Mai: Before anything else, I'd like to thank those who are patronizing this
story. Hontou ni, arigato. This chapter would like to tell something,
though I'm getting lazier in writing. Please, if anyone spot any mistake in
the spelling, please notify me in your review so that I can revise the
chapter.
Mai: I don't own Digimon, I never will. I like to write, and I'm writing while I'm busy as a watcher here at the hospital. My dad was treated because of something in his appendix. It's not really appendicitis, but his appendix or something inflamed or something. Good thing I finished it today though.
~~ ~~
CHAPTER X: NORTH MEETS SOUTH
~~
~~
Because of the Royal Family's orders, the carriage Rika arrived at the Ishida Kingdom by late afternoon. Rika knew that she must respect, although it is not of her own will. 'I wonder what the prince looks like.'
Rika knew that she was about to find that out in less than one hour.
"Yamato?" the Queen called, tapping the doors of Matt's room. "Can I come in?" Without waiting for an answer, she opened the doors, and saw her son, clad in his formal attire, his front facing the window. "They're here, Yamato."
"I know, mother." Matt said, still staring at the silhoutte of his fiancée going out of the carriage. His thoughts drifted to somewhere else and wondered what would be the feeling if it were Sora down there. He placed his stoic mask and walked past his mother. "I'll go greet them."
The Queen watched as her oldest son walked silently out of his room. "I'm sorry Yamato. I hope that there's still time." She sighed, and went out of the room to accompany Matt with greeting the princess.
~~
Sora sat down on the bench on the Palace gardens while Ryo was slightly camouflaged by the flowers. 'I can't believe this. Rika shares my sorrow, and I didn't even know it.' She glanced at Ryo. 'Well, at the very least, her lover isn't a heir to a throne.'
"So," Ryo sat up, bringing Sora's thoughts back into the present. "What do you think we should do? Honestly, I'm not one to lose someone I love, and from your expression, I think you're thinking the same."
"Ryo, how did you met her?" she asked, eyes still blank, now facing the ground. "How did you met Rika?"
Ryo taps his chin for a second, and then responded. "There's a small pond a kilometer away from here." He started, pointing at the direction east from the area. "Sometimes, I could spy Rika going there on her own, probably to escape any problems inside the castle. Our first meeting wasn't that civil, um, because, I kind of walked in on her while she was taking a swim." A grin appeared on his face. "I could still remember the foul words she hurled at me. That went uphill from there."
"I see..." the redhead sighed, closing her eyes. "One rocky start, but a start nonetheless. I would guess that no secrets are kept between the two of you?"
"My life is an open book." Ryo answered. "Everyone can read it. And Rika's life as a princess can be easily heard throughout the kingdom. It's kind of fun, how news can easily be twisted into rumors and gossip."
Ryo's statement only did Sora's condition worse. "I wish I could just turn back time..."
Ryo stood up and faced the direction of the pond. "Well, turning back time would bring up new future, which means that there will be a possibility that this future might not exist, and you and His Majesty will not get back together again. So it'll be useless, without the equipment and the mind to do so."
Sora stared at the brown haired man, and saw him in a new light. "Since when have ninjas such as yourself had that kind of intelligence?"
Ryo only grinned at her. "It's a secret, so it'll be a surprise."
~~
Rika didn't know what to think. Their parents have good taste, and she just concluded it when they were talking at the dining table. The Princes of Ishida do look alike, but the aura was too different. The younger prince, Takeru, has that kind of friendly aura, while her fiance's, Yamato, has the complete opposite.
It was quite ironic to even think that they both had the same gestures, such as sudden coldness, although Rika chose to stay neutral in front of the North Royal Family. It is rare, but still possible, that he has a past.
A cough snapped her out of her thoughts. She looked and saw the Queen starting to talk. "Now, Yamato, the princess haven't seen what the whole palace is made of. Can you give her a tour because your father and I have some pressing matters." The Queen looked at the younger prince. "Takeru I'll ask you to take your brother's horse down to the stables."
"Yes mother." The boys chorused. Takeru went out first, most probably thinking of seeing the Kamiya's late at night. When his brother is our of sight, Yamato stands up, approaches Rika, and gave her a hand, which she accepted tentatively. They went out of the other door, to the hallways.
Matt was not confused, he was just curious at the girl who seemed to have part of Sora's silent personality. Well, after all, he deduced, Sora has the Royal blood of the Nonaka's. But still, Princess Rika puzzles him. She wasn't like those who ran up to him and ask him to take her. It would appear as though she wouldn't want to even touch him, although the gesture made in front of the Royal Parents was actually to respect the King and Queen.
Right now, they were just walking side-by-side touching nothing. But then, Matt had to break the silence and fill in the dead air. "You don't seem to talk that much, do you?"
Rika looked at him through the corner of her eye. "Not really. I just closed my mouth when not needed because anything that I said that would come from my will usually ends up deadly." She looked at the side. "The longest conversation I had was with my cousin, who just arrived last night."
"Lady Sora, I presume." Matt supposed, his muscles straining upon saying the name of the woman who rode off and took his heart with her.
"I suppose you know her already." Rika replied, her attention back at the hallway. "She came from this place, and the Takenouchi's, no doubt."
"I've met her." Matt said. "Just a few days ago."
And then silence reigned over the two again, as they walked through the hallways. Now it was Rika's turn to fill in the dead air. "So, do you talk that often?"
"Only when I'm outside the castle walls." Matt replied, surprising Rika at the revelation. "What? I'm not one to stay inside here and rot, you know."
"And obviously, you have friends on the villages."
"They're trustworthy. I've got several people to side me, such as the town doctor, the resident genius, and the people tending the stables and the gallery."
"There is a gallery here?" she asked. It seems that the prince is more adventurous than she thought. When they arrived at her room, Matt bowed.
"I'll go now. You better get some rest." He said, before turning around to leave.
"Wait." Rika's voice halted him in his steps. "Can I ask you a favor?" When Matt turned to her, she sighed. "If it's not any problem, can you let me see the gallery tomorrow? I really would appreciate it if you could."
"It's no problem." Matt answered. "Of course you can. Now, if you are sleepy, get some rest. If not, just follow me." When he walked back to the hallway, he sensed the princess following him. "Well, that would mean you're not sleepy yet."
"So, where are you going at this late hour?" she asked him, curious, yet keeping her stoic mask just in case. If the man has some hidden agenda, well, that would certainly be interesting, compared to the events of the day.
"The rooftop."
~~
Meanwhile, the two who were left at the Nonaka Kingdom were busy devising a plan to make all the people see what is what and who is who.
Sora was in the bedroom she and Rika shared, and saw quite a lot of things when she decided to do a little scavenging. Some were mere trinkets, but most are gifts, probably made by a dozen suitors. But then, the name written on each gift was one and the same. Ryo Akiyama.
One gift seemed to have outshone the others, and it is a coal painting of a woman. When she stared at it long enough, Sora realized that the woman in the painting was Rika. And down on the painting is a signature R.A.
These two must be really close...Sora said to herself before arranging the gifts an things back in their places. She sat down on the study table, took a pen and a paper, and began writing.
Dear Rika,
This is Sora. I just write to ask how do you over there.
Seems like I met someone here who told me a lot about yourself, and even taught me of the bird message. You know, you could've just told me, and prevent you from coming over there.
If you're wondering what I'm talking about, the same thing happening to you and the person I'm talking about is happening to me and the person who happened to be your fiancé. I wish I could do something, but I'm out of ideas.
You have to take care of yourself now. Please reply. Someone is dying to hear about you over here.
Sora
After writing, she rolled the paper, and placed it in the small tube tied to the bird's leg. She then opened the window and allowed the bird to go. But before letting it fly, she whispered in its ear, "Princess Rika Nonaka at North Kingdom Palace."
~~
Mai: So, anyone who has violent reactions, kindly review and then kill yourself. Oh wait, no, I'm not promoting suicide over here. No. Just review. Any would do. Please!
Mai: I don't own Digimon, I never will. I like to write, and I'm writing while I'm busy as a watcher here at the hospital. My dad was treated because of something in his appendix. It's not really appendicitis, but his appendix or something inflamed or something. Good thing I finished it today though.
~~ ~~
CHAPTER X: NORTH MEETS SOUTH
~~
~~
Because of the Royal Family's orders, the carriage Rika arrived at the Ishida Kingdom by late afternoon. Rika knew that she must respect, although it is not of her own will. 'I wonder what the prince looks like.'
Rika knew that she was about to find that out in less than one hour.
"Yamato?" the Queen called, tapping the doors of Matt's room. "Can I come in?" Without waiting for an answer, she opened the doors, and saw her son, clad in his formal attire, his front facing the window. "They're here, Yamato."
"I know, mother." Matt said, still staring at the silhoutte of his fiancée going out of the carriage. His thoughts drifted to somewhere else and wondered what would be the feeling if it were Sora down there. He placed his stoic mask and walked past his mother. "I'll go greet them."
The Queen watched as her oldest son walked silently out of his room. "I'm sorry Yamato. I hope that there's still time." She sighed, and went out of the room to accompany Matt with greeting the princess.
~~
Sora sat down on the bench on the Palace gardens while Ryo was slightly camouflaged by the flowers. 'I can't believe this. Rika shares my sorrow, and I didn't even know it.' She glanced at Ryo. 'Well, at the very least, her lover isn't a heir to a throne.'
"So," Ryo sat up, bringing Sora's thoughts back into the present. "What do you think we should do? Honestly, I'm not one to lose someone I love, and from your expression, I think you're thinking the same."
"Ryo, how did you met her?" she asked, eyes still blank, now facing the ground. "How did you met Rika?"
Ryo taps his chin for a second, and then responded. "There's a small pond a kilometer away from here." He started, pointing at the direction east from the area. "Sometimes, I could spy Rika going there on her own, probably to escape any problems inside the castle. Our first meeting wasn't that civil, um, because, I kind of walked in on her while she was taking a swim." A grin appeared on his face. "I could still remember the foul words she hurled at me. That went uphill from there."
"I see..." the redhead sighed, closing her eyes. "One rocky start, but a start nonetheless. I would guess that no secrets are kept between the two of you?"
"My life is an open book." Ryo answered. "Everyone can read it. And Rika's life as a princess can be easily heard throughout the kingdom. It's kind of fun, how news can easily be twisted into rumors and gossip."
Ryo's statement only did Sora's condition worse. "I wish I could just turn back time..."
Ryo stood up and faced the direction of the pond. "Well, turning back time would bring up new future, which means that there will be a possibility that this future might not exist, and you and His Majesty will not get back together again. So it'll be useless, without the equipment and the mind to do so."
Sora stared at the brown haired man, and saw him in a new light. "Since when have ninjas such as yourself had that kind of intelligence?"
Ryo only grinned at her. "It's a secret, so it'll be a surprise."
~~
Rika didn't know what to think. Their parents have good taste, and she just concluded it when they were talking at the dining table. The Princes of Ishida do look alike, but the aura was too different. The younger prince, Takeru, has that kind of friendly aura, while her fiance's, Yamato, has the complete opposite.
It was quite ironic to even think that they both had the same gestures, such as sudden coldness, although Rika chose to stay neutral in front of the North Royal Family. It is rare, but still possible, that he has a past.
A cough snapped her out of her thoughts. She looked and saw the Queen starting to talk. "Now, Yamato, the princess haven't seen what the whole palace is made of. Can you give her a tour because your father and I have some pressing matters." The Queen looked at the younger prince. "Takeru I'll ask you to take your brother's horse down to the stables."
"Yes mother." The boys chorused. Takeru went out first, most probably thinking of seeing the Kamiya's late at night. When his brother is our of sight, Yamato stands up, approaches Rika, and gave her a hand, which she accepted tentatively. They went out of the other door, to the hallways.
Matt was not confused, he was just curious at the girl who seemed to have part of Sora's silent personality. Well, after all, he deduced, Sora has the Royal blood of the Nonaka's. But still, Princess Rika puzzles him. She wasn't like those who ran up to him and ask him to take her. It would appear as though she wouldn't want to even touch him, although the gesture made in front of the Royal Parents was actually to respect the King and Queen.
Right now, they were just walking side-by-side touching nothing. But then, Matt had to break the silence and fill in the dead air. "You don't seem to talk that much, do you?"
Rika looked at him through the corner of her eye. "Not really. I just closed my mouth when not needed because anything that I said that would come from my will usually ends up deadly." She looked at the side. "The longest conversation I had was with my cousin, who just arrived last night."
"Lady Sora, I presume." Matt supposed, his muscles straining upon saying the name of the woman who rode off and took his heart with her.
"I suppose you know her already." Rika replied, her attention back at the hallway. "She came from this place, and the Takenouchi's, no doubt."
"I've met her." Matt said. "Just a few days ago."
And then silence reigned over the two again, as they walked through the hallways. Now it was Rika's turn to fill in the dead air. "So, do you talk that often?"
"Only when I'm outside the castle walls." Matt replied, surprising Rika at the revelation. "What? I'm not one to stay inside here and rot, you know."
"And obviously, you have friends on the villages."
"They're trustworthy. I've got several people to side me, such as the town doctor, the resident genius, and the people tending the stables and the gallery."
"There is a gallery here?" she asked. It seems that the prince is more adventurous than she thought. When they arrived at her room, Matt bowed.
"I'll go now. You better get some rest." He said, before turning around to leave.
"Wait." Rika's voice halted him in his steps. "Can I ask you a favor?" When Matt turned to her, she sighed. "If it's not any problem, can you let me see the gallery tomorrow? I really would appreciate it if you could."
"It's no problem." Matt answered. "Of course you can. Now, if you are sleepy, get some rest. If not, just follow me." When he walked back to the hallway, he sensed the princess following him. "Well, that would mean you're not sleepy yet."
"So, where are you going at this late hour?" she asked him, curious, yet keeping her stoic mask just in case. If the man has some hidden agenda, well, that would certainly be interesting, compared to the events of the day.
"The rooftop."
~~
Meanwhile, the two who were left at the Nonaka Kingdom were busy devising a plan to make all the people see what is what and who is who.
Sora was in the bedroom she and Rika shared, and saw quite a lot of things when she decided to do a little scavenging. Some were mere trinkets, but most are gifts, probably made by a dozen suitors. But then, the name written on each gift was one and the same. Ryo Akiyama.
One gift seemed to have outshone the others, and it is a coal painting of a woman. When she stared at it long enough, Sora realized that the woman in the painting was Rika. And down on the painting is a signature R.A.
These two must be really close...Sora said to herself before arranging the gifts an things back in their places. She sat down on the study table, took a pen and a paper, and began writing.
Dear Rika,
This is Sora. I just write to ask how do you over there.
Seems like I met someone here who told me a lot about yourself, and even taught me of the bird message. You know, you could've just told me, and prevent you from coming over there.
If you're wondering what I'm talking about, the same thing happening to you and the person I'm talking about is happening to me and the person who happened to be your fiancé. I wish I could do something, but I'm out of ideas.
You have to take care of yourself now. Please reply. Someone is dying to hear about you over here.
Sora
After writing, she rolled the paper, and placed it in the small tube tied to the bird's leg. She then opened the window and allowed the bird to go. But before letting it fly, she whispered in its ear, "Princess Rika Nonaka at North Kingdom Palace."
~~
Mai: So, anyone who has violent reactions, kindly review and then kill yourself. Oh wait, no, I'm not promoting suicide over here. No. Just review. Any would do. Please!