Musketeer.

Natsuki was riding to her horse for days now. She was exhausted but she endured it all because of her dream and her father dream for her.

She set out away from their estate when Duke Hiu talked to her about her destiny which is to serve the royal family. His father told her to seek her destiny and if a year past and she still confuse, she can go home find a husband or wife and become a duchess of Krueger.

But the real reason is, Natsuki want to protect the princess of the royal family. She was five years old when she met the princess. In reality, she can't remember the face of that princess. She just know that it's the princess she met in the forest.

So she packed her things and went to the capital. Her mother, Duchess Saeko did not stop her because she knows Natsuki will always find a way to fulfill her ultimate dream. Since Natsuki was born, she was always told to serve the royal family. But in Natsuki's way, serving the royal family is by becoming a knight. She told her father and Duke Hiu just laughed at it but years gone by Natsuki were not swayed in her declaration of becoming a knight. So the Duke can't persuade her to look for another career.

When Natsuki heard the booming voice, she saw the mantle that she dreamt of wearing. She wants to become an officer in the Garderobe Militia. Duke Hiu wasnt suffesful to all the knights he sponsored to become officers. Natsuki thought that she might be the first knight that will ascend to the castle.

Natsuki was more determine to become a knight. She went her way to the headquarters of militia in the capital of Garderobe, Kyoto. She believed that she can survive any training because her father trained her hard. And Duke Hiu hired personal trainer for her and Nina, her sister.

The man she asked in the market told her that headquarters is near. She will see it after passing the cathedral. Well, she already passed the cathedral and she was getting annoyed when she can't still see the headquarters.

She doesn't have time to be amazed at the capital city. Yes, it was a bit different with their estate. It is much more modern compared to Krueger. It was more urban. But she believed that Krueger is more peaceful than this wild city.

Finally, at the end of the long wide road she reached the signboard that read Kyoto Headquarters: Militia. A soldier patrolling the gate reached her and inquired her.

"I am looking for Baron Hibiki Merlope. I have an invitation to see him." Natsuki announced with confidence to the young soldier.

The soldier inspected the envelope with the seal of Duke of Krueger and let her pass. Natsuki observed her surrounding when she reached the inside of the big gate.

She saw camps and narrow buildings everywhere. And lots of soldiers were training. She followed the direction pointed by the soldier and went to the office of Baron Hibiki.

Before she went inside the office, she asked herself if this is the right thing to do. Natsuki believes that she have a purpose or maybe because of her father story about their grandfather's heroic did.

Well this is not the place to reminisce with it. Natsuki thought.

Baron Hibiki is a heavy built man. She was disappointed to see an appearance like that. It is a disgrace to the militia but she can't complain right now because that man is a Commander under the Garderobe Militia.

"Natsuki Kuga. Hmmm. Duke Krueger sent you here to be trained. Hmmm. If someone powerful and noble person sent you here then I guess I don't have the reason to turn you down." He said after reading the letter.

Natsuki scoffed. Of course no one can oppose her father maybe the king himself but she knows his father reputation in the House of Lords. Duke Hiu was an adviser to the King. But with his father service to the kingdom, Natsuki was almost kept secret in the public. She seldom attends ball because she hate that kind of thing.

"Report to the Academy tomorrow morning and present this letter. Dismiss." Baron Hibiki handed her the envelope bearing the seal of the militia to Natsuki. When Natsuki accepted it she knows that she is bounded to become knight.

Maria accepted the envelope and observed the young lady in her office. She knows that one of these days she will see a descendant of Krueger in her office. And she just can't believe that a lady was presented to her. Krueger produces a lot of powerful knights like the lord himself but this is the first time that the Duke sent out a lady and it's his own daughter nonetheless.

"I think your father intended you to join the militia but Baron Hibiki might seem misunderstood it. But I believe you will have future here than with those militia."

Natsuki was confused. "Isn't this the training ground for the militia?" Natsuki asked.

"Yes this is the training ground but not for the militia. This is an academy to become knight not under the Garderobe but under the Order of Fuuka." Maria explained.

"But my father told me to go to Baron Hibiki." Natsuki insisted.

"Young lady, you don't understand. Baron Hibiki is not very fond with woman. All woman applicants want to join the militia were always sent in here." Maria said with disgust in her voice.

"But what academy is this?" Natsuki asked.

"This is the Fuuka Academy where we raise a graceful knight to fight for the kingdom."

Natsuki was silenced when she heard it. This is not according to her plan.

"But the militia is the one fighting for the kingdom, isn't it?" Natsuki asked.

"Militia is for the defense of this kingdom. It is to protect the weak, defenseless, and helpless and fight the general welfare of all, whilst Order of Fuuka is created to train people in their specified talent or mastered skill and teach them more skills that will help them improve, invincible in battle. The order does espionage, stop revolution, mediator for some countries with conflict and such things. It is like the same of militia but in different aspect."

"But I haven't heard of it." Natsuki exclaimed.

"The order doesn't publicize their accomplishment. It is kept secret but in public eyes, the order of fuuka is the embassy to the members of United Countries of Letusia. A political figures in the House of Lords. A diplomat in some countries, head of estate in the kingdom. A peacemaker to the rebellions. And of course a princess." Maria explained diligently to Natsuki.

Maria can see that Natsuki is trying very hard to understand everything but she guess she needs to see the actual training and duties of the order.

"You mean, the Princess?" Natsuki blurted out when she heard the princess.

"Come Lady Natsuki and let me show you the grounds of Fuuka." Maria said while ignoring Natsuki's last comment.

"Excuse me Lady Maria, you don't have to address me in such way," Natsuki said agrresively.

"We are trained to uphold the culture of Garderobe, study the ethical composition of our society. You are the daughter of Duke Hiu of Krueger estate, the former Grand Master of militia. A honorable salutation is needed to your ladyship." Maria said in monotonous voice. Natsuki Kuga is puzzling her.

"I just don't want to carry my father name. I want to start from the beginning, if I may," Natsuki explained in her small voice. She looked like a wounded animal standing there in the center of register office of the Fuuka.

"Then I guess the proper introduction is needed. I am Knight Maria Graceburt, the registrar of Order Fuuka."

"Natsuki Kuga," Natsuki curtly replied.

"I don't think that changing your last name will hide your true identity, Natsuki Kuga. You have the same features of your mother, Duchess Saeko."

Natsuki sulked further. Lady Maria doesn't need to say it loud. Even her father told her the same thing. Duchess Saeko is much known because of her achievements in the past.

-
Maria and Natsuki went outside of the two story building of Fuuka Academy when Natsuki saw women walking to their way. They wore the same uniform with the militia but in different color.

Natsuki can see clearly the white long sleeved shirt with a lace collar and sleeves. A tabard was atop with the shirt. The tabard is blue cotton velvet top fully lined with a matching satin. The front and sides are emblazoned with a snake coil in the red cross. The tabard edges are finished with matching silver trim. The trouser are white with blue strip on the side. They also wore a black boots.

Natsuki silently admit that it is cooler than the militia.

Natsuki observed when they passed the women and stopped whatever they are doing and remained bowed until they pass thru. It seems that the Fuuka is training them seriously.

Natsuki got curious when she saw ahead a group of girls gawking at something but it seems that she would also gawk when uniformed officers are arriving at the grounds of Fuuka.

Natsuki can't take her eyes at the woman walking directly towards them.

The woman walks with grace and authority. A smile was adorning her pretty face. It seems that this woman is an official because she wore a different uniform. The mantle she was wearing end in trains. Natsuki saw in the lady's left shoulder sewn a insignia she saw earlier. The snake coiled in a red cross but it was different. There was a wolf in the background of it. And she wore in her neck the badge of the Garderobe Kingdom.

Natsuki was mesmerized. The woman in front of her looks very cool. Her beauty glimmers with her wearing that uniform. And she feels that she have met that woman somewhere. She was receiving a familiar aura from her.

It was too late when Natsuki realized that everyone bowed down to the new arrival. Before she can comprehend what's happening, a beautiful voice broke her reverie.

"Lady Maria, i do believe that the messenger already arrive in Fuuka, am I correct?"

"Yes, Chancellor." Maria replied. The woman whom Maria was addressing waved her hand indicating them to at ease.

"Before everything else Lady Maria, is this a new musketeer? Is she a citizen of Garderobe?" The woman besides with the Chancellor asked.

"Lady Yohko, she is new in here. And I believe she is citizen here. Baron Hibiki sent her here." Maria answered.

The woman named Yohko looked at Natsuki and examined her closely.

"Hmm… Such a rebellious child. Look at her princess. She looked like she's ready to duel us." Yohko laughed heartily when Natsuki stepped back and give her a death glare.

"Ara ara, Dr Yohko. This feisty child is needed to teach some lesson in etiquette." The chancellor whom Natsuki admiring earlier spoke.

"Excuse the insolence of this young lady. If you'll excuse me, we need to finish the tour and I will meet you in the meeting room." Maria said. She curtsy to the brown hair woman and motion to Natsuki to do the same.

Natsuki did the same thing even though she was confused. She followed Maria to the grounds of Fuuka and never listens to the old woman rattling ahead because her mind was already preoccupied by the chancellor.

"Accepting musketeer in the middle of the year is impossible, especially if a musketeer is weak and not able to comprehend the situation and training given," Maria explained to Natsuki who seems deeply in thought.

"I think, I will try to become knight in this academy, Lady Maria," Natsuki said at last. Its hard for her to say it but there is something that pulling her to join this academy. And she is denying to herself that it's not because of a certain browned hair girl who is the chancellor of the academy.

"Im glad you decided to join us Natsuki Kuga. The one who created this order is a strong believer of the band that was created by your ancestor and the king's ancestor. If Duke of Viola learned that a Krueger joined the Order, he will be glad. Or I might say, extremely happy."

"Lady Maria, if possible, will you keep it as a secret, me as being a Krueger? I wouldn't like to tarnish the Krueger name. I want to start from the scratch if its possible," Natsuki said seriously.

Maria watched carefully the woman in front of her. Every person who comes at her to join the academy, she scrutinized all of them. She doesnt want to create a powerful knight that will bring the fall down of the kingdom. And this woman exude of honesty and determination. But she cant fathom why start from the knighthood when her family can buy her to the lords of houses.

"I think Natsuki Kuga, a bright future held for you."

–-

After the paper's was processed and signed by the chancellor, Natsuki Kuga is now the newest member of the Fuuka Academy.

She was given a day off before she goes to proper training and teaching. And an exam will held for her to determine which year she will be admitted.

"Hmmm, it is written here that my room is in Rebels House. What the hell? Why im in the rebel's house?" Natsuki asked loudly. She was in the hallway alone, inside the Musketeer Building.

Natsuki walked brusquely towards the door of Rebel's House. Opened it wildly and stepped inside.

The people inside the common room of Rebel's house stopped whatever they were doing and silence hung inside. Eyes bore directly towards the new comer.

"It seems the new comer has arrived. Lady Maria surely added a new rebel," said by a woman in complete uniform of the musketeer. The woman who have short black hair produced a blue rose instantly. "This rose is for the new beautiful lady."

"Oh Chie! Stop that. You must show the proper way of welcoming a new recruit and future comrade." Before the busty red hair woman can further go nearer to Natsuki, antoher red hair woman beat her.

"So, what's up with you? Entering in the academy in the middle of term, are you nuts? Or plainly stupid?"

"Ok stop that Nao, its not your business why she joined us during this time. By the way, I am Mai Tokiha Graceburt. And I present to you, Sir Chie Hallard, Musketeer of order of fuuka." Natsuki bowed her head in recognition of the knight presented to her. Chie, the one who is holding a blue rose bowed in response with Natsuki.

"This is Lady Nao Zhang of Juliet," Mai said. Natsuki who is having a hard time to give curtsy with Nao because of the early comments but ethics won.

Nao returned the curtsy with smirk on her face.

"I am Natsuki Kuga."