song_princess | For Mu. <3 PSL

One week before the wedding of doom...

In the valley between the mountains of the vast land of the kingdom, where long winding rivers mapped the forests and the countryside was filled with farmers and rice paddies where rice is harvest and grown to feed the kingdom, and cattle can be seen plowing through the land. There are many villages. In one of the village, lives a humble family known for raising alpacas.

At the turn of her 18th birthday, it was then the decision was made, but not by her own choice. The mayor of the town, Oliver have decided to take on a third wife, and he has set his sight on the lovely Leanne, who known to be daughter of the local alpacas and wild sheep breeder.

Months prior, the mayor and Leanne's father has a discussion in many meetings over the future and interests of Leanne. Leanne's father is worried for the future of their land, as Oliver owns their land as the rightful landlord and tax collector and since the day he bought the land, he was concerned to keep the land as a home to his family. Oliver is the most wealthy man in town, and the Oliver convinced her poor father that he's wealthy enough to keep Leanne as a third wife, even though her status as a concubine and consort is much lower than the first wives.

There were so many discussions between her and the family afterward. What life of being Oliver's concubine will be like? As Oliver is rich and wealthy and stories that he is a very generous lord, he has a big house, a mansion, and many staff and servants. She was promised a large dowry, which he paid the family handsomely, and even saved an apartment of her own within the mansion.

After her birthday, Oliver visit Leanne often to properly woo her with the marriage promised and signed in papers. It's legal as he legally owns the family land and collects taxes long since she was born. Of course, every time he visits, the man won't leave without making a lewd comment on how she's a lovely bride, and he's an admirer of great beauty, and would often leer at her body, as he's apparently the mayor imagine her on their wedding night and put Leanne in her place to bring honor to her family as much is at stake for the upcoming wedding.

It seems her life and fate is already set. Arranged marriages aren't unheard off, especially if it's determined by parents as its a common and acceptable practice in this land to be married off to improve one's social status or financial obligation to benefit the family.

One week before her life will be over.... One week before she would be married to the mayor.

The man who practically forced her family into marriage. She doesn't hate her family for this. This was something that had to be done to preserve what little land they had. This was an honorable thing for her to do.

But she hated it.

She hated every visit, every gift and comment Oliver will send Leanne's way. She knows that the life he would give her would be luxurious even though her status will be much lower than his first wives. Like a good daughter, she would keep everything inside and buried deep within.

But as soon as she was alone on the fields, she would let everything out. Her anger and disgust about his lewd comments and thoughts about her. How he trapped her family into this marriage.

One day, after venting to her favorite alpaca, she goes to lead him back to the house to start loading things into a saddle. It was time to go and sell and get some food for dinner. She must remain the good and loyal daughter. She will go and bring home money and food to her parents.

It was on this trip that something moved her to take a different route. She didn't know why but she felt such a start push to take a particular route on the way to the city. Leading, her beloved alpaca, she follows this strange urging, only to stop and gaze up at a temple. When was this built? And why hasn't she notice it before?

Full of curiosity, she heads into it, tying the alpaca's leash to a tree just outside the gate. She stops as notices the offering table and goes to offer almost all that she brought for her journey to eat.... Which was megar compared to other offers and offers a small prayer.

"Please help my father keep his honor and protect our home. No matter what may become of me."

With that prayer, she paid for an incense to be burned and heads back into town to start selling her wares alongside her wooly companion.

It was a small built temple meant for travelers on the road, though run-down and old, it was well kept. People left evidence by leaving sacrifices and offerings with their prayers on the altar for safe travels or for good luck and fortune in their business. A pair of guardian statues guards the gate entrance door.

Her prayer was heard by the spirits who inhabit the property around the temple. An old man of a monk was upkeeping the temple, cleaning the grounds. He was cleaning with a broom and give Leanne a friendly wave before she leaves.

After that, there was no incident once she arrived in town. It was well-known she is going to be the bride to be for the Mayor and news traveled quickly since the man made his announcement known to the public. Her customers visit her vendor to wish her well, and they gossip around her. Leanne will be pestered, both by young and old villagers who are curious on her thoughts of her future, as they asked how her wedding with Oliver will go and what a wonderful and generous man Oliver will be. It seems there's no end as to what a larger than life Oliver the mayor and her husband to be will be.

-----

By the end of the long day, when the customers left and when the evening hour came heralding with the orange setting sun streaking the sky when there is one last ware to be sold, and Leanne needs to sell it before calling it a day and go home, her last customer approached her.

He was a tall gentleman with long pink hair tied back. Elegant and refined in his looks, and soft in his manner as he begins to speak to her with a gentle smile. However, the refined clothes he wears make it seem like he is of noble rank or a very upper-class scholar. In one hand, he holds a finely lacquered wooden fan and carved floral patterns at the handle.

"Good evening. I hope I'm not too late to buy your wares. How much is that?" He asked with noble politeness as he eyes her goods with interest.

It was such a shame to see such a temple to look run down. Perhaps, once she is married she can use some of her newer riches to help restore it back to it's former glory.

There was such a friendly monk living there. Perhaps she will come by this way for the rest of the times she comes down this path. Perhaps the god will accept hard work as a good enough sacrifice and offering for her prayers.

All the good vibes and pleasantries stopped the moment she entered town and began selling her wares. This cold place for those born not a noble. But especially her own fate... To be married off to the mayor. She will keep a pleasant smile for all those offering her well wishes and gaining her thoughts. She was glad that she could bring honor to her family in such a manner. Honored even.

Just keep smiling so that her own horrors and unhappiness will be kept hidden. She didn't want this, she didn't want any of it. She would rather die than to lie with Oliver. Perhaps, after she could follow that path once her family is well off.

----

She felt so sore and hungry, and it was getting late, almost too late to be selling but she can't leave yet! Not until her last ware is sold and she buys rice for her family.

Worry was going through her as the path home was not safe so late. She was feeling just a little desperate, trying to catch people's attention to purchase the last of the wool when suddenly, the most handsome man came to her. She couldn't help but to stare a little as he had to be a noble of some family. He was too beautiful not to be and his clothes.

She quickly snapped out of her thoughts as he looks over her goods and asked her the price. "No, my lord. You are not too late! I have the best wool for sale, guaranteed to always keep you warm and comfort you." She starts and couldn't help the blush that was forming on her cheeks. "Normally 200 gold but since it is the last of my stock, I can sell it to ya fer 100 gold. It is a good deal, you can't beat it."

The handsome gentleman merely chuckled with a deep laughter of amusement for a cute humble alpaca seller. "100 gold you say? Why such a fair maiden like yourself give me a discount? It is because I'm a handsome guy?" He sees no harm flirting with her, even though she is a simple poor, hardworking daughter of a large family. Her clothes and job is telling of her social status of what she has to endure for herself and for her family.

"All right, I'll take it. You have my thanks. I am looking for quality wool to make a blanket for my mother, you see. I'm sure it will keep her warm and comfortable for the upcoming winter once the blanket is made."

When the transaction is completed, he takes the wool, but instead of 100 gold as promised for the bargain, she'll find 200 gold exact that she asked for...and a beautiful slab of green jade stone with a red tassel attached, about the size of her hand. The stone was cool to the touch and give off a magical vibe where whenever she touched it, she feels calm and good about herself.

Before the gentleman explains the transaction, with the wool in hand, he said "Thanks, and keep the change. It's a gift." And he was gone down the road.

She goes to blush even more as he flirts with her. Why was such a handsome noble flirting with a poor girl like her? "It is because you are my last customer. But yer looks does help with the discount." Okay, she can flirt a little back. It was fun and much nicer than the lewd comments Oliver made towards her.

"Oh? I will try to be here again in a couple of days to sell more wool if your mother likes it! My own alpaca's wool will be for sale soon. She will be kept warm, I promise." So much confidence in that statement.

The transaction was completed and she knows that her family will be happy. She goes to start looking and counting the gold, stopping once she realizes that he paid too much, his words came out and he was gone, down the road and into the fading crowd. She stood there, dumbfounded for a moment. Why? Why did he pay full price? Especially since she was cutting him such a good deal?

It was then that she notices the jade gift and her cheeks instantly turned bright red. This... This was far too much, she wanted to chase after him but stopped herself as there would be no way she could find him again. This precious gift... It felt so cool and it was so calming. She slipped it into a different pouch so she can keep it. She will have to give him extra wool the next time he came. It wouldn't be right if she didn't.

She purchased some rice, enough to feed her family for at least a week, with a smile and the blush never leaving her face. That man, she will never forget him.

It was dark by the time she left the town to start the trek back home, she goes to light a small lantern to help guide her way home. She was scared, she never meant to be away so late and she can't afford to stay at an inn. A hand idly goes to brush the pouch with the jade in it to regain that calm feeling as she heads now back home.

The alpaca seller never left his mind once he took leave of her. The girl looks too familiar in appearance and resemblance to a girl he once knew a hundred years ago, but the girl died a long time ago. Part of him thought she was lost forever, before telling her how he felt about her...

Still, he trusts his hunches and gave the girl one of his magical stones to make a bond with her, so perhaps he can visit her in her dreams as that's what the stone is for, so he connects a bit of himself to her when the time is right.

-----

The path back home was dangerous and most people go by this road must take care, especially at night where it's dark. It was an open opportunity for bandits to rob people late at night where the light is few. Though on the path, there is a guard outpost for safety, for a poor rural village, there is few protection for security.

Leanne wasn't so lucky on the path, going back home. One moment, she's alone with her steed companion. The next moment, a group of men, rough and angry in looks, came out of the trees with knives in hand, raising their voices. It's dark when they came out to attack.

The next moment, there's a hard violent smack at the back of her head and the world turn black with only the moon as the last light she sees...

This stone, even though she can feel that there was something different about it, she couldn't pinpoint just what about it that made it different. Perhaps when she visits the temple again, she will consult the monk living there.

-----

This trek, it was so scary and frightening. Rafiel... Was she walking the same path as him when he vanished? She goes to clutch the pouch and offers up a small prayer for safety.

With the prayers being spoken, she goes to continue the trek, only to be jumped by the group of men. She goes to start pleading with them, truly frighten and before she could send her beloved steed to flee from the men, she felt a brief bout of pain and soon darkness.

Her body collapsed like a ragdoll, to the ground, the back of her head bleeding from where she was struck. The alpaca, letting out some bleats before trying to get away, moving along at a hurried pace to the path it knew how to get to safety, albeit to the temple or to home. It was carrying the food and knew it had to deliver it back home.

All the while, Leanne was completely at the mercy of the bandits.

Hopefully, alpaca ran away to safety, finding his way home. While the blow wasn't too bad or deep. Leanne was taken to the bandit headquarters, and when she was awakened, she wakes up in a rundown bedroom, all bounded with ropes tied around her wrists and she is alone.

What seems like an eternity, surprisingly it was Rafiel who showed up with a tray of food and water. He entered her room to release her from the rough ropes. "Leanne? Good heavens, you're all right. It's been ages since I have last seen you." And he was none for worse than the wear.

From there, Rafiel explained his situation as to why he went missing a week ago and was never found. He was captured on the same road like Leanne.

"And they are forcing me to marry one of the women if I don't have the money to pay them! Can you believe it? I don't know what else to do. I can't even send letters to call for help." Rafiel was distraught of being held against his own will as a prisoner.

The alpaca was able to ran away to safety, finding his way home and now has to deal with a worried family.

Leanne's fate however wasn't as nice as her beloved companion, she groans as she started to come to and finds herself frowning a little when she felt herself all bounded up. Fear suddenly flooded through her as it dawns on her what happened and tears start to well up in her eyes.

Once the tears and fear ran it's course, she felt herself becoming a little angry and looked around to see if there was anyways to escape. That is, until she saw Rafiel entered the room and releases the ropes.

Joy... So much joy was flooding through her that she couldn't help but to cry a little. "You are alive, brother! You are alive." This was great news.

She listens as she goes to eat, knowing full well that she needs her strength. She frowns though and idly checks for her pouch, the gift... It was a priceless gift but it could save her brother.

"You won't be forced to do such a thing, Rafiel. A noble, he gave me a gift earlier today... Perhaps they will accept it as a price for your freedom. I have it here!" She goes to pull out the pouch and the the jade stone with the red tassels on it. At once, a wave of calmness goes over her and she gains a peaceful expression.

"I will pray that this will be enough for your freedom. Mother and Father misses you so much." She didn't want to give it up but for Rafiel... She will do it. He was more important to her family than she is.

Said worried family were wondering and being confused for hours as to why the apalca came home alone and will call the townspeople and mayor for help for a search party to commence immediately. With both Rafiel and now Leanne missing, the family is worried sick and they hope the mayor will help.

Meanwhile...

-----

Instead of feeling relief, Rafiel is now feeling more intense to care and protect his little sister. He had been abused by captors, his clothes a mess and quite torn in the sleeves and pants, slightly weak from not eating properly, being beaten for not cooperating. It's a challenge to hide the red welts, and the cruel threats from being mishandled for the last few days, as well as was feeling sickly at a given moment.

Still finding the strength to even speak for his sister's sake, he puts on an appearance of cheerfulness...but eventually he needs to sit down next to her from feeling sickly.

"Yes, I'm alive. And how are you? How is the family?" He holds his sister in his arms for a hug. "Do you now? I hope that would help if we could speak to the leader! Maybe it can buy your freedom, and if you do, you need to run as fast as you can and get out of here. We have to get you out of here."

Sharing the room, he stayed with her to keep talking and didn't leave.

-----

Night came, and it was night that Rafiel feared the most that he won't and refused to sleep. His fears is justified when a group of men, about three of them came for Leanne, and he knew why they came for her.

Though he was weak from his illness, he put himself between him and the men in the last stand to protect his sister. "Don't take her! Take me instead!"

There was laughter and violence broke out, and Leanne will be horrified to witness her brother getting beaten up violently as Rafiel is taking the kicks and punches for her sake. "Leanne run!" As the room door was open to reveal a hallway if she chooses to bolt and run.

Edited 2019-06-23 20:36 (UTC)

Rafiel, he looked so sick and she could tell that he was barely hanging on. His clothes and appearance were a mess. She reaches goes to offer him some of the food, she can survive on less food, refusing to eat any more until he had some as well.

She goes to sit as still as she can in case he needs to rest against her. She wanted to cry at the thought of what he possibly went through already.

"We are all well, the mayor he is becoming more and more excited about the marriage." She sighs as he would be the one she could feel safe about her displeasure about the whole marriage. "No, this jade stone will be the thing to buy your freedom, brother. The family needs you more then me. I will be fine."

She stayed awake, talking with Rafiel, missing him and implanting this memory into her mind.

------

Night came and fear went through her. If with how sickly Rafiel is and those red whelts were any indicator... A nightmare was coming for her.

Emerald eyes widen at the sight of the group of men and then the sight of violence. "Rafiel!! Leave him alone!!"

She started to shake and tremble in fear as she watches the violence being set upon him. When the chance to run came, the thought did went through her brain but... She gets up and started to run towards the door, but only to suddenly jump on the back of one of them, punching and even trying to bite his ear off.

She won't run away and leave family behind. Her family is what she was sacrificing her life for by going into that marriage.

During the struggle, the jade stone fell out and dropped to the floor. Sensing Leanne is in danger, the stone vibrates with a glow, and there's a glowing ethereal wisp of energy came bursting out, a spirit taking a shape of a snarling fox with glowing eyes.

The fox came to the rescue and bite the men to fend them off to protect the siblings. There was a shout, screaming of pain and panic, and yelling from being attacked from a big dog.

The noise and violence cause quite a ruckus, that the nearby guards went to help. "You idiots, they're for the boss! What are you doing?" There was a scuffle and the men were dispersed and taken away.

The fox stood by the door, watching the men being taken away by the guards. Leaving Leanne and Rafiel on the floor alone. When all is quiet, the fox disappears back to the stone.

Rafiel's vision was blurred and when he came too, seeing Leanne. "Are you all right? Thank goodness. The bandit boss...she's kept me hostage to make a deal with the mayor. I've been here for days because the mayor couldn't make up his mind and decision to bargain and pay for my freedom."

From the floor, he crawled to the bed to take a rest. "Please shut the door." He prays no one else will come back, and he didn't question where the mysterious fox creature came from.

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Prince AU

Re: Prince AU

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