I knew what he meant, but I couldn't let myself be fooled. That conversation was taking a turn I could no longer control.
— After I leave the Palace, you mean? — The question came out bitter, sharp, and I realized my own smile had faltered.
And, for the first time, I saw a slight hesitation in Naruto. His smile wavered, and the silence between us felt heavier than any words I could have said. What was happening? I didn't know, but whatever it was, it was much more than I had imagined I could handle.
— Yes. After you leave the Palace. — He confirmed, nodding, as if resigned. — There's no hiding anything from you, is there?
Those words cut through my chest like a sharp blade. I pressed my lips together tightly, trying to hide the storm of emotions forming inside me. My heart felt shattered, almost as if I could physically feel it breaking into a thousand pieces. But the truth was, I shouldn't care this much. It wasn't supposed to break my heart.
That was the problem: this wasn't supposed to be a love story. I had a mission. Win over the prince. Become queen. Those were the orders I had received from my leader. None of them mentioned things like "Fall in love with him" or "Give him your whole heart." I had failed. Failed the mission, failed my own heart, and above all, failed him.
— I intended to explain everything before saying this. I can still explain if you want.
Hear a detailed list of how he fell for another woman while I was losing myself more and more in him? No, thank you.
— Is it Haruno? Are you choosing her?
The question came out more bitter than I wanted to admit, and a weight settled in my voice.
He didn't answer right away, but I could tell by the way he hesitated that the words felt heavy for him too.
— I don't have the freedom to discuss the possible winner.
Of course. The prince was trapped by his obligations, and I was just a piece in a game I had no control over. The reality was that he would never choose a spy like me. The competition was between women who belonged to his world, not someone like me—someone who had nothing left but a broken heart and a failed mission.
— When am I leaving?
The question slipped out before I could stop it. I knew the answer, but still, I needed to hear it.
He sighed, looking at me with an expression that tried to be gentle but only made the weight in my chest heavier.
— You're not leaving yet. All the selected candidates will return to the castle for the final ceremony.
Those words hit me like a punch to the stomach. I would be there, forced to watch as he chose another, as she took the place I could never have.
I grabbed his hands in desperation, my vision blurred by the tears I couldn't stop from falling.
— I would have been good for you. Loyal, proud. But I wish you both all the luck and… I hope that one day, someone loves me the way you love her.
He didn't need to say Sakura's name for me to understand. I knew. Haruno Sakura. The woman he was willing to give up everything for. I had lost to her, but at least now, at least in this moment, I could say it was an honor.
— Who would be a fool not to love her?
He looked at me with a gentleness that made me doubt everything. But then, our eyes met, and we both laughed, as if somehow, this unbearable pain was the only thing we still had in common.
He touched my face tenderly, as if it were a soft goodbye.
— Thank you for loving me, Pakura.
He said, and those words made me want to scream, but I just smiled, trying to hold back the pain consuming me.
I wiped my tears almost meticulously, trying to keep my makeup from smudging. I couldn't look weak—not to him, not to myself.
— Look, I said, my voice unsteady. Be gentle with Hinata, she's fragile.
He frowned, thoughtful.
— I'll see her after Tenten. I tried… it will be easy and light and fun. But I'm worried about Hinata.
I smiled, trying to sound more confident than I actually felt.
— How about bringing some chocolates?
He smiled, the lightness of his expression a last glimmer of something good between us.
— I'll think about it. Are you okay?
I smiled at him, as if the pain was nothing.
— I'm great. A grand future awaits me, my prince. Now, I don't want to take up all your time. You still have two more girls to let go.
— I do.
He kissed my cheek, a simple gesture, but one that shattered me. It was the last kiss, and I knew it.
— I'll never forget you, and I can't wait to see what you do next.
With those words, he stepped away. The door closed behind him, and I was left there, alone. The silence in the room was deafening, and my heart felt like it had shattered into a million pieces, as reality sank into my mind.
I had lost. And somehow, that silence in my mind screamed louder than anything else.
***
POV – Tenten
— Checkmate. — Hinata murmured with a gentle smile on her lips, her eyes shining, but with a hint of sadness.
— Ahhh, damn it! — I shouted, frustrated, looking around the dimly lit office. I grabbed my cup of hot chocolate and took a sip, savoring its comforting sweetness. Sometimes, only chocolate could soothe things a little.
— Tenten, let's make a promise?
Hinata's face was flushed, her eyes lowering to the floor. The tension in the air became palpable, and I already knew something wasn't right.
— Like a sexual promise? I love those.
I joked, trying to lighten the heavy mood, but it only made Hinata blush even more. I laughed, easing the tension a little, but when I saw how nervous she was, my laughter faded slightly.
Hinata's pale hand reached for mine, weak and hesitant, yet at the same time, it silently asked me for something with an unspoken intensity. She looked me in the eyes.