• Be My Princess 2: Sleeping Mirror •

[Chapter VII] Tiger's tears

Meanwhile in the other parts of the world, in Orien. The brown haired prince is holding some confidential documents. A name is written on the document with red ink and everything is written in small-sized fonts that it could hurt your eyes in a matter of seconds.

He read the documents twice because he wasn't so sure about what he read and once he decided to accept just how true the thing he reading is, his calm demeanor changed drastically. He slammed his hand on top of the brown wooden table and let out inaudible pained noises. He is breathless and seems to be shocking.

"Why.. why no one told me..?" He muttered to no one.

"All this time... She was fighting alone." He continued still in his pained tone. He tried to take a deep breath and let it out. Inhale and exhale. But it's working as fast as a snail.

"Pardon my interruption Your Highness but... Your guest has arrived. Should I bring him here?" Just when he almost regained his composure, Kent, The butler knocked on the door and announced the news to him. Kuon only replied with a short yes, forgetting that the person who he's about to meet is on his list of people who he wanted to see the least.

"..Kuon."

A tall man with black hair and dark brown eyes entered the room. A hint of dislike and anger are shown on his eyes.

"You.."

".... I'm sorry. I don't know about..her.. condition." Kuon stood from his chair and bowed his head deeply.

"Are you happy now? Our family lost their nobility title, our family is broken. She's in critical condition and the chance for her to wake up is less than 10 percent. She'll be gone. She's dying. All because of YOU. But...YOU'VE FORGOTTEN HER. You tried to hide the truth from everyone." The man in front of Kuon laughed bitterly with a flustered face. He clenched his fist and almost break the white tiger necklace he's holding in hand. His eyes are almost teary, thinking of the worst scenario.

"I will pay it! This is-" Kuon tried to say something but was cut by the man.

"No."

"Do you want to see her dead then?!" Kuon shouted and the man shot a cold glare to the prince.

"I'm sure she doesn't want to be aided or visited by you. You couldn't make her happy and in the end, you always ended up hurting her more than before. Please do not contact me anymore. I can show myself the way out." The man turned around and left the room.

"DAMMIT!" Kuon threw the things on top of his desk to the floor in anger. He couldn't hold the anger boiling inside of him anymore.

He moved to the nearest sofa and immediately sat on it while holding his head and controlling his breath again.

Kuon suddenly remembers something. Something from the past. It's back from when he was still in high school. He remembered that time he was hanging around a shopping district with her. It was almost Christmas and the wind is quite chilling. They're walking together closely while wearing a matching red scarf. Christmas carols were being played. The atmosphere was nostalgic and full of warmness.

Kuon closed his eyes and his memories brought him back to December 22.

~*~

"Hey, hey Prince Kuon! I heard Kasumi from class 2-3 sent you a love letter. So how is it, eh?" The girl in Kuon's memories asked him in a teasing tone. Making him slightly groaned in annoyance.

"Ugh Stop talking about that. I'm so sick of love letters." Kuon replied shortly with his cheeks a bit red. But he coolly hides it within the red scarf he wore.

"Aw~ you're so cute. Hahahaha! Do you have anyone you like Kuon? Maybe one of the girls who has sent you love letters?" The girl asked again but this time in a softer tone.

"...W-what!? No. A-anyway what do you want to buy here? I need to do my prince lesson after this. Kent is waiting." Kuon tried to change the topic which fortunately works.

"I know, I know. I just want to get some ice cream." The girl muttered as she fixed her red scarf.

"In this kind of weather?" Kuon's eyes widened a bit and the girl nodded.

"Yep!

With that, they both went to one of the ice cream parlors and ordered one scoop of ice cream for each. Once they got their ice cream, they started walking around again.

Suddenly, the girl told the Prince to wait there a bit and ran away to somewhere else. Kuon was confused at the sudden act. Nonetheless, he still waits for the girl.

Several minutes after that, the girl came back and said she just went to the toilet. However, Kuon didn't believe what she said because she's smiling in a mysterious way.

"Ah, Kuon let's go there! It's the Christmas tree!" The girl grabbed Kuon's wrist and dragged him to the gigantic Christmas tree placed in that one shopping district.

Once they arrived, the girl let his wrist go and she walked closer to the tree while mumbling something faintly yet still audible to the prince.

"..Hey, Kuon. I'm jealous of you. People love you. They adore you very much. I bet during our school trip to the mountain many girls will try to be close to you."

".. You shouldn't be and no."

"... hehe~ I wish I have someone who loves me. Who will sing for me when I'm sad even if they're a bad singer. That would be funny! But, no one would date me. Oh well, I can't blame them. I am ugly and strange after all."

Then they both became silent. The girl is still not facing Kuon and what Kuon see from his position is the girl's small back and tiny palm. Kuon is conflicted about something deep inside. He wanted to tell the girl something but his ego won't let him do so.

He sighed shortly and then he walked closer to the girl and opened his mouth.

"Wishing, praying. All of your dreams come true..Please remember..Where'er you are my heart is with you."

Kuon started to sing and he couldn't hide how embarrassed he was. His cheeks are as red as fresh tomatoes and her voice was a bit shaky. Despite all that, he still continued.

"Softly, sweetly...Wrapped up in heaven's arms. Sailing, soaring over the moon Gathering star dust."

Then he finished and the girl's eyes widened because of the surprise. It soon changed into a gentle​ smile accompanied by melodious giggles.

"That's so sweet of you Kuon. Thank you and Here you go." The girl put something on Kuon's hand and she giggled again.

"It's a cat lucky charm. I think it suits you. Whenever you're feeling down I hope it will bring happiness to you.. Don't lose it!"

~*~

Kuon's eyes cracked open and he immediately stood from the sofa and rushed to his bedroom. He left his office room and ran as fast as he could. He wanted to look for something. That one thing that he forgot all this time.

"Where is it..? Where is the lucky charm?!" Kuon roughly opened his cupboards and bags, trying to find the thing.

Just when he's about to give up. He saw a silver case under his desk next to the bed. He quickly took the silver case and unlock it.

"...I found it.."

He couldn't believe it when he found the cat lucky charm. His hands are shaking in happiness and he slowly brought it to his chest. He's laughing in a sad way and a test slipped from his eyes.

He just realized how sad and lonely her eyes were. He realized that there was something about her that is strange that day. But it's all too late now. What done is done.

"I'm sorry.. I'm sorry I didn't notice it sooner. I'm sorry I couldn't save you that day.. I'm sorry.."

"Sophielle.."