Important Note! (ACTUALLY READ THIS!) If another story has a plot similar to this one, I assure you it is purely coincidence. I am highly against jocking off someone else's idea. I try hard to keep my plots different from others. :D thanks for listening.
Major thanks to Symphony Rain, who gave me permission beforehand to post this.
Dedicated to you
readers, Crystal-Neko, Symphony Rain, all the staff & manager
from Damage Control, and all of those great authors out there. And
of course, the reviewers ;)
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Behind
The Mask
Prologue
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Once upon a time… in a land far, far away… beyond the red cherry trees, rolling hills and shallow valleys, lay the magnificent kingdom of Azumano. Everyday travelers from afar would venture across treacherous lands just to chance a peek at the sacred realm. Trading flourished; merchants moved to the glorious city in hopes to obtain a large fortune. The city was well run- with high defenses, decent social system, embellished environment, and a benevolent King and Queen.
King Keiji and Queen Kaoru were an enamored couple, and ran their roles as monarchs efficiently. They were genuinely inseparable, spending every waking moment with each other and could not bear to be apart. Before long, the couple was blessed with twin daughters, two beautiful princesses… one who would someday become Queen.
Although the two were twins, the princesses couldn't have been any more different. One was obedient and courteous, gifted with exceedingly profound manners. Her politeness astounded many, but she often found herself gazing out the large window of her room and daydreaming of unspoken matters.
The other was arrogant and adventurous, and had a thrill for the outdoors. She always had the need for excitement and was enthralled with bare horseback riding and archery- both clearly unfit for a princess. The two were as opposite as night and day, but they had a close connection and spent much time together.
However, not long after the twins were born, the Queen was diagnosed with a foreboding disease with no known cure or cause. The rare blood disease distorted her face and its functions, rendering her unable to express facial emotions. Gradually her face became so deformed to the point where she could no longer eat- and shortly after… Queen Kaoru died.
King Keiji fell into depression. The once jovial and wise man had disappeared, and in its place was a lifeless statue. He spoke to only the closest of his servants, and avoided all contact with the outside world. He would only eat and sleep as much as was minimally required. His capability of ruling his kingdom began to dissipate, and the economy fell into corruption.
Fearing that his daughters would share the same fate as his deceased wife, the King ordered them to wear a mask at all times. They were to go outside as little as possible and only a few close loved ones had ever set sight upon their delicate faces.
But without a prince, the kingdom would have no future ruler. King Keiji devised a plan to hold three masquerades- balls in which guests and hosts would wear masks – in hopes to marry his daughters off.
It would prove to be a drastic mistake.
With a simple mask, he could hide his daughters from the world. From its dangers, its ruthlessness, its pain…
…and its beauty.
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r & r please :D