Ch. 2
Sorrowful is the bird in it's cage. Protected yet tortured to a less fortunate chaos. Yet exaggerated chaos can comply with order, how so? How often?
Floor boards were foolishly attacked by that of which flounced away. She did not stop. Blinded by an arm which covered tears, to the roof she retreated. Not far behind flew the petit Ran. Calling out, she dared not. She would follow her owner for the time being.
The only place that was outside within the castle, the garden on the roof. She parted the doors with the pale hands of a lamb she was cursed to, and into the night air she went. Innocent. Powerless. Stars twinkled like tears of the heavens that night. Tears of a princess, locked away in a tower, forevermore.
Collapsing onto her knees, face buried in feathered palms of a bird so small, she cried the last of what was there.
Ran had caught up, only to float beside her. Besiege her in fancy words she would not. She could merely.... be there.
Dote on a princess, only to bring her further into catastrophe.
Mama! Mama look! By the tree! There are kids down there. Can I go too?
Oh.. It must be nice to play....
She would cry no more. Out into the dark rolling fields she stared. The cherry blossom tree. So lonely, she could see.
"Amu... Will you listen?"
Ran never had a good way with words, for Amu didn't either. That was Miki's job after all.
The princess didn't respond, yet she didn't refuse. So Ran spoke anyway...
"I'm sorry Amu-chan! I'm sorry I couldn't do anything. You were right! But at least, for the time being, we're still here. You must go. I'll be there too, even if I can't do anything, I'll be there! Please Amu, before..... Ugh, I'm still here right now! You can't run away, but maybe..."
The princess spun around, and took the fragile chara into her hands, letting her rest a little red cheek on her heart.
"Okay..." It was all the princess could say. Her voice was cracking.
Ran smiled, at least for one last time.
What is it? Why give it to me?
But grandma, it won't open!
My heart... feels warm. I'll treasure it always. And maybe I'll even find the key to it too!
The Hinamori family's heirloom. A promise? Alright. It'll be my promise.
The four-leafed clover shone a bit, on the lock it was designed on, hidden in her dress. A princess' promise can't be broken. Then, if that was so, her heart had chance too?
"There you are! Miss Hinamori!" Cho was always the loudest.
Amu looked up, letting go of Ran, who floated beside her.
"The festivities are about to begin! What does yee think yer doin'? Come, come!"
Her hands where those of a hard working maid indeed. Around the princess' left wrist they curled, and led her downstairs.
The Hinamori Castle's parties always had chances to show off it's pompous and exaggerated behavior. Tables set with velvet drapes stood about the room. Laid out of course, were delicacies of the most magnificent kind upon them. Cakes of foot tall displays, sometimes more, even created shadows on the red carpeted ballroom floors. Draped over mammoth-sized windows were the fabrics of a spirit, flowing air into the room from the cool night. Dancers and jugglers pranced about in costumes one might say exceeded a carnival. The royal fool joining in, played in cartwheels, regaining warm laughter from the hundreds of guests. Colors were of bounty, and smells of the best kind. An orchestra placed on an elevated floor, played uplifting, heartful music into the ears of the many.
In the middle of the room, the longest table, decorated with most expensive baubles of such limits, seated King Hinamori himself. Looking up to the grand staircase, he caught vision of the beauty that was his daughter. He motioned to the servant beside him, wearing a feathered hat, who seemed on cue to call out these words, "And now. Ladies and Gentlemen, I present thee, Princess Hinamori!"
Claps were sounded on the palms of the many. Smiles cast upon their faces, as the princess walked down the steps. She hated every step. Despised the sounds. The sights. It was all.... appalling to her.
Sneering of the guests were almost felt as they thought them:
So that's the famously un-wed princess?
What trick to scare this prince off does she have now? I'm sure her mother won't allow it this time.
She must be so full of herself. A beauty yes, but she isn't even worth it all! My son would be better off marrying the cheaper broads.
Her face was always expressionless. As a princess, she had practice with it. She walked over to her now standing father.
"We've been waiting my dear. I have someone you must meet. He's been interested in marrying you for quite some time!"
He doesn't even know me you pompous ass!
The king stepped aside to reveal the boy. This one was about the same age as the princess. He looked fragile, and innocently kind. Red dazed eyes set upon him, accompanied by soft blond hair. Dressed i what the usual prince was to dress in, he greeted her smiling.
"Hello. I'm Hotori Tadase. Pleased to meet you."