Never Let Go [Hiatus]

Part II, Chapter 18- As An Equal

Madara reminded himself to be extremely cautious around the princess, to watch his words and make sure he behaved like the merchant boy he claimed to be. Pry information without stirring suspicion. But at he top of the list, he knew he had to win the princess's favour and trust. Everything would come easy after that crucial first step. He sat on a rock and waited, sure that she would come as promised.

Meanwhile...

Akane extinguished the five candles around her futon mat, a signal indicating that she was ready for bed. The shoji doors slid open to reveal her servant as she brought Akane her night clothes. Settling her clothes in a neat pile beside the princess, she wished her a goodnight before closing the doors behind her once more. 

A few minutes later, heavy footsteps thumped down the hallway, stopping by her chambers. Shuffles followed as her servants were relieved of their duties, her royal guards taking their place. Akane was amazed by the precautions they were taking. Instead of servants, she now had her elite guards to watch over her while she slept. Nevertheless, Akane was quite undaunted. 

The fact that no one could enter her chambers without her permission served well as an immunity. Extremely convenient. She propped up her pillows and rolled up her extra comforter, tugging them beneath her silk blanket. There. Satisfied, she slid the windows to her private toilet open, squeezing her body through the tiny opening and landed softly in the back of her gardens.

 She crept around the bushes, careful not to make them shake too much. The lever to her underground passageway was easy enough to find, its location already committed to her memory with the countless ventures she had made over the past weeks. With one last look around her, she pulled the lever, her heart thumping with anticipation as she prayed for Madara to turn up.

Akane pushed past the drooping branches, watching her footing as she trudged across the short patch of forest, its floor littered with decomposing leaves, twigs and fallen branches. She proceeded slowly, wary of the snaking vines that might trip her. It was a familiar route. But although slow, her movements clearly reflected the experience she had gathered over the nights. Finally, she emerged, her eyes frantically searching for Madara. And then, she saw him.

 His back facing her as he sat on a rock, gazing at the mesmerizing lights from the castle. She almost screamed for joy. He came! Smoothing out her yukata, Akane approached him.

'You're finally here! I thought yo decided not to come.' Madara said, turning around even before she reached him. Akane was impressed by his instincts. He had sensed her so quickly.

'Gome~ I needed to ensure some things!' she explained, picking up pace. Madara gave her a reassuring smile.

'It's okay, at least you came. I have time anyway,' he spoke softly. Akane blushed at his gentleness, his smile.

'And by the way you reacted yesterday, AND the name you gave, I presume you must be Princess Akane of this kingdom?'

'Eh?'

Before she could react, Madara fell on his knees, placing both hands on the ground as he bowed. 'My apologies for speaking to you in such crude manners all this time, Hime-sama. Forgive me for my impudence.'

Akane took a step back, flustered by his actions. 'N-No, no need for this. I-It's okay! Please stand up quickly!' she stammered as she made to help him up

'I thank you for your kindness, but one such as you should not soil your hands with the dirt of a commoner, Hime-sama.'

'Eh?' Akane's hand hovered above his arm. She grew a little sad. No, this was not what she wanted. She didn't want him to feel inferior and unworthy of her company. She wanted to talk to him, to love him as an equal. She certainly didn't want things to turn out this way, so formal and lacking of human touch... Not with him, especially not him.

'Yes, I may be a princess. But I'm not the type who expects her followers to worship and kiss the floor she had walked on. I treat everyone as the person they are, not by the status they hold!' she snapped, now a little annoyed.

Madara was taken aback by her sudden outburst. Akane's hand flew to her mouth upon realization of what she had done. She had lost her temper in front of Madara, who had frankly speaking, done nothing wrong.

'I-I'm so sorry.. I-I didn't mean to be so rude. I...' Akane didn't know how to express herself. 'I... just hate it when people treat me this way.'

'But you are a princess. Isn't this the right way to speak to one? In fact, some kingdoms even forbid commoners to look at royals in the eye. It will blind them, they say.'

'I don't like it one bit. I don't even like the fact that there is a hierarchy to which we must abide. All of us are but men created by God. We are all created and born equal. Why then, must we establish a system of ranks within ourselves?'

Madara opened his mouth the disagree, but closed it again. The princess was obviously refusing to open her eyes to the truth. Equality doesn't exist. Like how our fingers are all of different lengths, no one was born equal. The world was never fair.

'Well, leaders are still in need for order. And I guess that's how the hierarchy was formed, into those who lead and those who will be lead.' he stated simply, not wishing to go into unnecessary debate. Win her trust and favour, he reminded himself.

'I still hate it that I cannot interact with people the way others do. You guys get to show your true emotions, whether through your words or actions, while I have to constantly watch myself, to ensure that I carry myself with dignity, with the proper ways of a royal. And likewise for those that I contact with. They have to be formal and respectful in my presence. So overly respectful and courteous that the whole exchange seemed scripted. I can never know of their genuine thoughts and feelings, nor can they mine. It's hard. It's hard to live like a robot devoid of emotions. It's quite meaningless. Humans are a social species you know. I kind of feel...isolated even though I'm surrounded by so many people who care for me.' Akane sat on the grass, propping up her knees.

'Well, you've just let me into your inner thoughts!' Madara piped, trying to cheer her up.

'So please. Don't act the way you did. Forget that I'm a princess and talk to me like the first time we met, ne?' Akane requested.

'If you wish for it, Akane.' Madara promised. 

Akane smiled at the change from Hime-sama back to Akane as the cries of the cicadas filled the moment of silence between the two. For a while, they sat side by side, gazing up at the gorgeous moon that hung in the dark night sky.