Here's the last chapter. Again, sorry it took so long!

Last time: The king came out onto the balcony in a hurry. "Everyone! My son is gone!"

Miyu's eyes widened. Kanata!

Chapter 10 (Final)

Miyu trudged along through the tall grass of the forest, her legs and arms had cuts all along them from the tree branches she pushed aside. Her once pink and elegant dress was now covered in dirt and torn to rags. She threw her gloves off and pulled her hair back, gathering what was left of her dress and lifted it to walk easier. Her feet were sore and tired after stepping on a rock for what seemed like the millionth time.

A coiled thorn bush snagged her dress as she walked by, so she stopped to untangle it. Earning enough distance away from all of the bushes, Miyu leaned against a tree tiredly and pulled stray leaves out of her hair.

Just when she thought she found a precious moment to relax, she felt a cold liquid fall on her cheek.

"Oh no…" Miyu covered her head with her hands as the rain started to pour down, and ran further into the mess of trees to try and find some shelter. Why is this happening to me?

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Flashback

"How did this happen…" The king looked at Miyu sadly as she sighed heavily. Haru and Miyu were told to meet in the king's private study as soon as the news of Kanata's disappearance was heard.

"It's impossible!" Haru clenched his fist, "A person can't just vanish into thin air!"

"Well he didn't exactly vanish…I found this note on the balcony ledge when the lights turned back on." The king handed a small sheet of paper to Miyu, who looked it over and then passed it to Haru.

"So…they want Miyu to come with the glass slipper, huh?" Haru crumpled the paper and threw it in the trash behind him.

The king nodded, casting his eyes to the floor. "It seems that was their motive from the start."

"Damn." Haru muttered, pounding his fist in his hand. "Those guys don't know who they're messing with!"

"What's a glass slipper got to do with anything? And who are the people who sent the letter?" Miyu asked the king.

"It's the most valuable possession of this kingdom. The glass slipper is said to bring good fortune to whomever possesses it, so you can imagine the many people who want to get their hands on it." He explained.

"And the people who took the prince; I've seen their insignia before. They're a resistance group from the neighboring kingdom who go around capturing hostages for ransom." Haru added.

The king sighed and held his face in his hands. "So what are we…going to do?"

Miyu was silent for a moment before placing a comforting hand on the king's shoulder. He looked at her in surprise and she smiled.

"Leave it to me."

Haru looked at Miyu worriedly. "Miyu, wait—"

"Do you think I can't do it?"

"That's not what he meant, princess. Haru is just worried for your safety." The king reached down to unlock the safe below his desk, and pulled the glass slipper out. "My son is far more important to me than a little good luck. Take it. Are you sure you want to do this?"

Miyu nodded and reached out to grab the slipper. She cradled it for a bit, until she found a safe place for it in her dress.

Haru folded his arms. "At least let me go with you."

"The note asked for her to come alone." The king pointed out.

"I guess…I should get going now…" Miyu turned and opened the door to the hallway.

"Bless you, child. We will wait for your return." The king smiled softly, but underneath he was feeling hesitant.

Haru patted Miyu's shoulder. "Don't do anything I wouldn't do."

"The possibilities are endless," Miyu laughed sarcastically, "I'll be alright."

I hope…

End Flashback

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Miyu ran through the forest as fast as she could, shielding her eyes with her arm to keep the rain from hitting her face. Her foot accidentally slipped on a wet leaf and she fell.

"Oww…" Miyu rubbed her leg softly and felt the lump in her pocket. She pulled out the slipper and lowered her eyes. "Where's the luck?"

An abrupt sound of a man talking startled her and she stood up to hide behind a tree. When she poked her head out to see what was going on, she saw two men in black standing around a cave entrance.

"Go check over there." She heard one of them say to the other, while noticing the symbol on his clothes.

The insignia's the same as what was on the letter. I'm where I need to be.

While they were distracted, Miyu snuck over to the entrance and stepped inside. She tried to dry off her clothes quickly before going further, not wanting to leave a trail of water behind. It was dark and she felt around the edges for a possible path, until she came upon a big opening in the center.

A dim candle was the only source of light in the room, but it was enough for her to be able to notice a person sitting in the corner.

"Kanata!!" Miyu lifted her dress and ran over to where he was sitting, surprising him with a hug. "Oh, you don't know what I had to go through to get here!"

"Mpfh!"

It was then that she noticed his arms were bound behind his back and his legs were tied up. A big piece of duct tape was spread over his mouth, and he was shaking his head furiously.

"Hold on, I'll get you out of there!" Miyu reached forward to his face, but Kanata shook his head and tried to say something through the tape. "What's the matter, sit still!"

To Kanata's horror, she ripped the tape off his mouth.

"Miyu, don't! It's a trap—"

Before either of them had time to blink, a hand covered Miyu's mouth and she was slammed against the cave wall.

"MIYU!" Kanata called out to her, although her vision was fading fast. The soft sound of glass hitting the floor shook her to her senses. The glass slipper had fallen out of her pocket, but luckily hadn't broken.

"Don't touch that!" Miyu struggled against the man, but the other had already picked it up and was examining it.

"This is it. We're done here." One of them said.

"What should we do with these two?" The other asked.

"Kill 'em for all I care. It'd be best they don't leak any information." The first one smirked and turned to Miyu. "The girl goes first."

"Don't touch her!" Kanata yelled angrily while trying to free himself.

The two men just laughed and held a shaking Miyu against the wall. One picked up a large stone off the cave floor and raised it above her head, causing her to shrink and close her eyes in fear.

"Ahhhh!!!"

"MIYU!!"

Somebody help me!!!!

The man's arm came down to strike, but was stopped by another hand.

"I don't think so!" Haru pulled the man's arm forward and punched him hard in the face, knocking him into the other goon. Miyu stepped out of the way and moved behind Haru. They stumbled backwards and stood up moments later, both charging at him. He jumped up and knocked their heads together, causing them to sink to the floor unconscious.

"And that's how it gets done." Haru smirked and gave Miyu a thumbs-up.

"Haru! You saved my life!" She ran over and gave him a huge hug.

"Glad you're okay." He scruffed her hair, "Why don't you go untie your boyfriend? I'll get the slipper and meet you outside." Miyu nodded and Haru left for outside.

She focused her attention back to Kanata and knelt beside him. "Okay, hold still…" It took her a couple of minutes, but she eventually cut through the rope with a sharp rock. "There you g—"

She was interrupted by his arms wrapping around her waist and pulling her to him tightly.

"Kanata?" Miyu blushed.

"Thank god…thank god you're okay…" Kanata hugged her tighter and Miyu hugged him back. She closed her eyes and a couple of tears escaped the corners of her eyes.

"Yes…I'm okay."

Kanata pulled away and rubbed her tears with his thumb, causing Miyu to smile.

"What were you thinking, coming here alone?" Kanata asked sternly.

"I'm sorry, but I just really wanted to save you." Miyu looked down, but Kanata sighed before smiling.

"I just don't want my favorite girl getting hurt because of me." He brushed the hair out of her face and kissed her forehead. "Thanks for saving me, by the way."

Miyu laughed. "You should be thanking Haru."

"But look what you had to go through." He touched her foot, which made her wince in pain. Kanata stood and wrapped his jacket around her, before bending over on his knees. "Get on. I'll carry you."

"Okay, thanks." Miyu latched onto his back tightly and they made their way out to meet Haru.

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"Your highness, there's someone coming over the hill!" Keiran shouted from his desk beside the window. The king ran over and saw three figures walking toward the castle.

"Thank heavens! They're back!"

The king and his assistant ran out to the front gate to meet up with them. Wanya, Ruu, Nozomu and Christine also broke from their work to go out to the front gate. Haru, followed by Kanata with Miyu on his back came trudging up to the group with relief all over their faces.

Miyu jumped off Kanata's back, and hugged Ruu as he came floating over. The king sniffed happily and hugged Kanata.

"My boy! You're back!"

"Thanks to Miyu and Haru." Kanata smiled.

Miyu turned and shook her head. "Actually, the credit goes to Haru, he saved both of us."

"Well then, his job as a bodyguard was fulfilled." Christine offered.

"Bodyguard?" Miyu looked at the king confused. "You mean all this time he was here on a job assignment?"

Haru winked. "Lonely wanderer? I think not." He reached in his pocket and gave the glass slipper to the king. The king's eyes lit up as he hugged the precious emblem.

"You got it back!"

"Yup," Haru leaned over to whisper, "too bad it couldn't be used for the ceremony."

Everyone in the group's eyes widened. "The ceremony!!"

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After Miyu and Kanata were given the chance to shower and clean up, they all met in the king's private study once again. The king was sitting at his desk with Miyu and Kanata in chairs in front of him. Miyu fidgeted nervously, but Kanata gave her hand a reassuring squeeze.

The king put on his glasses and read from the book in front of him. "According to medieval law, if a person from normal lineage is married into a royal family, they must undergo the ceremony.

"You mean after all that, she isn't considered worthy?" Kanata stood up angrily.

"Settle down, it never said what kind of ceremony she had to undergo…" The king thought for a moment and closed the book. "Princess, not only did you bring back the prince safely, you also saved the emblem from being stolen. I hereby declare…"

"Yes?" Miyu looked at him expectantly and the whole group leaned forward.

"You pass!"

"YEAH!" Miyu and her friends cheered as they bombarded her with congratulations and good wishes. Miyu hugged everyone and smiled excitedly.

"Hey Miyu!" Kanata pulled Miyu aside from the loud commotion. "Remember I said I had something to tell you after this was all over?" Miyu nodded and Kanata held her hands, his voice raising slightly to beat out the crowd.

"I love you Miyu! Ever since we first met I knew we had something special."

Miyu nodded, trying to hold back tears that she knew were escaping anyway. She also tried to shout over the crowd. "I love you too, Kanata! And hopefully we'll be together forever!"

"Oh, you don't have to worry about that because we're already married."

"WHA—mpfh!" Kanata dipped Miyu back and closed the gap between their lips, even without looking, she could feel his lips curl into a smile.

"Group hug!" Everyone laughed as they connected to the new couple.

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"Mmmm….ahh." Miyu lifted her head off the table and stretched before giving a big yawn. "Where am I?" She looked around to find herself back in Kanata's house. Said boy was sleeping next to her peacefully. "Kanata? Wake up!"

"Mmm, what?" He blinked and sat up slowly, taking in his surroundings. "Are we back at my house?"

"Seems like it."

Her gaze fell upon the book on top of the table in front of them, with a blank cover. Miyu grabbed it and tried to open the cover.

"You think--?"

Kanata grabbed her hand and shook his head. "I wouldn't. Who knows what'll happen."

"It seems kind of plain without a cover, though. What should we name it?"

Kanata shrugged his shoulders. "What about, The Adventures of Cinderella and Prince?"

Miyu laughed. "Too long."

"Ah well," He stood up and headed to leave the room, "I'm going to go start breakfast and check on Ruu. Finally things are back to normal."

Miyu grabbed a marker and smiled. "I think I'll call it, A Kiss That Started It All."

THE END

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It's finally over! I hope you all enjoyed the last installment to this story and I look forward to your reviews! Thanks to all of you who kept up with the story and reviewing!

moonlightcherish