The Dam Builder's Daughter

Seven years ago...

It was his first day of school and he found himself standing side by side with a grouchy-looking man with a sharp nose and thin wide lips. Despite the old man's diminutive stature, he had an air of authority around him that would silence even the most stubborn student in an instant. About fifteen pairs of eyes stared back at them with extreme curiosity. Some were sizing him up from head to foot trying to figure out what made him so special as to merit the introduction of the academy's top official. Apparently, this was the first time in the school's history that an enrollee had been accompanied to his class by no other than the headmaster himself.

"Everyone, this is Prince Horokeu Usui from the kingdom of Kouri."

Murmurs began to fill the room.

"Kouri? That tiny piece of farmland?"

"I can't believe Master Goldva's favorite was from that LITTLE kingdom."

"I bet his father paid the academy with tons of butterbur!"

Horo-Horo tried to ignore his classmates' derisions but he was already balling his fists. If he started a fight now, he might be sent back home in an instant. Well, maybe that was not such a bad thing but his father would be very disappointed if he saw him knocking at the palace gates earlier than expected.

"This is his first day here at the academy. Please treat him nicely. Can I hear a response?"

"Yes, Headmaster Goldva," the students chorused.

"Good, you may proceed with your class, Master Silva," the head master nodded at the Patch instructor and left the room.

"Prince Horokeu, kindly take that empty seat beside Ms. Kurobe."

He approached the empty wooden chair with caution. The girl to his right smiled at him but he ignored her completely. He hated it there. It was no fun sitting on a chair for two hours and listening to a serious-looking instructor rattle about senseless information. At that very moment, he could have been out into the butterbur fields playing hide-and-seek with his sister. He could have run to the sea port to play pirate king with the fishermen's children or he could have gone to Kasai to bother Yoh with his royal training. He was missing his old life already. When Master Silva announced lunch break, he felt like a prisoner finally freed from a cold damp dungeon.

"Hi! Do you want to join me for lunch?" his girl seatmate smiled at him for the second time. It was only then that he noticed how cute she is.

"Okay," he quickly agreed for he did not have any idea where to eat.

He followed her into an elegant dining hall with a dome shaped ceiling from which a crystal chandelier hanged. At the center was a long buffet table full of appetizing and freshly-prepared cuisine. The heirs of the rich and powerful monarchies of the world occupied the lines of linen-covered tables that were set for fine dining. For the first time in his life Horo-Horo actually felt like a true prince. They didn't have those lavish things at the Kouri palace. He excitedly filled his tray with all sorts of food he can find.

The girl giggled at him as they settled on the dining table she picked.

"You're going to enjoy it here," she said. "I'm Tamiko Kurobe by the way."

"Glad to meet you Princess Tamiko," he said with his mouth full. He was not an avid fan of good manners after all.

The girl laughed heartily as if she had witnessed a court jester displaying his antics. Horo-Horo stared at her in astonishment. Was it something he said or were there food bits on his face?

"I'm not a princess." she explained. "My father is just good at building dams and he had many kingdoms as clients. That's why he can afford to send me here. I'm sure you're far more affluent than me."

No, Kouri is just a kingdom of fishermen and farmers. He would have replied that to her but he was choking on a piece of steak.

Tamiko handed him a glass of grape juice which he gratefully accepted.

"Because my father is a dam builder, other students here started calling me Damuko. I guess you can use that little nickname on me but in return, I will also call you by some other name. 'Horokeu' sounds too old and mature."

"Horo-Horo is fine."

"Glad to meet you Horo-Horo."

Since that meeting, they were inseparable.

"Horo-Horo!" Damuko could not contain her joy as she approached her blue-haired friend at their favorite dining table. "Today is Queen Yuki's Day! There's an ongoing festivity in town with street performances and food stalls and game booths and I heard there will be a floating lantern display tonight. It's such a waste that we can't go."

"What is Queen Yuki's Day?" the Kouri prince apparently could not relate.

"You don't know?! You are not listening to Master Chrom's lecture are you?" his friend waved a finger at him. "Queen Yuki's Day is an annual commemoration of the former queen, Yuki's birthday. You see there was a large kingdom here ruled by Queen Yuki before she divided it among her royal advisers."

"Why would she ever do that?"

"Well, she had no heir and she indicated in her last will and testament that her kingdom be divided equally into four. A quarter of the land was given each to her trusted royal advisers namely Orona McDonell, Liam Diethel and Francois Mont St. Michel. The last piece of land where the palace stood was donated to the Royal Patch Academy."

"So our school building was a former palace? Wow! That queen must have come from a very rich family."

"Yes, she was affluent yet very humble. Because of her generosity, the dukedoms are celebrating the queen's birthday every year. Too bad we can't go outside to see it."

"Why not?"

"We have to secure an exit pass from the headmaster to go out of the academy but the only way he will allow us to leave is when we're accompanied by a family member. And even though Father is here, there's a one-to-a-million chance that the headmaster will give us his authorization since it is almost dark outside. Nobody is allowed to leave the school premises at night." Disappointment was painted all over Damuko's face.

"Aw… maybe I'll try again next year."

"Do you really want to go?" Horo-Horo grinned at his friend.

"Yes!"

"Then let's go!"

Damuko stared back at him with utter disbelief. "Without the school's permission?"

"We'll only be out for a few hours. By the time the school announces lights off, we'll be right under our bed covers. "

"But how are we going to leave without being caught?"

The blue-haired boy thought for a while. "Follow me."