Concubine Prince
Prologue:
I happened 10 years ago…
I was five…
I was innocent…
And I know nothing of the world…
I remember it so well…
It was night time, with shining stars in the heavens…
And flurries dropping from the sky in a gentle manner…
It was snowing…
I've always loved snow…
I loved looking at them because they're so clear…
So white… like the fluffy cottons and clouds at the sky…
So pure…
Glistening and sparkling…
Like the stars…
I looked at it joyfully, a smile gracing my features.
I molded my tiny hands to pick up a handful of it, it was cold, but I'm happy because I am touching it freely with my hands…
"Little boy… what are you doing? "
I glanced up to the one who asked me, and I saw... a strange creature...
He was stall and he was rangy…
He had fangs… and bat like wings…
Unconsciously, I dropped the ice sands from my hands out of fear.
Immediately, I stepped back, I wanted to scream, but nothing came out…
I saw the creature step in, fear started to rise through me, making me want to run…
But…
I can't…
I can't run…
I watched, as the scary creature came closer, while I only took a tiny backward step…
"Don't worry… I'll lessen your suffering… " He said as he reached a clawed hand towards me.
No…
"No… don't… " I croaked as I saw his clawed fingers go towards my throat.
I winced as I felt his long, fingers wrap around my neck, I widened my eyes as I saw a long tongue came out from his mouth, it then wrung out from his disgusting cavern, then slowly giving me a lick on my cheeks.
"You taste so sweet… so pure… " I heard him say in a menacing voice as I saw his arms bend, and his mouth nearing mine.
"No… " I whispered.
"Don't worry, sweetheart, I'll make sure to eat you as painlessly as I could… " I heard him say as he opened his mouth wider.
I wanted to close my eyes but I couldn't, I couldn't even prevent myself from looking at my own death…
I opened my mouth to scream one last time, and then…
SLIT!
Before I knew it, the head that was about to consume me was now rolling on the ground, staining the snow in dark, red colour.
It was then… that I saw him…
He was about the same age as me (I think… ), but he had the stance of a brave and dignified warrior.
But what made me look were his eyes…
They were a lovely pair of turquoise blue… and it was glowing, like the sea under the moonlight.
He looked at me with a clear gaze, hair as black as midnight and skin as pale as snow...
In his hand, he was holding a sword that has the same height as him, it was encrusted with stones the same colour as his eyes.
And he was… very…beautiful…
"Are you alright? " He asked. His voice is tender yet emotionless at the same time.
I couldn't answer back, I was too shocked, and traumatized.
He sighed as he kneeled on the snow and used it to wipe his sword, he then put the sword back to his sheath that was hanging and behind his back, putting it back to a safe containment, then he turned his back on me, I was expecting him to leave me alone, but to my surprise, he crouched on me, showing me his back with his palms placed beside his hips.
"Let me give you a piggyback ride, I'll take you home. " He said as he turned to me and smiled. "Don't worry, I'll protect you and I'll keep you safe from harm, I promise… "
For some reason, his words made me feel safe, and his smile was reassuring, slowly, I walked towards him and put my hands on his shoulders.
"Can I hold your legs? " I heard him ask hesitantly.
"Yes… " I answered in a high octave voice that I couldn't help coming from my mouth.
He nodded and lifted me, giving me a piggyback ride.
He was walking while he carried me in his back, I didn't say anything, I just looked at the snow, gently falling down through the sky.
"Are you… an angel? "
I stopped looking at the snow and stared at his dark hair.
"Um… I… no…" I babbled.
His head then turned to look at me. "Are you sure? I thought you're an angel, you're too beautiful for a human…"
I felt my cheeks warm up. I heard the servants in our palace call me beautiful, but I never heard them call me…an…angel.
He blushed as well. "Sorry! I know it was a girly thing to say, since you're a boy, and please don't be offended! I didn't mean that you look like a girl, I mean, beauty defines man or woman, or so my father tells me… " He said as he smiled in embarrassment. "I'm Masahiko Saga by the way. Um, sorry, I know, it's kind of idiotic of me to ask because I've been walking in circles and carried you before I ask for your address, but where do you live? "
"I live in the Emerald Mansion. " I answered promptly and smiled shyly. "I'm Ritsu Onodera. "
His blue eyes widened. "Seriously? You're the Prince of the Emerald Mansion? "
I nodded.
"Then why are you walking alone at this time of night? " He asked.
I lowered my eyelids. "I just wanted to see the snow… the servants… kept on hovering around me that I didn't feel like I can play as freely as I please, so I snuck out. "
"Well, now you know why you are guarded all the time… "
I bit my lip as tears started to form in my eyes.
"Ah…I'm not mad at you! Promise! " He said as he shook his head frantically. "Just… next time, don't go outside… I mean, if you want to go, maybe you should ask one of your retainers or servants to go with you… there are a lot of monsters going around at night, so have someone brave and strong to accompany you when you go, that way… you'll be safe from harm, little Prince… "
"I'm sorry… " I said in a small voice and blinked at him.
He laughed. "God, you're so cute! " He said as he tightened his grip. "Don't cry okay? Men don't cry, although when it comes to you, I'll make an exception. " He winked. "Don't worry, we'll be at the castle soon, so stop crying! "
His words were so safe and comforting that I couldn't help but lean on his back.
"You're so nice… Saga san… "
"Y… you can call me Masahiko… I don't mind. "
"Thank you… Masahiko… "
"You're welcome, my angel… "
I blushed even more, but his words made me smile as I leaned further on his back.
Masahiko Saga… his name is as beautiful as he is…
I wanted to be with him… I wanted to know him better…
From that day on… I swore to myself that I wanted to be with him…
Together… forever…