AN: This is set in an alternate universe. The relations of the characters as well as their behaviors will be different from the anime/manga. I have warned you. Thanks to those who reviewed (xXMewNekoXx, nyappie-chan, smalltaz, yamasasha, Cherry-Anne Sponge, Miyu, and salmon_head). I really appreciate it.

Disclaimer:

I do not own Junjou Romantica and its characters but I do own partly the plot and some extra.

Notes:

Italics: thoughts, flash back, whisper

Normal: normal voice

Bold: shouting, yelling, screaming

Chapter 3: The feeling of falling in love is the source of smile

"You're going to be the prince's personal maid?" Takahiro asked after Misaki told him about what happened earlier. Misaki just nodded in reply. "Didn't I tell you to try to avoid attention?" he asked, sweat dropping. "I can't do anything! Hiroki-sama forced me to do this." he answered. "Shizuka-san said that whenever the prince finds someone interesting, he will not stop knowing everything about that person. It's probably because he had never been outside of the castle. I've been to many countries with you Dad and I've seen so many interesting things. I can't imagine a life without freedom. Is Mom like him? Living without freedom…" he added, his expression changed into a sullen one. "When I think about this, I really want to see her." Takahiro sat besides him and patted his head. "Don't worry. You'll definitely see Manami." he said, comforting him. Misaki just smiled back at him.

The next day, they were at the garden of Wales. "What's this? Aren't I supposed to be a maid?" Misaki asked, holding the sword that was given to him by Akihiko. "It's for training. Hiroki-sama said that you'll be protecting him too. I will teach you basic martial arts." he said, wearing his usual expression. "Actually, you don't have to teach me. I've been studying swordsmanship since youth. My father is an expert swordsman." Misaki said, unsheathing his sword slightly. 'A girl studying swordsmanship since youth? That's new.' Hiroki thought. He was just sitting there watching them. "Wow! I haven't heard a country teaching swordsmanship to girls." Miyagi said. 'Crap! I forgot that I'm a girl now. Anyway, I can't take it back anymore.' Misaki thought, sweating. "Whatever your reason, you must be very good." Akihiko said, unsheathing his sword slowly. "You can measure me!" he said. Akihiko just smirked at him. He suddenly attacked the unprepared Misaki. Luckily, he has shielded the attack. "Idiot! How can you just suddenly attack like that?" Misaki yelled. "You're too naïve. In a real battle, do you think the enemy will wait for you to prepare?" he replied. Misaki felt his blood boil. "Do you think that kind of attack will win? To win against me, you need to have a real skill!" he said, counter-attacking Akihiko. A real fight started between them.

"How did it turn like this?" Miyagi asked, watching them. "Are they stupid?" Shizuka muttered. Hiroki just stared at them. "You fight pretty well." Akihiko said. "Same to you." Misaki replied. Hiroki was getting impatient. "Ok. Stop now. I have seen enough." Hiroki said, standing from his seat. The two still continued fighting. "I said STOP!" Hiroki yelled. The two stopped abruptly, causing Misaki to lose his balance. He fell down on the ground. Hiroki just stomped away. 'He wouldn't even practice sword fighting with me. And to think that girl was skilled enough to fight Akihiko fairly… she's really interesting.' he thought as he went back to his room. Akihiko lend a hand to Misaki. "Let's just continue this fight next time." he said, smiling at him. 'Wow. He can actually smile.' Misaki thought. He accepted his hand. "Sure, Usagi-san." he replied, smiling brightly back at him. "Usagi-san?" Akihiko asked. "Um… well… you see…" Misaki tried to explain but he seemed to be lost in his words. "I like it." Akihiko said, walking away. Misaki just looked at him with confused eyes. They continued doing their tasks.

"Nine years ago, she married our current king Sakaki Kamijou-sama and became the queen. You didn't know?" Himeko, one of the servants said. "I'm just new here so I only know a little about the palace's happenings." Takahiro answered. They were on their way to palace with the foods they bought from the market. "I see. Well, it's an arranged marriage by the government. After the poor princess became the queen, she stopped all involvement with the court and retreated deep in the palace, alone. But the queen still take care the smart and good successor, Hiroki-sama. It must be hard for her." she said, frowning at the thought. 'So prince Hiroki is that child. Makes me wonder what he looks like now. That adorable kid.' he thought. They went back to the kitchen.

"Hiroki-sama, is that true?" Misaki asked. Miyagi told him all about Hiroki earlier. "Of course it's true. Princess Manami is my royal mother. How can you not even know this?" Hiroki replied. 'But there's still something I can't understand. How did it happen? I need to tell this to Dad.' Misaki thought. They were currently in the palace's hallway when Minister Murasaki showed up. He greeted the prince. "Are you here to see my royal father?" Hiroki asked. "Yes. I have something important to discuss with the king." he answered. Misaki, Akihiko and Miyagi were just watching them. "Can you ask my father to come see me when he's done with the kingdom's matters?" Hiroki asked. Minister Murasaki smiled at him. Of course I can, Oujisama. I'll tell him for you." he replied. "Thanks." Hiroki said. Misaki glared at him. 'Minister Murasaki… the evil man who caused disruption and separated my parents.' he thought. "I must go now. Farewell, Oujisama." Minister Murasaki said, bowing at him slightly before he walked away, briefly glancing at Misaki. Misaki looked really pissed and Akihiko noticed it.

"Misaki, why do you look like you want to hit someone?" Akihiko asked. Misaki's facial expression reverted back to the normal one. "Huh? Really?" he replied, touching his face. "It is." Akihiko answered. "If the prince wants to see his father, why does he need a messenger? Isn't that very odd?" Misaki asked, changing the topic and also out of curiosity. "So you noticed too. On the surface, the king is busy with the kingdom's matter and doesn't have time to take care of the prince. The power of Minister Murasaki has been increasing and his majesty just follows his words. Inevitably, many suspect that he's deceiving the king." Akihiko explained. "However, we have no evidence so we can't do anything." Misaki said. "You're right." Misaki gritted his teeth. He knew that Minister Murasaki was the villain who separated his parents and he also knew that he couldn't do anything. He looked like he's going to cry. Akihiko ruffled his hair. "Don't look like that. Look at him." He pointed Hiroki. "If you're worried, don't show such a depressing expression. You should smile instead. Get your spirits up." he added, smiling at him. Misaki's heart beat faster than normal. 'What's this? Why is my heart suddenly beating so fast?' Misaki thought. He touched his face. 'My face feels so hot. What exactly is this all about?' He excused himself and did some chores to forget his confusing thoughts.

Takahiro was looking outside the window, thinking about how he will say the truth to Misaki. He didn't know that he was thinking aloud. "I already know that." Misaki said, entering their room. "I'm just wondering about one thing." he added. Takahiro looked at him. "He's older than me and son of the current king which means..?" he said, but Takahiro cut him off. "Yeah, the current king was Manami's first boyfriend but they broke up eventually, giving birth to Hiroki. He's really an adorable child. I took care of him when he was a child." he explained to him. "Aren't you angry or unhappy at all? Mom is already someone else's wife now." Misaki said. Takahiro just laughed. "We should be happy for her. She's well-fed and well-clothed." he said. "Right. It's better than suffering and living on the streets." Misaki sarcastically replied. Takahiro just sighed. He grabbed his hands and told him that he and his mother will not going to be together anymore. Misaki looked at him sadly. "The reason we're here is for you to meet your mother and let her know that you're grown into a happy, healthy boy. That's all. Do you understand?" he said. "But… I don't want that!" Takahiro hugged him. Misaki cried shortly after that. 'Having his love stolen away from him, everything… why can't we have a little bit strength to move on?' he sadly thought.

All reviews are welcome. If you have some comments, questions and suggestions for this story, please do. I want to know what you think about my story. Thanks again to those who reviewed.