Hi everyone! What's up?

An advance very very happy Valentine's day, my dearies. Hope, the season of love will bring only happiness to your lives. Learn to love, don't misuse the feeling. It is precious :')

Thanks to all the reviewers who have reviewed in the last chapter. So...you were asking me about Katherine in the last chapter. Well, she's none but Dr. K, a villain from season-2. Besides, let me introduce some OCs here.

Natalia Valkov: Mother of Tala Valkov, having red hair and green eyes.

Vera Kuznetsov: Mother of Bryan Kuznetsov, having lilac hair and blue eyes.

Sasha Petrov: Mother of Spencer Petrov, having blonde hair and clear-gray eyes.

Irina Papov: Mother of Ian Papov, having violet hair and violet eyes.

Shit! A lot of purple-heads in this story, right? But don't worry, I will try my best to help you not mix them with one another *Sighs*

So...let it...riiiiip!

P.S: I don't own the lyrics used in this story. Dear Indian readers, can you guess the song? xD

The navy-haired man fluttered his eyes as the scorching rays of sunshine hit his pupils, entering through the open windows. Grasping the cream-colored velvety bed-sheet, he clenched his teeth and shut his eyes. Gradually, he opened them when his orbs thought that they could cope with the blistering beams of the mid-summer sun. A throbbing pain was still hovering inside his brain through his neuron cells. He tried to move his left leg. In return, he had to wince because of a sharp pain in the joints of his ankle. Revolving his eyes all over the room, he discovered himself lying on a queen-sized bed.

'Where am I?' He murmured, trying to get up, 'I was testing those explosive arrows, wasn't I? Then…how did I end up here? Where's my horse by the way?'

"I see," A mellow voice interrupted, breaking the chains of his thoughts, "The bravest archer of the world has finally regained his consciousness."

Startled for a moment, Tyson looked at the owner of the tone. There stood a purple-haired girl. Her both hands were holding a bronze tray on which there was a crystal goblet, filled with a crimson-colored liquid. Looking right at him, she was smiling. That smile had no knavery, no evil intention. It was holy, it was tranquil. He had never seen her smiling in this way throughout his life. All of a sudden, the dragoon-wielder started feeling a strange kind of breeze around him. To his eyes, the sweltering sunshine was seeming tender. It wasn't causing headache to him anymore. Rather, it was comforting him.

"So…may I come in?" The princess asked for permission.

"Yeah…." Tyson nodded, removing his gazes from her finally.

Blinking once, the girl entered the room. Putting the tray on the round wooden side-table, she pulled out a tool and sat beside the bed.

"How're you feeling now, Tyson?" She asked, unknowingly keeping a hand on his bandage-wrapped forehead.

The dragoon-wielder gasped at that. His pupils turned upwards to discover the hand. Realizing it, the visitor bit her tongue and hurriedly got off her palm. Her turquoise-colored orbs fell upon the auburn pools of the lying patient. Those jaspers were just the teal birds floating in a puddle, yet burning him from his core like a phoenix.

"Sorry…." She mused, taking the drinking pot, "You must be thirsty. Drink it, you'll feel better."

Spellbound, the injured guy took the glass from her hands. As he took a sip from it, it sent an icy but soothing stream of peace across his spinal cord. The throbbing pain inside his head felt bound to leave him alone. Bit by bit, that torrent flowed through his veins, appeasing his blood and body cells. The beverage was cool and refreshing.

"Who…who made it?" He stuttered, not finding any suitable word to describe the placatory potion, "Hil…Hilary?"

Dew closed her eyes, clenching her teeth. For a second, she was wishing to smash the head of the dragoon-wielder with a rock.

'No Dew, you need to be calm at this moment…' She tried to grasp an invisible object, 'Love is a war. You cannot win a war if you lose your temper. Control yourself.'

Emitting the poisonous substances from her lungs, she loosened her jaw. As her lips formed that relaxing smile, she answered:

"I."

"What? You?"

Tyson sweatdropped. He was so surprised at that moment that he couldn't help spilling some of the drink on his blanket. The cerise fluid disseminated, tinting the quilt with its own color. The violet-haired princess should have gasped, she should have rushed towards the dragoon-wielder. Instead of doing those things, she kept standing motionlessly, like an enchanted, lost lass in a random magical universe.

"Oh sorry….." The navy-haired boy sheepishly scratched his head, "I spilt the juice."

"It's okay, Tyson…." She didn't seem to mind at all, "Drink it slowly. You don't have to attend a battle now."

"By the way, how have you made it?" Tyson queried. Curiosity was glittering in his almond orbs.

"Pomegranate juice it is," Dew replied with utmost candor, "I've mixed black salt, honey and some lemon juice with it. Besides, I've put some mint leaf flakes into it."

'Dew-chan…..' He muttered, 'I never thought that you would grow up so soon…'

"Tyson, I think you should rest now," The purplette pronounced, "I am leaving. See you soon."

Not giving the patient any chance to speak, she stood up. Turning back, she started advancing towards the door. Her feet stopped when she heard the guardian of dragoon speaking something:

"Don't forget to make it twice, Princess Dew."

Again, it was her turn to close her eyes. No no….not in jealousy, not in affliction, but in peace, in the pacifying feelings of love. Somehow nodding, she left the room, almost like a stormy gust of wind. Her feet kept thumping the marble floor in the rhythm of dance. She spread her arms, just like a pigeon craving to fly away. Her heart danced, she felt the indescribable feeling of falling in love.

Neither he nor she knows,

Only the eyes know of their color,

When I met you, my kites flew away,

In the air, being a wanderer.

I don't know the customs of this world,

I just wanna become your lover,

When I met you, my kites flew away,

In the air, being a wanderer.

I have left my home for you,

Oh, butter-heart!

Now, you're my life's hue,

Oh, butter-heart!

This crazy love is only for you,

Oh, butter-heart!

I have left the worldly things for you,

Oh, butter-heart!

"Well done, my soldiers!" The queen got down from her throne, "I know that my son is a valiant warrior. But…I never imagined that he could fight against the demons and defeat them. Where's he now?

"He needs to rest after this tough battle. Besides, you should believe it, Your Highness," The chief soldier couldn't hold his zeal anymore, "Prince Kai's actions were just….deadly. All his moves, attacks and thoughts were pre-planned and well-organized. The way how he was shooting the arrows was beyond our imagination, aunt. Seeing him, I almost received a heart-attack!"

"He's right, aunt," The redhead affirmed, "Kai's efforts were priceless."

"And your efforts, my child?"

Stunned, the wolf-prince looked back. There stood four ladies, around the age of the queen of Russia. Seeing them, a bright smile covered the face of the violet-head.

"My sister-in-laws!" Apraxia rushed towards them as the women captured her into a group hug. Embracing them back, the queen asked them, "How're you, my lovely ladies?"

"Fine, I guess…." The red-haired one responded, huffing, "Just missed our children a lot."

"Why to miss them, sister Natalia?" The lilac-haired lady cocked an eyebrow, "Don't you know that the palace has already become their own home?"

"Sister Vera, honestly speaking…." The third one with blond hair retorted, "Staying with Apraxia, at least they've learnt some manners. Otherwise, they would become monkeys!"

"Stop these things now, sister Sasha!" The youngest of the women blurted, "Apraxia, where are our sons?"

"Here, aunt Irina!"

Hearing the boys, the women looked at them. There stood the falcon, the whale and the carrot-nosed. Their faces were beaming up in utmost happiness.

"Our children!" Natalia exclaimed, almost glomping on them, "Look how much they have grown up!"

"Now it's our turn to find suitable girls for them," Vera sniffed, "They'll marry and have their own children soon!"

The Russian boys froze, nervously gawking at one another. Droplets of sweats had already started appearing on their temples.

"So soon?" The queen of Russia frowned, "They're still young!"

"Don't believe the young men, sister-in-law!" Irina warned, "In order to keep them far from disgrace and humility, we should get them married to perfect girls."

In embarrassment, the ears of the boys got reddened. Not caring at them at all, Irina kept blabbering, "But, we'll start it with Kai. Since he is the future emperor of Russia, he has to marry before his cousins."

"Perhaps you're right, Irina," Apraxia agreed, "But before that, we need to take Kai's consent. He may not be ready for marriage at present."

"Sure, Apraxia," Natalia acknowledged, "If your son hasn't been ready yet, send him to his aunts. Just see how his aunts make him agree. Look, he'll marry the daughter of the most powerful king of the world. She'll be the future queen of Russia. If needs be, he'll marry twice!"

"Twice?!"

"Or thrice!" Tala's mother fisted on her palm, "Or countless times! It's the trait of the most successful kings of the world."

"Mother…"

The scarlet-haired woman looked at her son as he approached her. Holding her hands softly, he stated, "You and the aunts must be exhausted. Go to your room and rest for a while. We can talk about it later. Servants!"

As he clapped, a group of slaves reached the courtroom. Turning to them, the wolf-prince ordered, "Show them their rooms and make proper arrangements for them. Be careful, they are the princesses of Russia. They shouldn't be mistreated."

Then, moving towards his mother, he spoke, "See you later, mother."

Not letting them protest or utter a single word, he hurriedly left the court, astonishing all the ladies.

The slate-haired boy was sitting on the marble-chair in front of the circular three-legged table, folding his arms on his chest. The door of his room was closed, so were his eyes. The curtains of his windows were also drawn so that the rays of sunshine couldn't peep at him. Because of the dark texture of the walls, it was looking like a dark cave. The frosty wind of Russia were trying to blow those heavy hangings again and again. Carelessly, he leaned his head against the table, spreading his arms on it.

Yes, nothing was unheard to him.

'Father….' He mumbled, 'I have never seen you in front of my eyes. Before my birth, you left the world….just because of the evil conspiracies of my step-grandmothers. Now, their daughters are here. No no…..I don't hate them at all. They're my aunts, the sisters of my father. They didn't know anything about the plans of their mothers. They shouldn't be blamed. But the problem is….they've already started planning for my marriage and future. Arrgh! How can they? Am I not a human being? Aren't I an adult? Then why? Why don't they ask me in this regard? Why're they trying to snatch my independence from me?'

His heart ached heavily as he breathed, looking up.

'Yes, it's true that Russia needs a perfect queen for her, just like my mother,' Kai pondered, 'But…isn't it true that I also need a perfect life-partner? Let it be a princess or an ordinary girl, she must be honest, righteous and well-charactered. Shouldn't a queen inherit these qualities? No no…..I cannot marry a woman like my step-grandmothers. My future wife should know how to control jealousy, anger, pride and greed. Besides….I….I won't follow the footsteps of my grandfather. I'll marry once and only once in my life.'

"May I come in, Kai?"

As he heard the familiar voice, he gave his signature consent, "Hn."

That was quite inaudible. Nonetheless, pushing the large door, the redhead entered the room. Glancing all over the compartment, he curiously questioned, "Kai, what's this? Is it your room or the cave of Satan? Why have you made it so dark?"

"Because it's my life." The straightforward reply came from him.

"C'mon Kai," Tala drew off the curtains from all the windows, entering, "I know something is bothering you. Tell me what it is."

"Whatever it is, at least none of your business."

"Kai…" The wolf kept a hand on his shoulder, "You've already started hiding the truth from your best friend, haven't you?"

The phoenix-prince gasped, shockedly staring at the ocean-blue eyes of the redhead. The sunshine gained its entry inside the room through the uncovered openings, surrounding the Hamlet and the Horatio of Russia.

"Tala…." His lotus-orbs glittered in tears as he lowered his head.

"It's alright, Kai…" Tala got off his hand, "If you don't want to tell me, you don't need to. I'm not fleeing from you, after all."

"Why don't they understand me?" He faintly complained.

"It's not the thing, Kai," The redhead explained, "Look, they're our elders. They do have the right of thinking about our future."

"But….they should ask us, shouldn't they?"

"Yes, they should," Tala sighed, "What to say, Kai? In other countries, even the girls are given the rights to choose. Here? Despite being men, we cannot take our own decisions."

"Tala….I don't know anything," Kai walked towards the window, "But….let me tell you one thing. I cannot be a puppet."

"You don't have to be," The redhead squeezed his shoulders, "You'll marry whom you want in your life. You'll exercise your rights. Got it?"

"Hmmm….."

The slate-haired prince closed his eyes. In front of him, the images of the certain brunette drifted. She had come to his dream before twelve years.

'If righteousness, bravery and beauty decided to combine themselves with one another and take a human avatar….' He mused, 'The combination would surely look like her. I don't know….I don't know whether she exists or not…I wish she could be real….I hope she's real...'

"Yesterday, I dreamt a strange dream." The brunette said. Her eyebrows were distorted and face was holding a bothered mien.

"A strange dream?" The Spaniard asked, "Was it about the red phoenix?"

"No, not this time," Hilary shook her head, "In this dream, I was walking in a deep forest, alone. Nobody could be seen around me, except tall, sky-touching trees and dense bushes. I was calling you all but you weren't there at that time. My eyes were desperately searching for you."

"Then?" The royal blue-haired girl couldn't resist her interest.

"Suddenly, out of nowhere, a spear started advancing towards me," She gulped, "I wanted to move from there but strange it was, I couldn't. I stood there, still. The weapon was progressing. The wind stopped blowing. I…I just…."

"You got killed in your dream, Hil?" Julia rolled her eyes, "Then, you should call it a nightmare."

"No Juli, I didn't get killed…" The brunette replied in the negative, "The spear was about to stab my eyes. Then, out of the blue, someone caught it firmly. He was riding on a white horse. The mount started running forward, crossing me."

"Really?" Mariam's eyes gleamed up, "How was he looking?"

Taking a deep breath, Hilary started, "His hair was probably two-toned. The front part was greyish blue and the back part was dark blue….just like the rainclouds. A white scarf was hanging round his neck. It was blowing in the air. I don't know why but I felt that it was waving at me. One of his hands was pulling the rein, another hand was holding a bow. A bunch of arrows in a container was attached to his back with a belt."

"It means…..you didn't see his face?" Julia asked.

"Yeah," Hilary nodded as the crimson glow of the morning sun spread all over her face. Gazing down, she carried on, "I wanted to thank him. That's why, I was running after him. I wanted to scream but I couldn't. For fulfilling my expectation, he looked back. His eyes were glimmering, just like two pieces of amethysts. They were filled with both concern and valor at the same time. When I looked at his eyes, my sleep broke."

"Oh no!" Mariam bit her tongue, "Just at the climax!"

"Shut up, Mariam!" The Spaniard snapped, "It wasn't a drama, you know. By the way, cannot you remember anything else, Hilary?"

"I can….I can recall every single bit of my dream, Julia," Hilary twisted her strands around her fingers unmindfully, "But you know what? I don't have the power to describe it."

"You don't need to describe it, sis!"

The chirpy tone buzzed into everyone's ears as the girls looked at the doorway. There was standing a certain hyperactive American, displaying his flashy teeth, holding a rectangular canvas. On it, something was painted.

A forest. To be clearer, a lane inside a forest. Trees and bushes were by both sides of it, getting mixed with the daylight, embodying an unparalleled combination of light and shadow. In the narrow lane, there was a white horse. On it, a man was sitting, looking back. His hair was two-toned, just like the clouds before rain. His complexion was reminding them about the mixture of milk and turmeric paste. Beneath his fixed eyebrows, there were his eyes, looking like abloom lotuses floating on the surface of a clear pond. He was wearing a pair of comfy baggy trousers, tucked inside his boots and a full-sleeved black top, with purple and grey linings. The upper garment wasn't loose at all, clearly exposing his biceps, triceps and broad shoulders. The white scarf wrapped around his neck was seeming to blow.

Every stroke, every line, every touch of the brushes and colors in the picture was more than perfect. That was ethereal.

"Hey!" Breaking the silence, the brown-haired princess stood up, "How dare you touch my art?"

"You forgot to take it away from the art-room, Hilary," The blonde winked, "While working, I found it. By the way, I've known it just now that you're a great artist."

"He's hot, Hil!" The dual-haired princess stood up, "You're so lucky to have a dream of him."

"Shut up!" Hilary's ears were turning pink as she scowled, "How many times do I have to tell you not to say those things about a man, Julia?"

"Someone is jealous…." The blunette sniffed, "I can smell something burning."

"Mariam!" The brunette went completely red, "Hold your tongue!"

"Calm down, sister!" Max patted her head, "They're just joking. By the way, sorry for eavesdropping."

"Maxie!" The royal-blue haired girl narrowed her eyes, "It's not fair. You shouldn't overhear the conversations among girls. What if we were talking about something sensitive?"

"Pardon me, princess Mariam…." He scratched his head, "But one thing there! I know the meaning of your dream, Hilary."

"Meaning of dream?"

Every girl inside the room left the seats and stood up in excitement.

"Yes," Max nodded, with a bright smile.

"Stupid it is!" Mariam screwed her nose, "Dreams are nothing but the reflections of our sub-conscious mind. They're meaningless!"

"You're wrong, Mari-chan," The hyperactive American refused to agree with her, "Dreams are meaningful. Let it be, according to Hilary's dream, lurking danger is awaiting for Japan."

"What?"

Their eyes became widened as they gasped, trying to hold their breaths.

"Yes, I'm not wrong, girls," Max explained, "But don't worry. Japan will be rescued from the danger. Besides, I don't think that any Japanese will save the kingdom. The possibility that the saviors will be foreigners is quite high."

"Lame explanation…." Mariam blabbered.

"Mari-chan, have you said anything just now?" The blonde cocked an eyebrow.

"No…nothing…" The blunette smilingly shook her head, "I've to go to feed the fishes. I don't have enough time to listen to you, Max. See ya."

Silencing the American guy, the Japanese girl left the room, waving at them. Watching her once, the blonde sighed.

'Mariam….will you care for me? Ever?'

So...Hilary has dreamed of Kai too. What will happen to them? What will happen to Japan by the way? Will Max's prophecies become true? Or not? To know more, stay tuned and keep an eye at "Kingdom".

Do read and review. Pardon the grammatical and the spelling errors. Once again, a very very happy Valentine's Day in advance :D

Take care :*

-Misty ^_^ ^_^