Nana and Rino were obviously learning their way on royal duties as well. But compared to Kaoru the two of them were much more serious. For Rino it was considered normal, ever since they woke up he was the one who diligently studied and trained.What shock everyone the most was Nana, she had somehow became much more quiet and started learning diligently. People would sometimes speak among themselves.
"Was she possessed by princess Eureka?"
"Did the real princess Nana disappeared as well?"
"Did she hit her head somewhere?"
And the likes. But of course they never said it out loud, for she was still the princess. They were just baffled, what had happened to their playful princess? The only time they saw her become diligent was when she had a fight with princess Eureka.
Yet even during that time she still had times where they would hear her complain about how difficult it was.
Rino glanced to the girl beside him, both of them were in the library reading a few files regarding the past happenings in the kingdom. She was so serious and was taking every detail, digesting them. She was truly learning.
Only he knows the reason for this, no, their parents as well. Nana was diligently studying after realizing a crucial point during one of their dinners.
(Flashback)
As they eat silently, Nana suddenly gasped exaggeratedly. She then look at every person in the table with wide eyes.
"Natsuki is training to be the king."
Everyone glanced at each other as they furrowed their brows. That was an obvious thing, why did she suddenly looked like she just learned about it now?
Rino, after a few seconds, realized what she was pertaining to. He then sighed before looking at her seriously, "That is why you have to study diligently as well. How do you expect him to marry you? What would you do there? Just smile at the people?"
Akihiro and Haruka looked at each other before realizing that Nana have indeed haven"t fully started learning the etiquette of being the queen. To be more precise, even the life of a princess was not truly learned by her.
Nana first looked like it was dooms day, just thinking about all the books she had to read, and all the lessons she had to take. She couldn"t help but grimace.
She suddenly remembered his words before he left. She then pouted, if she don"t do all those lessons then surely she wouldn"t be good enough for him. He was a serious one, just like her brother and sister. Obviously he would be an outstanding king when the time comes.
What about her then?
Her brother was right, would she just smile?
Bow here? Bow there? Smile here? Smile there?
She shuddered upon imagining this and imagining how all the people would be talking behind her back. Especially about her not befitting Natsuki at all, for she had no brains and only has the look.
"NO!!"
Everyone was startled when she suddenly stood up and shouted as if seeing something unpleasant.
"Sit down Nana, what are you doing shouting during dinner?" Haruka couldn"t help but to reprimand her.
"Mother, Father, I need to study. I can"t let those people look at me with disdain and speak that I am not worthy of Natsuki," she then said as she sat down. Her face full of terror as it contorted as if she was once again hearing their mocking words.
Akihiro and Haruka obviously did not object, despite them trying themselves from laughing by her tremendous imagination.
They are very much certain that the Confederate people have already accepted her as their queen, especially since she had drawn out different emotions from their ice cold prince. Ichiro said so as well.
(End of Flashback)
Rino smiled after remembering that night, he"s very much sure that once Eureka returns and finds out that Nana, once in her life, have actually seriously studied and learned, sh would surely be delighted.
Upon remembering this, the brightness in his eyes lessened tremendously. This sudden change in atmosphere was felt by Nana, she looked up from the file that she was reading and saw the sad look in her brother"s eyes as he look at the papers in his hands.
She silently returned to what she was reading, there"s nothing she can do about that. She knows why there are times that Rino would suddenly fell into a silent sadness, for she too would end up doing that whenever she remembers Eureka.
But is there anyone who would blame them?
She smiled deprecatingly, they really was not given a long time to make it up to her.
Noticing that she too have started falling into despair once again, she took a deep breath and shook off the depressing feeling, returning to her studies.
Rino also shook his sadness and looked back at his papers. They need to become better, that"s the only thing they can do right now.
*****
Another month pa.s.sed after the departure of the two kingdoms, and Aurora have somehow started really getting back up on their feet. And during this time.
Yukimura suddenly barged in Akihiro"s office, panting, his eyes were wide in shock. This sudden appearance made Akihiro confused. Yukimura had always been watchful over his image when he was outside his home.
"What"s going on with you? Did you see a ghost?" he couldn"t help but ask
Yukimura raised his hand as he catch his breath, before looking up at Akihiro once again, "H- He"s awake. Leo"s awake."
Akihiro"s eyes also grew wide upon hearing this piece of news. How long, just how long has it been since they have dreamt of re uniting with this friend of theirs?
Akihiro, without a care for his image as well, left everything and run with Yukimura. Kaoru who was at the adjacent room, heard Yukimura"s exclamation. And so he too stood up and run, following the two of them.
Upon reaching the hospital room, as they reach the door, they could clearly hear Layla"s and Azusa"s cry. Looking inside, they saw him sitting.
Slowly they entered the room, Leo looked at them full of confusion. He was confused of what is happening, why was he in the hospital? Why are his family with him? Why are his friends there as well? And ll of them were looking at him full of shock and… happiness?
He was still in a daze, he had just woken for what felt like a tremendously long sleep. But what made him baffled even more was the fact that he can move his own body.
When he opened his eyes, he was first alarmed. Then he silently moved a finger first, then his hand to his arm. That"s what caught Layla and Azusa"s attention, they were just chatting by the side.
"Leo!!""Father!!"
He heard them exclaim at the same time, so he slowly sat up and turned his head. What welcomed his vision was their tear streaked faces, together with their eyes filled with happiness.
But before he could comprehend anything, Yukimura, Akihiro and Kaoru came rus.h.i.+ng in. All three looked at him with wide eyes, but the happiness in their eyes couldn"t be hidden.
"Wh- What"s going on? Wh- Why am I alive?" he finally blurted out full of difficulty.
His throat was so dry that it made it difficult for him to speak. At the same time he felt very weak.
No one could still speak, as Yukimura and Akihiro started crying as well. They didn"t answer his question instantly as they cried right there and then. Seeing his eyes, they knew that Leo have really returned. Their old friend have truly returned to all of them.
Kaoru could only watch from the side, then he was joined by Akito. He was the one who informed Yukimura of Leo"s awakening.
"A splendid miracle, if you ask me," he said to Kaoru solemnly.
"I"m no longer shocked that he really returned, after that girl came here I"ve been shocked for so many times that I already found everything normal. Despite that, I truly am happy for my brother and for Leo"s family," Kaoru replied with happiness visible in his voice.
A few nurses and doctors, even other patients couldn"t help but to peak. Their head knight and king run fl.u.s.tered after all. They knew that their former hero was in that room. SO seeing their fl.u.s.tered looks, these people knew that he must have woken up.
Seeing that more and more people are peaking inside the room, "At the count of three. If I still see another personnel or patient here, I would use my strongest sedative to bring them to dreamland."
Akito"s words were like magic, for before he could even start counting. The whole corridor became deserted. Kaoru could only laugh at this scene, Akito may no longer have the poison ability but he was still as scary as ever.
Raven was already there as well, watching from the side and taking in everything that Akihiro and the others were showing. The changes in their emotions, the way they arrived. He was taking everything in. As if memorizing every scene that goes on in that hospital room. He didn"t speak nor made any other sound.