Chapter 3
Significant and Trivial Matters
He roamed through the foyers with a crammed mind. It had not been a good day for him. Designing his next maneuvers to overthrow the enemy with persistent generals was frustrating and trying. He yearned to take a nice nap and dream about the time where everything was at peace and there were no problems however that wouldn't transpire for he was a king. He had duties to fulfill.
As he rounded another corner, his eyes caught a familiar figure. It was a woman. He knew at one glance that she was melancholy. Her hazel orbs showed it. The King followed the direction of her eyes. He ended up staring at a portrait of himself, her, and another important person. He shook his head to stop the insufferable memories from filling his mind. The monarch positioned his russet eyes back at the mademoiselle.
''What's the matter?''
The lady shifted her gaze from the portrait to the King. ''Oh, nothing.''
He raised his eyebrows in dubious. ''Really?''
''Yes, really.''
''My Queen, truth be told, you are not a respectable deceiver.''
She sighed. ''Maybe I am not. Maybe I am.''
''You are hiding something from me. The look in your eyes speaks the truth.''
She slightly smirked. ''When did you become wise?''
Her sarcastic remark did not change the serious expression of the King. She closed her eyelids and sighed for the second time. The Queen afterwards opened her eyes. ''When will the cruelty end?''
''Soon, my dear.''
''I need to see her,'' she necessitated with pleading chocolate orbs.
''I as well desire to see her. It's been far too many years.''
''Why can't we bring her back to where she truly belongs?''
''You know as much as I do it's not safe. She'll be in danger,'' he said in the most consoling tone he could produce. ''Do not trouble yourself. It's not good for your wellbeing.''
''How can I not?''
''She is protected there. No one will expect she's hidden in that kingdom.''
The crowned mistress remained silent before speaking her true feelings. ''I miss her so much.''
~The Lost Princess~
The pink-haired miss revolved her head a tad to the left and ogled at the verdant ground. Anyone could tell by her appearance, she was flushed and flustered. Her fern green eyes abruptly lifted from the floor the minute Mikan's hand patted her head.
''It's ok if you don't want to tell me the reason for your tears,'' she said with a sincere smile. ''It's my fault for prying.''
The brunette brought back her hand. The child gazed at her with her jade orbs extensive as saucers. Mikan simply continued smiling.
''You know, it's not safe for a girl your age to be alone. You want me to take you home?''
The little girl softly nodded.
~The Lost Princess~
''You want me to what?'' Natsume questioned, checking if he heard correctly.
''I need you to go on a hunt for me.''
''What if I don't want to?''
''I'm not asking you, I'm ordering you,'' he said sternly. ''You are going on a hunt.''
''First of all, I never agreed to do your errand. I'm not some puppet you can control. And second, a hunt for what exactly?''
''A girl.''
''A girl?''
''A special girl.''
The raven-haired man burrowed his eyebrows. ''What's so special about this girl?''
''She is the key to end the conflict between Hyuuga and Yukihira Kingdom.''
''Tch, you're kidding me,'' Natsume replied skeptical. ''The war has been going on for years. How can one girl possibly end it?''
''The girl I want you to hunt down is the princess of Yukihira Kingdom, Yukihira Mikan.''
Natsume's crimson orbs expanded. He hadn't heard of that name for ages. Her name rung loudly, yet softly in his mind as if it was a never ending echo. To him, it was nostalgic. He knew her, but didn't really knew knew her. He recognized her title, but not her face. Natsume never met her before, yet thinking about her made his chest unnervingly tense. Nevertheless, he disregarded it and kept his composure in front of his uncle.
''The princess of Yukihira was killed a long time ago because of unknown food poison.''
''Hm.'' The King stood from his crimson chair and strutted around the lad's perimeter with a malicious grin. His adorned, royal cerise robe lightly brushed the floor's rubicund tiles. ''That's what everyone thought, isn't it?''
''Yea, because it did. You should remember,'' he stated. ''You were at the funeral.''
''That is true. I was there, on the other hand what's not correct is the supposition of the princess's death.''
''Are you saying she rose back to life?''
''The princess was never dead in the first place,'' he proclaimed.
Natsume gaped at his uncle with a doubting and disbelieving facade. ''You've been drinking again, haven't you?''
''I'm being damn serious,'' he responded with his teeth gritting. ''I have proof. Come, Persona!''
~The Lost Princess~
Small pebbles and large rocks were inadvertently recoiled to the far-off distance. Heavy footprints which belonged to a certain horse were imprinted on the rocky road. The passenger held on securely to the miss who was controlling the stallion's every movement.
''Can you tell me your name?'' Mikan gently requested.
''Takashi Miki,'' the pink-haired child demurely answered.
''What a pretty name!''
The girl's face reddened. ''T-thank you.''
Mikan mildly tugged the reins which caused Pepper to halt. She twisted her head therefore her tawny orbs met grassy ones.
''Do I go left or right?''
''Right.''
The brunette positioned her hazel eyes back on the pathway before lightly lashing Pepper through the gearshifts. She then hauled them slightly to the right and the mare trotted to the contracted lane.
''Mikan-san.''
''Yes?''
''I think I can tell you why I was crying now,'' Miki said and exhaled heavily.
''You don't have too if it's too personal.''
She ignored her offer. ''There's this boy.''
''A boy? Was he being mean to you?''
''No, he's my friend, but…I don't think of him just as a friend. Something more.''
''What do you mean?''
The rouge deepened on the lassie's façade. ''I think of him as…as a-''
''Brother?''
''No!'' Miki immediately spat.
Mikan blinked with oddity. ''Then what?''
''A…lover.''
It took several seconds for Mikan to process the gained information. When the data administered, her mouth curved into an enormous grin.
''A lover!'' she exclaimed with glee. ''How cute!''
The chestnut lass's proclamation caused Miki's cheeks to enflame even more. ''But my feelings…they don't matter.''
''Huh? Of course they do!'' Mikan balked.
''They don't because I'm a farm girl.''
''What does that have to do with how you feel about him?''
The pubescent's mouth opened, but no words were produced. Mikan rotated her head to see Miki. She witnessed her agitated façade before positioned her eyeballs back on the lane.
''He's from a very rich, powerful family who owns heaps of lands and can buy anything their hearts' desire, while I come from a family full of farmers and planters who have barely enough money to survive! How could a peasant like me deserve a fella like him?''
Mikan could preserve the misery and woe in the girl's voice. It was true that farmers received very little money for their work in the fields. The brunette knew since she and Narumi were also lowly waged agriculturalists. She knew Miki and her love were from two different worlds, but even so, the dissimilarity weren't of value to Mikan.
''Who cares?''
''What?''
''Who cares?'' Mikan repeated. ''Who cares!''
With adrenaline and slight exasperation rushing through her blood, she moderately whipped her horse with the leather bridles and vigorously shouted to the sky. Pepper stridently whinnied and began to robustly gallop.
~The Lost Princess~
Hollers of demands and unmentionable words bounced from wall to wall. They continued until a loud thud echoed. Groaning and moaning occurred.
Natsume intensely stared at the kowtowing man whom had his hands tied behind his back. He had blond locks which faintly reminded him of his best friend, eyes of a lavender floret, a pale face that in his opinion resembled a female, and wore garments the prince described only a poor peasant would wear. He trekked closer to the prisoner.
''How is this peasant proof?''
''Prince Natsume, do consider to call me something other than that. I'm much more than a good-for-nothing hillbilly.''
The recommendation made Natsume throw icy daggers at the captive. ''I'll call you whatever I want to call you, peasant. You should put in that thick skull of yours that I'm the prince of Hyuuga Kingdom, the next heir to the throne, not some scummy moron like you.''
The fiery-eyed lad shifted his scowl from the chap. ''What's his name, Persona?''
''Anju Narumi,'' he answered nonchalantly.
''Background?''
''He is a teacher at Alice Academy, a school where only Alices, students who acquire special abilities like you, are allowed.''
''I heard of that school. Ruka is a student there.''
''Nogi Ruka?'' Narumi blurted out. ''If he is the one you are talking about, he is a wonderful student! One of the bests! You know prince Natsume, you should attend Alice Academy!''
''I'm taught by famous scholars from around the world, not by insolent teachers like you.''
''Again with the name calling,'' he muttered with a sheepish grin.
''Anju Narumi has been accused of being a spy sent from Yukihira Kingdom to gain information about us,'' Natsume's uncle declared.
''Not to be rude, but you have no evidence of my supposed treachery, King Kuonji.''
Kuonji slyly smirked. His dark jade eyes showed such canniness and astuteness. ''Oh don't I?'' He heaved from his back pocket a rolled-up letter with a red ribbon holding it in place. He tugged the strip and it eventually floated to the floor. The letter unraveled and read:
Anju Narumi,
From the bottom of my heart and soul, I want to give my upmost appreciation to you. You have been diligently working for the good of Yukihira Kingdom and I am gratified. You are not only a trustworthy servant, but as well a reliable acquaintance. Please continue your productive efforts and keep your faith that the battle will soon end alive and strong.
Latterly, Queen Yuka has been pessimistic. Well she always had been since that day. How long has it been? Four years? Is she a grown woman now? Does she have her mother's beautiful face? Does she have my genial personality? Yuka and I miss her dearly. I ponder each and every day if it was an ethical idea to take her from the palace. I keep hope that it was the correct decision.
Sincerely,
Yukihira Izumi
''How did you get this letter?'' Narumi said with amplified pupils.
''Let's just say for now, the populace of Yukihira Kingdom slightly lowered,'' Kuonji answered with a malevolent smile.
Narumi growled. This is the reason why he hated Hyuuga Kingdom. They were merciless and unpitying. They would slaughter anyone-even innocent children- to take hold of what they desire. He clenched his tied-up hands. Wrath overpowered his body.
''Go to hell!''
He hoven his feet off the enamel floor and lunged towards the King of Hyuuga Kingdom. Just before he can reach centimeters of his enemy, Persona seized his arm and winched him up. Suddenly, black markings appeared on his wrist. Persona sneered as he saw the colorations. He then hurled him back to the ground. The victim groaned.
''Ugh, what the…w-what is on my arm?''
''I should tell you a little about Persona. He is an Alice. He acquires the Mark of Death Alice,'' Kuonji explained.
''Those marks I put on your arm will spread throughout your entire body and will worsen overtime,'' Persona stated. ''Eventually you will,'' Narumi didn't want to hear it,''die. ''
The last sentence seemed to echo in his mind. Narumi without a doubt didn't want to die. It was too early for him to go-hopefully-to heaven. He still wanted to do so many things. In addition, who would protect Mikan?
''Where is she? Where's the lost princess of Yukihira Kingdom?'' Kuonji interrogated.
''Like I would ever tell you!''
The Emperor lowered his head. He glowered directly at the tied-up blonde. Narumi kept his imperturbable equability.
''Whether you tell me or not, I'm going to have her in my clutches in the end and Yukihira Kingdom will fall,'' he lifted his physique to its original position. ''Persona!"
''Yes, your Highness?''
''Take him to the dungeon,'' he aggressively ordered. ''I'm done with him…for now.''
Persona nodded his head. He hauled the resisting Narumi off the floor, propped him on his shoulder, and departed. King Kuonji transferred his gaze to his nephew.
''There's my proof.''
Natsume kept silent. He was still staring at the door when he plainly asked his question. ''What's your plan exactly?''
''I will send soldiers to infiltrate villages and kingdoms; she will be brought to me, no matter what.''
''If you have soldiers, why are you asking me to find her?'' he probed with his pupils now contacting the King's.
''I fear my army is not that skilled and intelligent as you are. I have high confidence you will capture her first.''
The crimson-eyed lad scoffed. He didn't like flattery even if the statement may be true. ''I still don't understand the reason why you need that petty princess.''
''Don't you see, Natsume? Yukihira Mikan,'' the prince cringed at her name,'' is the daughter of Queen Yuka and that idiot, Izumi. ''
''So?''
''If we capture her, they will do everything I want them to do just to get there precious daughter back.''
''Like?''
''Yuka's hand in marriage,'' Natsume was about to retort. ''The reason why I want her to be my wife is so I can have her power.''
''Her power?''
''Yes, her power, well her Alice to be more exact,'' he clarified. ''Her Stealing Alice would be of great use to me. Hyuuga Kingdom could conquer all the kingdoms!''
Without warning, the door burst open. The uncle and his nephew snapped their head to see if it was an intruder. Their bodies slackened when it was simply two panting soldiers.
''We apologize for our rude entrance, your Highness,'' one of the fighters said, ''but we needed to tell you warriors from Yukihira Kingdom infiltrated Hyuuga Kingdom.''
Rage rose in Kuonji's emerald eyes. ''How did they enter our domain without getting slaughtered?''
The combatants gulped.
''We don't know, your Highness,'' the other soldier confessed.
''Go!'' he thundered.
''Yes, your Highness!''
In a flash, the binary troopers of Hyuuga Kingdom fled the throne room and headed to the uproar. Kuonji elevated his hand and messaged his temples. What a mess, he thought with his eyes bolted. The King then marched up the small amount of stairs and perched on his fire embossed chair. When he revealed his dark avocado orbs, he no longer saw the prince.
~The Lost Princess~
''Mikan!'' Miki screamed, gripping tightly on Mikan's waist. ''Stop! You're going too fast!''
''Miki, who cares that you're a peasant and he's a wealthy man!''
''Slow down! I'm going to fall! Mikan!''
The russet-eyed girl hauled Pepper's gearshifts which lowered her steed's speed. ''Sorry, I got carried away. I just love horseback riding.''
''It's a-alright.''
The corner of Mikan's lips marginally lifted into a tiny smile. ''Miki, even though I never experienced love…''
Mikan felt odd saying that. Awkward, even, but it was true. She never experienced love. Even though she was already sixteen-the age where girls got married and had kids-the auburn never felt attracted to someone in a romantic fashion. However somehow, that sort of love didn't feel foreign to her.
She took a deep inhalation and continued. ''Even though I never experienced love, I know that love is not based on status or wealth. It's based on true, genuine feelings. If he really loves you, he won't care about his and your two different worlds.''
''Do you really think so?'' she questioned.
''I know so.''
''But what if he does care about our two different worlds and doesn't like me for it.''
''Then it's his loss.''
''But-''
''Miki-chan, when you find the person you're destined to be with, that person will love you unconditionally.''
''Really?''
''Really.''
''Ah, we reached it-my house.''
The pink-haired girl was correct. Mikan looked and saw a wooden cottage that looked similar to hers. She smiled. She then withdrawn from Pepper and carried Miki back to Earth.
''Thank you, Mikan-san.''
''No problem!'' she responded with her thumbs up. ''Well, I'll catch you later then!''
Before long, the hazel-eyed lassie was back on her mount, galloping freely to her destination. The lake. She still needed to recover her bucket. Narumi carved that for her birthday. For something that seemed so insignificant to other individuals, it was precious to Mikan.
I hope it's still there, she thought. Out of the blue, a towering man on a black as midnight stallion-Mikan could tell the mount was much older than Pepper- zoomed in front her. She froze like a marble statue. Subsequently, her eyes enlarged as her russet irises caught the symbol on his long, flowing cape.
A sakura petal.
Abruptly, her eyelids shut. Another fail to recall memory frolicked in her head. She saw a colossal throne that was embedded with a rosy sakura petal. Afterwards, she witnessed a man who had the same symbol on his silky cloak. She tried to sort out the face of the male, but his façade was to blurry. Before she could scrutinize him furthermore, her eyes unwillingly fluttered open. He was still there-the anonymous fella on the horse. At that moment, Mikan realized, by his emblem, he was from Yukihira Kingdom; he was the enemy.
A.N. (11/19/11): I'm truly sorry for not updating for a long-very long-time! I will not take so much time for the next chapter, pinky promise!