Chapter 87: The Prince's Prison

The room is cold.

It is the same room he grew up in. Perfect, beige, and silent.

It is a prison.

He is standing by the window, looking out over the Imperial gardens. He can hear the faint sounds of protests at the front gate.

He can hear... someone... chanting "Penguin Apron Jerk."

It is the first time he has smiled in twenty-four hours.

The door opens.

Not Kenichi. Kenichi has been "reassigned."

His father. The Crown Prince, Takahito.

Takahito is not yelling. He is not red-faced. He is quiet.

This is much, much scarier.

"You have twenty-four hours," Takahito says, his voice flat.

Fuji turns. "Twenty-four hours for what, Father?"

"To prepare your public apology. You will state that you were overwhelmed by the stress of the event. You will state that the gamer, Hanata-san, aggressively goaded you into a display you regret. And you will state that the girl, Isuzu-san, acted inappropriately, and that you have no personal relationship with her whatsoever."

Fuji is silent. He just stares at his father.

"No," Fuji says.

Takahito's eye twitches. "That was not a request. That is the narrative. That is what is happening."

"No," Fuji repeats, his voice just as cold. "I will not."

"You... you would throw away everything?" Takahito hisses. "Your title? Your family? For that?"

"She is the woman I love."

It is the first time Fuji has said the words out loud. It feels... correct.

"Love," Takahito scoffs. "Love is a luxury for commoners. You have a duty. And your duty is to this family. You have proven you are not rational. You are... compromised."

"I am rational for the first time in my life," Fuji says.

"Then you leave me no choice." Takahito walks to the door. "You are confined to your quarters. Your phone is forfeit. All communication privileges are revoked. The engagement preparations with Lady Mariko will be accelerated."

Takahito stops, his hand on the door.

"You will marry her within the month, Kenji. And you will forget this childish rebellion. Or I will personally destroy that girl and her entire family."

The door slams shut. The lock clicks.

Fuji is alone.

He walks to the desk. His phone is gone. His laptop is gone.

He is completely cut off.

He knew this was a risk. He knew his father would retaliate.

But the threat...

'I will personally destroy her family'.

His father is not bluffing.

Fuji looks out the window again.

He is not worried about Daiki. Daiki is a king. He won his freedom.

He is worried about Aoi.

She is waiting for him to text. To call.

And he cannot.

He knows her trauma. He knows her fear of abandonment. He knows how this silence will feel.

He is not just grounded.

He is being forced to hurt her.

This is his father's true punishment.

"Hold on, Aoi," he whispers to the glass. "Do not hate me. This is not over."