Welcoming Celebration

Today is the day. A big celebration will be happening any moment from now. The celebration is to welcome and introduce the girls that are part of the selection, the candidates for the Crown Prince bride, like me. One of us will be chosen and will become the heir of the Empress throne, the most powerful woman in the Empire.

Among us, how many of them aspired to get the position? The power that you get to acquire, may not be as powerful as the Emperor but it is still something to be desired. How many of them are allied with the Yakuza?

All of the nobles and clans that wield power are invited. But no one from the Royal Family of Ishida of Daichi Kingdom will be coming. One thing I ask the King is not to come or attend any events that the Empire will cater. Well, he can't leave the palace that easily even though Prince Yuuji is there. And being one of the Kingdom that chooses to preserve the ancient way of lifestyle, the Empire never demands our kingdom to attend any events.

Yoshie and Shuji came into my room and help me prepare for the gathering. I am currently applying some kind of makeup to my face when they entered. When I turned to them, they're both surprised and astonished.

"What are you planning, Princess?" Shuji said in a stern voice and run up to me. "Why are you applying that thing in your face?" he pointed the makeup set in front of me. He was about to wipe my face but I stopped his hand.

"Do you want the guests to see my face that I put much effort to cover?" I raised my brows to him.

"What do you mean, Your Highness?" he ask with a knotted forehead. The sternness in his voice is gone.

Yoshie tapped his shoulder and took a seat in front of me. She then started to help me in putting makeup on my face. "Most of the guests, as they came from powerful families, might request to see the Princess face, Shuji," Yoshie explained.

Shuji thinks for a few seconds before he spoke again, "I already understand what you wanted to happen, Your Highness. If ever there will be a request to see your face, what they will see will be an ugly and disgusting face. And with that, they will never wish to have a glimpse of your face again."

"That's right, Shuji," I smiled at him. I continued what I am doing and said, "With this, we will give them proof to believe the rumors about what people dubbed me, as the black princess and that I was cursed when I was born."

"But you are also giving a chance for your rival to despise you, Princess," he worriedly added. "If you will show that face to everyone later, they laugh and be disgusted at you."

Despite what he said, Yoshie and I continued putting make to my face while the former chose not to comment and stayed silent. Using the makeups, we are putting a wound that seems incurable and around it is swollen, flaky, and the skin seems watering.

"They can laugh at me as they want but it was my aim for doing this. Because in return, I will gain something more. The freedom and away from officials and nobles eyes," I grinned at them. Just thinking about it makes me happy.

Yoshie let out an exasperated sigh and let go of the brush she was holding, "Are you saying that you want to be expelled on the first day?"

I look at her with a bored look, "that's not what I meant, Yoshie, you know that don't you?" She just smiles and raises her hand with a sign of peace. "What I wanted is just freedom to move around here in the Imperial palace, in town, or in the marketplace. I can only do so if no one can recognize me. I can observe without worrying that someone will know me. I can also do my tasks freely and well. Even the real reason why we are here."

"What if officials and nobles will ask to banish you, Princess Yuki?" Shuji asked.

"Don't fret, Shuji. That will never happen. They can't do something like that and you both know the reason why," I looked at the both of them. "You knew who's doing and planned all of this. The very reason why I lost the very thing I wish the most, my happiness." This time a bitter smile is on my lips.

Both of them bowed their head in silence and chose not to say anything and let me be. With me saying those things, they're aware of where my mind drifted off. The life and happiness that I wish is none other than is to be with the man I love with all my heart. Remembering him makes my chest tighten. Chase!

I sigh and shook my head then smiled sadly. I pick up one of the pieces of jewelry that accidentally fall off from my hands and continued fixing myself. A few moments later and we're done. I look at myself from the mirror and I am quite satisfied, I can confidently say that I will succeed.

Shuji left us to prep our guards that will escort us to where the celebration is held, the great hall at the center of the palace. Yoshie helped me to change my clothes fit for a princess like me. With all the candidates, I am the only one that belongs to a royal, others come from the nobles.

A pompous gathering is what welcomed us when we reached the great hall. The Empress immediately come to me when she noticed. She personally planned and prepared this event as she is managing the selection. She is quite particular if it is related to the selection process.

"Good day, Empress," I greeted politely and formally, bowing my head to her. "I am honored to be invited to this gathering that you planned, Your Imperial Majesty."

"A good day to you too, Princess," a warm welcome and sweet smile from her. "I am happy that you are here, attending this event which I prepared for all of you." She looked around then offered, "Come, Princess Yuki. Accompany me in welcoming the guests."

"It'll be an honor, Your Majesty," I replied following her close. After a while, the great hall is starting to be full. Most of the nobles and officials have arrived. I look around discreetly. I am accustomed to luxury and extravagance due to the family where I came from, whether it is a modern or ancient lifestyle. But I can't help to be amazed at the splendor in front of me. The splendor that almost everyone coveted, and the affiliation of this is the power that people lusting wish to have.

I turned to the Empress when I feel her hand holds onto me. I followed her gaze when she gives a sign towards the family that is approaching us. "I am glad that you came, Sir Sachi," the Empress greeted the head of the family.

"The honor is ours, Your Majesty," the whole bowed and formally greeted the Empress.

A girl with a smile that's more like a grimace, with wavy long hair that reaches her waist, half of it was beautifully rolled on the top of her head, step forward.

"My name is Kisana Sachi, at your service, Your Majesty," she introduces herself. "It's a great honor to meet you."

The Empress smiled in return to the girl, "I am glad to meet you, Miss Sachi. You are one of the seven girls that live here in the palace and a candidate for the Crown Prince bride." The Empress reached out Kisana's hand, "I want to you this girl beside me. Came from the Royal Family of Ishida at the Daichi Kingdom, this is Princess Yuki."

I slightly bowed to Kisana as a sign of greeting and she did the same, "Nice meeting you, Miss Sachi."

"It's an honor to finally meet you, Princess," she said. "I've heard so much about you, as the rumors say, you have a cover on your face."

I was not given a chance to reiterate what she said as important guests, nobles, and girl candidates came at the same time. We were done introduced to each other, we immediately goes to our designated seats. All rise when the Emperor came in and walked towards the seat beside the Empress. The two princes were with him. One of the princes occupied the second seat from the Emperor's right, he might be Prince Daisuke, the youngest. The first seat on the right of the Emperor was occupied by another prince, Prince Daiki, the heir. Both princes are dashing in their clothes, well, even without it, that I'm pretty much sure.

And also, they both look like a character from an Anime World that graces the human world, I exclaimed to myself nonchalantly.

After a short speech, all candidates were introduced to the guest. The first one to be called was from the family of Fukuri, Miyako. Next was Shishuna from Kitachi family, Reina from Wakamoto family, Mizane from Hanata, Anari from Mizusono, and Kisana from Sachi. I was called last.

"And, the last," the speaker glance at me, "Princess Yuki, the last princess of the Daichi Kingdom, from the Ishida royal family."

I heard and saw most of the guests gasping in surprise hearing my name. I stood up from my seat and bowed to everyone as the others did. When I was about to sit back, the head of the Wakamoto speak.

"I know that all of you here are aware that the Princess fro Daichi never showed her face, but -, " he stops for a moment and looks around. He was able to draw the attention of the people attending the gathering to him. I glance at Yoshie and Shuji, their faces are emotionless but I know that they are worried.

"What does that mean, Wakamoto?" the Emperor asks after sipping his tea.

"The six candidates freely show their faces with us but the Princess here still has her face hidden under the cover. Will it be too much if your humble subject asks to see the beauty of the Princess, Your Imperial Majesty?" the head of the Wakamoto replied looking directly at the Emperor.

He looks suspicious enough.

The Emperor turned to me, "If you may, Princess Yuki, will honor us the request and remove the cover on face for a moment?"

I look around the great hall, all eyes are on me, waiting for what I should do. My eyes darted to them, they slightly nod for approval. I reached out the hem of the cover and slowly raise it to remove it.

Just half of my face is shown but I can hear the loud gasps and foul words from some of them. Except for them, Shuji and Yoshie, the others have a disgusting look while looking at me. While the two princes have an unreadable look on their faces. The Empress ordered me stop and I quickly did so.

I let out a victorious smile under the cover of my face. They also let out a secret smile to victory which the others never noticed.

"Now, let the official game begin!" I murmured quietly under my breath and let out a devilish smirk.