I walk around the courtyard absentmindedly. Before, I wouldn't be allowed here, but now that Len and the others are gone, security in the castle has been extremely low and everyone is left with almost nothing to do. A few ministers visit to check on everything once in a while, but nothing really significant happens.
It has been a month since he left, since he said he loved me and promised he would be back. I can still recall his grinning face and the light tint of pink against his soft cheeks.
I cry. Who wouldn't with your love so far away from you? But even with those thoughts, I know that Len will never break his promise. It's sad not seeing him, I admit, but I manage to recall most of our conversations and I keep replaying them in my head, knowing that everything will be much better when he gets back.
Sometimes, the memories make me happy, because I know that he loves me, but they also make me sad, because they all seem so far away.
I keep reassuring myself that it will be fine and that I can manage without him for a while. I am a strong independent woman. Still, I feel so empty. I keep wishing for the days to come when Len will fill me up with happiness again.
Miku slowly climbed out of her window, making sure to make as little sound as possible. She quickly looked around to make sure no one saw her. Once she knew she was safe, she let out the breath she had been holding the whole time and walked across the courtyard carefully.
The stars twinkled mischievously above the castle, seeming to know of her plan and planning to tell on her. The moon shined its light on the path she was planning to take, almost as if wanting to ruin her plan.
A voice made her stop.
"Hey…stop. Did you hear something?"
Miku held her breath and pressed herself closer to the bush she was hiding behind.
"Nah. Maybe it was just a bird."
"Seriously, I heard something…"
The voices faded away until they were no longer heard. Miku peeked from her hiding place and saw two distant figures walking toward the back of the castle. She continued walking, crouching down lower, ignoring her aching feet and finding motivation in the gates close ahead. Fortunately, they were open, but a guard sat in front, obviously snoozing on the job. It was the first time she had ever thanked anyone for not doing their job.
Once she was at proper distance from the castle and concealed by a thick forest, she proclaimed, "Wow. Well, that wasn't that bad."
But she spoke too soon, because there was suddenly a hand covering her mouth and she was pretty sure this was no palace guard.
Rumors are starting to spread throughout the palace, causing havoc amongst the maids and servants. It must be because the royal family hasn't returned for so long, so they've been worrying too much and imagining things.
I heard one peculiar one today. It was not unlike the other rumors in terms of creativity, but it was so likely that I found myself believing it.
'They say Miku-hime has run away.'
If it was true, then Len would be devastated when he arrives there. And I don't think she can live in the outside world for long. I don't know who I should be more worried for, Len or Miku?
With Miku gone, Len would probably stay for a few more months to look for her. Or maybe he would come back first? Whatever he chooses, I trust him. He promised he would go back and I will believe in his promise even with the world crumbling down around me.
"What do you want from me?" Miku shouted at the guy that captured her.
"You know," He smiled at her, a bittersweet smile," you were the one running away. I just wanted to lend a hand. That's all."
"I was doing quite fine by myself." She declared, crossing her arms over her chest and lifting her chin up.
"Really?" He asked, sarcasm coating his voice. "Then I'm sure you knew that there was quicksand all over that forest."
He didn't miss the flash of surprise in her eyes. He smiled at her, a genuine one this time.
"I'm Kaito." He introduced, making a flourish, before continuing, "Nice meeting you, Miku-hime."
Miku lowered her head, ashamed. The reality of the situation had just hit her. She had run away from home, without any thought of where she was going to or what she was going to do. She almost died. She was saved by a strange blue-haired guy. She was far from home. She was never coming back.
"Hey, you okay?"
The voice was miles away. Everything was blurry and all she remembered were the hot tears flowing down her face and then, everything went black.
She was never going back.
The rumors are getting more and more ridiculous, yet I always find myself pondering on them.
'The prince is going to look for her.'
I keep telling myself that everything will be fine soon, that Len would come back and he would embrace me and apologize for leaving me for so long. Every night, I lay on my spring-filled bed and dream of him and me, going on long walks in the courtyard and he would pick a rose and compare me to it. At times, my dreams even go to the extent that I become a princess so that I can marry him and we would live happily ever after.
Which brings me to my current thoughts.
I could never marry Len. He's an elegant, well-bred prince, while I'm a lowly maid. Plus, he's pursuing the most perfect and kindest girl I've ever met and she's a princess.
I guess it just wasn't meant to be. I always knew it couldn't happen, that people like him and people like me are just not meant to be lovers.
People like him would find their happily ever afters in beautiful, kind and well-bred princesses and they would rule a kingdom and bear fruit to the kingdom's future heirs. Meanwhile, people like me will find their happily ever afters in doing their master's biddings and watching them grow into wonderful people.
How could we ever have a happily ever after?
Miku woke up and found herself in a strange room. There was a desk to the left, but it was bare and looked like it had never been touched before. The wooden floor was so clean that it almost shined against the sunlight from the small window in her right. The walls were white and, just like the desk and the floor, looked like they have never been touched.
The only thing that bared evidence that anyone lived here was the bookshelf a few feet from the bed. It proudly showcased its many books to her curious eyes with its shelves looking so wore down that it looked like it would give way to the books with the slightest movement.
She noticed that there was a door beside the bookshelf, but she was too exhausted to walk toward it. She was suddenly aware that there were footsteps nearing the door and she looked around to find any potential weapon, but found nothing useful.
Then the door opened and a blue-haired guy went in. "Oh, you're awake."
Seeing him made everything come back at her, full force. Running away. Almost dying. Getting kidnapped. Almost dying.
She felt nauseous.
"I brought you food." He said, nearing the bed, carefully balancing a tray of food with his hands.
She stared at it. There was a suspicious-looking soup on it that made her feel nauseous again. A piece of old, overcooked bread stood beside the bowl of soup and a glass of water at the right corner. She stared up at him.
"What?" He asked, putting the tray on the desk. "I can't help it if I can't satisfy your royal tastebuds."
She almost regretted even thinking of running away.
'He's going to come back here to check on some things.'
If it was even the slightest bit possible, I would have clung onto it, seeing as it was a chance to see Len again. If it was even a teeny bit plausible, I would have hung on it like I was above a seemingly endless cliff and that little rumor was a tiny piece of rope that could save my life.
But it's not. It's not possible. I keep forcing myself to believe that it can't happen and that Len is going to finish everything there before going back. And that Miku didn't even run away. And besides, even if she did, she would be easily found because she didn't have anywhere to go.
She has stayed in her castle her entire life and she is right there this very moment. She is going to stay put there until everything is settled. Until then, Len is not coming back.
At least, that's what I want myself to believe.
A/n: No. I'm not dead. Yes. It's true that Miku is not coming back. And no, I'm not giving any ideas if Len is coming back or not.