The skin and muscles of her shoulder were on fire. Rin would have grimaced if she had the energy. This was almost as bad as being whipped.

I guess this means I'm not dead, was her first conscious thought. Then a memory, or at least the audio of it, played in her mind.

"I love her."

Now Rin had the energy to grimace. I said that because I thought I was going to die. Did I really say my last words only to live?

Not dying was a big inconvenience. Sooner or later she would have to wake up. Rin didn't know what she was going to say to Miku when she did.

MIKU?!

Rin's eyes flew open and she bolted upright. Crying out, Rin placed a hand on her shoulder as if it would help ease the throbbing pain. Eyes open now, Rin saw bandages wrapped from her shoulders down, stopping at and exposing her stomach, and an oversized pair of men's pajama pants covering her hips to her feet. The blanket that must have covered Rin was a discarded pile on the floor. She lied on a couch instead of a bed.

"It's about time you woke up," Head Juliet said, shutting her book, in the chair across from Rin. "You've been unconscious for three days. No surprise considering the amount of blood you lost, but you could have at least wakened up once to let us know how you were feeling."

Choosing to not voice the embarrassment she felt, Rin asked, "What happened?"

Head Juliet answered with a question of her own. "What's the last thing you remember?"

Thinking a little further back than her confessed love for Miku, Rin replied, "I remember . . . Cul had a crossbow. She killed Ms. Yuzuki. Shot her . . . ," Rin swallowed, "straight in the heart. Then she turned the blaster on me and called me a traitor. I got shot and passed out. That's the last thing I remember."

With a sigh, Head Juliet rubbed her temples and told Rin everything. After the Thorns fled and the living was separated from the dead, an investigation took place. Some of the academy's Juliets were contacted by the Thorns, a group of Juliets who wanted to overthrow the system.

"They made contact shortly after Gumi's execution, too," Head Juliet noted. "I'm not inclined to believe it was a coincidence."

Neither was Rin.

Head Juliet went on to tell how Master Tonio was able to connect Mistress Prima to the attack. The Thorns didn't know this, but Mistress Prima had been talking to their higher up for almost a year. She knew this was coming, but Mew getting shot wasn't part of the plan.

Mew awoke while Rin was in her own coma, and Mew explained she had been out of her rooms that night because she noticed an interference with her tablet as she tried to contact Master Tonio. She knew from the signs someone inside was trying to communicate to an outside force without the system picking up on it, so she went alone to investigate, telling Wil he didn't need to go with her since she would be fine. Only she caught Cul, Nana, and a few other Juliets in the act, and they caught her catching them, and Nana shot her to keep her from ever telling anyone, the action meant to kill but Mew stubbornly staying alive.

Because of the incident, plans had to escalate. The Thorns could no longer be a distraction but a true part of the plan. With the expected results the attack during the fundraiser caused, civil war might be on the horizon.

"But why a civil war?" Rin questioned. "If the Thorns aren't the real threat, then who is?"

"I don't know, Rin. All of this is far beyond my knowledge."

Chewing on her lower lip, Rin recounted to Head Juliet what she overheard Mistress Prima discussing with someone whose voice Rin didn't recognize. "Mistress Prima called her 'Empress.'"

Head Juliet furrowed her brows. "I didn't know there was a person alive someone as prideful as Prima would address as empress."

"Either way, I don't like to think where things may be starting to go from here." Rin slowly sat up and requested a drink. After Head Juliet handed Rin a glass of water and Rin took a sip, she asked, "What of the students?"

"A few casualties," Head Juliet answered, and Ms. Yuzuki's dead stare burned in the back of Rin's mind, "and most who were present were injured. It's why you're in my office instead of the hospital wing – we ran out of room for students, guests, and guards so we had to move some people into private chambers."

Rin thought she wasn't in the hospital wing because she was a Juliet, but she supposed the reasoning ultimately didn't matter.

"Cinderellas who aren't injured were sent home," Head Juliet continued. "All but two. The first is Ms. Campos, who worked undercover with Master Tonio this entire time."

Without having to give it much thought, Rin guessed at the second remaining Cinderella. "The other is Ms. Hatsune."

Nodding, Head Juliet said, "She won't leave without you, but you can't leave until the doctor thinks it's safe for you to travel. After all, this is the first time you woke up since you were found bleeding out in front of Ms. Hatsune."

And Ms. Yuzuki's corpse. Rin shuddered. She would never, ever be able to get the sight to flee her mind no matter how long she lived.

"You said Ms. Hatsune won't leave without me," Rin began, new questions rising. "What's becoming of Juliets who didn't turn? Why is Ms. Hatsune taking me?"

"We are rounding up the innocent Juliets and selling them to buyers in other continents before all of Artemis knows exactly what happened here." Head Juliet sagged against her chair. It seemed despite her hardened exterior, she really did care for all the girls and would be sad to see them go.

"As for you, Rin," it was the first time she called Rin by her given name since Rin came to the academy, "I suppose nobody told you that you belong to Ms. Hatsune now. You're her Juliet, and she's your mistress for real this time."

Miku blew her bangs out of her eyes as she focused on the painting before her. A lot had happened in the past few days, and she altered between binging and being unable to look at food. To settle her racing mind and raging emotions, Miku tried to relax herself with some much needed painting. It helped to calm her, even if it didn't take her completely out of what happened. Besides, she had a series of paintings to replace.

Every time Miku closed her eyes, she saw Gakuko's lifeless stare looking back at her. Miku had told Gakuko that she wouldn't die. Now she struggled to figure out how she would tell Luka before the pinkette heard from another source. More than that, Miku didn't know where she would find the strength. She already ignored Luka's last three calls, and she would have done the same with her parents if she could get away with it.

"Your dinner, Ms. Hatsune."

Dropping her hand, Miku turned towards the red-headed Alice as she set a plate of roasted duck, mashed potatoes, and steamed broccoli on her game table.

The Alice straightened and curtsied at Miku. "Would you also like dessert, ma'am?"

"A yogurt, please, with berries." Miku set the brush aside and stood.

She didn't miss the Alice raising a brow. Of course, she knew better than most servants what Miku's dessert preferences were. "Anything else, ma'am?"

"That will be all, thank you." Chewing on her lower lip, Miku called after the Alice as she walked away. When the Alice stopped, Miku asked, "What's your name?"

The Alice laughed without humor, but it wasn't a vicious sound. "I served you this whole school year, and you never once bothered to learn my name till now?"

"I'm beginning a little too late to start thinking of other girls by their names instead of 'the Alice' or 'the Juliet.'"

Thinking on it, the Alice smiled and answered, "My name's Teto."

Miku bowed her head. "I appreciate all the service you have done for me, Teto."

"It's been a pleasure, Ms. Hatsune." Teto curtsied, and this time felt more genuine than all the others before it. She turned to leave, walked a few steps, then stopped with her fingers hovering over the doorknob.

"That Juliet who followed you around," Teto began, "Rin . . . She's mighty brave."

It sounded as if Teto referred to things Miku herself didn't know about. Yet Miku still replied, "She is."

"I heard she's yours now." Teto made eye contact with Miku and maintained it as she said her last words before walking away. "Take good care of her."

After Teto had gone, Miku reached up to brush her hair behind her ear but stopped at the sight of paint on her fingers. Miku washed her hands, scrubbing them clean, and retrieved something from her dresser before sitting at the table with her dinner. Taking a small bite of mashed potatoes, Miku opened and read the letter she had already memorized by heart.

Miku,

It still pains me immensely that you have chosen to end our engagement. Perhaps you were right all along to keep it a secret, but even if only you and I know the pain in our hearts, my family can tell your desiring to see me no more cuts deeper than a mere breakup. I cannot decide whether or not to reveal the truth to them.

However, I shall respect your decision. Although I disagree that "we are not the right match," as you so bluntly put it, I won't fight to change your mind. It isn't easy, but I can't claim to have loved you if my attitude is so easily swayed.

Saying this, I have left with this letter the ownership papers for Juliet CV02, or Rin, as you call her. I didn't want to let her go free after being so convinced of her guilt that day, but I have since been informed that I am mistaken. She is of no use to me, and as you are so fond of her and asked for her specifically as an engagement gift, I give her to you. No longer an engagement gift, but still one I hope will ease whatever damage I caused in our relationship for you to call its abrupt end.

If you never change your mind about wanting to marry me, I will accept it with a heavy heart. However, I hope one day in the future, if fate ever brings us back together, we could at least be friends.

Forever yours,

Kaito

The first time Miku read the note, her heart fell. This wasn't a note from one lover to another. It wasn't even a note from one friend to another. The writing was too formal. Kaito wrote this note to Miku as if they were strangers.

Even though she was the one to break the engagement, Miku still felt hurt as if it was the other way around. There were times she regretted the decision, but Miku never called Kaito to tell him she changed her mind. She couldn't string him along when she herself didn't know what it was she felt nowadays.

"I love her."

It was what Rin said after she was shot. Rin probably said the words expecting them to be her last. Even more, the way Rin said those words didn't mean she loved Miku as a friend.

Letter folded and set aside, and head in her hands, Miku stared at her lap. In her own way, she loved Rin too. Yet it was far different then what she felt for Kaito, whom she never told she loved.

With Kaito, Miku felt longing and desire. She wanted to drown in his kisses. If they could have gotten away with it, she would have let him touch her all over as she ran her own hands down his arms and stomach. The internal pull was undeniable. Miku wasn't a good enough liar to ever convince herself that she wasn't attracted to Kaito.

Yet in a lot of ways, Miku's heart yearned truly for Rin. The quiet Juliet who slowly but surely became a fun, opiniated companion. Having the blonde close was a comfort Miku craved on deep yet innocent levels.

Miku didn't want to kiss Rin or anything like that and beyond. Yet Rin's presence sent Miku's heart racing. She was eager to see Rin in ways that were similar to her anticipation to see Kaito but somehow completely different altogether.

Is it even possible to fall in love with someone when you don't have physical feelings for them? Miku wondered. Rin once told her it was possible. It only then occurred to Miku that perhaps Rin spoke from personal experience.

There was so much Miku didn't understand.

"Your dessert, ma'am."

"Just leave it on the . . ." Miku trailed off, not knowing if her mind played tricks on her or if who she thought it was truly did just speak.

Slowly lifting her head from her hands, Miku turned her eyes towards the girl with the yogurt. A pale, thin thing in a dress that probably fit once upon a time but now hung too loosely on her frame stood by the door. She offered Miku a small, sad smile.

"Just leave it on the what, ma'am?" Rin asked as if this was just another normal exchange between them.

Instead of answering, Miku stood and rushed towards Rin. She tackled the girl in a hug, the force knocking the bowl of yogurt from Rin's hands and sending it crashing to the floor. There was so much Miku wanted to say, but as she held Rin close to her, all that would come out of her mouth were cries of relief.

Miku felt arms wrap around her and hold onto her just as tightly. Rin buried her face into Miku's shoulder and began to cry as well. Both girls sank to the floor, embracing each other and sobbing into each other.

Life would continue. Things would continue to transform. Yet until they had to resume living in the ever-changing world, the Juliet and the Cinderella would hold onto each other as if letting go was not an option.

Kaito threw his head back and closed his eyes. The hovercraft would take off shortly, but the takeoff didn't come fast enough. All Kaito wanted was to get as far away from the academy as soon as possible, yet every second there felt like an eternity to drag through.

Nobody tried to comfort him. Kaito was all right with that. They didn't know he was no longer engaged, not that anyone knew he was engaged at some point in the first place anyway.

Without seeing them, Kaito knew Kyo and Yuu were engaged in their silent conversation. Ona sat next to him, either on her tablet or staring off into the distance. With Mew recovering, she and Wil bowed out of this new mission to spend time at home. Kaito bid them a farewell the day before and gave the empty promise to keep in touch. Now all that was left to do was wait for Kiyoteru and Tonio so they could be off.

"I'm not going to give a fancy speech or anything of the like," Tonio said as he and their computer tech walked onto the hovercraft. Kaito peeked open an eye to watch the man put his bags into a compartment as he added, "All I'm going to say is from here on, things are going to go far beyond what I hoped it would."

"Where are we going?" Ona asked, powering off her tablet.

"We're going to be meeting with an old team of mine," Tonio answered. No longer Master Tonio, but just Tonio. With the Cinderella Academy being forced to shut down after such an attack with an uncomfortably long casualty list, there was no longer a reason for him to bear the headmaster title. "This is more than just a revolt. This is war on Artemis as a whole. If we're to put a stop to it before things get out of hand, we're going to need all the help we can get."

Kaito didn't know he was speaking until he heard himself. "And where is this old team of yours?"

Chuckling with little humor, Tonio sat down and looked his team over. "Let's just say I hope all of you packed extra coats."

Somewhere in the Winter Continent, a woman pulled her hooded jacket closer to her body as she shuffled through the snow in the dark. She cursed the bitter wind, which was colder than usual. Winter was coming quickly.

When she came to the bar, she extended a hand and knocked on the door. Someone spoke on the other side. "Password?"

Despite the tremor in her chest, the woman replied, "Ruby Red Rutabaga."

"We don't serve tea with sugar."

"That's all right. Black coffee is fine."

The door swung open, and a man who must have been seven feet tall stood in the entryway. There was a gnarled scar running down from his forehead to his chin. His biceps and thighs were bigger than her waist. His hair was a graying brown, and he had golden eyes that studied the woman before him. A half smile formed on his lips, probably at how humorous the sight before him was.

"This isn't a tea party, little lady," he said.

Ignoring him, the woman pushed past and walked into the warm building. Men and women glared at the new arrival. They watched the hooded figure walk in without visible fear and settle herself at the bar.

"Just rose water with lemon and lime," she ordered.

The bartender, a man with crimson hair and eyes, studied the woman a moment before requesting, "May I see your tattoo?"

With a huff, the woman extended her left arm to display the cerulean butterfly on her wrist. It shouldn't have mattered if she was a Juliet or an Alice or a Cinderella, but she supposed everyone had their prejudices. When the bartender was satisfied, she let her hand fall back on her lap.

All eyes were on her. It was strange enough for this woman they had never seen before to find this place and know the passwords, but it was even stranger to hear her "special order." This was no random woman.

"We were expecting a boy," the bartender said, eyes narrowing on the woman.

"My brother . . . won't be coming," the woman replied, tone flat. "Like it or not, but you're going to have to take me instead."

"I highly doubt you would fit right in."

"Why? Because I'm both young and a woman?"

The bartender didn't deny it. "Exactly. Why don't you stop trying to be a hero and go home to your family? We'll forgive you of your foolishness."

"My brother isn't coming," the woman repeated. "It's either me or nothing at all."

"This isn't a game, sweetheart."

The woman lifted her head so she could glare at the bartender. "Don't ever call me that."

"I think it's time you le—"

The big man from before placed a hand on her shoulder, and the woman reacted before he could finish. Pulling a hidden knife from her belt, she spun around and planted it into the big man's arm. As he cried out and pulled away, the woman jumped into a fighter's stance and had another blade ready.

"Touch me again and I won't miss your neck," she growled.

Hand covering his wound as blood gushed from around the knife, the man snarled, "Is that a threat?"

"More like a promise."

Seeing the big man had no intents to provoke her further, the woman straightened and looked around the room. She opened her mouth and announced, "I am my father's heir. Not my brother. Me, a young woman. I have come to take his place in the fight against the Benevolence. Like it or not, but I'm here to stay. Now, any questions?"

For a long moment, nobody spoke. They all studied the woman as she studied them. Finally, the bartender asked, "What's your name?"

The woman used her free hand to lower her hood, revealing her young and smooth face, fierce honey eyes, and brown hair cut to a bob. When she smirked, it appeared almost as if she was looking for trouble.

"It's a pleasure to make your acquaintance. I'm Sakine Meiko."

Author's Note: This is it, the end of the first book in the Juliet and Cinderella Chronicles! It was a long time coming, but it's done now. I'm honest-to-goodness crying as I write this author's note. Coming to an end of a story is always such a bittersweet feeling. This fanfic has been a part of my life for so long now, but it's time for this chapter to close.

That's why I'm excited to say book two in this series will begin publication later this year! I'm so eager to get out of the school setting and explore Artemis, all while developing Miku and Rin's relationship (everyone knew going into this fanfic they were end game, didn't they?), following new characters such as bad girl Meiko, and learning who, exactly, are the Benevolence. The ideas are flowing in unrestrained, and some are so interesting and challenging I have legit high hopes this will be a case where the sequel is better than the original which is so cocky of me to say because sequels rarely are better so yes high expectations.

If you want something to read while you wait for Blood Rose Book Two, hop over to my FictionPress account and check out my newly published novel A Masquerade Of Souls! This is my first venture into original novel writing, and it would mean the absolute world to me if you read, Followed, and left a review on the first chapter. Honestly, guys, I can't emphasize enough how much reviews mean to writers, so if you like any story you read, tell the author! We love it when people fangirl or fanboy over our work. Hell, we might even fangirl or fanboy with you!

Thank you so, so much to everyone who has stuck with Miku, Rin, and Kaito this long! Thank you to everyone who followed and/or favorited! A bigger thank you to those who left reviews, and the biggest thank you to Cristal for her amazing fan art I still can't believe exists that's how awesome it is! If you had a favorite scene or two in this fanfic, let me know. I would love to hear what part of this story stood out to you and has maybe even stayed with you long after you read it. If you're excited for the sequel or want to leave your first impressions on my girl Meiko, tell them to me!

Again, thank you for reading Blood Rose. I hope you had just as much fun reading it as I had writing it. I hope to see you all in book two!

Love and blessings!

- Fantastical