Chapter One Hundred and Nineteen: Why Are Boys So Damn Complicated?

Christina's Arc: Bend or Break

I carried my angry prince to his premarital home, fully aware of the turmoil doing so had helped create in the first place. Prince style, of course.

“Your Grace,” Ayame started. “I can carry Carter. Please don’t burden yourself with such a lowly task.”

If I stop and scold her, Antwon might wake up. That would be fine unless he started complaining. I’m not in the right state of mind to deal with it; I’d probably drop him. Consequences be damned.

The hardest part is going to be the stairs since his legs are so fucking long. But I don’t mind them when we’re in bed.

“I can always call the other guards, Your Grace.”

Calling them would prove pointless and harmful. I can carry Antwon just fine, and calling them would only pull them out of their current defensive positions. But why must his parents live on the third floor?

Well, I kind of knew what I was asking for when I claimed him. Now, I only need to adjust to being responsible for him. I’m responsible for another living creature, and that’s fine. I only wish he were more grateful at times.

We finally made it to the door of his premarital home, but I didn’t have a key.

“I’ll get it, Your Grace,” Ayame said; then she moved to the door, opened it, and grabbed her blade.

The apartment was dark with no traces of life. No gentle humming, no savory smells, and no shoes in the genkan.

I stood to the side of the door, ensuring Antwon’s safety.

Ayame crouched down, as if she would strike. Then she whispered—

“There is truth, sister.”

…

“Only in bloom,” Natsuki called back. Then the lights came on.

“All clear, sister!” Natsuki screamed as she leaped out of the doorway.

“Captain, you’re not supposed to come out right away. What if we weren’t us? Then what would you do?”

…

“But you are you,” Natsuki said, oblivious to Ayame’s warning.

But what did she expect? It’s Natsuki after all. Even if she did abruptly expose herself to her enemy, they would be the ones in trouble, and if they managed to kill her, she would take many of them with her.

“Aww,” Natsuki cooed, grabbing Antwon out of my arms. “You’re so sleepy, aren’t you? Well, Natsuki has you now, and I’m going to hold you until you wake up,” she whispered while cradling him like a baby before entering the apartment.

Ayame and I exchanged glances.

“I thought you’d be upset with me for letting Natsuki take Antwon, Ayame?”

She rolled her neck and worked a knot out of her left shoulder.

“Of course not, Your Grace. I just didn’t want him to enjoy your rapturous benevolence,” Ayame said, ushering me into the apartment.

Once we were in the living room, I searched for Antwon’s father.

“Where is my father-in-law, Natsuki? Is he asleep this early in the afternoon?”

Natsuki shook her head.

“Ah, then where is he?” I asked.

“He wanted to make something special for you,” Natsuki cooed to Antwon. “Something that will chase that nasty head monster away for a bit.”

Natsuki plopped down on the sofa, causing Antwon’s head to bounce against her arm.

My hands twitched, and my heart jumped on instinct at the sight of his head roughly bouncing in her arms.

“He asked Yua if she could take him into the market. Yua put on normal clothes, and they looked like a couple. I told them, and Yua blushed. Mr. Carter’s head monster started to show, so I told Yua to be careful,” Natsuki said.

I took a deep breath and walked over to Natsuki.

I leaned against the back of the sofa.

“Hey, Natsuki. You need to be gentle with boys and men, okay? The way you sat down could have hurt him. Consider this practice for when you have your own man, so you don’t end up hurting him by accident,” I said, making my voice as supportive as possible.

“Okay, Christina,” Natsuki said.

Then a soft thud came from across the room as Ayame plopped down on the single sofa across from us.

“But only treat the guys you like with care, or else they’ll think they’ve got you in their trap. Right, Your Grace?”

I raised a brow.

If I recall correctly, Ayame Tetsuzaki, you were unsuccessful at courting any men on your own, and I’m putting that lightly. You sucked and became a complete mess when any guy looked at you.

“Was this before or after my hani set you up with your consort, Tetsuzaki? Remember that night, Natsuki?”

Ayame blushed. Natsuki got really excited.

“I, Ayame Tetsuzaki, hereby claim Jun—” Natsuki said, looking down at Antwon. Then Tetsuzaki threw a pillow at her face.

“It ain’t funny, Captain!”

***

I stepped out of the bathroom, fully revitalized. My hair, however, was a wet mess that would require strenuous brushing, but it’s the price I had to pay for being me.

I walked over to the couch where Antwon was sleeping in Natsuki’s arms, picked him up, and carried him to the bathroom. Once we were inside, I placed him on the toilet seat. Then, I went to his room, which I guess was our room now, and grabbed a set of consort-appropriate nightwear. I ensured both top and bottom were present, then headed back to Antwon.

He looked so damn cute when he wasn’t spitting venomous words. I know how to wake him, but let’s test our latest agreement. The life of his nerd friends for access.

I kissed his cheek, then waited for a reaction.

…

I kissed closer to his lips.

…

Then I kissed his neck, softly biting into it.

“Come on, Christina. Give me some damn air,” he grumbled.

“Okay, hani. You can go back to sleep after you’ve showered,” I said, placing the pajamas I wanted him to wear in his lap. “You’re in the bathroom, and Sakura is on her way. So, enjoy it while there is still hot water.”

…

Antwon started to drift back to sleep.

“If you’d like, I can shower with—”

Antwon sprang up, eyes fully open, and started pushing me out of the bathroom.

“I got it. I freaking got it. Now, get out!”

He hurriedly pushed me out of the bathroom, which was fine for now.

I walked to the sofa and sat next to Natsuki. Then I sighed deeply.

"What's wrong, little sister?" she asked.

"Some soon-to-be-dead bitch was holding Carter's hand. Then, when we kindly told her to fuck off, she challenged us while standing at the point of my blade." Ayame scoffed.

While that isn't actually how it happened, it was a decent assessment. Also, I wanted to tell Natsuki, but fine.

"Did you kill her, little sister? Do you want me to?"

"No," I said, handing Natsuki a hairbrush.

Natsuki and Ayame, whom I didn't have to ask, both stood up and walked to the other side of the sofa. I flipped my moist hair over the back of the sofa. Each guard took a section and started brushing my hair.

Ah, the burden of being queen.

"What was her name again… It pissed me off. Oh! Shirogane, that was her fucking name," I said, feeling a slight tug on my hair. "Who did that?" I asked.

"S-sorry, Christina. I didn't mean to. It's just that I-I think I know her sister if we're talking about the same girl," Natsuki said.

"Oh, how do you know her, Natsuki?"

"Mmm, I know her through Tsumugi. Yeah, Tsumugi is friends with Ema, and her last name is Shirogane."

I wonder if Ema is one of Jade's royal guards. She would have to be to know Tsumugi. But Tsumugi is on maternity leave. Well, this is interesting.

"Natsuki, I wish to speak with this Ema. If she is related to her, I can use her. After all, I may not be able to touch her without reprisal."

Oh, this day just went from shit to pretty decent. If things go right, I'll join Antwon in his little club to see the results of my labor.

"I'll call Tsumugi and ask her to connect us with Ema," Natsuki said.

Then the bathroom door opened.

"You know, Christina, I've got other pajamas in my room. Just check the drawers," Antwon said, standing in the hallway with nothing but a towel.

"Antwon," I said, leaning forward, feeling Tetsuzaki and Natsuki tugging as they brushed. "Get your ass back in the bathroom and put your clothes on," I said, seething with anger.

He didn't show anything, but he's so reckless.

He frowned, walked back into the bathroom, came out fully dressed, and walked to our room, slamming the door as he did.

I glanced back at Tetsuzaki, then Natsuki, and they both had their eyes closed.

I sighed.

Why the fuck are boys so damn complicated?