Ch 9: A momentary lapse equals a lifetime of suffering

“ Some girls are more elusive than others. ”

- Romance Fantasy ++ loading screen

Name: Yuki (Yuta)

Doki Dollars: 14

Strength: 6 ( Unlock: 5 DD)

Stamina : 5 ( Unlock: 5 DD)

Magic: 0 ( Unlock: Unavailable)

Intelligence : 11 ( Unlock: 13 DD )

The empress snapped her fingers and like lightning butler Yeez got a small cloth laid it on the ground then kneeled on it to the side of the Empress. “Awaiting further instruction my empress,” he said in a noble tone.

[ That's one hell of a party trick.]

“ Take this young man to the yang residence and have him take one of the guest rooms, I still have a lot to discuss with madam here. Once he is fresh and ready take him to my dear daughter to keep her company” The empress stated without refute.

I felt my insides turning. I took one last look at my mother. She must have seen the look in my eyes. I had felt I was being taken to the back room to be shot. She at that moment grabbed my hand to reassure me before releasing me into the butlers care.

[ Mother… you’re such a traitor, I hope you and the empress get split ends!]

The Butler lead me out of the yin courtyard. We went down many twists and turns before arriving at another set of courtyards. They were more imposing than the ones I had seen earlier with the beautiful vines and flowers. The courtyards’ entrance was filled with tiled sand and a pond.

Suddenly we see a group of people in the distance. Two young boys and some elder women trailing behind them. The boys looked between 10 and 12. The boy on the left had short black hair and purple eyes whereas the one on the right looking slightly older had purple hair and black eyes.

The butler in a flash puts a handkerchief on the ground and kneels, seeing that the people ahead must be important I do the same. The butler flashes a glance at me. It read “You are not as dumb as you look!” before looking to the ground. Begrudgingly I ignore it before saluting to the people ahead.

Upon closer inspection it seemed, there were two maids behind them seemly twins. One had black hair on the left and purple hair on the right in short bangs while the other had the same but switched colours. Their grey eyes were uncomfortably directed at me.

Just before they come into contact the older boy stopped and stared hard at us. My knees started to hurt before he stated “ Yeez, who is this?” The older boys black robe is lined with gold leaves it swishes slightly as he points at me.

The butler elegantly replied, “ This young man is young master Aikyo, Crown Prince Leopold.”

[ Did he just say Leopold? Like.. evil crown prince Leopold!?]

I swallowed my spit hard.

“ Aikyo? Oh! Yuki Aikyo a pleasure to meet you.” Leopold stated before glaring at me. It lasted less than a second before a bright smile landed on his face. The boy next to him seemed nervous and dropped his head.

Leopold pointed with his thumb at the boy on his left and said “ This is Nathaniel, he is my younger brother I hope you show him more respect then you have shown my sister. ”

[ Show respect your foot! ]

Looking at the two brothers the similarities were striking, both had the same slightly haughty appearance with a slightly upturned nose and bright pink lips. The younger of the two had a small mole under his left eye. He was also wearing a black robe however the trimming on it was silver.

[ They would be pretty cute if they were not so dangerous to my life.]

The Crown prince signalled for us to stand with a rising gesture made with his hand. Nathaniel grabs onto his brother's sleeve almost hiding behind him. “ Oh which reminds me. You shall be seeing Rosli later I suspect?” Leopold holds his chin for a moment before continuing. “ I shall join you. I hope that does not impede you at all Yuki Aikyo” Leopold finished emphasizing my name.

[ Oh please do, the more he wish to end me the merrier….]

“ Not at all crown prince,” I said as I saluted again.

“ Hmph, come little brother let us get you some vanilla pudding.” Prince Leopold stated

Nathaniel blushed, he stared at me for a second before nodding at me and followed his brother. The maids follow behind them staring at Yeez and I.

Yeez looks me up and down before stating bluntly “ Young Master, It is none of my business but I have a lot of respect for your grandfather. The royal family are very close to one another. You must be patient and see to this matter carefully. Right, we are now behind schedule let us carry on.

[ That was nice of him.. I guess? ]

We finally got to what I assumed would be my bedroom for the night. It was rather large the room had a massive four poster bed, a table and chair as well as an ensuite for the bathroom. There was a massive painting of an older looking man with a crown on his head.

He was honestly one of the most attractive elder I had ever seen with ombre black and purple hair and clear yellow eyes. I couldn’t help but gawk for a moment before Yeez snapped me out of my stupor.

[ So the princess got his eyes and the prince’s got his hair? Weird.]

“ Right I will come back in half an hour, there is a change of clothes waiting in the closet please put them on after you bathe. I hope your rest is peaceful.” Yeez states, he saluted to me and I to him before he leaves.

As soon as the door was closed I took off my shoes and fell on the bed with my back first. I spread my arms wide and took a deep breath.

[ Kibbles Unlock the next strength, stamina and intelligence upgrades, I feel like I am about to need them]

{ Unlocking strength, stamina and intelligence -23 DD | DD Remaining 11 }

A warm feeling spreads throughout my body and mind and I breath out. I clenched my fists. After a few minutes, I walk into the bathroom. There is a big wooden tub covered in symbols. I run my hand over the one that looks like a water drop, it flashes for a moment before water at perfect temperature is filled to the brim. There is also a toilet and mirror and a towel I glanced at them before stripping and entering the warm water.

[ I wish I had this back at the manor...so comfortable!]

After finishing I walked over to the closet in the room I was given, finding a western style button up suit. The shirt is black with a dark grey vest and dark grey pants. I walked over to the mirror and tie my hair into a plait before pushing it over my shoulder.

I sighed.

[ Hey, Kibbles are you there? ]

“ Oh hey Meowster what do you need?” Kibbles appears out of nowhere before landing at my feet. It’s short little legs made my heart feel warm. I picked it up and held it in my arms.

“ Nothing really could you just stay here with me until the butler appears again. I am.. a little nervous. Is that okay?” I responded sheepishly.

Kibbles stares at me before nodding its little head it buries deeply into my arms as I made my way to the bed. I stroked it’s soft fur until there was a knock at the door. My heart wanted to stop beating. Kibbles looked at me for a moment before fading away. I walked to the door and paused for a second before opening it.

“ Are you ready?” Yeez said standing at the door checking a pocket watch. I guessed he had made it back exactly on the thirty minute mark. I stared at his pink bow tie perfected fitted on his neck.

[ Not]

“ Yes, butler Yeez please lead the way” I stated as I nodded to him.

We walked for quite a while before we made it to an entirely pink courtyard in the yin section of the castle. The flowers were pink, the building was pink the table was pink… it was sickening. As I had expected it Yeez indicated to me that it was the residence of the princess. Yeez motioned me to knock on the door.

I walked up slowly.

Knock knock

“ Princess.. It’s me Yuki” I stated as I held my breath.

“ Yuki? “ A small voice answers from behind the door.

“ mm it’s me” I replied.

“ You’re not allowed in!” the voice responded.

“ Please let me in princess” I respond after a moment.

[ Come on brat.. Let me fix this! ]

Before I had a chance to coax here I hear some footsteps from behind me. I turn to look before and notice it was the crown prince and his brother. The crown prince stared at me while his brother was behind him pulling his sleeve.

“ Yeez, you best not report this to mother, I would hate to worry her” Stated the crown prince as he glared at me.

“ Now that you're here Yuki and there is no one else around. I figure I should pay you back for what you did to my sister.” Leopold states maliciously

“ Brother? Huh, what are you doing here leave Yuki alone” stated the small voice behind the door.

“ He must think twice before he messes with you Rosli” The prince responded. He nudges his brother off him before making a strange gesture with his hand and muttering. Slowly a fireball the size of an adults first emerges.

My eyes at that moment could not get any wider.

[ He’s not going to throw that at me right? ]

The adrenaline in my system starts working in overdrive. I froze like a deer caught in headlights. My legs feel like led as the fireball aims straight at me. Suddenly my chest begins to hurt and my left arms started tingling. My heart beat was too rapid onset by shock.

My head spun.

The small fire ball hit me and I feel, it didn't hurt as much as I expected it to but the pain in my chest was unbearable. I grip the vest on my body as hard as I can.

The last I hear is the opening of a door and shouting as my vision fades to black.

It seems I have had my first heart attack..