I tried not to move at all as I rode with the Crown Prince sitting in front of him on his horse. It was highly unusual for anyone to ride with nobility, much less the Crown Prince of one of the strongest kingdoms. So, I did not move and I did not speak instead I waited until we made it to our destination. My father had rode with on his own while the guard who gave up his horse rode with another guard. We easily made it to our destination without an other issues and thankfully all our men had arrived safely as well.

The Crown prince offered his hand to me after he dismounted off of his stead. I looked at his hand knowing that I didn't need his help, but I also didn't want to offend someone we were about to negotiate with. So, I swallowed my pride and took his hand allowing him to help me off of his stead.

"I certainly did not expect to meet the precious daughter of the Lions in this way." The Crown Prince spoke once I had made it onto solid ground. I looked up into his eyes with my face blank and once more the man was smirking at me.

"I am Mirayuki Raiyama daughter to the Chief, Mukaze Raiyama." I spoke my voice neutral and almost in a bored tone, nonetheless I held my hand towards him so that we could properly be introduced.

Instead, he took my hand and pressed a small kiss on my knuckles in greeting as if I was some stuffy noble. I fought to rip my hand back from him not wanting him to touch me any longer. I was very blessed that I was not one of those stuffy nobles who pranced around in their stiff get-ups.

"I am the Crown Prince of Clarines, Izana Wisteria. It is a pleasure to meet you Ms. Raiyama." The Crown Prince never lowered his smirk making me ponder if his face always in fact looked that way. I nodded my head, refusing to curtsy to the man, and turned to go to my father's side.

"Ah, here is my daughter now. Mirayuki this is the Crown Princess of Estaria, Hikari Ostrava." My father spoke introducing me to the pale woman with long, flowing, white hair. She was the picture of grace and etiquette holding herself high above with a kind smile.

"It is a pleasure to meet you your majesty, I am Mirayuki." I bent down curtsying to the woman, I had no reason not to do such a small act for her. Unless you listened to the rumors that spoke about these two being in-laws soon enough. Apparently the second princess was to be arranged into marriage with the Crown prince of Clarines.

"I am so glad that we will begin to step forward with your Lions into a new era for our people." The Crown Princess spoke as she held out her hand to me, "Come lets us women talk while the men do the same."

I looked towards my father in question and he simply sent me a nod with a small smile on his face. I took her hand trying not to show my hesitancy. I held no power other than being the daughter of a chief from a tiny group of people. I was but fifteen and now I was to be thrown to the wolves once more.

Though I doubted the Crown Prince would save me a second time.

I walked with Shirayuki and Kazuki while my sister's companions followed behind us talking in hushed whispers. I ignored them though knowing that they were just trying to protect her. I could admire that. It seemed that my son and her got along better than I expected, considering he had kidnapped her at one point not too long ago.

"So then, is it usual for people from the Lions of the Mountains to be nobility in other Kingdoms?" Shirayuki asked me and I could only imagine how long she had tried to hold in that question. I smiled at her and shook my head.

"Not normally no. The events that led to my status as nobility is a complicated one." I knew that eventually I would have to tell her everything that happened while they were apart. Still, she wanted to get to know her sister first before they big into their deep, dark paths.

"Does that mean Father is nobility to?" Shirayuki asked furthering her pervious question from before. I shook my head, that was an even more complicated story.

"No, I was granted the status of a noble because of a different Kingdom entirely." I highly doubted that Izana Wisteria would have ever granted me with the title. Even though I was given a permanent blue tag which was similar to the title known as 'the friend of the crown.'

"Have you ever visited Tanbarun as a noble?" Shirayuki asked another heavy question and I couldn't help the small laugh that came from my throat. She tilted her head at me her eyebrows scrunching together.

"I'm sorry I-" I let another smile chuckle come from my mouth and then I continued, "You ask a lot of questions don't you?"

"Don't tease her Mira, I'm sure you have plenty of questions for her to." Kazuki responded his eyes glancing over at the second prince knowing the real reason why were here.

"I suppose your right Kazu." I responded and stopped suddenly surprising all parties involved, her companions looking at me intently. Acting as if I was about to grab her and run. All of them had such high walls.

"You know I think it's only right if you get to hear all about me that I get to know your names." I smirked at all of them as the four of them just looked at me for a moment. Whatever they had expected, I imagined that would be the very last thing.

The second prince, the epitome of regality, was the first one to hold out his hand to me to introduce himself. I took a moment to scrutinize the young man who was a few years younger than myself .

"Second Prince of Clarines, Zen Wisteria." He did not elaborate any more than necessary and I was sure that he wondered why our Father had not mentioned me when they were in the mountains.

"It is an honor to meet you your highness." I responded giving him a bow of my head in respect. I heard Kazu snort in the background. I ignored him.

"These are my companions, Mitsuhide and Kiki." The two in question gave a small nod towards my direction. I wished that I could wave away their nods, but I had a part to play in his dance now to.

"And the one whose ready to stab me with a dagger at a moments notice?" I spoke not looking towards the man in question but I was sure my smirk said it all.

"I apologize-" The second prince, I mean Zen, began to apologize for the man but I waved him off.

"Do not apologize if the actions are not yours." I responded and only then I turned to look at the man. His eyes held countless stories that I could only imagine to uncover. Yet, he reminded me so much of Kaoru that it was jarring.

"Besides, I can appreciate anyone who would guard my sister so viciously." Instead of giving him a head bow like I had the prince I angled more of my upper body down the bow.

"Thank you for protecting her, Sir." I spoke and only once I finished did I raise my eyes to meet his. The walls were still up, but his gaze lacked a heat that it had previously held.

"Obi." He shifted as he spoke his name and I wondered if he had put up the dagger in its place against his back thigh.

"Pleasure to meet you Obi." I turned to face the rest of them with a soft smile on my face, "It's a pleasure to meet all of you."

"Stop being so polite Mira, it's making me sick." Kazuki spoke from behind me and I could hear him
making a gagging noise.

Without looking at him I smiled more genuinely this time, "Sadly he's never learned any proper manners. I'd say it's the only time I've ever failed to teach him something."

"Hey! I'm not that bad Mira." Only then I turned not waiting for anyone's response. I took my sister by the hands and began to lead her once more.

"We can ask all her questions later. Today I want to enjoy one of my favorite cities with the one person I never got the chance to do so." I tugged on her hand to try to lead her but she simply smiled sadly at me.

"I actually have some jobs I have to do with Zen today. There's been an outbreak of illness in a small village not too far from here." Shirayuki responded and while I could tell that she wanted to get to know me but she also had a duty. I understood that all too well.

"Ah, do not worry," I responded patting her head fondly watching as she flushed in embarrassment at the show of sisterly affection, "I understand completely. Besides it is quite a feat to be trusted by royals to do such work."

"I'm happy to help." My sister smiled and closed her eyes. I was struck with an indescribable and overwhelming amount of sadness that threatened to break through my warrior's mask. I fought it back successfully, for at least a time.

"Do you carry a weapon on you for protection?" I glanced over her appearance not seeing any signs of places that she could be carrying a weapon.

"We are plenty of protection for Shirayuki." Zen spoke his voice tighter than before and I raised my eyes up to his. Royalty and their pride, they had been lucky so far.

I pulled out a dagger up to her throat in a moments notice without even looking watching as all of her friends prepared to strike me down. I looked at them with cold, blank eyes waiting for a moment before speaking.

"If I was an enemy I could kill her before any of you could stop me. You are royalty, act damn like it." I then instead flipped the dagger so that the sheath was at her torso. Only then did I look at my sister and saw the slight fear in her eyes.

"Take it."

"Um, I-" Shirayuki fumbled not knowing what to say or do after her sister had just pulled a dagger on her.

"You love him do you not?" I asked knowing that this was something that she was sure about even if it embarrassed her some.

"Y-yes." She stuttered looking back towards Zen whose eyes were on me instead. I pushed down the smirk that threatened to come onto my face. I forget that they are still young and that they have seen very little of this world.

"And I presume the feelings are returned?" I looked at Zen and he only nodded ever so slightly his eyes still trained on me and the dagger.

"Then act like it." I put the dagger in her hands and then strode towards the group my eyes gleaming dangerously, "Royalty comes with enemies Prince which means that there are hundreds of people who will exploit my sister's relationship with you to get revenge on anyone in the royal family."

"That's absurd-"

"I've seen it happen! I have watched as someone's fiancé's death was used to spite a royal! I refuse to let that happen to her!" My voice growled and my eyes narrowed. I watched as Zen's face began to fall growing less hostile with every second. The others seemed to soak in what I am saying as well.

"I understand that your kind looks down upon-" Yet, before I could say anything else I felt a hand on my shoulder. I turned to face Kazuki who had soft eyes and a small smile.

"Mira, I'll go with them if it makes you feel better. I won't leave her side the entire trip." I feel the anger slowly leaving me and replacing it was a warm happy feeling. I patted his hand gently and looked towards Shirayuki.

"I don't mean to seem-"

"Crazy? Loud? Obnoxious? Over Protect-" Kazuki interrupted me and began to ramble. I let out an "Oi!" And hit him in the back of the head with my palm.

"Is that anyway to treat me you child!" I barked he simply held up his hands in surrender and stuck out his tongue at me.

"Don't worry, I understand." Shirayuki spoke and I looked towards her again seeing a small smile on her face once more, "I'll just have to get used to someone worrying over me."

"If you don't want Kazuki to come with you I understand." I replied not knowing how she would feel about the person that did kidnap her not too long ago. Even if they had patched things up.

"I don't mind! Maybe he can tell me more about you while we're there!" Shirayuki took my hand lightly squeezing it, "And I'll take the dagger, but I won't have to use it. I promise."

"Thank you." I spoke and I meant it from the bottom of my heart.