Princess Alice attempts to escape an arranged marriage.

Medieval/Fantasy AU. Prompt is from an anon reviewer way back, to write an AU. Enjoy!

It was a quiet night in the Kingdom of Totsuki, and quieter still in the chambers of one of their princesses, Alice. Second to the throne, she rarely had moments of quiet to herself, always surrounded by guards and attendants. It was only in the confines of her room, before bed, when she would finally get peace and quiet.

When she was sure she was alone, Alice pulled off a folded letter hidden between her chest and her corset. This was a matter of utmost secrecy, and Alice could not have anyone know it.

Princess Alice,

I apologize that we would have to get acquainted under such odd circumstances.

I am not too fond of marriage, as you are. I also share your sentiments that your uncle does not come across as a trustworthy character. But, like you, I am pressured to proceed with this marriage for the country's political interests. The king thinks it will be good for us to ally with Totsuki in this way.

If it came to it, I would not be adverse to marrying you. But I know this will make neither of us happy, and every day I try to figure a way to get out of this predicament.

I have come to the conclusion that perhaps the only way out is to present the possibility of a better political match than we are to each other.

I hope this idea will be of some help to you and me.

Prince Akira

Azami Nakiri had started an uprising a few months back, taking the throne forcible from his own father-in-law, the King Senzaemon. Alice's own father--who should be next in line to the throne--had not been heard of for a few months now. Alice often worried for him, but he knew the higher likelihood was he had somehow escaped to the snowy kingdom of his wife, seeking refuge there until things were safer.

For now, Alice had to worry for herself. As a princess of Totsuki, she was beloved, and so Azami saw no good in executing her or banishing her, as it would only cause the ire of their people. But his next brilliant plan to get rid of her was to marry her off--to the prince of a kingdom in the far east, Prince Akira

She did not like the idea of being used by her uncle like this.

She secretly set up correspondence with Akira, warning him about her uncle, hoping that he would be able to stop this marriage on his end. But unfortunately, his hands were tied, and he had little say on the matter, much like her.

Perhaps the only way out is to present the possibility of a better political match than we are to each other.

A better match, huh? Akira was right. Her only way out might be to appeal to Azami's logic and greed--by showing him there might be a more advantageous match out there for Alice. One of Alice's own choosing.

But how do you find a match better than the crown prince of a kingdom?

"I heard you have been keeping correspondence with Prince Akira," Azami said knowingly, with a grin on his face. He was at the dinner table with Alice, and his own daughter, Erina. "Are you growing to like him?"

"He is not a bad man," was all Alice said, trying to sound detached as she speared a piece of quail onto her fork.

"You would be doing a great service to the Kingdom in marrying him," Azami said. "At least in this way, a girl like you could be useful somehow."

Alice bit her lip, trying hard not to speak up then and there. Good for the kingdom? She was not dumb. She knew why Azami wanted this marriage. Hayama's kingdom was new, and growing, built on the back of their growing spice trade.

Azami wanted to have a foothold, and bleed that country dry.

Alice tried to eat in silence, glancing beside her cousin. Erina had that lifeless look in her eyes. She used to be so lively, so different, working together with their grandfather and excitedly trying to find ways to better their country.

But when Azami took over, Erina was just not the same. She never spoke up, never let herself be heard. Both girls knew there was not much they could do to fight, knew one wrong move could cost their lives.

But Alice...

Alice would at least try.

"Uncle," she opened her mouth, trying to sound as poised and polite as she could. "Prince Akira is a smart choice. But maybe there is a better match out there for me than he is."

Azami sharply raised a brow, surprised at Alice's brazen claim that perhaps there was someone better. "Oh? And who would that be? How do you find someone better than a crown prince, hm?"

"Well, I do not have a person in mind," Alice said, "but I do have an idea. Uncle, perhaps we should hold a royal event. Let us have other reputable bachelors from the kingdom and beyond, and get to know them. It would be a great way for us to know our neighbors as well, don't you think so, uncle?"

Azami gave her a look, and Alice simply did her best to give him a bright smile, as if pleading him to humor her and try this idea. He wondered for a moment if she was brewing something, if this was some sort of rebellion.

But she had always been the childish, irresponsible sort, always coming and doing as she pleased. She was no threat to him.

"Fine then, Alice. Do as you please. But trust me when I say that at the end of it, you will realize that I was right."

Alice just smiled sweetly at him and thanked him.

In the following days, news spread throughout the land that Princess Alice was open to suitors, and was in search for a suitable man. The news caused a stir among nobles, princes, scholars, or wealthy merchant families with aspirations to go forward.

Alice herself seemed to be just as excited, busy making preparations for the event. She was involved in all frivolities--trying to decide what meal to serve in the banquet. Trying to figure what dress to wear. Thinking of what sort of entertainment to provide.

Azami thought she was indeed a spoiled, useless princess, only caring for these superficial things. She was no threat to him.

But no one knew that at night, Alice would stay up late, and pace outside her balcony, as if waiting for someone or something to arrive.

And one night, it finally did. Alice's face lit up as she spotted a familiar creature in the skies--a messenger falcon. She held out her arm, and the creature landed there, looking every bit comfortable as Alice tried to look for the message tied to it's leg.

I got your omiyage. Did you want anything else?

Alice reached into her pocket, and replaced the message with a new one.

Ryo, I'm in trouble.

The day of the royal event arrived without incident. Princess Alice sat on her gilded chair, losing count of the number of men she had been introduced to, all singing her praises and giving her gifts, then going on essays of their accomplishments in life.

Alice smiled, and nodded, and smiled some more, doing her best to feign interest and say thanks to all the flattery.

Behind her, Azami scrutinized each man quietly, as if trying to figure how to use each and every one of them.

There were nobles, and minor princes, and merchants, and knights. It was not a bad crowd. But it was obvious that none matched the potential Prince Akira would have.

"I think you must concede that you aren't able to find better, dear Alice," Azami said, quite smugly, when he pulled Alice aside for a moment.

The white-haired girl actually pouted at him. "You're speaking too soon, uncle. The day's just getting started."

As if on cue, the double doors of the hall burst open, frazzled castle guards rushing in to the event. Clearly, something was amiss.

"Pirates! An entire fleet! An entire fleet just docked on the northern shores!"

The guests all stirred in a panic, and Azami raised his voice in order to calm the crowd, and figure out what the hell was going on here. "Then deal with them. Send out our soldiers. Surely we can deal with a bunch of drunkards from sea."

"But, sir... these are the infamous pirates of the Mad Dog armada... They've over a dozen armed ships surrouding us out of nowhere!"

The crowd gasp at the name--the Mad Dog fleet, of all pirates! They infamously maintained a monopoly on the far northern seas. What brought them to Totsuki, of all places? What made them set their sights here?

As Azami struggled to think for a few seconds, he scanned the hall, as if to look for leads, finding the guests with panic and fear in their faces.

And then there was Alice, still standing in the middle of the hall, simply smiling, as if completely undisturbed. As if she had completely missed the announcement that notorious pirates had docked on their shores, clearly threatening an invasion.

She couldn't have something to do with this--that childish, dumb little girl.

Or could she?

"Halt! Who goes there?"

All of a sudden, all the noise and murmurs came to a stop, as a figure appeared by the doors, walking into the hall. The soldiers, on high alert, stopped him by the doorway.

He was a tall, well-built young man, the dark long hair flowing from his head like the glorious mane of a wolf. He was dressed in a red and black coat, accented by buttons of gold down the opening. A sword hung at the leather belt on his side. He was flanked by two other men, just as well-built and armed, but not as nicely dressed. It looked like they were his attendants.

It smelled like seawater, for some reason.

"I'm Ryo," the dark-haired young man introduced himself, to the guards who blocked his way. "The captain of the Mad Dog fleet."

A wave of gasps and whipers washed over the room. The captain of the Mad Dog fleet. In taverns throughout the lands, they called him the King of the Seas.

Azami motioned for the guards to let the man through. Clearly, if he had docked on Totsuki shores and had boldly stormed into the castle, he must have matters he wanted to negotiate. There must be something he wanted from the kingdom.

But to everyone's surprise, he walked ahead--not towards King Azami, but towards the Princess Alice, standing there in the middle of the hall.

He took her hand, and bowed to her. "Miss Alice."

Princess Alice had a big, bright smile.

"You're late, Ryo."

Ryo straightened himself, and shrugged. "Don't ask for the impossible, miss. We can only sail so quickly."

"Fine, fine," Princess Alice said, with a pout. "Anyway. Did you get me an omiyage?"

The omiyage was a tradition in the kingdom of Totsuki, more plainly put a souvenir from someone who had taken a trip to give their loved ones at home. Captain Ryo sighed, and called over one of the men who had accompanied him. The man held out a box, gilded with delicate gold filigrees.

When Ryo took it and opened it, everyone in the room realized it had been a very ornate jewelry box, with a gold bracelet studded so generously with sparkling precious stones. Its value was the sort that only royalty could ever afford.

"Was this what you wanted, miss?"

"Yes! You're the best, Ryo." Alice clasped her hands in delight, nodding her head vigorously before taking the piece of jewelry and placing it on her delicate wrist.

Everyone else watched in surprise, at the somewhat familiar exchange between the second princess of Totsuki and the young man known to all as a tyrant of the open seas. A man with many impossible, violent feats sung by every bard on every tavern. A man who now so casually talked with the princess, with a look as if he would give her anything she ever wished for.

King Azami watched the pair with interest.

As the night went on, Azami wondered if he had underestimated Alice this entire time. Perhaps she had planned all of this. Conveniently, during this important time in her life, she drops the massive revelation that she is friends with a powerful, notorious pirate, one that many countries near and far wish they never had to cross paths with.

They were not mere acquaintances. It was obvious with the conversation they would share with each other, referencing dates and events long past, as if they have known each other for a very long time. Everyone wondered how someone like the princess Alice knew such a dangerous man to begin with. Perhaps they were childhood friends. Perhaps they met at a chance encounter, and since then had kept in touch. Perhaps they were secret lovers, unable to come out openly with the relationship due to their differences in status. Whatever it was, what was clear was that the rumor mill would be going on full swing today.

But if this was Alice's ploy... Azami was fine with it. Captain Ryo would be a powerful ally, just as good as Prince Hayama. He had the might of a massive sea armada behind him, and a monopoly on the trade routes at sea. His reputation preceeded him.

Azami could use him. He had decided he would do just that.

But he did not forsee that the next day, Princess Alice would be gone, nowhere to be found. And so were the dozen ships in the Mad Dog fleet that had been docked in Totsuki the day before. All of them had vanished into the night.

Alice stared out at the sea, towards the direction of Totsuki which was now no more than a speck in the wide blue ocean. Azami was far and gone now.

"Ah. So they were trying to marry you off to Prince Hayama," Ryo said, hand to his chin, trying to grasp everything Alice had been telling him the past hour. "You could have told me, you know. All you could say was, 'Ryo, I'm in trouble?' You're lucky the fleet was nearby. We were sailing at full speed for days, dammit."

"There's only so much a girl can fit on a tiny roll of paper!" Alice pouted, and slapped Ryo lightly on his muscular arm, inked with details of waves and burning flames. "All that matters is everything worked out in the end, somehow!"

The conversation died down, and Alice stared right back into the ocean, the sea wind whipping her hair about her face. Despite the cheerful mask she put on, Ryo could tell that there was a speck of anxiety inside her. Alice was like that.

He stood by her side, and placed an arm around her. Alice leaned in closer. He sighed, staring out at the sea, at the same direction Alice had been looking. He tried to imagine the news that would spread the next day. Perhaps he would be a wanted man for kidnapping the princess Alice. He just added one more enemy to a long list of enemies he already had.

But it didn't really matter. "No one's gonna catch you and drag you back as long as I'm here, miss," he tried to assure her.

Alice actually laughed a little at that. "Miss? I'm not a princess anymore, Ryo. We can't have you calling me like that."

"Oh. Okay, babe."

She slapped him on his arm. "Ryo! How crass."

"Get used to it, hon."

Alice pouted, but no longer objected. He was right. She was free now, but that meant a lot of things are going to have to change, and she was going to have to get used to it.

But if she knew that if she was with Ryo, everything was going to turn out just fine.

a/n: arrggghh me mateys, Alice begins her new life as a pirate queen. The AU prompt has been suggested a long time ago, but I couldn't really decide what/which AU to make. Spin-off ideas--Ryo is actually friends with Akira and occasionally hauls spices for him. Alice plots to return someday to rescue Erina. etc. etc. etc.

Hope you guys liked it!