Disclaimer on prologue, people! Don't sue!
Author's note: Here's chapter two. And so they meet…
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Chapter Two: Reunion
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"My dear sister, what is the matter with you?" Maya asked indignantly as Mint paced restlessly in a room where she and Maya were waiting for the opening of the Magician's Convergence Celebration. Maya felt dizzy by watching her sister pace around. "You haven't sat down for the whole morning!"
"Oh, Maya, you just have no idea how worried I am!" Mint said in exasperation. Maya raised an eyebrow, but did not persue. Mint could be pretty vague sometimes, and she wasn't about to ruin her brain by trying to figure this one out.
After all, Mint had been acting rather strangely since she came back from the forest. She was very quiet, but there was a strange twinkle in her eyes that she just couldn't place. She was locked up constantly in her room, and Maya saw once that she was writing something. Then she'd heard that Mint had sent quite a number of letters to several different people. After that, she always found Mint at the palace archives, looking through scrolls and books, and what's even more amazing, she was actually paying attention to what the tutor was saying at her lessons!
Maya thought that the world had come to an end, and that Mint was the first to be struck. It was the most amazing thing she'd ever known, and even the subjects of the kingdom knew this, and, she supposed, it was the reason why they were getting to like Mint now. After all, she'd also been changed since she came back from the entire Dewprism adventure.
Mint seemed to have had enough of pacing, and she sat herself with a sigh at the window seat nearby, looking down at the colorful stalls at the magical bazaar, wringing her hands as if she was dreafully worried about something. She was, really.
She was very worried that they might not have decided to come, and she found her news very important at this point. She hoped that she looked all right. She couldn't have bore it if she looked absolutely terrible—she had to admit that she had been trying to look fancy for them all, since it had been such a long time since they've last seen each other.
She was especially looking forward to seeing Rue, not only because she knew that she would need his help, but also because she was wondering how he was after all of this time—wandering all by himself while she was lounging around in a luxurious palace. She had to admit, with remembering all of what the both of them went through for the Dewprism, she kind of missed him.
One year…surely we all couldn't have changed that much, could we?
The gong sounded outside, and Mint jumped a foot into the air. She leapt to her feet, and so did Maya, and a servant opened the door.
"Yes, what is it?" Maya asked calmly, noticing at the corner of her eye that Mint had gone very white and she had self-consciously stroked her hair.
The servant bowed and said, "There is a visitor for Princess Mint."
"Oh!" Mint jumped again. "So they're here… Wh-who is it?" Maya looked at her sister in surprise. She didn't know that Mint was expecting someone. For all her life, Mint never had a guest for the celebration.
The servant bowed again and said, "He says that his name is Rue, Your Highness, and that you are expecting him."
Mint's color changed from white to red then pink with such rapidity that Maya was even more surprised. "Huh? Who is Rue?"
"Ma-ya!" Mint hissed indignantly to her. She cleared her throat and turned to the servant, saying somewhat primly, "Please show him in then."
The servant bowed and vanished behind the door. Maya turned to her sister to ask what all this was about, but before she could, someone entered the room, and Mint turned bright pink again in surprise.
Rue had arrived, and he found his way to East Heaven Kingdom quite easily. He saw quite a sight which he didn't expect. He didn't realize how elegant East Heaven really was until he saw it for himself, but then he remembered that East Heaven was a kingdom which produced the most outstanding magicians, so he decided that he shouldn't wonder. Crossing the crowded city preparing for the celebration and heading to the elevated palace in the distance was easy enough as well.
He had a little trouble getting up to the palace, though. The guards wouldn't believe that he knew Princess Mint, and they won't let him in. Fortunately, he still had Mint's letter (he didn't know why but he just wanted to keep it), and when the guards recognized that it indeed was from the princess, they let him in.
But what he had most trouble with, from getting to the kingdom and to arriving here, was believing that this pretty girl standing before him was Mint.
Mint usually attired in a childish manner, with two ponytails on her head and an outfit that made Elena think at first that she was a fortune-teller. But now she didn't. Mint's long pink hair flowed about her shoulders, and she wore a glittering golden headband with gems and an elegant oriental pattern. She wore a dress that was similar to what Claire used to wear, blue, white and gold and quite exquisite as it flowed about her. The ribbons on it trailed behind her elegantly, and she was heaped with jewelry, which he knew was just natural for East Heaven Royals. Look at Maya…
Mint looked delighted to see him and she smiled at him. Delighted was an understatement, really, for she was just so glad to see Rue again. She was rather surprised upon seeing him now. He was attired the same as she last saw him in strange wanderer's clothes, but he certainly grew taller the past year (he was now a head taller than she was), and a lot more handsome.
"Hello, Rue!" she said, thinking that she would not make a fool of herself. "Welcome to our kingdom! I'm so glad that you made it."
Rue was totally bowled over for a few moments. He was unable to think, let alone speak. It was still rather hard for him to believe that this…deity that stood before him was the same Mint that he had left in Carona. The bossy, selfish, rude-mannered, violent, but spirited and inspirational little princess. Now she was…well…different. She was pretty. She was polite. She was delicate (though he still seriously doubted this)…and she was Mint.
Mint blinked at him, and wondered what she had on herself that made him stare so. "Uh…Rue…are you all right there?"
Rue was jolted back into his senses and shook his head. "No! I mean—yes, I'm, uh, fine…" He stared at her for a few moments and narrowed his eyes. "Mint…is that really you?"
Mint laughed. "Of course it's me, silly! What're you talking about?" She noticed that he was still staring at her. "What, do I look like Mel, or something?" she dearly hoped not.
"No!" Rue said immediately, shaking his head. "No, you don't. It's just that…I…well… You don't look like…you. Not much."
This time, Mint didn't know if she should be offended or be amused. But then she realized who the Mint that Rue remembered her to be was, and realized also that she looked nothing like it now. She gave him a tight smile and replied, "Oh. But so do you."
Rue went pink. It was his turn to remember that he had been trying to look as fine as he possibly could for such an important occasion.
Maya cleared her throat and they stared at her. She looked quite ruffled. "Excuse me? But would the both of you mind explaining what is going on? My dear sister…" she turned to Mint, "is he the young man you've been telling me about when you were still after the Dewprism?"
"That's right," replied Mint with a smile. "Maya, this is Rue. He's a friend of mine."
Rue nodded to her, barely taking his eyes off Mint. "Pleased to meet you, Princess Maya."
Maya snorted. It appears to her that the only person Rue was pleased to meet was Mint. But she decided that since she was never going to figure this one out, she would just leave. "Mint, would you like it if I leave?"
"Just for a moment, all right, Maya?" Mint smiled at her.
Maya sighed. I knew it, she thought. She shrugged and went out the door.
There was an awkward moment when the two were left alone, the both of them unable to think of what to say. They didn't quite expect to have this sort of meeting.
"Um…" Mint stammered.
"Uh…" Rue began.
"How are you?" they both said at the same time, looking at each other. Surprised, the both of them laughed.
"I'm doing all right, I guess," Rue replied with a smile. "Still moving around. I was really glad to get your letter, Mint… I, um…hadn't exactly a destination after Epithelia Village."
"Wow, you made it up to there?" Mint said, surprised. "That's quite a long way and probably had lots of adventures along the way. I really envy you…I've been cooped up in the palace forever. Makes me wonder why I ever came back." She turned her back to him and looked out the window.
Rue pitied her. He knew how Mint loved fighting and going on adventures and just doing daring things, and obviously, palace life was not a great joy to her. "But, uh…can't you go out if you wanted? I mean…you are the princess… and you did say that you weren't heir to the throne anymore. Maya is."
Mint gave a hollow laugh. "I guess I didn't tell you at my letter. When I came back, everyone heard about how much I've changed in the time I'd been after the Dewprism. I guess I behaved differently when I got back here too. I guess that…I'm a candidate for the throne again. They're still having trouble deciding if it's me or Maya."
She laughed again and continued, "Don't get me wrong—I dearly want to rule the kingdom for the honor of my family… but I guess that I'm just too wild. Everything has a price, I suppose. I'm going to have to choose between the crown and my people or doing something I'm truly happy with."
Rue was astounded at how much Mint had matured since they last met. He regarded her with even more admiration than he regarded her before in Carona when she was still giving him her infinite spirit and strength to keep going through despair.
"I'm…I'm sure you'll be able to decide which is best for you…" Rue said somewhat stiffly, not knowing how to respond to Mint's strange words.
The princess gave a soft laugh. "I hope so as well." She turned back to him, and there was a strange quality in her maroon eyes that Rue looked away. Poor Mint… he thought. I didn't know that being a royal could be so hard… especially for someone like her.
"Um…Mint…" he began, "Why did you ask me to come here?"
"I told you…" said Mint quietly. "I wanted you to attend the celebration."
"Not just that," said Rue in the same low voice. "You said something about…a…you-know-what."
Mint stared at him mindfully for a moment and looked away once again. "So that's the only reason why you came… I thought…" She just sighed and didn't continue, feeling too disappointed.
What am I thinking? she wondered. Of course he's here for the [relic]… how could I even begin to think that he came here to hang out with me or something?
As for Rue, when Mint said this, he knew that he'd done a mistake and his heart leapt to his throat. "No! I mean…I…"
A little voice in his head asked, Well, it was the reason on why you came, right? You were about to say no to the invitation until you say that she had something about a [relic].
That's not true! Rue argued back. I… well…maybe. But now… I didn't expect her to be like this now! If I knew, I would've come without knowing about the [relic]!
Mint shook her head. "It's all right, Rue. I completely understand. Claire means a lot to you, so I know that you're interested about the…you-know- what." As if the walls had ears and the doors heard everything they said, neither of them dared to say '[relic]' out loud.
"I…uh…" Rue stammered, but he couldn't seem to make himself clear. He felt like a total idiot. "That wasn't quite what I came here for…"
But Mint obviously knew better as she always did. She simply shook her head again. "Well, you will have to wait for a moment. Neither of us will able to do anything until Klaus gets here."
"Klaus?"
"Yes. I had him come too. Only to the two of you did I tell about what I found about the…thing. If you will help me…"
"I will!" Rue exclaimed before he could stop himself. He turned red when Mint stared at him, "I mean…I'll help you get it."
"Of course you will," Mint said with a gentle smile. "It's for Claire. Well, the both of us will be needed to find this one. At least, I found out that much. But for now, we will need to wait for Klaus."
Rue nodded, and Mint laughed. "Rue, you must be tired. Sit down already."
The boy blushed again, and the both of them sat down, a little way from each other. As they waited for Klaus, there was a stifling silence in the air.
Finally, Rue asked, "Mint?"
"Yes?" she replied.
"Um…if you don't mind my asking…why do you want to get the…you-know-what now? Don't tell me it's for—"
"No, the last thing on my mind is world domination," Mint replied, shaking her head, and Rue was properly taken aback. Mint must've have noticed, because she continued. "Ruling this kingdom properly is hard enough. But…" She glanced at him. "I don't know why I want the thing yet."
"What?"
Mint shrugged. "I'm not sure. But the prospect of going on another adventure is the only thing that I'm looking forward to now. I guess…" she sighed with a smile as she glanced at him. "I think that I might just give it to you once we get it."
Rue's jaw dropped. He seriously doubted that this was Mint talking. "What?!"
Mint shrugged again, somewhat dejectedly. "Sorry, Rue, but I just don't know how to answer that question. Now that I'm thinking about it…I really wonder what's there for me to do with the thing once I get it. Look at me, I'm already a princess of a great kingdom and stuff, but all I want is a little fun, and finding another [relic] is the perfect way to get it. I suppose…remembering how good your reason was for wanting it…I guess I just want to help you and get me some fun for the last time."
Rue stared at her for a moment. He suddenly put his hand on her forehead.
Mint laughed a little and asked, "Rue! What are you doing?"
Rue pretended to consider a moment and said, "No, you're not sick. So now I can find no other reason as to why you're saying these things."
Mint turned serious again. "I told you… I just don't know…"
The boy bit his lip. He wasn't sure on what to do again. He tried making her laugh to get her out the serious mood, but it barely worked. "Well…once you get it…why don't you finally decide?"
"What do you mean?" Mint asked, staring at him.
Rue looked down at his hands. "Well…you said you needed to choose…so why don't you just decide then on how to use the…you-know-what… You can ask it to either give you the power to rule properly…or give the power to let you escape from the royal duties."
Mint looked at him as if he'd just solved all of her problems. "Really?"
"Why not?" Rue smiled. "If it can give the power to give Claire back, maybe it can help you with your choice."
"Oh, Rue!" Mint cried, and flung her arms around his neck and losing all thoughts of dignity.
Rue turned into a brilliant shade of scarlet when she did, but before he could say something, she sobbed, "Rue! I'm so glad you came! I didn't know what I've done if you didn't!"
Rue raised his eyebrows in surprise, but smiled. He patted the pink head on his shoulder somewhat awkwardly. "Uh…you're welcome, Mint," he stammered, not really sure what he ought to say.
At that moment, the doors burst open, and Prima and Elena came bouncing in.
"Hey, Polly—I mean, hey Rue!" Elena cried, jumping forward to him.
"Nice to see you again R—" Prima stopped when he saw Mint and Rue. He smirked at them. "Oooh…I think we came in at a wrong time, sis."
Rue and Mint leapt apart like scalded cats. "Prima!!" they both cried indignantly. Elena merely laughed in delight. "Ooooo, Rue, who is she?"
"What?" Mint asked, her eyes wide. "What are you talking about, Elena?"
Elena's eyes widened. "How did you know my name?" Prima sweatdropped.
"It's me Mint!" Mint cried.
"You are?" Elena said, cocking her head to the side. "Oooh, I'm sorry, Mint. I didn't recognize you. You look different."
Prima grinned. "I'd hate to say it Mint, but she's right. You look a whole lot prettier than before—" He bounced behind Elena, expecting Mint to explode.
But she didn't. Mint merely laughed. "So I am. I guess my style has just changed over the past year."
Prima's jaw dropped. His eyes narrowed. "Who are you and what did you do to the real Mint?"
Rue and Mint looked at each other and laughed. Elena asked, "What's so funny? I think Mint is very pretty, Prima."
Prima Doll just shrugged but grinned. "All right, she is."
Klaus and Mira then entered. Klaus beamed upon seeing Mint. "Oh, hello Mint. You are looking very well, I see."
"Thank you, Klaus," she replied Mint, standing up and curtseying to him. She straightened up and said, "Dang. That's getting to be a habit."
They all laughed. "It fits you very well, Mint," Mira replied, smiling. "You look truly like a princess. I'm sure that you'll be able to rule your kingdom properly."
Rue bit his lip and looked at Mint, wondering what she would say. It was only he who noticed the flicker of pain in Mint's eyes as she gave her a tight smile. "I hope."
Klaus turned to his family and said, "Mira, why don't you take the children to the bazaar? Maybe you'll find some interesting things to see."
"All right," said Mira, nodded. "Come on, Elena, Prima."
"No, wait!" Mint said. "Prima, I want you to stay."
Prima stared at her. "What for?"
"I might need to ask you something," Mint replied. She looked at him meaningfully, and he sort-of understood what she was trying to say.
Prima shrugged. "All right."
Klaus looked back to Mira, who smiled. "I will see you later on then. Come on, Elena. We might find some new things for the shop and the house."
"Coming!" Elena replied, and bounced out of the room with her mother. Before she left, she said, "Bye, Mint! Bye, Rue! See you later, all right?"
"Goodbye, Elena," Rue replied with a smile.
"By the way," said Mira, looking back, "Rod might be here any moment—we met up with him a while ago. He was having some trouble with his 'baby', but he'll be here soon."
"Okay," said Mint. "But please tell the servants not to send him up here yet. This might take some time. Or if you meet him, have him go to the bazaar with you first, all right?"
"No problem," replied Mira with a smile.
The two then left, talking. Obviously, Mira knew about what was up, because she did not answer Elena's question as to why they left Prima.
"All right," said Klaus as soon as they left. "What is this all about?"
AN: All right! Not much of a cliffhanger, but then again, I'm not too good at these things… Anyways, chapter three provides some adventure. I hope. Don't worry. Belle, Duke and everyone will get some action soon! Please REVIEW!!
Author's note: Here's chapter two. And so they meet…
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Chapter Two: Reunion
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"My dear sister, what is the matter with you?" Maya asked indignantly as Mint paced restlessly in a room where she and Maya were waiting for the opening of the Magician's Convergence Celebration. Maya felt dizzy by watching her sister pace around. "You haven't sat down for the whole morning!"
"Oh, Maya, you just have no idea how worried I am!" Mint said in exasperation. Maya raised an eyebrow, but did not persue. Mint could be pretty vague sometimes, and she wasn't about to ruin her brain by trying to figure this one out.
After all, Mint had been acting rather strangely since she came back from the forest. She was very quiet, but there was a strange twinkle in her eyes that she just couldn't place. She was locked up constantly in her room, and Maya saw once that she was writing something. Then she'd heard that Mint had sent quite a number of letters to several different people. After that, she always found Mint at the palace archives, looking through scrolls and books, and what's even more amazing, she was actually paying attention to what the tutor was saying at her lessons!
Maya thought that the world had come to an end, and that Mint was the first to be struck. It was the most amazing thing she'd ever known, and even the subjects of the kingdom knew this, and, she supposed, it was the reason why they were getting to like Mint now. After all, she'd also been changed since she came back from the entire Dewprism adventure.
Mint seemed to have had enough of pacing, and she sat herself with a sigh at the window seat nearby, looking down at the colorful stalls at the magical bazaar, wringing her hands as if she was dreafully worried about something. She was, really.
She was very worried that they might not have decided to come, and she found her news very important at this point. She hoped that she looked all right. She couldn't have bore it if she looked absolutely terrible—she had to admit that she had been trying to look fancy for them all, since it had been such a long time since they've last seen each other.
She was especially looking forward to seeing Rue, not only because she knew that she would need his help, but also because she was wondering how he was after all of this time—wandering all by himself while she was lounging around in a luxurious palace. She had to admit, with remembering all of what the both of them went through for the Dewprism, she kind of missed him.
One year…surely we all couldn't have changed that much, could we?
The gong sounded outside, and Mint jumped a foot into the air. She leapt to her feet, and so did Maya, and a servant opened the door.
"Yes, what is it?" Maya asked calmly, noticing at the corner of her eye that Mint had gone very white and she had self-consciously stroked her hair.
The servant bowed and said, "There is a visitor for Princess Mint."
"Oh!" Mint jumped again. "So they're here… Wh-who is it?" Maya looked at her sister in surprise. She didn't know that Mint was expecting someone. For all her life, Mint never had a guest for the celebration.
The servant bowed again and said, "He says that his name is Rue, Your Highness, and that you are expecting him."
Mint's color changed from white to red then pink with such rapidity that Maya was even more surprised. "Huh? Who is Rue?"
"Ma-ya!" Mint hissed indignantly to her. She cleared her throat and turned to the servant, saying somewhat primly, "Please show him in then."
The servant bowed and vanished behind the door. Maya turned to her sister to ask what all this was about, but before she could, someone entered the room, and Mint turned bright pink again in surprise.
Rue had arrived, and he found his way to East Heaven Kingdom quite easily. He saw quite a sight which he didn't expect. He didn't realize how elegant East Heaven really was until he saw it for himself, but then he remembered that East Heaven was a kingdom which produced the most outstanding magicians, so he decided that he shouldn't wonder. Crossing the crowded city preparing for the celebration and heading to the elevated palace in the distance was easy enough as well.
He had a little trouble getting up to the palace, though. The guards wouldn't believe that he knew Princess Mint, and they won't let him in. Fortunately, he still had Mint's letter (he didn't know why but he just wanted to keep it), and when the guards recognized that it indeed was from the princess, they let him in.
But what he had most trouble with, from getting to the kingdom and to arriving here, was believing that this pretty girl standing before him was Mint.
Mint usually attired in a childish manner, with two ponytails on her head and an outfit that made Elena think at first that she was a fortune-teller. But now she didn't. Mint's long pink hair flowed about her shoulders, and she wore a glittering golden headband with gems and an elegant oriental pattern. She wore a dress that was similar to what Claire used to wear, blue, white and gold and quite exquisite as it flowed about her. The ribbons on it trailed behind her elegantly, and she was heaped with jewelry, which he knew was just natural for East Heaven Royals. Look at Maya…
Mint looked delighted to see him and she smiled at him. Delighted was an understatement, really, for she was just so glad to see Rue again. She was rather surprised upon seeing him now. He was attired the same as she last saw him in strange wanderer's clothes, but he certainly grew taller the past year (he was now a head taller than she was), and a lot more handsome.
"Hello, Rue!" she said, thinking that she would not make a fool of herself. "Welcome to our kingdom! I'm so glad that you made it."
Rue was totally bowled over for a few moments. He was unable to think, let alone speak. It was still rather hard for him to believe that this…deity that stood before him was the same Mint that he had left in Carona. The bossy, selfish, rude-mannered, violent, but spirited and inspirational little princess. Now she was…well…different. She was pretty. She was polite. She was delicate (though he still seriously doubted this)…and she was Mint.
Mint blinked at him, and wondered what she had on herself that made him stare so. "Uh…Rue…are you all right there?"
Rue was jolted back into his senses and shook his head. "No! I mean—yes, I'm, uh, fine…" He stared at her for a few moments and narrowed his eyes. "Mint…is that really you?"
Mint laughed. "Of course it's me, silly! What're you talking about?" She noticed that he was still staring at her. "What, do I look like Mel, or something?" she dearly hoped not.
"No!" Rue said immediately, shaking his head. "No, you don't. It's just that…I…well… You don't look like…you. Not much."
This time, Mint didn't know if she should be offended or be amused. But then she realized who the Mint that Rue remembered her to be was, and realized also that she looked nothing like it now. She gave him a tight smile and replied, "Oh. But so do you."
Rue went pink. It was his turn to remember that he had been trying to look as fine as he possibly could for such an important occasion.
Maya cleared her throat and they stared at her. She looked quite ruffled. "Excuse me? But would the both of you mind explaining what is going on? My dear sister…" she turned to Mint, "is he the young man you've been telling me about when you were still after the Dewprism?"
"That's right," replied Mint with a smile. "Maya, this is Rue. He's a friend of mine."
Rue nodded to her, barely taking his eyes off Mint. "Pleased to meet you, Princess Maya."
Maya snorted. It appears to her that the only person Rue was pleased to meet was Mint. But she decided that since she was never going to figure this one out, she would just leave. "Mint, would you like it if I leave?"
"Just for a moment, all right, Maya?" Mint smiled at her.
Maya sighed. I knew it, she thought. She shrugged and went out the door.
There was an awkward moment when the two were left alone, the both of them unable to think of what to say. They didn't quite expect to have this sort of meeting.
"Um…" Mint stammered.
"Uh…" Rue began.
"How are you?" they both said at the same time, looking at each other. Surprised, the both of them laughed.
"I'm doing all right, I guess," Rue replied with a smile. "Still moving around. I was really glad to get your letter, Mint… I, um…hadn't exactly a destination after Epithelia Village."
"Wow, you made it up to there?" Mint said, surprised. "That's quite a long way and probably had lots of adventures along the way. I really envy you…I've been cooped up in the palace forever. Makes me wonder why I ever came back." She turned her back to him and looked out the window.
Rue pitied her. He knew how Mint loved fighting and going on adventures and just doing daring things, and obviously, palace life was not a great joy to her. "But, uh…can't you go out if you wanted? I mean…you are the princess… and you did say that you weren't heir to the throne anymore. Maya is."
Mint gave a hollow laugh. "I guess I didn't tell you at my letter. When I came back, everyone heard about how much I've changed in the time I'd been after the Dewprism. I guess I behaved differently when I got back here too. I guess that…I'm a candidate for the throne again. They're still having trouble deciding if it's me or Maya."
She laughed again and continued, "Don't get me wrong—I dearly want to rule the kingdom for the honor of my family… but I guess that I'm just too wild. Everything has a price, I suppose. I'm going to have to choose between the crown and my people or doing something I'm truly happy with."
Rue was astounded at how much Mint had matured since they last met. He regarded her with even more admiration than he regarded her before in Carona when she was still giving him her infinite spirit and strength to keep going through despair.
"I'm…I'm sure you'll be able to decide which is best for you…" Rue said somewhat stiffly, not knowing how to respond to Mint's strange words.
The princess gave a soft laugh. "I hope so as well." She turned back to him, and there was a strange quality in her maroon eyes that Rue looked away. Poor Mint… he thought. I didn't know that being a royal could be so hard… especially for someone like her.
"Um…Mint…" he began, "Why did you ask me to come here?"
"I told you…" said Mint quietly. "I wanted you to attend the celebration."
"Not just that," said Rue in the same low voice. "You said something about…a…you-know-what."
Mint stared at him mindfully for a moment and looked away once again. "So that's the only reason why you came… I thought…" She just sighed and didn't continue, feeling too disappointed.
What am I thinking? she wondered. Of course he's here for the [relic]… how could I even begin to think that he came here to hang out with me or something?
As for Rue, when Mint said this, he knew that he'd done a mistake and his heart leapt to his throat. "No! I mean…I…"
A little voice in his head asked, Well, it was the reason on why you came, right? You were about to say no to the invitation until you say that she had something about a [relic].
That's not true! Rue argued back. I… well…maybe. But now… I didn't expect her to be like this now! If I knew, I would've come without knowing about the [relic]!
Mint shook her head. "It's all right, Rue. I completely understand. Claire means a lot to you, so I know that you're interested about the…you-know- what." As if the walls had ears and the doors heard everything they said, neither of them dared to say '[relic]' out loud.
"I…uh…" Rue stammered, but he couldn't seem to make himself clear. He felt like a total idiot. "That wasn't quite what I came here for…"
But Mint obviously knew better as she always did. She simply shook her head again. "Well, you will have to wait for a moment. Neither of us will able to do anything until Klaus gets here."
"Klaus?"
"Yes. I had him come too. Only to the two of you did I tell about what I found about the…thing. If you will help me…"
"I will!" Rue exclaimed before he could stop himself. He turned red when Mint stared at him, "I mean…I'll help you get it."
"Of course you will," Mint said with a gentle smile. "It's for Claire. Well, the both of us will be needed to find this one. At least, I found out that much. But for now, we will need to wait for Klaus."
Rue nodded, and Mint laughed. "Rue, you must be tired. Sit down already."
The boy blushed again, and the both of them sat down, a little way from each other. As they waited for Klaus, there was a stifling silence in the air.
Finally, Rue asked, "Mint?"
"Yes?" she replied.
"Um…if you don't mind my asking…why do you want to get the…you-know-what now? Don't tell me it's for—"
"No, the last thing on my mind is world domination," Mint replied, shaking her head, and Rue was properly taken aback. Mint must've have noticed, because she continued. "Ruling this kingdom properly is hard enough. But…" She glanced at him. "I don't know why I want the thing yet."
"What?"
Mint shrugged. "I'm not sure. But the prospect of going on another adventure is the only thing that I'm looking forward to now. I guess…" she sighed with a smile as she glanced at him. "I think that I might just give it to you once we get it."
Rue's jaw dropped. He seriously doubted that this was Mint talking. "What?!"
Mint shrugged again, somewhat dejectedly. "Sorry, Rue, but I just don't know how to answer that question. Now that I'm thinking about it…I really wonder what's there for me to do with the thing once I get it. Look at me, I'm already a princess of a great kingdom and stuff, but all I want is a little fun, and finding another [relic] is the perfect way to get it. I suppose…remembering how good your reason was for wanting it…I guess I just want to help you and get me some fun for the last time."
Rue stared at her for a moment. He suddenly put his hand on her forehead.
Mint laughed a little and asked, "Rue! What are you doing?"
Rue pretended to consider a moment and said, "No, you're not sick. So now I can find no other reason as to why you're saying these things."
Mint turned serious again. "I told you… I just don't know…"
The boy bit his lip. He wasn't sure on what to do again. He tried making her laugh to get her out the serious mood, but it barely worked. "Well…once you get it…why don't you finally decide?"
"What do you mean?" Mint asked, staring at him.
Rue looked down at his hands. "Well…you said you needed to choose…so why don't you just decide then on how to use the…you-know-what… You can ask it to either give you the power to rule properly…or give the power to let you escape from the royal duties."
Mint looked at him as if he'd just solved all of her problems. "Really?"
"Why not?" Rue smiled. "If it can give the power to give Claire back, maybe it can help you with your choice."
"Oh, Rue!" Mint cried, and flung her arms around his neck and losing all thoughts of dignity.
Rue turned into a brilliant shade of scarlet when she did, but before he could say something, she sobbed, "Rue! I'm so glad you came! I didn't know what I've done if you didn't!"
Rue raised his eyebrows in surprise, but smiled. He patted the pink head on his shoulder somewhat awkwardly. "Uh…you're welcome, Mint," he stammered, not really sure what he ought to say.
At that moment, the doors burst open, and Prima and Elena came bouncing in.
"Hey, Polly—I mean, hey Rue!" Elena cried, jumping forward to him.
"Nice to see you again R—" Prima stopped when he saw Mint and Rue. He smirked at them. "Oooh…I think we came in at a wrong time, sis."
Rue and Mint leapt apart like scalded cats. "Prima!!" they both cried indignantly. Elena merely laughed in delight. "Ooooo, Rue, who is she?"
"What?" Mint asked, her eyes wide. "What are you talking about, Elena?"
Elena's eyes widened. "How did you know my name?" Prima sweatdropped.
"It's me Mint!" Mint cried.
"You are?" Elena said, cocking her head to the side. "Oooh, I'm sorry, Mint. I didn't recognize you. You look different."
Prima grinned. "I'd hate to say it Mint, but she's right. You look a whole lot prettier than before—" He bounced behind Elena, expecting Mint to explode.
But she didn't. Mint merely laughed. "So I am. I guess my style has just changed over the past year."
Prima's jaw dropped. His eyes narrowed. "Who are you and what did you do to the real Mint?"
Rue and Mint looked at each other and laughed. Elena asked, "What's so funny? I think Mint is very pretty, Prima."
Prima Doll just shrugged but grinned. "All right, she is."
Klaus and Mira then entered. Klaus beamed upon seeing Mint. "Oh, hello Mint. You are looking very well, I see."
"Thank you, Klaus," she replied Mint, standing up and curtseying to him. She straightened up and said, "Dang. That's getting to be a habit."
They all laughed. "It fits you very well, Mint," Mira replied, smiling. "You look truly like a princess. I'm sure that you'll be able to rule your kingdom properly."
Rue bit his lip and looked at Mint, wondering what she would say. It was only he who noticed the flicker of pain in Mint's eyes as she gave her a tight smile. "I hope."
Klaus turned to his family and said, "Mira, why don't you take the children to the bazaar? Maybe you'll find some interesting things to see."
"All right," said Mira, nodded. "Come on, Elena, Prima."
"No, wait!" Mint said. "Prima, I want you to stay."
Prima stared at her. "What for?"
"I might need to ask you something," Mint replied. She looked at him meaningfully, and he sort-of understood what she was trying to say.
Prima shrugged. "All right."
Klaus looked back to Mira, who smiled. "I will see you later on then. Come on, Elena. We might find some new things for the shop and the house."
"Coming!" Elena replied, and bounced out of the room with her mother. Before she left, she said, "Bye, Mint! Bye, Rue! See you later, all right?"
"Goodbye, Elena," Rue replied with a smile.
"By the way," said Mira, looking back, "Rod might be here any moment—we met up with him a while ago. He was having some trouble with his 'baby', but he'll be here soon."
"Okay," said Mint. "But please tell the servants not to send him up here yet. This might take some time. Or if you meet him, have him go to the bazaar with you first, all right?"
"No problem," replied Mira with a smile.
The two then left, talking. Obviously, Mira knew about what was up, because she did not answer Elena's question as to why they left Prima.
"All right," said Klaus as soon as they left. "What is this all about?"
AN: All right! Not much of a cliffhanger, but then again, I'm not too good at these things… Anyways, chapter three provides some adventure. I hope. Don't worry. Belle, Duke and everyone will get some action soon! Please REVIEW!!