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Cera: Rise of The Lost Princess

by: Sorrowful Princess

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- Life is unfair, but it becomes perfect when you learn to appreciate it.

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-x- Truth Unfold -x-

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He led me to the farthest yet brightest part of the castle. The lanterns here were bigger than the ones in the hallway, and there are little pots, with a few green on it. There was a small fountain by the side of the room, and up in front, was a chair. No, it was a throne. But unlike what I have expected, no one was seated on it. It was empty. And it felt cold, like someone I knew was once in there but now could no longer claim it.

He let go of my hand, and I took the chance to explore the room further. There were doors everywhere but I didn't bother to go through them. I have no idea what awaits beyond. This was the biggest room I've seen so far. And the coldest, despite of the lanterns hanging by the walls. I wandered around the room absent-mindedly until I abruptly stopped, eyes wide with the enormous structure before me.

It was a golden structure of a bird, having sharp claws and a very pointed beak. Still, it was not its enormous size, or its golden trimmings which looked so expensive, that kept my eyes bugging out. It was because I've seen it before. I know this bird.

I stared at it long and unspeaking.

"Yes, that was the bird that was carved on the medallion, wasn't it?" Ruka suddenly said, startling me a bit.

I gasped. "How did you know that?" then, remembering that I was the one who told him the descriptions of the medallion, I added, "What is it, anyway?"

Indeed, it was the same bird. But it doesn't look the same as the one I've seen on the medallion. This bird still has fire around it, but now, some sort of serpent was coiled all over its body, and around its neck, strangling it. It had 7 heads, each biting on the bird's body. One on its tail, two on its feet, two on its wings, one beneath its abdomen, and the last head, the biggest and the one having the longest and sharpest fangs, was positioned around its neck, about to sink its fangs on the bird's vulnerable neck. In other words, the bird looked as if it was being tortured... almost on the verge of death. I shuddered.

"The symbol of this Country: A phoenix. But in this world, we call it 'Cezara'." He looked up at the structure, and I did the same, absorbing it. "Cera's name was derived from it. It was sort of our God here." he continued.

"The serpent..." I said the word like I was disgusted---which is true, in a sense, because of its not-so-good appearance---and a little scared at the same time. "I haven't seen that thing before. Why was it coiled like that around the bird? It was like it's killing it." I continued, still staring at the bird. The serpent looked frightening enough. It looked like a monster. It was a monster.

Sadness and frustration crossed his face. "It symbolizes evil. We do not know how the serpent appeared, but we think it means that Cera is now on its darkest Era. Something bad is happening, and something very bad is about to happen."

My mind was already having difficulty processing what was happening. The medallion, the bird, the war, the Denitra, this man... I couldn't really understand anymore!

He knew what was written on the medallion; didn't seem to be surprised when I told him I was from another world; told me he already knew my name; told me he was honored finally meeting me; told me I was important; and told me that I should believe their explanation no matter what it was.

I put up my hand on my forehead and massaged both of my temples. "What the hell's going on?" I asked, almost a whisper. "How did you know all these things? What are the things to be explained?" I paused, closing my eyes and then opening them again with suddenly fierce eyes.

"Tell me already!" I snapped, letting my hand fall to my sides. I glared at him, calmness gone and annoyance taking its place, along with confusion and panic. "No, don't tell me. I don't care. Why should I? All these things are just giving me a headache! I couldn't understand a thing! The more I hope for an explanation, the more things get confusing and so complicated! You know what, I shouldn't have come here. I shouldn't have come with you! I want to go home! If you so knows so much, why can't you just return me to my world?!" I exploded, letting all my hidden emotions out.

He lowered his head apologetically. "I'm sorry, but you have nowhere to return to." he said quietly.

But I heard it. And I didn't like it.

"What the hell did you say?! I have nowhere to return to?" I clenched my fists. "Who are you to tell such thing to me? You don't even know me! I don't know you! Who are you to me?!"

But he didn't have the chance to answer.

"Silence," a deep, powerful voice said, and I turned around only to see a man with black eyes and jet black hair. Authority was evident in his voice and stance, and I could tell he was the one we were waiting for. The most powerful persona in Cera: The Denitra.

Without a word, Ruka kneeled before him and bowed his head.

"My lord, I believe I have finally found what we were looking for a long time now." he gestured to me.

What they were looking for? Me?

The Denitra nodded and gestured for him to stand. Ruka did so, still having his head bowed. I narrowed my eyes. I'm not so patient when it comes to formalities and such. But since the man in front was the most powerful in this country, and I don't like the idea of having my head cut off, I bowed my head, too, and shut my mouth, waiting for them to make the first moves.

"He was telling you the truth," was the Denitra's first words. This was it: The explanations I assumed would only make things worse. I looked up at him, and he looked back. "You really have nowhere to return to." he said flatly, and I clenched my fists again.

"What do you mean?" I forced my voice to sound even. "You're not planning to hold me up here forever as a slave, are you? Or was that really the case?" I said bitterly. I can't help myself. Not with me so wrecked up like this.

"We are planning something better than that. And you are much, much better, even too much for a slave."

"Your words made no sense to me." I spit out.

Surprisingly, his expression suddenly changed to something thoughtful. "I know," he said and then shifted his gaze to the man beside me. "Ruka, why don't you show her who you really are? It would make things easier to explain."

"Yes, my Lord." He then held up his hand in front of him, closed his eyes, muttered some unintelligible words, and in just a blink of an eye, a red light enveloped his body and vanished just as fast as it appeared. Then, he changed. The messy, dirty-faced man I've seen and been with the last few hours had suddenly turned into a clean, bright-faced man, clothed in an armor of gold and silver trimmings. A heavy-looking and powerful sword was sheathed on his side, and he held his head gear on his right hand. His blue eyes shone brightly and clearly, his blond hair fixed in a very astounding way.

He half-smiled when he saw my reaction towards his transformation, and I wanted to slap myself for acting like this. But I couldn't help myself. He's an exceptionally good-looking man. Just like that, he changed. From a dirty, almost-beggar look, to a very handsome, strong-willed looking man. I gasped. Wow. It was magic! For half a second, I forgot all my worries and anger. But then, all happy feelings don't stay as long as you think they do.

"He is the Arsonep." The Denitra broke the silence. "The one in command of the whole army. The highest place a man could attain." The Denitra had said and Ruka bowed again with pride.

I stood frozen in my place, still couldn't get over of the fact that the man I've been yelling a little while ago was the head of the Army. I wasn't scared. I was just... surprised. But still, knowing his identity doesn't answer any of my questions. What does it have to do with me?

"And you, Mikan," he continued, his voice so powerful I almost got intimidated if not for the 'How the hell did he know my name?' question bouncing like a rubber ball in the walls of my brain. He tightened his eyes, and I could tell he was about to tell something very, very important. "Are the Princess of Cera." he finished with a strong emphasis on the word 'princess'.

My eyes widened like extra-large plates, and my breath stopped traveling within my lungs. I couldn't move a finger, and I couldn't force the voice out of my already hanging-open mouth to speak. I was too shocked. Princess. What the hell does this freaking old man was saying? Me? Princess? That has got to be the sickest joke I've ever heard in my life! If it wasn't for the mere fact that everyone looked so dead serious here, I would've laughed by now. Except that it was not really funny.

"P-Princess?" I choked out when I had finally found my voice. "That was the sickest joke I've ever heard in my life."

With that, Ruka's head snapped up and spoke softly, "The Denitra doesn't joke, Mikan, Princess. And I would appreciate it a lot if you would at least show him a little bit of respect."

"No, no." The Denitra countered. "She's the Princess. She's on a much higher position than I am. Let her be. We should be the one to respect her, now that we had already revealed to her her true identity, and now that she was finally here to claim everything that was left for her a long time ago."

Ruka nodded and said, "Yes, My lord." He turned to me. "My apologies, Princess."

I creased my brows and glared at them. "Don't call me Princess! I am not your Princess!" I fumed.

"But you are," The Denitra had countered again.

I threw my hands up in the air. "I am not! Stop kidding around! I do not belong in this place! This is not my world! And I want to go home!" I shouted.

Ruka shot a meaningful look to the Denitra, seemingly asking for permission. The Denitra nodded, and Ruka turned to me, his eyes soft and soothing. "Please calm down, Princess. You must let us explain everything to you, so that you won't get confused. I know you don't understand a thing at this point of time, but I promise you, you will after you let us explain." he paused for a bit, expecting me to throw some bitter words at him, and when I didn't, he continued, "I would appreciate it a lot if you would listen to us open-mindedly, and if you refrain from shouting and throwing impolite words."

I took a deep breath to control my temper, and then spoke through my teeth, "Okay, explain." Listen. Fine. I can do that. But I don't think I can promise to believe what they were about to say. Refrain from shouting and throwing impolite words. I'll try my best.

There was a long pause after that. After a few moments, the story-telling began.

"Twenty years ago, this world was living at its peak. Everything was so right. So perfect." The Denitra spoke in a very far away voice, as if he was seeing again what everything looked like 2 decades ago. "All of the Kingdoms were swimming on a pool of wealth and happiness.

"Cera was the most powerful Kingdom that time, not just because it had the Cerica, but because of the way it was being ruled. King Izumi, your Father, ruled his country not by fear and power, but with love and wisdom. His people loved him very much."

I narrowed my eyes. My Father?! My father was the King?! Oh, c'mon, why are they feeding me all this impossibility and nonsense?!

"That's impossible," I said. "My real father lives outside this world, and his name is not Izumi, but Enrico. How could I be the King's daughter?! How could I be the Princess? I wasn't even born here, for Christ's sake!"

"Princess..." Ruka reminded me in a low voice.

"I know!" I snapped, then took a deep breath. "Okay, I'll shut up." I said, more composed this time.

"King Izumi was married to a very beautiful and lovely woman. She was kind, and she loved her people as much as they loved her back. She, your mother, was named Yuka, the Queen of Cera."

I rolled my eyes. Now he was talking about my 'so called mother'. Great.

"When the Queen was found out being pregnant, the whole Kingdom rejoiced, anticipating the birth of the next heir, of the next King. But they haven't anticipated that something so strange would happen. When the Queen had finally delivered what was inside her, everyone was surprised. Surprised, because it was not the next King like they have assumed, or the Prince. It was a girl; a Princess. Then even more surprised, when the Queen had delivered yet another child just a few seconds after the first one. It was another girl. Another Princess. The Kingdom had rejoiced again for the birth of the Twin. Of the two Princesses. The second child, you, was named Mikan. And the first child, your twin, was named Nikan."

I have a twin? Okay, that wasn't sick... It was the craziest thing I have ever heard in my life! Nikan, huh? Well, I must admit that our names were somehow related. I wonder what brought them to bother themselves to tell all these lies to me. I can't believe they've gone this far. And for what? I honestly couldn't think of a great reason.

"Another impossibility," I commented. "That was twenty years ago. I'm only seventeen. It was already clear to me that you are just making everything up. Stupid Liars." My voice sounded even this time, but with little acid at the end of the sentence, maybe because I know for myself that no matter what they say, there's no way I would actually believe them. After all this story-telling, I'll get the hell out of here and try to find a way home.

"We do not lie, Princess. Indeed, it was 20 years ago. But you must realize that worlds differ not just in appearance, but also in time. Now, could you please let me continue without you interrupting? I'm doing my best so that I could make you understand." The Denitra had said in a very patient voice, like he was talking to a nursery kid.

I snorted. Fine. I'll shut up. And when you're done, what do you say about letting me go, and perhaps, showing me the way back to my world? Huh. As if you would really do such favor to me. You had already declared you will not allow me to leave this place. So why ask for the favor? I'll just do it myself.

"The King and Queen were very happy to have both of you in their lives. They cared for you, loved you more than anyone else had ever imagined. Every now and then, the King would visit your rooms, checking if his precious twin was safe and comfortable in bed. When the two of you had reached the age of 2, the King ordered for you to be taught the art of Crisla, or should I say, the art of Magic. The two of you learned so fast and well, and it had amazed the whole kingdom. The King had been so proud to announce, that his children were exceptionally skilled even at a very young age. Everything went so well. The King and Queen were so grateful that Cezara had given them not just a child, but a twin.

"Three years later after your birth, Princess Nikan, your twin, happened to stumble upon an old Crisla book. That book was forbidden; a taboo. And so we had hid it in the darkest and coldest part of the castle. We do not know how the Princess managed to get there, but we believe she had used some of the spells she had learned. When the King had realized the Princess was missing, he ordered the guards to look for her. And they found her inside the dark room, a frozen expression pasted in her face, the book lying dead in her tiny hands.

"They got her out of there, worried by the look on her face. She looked so shocked, and her eyes looked frighteningly blank. She stayed in that condition for four long days, and when she had finally recovered, she smiled like nothing happened, and the King and Queen breathed in relief. She never told us what really happened, or what she saw in that room that made her so shocked. We had doubts, but since she seemed better than alright, we discarded the thought. That night, the whole Castle was finally able to sleep in peace. But that peacefulness didn't last for long.

"We heard screams. And those screams were not just any other scream. They were horrifying to listen at. Instinctively, the King went to your room, but you were the only one sleeping in bed. Princess Nikan was missing again. The King panicked and ordered again for the guards to look for your twin. This time, he'd gone with them. He wanted to be the one to see her daughter. The screams pierced their ears again and they traced where it was coming from. The King was so scared he might find his daughter lying dead at some part of the Palace. What only put him at ease was that the screams didn't sound as if they were coming from a three-year old girl. Rather, it was more like coming from adult men.

"The King urged for his guards to move faster, and they found out that the screams were coming from the Nitudo. It was like our kitchen here, only it was bigger. When they had finally reached the said place, everyone, including the King, wasn't able to speak a single word, nor make a sound. Their eyes were wide with horror, and their heart seemed like it had stopped beating.

"On the floor, seven guards lay unmoving and lifeless as they swam in their own pool of blood. One had a knife stuck in his chest, while the other one had his head smashed like a boiled potato, a couple of brains scattered. Others had their heads, arms, and legs cut off. Blood had spluttered all over the place, walls painted with agony. Every guard was brutally killed. But that was not the thing that made the King fall to his knees and cry as if he was losing his mind. It was the mere fact; that on the far corner of the room stood his daughter---your twin, Princess Nikan, with a horrifying smile playing on her lips. She was looking at the pile of corpse with such glee in her dark-shaded eyes. Yes, she was the one who murdered the seven guards. Yes, she was the one who killed them.

"The Princess had shifted her half-crazed eyes to the King and his guards, the same time the King had stood up from the ground. He was still crying, and his knees were still feeling weak. But he forced himself up, knowing deep inside him that his daughter must not be feared, that she needed him, more than anything else. But his guards did not feel the same way, and so, three of his guards had launched themselves before the King could stop them, order them.

"In just a flash, blood had spluttered again, but this time, the King had seen with his own eyes how his daughter kills. For a second, he feared her, but remembering that she needed him, he didn't take the chance to run away to save his life. He stood still, waiting for the brutal killings to stop. Princess Nikan had cut the three guards' head off with just her fist. That means she had cast a spell on her hand to perform such inhuman task. The King motioned for the rest of his guards to hold back and wait, and the guards had obeyed with disagreement and fear. Disagreement, because there was the possibility that the Princess might attack the King. They won't be able to protect him if they'll just stand back. And fear, because they know that they can't win against the Princess. Not with her in such a frenzied state.

"When the slaughter had finally skidded to a halt, the Princess looked again at the King with her half-crazed eyes. The King took a step forward, because he felt as if his daughter was calling him, mentally. But before he could reach her, the Princess had fainted, and the Palace was left with a very deafening and agonizing silence.

"Just then, we realized that the Princess lied about what happened in the dark room. I told you that the book was forbidden, and it wasn't forbidden for nothing. In that book, spells that were close to evil were written, and we could not allow anyone to read a single word from it, or to even open the cover and stare at the first page. The King, himself, didn't know or see what's really inside it.

"The King didn't. But the Princess did. And it was already too late when we found out. She had read the first page, the first spell written on its wicked paper, and she had accidentally cast a curse upon herself. She no longer acknowledges family, though she recognizes them. She no longer feels the love, the bond that was formed. She no longer cares for the King, the Queen, and even you, Princess Mikan,"---he shot a glance toward me--- "her twin. In fact, she wanted to kill all of you, just like what she did to those guards. She wanted to kill us all. That was all she wanted. Blood and death. She had turned into something evil herself.

"The King could not accept this fact, so was the Queen. And when we had suggested for Princess Nikan to be restrained, the King became furious, and said that we could not do such thing to his precious daughter, that she was still a three-year old girl, and that she was innocent, though I could tell that the King could see for himself that she was not the same person anymore. But the King's will couldn't be broken. We had no choice but to do as he says.

"The next night, another slaughter had taken place. And it was worse than the first. I won't tell much of the details because you might not be able to handle it, but I'll do tell you this: this time, 13 guards had been slaughtered, and the look on her face was much more horrifying than before. She was craving for more... for more bloody death. Finally, the King had lay down the order to restrain the Princess, though I could tell that he was unwilling. I could see how much pain he was going through. The responsibility to protect his people from danger, and the responsibility to his daughter: the responsibility of a father. It was too mortifying to think that the two responsibilities just can't get along, no matter how we force it to.

"We locked the Princess in a special room, protected by a spell so that she won't be able to escape and kill again. No one was allowed to see her, even the King, and that made him so frustrated and depressed that he won't even bother take his meals. The Queen had had a hard time, too, but she didn't let herself be crushed by the agony because she knew the King needed him. A month after the Princess' restraint, Princess Nikan had gone missing again. Yes, she had escaped. We don't know how, but we concluded one significant fact: she was going stronger... stronger than anyone had ever been in this world.

"The Princess' loss devastated the King and Queen. At first, we weren't able to talk to them. They were both stunned, and there were no words to describe the pain they've felt at that very moment. They were even painful to look at."

He took a deep breath; like he was now at the part he hated the most. And I stood here, dumbfounded, at a loss for words. Everything that he was telling me was impossible. But...

"The King had ordered the whole army to look for her, and he grew more and more devastated as days picked up and yet there wasn't a single news about his daughter. He grew weaker and weaker, not paying attention to his own condition at all." He paused, gritting his teeth. "And then, Miura betrayed us. They launched a surprised attack, using the chaos and current distraction both as a shield and a weapon. A shield: because we could not fight back full force when every single guard was out looking for the Princess. And a weapon: because they knew it was the perfect time to unleash their hidden plans, when the King was weak and all.

"They had easily invaded the palace, killing everyone who was on their way. They found the King and his wife in this very room," he gestured around us, "and slaughtered them mercilessly. And I meant slaughtered, not killed, because they had not ended their lives easily. They tortured them first. The King of Miura was the one who stabbed the sword in your Father's chest, laughing triumphantly as he did. But your father knew he would die, and so he had left us his last order. And that order was to save you, Princess Mikan, from death.

"It was a death wish. And we had no plan to fail him. As quick as a lightning, we went to your room, and protected it with a barrier. But we knew that wasn't enough to keep the traitors from getting into your room and killing us all. We tried to think of a way to save you. Searching up to the very last cell of our brains what we could do to keep your heart beating. Just you. We didn't mind death that time. We were only just worried for you.

"And then the idea came up. Finally, we had thought of a way to save you. And that way was to send you to another world, so that you could escape death. We cast the spell as fast as we could. We would send you to another world; have you rooted in other woman's womb, have you reborn, so that you could live a normal, peaceful life in that world. But you would still be named Mikan, and you would still look the same. Only, you wouldn't be able to remember that you had once lived in this world, that you were a part of this place, and that you were the Princess of Cera.

"The spell was successfully laid, and you were suddenly enveloped by a red light. Then you were gone. But we had not sent you in that world alone. We sent the medallion with you, to follow you, wherever you go. You weren't able to see it at first, because it will only be visible to you in the right time. And that right time was the time when you were supposed to return, here in your world, in your real life. The Miura didn't know you exist, for they have found no evidence that you do. They didn't see you, nor heard of you. They thought there was only one Princess, the one that was missing. They stole the Cerica from us, and burned the palace as they left.

"A few had survived, and we gathered our strength and tried to start all over, building a new palace, recovering for all our loss. We passed the knowledge of your escape only to trustworthy people. We prepared for your return, casting a spell upon us that could make us use and understand whatever language you may someday speak of. We knew we won't be able to understand you, and the same applies to you, since you came from another world. We had prepared so much, anticipating what it would be like having you here again. As for your twin, Princess Nikan, we never saw her again."

He took another deep breath, relaxing, and I could tell the story-telling was finally finished.

Still... I couldn't move. I couldn't speak. I was too shocked, too stunned, too astounded with what I've heard. With what I've learned. My head is spinning because of everything that the Denitra had told me, and I felt sick. Not because I still wasn't able to make sense of it, but because everything felt so true. So real. And I hated it. I don't want to believe this. I can't.

"No," I said in a small, weak voice. "I don't believe this. This is not true. It was impossible. Still impossible. I don't believe this. I need to go home." I murmured in a lost, confused voice.

The Denitra became thoughtful again, trying to understand me. Sympathizing with me. "I know this is very hard for you, Princess Mikan. But you have to accept: you have nowhere to return to. And you must realize," he paused. "that you were not sent here. You were brought back. To your real world. To where you really belong."

"NO!!!" I snapped, furious. "For the tenth time, I'm telling tell you, I am not your goddamn Princess!!! I shouldn't have come here! I shouldn't have listened to you!" I shouted.

"Princess, you must accept the truth. If you still do not believe in what I have said, perhaps I should show you."

"No! I won't---" but I haven't had the chance to continue, for the images I feared had already flashed in my head like a movie. Everything he had said; everything he had described; I saw it all in my head. I saw the blood, the poor guards, the face of my twin, our room, and our parents. My real mom and dad. I saw it all and I couldn't take it. It all was true. And it was too much for me to handle.

"LIES!" I shouted when the image had finally stopped flashing in my head. "ALL LIES!" I clenched my fist hard, and I was already trembling. "I really shouldn't have come here! Just fucking bring me home!"

"You are the Princess, and you shall stay in your land. Your people need you, Princess Mikan." The Denitra said, still trying to be patient.

"I am not your Princess! How many times should I tell you that before you could stick that in your head?! Sure, I'm Mikan. But I'm not the one you were claiming me to be! I'm Mikan! Mikan Sakura! And this is not my freaking world! Do you hear me?! I'm Mikan Sakura!" I shouted breathlessly. I was already hysterical. Can't accept the fact. Shouldn't accept it no matter what. I need to go home. This is all just a bad dream.

"You were, but not anymore."

"Shut up! Shut up! Shut up! SHUT UP!!!" I exploded. "I don't wanna listen to you anymore! You're making me crazy! If you don't want to return me to my home, I'll do it myself!" I shouted and with that, I turned around and ran away from them as fast as I could. That's when the tears started falling. That's when I started crying. I couldn't take it. This was too much.

But I wasn't able to run too far, for Ruka had flitted in front of me in just a blur. I have forgotten his presence while the story was being told. But now that I saw him again, I remembered. And he was obviously not on my side. He won't let me go.

"I'm so sorry to do this to you, Princess. But we are doing this for your own good. I know this is very hard for you, but you have to be strong enough to hold on." he said in a soothing voice, his blue eyes soft.

I shrieked. "Out of my way, Ruka. I need to go home!" I meant the words to be hard and tough, but it only sounded weak and pathetic. I threw my fist at his chest, but he didn't seem to feel anything. Not with a thick armor covering his chest.

He held his hand to my face, and I couldn't help but stare at it. It was as if I was being controlled...

"I'm sorry, Princess."

His words fade out, and suddenly, blackness was eating up all the light. I passed out.

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to be continued...

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A/N: Say, what do you think about this chapter? Long, huh? But it's nothing compared to the upcoming chapters.

To the reviewers, thank you very much. Hope you keep on supporting.
Aakriti - man, thanks for those reviews. I mean, I love it. I'm so flattered. And no, I'm not an official writer. I just wish I were. But really, thank you.
Sapphire encrusted locket - thank you as well. About my original story, I could post it on fictionpress. As for the characters, sure, I will tell the real names as well as their features. But, only the characters that were already seen in the past chapters, alright?

Mikan = Yuri - no descriptions yet

Ruka = Aris - rare platinum eyes, with deep blue hair which shades are closer to black. (The rest of the description is the same as written in here)

Nikan = Yura - no descriptions yet

King Izumi = King Ricadus - no descriptions yet

Queen Yuka = Queen Yulera - no descriptions yet

Did I miss anyone? Just tell me. The others were still a secret.. And oh, worry not, readers. Natsume will definitely appear.

I'll review reply to others next chapter, alright? Have no time...

Review please.

Lovelots,

-Eurice-