Love's Power

Chapter 1

Once upon a time, in a kingdom rich with love and happiness, there lived a beautiful princess named Amai.

Her name meant  sweetness, for she was sweet and kind, always bringing a smile to faces around her. Amai was 16, with long hair of pure snow, fair skin, eyes like crystals that shone and sparkled. She was one of six sisters, the princesses Ichigo, Mint, Retasu, Pudding, and Zakuro. The six princesses were each just slightly different from one another in personality.

Ichigo was like Amai, sweet and smiling, though at times a little feisty. Mint was more sophisticated, spending most of her time in the garden drinking tea. Reatsu was quiet, shy, at times a bit clumsy, and could spend the whole day in the library reading. Pudding was by far the most energetic, literally bouncing off walls and sliding down staircases (it's a wonder she's never gotten hurt). Zakuro was cool, calm and collected, and in all honesty, her lone wolf behavior often scared people.

Amai was the most popular princess, not just for her brightening personality, but also for her beauty and special gift. You see, Amai was born with magic and could create life wherever she went. A broken branch fixed at her touch, water filling a dry stream before her feet, birds singing along to her voice, fruit forming with a smile thought and a smile. No one knows how she got her powers, but it made her more special and was beloved by everyone who knew her.

Differences and all, the sisters were as close as anyone could possibly be. Every day they spent time together, running down hallways, talking in their rooms late at night, sitting in the garden. The king and queen loved their daughters dearly, the princesses loved them, and all their lives were joyful.

One summer day, Amai was sitting by her bedroom window, hungerly reading stories of romance, her precious pet cat Sugar (who was a past birthday gift from her sisters) on her lap, when Retasu knocked on her door. "Yes, Retasu?" Amai said while looking up from her book. Retasu replied "Amai, Mother and Father have called for us. Prince Kisshu has returned from his travels and is here to see you."

At the sound of that name, Amai jumped from her seat and raced out the door in excitement, not hearing her sister's calls to wait up for her or the mewing of her cat.

"Kisshu, Kisshu!" Amai's thoughts were rushing like a raging river with his name. Prince Kisshu was of the neighboring kingdom, very handsome with his forest green hair, pale skin and eyes of liquid gold. His family had been close to Amai's for years and partnered often in trade and politics. The first time they had met was when Amai was 9 and Kisshu was 11. When he saw her, he was immediately awestruck, and she with him. They were the best of friends, their feelings for each other increasing with each passing year. Right before he left to travel, about a year ago, he told her he loved her, and with happy tears in her eyes, she responded with her own confession. A crystal locket in the shape of a heart was his gift to her, and with such delicacy, a kiss on her lips as his goodbye. He told her not to open the locket until the proper time, there being a treasure inside that he wanted to wait for.

Amai smiled at the memory as she ran down the halls, the locket lightly bouncing off her collarbone with her speeding steps. As she got closer to the main hall, she could hear her parents' voices conversing with the voice she'd been waiting to hear for what felt like forever. Finally, she reached the grand staircase, where right at the bottom was the face of her prince. Amai beamed and called out to him.

"Kisshu!" At her call he looked up, and she melted at the sight of his grinning face and golden orbs.

Without hesitation, she flew down the stairs, and a few steps below the bottom jumped into outstretched arms which quickly clamped around her in a tight embrace. Amai's heart pounded in joy at the feeling of Kisshu's arms around her, his head resting on hers and her head under his chin. Eyes closed in bliss, his whispers of sweetness filling her ears. Amai was in heaven. When they pulled back to look at each other, Kisshu's smile grew wider which made her giggle and blush. "My princess, I've missed you so much." he said softly to her, to which she said just as softly, "I've missed you, too."

The king and queen watched them quietly, happiness in them at the sight of their daughter and the prince together. The sisters, having all arrived a few moments after Amai, also watched with grins, internally squealing at how cute the couple looked. Sugar, in Retasu's arms purred happily as if sensing her princess's joy. Amai noticed the looks of her family, and blushed more furiously in embarrassment, which made Kisshu laugh. "Maybe we should go outside, to catch up with each other."

Amai nodded her head immediately, the two walking off towards the gardens. The minute they stepped outside, the grass flourished with a brighter hue, the petals of the flowers growing fuller under the sun's radiant rays, for Amai's magic was increased with her elated behavior. Hand in hand, the prince and princess made their way to a tall apple tree, round white marble surrounding the base. The tree was Amai's favorite, she always picked its apples every season to eat or take back to the kitchens for pie and cake. Kisshu led her to the marble base and let her sit before taking his seat beside her. Amai looked at him happily, while she lifted a finger towards the branches above. Two ruby apples that hung from the leaves snapped off and floated down to them, one placed in her hands, the other in Kisshu's. The latter giving her a smile in thanks while biting into the fruit, the juices dancing on his tongue.

"The apples are so sweet with your magic, yet they could never surpass your sweetness." he said cheekily, Amai's flushed cheeks summoning a chuckle from his throat. No matter how many times Kisshu flirted with her, his words never ceased to make Amai's heart flutter like butterfly wings. Her lips lifted as she ate her apple, sharing stories of the past year with him while listening to his own of his travels, minding every detail of the sights he'd seen and the scents he smelled.

The hours went by with their talking and laughter. By the height of sunset, they came back into the castle, Kisshu carrying Amai on his back. Both had peaceful expressions on their faces, and the servants they passed looked at them happily. Reaching the front courtyard, where a horse was waiting to take Kisshu home, the prince set the princess down and took her hand in his.

Gazing into her eyes, he leaned into her ear "I love you, Amai." With her name, Kisshu lifted a finger to brush against the locket. Amai's eyes glazed in bliss, whispering back "I love you more." Amai felt his lips on her cheek, then turned her head so those lips would meet hers. A couple of seconds under the setting sun felt like an endless dream to the young royals. Slowly slipping away, Kisshu hopped onto the horse, gave Amai a promise to see her again soon, then rode off. Standing there for a few more moments, watching her prince until he left her sight, Amai sighed and headed back into the palace.