Revolutionary Girl Utena

Duel of the Thorns

Chapter Two: Bara no Ohji-sama

Another school day is ending, as students rush to their dorms or towards club meetings. The teachers begin gathering their materials in preparation of arranging their lesson plans for the next day. Teachers go to check their mail to see what messages they have received from their fellow instructors. The pink haired physical fitness instructor, Utena Tenjou, finds her box empty, save for a single sealed piece of stationery. Sealed in wax, the stamped impression is a circle of thorns. On the reverse side, is her name, written in fine calligraphy. "This is a strange letter.", Utena remarks, setting down her gradebooks and rosters. She opens the envelope and takes out the letter. Her eyes widen as she reads it.

To the Prince Who Keeps the Rose Seal,

You, who are engaged to the Rose Bride, I request an audience with you tomorrow evening at six.
We will meet at the place where the duels are fought.

There is much that I must speak with you concerning matters that you may currently be unaware.
I wish for you to understand this, that I have no intention of competing with you for the possession of the Rose Bride. At this time, I will not be your opponent. Already you have endured much from the Rose Duels. I merely wish to speak with you.

Until our meeting, I bid thee well

Prince Who Bears the Thorn Seal

Utena Tenjou shakes her head and lets out an exasperated sigh. "I thought this whole mess was over with. Don't tell me I got to deal with another group of duelists. I guess there's no avoiding this. Hopefully this Thorn Prince really wants only to talk, but somehow, I don't think it'll be as simple as that." The pink haired PE instructor sighs once more, then gathers her things and heads out. She would have to tell her roommate, Anthy, about the letter. An ominous feeling lingers around Utena, as the thoughts of another dreaded duel at Ohtori Academy lurks about. At least, for the time being, she might be able to get a straightfoward answer as to the meaning of all this. However, the way the letter is written, Utena wonders if perhaps the Rose Duels at Ohtori Academy weren't the only such duels. "Could it be that these kind of duels also took place somewhere else? The letter is from someone who claims to possess a Thorn Seal, and refered to me as the one who possess a Rose Seal. Also, he mentioned that he has no intention to win the Rose Bride. Could there really be another one of these duels with another bride?", Utena speculates silently.

Utena leaves the building and makes her way to the staff apartments. While walking, she wonders whether or not Anthy would know anything about this Thorn Prince. "I don't think Anthy will know anything, but it's worth asking.", Utena reflects to herself. The pink haired instructor stops in front of her door. She reaches into her pocket and takes out her keys and unlocks the door. "Anthy, I'm home.", she speaks entering. "Welcome home, Utena-sama.", Anthy greets while tending to their potted plants.

Utena sets her belongings down on her desk as she sits down to review her lessons plans for the next day. "Anthy, may I ask you something?" "Of course you may, Utena-sama.", Anthy replies. "You remember the duels, right, well did you ever hear about another duel like the ones we fought? A duel of thorns?", the champion of the rose inquires. Anthy turns her head to look at her groom. "No, I haven't. Why do you ask?"

Utena closes her class roster and takes out the envelope she had received. The wax seal...the words contained within...all bring forth deep and painful memories of the past. So many memories...and a battle she wishes not to relive. However, she could not simply ignore the words so written, and the warning writ. Like it or not, another battle may be at hand, and she and Anthy would undoubtedly have to return to the stage of blood and roses.

"I recieved a letter today in my inbox," Utena begins as she holds out the envelope for Anthy to examine, "it's from someone who claims to be the 'Prince Who Bears the Thorn Seal.' He wants to meet me tomorrow at the arena to talk." Anthy walks over to her master and takes the envelope from her. She gently slides the beautifully written letter out and studies it quietly. "Utena-sama, do you think that perhaps the letter could be a fake?", the rose scented maiden suggests. "It's a very unlikely possibility...I can't think of anyone who knows about these duels who would have any motivation to send me such a letter. I'd like to believe that this is just some sick joke...but I fear that another battle lies ahead of us."

The Rose Bride returns the envelope and letter to Utena, just as she had been presented. "We must go.", she remarks simply. Utena looks at Anthy and gives a weakened smile. "Do you really think that's neccessary? I don't think you need to come too. If what the letter says is true, he simply wants to talk. There's really no need for you to go.", Utena remarks. "I must go, it's my duty as the Rose Bride." Utena sighs. "I guess you're right. There's no way around it, is there? I guess it's for the best. I might need your support if things go wrong, and all this mess will probably involve you anyway."

That night, Utena rests uneasily. Sleep eludes her as her thoughts focus on the meeting she must attend the following evening. Worry and anxiety take hold of her heart, that had begun to heal from the wounds inflicted by the battle of the past. Anthy Himemiya, on the other hand, sleeps rather soundly and serenely. She sleeps as one without a care in the world, which may very well be true. Anthy, most of all, should be the one most heavily impacted by the petty duels, in which she was fought over like a trophy. However, instead the burden of sorrow rests heavily on Utena Tenjou. "If only..."