— It was nice, you know, what you said.
— I know you did. That's why you were quiet. You always are when I say something nice.
I let out a laugh.
— Sorry, my parents didn't teach me such beautiful things when I was a child.
Naruto laughed, and it was the most delightful laugh I had ever heard.
— And what did they teach you, then?
I smirked and flipped the pancake in the air with a quick movement.
— Mainly never to burn pancakes. I was also taught how to make oatmeal cookies. My mother is famous for them, it's a family recipe.
I gave Naruto a sideways glance, and he smiled.
— I'd love to try them.
— One day I'll make it for you. And I'll even add the secret ingredient.
I turned off the stove and placed the pancake on the plate Naruto handed me. His eyes shone with anticipation, and before pouring the syrup, I sprinkled a little salt on top.
— There you go!
Naruto tried it and approved. In a matter of seconds, the pancake was just a sugary memory in the form of crumbs.
— Promise me you'll make a batch of your cookies when I get back?
I blinked, confused.
- To go back?
— Tomorrow Darui and I are going to the Southern Colonies. We need to investigate some things and try to improve others. We'll be back at the end of the week, in time for the newspaper presentation.
— And what do you expect to find?
—Rebels, command bases, invasion plans… I want to find something, Sakura. I'm frustrated. Stuck. The Selection is keeping people distracted for now, but what happens when it's over? When they have no one left to root for? They'll remember that they have a weak government that can barely capture its own enemies.
He leaned against the sink and lowered his head. I faced him and slid my fingers down his neck, forcing him to look at me.
— You'll do it, Naruto. Whether it's finding out something about the rebels or simply helping those people.
The Southern Colonies were a no man's land. No government, no laws. Complete anarchy. The castes spoke, but there, from Eight to Eight, only the strongest survived.
Naruto smiled and started playing with a lock of my hair.
— I could be happy doing that.
I frowned.
- What?
— If I could choose another job… I think I would choose to be a cook.
—But… You would be a Four!
He laughed.
— And I would like that. — He kissed my cheek. — Maybe then you would like me more too.
Then he kissed my forehead.
—I like you enough already, Your Grace.
— Oh, no. For me, it's never enough.
***
The Queen did not deign to say goodbye. First, because the decision had been made without her consent, and she was furious. Second, because she was the Queen. If the people of the Southern Colonies were to see a royal face, it would be hers.
I was already on my way to the private plane while Naruto and Darui finished the last adjustments and said goodbye to us.
Karin looked like she was about to collapse. Naruto walked over to her, and she wrapped her arms around his neck. They just hugged in silence. It was he who broke the contact, handing her a list of tasks. Then, he kissed her forehead.
The goodbye to Hinata was so brief that it barely existed. But she didn't seem to mind.
When Tenten took his turn, he took her hands and kissed her fingers. Something flashed in her eyes. She said she only wanted the crown… If she wanted us to believe that, she needed to pretend better. She liked him.
— Call your relatives in Border Town and the Land of Thunder. We need all the support you can give.
I had almost forgotten that Tenten's reason for staying in the competition was her dual citizenship. I had wondered if her spot would be free if the war ended. But now, Prince Darui was here, and he seemed determined to put an end to this dispute.
— I'll get a phone. I'll talk to my aunts. I promise, Your Majesty.
Naruto nodded, looking grateful.
Then, it was Pakura's turn.
She laced her fingers through his.
WHAT?
"I love him and I want him to send each and every one of you away right now. I want him to choose me and marry me."
Pakura told me this yesterday.
She was going to fight.
"Are you going to be in danger?" His voice shook, and I rolled my eyes.
— I don't know. On our last trip to the Southern Colonies, the situation was tense, but everything went well.
Naruto's tone was affectionate. Too much so. They had talked about this before.
Pakura looked up at the ceiling and sighed. And in that brief moment, Naruto looked at me.
I turned my face away.
— Please be careful. — A tear ran down her cheek.
— Of course, dear.
And then it was my turn.
The girl who got the leftovers.
Tenten gave me a look. It compared the way he looked at Pakura and the way he looked at me.
Was he just cooking us?
Men did this all the time.
Taking away the crown and the money, wasn't the prince just that? A simple and flawed man?
— Try not to cause trouble while I'm gone, okay?
One joke from him, and my whole pose fell apart.
- I promise.
— I'll believe your promise. One less thing to worry about.
I lifted my chin.
— What about us? Do we have reason to worry, Prince?
— It's just the Southern Colonies. I'll be back to you soon.
He held my face.
- I love you.
It was just a whisper. Just for me.
But it lit up everything inside.
— Let's go, Your Majesty! — Jiraiya shouted.
Darui bid everyone farewell with a polite bow.
Then, before he left, he tilted his head to the side and looked at me.
— Will you wait for me too, Sakura? Will you pray for me? That I will be okay?
Over his shoulder, I saw Naruto watching us.
— My prayers are yours, Your Majesty. I hope you return safe and sound.
It wasn't enough for Darui.
He wanted more. A spark, a hope. Something that said I felt something special for him.
But it didn't.
Then he turned his back and walked alongside Naruto.
As soon as the doors closed, Princess Karin blinked a few times, took a deep breath, and regained her usual posture.
Made of steel.
— Forgive me, young ladies. With my grandmother and brother gone, I fear that many responsibilities will fall upon me.
He lifted his chin.
— I will have lunch in the royal study. I expect everyone for dinner tonight.
And he left.
Full.
Calm.
Erect.
Unshakable.
Like a Queen.
That she wasn't.