Thanks so much for all the kind words guys, I love you all so much, you guys are super sweet! One of you guys even said I was a "cool author" and that COMPLETELY made my day.

Seriously though I love you guys! Thank you soo much! You guys are too sweet!

Dear Princess Miku,

"I am quite happy to inform you that two of your beloved friends have suddenly found themselves trapped in my dungeon! Wonderful, is it not? Well, if you wish to see them again I suggest you come pay me a nice visit. Why not bring your servant Len with you? We can trade! Len for Meito and Rei. I think that is fair, don't you? I mean the odds are in your favor after all! One for two! How kind am I?

Meet me at Burgundy Inn on the outskirts of Kokoro Village on the 13th of May, late dusk if you wish to take part in this trade.

Oh, yes, I suggest not telling anyone about this, not even Len actually. For you will be happy to know that I have placed a spy among the residents at your castle! Clever, right? Who is it? Well, I can't tell you that, now can I? That's a secret.

If you decide not to take part in the trade that is perfectly fine! I'll just take that as you giving me the okay in killing your two friends!

Good day Princess, hope to see you soon!

Yours Truly,

Mira Kingane

"No, Miku pull yourself together," the princess told herself gripping the parchment tightly. She wiped her tears away furiously before turning her attention back to the note. Still unable to prevent the trembling in her hands, and fresh tears forming in her eyes, the princess re-read the letter.

Her father had taught her to never let her emotions effect her decisions (though she realized that ignoring that advice happened far too often) and this was a very serious decision. "I must be strong," She told herself as she unwrinkled the note which she had crushed in her fists only moments before during her extreme meltdown.

"I must be smart about this. I must...I must..." she held back her tears with a shaky breath, "I must. Not. Let. These. EMOTIONS. GET TO. ME." She said forcefully through gritted teeth shaking the letter in her hands with each pause.

She bit down on her lip harder than ever and continued to examine the letter, trying her best to ignore, and force down, the emotions that threatened to rise up at again. However, instead of fear, this time she began to discover a new found anger as she scanned the words scrawled along the paper . The mockery in the tone of the writing, the fake sweetness that snaked its way into it. It was quite agitating.

She took a deep breath and tried to think.

The thing that bothered Miku most, obviously, was the bit about a spy.

"So, there is a mole in the castle..." She muttered trying not to allow fear into her voice. Paranoia got the better of her though and she spun around to make sure there was no one hidding in her room. There was no one there, but for some reason, that was even more unnerving than if there had been. She bit harder on her lip to stop a shiver from passing through.

Who was this spy?

She wasn't going to act like she didn't think it unusual so many visitors had started to spend their time around her and the castle recently. The most likely suspects would be the cripple, Kaito, and the new gardener, Gakupo of course.

But, what would their motives be?

Kaito was...well...he was...

Miku went deep into her thoughts but realized she knew nothing about the man she saved from being nearly beat to death on the streets. She had spoken to him a couple times and all she could say she knew about this character was that he had a handsome face and a broken ankle.

But...she did recall being in the library a few days ago and seeing him go through the poetry section. Curious, she had hid behind one of the bookcases to see him crumple up a scroll and throw it across the room sharply before leaving with a odd expression that she couldn't fully read. It seemed distressed, yet angered. When she went to see what it was that had left him in such a state she discovered it was just a simple poem. Since then the reason why he got so upset by something so trivial piqued her curiosity now and then, but she never thought much about it.

I believe it was called Fast Rode The Knight... She thought to herself. She knew that poem, it was Len's favorite. Yes it was quite the saddening story, but why did the blue-haired cripple act so strangely by it?

Well, what of the gardener, Gakupo? Miku knew very little about him, and, though she trusted him at the start, he had lead her astray before with the whole 'love theory'.What if he had made that up? But, then...for what reason? Wouldn't this Mira want Miku to get closer to Rei? That way the princess would be more likely to want to save Rei and trade for Len. Gakupo's so-called 'theory' nearly made the princess forget her feelings for the violinist.

She knew it wasn't a servant, she knew them all by name and well, surely it couldn't be one of them? Of course bribery is a useful trick when used against even the most faithful serf...and what if this was a plan that had been planted for a long time? What if this 'Mira' was just waiting for the right moment to take action? Waiting to find the just the perfect time to get what she wanted? Which then begs the question about what she wanted. Why Len of all things? What was special about him?

Miku thought hard. She recalled what Len had told her all those years ago when she first met him. He had told her about his past very briefly...he did mention someone she remembered...

"I used to have..this friend. We were very close, and I trusted him deeply. He was the only person who I talked to in the castle, who I actually cared about. But...one day I was framed for something I didn't do. My mother got upset, and she sent me to trial. At the trial, evidence was supposed to be brought forth. Since I was framed there wasn't a lot of evidence except a witness. That witness...was my friend...he claimed he saw me commit the crime-"

That's it! Miku thought. What if, this friend of Len's, was 'Mira'? She had heard of men with girlish names before, or perhaps it was a false name, after all telling someone their real name would be risky. And, it would also leave them with a good motive, perhaps this person still held a grudge and wanted to fully take it out on Len once and for all! Or perhaps it's the spy? But...if Mira was Len's so-called friend, than that would mean the likeliest candidate would be...

Miku gasped.

"No, that isn't possible! But...it fits so perfectly..." Miku muttered to herself, "Then again why would he..." Her eyes widened.

"No..."

She gripped the letter in her hands at stared at the wall determinedly.

"You have toyed with the wrong princess 'Mira'."

Len was heading to the kitchen when he suddenly heard his name called.

"Len!"

"Oh, evening Miku," The servant replied brightly.

The princess smiled as she heard Len call her by her first name again.

She took Len's hands in hers happily, "I was just curious if you wanted to come with me for a evening ride tomorrow, you know, May 13th?"

Len brightened even more at this, "Of course!"

"Fantastic!" She let go of his hands and threw her arms around him with a tight hug.

The servant blushed, surprised by the girl's sudden burst of enthusiasm.

Miku let go and smiled.

"See you then!" she called out as she hurried off.

After she turned a corner, out of Len's sight, she gave a heavy sigh and leaned against the stone wall solemnly.

"I'm sorry to do this Len" she muttered.

May 13th, Dusk.

"Miku, isn't it sort of late to be out riding?" Len questioned, "it will be nighttime by the time we get back."

"No, it's fine...we can enjoy the stars during our ride. We won't be going far."

Burgundy inn is only a few miles outside the village after all.

"As you wish," Len replied placing full trust in his mistress, blissfully unaware of his oncoming fate.

Miku made sure she rode infront of the servant, this way she wouldn't have to worry about him seeing the pain on her face while she thought about what was to come.

Len was always there for her. Trying to hide her true emotions was impossible in front of him, he knew when she was sad, when she was angry, when she was thinking too hard, and when he did know he did his best to return a smile on her face. When she was in tears because of Meiko's death, he was the one who took her to that beautiful sight and comforted her. Meito had been there for her as well, but there was something about Len that soothed her, that always made her that much happier.

When she was in tears, she sometimes noticed him forcing back his own, when she expressed her anger she could tell he was restraining himself from punching something. He felt what she felt, he understood her better than any other, he cared for her so much...

What would she do without him?

"Len...thank you," Miku said.

"Hm? For what?" The servant asked confused.

"For...everything. You are always there for me, without you I do-...I don't know what I would do."

Oh no...she could sense the tears coming. She couldn't cry now, not with him here, not now.

"You are welcome," He responded. And then, as if he could read her mind he added, "You know I will always be there for you, Miku. Even at times when you think I am not, when I can't be there for you physically, I will always watch out for you, I will find some way to protect you."

Miku smiled at the ground, "thank you. And Len?"

"Yes?"

"No matter what I will always lo-" Miku stopped herself, "Uhm.. I mean, care about you. You're a very good person to me, and no matter what happens, even if I do something horrible, please know this."

"Of course."

The two rode on for awhile in silence, Miku raised her head and looked to the sky where the stars had slowly begun to come out of their hiding places. She wished she didn't have to go through with this, but she couldn't allow her friends to be hurt.

Then again she didn't want Len to be hurt either.

She spent hours thinking of some way to make Len aware of what was soon to come, but as the saying goes 'the walls have ears' and giving him a note was too risky as anyone could steal such a thing. She could say something now, but she wasn't going to rule out the possibility of someone following close behind in the shadows. This 'Mira' was smart to have chosen such a location, as the path to the Inn was surrounded by growth and mountains, making it easy for someone to stay hidden while tracking them. The Inn itself was almost in the middle of nowhere and it wasn't popular either (it was sheer luck that she happened to know where it was...or was it?), making it unlikely for any bystanders to come to the rescue.

She could sense they were nearing their destination, she was losing time. Any minute now they would be there, any minute Miku would have to reveal the betrayal she was about to present to her most trusted servant...no, Len was more than just a servant. He was her closest comrade, her companion, her best friend.

She gripped the reigns and felt her whole body begin to quiver as she approached the small building.

"Ah, there is an inn ahead, are we stopping there?" Len questioned.

Miku tried to talk but an embarassing squeak only escaped her lips. She cleared her throat and nodded.

"Uh-huh! Y-*ahem*yes."

Just a few more feet.

She could see a small group gathered by the front of the inn. It was nearly nighttime now. She was late.

The sound of her breathing seemed louder, the horses hoofs pounded against the dusty landscape. Her heart beat in her ears and it felt like something was caught in her throat, her palms were sweaty and her face was turning pale with unease.

I can't go through with this. No! I must. But...Len! No Meito!

She started to second guess herself. Should she turn around? No she couldn't! But she had to. What to do, what to do, what to-

"Hello there travelers! What a lovely night, is it not? The stars are very bright this evening wouldn't you agree?"

Miku's head snapped up and she froze in shock at the sight before her.

3 people stood in front of her. One was a big brawny man with hands the size of her head, the other was a man less bulkier but no doubt stronger than Miku and Len. The last was someone cloaked from head to toe in black robes that covered all but their eyes.

Len rode forward so that he was in front of the princess.

"Stay back Miku, these men are suspicious," He muttered his eyes turning sharp.

"Oh no need to worry about us, servant boy, the princess knows who we are and why we are here," The same voice from earlier spoke. It was the fully cloaked man.

Miku listened hard to see if the voice sounded familiar but the cloth around the person's mouth muffled the sound, and she was sure they were masking their voice.

"Miku, you know them?" Len asked surprised.

Miku's face softened and she stared at the ground.

"Now, now, M'lady, no need to act shy! I trust you have not given away the details of our deal?"

"I haven't," The girl muttered at the ground.

This person's attitude, the light-hearted teasing tone, it matched that of which she could sense in the letter. This had to be Mira.

"Good. But, just in case, Yuu! She didn't speak did she?"

Miku and Len turned around at the sound of someone's voice from behind, "No, I have kept a close eye and a open ear. Not a word, nor a hint."

So there was a follower, this was probably the spy as well since they were just as covered up as Mira was.

"Perfect"

She couldn't see their lips from under those thick black clothes, but she knew under that mask Mira had to be smiling.

"Miku, what is going on?" Len asked bewildered.

The girl refused to look him in the eye.

"Well, let me put it simply for you, Len," Mira began.

"How do you know my name?" Len asked his gaze turning cold as he began to realize something wrong was happening here.

Mira laughed, or it was more of a...giggle.

"Hehe! Unimportant, what is important, however, is the fact that your sweet, sweet princess has...well, sold you."

"What?"

"She ratted you out! Haha!" The crook responded light-heartedly, "You're so dense you didn't see it coming of course. Well, I can explain in fuller detail later, for now-" Mira snapped his fingers.

The boulder of a man came forward and removed Len from his saddle forcefully and swiftly tied the servants arms behind his back.

"Ack! Miku!"

"Your princess won't help you now! Hehe!"

Len looked to the girl his eyes pleading, "Miku, please, what is happening?! She's lying right?! You wouldn't s-sell me, right?!"

Miku looked up and met his eyes at last, tears were streaming down her cheeks.

"L-Len. I'm...I'm so sorry."

"Miku! No!" Len's expression was wrought with disbelief and fear.

"P-please, please don't hurt him! Promise me you won't hurt him!" Miku begged turning her attention to Mira.

"Hmm? I make no promises."

"Please. I beg of you. I know the man I met before is somewhere down there. The real you wouldn't hurt him, right?!"

"The real me?" Mira asked confused.

"Yes, Rei."

Oh snap, this shiz just got real. I finished school last week, it just I took some time to PERFECT~ this chapter. Oooo~ we are nearing the end!