Part 2

Princess Tachikawa's Arrival

Princess Tachikawa's Carriage

Mimi bore a great frown upon her face she looked out of the window they were passing the Britannia Mountains that were to the south. It wasn't fair that she was chosen to be a wife to the Prince from the Yagami Province she had never met him before and had no interest in meeting him at all. "Oh why couldn't it not be Prince Yamato?" she wondered very upset it had been two days ago since they left the castle that she called her home.

"Princess, think for the better your going to be meeting this Prince Yagami for the first time he might be a real gentlemen." Miyako suggested to her the Princess sighed merely "I really do not think so, I've heard that he is rude to other princess from far off lands." She said. "Only rumours." Miyako told her.

"We shall see." Mimi then continued to look out the carriage windows.

Ishida Castle

A lone horseman rode toward the castle gates the draw bridge was lowered to allow entrance for the messenger he bore the Yagami Crest upon a flag that he held. The horse man entered the castles premises where he was greeted by Prince Yamato who stood tall he wore a shawl like cape that seemed of a shiny silk the family's color was green the shall was green and had the Ishida Crest on the back.

He wore the royal crown, something which was worn rarely by any other royals in the Ishida family besides the queen and king. The messenger hopped off on his horse "Prince Yamato." He bowed to the prince. "I bring news of an invitation to the Yagami Kingdom, to attend the ball of Prince Yagami Taichi and Princess Tachikawa Mimi." He said to him Yamato was startled somewhat when he had mentioned Mimi.

"I'll bring you to the king and queen." He declared the messenger followed the Prince. 

He soon had brought the messenger to the thrown room where the King and Queen were seated they seemed to have been particularly waiting for this message. Prince Takeru, Yamato's younger brother, and Lord Daisuke were there as well they were seated next to each other.

Yamato bowed to his father and mother before moving aside to let the Yagami messenger speak out loud. "Your majesty King and Queen of Yagami, wish to courtly invited you to the engagement ball of their son prince Yagami, Taichi to Princess Tachikawa, Mimi. The ball will be held on the eve of the new moon." He bowed to the king and Queen of Ishida then he stepped up to give them the invitation.

Yamato wasn't please and stocked out of the thrown room. Takeru and Daisuke noticed and both sighed. For they knew the feeling between Mimi and Yamato, they had met often before and grew quite found of one another. But for some reason the Yagami kingdom had asked the Tachikawa's daughter for their son's hand in marriage.

"Shall we go and talk to him?" Takeru asked Daisuke frowned for a moment "Yeah that would be a good idea." He suggested the two got up and left the thrown room following Yamato foot steps.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Yagami Thrown room…

Lady Sora and Princess Hikari stood off to the side as they watched the argument the commenced between Taichi and his parents. "Taichi you will meet the princess this afternoon and you will stay with her for the whole afternoon." His father told him.

"Father I don't care for her!" he shouted his voice echoed he only once looked in Sora's direction then they continued to quarrel. Hikari caught the glimpse she turned to her lady. "Sora, what was that just now?" she whispered "What was what?" she questioned.

"The look he looked over here why do you perceive me as naive?" she question Sora didn't say a word she remained silent. 

"I WILL ONLY GREET HER BUT I WILL NOT SPEND MY DAY WITH HER!" he shouted he was stubborn Taichi was. His father only gave a sigh as if he had given up the task of trying to make his son work this arrangement out. He was confused why he won't give it a thought.

Soon one of the messengers came into the thrown room. "Sir the Royals from Tachikawa are here." He announced "Please escort them here." The king said to the messenger, who turned and went down to get them.  "Now behave son, and keep your manners toward the young princess." His mother told him. Taichi nodded the stood next to his sister and fixed his crown.

"Brother why must you be so stubborn?" she whispered to him. "I am not stubborn." He told her quietly soon there was a trumpeting then a messenger bearing the crest of the Tachikawa kingdom came forward. "From the Kingdom of Tachikawa please welcome Princess Mimi and her lady in waiting Lady Miyako, Sir Jyou Kido her companion and guard."  Mimi wore the a pink long flowing gown, the front was embroider with light blue flower pattern that lined down to her waist, her hair was long and flow down her back like a river she wore a crown upon  her head.

She first walked up to Sora and bowed Sora did as well. "I'm Lady Sora, Princess Hikari's lady in waiting." Mimi nodded and moved to the princess herself. They both bowed to each other. "Princess Hikari, I'm glad to meet you."  Mimi faintly smiled and moved on to Prince Taichi, polity Taichi took her hand and kissed in gently. "Prince Taichi Yagami." He replied Mimi smiled half heartily then went on to the king and queen.

………….

"Taichi will show you to your room Princess." The king told her. Taichi wasn't the slightest bit amused, he just sighed. Mimi saw this and wasn't amused either. "Come Princess I'll show you to your room." He replied the princess, her lady in waiting and Jyou were escorted by Taichi to the guest chambers.

After about five minutes of walking Taichi stopped in front a door it was labelled Princess Mimi and Lady Miyako. "Here is your room princess and lady." He gestured he looked down the hall and saw Hikari and Sora who told him with hand gestures to open the bedroom door for them.

Taichi opened the bedroom door for them and walked them in. "I hope everything is as it should be and be very comfortable." He said in his nicest manner voice he could possibly mange at the time. " I will see you at dinner time?" He said to all three. "Yes you will." Mimi told him.

Taichi and Jyou exited the room and closed the door to give the two girls privacy. "Here is your room Sir Jyou enjoy your stay, see you in the dinning hall." Jyou had closed the door and Taichi took liberty to walk up to his sister and Sora.

"Taichi you did good." Hikari told him. "It counts as a good effort." He replied the three walked down the halls. "And it's not what I want…it's the last thing I want." He replied he turned to stare into Sora's eyes then looked to his sister. "By what means are you talking about?" Hikari question troubled. "Nothing my sister I stall be going for a ride, to clear my head." He said to the both of them he gave one look to Sora asking her to meet him. Hikari hadn't noticed it she was still troubled by what he was talking about.

They stopped and watched as he left them alone Hikari sighs "This troubles me." She says quietly. "Troubles you in what way?" Sora asked. "I do not know but I don't like this one bit." Sora sighed she thought for a moment then came to an idea to get away from Hikari. "Hikari I must be off, run a few errands for the gardener." With out waiting Sora was gone. Hikari frowned then started off in the direction of the library.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

The summer sun shone down on the green pastures that lay across the Yagami kingdom Sora had given the stable boy twice as much money to keep her going out a secret. She rode north ward toward the luscious forest off the north castle walls. She stirred her horse toward a small nook, that over looks the ocean it was a semi circle that was lined with bushy thick leaved trees she stopped her horse and got down and then found a small opening. She stepped threw an opening in the bushes and as she did she felt arms grab her around the waist.

She turned the Prince stood before her holding her around her waist still. "Taichi…I know you did the right thing." She was stopped by him. "Not the right thing Sora." He let her go and walked toward the ledge and looked out across the ocean. "As much as you wish for me to move onward with this betrothal I will not." He told her.

"Taichi I told you we can not go on like this! It's a mistake that I even let you in as close as I have, it was wrong of me and it's wrong of you. You must forget that we even had relations of such kind." She cried she started to feel tears; it was overwhelming her she couldn't bear him doing such foolish of thing as betraying the King and Queens's arrangements.

"Of this demand I can not do." He whispered to her he came to her putting his hand under her chin and lifted her face so she could look at him. "Think nothing of what you say. All that matters is that I love you." He said in a hush voice he leaned toward her lips and gently placed a sweet kiss.

"I have a plan to mind." He told her as he pulled away from the kiss. "A plan of what kind?" Sora questioned him. "Princess Mimi dose not think well of me, I can tell by her actions." He told her then went on again. "I must further encourage her that I'm not as she thinks I am."

"Taichi…" she trailed off. "Say nothing more." He said he put his hand to her cheek and gently caressed softly Sora had her eyes closed Taichi smiled he knew his touch pleased her. "Why do you fight something that you want?" he asked and proceed to kiss the nape of her neck. Sora let out a moan. "Something that I want….is not in my place to take." She answered him for she was most definite about her answer it the one only she wanted she couldn't have it was a forbbiened love. A love that could cost them they're lives.

Soon their lips came crashing together like they have just first met after being parted for so long. Hands went all over the place and in the process the crown had fallen from Taichi's head and into the grass. Swiftly Taichi scoped her up and carried her to a blanket that had been laid out on the grass. He lay her down on the blanket and laid next to her. "If you are able to tell me that you want me to stop then I dare you to." He glazed into her eyes then slowly began to un fasten the back of her dress. "I would say to stop now but I would be lying." She whispered as she slowly undid his shirt.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

"This whole betrothal is not to my liking." Mimi said she had taken her crown off and set it upon the wooden dresser. "You've meet him Mimi you must see some good?" Miyako questioned of her "Good? There is nothing about him that is good." She answered.

Miyako watched as she strode back and froth in the room. "You will wear your self out Mimi please take a seat." Miyako expressed with concern. "I'm fine." And sat on the windowsill she saw one horse's had taken off to the north then shortly after another it confused her. "I wonder who they could possibly be." She said out loud.

"Never mind that Mimi, you should get ready for dinner. You should not be stressed you have to build a good impression in front of the prince after all he is who you will be marring." Miyako lectured the princess turned away from the window to look at her lady in waiting.

"You know it is not that simple Miyako, some matters of the heart aren't so easily to get over just like that. It takes time." Miyako nodded at the princess "I understand you Mimi, do you need some time alone?" she asked. "I would appreciate it thank you Miyako." Mimi smiled light hearted at her and Miyako left the chambers.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Hikari sighed she waited patiently for Sora and she was not amuse that Sora had practically stood her up. "What on earth is there more important then me all the sudden??" she cried out loud.

"Ah Princess I have been looking for you." Hikari turned to see the Lord there. "Ah Lord Koushiro you have not met the Tachikawa royals, they arrived just this afternoon." said Hikari.

"I have heard news about their arrival although I am not that interested. The Prince where is he, he promised to meet me in the garden but never showed up." He complained he placed his hands on his hips and looked about. "I have suddenly lost my lady in waiting as well. And I thought that my brother would have gone to his chambers." Hikari frowned deeply.

"Shall we wait together then?" she asked he nodded.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Sora had just finished putting her dress on, Taichi finished putting on his blouse back on. "Taichi….this is bad I was to have met Hikari at this time." She cried she brushed off some grass that remained on her dress. "It will be okay, my father dose not suspect a thing…oh Koushiro…I forgot" he cried he looked around on the ground "My crown where did it go?" he searched until he found it a few feet away from where the blanket was spread.

"If someone saw us come out here, Taichi this isn't good I must go. What if Hikari figured this out what happened if we get caught…I don't want to think of the consequences." she cried Taichi grabbed her by her shoulders and looked into her eyes. "Nothing of that kind will happen. You have to trust me." He whispered, "I will fix anything that comes about but now we have to concentrate on getting back home. Go first then I will leave afterwards."

Sora nodded she was about to leave but Taichi didn't let her leave. "One more kiss before I see you in the evening." Taichi leaned in a bit and kissed her tenderly, as she did back to him.  "See you this evening." She whispered then she ran to her horse that was grazing.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Miyako knocked on Jyou's chambers door "Yes." He called from the other side. "It's me Lady Miyako."  The lady waited patiently as the locks on the door were being unlocked the door opened "Sir Jyou I am sorry to disrupt you." She said to him as she walked into his chambers. "It's okay."  He told her. "The princess has been down because of the betrothal, she really dose not wish to know Prince Taichi any further. Her heart is still for the Ishida Prince, Yamato." She told him.

He nodded agree "As I have witnessed." He took a seat on his bed. "But we will see maybe she will be happier to meet with Taichi more often as the days go on." Said Sir Jyou.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Dinner

The dinner was formal; Taichi and Mimi were seated beside each other. Taichi had an ill expression upon his face he obviously angry and not liking his spot where he sat. Hikari and Sora sat just on the other side of Lady Miyako.

The king and Queen sat on either end of the table; Sir Jyou sat opposite of Princess Mimi.

The table was quite during dinner, no one was going to speak until Hikari decided to say something. "Princess, have you enjoyed your few hours here at the Yagami Castle?"  She questioned. "I have, its very tranquil." She answered.

"It's good that you enjoy yourself." The king spoke now. "I would like to announce that there will be a ball held in honour of your betrothal." Taichi eyes widen he looked to his father shocked "WHAT!" he cried he stood from his chair.

"Son we must have a ball it will officially announce that you are engaged to the princess all the kingdoms will be invited." He continued to eat Taichi was enraged "I will not nor accept being engaged to the princess Tachikawa!" he shouted.

The princess then stood equally angry. "I will not to be married to him!" she cried "Among all he is the most disrespectful prince I have ever met in my life." She shouted

"Please calm down you two." Mimi sat back down Taichi remained standing. "Father there is no reason to set a ball up for something that is not wanted." He begun, "Some which is not wanted should not be forced upon the people."

"Force is not the word Taichi." His mother told him "This is a celebration of what's best for the land of Britannia; the Marriage between the two kingdoms will bring the rising of a new country."

Taichi was furious he sat down and continued to eat he had a sour expression his face. He wasn't at all amused. Hikari eyed her brother with worry. Sora sighed and continued her dinner.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

"Did you see his reaction Miyako, he shows no respect none at all!" Mimi cried she walked down the halls of the Yagami castle with her lady in waiting. Sora had followed them out side and was doing some spying as it were.

"Princess you should not take it to heart, I think he means well for fighting for both of your freedoms." Miyako had told her. "Means well or not, he is rude. And I for one will not stand for that." Miyako opened the door for the Princess and they entered their chambers.

Sora came from her hiding spot from behind a large potted plant she grinned at the news she had just received. Smiling, she quickly hurried back to Taichi's chambers to tell him what she had just fount out.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Hikari walked back to her chambers when she noticed some one enter into Taichi's chamber. She stopped then stood on the tip of her toes and tippy toed over to his chamber doors she then put her ear up against the door and listened.

There were muffled voices but she couldn't exactly make out who they belonged to she guessed on must be her brothers voice but the other was a bit sketchy.

Taichi's Chambers…

"You made a good first impression Taichi." Sora told him he smiled "I did and for the sole purpose that I do not encourage her any further." Sora nodded agreeing with him, "I over heard her talk with her lady in waiting and accordingly she is very upset of how rude you were." Sora told him promptly.

"Good." Taichi said he moved toward Lady Sora and put his hand upon her cheek, "she is after all not the one I love."  He leaned toward Sora's lips and kissed her. "Taichi…you know the consequence if we get caught." She whispered barely audible "and those are only if's. Nothing or no one will find out if we play it well." He reasoned and kissed her again.

To Be Continued. ….. .