[Team Four] Magic Mayhem: Princess, Lost & Found
So, I decided that I wanted to make my own universe that I can post a bunch of pieces to over time (Like Orangegreenlove and her alien verse) this is what I came up with. I'm actually super proud of this, and I hope a lot of people can enjoy it, right now it is about Snowman mostly, but other JE people will be the focus for other parts and I don't think you particularly need to know a ton about them in order to enjoy this. So here is the first part in the Magic Mayhem universe <3
Warnings: there is character death, kind of. It's not a major character, and they are not given an actual name, but just so no one is suprised.
"Listen, you need to get out of here. You have to get away. You must survive.” Governess Sakuma pushed at her young charge. The adorable young princess Nabella Shores, better known by her nickname Nabesho, stared at her governess with wide eyes. They had been in the middle of her favorite class, magic enchantments, when Sakuma had been called away by one of the knights, if Nabesho remembered correctly, his name was Tsukada. The next thing the young princess knew, she was being pulled through a secret passage out of the castle, with no explanation other than to run.
They reached the outside of the castle near the sloping forest. “Now, Nabesho, I need you to hear me. You are not to tell anyone who you are, you are to run as far from here as you can. You need to find a place to stay. I need your solemn vow that you will do this, do you remember the incantation I taught you to do it?” Sakuma kept looking back at the entrance, as if waiting for something to come. Nabesho had never seen Sakuma look so frazzled before. She was always so kind and together, even that time Nabesho accidentally set their classroom on fire with a spell that was suppose to make flowers bloom. The change scared her.
Nabesho nodded her head and held out her pinkie. Sakuma smiled gently at her and looped the small finger with her own delicate one. “I swear to never tell who I really am, iuro.” As soon as the last word was spoken Sakuma blew a pink dust out and Nabesho's beautiful blue princess dress changed into a dusty blue servant's outfit. Her beautiful brown hair, which had been down in ringlets, was now put up into an adorable bonnet.
“Now, go.” Sakuma gave Nabesho a push towards the dense forest, her nervousness contagious.
“But, what about you?” Nabesho asked, her voice desperate. She had no idea what was wrong, but she also felt like she couldn't refuse.
“I'll be fine, I promise I'll find you again. Now, GO!” Sakuma's last words pushed out a pink light and forced Nabesho into the woods. The young girl's feet began to run of their own accord and the castle began to disappear from sight.
~.~.~.~.~.~
In the early predawn light, Abe pulled the wooden cart with a minor grunt up the hill to the mines. His oldest son pushed the cart full of their tools, as well as his younger brother who sat inside. “Keep it up Iwamoto, we're almost there.” His kind voice carried down to the young boy covered with sweat.
“This would be a lot easier if someone would get out and walk!” Iwamoto grumbled, loud enough for all of them to hear. He was fourteen that year, and was ready to become an official worker upon his fifteenth birthday.
“But I'm watching the equipment! Besides, Daddy, can't you make something that would make this transporting stuff easier?” Miyadate stuck his tongue out at his brother before turning his bright eyes to his father's strong back.
Abe chuckled. “There is no substitute for hard-work, son, and with you boys with me, I'm not going to use something that could go wrong.”
Both boys let out little sighs. Their father was a brilliant inventor, but he didn't believe that himself. He said it was but a hobby. Something to pass the time when they weren't at the mines, which wasn't very often.
The rest of the trek up the hill was silent but for the occasional grunt from Iwamoto as he pushed the cart up. Miyadate held onto the pick axes as the sounds of metal wheels and clinks of metal began to be heard.
At the top, they all began their work. Abe sent a loud greeting to his coworkers as he grabbed his axe and began to heave the heavy instrument over his head. Iwamoto followed his father as the two began to work. The lead miner began with a loud whistle to sing the working song. The men joined in as their rhythmic work began for the long day. Miyadate ran from worker to worker, offering towels to wipe away their sweat and a canteen filled with fresh river water.
It was young ten year old Miyadate's job to get the water from the nearby lake at the edge of the hill, in order to keep the miners working hard. It was nearing noon when Miyadate was on his fifth trip of the day. His face was covered in dirt, as were his clothes, but he hummed happily as he ran over to the clear water. He filled up the canteen and began to trudge his way up the large hill once again, when he heard something strange from the woods.
As a mischievous and curious young lad, Miyadate didn't think twice about venturing into the forest. It had sounded like something fell down. He moved through the many trees with ease in the direction the noise had come from.
What he found, he wasn't sure what to make of. It looked like a person. Upon closer inspection, Miyadate realized it was a young girl. She was face down in the dirt. Miyadate gently moved her onto her back. She was asleep, covered in dirt and leaves. Her heavy breathing was accompanied by red rosy cheeks. Miyadate thought he had never seen someone so beautiful in his life. As if under a spell he reached out and touched her delicate face. Upon feeling the intense heat, he pulled his hand far away.
Miyadate quickly stood up and ran back up the hill to the mines to get help. “Father, father, father!” Miyadate ran as fast as he could, running straight into his older brother and toppling them both to the ground with a loud “Oomph.”
“What is it, Miyadate?” Abe came running over to his boys. He picked Miyadate up off his brother and looked him over critically for any injuries. He found none and breathed a sigh of relief.
“I found a girl in the forest! And she felt like she has a really high fever, we need to go help her now!” Miyadate pulled at his father's arm frantically, his voice high pitched.
“A girl? Out here? What are you trying to pull, we have work to do.” Iwamoto pushed himself back up and began to dust himself off. He looked at his little brother with disapproval clear on his face.
“No! You have to come, please, dad?” Miyadate glared at his older brother, and continued to pull on his father.
Abe sighed and followed anyway. He looked back at Iwamoto, who let out an aggravated sigh and followed as well. They followed the young boy down the hill and into the dense woods. When they found the young girl, they were shocked to see she actually existed.
Abe leaned down and felt the girl's forehead. “Oh dear, she has quite the fever indeed. We should get her back to our cottage. Iwamoto, return to the mines and tell chief what happened, tell him I'll stay late another day.” Iwamoto nodded and began to run back.
“Will she be ok daddy?” Miyadate asked with worry in his voice.
With a gentle smile Abe looked at his son, he was so proud of how kind his boys were, both of them. He picked up the small girl in his arms and began to walk to their small cottage. “I'm sure she'll be fine after some rest in a nice warm bed.”
~.~.~.~.~.~
Nabesho opened her eyes, she was warm and felt so good. She let her eyes close again, more than content to go back to sleep in her nice warm bed. With a slight jump, Nabesho opened her eyes and sat up.
“Woah, easy there, you don't have a fever anymore, but you should still rest,” a kind voice told her. Nabesho looked up to see a man probably in his early thirties with a kind smile. Nabesho found her body relaxing as she looked around the small cottage. Little trinkets were strewn throughout the place, with parchment hanging all about. It was honestly a disaster and Nabesho felt herself twitch. She wasn't very fond of messes, but she also felt the place was very homey.
“Daddy, we brought more firewood!” came a boy's voice. In came two boys from outside, each with a pile of wood in their arms. “Oh, you're awake now,” the boy who spoke said. He quickly ran over to the fireplace and threw the wood down. He practically ran over to Nabesho's side. For a common boy, he was really cute; Nabesho blushed at her thoughts.
“Now, Miyadate, be careful. She's just woken up, I'm sure she doesn't need you pestering her,” the man spoke to the boy, Miyadate, with a minor reprimand in his voice.
Miyadate nodded and took a step back from the bed, looking down at his feet. Nabesho found this to be adorable. Once again shocked by her thoughts, she looked down at the mismatched quilt that was on top of her.
“My, you're a bit red again, perhaps some soup will help.” The man smiled at her as he got up and went into another room.
“What's your name?” Miyadate asked, which caused Nabesho to meet his gaze. They both blushed a bit as they stared at one another.
Realizing she was just staring, Nabesho looked away quickly. “Oh, uh, my name is Nabesho, I'm the-” suddenly a pink dust burst at her mouth and she couldn't speak. That was when she remembered her solemn promise to Sakuma.
Miyadate looked at her suspiciously. “The what?”
Nabesho blushed, her outfit was that of a servant, right? “I'm a servant in training at the castle. I was out picking some berries when I was chased by a wild boar and I got lost.”
Miyadate nodded his head, like he had figured that out already. He probably did, Nabesho thought to herself, not entirely comfortable lying.
Just then the kind man returned with a tray of food. “So you're from the castle? Oh dear, I'm sure someone is very worried about you. I believe the knights Sir Lewis and Sir Kikuchi are in town until tomorrow afternoon, I'll have to ask them to send a message that we have one of their people. I am Abe, my sons and I are miners.”
Nabesho smiled gratefully as the food was placed in front of her. The idea of contacting the castle worried her, but she couldn't think of a reason to not. Nabesho hoped that Sakuma had thought of something. She looked over curiously at the only person who had yet to greet her, he looked about the same age as Sakuma and he was putting the wood away neatly. “Ah, that is my oldest son Iwamoto. Say hello to the young lady,” Abe told his son.
Iwamoto stood up and turned to Nabesho, he too had a kind smile and seemed a bit shy. He did a slight bow of greeting which Nabesho belatedly returned. “Thank you for helping me,” she said in a small voice. She wasn't quite used to strangers who didn't treat her like a royal princess.
Abe shared a smile with his sons before he patted Nabesho on the head. “It'll be alright, I promise.” The gesture was so kind, it reminded Nabesho of her father. She didn't know what was going on at the castle, but she hoped that her father was alright.
“Tomorrow I'll go see the knights, for now, sleep.” Abe took the now empty tray away. Nabesho smiled gratefully and yawned.“Come on Miyadate, you can sleep in my room with me tonight. We need to leave our guest to sleep.” Miyadate nodded at his father and waved goodnight to Nabesho. The gesture had her cheeks coloring again.
It wasn't long after Abe blew out the candles and the soft glow of the fire was the only light source in the room that Nabesho found herself deep in sleep again.
When Nabesho woke up everyone in the house was already awake. She would have still been sleeping if it weren't for the loud crash she had heard. She opened her eyes regretfully and found Iwamoto chasing Miyadate out of the kitchen. “You little troll! You ruined breakfast again,” Iwamoto yelled. Both boys came to a halt when they spotted Nabesho. Her bonnet had fallen off and her light brown hair fell down her shoulders in soft waves. She was rubbing the sleep from her eyes but looked so regal. Iwamoto snapped out of it first, as he pushed his younger brother, “See, you woke up Nabesho.”
“What? You were the one yelling!” Miyadate shook his head and screamed back. He glared at his brother with red cheeks.
“Boys, that's enough. I'm sorry for the fuss so early in the morning, Nabesho,” Abe's kind voice came from the hallway. He arrived, fully dressed and looking only a little tired. Nabesho smiled and noticed that it was barely light outside. She had very rarely ever been up this early.
“No, it's alright.” Nabesho couldn't help but smile at the family that had rescued her. She had never really had any experience with people who weren't from powerful families and she had to admit it was a nice change. They were kind and made her feel welcome. They gave her help, even when they had so little.
“Well, I'm off to give the message of your whereabouts to the knights. Boys, I expect you two to be on your best behavior and take good care of our guest. Is that understood?” Abe looked at his two sons sternly.
“Yes, sir,” both boys said simultaneously. Iwamoto nodded as Miyadate ran forward and hugged their father. Abe left with one last kind smile.
~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~
The town square was filled with people when Abe arrived. The two knights he was searching for where on the small stage, their faces set in neutral. It was unusual, as they both often were all smiles on their biweekly visit to the village. Both men had betrothed who were the daughters of the town's lord, and as such visited often.
“We have grave news, I fear,” Sir Jesse Lewis spoke first.
“Yesterday, around mid afternoon, the castle was attacked,” Sir Fuma Kikuchi continued. A loud gasp was heard throughout the crowd.
“The Jwest Pirates attacked the castle, and I regret to inform you they killed the King. His young daughter, the crown princess, is nowhere to be found. She is believed to have been kidnapped by the pirates,” Jesse spoke, his voice almost void of emotion.
The townsfolk began to talk in panicked voices, but Fuma stopped them. “For now, Prince Sanada is acting on his brother's behalf and pleads that everyone remain calm. The pirates have been chased from the castle, and we, the royal knights, will do our best to keep you all safe.”
Abe felt his heart ache. Their king had been good to them and was loved by his people. The thought that he had been killed was almost too much to bear and the thought of Princess Nabella also being missing made matters even worse. Once the crowd was dispersed, Abe walked towards the knights. He didn't want to add pressure to the men, but he needed to tell someone about Nabesho.
“Good to see you, Abe,” Jesse greeted him. The Knights hopped off the stage and shook hands with Abe. “What brings you here so early, I thought you would be at the mines being told this.”
“Well you see, one of my sons found a small servant in training who got lost from the castle. I thought you could let someone know, or even take her back with you.” Abe looked at the men with an apologetic look.
“A young servant in training?” Fuma began, but was quickly elbowed by Jesse. Fuma glared at his fellow knight, only to have his eyes widen. “Oh, yes, uh...Nabesho? Her sister's been so worried, she was outside during the attack and no one knew what happened to her.”
Abe sighed, at least he would be able to return one person that was missing. “So you'll take her back?”
Fuma and Jesse shared a look before Jesse gave Abe a small smile. “Actually, we've got to be in another village in a few hours and we can't take a young girl with us. But we'll send a message to the castle about her, and her sister will probably come and get her herself I imagine.” Jesse gave Abe a smile before he went over to his horse. He pulled out a piece of parchment and a magic quill and wrote down a message. He lifted the parchment up into the air and spoke, “Ad regiam”
The parchment flew from his hands and formed a small white bird that flew away from the men. “Amazing,” Abe marveled. He was always fascinated by magic, but it wasn't a gift that showed itself in everyone. Many who displayed the skill were employed in high places, such as the castle. It was even uncommon for a knight to have the skill, but Jesse was an exception.
Jesse grinned, happy he got to show off. “Well, we must be off. Must keep being messengers of the bad news.” Jesse's smile faded as he spoke, and they all grew silent. This was no time for joy.
“Yes, I should go home and inform the boys, and Nabesho. I do hope the dear girl won't be too shocked.” Abe sighed as he began to walk back to his cottage. Jesse and Fuma traded a nervous look before they mounted their horses and took off.
~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~
Abe arrived home, he was nervous as he walked back to his home. He heard some noises in the kitchen and followed the sounds. He found Iwamoto and Miyadate trying unsuccessfully to teach Nabesho how to grind wheat for flour. The boys were laughing at the struggling young girl, who looked adorably messy, but determined. “Well, you all seem to be having fun.” The sight of them warmed his heart a bit.
“Daddy, you're home.” Miyadate smiled at his father. He was so happy at the moment, and he didn't know why. Sure, it was funny that this so called servant girl seemed horrible at everyday chores, but that didn't seem like the only reason.
Iwamoto's smile fell from his face as he looked at his father. He knew that stance, it was one that his father had when he had some bad news to tell. “What is it, father?”
Miyadate stopped laughing when he heard his brother talk. If Iwamoto was worried, then so was he. Nabesho looked between the family members, adorably confused.
“Kids, come with me and sit down, ok?” Abe walked back to the main room and gestured for the three to sit on the bed. They did as instructed, Iwamoto and Miyadate becoming more wary with each passing moment of silence.
Nabesho looked at the two boys, and then at Abe. She could tell something was wrong, but she couldn't figure out what it had to do with her. She had a horrible feeling in the pit of her stomach, but she tried her best to ignore it.
“Well, I saw the knights, and they said that Nabesho's older sister will be sent to pick her up.” Nabesho tilted her head for a moment, before it clicked that Sakuma must have done something to keep her a secret. She grinned at her governess's cleverness. Abe still looked nervous, so she kept quiet to hear the rest. “It seems that there was an attack by pirates on the castle. The king is dead, and the young princess is being assumed to be kidnapped by them.”
Nabesho heard the words, she knew what they meant, but she didn't believe them. “What? That, can't, I mean I, there is no way.” Her words made no sense. Hot tears began to pour down her little face. She wanted to scream, she wanted to tell these people who she was. Nabesho couldn't, the pink dust kept her mouth tightly sealed as tears fell down her face.
Miyadate and Iwamoto looked at each other, both at a complete loss of what to do. Abe's heart broke, he had expected the young girl to be upset, she worked in the castle, and perhaps knew the young princess. He didn't know she would be so completely destroyed though. He leaned forward and took the shaking child into his arms. He held her as she cried her eyes out, his sons looking on sadly and awkwardly.
“There, there, it'll be alright. I promise.” Though Nabesho felt that she could trust Abe, she could not trust those words.
~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~
Sakuma saw the bird from the window of her currently locked class room. She knew what had happened, and she wasn't about to open her enchanted door until someone she trusted came by. She had been taught by her predecessor to keep the door to the classroom enchanted so that only those who were to be in this room, could get to it. She knew that “King” Sanada would be looking for her to find out about Nabesho, and she couldn't tell him the truth, so lock herself in it was.
Sakuma opened the window and the bird turned into parchment and fell into her hands. She read over the message quickly and felt a sigh of relief. Nabesho was safe, at the very least. She mulled over what to do next. She couldn't have Nabesho come back, it wasn't safe, and she couldn't impose on someone without an explanation.
An idea popped into her head, but she didn't have what she needed, so she would need help. Sakuma traveled through a secret door, and knocked upon finding a purple and green door with runes all over it. Soon a female with short hair and a wicked smile opened the door. “Goseki, I need your help,” Sakuma told the assistant sorceress. Kawai, the royal sorcerer, came over to the girls curiously.
“What do you need? You were my best student, what could you need help with?” Goseki's smile never left her face, even as Kawai draped himself over her. They were an odd pair, but excellent at what they did.
“First, I need this room to be sound proof, no one is to know what I tell you.” Sakuma looked around nervously.
Kawai chuckled and snapped his fingers. Purple flew out from his hands and covered the walls lightly. “Go on.”
“I know where the princess is, but I need her to stay where she is. You and I both know that something wrong is happening. I need to borrow gold, enough of it to keep someone quiet but be believable for me to have.” Sakuma looked at Goseki with pleading eyes.
Goseki eyed Sakuma, her cute moles on her cheeks made her look all the better. “Well, don't you have your own then?”
Sakuma sighed, aggravated. “I can't get to my bed chamber, the guards are looking for me, and my room isn't enchanted.” Goseki raised an eyebrow at the governess but grinned and walked over to one of the cabinets in the room. Sakuma was grateful that her old mentor in magic didn't speak of her lack of foresight to enchant her bed chamber.
As Goseki rumbled around the cabinet, Kawai pulled Sakuma close to him. “The “new” king is already demanding the princess be found, he swears he saw the pirates run away with her. He asked for a tracking spell to find her, poor boy's magic was never very strong. I believe you would like me to mess that up?”
Sakuma looked at Kawai with a grateful smile, he winked at her in return as Goseki brought a small green velvet bag. The coins clinked as she dropped it into Sakuma's hand. “That should be just about right.” Goseki's eyes turned to the normal door, and she pushed Sakuma towards the magical one. “Go.” The sound of foot steps coming closer could be heard.
She waved and gave a smile to her former mentors before she went through the door, the magical entrance disappearing behind her. She stopped at her teaching room and grabbed her cloak before she continued down the tunnels.
~.~.~.~.~.~.~
Abe looked down at the young girl in his arms. Her cheeks were stained with tears as she had cried herself to sleep. His heart ached, and he couldn't bring himself to set her down. Miyadate and Iwamoto had quietly left to get firewood and do some chores, both occasionally came to check on their guest.
The miners had been given the day off, to go be with their families in this time of need; Abe found himself grateful for that. Miyadate and Iwamoto returned with firewood, both being careful not to make too much noise. A knock on the door startled them all. Abe motioned for Iwamoto to answer as he looked down at the still sleeping child in his arms.
Iwamoto opened the door and was greeted by a young woman taking the cloak off from her head. She looked at him with a gentle smile and he felt his heart flutter. She had the most adorable face, with short brown hair and a beautiful set of moles on her cheek. He opened his mouth to speak, but he couldn't make a sound.
The girl giggled and pushed some of her hair behind her ears. She seemed to recall something as she shook her head and spoke. “Hello, I'm Sakuma. I'm the governess of the royal family, and I hear you found my little sister?”
Iwamoto nodded his head, still unable to speak and motioned her inside the house. Sakuma walked inside and immediately spied the girl in the older gentleman's arms. “She's been crying most of the day, ever since I told her what happened at the castle. I didn't know it would upset her so much,” Abe spoke softly.
Sakuma nodded, she understood the truth. “It's ok, she and the princess were good friends, and the King was always very kind to her.” Sakuma felt her heart clench with the lie she told, but it was for Nabesho's own good. She walked over to Abe and nudged Nabesho. “Hey, wake up. Nabesho, it's me, Sakuma.”
Nabesho's eyes opened, they were red and puffy, but a small smile formed when she saw Sakuma. “You came.” Nabesho's little smile was almost heartbreaking for Sakuma, whose own eyes began to tear. She nodded her head.
“Yes, I did. But I can't stay long, and I can't take you back with me.” Her words caused Nabesho to roll out of Abe's arms. She looked so shocked and crushed. Abe opened his mouth to speak, but Sakuma cut him off. “The castle is currently a mess, it's no environment for a kid. Our parents are no longer living, I'm so sorry to impose upon you, but I hope this can help.” Sakuma pulled the bag from a sack draped around her and dropped it into Abe's lap.
Abe looked down at the green velvet bag before he picked it up and opened it. What he saw caused him to let out a large gasp, gold, real gold coins. “Why, I could never, this is far too much, I-”
“Please, it's to look after my sister, as well as to thank you. Please accept it, and please watch my little sister, please.” Sakuma gave her best pleading act. She needed Abe to accept.
Abe looked down at the bag, the gold was worth more than nearly a years salary, and they could use the money. The boys seemed to like Nabesho, and Sakuma seemed so desperate. He was never one to say no in the first place, that was how he always worked later shifts than he was supposed to. “Alright,” he sighed, defeated.
“Oh, thank you! I'll be by once a week to visit, but first could I speak with Nabesho outside alone for a moment?” Sakuma looked at Abe who nodded, he was still a bit stuck about the money.
Nabesho quietly followed Sakuma outside. Once away from the cottage, Sakuma made a pink bubble around them so they could talk. Sakuma pulled a large bag from her small burlap bag. “Here are clothes and a few things from home. I know this is hard, but things are not always what they may seem. I need you to be strong for me Nabesho. Please.” The small girl looked smaller than she was as she stared in despair at the ground. She took the large bag, but didn't say a word. Sakuma sighed and pulled a pink vial from her purse. “I can't explain more until I know more myself, but Nabesho, you need to know, your father is alive, and things will be alright, but you can't tell a soul. I need you to drink this, it'll keep you undetected and make you feel better.”
When Nabesho heard the words father and alive she felt her world was crashing again. “W-what did you say?”
“The true king is alive, but I can't tell you anymore, I need you to be strong, little princess, I need you to believe.” Sakuma looked around herself nervously, she didn't have much time, and her protective spell would only work so well if compared with a fully trained military sorcerer.
“But, everyone said, and how.” Nabesho felt Sakuma push the vile into her hands, and she obediently drank it. The moment the liquid touched her lips she felt better. Her head felt clear, and one look at Sakuma was all she needed. Nabesho nodded her head, she believed.
“Good, now, I need you to stay here.” Sakuma took the bag from Nabesho and the pink bubble popped. They walked back to the cottage, Nabesho still was confused and felt sad, but she also felt better. She needed to believe that Sakuma was telling the truth, she had to.
Sakuma left not long after they returned inside. The room was silent. Nabesho tried to keep up her depressed facade, but she felt the awkwardness of the room. “I'm sorry, I didn't mean to cause you trouble, you've been so kind to me,” Nabesho let herself tear up as she spoke.
Abe looked up at her alarmed. “Oh sweet child, it's no trouble. Things will be alright, I promise.” Nabesho felt a small uncontrollable smile grace her lips. Abe had said those words multiple times, but somehow, they always felt right.
The small smile diffused the tension from the room. Iwamoto was staring out the window and sighing, as if imagining something. Miyadate walked over and sat next to Nabesho, he looked at her with a shy smile. “Dad's right, if he says things will be alright, they will.”
Nabesho felt her cheeks heat up at the closeness of the boy next to her. “Ok, I believe.”
It's your turn rikikomori
Warnings: there is character death, kind of. It's not a major character, and they are not given an actual name, but just so no one is suprised.
"Listen, you need to get out of here. You have to get away. You must survive.” Governess Sakuma pushed at her young charge. The adorable young princess Nabella Shores, better known by her nickname Nabesho, stared at her governess with wide eyes. They had been in the middle of her favorite class, magic enchantments, when Sakuma had been called away by one of the knights, if Nabesho remembered correctly, his name was Tsukada. The next thing the young princess knew, she was being pulled through a secret passage out of the castle, with no explanation other than to run.
They reached the outside of the castle near the sloping forest. “Now, Nabesho, I need you to hear me. You are not to tell anyone who you are, you are to run as far from here as you can. You need to find a place to stay. I need your solemn vow that you will do this, do you remember the incantation I taught you to do it?” Sakuma kept looking back at the entrance, as if waiting for something to come. Nabesho had never seen Sakuma look so frazzled before. She was always so kind and together, even that time Nabesho accidentally set their classroom on fire with a spell that was suppose to make flowers bloom. The change scared her.
Nabesho nodded her head and held out her pinkie. Sakuma smiled gently at her and looped the small finger with her own delicate one. “I swear to never tell who I really am, iuro.” As soon as the last word was spoken Sakuma blew a pink dust out and Nabesho's beautiful blue princess dress changed into a dusty blue servant's outfit. Her beautiful brown hair, which had been down in ringlets, was now put up into an adorable bonnet.
“Now, go.” Sakuma gave Nabesho a push towards the dense forest, her nervousness contagious.
“But, what about you?” Nabesho asked, her voice desperate. She had no idea what was wrong, but she also felt like she couldn't refuse.
“I'll be fine, I promise I'll find you again. Now, GO!” Sakuma's last words pushed out a pink light and forced Nabesho into the woods. The young girl's feet began to run of their own accord and the castle began to disappear from sight.
~.~.~.~.~.~
In the early predawn light, Abe pulled the wooden cart with a minor grunt up the hill to the mines. His oldest son pushed the cart full of their tools, as well as his younger brother who sat inside. “Keep it up Iwamoto, we're almost there.” His kind voice carried down to the young boy covered with sweat.
“This would be a lot easier if someone would get out and walk!” Iwamoto grumbled, loud enough for all of them to hear. He was fourteen that year, and was ready to become an official worker upon his fifteenth birthday.
“But I'm watching the equipment! Besides, Daddy, can't you make something that would make this transporting stuff easier?” Miyadate stuck his tongue out at his brother before turning his bright eyes to his father's strong back.
Abe chuckled. “There is no substitute for hard-work, son, and with you boys with me, I'm not going to use something that could go wrong.”
Both boys let out little sighs. Their father was a brilliant inventor, but he didn't believe that himself. He said it was but a hobby. Something to pass the time when they weren't at the mines, which wasn't very often.
The rest of the trek up the hill was silent but for the occasional grunt from Iwamoto as he pushed the cart up. Miyadate held onto the pick axes as the sounds of metal wheels and clinks of metal began to be heard.
At the top, they all began their work. Abe sent a loud greeting to his coworkers as he grabbed his axe and began to heave the heavy instrument over his head. Iwamoto followed his father as the two began to work. The lead miner began with a loud whistle to sing the working song. The men joined in as their rhythmic work began for the long day. Miyadate ran from worker to worker, offering towels to wipe away their sweat and a canteen filled with fresh river water.
It was young ten year old Miyadate's job to get the water from the nearby lake at the edge of the hill, in order to keep the miners working hard. It was nearing noon when Miyadate was on his fifth trip of the day. His face was covered in dirt, as were his clothes, but he hummed happily as he ran over to the clear water. He filled up the canteen and began to trudge his way up the large hill once again, when he heard something strange from the woods.
As a mischievous and curious young lad, Miyadate didn't think twice about venturing into the forest. It had sounded like something fell down. He moved through the many trees with ease in the direction the noise had come from.
What he found, he wasn't sure what to make of. It looked like a person. Upon closer inspection, Miyadate realized it was a young girl. She was face down in the dirt. Miyadate gently moved her onto her back. She was asleep, covered in dirt and leaves. Her heavy breathing was accompanied by red rosy cheeks. Miyadate thought he had never seen someone so beautiful in his life. As if under a spell he reached out and touched her delicate face. Upon feeling the intense heat, he pulled his hand far away.
Miyadate quickly stood up and ran back up the hill to the mines to get help. “Father, father, father!” Miyadate ran as fast as he could, running straight into his older brother and toppling them both to the ground with a loud “Oomph.”
“What is it, Miyadate?” Abe came running over to his boys. He picked Miyadate up off his brother and looked him over critically for any injuries. He found none and breathed a sigh of relief.
“I found a girl in the forest! And she felt like she has a really high fever, we need to go help her now!” Miyadate pulled at his father's arm frantically, his voice high pitched.
“A girl? Out here? What are you trying to pull, we have work to do.” Iwamoto pushed himself back up and began to dust himself off. He looked at his little brother with disapproval clear on his face.
“No! You have to come, please, dad?” Miyadate glared at his older brother, and continued to pull on his father.
Abe sighed and followed anyway. He looked back at Iwamoto, who let out an aggravated sigh and followed as well. They followed the young boy down the hill and into the dense woods. When they found the young girl, they were shocked to see she actually existed.
Abe leaned down and felt the girl's forehead. “Oh dear, she has quite the fever indeed. We should get her back to our cottage. Iwamoto, return to the mines and tell chief what happened, tell him I'll stay late another day.” Iwamoto nodded and began to run back.
“Will she be ok daddy?” Miyadate asked with worry in his voice.
With a gentle smile Abe looked at his son, he was so proud of how kind his boys were, both of them. He picked up the small girl in his arms and began to walk to their small cottage. “I'm sure she'll be fine after some rest in a nice warm bed.”
~.~.~.~.~.~
Nabesho opened her eyes, she was warm and felt so good. She let her eyes close again, more than content to go back to sleep in her nice warm bed. With a slight jump, Nabesho opened her eyes and sat up.
“Woah, easy there, you don't have a fever anymore, but you should still rest,” a kind voice told her. Nabesho looked up to see a man probably in his early thirties with a kind smile. Nabesho found her body relaxing as she looked around the small cottage. Little trinkets were strewn throughout the place, with parchment hanging all about. It was honestly a disaster and Nabesho felt herself twitch. She wasn't very fond of messes, but she also felt the place was very homey.
“Daddy, we brought more firewood!” came a boy's voice. In came two boys from outside, each with a pile of wood in their arms. “Oh, you're awake now,” the boy who spoke said. He quickly ran over to the fireplace and threw the wood down. He practically ran over to Nabesho's side. For a common boy, he was really cute; Nabesho blushed at her thoughts.
“Now, Miyadate, be careful. She's just woken up, I'm sure she doesn't need you pestering her,” the man spoke to the boy, Miyadate, with a minor reprimand in his voice.
Miyadate nodded and took a step back from the bed, looking down at his feet. Nabesho found this to be adorable. Once again shocked by her thoughts, she looked down at the mismatched quilt that was on top of her.
“My, you're a bit red again, perhaps some soup will help.” The man smiled at her as he got up and went into another room.
“What's your name?” Miyadate asked, which caused Nabesho to meet his gaze. They both blushed a bit as they stared at one another.
Realizing she was just staring, Nabesho looked away quickly. “Oh, uh, my name is Nabesho, I'm the-” suddenly a pink dust burst at her mouth and she couldn't speak. That was when she remembered her solemn promise to Sakuma.
Miyadate looked at her suspiciously. “The what?”
Nabesho blushed, her outfit was that of a servant, right? “I'm a servant in training at the castle. I was out picking some berries when I was chased by a wild boar and I got lost.”
Miyadate nodded his head, like he had figured that out already. He probably did, Nabesho thought to herself, not entirely comfortable lying.
Just then the kind man returned with a tray of food. “So you're from the castle? Oh dear, I'm sure someone is very worried about you. I believe the knights Sir Lewis and Sir Kikuchi are in town until tomorrow afternoon, I'll have to ask them to send a message that we have one of their people. I am Abe, my sons and I are miners.”
Nabesho smiled gratefully as the food was placed in front of her. The idea of contacting the castle worried her, but she couldn't think of a reason to not. Nabesho hoped that Sakuma had thought of something. She looked over curiously at the only person who had yet to greet her, he looked about the same age as Sakuma and he was putting the wood away neatly. “Ah, that is my oldest son Iwamoto. Say hello to the young lady,” Abe told his son.
Iwamoto stood up and turned to Nabesho, he too had a kind smile and seemed a bit shy. He did a slight bow of greeting which Nabesho belatedly returned. “Thank you for helping me,” she said in a small voice. She wasn't quite used to strangers who didn't treat her like a royal princess.
Abe shared a smile with his sons before he patted Nabesho on the head. “It'll be alright, I promise.” The gesture was so kind, it reminded Nabesho of her father. She didn't know what was going on at the castle, but she hoped that her father was alright.
“Tomorrow I'll go see the knights, for now, sleep.” Abe took the now empty tray away. Nabesho smiled gratefully and yawned.“Come on Miyadate, you can sleep in my room with me tonight. We need to leave our guest to sleep.” Miyadate nodded at his father and waved goodnight to Nabesho. The gesture had her cheeks coloring again.
It wasn't long after Abe blew out the candles and the soft glow of the fire was the only light source in the room that Nabesho found herself deep in sleep again.
When Nabesho woke up everyone in the house was already awake. She would have still been sleeping if it weren't for the loud crash she had heard. She opened her eyes regretfully and found Iwamoto chasing Miyadate out of the kitchen. “You little troll! You ruined breakfast again,” Iwamoto yelled. Both boys came to a halt when they spotted Nabesho. Her bonnet had fallen off and her light brown hair fell down her shoulders in soft waves. She was rubbing the sleep from her eyes but looked so regal. Iwamoto snapped out of it first, as he pushed his younger brother, “See, you woke up Nabesho.”
“What? You were the one yelling!” Miyadate shook his head and screamed back. He glared at his brother with red cheeks.
“Boys, that's enough. I'm sorry for the fuss so early in the morning, Nabesho,” Abe's kind voice came from the hallway. He arrived, fully dressed and looking only a little tired. Nabesho smiled and noticed that it was barely light outside. She had very rarely ever been up this early.
“No, it's alright.” Nabesho couldn't help but smile at the family that had rescued her. She had never really had any experience with people who weren't from powerful families and she had to admit it was a nice change. They were kind and made her feel welcome. They gave her help, even when they had so little.
“Well, I'm off to give the message of your whereabouts to the knights. Boys, I expect you two to be on your best behavior and take good care of our guest. Is that understood?” Abe looked at his two sons sternly.
“Yes, sir,” both boys said simultaneously. Iwamoto nodded as Miyadate ran forward and hugged their father. Abe left with one last kind smile.
~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~
The town square was filled with people when Abe arrived. The two knights he was searching for where on the small stage, their faces set in neutral. It was unusual, as they both often were all smiles on their biweekly visit to the village. Both men had betrothed who were the daughters of the town's lord, and as such visited often.
“We have grave news, I fear,” Sir Jesse Lewis spoke first.
“Yesterday, around mid afternoon, the castle was attacked,” Sir Fuma Kikuchi continued. A loud gasp was heard throughout the crowd.
“The Jwest Pirates attacked the castle, and I regret to inform you they killed the King. His young daughter, the crown princess, is nowhere to be found. She is believed to have been kidnapped by the pirates,” Jesse spoke, his voice almost void of emotion.
The townsfolk began to talk in panicked voices, but Fuma stopped them. “For now, Prince Sanada is acting on his brother's behalf and pleads that everyone remain calm. The pirates have been chased from the castle, and we, the royal knights, will do our best to keep you all safe.”
Abe felt his heart ache. Their king had been good to them and was loved by his people. The thought that he had been killed was almost too much to bear and the thought of Princess Nabella also being missing made matters even worse. Once the crowd was dispersed, Abe walked towards the knights. He didn't want to add pressure to the men, but he needed to tell someone about Nabesho.
“Good to see you, Abe,” Jesse greeted him. The Knights hopped off the stage and shook hands with Abe. “What brings you here so early, I thought you would be at the mines being told this.”
“Well you see, one of my sons found a small servant in training who got lost from the castle. I thought you could let someone know, or even take her back with you.” Abe looked at the men with an apologetic look.
“A young servant in training?” Fuma began, but was quickly elbowed by Jesse. Fuma glared at his fellow knight, only to have his eyes widen. “Oh, yes, uh...Nabesho? Her sister's been so worried, she was outside during the attack and no one knew what happened to her.”
Abe sighed, at least he would be able to return one person that was missing. “So you'll take her back?”
Fuma and Jesse shared a look before Jesse gave Abe a small smile. “Actually, we've got to be in another village in a few hours and we can't take a young girl with us. But we'll send a message to the castle about her, and her sister will probably come and get her herself I imagine.” Jesse gave Abe a smile before he went over to his horse. He pulled out a piece of parchment and a magic quill and wrote down a message. He lifted the parchment up into the air and spoke, “Ad regiam”
The parchment flew from his hands and formed a small white bird that flew away from the men. “Amazing,” Abe marveled. He was always fascinated by magic, but it wasn't a gift that showed itself in everyone. Many who displayed the skill were employed in high places, such as the castle. It was even uncommon for a knight to have the skill, but Jesse was an exception.
Jesse grinned, happy he got to show off. “Well, we must be off. Must keep being messengers of the bad news.” Jesse's smile faded as he spoke, and they all grew silent. This was no time for joy.
“Yes, I should go home and inform the boys, and Nabesho. I do hope the dear girl won't be too shocked.” Abe sighed as he began to walk back to his cottage. Jesse and Fuma traded a nervous look before they mounted their horses and took off.
~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~
Abe arrived home, he was nervous as he walked back to his home. He heard some noises in the kitchen and followed the sounds. He found Iwamoto and Miyadate trying unsuccessfully to teach Nabesho how to grind wheat for flour. The boys were laughing at the struggling young girl, who looked adorably messy, but determined. “Well, you all seem to be having fun.” The sight of them warmed his heart a bit.
“Daddy, you're home.” Miyadate smiled at his father. He was so happy at the moment, and he didn't know why. Sure, it was funny that this so called servant girl seemed horrible at everyday chores, but that didn't seem like the only reason.
Iwamoto's smile fell from his face as he looked at his father. He knew that stance, it was one that his father had when he had some bad news to tell. “What is it, father?”
Miyadate stopped laughing when he heard his brother talk. If Iwamoto was worried, then so was he. Nabesho looked between the family members, adorably confused.
“Kids, come with me and sit down, ok?” Abe walked back to the main room and gestured for the three to sit on the bed. They did as instructed, Iwamoto and Miyadate becoming more wary with each passing moment of silence.
Nabesho looked at the two boys, and then at Abe. She could tell something was wrong, but she couldn't figure out what it had to do with her. She had a horrible feeling in the pit of her stomach, but she tried her best to ignore it.
“Well, I saw the knights, and they said that Nabesho's older sister will be sent to pick her up.” Nabesho tilted her head for a moment, before it clicked that Sakuma must have done something to keep her a secret. She grinned at her governess's cleverness. Abe still looked nervous, so she kept quiet to hear the rest. “It seems that there was an attack by pirates on the castle. The king is dead, and the young princess is being assumed to be kidnapped by them.”
Nabesho heard the words, she knew what they meant, but she didn't believe them. “What? That, can't, I mean I, there is no way.” Her words made no sense. Hot tears began to pour down her little face. She wanted to scream, she wanted to tell these people who she was. Nabesho couldn't, the pink dust kept her mouth tightly sealed as tears fell down her face.
Miyadate and Iwamoto looked at each other, both at a complete loss of what to do. Abe's heart broke, he had expected the young girl to be upset, she worked in the castle, and perhaps knew the young princess. He didn't know she would be so completely destroyed though. He leaned forward and took the shaking child into his arms. He held her as she cried her eyes out, his sons looking on sadly and awkwardly.
“There, there, it'll be alright. I promise.” Though Nabesho felt that she could trust Abe, she could not trust those words.
~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~
Sakuma saw the bird from the window of her currently locked class room. She knew what had happened, and she wasn't about to open her enchanted door until someone she trusted came by. She had been taught by her predecessor to keep the door to the classroom enchanted so that only those who were to be in this room, could get to it. She knew that “King” Sanada would be looking for her to find out about Nabesho, and she couldn't tell him the truth, so lock herself in it was.
Sakuma opened the window and the bird turned into parchment and fell into her hands. She read over the message quickly and felt a sigh of relief. Nabesho was safe, at the very least. She mulled over what to do next. She couldn't have Nabesho come back, it wasn't safe, and she couldn't impose on someone without an explanation.
An idea popped into her head, but she didn't have what she needed, so she would need help. Sakuma traveled through a secret door, and knocked upon finding a purple and green door with runes all over it. Soon a female with short hair and a wicked smile opened the door. “Goseki, I need your help,” Sakuma told the assistant sorceress. Kawai, the royal sorcerer, came over to the girls curiously.
“What do you need? You were my best student, what could you need help with?” Goseki's smile never left her face, even as Kawai draped himself over her. They were an odd pair, but excellent at what they did.
“First, I need this room to be sound proof, no one is to know what I tell you.” Sakuma looked around nervously.
Kawai chuckled and snapped his fingers. Purple flew out from his hands and covered the walls lightly. “Go on.”
“I know where the princess is, but I need her to stay where she is. You and I both know that something wrong is happening. I need to borrow gold, enough of it to keep someone quiet but be believable for me to have.” Sakuma looked at Goseki with pleading eyes.
Goseki eyed Sakuma, her cute moles on her cheeks made her look all the better. “Well, don't you have your own then?”
Sakuma sighed, aggravated. “I can't get to my bed chamber, the guards are looking for me, and my room isn't enchanted.” Goseki raised an eyebrow at the governess but grinned and walked over to one of the cabinets in the room. Sakuma was grateful that her old mentor in magic didn't speak of her lack of foresight to enchant her bed chamber.
As Goseki rumbled around the cabinet, Kawai pulled Sakuma close to him. “The “new” king is already demanding the princess be found, he swears he saw the pirates run away with her. He asked for a tracking spell to find her, poor boy's magic was never very strong. I believe you would like me to mess that up?”
Sakuma looked at Kawai with a grateful smile, he winked at her in return as Goseki brought a small green velvet bag. The coins clinked as she dropped it into Sakuma's hand. “That should be just about right.” Goseki's eyes turned to the normal door, and she pushed Sakuma towards the magical one. “Go.” The sound of foot steps coming closer could be heard.
She waved and gave a smile to her former mentors before she went through the door, the magical entrance disappearing behind her. She stopped at her teaching room and grabbed her cloak before she continued down the tunnels.
~.~.~.~.~.~.~
Abe looked down at the young girl in his arms. Her cheeks were stained with tears as she had cried herself to sleep. His heart ached, and he couldn't bring himself to set her down. Miyadate and Iwamoto had quietly left to get firewood and do some chores, both occasionally came to check on their guest.
The miners had been given the day off, to go be with their families in this time of need; Abe found himself grateful for that. Miyadate and Iwamoto returned with firewood, both being careful not to make too much noise. A knock on the door startled them all. Abe motioned for Iwamoto to answer as he looked down at the still sleeping child in his arms.
Iwamoto opened the door and was greeted by a young woman taking the cloak off from her head. She looked at him with a gentle smile and he felt his heart flutter. She had the most adorable face, with short brown hair and a beautiful set of moles on her cheek. He opened his mouth to speak, but he couldn't make a sound.
The girl giggled and pushed some of her hair behind her ears. She seemed to recall something as she shook her head and spoke. “Hello, I'm Sakuma. I'm the governess of the royal family, and I hear you found my little sister?”
Iwamoto nodded his head, still unable to speak and motioned her inside the house. Sakuma walked inside and immediately spied the girl in the older gentleman's arms. “She's been crying most of the day, ever since I told her what happened at the castle. I didn't know it would upset her so much,” Abe spoke softly.
Sakuma nodded, she understood the truth. “It's ok, she and the princess were good friends, and the King was always very kind to her.” Sakuma felt her heart clench with the lie she told, but it was for Nabesho's own good. She walked over to Abe and nudged Nabesho. “Hey, wake up. Nabesho, it's me, Sakuma.”
Nabesho's eyes opened, they were red and puffy, but a small smile formed when she saw Sakuma. “You came.” Nabesho's little smile was almost heartbreaking for Sakuma, whose own eyes began to tear. She nodded her head.
“Yes, I did. But I can't stay long, and I can't take you back with me.” Her words caused Nabesho to roll out of Abe's arms. She looked so shocked and crushed. Abe opened his mouth to speak, but Sakuma cut him off. “The castle is currently a mess, it's no environment for a kid. Our parents are no longer living, I'm so sorry to impose upon you, but I hope this can help.” Sakuma pulled the bag from a sack draped around her and dropped it into Abe's lap.
Abe looked down at the green velvet bag before he picked it up and opened it. What he saw caused him to let out a large gasp, gold, real gold coins. “Why, I could never, this is far too much, I-”
“Please, it's to look after my sister, as well as to thank you. Please accept it, and please watch my little sister, please.” Sakuma gave her best pleading act. She needed Abe to accept.
Abe looked down at the bag, the gold was worth more than nearly a years salary, and they could use the money. The boys seemed to like Nabesho, and Sakuma seemed so desperate. He was never one to say no in the first place, that was how he always worked later shifts than he was supposed to. “Alright,” he sighed, defeated.
“Oh, thank you! I'll be by once a week to visit, but first could I speak with Nabesho outside alone for a moment?” Sakuma looked at Abe who nodded, he was still a bit stuck about the money.
Nabesho quietly followed Sakuma outside. Once away from the cottage, Sakuma made a pink bubble around them so they could talk. Sakuma pulled a large bag from her small burlap bag. “Here are clothes and a few things from home. I know this is hard, but things are not always what they may seem. I need you to be strong for me Nabesho. Please.” The small girl looked smaller than she was as she stared in despair at the ground. She took the large bag, but didn't say a word. Sakuma sighed and pulled a pink vial from her purse. “I can't explain more until I know more myself, but Nabesho, you need to know, your father is alive, and things will be alright, but you can't tell a soul. I need you to drink this, it'll keep you undetected and make you feel better.”
When Nabesho heard the words father and alive she felt her world was crashing again. “W-what did you say?”
“The true king is alive, but I can't tell you anymore, I need you to be strong, little princess, I need you to believe.” Sakuma looked around herself nervously, she didn't have much time, and her protective spell would only work so well if compared with a fully trained military sorcerer.
“But, everyone said, and how.” Nabesho felt Sakuma push the vile into her hands, and she obediently drank it. The moment the liquid touched her lips she felt better. Her head felt clear, and one look at Sakuma was all she needed. Nabesho nodded her head, she believed.
“Good, now, I need you to stay here.” Sakuma took the bag from Nabesho and the pink bubble popped. They walked back to the cottage, Nabesho still was confused and felt sad, but she also felt better. She needed to believe that Sakuma was telling the truth, she had to.
Sakuma left not long after they returned inside. The room was silent. Nabesho tried to keep up her depressed facade, but she felt the awkwardness of the room. “I'm sorry, I didn't mean to cause you trouble, you've been so kind to me,” Nabesho let herself tear up as she spoke.
Abe looked up at her alarmed. “Oh sweet child, it's no trouble. Things will be alright, I promise.” Nabesho felt a small uncontrollable smile grace her lips. Abe had said those words multiple times, but somehow, they always felt right.
The small smile diffused the tension from the room. Iwamoto was staring out the window and sighing, as if imagining something. Miyadate walked over and sat next to Nabesho, he looked at her with a shy smile. “Dad's right, if he says things will be alright, they will.”
Nabesho felt her cheeks heat up at the closeness of the boy next to her. “Ok, I believe.”
It's your turn rikikomori