Chapter 1: The Announcement

Narration: Once upon a time, in a land far far away, there lived a fair prince by the name of Rubedo of the land of URTV (Unicorn Rainbow Taffy Vale). He was a kind prince but stubborn at times. He was also the heir to the throne of King Yuriev, his father, who had recently contracted a rare disease which could kill him at any time were he not careful. Currently, their country was in a state of war with a rival nation, Realias. Rumors had it that the nations were fighting over a small quarrel between King Yuriev and King Joachim involving the land of Sugar Plum Candy Canes. Neither side was winning and the military force of both nations was starting to be exhausted. This is where our story begins. A spiral of love will engulf the realms of royalty and poverty as the wheels of destiny start to turn.

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Why? Why did Mother have to die after she made the announcement that I had to marry the Princess of Realias? I absolutely hated them. They've done nothing but cause problems for us: our food supply was starting to decrease, they were starting to take over some of our lands, and their recent technology was causing people from URTV to move to Realias. However, my mother made quick arrangements with the Queen of Realias and created the peace agreement so that we could stop the war as well as obtain peace between the nations. Naturally, my father agreed to it. I was brutally opposed. Why did they have to go decide things for me when I was old enough to decide things for myself? I am seventeen!

I couldn't focus in my room so I decided to just sit in the castle garden by the fountain and watch the birds fly by. I didn't want to think of the horrid future that was to come. However, my mother's dying wish was that I marry the princess of Realias. If only there was a way out of this…

C'mon Rubedo, it doesn't sound that bad.

'Why now? Why did we have to make the peace arrangement after the war started? My father was confident that we would win but since neither side has gained ground, my mother had taken things into her own hands and try and settle this peacefully. Look where it got her.'

I've heard that the Princess of Realias is a real beauty.

'It doesn't interest me.'

You're lying, I can tell. You miss the girl from 14 years ago…the one you used to play with in Elsa Fields…you're waiting for her and refuse to marry anyone but her, am I correct?

'Would you please shut up, Albedo? I'm trying to think.'

I cut myself off from my conscience and stood up. He was such a pain in the butt. But, he's been with me for as long as I could remember. I don't know if it was a blessing or a curse but I didn't mind it. He kept me company when my brother Gaignun wasn't around.

I was about to go to sleep until my servant, Canaan, woke me up.

I rubbed my eyes sleepily. "What is it, Canaan? I was about to go to sleep…"

"Master Rubedo. Your father the King wishes to see you in the audience chambers. It's urgent."

"Alright. Carry on."

Canaan bowed and quickly made his way out. I headed to the audience chamber and saw my father telling a servant what to write on a letter. It was probably to Realias.

I bowed in front of him and then took a seat. "You wished to speak with me?"

"I know it is not my place to say this but I know that your mother's death is wearing heavily on your shoulders, my son. And the marriage to the princess of Realias makes it worse since you despise them so greatly…but try to make the best of it. Our countries will finally be able to make peace after 20 long years."

"Why would Mother do something so ridiculous as to come up with a peace agreement that could join our nations together? What if Realias takes advantage of our weakness and conquer us?"

"That won't happen. I believe that Realias is not that kind of country. Anyways, we have seen to it that the treaty covers all boundaries that they could take advantage of if they did try to conquer us."

"But…I read in the treaty that in order for it to actually take effect, the marriage must occur in order for this to happen, right?"

My father solemnly nodded.

"Why must it be me? Why can't it be Gaignun?"

"You're the oldest and at a good age to marry."

I managed to keep my anger in control and got up slowly. "I'll be going now, Father."

"Just make sure to be back at 8 sharp tonight. The royalty of Realias will be here at 8:30 so we need you to get ready by the time they arrive. We wouldn't want our first impression to be a bad one."

"Yes, Father."

I left the audience chamber quickly and headed into town. I couldn't stand being in the castle any longer. I didn't want to be reminded of what would happen tonight. Maybe I could run away…

You are such an idiot, Rubedo.

'What was that?'

Your parents are doing this for the good of this country. You should know that better than anyone. Don't you care about your subjects as they do about you?

'Of course I do! There could be a much easier way to approach this if we had time to think about it!'

Then what would you suggest? You've had plenty of time to think about it.

'I…don't know.'

That's what I thought.

I accidentally bumped into a girl and caused her to fall. The basket of flowers she was carrying fell onto the ground and caused the flowers inside to scatter.

She went to pick them up with one hand and looked at who she bumped into to. "I am so sorry, Prince Rubedo! Forgive me for I was distracted!" The blue-haired girl bowed in the deepest respect. I helped her gather up the flowers but the entire time, she had her head down in shame.

I put a handful of flowers into the basket. "Hey, it's alright. It was my fault entirely. I wasn't the one paying attention."

She clutched onto the basket a little tighter and looked down. "No, the fault is mine! You need not be kind to a low subject like me!"

"How much is a flower?"

She looked up surprised. Her red eyes were starting to well up with tears. I thought she was sad but turns out, she was really happy. "You'll really buy one?"

I scratched my head. "Of course. It's the least I can do since I bumped into you."

"It's five gold."

I gave her ten and grabbed a red rose. "Take the extra as an apology."

"Thank you so much, Prince Rubedo! I am not worthy of such kindness!"

I tapped her shoulder as I went on. "Have a good day."

"Y…yes!" She was all flustered and ran off happily down the street. Her basket bounced along with her as she took each step.

Aren't you a stud?

'Shut up. I really happen to like roses.'

Right, right…

Everyone around me greeted me as I went along, heading to my destination. As I did, I noticed how happy the people were by my just being there, walking amongst them as if I was one of them. It kind of made me feel…

"Rubedo!" Someone called from behind.

I turned around to see a familiar face. "Gaignun? What are you doing here? I thought you went to Elsa Fields to pick some flowers."

"They're right here, silly." He opens his pouch bag and reveals a variety of different flowers I had never seen before. "What are you doing out?"

"I was just going for a walk." We both started to walk into the town square.

Gaignun looked up in the sky and stared at the sun to guess the time. "Aren't the guests from Realias going to be here soon?"

"What about it?"

Gaignun stopped and pointed a finger at me. "You're one of the stars of the gathering, Rubedo! How can you not care?"

I lowered my head and clenched my fists together. "It's because I hate the people of Realias."

Gaignun grabbed onto my shoulders with his hands. "Just because we're fighting them? That's not enough good reason, Rubedo! You're making cruel assumptions of them just because they are a rival nation!" He then sighed. "I met some people there while I was at Elsa Fields…they're really nice."

I released myself from his grip and brushed myself off. "I think they're up to something with the peace agreement. Something's fishy...I can feel it."

"But Mother and Queen Juli discussed it together!"

"It doesn't mean anything. The treaty states that in order for ALL of this to actually take effect, I must marry the Princess of Realias."

"What does that have to do with anything? I heard that she was quite the beauty. You should be happy and not be worrying about it."

"And you need to worry more."

Gaignun laughed a little and then looked around. "The peddler's store…it should be around here somewhere…"

"You mean this one?" I looked up at a rickety old building that looked like it would fall at any moment.

"Yeah, that's it!" He opened the door and walked inside. "Hello! Ms. Uzuki?"

BOOM!

Smoke erupted from a door in the back and a lady in her late 20s burst out from the room and walked towards Gaignun and me. Her hair was of a brownish hue, like the trunk of a tree and her eyes were like sparkling emeralds on a dark night. She looked like she had been working on some kind of chemical research; her face was covered in ash.

"I'm sorry! Did I cause you to lose focus on your experiments?" Gaignun asked, helping her brush some ash from her clothes. I helped as well. Got to be courteous and all…

"Not at all! I guess I used the wrong compound and look where it got me…" As soon as she was cleaned up, she sat down and looked at us. "What did you come here for, Gaignun? You brought a friend as well."

"This is my brother, Rubedo…he came along with me. But, well, um…I was hoping you could make a flower necklace with these flowers I gathered at Elsa Fields." He opened his pouch bag and handed it to Ms. Uzuki.

"Hm…some dandelions…and daffodils…and cherry blossoms…" Her hands started to fly as she grabbed some string and flowers and put them on all at once. A couple of seconds later, a flower necklace had emerged from the bag. I was a bit surprised. I've never seen someone make something that fast.

'She's good.'

What would you expect from a hag that stays in her house working on experiments all day?

"You shouldn't call her a hag, Albedo."

Ms. Uzuki looked at me with a smile on her face. "A hag, you say?" I suddenly felt bloodlust emanating from Ms. Uzuki.

I put my hands over my mouth. Crap. I did not just say that out loud, did I? I prayed I didn't.

By the look of it, I think you did. Hahahaha.

"Um, he didn't mean it, Ms. Uzuki!" Gaignun got in front of me and spread out his arms protectively. "I forgot to mention that Rubedo has a conscience which speaks its mind! So Rubedo and his conscience talk inside his head all the time!"

Mrs. Uzuki's eye perked up in interest. "Really, now?"

I do not like that look.

Run, Rubedo! Run like you're being chased by fangirls!

Although they had sent me lots of love letters and stalked me from time to time, I could tell that this would probably be a thousand times worse. I could feel it.

Ms. Uzuki went to her bookshelf and started flipping through the pages of her book. She went through each one slowly and efficiently. Just what was she looking for?

"Ah. Here it is." She laid out the book in front of me to read.

I couldn't believe my eyes. It was something of a fantasy. That's what my father always told me. "A ghost spirit?"

"Yes. A spirit seems to have merged with your soul and created life."

"My inner conscience?"

"Precisely. That inner you, this Albedo person, is the remnants of a lost spirit who wanders for his loved one."

'You getting anything from this, Albedo?'

This woman is clearly mad.

'Are you sure? Doesn't it ring a bell or anything?'

As I said before, I have no recollection of my past life. All I can remember is waking up when you did. So in other words, this hag is starting to feel her old age.

"He says that he can't remember anything."

"Of course he can't. Until he finds his loved one, the memories will never trigger and he will forever be bound to you."

Rubedo. Slap this woman. Give her some sense.

'No! She could blow us up with her concoctions!'

Then leave. I'm growing rather tired and the party is in an hour or two. You should probably head back.

"Do you know what time it is?" I asked.

Ms. Uzuki looked at her sundial. "It's almost seven."

I grabbed Gaignun's arm and tried to go. "Nice meeting you, Ms. Uzuki! Gaignun and I have a royal party to go to!"

Gaignun looked at his necklace and held it gently like a mother would a baby. "Thanks for making this for me, Ms. Uzuki!" He waved goodbye.

She stood outside her door and waved back to him. "Just call me Shion! Have fun at the party!"

As soon as we were a good distance away, I dropped Gaignun.

Gaignun rubbed his head. "Hey! What was that for? You could've destroyed the flower necklace Ms. Uzuki made for me!"

"Why would you want to make a flower necklace anyway?"

"It's for you."

That took me by surprise. I never would've guessed he would've done something like this. "What? Why?"

"You're meeting the Princess of Realias tonight so I thought you could maybe give her a gift since you two are getting married!"

I whacked him in the head angrily. "What kind of stupid idea is that?"

"A very good one and you know it, Rubedo! It'll work well with her." He offered the necklace towards me.

I eyed it uneasily and slowly took it. "It looks pretty nice…"

"I'm pretty sure one more flower will do…"

I remembered the rose that I bought from the flower girl and put it onto the flower necklace. It seemed to bring out the true beauty of the flowers and whoever would wear it, the fragrance of beauty would emanate from them.

"It looks great now with that rose!"

I sighed. "Let's just go and get ready for the party."

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Canaan checked my black suit again to see if anything was missing or not in place. I thought it looked fine but he wanted to make sure I was perfect. "This suit seems to fit you nicely, Master Rubedo."

"I hate these things. They're just not me." I took one last look at the mirror and looked at the flower necklace. I grabbed it and safely put it away in a pocket and went into the hallway. Gaignun was talking to a servant and then came to me when he saw me.

"Ready for the party, Rubedo?"

"No."

"Let's go then!" He dragged me to the audience chamber.

The decorations there were colossal as well as beautiful. I never would've believed that my father actually decorated the entire chamber in just a few hours. The only time I've seen him do something fast was at dinner when Mother said that she was heading to their room. Tables were lined up in nice rows and columns with enough room in the middle of the chamber for a dance floor. People were all over the place: sitting, eating, conversing. I was a bit surprised at the friendless both nations were showing the other. For a second, I almost forgot that we were at war with them.

My father was talking with King Joachim and Queen Juli at his throne. They seemed to be getting along. I guess maybe my assumption of them was wrong…

"I wonder where the Princess is…" Gaignun wondered. "I don't see her anywhere."

I groaned. "Have you even seen her before?"

"No. But I thought I could find her by her tiara or her poofy dress. Usually princesses do that."

That's true. I'm surprised they can move much less breathe in those prison cages.

'Why don't you just keep opinions to yourself? I'd rather not listen to any of them.'

Fine, fine. I'll just remain the peaceful bird in the cage.

Gaignun and I made our way to Father and greeted him as well as the King and Queen of Realias.

"So you're the highly acclaimed Prince Rubedo I've heard so much about…" Queen Juli looked at me up and down. "Your mother told me much about you."

I bowed down; trying to remember the proper etiquette I had been taught at royal classes to show to all people of high importance. Man, they were a pain. "It's a pleasure to meet you."

"You must be excited about meeting your future wife, right?" Joachim asked. "She should be out on the balcony."

"Then I will take your leave." I bowed again and approached the balcony. Questions started to fly through my head: What was she like? What did she look like? Were the rumors of her beauty true? Would I actually be happy if I married her? Would our nations finally find peace?

I wonder if she has a nice body…?

'Keep your perverted thoughts to yourself.'

The crisp, cool air blew past my face as I stood behind her. The night sky was lined with twinkling stars, as if they were rejoicing about me and the Princess meeting. The full moon seemed to add into the scenery I was eyeing adding a more aesthetic feel to it.

My eyes moved to the Princess. She was wearing a lovely pink dress which seemed to hug all of her curves perfectly. Her smooth, pink, curly hair fluttered in the wind as she realized that I was behind her. She slowly turned around and I saw one of the most gorgeous things I had ever seen.

Her amber orbs seemed to entrance my own cerulean as we stood there looking at the other. Her face was as white as snow, not a sickly white, but more of a gentle snow. I tried to say something but I was too engulfed in the beauty of her presence. "Hello, Prince Rubedo." She took a curtsy and smiled. I almost fainted. It was like every single feeling in my body had just been numbed. "I'm Princess MOMO. Nice to meet you."

Just how could you try and avoid this girl, Rubedo?

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A/N: Hawow! Hope you enjoyed my latest story and that everything made sense! I've wanted to make this for some time so I hope you have enjoyed it! Till next time gentle bunnies!