Hiya~ I got a lot of nice feedback from you guys, as well as some encouraging private messages! I personally would like to thank ALL of you guys!
Therefore,
To:
bluefang62, Bluenobody112, cheekycheetah, SasuTenNeji Love, Erza Fullbuster LOVE, FangedSerpent21, Konan Uchiha Sasuke, Mii-chan123, Sailor DarkestNight, Temari Uchiha -Love Lemon, silvertwilightgemini, awesome09,SilverStarz091, solitaryloner, HapiHani246, tacypoc, xX- Ms. Psychic -Xx and all the guests that came to read my story like MissB, anon,and vocalgirl23.
I just want to say, your reviews, messages and support is all very encouraging and really make me so happy. ^.^
"I miss her," Meito said softly.
"Me too," Miku muttered. Then she turned and hugged Meito.
For a moment he was surprised, then he smiled, his eyes still filled with tears, and ruffled her hair before he wrapped his arms around her as well.
Miku smiled as her tears started up again too.
There the two sat for awhile, warmed in one another's embrace and smiling because of it, but their tears giving away the deep mourning they felt for the person they loved and admired.
Do you know that feeling you get when someone hugs you to comfort you when upset? That feeling of absolute warmth seems to bubble inside. You just want to sit there forever comforted in that persons caring embrace.
That's exactly how Meito and Miku felt, however something else seemed to have sneaked it's way into those good feelings. It wasn't a bad feeling, and it was small at the time, but if should it be treated well, it may grow into something bigger and broader. Only Meito knew the name of the feeling inside him, but he did not know it also had planted it's roots in Miku as well, who didn't recognize this strange, but oddly pleasant emotion.
The two broke apart quickly at the sound of a slight knock on the door.
"C-come in!" Miku stammered.
Len stepped inside with a low bow.
"M'lady, I have come to bring Sir Meito to his room," He said rising, "I had been told he had come here?"
"Ah, y-yes of course!" Miku replied quickly.
Why am I acting all flustered? She asked herself. Probably because if Len had come in without knocking (though he never would do so) he would've seen the two of us hugging and.. Miku felt her face grow warm and instinctively covered the lower part of her face with her hand to hide it. Why am I acting like this? She felt that feeling inside her again, the same to which she did not realize while hugging Meito. What is this? Why don't I recognize this feeling? The princess thought a moment utterly baffled.
She stole a glance towards Meito who had got up to leave with Len. Meito is so kind to me, he's so sweet. She rubbed the sides of her arms as if cold, but instead was remembering when he had hugged her. His hug was so warm... She thought in a bit of a daze. Then she mentally slapped herself No! What are you thinking? Pull yourself together Miku!
"I will see you soon, Miku," Meito commented suddenly. While Miku was having a mind battle, he had gotten up to leave and stood in the doorway.
"Oh, yes! Uhm, goodbye," She replied with a small nod.
As he began to shut the door she unconsciously called out, "Wait!"
He paused and turned back around.
Miku began to blush again but ignored it. "T-thank you for...helping me Meito. What you told me...well it made me feel better. In fact, I am feeling a lot better now because of you. So thank you."
Meito smiled kindly, "Your welcome. I am happy to have been able to help you, Miku."
With that he left.
Len walked Meito to his room in silence, only broken a bit by the sound of their moving feet echoing through the castle halls.
"I am feeling a lot better now because of you. So thank you," That's what Miku had said to this man.
Len bit his bottom lip. Miku had been upset? And he didn't know? He was unable to be there for her, unable to comfort the girl he vowed to protect and help. He didn't even know something was wrong, but he felt that he should've.
He should be thankful to this man for taking his place and help her in his stead. But instead he felt anger, frustration, and above all, although he hated to admit it, jealousy.
He noticed that Miku had seemed flustered when he entered, and her cheeks turned pink as if she were embarassed. The two were sitting awfully close on that bed as well.
He tried not to allow his imagination to wander.
His thoughts were interrupted by he man he walked with instead.
"I've never seen you before, what is your name servant?"
"Len," He replied tersely.
"Interesting name, I am Meito Sakine, son of Baron Sakine."
"It is a pleasure to meet you, sire," Len said with a slow nod, as he could not bow while walking.
He was quiet a moment more, but before Len could get back to his train of thought he spoke again.
"You wouldn't happen to be the prince Len who was disowned from his family, would you?" He said rather bluntly.
Len stiffened. How did he know that?
"So I am right. Forgive me, I am sorry for bringing up a most likely a touchy subject-" Meito said genuinely apologetic but was cut off by the servant.
"It's not a touchy subject, do not worry, sire. My mother and sister were both wretched human beings. If anything, I am happy to have left that place and no longer be apart of that family," Len replied politely trying not to say it in a rude manner, his hands clenched by his side.
"I see," Meito answered. After a moment he asked, "If I may ask, how did you end up a servant for the Hatsune household?"
"I was roaming the streets when I had met Miku. She saw the state I was in and took me in, I was grateful to her, so I became a servant here," The boy replied shrugging a bit at the end like his was an obvious choice.
"Ah, makes sense. Miku isn't one to leave a poor soul she notices alone," The son of the baron said with a small smile. Then he looked at Len with a bit of interest, "But I am surprised you decided to become a servant out of thanks. That was a very good thing for you to do. I am impressed."
Len suppressed a bit of a embarrassed smile. "Thank you." He pursed his lips a moment before he asked, "Sire, if I may ask, how did you know who I was?"
Although people did discover his background from time to time, after all he didn't really keep it a secret - but he didn't flaunt it either - no one had ever figured it out so quickly.
Meito spoke without hesitation, "I heard the news floating around the kingdom as a rumor for awhile. Plus, Len isn't a very common name, and not many men are named Len who also have the same blonde hair the prince of the Land of Yellow has said to have. Hair the color of the sun and gold, two things The Land of Yellow prides itself upon."
"I see," Len said briefly. The Land of Yellow, was named for it's bright and sunny land, as well as it's goldmines which were the richest out of all four lands of Gēqǔ.
The two continued to walk in silence until Len showed him to his room told him what time dinner was and said farewell.
"It was nice talking to you, Len, thank you," Meito said kindly.
"You as well, sire," Len said with a low bow before Meito closed the door to his room.
"LEN!"
Len spun and saw Miku rushing towards him.
"Len~!" The princesses melodic voice trilled.
"M'lady?" Len bowed.
She sighed heavily. "I'm a bit stressed at the moment, would you walk into town with me? I need some fresh air, which I will not get roaming these stuffy cold halls."
"Of course I will, m'lady," Len responded, "If I may ask, what is it that is bothering you?"
Miku looked at the ground a moment and bit her lip.
"Forgive me for asking," Len said quickly thinking perhaps she did not want to speak about it.
"No! I'll...tell you on the way."
"M'lady there is no n-
"No. If there is anyone I feel I should speak to at time like this, it's you." She smiled a kind smile, but Len saw the pain that hid behind the dim warmth of it. He hated to see his mistress in pain.
"I see," Len muttered after Miku had told him of the terrible news concerning The Honorable Meiko Sakine. He had never met the girl, but had heard Miku talk about her once or twice.
"I really admired her. She was always so friendly and caring, and open. I wanted to be just like her, you know," Miku said as she kicked a rock across the cobblestone streets.
The two walked down the bustling city of Greenwald side by side, as Miku has told him many times she couldn't hear him very well when he walked behind her as most servants did.
"M'lady, you are the friendliest, and most caring lady I ever met. You know that right?" Len said as he stared at Miku's mournful look.
She looked up and gave that small pained smile again.
Len could hardly bear seeing that pain anymore, because it too made him feel wounded.
"M'lady, I want to show you something. Follow me." He grabbed Miku's hand and lead her towards the outskirts of town.
Near the edge of the city he turned off the street and towards a trail that led into a small forest.
"Len, where are we going?" The green haired princess asked confused as she stumbled along the trail
"You'll see!" He called back as he started moving a little quicker.
Soon the two veered off the trail and began to move towards where the wildlife was thicker. Miku felt the forest floor beneath her slope up and the two turned to the left. After many minutes of walking upwards, which was beginning to make Miku's feet and legs sore, the trees thinned out. And when they had disappeared completely the princess found herself standing on the edge of a cliff.
The sky spread out around the two like a big dome, and down below Miku could see a city.
"Is that-?" She asked shocked.
"Yes, it's Greenwald," Len answered her unfinished question. He pointed to the right. "Over there is the castle."
Miku stared in awe at everything. "It's amazing! I can see the entire city! Wow, the people do really look as small as they say." She giggled, then turned to face Len. "Thank you for bringing me up here. It's beautiful."
The blonde servant felt a feeling of joy as he saw her smile, for this time the pained, weak smile had gone, and her happy, warming, beautiful smile had returned.
He stood behind her, nodding every now and then when she pointed out shops she knew, and places she hadn't noticed before. Her green hair fluttered in the wind, her eyes sparkled with wonder, and that smile on her face made it impossible for Len not to smile too.
He may have been unable to comfort her when she was at her weakest point. But, even the briefest thanks, or the tiniest of smiles from her for whatever he would do for her was enough for Len. Because he would do anything for the princess he vowed to protect and help.
Anything for the girl he loves.
