.
“To be forcefully embraced by a client that you have wronged – how does it feel? You may think that I’m a lowly person, but what about you – someone who feels pleasure from being teased by a man of such lowly origins?”
Kurosaki’s teasing, to Shiori, was one of disgrace and shame.
Shiori shook his head vigorously, not wanting to listen to that man’s words. However, with Kurosaki nibbling down on his ear, even if Shiori wanted to cover his ears, he was unable to.
“This s.l.u.tty part of yours… Do you know what I’m doing to it now?”
Upon seeing Shiori avert his gaze from him, Kurosaki purposefully reminded him.
“This, here, is being played with by a man, being rubbed and teased. It’s liquid is spilling out as if it’s feeling good too.”
A low chuckle escaped from Kurosaki’s mouth.
Unable to bear with such extreme ridicule, Shiori’s body started shaking in embarra.s.sment.
“Teary eyes and breathy pants…… Do you know how immoral you look right now?”
Shiori did not want to look. He wanted to think of a way to escape, but failed miserably. With his chest being stubbornly played with, and coupled with the lascivious atmosphere, Shiori felt as if he was drowning.
A pleasurable sensation quickly shot up from Shiori’s lower body to his head.
A sensation that threatened to sear Shiori’s rationale with its fiery pa.s.sion.
“Ha, ah, ah, ah!”
With Kurosaki’s hands curled around Shiori’s c.o.c.k and the continuous pleasuring of it at varying speeds, Shiori felt as if he was close to c.u.mming.
“Ya… Unn…!”
(This…) The guy’s skills were simply too good, making Shiori’s entire body numb and weak.
Shiori desperately tried to suppress his wanton desire for c.u.mming, but it was made difficult with that man’s persistent attempts at pleasuring Shiori.
“Ah, ah……! No, I…can’t…hold it in anymore…”
Upon lifting his head, Shiori’s tear-filled eyes that were tinged with l.u.s.t met Kurosaki’s. At that very moment, Shiori noticed that man making a small gasp.
“Beep!”
The alarm on the table was accidentally triggered, making a sound that caught Shiori off guard.
“Ah!”
In shock, Shiori was unable to focus on restraining himself, resulting in him c.u.mming forcefully, his c.u.m splattering and dirtying Kurosaki’s hand.
Shiori could feel his own face turning from a brilliant shade of red to a deathly pale white.
He was just made to c.u.m by a man’s hand.
By a man who was akin to that of a wild beast.
Ashamed, Shiori hunched over.
That man used his clean hand to press the b.u.t.ton on the desk.
“What is the matter?”
“The diplomat from j.a.pan has contacted us.”
“Understood. I will leave immediately.”
Kurosaki slowly distanced himself from Shiori.
Shiori felt as if all his strength had just escaped from him. Shiori tried to muster some strength to his hand, but he was unable to even lift a finger, let alone b.u.t.ton his dishevelled shirt. Leaning against the desk, Shiori sighed. He could not even muster the effort needed to hide the expression on his face that clearly indicated he had just climaxed.
His body becoming an offering for that man’s beastly desires was exuding a tinge of s.e.xiness, simply laid bare and completely exposed to that man……
Obvious reddish marks dotted Shiori’s pale skin, half opened lips that were panting lightly and shoulders that were moving ever so slightly with Shiori’s ragged breaths……
Shiori’s hair, wet with sweat, fell gently across his face, making one’s imagination run wild.
“Look at how immoral you look – ”
Shiori recalled Kurosaki’s insulting words.
It was highly likely that Shiori’s subordinate would enter the room after Kurosaki leaves, and that would mean that his subordinate would see the state that he was in.
Shiori’s face became a deathly pale as fear gripped him.
Unexpectedly, Kurosaki handed a coat to Shiori.
Shiori s.n.a.t.c.hed the coat and quickly covered his body.
Is it all…over?
“Don’t leave this room for now.”
It seemed that Kurosaki did not intend to summon Shiori’s subordinate into the office.
“I will inform your subordinates that you are feeling a little anaemic.”
With an att.i.tude that exuded absolute command, Shiori had no choice but to follow Kurosaki’s intention obediently. Kurosaki picked up the champagne that sat on the table.
“This, here, is a very important piece of evidence. If you ever thought that our ‘deal’ simply ends here, you are gravely mistaken.”
With such words, Kurosaki shattered what little hope that Shiori had.
“Saving the best scene for later would allow the entertainment value of the show to multiply greatly.”
Moreover, doing so would push Shiori further into a desperate and hopeless state.
Kurosaki turned around and started to make his way out of the room.
“Where is His Highness…!”
“His Highness is currently feeling unwell.”
“I beg your pardon? I will call for the medic to come immediately…”
“His Highness has instructed that n.o.body should enter the room as he would like to take a rest alone.”
“But…”s
“His Highness has made his wishes very clear. He mentioned that he would call for his subordinates when he feels well enough to move around. He wishes for all of you to wait outside the room patiently for further orders, and that absolutely no one should enter the room without any permission from him.”
“Understood……”
Inside the room, Shiori could hear Kurosaki’s nonchalant voice as he ordered Shiori’s own subordinates. Kurosaki seemed unaffected by the whole incident and appeared relatively composed. Such an expression did not betray half the mocking att.i.tude that he displayed towards Shiori just a few minutes ago.
Shiori felt unwilling to accept this situation.
Shiori, who was unable to move due to the exhaustion and the leftover waves of pleasure that washed over his tired body, was a sharp contrast to Kurosaki who was able to continue with his everyday work indifferently.
————————————————————————————————————————–
Shiori’s mistake that day was not leaked to the public.
The very next day, Shiori received a report that the banquet organised in j.a.pan had been successfully carried out without a hitch.
That man seemed to have kept his side of the bargain.
Consequently, this meant that Shiori too, had to keep his side of the deal.
Upon recalling the shameful act that took place on the table…… Shiori felt his lower body twinge in slight pain.
“Uuu…!”
“Your Highness, may I ask where you are going?”
“I will be heading outdoors to enjoy the fresh air for a bit.”
Leaving his personal office, Shiori made his way through the palace hallway.
Being on the second floor, as Shiori gazed towards the sprawling royal garden, a pleasant scene of lush greenery and beautiful flowers in full bloom could be seen.
In the distance, one could even make out the endless sky blue sea that stretched into the horizon.
However, Shiori simply could not calm down.
Although Shiori had already been forced to comply with the deal once before, was he still required to meet that man even after that time?
(……No.)
His att.i.tude that overflowed with self-confidence. His work record that was plastered with countless successes due to his business methods. All these pointed to a man who was relentless in pursuing his ambitions and career.
That man simply wanted to take his revenge upon Shiori for almost ruining his career and reputation.
Giving Shiori time to think, thus allowing Shiori’s anxiety to increase tenfold – perhaps that was what that man found joy in.
Suddenly, Shiori spotted two people strolling across the royal garden.
One of them was the crown princess – Kairi. Behind Kairi stood a taller silhouette. Upon a clearer look, Shiori unconsciously stiffened.
That taller man was Shou.
“Kairi.”
Upon hearing his name being called, Kairi turned around… Happily, he smiled warmly at Shou, and Shou reciprocated his smile with one of his own.
That was an expression that Shiori had never once seen in his life.
Shou could actually smile in such a gentle manner.
Shiori could not help but feel shocked.
The very person who could make Shou smile so genuinely, was Kairi.
Shiori had always thought that their marriage was simply an arranged marriage, a farcical one. However, both their smiles toward each other made them seem as if……
Shiori tightened his grip around the railing.
At that moment, Kairi felt as if he was being watched and looked upwards towards the palace. Upon seeing Shiori, Kairi wanted to bow his head to show his respect, but due to his nervousness, he ended up feeling fl.u.s.tered.
Noticing Kairi’s peculiar behaviour, Shou looked towards Shiori’s direction. Following that, Shou, as if he wanted to use his body to shield Kairi from Shiori’s vision, held Kairi tightly in his arms and led Kairi away from the royal garden.
His actions were filled with immense warmth.
Shiori could only stand at the same spot in astonishment.
After awhile, someone’s approaching footsteps could be heard from a part of the balcony.
Shiori turned to face the direction where the sound of footsteps were coming from, and realised that Shou was walking towards him. It appeared that Shou had made sure to first escort Kairi back to his room, thus was alone.
Shou stopped in front of Shiori.
“Due to your glaring, Kairi could not help but feel threatened and afraid.”
Shou’s piercing glare at Shiori seemed to be criticising him of his actions too.
That was not it, Shiori was merely… surprised at Shou’s smile.
However, Shiori knew that both Shou and Kairi misunderstood his expression.
Even if he denied it, Shou would not believe his words, would he?
Moreover, upon witnessing how happy and fortunate those two were, Shiori was unsure if he could confidently say that his expression was not one of bitter jealousy.
The situation that those two were in and the situation that Shiori was in were a world of difference.
“If you do envy Kairi, then I would suggest you urgently find a partner to be married to soon. The aristocrat, Marlo, seems to have taken a rather deep interest in you.”
“Please refrain from making such jokes,” Shiori replied with disdain. The mere mention of that very name could make Shiori feel uncomfortable and repulsed.
Shiori’s face was still composed as he started to walk away. However, a pair of hands shot out towards him.
Shou’s arms were placed on either side of Shiori’s face, pinning Shiori against the wall. With his escape route being blocked off, Shiori could only raise his head and face Shou.
A strict and menacing glare pierced through Shiori.
Shou brought his face closer to Shiori’s, and threateningly said, “Anyone who dares to hurt Kairi, no matter who the party is, I will not forgive easily.”
Even if the other party is his own brother.
The stern determination that Shou exuded made Shiori’s blood freeze. He was taking precautions against Shiori, someone who was in a position to usurp Shou’s position as the next King.
Shou now had someone whom he had to protect, thus no matter who the other party was, should they put Kairi into harm’s way, he would never let them off lightly.
No matter what happens, protecting Kairi was his utmost responsibility.
Shou’s behaviour was that of someone who has absolute faith in the mission of loving and protecting his beloved.
The resolution of someone who has a loved one to protect.
Having found this person, Shou became much more reliable and headstrong.
Shiori, who was being looked down upon by Shou, had such thoughts.
Unknowingly, as time pa.s.sed, the difference in their heights begun to widen, and so did their physique. As Shou grew older and exuded a rather manly aura, the two princes became ever so different to the public.
Seeing that Shiori’s face turned a deathly pale and was unable to utter even a single word, Shou withdrew his arms.
Arms that would unflinchingly protect his beloved from harm’s way.
Arms that, at the same time, would unflinchingly eradicate those who put his beloved in harm’s way.
Nonchalantly, Shou continued,” ……Recently, it seems that there are unscrupulous rumours regarding aged champagne being circulated.”
Shiori’s heart skipped a beat.
“As you are the person in charge of handling and coordinating champagne matters, I figured that it would be best if I informed you of such an occurrence.”
Just how much did Shou know about the scandal?
However, Shou did not continue prying into the issue.
“Ah, that’s right. It seems that, a few days ago during my wedding banquet, you got into a tiff with Kurosaki-san. Kurosaki-san is a very important client to our country, thus I hope that you will keep that in mind and refrain from such actions in the future,” Shou ordered Shiori.
That man was not lying.
That very same vulgar man was someone who has earned Shou’s trust. He was also someone who – to the Kingdom of Ecuratol and Shou, had utmost importance.
In this place, no one stood on the same side as Shiori.
After relaying his orders to Shiori, without waiting for Shiori’s reply, Shou left the area.
Shiori just noticed that his legs were trembling.
“Your Highness, I have prepared tea for you.”
As Shiori said that he wanted to take a quick walk to catch some fresh air, and yet returned only after a long time had pa.s.sed, this made his secretary very worried.
“……I do not feel like drinking anything.”
“Your Highness?”
Shiori simply did not have and mood to drink tea leisurely in his office.
He glared at his worried secretary, making him keep quiet.
An emotionless blizzard who could freeze everything around it.
Arrogant, and haughty.
That was what everyone said of Shiori.
Excusing his secretary of his duties, Shiori returned to his room alone . However, upon reaching the door of his room, he realised that there was already someone seated in the guest room which was connected to his bedroom.
That someone was leisurely drinking tea.
A breeze wafted through the open windows. Velvet curtains danced elegantly in the soft breeze and the gentle sunlight bathed the entire room.
Shiori’s footsteps became slow.
He stood frozen at the doorway, unable to move.
“Why on earth are you here……!”
Oki Kurosaki.
The man whom the country holds much importance in……
“I told the crown prince that I had some work-related matters to discuss with you, and he very happily allowed me into your room.”
“……!”
The person that allowed this man to enter his room was none other than Shou.
That man spoke to Shiori with an air of superiority.
He calmly placed the teacup down onto the saucer, stood up lazily and made his way towards Shiori. After allowing Shiori to enter the room, he closed the door behind Shiori.
Shiori’s back was pressed against the icy cold wall.
This time, it was Kurosaki who restrained Shiori between his arms, in the very same manner that Shou used to corner Shiori a few moments ago.
However, the man standing in front of Shiori was much taller than Shou.
“Although your younger brother is married, but I see that one can’t let their guard down huh.”
Kurosaki squinted his eyes dangerously.
“You have been embraced by that younger brother of yours too, haven’t you.”
That was when Shiori knew that Kurosaki happened to have chanced upon the scene where Shou was giving him a stern warning.
“We are siblings. Do not spout such nonsense!”
Just what did this man misunderstand?
“Although he is you brother, with such a beautiful person in front of him, it is hard to guarantee that he does not have any sort of lewd desires toward you.”
“Are you insane……!”
There should be a limit to how much nonsense one can spill from one’s mouth. Furthermore, he was merely someone who had a more slender build – Shiori had to give it to Kurosaki fro being able to label him as someone beautiful.
“You really haven’t been embraced by him?”
“Uu……!”
Unable to tolerate Kurosaki’s imprisoning gesture, Shiori wanted to escape, but that man swiftly gripped Shiori’s wrist.
“I have changed my mind.”
“I beg your pardon?”
“I had originally intended to leave the best for the last, but now, I don;t see the reason why I should do so.”
Kurosaki grabbed Shiori’s wrist and yanked Shiori into the connecting room.
That very room was Shiori’s bedroom.
“Ah……!”
Shiori was being pulled onto the soft bed as Kurosaki bent over with one knee placed onto the bed.
“I want you to become mine this moment!”
Kurosaki reached out towards Shiori’s overcoat.
(Ah……)
Wanting to back away, Shiori tried to straighten his back. Having noticed Shiori’s intention, Kurosaki growled, “You aren’t thinking of escaping now, are you?”
Shiori’s hand swiftly reached for the emergency call b.u.t.ton that was placed at his bedside cabinet, but Kurosaki’s actions were quicker than Shiori’s, and his hand ended up being caught by Kurosaki’s.
“A kingdom’s prince wouldn’t do something as lowly and cowardly as going against his promises, no?”
———-End of chapter 1 ————–
FINALLY.
Flops//
Oh btw if anyone is free or would like to be a grammar editor, do drop me an email at- [emailprotected]
I tend to update irregularly (as you can see) so the workload (?) is minimal.
Working on Chapter 2 now!
