Shock of Love

Chapter 9...THE INFO

Under a sprawling canopy of clouded sky, King Robert waited at the designated meeting place. He tapped his foot, impatience etching lines into his stern face. Finally, a young girl with an air of quiet confidence approached.

"You're finally here, Luna," Robert said, his voice clipped.

Luna offered a quick, unapologetic smile. "Sorry I'm late, boss. I was collecting the information you needed on the two girls."

"Show me the report," he demanded, extending a hand.

Luna didn't move to hand anything over. Instead, she tilted her head, her eyes flashing with a negotiator's spirit. "I will, but first... did you decide on my condition, future father-in-law?"

Robert took a slow, deep breath, wrestling with the demand. "Fine," he finally exhaled. "I will allow you to marry my son, Luna." Before she could celebrate, his voice hardened, and he pointed a warning finger at her. "But you won't have any power or control over my country after marrying the prince."

Luna's eyes lit up, entirely unfazed by the restriction. "Really? That's great, boss!" She beamed, practically vibrating with excitement. "Fine, I can agree to those terms, *Father*."

Robert’s expression immediately darkened. "Don't call me that."

Luna smirked, testing the waters. "Fine, what about *Uncle* then?"

"Don't push your luck with me," he growled.

Laughing softly, Luna pulled out the files she had gathered. "Fine. Here is the information on the girls." She handed over the first dossier. "Her name is Mia Yuzaki. Fifteen years old, class 4-3."

Robert opened the folder and scanned the document. It was a tragic profile. Mia's mother, Misa, had passed away giving birth to her, and her father, Junya, had been sitting in prison for the last five years after committing murder.

"She got into a lot of trouble and fights throughout middle school," Luna explained, watching him read. "But she changed after entering high school. Her birthday is August 16th, and she currently lives with her twenty-five-year-old brother, Haruko. She plays tennis every day after school and works a part-time job on the weekends." Luna tapped a photograph attached to the file showing Mia beside a young man. "By the way, that guy is her brother."

"Okay. Show me the next report," Robert instructed, satisfied with the intel.

"Sure thing, Uncle," Luna teased, handing over the second file. "This report is on the blonde girl that seems to be close to my fiancé, Tyler."

Robert opened the next folder. The subject was Bloom Kamio, another fifteen-year-old in class 4-3.

"Her mother, Kanota, works at a small company in the middle of town," Luna recited from memory. "Her father is unknown, but he's rumoured to be an abusive alcoholic. Bloom was born in Mienan and grew up with her grandmother. But after a deception, she and her sister Lily left and began living with their parents when she was seven."

"And now?" Robert asked, reading through the complicated history.

"Her parents got divorced before she entered high school," Luna continued. "Her birthday is November 6th. She lives with her mother and younger sister now. She likes to plant and grow flowers in her garden on the weekends." She pointed to a final photo showing two young, smiling girls. "That girl is her sister, and the photo is from when they were younger."

Robert closed the file, visibly impressed by the depth of the intelligence. "Okay then. Thanks again for your hard work."

Luna puffed out her chest proudly. "How do you like my research? To find all of this info, it only took two days of no sleep! So I hope you are pleased, Uncle."

Robert's stern demeanor softened just a fraction. "I am grateful for your work, and I think you should go rest before I introduce you to your future husband, Luna. I appreciate your effort. It will not be taken for granted."

"Yeah!" Luna cheered. "I might only be sixteen, but I'm so happy! Thank you, Uncle, so much!" She practically bounced on her heels. "We'll see each other, boss, and you can introduce us this weekend."

"I shall," Robert agreed. "I'm off. Take care and do stay safe."

"Yes, sir. Wait... I mean, Uncle," Luna corrected with a wide, triumphant smile.

With the terms set and the information delivered, they turned and walked their separate ways beneath the cloudy sky.