Beloved

Crown Prince Daiki POV

I sigh when and shook my head when I get away from my brother. I am pleased that something changed in him. This is the first time that he has a deep interest in a girl. He has a different glint in his eyes, something good.

I will be happy for him if he will found a girl that can make him happy. He won't be like me if that happens. He won't be stuck in a life full of questions and doubt. He doesn't have to sacrifice his happiness and a chance to be with the girl he loves.

I feel exhausted when I arrive at the crown prince's office. I can feel the heaviness of my chest. I never thought that it will just take a glimpse to sway me and to instill doubt in my heart once again, to shake my resolve and standpoint. The hatred for my status that has been buried deep in the corner of my heart awakened. But there's nothing I can do but hate my status and myself as I can't run away from who I am. I can't give up my status and trade it for the happiness that I hope for. Because I can't ignore the responsibility, I just can't be selfish and sacrifice the welfare of the many just to be happy.

But just one glance from her and I can feel my heart longing and desperately aching to be with her. Just one glance and my feelings and the world I've been trying hard to keep without her become a great mess. I can help but smile at my situation, a bitter smile. I need to choose from the candidates that are currently staying here in the palace but I wish to with a different woman. Wishing for something I am well aware that will never happen. Not just because she is not suitable and set to be my bride but because she doesn't feel the same way.

I leaned my back on the backrest and closed my eyes, remembering the day that I saw her again after a few years.

*****

A loud explosion disturb the noisy arena where the event was held. The awarding ceremony just ended when the explosion happened near where we are sitting. Good thing that we are already on our way out. Princess Yuki and I were immediately brought to a safe area surrounded by the imperial soldiers that escorted us to ensure that no one suspicious can get close. It is possible that I am the target of whoever planned to bomb the event.

"Your Highness," Captain Kizu, my personal guard, approaches, "you can't use the car we used to come here," he whisper while still giving commands to the guards.

"Capt. Kizu is right, Your Highness," Shuji agreed, he overhear my guard talking, "it's not safe. There is a high chance that the car is also rigged as a backup in case they won't succeed on the first try."

I nodded in approval. I am aware that what they think is highly possible. We have to be very cautious with our moves. I'm wondering where is Daisuke now, I hope he's safe somewhere. I roam my eyes around the place trying to look for someone suspicious. I sigh when no one caught my attention that is suspicious enough.

After a while, Capt. Kizu informed me that a new car is ready. "But I am worried that there is danger in the place where are staying," he added.

"I understand," I answered with a serious look. "Do want you think is right to ensure that we will be safe, Captain, especially the princess," I ordered while glancing at Princess Yuki beside me.

Capt. Kizu nodded and proceed to talk with the phone, he is giving commands to the guards left in our hotel. Before we get on the new car, the previous car we used exploded. We staggered backward due to the strong impact as it was a few meters away from where we are. People in the vicinity panicked and run away. Others immediately help to bring the injured to the nearest hospital.

I look around as I am quite sure that the culprit is just around watching what happened. We need to capture whoever they are so that they can't incur more damage and harm. They will surely do everything they can just to get me.

Instead of seeing an enemy or the culprit, I get to glimpse someone else. I suddenly focus my eyes below the tall trees not so far from us. Am I just seeing things or was that a product of my imagination? I ask myself. I shook my head and look again to where she is standing. And there she is. Beautiful, composed, and mysterious as ever. She raise her brow when she saw that I am looking at her. So, I'm not hallucinating? I can't believe this. Why is she here?

Her sharp look and glaring eyes towards me are enough to confirm that I am not seeing things, that she is indeed here. Is she one doing this? She doesn't reach the point that she wants me dead, right? After all, I haven't had contact with her for a few years now. If this is her doing, how heartbreaking it is that the woman I want to be with for the rest of my life wants me gone.

As if reading my thoughts, she shook her head in annoyance. She motioned her head towards the crowd. I follow her gaze. Passing the crowd, under the tree opposite of her I saw a guy standing there. He wears formal clothes, but I know better, he's the one we are looking for.

When I look again to where she's standing, she's no longer there. Again she disappears without a trace, like thin smoke. As if she wasn't there in the first place. I bet when I ask somebody if they saw a girl standing on that tree a while ago they will say no. She's always like that, it seems like everyone is oblivious of her presence but me then she will vanish in a second. That's why there are times that I can't bring myself to believe that I did see her.