[Last time] …remembered Innkanaka's face back then. She looked so shocked whether it was his presence or what he said to her. But you had to admit, you were shocked as well. Never, just never has a guy done something like this for you. Again you have a strange feeling inside your tummy.
Am I... in love??

Beginning with Sandy's POV:
Days went by and you're doing your duties at the palace as usual. It was still early in the morning and you were told to get some water from the well. So you held a jar in your hand and frisked through the corridors of the palace on your way to the well. You like the fresh air in the morning. Since you're working in the kitchen, the only thing you smell the whole day is the baked or cooked food, mixed with thousands of spices. The smell of oil is all over the place, actually it's really disgusting. But nothing is compared to the smell of a baked fish. That's just not to describe with words, just so… so disgusting.

You walked to the well, where also other maids were doing their work. Quickly you filled your jar with the water from the well. With both of your hands you lifted up the jar.
A jar filled with water is definitely much more heavier than an empty one, you thought by yourself. The ground around the well was totally wet and scattered pieces of jars were all over the place as well. Apparently, a lot of maids and slaves had slipped here before… But that won't happen to me, you smiled and slowly you walked further, step by step. Too easy..., you thought and you fastened you speed. But then you slipped, due to the wet ground and fell backwards. The jar slipped from your hands and touched the floor, falling apart. Water flows over the ground. "Aaah...", you screamed and closed your eyes firmly. You're about to hit the ground, when two strong arms came around your waist, breaking your fall. You opened your eyes and came face to face with the most handsome guy you've ever seen in your lifetime. He was holding you in his arms, looking at you with eyes full of concern. The guy has tri-colored hair! And surely, his tri-colored hair; blonde, black and purple, suits him perfectly. "Be more careful next time." you believe he just said. His voice sounded like the calm sea within the great turbulent ocean. And before you knew, all the maids and slaves kneeled down. You heard them say: "My prince..."

Your POV:
After you had made the beds of the royal bloods as usual, you were told to go to the market. This time I'm going to be back on time. I won't give Innkanaka another excuse to punish me again, you thought. Quickly you went down the market to buy all your needs. You were almost running through streets, while you filled your empty basket. "I needed to buy this... and ... this, well I think I've got everything." you said after a few minutes. It's still early in the morning, so there's no way you're going to be late this time! Innkanaka must go mad, if she knows she won't have an excuse to punish me today, you smiled. You imagined how her face will look like, when she knows you're back this soon. That'll be amusing.

You were heading back to the palace, but then, you see an old woman lying on the ground. Quickly you walk closer by; the old woman is unconscious! With your hand you feel the old woman's forehead. Her temperature is way too high, she needs help, now!! You begged others to help you to get this old woman to the doctor, but all of them ignored you. Some of them looked at the old woman with disgust, then turned their head away. Others came to you, asking 'what's wrong'. But as soon as they saw the old woman, they used several excuses to get away. "Please, this old woman needs help!" you shouted to them.

You turned to the unconscious, old woman on the floor, kneeling down in front of her. Once again you felt her forehead. You couldn't lift the old woman by yourself! While helplessly looking at her, a tear streamed down your cheek. Why am I this weak?! Suddenly, you heard a familiar voice behind you. "Is everything alright with this old woman??" a voice full of concern asked. You turned around. No way! you thought, as crimson eyes met yours. "It's you!!" The same guy who gave the apple to the little girl, the same guy who protected you from Innkanaka! "You're that maid..." he said, his voice sounded like he was happy to see you, but that must be only your imagination. "Please, help this old woman to the medicinists." you almost begged him. Without another word he lifted the old woman and settled her on his back. Then he ran through the streets to the nearest doctor, while you followed him.

~ "Luckily, the old woman is alright." ~
~ "Yes, and that's all thanks to you, my lady." ~
~ "Well, actually I haven't done anything. It was you, who brought her to the medicinists." ~
~ "But it was your kindness which saved the old woman." ~

You flushed a bit by his words. It's strange, but it almost feels like he always shows up somehow, whenever you're in a tight spot, like a protector or something. He's so sensitive, but also so determined on the same time. Not to forget, he's also very handsome, you thought, for Ra's sake, why am I thinking that all the time? Because he is… The same strange feeling made its way to your stomach again.

~ "I want to thank you, sir, for taking the blame last time. If not, I surely would have been punished again by Innkanaka." ~
~ "Don't mention it." ~
~ "Please, don't mind I ask you, but do you possess a high status in the palace? Don't get me wrong, it's just... Innkanaka seemed quite shocked, you know, back then." ~
~ "Uhm... well.. you could say it that way." ~
~ "I see... sorry for my rudeness." ~
~ "No, I… I… I didn't mean it that way…" ~
~silence~

~ "Oh uhm… where are my manners, my name is ~~~~~~." ~
~ "Nice to meet you, ~~~~~......" ~

Silence once again fell between the two of you, while he was looking straight at the ground. You stared at him, confused and reluctantly you asked: "Uhm.. may I... may I know your name?" Somehow, his eyes started to fill with sadness. He lifted his head, making your eyes met his again; those beautifully crimson eyes. You don't know how many times anymore you've thought about them, lost in them. His soothing voice came into you ear: "I....I am...."

You fastened your speed. You were heading back to the palace with your basket filled with nourishment you bought at the market. Ra was about to set! Due to the incident with the old woman, you forgot to be back on time. Hopefully Innkanaka doesn't know it. I just sneak into the palace and then.... "INNKANAKA!!!"

She was waiting for you at the palace, like she knew you would be late. "Uhm.. Innkanaka...I.." you tried to explain, but you got interrupted by the booming voice of Innkanaka. "~~~~~!! I told you to be back on time! AND WHAT'S THIS?!?!!?" Innkanaka yelled. "But I.." "YOU SKIP DINER AND GO CLEAN THE PILLARS!!"

~ "NOT again?!?!!?" ~

You had no choice, but to obey her orders. So, just as you'd been told to, you're cleaning the pillars of the palace right now. Innkanaka definitely knows how to punish someone, you thought. You barely slept the last few days and today you won't get any sleep either. Last time you cleaned the pillars of the palace corridors, you were totally worn out. Back then, it felt like seconds went by like hours and hours went by like a whole eternity! Though, this time it felt different. Actually, you didn't bother at all. Without any arguing you obeyed Innkanaka's orders. True your body was there cleaning the pillars, just as you'd been told to... but your mind wasn't. You remembered yourself about the incident with the old woman and .... about your father.

[Flashback]"Fa, where are you?!? Fa!!" you yelled. You, who just became two years old, were wondering down the streets. Your father was nowhere to be found. "FA!!" Your feet tripped further, till…

… you found your father lying on the ground. He was unconscious!! "FA!!" you yelled. You ran to him and sat upon his chest. A tear went down you cheek. You yelled at him, telling him to awake. "FA, NOT FUNNY!! FA!!" you yelled. But he remained silence. Your eyes filled with more tears. "Fa…" you whimpered, miracly knowing what death means at your age.

Suddenly, your dad coughed twice and slowly opened his eyes. Your dad is still alive! "FA!!!" You tried to lift him up, to bring him home. Mom will know what to do. But you were not strong enough. Quickly you asked the people, who were walking by, to help you, begged them to help you. But they made themselves scarce as quickly as they can. Some of them whispered things like: "We need to go, quickly. Who knows what kind of disease this man has. Perhaps it's contagious!" You had no idea what that meant at your age, but had memorized those words deeply in your soul. You tried it again and again, but it didn't bother. Nobody came to help; they were afraid to get contagious also. Even it meant, they will let someone die. "Help FA! Fa! Help!!!" you cried again.[End Flashback]

In the end there was a rich man who ordered his servants to bring your dad to the medicinists. Also, did he pay all the costs, you couldn't be more thankful. But it was already too late. Your dad had left you... forever. You remembered yourself the last words your dad said to you, while you held his hand in yours: "~~~~~, don't cry. I will always be with you. I will always look over you, your brother and your mom." "Fa…?" you asked not knowing what he is saying and his hand slipped from yours...

Fortunately, the old woman is safe, you thought. And that's all thanks to him. Ra has went down the horizon and the sky went darker by each second that passed by. You leaned down against a pillar. It was getting colder. You closed your eyes for a while, thinking about him. After a while you fell asleep, dreaming about?


ATEMU!!! He's finally here!!! Do the victory dance!

Oh my gosh, who is this strange guy who keeps haunting you. Uh oh, what'll happen next! please ReVieW!!!