A Princess And Her Knight

A knight that meant for me, 

Solely, and only for me. 

A secret, 

Sacred,  

Unknown to all. 

For I will not share 

The knight that is mine.

~(>.<)~

I kneeled down beside him for the very first time, blood pooled around my knees, as I pressed a strip of fabric to his wound. He let out a gasp of air as pressure was applied to the torn flesh of his abdomen, looking at up at me, his almond eyes finding my own.

In that moment, I could not help but remember the day we met.

~(>.<)~

I walked into the throne room quietly, running my finger tips along the detailed molding on the wall. It was cold to the touch, yet so delicate. I looked up to find my father staring at me.

"Good morning My Darling" he smiled, leaning down to pet my small head, his hand too big to fit upon its small crown.

I curtsied politely to him, keeping my eyes down cast appropriately, one should never look the king in the eyes at the throne room, not even by his own daughter.

"Good Morning Mother" I said bowing my head in her direction as well, "Lower my dear, knee almost touching the ground, eyes down, and heel to heel" she said to me coldly, not even looking up at me.

"Yes mother" I said softly, "louder and with more conviction in your voice" she said, her voicing booming around the room.

I nodded my head in shame and sat down in the seat between my Mother and Father. Mother looked past me, not realizing I was there. Her gray eyes were fixed on the portrait of her and my father that lay above the double doors of the Throne Room, her short Auburn dyed hair was curled delicately atop her head.

I looked toward my father, his black hair was just reaching the nape of his neck and curled around his ear delicately, his small eyes looked almost closed as he smile at me, the image of serenity.

He looked up and toward the crowd of servants before us, all kneeling before the Royal Family.

"I, King Daisuki, of the Tanaka family, thank you all for attending. For participating, in the choosing of Tsubaki, my daughter, Our Princess', personal servant"

"All hail the Princess!" The servants said in Union, I looked at them kindly returning their kindness with a smile. But my eyes were caught upon one. One with his eyes down cast, focusing on his work, his height as well, was one to notice, akwardly tall and seemed almost unsure of himself and shuffled from side to side.  I made note of him in my mind.

"She will be picking the one whom will stick with her, through thick and thin, the one who will stay with her at bedside. The one who will fight by her side, and possibly giving their all for her. Do you boys" he paused looking around the room at all the sons gathered in front of me, even the one with his downcast eyes lifted his head to look at me.

"No, Do you Men, accept this task" he looked towards me, indicating for me to stand.

I stood with as much grace as I could muster, feeling the boy's eyes on me. The lilac fabric of my gown rustled around me, filling the quite hall with noise.

One by one the boys placed a hand over their chests, "We take this Oath, we promise to protect our Princess, Our Sacred Tsubaki until the end. To cherish every moment we have with her. And to protect her to our final Dying breath" all together in union just as they had when speaking, rose at once.

"Now Princess" said Mother, coldly whispering in my ear. "Be sure to choose the best suited, and not a fumbling Bufoon. Surely you will choose Sir Isaac" she placed a hand on my shoulder, her grip tight.

My fathers fine voice followed next "Sir Lance would be a fine choice my dear, skilled in the art of dueling and with him I could feel comfortable in trusting your complete safety" he said, his voice as confident as it had been during his speech.

But their suggestions did not matter to me, because somewhere in my heart; I had already chosen.

"No-" I took a deep breath, gathering up myself and my courage before looking around the room, at not only the young boys- no young men- before me, but also the servants around them, my parents and then finally resting my gaze upon him. Staring him straight in the eye as I spoke. "I choose him"