A/N: This is a fanfic project I started almost a year ago as an early birthday present for my sister-by-bond, but due to the certain circumstances that occurred with my other fic "I Belong at Home", it was delayed by several months, so I decided to just finish it and release it on her next birthday, which is today! So, happy birthday to her! And to those reading this, I hope you enjoy this as well, but be prepared for some fantasy-fairy-tale cliché-ness! Oh, and also there are going to be some OOC-ness! And, because this story was recently finished, I'll post a new chapter every day—I could've posted it all in one day but I didn't manage to revise all of them. Anyway, enjoy!
Spirited Away belongs to Hayao Miyazaki.
Prologue:
Have you heard of the red string of fate? Some believe of it, while some don't. I, on the other hand, am in between. Besides my belief in her powers, I felt unsure about Fate's strings, since sixteen years of my life I was trapped within the stony walls of my castle known as "home", so I never really knew much besides the knowledge I gained from the contents of the books in the archives. Now, with my belief in the red strings, that am, became a was. Because, on that one time and moment, it felt as if Fate had called out to me and led me to the end of one of her red strings that people go on and on about. The end of an invisible string, one single string that binds two people who are supposedly destined for each other; it was a judgement made by Fate and Destiny.
However, there's always a catch . . .
I paced on the floor, anxious for news on my parents' condition. The doctor came out with a relieved smile on his face. I looked at him in hope, wondering if my parents were going to be okay.
As if reading my mind, the doctor said, "Don't worry. Your parents will be just fine soon. They just need to be carefully attended to and in a few weeks, we are hoping, they'll be up and about again."
I heaved a sigh of relief and nodded. "Thank goodness."
"I'm glad to be of service to you and your family, Your Highness."
"And I thank you for helping us, you are dismissed, Doctor."
Oh how I disliked being addressed in such formalities—titles like: "Your Highness", "Princess," "Young Majesty," and the list goes on.
The doctor nodded and courteously bowed before he left the hall. I slipped into my parents' bedchamber and gazed at them as they began to slowly recover. However many fortunes we held, we are still fragile human beings with emotion, a heart, and a life.
Another failed attempt at an assassination, but this one had actually nearly managed to succeed. Now, my parents were laying in bed, vulnerable to another attempt. Luckily, I ordered some of the most trusted guards to inconspicuously guard my parents until their full recovery; if suspicion were to arise within the palace, I am fairly sure that there will be a lot of commotion. I shouldn't hire too many guards or attendants, for they may actually end up being the cause of death for my parents—or me, under my orders that consisted of words laced with worry and anxiety.
At all costs, I must not let my parents die just yet. There are too many negative outcomes from their death, like chaos arising throughout the kingdom. Or, for me, the worse case yet—bringing a prince whom I have never met and laid eyes upon in my life and having me marry him to rule alongside them as the queen. I feel that if that were to happen, I may actually agree to the few citizens that decide to rebel against the royal family and wish to dethrone me. I shook my head.
I must not worry about that just yet. Right now, I must focus on the recovery of my parents. And, for the time being, I shall put a quick stop to their royal duties, however I feel rather guilty for the incoming amount of workload for them once they can move about again.
Weeks passed, and finally, my parents have fully recovered from their injuries. There were no further attempts of assassination during their time of recovery, much to the delight of the guards.
At the moment, I was in my room, just resting peacefully. As I was staring at the burning fireplace of my room, I felt a light tap on my shoulder. I turned to look at the person who brought me back to reality, which turned out to be one of the maids.
"Your parents are calling for you, Milady," she stated and quickly left with a bow.
One of those titles again. Honestly, I am always left wondering why we humans are currently separated because of certain ranks, when we have the same role to play in this world—to simply live. We were born equal, and if I were to meet the person who started this game of ranks and titles, I'd slap them as hard as I can and show the opposite of royal etiquette expectancy.
I stood from my chair and began to make my way to my parents' room. My dress swished against the smooth, marble floor and servants passed by as I walked to where I thought my parents were. When I reached the doors of their bedchamber, I gave a gentle knock on the door.
"Come in," was the answer through the doors.
I opened one of the doors and slipped inside. My mother sat on their ridiculously large bed, while my dad just remained standing beside her.
"I'm here," I calmly announced.
"Ah, Chihiro. Thank you for answering to us. We have something to discuss with you right now, dear," my mother said.
"I see."
"Well, first of all, we would like to thank you for helping take care of us. Even though you are of royal status, you played a great role in this very large household!" My father began.
"Thank you."
The way he said that sounds like I'm about to leave them. I'm grateful to be a wonderful daughter to them, but what in the world is going on? Why does he speak as if I am moving away? Wait a minute . . . no. I shall let them finish first, then I can jump to conclusions.
"Secondly, we have sent out spies to track down the assassins, and to also inform us of future attempts," my father continued.
"That's great to hear."
I must have sounded bored and monotonous, but I must try to at least smile at the news! Come on, come on!
I faked a smile, but telling from the way my mother smiled back, it must have looked sincere enough. I mentally sighed in relief. Years of faking positivity for the sake of royalty sure pays off, doesn't it? Nevertheless, it can most certainly be helpful during certain situations or news—especially with ones you don't care about.
"Lastly, we have something very big to announce to you and the whole kingdom, and it's going to be especially important to you," my father said.
Now this piqued my interest. What would they be thinking of that is especially important to me? I absolutely must not jump to that one conclusion just yet, not when I still have not heard what my parents were going to say. Maybe this news is about something that may actually be worthy of my listening ear.
All my hopes drained the moment my mother had voiced it out.
"You are to be betrothed to the prince of a nearby kingdom!" my mother finished, elated.
I felt the blood rush out of my cheeks. I also felt my brows furrow and my lips tilt into a disappointed frown. My parents seemed to look rather terrified at my reaction. I seem to have dropped my mask somewhere. Oh well. I'd rather not fake happiness when it comes to this kind of stuff.
Breathe, and relax. Come on, get yourself together Chihiro. I—I . . . can't. I'm sorry mental me, but I . . . I absolutely cannot!
It seems that my heart just decided to speak for me.
"What is wrong with you two?! I am only sixteen, and I know that is the common age for a princess to get married, but in my opinion, that's just—too young! I do not wish to be married yet, and years and years back I have already told you both this!" I roared.
My parents both looked at me with horrified expressions, as if I was possessed by an evil witch. I didn't care. I feel that I am not ready to get married yet—no, more like the fact that I do not wish to get married to someone that I do not love, nor will I have the heart in me to grow that non-existent feeling.
"Chihiro, calm down!" my father shouted.
"No! Not when you end this ridiculous game of matchmaker! I will not ma—" My angry protest was interrupted by my mother's hand colliding against my cheek.
The loud sound of the slap reverberated throughout the room, and I'm glad that this room is made up of thick walls to stop the sound from travelling outside, which may trigger gossip among the staff. I gently grasped my reddening cheek and I looked at my mother in shock and—a surprise to the tsunami of negative emotions raging within the depths of my heart—a hint of fright.
"You may think that this is a game, but this is not! Think of the benefits for the country—one filled with so many people that are depending on our judgement! For all we know a war could be waged out, so sometimes there is no other solution besides a marriage alliance. Please understand, Chihiro. You are the princess, and a royal must do whatever it takes to ensure the happiness of their kingdom."
Tears began to well up in my eyes. I'm pretty sure that the tears were not because of the pain of the slap; it was because of reality. Reality stinks, no? My mother brought me into a hug, the motherly hug that I knew for years.
"I know that this is a lot to take in, but please understand that this is for the sake of the kingdom. Sometimes I, too, wished that I was not born of royal blood. I—I am so sorry for bringing this upon you, but we have to," my mother said despairingly.
I released myself from the embrace and looked at my mom straight in the eye. I mustered all my courage and seriousness to this one statement before I decided to leave and return to my own quarters.
"I know that it is something of great importance. You may do this if you wish, but I shall not join you. Have another daughter, or a son, and do all you want with them. But for me, I am not joining you in this. I just feel that I'm not ready, and . . . never mind. Have a great night, I better be going now," I said and left the ginormous room.
The moment I finished closing the door, I made a break for my own room. Some of the servants gave me questioning glances, some even asked me if there was something wrong, to which I ignored. I just ran, my skirts trailing behind me as I quickly made my way to my room. Just a few wide steps from the door of my room, I tripped. I swiftly got up and entered my room. I shut the door and rested my head on my bed. I sobbed. Just thinking about my parents caused a greater eruption of sobs and tears.
Why? Why oh why must I carry this burden? Now I feel all the pain that most of these young princesses before me have felt, and to the ones after. My mother is a very lucky woman to fall in love with her betrothed: my father. I wish I could just end it all. No! I must not think such thoughts, not when there is still a bright path shining in the distance.
My sobs and tears gradually stopped, but I was left red-eyed and with a nose full of snot. I sniffled and blew my nose on my handkerchief that I had always kept hidden in one of my dress pockets.
I might look like an absolute disgrace to royalty right now . . . if I were in public, I thought in sorrow.
I took a few deep breaths and I gently rubbed my temples. I walked towards my mirror and stared at the horrific reflection in front of me. I looked like a complete mess. I called for one of my ladies-in-waiting, and they quickly came to get me into a new change of clothes. I switched to a long-sleeved nightgown, which only ended up to my knees. I thanked the lady for helping me, who replied with a nod and bow. I buried myself in my bed and tried to sleep.
My body seemed to rebel against what I wanted, because I couldn't get a wink of sleep. Hours seemed to have passed, because all that seemed to remain are the dark halls which were occasionally lit by the passing guards' lamps.
All of a sudden, this one word popped up in my mind—escape.
Escape? Yes, escape.
My heart seemed to obey, and it somehow managed to get my brain to do the same. I began aimlessly walking through my room, scrounging drawers for jewelry to sell for money, searching for a bag large enough to hold my things, snatching the purple hair tie that my grandmother gave me when I was ten (days after the hair tie was given to me, however, my grandmother had mysteriously vanished without a trace), and grabbing a pair of ballet flats. I went through the drawers one last time, and for a moment I glanced at the small stack of love letters, some of them containing rings either made of the shiniest of gold or the smoothest of silver and topped with a diamond or some other jewel. I shook my head and moved on.
When I had all the things I needed, I quietly opened my window and looked below. The fall wasn't too far, so my feet could somehow manage. I quickly tied my hair in a ponytail like I did when I was younger and I jumped. I landed safely on the ground, and I began to run. I snuck into the stables and grabbed my horse and lead it through the palace grounds and reached the gate. The horse and I slipped through the gate, and after we were both out of palace grounds, I mounted the horse and rode through the main city.
A little while later, after passing towns, I reached the border of the kingdom. I glanced back at the buildings, and at the palace in the distance. I bit my lip and once again looked ahead.
Good-bye Mother, Father, everyone. I feel that if I keep on going through with this and being this kingdom's pawn, my heart would tear, and I would be left torn and led to my destruction. I'm sorry . . .
I urged the horse to keep going, and so we left the kingdom.
