Hello, I am back. Due to high demand for me to continue this story, here I am with a new chapter. Enjoy.

Note: I don’t own Prince of Tennis.

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“So, what’s the outcome, Minister?” Rinko asked.

The Minister shook his head and placed a photograph on the table. Rinko picked up the photo and observed. She snorted.

“Minister, who is this old lady?” She pointed at a lady in the photograph.

“That is Ms. Ryuzaki’s grandmother. She stays with her.”

“Hmmm… what is her family like? Where does she stay? What does her family do for a living?” Rinko asked.

“The Ryuzaki’s are a commoner. There are only two of them. Ms Ryuzaki’s grandmother grows vegetables and sells them. I supposed, they are not very wealthy, your majesty.” The Minister replied.

“I can’t believe Ryoma would want a girl like her. I guess I didn’t brought him up correctly.” She sighed and sat down on a stone chair.

“Your Majesty, if you don’t mind me saying this. I think is a nice and polite girl, she never shows any disrespect to those around her. Maybe, you may want to consider letting the Prince marry her.”

Rinko turned around and folded her arms.

“I can’t let the Prince marry a commoner. We will be the laughing stock of the whole royalties.”

“Maybe it is about time to change that. I believe, Ms Ryuzaki will make a good queen some day.” The Minister said softly.

Rinko remained silent.

I must think of a plan on how to prevent the girl from seeing Ryoma. She thought in silence.

“I know. Minister, I would like you to follow me to the Ryuzaki’s house tomorrow. I just had a brilliant plan.” She grinned.

---

“Obasan, I’m back.” Sakuno said as she entered the house.

Her grandmother smiled happily when she saw her.

“How was practice today?”

Sakuno grinned happily and took off her jacket. She sat next to her grandmother.

“Obasan, have you ever wonder what is it like to stay in a palace?” Sakuno giggled.

“You seem happy. Why would you want to stay in a palace for? I think you won’t have any freedom there.”

“Do you think I will make a good princess? How about as a Queen? What do you think?” Sakuno said excitedly.

Her grandmother remained quiet. She noticed that Sakuno was extremely happy.

“Are you sure you…” Her grandmother words, was being cut off by the sound of the doorbell.

Ding Dong…

Sakuno got up and went to open the door. She was shock to find the Minister, 2 bodyguards and the Queen at the door.

“Your Majesty.” Sakuno quickly bowed.

Rinko scanned around the small living room and turned to look at Sakuno.

“May we come in?” The Minister asked.

“Uh, ah… yes. Please do.” Sakuno replied and ushered them in.

“Sakuno, who is that at the door?” Her grandmother asked, as she came out of the kitchen.

“Your Majesty.” She bowed when she saw the Queen.

“Sakuno, please entertain the guest. I will make coffee.” Her grandmother said and quickly rushed to the kitchen.

Obasan… don’t leave me alone. Sakuno begged in silence.

Sakuno cleared her throat. “So what brings you here, your Majesty.”

Silence. Sakuno shifted in her seat, uncomfortably.

“So, how is your dance practice lately?” Rinko asked after a long silence.

“It’s great. I can’t wait to dance for tomorrow. We practiced hard.” Sakuno replied timidly.

Somebody please save me. The Queen is so scary. Sakuno prayed softly.

“Do you like dancing?” Rinko asked.

Sakuno nodded.

“More than anything else?” Rinko pressed on.

“I…”

“Here are the coffees.” Sakuno’s grandmother said, carrying a tray with 6 teacups of coffees.

She placed the teacups on the table. “Please help yourself, your Majesty.”

“Thank you.” Rinko said and took a sip. She put down the cup on the saucer and turned to the Minister.

“Where are the documents?” She asked the Minister and placed her teacup on the table.

“Here, your Majesty.” The Minister passed a stack of papers to her.

“Ms Ryuzaki. Due to your excellent dance and the hard work that you have shown us, I am glad to inform you that the Royalties have decided to give you a full scholarship to Grand Ballet School of France. It is a good opportunity for you to chase after your dreams.” Rinko said as she placed the registration forms on the coffee table.

Sakuno was surprised and excited at the same time. Her dream is to be a famous ballerina and to perform around the world. She took the forms and read it.

“On top of that, we will provide your family a house in France too. You wouldn’t want to miss a chance like this, don’t you?” Rinko added. She could see that Sakuno is excited with the offer.

“Your Majesty, I don’t know what if I should do this or not.” Sakuno said.

“Then consider it. If you agreed to take this up, you will leave for France the day after tomorrow.” Rinko said.

“I may need to consider first, your Majesty.” Sakuno said softly.

“There’s nothing to lose, my dear.” Rinko said and got up from her seat.

“Reply me back by tomorrow morning. I hope to hear the good news. You will make Japan proud, you know.” Rinko grinned.

---

Sakuno couldn’t sleep that night. The Queen’s sudden visit made her uneasy.

Could it be that the Queen wants to get rid of her, so that she won’t interfere with the royalties’ household?

“If I leave for France, then I won’t be able to see Prince Ryoma anymore. I don’t know what I should do.” Sakuno said sadly.

Tears started to roll down her rosy cheeks.

She knew everything was a mistake. Meeting and knowing the prince was a mistake.

Sakuno took the forms in her hands and read it.

Maybe it is better for me to leave this place. I have caused so much pain to the Prince, and myself... and I can’t bear to see the Prince marry someone else. Sakuno thought in silence.

She took a pen and signed the forms.

---

“Your Majesty, Ms Ryuzaki is here to see you.” The Minister informed Rinko.

“Let her in.” Rinko said, without looking up from her newspaper.

A moment later, Sakuno appeared at her side.

“Your Majesty.” Sakuno bowed.

Rinko put down her newspaper and looked up at Sakuno.

“I hope to hear the good news from you.” Rinko said.

Sakuno passed the forms to her. Rinko looked at the forms and grinned up at her.

“I know you will make the right choice. Show the world what a Japanese can do. Make us proud.” Rinko smiled, satisfied.

“Yes, your Majesty.” Sakuno said softly.

Sakuno was more confused than before, as she leaves the room. She hoped that she had made the right choice.

---

“Sakuno, I finally get to meet you.” Ryoma said when he saw her leaning against the wall.

Sakuno looked up at Ryoma. He looks extremely handsome in his white tuxedo.

“All dressed up for your big day, eh?” Sakuno forced herself to smile at him.

Ryoma laughed. “Don’t be silly. I will definitely choose you among all the girls. I want you to be my bride.”

“Prince Ryoma, don’t be silly. I won’t even get to put on a pretty dress like the other girls. I will only be wearing my ballerina dress, how can I be your bride?”

“I don’t care.” Ryoma said, as he leaned closer to her.

”Prince Ryoma… I… have to go…” Sakuno pushed him back lightly.

“Wait…” Ryoma called out to her, but she ran off before Ryoma could say anything else.

---

The grand ball began when the clock strike 8pm. Princesses from all over the world were there, in elegant dresses and gowns.

Ryoma sat at the top wing and looked down. He scanned the crowd for Sakuno. Finally, he saw her talking with the other dancers.

He observed her for a moment. She looks pretty in the white and fluffy tutu dress. She wore a small crown on her head and her long brown hair was tied up in a neat bun.

An hour passed and lots of performances were played. Ryoma sat up straight, when he saw it was Sakuno’s group turn to perform.

Ryoma watched as Sakuno dance elegantly. She was the lead dancer and her dancing skills are excellent.

“You look so pretty there, I want to touch you.” Ryoma accidentally said aloud.

“Were you saying something?” Nanjiroh asked his son.

“No… haha…” Ryoma laughed lamely.

After all the performance has ended, Ryoma went down and danced with a few princesses. Ryoma scanned around the room, but Sakuno was not in sight.

He only got an hour left, before proposing to his bride to be.

Ryoma stopped dancing and decided to go up to his room. He needs to prepare his speech for later.

Where did you go? I can’t find you. How am I going to propose if you are not there for me? Ryoma thought worriedly.

Ryoma stopped when he saw Sakuno sitting down on the ground infront his room. She was still wearing her ballerina dress. Sakuno looked up at Ryoma.

Ryoma looked at her tear stained face and offered his white handkerchief.

“I am sorry…” Sakuno cried softly and covered her face with her hands.

“Come here.” Ryoma pulled her up and into his room.

He slammed the door shut and locked it.

(Ok, I shall end it here. So, what happens next? Hee hee…)