Disclaimer: I do not own Detective Conan. The series belongs to Sir Gosho Aoyama.

Author's Note: Good day everyone! This is Serenity Castlecloud. Please enjoy reading this story and also don't forget to leave your reviews. Thank you!

Ran's POV

Shinichi and I have been childhood friends and classmates. I know many things about him, so many things about how innocent a detective could be. He's such a freak, a mystery maniac, but inside, he has the heart of a child. He keeps on protecting others. He said that he just wanted to be the Sherlock Holmes of the century. He's always like that. He is a detective, a really good one. He can understand how a mystery is done in less than a day. But if there is one thing he can't understand, that is why humans would kill another. After breaking a mystery, he often shows a happy face, one filled with success. But he cannot lie to me. And I'm glad he cannot, because I can still see his sad thoughts wondering why that happened. I want him to be honest to me. I don't want us to hide anything from each other. I don't want to see him suffer alone. I always want to be beside him no matter what happens. I also want to protect him.

Shinichi's POV

What is she thinking? Is she worrying about me again? What a silly girl she is! Why does she always make herself worry about other's problems? But the truth is … I am glad she is waiting for me. It is sure ok if the name Kudo Shinichi doesn't exist in her heart any more. In that way, she will not suffer because of me. But when that happens, would Kudo Shinichi still exist … in this world?

A Prince's Confession

It was the first day of summer vacation. The Detective Boys decided to visit Conan in Kogoro Mouri's Detective Agency.

"Sorry guys. I have to go with Ran-neechan and Sonoko-neechan to help them clean Shinichi-neechan's house. I will play with you tomorrow. I promise." Conan told Ayumi who was very disappointed with what he said.

"Don't worry Conan. Sonoko and I will clean Shinichi's house. You can go play with them." Ran said as she touched Conan's head.

The Detective Boys almost smiled with that but they were stopped by Conan's reply.

"But I want to go with you. I really do! Please let me go Ran-neechan."

"Well, if that's the case then why don't we all go to Shinichi's house if that is fine with you guys."

"Yes Ran-neechan, we would like to help you clean your boy friend's house." The kids shouted with joy.

"But he isn't my boy friend!" Ran shouted angrily.

On the other hand, Conan remained calm and silent while staring at her.

Ran was satisfied, but Sonoko gave her a disappointed look for approving what the children wanted. Sonoko doesn't like taking care of kids. She actually hates them.

In Shinichi's house, everyone was assigned a certain part of the house to clean. Genta and Sonoko will clean in the kitchen. Mitsuhiko, Conan and Ai will clean in the library. Ran and Ayumi will clean in Shinichi's room.

In the kitchen, Sonoko got mad at Genta for eating the snacks in the refrigerator. When Sonoko was so busy running after Genta while holding a rug covered with dusts, the other three members of Detective Boys were busy doing their work.

"Mitsuhiko, may you go change the water in the pail? It's already dirty."

"Yes sure."

Conan and Ai were left wiping the mystery books that appeared to be uncountable.

"Do you really want to be with her that much?"

"Huh?"

"You are so aggressive to come here and help her. You know I mean Ran right!"

Conan smiled with what he heard.

"I don't know. It's been like this since we were kids. Because my parents are away, I always need to do things alone. And…"

Their conversation was interrupted by Mitsuhiko's sudden appearance with a pail filled with fresh water.

Meanwhile, in the detective's room…

"How does it feel Ran-neechan? How does it feel to have a boy friend?" Ayumi asked Ran all of a sudden.

Ran blushed as she heard those words from her. She replied without thinking.

"Why ask that! I do not have a boy friend. Shinichi is my childhood friend, that's all!"

"But you like him a lot, don't you?" Ayumi asked assured that the answer to her question is yes.

"Me too, I have someone I like. But I do not know if he feels the same. Since I was told about fairy tales, I always dream of meeting my prince charming." Ayumi confessed to Ran as if wanting her to help her.

Ran smiled. She knew what the young girl felt. Not really long time ago, she also felt that way. She also felt like wanting to confess how she feels but at the same time being shy to face the possible results.

"So you are talking about Conan."

Ayumi's face turned so red. But she really wanted her sister to help her. She doesn't have any siblings to rely on.

"Then would you like to hear a story about a prince and a princess?"

"I would love to hear it Ran-neechan!" Ayumi shouted with excitement.

And here was how she narrated the story…

"There was a very charming prince. He was admired by all the girls in their kingdom. A day came when he bumped into a girl."

"Was that commoner the princess?"

"How did you know?"

"It's a fairy tale and I'm a girl. It's easy for me to predict those kinds of things. Please continue the story Ran-neechan."

"The prince and the princess were both hurt. When the princess was about to cry, the prince immediately picked a red flower and gave it to the princess. He said, (I'm sorry. I didn't mean to hurt you young lady.) With that, the princess smiled. The two became close friends. They always play and laugh with each other. But the time came when the enemies from another kingdom attacked theirs. The prince fought with all his strength to defend the princess but he got hit in his left arm. While he was fighting the soldiers, the king from the other kingdom captured the princess and tried to threaten him."

"What happened next? What happened? I really want to hear it now!"

"Here it goes. The prince told the king. (Why would I save that girl? She is nothing to me. Go on and do anything you want to do with her.) The princess really got mad and her anger burst out as she kicked the king straight in his face. The prince, satisfied with what he did, continued fighting."

"What a bad prince! He doesn't deserve the princess. He is mean, very mean!"

"He's not really mean. Do you still want me to continue?"

"Please do Ran-neechan."

"The princess was really mad. She doesn't want to talk to the prince. She almost cried but stopped as the prince stared at her with a calm sad face. The prince got hit really bad and was then lying in the grasses. (I can forgive myself for lying to you, but I can't forgive myself for making you cry.) All along, the prince knew that he might die; he made the princess mad so that she won't be sad even if he dies. Yet if there's one thing he didn't realize, what he did would make the princess cry even harder."

Ayumi almost cried as she embraced Ran.

"That was a sad story Ran-neechan. I don't want the prince to die!"

"That's all for today. That was only story. In true life, the princess would be strong enough to teach the prince a lesson before he lies to her. That's for sure! Girls should be strong to teach guys their lessons. Isn't that right Ayumi-chan?" Ran smiled at Ayumi.

Then, she rose from her seat and told Ayumi that she will just get the dust pan.

As Ran walked out of the door, Ayumi started fixing Shinichi's drawer. She noticed that something strange was in there. Most of the books were mysteries and detective stuffs. But there was one that was covered with red colored paper. She opened it and saw a picture of two young kids, a girl and a boy. They were both wearing costumes of royalties. The young boy in the picture looked like Conan while the young girl looked like her Ran-neechan. She realized that what Ran told her was no fairy tale but a true story. Even if it was a play, it will still remain in their hearts. He turned the picture around and saw some words written on it …

"Grade 3, elementary school:

Princess Ran and I played the leading roles in a stage play."

Ayumi felt so glad after reading what was written on it. She thought for a while and then hid the picture before Ran came back.

At exactly 5:00 p.m., they all decided to go home. Ran and Conan finally headed to their home. Before going separate ways, Ayumi asked Sonoko.

"Sonoko-neechan, can you tell me about the play you had on your third level in elementary?"

Sonoko recalled it for a while and then began talking nonstop.
"I remember that. Shinichi fainted for real. He was very hot back then. Good thing Ran was able to catch him. They were really sweet. At first, we thought that it was all just part of the play. But Ran decided to stay with Shinichi in the clinic and so I have to call Dr. Agasa to fetch us. "

Meanwhile, in Kogoro Mouri's Agency…

"Ran-neechan!" Conan finally murmured as he tried to stand still.

Ran knelt down and hugged him like a teddy bear assuring him that he's safe. She went with him in the bed and stayed with him until he fell asleep.

"You're just like Shinichi. You're both hurt and yet you never complained. You really are the same. Don't worry I will stay here with you. Sleep well." Ran whispered as she put the blanket on the sick young boy lying in the small bed.

Shinichi's POV

It's the same as when we're kids. She always stayed with me whenever I am sick. But with her guarding me, I can always sleep well, even if my parents aren't around.

Ayumi's POV

I want Conan and me to be just like Shinichi-neechan and Ran-neechan. I also want Conan to treat me as her princess, just like in fairy tales.

Author's note: So how was it? Please submit your reviews and keep reading the next chapter. Thanks and God bless.

(If you would like to read an assumed ending of Detective Conan, the series, then please try "The Case of the Dying Detective." Once again, thanks and God bless!)