The next day, I met with Izana in his office after breakfast. He was busy doing paperwork but looked up when he heard me enter.

"What did you want to see me about, Izana?"

"So, it's only Izana now?"

I tensed a little, I had gotten so used to not using his title. He didn't seem upset, but I figured I'd better apologize. "I'm sorry, my prince, I was only using your given name when I told Kimi who you were to me so she doesn't know you're a prince. I will go back to referring to you properly."

"There's no need. It's refreshing to hear someone other that my mother call me by that name."

I relaxed. "So what was it you wanted to talk about?"

"There are two things: First, I want you with me at all times till I can find an attendant for you. Second, I have been informed that the crown will be passed to me in three months time."

"You're going to be crowned King? That's wonderful!" I got enthusiastic just like I had whenever I heard good news. "I'm not surprised or anything but I am really happy for you!"

Izana smiled at me. "I'm glad you responded that way."

Now I was confused. "Why is my response so important?"

He stood up and walked over to me taking me in his arms. "Because, my dear Rin, once the coronation is done, I would like to make you my wife. If you will accept, of course."

"Of course I accept! Nothing would make me happier! I love you, Izana!"

"And I love you, Rin."

We shared a perfectly romantic kiss, but then Izana had to get back to work.

"What can I do to help?"

"You want to help?"

"I'm going to be Queen, aren't I? So I might as well get a head start on the responsibilities. Plus you want me to stay with you, right? I'm not just going to sit on my hands while you do all the work."

He smiled at me. "Looks like I fell in love with the right woman." He handed me a stack of papers. "Start with these and let me know when you're ready for more."

I went straight to work and it would be nothing but work for the next three months.

Finally, the coronation was done and Izana was now King. Now it was time for the ball. Naturally, Izana was swarmed by nobles wanting to congratulate him. I watched as everyone danced around the room.

"How come you're not dancing?" It was my father's voice.

I stood up to greet him. "Father! It's nice to see you again. How's Akira?"

"Six months pregnant and looking as lovely as ever."

"That's good to hear. Is she here tonight?"

"No, unfortunately. The doctor said she needs to stay in bed now till the baby is born. We've had a few scares."

"Well, I hope that the baby is born on time and healthy! You'll tell her I said hello once you return, I hope."

"Of course. Now, how would you like to dance with your old man?"

"I would love that."

My father and I danced for a few songs and he told me about how Takeo was starting to run through my training course I had in the old barn. My father mentioned that he didn't realize how difficult it actually was, I made it look so easy. I had to giggle at the thought of Takeo trying to run through it.

"So, I imagine you've been busy these past few months, but how is courting with the Prince, I mean King, going?"

"It's going well…" I felt a hand on my shoulder. We stopped dancing and I turned to see Mitsuhide.

"It's time, Lady Rin."

I looked back at my father. "I have something I need to do, but I'll try and talk with you again before you leave."

He gave me a nod.

I followed Mitsuhide to a room on the second floor that lead out to the balcony which overlooked the ballroom. It wasn't long after that when Izana arrived.

"Congratulations, My King." I gave a bow.

"Since when are you so formal?"

I stood up. "I just wanted to congratulate you properly."

"It's not like you."

"Then, congratulations, Izana." I smiled at him. "Is that better?"

"Much. Are you ready?"

"I think so. I'm curious to see my father's reaction."

"Then let's go find out." Izana offered me his arm and I took it.

We walked out of the room and stood at the center of balcony but close to the railings so everyone could see us. Izana clinked his champagne glass to get everyone's attention. The room quickly went silent and all eyes were on us.

"Thank you all for coming! This is a celebration of my becoming your new ruler! I promise to be just and fair!" People applauded in agreement. "My coronation is not the only reason we are celebrating tonight! I would like to introduce to you, Lady Rin! She is the woman who will become my wife and your Queen!" The room filled with applause.

I took Izana's arm as we went down to socialize so people could congratulate us. We were so swarmed I didn't get to talk to my father before he left.

After the ball was over, I went to my room and flopped on my bed still in my dress. There was a knock at the door.

"Come in!"

Kiki entered my room and I sat up on my bed.

"Lord Takashi asked me to give this to you."

"Thank you, Kiki." She turned to leave. "Kiki?"

"Yes?" She stopped and faced me again. "Who would you recommend as an attendant?"

"There are several good candidates, I could create a list for you if you would prefer."

"Please."

"You'll have it tomorrow."

"Thank you, Kiki."

She left and I flopped back down on the bed. I opened the letter and read it. My father was happy about my engagement and that he looked forward to the wedding. I folded the letter and placed it on my bedside table and passed out before I could find the strength to get up and get changed.

"AAAAAHHH!" I sat bolt upright. Hot tears flowed down my face as I wrapped my arms around myself.

"Lady Rin! Are you alright?!" the guardsman asked as he burst into the room.

"I-I…" My mouth didn't want to cooperate. My whole body shook.

"Don't worry, King Izana is on his way."

My nightmares were now much worse and thanks to my recent adventure, my mind had a whole new mess of memories to play with.

Moments later, Izana came in. He sat on the bed and took me in his arms.

"Do you want to tell me about it?" His voice was so calm.

All I could do was shake my head. I didn't have the strength to tell him about the horror that haunted my sleep.

"Then I'll stay till you're ready for me to go."

I don't know how long he held me and the last thing I remembered was laying my head against him.

I woke up by myself, but I was okay with that. I changed into a casual dress and began my day by working on more paperwork. There was a knock at the door.

"Enter!" Izana called.

The door opened and Kiki stepped in. "Sorry to bother you, Your Majesty. I'm just here to give Lady Rin my recommendations for attendants." She handed me the list.

"Thank you, Kiki."

"You're welcome, Lady Rin." She bowed and took her leave.

"I was taking care of that." Izana said with a sound of irritation.

"I know…" I told him a little shy. "You've just been so busy the past few months… I wanted something to take my mind off of my nightmares."

Izana let out a sigh. "Alright, but run it by me before you make your final decision."

"I will."

I gave the list a quick look over. There were only five names. Maybe this was going to be easier than I thought.

Over the next week, I met with each of the candidates and narrowed it down to two. I stood with them in the training courtyard and addressed them.

"I'm having a hard time deciding which of you I would like to have as my attendant, so I've come up with an idea." They both stood silent and waited for me to continue. "The two of you are going to spar one on one against someone." They both looked confident. "Are you ready to find out who your opponent will be?"

"Yes, M'lady." They said in unison.

"You will each be sparring with…"

"Me." Izana finished as he stepped out from the shadows.

I smiled. I had talked to Izana ahead of time. I figured, this way, he could see for himself how the men fought. He had also done some investigating into each man to be sure they were trustworthy.

Their eyes got big as the King approached. They quickly bowed.

"Who will my first opponent be?" He asked as he removed his cloak and sword then picked up a practice sword.

"Otake, let's see what you can do."

"Yes, M'lady."

I stepped back and watched as each of the men sparred with Izana. He beat the pants off of them of course but winning was never the point. Both of them had skill and would probably be a good challenge for me. Once the second match had concluded, Izana turned his attention to me.

"Either one would do well."

"Haru, I would like you to be my attendant."

"It would be an honor, M'lady."

"Haru, if I'm ever in need of another attendant, you will be my first choice."

Haru bowed and left. I turned back to Otake and Izana.

"There, now that's one less thing to worry about. Shall we get back to work?"

"Yes."

We spent the rest of the day doing paperwork and I was starting to feel better now that I knew I would have someone close by who could stand back to back with me if need be. This wasn't to say that I didn't enjoy being with Izana all the time, but it was only supposed to be until I found an attendant.

I finished my current stack of papers and set them gently on the floor. I stood up and stretched.

"You can be finished for tonight. Try and get some sleep." Izana told me.

"Don't you be staying up too late either. You need it just as much as I do because you've come to soothe me every night."

"I am only doing a few more then I'll retire for the night as well."

"Alright then. Goodnight, Izana."

"Goodnight, Rin."

My new attendant and I began the walk to my room.

"Are you having nightmares, Lady Rin?"

"Yes, I've had them since I was little. They were manageable before but thanks to my recent adventure they've become several times worse."

"I may know of a way to help, if you would like to hear it."

"I would."

"My mom used to have night terrors too. My sister would play the violin for her every night before she fell asleep and every time she woke up. They didn't go away but they became manageable."

"Night terrors?"

"That's what my mom called them. She always said when a nightmare scares you so much you become terrified, it's on a whole 'nother scale."

"Well it certainly makes sense. Does your sister live in Wistal?"

"Yes."

"Would you bring her here? I would love to give your idea a try. I'll stay with the guards just outside my door."

"But the King told you to get some sleep, is it alright if you delay his order?"

"If I don't then I'm sure to have another nightmare, or night terror, as you call it. If this works, then we can all get some much needed rest."

"Very well, once we reach your room I'll go get her."

"Thank you. I'll order the room next to mine be made ready for her."

As soon as we reached my room door, Otake took off to retrieve his sister. I chatted with the guards to pass the time. It was kind of funny to see them get flustered because I was talking with them. Otake returned quicker than expected.

"Lady Rin, may I introduce my sister, Asuka."

"It's wonderful to meet you, Asuka."

"It's an honour, M'lady." She gave a bow.

"Otake tells me you played the violin for your mother to help with night terrors." I liked the term 'night terrors' so I decided I was going to use it.

"Yes, but I believed my music only soothed her because I was her daughter."

"Will you still play for me? I would like to see if it helps."

"Of course. Anything I can do to help the future Queen."

I smiled at her. "Wonderful! Once I'm ready for bed I'll let you know."

She gave me a nod.

I turned to the guards. "Don't call for King Izana tonight unless I say so."

"But, M'lady, he ordered…"

"I know very well what he ordered. If I want to see if this works properly, I can't have him here. Besides, he needs his sleep just as much as I do. I'll make sure King Izana knows this was my idea."

"Very well, M'lady."

I entered my room, quickly got ready for bed, and then let Asuka in. I climbed into bed and let the sweet sound of the violin carry me to sleep.

"NOOOO!" I shot up gasping and sweating, but I wasn't as terrified or uncontrollably sobbing.

"Lady Rin!" The guard burst in.

"I'm alright." I felt my body shake a little from the adrenaline. "Wake Asuka please."

"I'm already here, Lady Rin." Asuka answered as she entered my room.

"That was fast."

"When you do something like this for several years, you kind of always have an ear out for it." I saw her position her violin on her shoulder. "Would you like the same song as before?"

"I don't think it matters, please play what you would like."

"Alright."

The sound of the violin graced the room and lulled me back off to sleep.