That er of the garden was my secret refuge. A swing for two people, hidden behind a high hedge, covered in pearl-white roses. It was far enough away from the house that I could talk freely. Sasuke sat on the swing.

  - Please don't call me beautiful. First my mother, then Konan, and now you.

  He frowned, fused.

  - But I always say you're beautiful.

  His legs were wide apart. Without much thought, I settled between them, like a child seeking fort. He kissed my nose, and for a brief moment, everything seemed lighter.

  - Sorry, I'm not in the best mood today. It's just... we got that stupid noti the mail.

  Sasuke sighed.

  - Ah, yes. The letter. We got the one from Izumi.

  Of course. Miss Izumi, with her long brown hair and eyes as bck as night, was still only twenty years old.

  - She's going on a hurike so she won't sign up,” Sasuke tinued, with a mischievous grin. - Something about loving Itachi and bh, bh, bh.

  I spped him on the shoulder.

  - You don't have a shred of romanticism.

  - And you have the weakest sps in the whole province.

  That was enough. His lips touched mine, and suddenly nothing else mattered. There was ion, no poor family, no Fire try. There was only Sasuke. His warm hands on my back, his lips brushing my neck, the whole world dissipatiween us.

  - I didn't even use one pert of my strength,” I muttered, pulling away with my fa fire. Two years, aill mao make me blush.

  Sasuke was the most handsome boy in town. Of all the castes. Pale, intense bck eyes, even darker hair and a smile that always seemed to hide something. Tall, slim, strong. The pale moonlight highlighted his dark circles - he'd probably spent the whole week at the police base with his father.

  His white cotton T-shirt was impeccable, and the jeans he wore must have been worth more than my TV. A all I wao do was lie o him, massage his tired shoulders, talk him out of w te and cook something for him.

  I didn't want to be the princess of the Land of Fire.

  I wao be Sasuke's princess.

  Being away from him hurt. All it took was a few days and I'd go crazy w what he was doing. When I couldn't stand it any longer, I te in Katsuyu. Mr. Inoichi should thank Sasuke for taking such good care of his prize mare.

  He drove me crazy.

  And that was dangerous.

  Sasuke was a Two. The Uchiha were a traditional and prestigious family, known for their loyalty to the royal family. His brother, Itachi, anded Queen Tsunade's personal guard, one of the most important positions in the kingdom.

  I was intelligent aiful, but I was uo be accepted into su iial family. Of course, Mrs. Mikoto adored me, and Izumi treated me like her little doll, always making me up and dressing me up when I visited. But things were much more plicated than a simple weekly visit.

  Because I loved Sasuke. I had loved him for almost two years. And he loved me.

  With him there, sittio me, smoothing my hair, the idea of taking part in the Sele seemed impossible. I was already in love.

  - And what do you think of that? I mean, the national team? - I asked.

  Sasuke shrugged.

  - I think it's normal. The puy o find a girlfriend somehow. Itachi said that the prince's only female panion is Princess Karin.

  I could sehe sarcasm in his voice.

  - Sasuke...

  - She's unbearable, really. If they mao get that prince Suigetsu for Princess Karin, why not get a princess for the prince? - He sighed. - But oher hand, it's kind of a good idea. It's exg. He'll fall in love in front of everyone. Anyone could be the queen.

  - So, you're encing Izumi to take part? - I asked.

  He let out a shh.

  - As if you didn't know her best friend. Izumi only has eyes for Itachi. He promised to marry her when we were, I don't know, twelve. And she's still waiting for him to e back from Konoha to keep his promise.

  - I think that's romantic,” I muttered.

  - It's bullshit! My father is certainly looking for an advantageous marriage for Izumi. And Itachi... will probably be promised to one of the prince's rejects.

  - Someone popur enough to boost the Uchiha's morale, right? - I got up from his p, taking a few steps away. - It's all nonseo you. Izumi and Itachi. Konan and Pain.

  My gaze met his.

  - Me and you.

  The silehat followed was suffog.

  - This isn't about us, Sakura,” he said, his voice tired.

  The minutes dragged on like turies for the low-caste girl in love with a Two.

  - Sakura?

  - Sakura? - I whispered.

  - Are you going to ehe Sele?

  - No! Of course not! - I answered immediately. - I don't want ao think that I even sidered the idea of marrying a stranger. You're the one I love.

  Sasuke kept his gaze fixed on me, without looking away.

  - It would be perfect, Sakura. If you were selected, even for a single day, you would bee a Three. My father couldn't object if I married a Three.

  - Have you gone mad? - I got up from the swing, but before I could move away, he grabbed my hands.

  - Promise me you'll do it. Promise you'll do it for me.

  I shook my head in disbelief.

  - This is absurd. The Tea Vilge has two vacies, and there are thousands of girls here.

  - So why bother?

  - Sasuke...

  - In the worst case, we'll just have to face my father.

  Anguish caught in my throat.

  - I don't want to be a princess; I just want to be with you! - My voice came out choked.

  Sasuke pulled me into an embrace, pressing his lips against my forehead.

  - And you will. But if we do this without breaking up my family, why not try?

  He kly how to disarm me. Whe himself up as a victim, I couldn't say no. And in the end, he was right: the e being chosen were ent. All I had to do was follow the process and please everyone.

  - Please? - His whisper in my ear made my whole-body shiver.

  I let out a defeated sigh.

  - Right, bossy! - I replied, smiling.

  In an instant, Sasuke lifted me into the air, ughing as he covered my face with kisses.

  He had to leave mier. The bck Lambhini sped off, disappearing down the dirt road before the 00:45 patrol showed up.

  Vaku