Tokyo Ever After: A Novel (Tokyo Ever After #1)(43)

As soon as the palace is in view, I dart toward the car door. The vehicle stops just as I pop the handle and dive out, but Akio chases me.

“I’m sorry,” he says.

I twirl around. “No.” I try for a lighthearted tone, even go for a little laugh. I don’t quite nail either. “It’s totally my mistake. I misread the signals. Stupid, right?”

“Izumi—”

Wind ruffles my dress. “It’s Your Highness, isn’t it?” Akio blinks, taken aback, but I’d rather have his anger than his pity. I soften my tone. “Wouldn’t want any lines to be blurred.”

His takes a big breath. “Will you require anything else this evening?”

My chin trembles. “No. Thank you.”

“Goodnight, then. If it’s okay with you, I’ll wait here and make sure you get safely inside.” It’s totally unnecessary. Still, I manage a sharp nod.

Ten wobbly steps and I slip through the door. I listen for the sound of the car driving away, but I don’t hear it. He’s still out there. A knot twists and tightens in my belly, and I sink to the floor.

God. I’m such a fool.





18


I’m shaken awake by tiny yet strong hands. What fresh hell is this? My gummy eyelids slide open.

“Izumi-sama,” Mariko says. “You must get up now.”

Bleary-eyed, I sit up. Damn, I feel like roadkill. Nothing like crying yourself to sleep. “Wha—”

“The Crown Prince is waiting for you.” Mariko is in much distress. She buzzes about the room, arms full of clothes and slippers. I throw my legs over the bed.

She dresses me in under fifteen minutes. I am of little help. My arms and legs are wooden and stiff like a doll. “Did you even wash your face?” Mariko tsks, wiping my cheeks with a cold washcloth. Though she’s being gentle, it slaps me awake. A little makeup, a brush raked through my hair, and I am pushed through the door.

The hallway seems brighter than usual, but it could be my crying hangover. Tears are really a bitch. Mr. Fuchigami and a whole gaggle of chamberlains are gathered outside my father’s office. Butlers and valets are also hanging around, loading monogrammed luggage into a waiting imperial vehicle.

“Good morning,” I say warily.

Mr. Fuchigami is solemn. “Your Highness. The Crown Prince is in his office.”

I swallow and nod. My heartbeat pounds behind my ears as I knock on the door and slip inside.

My father exhales seeing me. “Izumi. Please come in. Sit down.” I shuffle forward and collapse into a chair with a dainty thud. My father sits behind his desk. He’s in a suit and tie, pristine, though he appears a little tired. Guess we both had a rough night. My head is pounding and I’m pretty sure my face is still puffy. I didn’t have the heart to look in the mirror.

“Feels like I’ve been sent to the principal’s office.” I clasp my hands in front of me. “If this is about the prime minister’s wedding—”

“We need to talk—”

We speak at the same time. Pause. Stare at each other.

“You first,” says my father, opening his hands.

My fingernails dig into my palms. I try to look at my father, but my chin doesn’t seem inclined to go in that direction. Instead, it points down at my lap. “The prime minister’s wedding … I’m sorry.” My cheeks heat thinking of the moment—of the Shining Twins’ smiles, of how I embarrassed my father, of Akio’s stinging rejection.

My father says nothing. I force my chin up and wish I hadn’t. His mouth is a flat line. He drums his fingers against his lacquered desk. “We were fortunate media wasn’t allowed at the event. I cannot imagine the consequences in the papers. Pictures of you running from the wedding would be all over on the cover. The speculation … or if they actually found out you insulted the prime minister.” He shakes his head. “It would have been awful.”

“I’m sorry,” I say again. Is there a word for lower than low? “It’s just that Akiko and Noriko said you didn’t mention the prime minister’s sister in your speech, and so I thought, maybe I should mention it.… I was only trying to help,” I finish weakly.

He shakes his head. “The feud has been public and very ugly. I’m sure you misheard.”

“But…” I say, flabbergasted.

He leans back, and that’s the end of the discussion. “It doesn’t matter how it happened. As members of the imperial family, we’re expected to be beyond reproach.”

“I get it,” I say evenly, though I kind of don’t. I apologized and tried to explain myself. Did I ever stand a chance in this new world? You don’t know what you don’t know, and you’ll be blamed for it. He scrubs a hand over his face, seemingly at a loss for words.

Heads bob outside the window; valets are loading luggage. I peer out the glass. “Is someone going somewhere?”

He straightens up. “Yes.” He’s still a bit off. We’re a bit off. “I’m leaving.”

“You’re leaving?” Oh. Wow. Just give me a moment to scoop my heart up off the floor. “When? Where are you going?”

“I was supposed to depart early this morning, but I delayed so I could speak with you. It’s an unscheduled trip. The emperor, my father, isn’t feeling well.” At my concerned look, he waves a hand. “Nothing serious. He’s fatigued, I believe. Too much traveling. I’ve been asked to fill in for him.”