A.N.: Well, it seems there are very few fans of Red River. Either that or they aren't looking very hard. Anyway, here is the next chapter!
This is going to be a story with two endings. How does that work? Find out below.
Disclaimer: My name is not Chie Shinohara. Therefore, I do not own Red River/Anatolia Story.
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"Ha, haugh, hah, haugh, haa..." Her body sprang up from the bed, the covers dropping around her waist. A cool breeze touched her bare back faintly and she realized she was in the nude. She pulled her robe from the tangle of blankets and draped it on her shoulders, shaking the afterimages of her dream. The movement brought her...lover into her vision. Prince-King Kail Mursili lay beside her in deep slumber. Heat rose up her neck and flowed over her cheeks as she remember the night's activities. She drew up her knees and watched his chest rise and fall with each breath. Her frantic scramble awake hadn't disturbed him. Slowly, she slid her legs beneath the covers and turned to face the wall. One brick, two bricks, three bricks...the black lashes fell and she dropped back into dream.
She held the scraps of her dress tight against her body. Her knees scraped against the rough ground. Hadi and the girls rushed to her side.
"Oh, Princess Yuri!" Ryui and Shala pulled a blanket between them to keep her from prying eyes. Hadi wrapped a length of fabric around her body, pulled the ends, and fastened them at her shoulderblades. "There. Are you alright?"
Yuri smiled faintly, her brows tight with confusion. She nodded reassuringly to soothe her maids' worried expressions. The twins brought down the makeshift screen and folded the cloth.
"Oh, my!" cried Princess Aksham. "It seems those buttons weren't fixed properly, now were they?" A shoulder lifted and eyes flashed with faked sincerity. Titters erupted from the girls around the room. Queen Nakia smirked, her head held high. Inhale, exhale. Don't let these princesses scare you. You can't look intimidated. Yuri squared her shoulders and turned to Princess Aksham with an watery smile.
"Thank you for your concern, Princess Aksham." Yuri took a visibly shaky breathe and continued. "I'm fine...it was...I can't believe that happened." Princess Aksham nodded and rose gracefully to her feet.
"Yes. Your dress broke and fell to shreds! Your maids aren't very well trained if they can't spot a problem in the seems or such like." The aristocrat smiled gently. "But of course, you are a commoner. You didn't have much experience, it isn't your fault. Why don't you get rid of those incompetent maids and I'll give you a few of my own most trusted ladies, hmm?"
"My, what an offer, Princess Aksham. Don't you agree, my King?" Queen Nakis asked slyly. Kail started at being addressed. He watched Yuri's face and nodded reluctantly.
Princess Alexandra chose this moment to run to her beloved commoner. "Princess Yuri! Oh!" The chubby arms were thrown around Yuri's neck and sobs soon followed. Yuri looked down where the little princess buried her head into Yuri's chest. She smiled genuinely for the first time and patted the bright curls.
"I'm just fine, Princess Alexandra. Stop crying." Yuri drew the girl up and stepped towards Princess Aksham. "Thank you for the offer. I appreciate your generosity, but my maids are wonderful. They're usually very attentive. I'm sorry it had to happen today during our King's banquet and right in the middle of my dance." She turned to face her King on the dais. "Your majesty, please excuse the interruption. May I return to my chambers to dress properly for your banquet?"
Kail smiled, satisfied and filled with pride. Yes, she can. She can handle anything. No other would suit me as well as Yuri. "Yes, Yuri. Perhaps you will finish the dance when you return." Yuri smiled in return, full of pride herself.
"As you wish, your highness." She curtsied and left the room, the three girls following as her entourage.
