Disclaimer: I do not own Snow White with the Red Hair, or any of its characters.

A/N: You need to read the previous books, if you hope to truly understand this story.


It was getting close to the ball in the castle of the king. I was nervous/excited, but it was also going to change everything for me. The world was going to know I exist. To be perfectly honest, what a relief. I have trained and progressed to a nearly undefeated position in the training courts, and became an even match to Kiki herself. Desti was no slouch either. He had a really good teacher. Yes, me! I had encounters that had given me a better grasp of what it was like out in the world. I realized that many things that I thought and believed in, didn't even exist, but perhaps that's because I had to paint my picture of it, from books. I still get into trouble, but now I can get out of it, too. I have a lot to learn, I know that, but I am far more equipped to handle it all. I sneak off all the time, to train Desti in secret. He is my best friend.


I knock Desti to the ground. "Down again. What do you say we call it, for now. I'm beat."

Desti's short, black hair became messy, as he scrambled back to his feet. "What, are you saying? You don't think I can beat you?" His sapphire eyes, showed off a little hurt.

"Doesn't need to be said. Proof is in the pudding." I smirked in confidence.

"I guess you're right. How about we go to town, then. When was the last time you went, anyway?"

"Well...I ah..."

"You haven't been out since that misadventure, years ago, have you?"

"No."

"So, what are you waiting for? Come on!" Desti took my hand to lead me to the castle walls.

"Wait, Ru Ru." I held out my arm to receive my feathered friend. "I need a decoy! Go!" I sent 'm off.

"What are you doing?"

"I trained Ru Ru to fly around on the other side of the castle grounds."

"And because Ru Ru always follows you..."

"Right! Obi and the others will think, I am over there. It's perfect!"

"Clever girl." Desti mused.

And we climbed over the walls and headed to Wistal.


"You lost her, again! That is like the fifteenth time this month." Zen grew frustrated.

"I am not getting any younger, Master. She is trained too well, even for me." Obi defended.

"If you can't keep up with her, then we will have to find someone who can."

"If she can shake Obi, it will be unlikely, you will find anyone who can. Maybe it would be easier to find someone she won't want to shake off." Kiki suggested.

A sigh expelled from Zen's lips. "Is she still seeing that common boy?"

"I believe so."

"I see. She probably thinks, I still don't know about it. That's why she keeps sneaking off." Zen stood out on his balcony, overlooking the entire forest grounds.

"You might be right, but there could be another reason."

That seemed to perk Zen's interest. "Oh?"

"She is probably just tired of being followed like a shadow." Kiki added.

"You'd know a thing or two about that, wouldn't you, Zen." Mitsuhide teased.

"I guess you're right. She is just like me. That is what I'm afraid of."

"Well, should we send the bird to find her, Master? I didn't find her on the castle grounds."

"No, there isn't any sign of her in danger. It is best, if we don't reveal our secret, at least, not until necessary. She'll come back soon. And then, I will have a talk with her." Zen turned back towards his office desk.

"She doesn't listen to anyone else."

"That's not true, she listens to Kiki." Zen pointed out.

"I am not sure making me, her attendant, is going to change anything." Kiki reasoned.

Zen's expression became littered with worry. "We'll have to think of something. The ball is coming up soon. Things could get very sticky for her, after her presentation. If she doesn't have a capable attendant, she could be in danger."

"She can handle it!" Obi announced, trying to lighten the mood.

"Can she? Are you forgetting about Denavir and all the other kingdoms, she visited, on her last venture."

"She was 10, give her a break. She is way more skilled now."

"But still not that prepared." Zen argued.


"I forgot what it was like out here. I guess a lot happened and I just didn't get out anymore. Not that my father, would let me." I walked through the crowds towards the market place. My pink hair hidden under a black hood.

"See, I told you it was a good idea." Desti enjoyed being right.

"True. Desti? I have been thinking. You have been practicing with me for a while, and your really good. So, what would you think about being my attendant?"

"You want me? I don't know what to say."

"Just say you'll do it, silly." I smiled cheekily.

"Yes. I would like that."

"Good, now let's get something to eat."


Later on, I returned to the castle. I was met at my quarters by Obi.

"There you are. Enjoy Wistal?" He said accusingly.

"I don't know what your talking about."

"Well, I am sure the Master would love to hear about it."

"You told my Father?!" I shrieked.

"Yes, of course I did. Maybe you didn't know, but an attendant's job, is to protect you. That is pretty hard to do, when you keep leaving them behind."

"I don't need protection!"

"Then why don't you tell the Master!"

He knew, I can't say that to my Father. I would never get out of this. I stormed off towards my Father's office.


Knock. Knock. "You wanted to see me?" I asked hesitantly.

"Kiki! Mitsuhide! Please leave for now." If Father was sending them away, that means he is furious. I am in for it now. But I was greeted with silence.

"Father?" I decided to break the deafening silence.

"What were you thinking?"

"Ah.."

"You can't keep ditching your attendant!" I detected a seriousness in his voice, that assured me, I was getting a major scolding. "I didn't make any motions of dealing with it before, but you left the castle today."

"How did you..."

"Tell me, do you have feelings for that boy? Are you hoping that he will be able to be with you forever?"

"What? No, he is just a friend!"

"Are you sure? Because you're spending an awful lot of time with him."

"You knew, all this time?"

"You think I don't know what goes on, in this castle?"

"..."

"You need to have a clear understanding of what you want. You can not falter."

"I don't have any feelings for Desti. I know that I must marry a noble. And I will just have to find one I like." I seemed to pacify my Father for now. Even though, I am not sure I convinced him of anything.

"Very well. You should go pack your things. We will be leaving in the morning!"

"Where are we going?" I wasn't aware we were going somewhere.

"You haven't forgotten already? We are heading to the Wilant Castle in the north. For the ball being hosted for your birthday."

"Oh right, must have slipped my mind." I felt pretty stupid now.

"You may leave." I had never heard him talk to me like that. Like I was just a guard. Was he that mad? I didn't get a punishment, so He couldn't be.


The next morning, I met my parents at the gate, and we sat inside the carriage. I was wondering if things were going to be casual as they often had, or were things going to be tense, after our argument last night.

"It is pretty far away, but we will be able to see much of Clarines." My Mother seemed to try to perk my interest. I wondered if my Mother knew about everything from yesterday. I didn't think my Father would keep secrets from her.

"That'll be nice." I smiled expectantly.

"Yes. I haven't even been to this castle in a long time." Zen seemed to be quite relaxed. Maybe he wasn't mad at me anymore?

"Have you been there yet, Mother?"

"To be honest, I haven't."

"Why haven't you?" I couldn't believe that my Mother hadn't been there. It felt like King Izana didn't want anything to do with us.

"This is a huge deal. King Izana hasn't invited us till now. Sometimes I wonder that, myself." Zen grew thoughtful.

"Will I ever get to meet the previous King?" Not much has been said about him, so it made me curious.

"You want to meet her?" Zen asked curiously.

"I wonder that myself. You rarely ever speak of her, Zen."

"She is really busy, honestly, I don't really hear from her. I wonder if Izana does." Zen answered.

"The first king was your Mother, but you don't seem to be that close." Shirayuki deducted.

"I'm not. She left me with Izana, when I was still quite young. She closed up, couldn't seem to handle things well. Izana would know more about it, I'm sure."

"Why haven't you asked him?"

"I guess, I just accepted it."

"Will she be at my presentation?" I felt a little nervous thinking about it.

"You never know, she might."

"Okay. What about the King before her?" Now I know, he was never mentioned before.

"He fell ill. He didn't make it. It tore my Mother apart."

"So that is why, Clarines has the best herbalists and medical systems!" Shirayuki mused.

"It goes far deeper than that."

"How so?"

"We have a lot of friendships with our neighbouring countries, but we have also made a lot of enemies of other countries too. We have managed to pacify them for now. Or we would be at war." Zen explained.

"Do you think it could happen?" I didn't like thinking about the possibilities of war.

"If they knew that we were there sometime ago, then we surely would be."

"But that wasn't my fault." I responded defensively.

"That doesn't matter. It is a big deal when royalty trespasses into another kingdom unannounced. Especially, if their kingdom's are enemies."

I never realized how bad the outcome could be. I know Kenshi, wouldn't blab to the prince, but the man I killed, surely would have. What about those bandits? I don't think they would even talk to the prince, so no harm done. This time. Zen knew what I was thinking about. He and Shirayuki, always wanted to ask me about it, but knew I was too emotional to talk about it.

"We are going to have a lot of time. Would you like to share some of your adventures?" Zen asked softly.

"You want to hear about it?" I didn't know whether to be sad, scared or pleased to know that they were interested in my adventure sometime ago.

"Yes, and I would really like to know how you met Kenshi too." Zen turned to Shirayuki. "He was a man that saw us off. Miko had told me, he was a friend of hers."

"A lot of bad things happened, but many good things too. I found a lot of people to be caring and compassionate. But things didn't go so well, when some people found out who I was, or where I was from."

"People found out!" Zen practically yelled, in horror.

"Kenshi knows, but he doesn't mind it. Some bandits took my necklace, but I don't think they will give us any problems. And the noble... I finished him off." I studied my father's face. I never told him I killed someone till now. I didn't know how he was going to react.

"Did he attack you?" I nodded. He simmered down. "Then I guess you did what you had to. That couldn't have been helped. If a noble knew who you were, that could cause tensions to rise, between our countries. Did that have anything to do with the man, who was trying to kill you?"

Shirayuki felt a lot of concern at that moment. "Someone tried to kill you?"

I pointed to the scar at the start of my neck. Which made my parents shudder.

"He did that to you? I am sorry." Zen tried to calm himself. "So my intervention, that was your second encounter with him?"

"Yes. My shoulder was dislocated, so I was not able to do anything. Desti saved my life." At that moment, I knew that my Father appreciated Desti a lot more.

I continued to tell them about my adventures. I was more relaxed, now that I had got passed the more troubling parts. I watched as my parents seemed to hang on every word. It brought them great sadness, now knowing what I actually went through. Shirayuki started to cry. Zen looked like he was trying to keep it together.

"I'm fine now. Please don't cry." I gave her a hug.

"I can't help it. I didn't know it was... sob... that bad."

"I'm sorry." Zen said with resentment. I hope that they don't start thinking I am damaged or anything. After a while, we finally came to a stop.

"Looks like we're here." We stepped out of the carriage to be greeted. Many guards accompanied King Izana, Prince Keno and Queen Rin. I had seen Keno from time to time. King Izana and Queen Rin, not at all, since we first met.

"Welcome. I hope your journey here, was a pleasant one." Everything had to be so formal with my uncle. Not even sure, I would get away with even calling him that. If I thought my Father could be strict, there was no way, I would try anything with King Izana. We were then lead into the castle. The adults left to catch up, so Keno and I headed to the training courtyard.


Keno had practiced really hard, since our first visit, as if he suddenly developed an interest in it. I think he just didn't like me beating him. Although, that hasn't changed, and I doubt it ever will. Especially, since I have the chance to train with all the attendants, and Desti. And being a teacher, also helps to hone my skills in a different way. As for Keno, he can train with Rin or Izana, when they're free, or the palace captain, when they aren't. We were pretty good friends already, he seemed to have all the same interests, and I am kinda responsible for teaching him to get into trouble, even though. he would not dare do it at his own castle.

As I knocked him off his feet again, I grew curious. "Have you ever ventured outside the castle?"

"No, my Father would be furious."

"So, you are going to be scared of him, your whole life."

"I'm not scared. Would you want to be there, when he is really angry?"

"Nope. But he isn't my Father."

"I think Prince Zen takes it way too easy on you."

"Well you don't know that. I actually had got into a fight with him a couple days ago. He is scary when he is angry. From what I can tell, Izana would be a lot more collected in dealing with it."

"Are you crazy! You can't call him that! What if he finds out?!" Keno shrieked in terror.

"He is not going to."

"You don't know him like I do. He has eyes and ears all over this place."

"Relax and try to have a little fun, will you. I think while everyone is busy, we should sneak into town."

"Where? Lido or Sui?"

"Which one is better?"

"I don't know. Just like I think it is a really bad idea."

"You're no fun."

"Well you don't know what has happened in Sui and Lido."

"The land is so beautiful. How could you not want to see it?"

"Knowing the danger, is important too."

"Fine. But now I am curious. What did happen?"

He told me the story, and their revenge plots.

"I guess you're right. That would be overly reckless. Too bad. Do you think maybe King Izana would have us escorted, if we asked to see the cities?"

"I doubt it. Especially, with the ball tomorrow." He was right.

I was defeated. How could I cower behind the castle walls, when just outside, was a wondrous land to discover. But it isn't like I wanted to go looking for trouble. I already know what my Father would say. And after our conversations in the last few days, I could not imagine how much trouble I would be in, here. That is playing with fire.


I took my leave, and headed towards my temporary room, deciding to get changed, before I ruined my dress. As I was walking down the hall, I saw Queen Rin talking with my Mother. I didn't know what they were talking about, but I could see they were good friends. It seemed, despite Shirayuki's efforts, she was still pretty downcast upon hearing my story. Maybe that is why Rin was there to comfort her. If that is so, will she tell Rin about it. I really didn't want anyone to know. I didn't even tell my parents till now. But then I remembered my last encounter with Rin.

"Have you ever taken a life?" I can't believe I just asked her that. It is stupid, I am going to regret it.

"Yes." I was stunned. I can't even believe she answered me. "Why do you ask?"

"Because I-I... killed someone..."

"I see, you never forget the first."

"No I promise, I will not take anyone else." Then I said to myself, "Never..."

"Some people die that should live, and some live that deserve to die. When you have to chose between them, the decision will be hard, but I am sure you know what choice to make."

She understood me. I felt a little more relaxed, but wait, what if she tells King Izana. My eyes widened. Not only would I be in a lot of trouble, so would my Father, for going after me. I walked around the corner. I was going to eavesdrop. I had to know.

I heard my Mother giggle. "So King Izana was all for it?"

"Yep. But I am sure Prince Zen would be totally against it."

"It's so true. It makes me feel kind of bad about it all."

"Will you tell him? I am pretty sure, he will find out sooner or later, but I sure would like to see the look on his face."

"I don't think I would. Either way, Zen would not be happy about it. I couldn't do that to him."

"Well then please wait! It could get very messy. We don't want to ruin the ball, afterall." Queen Rin pleaded.

"I suppose I could wait till we get back to the Wistal Castle."

What are they talking about? I beat myself over the head for not eavesdropping sooner.

"I think we should get ready for dinner soon. I guess you will want to rest a bit too. It was a long trip".

"I will see you at dinner."

"Likewise." Rin left in the other direction.

Shirayuki walked around the corner, and nearly jumped out of her skin, when she saw me.

"What are guys talking about?" I asked.

"You overheard us talking? You shouldn't eavesdrop! That is very rude."

"I couldn't help myself. So, what was it?" I was as curious as a cat.

"It isn't any of your concern." Shirayuki put me in my place.

I was just too curious for my own good. "I'm sorry. I wasn't going to eavesdrop, but you looked like you were talking about something funny. How could I resist?"

"I'm sure you can wait."

"Fine." I turned to walk to my room.

"Where are you going?"

"To get out of this dress...?"

"You mean in time for diner."

Oh right, I will need to be in a dress for dinner. Great. I turned to follow my Mother to the dining room.