I must confess that Natalia is my least favorite to write. :(

Beginnings
By Neko-chan the Mewse
10/26/10

"It's okay, Father," It was so warm. How could she have been frightened of this? Natalia gently kissed the note she had written. It was the only thing she could leave for her father. She wanted him to know that she had been alright. "I'm not scared anymore. I'm free."

Natalia stared out her bedroom window listlessly. First Luke, then Tear—even Jade had vanished. Emperor Peony had caused quite the uproar over his missing colonel. She was so frightened. At this point, only a blind person could miss the fact that the ones disappearing were the ones who had saved the world.

"Natalia," she turned as her father seated himself next to her. "Are you alright?"

Natalia bit her lip hesitantly before slowly admitting, "I'm frightened. It's obvious that it's my friends and I that are being targeted. They've even managed to get Jade. I'll stand no chance if whatever took them comes to take me as well."

"I can double the guards around your room," King Ingobert offered.

"It would make me feel better," Natalia admitted, smiling at the king. No matter how good the abductors were, they would never get past all the guards without at least one of them raising an alarm. "It's just—it seems as if Jade went along with the disappearance. He definitely had a chance to tell Emperor Peony. What if my disappearance is necessary as well?"

"Natalia, you are the princess of Kimlasca—you are my daughter—" Natalia's eyes widened slightly at the intensity in her father's voice. "I would never let you go without a fight. If they really need you, they can ask through the official channels."

"I love you too, Father," she smiled and gently kissed his cheek. "I'll be alright for now. Why don't you get some work done?"

"That's a good idea. Would you like to join me?" the king invited. Natalia was tempted to accept but hesitantly shook her head instead. Something told her it wouldn't be a good idea to leave her room.

"I'm feeling a bit tired, so I thought I'd get some rest. Perhaps some other time?" Natalia offered.

"Yes, perhaps," her father agreed amicably. "Sleep well, Natalia."

"I will, Father," Natalia replied with a bright smile. The moment he left the room, she returned to brooding. No matter how many guards were around her room, she knew she wasn't safe. Jade was an expert at, well, everything, but surely he could evade capture and he had disappeared right inside the Malkuth palace!

The worst part of it all was that if her would-be captors asked nicely, she'd go along with them without a fuss. She wondered if that made her a terrible daughter for dismissing all of her father's worries. She just wanted to know and confirm with her own two eyes that her friends were safe and well. And if they weren't…well, the captors would be facing her arrows.

She really missed her friends. Being a princess was well and good but she craved that brief freedom she had experienced when she had helped save Auldrant. The ability to go where she wanted when she wanted—not always, but when she had places to be at least she wasn't surrounded by a group of guards. It had been nice, really nice, to travel amongst the people inconspicuously.

Natalia giggled and corrected her thought. Their group had been rather large, noisy, and not at all stealthy. They stood out from the crowd like a sunflower in a garden of roses. Still, it had been a form of freedom and she had enjoyed it.

I want to be free.

Natalia frowned to herself and brushed the thought off. She could never have that sort of freedom, not while she was a princess.

I want to be free.

She did…but what about her father? Her country? Natalia glanced down at her hands and had to do a double take. They were fading and she could see right through them. She took in a ragged breath, feeling her heart speed up in fear before she relaxed. She had already admitted to herself that she would go quietly.

I want to be free, but…Father.