Chapter 1: To Remember

I don't know how long I have been like this. It could be weeks. I've lost track of time. I tried keeping track of the time on the wall across from me but that proved to be ineffective; without the sun or any way of knowing how much time has passed, there is no way that I could keep track of time. My only source of light is from a single candle that's been lit again and again. It casts a gloomy shadow on my silhouette as well as the bars. Once in a while the candle flickers causing the shadows to move and dance.

The only thing I see around me is blood… there's so much blood everywhere. I've never seen so much blood. It's been accumulating together gradually for the past couple of days. Every day someone new dies adding on to the already impressive pool of blood; their blood mixes together with one another. Strangers who have never known each other are now intertwined in a way they would have never imagined.

How much more has to be spilt before this is all over?

My lips are so dried but I don't dare lick my lips. I have yet adjusted to the taste of blood. The strange metallic taste is something that I will never be able to become accustomed to. The first day I was in here, I drank a mouthful of blood. The thought of drinking someone else's blood alone was nauseating. My body instinctively tried to throw up immediately after the first taste. Fortunately, my stomach has been completely empty so all that really came up again was the blood.

The smell doesn't bother me anymore. I initially tried to breathe solely through the mouth to avoid smelling the blood but after many hours I gave up.

I noticed that the initial color of blood is a rich red, almost like the color of The Rapier Kingdom. The way it shines and flows between my fingers is almost majestic. Blood is a bit thicker than water and has an unfamiliar consistency to it. Then, as time goes by, the blood becomes dark and thick and doesn't flow as beautifully between the fingers. Finally, the blood starts to harden and cakes onto whatever surface it is on.

My hands have been so sore and raw. I have been pounding on the stone walls pleading. Being in solitude for long has made me insane. I am having strange and unholy thoughts. The line between reality and my imagination has become difficult to distinguish.

Where are my knights?

I need you guys….

Shion, I miss you with your face always buried in a book.

I can feel my eyes starting to water as I start to think about my friends.

Kenny… my childhood friend…please help me…

*drip*

Haku…I miss your devilish smile.

*drop*

Knight Commander Gaia…please come save me.

*drip drop*

Lute…Lute…

The tears won't stop. I want my old life back…

"Come play with us Princess!" the children shouted at me. Word has spread like wildfire throughout the Rapier Kingdom that their long lost princess was kind and gentle to her people.

"She's always willing to help the villagers"

"Have you tried her cooking that one time? It was amazing!"

"I heard she saved an entire lychee village"

"She's not like the other princesses; we're so fortunate to have a princess who cares so much about her people."

Praise after praise, everything I did for the Rapier Kingdom was met with nothing but admiration from the villagers. I loved them, and they loved me back. The children enjoyed visiting the castle grounds to be able to play with the princess and I enjoyed their company; it was must better than listening to a boring lecture by my butler Richard who also took on the responsibility of being my tutor.

"Alright guys, you better start hiding! 10…9…8…" I cover my eyes with both my hands as I counted down to one. The children let out excited screams as they scattered all around the garden. Their laughters and light footsteps sounded further and further away.

Then, I could hear footsteps running towards me. It was definitely not one of the children, it was much too heavy. There was only one person in the castle who would come running to me at a time like this.

"P-Princess! This is not how a proper princess should act!" Richard lectured me. He would always harangue me about all my imperfections. I uncovered my eyes to look into Richard's dark, unamused eyes. I slightly pouted at his words. No matter what I tried, it would never please Richard.

"She can't help it Richard, she was raised as a country bumpkin after all" Another familiar voice said away from my peripheral vision. I turned to see some of the other knights approaching me. Unlike Richard, they didn't seem to think there was anything wrong with the idea of me playing with the other children.

"Ken, that is no way to talk to the Princess! Apologize" Lute lectured Kenny. My heart did a quick skip at the sound of Lute's voice. Our eyes locked and we both shared a loving smile.

When I first met Lute, I knew he was the ideal knight. But I wasn't the only one who noticed Lute. Many of the girls in the kingdom have heard of the perfect knight; some of the die-hard fans even had a fan-group dedicated to him.

He was able to make me feel special in a way I never felt before. Immediately after coming to the kingdom, I willingly gave my heart out to him. He struggled for a bit knowing that a love between a princess and a knight could never happen. But eventually, he too saw that our love for one another could not be stopped. Our love was a secret that was kept from my father and the rest of the kingdom. Only the knights knew of our secret love affair. He was always so gentle and caring, putting my needs and the kingdoms before his own.

"Princess, I think you have a game to finish" I was snapped back to the present to Haku's voice. I had almost forgotten about the children. I could see some of them peaking their heads out wondering if I would come searching for them

"7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1! Here I come!" I quickly counted down the rest of the numbers and started to look for the children. I could hear a couple of stifled giggles and murmurs behind some of the bushes. Ken, Haku and Lute watched me in amusement while Richard watched me disapprovingly with his arms crossed over his chest. Though Richard's body language suggested that he was not amused, I could tell he was trying really hard to keep a scowl on his face. The corner of his mouth showed a small smirk and his eyes betrayed him with a loving glint.

My life was perfect. Nothing could go wrong. Those around me adored me; everything I did for the Rapier Kingdom was met with nothing but admiration. I loved them, and they loved me back.

That night in my room, I let out a deep sigh. The warm bath that was drawn by some of the maids was amazing and just what I needed. I loved all the children of this village and some of them were not afraid to get their clothes dirty during our game of hide-and-seek. Inadvertently, my clothes got dirty after giving them hugs and embracing them. Richard had enough at this point and immediately advised that I go take a bath.

I said my farewells to the village children and went inside.

I heard a faint knock on my door. Who could it be so late at night?

"Yes?"

"Princess, it's me." That voice was all too familiar to me. My heart lurched and I clambered out of bed to open the door for my knight. Lute was wearing his evening clothes and a smile that made any girl's heart melt. I heard from Kenny that there was even a girl who fainted from the sight of him smiling.

"Please, come in Lute."

Lute looked to his left and right to ensure that no one was watching while he entered. Our love was a secret, even to my father. We were careful to make sure to act dignified in the presence of others. But when we were alone like this, we were able to be more open with each other. Lute, the perfect gentleman that he is, has never touched me and I was thankful.

"How are your studies coming along Princess?" Lute makes polite conversation with me.

"I believe I am making some progress but Richard is not happy at the rate of the progress that I am making." I frown when I think of Richard and the look he gives when he is unable to get through to me. It's not that I don't want to learn and help the Kingdom of Rapier, but I've been raised a country girl who never had to know any of this. I wish my grandma, who was really my wet nurse, Lady Tome, would have taught me some of the basics.

"You are a unique individual Princess, take all the time you need. The rest of the kingdom and the villagers are here to support you and all of your efforts. Please, do not lose hope" He always knew what to say. I felt better with his optimism.

"You're right Lute. I will continue to try my best for the Kingdom.

Lute smiles and extends his arm, offering his hand to me. I take his hand and I can feel the warmth of his hand spread throughout my body, especially my face. His face quickly reddens too as he pulls me out into the balcony. The moon is beautiful tonight. We both just stare out into the garden for a minute enjoying the silence of each other's company. The Rapier Kingdom had a beautiful garden with flowers in which my father dedicated to me.

"The plant is growing beautifully," I say to him breaking the silence. I am referring to the plant he and I planted after the incident with the lychee village.

Lute smiles warmly at me and looks up at the moon. "Do you remember your first night here Princess?" Lute asks me without breaking eye-contact with the moon, "The moon was shining just like this."

I look up at the moon as well. I remember the first night I was here… Lute and the rest of the knights have just brought me from Kanai village. Richard was already telling me that I would have numerous classes that I would need to get started on right away. He wanted to change who I was completely to fill the role a princess should. The first thing he took away was my physical identity; he changed the way I dressed. He made me wear an ornate dress that I never would have imagined being able to wear my entire life. I was overwhelmed with the schedule that Richard gave me and decided to take a stroll in the garden to clear my head.

At the same time, Lute happened to be in the garden as well. Lute looked at me and blushed complimenting me on my new wardrobe. "A big change from the old raggy clothes I used to wear, isn't it?" I joked with him back then. He looked at my surprised. "No….You were glowing, even then Princess. Your true beauty hasn't changed," he says to me with a heart-melting smile. How did he always know what to say to me?

I come back from my daydream of the first time Lute and I met in the garden.

"Yes, that was the first time we danced together," I answer him looking into his face. Lute looks back at me and smiles lovingly happy to hear that I still remember the first time we met.

"Princess, may I have this dance?" he asks me in a silky voice as he extends his hand to me. It's déjà vu for me. Those were the same words he muttered to me all those nights ago. I stare at him with shock but immediately replace it with a smile of my own and take his hand. He quickly pulls me towards him, places one hand around my waist, clasps my hand with the other and we begin to dance under the moonlight. We don't need an audience or music to sway our bodies.

"You're such an amazing dancer now Princess" Lute doesn't break eye contact with me as he leads in the dance.

"I've had a great teacher," I admit back to him. It's true. Lute was the first to teach me to dance and I never forgot the way our bodies worked in synch together. Our bodies were pressed up against each other, our faces close. His large hands… his strong arms… his broad chest… I love everything about him.

Our dance comes to a close with him slowly twirling my body. As soon as I twirl back into him, Lute grabs my chin and pulls my face towards his. His beautiful eyes looked into mine for only a second before he brings his lips closer to mine and kisses me. I'm shocked by his boldness but willingly accept his advances. I close my eyes and wrap my arms around his neck. My body is pressed up so close to his body, I could feel his heart beating. Could he feel how fast my heart was beating? We stayed there on the balcony under the moonlight neither of us wanting to break the kiss.

My perfect life.

I had a room that could house an entire family; clothes made out of the finest materials across the land; a father who loved me enough to dedicate a whole garden after my favorite flowers; and most importantly, a man who loved me more than life itself.

Everything was perfect. That was the last happy memory that I could remember before everything went wrong.