She leaned against the wood pillar of the archway. All around her was rubble, burnt ashes of homes, goods, and bodies. "How could this happen?" She thought to herself, tears welling up in her eyes, looking at the bodies of her friends. She carefully walked up the form lure yet distant path, up to the small palace

she cried seeing the bodies of her beloved family, slaughtered on the floor of the throne room. She fell to her knees, covering her eyes. "Why me?"

That was over 10 years ago. Now, the girl is a loved person in the village built on the ashes of the old.

She dressed herself, leaving her home. Listening to the comments she heard, "There's the beautiful Miyu!" "Miyu! The kind princess!"

She sighed hearing them she knew that they do not know who she really was. She knew that they only liked her because they want to please her so that she wouldn't harm them when she takes the throne.

She went to the place she always goes to get away from the harassment of the palace.

Miyu sat down in the sand, her feet in the water, letting it lap at her toes. She smiled, looking up at the sky. The puffy clouds made her giggle.

A splash was heard in the water on the other bank. She looked over to see a boy a bit taller than she, skipping rocks in the water.
Being as kind as she is, she goes over to him. "Hello, I do not think I know you, and I know mostly all of the faces of the people in my country. My name is Miyu."

The nameless boy, stood straight, bowing respectfully, "My name is Daiki. It is a pleasure to meet you, Empress Miyu." He smiles, know about her.

"Where are you from, Daiki?" She asked kindly.

"Rong Diam, Sire. I am visiting here for a while." He said, keeping his bow low.

"Please, don't be formal...It kinda makes me sick..." She smiled as he loosened up.

"Aren't you suppose to be at the palace doing like document work?" Daiki asked picking up a round smooth rock.

"Not yet, I'm only 17, in two weeks I will have to start doing that stuff though." She sighed looking down.

"Yeah, me too... I mean my age!" He stuttered a bit. "But mine is in one week."

Miyu giggled taking the rock from his hand. Flicking her wrist she watching it skip- once- twice- three times.

"It's kinda a hobby, rock skipping..."He said watching her." along with a few others, but they're embarrassing." The wind blew through his ivory hair.

"I'll tell you my hobby if you tell me yours!" She smiled holding his hands excitingly.

Daiki's cheeks turned a bright pink. "Alright...well... I collect cute things..." He looked away a bit.

Miyu squealed. "Really? Me too! Well, sorta! Know those Mettaninai? (Rare creatures)" He nods. "I collect them! Well, they flock to me and I take care of them."

"Really? I would love to see some!" He grinned happily.

Miyu giggled as well sitting down in the sand, Daiki taking the spot next to her. "Well then, I'll have to bring a few to show you." She said. "I'm really good at finding them in the wild. Especially with this." She took a short wood flute that was hidden in her red sash.

"Oh! That's a beautiful piece." Daiki looked closely at it. "Can you play?"

Miyu rolled her eyes. "No, I just fling it across the field and wack the Mettaninai in the head... Of course I can play!"

Len raised his hands in defense. "Well, soooorrryyyy!"

A smile snuck upon her lips, but it was a sad one. Holding the flute in her lap, looking at it, she whispered, "My mom made this...and taught me too..."

Looking up at the sky, Silence fell over them until Daiki said, "Mom huh? You should be glad you got to meet her." Miyu looked at him wondering what he meant. "My mom died shortly after I was born..."

"Oh, I'm sorry for your loss."

"Don't be sorry. It's not your fault. I'm the one who should be sorry for your losses." He said, turning his head to her.

"Oh...so you know?" She brought her knees up to her chest and hugged them.

"Who doesn't? The deaths of the royal family of Echizen started the war between our two countries." He sighed

Miyu stood. "I should be returning. I don't want anyone to worry about me." She said.

Daiki stood with her, brushing the sand off his pants. "It was nice to meet you. I hope to see you again."

Smiling, she said back. "You will see me soon, don't you worry about that." She turned walking away.

"My birthday is the 28th day." Daiki shouted after her.

Walking backwards, Miyu yelled back, "Mine's the 4th!" She waved.