VISION ||ONE-SHOT BOOK||

Freedom

Kaida Kurogane's POV (Age - 17)

'Sigh.'

I let out a breath before sitting down under the tree in the castle courtyard. I took a look around to find myself all alone. Being a princess wasn't an easy task, even if you are born as one. There were always so many expectations from me. I had to always play the part of he royal princess.

In truth, all I wanted was to be free. Sometimes I felt like a prisoner within the castle walls, despite this castle being my very home. I didn't really had any friends to spend time with. When I was younger, kids my age, instructed by the greedy adults around them would use me for my royal status. There was no one else who I was close with other than my family.

Leaning back on the tree and facing the sky, I closed my eyes, feeling the gentle wind blowing against my face. I felt at peace as my hair flowed with the wind. The peace was small-lived for me when I heard sounds of approaching footsteps. Opening my eyes, I faced to my left, seeing one of the maids walking up to me.

"Good afternoon, Princess." The maid bowed.

"Afternoon." I replied in a monotonous voice, irritated by the intrusion.

"Pardon my intrusion but the king and queen have asked you to join them for lunch." The maid informed.

I nodded before standing up. Dusting off my dress, I followed the maid all the way to the dinning hall of the castle where I noted mother and father already seated on their respective chairs. The maid joined the other maids standing on the sides while I sat down on my chair.

"How was your day?" Mother inquired in a kind tone.

"It was fine, just sitting in the courtyard." I answered taking a bite of the freshly cooked meal before glancing up at father. "I expected more of those suitors to be shoved on my face."

"Kaida, you will be coming of age soon. You need to find a proper suitor to take your hand in marriage." Father answered with a concerned glance. "Unfortunately I wasn't able to invite anyone today, given I was dealing with the recent rise in criminal activities of the thieves guild."

There were many guilds around the continent of Ishgar, spread around in different kingdoms and were of varying types. The most famous ones are the Mage Guilds where mages are given quests and requests by the people for a good sum of money. The mages work on these quests for the reward and also help out the people.

Next are the Miners Guild also at some places called the Treasure Hunters Guild. As the name suggests, they were into mining and treasure hunting. Their modus operandi was exploration of the unknown places. At times they work together with Mage Guilds if they are headed off for some dangerous places.

The third type was the Mercenary Guilds, where the members would be ready to take on any job for money, be it kidnapping or even murder. They are the types to do all kinds of job from escorting to dirty work like murder, given they are paid the right amount. The Mercenary Guild upholds their contracts and promises to a high degree. They are a type of independent force, ungoverned by any council.

Lastly was the Thieves Guild, known for the underground trade and black market. They were mostly known for stealing and trading in the black market and are said to operate around various kingdoms, even in places where one would least expect them to work. They are quite the fearless bunch who would do anything for extra cash.

"Why are you so hellbent on having me married to one of those stuck up nobles? All they ever do is use me for my royal status. I would rather be alone than be with one of them." I almost snapped.

"Kaida, one day you will sit on the throne. And when you do, you will need someone by your side." Father spoke as a matter-of-factly.

"Well maybe I don't want anyone by my si--"