"na...ena….rena… EARTH TO RENA!
- What, what?! I'm right here! No need to yell.
- Sorry… but you didn't reply and I thought that you were still mad at me¾
- I was thinking.
- Oh and about what, may I ask?
- Mhm remember when we were kids, we used to argue with Shin and Melvin to see who would leave this place first.
- Yeah, so what about it?
- Naru, when I saw them leave today, I wanted to stop them but…
- Rena…"
Naru wanted to tell her it was okay, but she knew she'd lie. She said nothing and instead stayed quiet while watching at the night sky. It was their favourite place in the whole village. Here, they could be just them two together and alone. It's been nearly fifteen years now since they've found this meadow after they first joined the Tsukino's Orphanage. They were about three back then and didn't have much memories left besides Rena's locket and a dream about a black knight on a horse. More like a nightmare, she thought. She remembered how Shin and Melvin would try everything to make Rena laugh: she was always mad at everyone besides Naru and Mama Tsukino. They never gave up on her and one day, she laughed unexpectedly. Shin had accidentally pushed Melvin into the pigsty and he kept falling back in since it was so slippery. From then on, they were all like siblings and today they left. Shin was going to settle down with his wife in the nearby village while Melvin was being employed as the Royal Librarian.
"Ne, Naru, you know Mama told me once that the stars were all our ancestors guarding us. You think our real parents are up there?
- I don't know, but I do know one thing: they are very proud of us, even with all our craziness haha Now, what do you say we go in town tomorrow?
- Really? If this is another prank, I won't go!
- Nope, I heard there's going to be a parade and even maybe the royal highness himself might join in¾
- You mean that lazy prince for whom all the people are dying? No thank you, if I ever see his face I'd¾
- You'd kiss him haha!
- Eeeww, nooooooo, eew eew eew, now I feel like vomiting, and plus you never know maybe he's not even handsome so no thanksss!"
The next morning, when Serena woke up, she thought she was still dreaming. She could actually hear the parade's music from her room.
"Now, that's funny, maybe im more excited about it that I thought hehe, now go back to sleep mhmm ", she said before dropping back on her pillow.
"I think, that Naru left you behind Little missy", replied Mama Tsukino.
Serena screamed, jumped out bed, grabbed her cleanest dress and after a cold shower, ran through the woods for the town. She couldn't believe Naru would do it again. Ok, it was her fault to not wake up, but this was because of those weird dreams she was having again after all these years. Then, she heard them: hunting dogs. She had to run faster. The Tsukino's always told the kids to beware of the woods: the Dead Hunters would capture them and torture them as a sacrifice to their lord. So she ran to run. But, the faster she was running, the closer she felt they were. She thought of something then: climbing! They wouldn't get to her and she could wait up there safely.
She saw them from up there. Five horses. Five noblemen. They were handsome. She was relieved, they weren't the Dead Hunters. The Prince's men most likely, she thought. Then she saw him among them, a dark-haired man. He jumped off his horse to pick up something on the ground. Her locket. She couldn't go down there now; they'd think she was a spy and capture her. With her status, she would be in trouble, would say Naru. So, she'd have to let go of her only memory of her family. Please Sires, she thought, don't stop here. And then, she tripped. She opened her eyes to four very handsome men. They definitely were the prince's men, she concluded. And then they grabbed her of someone and pulled their swords towards her. Now, she was dead, Goodbye Naru, Mama, Papa, everyone, I'm about to join my ancestors, she thought.
"Wait everyone, it's just a kid, said the man she fell on.
Oh the dark-haired one, she thought while standing up, and wait did he just¾
- A lady.
- I beg your pardon?
- I'm a lady not a kid, sire.
- Listen, do you know who¾
- It's ok, Jade. She has the right to correct us; after all we were rude to her right Miss?
- I accept your apology Sire. I see the Prince's men aren't as bad as he is.
- Now she went to far. Are you insulting our Prince, said the silver- haired man.
Oops, Now im in trouble for real.
- I didn't mean to insult him, but everyone thinks that way about him. A useless, lazy and spoiled child. He only thinks about enjoying himself and doesn't even care about his duties. And I bet, he isn't even good looking. What a disgrace for us all.
- Hahahahaha, they all bursted out.
- May I know why you are all laughing?
- Listen Miss, Have you ever met or seen the prince? asked the long blond haired man.
- I don't¾
- Exactly, so I have no clue what he looks like, and what he does. So how can you, a poor lad, give any opinion on his royal highness? And you dare say you're a lady? Hahaha now that's quite impressive for someone like you, asked the other longhaired man but his were browner.
- I¾
- Enough of this Neph and Zois! I think we need to let the Prince handled this situation himself, don't you think? said the silver haired man while looking at the dark haired man.
She remained silent. She couldn't understand just what they were trying to say or do.
- I think she still doesn't get it, so why don't you tell her who is she talking to, Kun?
- Do you see this crest on our horses? It belongs to his highness's family. So if you still don't get it, the man you fell on is our Prince himself.
She took a moment to understand the situation and was so shocked that she remained silent. And then she realized they were waiting for her to say something: most likely an apology (though she didn't feel like it, but whatever, they'd leave if she'd say it)
- I'm sorry your highness, she said while curtsying. I only said what I heard and I truly didn't mean to insult you.
- Oh come on, now it's not funny anymore, replied the Prince. Why did you all have to give in? I was enjoying myself with all her criticism, now she'll giggle and run to her friends and fantasized about me. I mean couldn't you¾
- I beg your pardon, your highness but I still don't appreciate you and trust me when I say I won't fantasize about someone like you.
- Acting tough huh? Then tell me why did you go through all the trouble to fall just on me? I'm pretty sure you were spying on me right? No need to lie you know.
- I only hid from what I thought were the Headless Hunters and then I saw you. I was waiting for you to leave, but you stopped and picked up something that is mine. And I tripped. So, now that you know I'm not a spy or a fan girl, can I get my locket back please?
- Wow, I think you are making up this whole story. Every single woman in this whole kingdom dream about becoming my lover, so now you, a poorly dressed girl, lie by inventing this Dead Hunters story?
- It's true. Papa said that they stopped outside the orphanage gates once. They were looking for something and he said one of them had a lifeless body on his horse. The dogs were more like wolves and Papa got scared, so he hid in the bushes. And then he heard an animal scream and when he turned to look where they were, they had vanished. And that's when he told to beware of the woods. So now my lord, can I get my locket? I'm late for the parade so please I promise I won't say anything about you anymore.
He was frustrated, she could see it. Though, she didn't know why. She saw him jumping on his horse and so did his guards.
- I'm keeping this. Let's go!
- But, my locket¾
- If you want it, come get it yourself. Though I'm pretty sure you stole it.
- I'm not a thief, it's MINE!
- Poor as you look, it's impossible that you own something so pretty. It's mine now, he said with a big smile on his face".
And they left. She stood there still. She couldn't believe the Prince just stole her locket. She hated him more than anything now. Then, she felt warm drops on her face: she was crying. She just lost the only clue that could have led her to the family. She knew Naru would get mad at her. Naru, she thought, I have to get to her. By the time she saw Naru, her tears had dried. She told her everything and all Naru had done, was laugh at her face. She couldn't believe it. Naru thought she was lying.
"Rena, listen I know you are mad you are late but no need to invent any stories. Hahaha now that was a good one. You, out of all people, meeting the Prince Darien in the woods. And on top of that, he stole your locket. Now now, where do you get your ideas I tell you.
- There! Serena pointed towards something".
Naru was speechless. Serena was telling the truth. There, making his way through the crowd was the Prince on his horse. He was surrounded by all the girls in town. His guards were quite popular too but they weren't interested in them like their highness was. Then she saw it. The locket. He'd put it in around his sword. Why did he take that, she thought. Then, he took it out and held it in his palm. The royal announcer yelled: His highness, Prince Darien has an announcement to make.
Prince Darien had reached the fountain by then. He was quite good looking, she smirked by that thought.
"Naru, see I told you. I so hate him even more now.
- Rena I'm sorry. I should've believed you but who would have thought. And I mean why?
- Shh, It's ok. He's about to say something.
- As you may all know, soon will be the grand ball. I, Prince Darien, invite all of you, to join this ball. With the blessings of my father, I hereby declare that I will find your future queen during that very same ball. So be prepared, Elysion, to have a new princess, he said raising his hand in which Serena's locket was".
The crowd went berserk when they saw the locket. It meant the Prince would give this to the future queen as a gift. Serena knew then what they had to do to get it back. She turned to Naru and somehow knew by the look on her face that they were going to regret that thought: They had to go to the ball and steal the locket before the prince hands it to his future beloved.