I didn't think when I answered you, you know. That "Yes" hadn't had any thought behind it. How could I think, when I'd grown to naturally do whatever you told me. I'll bet if I'd thought, even for a moment, countless innocent lives would have been spared. Children could have grown up, couples grow old together, children be born.
But I didn't think, not even for a minute.
I wish I had. Not only for the Princess of Green, but for the people there.
When I snuck into that kingdom to spy, in assistance to the future attack, something stopped me. No, I wasn't thinking about what was being done. There was a little girl.
"Mister?" She had called, tugging at my cloak. I turned my head, but I didn't say a word. "Mister, where are you going?" I motioned my head toward the castle, ready to move forward, but she stopped me again. "Mister, what's your name? I'm Yuki."
"I'm… Servant…Len," I said slowly, confused by the small child.
"Servant? You're funny!" She laughed.
"What?" I asked, a bit annoyed by her informalities.
"You're a prince!" She said, as if correcting me.
"I'm really not-"
"You look like one! You're a prince! Will you be my prince?" She asked, cocking her head. I paused for a minute, lifting my eyebrows. It couldn't hurt, right? Not like I would be here long, anyway. I knew enough about the Green Kingdom. I'd done some "Market-Searching" myself.
"I suppose…" I gave in, and the girl's face lit up like the sun. "Okay!" She smiled, handing me a small daisy.
"What's this?" I asked her, confused again.
"It's for you! I have one, too! Now I'm your princess!"
So then, I had a Queen, an admiration, and… a princess. A princess called Yuki.
Minutes turned to hours, and I lost track of time, consumed in the child's smile, her kindness, and most of all, her energy. I'd had no idea so much energy could be contained in anything, let alone something so small. Yuki ran tree to tree, climbing quite a few in the process, and even jumping off of them from time to time. She had a swing tied to a tree by vines, which she managed to swing high above my head.
"Prince Len, catch!" She cried happily, and I spread my arms open, expecting to catch a toy, but instead, Yuki landed in my arms. "Oof," I grunted, stepping back. "Prince Len, I like you!" She smiled up at me, and my eyes widened. No one had said something so… confusing to me before.
"Me?" I squeaked.
"Yes, you! Silly!" She laughed.
"Oh," I said quickly, looking down. Like me? I felt a quick kiss on my cheek, and I turned rapidly to look at her. "What?"
"Mister Len, you really are a prince," She explained to me, "Who told you you were a servant?"
"My… Queen," I told her.
"Queen? Well, she must not be a smart queen! You're a prince, okay? I'm telling the truth, cross my heart and hope to die," She said defiantly, using her finger to draw a cross over her chest. "Don't you think so?" She asked.
"Mm…No," I told her.
"What? How many times do I have to tell you? You have to promise me you'll be a prince, okay?" She said, annunciating every word.
"Okay," I agreed, not thinking much of it, per usual.
"Promise me. Cross your heart and hope to die," She insisted.
"Cross my heart and hope to die."
