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The Kingdom of Vivid slowly woke up after the golden sun rose. Folks were opening their windows to let in the cool morning air. People were starting their usual daily routines for their normal lives. Everything was perfect.
An Shiraishi, the princess of Vivid, was eating at the royal dining table for breakfast. She ate with King Ken & Queen Yuka. Multiple knights guarded them while they ate.
“An, do you have anyone in mind to marry?”
The girl choked on her food when her mom said that. “E-Eh? Um… No, not right now.”
“You have to marry someone soon. Your mother and I are becoming old. We won’t be able to rule the kingdom anymore. You could inherit the throne at any moment, so you have to have a prince to rule with,” stated her father.
An’s eyes widened. “But it’s too soon! You two still have many years to go! I don’t have to get married yet! And even then, I don’t have anyone to marry! I don’t want to marry!”
The queen said, “Hush, my child. If you don’t find anyone to marry within the next few months, we will have to force you into marriage. I know a couple great kingdoms with wonderful princes that will make our kingdom stronger if you get married to them. Trust me An. It’s best to get married early before it’s too late.”
The king agreed. “What if we die and you still haven’t found a suitor? I don’t think you’ll ever be able to rule the kingdom by yourself. Rarely any kingdoms flourish with one ruler.”
An stared at her parents. “I… I don’t want to get married! At least not right now! I’m still young! I still have a long way to go!”
“Do not disrespect us, young lady. We’re going to allow you to meet multiple princes in the next couple days. Hopefully you’ll find interest in one of them,” stated Queen Yuka.
The princess sighed. She didn’t want to speak with her parents anymore. She excused herself away and headed to her sleeping chambers.
She was frustrated. She didn’t want to marry. Why did she have to marry so soon? It’s not like her parents were just gonna drop dead. She believed she still had a lot of time before she had to marry.
After a couple minutes, An decided to head to the castle gardens. She wanted to talk with her favorite knight in the world, Sir Akito Shinonome. He’s her best friend and they spend a lot of time together. The king and queen had been suspicious of them before, but they didn’t think about it much.
An held up her gown as she walked. Her ruby dress glided on the marble floor. Her posh heels clicked and her silky hair flowed gracefully behind her. She was such a beauty.
When she arrived at the castle gardens, she found her knight standing protectively near the fence. There was no one else around, so she ran up to him eagerly.
“Akito! Hi!” An gave him a little curtsy.
Sir Akito was dressed in his formal white knight uniform with his sword tucked neatly in his scabbard by his side. He was dashingly attractive.
“Oh? Greetings princess!” He gave her a bow.
An grinned. “I already told you not to act so proper around me. We’re friends!”
Akito smiled warmly. “But you’re literally a princess! It’d be wrong not to be respectful to you. Have you heard of those stories where people get killed if they don’t show the royals respect?”
The girl rolled her eyes. “That’s in storybooks. This is real life! You can be yourself around me, Akito. You’re my friend.”
She giggled and sat down on a bench next to some bushes. The boy sat down next to her. The birds chirped overhead & the smell of the flowers permeated the air. The castle gardens were a gorgeous place.
“Earlier today, my mother and father talked to me about marriage. They said I should marry someone as soon as possible,” said An.
Akito looked at the princess. “Marry? You’re still young. And Queen Yuka & King Ken aren’t even close to dying yet. That doesn’t make sense.”
An dramatically groaned. “Exactly! Apparently I’m old enough and I should get married even though I have no one!”
“Have you found a suitable prince that you think you might marry yet?” Akito asked as An rested her chin in her hands.
“No! I don’t like any of the princes I’ve met so far! My parents said they’re gonna let me meet a ton of suitors so I can chat with them and see if I like any of them! Ugh, I don’t want to marry. At least not right now. I want to live my life to the fullest while I’m still young.”
An grumbled and Akito chuckled. He put a hand on her shoulder. “Don’t be so pessimistic. Maybe you’ll find someone you’ll fancy. There’s a ton of fish in the sea. I believe in you, princess.”
The princess sighed. “I know. I just wish there was someone I knew already that was fit for me to marry. I wish there was someone I already liked and could marry. Then we wouldn’t have to go through all these complications.”
“…If you had to marry someone, who would you choose? Is there anyone in mind that you are acquainted with already?” The knight raised his eyebrow.
“No… well I don’t know!” An hung her head low. “I just want someone who’s kind, strong, handsome, loving, caring, and fetch. I want a guy who has an endearing personality and will love me no matter what. Someone who is willing to accept me and talk to me not just as a princess, but as a person. I wish there was someone like that…”
Akito’s heart skipped a beat. He was thinking something, but he didn’t dare say it. “So… someone like me?”
An threw her hands up in the air. “Yes! Someone exactly like you! Tsk… life is so unfair.”
A faint blush appeared on Akito’s cheeks. Man, An is so naive. Did she even realize what she just said?
Akito didn’t want to say anything to taint his relationship with An. He simply said, “Well, I hope you find someone like me to marry soon.”
An tilted her head up and smiled at him. “Thanks. You’re the bestest friend I could ever have. I’m lucky to have you, Akito.”
Ouch. That friendzone hurt more than it should have.
All Akito did was smile and admire the flowers. He didn’t want to say anything else. He just wanted An to continue living in her own world. Akito was just a knight friend to her, and that’s all he’ll ever be.
—
A few months passed. The king and queen have tried to set their daughter up with numerous princes across the nation. Suitors from all over the world came to Vivid Kingdom & tried to ask An for her hand in marriage. Of course, An didn’t show interest in any of them.
All the princes An met were snobby and brain dead. Even if they claimed they loved her, An knew that they only liked her for her looks. They just wanted to marry her because she’s a pretty little princess.
An sighed and sat on the bench in the garden. Akito sat next to her as she ranted about her frustrations. He listened to her and chatted with her, enjoying spending time with her.
“What should I do?! I don’t want to get married to anyone. My parents are actually going to force me into marriage. No matter what I say or do, they won’t listen. This is horrid.”
“It’s okay, princess. I’m sure you’ll find someone soon. I hope you will be able to happily marry.”
“I hope so…”
—
A few days later, something utterly unexpected happened. The tranquility of the kingdom was diminished.
A war has broken out.
Screaming and yelling were heard inside the kingdom walls. Citizens of Vivid were yelping for help. The royal guards immediately headed out.
Blood splattered on the floor. Folks dropped dead. People were fighting for their lives.
All the knights clashed swords with the foreign knights. Another kingdom has declared an attack on Vivid to gain power. They wanted to take over the kingdom! It was all chaos and bloodshed.
The king & queen hid safely in the castle. Akito & An were just taking a stroll outside of the palace when battlecries ringed in their ears. The princess looked horrified.
“IS THERE A WAR?! WHAT’S HAPPENING?!” An shouted as she saw explosions in the distance. Being the knight he was, Akito grabbed her arm. He was trained for things like this. He pulled An along, running swiftly.
“WE’VE GOT TO HIDE, NOW!” Akito tore through the wind, the wind flowing through his hair. His heart was pounding loudly. An struggled to keep up.
He has to get her somewhere safe. It was his duty as a knight to protect her. He has already sworn to protect the royal family with his life. He couldn’t fail.
As the two were on their way to the castle cellar, they were stopped by a knight. It was a knight from the kingdom they were at war with. He wore pitch black armor that was the color of tar. He had his sword in his right hand.
“Back away from the princess,” stated the menacing knight.
Akito let go of An’s hand and drew his sword. He turned to An. “Princess, go hide. Get somewhere safe.”
An’s breath hitched. “But what about you?”
“Don’t worry about me. Just go!”
The black knight darted towards the princess but Akito stopped him. He clashed his blade with his and they fought. An tried to run, but she couldn’t leave Akito. She was worried for him.
As the two knights battled, An watched from behind a wall. “URGH, GET OUT OF THE WAY!” The black knight shouted as he dodged one of Akito’s attacks. “Not until you leave this castle and never come back!”
The battle was intense. Akito has never killed anyone before, but he knew how to kill. With a swift chop, the orange-haired boy sliced the other knight’s right arm off. The knight cried with pain.
Akito was angry. He had to protect An no matter what. Even if he had to kill.
He raised his blade, preparing to murder him. But the black knight did something he did not expect.
The black knight bent down & picked up his sword on the ground where his arm was. He quickly held it in his left hand and charged at Akito.
Time seemed to slow down. The foe’s blade was pointed directly at Akito’s stomach.
The knight pierced his weapon straight through Akito’s body. Pain flooded through his nerves. The black knight twisted the sword before pulling it out. The sword was tainted with blood.
Akito cried with agony. But he wasn’t about to give up just yet. When the black knight thought he was finished, Akito used his sword and penetrated his heart. The sound that it made was a sound no one could ever forget.
The black knight dropped to the ground. Akito smiled a little, satisfied, then dropped down too.
An’s eyes were wide with horror. She swiftly came out from the corner and knelt beside Akito.
“Akito?! Akito! No no no, this can’t be happening!...”
The olive-eyed boy softly smiled as An picked up his back and held him in her arms. “Princess… I told you to go hide…”
“I-I-I got a bad feeling! I couldn’t leave you! I knew something terrible was gonna happen!” Tears pricked the girl’s eyes. Blood was spilling from the hole in his shirt. It stained An’s gown & hands, but she didn’t care.
“Leave… go somewhere safe… I’m sorry I couldn’t protect you.”
“...No! I can’t leave you here! I need you! Please! You protected me enough!”
“It’s okay my lady. Knights are bound to die protecting something they love. We swore to protect. Even if it takes our lives.”
“Don’t die! Hang in there! Please! I don’t want to lose you…”
“Princess… I will live in your heart, die in your lap, and be buried in your eyes. I love you with a love that shall not die, till the sun grows cold and the stars grow old. I love you with so much of my heart that there is none left to protest. I love you, An…”
“Akito! No… I was so blind. The person I could’ve married and been happy with this whole time was you. I can’t believe it! I’m so sorry! I’m sorry, Akito… I love you… I’m sorry…”
“Shhh, don’t cry… seeing you sad hurts more than any injury.”
“Akito… Please… I love you… don’t go.”
“May my love be with you forever.”
With that, the boy’s eyes drifted off. His previously bright, viriscent irises were now dull and empty. The princess sobbed. She held him close, crying uncontrollably. She kept repeating his name over and over in hopes he would come back. But it was no use. The princess’s white knight has sadly died.
—
Years passed since that war. The kingdom of Vivid has been rebuilding and growing. It’s been flourishing with all the new connections & allies. Now the Vivid Kingdom was as mighty as ever.
It was the day of An’s wedding. The king and queen weren’t dead yet, but they forced An to marry so she’s ready to rule when they die. An had her hair up in a refined bun and wore an elegant wedding dress.
An had been depressed ever since Sir Akito died. All she could think about was him. She thought about all the memories they shared together and all the moments they had with each other. She thought about their small talks and long conversations. She thought about everything they’ve done with each other.
She couldn’t get him out of her mind. Guilt has been flooding her lonely heart ever since that solemn day. An regrets so many things. She should have realized her feelings before. She should have realized that he was the one perfect for her to marry. She should have realized she wanted to marry him.
So many tears were shed. Even more than all the bloodshed combined from the war. An cried every night, sobbing and bawling her eyes out. She misses Akito dearly. She misses her beloved knight. She misses his charming smile and charismatic hair. She misses his kindness & courage. She just flat-out misses him.
If only he hadn’t fought with that black knight in an effort to protect An. If only she had just ran like Akito told her to so she was spared of watching him pass away. If only she had done something to help.
But now he’s dead. And she can’t do anything about it.
—
“Do you, (insert random prince name), take Princess An Shiraishi as your royal wedded wife, to love her forever and ever, to spend time with her and smile with her, to live together in matrimony, in sickness and in health, in happiness and in sorrow, in downs and in ups, to later rule together as king & queen, for long as you both shall live?”
“I do.”
“Do you, Princess An Shiraishi, take (insert random prince name) as your royal wedded husband, to love him forever and ever, to spend time with him and smile with him, to live together in matrimony, in sickness and in health, in happiness and in sorrow, in downs and in ups, to later rule together as queen & king, for long as you both shall live?”
An nervously looked around. King Ken & Queen Yuka were glaring at her. Everyone was waiting for her to say it.
She didn’t want to marry this guy. She barely even knew who this prince was. The only person she wants to marry is Akito, and since he’s gone, she doesn’t want to marry anybody.
Princess An sighed. Saying ‘I do’ was lying to what the officiant said, but she had no other choice.
“I do.”
“You may kiss the bride.”
The other prince leaned in & gave her a quick peck on the lips. The crowd cheered. An felt disgusted.
She was now officially married to a prince she didn’t love. She didn’t want this to happen. Akito didn’t either.
And now her life must be spent in despair & melancholy. She wished Akito was the one she was getting married to instead. She wished Akito was a prince and her parents set her up with him. She wished she could love Akito and marry him happily.
But thus, love is never a smooth course. It always has bumps & holes you could trip in. And if fate decides to make your life even worse, it could always take a detour onto another path. And that path could be the most painful path you could ever take.
“Love is a smoke made with the fume of sighs.” - William Shakespeare