The Princess and the Paige

By: The Dreaming Fangirl

Chapter 1: The Beginning

Once upon a time in a far-away land, there lived a little princess named Izumiko. Although she was raised to be royalty, the princess was very shy and didn't have much confidence in herself or in her abilities, let alone in her ability to interact with other people.

She primarily spent her time outside of the castle walls surrounded by the local mountains and the lush forest greenery. It was only there that she truly felt at peace.

The guards were lenient with Izumiko as they frequently knew where she was going and she always made sure not to venture too far from the castle walls. She was loved within the castle by all that knew her, all except for one little boy named Miyuki Sagara.

The Sagara family had served as some of the royal family's most loyal vassals for years and the current head of the Sagara family, Yukimasa, was among the greatest knights in the land, but Miyuki Sagara, Yukimasa's son and heir, was a hurricane of mischievous energy bundled into one tiny frame. He would cause trouble nearly everywhere he went and, more often than that, Izumiko was the victim of his crueler schemes.

Frequently, he caused Izumiko to cry due to his mischievous antics. On days like those, she would run to her nursemaid who would console her in the best way that she could. Finally, one day, Yukimasa had his son sent off to a distant province to begin his formalized training as a knight. The princess didn't see the boy again until many years later…

Chapter 2: A Single Step

Over the course of the years, the princess Izumiko had grown into a beautiful young woman but she still had not developed the confidence required to realize her full potential as a person or as a ruler. Much to her frustration, the princess had not changed very much in all that time. She still wore her hair in the signature pig-tail braids that her mother gave her and she was still extremely shy when in the face of people that she did not know. As she got ready for the day's activities, the princess gazed upon herself in the mirror and called for one of her hand-maidens.

"Excuse me, Haruna, would you please be so kind as to bring me the scissors that I keep on the table over at my right?" the princess asked ever so politely.

"Most certainly, your Majesty." the young handmaiden replied. As Haruna walked to the table, she stopped, turned her body towards the princess and inquired," May I ask what you need the scissors for, my lady?"

"I wish to cut my bangs today. I feel in the mood for a change." the princess responded.

Satisfied, Haruna walked back over to the table and fetched the scissors. Just as she was about to motion for the princess to stay still, the princess interrupted her and said, "There is no need for you to do this, Haruna. I am perfectly able to cut my bangs on my own."

"Of course, your Highness. Shall I go and fetch your kimono for you?" Haruna asked.

"Yes, that would be lovely, Haruna. Thank you." Izumiko replied.

She looked at herself in the mirror and determined how short she wished to cut her hair. She hesitated at first. The princess hadn't allowed her hair to be cut in many years ever since her mother first put her hair into braids and, to be completely honest, even though she knew that this change was small, the thought of messing up made her hands shake with uneasiness.

She took in a small breath. She thought to herself, I can do this. I want to change. She closed her eyes and let the scissors accomplish that which they were set to do. The two blades came together in one final slash, and having been severed the majority of Izumiko's bangs began to fall into a mess on the floor, leaving behind only a few inches on her head.

The princess's eyes fluttered open as she stared at the result of her handiwork. She smiled. Not half bad. She turned herself towards the bed where her kimono lay waiting. Haruna smiled before speaking.

"I was so sure your hand was going to go crooked. Your hair looks wonderful, Princess."

"Haruna, I told you. Call me Izumiko. Now, would you be so kind as to help me get dressed?"

"But of course, your grace."

The princess, now finished with her task, continued her morning ritual and, much like any other day, the hours continued moving forward. That said, few could tell the princess of the surprise that awaited her later that afternoon.

Chapter 3: The Letter

For the most part of Izumiko's day, life moved at a relatively normal pace. The princess spoke with her handmaiden friends and moved freely throughout the castle grounds, checking on the various servants as she passed them. She particularly enjoyed greeting Wamiya, one of the cottars who did many an odd job within the castle.

He had grown popular with the other servants, but he never got much respect or recognition from those of the higher classes, save for the princess herself. Often, the princess and the young cottar spoke together in small conversations as he went about his work.

Once the princess grew tired of the castle walls, the princess made her retreat to the woods and the gardens where the sounds of the outside world rushed to greet her. If she was lucky (and if she woke up early enough), she could catch just the occasional view of the ocean from the mountain top and, for a moment, she would wonder what life was like on the other side.

The clouds had given way, and once more, she was able to catch the ocean's azure shores. She smiled. How could the world create such beauty? That said, she thought to herself, I like the mountains of Tamakura Castle more.

"Excuse me, your highness."

The princess snapped her head toward the sound to reveal a young messenger. He was dressed in the brown uniform suited for his station, and based from his crest, the princess stared wide-eyed. Oh no.

He bowed before the princess as he spoke, "Greetings, your highness. I come from the capital with a message from our emperor, long may he reign".

In truth, the princess rarely talked with the emperor as he often had his duties to attend to and, with his most recent diplomatic tour, he has been busier than ever. Clearly, this must have been important, otherwise, no message would've been sent at all. Her heart pounded harder as she pondered the message's contents. To send a message with a messenger that she did not know. What could her father possibly have to say to her?

Fighting the shaking of her hands, the princess took a breath as she replied, "Very well then. What does he have to say?"

The messenger answered, "The emperor wishes for you to live in the main palace from now on. He wrote further details within this letter".

The messenger turned and opened his bag to reveal a white envelope. The princess motioned the man to give her the article in question, as she went to examine it. In front of the paper were the words To My Dear Izumiko in the style she knew to be her father's handwriting. She looked towards the back. The envelope had the royal seal. This couldn't have been anyone else. She proceeded to open the letter carefully as to not injure the envelope too extensively.

The document read as such:

My dearest daughter,

Hello, Izumiko. I'm sorry that I don't send you letters more often but my work leaves me little time to indulge in this kind of simple pleasure. Even so, I want you to know that you are always in my thoughts and my prayers.

Currently, I'm in Eden, the capital of the Paradosian Empire. The land here is so vast that the horizon seems to never end and the food is so plentiful and hearty that once I return home, I will have to ask the cook to make it for us someday. Overall, I would say that my current tour is being quite successful and, as soon as I have established a proper place for the emissary, I will return home to visit you and Grandfather.

Izumiko, I know that you have lived in Tamakura Castle for most of your entire life; however, I believe that it is time for you to move to the main palace. You are fifteen years old now and you are the crown princess of this land. As such, you will have to meet up with many potential suitors and become acquainted with many of the other noble houses. Your mother and I discussed this and we both agree that this will be the next important step towards the empire's successful future.

The main palace is a great place. It has a large garden complete with nearly as many trees as the forests back at Tamakura Castle. The kitchens are always filled with delicious foods and there will be plenty of fun activities throughout the palace. We will be providing you with new tutors and I am certain that you will be able to make many new friends while you are there. You are going to love it there.

I am sorry to say that there will not be many chances for you and your mother to communicate even if you both are in the palace. Based off what I have heard from the last letter that I received from your mother, the throne has been keeping her extremely busy while I have been away, even with help from our most trusted advisors. Even so, she seems to be doing well so there is no need to worry about her. She is in excellent health and she thinks about you every day.

I know that all of this may seem intimidating and that you will need time in order to adjust to this new stage of your life but know that your mother and I have only what is best for your future in mind.

I look forward to hearing from you again and you will always be in my thoughts.

Sincerely,

Your father,

Daisuke Suzuhara

P.S: I have taken the liberty of sending Yukimasa Sagara to assist you in your transition to the main palace. I imagine that he will arrive here within a few days of you having received this letter. You do not need to worry. I am certain that this man is of a trustworthy character and you will be in good hands. Take care.

The princess read the letter in disbelief. She had never cared for the capital or the main palace as they were both terribly crowded and, often times, were filled with people who frightened her seeming to radiate a malignant aura. It was because of these visions that the emperor and the empress, Yukariko, decided that she should move to the countryside and stay with her grandfather who had retired when her father came to power. And yet, despite this fact, she has to return to the main palace now? In addition to that, with the limited amount of time, she is going to have to rush in to properly attend to a guest.

Swallowing her anxiety, she looked up from the letter to the messenger and said, "Understood. Please inform the emperor that I have received his message; however, I do not intend to go to the main palace."

The messenger's face went pale as he attempted to speak, "With all due respect, your grace, we all have to do things we may not enjoy, but…"

"This is my decision. Please tell my father my mind is made up."

The messenger nodded and replied, "Of course, your grace." He started to turn around and head back down to the castle when the princess stopped him.

"Sir, you seem to be quite tired already from your long journey. Before you leave here, you should stay and rest for the night.".

"Your grace, I do not wish to impose upon you-" the messenger started until Izumiko interrupted him,

"You will not be imposing upon me at all. There are plenty of extra beds in the servant quarters and plenty of food. After all, you will need all of your strength for the upcoming journey".

Reluctantly, the messenger complied and they both proceeded to walk down the mountain to the castle entrance below. Little did the princess know that there were people that were waiting for her there inside.