…
Everything hurt and the ground was damp.
Amu groaned as her eyes fluttered open. The first thing she saw was a large caterpillar in front of her face, making her shriek in surprise as she scrambled to sit up.
Her first thought was that she was going to kill whoever left her on the ground. And then she took a second look at her surroundings.
She was still in the village, that she was sure of, but it looked nothing like she remembered; she didn't recognize anyone and their clothes seemed dated.
"W-Where am I?" The seamstress muttered as she slowly got to her feet. She spotted somebody coming out of a nearby store and reached out for them. "Excuse me…!"
Amu gasped as her hand went straight through the man's body and she reeled it back as quickly as possible. Taking another look at her hand, she noticed it seemed translucent; she could see it, but she could also see through it.
"Did…Did I die?" Amu questioned. "I couldn't have died! I only hit my head! Oh my goodness; I died, didn't I?! I'll never see my family again or attend Miki and Dia's weddings, or even mine!"
The pinkette found it difficult to breathe at that point.
"I'm dead, oh god," she shrieked, clutching at her hair desperately. "What am I going to do?!"
Suddenly, a trumpet sounded and Amu stopped panicking long enough to notice that a large crowd had gathered in the streets and everyone was staring up at the guardsmen that were riding through.
Amu's heart skipped a beat when she realized they were wearing the royal crest of Easter.
Two young women giggled next to her and she glanced at them curiously as one of them whispered loudly, "I can't wait to see the princess! She's so beautiful; I am quite jealous!"
"Forget her! Have you seen her fiancé? Now that is a fine piece of…"
"Eleanor!" Her friend interrupted, sounding scandalized even as she laughed. "You have a husband!"
"I'm married, not blind, Juliet."
Amu stopped listening to their conversation. Princess? Easter didn't have a princess since Ikuto was an only child and it couldn't have been Souko since she had been a maid before she married Aruto.
Suddenly, she put together the pieces. Out dated clothes? Spirit-like body? A sudden, unknown princess?
"Oh lord," muttered Amu. "Why does this have to happen to me?"
The trumpets sounded again and the pinkette looked up to see everyone throwing roses at a girl-who could only be the princess-up on a horse. She was easily the most beautiful girl Amu had ever laid eyes on, rivaling even Emiko and Utau.
She had milky white skin with a flawless complexion, making her pretty topaz eyes shine as her long, lavender hair fluttered in the wind. A pretty smile was on her elegantly poised face as she waved to those in the crowd.
"Hurrah for Princess Fortuna, hurrah," they cheered as she passed by.
Amu had her eyes on the princess, enchanted, and when she passed by the pinkette, it seemed like, for a split second, their eyes had met. But then Princess Fortuna continued her way down the cobbled street, oblivious to the translucent girl, who felt as if she had gotten the wind knocked out of her.
Instinct, for whatever reason, was telling her to follow the princess. Amu recognized the path they were taking was the one she often took back to the palace. She ran after the guards and leapt onto one of the spare horses with as much grace as a donkey rolling down a hill.
"Ooh, that's going to hurt tomorrow," groaned Amu as she petted the horse's mane. The horse shook its head as if it felt something grazing it even though the seamstress was invisible to all. "Sorry, but I need to get to the palace."
After several minutes of riding, the group arrived at the palace gates and even though she had seen it many times before, Amu still couldn't help but gawk at it. She would have remained on the horse all day admiring the scenery but Princess Fortuna let out a small squeak as she jumped off her horse, catching Amu's attention and making the guards scramble to help and scold her.
"You're a princess," said one of them. "You can't be doing such things or you'll be injured, milady."
"Injuries heal," dismissed Fortuna, her voice as smooth as silk. "I have never been harmed during my 'stunts', as my mother calls them, and I highly doubt I will, but if you are truly that worried, I shall be more cautious in the future."
"I only worry for your wellbeing, milady," replied the guard, bowing as he gestured towards the front doors. "Your mother and father are expecting you in the throne room, Your Highness."
"Thank you," said Fortuna, sighing softly as she walked into the palace. Amu was hot on her heels. "Goodness, I could live without all this over protectiveness…"
"Fortuna," a voice exclaimed suddenly, making both girls jump. "Oh, darling, you're home!"
Fortuna yelped as her father suddenly jumped from his throne and wrapped his arms around her. "P-Papa! Let go of me at once!"
"Darling, release our daughter," said a beautiful woman calmly as she approached the pair, an amused smile on her features. "She must be very tired after her long journey back home. Fortuna, love, how was Elika? Did you meet the prince like we asked you to?"
Fortuna pushed her father away. "Yes, Mama, I did, but I still fail to see why I must align myself with other royal heirs if I am already engaged."
"Just in case," replied the queen, smiling brightly. "Your fiancé has a tendency to…wander. You may love him, but how can you be entirely sure he returns your so-called feelings? To him, this is just another game. I do not want you to get hurt, my love, and I only desire the best for your future."
"There is no future for me without Yamada as my king," said Fortuna a bit harshly as she stared accusingly at her mother. "I know you do not approve of him, or rather the fact that his father turned down a marriage arrangement with you twenty years ago, but I love him dearly and I will not tolerate you badmouthing him. He is not perfect, but he is enough for me. And that reputation you go on about is simply a rumor you yourself concocted so please refrain yourself from sullying our family's name. You are not in court anymore."
She huffed and stormed down the hallway, ignoring her mother's flustered calls. Amu watched the scene in surprise. Just then, the seemingly perfect Princess Fortuna did not seem so perfect. Realizing she was going to lose track of the lavender-haired girl, Amu raced after her.
Fortuna was muttering under her breath when she made a sharp turn and shoved open the doors to her bedroom, making the white-haired girl on the bed jump up in surprise.
"Goodness, Fortuna," she exclaimed, placing a hand over her heart. "I am going to die of shock one day because of you. How was Elika? Did anything exciting happen?"
The princess chuckled. "You are so dramatic, Jewels. But anyways, I am not in the mood to gossip right now."
Jewels grimaced. "Did you run into your mother? What did she say this time?"
"She simply told me that it was in my best interests to entertain other suitors in case Yamada decides to live up to his nonexistent reputation of being a heartbreaker and leave me for another toy," replied Fortuna flatly. "We have been engaged since we were six years old! Does she really believe that we will just break something like that off?"
"Well, your mother is a bit…insane," said Jewels. "But she does love you, Fortuna, and only wants the best for you."
"I am aware of that," replied the lavender-haired girl as she plopped down on her bed next to her best friend. "I just wish that she would be more nonchalant about things. Is your mother this strict?"
"My mother is a loon," deadpanned Jewels. "She only wants me to bear grandchildren for her and will have me married to any man she sees. She offered ten goats to the elderly widower just the other day! Are you aware of how long it took for me to stop her? That woman is honestly something else!"
Fortuna laughed. "I suppose we both have determined mothers who are desperate to have us married off. I only wish my mother was as casual as yours. She only wants an heir that is the child of the most powerful man in the world. She does not think Yamada, or apparently any man, is that."
"Wow, talk about royal problems," remarked Amu as she leaned against the window, watching the two girls intently. "I still do not see why I am here; though the princess's voice does sound familiar…did I hear it in a dream? No…what was it?"
"Speaking of Yamada," drawled Jewels, smiling knowingly at the lavender-haired princess. "I happen to have some excellent gossip about him."
"Ah, yes, Jewels Marie, the kingdom's greatest source of information since Gabby Genia a century ago," said Fortuna sarcastically, rolling her eyes. Her best friend responded by playfully pushing her off of the bed.
"Do not be rude," she exclaimed. "I am the only source of information you have and, best friend or not, I am not obliged to tell you."
"So sensitive, are you not?" Fortuna remarked. "But you are correct; my apologies, Juliana, my love."
Jewels made a face, making the princess laugh. "I do hate my birth name; please do not ever use it again."
Fortuna laughed. "If you insist; so what was it you so desperately wanted to tell me?"
The white-haired maiden clapped her hands together and leaned forwards with a knowing smile on her pale face. "The negotiations in the Eastern Isles were a complete success and the Miyoko Kingdom has withdrawn from the war!"
"Why is that good news exactly?" Fortuna questioned. "I could be wrong, Jewels, but was it not the Miyoko Kingdom who started the war by senselessly attacking the nearby islands?"
Jewels sighed. "You are far too dimwitted sometimes, my love. Have you forgotten whose kingdom is in the East? Without the war occurring, who will have more time to visit you here?"
She waited patiently as Fortuna struggled to put together the pieces. Even Amu, who knew nothing about either of these two, could figure out what was the point of that bit of news.
At long last, realization dawned on her features. "Oh! With the Miyoko Kingdom no longer causing such trouble, there is no need for the Nelan Kingdom to hold the defense and Yamada can come to visit now!"
"Is that so?" Jewels feigned surprise, earning a look from her friend. "You will be absolutely dreadful at negotiations and subtle attacks as queen, Fortuna."
Fortuna sniffled. "I do not have to make you one of my ladies, you know."
"No, but I am already the maid of honor at your wedding and it is not too late to change the theme of it," reminded Jewels. "Pink clashes with your hair, does it not? It would be dreadful if your gown was such a color…"
"Alright, alright," said Fortuna, shaking her head. "Truce?" She held out her hand,
Her best friend smirked. "Alright, but I hope you are aware that I was the winner today."
"If it helps you sleep at night," remarked the princess. "I merely state my opinion and you…" She trailed off. Suddenly, her face lit up. "Yamada is visiting!"
"So it finally sunk in," drawled Jewels, looking amused as her best friend swooned and swayed around the room. "I do wonder how such an independent and adventurous girl like yourself can be so empty-minded at times."
"Oh, shush," exclaimed Fortuna. "As fun as it is to trade insults, we both have work to do. There have been a few mishaps by the mines and Father would like me to go with the guards to question the villagers nearby."
"Sounds boring," said Jewels. "I would accompany you but Mother arranged yet another meeting with a suitor. I only agreed to go because Father had a hand in selecting a suitor this time. Apparently, he is a very handsome nobleman but that could be a lie to convince me to go."
"How dreadful," mocked Fortuna as the two girls stood and walked out of the princess's bedroom. "I shall see you another time, my love."
She kissed her friend on the cheek before they headed in opposite directions. Instincts told Amu to follow the lavender-haired girl.
"Welcome back, Your Highness," greeted the stable workers, bowing when she entered and petted the mane of a nearby horse.
Fortuna smiled. "Thank you for the warm welcome. Are the guards ready for our departure?"
"Yes, Your Highness," they replied.
"Is Lord Lance not accompanying you today, Your Highness?" A maid asked as she watched the princess leap up onto her horse. "Oh, do be careful…"
"I am alright," assured Fortuna. "And no, he is not; why would he, if you do not mind me asking?"
"Not at all," replied the maid. "Your mother invited him to the palace three days ago and the rumor is that she has been discussing marriage negotiations."
Fortuna inhaled deeply. "Well, that is the first I have heard of this. Thank you for informing me. Please tell my mother that I would like to have a word with her once I am finished with my duties."
The maid curtseyed. "Yes, Your Highness. Please have a safe journey; your father wishes for you to be back before it becomes too dark out."
"I will be," promised Fortuna before she rode out of the stables, closely followed by a few of her guards. "Honestly, what is that woman doing with my life? Last I checked, it was my life after all…"
"Your Highness," murmured one of the guards. She jerked her head in his direction, broken out of her reverie. "We are approaching the village."
"We are?" Fortuna exclaimed. "Oh, we are; yes, thank you. My head was in the clouds, I am afraid. I apologize for my lack of attention."
"No apology necessary," he replied. "The other guards and I will be questioning the locals. Your Father wishes for you to speak with one of the mothers whose young boy went missing the other day."
Fortuna nodded and they parted ways. While it was dangerous and foolish to leave the princess alone, the village was rather small and there were plenty of guards within hearing distance if anything happened.
Amu, who had once again hitched a ride on a nearby horse, leaped off and followed the princess down the path. She picked up her dress to keep up with her, grumbling under her breath.
"Hello," greeted Fortuna kindly as she approached a small crowd outside a broken down house. "I came upon hearing news of a boy's disappearance. Is the mother here?" She jumped off of the horse.
"Yes, that would be me," said a woman quietly, stepping forward. She looked distraught and miserable as several people patted her back and said soothing words to her. "Did you find him yet?"
"No, I apologize," replied Fortuna. "I assure you, however, that my guards are out looking at this very moment. I was hoping you could tell me more about the day he vanished. By any chance, was he playing around the old mines nearby?"
"He was," confirmed the woman tearfully. "I always told James not to because he has always been afraid of the dark, but he never listened. He liked to play with the other boys in the village, especially the older ones, and they-the older boys, I mean-went down to the mine to play nearly every day."
"Do you remember what James had been doing that day up until he disappeared?" The princess questioned, still using a gentle voice.
The woman sniffled, nodding. "Yes…it had started out just the same as the day before; I would go out to get fresh milk from the cows while his sister, Rebecca, went out to the garden to pick some berries. They both adore strawberries-eat it every morning, they do…and I called James to wake him up. As usual, he refused to do so until Rebecca yanked his blanket away. After breakfast, Boris, one of his friends from across the village, came over and they chased each other around in the fields. Rebecca had been watching them until some of the older boys came and began to pick on her. She left after they poured dirty water on her and then began to talk to Boris and James, asking if they were brave enough to go for the mines. I told James to come in at that time but then one of the wild chickens raced by, causing such a ruckus that I and several others went to go catch it. When I came back, James was gone; he must have gone to the mines I figured and sent Rebecca to go fetch him. She came running back with the other boys, yelling that the mines had collapsed and James was missing."
The woman burst into a new round of sobs. "Oh, I should have done something! And oh, Rebecca, my poor girl! She is just as distraught, telling everybody that it's her fault! I pray to the gods that he is alright, for my sake as well as hers!" The people around her held her as she cried, whispering words of comfort in her ear.
Fortuna blinked, surprised by the tears in her eyes. Of course she was touched by the story; she would react similarly if May went missing.
"We will find him," she assured. "I deeply regret that this had happened and I would appreciate it everybody cooperated so that we may find young James sooner. Do you think I could speak with Rebecca?"
One of the young girls pointed down the path. "She's over by the well not too far from here. She just finished telling off the boys again."
"Thank you very much," replied Fortuna, waving over a nearby guard who quickly rushed to her side. "Could somebody please help my guard identify and round up these boys from that day? I would also like to ask them a few questions."
"Yes, of course, Your Highness," murmured the crowd as she turned and headed towards the well. There, a girl no older than the princess was sitting against the bricks and crying into her hands.
"Rebecca?" She called out softly. The dark-haired girl looked up, startled, and scrambled to her feet at once. "No, no, please; sit down. I merely want to talk. Do you mind if I ask you about the day your brother went missing?"
"N-No, of course," said Rebecca quietly, settling back down. Fortuna sat down next to her, not too concerned about dirtying her dress. "What about then did you want to know about? Surely my mother has informed you of the story."
"She did," replied Fortuna. "However, I wish to know more about what happened starting from when these boys came in and began to pick on you. Could you tell me about that please?"
"Oh, that's not important," dismissed Rebecca miserably. "It's a common occurrence."
"Well, just because it happens regularly doesn't mean it's alright," said Fortuna firmly, looking her in the eyes. "And I wish to know about it."
Rebecca inhaled deeply. "Of course, Your Highness. These boys have always thought they were God's greatest creation, you know? They are very spoiled and vain, and do whatever it takes to get what they want. People, girls especially, leave them alone since they're not really threats. However, one of the boys tried to kiss me one day and I slapped him without thinking. Since then, they have tried to make me absolutely miserable. That day was just another attempt to rile me up."
"Your mother said they poured dirty water on you," interjected Fortuna softly. "Is that true?"
Rebecca grimaced. "It is, unfortunately. I got angry but I didn't want to make the situation any worse so I stormed off instead. I heard them call out to James and Boris, but I didn't want to go back…maybe I should have, then James would definitely still be here."
"Do not think like that," said Fortuna fiercely. "You got upset and that's understandable, of course. Your mother does not blame you; nobody there that I could see blames you for something like this. A woman-no, nobody-should put up with unwanted sexual advances and I think you were splendid for slapping that boy."
"But…" began Rebecca, only to be cut off.
"Let me tell you a story. My fiancé, Yamada, was coming to the castle for a ball my mother had planned a few years back. She invited several young men in the hopes they could seduce me and make me break my engagement. None of them were successful, obviously, and they fortunately left me alone after I turned them down. However, one of them got very drunk and followed me out of the room, pinning me against the wall as he tried to kiss me. His family is very influential and nobody ever wants to cross paths with them, but I was not thinking that at all when I stepped on his toes and gave him a bloody nose. Yes, things between our families were quite tense for a while and he tried to make my life exceedingly difficult after that for humiliating him in such a way, but I always told myself that I'd rather let that happen than let myself be harassed and pushed around. I do not regret that, and neither should you."
Rebecca's eyes widened and Fortuna took a deep breath, trying to calm herself. Amu, who had followed the princess, couldn't help but think she did a similar thing with Tadase. That punch could have cost her everything, but she didn't care at the time; and more importantly, Amu never regretted punching the spoiled duke.
"Do not let yourself be pushed around, Rebecca," advised Fortuna. "You do not seem like the type to be looked down upon and ignored. I heard you were even telling off these same boys just earlier today."
Rebecca blushed. "Yes, I was. When my mother sent me to go look for James, I found them at the mines where they were laughing and saying that James was nothing but a scaredy-cat and he'd come running out of the cave in tears within moments. Boris stood nearby, looking around nervously. I ignored the others as I asked him what was going on and where James was. He told me that James wanted to prove that he was 'cool' and 'brave' enough to hang out with the older boys and they made him go into the mines to find something valuable."
"And what did you do then?" Fortuna asked. "James was afraid of the dark, was he not?"
Rebecca nodded. "I called them idiots and turned to the mines to go look for him, but suddenly the ground began to shake and the next thing I knew, the whole thing had collapsed! I then grabbed Boris and ran back to the village and well…we still haven't found him; we've only just finished clearing up the entrance!" She sniffled. "I only hope James is alright. If not, those boys better hope somebody else gets to them first or I'll break more than just their egos!"
"Wise decision," said Fortuna. "If anything happened to my sister, I would do everything in my power to help. You have helped my plenty, Rebecca; thank you very much, and do not forget what I have told you." She stood up.
"I will remember," promised Rebecca. "Excuse me; I must attend to my mother. She hasn't stopped crying in days." The dark-haired girl also stood, brushing the dirt off her dress, and smiled before heading down the path.
Fortuna watched her go, vaguely noticing one of the guards run up to her.
"Your Highness," he exclaimed. "We have gathered up the boys from that day as you had requested, but the leader managed to get away."
"Do you know where he is?" Fortuna asked.
"Witnesses say he ran in the direction of the mines," answered the guard. "My fellow men are out looking now." They began to walk down the path to the mines.
"Stop them," said the princess. "I will conduct the search myself. Have the others interrogate the boys as well as inspect the mines. They are very old, but they could not have collapsed from an earthquake."
"Are you sure, Your Highness?" The guard asked. "I-as well as your father, I am sure-would feel more comfortable if one of the men accompanied you."
"I need not their strength in a cave, only a torch," replied the lavender-haired girl, sniffling. "Their strength is needed to construct the new mine entrance, is it not? I will be alright and I promise not to venture too far."
They stopped in front of the cave entrance, where several guards and villagers were helping looking through the rubble.
"Very well, Your Highness," said the guard, bowing. "Men, stop at once! The princess requests that we interrogate these hooligans and help inspect the construction of these mines."
He took a torch from one of the passing guards and turned to the princess, reluctantly handing it over. "Be careful, Your Highness."
"Am I not always?" Fortuna remarked, stepping into the dark cave. Amu followed her, rubbing her arms.
"Great; I hate the dark."
…
I do not own Shugo Chara!
Fortuna's Story, Part One is now complete and Part Two will be up…eventually.
I would like to apologize for the long wait; school really is hectic and whatnot. I will be so relieved when it is over and summer begins.
If summer begins, that is. The weather is so annoying these days; some days, it is nice and cool like spring. Other days, it continues to snow like Antarctica and Canada had a fucking baby who had an affair with Minnesota or something. I swear…the first few snow days were pleasant, but now it just pisses me off. The county has no choice but to take off Spring Break and add in a few days from summer vacation. As long as it doesn't spill into July, though, I guess I will be alright.
Anyways, I had planned on making this chapter way, way, WAY longer but I owe you guys an update and it's less stressful to break things up. Also, I apologize for people reading my others stories that I have yet to update.
On an unrelated note, I watched Mirai Nikki (Future Diary) and the first season of Black Butler for the first time. I know, I know; if I have time to watch two seasons of anime, plus the OVAs, then I have time to write a new chapter, right? No because writing takes a long time and watching anime requires less work.
I am on the…fourth episode of season two for Black Butler now. I'm totally obsessed with Ciel Phantomhive, like oh my god. I don't care about Sebastian (that's a lie) but Ciel is like omg…and even though I think Elizabeth is really annoying and way too happy all the time, I find her and Ciel adorable together because it reminds me that Ciel is still in fact a kid. Good lord, I want to marry that boy…
Ugh, sorry; I spent all of lunch today fangirling about with my friend, who is bullying me into watching Attack on Titan just like I'm bullying her into watching Shugo Chara.
Okay, well, I never even talked about this chapter…I don't know what to say actually. It's not random though; Fortuna has a role in this story.
So I guess that's all I have to say; don't hesitate to tell me if you found any mistakes and review! (Speaking of which, thank you so much for making this story over a hundred reviews! Wow, just wow! Means a lot to me!)