Sacrifices

"So the girl you talked about is the one with the red hair, right?"

"Yes," Ryota answered Isshin as he looked at Akane who was in the living room with Onodera, Raku and his brother Teppei, "Though I am not sure of our relationship I know she loves me a lot and I can't seem to let her go. After getting the news of my fiance, I wanted to make it clear to her that our relationship could never work but for some reason I ended up making excuses for myself so she would stay with me and now we are together in a sort of way."

Isshin looked over at them and sighed, "I can understand that but I can't have you backing off from the engagement."

Ryota looked seriously at Isshin.

"You're the future of Arima corporation so it's time you learn about the sacrifices of working in this field." Isshin said, "I don't care about your relationship with the girl, you can love her all you want and even keep her as your secret lover if you're that desperate to hold on to her, but this engagement is something you can't back away from."

Ryota had already figured this would be one of the scenarios, so he wasn't angry but he couldn't help but feel frustrated. He wanted all this for the sake of power and even for that it seemed he couldn't get it without hurting people himself.

"I understand." Ryota nodded, "So can I ask who my fiance is?"

"Of course, She is Sylvia van Hossen the eldest daughter of a good friend, Vincent Van Hossen. A noble of the Flemish Principality of Eastern Europe." Isshin said with a smile being happy with Ryota's agreement, "He is not only popular but he is also a supporter and a great ally of our family."

"I see. These contacts are important, aren't they?" Ryota said, "Old-man, can I get information on all the important people affiliated with our company, both the allies and our enemies. If possible I want it to be detailed as possible, like their personality, their hobbies, the habits and so forth."

"Can you call me grandfather, instead of old-man for once," Isshin complained

"I am calling you old-man because I respect you and you're family," Ryota replied, "If the day comes where I start formally talking to you in private, then just know that I hate you."

"You're the same as your father except it looks like you at least inherited the business gene from me." Isshin shook his head as he glanced over at the maid, "I'll have Yu hand you copies of everything you want."

Yu nodded and went out of the room.

"Oh right, I have been meaning to ask. Once I get declared as one of the successors I would have a personal maid right?"

"Yes, I was thinking of having Yu as your personal maid, if that's okay with you." Isshin said, "She is quite intelligent and loyal so I wouldn't have much to worry with her beside you."

"I think it's best to assign her to Teppei then." Ryota suggested, "If she is that experienced and loyal, it would be better to have her with my little brother, after all, among us, it's clear that he'll have the hardest time to adjust to this environment."

"That's true as well." Isshin nodded as he kept his hand on his chin, "So what about you? We have many other highly qualified maids you can pick from."

Ryota shook his head, "I want to choose my own maid but not anyone from here."

"Why not?"

"I don't think the question here is about their qualifications, I don't care much about that, but what I want is loyalty." Ryota said, "And it's weird for me to say this, but I don't want a maid who's likely to report everything that I do to you. I want someone who I can trust to keep my secrets."

"I do really see myself in you." Isshin said as he sighed, "And I have begun realizing why so many people including my children hate me."

Ryota smiled, "I am just learning from the best."

"Fine, you can choose your own maid but the quicker you do it the better, after all, we would have to train her on at least the basic things." Isshin said, "Also, I have heard about what happened today, so I'll increase your security from now but you need to watch out for reporters who might try to get details on you."

Ryota nodded, "Don't worry, after all, it was bound to happen sooner or later just due to my present identity."

"But it's really good huh, being a famous model before you are even a successor."

"It's just a moment of fame, that I was sure would have died out within a week if not for today's incident." Ryota sighed as he heard laughs coming in from the living room, "By the way, who is Teppei's fiance? Is she also a noble from some other country?"

"Unlike yours I am having Teppei deal with a rival company, it would take some time to manage his relationship but I am sure it will work out one way or the other. After all, I have my means to do so." Isshin said, "I know you are intelligent enough to understand this but just know that I am doing it for your and Teppei's sake, after all, once I am gone, these bottom feeders and all our rivals wouldn't leave a chance to try and topple you, so I want you to have stronger allies, the more the better."

"I understand." Ryota said turning back walking away, "I'll go join my friends now and please get me the data before I leave."

'Though it's better this way, I still hope you won't turn out like me.' Isshin thought to himself as he looked at Ryota's back.

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"What are you talking about?" Ryota said as he looked at the four of them having fun. Coming over he sat next to Akane.

"Oh! you're back," Raku said, "I can't still believe all this is real, so I shocked just looking around at all these expensive items and maids."

"Yeah, this is really something else." Onodera followed up, "It feels like I am in a completely different part of the world."

"I will get a mansion of my own after the announcement, so you two can have this enjoyment anytime you want." Ryota said as both Raku and Onodera wondered about getting this treatment anytime they wanted.

"Wait! you'll get a mansion?" Teppei asked,

"We both are, so don't fret." Ryota said shocking Teppei, "And it's about time you addressed me formally my dear little brother."

"Wait you were serious about that?"

"Of course, though I am only a couple of months older than you, you still have to address me formally especially on occasions and meetings. So better start practicing now."

"Oniisama?" Teppei said weirdly making faces as if he had just eaten something bitter.

"I really wish I could exchange you for a cute little sister." Ryota shook his head, "At least, I wouldn't have to go through torture every time you call me."

"You asked for it."

"It's the business that did," Ryota said leaving the grumping Teppei alone. He glanced over at Akane who was leaning against him, as she looked at him with a questioning face.

Ryota didn't say anything and just pulled her into a tighter hold. Though he didn't say anything Akane understood his silence, knowing Ryota couldn't cancel his engagement. But Akane didn't feel too bad about it, after all, as long as Ryota loved her she could remove any obstacles that came between her and him.

"Don't worry, I still love you," Akane whispered in a coquettish way, making Ryota chuckle as he understood that this was her way of telling him not to worry.

"Before we leave, I want to duel with you Teppei," Ryota said after awhile.

"Oh did you master the technique, I sent you?" Teppei questioned.

"Of course not." Ryota said, "But I learn better once I see it for myself so I hope you won't mind."

Teppei nodded as Raku who was the only one aware of his abilities sighed in pity, as he was quite sure after this, Teppei would surely come to regret ever showing him his technique.

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Author here,

In the original anime of Princess lover, most of the characters are significantly dumbed down and are wishy-washy. So I have changed the ideology of characters like Isshin. He is still kind and caring for his grandson but due to being a businessman he will do what he needs to do, to protect them in his own sense.

-Also, I have picked a maid for now but no worries since this is a multiverse traveling fic, there would be a chance to get other maids in the future too.