Chapter 2: Black Princess
I am slowly walking while looking around in the middle of the busy market in town. I am with my personal guard, Shuji, and my lady’s maid, Yoshie while exploring. I was bored inside the Daichi Palace and asked permission from the King to go out and stroll. No one knows me outside because I’ve never been introduced to the common people.
Yes, they know about Princess Yuki but they never see my face yet, how I look. Little did they know that they already encountered me, the Princess, on more than one occasion. I hide my identity and they also think that I am one of them. It’s not surprising, since we wear the same clothes as them while walking around the town. In their point of view, the Princess will not step on the road they take.
Even among the nobles, only a few of them know me and see my face or know how I look. The servants too, only a few of them got a chance to look at my face on a very rare occasion. Well, one of the reasons is that I never stayed long in the Palace except when I was small. I grew up in a faraway land and chose to stay in a different place when I was given a chance.
I am having fun walking and looking around the marketplace. Picking up and checking the things that grab my attention. Did not mind the scorching heat of the sun touching my skin while Shuji just followed me and Yoshie in silence. He never said anything but you tell with his expression that he is glad that we are enjoying what we are doing. Actually, I don’t really need someone guarding me, after all, I can defend myself from harm or danger. Likewise, Yoshie. Unknown to other palace maids and servants, Yoshie knows how to fight and has knowledge of martial arts. Shuji though is on another level, he is currently the best among all Royal Guards.
When we noticed that we had already spent our allotted time looking around and the sun was starting to set, we decided to return to the palace. We are on our way when I notice the group of people in circles as if discussing something. We stop not too far from them but enough to hear what they are saying. They have a concerned look on their faces.
“What happened? It seems like the people are anxious and concerned, why?” I can’t help but ask my companions.
Before any of them could answer me, we saw the palace soldiers not too far from us. They are running and going somewhere and are definitely in a rush. We exchanged questioning glances and meaningful looks.
Shuji nodded and said in a quiet voice, “I will ask the group of men on the other side of the road, Princess,”
I nodded in approval and took a step back towards the store in our back. I sit in the vacant seat while Yoshie is asking the store owner what was happening.
“Excuse me,” Yoshie approaches the store owner politely, “do you know why the soldiers are in a rush? Where might they be going?”
“Ku! One noble is found dead, again,” the store owner answered while shaking her head.
Yoshie glances at me upon hearing the news, I give her a heads up to continue asking. “Do you know the reason of death, ma’am?”
“No one knows the reason. He was found hanging in a tree near his house.” The store owner sighs, “I don’t understand why the nobles or officials are successively found dead recently. It started when the Black Princess came back, she was cursed, that’s why the kingdom is having trouble now,” she said without minding who can hear her.
“If you will excuse me, ma’am, may I ask who you are referring to as Black Princess?” Shuji butt in with a dangerous voice. He happens to overhear what the store owner said when he is coming back from talking to the group of men.
“You did not hear the rumors? It’s been a talk of the town, what I mean is the youngest and last princess, she’s been called by townspeople as a black princess. When she was not here, the kingdom was at peace, something like this was not happening at all,” the store owner answered oblivious to the seething anger coming from the man.
“You! ----”
“Stop it, Shuji!” I immediately stopped him when he was about to lash at the store owner. Speaking ill about the Royals is considered treason, thus, his reaction is understandable but I was entertained and interested with what they named me.
“But they dishonor your name, Princess,” Shuji whispered, enough for me to hear.
“Did you know that you can be punished with what you said? That is dishonoring the Princess’s name and it is considered treason. You should be careful,” Yoshie reminded the lady.
Despite the reminder, I turned to the lady and with a smile, I asked, “Why did the people call the Princess a black princess?” I saw the hesitation in her face to talk. “No worries, this is just our little secret, of course, I won’t tell it to anyone,” I promised to ease her.
“Prin ---” Shuji attempted to stop me but I raised my hand to stop him from talking. It is enough for him to compel him and stay silent. Because whatever he will say, he knows that I won’t listen to him. There’s nothing he can do with my stubbornness.
“Princess Yuki is mysterious,” the store owner started. “No one can tell what she looks like, even the nobles, ministers, or officials can’t say anything about her looks. It is because they never saw the princess' face. Based on hearsay, the princess has a cover on her face while walking around in the palace and she usually goes out from her chamber at night, when everyone is mostly asleep except for the guards.”
A laugh broke out from me when I heard what she said. I can’t believe they dub me as a black princess just because of shallow reasons.
The lady continued, “There was speculation circulating that Princess Yuri was cursed because he married a stranger and Princess Yuki is the one that suffers the curse. Oftentimes, when Princess Yuki was still a small child, she vanished. When she grew up, she was exiled, away from the palace to avoid the catastrophe that she brought.”
“If that is what everyone believes, why did the palace allow the cursed princess to come back?” I can’t hide the curiosity and cheerfulness in my tone, I am enjoying my tale. Shuji on the other hand is looking more dangerously at the woman. While Yoshie is controlling her laughter because of him.
“That’s the mistake of the palace. They let the princess come back and stay, that's why troubles and uproar are happening now,” she answered.
I smiled while shaking my head in disbelief. Where did this rumor come from? We are not aware, as early as we should be, that something like this is circulating among the townspeople.
“Don’t believe the tell-tales, ma’am, and don’t spread the story that we heard, be sure not to tell other people. You can’t be sure that the person you share the story with is not from the palace. Death is the punishment for dishonoring the royals, especially the family of the King,” I strictly reminded her. I get up from my seat and say goodbye to her.
Instead of taking the street towards the palace I deviate and walk to where the commotion is. The place where they found the body of the noble hanging in the tree. We located the place based on the information Shuji gathered. I am in the center of the two, Yoshie in the front and guiding us while Shuji is behind me, making sure that there’s no imminent danger.
A lot of people have gathered in the place, curious and checking what happened. We are unable to get near the body because of them. We can only slightly see the body of the victim from afar. For a reason we don’t know, the authorities haven’t taken down the body yet.
On the other side of the place, a little away from the victim’s house, I saw a person looking at the dead body of the noble with hatred. The person’s eyes are full of hate and not an ounce of pity for the victim’s family that was left behind. That person is the proof and also the things that I’ve heard that the dead noble is not a good fellow.
“I’ve seen and heard enough. Let’s go back to the palace,” I said after a few minutes of observation of the situation and the people. There are no traces of emotion in my face and voice. The two followed me in silence when I turned and started to walk away without a single glance at the victim and his family.
When our distance is enough, I release a white handkerchief as a sign of my condolences and goodbye. Right in the place where the victim was killed, for the dried blood is still visible.
We walked back to the palace at a fast pace. No one knows that we go out except for the King. We have to be back inside the palace before the sun sets, there might be someone that will visit my chamber on a whim and discover that I am not around. Our worry vanished when we arrived at the palace and in my chamber without any trouble.
Shuji immediately checked if someone was looking for me while we were out. Fortunately, no one’s looking or asking for me. Well. they might be expecting not to see me during the daytime as I usually do not go out. I prefer going out from my chamber early in the morning to watch the sunrise, during dusk to watch the sunset, or at night, strolling in the palace garden. I only go out during the daytime when it is necessary, when my presence is needed or when the King calls for me.
With the help of one of my trusted maids, Yoshie prepared my clothes to wear for dinner. Any time now, I will be called to accompany the King for a tea in the palace garden before dinner.
“Princess Yuki,” Shuji slightly bowed, “the King already summoned you to the garden,” he informed.
I reach my wide hat from the stand near my dresser, a thin canvas around it, that covers my whole head. It reaches my shoulders when I wear it. I step out of my chamber after wearing the hat.
I arrived at the garden and saw the King with the Crown Prince, my brother, Prince Shirou. The maids and servants step back when I walk in and place themselves away from us, enough for them not to see my face. Shuji, Yoshie, the King’s guard, and the lady in waiting, same with the crown prince are left. I parted the front of the cover so that my face would be visible before I informally greeted them.
“Konichiwa Ojii-san, Onii-san,” I greeted them in a gentle voice with a smile and slightly bowing.
“Hime (princess), koko ni kinasai. Suwatte kudasai.” the King, my loving grandfather, sweetly invited me to sit beside him. On his left side since my brother is sitting on his right.
We happily share stories, the things, and what we went through when my brother and I are still living outside the palace. However, I notice my brother throwing me meaningful glances when the King is not paying attention. When the King takes leave and goes back to his office, I already expect that the Crown Prince will invite me for a walk in the garden.
We’re walking side by side in silence, feeling the gentle breeze of the air. A combination of the sea breeze from the ocean surrounding the Kingdom and the woody scent from the forest.
“Did you go to the town earlier?” he asked when we stopped in front of the small pond.
“I was bored staying here for quite a while now that’s why I decided to look around at the marketplace for a change of scenery,” I answered without looking at him, fixing my eyes to the pond.
“You know the rumors circulating in town? Regarding the black princess?”
I can feel his piercing gaze at me. But still, I did not look at him. “I heard it when I was in the marketplace and I asked one of the store owners to share the story with us.” I sigh before continuing, “They also blame the black princess, me, for the killings, saying that it is because I am cursed and brought catastrophe.”
“Isn’t it, Ayane? Do they have the basis of what they dubbed you?”
I looked at him and saw the seriousness in his face. “What do you mean? Are you suspecting me, Your Highness? I am just a woman, you’re suspecting me for something impossible,” I retorted, making myself as calm as possible.
“More than anybody else, I am aware of what you can do, of your capability, Ayane. I also know that you are doing something behind my back and hiding from me,” he said.
“What am I doing in secret, please don’t try to uncover it, for your own good. I don't want you to get involved, whatever it is,” I said with finality.
“Why are you doing this? I know that it’s not easy for you to come back here but please don’t put yourself in danger, Sha ---”
“I am sorry, Your Highness,” I cut him off, “but the word that you are about to say is something that is now allowed here.” He was trying to call me with my name, my name outside the palace, or the kingdom. “Calm down, my dear brother, I assure you that what I am doing is the good of the kingdom. I won’t do something that will risk myself and our family.”
“I have faith in you, Ayane. But you can stop me from worrying because you are my sister,” he diverted his look from me to the water in front of us. He then changed the topic, “there are a few days left and it’s your birthday. Are you ready?”
“I am not sure if I’ll be ready when that day comes,” I look from afar. “Will His Majesty, the King, and the minister not change their mind with regard to that?” I murmured in annoyance.
“They will not change the original plan just because there is unrest in town. Even if the other already received the threats from whoever it is that killed nobles and officials,” he stated and patted my shoulder.
I sigh in defeat, “Is there a new update with regard to the investigations?” I asked.
“We haven’t got enough evidence yet to know and locate the mastermind. That crime was carefully and cautiously done,” he answered looking back at the pond.
“Who do you think is doing this?” I ask absentmindedly. I raised my brows when he looked at me intently.
“Do you want me to answer that question honestly?”
I averted my eyes from him, “There’s no need,” I immediately said.
“Aya ----”
I did not let him finish and said, “I need to go back to my chamber, Your Highness, it’s almost dinner time and I want to take a little rest first,” I bowed my head, turned around, and I tried to leave in a hurry.
I stopped when he held my wrist and turned back to him. He let me go wrist but hold my hand, he opened it and put something then closed it again. I stared at him questioningly.
“Take care always, Ayane. Don’t forget we are just here for you,” I whispered in a worried voice, even the look in his eyes was full of worry and fear, not for himself but for me. He kissed my forehead and let my hand go, “You can now take your rest.”
I just nodded and walked away. Not so far away, Shuji and Yoshie are already waiting for me. I can also see the worry and fear in their eyes while I am walking slowly towards them. I was only a few steps away from him when the Crown Prince said something for me to hear. Enough for me to stop but did not look back.
“Will you not change your decision? You know that I wished nothing but the best for you and for your happiness.”
A smile broke out from my lips and I replied, “I know. Thank you, Kuya Shi.”
I am still smiling when I continue to walk away. I know that he was able to hear my reply. Shuji came to me and helped me go down the stone path leading outside the garden. Yoshi fixed the cover of my face before we finally left. The Crown Princess guards and lady’s in waiting bowed when we passed through them.
We are on the side of the palace towards my chamber when I suddenly stop. Everyone was surprised but stopped nonetheless, following me. I raised my hand in front of me and opened it. There is a thing that made my heartbeat stop for a moment. Did Kuya Shi know about something? I ask myself silently.
“Princess, are you alright?” Yoshie worriedly asks.
Shuji did not say anything but I know he saw what was in my hand. A proof. I close my hand into a fist tightly, as if hiding it from anyone.
“The Crown Prince will never betray you, Princess. We will never do something that will endanger you.” Shuji said it full of confidence and without a doubt after a while.
I smiled at them, “I know, Shuji. The Crown Prince will do everything just to protect me.” Still, I can’t help but feel anxious. If the Crown Prince discovered it, is it possible that there are people who know? Fear and worry started to creep into my chest.
Gifts
-- Gift
received Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone