[Fic] The Frog Princes Prologue Part 2
A/N: Part Two
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There once lived the princess of Aoi Kingdom. At birth her mother had decided to name her in honor of their beloved kingdom and for her crystal blue eyes. From a very young age she was praised and coddled as being a gorgeous little girl. As she grew up her fair hair grew longer and her eyes even more clear. She found her first love with singing and piano at a young age and concentrated all her will into becoming better. Soon she began to play and compose a song that seemed to be never-ending in it’s inspiration flowing from her mind through her fingertips.
At every party and gathering she was asked to play her enchanting melody for those in attendance. So play she did and every time she added another part to her ever growing composition. However as each party passed and the years flew by she could never discover a suitable end to her masterpiece.
Her parents and friends could not overcome her obsession and let her spend hours at her piano pegging out melodies in frustration. Regardless of what combination she attempted nothing could fit to end her song, the one she had spent years creating and changing.
She slammed her hands on the keys of her keyboard, startling her best friend.
“Aoi, what are you doing?” Asked Koki. “You can’t treat pianos like that, or you’ll have to deal with me.”
“Koki, don’t speak to princess like that.” Muttered Maru from where he sat against a piano leg.
“She’s manhandling a piano.” Snapped Koki.
“That doesn’t mean you get to manhandle her!” Shouted Maru.
“Shut up!” Screamed Aoi. “I can’t find the ending to this piece and now you’re both yelling!”
“Alright.” Sighed Koki sitting back again. “I don’t know why you’re having such problems… you had no problem creating it so I don’t see why you can just end it.”
“The ending has to flow with the rest, you know that!”
“I don’t mean make it abrupt but you have all the inspiration for creating it but none for completing it.”
“It’s her love song, she can’t just end it any which way.” Sighed Maru, hearing this argument for the fifth time today.
“Maru is right. It expresses everything I love in this world, my family, you two, the flowers, the wind, everything. I can’t just… seem to finish it.” Sighed Aoi, flicking her hair out of her face.
“Maybe it’s because you’ve never been in love.” Commented Koki offhand.
“Of course I’ve been in love.” She countered. “I love you both, and mum and dad…”
“You’re so innocent…” Laughed Maru. “He means in love, in love. As in with someone else, the love of your life. Someone you treasure more than anyone else in the world. It’s different from how you love your friends, you don’t know this by now?”
“Of course I know what you mean, but how am I supposed to experience that with you two always in the way.” She muttered before restarting the last stanza of her piece.
“Here she goes again.” Sighed Koki. “She’ll just be even more frustrated when it doesn’t come out like it used to…” He shook his head then continued loudly. “Well we can’t let just any guy come near you, unless we already know him well. If you were left to your own devices when it comes to this matter you’d choose someone horrible!”
“He’s right!” Chimed in Maru. “Why if we let you meet with just any guy you’d come crying back to us in an instant. Then we would have to beat him up and how would it look for two lords to be beating up some poor soul because you chose him? It’s better this way.”
“But if you’re right you’re stifling my music!” She cried.
“Don’t worry, we’ll choose someone good for you.” Soothed Koki.
“My lady!” Exclaimed a woman running in. “Tune into the news!”
Maru blinked blankly before pressing the remote and the TV in the room brightened.
“We are gathered here at the royal castle to gain King Noboru’s word about the latest news.” Spoke a reported seriously from in front of a growing crowd.
“What news?” Asked Aoi worriedly, turning to her best friends.
“I have no idea.” Said Koki turning it up. “But it must be huge if Midori’s king called a press-con.” He turned up the volume.
“News just broke this morning that the crown prince, Prince Jin, of Aka Kingdom has disappeared. We can’t confirm how long he has been missing but King Hiraku finally told his kingdom the shocking news this morning.”
Aoi slowly closed the casing over the piano keys. “He’s gone? What do they mean he’s gone?” She demanded. “Was he kidnapped?”
“My lady.” Started the woman. “No one knows, he apparently just disappeared.”
Aoi stared blankly at the woman for a few moments. “They’ll blame our kingdom for this, won’t they? Midori might finally join their side if they believe that we caused this!”
Maru turned the volume down. “I’m sure it’ll all be fine, right Koki?”
“Of course, King Hiraku isn’t an idiot, princess, he’ll realize that we couldn’t have done this.” He looked at the woman pressingly and she instantly bowed out of the room.
“Just wait for it though…” Aoi started frantically. “Midori Kingdom could believe this and finally turn from our side.” She turned the sound back up.
‘I think at this stage we can’t make any sure assumptions as to those options. I believe Aoi Kingdom has had nothing to do with his disappearance. However, I also believe that Aka Kingdom would not allow something to happen to their crown prince during such times, nor would Prince Jin do something as to put himself in danger. All we can do at this point is give our help and hope to finding Prince Jin soon.’ Came Kazu’s calming voice from the television.
Aoi paused the scene with wide eyes.
“See, princess, it’s fine if King Noboru’s favorite son doesn’t believe it’s our fault then he definitely won’t turn from us!” Exclaimed Maru happily.
“Who is that?” Asked Aoi quietly.
“Aoi… you don’t recognize the third prince?” Asked Koki with a light smile. “He’s King Noboru’s third and favorite son, Kazuya. Oh, Maru we did such a good job keeping her away from boys, she doesn’t even recognize the princes!” He high-fived Maru as Aoi walked towards the screen in wonder.
“King Noboru’s third son?” She repeated slowly.
“Yeah, three years older than you Aoi.” Commented Maru.
“He’s so beautiful…” She commented.
“Yeah he is a bit feminine isn’t he?” Said Koki as he sat down with a book.
“His voice is really calming.” She murmured before turning around to face the other two. “Maru, Koki…”
“Hm?” Came a distracted reply from Koki.
“I think I’m in love.” She smiled brightly. “He’s so… perfect.”
“What!” Shouted Maru turning off the television as Koki dropped his book.
“You’ve only seen him once in your life, on TV at that!” Exclaimed Koki.
“Does that really matter?” She sighed. “It was love at first sight.” He rested her head on her hand as she leaned on her piano.
Chapter 1