A lone farmer was out in the field, long after the others had gone inside. He was the poorest of the farmers, and had to work long hours just to scrape by. With a dirt-caked hand he reached up from his place in the field to uselessly try to brush his crimson bangs from his eyes for what seemed like the millionth time that night. He surveyed the field with weary eyes, then sighed and picked up his hoe and started towards his tiny hut. It was a long trek there, and he was bone weary when he reached the entrance. Silently, he dropped his hoe in a corner, and then sleepily crawled into the load of straw he called a 'bed' and fell asleep immediately, dreaming of better things and a better life.

"No! I will NOT marry one of those idiots you call suitors!" scornfully shouted a rather fearsome looking girl to her father. She was a slight girl of seventeen, with liquid obsidian eyes and gleaming raven hair, a beauty that would make any man turn for a second look. The down side was that she had a terrible temper, much unlike the peasant girls that lived in nearby villages. Her eyes were livid with anger, and she jerked her head around angrily. The man sat calmly through it all, watching her from where he sat. "Daughter, you must. I need an heir for the kingdom, and you must marry and that's that," said her father placidly. It was then the girl stormed out, leaving a chuckling father and several bewildered servants who had been listening to the conversation the whole time. The felt sympathy for the young princess, forced by her father to marry since his wife had died so suddenly…..

A tired looking servant walked up to him and asked quietly, "Should I try to get her to come around, sir?" and bowed respectively. The man nodded wisely and said "Do so and my dear Megumi, you always seem to have a way to get her to see things right…" and gently forced her to look up at him, his eyes shining softly. "Someday pet, I'll take you for a wife. That would make you happy, eh?" Megumi didn't reply, just stood there glaring at him, her eyes showing hate. "Off you go then! Hurry it up now…" and with forceful hands he turned her around and pinched her butt sharply. She stomped off in a similar fashion to her mistress, and when she was out of sight, she spat hatefully about the polished floor, planning to run away to get away from his "attentions". She stalked off to find her mistress, knowing exactly where she would be, since she had been running there ever since Megumi had started here…

She strode off towards them, her temper rising rapidly. Who was he, that he could treat her like that? Men! Cursed horn dogs roving around on two feet with macho attitudes, always assuming that women are to be treated like objects! She was lost in her thoughts when she ran into something and fell backwards, landing upon the hard ground. She cursed very loudly and un lady like, not expecting a gentle hand to come into her view and a deep voice saying "Sorry! Sorry! Guess I didn't see you there; here, let me help you up…" and was startled when she was picked her up swiftly and set her on her feet. She found her self looking upwards and staring into a pair of warm brown eyes. "T-thank you, sir." she said quietly, and then looked downwards, her whole posture the very picture of a demure woman. A harsh voice rang out, and an old women came into view saying "Sanosuke you moron! Flirting with the young ladies when you should be hauling water for supper tonight!" quickly strode over to where the two where standing. "Shame on you Sanosuke! Don't you know? That's Miss Megumi! Princess Karou's personal servant!" she said loudly, as she snatched Sano's sleeve and dragged him off, with them still staring at each other…. She shook her head silently as he disappeared inside the kitchen, and continued her way to find her mistress. When would she find time for love?