Riko kneeled at her mother's grave, quietly weeping. She gently wiped her eyes, before looking up at the gloomy sky.

"Kami-sama… What did my mother do wrong?" she whispered. "She was only protecting me! She couldn't have meant to hurt all those people! There's just no way!" She sobbed into her hands, as her two Sacred Knights, and dear friends, Kanan and Dia, looked on sadly at their Princess in mourning. "Mama!" she wailed. "Please! I can't succeed this empire! Not without you! Please, don't leave me!"

"Riko-sama…" Dia whispered.

"Ojou-sama…" Kanan bit down on her lip, but could still feel the dampness of a single tear rolling down her cheek. She clenched her fist, and tried her hardest to restrain herself from losing her composure, so she instead crouched down and punched at the ground incessantly. "Damn it! Damn it! Damn it all!" she roared.

Dia choked back a sob, but steeled herself as she went over to Riko, and crouched down to her level. She looked down at Riko's clenched fists, and placed her hand on top of them. Riko looked up, seeing Dia's sad smile. No words left Dia's lips, but her emerald eyes welled up with tears as Riko sobbed, and embraced her tightly. She returned the embrace, squeezing Riko slightly as she felt the Princess's tears on her shoulder, dropping one by one.

She reached into her pocket to pull out a necklace, with a cherry blossom pendant.

"Pass this on to my daughter. She has more than enough courage to wield this power than I ever did."

Those were some of the Queen's last words before Riko came onto the scene of the battlefield to find her mother, lying dead.

Dia gripped the necklace slightly, sighing before pulling away from Riko's embrace.

"Riko-sama, this…" She held out the necklace in front of Riko. "Your mother wanted you to have this." Riko's gasped as she saw the cherry blossom pendant glisten. She felt a tap on her shoulder, and turned behind her to see Kanan, her eyes stained with tears.

"Give it here, Dia." Dia passed the necklace to Kanan, and blue-hair Knight placed it around Riko's neck, clasping it on securely. Riko felt her eyes well up with tears once again, and bit down on her lip. She gripped the pendant slightly, choking back sob.

As the three of them sat on the ground in silence, until the sound of rainfall filled the area, blocking out Riko's cries of despair.

Two Years Later

Princess Riko, now eighteen years old, sat in front of her vanity, before smiling softly at herself. She grazed her fingertips across the cherry blossom pendant, taking a deep breath, before slowly exhaling. Then, there was a knock at the door.

"Excuse the intrusion, Riko-sama." The door opened to reveal a girl who looked to be a bit younger than Riko, with the brightest amber eyes, and light brown hair. The girl bowed before giving a smile. "Good morning."

"Good morning, Hanamaru-chan!" Riko replied, smiling.

"Breakfast is ready when you are, zura!" Riko giggled.

"Thank you, I'll be down soon."

"Well, then, I'll excuse myself—"

"Ah, Hanamaru-chan! Where are Dia-san and Kanan-san?"

"Ahh, those two are out in the yard." Riko smirked.

"Combating each other again?" Hanamaru pursed her lips, nodding as Riko stood up, stretching her arms out. "Ahh, I swear, those two are always competing with each other!" She relaxed her arms, and blew a breath. "While I do admire their strength and bravery as my Sacred Knights, they really should learn to take a break once in a while." She stepped over to the door, as Hanamaru held it open for her.

"They've always been like that, Riko-sama. There's simply no denying it." They headed downstairs into the dining area. Just outside, Riko could see her two Sacred Knights, running into each other as their weapons clashed.

Dia came running at Kanan, full force, roaring as her dual blades neared Kanan's face, but was blocked by Kanan's spear the next second. The two of them pushed against each other, groaning to see who would be pushed back first.

"You're getting sloppy, Kanan-san!" Dia grunted. Kanan smirked at her taunt.

"Heh! Oh, really, Dia-sama? I'm gonna make you eat those words!" She put all of her strength into pushing Dia back forcefully onto the ground, her blades flying out of her hands. Dia groaned as she hit the gravel, as Kanan pointed her spear right between Dia's emerald eyes. Dia clicked her tongue, smirking at the girl standing above her. "Looks like it's my win this time!"

"Next time, just watch! You may not be so lucky!" Kanan held her hand out, as Dia took it, standing up before dusting herself off. She went over to retrieve her blades.

"So, let's see, that's…" Kanan counted off mentally, before putting up a few fingers. "… four wins for me this week!" Dia blushed slightly as Kanan laughed at her partner, before slinging an arm around her shoulders. "Better think twice before questioning my skills, Dia! Who's the sloppy one now, huh?"

"W-Whatever!" she pouted, crossing her arms, Kanan grinning.

"Morning, you two!" Riko smiled brightly at them, and Dia was the first to go over to Riko before bowing.

"Good morning, Riko-sama."

"Mornin', Ojou-sama!" Kanan winked.

"That was an excellent performance, Dia-san," Riko praised. "You were as graceful as ever." Kanan chuckled, as Dia smiled softly.

"Thank you, Riko-sama."

"Now, c'mon, you two. Breakfast is ready."

Four people sat at the dining table as Hanamaru laid out the morning feast. The Royal Designer, You joined Riko, Dia and Kanan at the table, almost drooling at the sight of the French toast, drizzled in maple syrup. The grey-haired girl licked her lips.

"This spread looks better than ever, Mari-san!" A maid with golden blonde locks, and eyes to match, gave a satisfied smile.

"Hope it's to your liking, Princess!"

"Knowing your cooking, I know it'll be the best, Mari-san!" The four girls put their hands together.

"Itadakima~su!"

After chatting while eating, You stood up from her seat.

"Ah, Riko-chan!"

"Mm?"

"I finished it up last night! Your gown!" Riko immediately stood up from her seat, her eyes gleaming.

"Really?!"

"Yeah!" You grabbed Riko's hand. "C'mon! I'll show you!" She led Riko away from the dining room. Dia, Kanan, Hanamaru and Mari followed soon after to join the two of them in You's designing room. All sorts of dresses and gowns were lined up, well-presented, while one was hidden behind a curtain. "You ready for this, Riko-chan?" Riko nodded, not being able to hold her excitement in. "Alright, here it is!" You pulled the curtain to reveal a gorgeous, sparkling, cherry blossom colored gown. Riko's eyes widened at the sight.

"You-chan… did you really make this?" You nodded proudly, placing her hands on her hips as Riko smiled brightly. "It's absolutely beautiful! Thank you!"

"Hehe, you're welcome, Princess!"

"Why don't you try it on, Riko-sama?" Hanamaru suggested.

"You're sure to look gorgeous!" Mari added. Riko blushed slightly, turning to You.

"Is it okay, You-chan?"

"Of course!"

After a few minutes of slipping into the gown, Riko came out of the dressing room. You and the others were in awe at the sight of their Princess, donned in such a lovely gown. Riko felt a slight blush tint her cheeks, and shyly placed her hands behind her back.

"H-How is it, everyone?" Dia was the first to step over to Riko. She got down on one knee, and gently took the Princess' hand, gently placing a kiss to her fingertips.

"It's lovely, Riko-sama."

"Ah! Ojou-sama, there's one more thing!" Kanan said, coming up behind Riko and placing a hand on her shoulder.

"Eh?" Kanan smiled at You, who nodded, and went over to a table. She picked up a small box, and gave it to Kanan. The blue-hair Knight opened the box to reveal a cherry blossom hairpin. Riko gasped, placing her hand to her lips, her eyes gleaming at the beauty of the simple accessory.

"Dia, would you do the honors?" Kanan asked her partner. Dia smiled endearingly, and stepped in front of Riko before taking the hairpin in her nimble hand, and gently placing it in the Princess' auburn locks. Riko could feel her eyes well up with tears. Dia pressed her hands to Riko's cheeks.

"Please, no tears today, Riko-sama. It is your birthday, after all."

"Is the ballroom ready, Mari?" Kanan asked. Mari held up an "okay" sign with her hand.

"All set! Wait till you see it!"

The ladies came into the ballroom, and Riko's eyes gleamed with joy at the setup of the area. She twirled in joy at the sight.

"It's just perfect! Thank you, Mari-san!" Mari gave a wink, and held up a "peace" sign with her fingers.

"Don't thank me, Princess! I'm not the only one who set this up, y'know!"

"Ah! You're right!" Riko looked to Hanamaru. "Thanks for this, Hanamaru-chan!" Hanamaru giggled, as Riko furrowed her brow. "Eh? What's so funny?"

"Princess, besides those of us that live in the palace, who else do you think would want to help set up for this party, no matter what?" Just then, Riko felt two hands cover her eyes.

"Eh? W-Wha—"

"Hehe! Guess who?" Riko removed the hands that covered her eyes, and turned to see her best friend, Takami Chika, grinning from ear to ear. "Happy birthday, Riko-chan!"

"Chika-chan!" Riko exclaimed, hugging her friend excitedly. Chika laughed in her hold. "What about school?" Chika giggled as she pulled away from her friend's embrace.

"Mou~ Riko-sama… Did you forget? The Academy's closed on your birthday, remember?"

"… Ah. That… that's right, I completely forgot, hehe," Riko chuckled, blushing. Kanan went over to the Princess, slinging her arm around her.

"Goodness, Ojou-sama, someone as elegant as you shouldn't be forgetting such things!"

"You are the one that declared that law, remember, Riko-sama?" Dia asked, smiling softly. Riko scratched her cheek slightly, smiling sheepishly.

"Hehe, sorry, everyone."

"Ah! The guest list is already set, as well, Riko-chan!" You said, winking. "Just you wait, the palace is gonna be filled to the brim tonight!"

It was about six in the evening, and people from all over the empire flooded inside the palace.

Riko was in her bedroom, getting ready for the night, along with Kanan and Dia. Riko was donned in her gown, and wore white, flowery heels for her nimble feet. Her hair was kept together, but parted in the middle, with the hairpin she received from You. She breathed a sigh as she heard the sounds of heels clicking as they hit the floor. She turned to see Dia, who was indeed wearing red heels, as well as a bright red evening gown. She wore her hair up in a ponytail, and her makeup was light. She smiled softly at Riko.

"Wow, red really suits you, Dia-san!" Riko commented, smiling. "It's beautiful; really brings out your emerald eyes." Dia seemed to laugh at the compliment.

"Thank you, Riko-sama."

Just then, Kanan walked in wearing what appeared to be… a suit? Her hair was up in her usual ponytail.

"Kanan-san, are you… comfortable in that?" Riko asked the Sacred Knight. The blue-haired girl waved it off.

"Pfft, I'm comfortable enough, Ojou-sama, you needn't worry." She walked over to Riko, getting fairly close enough to back the Princess into a wall. She gently placed her right hand on the wall, taking her left hand to gently lift Riko's chin. "But, if you ever feel uncomfortable in those heels, I'd be glad to slip 'em off for you." Riko couldn't resist the blush that tinted her cheeks, as she squealed quietly, seeing just how close Kanan was to her face. Their eyes met for a moment, before Dia tapped her partner's shoulder.

"Kanan-san, please don't fill our Princess' head with such absurd fantasies." Kanan laughed at that, leaning off of the wall, placing her hands on her hips.

"C'mon, can't I play the sly one every once in awhile?" Dia smiled, shaking her head. She held her hand out.

"Are you ready, Riko-sama?"

"Ojou-sama!" Riko smiled brightly at her two Sacred Knights before giving a nod. She linked her arms with Kanan and Dia on either side of her, and the three of them went on down to the ballroom.

This will be the second birthday celebration without Mama… and my eighteenth birthday, at that. The Princess could feel a slight twinge in her chest, bringing her fingertips to the cherry blossom pendant. She felt pressure on both of her shoulders, and turned her head from left to right to see her Knights offering the brightest of smiles. Riko blew a breath, letting her shoulders relax.

I'll be honoring you tonight, Mama. As the Princess of Uchiura, as your daughter… I will not let our legacy die!