Prince Yamato looked worried around they're surroundings. They were behind the horse's stable to what seemed to be a shack behind it. Inside the shack were a mattress and two chairs. The prince was thoroughly trusting Taichi he was worried he was plotting some evil to get rid of him so he could have princess Mimi to himself. But some how that though wasn't what he wanted at all.
"Okay," Taichi came back into the small hut and looked at the prince, "There is no sign of anyone so we are safe here."
"Safe from what Prince Taichi, I'm confused as to why we are in this little dirty infested shack. What is so top secret that we must discuss here in this? Unless it involves something that is illegal."
"I know you fancy Princess Mimi," he replied looking at Yamato who's expression changed to a shock he turned away avoiding looking Taichi in the eye.
"Who says that?" he questioned.
"No one, but I did see that little mishap in the courtyard earlier this day," he replied.
Yamato remembered his meeting with princess Mimi from earlier and shook his head he turned to face Taichi, "You shouldn't read into things that are none of your business," the prince then turned and went to the door and was about to open the door to the shack when Taichi shouted.
"WAIT! I beg of you to hear me out, I will stop speaking in riddle," Taichi said quickly.
This stopped Yamato from leaving and once again faced him, "Then speak."
"You are my only chance to having my own freedom," he said desperately, "You see, because I love another woman. Not Princess Mimi."
Yamato's eyes widened at this news, "You love some one else?" he asked.
Hikari sat in the library reading everything there was to know about the plaque that Koushiro had found out in the forest considering it was a real tale forbidding the exile of a Prince Taichi back in the past.
She frowned as she closed the fourth book that sat in front of her, "There has got to be some more information on this subject but why can't I find anything. Unless it is an foreshadowing of what is to come."
Koushiro joined her after a while. He sat down across from her, but he looked mystified.
"What the mater?" she questioned
"The plaque it's gone, it's not there any more, and there isn't even any trace of it. Like it was there for a few days then it vanished."
"What are you saying I saw it too, it look old and weathered it still got to be there it couldn't have just got up and left," Hikari cried looking at him.
"Maybe, maybe this is the work of a villain…a villain that was long ago ridden from Britannia only know to return for his revenge," Koushiro told her.
"Who? Who are you talking about? I don't know anything about villain's," Hikari said confused.
Koushiro got up suddenly and walked up to the bookshelf. He pulled out a book, "This will hold the answers we are looking for."
Hikari was highly skeptical and looked at the book in his hand. She reached out and took it in her hands and carried it to the table. Both of them sat down. Carefully she wiped away the layer of dust from the cover to reveal the title that read.
Dark Lords of Britannia"Your in love with another woman?" Yamato repeated. He was happy to hear the news but half shocked as well.
Taichi nodded, "I need you help to get this excuse of an marriage arrangement denied."
"That is too much for you to ask of me," Yamato began, "I can not stop you from going through with this marriage as much as you don't want it."
Taichi shook his head vigorously "You can! Don't you see, I know all about your love story with the Princess. You got to emphasize your love for her tonight at the ball while we dance. You have to show that you care."
Yamato glared at him, "how do you know about such private matters?" he questioned angry.
"Please do not argue with me. Will you please help me? I'm in desperate need to get out of this marriage. I can not go on ignoring – no denying my feelings to the one I truly love."
"Who is it that you speak of?" Yamato questioned curious. As he eyed Taichi carefully for any sign that he could be lying.
"You've met her once," he said looking about so no one was around, "My sister's lady in waiting."
Yamato immediately shouted, "You could be EXILED for that!"
"Keep your voice down please. I need you to tell me that you will help me, you will dance with Princess Mimi tonight. Forgive her and take her in your arms and tell her you are sorry."
Yamato eyed him and with a sigh, "You have my word."
"Thank you! You will not regret. My friend, just remember that tonight you talk to her and dance with her and maybe you will both make amends with you past mistakes."
Taichi dashed out of the cabin, Yamato following he stopped just short of going around the cabin. He smiled faintly feeling a great flood of relief sweep over him of hearing the words that he wanted to hear.
"I do not understand Koushiro, is this book supposed to help us? We don't even know what we should be looking for," she said flipping the book open.
"Actually, princess let me do the research. You do have a ball to get ready for," Koushiro said he closed the book and picked up cradling it between his arm and torso.
"But you have to go as well," she said giving him a firm look.
"I know but I wouldn't take as much of time to get ready, now go, I shall tell you if I found something interesting," he said motioning her forward.
"Alright then Lord, I will see you at the ball." She said then walked out of the door and down the hall toward her room.
Four hours were remaining until the ball, where the announcement would be made that Prince Taichi and Princess Mimi of Tachikawa kingdom will be engaged and wed the following year.
Sora grew fainter as the time approached to that ball, her hands sweated heavily she was nervous yet anxious. She knew something big was going to happen for both kingdoms tonight.
Hikari could sense there was something wrong, but she couldn't understand why Sora was so anxious, "Sora, what's wrong?" she asked.
"Oh nothing, Hikari, I promise you," she said placing her hands at her sides and looked into the mirror. "You know I think it looks good. The make up and all," she gestured at her eyes and lips. They were now colored violet for her eyes, and a deep red for her lips.
"Sora, you are changing the subjects!" Hikari cried she grabbed Sora's arm and turned her around to face him, "look at me and tell me nothing is bothering you."
"I swear it isn't, there is nothing wrong," Sora tore free her arm from Hikari's grasp, "if you will excuse me, I will get going to the party."
Hikari watched as Sora walked out of the room leaving her staring after her. A great dread filled her suddenly. This party wouldn't turn out as it is supposed to. She had a feeling some great secret might be reviled and that it had to do with Sora and her brother. So with her nerves in a twist she gathered herself and headed out her room toward the great ballroom.
"Jyou, I'm nervous I don't want to go through this at all," Mimi said she was dressed in her most finniest gown, it was light pink, sequence beads in blue and green flow down along the top.
"Princess act as yourself and I'm sure that you are going to have fun tonight were or not it is with the right person you prefer it to be with," Jyou said, in a comforting tone.
The princess merely sighed, "I will try."
Taichi who was dressed in his royal clothing had decide to take a stroll to Yamato's guest room and knocked on the door. He waited for a couple a minutes until he was able to hear muffled footsteps ascending towards the door.
When it opened, Yamato looked at him, "Prince can I help you?" he questioned.
"Yeah, if you don't mind could I come in for a second?" he asked, and then with out waiting for a reply he walked in. Yamato stood there for a moment then closed the door shut.
"I am trying to prepare myself for the ball, Taichi if you don't mind and make this meeting quick.." he said, trailing off as he saw the stern look upon the prince's face.
"You've got to mean it, I mean tonight is the night where you show off to Mimi's parents and tell them that you are the one that loves her and not I. So I can be with the woman who I love, please make it work." Taichi said, begging.
"Plead all the much with me Taichi I know what you want, and I pray to god that tonight won't be your downfall. There is only so much you can do until someone sees you two together," Yamato said, he wearily walked to the window.
"I will count on being careful don't worry, you worry about Princess Mimi and your relationship. I have to get going; promise me you will do as I asked?" Taichi questioned him.
"Okay, I will as you promised."
"You!" Daisuke and Takeru both startled one another; both were trying to sneak around toward Hikari's room of course.
Takeru smirked at his friend and turned his back to him, "We all know who is best suited for her," he said as he stroked his hair with his hands trying to calm it.
Daisuke raised an eyebrow at him, "We?" he said, incredulously. "What is that supposed to mean, Takeru?" he asked watching the blond thinking of what it seemed.
At that Takeru turned around red in the face. How dare he interrupt my walk I was going to see Hikari tonight before the dance! And now he wastes time trying to fight with me! He thought furious. He put a smile on his features trying to be polite, " My dear, dear friend. No hard feelings and all but I am the prince and as I said before I do stand a better chance then you."
Daisuke narrowed his eyes at his once friend. Lair if I ever seen one he thought. "Right dear friend, I should go now. And finish preparing for that ball after all it's going to start soon," he said then walked away from the prince Takeru who was still glowing red in anger.
The moon was a full this evening; the light shining off it lighted the entire area of the castles except in the ballroom where candles on the chandlers shone. Down on the dance floor there was a two long rectangular tables centered toward the main table who on one side sat Taichi's Parents and the other sate Mimi's parents and on either side of them were Taichi and Mimi who looked miserable.
Patrons streamed into the ballroom taking a seat at the one of the two long rectangular tables, which ever they were assigned. Soon everyone had gathered and waited for an announcement from the King or Queen.
King Yagami stood there was silence as he did and he then began to speak, " Welcome, Ladies and Gentlemen to our ball honoring the engagement of my son Prince Taichi Yagami to the daughter of our neighbors the Tachikawa's, Mimi." He paused briefly as the room exploded in applause.
People seemed to be very happy about this engagement Taichi thought miserably.
Mimi on the other hand stared at Yamato who looked like he was stabbed several timed in the heart. I'm sorry Yamato, for the pain I'm causing you. I love you a lot I really do. She thought to herself sadly.
"And now I would like to toast, to the good fortunes of Britannia, may we live in happiness for ever," he picked his glass of wine and held it high above him and everyone else did the same then he continued, " and our new country shall be born next moon."
Taichi and Mimi eyes both widened it was too fast for them. They thought it would be slower then that. It only gave them thirty days not even.
Taichi sank back in his seat his head hurt and he was feeling sick. His father sat down and they began to eat the food that had been placed just before everyone had walked into the ballroom.
Mimi picked at the food in her plate; she ate a bit but not a lot. She too was feeling troubled and upset. She made eye contact with Yamato but he turned away quickly as though her stare would turn him to stone.
Hikari was seated next to Taichi and Sora on the other side of her, "Taichi what's wrong?" she asked him.
"What's wrong? You are asking me?" he said in a whisper.
"Taichi it's for the best I really can't see what is wrong with Princess Mimi," Hikari said, she took a sip of her wine.
Taichi gave her a glare then turned to his plate and began to eat. Sora on the meanwhile she too was eating just trying to keep her mind off the round applause, it was huge it seemed that a lot of people wanted this engagement. She frowned thinking about it then picked her glass up and took a sip of wine.
Meanwhile Mimi was still having troubles looking at her true love with the comment that the night's festivies were about.
"I am worried about you Mimi. Are you sure you are okay?" Miyako said, worried that the princess might make a wrong decision and announce to all the people who have came to the ball that she was in love with Prince Yamato.
"I'm absolutely alright, really I am Miyako. I appreciate your concern though," Mimi looked down at her food and then attempted to take a bit of the chicken that was in her plate.
The night continued to roll along and the sooner it came to the announcement the more anxious the four were. Sora took a stroll around and talked to many of the guest, Taichi sat at the main table anxiously twiddling his thumbs and watching Yamato intensely as if to get him to make his move on Princess Mimi. Yamato felt the pressure from Taichi's staring impatiently and didn't do anything about it; he merely strolled around the ball as well, while Mimi was quietly sobbing her heart out to Miyako in the great halls.
Yamato saw that Sora was strolling around the ball talking to everyone merrily like she had no other care in the world, but he knew otherwise if Taichi was clear in his meaning of my sisters lady in waiting.
Sora smiled at him as she walked passed him. Yamato needed to know the truth all of it, how could he trust Taichi's word.
"Ah, Sora! Wait a moment," he said, turning sharply right after her.
She turned around to meet him face to face, " Yes?" she questioned.
"I would like to have a word if you don't mind."
The band had struck up a tune and soon the dance floor was reviled from under the dining tables that were pushed as side to make room.
This caused Taichi's parents and Mimi's parents to throw the two together and get them to dance.
"I hate this just as much as you do," Taichi replied as they danced both miserable to be even dancing with each other.
"Well, now that we are here, let me ask you something." She said, in a whisper, "Who is it this mysterious women that you love?"
Taichi pushed her back a bit in shock, "What?" he cried a loud.
"Jyou has informed me that you have someone else that you care deeply, though he hasn't told me who this women is," she said to him then catching Jyou's stare and winked at him.
"You are not going to be upset if I say, perhaps?" he asked, and continued to lead the dance.
"I won't care, I have my other interest." She said, thinking about Yamato.
"Yes I do have someone else that I care for, but her name you shall not know," he said, then leading her along the dance floor. Searching for Sora with his eyes.
Yamato and Sora were in the castle's garden the moonlight shone down on them and it was slightly breezy that evening.
"I need to know the truth," he said as if she knew that he knew about her and Taichi.
"Truth, what truth?" she asked giving him a skeptical look.
"The truth about you and Taichi."
Sora's eyes widened what she heard and was about to run back into the dinning hall. When the prince grabbed her by the arm before she could run. "What is the meaning of this? Your integrating me about something I don't know nothing about!" she cried and struggled to free herself from his grasp.
Yamato kept a firm grip on her arm as she struggled, "Here now Sora, I mean no harm. Taichi himself told me. I just need to know if what he said is for real. I promise I won't tell anyone."
Sora stopped her struggle and looked at him half shocked, "I'm sorry, Taichi has told you? I mean about him and I?" she questioned.
Yamato nodded, "I'm seeking verification, please."
Sora turned a round and walked a few feet away and glazed up at the stars, tears trickled down her cheeks and she turned to face Yamato, "It is true, I love him to death. And I would never want to let go of him but…"
"But you are scared that you will revile the truth. What is really going one right?" he questioned.
"Yes, I am."
"Everything will be fine, I'm working on a way with Taichi to end this marriage," he said. Then glided her back toward the dinning hall, "We shouldn't keep them waiting, Taichi and Mimi that is."
The two walked into the dinning hall and slowly made they're way through the dancing couples. Yamato tapped on Taichi's shoulder, "Do you mind that I fancy a dance with your fiancée?" he asked.
Taichi bowed out, as a gentleman should, "No problem."
"Lady Sora my I ask you to this dance?" Taichi asked as he gave her a wink. Assuring her it will be all right.
"Sure, Prince Taichi."
The two couple danced, but the switch of partners had not gone un noticed by the King and Queen of Yagami nor the king and queen of Tachikawa.
"What is the meaning of this!" whished the Mimi's father, "I don't' want my daughter to dance with that reckless prince!" he declared.
"Please I assure you that there is nothing to worry about its-" Taichi's father stopped mid-sentence as he looked at his son who was dancing with Sora, his heart almost stopped as he stared on in great shock.
Sora and Taichi had lost themselves in their own world with out one once of caution. And slowly drew in for a kiss, not any friendly kiss, but one of two lovers.
To Be Continued…