Rin totally didn't expect it.

She gently took the wine glass from the servant, who was grinning in a smug way.

"Piko," said Rin. "Did something good happen in the kitchens?"

"Oh yes, Princess."

He bowed and left the room, his gait sneaky.

Rin shrugged her unnerved feeling off and took a sip of her favorite drink.

Suddenly, her lungs were on fire.

Rin's limbs froze and she couldn't move. She tried to scream because of the pain in her body, but to no avail. Extreme drowsiness washed over her.

She fell back against her pillow, her eyes closing.

Len POV

Len took off into the air, his wings unfurling like giant sails.

Crap!

Kaito was right! He should've watched her!

Len flew for about a day until his wings hurt and he stopped to perch on the castle. He heard desolate crying inside the castle and peeked in through an open glass window.

The princess was inside a golden casket with ornate designs, her pristine body comfortable against gold silk. Her golden hair brushed her shoulders and a white bow/ribbon thingy sat in it.

Len knew she was alive.

The queen and king however, did not. They were weeping, her head resting on his broad shoulder. The sisters were knelt in front of the casket. Only one was genuinely dejected, though.

Len cursed. How was he to save her when she was surrounded?

He hefted a rock in his hand and threw it at the delicate glass window below his feet. It shattered, and the royal family raced towards the next level, momentarily leaving the youngest daughter behind. Len flew in through the open window and unclasped the lid of the casket. He gently lifted the girl's body, shut the casket, and took off.

Unfortunately, as he neared a pretty garden, he found that the girl wasn't very light, and had to stop flying. He lay her down and looked around. It was a very lovely place, with neat hedges in a maze surrounding them. Len had landed in the center of the place. The plants were lush yet overgrown.

Hmmm. This could be the perfect place to stay for a while. After all, it looks like no one ever comes here...

Len turned back to the girl and fished the antidote for the poison out of his pouch. It came up as a clear yet fizzy liquid. He knelt next to her and opened her jaw smoothly. He forced the liquid into her throat, and lifted her head slightly to make her swallow.

In minutes, she was stirring.

He watched from a bit of a spacious distance, because he didn't want to startle her. Her eyes were a hypnotizing shade of blue.

"Owww..."

Rin POV

"Owww..." Rin winced as a pain throbbed in her head. Her mouth felt like it was bubbling like lava. She looked down to see that she was wearing extremely fine party clothes, like the ones her cousin had worn in her coffin when she'd died.

In a snap, it hit her.

Omygosh, someone poisoned me! I died, didn't I? That's why I'm here...Wearing these clothes... But...But... Why does it look like our garden?

Rin took this moment to precariously observe her surroundings.

Then she saw the boy. He was crouched, watching her, a frustrated look in his blue eyes. His blond hair was pulled into a mini ponytail. She didn't know what to make of him.

He rolled his eyes.

"You're much heavier than you look."

Rin didn't know whether to feel embarrassed or confused. She chose irritation.

"You were carrying me?"

"Unfortunately. My back hurts, too."

Rin bit her tongue, drawing blood.

"No one asked you to!"

A smirk graced his face.

"Would you rather have died?"

"Well...!" Rin had no retort, so she just seethed quietly.

Then she came up with it. "I'm going back! I have to tell Mother and Father that I'm not dead!"

"No." He said casually, like he had control over her.

Rin drew herself up regally. She hated using her position to take control, but this boy...!

"I am Princess Rin, future queen of this land. I demand that you let me go back!"

"Not my land. You don't matter where I come from." His gaze wandered carelessly over her, then returned to the sky.

"Well you're in my land now." Rin turned, remembering how to get out of the maze. "And anyhow, I know my way through this. You don't. How were you planning to leave?"

"I wasn't. We're staying here."

Rin scowled. "YOU'RE staying here! I'm leaving!" And with that, she turned and started navigating the maze.

General POV

Len stood up. This girl was totally not listening to him! He would have to persuade her. He waited about five minutes, then took to the skies. He then swooped down, grabbed Rin under her... chest, and rose upwards at a furious pace.

"Eek!" Rin squeaked, and then gaped at the world, which was way below her. It took her five seconds to realize that she was deathly scared of heights. "Let me go!"

Len grinned wickedly, wanting to play with her stubborn nature. "Wrong choice of words, Princess."

And he let go.

Rin fell through the air at a rapid speed. Too terrified to scream, she just closed her eyes and wished for a quick death.

Len dove down and grabbed her forearms, dangling her above the ground. He gave her a sharp shake.

"You'll listen to me from now on, okay?"

Rin just nodded. She was too scared to respond otherwise for fear that he'd drop her again.

Len set her down. Rin swayed for a moment, and then plopped on the grass, her cheeks patched with pink.

Len ignored her embarrassment and sat down neatly.

"You have wings." Rin murmured in shock.

He nodded, still smirking at her. Rin's heart pounded erratically from the unwanted flight.

She wanted to cry, but she reminded herself to stay strong.

Don't worry. You'll be outta here soon...

Neru POV

Neru sniffled as she looked at the empty casket disbelievingly. Where was Rin?

Lily looked stunned, but Neru couldn't help thinking that the smug Lily was hiding underneath the momentary shock.

"R-Rin?"

Mother and Father gaped at the casket.

The family exchanged looks.

"Spirits..." whispered Piko eerily. "They've taken her."

Lily slapped the servant and turned up her nose.

"Well she obviously wasn't pure, then." Then, in a slightly soft, cajoling voice, she said, "Mother, Father... I think that you should choose a new queen..."

She puffed herself up, waiting for it. Neru rolled her red-from-crying eyes.

"Neru."

"What?"

"Neru." the queen looked sad, dejected, but firm. Neru raised her tearstained face to look at her parents.

"Seriously?"

Her father wearily nodded his consent. "You're the next choice."

Lily screeched, whipping to stare at Neru. "You... You're..."

Neru knelt in front of Rin's previous casket.

I'm not ready for this...