Who is your Prince when the throne's not looking?
--anti-Imperial protest sign found in Tokyo, Japan (where the former Palace was located, before the cigarette fire of 2002)
Hajime took a deep breath. He hadn't seen Bathilde cry like this before, and he had no idea what to do. Her entire body throbbed as she wailed with her face in her hands. He tried rubbing her shoulders, which used to soothe her, but she pulled herself away. He sat across from her on the floor, struggling to find the right words.
"Bathilde," he said softly, "What's wrong?"
Bathilde sniffled, wiping her nose with an emerald handkerchief. Her eyes were red-rimmed and glossy with tears.
"It's Pearl!" she gasped, "I can't find her anywhere! One minute we're picking mushrooms, and the next...I leave, and I come back and she's...gone!"
"She couldn't have gone far. Where do you think she is?"
"I-I asked the townspeople. They say she was talking to a chubby young man, and they walked away together. The police aren't much help since I couldn't see his face."
"Why?"
"Well, it was far away, and he kept jerking around, all fast-like! I tried casting a spell on my glasses to magnify it, but by the time I remembered, he's gone!"
Hajime clutched his chin and rose to his feet.
"Chubby young man...hmmm. There are a few of those around here."
"Y-You think you know who did it?"
"Maybe, but I can't imagine...!" He shook his head. "People are surprising, though."
"This is my fault, too. I knew she was upset, but not like this!"
"What are you talking about?"
"We got into a fight. She sounded so ungrateful to me, like a spoiled princess. But maybe I was too hard on her; she really is a lamb, like Amma."
Hajime raised an eyebrow.
"Princess. Hmm."
"What about it?"
"Your granddaughter is into royalty, and this town is a close favorite of the Imperial Family." His eyes glittered curiously behind his glasses. "I can't help but wonder if they're involved."
"Oh, Hajime...!"
"What?"
"What would they want with Pearl? She would want them more!"
"Maybe the obsession was mutual. That Prince is a handful, but I never thought...!" He shook his head. "Well, I don't know that for sure."
"This is perfect timing, in a way. You return to work tomorrow, and they're your honored employers."
"I can't wait until tomorrow, though. Not when someone so important is missing."
"I know, I meant you could arrive tonight and say you were getting a head start."
Hajime shook his head.
"Too suspicious. What would I start on? The work is very...in-the-moment."
"That's true, ma bichette. If you prepare a spell too far in advance, there's bound to be chaos."
"She's your granddaughter. You should come, too."
"Then we can go together-- as new employees."
Hajime froze. He smirked, his mouth twisting into a wry grin.
"You don't mean with potions do you?"
"What else would we use, ma bichette? Potions are our favorite method of disguise and teleportation!"
She wiped her eyes and leapt up, gripping Hajime tightly by the wrists. Her gap-toothed grin now cut her face completely in half.
"Come now! Won't this be the easiest way to get her back!"
"If we do it right," he chuckled, "It wouldn't be as chaotic as I feared."
"Then follow me, ma bichette. We need more ingredients for our potions-- convincing ones."
As she bustled toward the door, basket in arm, Hajime sat frowning at the table. She noticed and stopped, opening the door halfway.
"Hajime, ma bichette...?"
"Hmmm! I don't know how I feel about this-- deceiving my employer."
"Well, Hajime, dear, sometimes we have to live deceptively to die honorably."
"I would die for that family."
"And I would die for mine."
"Yes, but...before we set out, I'd like to channel an image of what's happening in that Palace."
Bathilde closed the door and hobbled towards him. Her eyes flashed curiously.
"Well...I wonder that myself, dear."
Hajime walked into the small kitchen and grabbed a wide tin bowl. He set the bowl in the sink and turned on cold water, filling it nearly to the brim. He staggered back to the sitting area, trying not to let the water spill on the water.
"There," he breathed, slamming the bowl on the table, "Let's look for her. Close your eyes and picture Pearl's face, her voice-- the last few minutes you saw her."
Bathilde nodded and closed her eyes. Her mind pulsed with Pearl-- her sweet, heart-shaped face with big, glowing brown eyes. Her soft, rippling laugh. The way her mind shaped a bowl of melted red candle-wax. The stiff way she stood as Bathilde walked down that green hill....
"Keep 'em closed," Hajime muttered.
He reached into his pocket, rattling something hard and metallic. Bathilde knit her brows.
"What is that?"
"Special sea-stones for water-gazers," he explained, "You'll see them soon."
Plonk! Plonk! Plonk! He dropped three stones into the water, and Bathilde shivered as cool moisture brushed her face. Hajime took a deep breath and chanted:
"O great Suijin, bearer of water,
Shape the truth before my eyes!
A human life is at stake,
And family must reunite!"
Bathilde blinked. A silvery beam of light emitted from the bowl, shining up to the ceiling. Hajime nodded and motioned for her to look into the water. Bathilde nodded back and scooted towards the bowl. She tipped her head down and examined the swirling, colorful image in the water.
Pearl was sitting in a lavish ivory room, surrounded by ancient swords and marble sculptures. Her dark eyes scoured the room, bulging in terror. She was in a fluffy crimson chair, and her bare feet rested on an equally fluffy, equally crimson rug. A blue floral teacup rested on a small brown table, emitting white frothy steam. A young maid hovered in the background, cleaning things here and there. The maid occasionally nodded and smiled at Pearl, who replied with a faint nod, a faint grin. She trembled as she reached for her tea, causing some to splash over the rug. The maid got on her hands and knees, scrubbing so hard that Bathilde's muscles burned just watching it. When the maid finished, she leapt to her feet and said something to Pearl, who replied with a giggle.
"Why can't we hear it?" Bathilde cried, "I-Is she somewhere beyond our understanding?"
"Oh, no. I should've told you, in water-gazing you can see the subject, but not hear them."
Bathilde nodded and returned to the scene. Pearl moved quickly and nervously, but seemed more comfortable without her white corset-- which lay like sea-foam across the glossy ivory floor. The Prince entered, along with a short, plump man. The Prince sat beside Pearl, and the plump man sat on the other side of her. She and the Prince chatted for a bit, until her nerves subsided, and she laughed easier. In return, he laughed at some of her jokes-- and ran a hand over her knee. The plump man looked on with bright, curious eyes.
"That's Tadashi," Hajime explained, "He's half earth-elf and works in the kitchen."
"He ought to get cooking!"
"Yes, well...it seems the Prince can be friendly when he wants."
"Too friendly. He needs to keep his hand off her!"
While Tadashi began a conversation with Pearl, the Prince sprawled his long, toned legs across the sofa. Pearl slid off a fluffy pink slipper, revealing a small, pale foot with translucent skin that shined gently in the dim light. The nails of her long toes were painted dark-plum, contrasting with her light-pink fingernails. With one hand she grabbed a long flickering candle, and gripped a plain blue-and-white vase in the other. The Prince said something to her, and she nodded faintly, before closing her eyes and chanting a spell. Bathilde froze. She knew it was a chant by the slow, precise movements of her lips-- but still she couldn't read them. Wax dripped into the vase, but before they could see the transformation, the water rippled back into a reflection of the couple's worried, wrinkled faces.
"I'm sorry the image only lasts for so long," Hajime murmured, "But it seems like we learned a lot from that. The Prince wants her, but why?"
"He likes her, silly," Bathilde chuckled, "Pearl is a beautiful lady; I'm surprised she hasn't broken more hearts."
The old wizard rested his chin on two folded hands.
"Beautiful and picky. Good combination-- but too rare these days."
"If you'd like, I can set my mind somewhere. That way I can hear what they're saying, and report to you."
"Why didn't you say so? It would've made this like a movie!"
"I-I...it's spottier than it used to be, ma bichette."
"I understand. I thought that room looked a little spotty myself."
"Mon Dieu!" Bathilde gasped, "Whose room was it? What part of the Palace is it in? Could you still tell?"
Hajime massaged his temples. When he looked at her, the words dropped from his mouth the way the pebbles had dropped into the water:
"I-I've never seen that room in my life."
Bathilde looked deep into his eyes, and saw a scared little boy trapped behind their faint, shivering glow.
XXX
Why can't Hinata just marry Sadako?! Are you insane?! We are not incestuous barbarians! She is his cousin, and furthermore, I believe her parents are in the process of finding her a suitable husband. Even if she wasn't family, I wouldn't have liked her anyway. I don't care how sweet she is. She is tall and big-boned and terribly clumsy. She is very flashy in her puffy white coat. You ever hear a tea-kettle whistle? Her laugh sounds like that.
--the Empress on her niece
After a day, Pearl didn't know what to think. One minute she was fighting with Grandma Bathilde as she picked flowers from a field, the next, she was sitting on the comfiest couch in the world. Whisked away by a Prince's handsome servant, lounging in the comfort of his "private guest house." She didn't know what Hajime and Bathilde were on about; The Prince's conversation had been light and witty thus far, and he wasn't acting creepy around her. Furthermore, he had an almost encyclopedic knowledge of Old Hollywood. Fool where? she thought, sipping her tea, This is the kindest man I've met! Sure, he greets me by kissing my cheek, smoothing my hair and knees...he even noticed my feet! But Princes are supposed to be charmers, aren't they?
"Ah, I was so excited to invite you, I forgot to ask your name," the Prince said smoothly, flicking a piece of hair back, "What was it again?"
"Pearl. Pearl Solstice."
The Prince grinned and ran a warm hand over her knee.
"Miss Solstice, I like your name. Who did your parents name you for, pearl-clutching ancestors, Pearl S. Buck, the shiny fruit of oysters?"
"You got it right the second time," she giggled, flapping her hand, "Mom wanted to name me 'Marguerite,' because she's French and it means 'pearl', but Dad thought it was too long. They compromised by naming me after one of his favorite authors."
"A great lady!" the Prince beamed, "And so very knowledgeable of Asia...."
Tadashi walked over with a cup of his own tea and began to drink. Pearl studied him closely. Just as handsome as Hinata...if not more so!
"This young guy here," she pointed toward Tadashi, "Told me it's Japanese custom for a man to invite a woman over in a field. Old superstition, eh?"
The Prince elbowed Tadashi's ribs.
"Baka!" he whispered, "Why did you say that, Amano Tadashi?! That's the dumbest lie I've heard!"
"Well, I...."
"I heard the servants talking about a Princess Olympia," she continued, "They say you're going to marry her."
The Prince took a sip of tea and returned to touching Pearl's knee.
"That's what they call Princess Achara of Thailand. She played a doll named Olympia in an opera."
"Oh! I'm not too keen on opera; you should show me sometime."
"She's a nice girl-- lady --she said she wants commoners at the wedding." He smirked, but Pearl was putting her slipper on-- oblivious to the expression.
"So is that why you called me in," she asked, "To invite me to the wedding?"
"Well...." The Prince scratched his chin. Tadashi nodded at him, gesturing for him to continue. "In fact, yes. Yes, you are, Miss Solstice."
Pearl smiled and leant forward.
"Please. Call me Pearl."
She opened her hand and the Prince clasped it gently, giving her a long, slow handshake. When he let go, she noticed sadness swirling in his eyes.
"Of course, you're no ordinary commoner, Pearl," he said softly, running long fingers through his slick black hair, "Your grandmother's with Hajime, my court wizard."
"Will he be there too?"
"Maybe. But the man's getting on in years, Miss Pearl. He has lighter duties, and the wedding will be long, to say the least."
"Oooh, Grandma would love to come!" she cried, "And my Mom and Dad...! Can I invite my family? I promise, there's not too many...!"
"NO! Don't tell anyone!"
The Prince's tone was so sharp that Pearl jumped. He shuddered at her sudden movement, but she wasn't convinced.
"B-Because I'm a guest?"
The Prince nodded gravely.
"E-Exactly. If other commoners knew you're invited, it would spread like fire!"
"The wedding's not for a few days," Tadashi explained, "Hinata-Sama still has to meet his fiancee."
"Fiancee? I never...!"
"Well, you see, he's not too keen on sharing details," Tadashi chuckled, but Pearl could tell he meant it playfully rather than cruelly. "But if it's with a great opera diva, who am I to judge? I'd love to be surrounded by music, all day, every day."
Pearl smiled, amazed at his own handsomeness-- the shaggy hair and chubby cheeks made her feel warm and cozy inside.
"Do you like opera, Tadashi?"
"Of course."
He jokingly sang a few off-key notes of "Largo al Factotum", causing her to giggle. The Prince folded his hands, clearly annoyed.
"I talked to my parents about it, and apparently we're...secretly engaged."
"They're crazy. You don't even know her!"
"Now, that's not true. I met her when Linnea was crowned Queen of Sweden."
"But that must've been...." She counted on her fingers. "Years ago."
"My parents want me married as soon as possible. I'm their only child, and if there's no heir...."
"But still! It's so...old-fashioned."
Prince Hinata chuckled.
"We do things a little differently in the royal world."
Pearl nodded and drank some more tea.
"So...will any other guests be staying in this house?"
"Ohhh...." The Prince twisted his mouth. "They'll be out and about-- in various rooms of the Palace. You'll all meet each other at the wedding. Surprise! That's the fun of it, is it not?"
He snuck up behind Tadashi and pinched his shoulder. The other servant winced and toppled forward. Pearl smiled awkwardly, not knowing whether to laugh or not.
A woman's deep voice rolled down the hall.
"Tadaaaaashi!" Slippers slapped the hard floor. "Tadashi, is that you?!"
A stocky, middle-aged woman rushed in. Scraggly black hair was tied in a low ponytail, emphasizing her wide square face. Pearl looked at her, then Tadashi.
"Who's this?"
"I was about to ask you the same thing!" the woman boomed, looking Pearl up and down, "There hasn't been a white woman in this guest-room before!"
"Th-This is my mother," Tadashi said, blushing as he rubbed her shoulder, "Wh-What are you doing here, Mom?"
"I couldn't find you anywhere!" barked the woman, "I needed some help making dinner. I asked everyone and Kanako said she saw you go into the private guest-house with the Prince and some...girl." She snorted at Pearl. "Something's off here, boys. Would you mind getting it overwith?"
"I...I...!" Tadashi gasped.
"Hoshiko," snapped the Prince, "It's none of your business. Get back to work!"
Hoshiko folded her thick arms. She raised an eyebrow and clenched her teeth.
"It very much is my business when His Imperial Highness is engaged to the Princess, and I see a...a...woman in his guest house!"
"I...It's not what you think! She's a...!"
"Journalist," Pearl finished, causing everyone to watch her with wide eyes.
Tadashi went pale, but the Prince gave Pearl a little half-smile. Hoshiko's mouth opened slightly.
"You? A journalist? Why so early? And why in the guest house?"
"It's part of my method," Pearl replied, standing a little taller and folding her hands behind her back, "To immerse myself completely in the royal lifestyle, so I can better report on it."
"What's your name?" Hoshiko demanded.
"Pearl. Pearl Solstice."
She extended her hand for Hoshiko to shake, but she recoiled in disgust.
"The gossip journalist? Ugh, I should've figured!"
Hoshiko sniffed and stomped out of the room, but not without dragging Tadashi by the arm. The Prince snickered coldly to himself.
"A journalist," he chuckled, "You certainly are quick, Pearl!"
"Ohhh...that's not a lie, though. I really am one."
"Who do you write for?"
"I freelance, but it's mostly women's stuff. Vogue, Cosmopolitan, InStyle, People. I wish I could write for Tatler, but...!"
"But that's not why you're here."
"No. It's only half-true, Your Imperial Highness. Besides, I'm Canadian." She smiled awkwardly.
"I see. But that creativity of yours...it shouldn't be constrained to writing articles in women's magazines."
"Why, they give me a lot of freedom! Plus I like research and everything."
"I mean...." He ran a long, strong hand through her hair. "As an esteemed guest, you can report on the wedding."
"Well, I...I can't just write something unassigned. Plus I took off work to visit, and...."
Hinata waved a hand.
"That's nothing to worry about! With your fluency in Japanese, you can write for one of our magazines."
"Really?
"Really. You slept well last night...if my maid is to judge the bed covers correctly."
Pearl grinned awkwardly at the fluffy pink bed.
"Y-Yeah, it was nice, wasn't it?"
"You sleep beautifully."
Pearl didn't know how to react to this. This was a weird thing to say, but he must have meant well.... She exhaled deeply. Relax, girl...just look at the gentle glow in those eyes!
"The doors even creak in a relaxing way-- and the wind almost reminds me of footsteps."
He blushed lightly at this, but bowed low.
"Please enjoy your stay. I want nothing but the best for my journalist."
"Domo arigato, Hinata-Sama! I can't wait to meet the other journalists!"
"Ahhh...and meet you shall!"
The Prince kissed her on the cheek, folded his hands behind his back, and descended slowly down the wiry spiral staircase. She touched the warm spot gently. His skin prickled in excited goosebumps and his heart hammered against bone. He smiled. This woman is going to make a perfect princess. I can feel it in the regal way she stands. In the stupidity, the childlike gullibility of her brain! If only half the common women were as perfect..! I'd be the most popular Prince this land has ever known!