The meeting with the ministers was over. I was headed back to my carriage when one of the ministers stopped me.

"Dear Prince, may I speak to you for a moment? It's about my daughter." He said. Not again! I don't want to deal with this right now.

"I'm sorry but the Emperor is expecting me. Let's talk another time." I replied. He seemed to have bought my excuse. I'm sorry father for using your name as an excuse. I quickly got on the carriage and we left. The sky was getting dark and it'd be hard to navigate through the road by the forest if it gets too dark. I asked the servants to go a bit faster.

"We'll be pa.s.sing by the dense forest, your majesty. We need to close your window so the cold air doesn't come in." One of my servants said. I shook my head. I wanted to look outside especially when it's this cold. The wind feels good on my skin. Just as I was looking outside, I saw a girl waving her hands and then suddenly collapsing. I immediately asked the driver to stop so that I could help that young girl.

"But your majesty…" My servants started but I glared at them. They stopped the carriage and I stepped out. Mother always taught me to help others even if they can't help me back.

"Miss?" I tried calling out to her but she wouldn't answer. When I got closer, I noticed that she was b.l.o.o.d.y and bruised. I didn't think twice; I carried her into the carriage and I ordered the servants to go hurriedly go back to the Palace.

"Call the doctor immediately." I said when we arrived. The servants went out to call the doctor while I carried the unconscious lady to the Palace's spare room. The doctor arrived shortly. He checked on her while I paced around the room. Father and Mother arrived to see what was happening.

"What's going on?" Father asked. I quickly went up to them to explain the situation.

"Forgive me for acting rash, Father but I found this woman by the side of the road. She managed to catch our attention before she fainted. It seemed that she was in trouble so I immediately thought of helping." I explained. Mother and Father looked at each other. Just then, mother placed her hand on my cheek as a smile formed on her lips.

"I've taught you well, my son." Mother said. Father smiled at me and put his hand on my shoulder.

"You'll be a fine emperor when the time comes. There's no doubt in my mind about it." Father said. Although he has been very supportive, hearing this from him made my heart dance. Mother went inside the room to check on the girl.

"How is she doctor?" She asked. The doctor was just done applying medicine to her wounds and he wrapped it with bandages before he answered.

"She'll be fine, your majesty. However, it is best to ask what had happened to her before the Prince found her. It seemed that she was tied judging from her swollen wrists. Poor girl." The doctor commented. I looked over at her wrist and he was right. It was swollen and there were marks that suggested that she was tied very tightly.

"Thank you doctor. Aino, when she wakes up, please prepare some goldenrod tea for her." Mother ordered. I'm so glad that they have good hearts. That's why the whole Empire looks up to them. As Mother looked at the girl, she brushed her hair to one side and then she turned to me.

"This girl… Don't you remember her?" Mother asked. I looked over at her but I couldn't think of anyone. She does look familiar to me but I don't quite remember where I saw her. I shook my head and my mother giggled.

"She's General Hino's daughter. The last time I saw her was at your 5th birthday party. Don't you remember? You invited her personally to your party because you said she was your friend." Mother explained. Now that she mentioned it, I do remember.

"Her name's Sayori. We often saw each other when we were kids but then after a while, I never saw her again. She's grown." I said. It as true. I used to see her everytime in the Palace since his father was a general, but then, all of a sudden, she never came to the Palace and I completely forgot about her.

"Poor girl! I wonder what she's been through. Who could've done this to her." Mother exclaimed. My mother has an overwhelming sense of justice. She doesn't like it when people are being oppressed. Father put a hand on mother's shoulder, prompting her to stand up.

"I'll have my people investigate the matter. Moreover, Sayori is considered a princess by the G.o.ds. This offense will take similar punishment as offending a member of the Imperial family." Father explained. Everyone in the room listened to my father's proclamation. He was about to leave to call on General Hino but mother quickly stopped him.

"Dear, wait! I fear this is not as simple as we think. Let's wait for her to regain consciousness before we do anything. Remember, she's blessed by the G.o.ds, those who tried to hurt her must be after something. If we reveal where she is, she might be in more danger. Even her father could be a suspect." Mother speculated. I thought she was being too paranoid but I was surprised when Father agreed with her.

"I agree. Let us wait and see what happens." He answered. My mother and father have a very tight relations.h.i.+p. They trust one another very much and they hardly ever disagree on things. They understand each other's motives and doesn't question it. I admire that about them. I understand since they've been through so much.

"We'll be going back, son. Inform us immediately if she wakes up." Father said.

"Don't stay up too late, my sweet pea." Mother said while pinching my cheeks. I felt my face getting hot.

"Mother, I told you no to call me like that anymore." I said as I turned away. She always does this. I think I'm old enough to not be called by pet names anymore.

"No matter how old you get, Yukio, you'll always be mama's sweet pea." She said as she placed a kiss on my cheek. She and father walked out of the room and now I was left there with Sayori. What happened to you?

[The Princess' View]

[Flashback]

"You must never tell anyone about this." Mother said with a whisper as she made me grasped something. It was a golden amulet. I didn't quite understand the meaning of this. What is this, mother? Why did you give it to me? She wouldn't answer.

"Sayori, you are a princess! Don't you ever forget that." Mother's words rang in my head repeatedly. I don't understand! What do you want me to do? I don't want to be a princess!

"h.e.l.lo there, my name is Sayori." I finally mustered up the courage to talk to Eiji. But why is he looking at me like that. He scoffed at me and walked away. What did I do?

All these years, I've been chasing after him. I got so excited when it was announced that I would be marrying him but he doesn't seem happy. Why? Why can't have him?

"I will never love you." He whispered into my ear. Tears started streaming down my face. Why?

[End of flashback]

I jerked awake and I could feel my chest hurting. I was starting to hyperventilate. Tears were streaming down my cheeks and my head was hurting. I was in a state of confusion. Just then, someone put his hand on my shoulder.

"Sayori, are you okay? What's wrong?" He asked. Who are you? Where am I? The last thing I remember was falling down a hill.

"Who are you?" I asked. He looked at me like I was stupid. He started wiping my tears away and I could feel his sincerity.

"Don't you remember me? We were friends before. My name is Yukio." he said. Yukio? That's the name of the crown prince but I can't remember any of Sayori's memory of him. I looked into his eyes and I could see that he was genuinely concerned about me. Maybe he was the one on the carriage I saw before I pa.s.sed out.

"I'm sorry but after I was poisoned not too long ago, I don't remember much." I said. It was true though. After the poisoning, the real Sayori died and I was reborn as her. Yukio stood up from the bed and spoke to his servant. After a while, he came back to talk to me.

"Are you okay now? Do you need anything?" He asked. I don't know what's happening. I'm still in a state of shock and I can't think straight. I looked at my hands and noticed that they were all bandaged. They must've taken care of me. Just then, the Empress entered carrying a tray with a teapot and a teacup. Out of impulse, I wanted to stand up and bow to her but Yukio stopped me.

"Careful, your leg isn't well yet." he said. I moved the blanket and took a look at my leg. It was still bruised but not as bad as I remembered. The Empress looked at me with a smile on her face.

"Your majesty…" I started but she immediately stopped me.

"Sayori, you don't need to be too polite to me. You're hurt and you need to rest so don't strain yourself." She moved towards the table and placed the teapot down. She poured tea in the teacup and handed it to me.

"Drink this, it'll help you recover faster." She said. They were very nice to me. I always thought that the Imperial family was a bunch of sn.o.bs but they are far from what I imagined. I took a sip of the tea and noticed that it tasted familiar.

"This taste quite familiar. It's like I tasted it before." I said. It tastes kinda like goldenrod but the medical properties of goldenrod weren't discovered until later. They couldn't have discovered it this early, right? I looked over at the Empress and she was staring at me. I felt nervous all of a sudden. After drinking the tea, Yukio took it from me and he stood up from the side of the bed. The Empress took his place. She held my hand in hers and she looked at me intently.

"Sayori, I know you must still be in shock but I hope you can tell us what happened to you." She said. I was reluctant to tell them but somehow I feel comfortable around them and I feel like I can trust them.

"I was kidnapped by a masked man. I managed to escape but he tied my hands and I went through the dense forest to try and lose him but I ended up getting lost then I fell from a hill while running away from him." I said. The Empress looked at his son and then back at me.

"Sayori, do you know who is after you?" She asked. I didn't want to say since I want to get my revenge on my own.

"I do, your majesty but…" I stopped talking for a second. I really wanted to get my own revenge since it's my business and I don't want the imperial family to get involved in my problems. I was surprised when the Empress put her hand on my shoulder.

"I understand what you want to do, Sayori. I won't try to get in your way. But you have to remember this, no matter what mess you get into, you can always come to me for help." She said. I couldn't believe my ears. I just met her but she's putting a lot of trust in me and she's even willing to help me. I'm not used to seeing kindness from others.

"But your majesty…" I started but she stopped me.

"You might not understand it now but eventually you will know why." She said. I didn't understand her but I felt at ease when she was talking to me and rea.s.suring me. I was about to thank her when the door flew open and the Emperor entered.

"Father." Yukio said. I immediately turned to him and bowed while sitting on the bed.

"Your majesty." I said. The Empress raised my head.

"No need for formalities, Sayori. The Empress and I are glad that you are safe." he said. I still couldn't believe what was happening. The Emperor and Empress were not like what I was expecting. They are so nice and they have a lot of compa.s.sion for others. I can see why Yukio helped me out when he found me unconscious on the side of the road.

"Thank you your majesty. I have the prince to thank for that. I'm so grateful that he was the one who found me." I said. The Emperor looked at his son and smiled. That smile… I don't think Sayori's father ever smiled at her like that. He's just using his daughter as a p.a.w.n in his game.

"Is there any news on General Hino?" The Empress asked the Emperor. That's right! I've been gone for almost a day and they must've gone out to find me.

"The General's Palace is in a frenzy. With Sayori being missing, the general a.s.signed a few men to look for her. Even Eiji excused himself to go look for his fiance." The Emperor said. That Eiji! I remember something from Sayori's memories. He wasn't that close to her before so why did he suddenly change? He even mentioned that liked Sayori from way before but from what I can remember, he never loved her. What the h.e.l.l is he planning?

"Please don't tell them I am here!" I quickly said without thinking. They all looked at me. The Empress came to me and held my hand.

"Why would you hide from them, Sayori?" She asked.

"Because… I believe one of them is responsible for everything bad that's been happening to me." I confessed. The Empress looked at the Emperor and then to the Crown Prince. She must think I'm crazy. They'll ask me to leave and I'll have to face them again.

"Very well, we'll help you." The Empress said. I looked up at them and saw that they were smiling. They're willing to help me out. I could feel relief was.h.i.+ng over me as I was rea.s.sured by the friendly faces in front of me.