Tainted Pink Blossom (Book 3: The Pink Blossom Series)

Captivated and Secure

Disclaimer: I don't own Snow White With The Red Hair or any of it's characters.

This story is part of the Pink Blossom series. It can be read before the others, but it's sequel 'Blossom in Full Bloom' must be read in correct order of all the books, to make sense of it.

Many years ago, I had asked the question, why can't I go outside the gates? Why am I hidden from the world? Why can't I have any friends? It had been made clear to me, my pink hair and royal title, are going to make me a target, for any greedy or revenge seeking creep, that may cross my path. I didn't understand the gravity of those words. Instead, I felt like it was an excuse to lock me away in a castle, a manipulation to keep me from engaging in my curiosity. My Father did order for the forest grounds to be a place of freedom for me, having it cultivated, to simulate the vast topography of the regal forests that surrounded Clarines. Like that was some kind of compensation. When I was young, I chose to train and train hard, so my father would let me discover the world for myself, someday. I was going to prove that I can take care of myself! But I didn't know that experience inside the castle grounds can only take me so far. I grew more determined, and each day, my skills improved.

When I am not focused on training, I play in the forest with Ru Ru, my beautiful, and faithful companion, a rare blue and green bird. Although trained in similar ways, as the palace birds are, Ru Ru was my friend, that I trained to do what I wanted it to. Along with my faithful mare, Beauty, the fastest black horse, known in the kingdom, to my specifications of course. I would pretend to engage in fights, imaging that my greedy pursuers, would taste the fate of my sword. However, I am a lady, I would never dream of taking a life. I did see my parents from time to time, whenever they weren't busy with their duties. We would often walk through the garden, or the forest, talking about things that would get their minds off their troubles. My mother missed being an herbalist, and would often try and engage me in her passion of 'weeds'. Being a secret to the public, I didn't have any responsibilities, and a whole lot of time on my hands.

So what can I do? I don't serve any other purpose, at least not yet. I am trained as a lady of the court. I have known for a while, that one day, I would serve as a 'pawn', for some greedy nobleman to rise to power. And preparing for my presentation in the future, I would have to be elegant and controlled. It was something I wasn't keen on, however, learning to address conflicts in a professional matter was imperative, to being a well respected princess.

What is out there? I often dreamed about the towns and people I would meet there. The adventures I would have, snow ball fights, the warm sand between my toes, the open sea air, or what it would be like to be on a ship. Things, I only read about in books.

I wondered if dragons were real, or why we don't ride pegasi, or do those count as fable creatures too. That makes me wonder, if I could let myself believe in things like magic. Yes, I know reality from fantasy, but I still can't seem to grasp it's impossibility. Now before you think I am some kind of book worm, don't! I mostly hate reading books, especially when they are focused on facts, like affairs of the state, books on 'weeds', or the history of our kingdom. Boring!

One day, it will no longer be a mystery, I will make sure of that!

So this brings me to my current situation.

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"Obi, got you! Next time, you'll have to do better than that." I announced confidently. Grabbing his arm, while high up in a tree.

"It seems you have, next time, I'll have to step up my game." He couldn't deny how far I had come. One day, I would be the strongest swords-woman this world has ever seen.

We jumped down from the tree, where we had settled this score.

"Well that's enough for one day. By the way, I heard Kihal is coming to the castle this afternoon. You haven't seen her in a while, have you?" Obi informed me.