Farmer or Princess?

#20: Gakuen Alice (Natsume & Mikan)
A Look at the Greener Pasture Challenge @ Hilaire
...xXx...
...It was sheer stupidity on his father's part that suggested him to know…

"Are you with me, SumeSume?" A cheery voice reached his ears.
He twitched as he gripped the hoe harder to control his anger. He really didn't like the nickname she gave him, not a bit. His real name was a hundred times better than this "SumeSume." But then, he couldn't go against the girl as fighting with a girl was not in his dictionary.
He glared at the brown-haired girl and coldly replied, "What is it, Hime-sama?"
Of course, the pale-brown-eyed girl caught the sarcasm in his words and laughed. "I really love it when you call me Hime-sama, SumeSume."
He mentally counted to ten to calm himself. He had more control than this, he reminded himself. Taking a deep breath, he faced the girl fully. "What is it, Hime?"
He gazed at the girl before him. She was dressed like a farmer with a cap that acted as a shield from the burning fire above them, but it was not strange to find her in such an outfit as she really was a farmer. Suddenly, he felt stupid for describing something obvious. Still, he felt as though a girl like her could truly work as a farmer.
"I guess you weren't really with me just now." The girl sighed, and he muttered an apology under his breath.
"I just wanted to take Cowy to enter tomorrow's festival," she said while fixing her blue cap.
He heaved a low sigh and put away his hoe. He walked towards the barn, and he knew the girl followed him. After he opened the door of his barn, cows and other such animals came scurrying out. The girl stepped forward as she scanned the animals and walked towards one of his best cows Cowy. He watched the girl pet and slowly lead the cow out of the animal house.
"Don't forget to attend the festival by 10," she beamed with a smile.
He nodded his head and petted the cow for a while before watching them walk away from his farm. After that he walked back to his house and got a few bags of flower seeds. He liked flowers but not enough to make him build a flower garden himself. He just heard that the Flower Festival would be the next event of the town. As a farmer participation was a must.

…How to manage a farm by becoming a farmer or rancher himself…

He scanned over his farmland where he planted his eggplants, sweet potatoes, green peppers, carrots and spinach. All of them were healthy, and he was sure he would harvest them in good quality, not like his first two seasons after coming here.
~*~ Happily Ever After ~*~
He scrunched his eyebrows together before raising one in befuddlement. What a weird name for a town. That was what he thought. Gripping his travelling bag, he walked past the gate. After walking for a few minutes, he realized no one was around. He walked further and finally heard a… melody? Curious, he walked faster and finally saw a gate called Rose Square and then saw the gathering people which were probably the townspeople themselves. He tried to walk through the crowd, and when he successfully did that, he gasped silently.
A brown-haired girl dressed like a goddess was dancing gracefully along with the soft melody that was played by two girls for the townspeople to see. Apparently, she was dancing for the Goddess of the Harvest Festival. Her warm smile, her gentle brown eyes, and her beautiful face captured his heart right away. Deep down in his heart, he promised himself that she would be his partner for life. When the dancing and soft melody stopped, applauses echoed as everyone shouted their gratefulness for watching the girl's performance. He could feel the warmth in her smile as she bowed her thanks to the crowd. It was when she lifted her head that their eyes met.
A cough broke their eye contact and standing beside the girl was a tall, brown-haired man with sapphire eyes.
"May we be blessed by the Goddess of Harvest again this year," the man proclaimed.
"Father, I think a new member has come to this town," the girl said, surprising everyone as she darted her eyes to him again.
Everyone finally noticed him and looked at him with curious eyes. He was surprised when the girl approached him with a smile.
"Welcome to Happily Ever After!" She said cheerfully.
Everyone smiled and welcomed him to the town too quickly.
The same brown-haired man approached him. "Welcome to Happily Ever After, young man."
"We'd love to hear your name," the girl said, and everyone nodded in agreement.
"Natsume," he replied shortly.
After the event he was told that there was a plot of land that was not used anymore, and he could use it to settle down. Later on, he found out that the girl's name was Hime. Her father had no name but was called Mayor since he was the mayor of the town. From the beginning he had thought that the town's name was weird, so he wasn't surprised to find out the leader of the town had no name. What shocked him the most was that his daughter was actually a farmer! His first season in the town passed slowly, each day more and more salt being rubbed into his wounds. Physical labor was the hardest thing to do when the trainer was a Spartan girl that he thought as a good candidate for his partner for life. Even after going through so much suffering, his first crops still didn't do quite well.

…Like hell he would agree to become one but then…

It was hard to adjust himself farmer's work, but he managed it quite well. He shook his head to clear his dazed mind and tried to look for free space to plant the flowers but found none. He then walked towards his greenhouse. He smiled when he found a good spot. He professionally ploughed the Earth floor before spreading the seeds and watering them. Before leaving his greenhouse, he cared for his other crops that were planted inside the greenhouse. It was hard to admit, but he had come to like his work as a farmer and, of course, this town, too. The townspeople could be considered weird, but all of them were good people.
"Natsume! How are you today?" A girl that was managing the town's library asked him.
"Good," he replied curtly and continued looking for a book that could help him with crops. From the corner of his eyes, he knew that the girl had started drawing again. He knew about this habit of hers because each time he went to the library she always did the same thing. She was drawing something that he couldn't name. She was weird, just like the rest of the townspeople.
"You should read a book called 'Seasonal Crops', Natsume," she told him, but her eyes and hands were still occupied with her drawing pad.
He blinked and glanced at the girl. He gazed at her and wondered if she was reading his mind. He didn't tell her that he was looking for that kind of book.
"I know because beginners have always used that book," she said again without looking at him.
He shook his head mentally. He knew it shouldn't bother him anymore that the people in this town were weird and sometimes talked to him like they knew him really well.
After getting the recommended book, he saw her smile at him. "Good luck with the farm."

…It was like choosing between the devil and the deep blue sea…

He walked back to his house. Opening the toolbox, he took his fishing rod and walked out of the house. Fishing sounded great at the moment. He was done with his farm, so he might as well go to the dock and catch a few fishes for tonight's dinner. Since coming to this town, he had come to learn how to cook. He was far from a professional chef, but he still could cook with an acceptable result. He still remembered how he had wasted a lot of eggs just to make an omelet. At that time, he mentally apologized to the chickens. Even so, he never regretted a thing after coming to this town. He reminded himself that he should thank his father for his absurd suggestion.
"That is absurd," he stated in disbelief.
"Why?" His father asked with an eyebrow raised.
He gritted his teeth. "You're not serious, Father."
"Oh, yes. I'm serious about it, my son."
"I will not do it," he stated again, half-glaring at his father.
His father laughed and said with a smile, "It's your choice, my son."

…Should he choose marrying a brainless princess, or should he choose becoming a farmer…

He had decided to become a farmer in this town, so he would work hard for it. He made his way through the forest to the dock because it always soothed his tired mind and body. He was glad that the other side of his farm was surrounded by a forest, and if he walked further up, he could go to the hill. Watching the town's light at night had its own pleasure. He saw wild flowers on his way and made a mental note that he should take some to make seeds out of them. Looking at the wild flowers reminded him of someone. He shook his head and continued on his way. After walking for a few minutes he smiled when he heard the sound of the waves.
"I'll do it, Father." He made up his mind.
"Are you certain, my son?" His father asked.
"Yes, Father."
"Very well, but you should go and travel to do so."
He was confused. "What do you mean?"
His father smiled. "You will become a farmer but not in this land, my son."
After thinking it over, his father was right. He should travel to other lands because no one was going to teach him how to manage a farm if they knew who he was. It was troublesome as he had never travelled alone before, but he liked challenges and wouldn't mind taking this one. Moreover, he was sick of the people around him. Just thinking about them made him feel ill.

…He then travelled to other lands to become one and found this town…

He almost jumped in surprise when Hime greeted him right when he came back from fishing. It was not unusual to find her in his house, but still, he always surprised each time she appeared before him without notice. Since the day she helped him learn about farming and ranching with her Spartan way, she would occasionally come to his house. There was a time when he thought of her as ninja who could appear out of nowhere and leave just as silently. But then, he didn't hate her for it as it was who she was.
"What are you doing here, Hime?" He asked after he calmed down from the shock and then put away his caught fishes.
"Whoa… you sure caught a lot today," she replied with wide eyes while looking at his caught fishes, ignoring his question.
"It's autumn," he stated shortly and put his fishing rod back in the toolbox. He gazed at her and repeated, "What are you doing here, Hime?"
"Oh, I just wanted to give you this…" She showed him a plate of rice balls, and he smiled mentally. Even though the girl before him was like a Spartan, she was still a girl.
"Thank you, Hime," he thanked her while giving her a small smile.
She nodded with a smile, too, and then said, "Let me help you with the fish. I'm sure you're hungry now."
He didn't even bother to reply as she had already started making dinner for the both of them. Even though he could cook, she was much better than him, and for that he was grateful.
"You should travel to the West and find a town to settle down." His father suggested.
"Why west?" He asked while looking at his father.
"Best place for farming."
"What do you mean by settle down?"
His father smiled. "You should know what I mean, my son."

…He met her and wished to make her happy…

How could he make her happy? How? He was sure that the girl before him was not like any other girl that liked jewelries and stuff that was related to money. She was unique. Everyone in the town including him knew that well. A lot of bachelors from other towns had come and asked for her hand in marriage, but she always refused them. He was happy that she refused them, but he was afraid that she might refuse him as well if he tried to ask for her hand in marriage. Still, he wanted to make her happy.
"How's the dinner?" Hime asked while cleaning the table.
He nodded. "Good as usual."
She smiled at him. "I'm glad to know that."
Then out of the blue he remembered something. He stood up and asked, "What time are you going to sleep tonight, Hime?"
She tilted her head, confused. She then replied, "Why do you suddenly ask me that kind of question?"
"Just answer me," he said at once.
She looked at him curiously but still replied, "Around eleven. Why?"
"You can go home now, but if you want, you can wait here, too. I'll be right back."
Without waiting for her answer, he ran out of the house.
"Girls like flowers," his mother said.
"Why do girls like flowers so much?" He asked.
"Because they're beautiful."
"Even though it will wither and die?"
His mother smiled. "Even though it will wither and die, my son."

…If he could make her happy, he would be happy, too…

She looked at him in disbelief. She opened her mouth to say something, but her voice betrayed her. She closed her mouth, and he gave her a small smile.
"I know it will wither in the next few days, but I'd like to give you this to show my gratitude," he said while handing her a bouquet of wild flowers he had gathered from the forest.
She took the flower and smelt it slowly with closed eyes. She smiled and looked up at him. "Thank you so much, but you shouldn't do this."
He shook his head. "No, I want you to have it."
Talking about irony, he had ironically fallen in love with her. He had picked wild flowers because they fit her image. Her beauty couldn't be compared with a princess's as she was more beautiful than that. She was a beauty who lived in the wild which made her look like a wild flower. Seven months after he had known her, he was sure that he could accept her gentle side and also her wild side. He called it a wild side because she was a Spartan when it came to farming.
"Thank you so much," she whispered softly.
Before he realised what happened, she kissed his cheek and left him dumbfounded. After snapping out from his dazed mind, he smiled. He knew that he had a chance to be with her. With that thought alone he went to rest for the day as he had to wake up early the next day.
"Show your gratitude to the people around you," his mother stated.
"Why should I?" He asked with a disbelieving tone.
"Of course, to make them happy."
"Why should I?"
His mother smiled. "You will be happy when they're happy, my son."

…Attending a festival was not rare for him, but in this town…

After getting his breakfast that was prepared by Hime last night, he professionally tended his farm and animals before going to Rose Square to attend the Cow Festival. It was just like what he saw the first day he came to this town: the townspeople gathered around to watch the festival. When the townspeople saw him, he was greeted warmly as they wished him good luck since he was one of the participants of the festival.
"Are you ready to go to the festival?" His mother asked.
"…" He was really tired as this was the third festival within a month.
"People worked hard for this festival; you should appreciate it."
He looked away from his mother. "I never asked for it, Mother."
His mother hugged him. "This land will be happy to have you attend the festival, my son."
He was sure his mother was right, but every time he attended a festival, they all would look at him as if he was a god. They would greet him with fake smiles, and later on, they would try to get his attention by praising him from head to toe. He was sick of it. He was tired of it.

…The joy after winning the festival was absolutely different…

For the first two seasons he couldn't take part in any festivals as most of the festivals required at least three seasons' experience in farming and ranching, so he was happy that he could participate this time. The first time he participated, he had won the festival. The joy he felt at the moment couldn't be described with words. Nonetheless, he was proud of his work. He would surely tell his mother about his winning. Cowy had been marked as the best cow that produced the highest quality of milk.
"Congratulations, Natsume," Mayor said while handing him the medal.
He took the medal. "Thank you, Mayor."
"Congratulations," his mother said with a smile.
"Thank you, Mother," he said curtly.
"Aren't you happy that you've won the festival?" His mother asked.
"…" He had never lost for a festival. He always won.
"Do you hate this festival for some reason?" His mother asked again.
"No," he replied with a low voice. He was upset with himself.
His mother hugged him. "Tell me your worry, my son."
He told his mother that he was tired of their attention. They purposely lost so that he could win. He knew that they tried to make him happy, but he was not. He was not happy with the situation. He was sick of it. He was tired of it. His mother told him that one day, he would feel the joy of winning a festival.

…The townspeople were happy for him for winning the festival, including her…

The townspeople celebrated his winning with a small party at the local inn. They celebrated it by serving his high quality milk. Everyone praised him for his hard work. He only smiled at them with appreciation. He was glad and happy that he won the festival. At the end of their small party, they parted and went back to their own lives. And now, he was on his way back to his farm with Hime. Again, it was not unusual to find her following him.
"Congratulations, SumeSume," she said with her usual smile.
He was so happy that he didn't even bother to correct the nickname. He didn't like the nickname, but somehow, he knew that she treat him differently. She had never called anyone with a nickname but him and only him. He pondered if he was really special in her heart.
"Thank you," he stated without looking at her.
"I'm really glad that you've won the festival, SumeSume."
He only grunted in reply. When they were in front of his door, he turned to her. "Good night, Hime."
She nodded with a smile. "Good night, SumeSume."
He didn't feel like sleeping, so after he thought she had left, he walked past his house and made his way up to the hill.
Unknown to him, she has turned back and saw him walked pass his house.
He almost had a heart attack when she called him while he was looking down at the town below.
"What are you doing here, SumeSume?" She asked while tilting her head.
He sighed. "I just don't feel like sleeping."
She hummed and then sat down near the edge of the hill.
He sat down beside her.
They remained silent until she spoke, "I feel like I can touch the sky and grab the stars."
"Should you not know how to convey your words… you could use your surroundings to tell her," her mother stated.
"Use my surroundings?" he asked, somewhat perplexed. He didn't know what his mother meant by that.
"Yes. Like she was beautiful like the moon…" Her mother trailed off, but then, he understood.
He grinned at his mother. "Did Father do the same to you, Mother?"
"You look a lot like your father."
He rolled his eyes. "Don't compare me with that old man."
His mother laughed. "But you couldn't deny it as he is your father, my son."

…And he decided that this was his best chance to know her feelings…

While looking at the twinkling stars above, he said, "It looks like you."
She turned to him, confused. "Eh?"
He glanced at her for a while before looking and pointing at the brightest star. "It looks like you, Hime."
He could feel her intense eyes on him, so he turned to look at her again. "I want to grab that star, but am I allowed to?"
It was not like him to be this romantic. To be honest, he was nervous but nervousness wouldn't do well for him at the moment. If he wanted her, he would work hard for it just like the way he worked hard for his farm, but then, she was not a farm that could be achieved just by planting seeds in the fields and then caring for them until the end of season. She was different as she had feelings of her own and he wanted to know her feelings.
"Am I allowed to grab that star?" he asked again, but she remained silent. He felt like screaming as the silence was killing him inside. But he was not going to give up. He slowly brought his hand to her face. He cupped and caressed her cheek with his thumb gently. Even though she was a farmer like himself, she still knew how to care for her face as it stayed smooth and soft under his hand. She had the time to push him away, but she didn't. She only stared at him like she had lost herself in his eyes. She found herself again when he called her name.
"Yes…" she said. Her voice was above whisper.
He blinked. "Yes?"
He slowly leaned down, and she unconsciously moved closer to him.
She licked her suddenly dry lips and whispered, "You're allowed to grab that star…"
Both had their eyes closed when their lips met. He pulled away for a few seconds before leaning down and kissing her lips again. He brushed her lips with his gently. After kissing her lips for a few seconds, he started nibbling her lower lip, asking for entrance. She slowly parted her lips. When their tongues met, the fireworks inside him exploded. He pulled her closer with his arms around her waist, and she wrapped her arms around his neck. He kissed her passionately, and she returned his kiss with the same passion. When they broke apart, both sighed in content. He hugged her with closed eyes and smiled to himself.
"I don't think I can do that, Mother," he muttered. He still couldn't believe that he would talk about this to his mother in the first place.
"Why not? I don't think anyone would deny you that," his mother replied with an amused smile on her face.
"I can't believe that I actually talked to my mother about this!" he exclaimed more to himself.
"Parents are the closest friends for their children."
"What should I do about it after that?" he asked after he felt comfortable.
His mother smiled. "You could hug her to show her that you really need her, my son."

…Suddenly, his mother sent him a letter about his father…

Just right after he finally met his soul mate, his mother had demanded him to come back as his father was ill and wanted him to come back. It hurt to leave the town, but he couldn't deny his mother's request, and even though he was a farmer in this town, he was still a prince, the Prince of the East to be precise.
"What do you mean by leaving?" Hime asked. Her eyes were filled with unshed tears.
Unknown to her, she was shaking as she tried to hold her tears from falling.
"I'm sorry. My father was ill…" he trailed off. He clutched the letter in his hand. He really didn't want leave her, but he had his duty as a prince.
"I… I will wait…" she muttered quietly; her voice was trembling, and a tear slid down her face. "I will wait for you…"
It hurt to see her tears. He knew she was a strong girl, and she never cried, not in front of anyone. He hugged her as she wept silently. After a few days, he said his farewell to the townspeople. They all wished him good luck and hoped that he would come back soon. Before leaving the town, he kissed her on the lips.
"I promise I will come back," he whispered into her ears while holding her tight.
She nodded her head in reply, still crying in his arms.
"Will you marry me, Hime?" he asked her.
Her crying stopped instantly, and she looked at him in surprise.
"I do not wish to hand you over to any other guy." He caressed her face.
She wiped her tears and giggled. She then tip-toed to him to kiss him on the lips. "I will…"

…He was left with no choice but to take the crown…

His father couldn't run his role anymore, not because of his sickness but because he was tired of it. As a result, he was crowned as the new Lord of The East. He had promised his beloved to come back, but his time was restricted, and weeks became months, and months became years. Even after three years, he still couldn't go back, but he still remembered her. After he lived three years without a wife, the elders became restless and offered him suitable candidates. He was enraged and pushed them away as he told them that he was married. The elders were relieved by the news, but they still wanted their lady to be present in the land so she could secure him an heir.
He kicked himself mentally as he wondered why he didn't send one of his men to watch over his beloved after all these years. He guessed that he was too busy with his land. During his time taking the crown, there was a group of people that denied him as they didn't see him fit to be the new lord. After two years, they finally came to terms and accepted him as the new lord. He cursed under his breath and commanded one of his men to search for his beloved.
After waiting for a week, his man finally came back, and to his horror his man couldn't find the town. There was no town called Happily Ever After. He couldn't believe his hearing, but after his man told him one more time, he finally sat down in shock and disbelief. It couldn't be just a dream when he visited the town three years ago. He shook his head as he was sure he was not dreaming. No one believed him but his parents. After that, he instructed his men to look for his beloved by the thing he had left for her.
"It's beautiful…" she whispered while tracing the crimson pendant.
"It's my mother's," he took the necklace where the pendant was attached to.
"It's really beautiful, but why is it in your hands?" she asked, curious.
"My mother said I should give this to my wife."
"No… I couldn't… it's too… it's too beautiful for me…" she whispered softly.
"Are you denying me even though we're married now?"
She shook her head. "No! Of course, I won't deny you, but I'm not beau—"
"You're beautiful and this is yours to have." He immediately helped her put it on.

…He had lost her. He couldn't find her anywhere, but…

It was difficult to look for a woman that had his mother's pendant. That pendant was given by his mother when he turned 17 so that he could give it to his lady and wife. After searching for six months with fruitless results, the elders started pushing him to choose one of the suitable candidates they offered. Of course, he pushed them away. He didn't need any other woman. He only wanted her and her alone.
It was a year later that he granted the elders' request. They all had begged him to just see the candidates, and if he didn't like them, he could refuse them afterwards.
He wearily looked at his servants that running around the dining hall to prepare the arrival of a princess. He had heard from the elders that the one he was going to meet is the Princess of the North. He snorted mentally upon the thought. He was sure this princess was no different than other princess, brainless.
"I'm just an ordinary farmer," she said quietly.
"What about it?" he asked.
She gazed at him. "Why did you choose me?"
He looked into her eyes. "Isn't it obvious? It's because I love you."
"Are you sure you won't regret it?" she asked again while holding the pendant.
He kissed her lips. "Since the day I stepped into this town, I've never regretted a thing."

…He never regretted knowing her, and he was glad to have met her…

He blinked his eyes several times to make sure that he wasn't dreaming. There, standing before him was his beloved but not dressed like a farmer or a goddess but a princess. He couldn't comprehend the situation at hand. He shook his head mentally as he convinced himself that the princess before him was someone else that resembled his beloved wife.
His convincing voice in his head turned to dust when he heard her voice. "Greetings, My Lord."
He swallowed thickly. "Greetings, Princess Mikan."
She raised her head, and their eyes met. He looked at her with silent affection as the princess before him was really like his beloved. From her long brown hair, her warm smile, her gentle brown eyes, and her beautiful face, all resembled his beloved. Both really resembled each other so much that he thought that they were twins. He closed his eyes, breaking their eye contact.
"Thank you for coming here, Princess Mikan," he said after opening his eyes.
"You're welcome, My Lord." She gave him a small bow.
He gripped the hand of his chair tightly. "I'm sorry."
After a few moments later, she blinked. "Why are you apologizing, My Lord?"
"I do not wish to marry you," he said. In truth, he wanted to marry the princess, but he couldn't. He couldn't betray his beloved who might still be waiting for him.
"I know it's not my place to ask, but why, My Lord?" she asked while gazing at him.
He recalled the time when he gazed at his beloved's eyes.
"I'm married," he told her and stood up. It startled her, but he didn't care. He couldn't stay with her any longer. He felt like crying as it hurt to see her.
"Last question, My Lord," she said, stopping him.
He did stop. As long as he didn't look at her, he would be just fine, or so he thought.
"Which princess captured your heart, My Lord?" She asked while looking at his back.
He closed his eyes for a moment before he turned around and faced her. "She was no princess, but the name was Hime. She was a farmer."
He looked at her sadly before turning his back again. "To be honest, you resemble her a lot, but I can't betray her because she is the only one I love."
He couldn't see the tears that started forming in her eyes. Before he could step away from her, he felt her arms wrapped around his waist tightly as she wept. He froze and stood still.
"I love you, too, SumeSume." She cried.
His eyes slowly widened. There was only one person that called him that nickname, and that was his beloved Hime. He almost cried with joy as she showed him the pendant he gave her. He hugged her tightly, and suddenly happy tears slid down his face.
She then told him about everything: how she, as the Princess of the North, wished to have a normal life for once and finally built a small town with her people and called it Happily Ever After. After being a farmer for more than a year, she finally met him. She knew nothing about him as the Prince of the East until he gave her the pendant. She knew that he wouldn't be able to come back to her for his duty as the new lord of the East, so she went back to her father's land and requested to see him as a princess, her real identity. It surprised her at first when she received a response from the elders that said he agreed to meet her. She almost lost her hope that he might have decided to move on and find another wife for himself. But still, she came and wanted to see him herself. In the end she was glad and happy to know her beloved still loved her.
He still couldn't believe that his beloved was actually a real princess and that princess was also the farmer that he had fallen in love with. But then, did it matter to him that she was the princess that he thought as brainless before? No, it didn't matter anymore as he leaned down to kiss her lips. He would accept her for who she is, regardless of whether she was a farmer or a princess.

The End

Thanks for reading.

Prev 1. Fiancée Inn 2. My Clumsy Princess 3. Just Stay with Me 4. To See You 5. Nemuri Hime 6. It's Always Been You 7. Remember Me 8. Farmer or Princess? 9. Ghost's Girlfriend 10. Life 11. White Christmas 12. The Spirit of My Life 13. Involuntary Third Wheel 14. Six Hours 15. Melt The Snow 16. Within Another Chance Next