~ You Watanabe POV ~

Wh..what is she saying this... and isn't this inside the Princess's palace!?

I began to startle in panic, I was so nervous that I could freeze. It was the Shoguns Palace and yet, Yu whose acting nervously went insane.

"I-It's okay Yu, my father wanted to talk to you.." The Princess gently said with a fake smile, she was confuse about my expression.

I can actually act normal.. but that raven-haired girl stared at me so badly with the way she stares at me like that... she's like saying 'die you weakling'

or like that...

As we walk upon the hall, everything around me was neat and sheltered with silence.

"What does the Shogun wants from me...?" I said with a bored-face expression, I can act this way as long as it is how I usually act. Dia caught my attitude as she looks awfully angry.

"Why does a weakling samurai has to meet the shogun, sadly, if I were him, I would cut your head immediately without regrets. Bringing those expression wanted me to cut your head" This Dia needs to shut her mouth. I couldn't help but look squinted.

"Do it if you can" I can't seem to believe her to say that, Abruptly, almost out of a blue, she immediately pull her sword and appointed to my neck,

I let me guard down. Holy shit although that was a joke..

"H-Hey I was just kidding, I-I know you were so cool and an awesome swordwomen!!" I was flustered, at a moment, I spilled my mouth that made her stiffed flush

Dia coughed awkwardly as she cleared her throat, "Don't misunderstood the Sakurauchi Family!" .

What... She's part of the family... or is she just the part of the forces..

"Dia-san can be forever consider as the part of our family, since she's important we can't allow to lose her" Riko said.

"Soon, I'll teach you a lesson strictly!" Dia Smirked.

"Hmph... You think I'm afraid when you're in mischievous expression? Sounds cool, because that's exactly what I want." I said without realizing the princess wasn't able to cut in our conversation as she chucked awkwardly

Wait... does that mean the princess knows it too..?

While I was spacing out when Dia replies my suck up on her.

"You really mistaken us boy..." Dia sighed in depressed

"All of us here knows the technique, we never really going to identify them yet" Riko smiled awkwardly.

"Really..? Does that mean.. Ichika haven't knew yet...?" Currently, in a deep thought for now, thinking of wanting to be taught so badly.

As we have arrived the room and entered with Riko's manner, I was spacing out as I was in shock just now.

I may really be interest of becoming one of this part... I want to become stronger..

"C-Can I really trespass..?" Riko rubbed my shoulder for a support, with that smile, it sounded like the shogun is going to kill me or what

"I've always wanted to meet you Watanabe, please take a sit..." The Shogun was injured, he was laid on a couch and demanded me to sit nearer to him. I am tremble as hell, it is the first time for me a high class person is talking to me.

Dia and Riko awkwardly went out as they were told by Shogun with a silence conversation they made with an eye contact. They leave hesitantly, as I was getting nervous all this time.

As the Shogun carried his body, and felt the pain from his chest.

"Shogun! Just lay down! It's fine, you need to rest up!" I told him as I put him back

"You will be serve in our Family, from now on, You Will Protect The Princess" Shogun said with a soft smile excitement, I widened my eyes in surprised. I wasn't expecting that he would say that immediately.

"I... I can't" I replied to him slowly with an unheard voice like a whisper. Shogun gasped a little.

"Why not... My daughter always talks about you, she may looks silent to me but she actually thinks about you" Shogun said for real that made me shocked.

Hime-sama does..? But why...

"It's just... to me.. you're only using me but actually my pride is not exactly what you think.." I said but it suddenly cut off.

"I know... you're dearest step brother, Takatsuki Chika" Shogun said that made me sobered up.

"I... want him to forget about me.. but I don't actually know what he wants or what was his ideal goal to accomplish.. if I ever win the battle with him.. I can finally do something about him.." I said.. why am I too serious about him?

"What do you think of my daughter..? Have you no plan to protect her? She is actually the popular prey for the armies these days. Espicially your step brother" The Shogun said.

I want to say something but I couldn't say it out loud. I can't think of anything but the princess also got on my nerves.

"I will.. Protect the Princess" I said with a smile as a sign of decision has cleared up.

"Then its settled. Your duty will begin tomorrow.. Starting today.. You're staying in this Palace" The shogun smiled idiocy.

"But shogun.. I'm kinda disappoint, why did you say things like that infront of people..?" I asked him with a plain miserable face.

"It was on purpose, your father's last name was Takatsuki, so I was amazed how you deny yourself as you swung the sword briskly" The shogun had enough as he slowly closed his eyes for a sleep and snore quitely.

I still don't understand what was on purpose. But... I'll... make it soft with my expression for today, its almost night time.

I stood up and walks out of the room, after that, I saw Dia and Princess awaited me in a short distant. As I walk towards them slowly. When I reach the distant on them, I face at Dia and bowed.

"Dia-san, please teach me!!" Dia and Princess rushed their excitement and happiness as they smiled softly.

"It'll be tough, lets start this tomorrow" Dia said, I nodded, Abruptly a lady appeared to call the Princess.

"Hime-sama, its time for you to go" The lady's name is Yuka, or Satoshi's wife. When I met my eyes on her, I freezed, I used to play with when we were kids and always concern much about Satoshi.

Why is she here...?

I make a weird duck face and tilt my head over her. Yuka freaked out as she moved with the Princess away.

Yuka is here too?

"Hey, Yaw" Dia said as she pushed me for me to stop drifted.

"Its Yū, eh, the shogun told me that I have my room room, where could it be..."?" I asked her.

"Its too early for you to go!" She exclaimed a little.

"Th-the war?! Oh no... Yoshiko... Dia-san! I must go out! I must meet someone !!" I struggle her.

"Stay calm!! Its now over, And... Yoshiko you say..?" She must be wondering why I knew her.

"By the way, where are we? Are you trying to tour me in this palace? Wait... what is this palace name..?" I was dumb that I could explode myself for not knowing anything.

"This is Heian palace!! Wh-, you really should have take a test, nevermind, I want you to meet someone!" Dia pushed me too much, I was nervous, I didn't knew this kind of place so I was directly walk inside with my eyes closed.

When I opened my eyes slowly, I'm dumbfounded when I get to see a princess-like with a lady-kasa hat thing with diamonds and and crystals like a chimes.

"Your highness, 2nd princess, Matsuura Mari, we have a visitor" Dia kneeled and bowed slowly for a respect,

3rd princess... there is another princess..! And... blonde hair, that tiara looks cute, what..?

Mari's room is placed with a lot of chemistry and magic experiment, she was on the bed laying before, and rises when we come in, I could see her shadows.

Whoa.. even through this screen I can see her smile,

She took off the Kasa and stood up, the torch lit up as the 2nd princess came out.

Dumb me.. I should have study in this history..!

"Greetings, welcome to this palace, I'm 2nd Princess, Matsuura Mari" Her Kimono is more likely yellowish. Her dress got long sleeves and reaches from the shoulders all the way down to one's heels.

She is pretty too...

She kneeled down nearby to the table as she moves to make a tea for us. I was speechless, I can't control myself as I shaked too much.
Dia squint her eyes, "in a time like this... why it has to be you?"

Mari giggled "Don't worry about it, you see. Whenever I arrived at this room I feel lonely, I have none to talk to someone but its a glod thing you came here all the way to talk to me!!" This Princess voice kinda sharp and active one. She must be an easy type for me.

"Perhaps you could lower your voice, Your highness.." Dia muttered.

"Sorry,  sorry! I haven't took a nap which is why I don't have a sore throat! So please, have a tea. Uhm.. you're a Samurai?" Mari gave me a weird confuse look,

"I-I'm Yū Watanabe... P-Pleased to meet you, Your highness!!" Mari noticed me right away. As her eyes widened.

"Watanabe.. huh?" Mari place her fingers to her lips and her other fingers below and attached the chin with a smirk.

"We might become closer someday too, so today! My husband must be sleeping so you can't see him this time!" Mari sparks and smiles brightly with her lively expression.

"Husband...? You are.. MARRIED?!" I was surprised as I shouted flusteredly.

"Sadly, your husband went to Edo Town, it must necessary, so he'll come back here abruptly in that day"Dia said miserably.

Edo Period..? What is that..?

"I see, how's the 3rd Princess?"Mari went back to normal as she smiles.

"She's well asleep and took a rest" Dia replied.

"How's Sakurauchi Hime?"

"She just went back to her room"

Uhm... I'm kinda curious about their conversation.

"Excuse me.... If its okay to ask question... how many are Princess and Prince here?" I raised my hand with a low confidence and my voice looked a little bit soft.

"There 4 princess and 1 went missing, There are only 3 Prince here" Dia replied, as Mari gently took a sip from the green tea.

There are 4 princess's and 1 went missing.. Riko-sama is 1st... Mari-sama is 2nd.. who is the 3rd and the 4th...? And these Prince... they do actually exist.

"Boy, you seem to be in a very deep thought, its your first time here, so tomorrow, I shall be your guide-" Mari stood up when she finished her line.

"But- A princess should stay where she actually belongs, I am incharge of this, Your highness-" Dia is trying to stop Mari for being a human like.

"Y-Your highness, sh-she's right! You should probably stay where you actually belong because you're a princess" I smiled weakly.

"Watanabe-san, we are all the same, we are all human with unique characters," Mari smiles.

Why is this Princess quite different..?! She's... making me nervous.

"BUT--" Dia exclaimed.

"Dia-san, when a dog barks they never stop, but when a princess spoke, you must obey" Mari shuts her eyes and opened when she finished.

So this is...2nd Princess, Matsuura Mari,,, Married with someone..

"Your highness..." I was about to ask her a question but I was too scared to talk since she is a higher class compare to me.

"The shogun command me to train him as soon as -" Dia stopped and realized she has gone too far and she looked down. And bowed with apology.

"Forgive me, your highness, well then, it is settled. We'll be going now" Dia stood up and acted different from earlier Dia I know, she didn't call me out and left by herself.

I looked at her steps as I stood up as well and bowed.

"Geez... Dia seriously is serious and worked hard.." Mari muttered. I stopped to walk from the door.

"Are you two have this kind of relaionship..?" I asked her.

"Often. She always go straight to the point and even work harder, she doesn't want to fight against men, but often beauty is actually she do" Mari told Dia's secret to me.

"She, wants to become a princess, thats why she always disobey me and to other princess and walk her path alone" Mari said and place the cup down and look at her reflection through the tea and she smiles miserable.

"I think... Dia-san is fine and looked okay to me, but... I think she just envy you" I smiled when I turn my head on her.

"Well then.. Have a good night, Your highness, Sleep well!" I said and walks out and closed the door,

Meanwhile, Mari covered her face against her hand, she is shivering and her voice too.

"You... you just like my husband..! Stop it... I want him to come back.. its been 3 years.."

= Riko Sakurauchi POV =

I'm happy that Yū could be the part of this family, i hope he feels comfortable in his room, and I'm kinda feel lonely..

I carried my body and sat up, I am worried about the 4th Princess.

I stood up slowly and walks out with my kimono dress. I walk through the hall, and arrived the 4th princess's room which she is crying and not in the mood, her action is always violent.

"Sister..."

We actually call each other sister as a princess.

"May I.. pass?" I asked as I was hugging the door amd awaited. Worrying if she would deny me.

"Okay..." She replied.

"Sister..! You are still awake?" I smiled and walks in and forgot to close the door as it opened a little.

"Yes... I'm not that sleepy at all.." She muttered.

"Hey.. sister, are you still.. uncomfortable as a princess..?" I get to close to her and wiped her silky hair.

"I hate it.... I HATE IT!! Tell me., why am I into this mess!?" She raised her voice, as I felt dumbfounded, she crushed the futon harder.

"Sister.. its-"

"Don't call me 'sister' !!  We aren't blood related after all...! You can come in but you can't never talk to me like a princess!! Talk to me like a stray dog!!!" I feel like I'm in a bad shape today. And I feel pity on her too.

Dia actually overheard our conversation when she passed by.
"It should've be me.." she whisper to herself and walks straight to her room.

"You are... actually different when the 3rd Princess is missing.. I understand how you feel.. sister, well then.. I shouldn't be bothering you.. I am the Princess... You misundertand me, I treated you as a sister and a family. Please excuse me..." I am finally going out of this room with a little bit anger,

"You... You killed my husband, didn't you?!" She exclaim and I was surprised.

Yū finally overheard the loud voice from the 4th Princess.

Yoshiko shuttered in sobbing and hawled. Her tears sheds that made me feel like I'm the worst. I looked at her with my eyebrows wrinkoed from miserable and a huge mistake I made.

I thought she forgive me...

"I..."

I muttered with my voice quaver from cries.

I can't tell her since It wasn't on purpose, so I run away to escape the question. When I opened the door.

Yū was there listening to our conversation, we bumped each other and pained.

"Hime-sama?! I-It's not--" He was trying to talk in a different testimony so i can believe him.

"Its nothing..!!" I shut the door quickly.

"Oh, Yū, are you on your way to find your room? I can.. go with you!" My tears wouldn't stop to drip.

"Hime-sama... you're crying" He muttered softy.

Of course I am.. Yū sorry but I cant tell you behind of this... this is our story.. someday.. you will experience this too..!

We, in this family.. are always in the wrong path. That starts with a worst memory.

Meanwhile, in 4th Princess's room. She still regret and dislike being the princess. She muttered as she crushed the futon.

"I just... want to stay with Yū and fight together... with Satoshi.. A 3rd Prince... But.. I'm fine.. as Yoshiko, the 4th Princess act her role for a little bit.."

Yū felt happy about his own room and he likes it very much, he ran around and screams with happiness.

"This is awesome, Hime-sama! Are you guaranteed this isn't temporary?!" He smiles.

"Yes. I'm glad you liked your room! Well then, its getting late, so sleep well okay?" I said with a smile.

"Same to you, Hime-sama" He said as I disappear from his room. I sighed to let my depression escape within me.

Tomorrow will be different... I swear