- Stay?
- I don't trust you anymore. - That sentence pierced deep, like a sharp blade, and it was as if he had punched me straight in the stomach.
- How?
- I love you. But I love her too, perhaps more than you. She's, my sister. We have the same blood. I would die for her, without thinking twice. I can't let anyone hurt her. I hope you understand that.
I looked away, focusing on the floor. I took a deep breath, trying to gather the strength to reply, but ended up remaining silent.
- Prince Naruto, there you are. - Hinata called out, appearing in the corridor. - I couldn't ask before, but is our dinner still on?
Naruto replied, without looking away from me.
- Of course. We'll eat in your room.
Hinata blushed, and that gesture, that complicity, hurt more than I expected.
- Sakura, are you really leaving? - Hinata asked, with a spark of hope in her moon-like eyes. Who could blame her? I don't.
- No, Hinata, not today.
She tried to hide her smile, but I saw the flaw, one second, just one second. It was enough for me to realize. Hinata was the strongest competitor. Pakura was charming and knew how to use seduction to her advantage, the kind that could make a man think the unthinkable. Tenten had a unique connection, and was perhaps the thread of peace that would unite the Lightning nations. I had the prince's heart, even though he no longer trusted me, but still loved me. Hinata was beautiful, kind, from a noble family, almost of royal blood. All the points in her favor as queen were against me.
- I was really worried about you last night. - She hugged me, and I knew it wasn't a lie. She really did care. - I'll see you later, and I'll see my prince in the evening.
Hinata walked up the stairs with the grace of a princess, calm, elegant, as if floating, detached from the world of mortals.
- I know you don't like it, but I need her. If you fail me, she's the best choice.
- It doesn't matter. - I shrugged, trying not to show how much his words hurt me. - I won't fail you.
I kissed him, a quick kiss, and ran up the stairs. I would fight for him, with all the claws and teeth I had. He would trust me again.
But when I stepped onto the second floor, she was there.
- Your Majesty.
- Miss Sakura, are you still with us? - The princess said, with a smile of superiority.
- Yes.
A group of guards passed us, bowing respectfully to the princess.
- Let's get down to business. - She said, cold as steel, objective as an assassin's blade cutting through vulnerable skin. - What do you think of my mother?
A painted portrait of Queen Kushina adorned the wall, her image imposing.
- I don't know much about her, princess.
She laughed, a laugh that exuded mockery.
- I know that much. You know nothing, you're completely ignorant.
- She was a rare woman. Beautiful, no doubt. Humble, brave, obedient, good-natured, great company. Even though she came from poverty, she seemed made to be a queen. - I paused for a moment, as if recalling her image. - She had a unique presence.
Karin looked at me with blood-red eyes and, for a second, I thought she had already spilled someone's blood.
- Her beauty is average. Pale, skinny, your hair draws attention because of its strangeness, but it's not much. You're nothing compared to Pakura. And your temper... - She snorted, exasperated. - Rude, funny, irresponsible and hot-tempered. Completely inconsequential. A mediocre posture and a gait that doesn't match her position. Hinata is much kinder, gentler. - Karin laughed scornfully. - Not to mention that we have nothing to gain from you. You come from a low caste, but not enough to inspire the masses. Tenten could be the link we need for the country of Thunder. You're the worst of the worst. What makes you stay?
- You should ask the prince.
- I'm asking you. She snarled; anger evident in every word.
- He wants me here, and I want to stay. As long as those two desires exist, I'll be here.
- You're ugly, clumsy, rude and, worst of all... a damn pauper, almost a beggar.
- If that's true, if I'm as little as you say, he'll soon send me away. Don't worry, princess.
- But I do. She moaned, furious. If he's stupid enough, as I know he is, to choose you, your prowess could destroy decades of hard work by my ancestors. All because you imagined you were a hero.
She dug her long nails into my arm. I wanted to push her, to pull out a good tuft of that hair, I'd do better this time. And I'd challenge any guard who tried to get me off her.
- You're not going to be queen, Karin. Put the ball down.
And at that moment, I knew that that sentence hurt her more than any slap could have done.
***
I kept running the brush over Dancer's back, trying to distract myself. I had found a certain calm when the butler arrived at the stables, holding my pink paper ticket, still intact.
- "The prince is painting with Miss Pakura at the moment, malady," he said, with a slight nod. - I can escort you to your chambers, if you wish.
I looked down, focusing on my boots and perfectly ironed riding clothes, before he could offer once more. Then, without a second thought, I stood up and settled into the saddle. Sunset was approaching, and I wasn't going to miss the opportunity to admire that scene just because the prince preferred the company of another.
The weather was relatively cold. Christmas was approaching, and soon the servants would start decorating the palace with red balls and grandiose trees. Christmas reminded me of snowball wars on the farm, putting more hay in the stables, drinking hot tea after work, and Ino playing the cello in the big house.
Izumi would take care of Ino, that's what she promised. Find her and send her resources, that's what she would do. I didn't need to worry, but still, anxiety consumed me.
- "Run, Sasuke!" - I shouted, pulling him behind the bench. Two snowballs, as twin as the one who threw them, hit the white wood.
- We're losing! - warned Uchiha, as if it needed to be said.
- We're losing because you can't run. - Ino and Deidara's laughter was incessant, and more snowballs flew past, scraping over my head. It was the happiest day of my life.
- Where exactly are you going?
When did it arrive? Where did it come from? I didn't know. But there was Naruto.
- How was the painting lesson with Pakura? - I asked, trying to sound casual, even though I was almost saying everything.