Alpha’s Bewitching Regret

Yuki Sora looked back into her life as she stared at her window and silently watched the snow slowly cover the ground.

The Soras were considered the second most influential family in the country. They were not of noble birth, and neither were they wealthy enough to be considered such.

The Soras were considered a powerful family only due to their close association with the crown.

Yuki's father was the brilliant adviser and scholar Yao Sora. It was said that the emperor trusted him with his own life. Because of her father's close association with the emperor, Yuki practically grew up inside the palace.

Growing up, Yuki realized that the palace was a sad place for a child. Lies, deceit, and manipulation were unnecessarily ingrained in a child's mind as the infant witnessed the cruelty and pretenses of those inside the castle walls.

In that sad and cold place, she was like a flower being carried by the wind, she thought, as she held the cherry blossoms in her tiny fragile hands.

Yuki ran as fast as her feet could carry her, trying to chase after the flower that has flown away.

The flower fell in a boy's lap. A boy with raven-colored hair and eyes the color of the molten sun.

Even at that young age, he had the bearing of a prince.

From the outside, everyone viewed him as the pampered heir of the kingdom's monarchy. He was, after all, Prince Jiro Takeshi, the emperor's only child.

It was said that he had been spoiled rotten and that because of this he barely smiled. But when their eyes met that day, Yuki could see the loneliness in the young prince's eyes.

Yuki stood, frozen, as she studied the most beautiful face she had ever seen.

It was a face blessed by the gods, she mused, as she met the fiery embers of the molten orbs that were silently studying her as well.

Then the prince stood up slowly as if he was afraid that she would be startled and run.

The young prince held out the cherry blossoms she had been chasing after and placed them in the palm of her hand. She was suddenly lost for words, unable to meet his gaze.

The crown prince couldn't help but smile, almost unaware that the young woman had completely caught his attention.

At that instant, he thought that he had never seen anything more precious than her.

He was mesmerized by her golden locks, like spun gold, he thought, and he was captivated by her large hazel eyes as they finally dared to shift upward to his face.

As the sun shone on her hair, he realized he wanted nothing more than to see that face every day for the rest of his life.

"I am Jiro Takeshi, can you give me the honor of being your friend?" he asked, with fear in his heart; for he knew that if she declined, he would forever be haunted by those hazel eyes.

The young woman smiled and offered her hand in a handshake. "Yuki Sora. I would love to be your friend."

"Then, as your friend, I promise you this. That I, the crown prince and future emperor, will lend you my protection for all eternity."

The young prince smiled as he reached for the handshake offered by Yuki. The young miss smiled, and warmth slowly thawed the coldness of the prince's heart.

*************

From that day, the young prince and the little miss were inseparable.

The young prince demanded her presence wherever he might be and whatever he might be doing. And by order of the prince himself, Yuki never lacked anything.

She was allowed to study side by side with the wealthy aristocrats and was given a seat by the prince's side.

She was pampered as if she had been born a princess, if not more.

Over the years, she declined many valuable presents from her beloved friend.

The only gift she ever allowed herself to receive from his highness was the time she spent with him.

She treasured every minute and looked forward to hearing his baritone voice as she pretended to listen to the affairs of the realm.