Forgiveness

Seven years ago...

The passing of Tamiko Kurobe was unfortunate but the true cause of her death was only known to the Royal Police, the school officials, her father, and her friend who was at the scene with her. The Royal Patch Academy did everything to contain the news of the incident within its four walls. The headmaster had literally dropped down to his knees to beg for forgiveness from Tamiko's father and to plead that he won't tell a soul about the incident or it would ruin the school's reputation. Mr. Kurobe reluctantly agreed in exchange for justice, something the Royal Police can only offer.

In order to prevent controversies and rumors from spreading around the school, the headmaster announced to the student body that Tamiko Kurobe had died of a heart attack during the stillness of the night. The young royal bloods were shocked. They did not expect her to be suffering from such kind of illness. Damuko seemed to be always energetic despite being out of place in the academy. They tried asking her only friend, Prince Horokeu Usui if he knew about her illness but the boy avoided them. He still looked shaken and would prefer to be alone. He stayed out of people's way and stopped attending classes ever since Damuko's body was transported to her home town.

He thought that his frequent absence from class had finally prompted the headmaster to call him to his office one day. When he entered the dreaded room, the first person he saw was an aristocratic man with a characteristic moustache standing gravely next to the headmaster's desk.

"Ah Prince Horokeu, this is Mr. Shinji Kurobe," the head master introduced them.

Horo-Horo's heart raced. He was not yet ready to face Damuko's father after what happened.

Mr. Kurobe must have noticed the young boy's distress so he let out a warm smile. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Prince Horo-Horo. My daughter told me a lot about you in her recent letters." He took something out of his coat pocket. "I was planning to put this away to our storage room along with her other things but I thought you might like to keep it."

The prince eyes glazed upon receiving the plushie called Kororo. It smiled happily at him just like Damuko used to do.

"They found it in her uniform's pocket when they were cleaning her body. I don't remember giving it to her so it must have come from you. Thank you for being a good friend to my Tamiko," Mr. Kurobe bowed down.

Horo-Horo could not contain his guilt anymore. If there's one person to whom he owed an apology, it was to the man in front of him. He dropped to his knees and broke into tears. "I'm sorry Mr. Kurobe. It was all my fault. I shouldn't have made her go to the celebration. I shouldn't have angered the hostage taker."

"My dear prince," Damuko's father gently pulled him up as he sniveled continuously. "I accept your apology. My daughter had really wanted to witness Queen Yuki's Day ever since we began celebrating it but I was too busy with my work to accompany her. She must have enjoyed the event and for that I am grateful that you took her out. As for the hostage taking, nobody wanted that to happen. You were just at the wrong place at the wrong time." He patted the young boy's shoulder. "It was nice meeting you, Prince Horo-Horo. I must leave now. Please live a long and happy life."

Mr. Kurobe nodded farewell at the headmaster and left the room.

Horo-Horo was still sniffing uncontrollably.

"Come, my prince." The head master motioned him to approach his table.

He then gave him his handkerchief which the prince used to blow his nose.

"You can keep it, Prince Horokeu," he told him when the boy handed it back very wet and sticky.

"I had telegrammed your father regarding the incident and had received his reply just now." The headmaster handed him a piece of paper from his desk drawer. "He deemed it best that you go home for a vacation just to clear your mind off things for a while. Your ship will be arriving tomorrow morning."

Horo Horo sighed. I can't face the king...