"I don't see what the big deal is," the princess grumbled to her maid as her corset was laced. "It's not like I'm the one who has to produce an heir after all. Machida has a wife and a baby on the way, why do I have to get married?"
"Oh Princess Haru," the maid said, pulling the strings one last time and tying them tight. "You complain about being ignored by everybody, and then when your Queen Naoko throws a ball just for you, you object to that as well!"
"I don't mind parties, Hiromi," Haru answered. "It's just the reasons behind them that irk me."
At least it wasn't for another month. She had that time to sort it out for herself, or simply sit through the whole ball listening to courtiers speak of politics, and be forced to pick the least boring one at the end of the night.
Everybody was going to be invited to the ball. It was ridiculous. Every man and his fifth-cousin by marriage would be there. Even those who were of no birth, but had made their way in the world by being sharp of mind.
Well, thought the princess to herself, at least in them there is some hope that I won't be too bored.
She wasn't about to hold her breath though.
At last, she was dressed and ready. Today, after having mentioned it to her mother, Haru would be escaping the palace for a while. No guards, no company even, it would be just her, a horse, and saddlebags with something to eat along the way.
Three hours later, the princess was wishing that she had better luck with horses. She was on foot, her black mare dancing ahead of her, teasing that she would never be able to catch it and get back on again. Normally, around the palace, it wasn't a problem. There was always someone there to catch the horse again for her when she had dismounted to have something to eat. Out here, there was no one so hospitable.
A sharp "HA!" sounded from the bushes beside her mare as a rope noose settled about the beauty's neck.
"Oh no," Haru breathed to herself, realising that someone was stealing her horse right in front of her.
A second noose went around the animal's neck from the other side of the path. The horse thief was not alone. When an arm snuck around her waist and a greasy voice whispered in her ear "Fine haul today, two beauties for us." Haru didn't think but screamed, all but giving up hope that any friendly ear might hear.
There was a sharp crack, and one of the ropes fell loose around her horse's neck. The sound of flapping and much cursing came from the other rope end before it too dropped.
"You made a mistake, thieving on my family's property," said a voice from behind, and Haru felt the arms around her waist slowly being removed. She moved quickly away and to her horse, reaching for the reigns to calm her down before she ran off all together.
A dull thud, and the sound of a body hitting the earth, caused the princess to turn, hoping that her captor, rather than her rescuer had fallen. She gasped at what she saw.
