A/N July 18, 2014:Re-edited for a few mistakes plus a few more added scenes. I will edit the other chapters as soon as possible. Thanks again to those who have been supporting me since the beginning of this adventure and I hope you'll follow me through to the end~

Disclaimer: I do not own Uta no Prince-sama

Chapter 1

We Met

I was pushed down by the same gang of thugs again today, whom of which couldn't be older than me by a few years. They laughed as they threw rocks and gravel at my face, yelling out insults that made me cry out inside. I narrowed my eyes in pain and stared at the ground as I continued to let this torture behold me. Tears were threatening to be released down my face, my lower lip quivered as I tried desperately to tell them off.

"S-st-stop it..." But my voice was only a whisper against their obnoxious yelling.

I stiffened as I felt a hand place itself on my back. The leader of the gang had a wicked smirk on his face as he continued to touch me. It was revolting.

"You know, for a farm girl like you, you ain't that bad lookin'." He sneered.

I trembled with fear as his dirty little hand made its way to the inside of my thigh. It didn't help that I was in my usual patched up dirtied brown dress and gray sandals, my copper colored hair in rags, littered with dirt and sand. I was the perfect image of a person living in poverty.

To make things worse, I would always get beaten and abused by the same gang almost every single day. It wasn't like I was desperate for attention seeking and looking for pity, I just didn't want to involve anyone in my dispute.

His lackeys snickered and started making hooting noises as their big bad boss gave a gruff laugh. I gasped as he pushed me down, pinning my legs between his. He leaned in closer to my face and I slammed my eyes shut, letting out a pathetic whimper. Of course I didn't do anything. I wasn't raised with the knowledge of self-defense, but of a kind hearted girl with no intention of causing a violent scene.

I hated myself for that.

He seemed to enjoy my helpless self, my body sprawled out on the ground before his hungry eyes glaring me down. He inched closer to my face and as he breathed down my neck, I could smell the stench coming off of him: the smell of alcohol and blood. How fitting for him.

When I thought I was almost at my limit, the sound of clicking hooves on the pavement made the both of us freeze up. My eyelids fluttered open and I was met with the shiny hooves of a brown stallion as my head tilted up to see who it was. The man also looked up and he cursed under his breath, obviously angry at whoever this person was in stopping him from doing me.

The man who was mounted on the horse had a brown cloak slung over his head, concealing the entirety of his face besides the tip of his mouth and below. It made him all too suspicious by appearance alone, but who was I to judge on first impressions alone?

"You, what do you think you're doing to her?" The sound of his voice was young, but it surprisingly held a high amount of superiority in it, my thought was that he was one of the knights of Agnapolis. My eyes wandered to a small crest embedded into the saddle of the horse which represented the said kingdom. My suspicions were right.

The thug swung his other leg away from mine and abruptly stood up, but not before grabbing my arm and putting me into a rough embrace. "What's it to you anyways? We're just having a little fun." I gasped nervously and squirmed as his fingers crawled down my hip like an incoming spider.

The man frowned disgustingly at the contact and he leaped off his stallion. I instantly noticed how short he was, I would sometimes see those guys patrolling the village that I would stop by at and they were fairly tall.

He took a step forward, not fazed by the ruffian at all. "It doesn't look like she's having a good time with a bastard like you."

The harasser growled and spun me around so that he was pinning my hands behind my back. "Man I hate the King's little guard dogs, going around the village and doing all his dirty work. In fact, I'd say that you're worse than us you midget!" He tightened his grip on my wrists and I flinched. The knight frowned and then whipped out a sword from a scabbard that was strapped on to his back. He pointed it menacingly at my harasser, carefully trying to avoiding puncturing me with it.

"Then if you know what's good for you," He dug the sword deeper into his neck making him stiffen, "I'd suggest you go play somewhere else."

The goon's eyes showed panic as he immediately released me and made a break for it, his goons tailing right behind him. "Y-you'll regret this!" He shouted over his shoulder, trying to sound intimidating.

The knight sighed as if he was pitying the sorry excuse for a thief and slid his sword back into its scabbard. He turned his attention towards me, his features beginning to soften. "Are you alright now?"

I gave him a small nod. "Y-yes. I think so..." But I wasn't, just knowing that the next day will bring the same humiliation and the same torture.

"Hmm. Your expression and words doesn't seem to say so." The knight pulled the cloak over his head, revealing his cropped blonde hair that fell over his striking blue eyes. It was amazing how they sparkled with such intensity, yet stays pure and young. If I wasn't in this situation then I would probably be mesmerized by them.

He held out a hand. "Sorry if I scared you like that. I just didn't want you to get hurt."

I stared at him, not noticing that my lips had formed a small smile. "N-no, you weren't scary at all. In fact, what you did was really brave." He had saved me from my torture.

His eyes soften and he smiled. "Is that so."

I nodded and he rubbed the back of his neck in amusement. "Thank you. Mostly everyone I assist think I'm up to no good, coming from a King who does nothing to help the village out. But you're the first person to tell me that."

I avoided looking at his incoming gaze, my voice coming out sad and shallow, "Everyone around here despises the King of Agnapolis, it's not your fault that the people think that way." It was true, ever since I was able to read and write, my grandma would inform me of the latest news from the kingdom, which weren't always pleasant. It made me feel sorrow for all of his citizens who would every day complain about his useless antics, yet, do nothing about it, fearing that he may have a harsh punishment awaiting them. He was immediately thought up as a ruthless leader who wanted nothing to do with his subjects besides toy around with.

Will nothing restore order to this mess of a kingdom?

As the thought sunk in, reality suddenly snapped me back as my eyes widened, realizing what I had just said. Whipping my head back to him I started fumbling, "Ah! I-I mean- That is- no really-" My words jumbled together.

He waved me off, his once soften features hardened again, his mouth was pursed into a thin line. "It's fine. Let them think what they want, in the end, you just gotta do what you gotta do. That's all there is to it." He said shrugging his shoulders.

He spun on his heels and made his way back to his stallion. "I'd best be going now." He said solemnly, remounting his horse and pulling the hood back over his head. "Well, until next time." He snapped the reins and the steed let out a cry as it galloped away towards the direction of the castle.

...I didn't even get a chance to thank him. He must be thinking how much time he wasted by saving a pitiful girl like me. I don't blame him for that, I'm no use anyways, besides to my grandma that is.

"Well, until next time."

I frowned and wrapped an arm around my midsection as I saw his silhouette quickly disappearing. Why had he said that? Is he intending on seeing me again? That can't be the reason… Could it?

My heart thumped in my chest as his crystalline eyes flashed in my mind. Huh? Why… am I getting all excited all of a sudden?

"Eh? Haruka, why are you all dirty?" A voice reached my ears and it broke my train of thought.

I blinked and saw my grandmother coming up the road, holding a small basket of grains. My eyes widened as I hurriedly tried to smooth out my hair. "Ah, grandma! U-umm, I fell when I was climbing up the hill by our house again. I'm sorry." How I lie so easily hurts me so much. But I didn't want her worrying about me, she has enough on her mind right now.

She approached me and gently clasped my hands into her. "Haruka, if there is anything wrong, you must tell me, even if it is of the smallest of doubts, alright?"

I hung my head guiltily, but still deciding not to admit to her. Yet. "Y-yeah. I will, grandma."

She gave me a wrinkled smile and patted my shoulder encouragingly. "Well, let's try and get lunch ready then. But first of all," She plucked a small pebble from my dress and tossed it aside, "You should get cleaned up first."

I laughed nervously. "I guess you're right. I'll help you after I'm down."

She shook her head. "No need, take as long as you want because," I saw her pull a scroll out from her basket, "The King is trying to find wives for his sons from the village, and you got selected as one of the candidates!"

My eyes widened as I glanced at the letter in her hand. Was this all a coincidence or just a sick joke? Meeting a knight after he had saved me from the beating and then this? I could only believe it as hoax. And why had I been chosen? It wasn't like there are other higher status women out there. What good will come out from weding a mere farm girl?

"S-Seriously? But grandma… This… Doesn't seem right." The thought of marriage hadn't even crossed my mind before. I mean, how could a sixteen year old girl, who is living on the edge of poverty, be thinking about finding true love? They don't, those only happen in fairy tales.

I narrowed my eyes worriedly, a bombardment of mixed thoughts parading in my mind as an idea entered my mind, forgetting everything else. If I were to wed one of the princes, I would immediately be connected to the kingdom and the royal family, but that doesn't stop there. It could also mean that I share their status as a higher up, receiving a nice amount of the riches they had to offer and whatnot. Could this be a one way ticket out of poverty?

Another thought struck me as I thought of the words I had said to the young knight: "Everyone around here despises the King of Agnapolis…" Perhaps this could be another opportunity to right the wrong that had befallen this kingdom and I could be the one that save it.

I glanced at my grandmother, eagerly awaiting to explain to her my idea, when I noticed that she wasn't all too ecstatic about the news. "Grandma?" I called out to her and waved my hand to get her attention.

Her eyes widened as she realized that I had called her. "Ah, I'm so sorry, dear. I better get lunch started while you go wash up, we will discuss this topic at the dinner table."

With that said, she rushed off towards our little farm house beyond the hills. I frowned and clenched my fists together. It had seemed like… She did not want me to leave. But I have so much that I must repay her for, so I must consider her feelings for this.

After minutes of furious scrubbing and washing, I made my way back to the farm house, with droplets of river water dripping from various strands of hair and a worn out sheet wrapped around my frame. I entered my petite home and found my grandma holding a ladle up to her lips.

"That smells good, grandma." I walked up behind her and peered over her shoulder. She smiled as she set the ladle back down on the counter.

"Get dressed properly Haruka, lunch will be ready soon."

I looked at her and nodded slowly. "Okay." She seems more impatient than usual, the letter must still be bugging her.

After I had finished, I joined my grandma down for lunch. This time, I was in a dull gray dress held up by two thick straps. I picked up my spoon, scooping a bit of the soup she had made and held it up to my lips.

"Haruka, are you really going?"

My mouth was halfway opened with the utensil now emptied of its content. I glanced down and lowered the spoon. "I have to grandma. It was the King's order after all. I doubt it'll last long, with me I mean." I half joked, trying to lighten up her mood.

Her face was impassive as she continued on her meal, "I see."

Nodding my head slowly, I continued to eat, already noticing that my attempt was bypassed. The only thing that broke the silence was the occasional clink of a spoon.

"You leave tomorrow."

My heart skipped a beat as her words reached my ears, my voice coming out as a whisper. "That's... too soon." I had thought that this would occur in a few days, maybe even a few weeks, but not at this very moment! It was all too quick in my mind, I would have little to no time to bid my farewells to my friends and grandma. She has taken care of me ever since my parents passed away in a burning cottage. I owe her my gratitude, as well as my life.

Now having second thoughts, I didn't know if I could go through with this. After all, how could I just abruptly leave her without telling her how much she means to me?

"You just gotta do what you gotta do."

My eyes widened as I recalled what the young knight said to me. He's right. I'm doing this for her, so that she can be happy. I am repaying her debt to me.

I took in a deep breath. "Grandma, I have to do this, so please don't trouble yourself about me. I'm a big girl now, I can take care of myself." I paused and gave her a smile, "If you trust me, then there is nothing to worry about."

She sighed and reached across the table to once again place my hands into hers. "You don't know how much I'll worry about you. You've grown so much… And I had promised your parents that I would always watch over you…" She shook her head slightly and chuckled, "But I guess… Deep down I knew that someday you'll be big enough to finally be able to look after yourself. So in a sense, I guess I do trust you."

I was almost at the edge of tears as I bobbed my head and tightened my grip on her hands. "Thank you, grandma. I promise I'll do my best to make you, mom, and dad proud of me. Oh, and don't overdo things while I'm away okay, grandma?"

She laughed and I sighed in relief. "I'm not too old that I can't beat two salesmen at a game of bargaining with a sack of flour slung over my shoulder."

"G-grandma!" I stared at her in horror as the thought sunk in.

Today was the day.

I had waited outside of my house for about a few minutes now, nervously twirling a strand of hair in my fingers. Packing took less than an hour, seeing as I didn't have that many stuff I consider "nice" looking.

"Haruka, if you keep doing that, you'll make a mess of it." My grandma shooed my hand away and began flattening my hair back out. For the presentation, I was in my mom's old dress; with its faded yellow coloring and an old ribbon tied around the waist, a thin white headband laid on my head that I received from my grandma not to long ago.

My body froze as I heard the sound of wheels rolling on the pavement coming closer. As it came to a complete stop, I held my breath in anticipation as well as the butterflies which were forming in the pit of my stomach.

The driver who sat at the small bench attached to the carriage stared down at us with a bored expression with the horses reins in hand. "Haruka Nanami, right?" His voice also held its dullness in them, like he had other things to do besides picking up small farm girls.

I nodded slowly, my hands forming fists as they latched themselves on to the dress.

He continued to bore his eyes on me for a few more seconds before leaping down and swinging the carriage door open. "Your presence is required by the King. Now if you may," He gave me a curt bow and held a hand out.

I turned to my grandma and crushed her into a hug. "Good-bye grandma, take care of yourself, and I really mean that." She in turn, patted my head comfortingly and hugged me back.

"As you will too, Haruka. Remember they're always watching over you, including me." Her eyes wandered to the clear blue sky and a single tear fell from her eyes as she released me.

I gave her my best confident smile, not noticing her sudden teariness. "Yes, of course." Then picking up my small bag, I stepped into the seemingly empty carriage and took a seat by the open window.

The driver closed the door, mounted his stand and began to make our way towards the castle. I quickly waved to my grandma who in turn, waved back with a look of both sadness and pride on her face.

"That's your grandma right?"

I jumped as I heard the voice who shocked me out of my trace. Turning around, a familiar pair of blue eyes caught my attention: it was the knight from yesterday. "Ah, I didn't get to thank you for your help yesterday! I had thought that you left with a bad impression, and I'm sorry for that." I hung my head low, not wanting to meet his gaze.

He smiled, all signs of roughness from yesterday weren't present. "It's fine, I was already tired from my sessions before I encountered you, so I guess that played a part in that too."

I glanced up as he finished and noticed that he wasn't in the attire that I had seen him in the day prior. Instead, he had on a simple brown tunic with matching brown pants, his sword lay next to him in its scabbard. To me, he looked less superior than yesterday without his armor.

He crossed his arms across his chest and gazed at me. "So what do you plan on doing if you win the heart of one of the princes?" His question caught me by surprise. What will I be doing to try and gain the attention of a prince? I hadn't thought that far yet like I was supposed too.

"U-umm... I actually really don't know..." I admitted embarrassingly.

He frowned, as if he was disappointed that I didn't already have a plan. "Oh." His face then lit up, brushing the previous question aside and bringing up a new topic, "I didn't get to introduce myself yesterday! I'm Syo Kurusu, a knight of Agnapolis."

I nodded and smiled back at him. "Haruka Nanami, nice to finally be able to meet you."

He nodded back, his grin widening.

The carriage suddenly jumped and I felt myself lurch out of my seat. "A-ah!"

My eyes flickered to Syo -who was sitting across from me- leap forward with a shocked expression. I slammed my eyes shut as I fell, awaiting the impact from the ground of the carriage to meet my face.

As a few seconds passed, I blinked and felt something... soft below my body. I gasped as Syo's face was suddenly a few inches away from mine.

I… Had fallen into his lap.

We both stared at each other as the world seemed to slow down around us, seconds quickly becoming minutes, creating something that seemed almost unreal. Questions started to bubble around me as his eyes bore into mine, his expression seemingly becoming a mirror of my own. My heart beginning to thump wildly in my chest, just like the day before. What was going to happen to me, when we get to the castle?

A new adventure, that's what.