We made it to Wilant Castle without incident. Everyone was standing outside the castle doors ready to greet us. Before doing so, King Izana passed me an envelope. "This belongs to you. You should get rid of it, though. Keeping it around, could be trouble."

I looked at it. It read 'Prince Zen', which I could only imagine, was the ransom note. Sure I would get rid of it, but first, I wanted to read what it said. For curiosity sake, if nothing else.

After we dismounted and handed the reigns to the handlers, we were approached by Desti and Kat, who were kissing our hands and saying words of adoration.

"Uhhhhh…..huh….?" I was completely confused and my face burned at his touch. I looked at King Izana and he seemed to be unphased by this action.

"Are we doing that again?" King Izana was implying that they have done this before.

Kat sheepishly backed away.

"Whaa… oh nevermind. " I shrugged it off. I had to try and keep my composure, despite these ridiculous actions.

"How was your trip, Princess Miko?" Kat inquired.

"We took on a large organization and brought it down." I declared with pride. "And even slayed a dragon too." That I expressed a lot more nonchalantly.

"WHAT?!" Kat was outraged, which I kind of found amusing. "I beg your pardon, Your Majesty, but... ARE YOU INSANE?! PRINCE ZEN WOULD HAVE MY HIDE IF ANYTHING HAPPENED TO HER!" I couldn't believe she had the nerve to talk to the King like that.

"Miko handled the situation well. There was nothing to worry about."

That's right I did! But I felt honoured that King Izana would say that.

"Not the point…" She mumbled. I heard her, but barely.

"Well in any case, I'm glad you're back safe." Rin went and gave her husband a kiss.

"Miko, You have some time to freshen up before diner." King Izana offered.

"Thank you, Lowen." I nodded.

"We are in the castle, dear. You no longer need to call me by that name." King Izana corrected me. Oops, I guess it has become a habit.

"Lowen?" Everyone seemed shocked except for Rin, who just smiled like it was nothing.

The shock quickly faded before I responded to King Izana's remark. "Right, my apologies Your Majesty." I felt a little careless, but I was sure, he was laughing about it, so I'm just going to let this one slide. I excused myself with Desti and Kat trailing behind me.

I had really missed Kat and Desti, more than I realized. They were my best friends and aside from Ru Ru and Beauty, they were my only friends. I wonder what our trip would have been like, if they had come along. I don't think the waters would be so clear between me and King Izana, if they had.

Kat left for a while, so I started to read my book. I told Desti he may return to his room and I would call out to him, if he was needed.

I lay on my stomach on my bed and held open my latest book, 'Pirate Ron's Revenge.' I hadn't had the time to read it till now. After all that adventure, I was pretty tired. I only got in about 9 chapters before Kat returned.

"So… what's this about a large organization? What exactly happened? And what was that about a dragon?" She took a seat on my bed next to me.

I gave her a weird look. Since when does she drill me for answers?

"What? I want to hear about it, so quit looking at me like that and spill! I want to hear everything!"

"If you insist." I adhered with a playful reluctance.

"I very much do!"

Very well then. I began my story and since I was getting really good at telling stories, I never missed a beat. Who knows, maybe I will write a book one day! But I made sure I was vague on the details of my capture. I never liked admitting, when I was in over my head. Kat hung onto every word.

After, she decided to go to bed.

I still thought about everything going on and that had happened. I walked over to the balcony. I remembered the conversation I had with King Izana at dinner.

"King Izana? I feel like I took a big role in this endeavor and would like to help in its aftermath, wherever I can."

"Then you can come to my office tomorrow morning."

Then my thoughts drifted to the letter. I pulled it out from my pocket and read it to myself.

Prince Zen,

Your next move will determine what course your precious daughter will take in life. If you wish to ignore this, I will take it as a sign, that you no longer are committed to her well being and I will take her life into my own hands. If you should ever wish to see her alive and well, then you will meet our demands! As such, our demands are simple. You bring me a hundred million dil or you will never see your precious daughter again! I have a drop point marked on the back. If you don't show up, in ten days, before the sun goes down, I will take it as a refusal of these terms. You aren't the only buyer either, so make your choice carefully.

I understand that you might need proof for my accusations, so I enclosed a personal letter to you from Princess Miko Wisteria herself.

From someone you do not want to trifle with.

They seem awfully cocky, for someone who was never holding all the cards. Although, they certainly had a better plan than any other bandit, I've met. I walked back into my room and placed the letter in the desk drawer. I will burn it tomorrow. I am too tired to worry about it, right now. I stretch out, like I saw Kat do earlier and got into bed.

The next day, I arrived at King Izana's office. As expected, I was handed a few stacks of papers and given my own desk. But what surprised me, was the desk I was to work on, was in the King's office. Is he really going to supervise everything I do. This is his jurisdiction, so therefore, his responsibility. I was just helping. I suppose that makes sense. So without wasting anymore time, I got to work. It took a while and my mind slipped back to the letter. I should probably dispose of it, before I forget. I excused myself from his office and made my way to my room.

I heard something shuffle and assumed it was Kat. Sure enough, it was. However upon entering, something seemed off, about her final movement. Even how she stood, seemed suspicious. But I shrugged it off, maybe I would ask her about it later. I walked over to my desk and pulled the letter from my drawer, then quickly exited. As planned, I burned the letter in the fireplace, on my way back to the King's office, where I spent the rest of my days, this month.

It had been so long since I had been home, I wondered how everyone was doing in Wistal.

When all of the paperwork was completed, I chose to relax and read the rest of my book. This time I chose a nice tree and climbed to its branch. When I was finally comfortable, I opened it to chapter 10 and started reading. Desti and Kat were very close by, but still gave me my space.

I heard someone coming and looked down, to see Queen Rin.

"Hello, Your Majesty. Is there something I can do for you?" I asked curiously, noticing she was walking towards me, not just happening upon me, by accident.

"Not at this moment. I just wanted to see how my favorite niece was doing." She smiled. "What book is that you're reading?"

She was clearly starting up a casual conversation. "It's called 'Pirate Ron's Revenge'."

She let out a snicker. "Are you enjoying it?"

"Yes. I think it is really interesting. But I am only on chapter 13."

"That's one of my favorites."

"Oh? You mean you have already read it?" I wasn't sure what was more intriguing, the book or that the Queen had read it too.

"I suppose you could say that." She was being vague just like her husband. She also gave me a proud smirk.

I smiled with amusement. It was pretty cool, that she had a common interest. "If you have read this book, then maybe you have read 'Treasure Island' too?"

"I have, but I found this one to be more intriguing. Do you want to know why?"

"Of course!" I almost couldn't contain my excitement. But composure is everything, so I tried to tone it down a notch.

"I wrote it."

"What!" I fell off the branch. OUCH! I rubbed my shoulder. "No way! Really?!"

Rin laughed at me a little. "Yes. I told stories to my younger brother, Takeo, before I was married to Izana. Takeo was actually the one who suggested I write the book in the first place."

I stood up and dusted myself off. "How do you know so much about Pirates? When I read it, I feel like I was there!"

"Okay… since you're old enough to understand, I'll tell you. Don't freak out, but the story is all true. I am Pirate Ron."

My mind was officially blown. My jaw nearly dropped to the floor. "You mean to tell me, you were a pirate!" I needed to process this. I can't believe there is a pirate in my own family. Awesome!

She smiled at me. "It was only for two years, but yes. It was an experience that changed me and made me the person I am today."

"How did you come to be the Queen? That certainly makes an unusual… I'm sorry, I am letting my excitement get the best of me. It's just, I always wanted to meet a real pirate." I felt a bit sheepish. But somehow, I understood how come I felt at ease around her.

"It's perfectly fine. You should have seen Takeo when I was telling him the stories. Trust me, you're mild compared to him. Even though, I was a pirate for two years, I was a Lady first. I don't think you know him but my father is Lord Takashi." Her tone changed as she continued. "My birth mom and sister, Yui, were killed in front of me, when I was only ten. I picked up a sword, almost immediately after. As you can imagine, my father did not approve. We had a huge fight and I ran away. Fate, if that's what you want to call it, landed me on a pirate ship. I disguised myself as a boy and went off to avenge my mother and sister. After that, I stayed on the ship for another year, then came home as soon as I started to mature."

My mind immediately went to my own experiences.

"How dare you steal your Prince's horse. You know the penalty for horse thieving! And a royal horse too" The man pulled out his sword.

"No, please, this is just a misunderstanding!" Kaylem cried out. The sword slammed into the hearts of both his parents, discarding them into the flames.

"MOM! DAD!"

"You are coming with me, country boy!" A guard threw him on the horse's back, and rode off.

I just got there now. I slumped over, staring at the two bodies of these kind folk, who so graciously accepted me into their home, were burning away. I lost myself in the trauma.

I felt hot tears, trail down the sides of my face. I felt his pain. And then I saw my mother.

He pulled the sword, even closer to Mother's throat.

"Let her go!" I demanded.

"You mean like, you did for my parents!" He roared angrily.

Shirayuki just watched, as my face turned dark. She was unable to say anything. The boy, I had mentioned to her in the carriage, surfaced in her thoughts. I could see it in her disposition, she was just starting to piece it together.

"I didn't... mean to..."

"Now you are going to know what it feels like!" He sneered at me.

"No! MOM!" I pulled out my sword to stop him, but the men beside me tried to grab me. There was no time. Kaylem's sword plunged into Shirayuki's chest. I watched helplessly, as her expression turned cold, and her body was discarded against the tree. I was in horror at the sight.

I knew what that felt like and if Kat hadn't come along… I would never have seen her again. I fell on my knees.

"I am so sorry about your family. I-I…. sob…"

Rin knelt down beside me and took me in her arms. "It's okay, sweetie. I know you almost lost your mom too." She was silent for a moment. "I don't know what else you've been through, but judging by the fact it still bothers you, I can tell it must have been tragic. I used to have nightmares about my mom and sister, so don't let yourself think you shouldn't be bothered by it. These experiences change us and we eventually become better for them."

She handed me a handkerchief. I wiped away my tears and regained my composure. "I'll be alright…"

"Of course, you will." Her tone was lighter now. "You are a strong woman, nothing will keep you down."

I smiled tenderly. I picked up my book off the ground, that I had dropped during my fall. "I can't wait to find out what happens next."

"Then I'll let you read. If you want to know more, don't hesitate to ask."

"I will." I watched her quickly wipe a tear from her eye, then she took her leave. I took my place in the tree once again. My interest was ignited by a new inspiration. I read the rest of my book and placed it against my chest. Wow! That was all true! I had never known any of my books to be based on truth. That is why they were called 'fantasy'. It made me wonder. What other fantasy books were based on truth?

I jumped down from the tree and walked past my attendants. Desti stayed silent.

"What was that about?"

I was still smiling, so enthusiastically. "Queen Rin wrote this book." I held it up.

"Really?! She told you?" I knew by now that Kat was not talking about the book.

"You knew?!" I was surprised. I wondered if Desti knew as well.

He seemed to be confused. "What are you both talking about?" He knew we weren't talking about the book either. He knew us better than that.

"About Queen Rin." I said like it was no big deal.

"Ok okay, so what about her?"

"She was a pirate." I answered Desti.

I left them to go to my room, but Keno came running over to me. "Finally! You're done working in Father's office. Why on earth did you even want to, anyways?" He was too excited to wait for an answer. "Guess what! Kat and Desti taught me how to play poker!" He exclaimed with pride.

I flashed him a sly grin. "Don't let King Izana catch you playing that!" Didn't he know anything?

He was dumbfounded by my remark. "Why?"

"Because it is uncivilized for royalty to play games of that nature."

"How do you know so much about poker?"

"You'd be surprised how much you can learn from books."

Keno and I talked for a while longer, before parting ways for the rest of the evening.

The next morning, I was awoken by a bang on my door. I could see Kat wasn't too thrilled either. "What is it?" I called out sleepily. It was too early.

"You have got to see this!" Sounded like Keno, from the other side of the door.

"Fine! Give us a minute…" I rose from my bed and got changed. Kat got ready as well, which was unlike her to get up earlier than she had to.

We entered the hall to see Desti was there too, wiping his eyes. I could see that Keno had enough excitement for all of us.

He took my hand and led me down the corridors, in a sprint. I was glad to see Keno relax and not be so uptight, like he usually is. But what could we possibly be in such a hurry for?!

We got outside and it was amazing. Snow everywhere! It was so serene. "Wow!" I held out my hands to accept the lovely snowflakes. Everything was covered in a thick blanket of snow.

"That isn't even the best part! Come on!" He took my hand again and led us up some spiral stairs and we stopped at the top. There was a small frozen lake.

"Watch and learn! Wahoo!" He jumped into a somersault and slid towards the outer edge. That looked like so much fun!

Kat came towards the icy surface. "If you aren't going, then lemme through!" She jumped onto the ice.

I was intrigued by their performance. I have to try this. I stepped onto the ice and I felt like my legs were going to split apart. I tried to pull them back together and felt my body shift. I was going to fall on my butt. But then Desti stabilized me. My turquoise eyes came into contact with his sapphire ones and my cheeks got really warm. "Since when have you been on ice?"

"Like never." It became evident, because a moment later he lost his stability and slid under me, knocking me off my feet. I was now on top of him, in a very inappropriate manner. Upon realizing this, I felt my cheeks get so hot, I thought they might burst into flames. I saw his face turn as red as a tomato.

Keno became very protective of me. He helped me up, giving Desti a look of pure disgust.

Keno took my hand again and pulled me along showing me how to work with the ice, not against it. I picked it up extremely quick. I started to twirl around, as if I had been doing this my whole life. I saw Desti struggle and slid over to give him a hand. He mirrored my moves and was slowly getting the hang of it. I sped up and twirled myself in the air. It was so beautifully done, except for my sloppy landing and I fell on my butt. No one saved me from this fall. But I wasn't hurt. I just burst out laughing. We had so much fun. "Keno, this was a great idea!"

Keno was red now too. But his posture, boasted of pride.

Desti entered the King's office. "You sent for me, Your Majesty?"

"You and Miko are very close, I clearly see that." King Izana was onto Desti's feelings. He had been watching our ice skating courtship, without us even knowing it.

"I guess..." Desti was very shy, but now he felt even more so.

"You do understand that Miko must only marry someone of nobility?" He stated this, highlighting it's importance with the intensity of his voice.

"Yes…"

"If Zen had not made you Miko's attendant, then your contact with her would be forbidden in the eyes of our subjects."

"..." He remained silent. He felt like his heart was being put on trial.

"Put your feelings aside! You are here to protect Miko, nothing else!" It sounded like advice, but it was a warning.

"Y-yes, Your Majesty…" He felt like his heart was breaking at that point.

"Then you are free to leave." Desti was very distant, at that moment, as he left the office.

Desti had told me that his presence was requested in the King's office, but I didn't expect him to be so distant, afterwards. I wonder if I can cheer him up. I threw a snowball at his shoulder, which definitely got his attention. He painted a fake smile on his face and collected snow in his hands to throw at me. Keno threw another snowball at me. When I looked back at Desti, I saw he was downcast again. That's it. I can't stand seeing him like this. It made me feel like a piece of my heart was breaking, just by looking at him. "What's wrong? Did the King say something to you?"

"I don't think I could tell you, even if I wanted to." Desti wasn't like this. He was withholding something from me. He wasn't even trying to hide that fact. We have been best friends for so many years. I couldn't bare it.

"King Izana!" I entered the King's office, without being requested. I wanted to press him for everything that he said to Desti. I was almost livid.

"Miko? Do you have something to say?" As if it wasn't obvious. But King Izana spoke calmly as he always did.

I had to calm down. I was talking to the King. I needed to keep my composure. "I want to know…" Forget it! This was my problem and I will handle it. I don't think he would take it too well, if I became furious with him. "...if you have received any reports from Karebi yet?"

I saw a sparkle in his eye. He was impressed that I didn't press the issue. I never lost eye contact with him either. "I have. However, you would rather go there?"

"I would."

"You handled the arrangements, there is nothing left to cover. The people have dispersed to the surrounding towns and villages. With our updated shipment schedules, everyone is getting what they need."

"That's good to hear."

He pulled out a small stack of envelopes and handed them to me. "They sent this along with the report."

I received them and noticed they were all addressed to me. "Thank you, King Izana." I held them close to my chest.

"Your time in Wilant is over."

I was shocked. I... am going home?

"You will leave at first light!"

"As you wish." I excused myself.