Dilemmas

The Celetites kingdom

Yamato walked on the filthy aisle of the dungeon with a straight face. It's been quite a while since he came to Celetites kingdom. He then turned to the right and stopped in front of a cell. It was too dark too see inside. Yamato called out Elizabeth's name.

Elizabeth walked towards the prince and bowed down her head in respect. "My Lord, what do you want?"

Yamato crouched down and grasp the metal bars in anger. "I can't take it anymore!" he hissed, clutching the bars tighter. "I want to get out of here…"

Elizabeth sat down on the ground and smiled. "My sister and I are ready and the potion is almost done. We must wait till midnight." Elizabeth then turned serious. "Be back here when the moon is full. Before you get out of your room be sure that there is no cloud in the sky and you must only see three stars. One on the left side of the moon, one on the right, and one on the top."

Elizabeth then stood up and eyed the surroundings of the dungeon. "My Lord, be careful. Princess Jun is just around…"

As soon as Yamato stood up, Jun strode towards him. "Darling… what are you doing here inside the dungeon? Aww! It's so filthy here! Let us go."

They walked out of the filthy dungeon, Jun dragging Yamato out of it. Yamato let Jun pull his arm as they proceed to the garden. Jun flipped her hair and looked at her fiancé.

"Darling, what were you doing there?" She sniffed Yamato and smiled. "At least the smell didn't stick on your clothes…"

Yamato gazed at the beautiful wild flowers growing on the palace's garden. It's funny to think that this place grows the most beautiful flowers but has the most villain people. How ironic…Yamato thought.

"I was just visiting Elizabeth and Veronica. Is there anything wrong with that?" Yamato replied, looking at his considered 'fiancé' with innocence.

Jun smiled and stepped away from Yamato. "Darling, no! Of course nothing's wrong with that." Her smile soon faded and her eyes turned serious. "But once I learn that all three of you are planning something in contrast with me, you'll regret it Yamato. You have my word." Jun sneered, eyeing Yamato's cold face.

Tarben Kingdom

The Queen entered Sora's room, trying to smile and think that everything's fine with her little princess. She proceeded to the bedroom and eyed the area. It was clean and tidy. Muriko bit her lip, trying hard not to cry again. She has to be strong. She has to be optimistic about what's happening. Optimistic? What is so positive about Sora's absence? Who knows what have had happened to her by now… My daughter… Dear Lord, let not your presence leave her…Muriko flopped down on the bed and clutched Sora's blanket as small tears escaped her eyes. Oh Sora, please come back….

Mt. Zimu

"Just stay there!" Taichi exclaimed while fuming. The brunette glared at him and crossed her arms over her chest. "You have no right to yell at me!" she retorted.

Taichi smirked. "You're in our territory, I am the leader. Everything I say, everybody does. That includes Sora and that includes you. How come you're way too much bossy and stubborn than the princess? The princess does her work without complaining and god she does it so well. While you… god you!" Taichi sighed in frustration. "Just a tiny insect or a small piece of soil that sticks on your fingers or your dress, you shriek like a mad woman – "

"I am an educated lady of Tarben and I am not a madwoman so take back what you have said about me!" The brunette girl butted in but Taichi glared at her again.

"I am not finished yet so shut your mouth and listen! You don't do the laundry, you don't know how to cook, you're childish…you're… you're…" Taichi flicked his fingers, trying to find a decent word to describe this girl. "You're a palace girl! You're hopeless!" Taichi breathed out.

Mimi sniffed back and tried to stop crying. Everything Taichi's saying stabs her since what he's saying is true.

"What you say might be true, but you have no right to yell at me." Mimi said, crying.

Taichi slapped his forehead in irritation. "Now you're crying! You really are hopeless!"

"Why do you loathe me so?!" Mimi retorted. Ever since she came here, Taichi's been biting her head off and she can't take it anymore.

"Look…" Taichi sat down beside Mimi and tried to cool himself down.

"I don't have any grudge against you and I ain't mad at you. Think about this. You made up your mind to follow Sora here so you could at least protect her or take care of her. And now that you're here, all you do is complain and complain and complain. Now if you don't like staying with us and you're not comfortable with the way we live, I suggest you just go back to Tarben. You'll die here." Taichi said then left her in Sora's cottage.

Mimi wiped her tears with the back of her hand and looked at everyone from the cottage's open window. Everyone was busy and happy. I can't believe I ruined Taichi's day again… Mimi thought, looking at Taichi who was talking with Sora right now. And probably they're talking about me…

It's been a while since she came here in the territory of the bandits. Joe agreed and let her be with Sora. She rode the wagon until they reached Mt. Zimu. When she got out of the wagon, things got unusual…

Flashback

The Zimu bandits were all looking at a brunette with a beautiful face full of dirt, long brown hair now adorned with dust and strands of cobwebs.

Mimi gulped and stared at the one standing in the middle, with a stern look on his face. "Joe." He called out.

Mimi saw the familiar guy,, and somehow calmed down. The guy, Joe, walked towards the one who called him. "It's the princess' friend. She wanted to come with me to see the princess so I agreed. Tai, a fair and beautiful lady like her would not harm us." Joe explained, knowing that Mimi is getting afraid of Taichi now. Joe smiled at the brunette and took her hand.

Sora soon appeared beside Taichi with wide eyes. "My good lord! Mimi!" Sora hugged her dear friend and looked at Joe. "What is going on? What is Mimi doing here?"

Mimi explained again(what Joe just said a while ago). Sora nodded her head and removed the dust from Mimi's hair. "Mimi…"

"Are you angry?" Mimi asked quietly. Sora shook her head and smiled. "I'm glad you're here... safe and sound"

"What will we do about her?"

Sora looked at Tai with a bewildered look. "What kind of question is that Taichi? She'll stay with me...with us."

Taichi shook his head. "What I mean is, what will she do while she's staying here? I'm pretty sure she knows nothing about cooking, sewing, doing the laundry and taming the horses or feeding the owls at night."

Mimi gulped upon hearing the word 'horse'. Sora smiled at Taichi. "Oh Tai, I'll teach her everything. Trust me, she's a good learner."

Mimi gulped again. Thinking about all the things she needed to do makes her nauseous. She doesn't do those things at home and now this man called Taichi is telling her that she needs to do all those smelly, tiring chores.

Taichi smiled a little. "I trust you Sora. But if your friend here complains, she'll regret it."

End of Flashback

Mimi sighed. Taichi was right in everything he said. She's just a burden here in the bandits place.

Sora sighed and looked at Tai after he had explained what happened inside the cottage. "Why did you have to yell at her? Moreover, why do you have to say such harsh words?"

Taichi looked back at the cottage and saw the brunette, Mimi, walking away from the window. "I have to." Taichi replied. "She needed to know that the way she's acting here really offends me and possibly everybody else. She needed to know that she's not the boss here. She's not a rich Lady here. She's the same as everyone." Taichi answered, looking back at Sora. Sora sighed and looked at the cottage. Poor Mimi…I hope she's doing well now…

Sora looked back at Taichi, who was still looking at her. "I'm sure she's still crying. I will comfort her. You go now and tend to your people."

Taichi smiled a little and rested his hands on her waist. "Can I not tend to my princess?" he whispered, making Sora flush a little. She moved away.

"We must not let our emotions go like this. We should act like we are supposed to be. I am your captive, you are the leader." Sora explained.

Taichi frowned. "Captive? Surely, I say that you are not a captive here. You're one of us now."

Sora smiled a little and gazed at Taichi's solemn face. When she first came here, his aura was so intense. Yet now, he's apparently the opposite. He lets her see his soft side. "Taichi… pretty soon I'll be leaving this place…"

"With Yamato…" Taichi breathed out.

Sora nodded her head and smiled slightly at him. "With Yamato. I am sure you still have a lot of things to do so go." Sora said, patting his broad shoulder. Before she could turn around, Taichi held her hand. He stepped closer to her and placed her hand on his warm cheek, causing Sora's heart to leap.

"Why can't you just stay?" he whispered, closing his eyes and savoring the moment. "Every day that passes by makes me weary Sora. Do you know that? Every damn day that comes means nearing to the day when you'll say goodbye to me. Do you know how much pain my heart suffers because of that?"

Sora slowly nodded. His low, husky voice makes her weak and his words were enough for her to say I love you over and over again. But then, it is still not right. She took a breath. "We'll talk later Taichi…" she said in a crooked voice. She pulled her hand gently and turn around before Taichi could say more. She doesn't want to hear his pleads, she doesn't want to see his depressing face. It throbs her heart even more to see him everyday. He was right. Every day that comes means that she'll be leaving him for Yamato.

"Dear Lord…" Sora whispered as she makes her way to her cottage where Mimi is. "Help me for I am in love with two men…"

In the Cottage

"Please do tell Sis Taichi that I am completely repentant for causing him trouble. I admit that I have been a nuisance to this simple and tranquil place. I ask for his forgiveness." Mimi whispered while crying on Sora's shoulder.

The princess smiled and cupped Mimi's face. "Do not worry. Taichi is an understanding person. There is no doubt that he will forgive you. Just show him that you can always lend a hand."

Mimi smiled slowly and determination filled her. "Of course. There is nothing that I cannot do. I will show him that I am an educated woman and I am willing to help in anyway I can."

Sora smiled. "Yes…" she said. She wanted to be happy for Mimi but her dilemma is still present in her mind. Mimi smiled and turned to her friend. Her small grin slowly fades as she realized that her friend, the princess, is not okay. Mimi sat closer to her and gave her a comfortable smile. "I think I know what you are thinking about…" Mimi said, causing Sora to blink.

"What?" she asked, startled.

Mimi smiled again. "I don't know if I should ask you this but…" she took a breath. "…I have a feeling that something is going on between you and Taichi and I do believe it is more than just friendship." Sora took in all Mimi's words then smiled softly. She then bit her lip then suddenly cried. The sudden emotions of Sora caused Mimi to hug her dear friend.

"Mimi, I am low-woman of Tarben. I am doing a sin. I am not supposed to be loving a man other than Yamato yet here I am, loving Taichi." She mumbled.

Mimi shook her head and comforted Sora. "Hush yourself and stop saying nonsense. It is not a sin to love two men… but it isn't good either. Does he know you are engaged to be wed to Yamato, if ever he is found?"

Sora stood straight and looked at Mimi in the eye. "He knows. He knows that I'll be leaving him for Yamato. He knows I love Yamato more than him. He knows how much I'm yearning for Yamato yet he still won't stop loving me and that makes me want to love him even more! Mimi, what should a woman like me do?" Sora asked, her eyes asking Mimi to give her a solution to her dilemma.

Mimi shook her head. "The only thing that could solve your crisis is simple. Just choose Sora. It is either the man you are loving now… or the man you still love, but have no trace nor evidence if he will come back."

"I can't…" Sora whispered. "I can't choose because I don't want to loose neither one of them… My heart has been in a lot of pain because of this mess that I have made…" Sora let out a breath and continued to cried on her friend's shoulder.

Midnight

Yamato could feel his heart's thudding as he nears the large window in his bedroom. Minutes from now I'll be seeing Sora… he thought as he stood in front of the window. He opened the galss pane and looked above the sky. Like what Elizabeth said earlier, there wasn't any cloud up in the sky. The moon was round and full and only three stars surrounded it. Yamato took a breath and proceeded outside his bedroom, down the halls and into the dungeon.

"Are you sure Princess Jun did not follow you?" Elizabeth asked.

Yamato nodded and looked at the twins. "What am I going to do next?"

Elizabeth took the potion from his sister and gave it to Yamato. "Go back into your room and face a full-length mirror. Then say these words: Abare Misafa alegru Foshito. While saying these, you must close your eyes. Say it three times then, drink the potion. It will taste really sour. Do not open your eyes unless the sour taste is gone. After that, open your eyes and you will see and talk with the person you are thinking of."

Yamato smiled and stood up. "Okay, I'll be away now."

"Wait, there is more." Elizabeth said. "The potion will last for only fifteen minutes. When you're done conversing with her, turn around and say the incantation again."

After this, Yamato nodded his head and continued his way towards his room. Among the dark corner of the hallway stood a person in her night dress. "You will regret it Yamato…" she sneered.

did you like it? it's short I know, but the next part will be better coz Sora and Yamato will see each other again! I suppose you know who's the person standing in the dark. After the next chapter, Junato will soon arise! Thanks for reading. PLs review! No stealing of story plot please.