ᴛᴇɴᴛʜ.

"I can't believe that Dad did this to you." A fifteen-year-old girl almost cried when she tried to touch the bandages around his head. He furrowed his brows and slapped her hand away from him. 

"I don't think you have any reason to be here, Hayashi-san." She bit her lips when he was cold towards her. She looked down and gripped on her handbag tightly. 

"Do you hate me now, Riku?" She whispered and he grimaced. The First and Third Princes didn't bother to leave the room, getting ready just in case something happens to their friend again. 

"Am I not worthy to be your wife? I can do whatever you want. Just don't hate me." She cried, reaching for his hand. 

"Get lost. Don't ever bother me again. I don't love you." Those words deeply pierced her heart. Hearing those from him is more painful than she expected. She doesn't even know why he doesn't like her. 

"That's unfair. I love you. Why can't you love me back?" She trembled as she kept looking down. He shook his head in disbelief. How can she say those words so easily to him? Especially when they don't even have any special connections with each other. 

"Love is something you can't easily give to someone. Don't take it lightly. I will marry because of love. I will not marry because of business and money." He emphasized every word to make sure it will be etched in her mind. 

He didn't mean to be harsh on her but at the same time, what her family did to him is also unacceptable. He would never be able to accept someone who forces love on him. He wants to fall in love but he feels like it is not yet the right time for it. He is only sixteen, turning seventeen within the next few months. He still has more things to do. 

She left without any more words. He was a little thankful that his friends are there to witness everything. He is feeling bothered though. He doesn't know what she thinks the moment she leaves the room. She might do something worse instead. The Third Prince got his phone and dialed a number to ask one of his people to follow her. It will be more difficult for them if she will ask help from her grandfather, knowing that their family is related to the yakuza. 

"She looked so innocent that you can't even believe that her family is related to the yakuza." The First Prince said in a low voice and they all agreed. He is also thankful that she is not enrolled in Royal High. 

On the other hand, it was already night when the Fourth Prince decided to go back home. The Fifth Princess is still asleep but she doesn't have a fever anymore. Her nanny assured him that she will give him a call once she wakes up. He placed the phone down on the bedside table and stared at it. She never let the Second Prince's phone go. Somehow, this built up a little jealousy in his heart. Does she really need to keep it by her side the whole time? 

She sat up in the bed when he left her bedroom. The wind was cold, so she covered herself with the blankets. She needs fresh air. She stood up and opened the glass doors to the veranda. She got her own phone and dialed the First Prince's number. The call immediately connected and she heard his voice from the other line. She smiled faintly while looking up at the full moon. 

"Kazuma, are you still in the hospital?" She asked softly and he said, yes. He gave his phone to the Second Prince as he knows that she wants to talk to him. 

"Riku, are you feeling okay now?" She asked, hearing a soft chuckle from him. She felt relieved. It seemed like she didn't need to ask him about his condition anymore. 

"Yes, I'm fine now. Thank you. Don't worry about me anymore. I heard that you had a fever. Are you feeling okay now?" She laughed softly when he asked her question back to her. 

"I'm okay now. I'm glad that you're already fine. I have your phone. I will give it back to you when you start attending classes again. I will see you around in school, right?" She asked again and a gentle smile formed on his lips. 

The call ended after a few minutes. She went back inside her bedroom and then, she went out to go to the kitchen. She needs her daily dose of coffee. It's been two days since the last time she had it. Everyone is already in their own rooms and she doesn't want to disturb the maids. She quietly prepared a cup of warm coffee and enjoyed it when she got back to the veranda. 

"I need to make it up with Icchan." She mumbled before taking a sip. She sat on the hammock and started thinking about her upcoming engagement with the Fourth Prince. She will turn seventeen soon. Once he turns sixteen, they will have it. 

Her engagement with the only successor of Fujiwara Industries was announced when they started attending Royal High. Though it was unofficial, they know that the right time will come soon. She is fine getting married to him. She has known him since they were babies. The Fourth Prince is one of the triplets and the only son of the Fujiwara Family. With that, she is already expecting that he will be a busy man when they finish attending university. Perhaps that is one of the reasons why they are eager to get them married. 

She took her phone once again and dialed his number this time. The call connected and a soft sweet smile formed on her lips. She missed him. Hearing his voice is already enough for her. He wanted to go back there but she told him to rest first. 

"I will not attend classes tomorrow. I need to make sure I'm fully recovered before going back to school." She said and she took another sip. 

It took them an hour before she could finally end the call. Her night is completed. She can sleep well and have a good dream since she heard his voice already. She went back to her bedroom and placed the empty cup on the bedside table. She made sure that the glass doors are tightly closed before going back to her bed.