Me second request from totally-not-cute!!! ^_^

And so many typos! Need to edit...

Disclaimer: I don't own Magi

***

'Where is he?'

'Your Highness...'

'WHERE.IS.HE?'

***

The aroma of freshly brewed expensive tea permeated the air of my room. I was sitting by the the window, just letting another uneventful afternoon pass by like I always have ever since I came to the palace. If I'm not mistaken, it has to be nine years ago, when I'm still no older than ten. My sick mother was the only family I have at the slums. Although we were terribly poor and always hungry, I cherished every day like a fortunate noble-born child who has all the riches in the world.

Yes, I was happy.

Then one day, my mother's illness has become unbearable that even she, the woman whom I admired was the strongest, failed to win over it. She has been fighting with the illness for a long time after all, I can't blame her for giving up. But still even though we parted peacefully, my mind won't be at rest.

Not long after that came an expensive carriage to the dirty ground of the slums. There were soldiers with dead serious faces and a haughty looking noble man dressed righteously. I was afraid because they might be planning to get rid of us, of our homes. Tears fell down plenty like rivers from my eyes. Mother wasn't with me anymore. Without her I don't know what to do on my own.

"It will be alright. Don't cry Kougyoku." A scruffy boy smiled brightly as he took my small hand into his own, grasping it with reassurance that he will protect me no matter what. His name is (m/n), my best friend and a sibling to me. When mother passed away, he took the heavy responsibility of taking care of a helpless child just like what he was. (M/n) cannot do much, but he strived hard for us to continue living in this cruel world.

I sniffled and wiped my tear-stained face. "I'll protect you too, big brother."

***

"You are coming with us." Said the noble man, his mouth covered by a flabellum. Every inch of my body trembled under the look he was giving me. (M/n) grasped my hands tighter, almost making me yelp in pain. He ran in front of me and shot his arms sideward, protecting my small figure from the assailants.

"Kougyoku is not going anywhere!" He defended.

"Young man, you must understand. The girl behind you has the royal blood running through her veins. She does not belong in these filthy environment, her place is in the palace, where she will receive all the luxuries she deserved." The noble man drawled. (M/n) glowered at him, (e/c) squinted eyes not showing any signs of giving up.

"Why would they care for her now? And Kougyoku doesn't need all those treasures you speak of. You can never bribe her with mere jewelry!" (M/n) said. The noble man, in reply, sighed with exasperation. He stayed silent for a moment. Everyone who was watching the scene unfold dared not to speak a single word. The noble man removed the flabellum covering his mouth the whole time and began,

"The princess Kougyoku just lost her dear mother right?" He confirmed. The wrath burning inside (m/n) grew. Kougyoku cried when she was remembered of her late mother.

"What are you trying to do, stinky old man? Kougyoku is my friend, a poor orphan and that's how she's gonna stay! So don't call her princess and stop crossing over personal lines!" (M/n) snapped.

"Aren't you just being selfish?"

"Wha-what?!"

"The slums are clearly not the ideal place for a child to grow up, especially a parentless one. Here I am, offering princess Kougyoku a much better life. You seem to be fond of her. Tell me boy, what kind of life can you offer the princess if you'd insist her to stay in this dump?" The noble man reasoned. (M/n) knew he was right. At Kougyoku's mother death bed, he promise her that he'll do anything to give his beloved friend a good life. Being also a kid he was, doing that might be impossible. Now a chance has fallen in front of them, and he wouldn't let her have it.

(M/n) glanced behind him, where a thin and dirty red haired girl was cowering in fear at the strangers that have suddenly appeared in their place. 'She is a princess. Yet she is dressed in rags and have barely anything to eat every day.'

"Then go ahead. Take her with you." (M/n) decided. Kougyoku gasped, her eyes filled with disbelief as soldiers wrapped their hands on her small arms. The noble man closed his eyes and a pleasured sigh escaped from his lips.

"A very wise choice young man. Rest assured that princess Kougyoku will be in good hands." He said.

"Hey, let me go. (M/n), don't let them take me away. Help me (m/n)!"

"I'm sorry, Kougyoku, but it's for the best. You'll live a better life in the palace."

"I don't need a better life! I just want to be here, to be with you! If you're around then I don't need anything else in the world!"

Tears almost fell out of (m/n)'s eyes. At that very moment he wanted to tear the soldiers' grasp from Kougyoku's arms, tell her the same thing and ran away from that scene. But upon remembering again the whole cause of this commotion, (m/n) has to put up every kind of restraint so he won't rush to his friend's side.

By now, they have dragged her already at the foot of the carriage. Kougyoku was struggling to let go; her pleading trademark red eyes still wasn't going away. (M/n) stood rooted at the spot. The other villagers have their hands on his shoulders, as if a warning to stop him from doing anything more foolish. As Kougyoku was forced inside the carriage, a single tear escaped from the older male's eyes, whispering goodbye before the door closed and the carriage left.

***

"Please don't cry princess." Said a male voice. I snapped out of my deep train of thoughts and saw Ka Koubun in front of me, hand held out with a white handkerchief and a befuddled yet at the same time sympathetic expression on his face.

"What was that again, Ka Koubun?" I asked.

"You are crying, princess..." He replied.

"I-is that so? My, how pathetic." I chuckled then quickly wiped off my wet face with my sleeves.

"Ah princess, please use a handkerchief." Ka Koubun said. Once again, I chuckled like nothing and quickly snatched the handkerchief from his hand.

"Thank you, Ka Koubun." I said as I returned him the handkerchief.

"Should I leave you alone, princess?" He asked. I can see the same worried expression in his face that he has only for me.

"No. Please stay with me." I said. I don't want to be alone. At least not this moment. If I'm left alone, then I'll remember those memories again. I don't want to look back anymore. Please let me forget my past, let me forget him.

Him who was supposed to be my best friend that will never let me go.

"As you wish. By the way, a new servant has come to the palace. The head maid assigned him to you. Would you like to see him now?"

"Oh, a new companion! Of course, let's go Ka Koubun." I said with a bright smile. Wiping my face the last time, I lifted myself up from the chair and headed for the door.

***

"Princess, meet (l/n) (m/n). From today onwards he will be serving you alongside me." Ka Koubun introduced a familiar (h/c) haired man standing beside him. He bowed on cue and said, "Please, do not hesitate to ask me anything Your Highness, and I'll come rushing by your side."

I almost laughed. This man- He wasn't strange like every other servants who have come and go inside the imperial palace. I know him, no doubt. Those calming (e/c) eyes can only belong to one person and one person only.

To my dearest (m/n).

"Then as a first request, can you please save a red haired girl for me nine years back? I know that you know her, she used to live with you in the slums."

(M/n) was surprised to hear that. I on the other hand, just smiled as sweetly as you can, trying to mask up the anger burning within me. How dare this man show up in front of me after all these years. Can he not remember what he did nine years ago? When he willingly let the soldiers take me away from him, from my life?

"I'm afraid that I cannot do so, Your Highness. With all due respect, even with everything I've learned it is still impossible for me to turn back time. Please forgive my incompetency. Punish me as you like." He offered.

"Forget about that." I turned my back against him, tears threatening to fall anytime from my red eyes. How foolish can I be? He's right, he can't do anything about it, no one can. I have been living in the palace for nine years as a princess. I'm not a slum kid anymore.

"Please orient (m/n) on his duties, I will be going back in my room."

I shouldn't be looking back in the past.

***

"This way please." Said Ka Koubun. (M/n) meekly nodded and followed the attendant's lead.

(M/n), as it was revealed in the earlier events, is Princess Kougyoku's childhood best friend. The totally unexpected occurrence that took place nine years ago separated them from each other. Back then, (m/n) was determined to keep the girl by his side, like he had promised to Kougyoku's mother before she drew her last breath. But upon realising his own limits of giving her friend a better life, he had to give her to her biological family.

And it was the best decision he will forever regret.

He promised himself that very day that he will do anything so he can be with Kougyoku once more, and continue what he failed to fulfil- to protect her at all costs.

Not long after that, he was adopted by a rich man. His new family provided everything he needed. Complete meals, a comfortable shelter, proper clothes to wear, also an education that will fit a noble's title. When he reached the age of 18, he took the civil service examination and passed with highest ranks. The emperor assigned him to govern a province in the far west of the empire. But he turned it down, the biggest opportunity every new official can put their dibs on. Instead he offered himself as a servant to the 8th Imperial Princess.

'Kougyoku, I know that you are still mad at me. But now that I'm here, let me make up everything to you...'

***

"No, not this one." Complained Kougyoku as she looked down at the gorgeous pair of red shoes on his servant's hands. (M/n) simply nodded and stood up.

"I understand. Please forgive me." He said then set off to find the 'right' pair of shoes that his princess requested. As soon as he disappeared into a safe distance, Kougyoku went into an angry fit. Ever since he started working for her, Kougyoku went about on every measure to make sure his life as a servant would be horrible. But that didn't happen, and in all honesty the princess is not happy with it. (M/n) is unbelievably patient. She made him ran to a nearby town which is still a thousand miles the least for a special peach, that based on her descriptions, was possibly non-existent. Much to her surprise (m/n) brought back the very same peach she concocted in her imagination.

There is also one time when he made him search the whole palace for a ruby ring that she lost. Of course, this wasn't true. She didn't have any ruby ring. Even as a princess, you cannot have that special kind of stone in your jewellery if you are the lowest ranking one. At the end of the day, when she thought she had finally won, (m/n) presented her a golden ring embedded with a large ruby stone that reflected the sundown's light perfectly. He said, "The king caught wind that you have lost a ruby ring, so he decided to give you a new one."

Kougyoku didn't know how she'll still face her father from that day onwards.

This time for sure, she'll be victorious. She will make (m/n) regret what he did nine years ago.

(M/n) was back at her chambers with another pair of shoes in his hand. Kougyoku quickly denied it and he patiently went out to find the perfect shoes for the ultimately demanding princess.

The same thing happened over and over again. (M/n) wasn't even irritated a little. Kougyoku dropped subtle hints that she was toying him, but his patience never wavered. To make sure she followed him outside. She did not hear a single word of complaint from him. Instead he was whistling, as if all of this was just a part of a normal chore. Kougyoku went back to her room before he noticed she was gone. A few seconds later he was back.

"Is this the right one, princess?" He asked politely. Kougyoku did not answer. (M/n) remained kneeling on the floor, awaiting his mistress' reply.

"Why are you doing this?" She asked in a low voice. (M/n) did not move.

"Because this is what you have asked me to do." He said.

"Aren't you getting tired, or irritated?" Kougyoku asked.

"Princess, a servant of a royalty must be competent enough to accomplish their master's need. Getting tired and irritated are two things that I will never feel." (M/n) intoned.

"But I want to see pain in your face, (m/n). I want to see you suffering, as payment for what you did to me when we were kids." Kougyoku said, the wrath carefully seeping in her voice.

"Then you can simply punish me, princess. Please do whatever you want with me. I am your servant after all."

"It is worthless if you are so willing to be punished! Oppose me, give me a good reason to hurt you. I have been trying hard so you would be miserable in the palace, just like what I have always been." Kougyoku snapped. (M/n) dropped the shoes in his hand and pulled the princess close to his chest affectionately.

"I'm so sorry, Kougyoku. I have been lonely too when you left. But there is no other way into it. I want you to have a better life and that is something you will never achieve in the slums." (M/n) said. Kougyoku yanked him away, her eyes furrowed in reply.

"No other way into it? A better life? How can you boldly speak those kind of words to me? I told you before didn't I? My better life is with you, and you only. But even knowing that, you still let them take me away. I... I hate you (m/n)!!!" She bursted out of the room in tears. (M/n) was left behind, with a single tear running down his cheeks. He wiped it off quickly and ran after the princess.

Their game of tag had led them outside the palace gates, and into a secluded dangerous forest that has been rumoured as camp to foreign bandits. After running around searching for the princess, he finally found her on the middle of a wide clearing, sobbing loudly with her knees close to her chin. (M/n)'s heart was shot with a pang of hurt and guilt. All of this, he brought it upon the person he wanted the least to see crying. Silently he moved forward, but the rustling of grass announced his presence amidst the wild wails of the princess.

"Don't come near me!"

"Kougyoku, please if you'd just..."

"Leave me alone! And don't address me with my first name. I am the princess, and you are just a mere servants. Know your place, bastard!" Kougyoku almost put a hand over her mouth. She never meant to call him that way. (M/n) stayed silent. His eyes were still wide in surprise at what his friend just said. Before anything else can happen, another rustle was heard, this time coming from the nearby bushes surrounding the clearing.

"A princess, you say?"

***

"Wha-what on earth?!"

"Please stand back, princess."

Suddenly, out of nowhere, a group of bandits have appeared and surrounded the two. (M/n) stood defensively in front of the princess, who was visibly shaking even though she won't admit it to herself. The vicious looking men sneered at their prey for today, two vulnerable children who shouts money with their clothing. As one took out a sword, Kougyoku whimpered and subconsciously clutched her attendant's pants. (M/n) looked at the princess with a face full of worry. His area of expertise isn't really on fighting, however he had learned a few techniques before, as it was required for him to be taught. He can manage these bandits, if he was alone. But the princess was with him. How can he battle these scoundrels and protect Kougyoku at the same time?

(M/n) took the princess' soft hands on his. "Princess Kougyoku, please listen to me..."

"?"

"I cannot compete with these bandits. I do hope that you'll forgive me."

"Stupid! What's gonna happen to us now?!" Kougyoku panicked.

"There's only one way. But you have to do the rest yourself. I will create an opening for you, then you should run; far, far away from here. Never look back, head straight for the castle." (M/n) said.

"H-how about you?" Kougyoku asked.

"I'll be fine. I'll follow."

"But..."

"One."

"(M/n)..."

"Two."

"I can't!"

(M/n) gripped her hand. With a courageous kind smile he said softly, "Yes, you can."

"Hey, what are you two talking about!" Demanded a male bandit.

"There's no use planning an escape kiddos. You won't be able to get away from the most badass bandit group here!" Sneered another.

(M/n) glowered at the men. He prepared to let go of Kougyoku's hand, and in the final count of three, he took out a small dagger hiding in his robes. The younger male charged at the bandits taking two or three at a time, until everyone's focus was on him. Seeing this as the right time he signalled Kougyoku to escape.

Kougyoku didn't want to leave (m/n) behind. As if all feelings of hatred were erase that moment, the princess was torn between saving herself or try fighting the bandits with (m/n). She was rooted on the spot, until another shout was given by her friend did she finally ran away from the forest.

'I would only burden him.' Kougyoku thought, as she dragged her feet desperately without even caring where she is heading. All she cared for is to find the way out of this forest and ask for help.

(M/n) is gaining the upper hand against the bandits. He had already taken out almost a third of them. The remaining had a terrified look in their faces, heart discouraged by the amazing power of (m/n)'s swordplay. But the leader of the group wasn't backing down any time soon. No, not yet. There is no way he'll let this small fry beat up all of them, lest he wan't their reputation be ruined. As a final resort he ordered his men to use 'that' tool. Actually if (m/n) wasn't such a pest he still don't want to use it. The people from where it came from were absolutely suspicious.

The remaining bandits took a weird metal gun that they wore on their fists and aimed it at the beaten (m/n). With a smirk on their lips, they all fired water bullets at once. (M/n) quick reflexes responded, so he was able to dodge the first launch of attack.

'What is that strange thing? Could it be what they call a magic tool?'

Another series of water bully chased after him. Again he dodged all of it, but he knew that he won't last for another minute. His energy was nearing depletion. One after another, came the water bullets. This time one finally hit him in the arm. The bandit who seems to be responsible for it laughed victoriously, and after that, the bullets aimed for him wildly than before.

***

Arms, shin, shoulders, stomach, and thighs. He was almost crushed, but the water bullets keep on coming. (M/n) has long since gave up fighting. 'At least the princess is safe now.'

His eyes blankly stared up above the azure sky, where the sun was brightly shining. It reminded him of Kougyoku's smile. 'What I wouldn't do to protect her smile.' Another water bullet hit his body, but he had received too much of it already to feel anything. The bandits' laughter was the only thing he heard last before his vision was finally consumed with darkness, alongside a distant faint voice of a girl he was incredibly fond of.

***

A sweet smelling aroma filled the air inside a highly expensive room. In the bed was a red haired princess, who used to live in the slums when she was younger. Slowly, her consciousness was lifted up, and when she was already aware of her surroundings, the first thing she asked for is her beloved servant.

"Ka Koubun, how did I get in here? And where is (m/n)? Can you please bring him here? I need to talk to him..." Kougyoku said.

"But princess, (m/n) is..."

"Did something happened to him?"

"It's just that.. The injury that he received from fighting the bandits were too worse to be cured..."

"Are you saying that..."

"I'm terribly sorry princess."

"No. That can't be. Come on, if he won't come here then I will. Bring me to his room." Kougyoku demanded as she lifted off the sheets on her body. She staggered towards the door. Ka Koubun immediately rushed to her side.

"Princess, don't get up yet, you are still tired. Please go back to bed."

"I don't want to."

***
Tears immediately spilled out of Kougyoku's eyes when she (m/n)'s bedroom. Her beloved friend and servant was lying prostrate on the mattresses, body filled with horrible injuries that had her on edge. Kougyoku sobbed silently on the bedside, muttering about apologies and regrets, which she was sure (m/n) couldn't hear. She took his hand on hers, just like he always does when she needed encouragement. Maybe she can get the same thing now, as her heart is too weak to handle more pain.

"(M/n)... (M/n), I'm sorry. I didn't mean to put you in this situation. Please wake up. Don't leave me again." Kougyoku sniffed as she buried her head on (m/n)'s arm. Ka Koubun watched her princess grieve from the sidelines. He wanted to do something, but thought it best to give her privacy.

A hand caressed her messy red locks. Kougyoku shot her head up in surprise. (M/n)'s warm (e/c) eyes were staring back at her with happiness and also sadness. A smile broke into Kougyoku's thin lips. Tears fell down massively down her cheeks, creating a wet pool on the bed. With a silent voice she said his name. "(M/n)...."

"I won't leave you again. I promise." (M/n) said, patting the princess's head affectionately. Kougyoku sniffled and flung her arms around his neck.

"Stop scaring me like that! It's not funny!" She chastised. (M/n) chuckled.

"Alright I won't. But Kougyoku there is something else I want to talk about..." He broke off the hug and looked straight at the princess' eyes with seriousness.

"I know that I have deeply hurt you, and I regret everything that have happened. I know that it will take time, but I hope you'll find it in your heart to forgive me."

"I already have..."

"Kougyoku, are you sure?" Asked (m/n). The princess nodded.

"I realised it just now how petty my grudge is against you. You were only trying to give me the best right? I was really foolish so I have to apologise too. But (m/n), from now on, you can't leave me again all right?" She said.

"Of course, my princess." And as they pinky promised, he gave him a sweet kiss on the forehead.

***

This took like... Forever!

Sorry 'bout that. I was busy with some things...

Thank you for reading this chapter. I'm gonna go ahead and sulk in the corner while listening to the sounds of crashing expectations.

Please leave reviews in the comment section. Just wanna know what you think about my works.

And seriously, what's the deal with this being long? The ending too! What happened?

Lol. hahaha

Some parts may sound confusing, the male was supposed to die.

Oh yeah, and I totally forgot to ask details from totally-not-cute. Sorry again.

Thank you everyone!!!

Next will be Aladdin as another request. :)