A Crown to Shoulder

A day and a half later

"Onee?" A monotonous voice rang behind an intersection in search of someone in the big minka of the Yoshinori estate. Black hair styled almost reassembling that of a geisha's with hairsticks stabbed in both sides. Tsubaki flowers adorned the buns of her hair and such a young princess wears not her crown but dressed eccentrically like that of a yokai's.

"Onee-sama?" She took a peek in her older sister's room revealing emptiness just like her tone.

"Sayaka-dono," The young princess of the Yoshinori royal family: Princess Sayaka, the youngest of three siblings, slightly turned to address the small presence of her attendant.

"Kaguya-hime is outside by the koi pond with Kamiya-sama" The handmaiden spoke with her head bowed to show respect to her princess. In an instant, Sayaka disappeared to her sister's whereabouts.

----

The Yoshinori estate was a grandiose place built on an elevated hill distances from the capital. Wisteria trees lined the entrance towards the castle passed by a big metallic gate painted with the castle's symbol: a Victoria Crowned Pigeon; native in the land of Jadetown and a highly protected avian.

Jadetown itself was in a different landmass far from Icycilis together with another country by its side and Kayunta far behind the landmass, they formed the Eastern Kingdoms.

The walls of the castle were painted according to the primary colors of the royal family: red for the walls and supporting structures of each building and a complementary violet for its roofings with noren curtains printed with the red fox elegant head hanging around by the entrance of particularly chosen buildings such as the main house. Sakura trees and wisterias stood ground to add a tranquil ambience to the surrounding. Some buildings were built beside a body of water where koi fishes live and lotus flowers are cultivated due to the old rulers' favour of such scenery. One of the most breathtaking places in Jadetown honouring their Gods Abikohara: Goddess of Beauty; Hiroyuki:God of Arts and Music.

"Abikohara-sama?" Prince Kamiya reiterated. His sister, Princess Kaguya slumped on the railing of the wooden bridge admiring the playfulness of kois to their goldfish pondmates.

"Uhuh!...I wonder what she looks like, I've heard of her through every old citizen of this kingdom but never have I met her." The redhead said in a daze.

"I bet she's as beautiful as you" Kamiya said in response to her open ended statement with a longing smile. In an instant Kaguya's cheeks reddened in embarrassment, "Onii-sama! Abikohara-sama's beauty cannot be compared to the likes of me, she'll smite this kingdom to the ground if she knows!" She scolds him off receiving a light hearted laugh in return.

"Goshh, you're unreasonable"

Kamiya stroked his sister's hair while the latter pouted, "Apologize to her at once or else!" Kaguya threatened as a joke.

The prince had no choice but to obey his sister, after all, she was deeply beloved. He saw Kaguya's great veneration to the inactive Goddess of Beauty and decided to be docile and just follow her wishes rather than tease her more about it.

"Goddess Abikohara! I seek your forgiveness for the blasphemy I spoke. I shall not and will never compare such alluring grace you possess to anyone anymore" A snow white kitsune jumped off from the walls as soon as he finished his spiel.

Princess Kaguya took out her fan and with satisfaction,"Keh!..that didn't sound sincere"

"You-!"

"Gahh! Sayaka, where did you come from!" The two nearly shrieked after their enigmatic younger sister appeared behind them.

"I've been looking everywhere for you onee" Half-lidded eyes, austere look and a girl emanating mystery, yep that's Jadetown's famed :Spectral beauty'. Sayaka Yoshinori, a total opposite of both siblings: when others slumber she wanders, stealthy like a spectre in the dark and excels in botanical studies and chemistry.

Princess Kaguya, the vivacious and ambitious princess of flames and Kamiya's twin. Unlike Sayaka she's a brighter spark and loves everything resplendent. Carrying her fan around, she's not just a gentle soul as her kindness varies on her mood and the person she's talking to.

Prince Kamiya, marked with sagacity and candor, often with humor that sometimes puts his image in jeopardy. While Kaguya is adept in tessenjutsu, he excels more in naginatajutsu and Sayaka in kendo. The two often spar in castle grounds while Sayaka does her own thing. Kamiya's beauty was disputed all throughout the kingdom as many volunteered as eligible bachelors for the black haired royal.

"What about me?" Kamiya inquired with an awkward smile. Sayaka looked at him dead in the eyes.

"Onii-sama can take care of himself" She professed and hugged her sister tight with Kaguya stifling a giggle.

"I dreamed of you..onee-sama, you were going to leave us." The younger sister finally revealed with a blank expression but the strength of her hands from clenching Kaguya's sleeves tightened.

"Dreams are just...a mirror from your heart" Kamiya advised, placing a hand on Sayaka's head while Kaguya caressed her back.

"Don't worry, onee-chan won't leave you" with that Sayaka showed a thin smile.

-------

Beneath the beguiling beauty of the country of Jadetown, many places were tainted by the death of old gods who perished in the Thanilyan war. Though kirins were beasts native to the nation, some of them were blighted and became aggressive to be kept in the capital. Those aggressive ones fled and became pets to demons lurking in the corners of the kingdom.

Far off in the dense forests of Jadetown, a fight ensued between the venturers from Icycillis and the small pack of abyssal demons led by Prince Ajax. A portion of the sakura forest was blighted by their activities that the castle soon sent soldiers to aid them from their adversaries.

The fight raged on for hours now as both parties were nowhere exhausted, to be fair, demonic energy is far greater than a human's although the soldiers and the trio showed no signs of giving up.

"What the fuck are they doing?"Amanda alerted Calyx as both gazed up the sky to see Gabriel getting hoisted up by the Abyssal Prince Ajax; the former showed to struggle as they go up.

"Amanda now's not the time!"Calyx wiped the blood off the open cut and pulled his bow to materialize an arrow he used to shoot down a flying gargoyle while Amanda flung a demon's weapon in air before piercing them with her spear

"Look out!"

A rampaging kirin jumped behind her in attempt to bite her down but Calyx was faster. With all his might he ran to kick the beast and shoot it down where it landed.

"Geee thanks, I owe you one" Amanda brushed dust off her fabrics and tightened the bandages around her chest.

"No need, let's go!" And the two ran off to a different direction of clashing blades.

----

"You wise little scum" Ajax gave a loathing smirk when Gabriel quickly grabbed his foot as soon as he loosened his hold, he took note of his swift reflexes. The said man dangled over the high altitude he's brought up, never saying a word.

The Abyssal Prince was nowhere his expectations, he thought demons were all but pretty faces? He admitted to find him exquisitely fine: slightly curved horns, ebony black hair and eyes that of rubies. Gabriel shook his head. Was he distracted?

"So damn adamant"His red eyes shone with eagerness to let him fall to his demise, "If you want to live, beg for it"

"Never" Came a stubborn answer. Ajax could feel Gabriel's grip tighten around added that he shook him like a ragdoll. "Heh, you asked, I deliver" With all his strength he made a swift kick in the air that threw the gun user distances away, a diminishing scream of 'fuck you' was heard.

"Gabriel! Quick! get something he can land on!" Amanda ordered the soldiers in alarm but Calyx huffed and pats her shoulder, "Manda, you should know that out of all of us... Gabriel's never sinking without bringing his opponent down, he'll be fine~...plus, he's already far away"

"What?"The ash grey haired woman looked at the sky again. Most demons they encountered in the forest of Jadetown are dead and all that is left is their prince and some of his dauntless lackeys who await their lord's command.

"Abhor: Flash Glacier" Gabriel muttered and clicked his gun intricately designed by him pointing it to Ajax's direction, even though he's far away from him, he believed his clairvoyance will not fail him this time. Releasing a bullet so fast the demon's prince's enhanced senses can't even calculate its approaching radius and was fortunate enough to evade its eyeshot but his wing was unfavored leaving him to spiral down as icy crystalline crept through his bat-like appendage.

"Passive: Full moon!" Gabriel managed to shoot himself before he landed on the ground, twisting himself to land on his hands and somersaulted back a few feet, the moon shield he has dissipated into thin air.

-----

"Amazing!" Amanda greeted him clapping at his performance-like exchange with the newly arrived prince, "Heh, nothing too fancy, I'd love to send him off a nice first impression" Gabriel brushed some dirt off his clothes and exercised his arm from the fall damage, saying those words proudly with his eyes closed after the demons and their pets hid their tails and ran away.

"We should go back, healing the blighted forest takes a lot of time for shrine maidens to do." Calyx interrupted their conversation, adjusting the tie around his hair, "Captain, please stay here until the shrine maidens arrive...we still don't know if those demons will return."

"The S.E.S.Y will now overlook this matter Sir, have a safe trip home"The Captain who aided them gave a salute and off the trio went to report back and leave the country at once.

--

Strandethorn

Strandethorn. As its name implies, the kingdom is almost sunless. Cold and dark due to its closeness to the northern pole with harsh blizzards comparable to the crown's hold to its people. Though as independent Strandethorn looks it's warded by the Goddess of the Moon: Rosalind, though as conformed by the Heavenly Circle millennia ago, she left the kingdom under the care of her 'children'.

"You say..your Prince, is a blood-sucking monstrosity?" The Tzarina's authoritative voice boomed across the court. Hushed voices and whispers rose from people who joined the trial.

"Ha! You can't protect him anymore! Everyone! Ivanov dynasty crumbles as ages pass, full of liars who can sway you with their promises! As abyssal monsters walk our lands, Strandethorn was tainted with a blight the royal family hides! Vampires! And Prince Jadiel is one of them...and I, Avos' have my evidence!" The man named Avos' fished his pocket and within minutes of nothing, the council spoke.

"Silence!" One of the Porosha snaps and everyone turned their eyes back to the center seats. Tzarina Miroslava sat composed amidst the rumor addressed towards her son and tapped her fingernails announcing her annoyance.

"Avos', do you acknowledge the fact that speaking against the crown will cost your life?" A feminine voice sounded with compassion towards the man. Avos' was now in disarray, he was sure he kept the pictures he documented before trial. Before....

'The Queen!' Of course! She has eyes even on walls, waiting for her direct command. He was a fool to trust his luck.

"Yes, I do, wise one. I had evidence! Her! She covered it up for her son!" The Tzarina guffawed at his statement, "Ah, Avos'....you intend to increase your sins against the crown? Enough! I've heard enough of your frivolous blabbing!" The court fell silent as her Majesty rose from her seat and raised her hand.

"Your majesty-" The same feminine voice from the council tried to stop her but one look from Miroslava was enough for her to be seated.

"Off with his head!" Collective gasps were heard as the condemned staggered to catch what was going to happen to him.

"You can try Tzarina! But even the hardest stone erodes" Miroslava can only raise her head in ignorance.

Young Princess Izavellia flinched upon seeing her mother behead a commoner. She knew he had it coming but isn't beheading a bit too much? Poor he and his family. Rumors would soon spread like plague about her brother, she can only give him tears as the cure was yet to be discovered. Although the court was exclusive only to the Tzar, Tzarina, nobles and the Porosha, the white haired princess managed to sneak and ghostly watch numerous trials on behalf of her brother.

The meeting was adjourned and everyone left the court with Avos' being escorted to his cell until 2 days passed for him to meet his end by guillotine.

"Katya"

The Queen beckoned one of her trusted generals who emerged from the shadows and whispered near her ear, "Find someone who's a look-alike of the prince and expose him for information dispersement..... afterwards dispose of him." The general nonchalantly agreed, placing a hand near her heart and bowed down.

"Understood."

Miroslava craned her head slowly to where she heard rustles of fabric. Izavellia hitched her breath and looked for ways to avoid being caught. Heels clicked on the cold hard limestone of the castle as the Queen strides towards the thick long curtain, she paused and as quick as lightning, she uncovered the possible assailant spying on her plans and actions only to find an empty space.

"Guards!" She yelled and thirty soldiers clad in iron pauldrons and ash violet coats light for their scouting and combat uses were by her side.

"Scour the castle and bring me any suspicious individual." Came her cold order.

----

"How many?" A voice came behind closed doors.

"6 this week...brother"Izavellia solemnly replied.

"I'm sorry....I can't control it sometimes" Her brother, Prince Jadiel uttered and as his voice breaks in every word he lets go, she knows he feels pathetic every time he receives such information that why her heart aches for him to be free of this tribulation.

"Don't worry brother.... I'll talk to mama about this.... we'll find the cure for you" Izavellia starts to cry, slowly slumped down to the frostbitten floor. Jadiel heard it well thanks to his super-hearing attribute and tried his best to console his sister, hiding the fact that their mother is hard as stone when it comes to negotiations especially when their father died before Izavellia was born.

"Shhh don't cry for my sake, I'll be fine here....now go before mom interrogates you" as cold and distant the prince was before he turned, he always has a soft spot for his little sister.

-----

Mylinggr

"Cass!" Sunflower coloured hair swished as Princess Cassandra turned to address her sister.

Ylisse glides inside her room, twirling a beautiful sewn gown accented with laces and winged strokes. The overall gown pine green while the inner fabrics were basil hued, the colors favoured by the young princess herself.

"What do you think?" Ylisse held the tresses up and swished it side to side. Cassandra smiled and closed the book she's reading.

"Oh darling, you look lovely!" The golden haired princess got off her bed and studied the dress presented, checking the fabrics, the sleeves and accessories.

"Cass what are you doing?" Ylisse giggled. The older princess pushed back the bangs covering her left eye.

"Everything has to go perfect darling, even this dress.."

Beloved Ylisse Guilia von Frieden, the youngest princess of Mylinggr will be turning of age a few weeks prior to this day. Everyone in the castle frets the preparations and of course her doting sister is included; Princess Cassandra who even volunteered to sew the gown herself but she was put in the decoration committee, much to her dismay. The siblings seemed to have their mother's sweet personality as no one can suspect them of breaking a plate; and amidst the strict image of Mylinggr under Queen Izstahra's rule, these two princesses mellows the terrifying perception.

"Oh! A new book! What is it about sis?" Ylisse dodges Cassandra's prying hands and sets her eyes on the cover of a thick book lying on the vanity.

"It's a new story about a young princess transported to a strange land and meeting a dashing fellow who falls for her...ah~ the plot ropes me in to finish it in one night" Princess Cassandra exclaims with her hand over her chest dramatically.

"How wonderful to have a romance like that" She sighs. Ylisse rolls her eyes now that her sister is in her fantasy cloud.

"Cass...."

"Oh dear!" Cassandra shook her head and rushed to Ylisse, tossing her silky hair gently,"Atleast this once, let sister do your hair alright?"

"Hehe~ of course"And in an instant she was hugged tightly with her head being pillowed by Cassandra's big bosoms.

"Fear not, I'll make you the fairest!"

Ylisse could only smile at her sister's adorable antics and hugged her tightly.

----

Night time, where critters sleep in the breezy comfort of the environment. Stars enlightened the dark sky, presenting an ethereal sight to people who love to bask under cosmic bodies.

A pigeon flew amidst the lull of sleep to deliver a letter to a certain house in Icycillis. The woman who took the letter off the pocket situated around the bird's leg smiled and gave it seeds to eat. Replacing the parchment with another letter, she caressed the bird's soft feathers before it took off.

Shigemi scanned the contents of the letter with excitement, her heart swelling with joy and relief at each sentence.

Finally!

Her little sister is coming home.

///////

Trivia: Shigemi Nobutaka, the youngest magic weapon user in the ranks, recommended by Queen Sumika when the little girl suddenly unlocked her potential at the age of 10; Unlike her, most magic users are born with it.