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Prologue

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Princess Melaina was not like her sisters or bothers or cousins. She didn't dream about those days long gone by. She didn't believe in the stories that Old Maiden Yafen told them. Old Maiden Yafen had been telling them tales for as long as Melaina knew her. She talked of the Gods and of the Prince and Princess that saved Grandin from destroying itself. But, were these tales really true? Were these hero's actually alive at one point?

Melaina didn't have time to contemplate her thoughts further since Old Maiden Yafen joined them in the sun room where they listened for hours once a week to her drone on and on. Maybe at one time Melaina had enjoyed such stories, but now she felt deflated.

"Still so sour, my dear?" she asked of Melaina. Melaina looked out the window that showed the expansive city. The white and yellow marbles gleamed and looked inviting, the nice weather didn't help much. "If you smiled more, you might realize that you look like the Princess of old." Melaina only scowled further. How many times has she been told that? How many times had she been compared to the perfect princess of legend? It didn't help that Melaina looked just like the portraits.

"I am not her you know," she said bitterly. Old Maiden Yafen simply patted Melaina's hand before taking a seat before the assembled children, who welcomed her with open arms.

"Now, let's see. Where should we begin?"

"You already went over the War of Persuasion," piped up a little boy with enthusiasm. The others nodded their little heads in response.

"You were just getting to the good part!" shouted an excited girl as she bounced in contained excitement.

"Very well, very well," said Yafen with a smile. "Let's begin with how my ancestors tell side of things to get the ball rolling in a manner of speaking." Melaina was for some reason drawn to her voice today. Was it because secretly she liked this part? Or was it just pure boredom drove her to listen anyway?

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Many Years Ago . . .

Chapter 1 : The Beginning

Meiling's P.o.V.

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I listened to her; I cherish her, as do all people of this peaceful country. She is the sole and heart of it and her voice brings hope into those who listen. I could not imagine myself to be in more holy company than hers and it honors me to be in her service as one of her ladies-in-waiting.

Her beauty is one that many strive to achieve but they cannot no matter how hard they try. This beauty brings on Jealousy, which causes many conflicts. And because of this she must be protected and that is one of my many duties to her. War threatens on our borders but this castle is a maze of enchantments of protection and none have broken though it. For she is the current Princess, but she is not the first to have had the current burdens of beauty and grace; nor will she be the last. But she is the first to be Queen without a king. In previous years it was always a first-born son, but her brother became unable to do his duties and on that matter the kingdom rarely speaks of those details.

The Princess looks at me and I smile contented. There was a time when I wouldn't have even considered the idea of being one of her ladies-in-waiting; I actually had been hard set against it, until she showed me what it meant to serve someone not as a slave but as an honored personage. She only asked of us but a little, we were to be her council and assist her in any way we could and in return she would provide us a home fit for a noble, cloths of the best fabrics, food to be shared with our Princess, and best of all, at least for me, a very favorable place in society. I was honored when I received such an offer and I took the opportunity when it presented itself. The voice of my Princess drew be back from my thoughts, and I once again focused my attentions on her and her ladies around her.

We sit in an alcove of her beautiful gardens filled with Cherry Blossom Trees and Roses of many sorts. There are five other Ladies-in-waiting, Tomoyo and Michiko to my right and Nozomi, Phyre, and Breaican to my left, and our Princess sit's between Breaican and Tomoyo. We all focus our attentions on the lovely voice or our dear Princess, as she sings her lullaby. She has the voice of an angel and I find myself at peace, but I have heard this song before. After a time she invites us to sing with her but my voice does not match the tranquility of hers even though I try and we all giggle and laugh if we cannot match such harmony, but the Princess persists that we try to better ourselves. Her Auburn hair sways in the wind and her emerald eyes shine with happiness. Her skin is oiled to perfection and her body with the smoothest curves, tantalizing to any man and she is only that of 18, not much younger then I.

The music ends and much to our dismay, along with the melody of her voice and we smile at each other and get up. Other duties call us today and they cannot unfortunately be delayed much longer. As the others leave our Princess calls out to me and I come to sit beside her as I have done many times before.

"My dearest Meiling," she says smiling at me. She has the most beautiful smile and her voice sounds like water in my ears, smooth and flowing. I look at her waiting for her to continue. "You have been at my side for four years now."

"Yes, I have, Sakura," I replied.

"Which means you have spent six years from that of your family," she said. I nodded affirming that I had indeed spent two years of my life training and four years of devoted service.

"Yes it does, and I miss them dearly," I said with a taint of sadness. Though I had spent so long serving Princess Sakura, I had never told my family that I had taken the position, they had just assumed I'd found a suitor who wanted to support me in my education. I had never had the courage to tell them, but I would definitely make it a point when I would go to see them next.

"Then I believe it is time to let you go," she said and I looked up bewildered. She smiled, "Oh I won't let you go out of my service, yet, but it is time you had a vacation. You need to be with your cousins and your Uncle and Aunt, and I'm sure they need to see you. For many things are happening and I fear this will be your only chance."

"I agree, but I do not want to leave you unprotected," I said worriedly, my only true care was that the Princess be safe guarded, and not left alone. Also I wondered what she meant by "things are happening."

"Dearest Meiling, have you forgotten that I do have five other ladies-in-waiting in which I trust my life?" she asked giggling. I smile and nodded my head.

"Here," she said handing me a rolled package. "This is for the King of Kigasti, your Uncle. It is time that he keeps his promise, that he made 15 years ago."

"Yes, I'll remind him. I do not intend to be away longer than need be." She smiled, and I smiled, while she bid me a safe journey as I left her graceful presence. As I walked out and through the maze to my own chambers I came upon a kind gentleman who walked with me to see me safely to my room.

"Ray, you did not have to accompany me," I said pulling out the keys to my room.

"No, I did not, but I cannot bare the thought of a beautiful lady like you walking alone when war looms in the air," he said seriously. I look up into his beautiful blue eyes and his short black curly tresses. His skin is a deep bronze and he is well muscled. He, like most guards of the palace, wears a single sword at his side for instant protection. I smile at him.

"If I didn't know better I'd say you're in love with me."

"And what if I am?" he asked flashing me a beautiful smile.

"Just because you're in love, doesn't mean you have to be so protective," I said, "By the way, I'll be leaving the palace for a while but I promise I'll be back soon. Would you care to come in and have a drink?" I asked as I opened the door.

"To come in 'yes' but to have a drink I'd have to say 'no' because other duties call me today," he said in reply. When we entered, the door closing behind us, I felt strong arms envelope me from behind.

"When can I have you? All to my own?" whispered Ray in my ear, his breath warm on my skin.

"When the Princess is married, you know that," I said turning in his arms to look at him.

"But I yearn for you so much Meiling, I can barely hold off my passions," he said, capturing my lips. He deepened the kiss and I obliged letting his tongue explore. When he broke the kiss for air I answered his unsaid question.

"Only three more years, my love, only three," I said in desperation, trying to hold down my own urges that yearned so much for him. "Can you wait that long?"

"Yes," he said in a resigned tone letting go of me, "You said you would be going away for a while, did you not?"

"I did," I answered looking down.

"Then I wish you well, and," he said lifting my chin so that I looked him in the eyes, "Let this be my goodbye, for now at least." He then gave me a heart-stopping kiss that thrilled me and left me in a dream like state. He exited the room and I sat in the nearest chair available. I tried to slow my heart, in its utter thrill-meant, and it took me some time to do so. I looked in a mirror next to me and saw myself looking back. From what I was six years ago it would be hard for my family to know it was I. When I came to this country, I was a pale child, with light ruby red eyes. I had noticed that, over the years I had obtained a deep ruby red for my eyes, and my jet-black hair had gone curly from the heat. Even in the dead of winter the waves and curliness did not leave, I wasn't depressed; I actually really liked it that way. At the moment my hair was tied up into a long braid. I had beautiful well-toned and tanned skin.

Today I wore a beautiful white dress made of the most splendid of silks and cottons embroidered in gold. Almost all my dresses were of the same fashion but different colors. I got up to go to my dressing room and found that all my dresses were not there. Confused I left the room and came back to the main chamber and found a beautiful wooden traveling trunk that had, upon entering, escaped my notice. I inspected the contents and found all that I would need in my travels. There were times that this castle scared me, things happening when you least expect them too, but then again it might be because of all the enchantments.

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To Be Continued . . .

AN: Please take the time to keep reading and review!

Thanks,

Evern