Me: Hey guys! Here's another chapter!
You: Omg! Neru, you update so quickly!
Me: I know, I know...
You: Wow! So modest! Oh, well! You're so cool, I feel like leaving you a review to tell you how awesome your story is!
Yeah... I'm strange... I like having random conversations with myself... =3
Chapter 2: The Dream
-I can't wait for the ball tonight! I hear the prince is really nice, and he's going to choose a bride. I hope he chooses me!
-Don't get your hopes up, there's a lot more chances he'll pick me!
Miku was coming back from the bakery when she heard this, and she couldn't help but think that those girls were horribly shallow. How can they think someone is nice without even meeting them in person? Is it just because of how he looks?
Sadly, she was also invited to that ball. In fact, every girl over fifteen was to attend. Miku was going, but only because it was her duty; she had no intention of marrying the prince.
When she arrived home, her mom was waiting for her at the door.
-Miku, where have you been? You should be getting ready for the ball!
-Yes mother.
She went up to get fixed. She took a long bath to clean all the grime off her body and sprayed a little touch of perfume. Magnolia. The hardest was to choose a dress. Miku simply stood in front of her wardrobe for a half hour, trying to decide if she would look better in green, blue, pink or white. She finally opted for the one that was made of a soft white fabric and spilled down all the way to the floor, leaving her shoulders bare. The sleeves hung low on her arms and the top front was made from ruffled, see-trough silk. She was finally ready.
"You are gorgeous," her mom said when she came down.
-Thank you mother.
-You are welcome. Now, be on your way.
Miku started walking towards the castle that was on the edge of town, not too far from her house. She could see the top of the towers from where she was.
After 10 minutes of walk, she arrived at destination. The castle was gigantic. It was composed of several round towers that were all related to each other by interminable hallways. In the centre of that was the bigger part that was respectively the kitchens, the ball room, the library, the dining room, and probably some other yet undiscovered rooms. And in the center of all that was the garden. A place that was rumored to have all the flowers of the world, from the rose, to the hibiscus. All of that was surrounded by a pit of water, which the only way of passing over was a drawbridge that led directly to the entrance; a big, arched door.
Miku crossed that bridge and got to the open door where she was stopped by a guard to which she showed her invitation. He took it upon himself to escort her to the ball room.
The ball room was a vast room with high ceilings from which hung dozens of chandeliers, all lined up. The atmosphere was festive. All the other girls were drinking some kind of exquisite alcohol or strutting around in their new dresses, trying to impress the prince in order to get chosen as a wife. Miku couldn't care less about impressing anybody; she had only dressed nicely so her mom would be happy. So, she went in search of her best friend, Haku. She found her in the far left corner with a bottle of wine in hand, obviously a little tipsy. Typical, Miku thought. Her older friend really liked drinking.
-Hello Haku.
-Oh Miku, hey… Don't forget what I told you this afternoon; you shouldn't drink or eat anything. You never know what they might have put in it…
-What a great example you are, Miku teased.
-This? Haku asked, raising her bottle. I brought this from home; said it was a gift for the prince.
-And the guards believed you?
-Let's just say he had his dose of pretty women for the day.
-You didn't!?
-I have no idea what you are referring to, Haku said with a fake look of innocence.
-Oh God…
The two friends stayed in their corner, observing other people chat and dance to the folkloric music without being noticed. Or so they thought. Until a guy came to see them. He faced Miku, extended his hand and asked, "Would you care for a dance?"
Miku looked at her friend, who just nodded; so she went.
-Might I ask the name of my beautiful courtier? the guy asked, taking her hand.
-My name is Miku. Hatsune Miku.
-That is a very pretty name. Mine, though you probably already know it, is Gakupo.
The prince, thought Miku. This is the prince. But of course it is the prince, he is the only guy present!
Everyone was looking at them with envy, which Miku did not miss and felt quite uncomfortable about.
-Yes, I did know your name, your highness, she said, eager to end the conversation and return to Haku.
-Polite too. You are quite the woman aren't you?
-Thank you, your highness.
-I think I will make you my bride, the prince told her.
-I'm sorry, but I cannot, prince Gakupo.
-And why might that be?
-You see, my dream is to travel around the world. I have the intention of one day going to faraway lands to see all the wonderful things they have for me to discover. I cannot stay enclosed in a castle. That would be like a prison, Miku explained the prince with passion.
-I see, Gakupo said very slowly, a weird glow in his eyes.
-Thank you for understanding, my prince.
-Oh, but I think you misunderstood. I never said I understood and would let you go. Actually, the fact that you want to leave and will not accept to marry me just makes you that much more desirable.
-I can't! I do not want to be with you! Miku shrieked, panicked.
Miku tried to break free of the prince's grasp, but he simply pulled her closer, putting his mouth to her ear.
-Listen well, my dear, he whispered. I have every intention of making you mine. I will crush your dreams, lock you up in the dungeons, and do whatever I must to make you stay with me; I will not hesitate to kill your whole family as well as your friends if necessary. And do not doubt me; I have the power to do all those things and will not have a second thought to use them to meet my ends. Now that my intentions are clear, I think we'll get along a lot better.
He backed away and smiled, as if nothing had happened, as if he had not just threatened Miku.
Who ever said this guy was nice? Miku wondered. He is evil and heartless!
-You should expect a message to come to you with good news within the next week, he added. By the way, I really hate that perfume of yours; better change it before we are married.
And he left.
…
Miku woke up in sweat. She had dreamt of that night again. The night when her life turned upside down. But it's all behind me now; I have nothing to worry about, she told herself. But she knew better; she knew the prince wasn't going to give up so easily. In fact, guards were probably after her by now. Better get moving. She helped herself up with the trunk of the old oak she had stopped to in order to rest and started walking again.