Here is Chapter Four! Enjoy reading. Dear readers, I hope you all like it!!

Thank you very much to hannahfinella-chan, musicandlyrics, myrill, CrystalKitteN-MeW, sherea, 'orange-ideas', Ebony Glasse, -forsaken-girl- and ladalada for reviewing! I highly appreciate the reviews you sent!

DISCLAIMER: I do not own Gakuen Alice.

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CHAPTER FOUR

ESCAPE AND ENGAGEMENT

Mikan stared at herself in the mirror, carefully examining herself from head to toe. She was wearing a magenta-colored dress with tiny diamonds embedded along the waistline. The dress ended about 8 inches below her knees. Mikan was also wearing silver high-heeled shoes. It took time for her to learn how to walk in them. She was pretty much used to using only flats.

Although the dress was successful, her hair wasn't done yet! The maidservants left for the main hall after helping her dress. Jii-chan called them to help in the kitchen. It looked as if Jii-chan was more excited than Mikan!

She sighed and sat down on a stool, facing the mirror. Mikan was excited for tonight with all the tension hovering in the atmosphere in the castle. Everyone did a great part with helping decorating the castle. Mikan just wished the engagement will be successful.

While she was pondering over her thoughts, a knock came by the door. "Come in!" said Mikan excitedly. The doorknob turned but the door wouldn't open. "I'm coming!" said Mikan, walking toward the door. She grasped the doorknob and pulled.

"Misaki-san!" exclaimed Mikan as she clung to her cousin, Misaki. Misaki was wearing a pink dress like that of Mikan's. The theme for the party was pink and green so everyone was required to wear only clothes with shades of pink and green.

Misaki was carrying a brush, a comb and a pink barrette that had a Sakura flower as a design. "Mikan! You look so wonderful!" said Misaki, complementing Mikan as she twirled around for her cousin. "Thank you! You look really pretty too!" replied Mikan.

"Oh no, what time is it?" asked Misaki as she put down her things on the dresser. Mikan looked at the clock, hanging from the wall. "It's 3:24 already!" responded Mikan.

Misaki quickly grabbed Mikan's shoulders and pushed her into the stool. She hastily picked up the comb and started brushing Mikan's soft auburn hair. "Your mom asked me to fix your hair, you see," said Misaki. Mikan nodded and asked, "Do you think everything is going to be just fine later?"

Misaki stopped brushing and said, "Why do you ask?"

"I-It's just I have a feeling that something bad will happen later," answered Mikan nervously. Misaki stroked Mikan's head and said, "Don't worry. Nothing will go wrong."

- - -

Mikan looked at herself in the mirror. She didn't look like that little girl anymore who used to tie her hair into pigtails. Her hair was let down and curled. Misaki walked towards Mikan and placed the pink floral barrette just above her right ear.

"Mikan! You're so beautiful! When Natsume sees you, he'd flip!" said Misaki.

Mikan laughed nervously and sweat dropped. "Well, you stay here because if you go down, surely you'll get stampeded by a herd of maidservants panicking, running here and there! See you later!" said Misaki, waving goodbye to Mikan.

"Thank you!" called Mikan from the room.

She smiled to herself and looked into the mirror. She still had that feeling something bad will happen later in the engagement party.

'I hope you're right, Misaki-san… I hope you're right,' thought Mikan.

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Natsume's POV

I looked outside the window of this small carriage, thinking about what Ruka had told me earlier ago. Why did he tell me that? Take care of Mikan? I guessed that my best friend likes that annoying-looking little girl.

But I just can't ignore what he said. He obviously likes this little girl I'm going to be engaged with later! And the problem is I don't even love her or something like that. This engagement is all wrong! Ruka deserves her.

What am I thinking? My dad trusted me that I will stand by my decisions! I approved of this engagement and I would lose his trust if I told him I want this affair stopped. But what about Ruka?

I looked at my dad, sleeping on his seat in front of me. I wonder what his reaction would be if I didn't want to get engaged anymore. Would he be mad? Sad? Upset? Would he hate me? And what would my mom think about me? But what I'm scared of is what he's going to say if I told him I want this engagement stopped.

I guess he'd understand if I told him nicely and slowly.

But first, I need a plan.

I have to escape.

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Mikan's POV

6:30 PM

I looked at the grandfather clock here in the main hall. It said 6:30. The engagement is on after a few minutes. I'm feeling nervous and excited at the same time.

Then suddenly, someone tapped my shoulder. It was Hotaru.

"Hotaru! Wow! You look so cute!!!" I exclaimed as I embraced my best friend. She was wearing a spaghetti strapped purple gown that reached to the polished marble floor. She was carrying a beaded purse on her shoulder as well to match her dress.

To my surprise, Hotaru hugged me back. Her normal reaction would be to hit me with her baka gun. Then Hotaru suddenly took out her baka gun and pointed it at me. "Why? You want the baka gun?" asked Hotaru, looking at me with her emotionless purple eyes, as if she heard what I was thinking.

I raised my hands in defeat and shook my head. Hotaru smiled and put back her invention inside her purse. "Um, Hotaru? Why are you wearing purple?"

Hotaru raised an eyebrow and said, "Got a problem with purple?"

I shook my head again. I'm so scared she might bring out her baka gun again and hit me with it. The two of us sat down on two chintz armchairs that were set here in the main hall. We gazed at the wonderful work and effort everyone poured in to make the whole castle look this bright and beautiful.

There were 10 golden chandeliers hanging from the ceiling, and vines crawled on the beige-colored walls. Garlands and Sakura flowers emblazoned the four pillars of the main hall. There were those tiny glowing orbs I saw before; they were hovering above, a few inches away from the ceiling. The banisters of the grand staircase were covered with artificial vines and roses. Everything looked so lovely just like all the people gathered here in the main hall.

Long tables were set along the vine-covered walls. I could smell the aroma of food coming from the delicious-looking delicacies set on the tables.

The Alice royalties were mingling with other people. Everyone from the village was invited so this is going to be one memorable party for everyone. And one memorable event for Natsume and I.

I looked around and saw Misaki talking with my mom. I spotted some of my playmates back when I was in grade school and I also saw my dad talking with some of his good friends from other Kingdoms here in the land of Aliecila.

Everyone looked happy and satisfied with the work they've done here. I just hope everything goes smooth with the engagement.

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Kanji walked around the dense forest, panting from the distance he covered from walking from his house to the Alice Castle. His dad grounded him from going to the engagement party. But his dad knew that he can't stop his son from going because he was rebellious.

He was carrying a bouquet of roses for Princess Mikan. Little did Kanji know that the engagement was on. He expected that after what he did to Mikan yesterday, Mikan will tell her father to postpone the engagement and she will reveal to everyone in the party that he's a good-for-nothing nobody. Well, at least, that was what he thought.

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Mikan's POV

7:00 PM

The royal announcers went in line along the caste doors for the presentation of the guests of honors. Outside the castle were probably the royalties coming from different kingdoms in Aliecila, standing in line. I'm so excited to see them. I have no clue what their alices are like or what kind of clothes they wear.

The announcers held up their trumpets decorated with the Alice Kingdom banners. They inhaled a large amount of air and started to play their instruments.

I was required to stand in the bottom of the staircase. Because it is tradition in our Kingdom that when there will be an engagement, the Princess will stand by the bottom of the stairs and every guest of honor shall greet her.

I looked at the people inside the main hall. Everyone was clad in beautiful garments and they all had happy expressions on their faces. Hmm, maybe this night will not be too bad after all.

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Kanji stepped onto the stony steps in front of the open castle doors. He had an evil smile on his face.

"Presenting… Prince Kanji Takahashi from the Fire Kingdom!" said the royal announcer with respect.

When Kanji entered the main hall, with his chin held up high, his evil smile turned into a frown. He thought that everyone should be debating and arguing now why Mikan didn't approve of Natsume. He thought that by now, everyone's smiled should have been turned upside down.

He looked at the people, applauding and spotted his father beside Mikan's dad. His father glared at him and mouthed something like, "We'll talk later."

He walked nervously toward Princess Mikan who was smiling happily at him. She had that captivating smile that captured Kanji's heart in an instant.

"For you, Princess Mikan," he said smoothly as he took Mikan's hand and kissed it. Girls from the audience squealed. Mikan's cheeks turned a light shade of pink. Kanji stood up and bowed to her. He walked down and stood near the grandfather clock, still gazing at Mikan.

'If you haven't disposed of that Natsume, then I would have to do it myself,' thought Kanji.

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Natsume sat there quietly in his seat, carefully planning out his escape. He knew a great wizard that can help him with stopping the engagement. He had to stop the affair for his best friend and nothing can stop him now.

His plan was simple. First, he will sneak from the carriage after they arrive in the front garden of the castle where all the other vehicles were parked. He knew the place of the wizard and it was hidden among the forest here in the Alice Kingdom. Well, that's what he heard before from his father when he was eavesdropping a long time ago.

He will borrow an invisibility potion from the wizard. After that, he will return to the engagement and drink the potion before entering the castle. He will find Mikan in the crowd and try to tell her in private that he doesn't want to be engaged. He was sure that Mikan would understand since the two of them don't even love each other and this would be the first time they will meet.

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After the presentation of the royal families from the minor kingdoms of Aliecila, everyone proceeded to eat some cocktails prepared by the royal chefs. Mikan was eating gelatin along with Hotaru, and some of their good friends, Anna, Nonoko and Kokoroyomi.

"I'm so excited to see Prince Natsume! They say he's really handsome. You're so lucky Mikan!" said Anna excitedly. "This is like a fairytale! It's so romantic!" Nonoko chimed in. Hotaru rolled her eyes and continued eating a piece of garlic bread.

Kokoroyomi shook his head and said, "So what time will the Ecila Royalties arrive?"

As if on cue, the royal announcers put down what they were eating and marched towards the castle doors and readied their trumpets. Hotaru quickly pushed Mikan back to her place in the bottom of the staircase. The she took out her camera and took pictures of her best friend. Anna and Nonoko gave Mikan a thumbs-up as Mikan dusted her clothes. The Ecila Royalties have arrived. Earlier, she was nervous but now she was scared.

"Ladies and gentlemen, may I have your attention please!" said the royal announcer, "Presenting…. The Ecila Royalties!!!"

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OUTSIDE

Natsume stood by the carriage, looking at the large castle that was in front of him. Then his eyes moved towards Ruka who was now entering the castle when his name was announced.

"Time to escape," said Natsume to himself.

It was tradition that the Prince who will be engaged will be presented at the end. So that gave a lot of time for Natsume to escape.

It was very dark now. Only the light from the castle can be seen from outside. Some of the stars weren't visible in the evening sky. And the moon wasn't out as well.

'Perfect,' thought Natsume. He remembered that the forest was just north east from the castle. He quietly walked around the right side of the castle then checked whether his father was looking for him. His dad was standing and talking animatedly to Ruka's dad, waiting for their names to be announced.

Natsume continued walking north eastwards from the castle. Then he squinted through the dark but he still couldn't see anything.

Natsume bit his lower lip and raised his palm up. A small bright fire appeared. "There it is!" said Natsume. He looked to the far-end of the direction he was walking towards at. There was a worn out wooden sigh lying on the ground. The sign said 'BEWARE: DENSE FOREST' in bright red letters. Then in the bottom, it said in small white letters 'Turn back if you value your life'.

Natsume extinguished the fire. This was it. He's not going to have any second thoughts now.

'I'm sorry mom and dad… Ruka, don't worry. She'll surely remember you," said Natsume running towards the entrance to the forest. After a few seconds, the shadows completely enveloped Natsume in darkness.

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"Presenting… The King of the Ecila Kingdom and the father of Prince Natsume Hyuuga….. King Ryozo!" said the announcer. Loud applause erupted as King Ryozo entered the main hall. He looked to the far end of the hall and saw Mikan.

When he reached the end, he bowed to Mikan and said, "Natsume would be happy to have you, Princess Mikan!" Mikan smiled gently at him and said, "Thank you!"

The applause died down and everyone started whispering.

Then suddenly, a thought came thundering in Mikan's mind. There was something wrong. Something happened.

She looked to her left and saw Kokoroyomi shrugging hopelessly.

"Princes and princesses, ladies and gentlemen, I proudly present… The Prince of the Ecila Kingdom, Prince Natsume Hyuuga!" said the announcer.

The two announcers standing beside the door, gripped the golden handles and pulled them open with all their might.

"Welcome, Prince Natsume Hyuuga!"

The people gasped at what they saw, or should I say, at what they didn't see. There was nobody in the doorway! No Natsume!

Mikan's eyes widened of shock. She knew it! She had a feeling something will go wrong!

The people walked towards the door. The announcers scratched their heads and looked outside. "No one is outside, sir!" said one of the announcers, addressing to King Seiji.

Then all of a sudden, the main hall became quiet as King Seiji and Ryozo walked outside. King Ryozo looked as if he was going to break something into half.

"Where's my son?! Natsume?" he said, walking outside. He looked really worried.

King Seiji narrowed his eyes and looked at the royal guards who were busily eating some cakes, unknown of what was happening.

"WHAT ARE YOU ALL DOING?! GO FIND NATSUME NOW!" boomed King Seiji.

Mikan's POV

I stared at the open castle doors. I knew it! But nobody paid attention to what I felt! Where is he? Where could he be?

Where's Natsume?

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That's Chapter Four!!! I hope you all like it! Please kindly leave a review! Thanks! I will most likely update on Saturday. I promise that the next chapters will be longer and better! Thank you for reading! Take care! Ja ne!