I'm Princess Sakuno, the only daughter of my Father. I have seven older brothers, who all love me very much. I have a maid, who is also my best friend called Tomoka. She's been with me since when I was five. I also have a personal bodyguard, because I've nearly been kidnapped on several occasions. He has dark green hair and eyes that can see into your soul. His name is Ryoma. He is very quiet, except when he defends off people who try to harass me. Then he would mutter "Mada mada dane" under his breath.
I'm thirteen years of age, and Father says I was to be married in two years. It's very hard for him to choose my future-husband because he does not want me to live very far away, for he will miss me a lot. He was looking for men of Noble birth, so if I were to marry one of them, he could visit me easily.
I don't want to be married. Even though I am thirteen, I still feel young, too young to be married. I have confessed my fears in confidence of Tomoka, before I went to sleep.
"Tomo-chan, I'm afraid" I whispered. She was beside the bed that I was lying on. As she is a maid, she can't be on the same bed as me. However, I have a mattress for her beside my bed so her back won't hurt as much.
"Princess, there's nothing to be afraid of. Your Father would choose well." Tomoka whispered back.
"But, I want to experience real love. Not arranged marriage! I have read many books, talking about love, the passion that people feel. The love at first sight. I would never get to feel those. My husband is going to be dull and boring and expects me to be dutiful wife, and never steps out of the line."
Tomoka has already gone to sleep. My speeches often have that effect on her. I sneaked out of the bed, and walked to the door. Ryoma was sitting beside the door, dutifully. I called upon him.
"Echizen, are you not tired?"
He turned towards me, eyes bright as the stars. "No my lady, but you better get back inside before you catch a cold."
I shook my head, and sat beside him. It was a bit chilly, I was only wearing my night-gown, although well made, was not enough to defend off the cold. Ryoma took off his jacket and put it over my shoulder.
"My lady looks upset, is there anything I could help with?" He asked gently.
I looked at him, noticing how bright his eyes were. "Have you ever experienced love at first sight?"
He paused, and then looked away. "Yes my lady."
"Tell me the story." I requested
"There's nothing much to tell my lady. I saw a girl, the prettiest girl I've laid my eyes on, and then my heart stopped. I knew my heart was hers. "
"What happened next? How did she feel?"
"I don't know my lady; I don't know how she feels about me. She's a noble lady, she would never be mine." He looked at me; I was lost in his eyes. "But seeing her every day doesn't help either."
My heart stopped, was he talking about me? As if he knew what I was thinking, he smiled at me and gently stroked my cheek with his hand. I was lost in his eyes and smile, feeling the world spinning around. Was this love? I thought to myself. I've never experienced this feeling before, let alone knowing what it was. I inched my faced closer to him, slowly...
"Princess!" Tomoka's voiced rang inside my head. I opened my eyes, noticing how close my face was to Ryoma's. I turned around and saw Tomoka's shocked expression. I stood up and gave up Ryoma's jacket and walked back to my room without another word.
Outside, I could hear Tomoka hissing towards Ryoma. Ryoma didn't say anything back. It was purely a one-sided argument.
I was to marry Lord Kintaro, a noble man of age only seventeen. He'd got his title from his father, who died when Kintaro was sixteen. He had red hair and smile bright as day. He lived five minutes walking from the Palace, and Father was very pleased with the choice.
One week before the wedding, I was thinking about Ryoma all day. I had to see him, talk with him properly. One night, after Tomoka had gone to sleep, I walked up to him again. This time, nothing stopped us. His lips were moist and warm, and I was lost in his arms.
"Ryoma-kun, save me from this." I whispered into his ears.
He didn't say anything, but held me closer. I stayed in his arms for a while, then stood up. His hands grabbed onto my arms.
"My lady, I'm going to save you from this. I promise" He said. I smiled at what our future would be like.
On the day of the marriage, I was ready for Ryoma. As soon as he appears, we're going to elope together somewhere, and then we'll live happily ever after.
He never appeared; Kintaro and I wedded without any disturbance. Everything went smoothly. In our room, Kintaro smiled and held up a jacket. Ryoma's Jacket with his initials RE embroided on the side of the sleeves.
"My lady, I hope you don't have anything to do with this young man. He tried to come in, but he was too weak for my guards." Kintaro said.
I feel faint. Kintaro's smile was too bright. Kintaro went out to order the guards to destroy the jacket. As soon as he went out, I took the fruit knife that was on the table and plunge it into my heart.
"You're a stubborn girl aren't you?" The old lady asked.
"No, this was fate" I said confidently.
"You could've lead a happy life with Kintaro you know, why bother with this? " She asked again.
"Because, he's mine, and we will be together." I walked towards the end of the bridge, and never looked back.