We sat in the meeting room.
Hanako had calmed down after a bit and now relaxed on the couch while drinking some tea. Genzo on the other hand was always cautious. Checking the tea for poison or aphrodisiac, looking at the window shades for hidden assassins and he even checked the bathroom to make sure it was clean.
The last one was a habit of his, I heard.
Looking at the time, I saw it was close to the scheduled meeting I had with something important so I put my large cup of tea down and sigh.
Hearing me, Hanako looked up, perceptive.
"Is something wrong, Mr. Tax?"
"No no, Princess… just that I hate to ruin this pleasant moment of ours with serious talk."
"Oh!" Hanako understood what Henry was trying to say, "I don't mind it. In fact, I'm prepared to hear it and from now on, please call me Hanako. I trust you enough to know you'll keep my dignity."
"Thank you, Hanako." I nod and signal everyone out. As everyone scrambled out, I also looked at Genzo who looked back at me.
"It would be better if you gave us some space as well."
"No! That won't be happening." Genzo clutched his hands tighter, "I won't let you be alone with the princess one bit."
I smile, "As good as that sounds to hear, this is only for her ears." My eyes turn cold, "So scram guard."
"You, how dare you disresp-" Genzo was about to pull out his sword when Hanako stopped him.
"Easy" She said and looked at me, "Mr. Tax. I know that you want our talk to be secretive but I assure you, Genzo is my father's and my top personal."
Genzo pulled his chest up at the praise.
"I can guarantee him with my life and anyone that I care about. You can trust him to keep secrets."
"That is reassuring, Hanako. But what I'm about to say is something that is only for your ears." I said, putting great emphasize on it, "After that, if you want, you can tell it to the whole world for all I care."
Hanako frowned at my words. She could tell that I was trying to put something through her.
"Hah! No matter how important your words may be. It is not above the trust that we place among eac-"
"Genzo" Hanako called, "Can you leave us for a moment."
"Princess?" Genzo looked in shock but found Hanako looking gloomily at her cup. He understood this wasn't a request but an order.
With a heavy heart, he stood up, "As you say, Princess."
As he leaves, I saw him staring intently at me. He was telling me that if even a single hair of the princess was harmed, he'd kill me.
An honorable threat but worthless before me.
As the door closed behind Hanako, I bowed a bit, "I'm sorry for putting you in the spot like that, Princess. It was necessary."
"I understand and continue calling me Hanako." She smiled with a strain.
I smile and quickly turn serious, "Before I say it, tell me, do you have any questions you want answered."
Hanako nodded, putting the cup on the table, "How did you know that I was about to be assassinated today?"
"It was through my own gang." I don't hide it but also don't truly tell it, "Kay Gon had joined in alliance with your killer and they both planned this."
"Kay Gon? Then that means the snake tails…" Her eyes widened as she looked at me in shock and I quickly wave negatively.
"No, Hanako. It is true that Kay Gon and some others had gone dark but I took care of them. The Snake Tail's gang is no longer your enemies anymore."
"Oh!" She sighed while pressing her hand on her chest, "That is great to hear. For a moment there I thought you would tell me that you poisoned my tea."
I smile at her joke, "That would have failed with how hard Genzo checked everything."
"Haha" Hanako laughed and slowly turned serious again, "So who is it?... my killer?"
"Before I tell you that… Do you have any guesses who that could be?"
Hanako put her hand on her chin and thought "Well… it could be one of my father's enemies, rejected suitors of mine or…" Her eyes then turned shallow, "One of my brothers."
I nod heavily with an Oscar face, "I regret to inform you… but it is one of your brothers."
Hanako gave a deep sigh and looked straight at me, "Is it Seisimo?"
Hanako truly felt pain at this moment. She leaned back in the couch and covered her eyes with her hand.
"I knew something would happen." Her voice felt cracked. "But I was never really prepared for it."
"To think my own brother who loved and played with me since birth… would want to kill me? I feel as if my heart is breaking into millions of pieces."
I get up and sat beside her. Pulling her into a shoulder hug, "Forgive the intrusion but I think you need this now."
Hanako a bit shocked at first, slowly succumbed to the hug and cried into my shoulders.
Looking at her broken mascara and makeup, I suddenly had an image of fucking her to oblivion right now. I wonder if that image would correlate with this one.
I throw that thought out and pat her head, "People say that those born with a crown on their birth are the luckiest people in the world."
"But you know what I think, I think that they are the most unfortunate. To be born with great power in a world that greed's for it. To be so vulnerable among your own family and friends who would stab you in unseen time to rob you of everything."
"To be judged by everyone and yet hated the next moment… truly a crown's birth is the greatest curse."
Finishing I look down at Hanako to see she was mesmerized with my words. Completely hooked in and vulnerable for me to take a bite.
But not now… time, there was still time for this fruit to ripe. For more chapters visit novelFirｅ.net
I bring out a napkin and wipe out her face as she stayed still at my touch, "Wipe away those tears, Hanako. Even through my words might suggest you have a curse, it could also be your greatest strength if you learn to utilize it."
"How do I do that?" She asked after cleaning herself, "How do I get strong enough that I don't get hurt again?"
"Well, first of all, find valuable people like Genzo and others, make them loyal to you. Then learn to hear gossips and weave them in a story that you can use for your own benefit." I say and smile, "And last but not least, don't trust people… especially like me."
She laughed at my last advice, "Well… at least I have Genzo as my loyal frien-" She stopped as she saw me shake my head.
"You have him as your friend but he's loyal to your father." I tell her. "Use your relationship with him and make him not equivalent to you, but your subject."
"My subject…" Hanako took my word deep and asked, "What else do I need to do?"
I smile and weave a lie to her for my own benefit.