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“Have you heard the news? Of the princess, falling into an slumber that she will never be able to leave? The rumours surrounding it have been spreading around the castle like a wide fire, uncontrollable. Let us pray to the heavens that this doesn’t leave the castle. Only God knows what the people would say.”
The young girl was born into the Asahina family, a family who ruled across the land known for their harsh and strict rules. If you were to disrespect or anger the family, it almost guaranteed that you were never seen afterwards. The child was the the country’s last hope for the reign of cruelty to end. She was known for her kind-hearted ways and loved by the people.
Now she was locked away in the highest chamber of the castle, hidden away by her family. The people were to never see her soft curls which resembled the midnight sky again that the town children often played with. Her mother sent her away under the rouse that ‘she was under care’ and forbid anyone to see her. That didn’t stop a certain pink haired knight from sneaking in and visiting her though.
A knock came from the door, “Asahina? Are you awake yet?” They pushed open the door.
They looked at the Princess and frowned, “If I call you by your first name, would you be more inclined to stop pretending your asleep? It wasn’t too hard to figure that you were asleep!~ ♫”
They walked over to the table and placed her food, “There were two ways I figured out. Number 1! I found that you had requested a mix of lavender and belladonna. It was quite hard to find it out but after a bit of taking to the apothecary, it wasn’t too hard.”
They smirked when they saw the Princess sit up, “When the sweet apothecary is met with an offer they can’t refuse with a side of cake fresh from the bakery, it isn’t too hard for them to talk. You would know all about that, wouldn’t you, Mafuyu?”
“I have no clue what you are talking about.” She stated bluntly. “So you bribed Miss Shinonome then?”
“Yes, your highness.” They saw her flinch at that.
“Would you like me to call you by your name then if it pleases you, I can! Just say th-“
“No need.” She got open and opened the curtains, looking outside at the snow.
“You like snow, Miss?”
“I think it is quite pretty, in all honesty. It’s pure and everyone loves it in the village. Unlike me,”
“Unlike you? I think you are quite beau-“
“There was something else you were wondering about, correct?”
They looked away for a second. “I was wondering why you would want to be in a deep slumber for the rest of your life when it’s so perfect?”
She looked confused for a second then the dull expression she had before took over, “It’s not perfect. I have to the perfect person. Perfect scores. Perfect manners. Perfect this, perfect that. Perfect everything. I hate it. I hate it so much.” She looked outside.
“If I fell asleep and never woke up, it’d be better. I could dream and live in another world where I can be free. I can experience things that other people outside the castle can. I’d finally get to experience *true feelings* not these so called ‘feelings’ that are forever bound to this castle. The kingdom would be better off without me. Everyone would forget I exist anyway. She agrees too.”
Mizuki frowned then grabbed her hands, “That isn’t true. The kingdom loves you and they want *you* to rule them because they know your kind-hearted nature. Perhaps my words hold no weight since I’m just a lowly knight—“
She sighed and cut in, looking away awkwardly, “I care about your words and they hold some weight.” She was flustered slightly.
“Ever since we met on that day when I was allowed to leave the castle for the first time, I do consider you a close friend, Mizuki.”
Mafuyu walked from the window and went to the door. “We should get going then.”
“Though, you said there was something else that made you realise I’m awake?”
“Ehe~ I did?” Mizuki went to the door and opened it. “I guess we’ll never know!”
Mafuyu sighed and followed Mizuki, leaving behind the chamber.