Chapter Fifteen

"The desire for beauty often leads the human eye into interesting paths," the elf said, gripping pale crystals between her stubby, red-clawed fingers,"But the years recall words that sprinkled a smile to their lips, houses that were built with wood and brick, hands that held the dying."

The Prince didn't know what came over him. He spent hours in his room, plucking delicate, peaceful songs on the harp. His fingers bled, but he had all the bandages in the world. Those threadlike strings were the only things that kept him thinking, that kept him doing, that kept him being. Whenever he left the room and passed a maid, he would shove a hand up her skirt and feel the softness within. She would freeze, knowing better than to scream at His Imperial Highness. After all, the Empress would sigh and say,

"He's still a man. This is what men do. Get back to work!"

The Prince knew better than to do anything too wild. At least, he thought so. He would spill tea, drop pens, drop china plates...just so he could see the maids bend over-- thrusting their asses in the air. They were all soft and shapely. But none-- he thought-- Satisfied him like the lady Solstice.

Every time he closed his eyes, all he saw was Pearl's elfin face, shrouded in deep-pink blush and brown-ombre hair. He saw her dark-brown eyes glittering in faint sunlight, as she laughed at an old movie, shoveling buttery popcorn into her mouth. He would press his hand over hers and she would smile that straight white smile, the light glinting across her glossy pink lips.

"I love you, darling," she would say.

"I love you, too," he would reply.

Then she would curl a pink-nailed finger at him and crawl toward that pink, fluffy....

"Who are you talking to?!" demanded the Emperor, slamming his teacup on the table.

The Prince jumped, suddenly forced back into reality. Both of his parents were glaring at him, as the staff pretended not to notice.

"Uh, no one," he said softly, "Just myself."

"I see," the Empress sighed, "All of us mourn differently, Akio."

The Emperor frowned, but nodded. He set a hand on Prince Hinata's and stroked the young man's smooth skin. The Prince eyed his father's hand, mottled with red-brown spots, knotted with deep-blue veins. The Emperor's thin, translucent skin was stretched so tightly, it was like the old man was wearing a glove. The Prince locked eyes with his father; Emperor Akio's eyes were wide, brown, and honest-- framed by long lashes that still made the Empress blush. But they were also duller and softer, with that faint glimmer old people get before they begin to fade. The Prince felt a hard lump rise in his throat, but he managed to swallow it.

"Whatever you do," said the Emperor, "Don't do anything stupid in the name of grief. It will haunt you as long as you live. And if that means letting go, let go. Don't hold onto something that will never help you grow. Trust me." He raised an eyebrow. "I know."

The Prince turned to his mother. She nodded her approval, stroking her husband's shoulder.

"I-I...I'll be right back," the Prince announced, standing, "I need some air."

He didn't look at his parents as he walked down the hall, into the furthest room. His stomach churned. Dammit! The second Kanako swayed into the parlor with her big pale-brown duster, he leapt to his feet and shoved her against the wall. Her red-smeared mouth fell open.

"Ah, Hinata-Sama…!" she cried.

"Shhh!" he hissed, "I need you to do something for me, Kanako. Do you know the Takayasu Inn?"

Kanako thought for a moment. He banged his fists against the wall; she jumped.

"Do you?!" His voice was hard and venomous.

"I…uh, yes."

"Then go there, and bring me Pearl, the young pretty woman. Not the old fat one. You got it?"

"I…can't."

Krrrack! The Prince slapped her across the face.

"You're useless," he huffed, "You're stupid and ugly and have a forehead bigger than your tits! All you do is lay on your back and satisfy some hairy white man's fetish."

Kanako blushed.

"You saw that?!"

"I see more than you realize."

"Ah, that was...we'd been talking online for months! Please don't hold it against me."

"I might if you keep it up."

Kanako nodded, but her eyes flashed with rage.

"You would be my wife, if not for Achara or Pearl, you ungrateful child!"

"I…respectfully, Your Highness, I never saw you that way. And I suggest you leave Pearl alone."

"Why?! She likes me. You saw her!"

"She did. But she didn't come here for you."

"That stupid old woman!" The Prince gritted his teeth. "And her lover! I hope she dies."

"Don't say that!"

Krrrrrrack! He slapped her again; this time she tumbled against the wall:

"Don't tell me what to do!" he barked, "Clean!"

"Y-Yes, Your Imperial Highness!"

Kanako bowed before returning to work. He chuckled, watching her stick-straight hair bob as she dusted. I guess I have to find Pearl on my own, he thought, Even if Achara's ghost finds me, I can say I found the most beautiful woman alive. And she wants me, too. I can feel it…if only that stupid old woman wasn't in the way!

The Prince took a deep breath and walked downstairs. There was only one thing to do. He had to do it. With her. Now.

XXX

To be honest with you, I have no idea why I waited so long to write again. I could just say I was "busy", but that word seems so frivolous compared to what I've experienced lately. I'm tired and don't want to get into it now-- but it's been emotionally draining. However, it was worth being there for Grandma. I had no idea how much she needed me.

During one of my last water-gazing lessons, Hajime told me that water is the most chaotic element for witches to use. I wasn't sure what I meant, so he used his fingers to shape it into a flame. A flame made of water-- think of that! Pale-blue flames hissing and crackling; it even felt warm against my skin! Then he told me,

"It is chaotic because it is so necessary. It is so simple, that the possibilities are endless. For us magical folk, that means shaping it, dropping stones in it...making mayhem. I like to think of it as living-- so simple, yet so bare that anything can flow."

I had this recurring fantasy of becoming the Princess of some nation. I was always my father's princess, but this is different. I want control. I want luxury. But most of all, I want to become the tough, part-elfin witch (and writer) I was made to be.

--the diary of Pearl Solstice

Pearl panicked. She knew Grandma was still there, but her health was in Hajime's hands. The old wizard sent Pearl to harvest herbs in the nearby forest, so she looped a scraggly basket under one forearm and darted outside. She tried to distract herself. She was more comfortable to bend and pick without a corset, or sucking in her stomach the entire time. It's just a bit soft. A bit squishy. Nobody seemed to notice, anyway. I managed to attract the Prince, she thought, Though that's not…that's not really what I set out to do. I'm pretty, I'm smart, but I get giddy and baby-like by shiny things. By shiny people like princes. It's a dream, of course, but…Grandma invited me. If only I thought of her more!

"Good evening."

She jumped at the deep voice. The Prince! Without thinking, she turned to see him smiling, his strong frame leaning against a crooked tree.

"It's been a long while. After all that's happened, I had to get some air."

She nodded.

"I…I see. I'm sorry to hear about Achara."

"Th-Thank you. It's been tough."

"If it makes you feel any better, my grandma's not doing so well either."

"Oh! That's awful! And you still have a writing assignment— on us!"

"Oh…I, I don't know what to…."

"You're so good, Miss Pearl. I refuse to speak with another journalist. Come over and I'll tell you everything. And maybe…." He smirked. "We'll use some body language."

Pearl laughed nervously. Body language?!

"Trust me, Your Highness, a simple girl like me's everywhere. I'll find something else to write about."

"Why can't you just make a Perma-Golem?!" The Prince's voice tightened with irritation. "It's easy to rip out a strand of hair-- just cast your spell, hire a clay sculptor, and presto! My own, personal Pearl!"

Pearl froze. How did he know about that?! Hajime?

"A Perma-Golem. Huh. How funny. They aren't used…that way."

"Since you don't want to satisfy a mourning man, I'll have your image satisfy me."

"Because that's disgusting. All this time...when I thought you liked me...you wanted...your version of me!"

"Can't you program it to talk, laugh, and moan?"

"No. That's final."

"Then indulge me. I'll never find another woman like you."

"You won't find any other if you keep this up."

The Prince rubbed his chin.

"That's true. I've done a lot to find the real you, and now you want nothing to do with me. You might as well die alone, waste your beauty by writing those silly stories...." He smirked. "Brains aren't your strong suit, see?"

Pearl's brows shot up. What an asshole!

"I heard that Princess Achara killed herself. You two would have…loved each other."

"Maybe. Nobody knows for sure. We're playing Olympia's song at her funeral; it's what she would have wanted." He looked down and sniffled. "Her favorite version, by Sumi Jo…."

Pearl grabbed him tightly by the wrist, digging chipped pink nails deep into his skin. They locked eyes; he dared not blink.

"My grandmother is dying in there," Pearl spat, "Hajime might, too, he's so fucking scared. I have more important things to worry about that keeping you satisfied."

"Ah, but I don't want anything bad, Miss Pearl! Perhaps you need to get your mind off things— watch a movie, a show in the…bedroom."

Pearl blinked and gazed back at the house. Hajime said he had everything covered. The Imperial guest house had that fluffy pink bed and all the I Love Lucy episodes she could dream of. Grandma Bathilde warned her of men like this, the ones who use charm and innocence to lure their ladies in. But maybe he wasn't all Bathilde said he was cracked up to be. How dare she compare him to a violent monster like M. Beraude! The old woman was sick and paranoid with a gritty decades-worth of scars. She clapped her hand over the phone in her pocket. I'm still in contact with Hajime. He can let me know if she's okay….

"Well, I don't see why not. But I'll have to keep it short."

"Short?" Prince Hinata frowned. "You can't cut it short this time! I miss being with a woman."

"It's either that or nothing."

"Then you have no show. No snacks. No nothing." He stepped closer, brushing his hand over her knee, then her chin.

"Don't touch me!"

"All you have is this."

The Prince bent forward, pressing his lips deep into hers. Her heart pounded, and her eyes squeezed shut. Was this really happening right now?!

When he pulled away, she shivered. Her stomach soured with nausea, but her lips craved more. She craved the feeling, but not the man behind it. He smiled, running a hand along his blushing cheek.

"You have no idea how long I've dreamt of doing that…and more."

He gripped her shoulders, running his slick, warm tongue down her chin and deep between her breasts. Pearl winced and struggled to break free. Oh, God, she thought, How disgusting!

Zzzt! The phone vibrated in her pocket. Hajime!

"Well, you'll have to keep it in your dreams, because I need to check on my grandma."

"Wait! Don't go…I need you to…!"

As she turned to check her phone, Pearl felt his big, hard hands dig into her shoulders. She felt the firm muscles squeeze her bones, until she froze. Her heart hammered in her ears. Oh, God! There better be some spell I can do…!

"A spell?" The Prince's voice was darkly humorous. "Your thoughts are still loud and clear, Miss Pearl."

Pearl ignored him, eyeing a glassy pond. Silver moonlight faintly reflected on the dark surface, but she saw a dark pebble nearby. Her hand clasped her other pocket. My pink crystal! She walked past him and toward the pond.

"Where are you going?" the Prince chuckled, "My guest house is this way."

Fuck that! Pearl's fingers brushed against the jagged grooves of the light-pink crystal, the same kind Hajime had used. Dragon-Breath, he called it. She squeezed her eyes shut, tossed it in the water, and waited for the result with a thundering heart.

Pondwater rippled into silver crests. The dream-serpent's elongated, snake-like shadow stretched as long as the pond. Once again, the dark form was faceless, but from short legs jutted hard, white claws that looked like they were carved from horn. Pearl shuddered. They looked sharp enough to kill.

As the shadow drifted toward the Prince, he recoiled, his mouth falling open.

"Oh my God," he gasped, "Get that thing away from me."

"Not until you tell me the truth."

"What truth?"

The dream-serpent floated towards the Prince, coiling around his body. He winced as its sharp claws dragged through his skin.

"You know what truth," Pearl snapped.

The Prince's eyes jumped from side to side. He clenched his teeth in horror, and his rugged face went sickly white.

"All right!" he gasped, "I'm obsessed with you! I dream of us ruling Japan together! I dream of us having children and growing old together! I...I...I don't know why, but I can't stop...!"

Pearl's brows shot up.

"And?"

"I...!" He closed his eyes sharply, before opening them. They glistened softly with tears. "I killed Achara."

"Why?"

The Prince held his breath and furrowed thick brows.

"I...I wanted you to take pity and...you."

Pearl chanted:

"Being of shadow and light,

You've had your day; now it's time for night!

Curl into eternal sleep,

As my mind sings, and my heart weeps."

Sssss. With a low, rasping hiss, the serpent dissolved into puffs of smooth black smoke. The Prince's eyes bulged. He took two steps back and bowed.

"I…I must go."

Pearl lunged forward and shoved him against a tree.

"Get out!" she shouted, "If I ever see your face again, I'll cast a spell so horrible, you won't live to see another day without pain! Without my voice in your ear! Without a warm place to sleep at night! Do you understand?!"

She dug her nails into his skin again, until his head bobbed up and down. She dropped him, scowling as he ran away, vanishing deep into the cold dark woods.

Pearl took a deep breath. Why did he have to be like that?! Especially now, while Grandma is...! She shook her head, buried her face in her hands, and unleashed a long, hard sob. Her stomach hurt. Her eyes stung as hot tears trickled down her cheeks. She gasped from her mouth, as her nose was too stuffy for normal breathing. How could one breathe at a time like this?! Too much was happening right now. Too much that she couldn't process in one minute, one moment, one heartbeat....

"I-I'm sorry."

Her head shot up. She wiped her eyes, ready to shout at the Prince, to curse him to the deepest part of Hell if she could...but no! A short, plump man walked toward her-- one with pointed ears poking through his shaggy black hair. She blinked. Tadashi!

"I'm sorry about that," Tadashi continued, walking closer, "All of it. I know that'll never be enough, but as his servant, I feel kind of...responsible."

Pearl shook her head. She pulled a handkerchief out of her pocket, blew her nose, and took a deep breath. Tadashi's round face was contorted with pain; his thick brows lifted over gentle brown eyes. She smiled a real smile-- revealing her teeth.

"Don't worry. Y-You didn't...it's not your fault. I'm gullible, too. I guess this was all...."

"Don't." Tadashi's tone was firm, but his eyes glistened. "You're one of the strongest people I've seen lately."

Pearl shuddered. She felt like she'd been touched by an angel. A white light flashed before her eyes, causing her to stagger backward. Her heart skipped a beat, and she struggled to catch her breath. This was one of the kindest things anyone ever told her. She lifted her head slowly, until a smile crept across her face.

"Domo arigato," she told him.

Tadashi nodded and pulled a piece of paper from his pocket. With a pen, he scribbled something on it, then handed it to Pearl.

"If you need anything," he said, "Don't hesitate to let me know. I work six days a week, but I get a lot of breaks."

Pearl read over the number, before stuffing the paper into her pocket.

"I can't thank you enough," she murmured. She paused, absorbing yesterday along with this one. "I wish Princess Achara got the chance to say the same."

Tadashi smiled weakly, revealing dimples in his rosy cheeks.

"Don't worry. She will. I can't let the Prince get away with murder." He winked and began to turn. "Oh, and Pearl?"

"Yes?"

"I hope your grandma feels better soon."

"Thank you, Tadashi. That means…a lot to me."

Tadashi smirked and wiggled his pointed ears.

"We of the elf blood…need to look out for each other."

"I think we need to…always."

Tadashi waved and dissolved into the dark, crackling forest. Pearl looked up into the sky, at the glowing temple of the moon. I know what to do. She sighed. I'm going to miss the idea of him, but no more than I'll miss the real me. She turned and trudged toward the inn, No more than I'll miss…the one who helped me through.