Disclaimer: I do not own Daa, Daa, Daa.

~:-Message from the Author-:~

To my new readers-

Thank you for sharing the journey with me. I hope we last.

To those who have read the story posted by me under an old penname-

Here's the long overdue continuation. Thank you for waiting. I hope the magic lives.

~:*:~

THE SEVENTH PORTRAIT

REVISED-

A Daa Daa Daa Fanfiction

By

Cshen.J.

He left with a promise he'll come back for her. Too bad, when he did, she was no longer there.

CHAPTER FOUR – The Princess & the Prince

Erzin hasn't even been running far when he caught sight of Oriden soldiers, their steps light and soundless as they thread through the ground of pine trees and sycamores. Erzin has never once considered himself wise, but life taught him enough to know it can never end well to just barge in the midst of well-trained soldiers, especially when they were carrying bows and arrows in hand. And so for the second time that day, the logger found himself hiding, this time behind a tree trunk.

He didn't need to wait long. Somewhere in the distance, a wailing sound was heard followed by a loud thud. Erzin wondered if it's time and decided to take peek, immediately alert when he saw that the soldiers had left. He took a few steps forward and saw a deer lying in the ground with an arrow piercing its leg.

The logger would have felt sympathy for the animal, but a step aback caused him to freeze, his axe falling to the ground.

"Halt," a cold voice ordered from behind him. Erzin could see not one but three weapons pointed at his back in the shadows. One of them bent and took away his axe.

"Who are you?" said the same voice.

Erzin was starting to feel desperate to think of the right answers. He heard scuffling noises, but he couldn't look, because to turn his head might cause him his life.

It was at this exact moment that Prince Mizuki Yamamura came forward and made his presence known, effectively surprising the man and halting the soldiers' threats.

Erzin wanted to hit his own head. How could he have forgotten of the prince's hunt? It was the talk of town before he had left the tavern.

"What's going on in there?" the young prince asked, looking composed even when the man being restrained by his soldiers fell on his knees to plead.

"Your highness, we've caught a man spying," said his soldier. What little color remains on Erzin's face was now lost in pale white. Desperation led his courage to come out.

"Your highness," he cried, "Please, I am no spy!"

The swords drew closer to his neck and he was unable to breathe. The prince took his precious time to walk to them.

"Good heavens," he commented with a sigh that would have looked ungraceful had it come from any other man. But the prince's charm made it look so elegant, worthy even of being made into a portrait. Erzin, even with his life hanging in the line, had to do a double take thinking this must be the reason the ladies in the kingdom were so enchanted by the monarch.

"Must you be so aggressive?" said the prince, "The man doesn't even have a weapon to defend himself. Step away and let him talk."

The soldiers each took two steps back as they've been commanded. Erzin thought of what to say. Fortunately the words came easier than expected.

"Thank you, your highness." He said sincerely, only relearning how to breathe. "Please, I am no threat to you. I am nothing, a man without a home under my name, not even a family to cheer for me. I am just one of your most loyal subjects practicing my skills for a chance to become a royal logger. See my axe in your soldier's hands? It is my only friend. My only crime was that I was working too hard, that I failed to realize it was time for your hunt."

"Why were you hiding then?" The prince asked nonchalantly. Erzin gasped, not aware that the prince had seen him. He looked so calm, so relaxed, so in contrast with his soldiers' scrutinizing eyes.

"Your highness I have witnessed a scene I think is worthy of being brought to your attention. I was heading to make a report when I ran into your soldiers. I realized then it was time for your hunt, but I didn't want to interrupt and so I hid and waited. "

The prince didn't look a bit interested, checking his nails, but Erzin took his silence as a sign to continue.

"Before I came, I was resting on the riverbanks, when I saw a very beautiful maiden about to faint and begging me to hide her. I do not recognize her face, but her clothes made me wonder if she is a princess. Your highness, she wears a diamond as big as my thumb on her neck!"

"A princess you say? In Oriden's forest?"

"I-, I couldn't be sure," the logger said earnestly, "I never had the chance to ask. I wanted to help her but I feared bandits might be after her. I heard horse's steps and hid. Then I saw a young man, also dressed so luxuriously, carried her unconscious form and took off. I came running because I fear the maiden might be in danger."

"Are you certain of what you saw?"

"With my life your highness, I swear I speak the truth."

The prince's expression changed and suddenly he too was scrutinizing him. Erzin was starting to feel doubt if the words of a common logger were enough.

"Soldiers!" The prince called suddenly, surprising him. At his call, Erzin saw at least two dozen more soldiers coming out from the trees to line up before their prince.

"Command us, your highness," They said.

"Take this man with you. Find the man and woman befitting his descriptions. Bring them to me unharmed," he ordered.

The soldiers bowed. Erzin did too, right before two soldiers helped him stand and he was forced to disperse with them.

Princess Akira couldn't hide her eagerness to meet with the king. She was still in the guest room, sitting on the bed and fondling with a piece of flower embroidery resting on her lap. The maid Aya who happens to be her companion at the moment, had brought it for her to pass time with, hoping it will calm her nerves. It hasn't been proving fruitful though, because she was still getting impatient and very much so.

She stood up so quickly when they heard a knock.

"Come in," the princess answered courtly, reminding herself to act like the woman of her stature.

Aya opened the door and gave a curtsy, unknowing that the princess had winced and made a mental note to teach her how to perfect her curtsy.

Sir Argus didn't seem to care though and had his eyes set to her as he came in beaming with smile. They have been acquainted after she had her lunch, but she was disappointed to know that the forty five year old minister only knew what the maid had already told her. King Kanata had sent her king father a message right on the day she was brought in the castle.

"A beautiful morning your highness," Sir Argus greeted warmly, "I come bringing good news. His majesty is now ready to see you."

"You mean now?" she asked, overwhelmed to see the elder man nod. In fact, she was ready to bolt out the door and run, but realized she had no idea where the king was.

Instead, she took a deep breathe, and pretended to dust off her beautiful gown of red and silver, even if it was already immaculate.

"Lead the way, good Sir," She said in good nature.

Kurita Hanakomachi deemed himself a good fighter. However there were still limits to what a man could do, no matter how capable, when surrounded by dozens of Oriden soldiers. It was how he found himself kneeling in the middle of the forest with his head bowed and his hands tied behind his back, surrounded by soldiers glaring at him like he was a criminal. He frowned, rethinking all he had done and cringing at the thought that they might be right after all. He really had become a criminal.

His eyes drifted to his sleeping companion, relieved to see that the soldiers were treating her with care. But then he saw a pretty looking man approach her, and he watched with baited breathe, alert and thinking of how to attack.

"She's alive," the guy said, exhaling as he felt her breathe. Kurita relaxed realizing he had meant her no harm.

"Seriously?" he exclaimed, sounding terribly offended, "Do I look like a murderer to you? This handsome face? You're worried for nothing! I would never hurt her. She is merely asleep."

The soldiers did not seem to appreciate his wit and he received a kick in the back. It hurt like hell but he laughed to tease them more. He needed to bid his time as he worked to untie the rope.

"How dare you disrespect our prince!"

"Prince?" He asked, furrowing his brows as he turned to really look at the unspeaking subject. "Ah! So the pretty boy is the prince. Prince Mizuki Yamamura, right? I can see you looking well. How is your sister?"

The soldiers looked ready to give him another well-deserved smack, but the so called prince raised his hand to halt their movements.

"Who are you?" The prince replied rather calmly, too calmly Kurita thought, feeling wary of the royal's true intent.

"Never mind me, your highness," he answered with a grin, "I was only a stranger passing by. In fact if you can be so kind to let me and my friend leave, then we will not be a bother-"

"Your friend, who is she?" the prince said, ignoring his comment and meeting his eyes as he bent with both feet, resting his arms on his knees.

"Ah, her. Well she is-"

He never got to finish his sentence though, his eyes wide as arrows began coming at them from different directions behind the trees. His new found companions saw them too and hurried to protect their prince. Kurita took the opportunity to break free from being tied and instantly elbowed punch the soldier who kicked him, stealing his sword and considering it his apology.

"Bandits!" The soldiers yelled, forming troupes to attack and defend.

Some of them came to restrain him but he evaded them all, quick in his track to reach the girl.

"Protect her with your life if you want to live!" He yelled, making sure to get the prince's attention.

In the distance, a troupe of soldiers seemed to have caught up with the bandits and broke into a fight.

Kurita rallied to help them, thoroughly aware that the prince was watching his every movement.

The soldiers look surprised to see him helping but didn't stop him.

"Kill them all!" he ordered, eyes never leaving the two bandits he was in combat with.

"Who are you to order us around?" yelled back a brown haired soldier dealing with his own bandit.

"Listen well," he said, loud enough for the prince to hear. "Those bandits are sent by the Hanakomachis! Do you really want to leave any of them alive?"

His remark seemed to get his expected reaction as the soldiers' attacks became even more aggressive and they were able to sleigh all forty bandits in record time. Ever since the Hanakomachis became the rulers of Faithe Kingdom, they had been in feud with the great Cireon Kingdom and its allies, Oriden included.

"Now, it's your turn. Tell us, who are you really?"

Kurita turned to see the soldier whose sword he had stolen heading towards him and looking enraged. Kurita smirked. The soldier had done himself well stealing a bandit's sword.

"Go ahead," he said confidently, wiping off his sweat with his arm, "You can't kill me anyway."

"And why is that?"

This time it was the prince. A soldier was following him from behind, carrying his sleeping companion looking lovely even with her eyes closed, in his arms.

"Because to kill me would start a bloody war," He answered gravely, shocking the soldiers and confusing them for a second, before his expression returned back into a grin.

"Look, I can tell you all about who I am and why I'm here, provided you get us to safety," He said, daring the prince to contest.

"Who's the girl?"

This time, no interruptions came and he was finally able to answer.

"Someone more important than you and me."

It wasn't a long walk before Princess Akira found herself alone in the king's guest room, waiting for his arrival. She was sipping the tea that the maid had served only a while ago.

Feeling bored and with nothing else to do, she stood up, having decided to entertain herself by looking around.

The king's guest room was huge, even bigger than her own room back in Azarul. She had already taken note of the king's choice of furniture, all wood, neatly carved and looking ornate with golden engravements. They look complimentary with the plain white wall, made alive with the tapestries and paintings. Had she turned to see the painting hanging beside the door where she came in, she would have seen the familiar face of his rescuer.

But as fate would have it, she was too engrossed with the paintings on the opposite side of the wall, all of beautiful pieces of nature, leaving her to wonder if they were real places in Azalea. If they were, she would have to ask the king to let her see them. Of course, only after he answered her questions about her father.

She would have to ask the king.

She thought, suddenly feeling agitated. She had been too concerned about her father that she totally dismissed the fact that she was in a foreign land, and about to meet its highest authority.

She wondered if King Kanata would be as Aya described him. Would he really be kind and welcoming? Even Sir Argus seemed to share the same thought and more pleasant things about his majesty. She decided to believe the king couldn't be so bad, given that his subjects can only speak so fondly of him.

Too lost in thought, she didn't realize that the door had opened and she was no longer alone. Her curiosity was taken by the last painting on that side of the wall as it was the only one with a human subject. It was a portrait of a little girl who she supposes was no older than ten, with golden corn hair and vibrant emerald eyes. Even the princess could not help but think that the child was very beautiful, looking radiant surrounded by flowers, smiling and holding a teddy bear.

"Who is she?" she wondered aloud, feeling uneasy with a sense of déjà vu.

A voice that certainly didn't belong to her responded, and she gasped, turning to be even more surprised to see a familiar face dressed so differently.

"Her name is Miyu Kouzuki," he said, staring at the portrait so fondly, as if he was remembering a treasured memory. Had she not just realized the king was one of her rescuers, she would have noticed him smile, a smile that looked beautiful and sad at the same time. She might have deemed him a melancholic. But instead she was too shaken.

"You- you're," she stuttered, a hand covering her mouth.

The young king seemed to have drifted off in reverie, looking startled but only for a second. The princess watched in silence as he took confident steps to reach her, offering her a warm smile and then his hand. She couldn't help a blush when he kissed the back of her hand, as was the custom when monarchs meet.

"Allow me to properly introduce myself Princess Akira of Azarul," he courteously said, "I am King Kanata Saionji of Azalea, son of abdicated King Hosho Saionji and the late precious Queen Hitomi Saionji. I am delighted to see you have recovered."

Princess Akira could only nod, terribly wishing for the ground to swallow her whole. He was a king! He had rescued her, and she had called him a slave trader. How could she have been so foolish?

"I hope your stay had been pleasant," The king expressed, leading her back to the sofa and gesturing her to sit while he made himself comfortable across her.

"Ye- ye- yes, your majesty. It has. Your servant Aya has been a delight."

"That's good to know," the king said, "Now, I'm certain you have things you'd like to know. Please, feel free to speak your mind Princess Akira."

The princess gulped and took a deep breathe. The king waited patiently for her to ready herself, crossing his legs and sipping the tea which he knew was prepared for him.

"Your majesty," she said at last, "I can never thank you enough for saving my life. I only hope you could forgive me for calling you a-," she stopped herself, too ashamed to even utter the word again.

The king did not seem to mind though and finished the word for her, looking unconcerned even as the word made her freeze. "A slave trader, you mean to say?"

The princess nodded with a blush.

"We are of the same age Princess Akira. You can speak comfortably. As for your choice of words, I perfectly understand the situation. You were frightened and had good reason to. I assure you, you have no reason to worry."

"Thank you, your majesty," she responded, her shoulders slumping as she relaxed, finally able to smile. Aya and Sir Argus had been right. The king was both welcoming and kind.

"Now then, your concerns?"

"My father, are there news of him? I have been told you've informed him that I'm here. Again, I cannot thank you enough your majesty."

"King Azul is on his way as we speak. His last message informed me he was in the great Cireon Kingdom. I expect him to arrive after three days at the latest."

The princess could not help but beam at finally hearing news of her father.

"Anything else?"

"My captors, what happened to them? And what of my other rescuer? Do you need me to testify?" she inquired at once.

"Ah, those filth," the king expressed, surprising her with his bluntness, "You're very brave princess, but as I said, you don't have to worry yourself. You'll be surprised how talkative men could be when their lives are hanging on the line. They are currently in prison and will be punished for what they did to you in addition to other crimes they were found involved. As for the man who saved you, Sir Nozomu is currently on an errand I sent him to. He'll be back before sunrise tomorrow. I can grant you sometime to meet with him if you'd like."

"That would be just wonderful, your majesty. Thank you again," she answered.

When he asked her again if there was anything else she'd like to know, she replied with a soft no.

Comfortable silence commenced. The king does not seem to mind. But the leisure time only made her think of more questions. She took the opportunity to observe the king. She couldn't help but admit that just as she last remembered when he had saved her, the young king of Azalea was truly a sight for sore eyes.

"Now it is my turn to ask," said the king, leaning forward with his elbows propped on each side of his couch, his handsome chin resting on his crossed hands. His voice didn't change, Princess Akira noted. It was cool and just a tad bit louder and yet it came with threatening authority. She didn't know how he did it, but her anxiety was returning, and she was reminded of the saying that no one can refuse a king's request.

"Are you now ready to tell me what happened to you? As you may know, the Northern Mountains aren't within Azalea's jurisdiction. But if you feel that your story should be a concern of our kingdom, then it would do you well to tell me."

In an unconscious movement, her hand found its way to her chest, right above her heart as if it was trying to calm it down. Princess Akira had been mentally preparing herself for this conversation, knowing that the king and her father would ask it of her. Yet it didn't stop her fear from arising, and suddenly she was feeling like a child about to be reprimanded.

"I ran away," she murmured, fidgeting with her hands, "I managed to ride a ship to Cireon, but a pirate's ship blocked our path in the middle of the sea. I and other girls were forced to come with them. We couldn't possible know where we were going since they locked us and deprived us of food. When we landed, I was dragged to a carriage and then taken to the Northern Mountains. From what I heard, the men you saw with me were slave traders who bought me from pirates. They said they were going to sell me again, for a higher price. I tried to escape, and that was when you found me."

The king was silent, merely watching her. What she didn't know was that the king had heard the same story from her captors, which was why he was in no hurry to speak with her. He also specifically didn't add that the pirates have also been captured after a tip delivered to the great Cireon Kingdom. They couldn't make the capture themselves because the jurisdiction falls with the great Cireon Kingdom.

Seconds lasted but it felt like hours. The princess could not lift her head, too embarrassed to meet the king's eyes.

"You have been through a lot Princess Akira," he said, surprising her with the warmth in his tone, "I hope I can make your stay with us more enjoyable. Consider it a gift from an ally kingdom. Don't hesitate to tell me or anyone if there's anything you need. I will make sure it is delivered in no time."

It was then that the princess found courage to really look at his eyes, sparkling brown and filled with sincerity. His words and the lack of judgement in his eyes were comfort to her, and she couldn't help the tears that start to fall.

"Thank you so much," she murmured breathily, "Your kindness has no bounds, your majesty."

She wanted to compliment him more but she saw that he was no longer looking at her. His eyes, so kind, were once again on the portrait of the child.

"Your majesty, if I may ask, who is this Miyu Kouzuki in the painting? She looks like a lovely child. Will I also get to meet her?"

The king's eyes never left the portrait even as he answered. The princess surprised herself when she felt a pang of jealousy.

"I hope you can," he said solemnly, "She is two years younger than us, no less than a lady than you Princess Akira. But I'm afraid I too am yet to see her again."

His words drip with longing and mystery. Princess Akira squinted her eyes as she tried to recall where she'd seen the girl. Her vibrant eyes, her beautiful enchanting smile…

"I've seen her!" she all but cried when she finally remembered, "The girl in the portrait! I couldn't be certain because she looked so young. But her features look so familiar, I couldn't help but wonder if I've met her before."

The king stood so swiftly and so rigidly, she worried he might have hurt his spine. But it didn't seem to matter to him.

"Where?" was all he said, not bothering to hide his eagerness to know what she has to say.

The princess clutched her gown in nervousness, "Back in the Northern Mountains where you saved me. She was with me before I was taken to the cave. She was captured before I was. She saved my life."

To be continued

A/N: FINALLY! You can't imagine how many revisions this took me haha :) But I'm glad I can share it with you at last. Praise God! I hope you enjoyed it. I know I had fun writing it. I'd be happy to read your reviews. They inspire me to write more.