It is said that everyone has their own destined partner, and that for the first time upon meeting, you will know it deep down inside your heart… She was of peasantry background, he was of royal blood. Never supposed to meet, but as fate would have had it, their paths crossed, heading the start of a beautiful relationship… TamaXHaru

Chapter 1: A Magical Meeting and the Princely Dilemma

At Heirne village school:

"Ok everyone! Class dismissed!" Haruhi packed up and started on her way back home from the small village school. It was not far at all, the way back to her house, so Haruhi took her time and slowly strolled along the muddy track running through the forest, leading to her house, soaking in the sights and sounds of the small critters around her.

Her schoolbag, a medium-sized knapsack made out of hemp, was rather empty and light today, as the teacher had been concentrating on hands-on experiments lately, rather than just studying books. All was peaceful and quiet while she was imagining what her teacher would do tomorrow, when she suddenly heard a sigh from a bush by the side of the road.

She was shocked, and could not imagine why there would be a sigh coming from the bush. She was even half-guessing that she heard wrongly. "Sigh." There it went again! She immediately pushed aside the topmost layer of leaves, and to her surprise, an old lady was sitting there! She had never seen this old lady around the village before, so she guessed that she must have been traveling or from a neighbouring village.

She soon got over her shock, and realized that the old lady was bleeding at the left leg.

"Uh… That looks quite bad… Would you like me to help you with that?"

"Thank you! You're such a kind girl! Girls like these sure are hard to find nowadays!"

With that, Haruhi poured water onto the old lady's wound after removing the cloth. She then plucked herbs, crushed them, and put them on the wound. Following that, she promptly proceeded to rip off some cloth from the edge of her skirt, and used it to bandage up the old lady's leg.

After doing so, Haruhi asked the lady, "Do you need help getting home?" The old lady just shook her head. "I'll be just fine on my own young lady, but here, take this. Just so I can show you my appreciation." The old lady opened her bag to reveal a gown, long and elegant, consisting of the finest threads of blue, and it shimmered, even in the dim light. "There is no way I can accept this!" exclaimed Haruhi, as the dress was shoved into her arms. "Oh yes you can my dear." The old lady's voice seemed to ring in her ears, and when she lifted her head, the old lady was gone.

At the Lamphire castle:

"Cheer up Tama, after all, your father only wants what is best for you…"

"And the country………. I know Ryun! But, if I've never been able to find a suitable bride for so long, how will I be able to find the perfect one for me at a ball?"

And there stood Tamaki's half brother and best friend, Ryunsuke, thinking up something to convince his brother that there was a chance he would find someone this time round.

Yuzuru Suoh only had two sons, Ryunsuke, 25, and Tamaki, 20. Strangely enough, Tamaki was the one inheriting the throne although he was younger. It was not that he was smarter or anything, in fact, it was the other way round, and Ryunsuke seemed perfect for the title of king. The Suoh family held a deep dark secret, and according to Yuzuru, Ryunsuke was a "bastard child", who was lucky enough to be even taken in by him.

"Tche! It should have been you who was made crown prince instead of me. You are so much better suited to the job than I am and…"

"Now, you know just why he chose you Tama…"

"…and I would not have to find a bride so soon…"

"Come on Tama, it might be fun! Everyone in the land will be invited, even the peasants, you're sure to be able to find a suitable bride!"

Sigh "I guess I'll just try my best then…"

"But remember, as father warned; pick a girl who seems to be rich. He sure doesn't want you to end up marrying a peasant."

"I know. He just wants to fake impartiality again."

Next Chapter: A Magical Moment

Tamaki and Haruhi finally meet at the ball. Will true love reign? Or will they be destined to be a pair of star-crossed lovers?