Meiko can't forget what happened when she reached the throne. The sight of a boy with the same face as the princess standing there with faint smile on his face, which only her well-trained eyes could see.
"Why?"
The boy keeps on smiling, realizing that the meaning of that question is not "why can you be so cruel?", but "why do you protect her?". He closed his eyes, and said something that Meiko could never forget.
"I am the princess, and she is the vagabond. Fate separates pitiful twins. If she is called a devil, then the same blood flows in my veins."
Her conclusion is one; he knows that his mistress is innocent. So, she searched everything, trying to find evidence that could prevent him from getting the death penalty. The first place is of course, the green lady's house, or should I say, her house.
A doll shop. A small simple doll shop. Prince Kaito really loves this place; he said it shows Miku's pure heart.
I need to invade your privacy a little. I'm sorry, sis…
On her room, there is almost nothing there, normal for her, since they are quite poor after all. The only thing special is this giant mirror in front of the bed.
Since when does she have this? I don't recall she received this from Price Kaito...
Out of curiosity, Meiko touched the mirror. It openned, and inside the mirror was...
What Rin would call witch's lair. Not that she is rude or something, but with dark room, weird dolls hanging, paints in cauldrons, it all looked creepy. Not that she is scared or something...
On one corner of the room, there is a small drawer which is overload with documents. Meiko, murmuring sorry, take the papers, and read them all.
And she then finds out that her beloved sister, Miku, was involved in tragic rectangular love. Not only that, she even found some detailed plans of how to destroy the golden kingdom.
Signed by…
"The prime minister?!"
It's a set up! Everything is already planned. Rin won't be able to take the throne until she is 18, which means 4 years from now. So until that time…
"We will bring misery as much as possible to the kingdom, and let the people take care of her in the end… that way… you will take revenge of your parent's death?! What is this nonsense?!"
Doesn't she know that their parents were killed by Kingdom of Green's tax collector?
I hate the yellow kingdom! They forced our king to collect more tax!
Miku… that's wrong! Who taught you that?
I… I got letters… but they said they are writing the truth!
Don't trust them. Give it to me.
"You still believed that, don't you sis?"
--
"Me-Meiko-sama! What are you doing here? I thought you are in the Blue Kingdom!"
"Silence, and let me in. I need to speak with the prisoner."
"Bu-But… Meiko-sama, I'm afraid Prince Kaito forbid…"
"Haven't you heard the news? He is dead. He committed suicide to meet my sister. Now, let me in, or my sword will be my key."
"…Yes, as you wish…"
The door slammed opened, giving Ren the sight of the person who wished to see him. Meiko, the red warrior.
"Good evening, warrior. Or should I say, Princess?"
Meiko doesn't speak a word; her eyes are locked to his face. His wounded face.
"Ah, this? This is something you should not worry about. Just your guard's amusement…"
Ren tried his best to grinned, to calm the lady in front of him.
"Your execution is three o'clock tomorrow. Admit to me now that you are not the princess, and I'll help you."
"You, Lady Meiko, are the only one who could tell the difference. Even if I tell the guards that, believe me, he won't believe it."
"I'll strip your pathetic excuse for a gown off if it's necessary."
Ren stared at her with wide eyes. Can he be wrong?
"You're fourteen. A kid doesn't appeal me."
Ren burst into laughter hearing her words.
She frowned, and looking at that, Ren sighed.
"I only wished for Milady's safety and happiness. I don't care if it's cost me my life. Lady Meiko, too, feel the same way torwards Lady Miku, right?"
Meiko sighed hearing his reason. She can't argue with that.
"I found some papers in Miku's room, about destroying this kingdom. Both you and your mistress are innocent. Even so…"
"People won't believe that, even if you are the one who told them." Ren rolled his eyes.
"Yes, true… But you won't die tomorrow. I won't let it happen. I got a plan."
--
"Guards, go prepare the stage. Wait for me there, and please watch the execution behind the fence I set."
"Meiko-sama, about that… it seems you set it quite far from the stage. I'm afraid…"
"Any closer and I'm afraid you'll get burned along with her. I planned on… showing her what hell is like first, right after the execution."
Meiko grinned evilly at the guards, Ren in the other hand, tried his best not to laugh.
After cheering with them, Meiko enter Ren's prison cell, along with a set of armor.
"Here. (She throws him a change of clothes) hurry up, or they'll get suspicious."
Ren catches it with ease, but he just holds the clothes and stares at Meiko. Meiko couldn't help but to ask.
"What?"
Ren silently point his chained ankles and wrists. Meiko rolled her eyes, and opened it. After that he still sits there and does nothing. Meiko got confused. And then, with teasing words and evil smile, he said…
"Lady Meiko, I believe it was you who told me that a kid's body doesn't appeal you."
-Blushed-
"Ri-right… I'll just… guard the door…"
Meiko get out of the room quickly, hitting his head hard.
I'm eighteen, an adult, and a wife-to-be…
"Who will take over the throne, if I may ask?"
Ren asked from his cell. Meiko shrugged.
"It's supposed to be Prince Kaito, but he is dead. So, maybe they'll appoint me."
What confidence…
"But I'll refuse. I want to stay with my fiancé. Nice and easy life."
"You have a fiancé?"
The way Ren said it stabbed her heart so deep, she almost change her mind on helping him. What's wrong with her having a fiancé?!
"Remember your status, servant."
"Ah, forgive me, Lady Meiko. For once, I forgot that I merely a servant. But you, too, should remember. I'm only serving Milady Rin."
"Yeah, yeah… whatever… done?"
"Yes."
"Okay, you remember the plan?"
"Yes."
Meiko nods, and the show starts.
--
Experimental fic to know if I am worthy or not to write the KHR version.
About the happy ending of Aku no series. Still, Miku and Kaito are… dead.
R&R?