Re Birthday

Chapter 6

It's funny. Those days when something life changing happens there can be two extremes. You will either find yourself living in anxiety until said event occurs, and finally understand why as I had the first day I was ordered to kill a man, or you will have no idea at all, and it will either come as a pleasant or unpleasant surprise, depending on the scenario or situation.

I awoke the following morning feeling low as I remembered the events that had occurred the day before. I blinked a few times before noticing Rin sleeping next to me. I frowned, why was Rin in my bed. I was slow this morning, and it took me a while to register that I was in Rin's bed, not the other way round. She sighed in her sleep, moving a little so she felt more comfortable. I smiled; she even looked cute when she was asleep. As if sensing I was watching her she too slowly lifted her eyelids, her eyes seemed clouded over as she stared at me, however after blinking this off she stared at me expressionless before allowing a small smile to grace her lips. She looked as weary as I felt. She must've stayed awake to make sure I was alright and fallen asleep. A gesture that touched me, so I smiled warmly back at her.

"Well it is odd for you to be awake before me, I do hope the servants did not see us sharing the same bed" She laughed gently, sitting up and stretching her arms, letting a little yawn escape from her lips. She arose and stepped into her walk-in-wardrobe its large yellow doors always flung wide open, I wasn't entirely sure whether it was because she was too lazy to close them or because she feared the doors closing and locking her in. When we were younger she hadn't been particularly fond of small spaces, so I assumed it was the latter. I sat up on the spacious four poster bed and imagined Rin waking up alone in this bed everyday, I felt a little sorry for her, everything must have been so lonely each morning, one girl alone in a giant bed in an even more enormous room.

Everything in Rin's room was yellow and black, two colors she loved the most. I suppose this is why we were the yellow Kingdom; really just as well she liked yellow so much. Her bed covers were yellow satin with a complex pattern sewn into them in black thread. Her pillows had the same design. The curtains surrounding her bed were, of course, also yellow, they also had the same pattern as the bed, these were changed to match the design of the bed covers when the bed was changed as well. The long drapes which hung before her windows were striped, naturally they were black and yellow, even our servant wear consisted of these two colors.

Rin emerged from her wardrobe, the gown she had been wearing only moments ago draped over her arm. She now wore a new one with a black corset design on the front. The dark yellow fabric of her skirt flowed gracefully to the floor, trailing a little as she walked toward me.

"I shall be waiting for you in the throne room Len, I have thought of your tasks for today, and you should not worry as it does not involve 'taking care' of someone for me today, I also suggest you wear something a little more casual today." She smiled sweetly down at me as if this was a favour, I suppose it was, she didn't have to stop giving me assassin assignments, but she was kind enough to do so, and seemed to understand how I was feeling.

"I suggest you dress promptly and meet me in the throne room in half an hour" She instructed me. Yes, she was still the Princess even if she was going easy on me as it were. So I did as I was told, getting up, feeling faint as I stood, I closed my eyes and let the spinning in my head cease before opening my eyes again, I left the room with her, taking the rout to my own room as she slipped through another corridor leading to the throne room. I felt a dull irritating ache in my leg as I pulled clean clothes on, the bandage Rin had tied for me was still secured tightly, I decided I'd change it when I got back, remembering what Rin had said, I had found something 'casual' to wear, and now I wondered down to the throne room, hoping I wasn't late. I entered the throne room, still feeling a little nervous, after all at least I usually knew what to expect, today I had no idea. Rin sat upon the throne, she had rested her chin upon her hand, and looked as if she were daydreaming, I hoped I hadn't kept her waiting too long.

"Your Highness" I said simply, wincing as I knelt before her, the pain in my leg stabbing me now. She beckoned me to stand; my pain must have been evident from my expression. I stood, groaning unintentionally as the pain worsened, I gritted my teeth together to stop another involuntary outburst. Rin looked down at me sympathetically before speaking.

"Today I want you to venture out to the Green Kingdom for me, I have some items I need you to pick up for me there, I also need you to have some things delivered here as they are far too large for you to carry home" She told me, taking a small scroll of paper from the arm rest of her throne, unrolling it, I watched as her eyes passed over it, I assumed she was checking she had not neglected to add any important items to the list. She also had a small bag which she lifted and placed on to her lap, I heard the clinking of money inside as she moved it.

"I am aware that your leg is troubling you rather a lot today, so you may take Josephine if you so wish, you will also have an easier time carrying these items for me" She signalled for me to come forward and take the scroll and bag of money from her. I did so smiling gratefully at her for offering to let me borrow her horse. I placed these items in one of my pockets before bowing low before her, feeling the twinge of pain in my leg once more, not as acutely this time and ignored it.

"Thank you" I responded pleasantly, really very grateful for her kindness.

"Take as long as you need, just be back before it gets dark" She ordered me, waving a hand to dismiss me. So I thanked her once more and exited. It was a pleasant change to simply leave the castle normally instead of having to sneak through corridors concealing my identity, hiding a weapon I had no desire to use. I walked casually into the stables where Josephine was kept, I crunched through the hay on the ground, greeting the horse by stroking her face, she seemed to enjoy this and neighed at me as I told her what we were to do today. I opened the gate to her stable, preparing her for the journey to the Kingdom of Green, attaching a saddle to her back, and some bags as well for carrying the items I would purchase. When she was ready, I hoisted myself up on to her back, finding my balance before taking hold of the reigns and guiding her out of the stable slowly.

We had picked up the pace as we were further away from the castle, Josephine galloped across the dusty road, and I took in the surroundings. The trees between the two kingdoms were lush and bright; some grew fruit such as apples, though no one seemed to pick them. I decided to feed some to Josephine on the way back as a reward for behaving. The dust from the ground was making the white horse's legs turn somewhat of a gray color, I would need to wash her when we returned as well. The weather was beautiful once again as it had been yesterday as well, I should've felt happy, relieved, however I didn't. I still felt terrible about the events which had taken place the day before, and deep inside of me there was a dull ache, much worse than the pain in my head or my injured leg. I had bruises on my body from where I'd fell also, however nothing compared to the terrible guilt I felt. I wondered if I would ever feel good again.

The kingdom of Green was but half an hour away, the trip to the kingdom of blue took around an hour give or take, so I was thankful I only had to stop at the nearer kingdom. When we finally reached the Kingdom I jumped down from Josephine's back, landing hard on both of my feet, I had momentarily forgotten my injured leg and felt the pain shoot through it again. I grimaced at the pain, clinging tightly to the horse's reigns as my leg throbbed. When this had stopped I tied Josephine to a fence near a tree so she had some shade and promised I would return as soon as I could, stroking her soft white face once more before walking away, list and money in hand.

My trip was taking longer than anticipated, and I'd been there half an hour simply going into places telling them to deliver furniture's to Princess Rin as soon as they possibly good, showing them the Princess's crest so they knew I was genuine and not a thief. I decided to take a brief break as my leg was beginning to trouble me once more. So I stopped leaning against a wall, I unrolled the list Rin had handed me once more to see what I would need to purchase next. I pressed the foot of my good leg up against the wall leaning casually, looking around at all of the people happily wandering around the village. The Kingdom of Green was beautiful. The trees were all green naturally, and a soft breeze lazily teased the leaves of the trees. The whole place seemed peaceful, no one rushed around, they took their time, everyone seemed so happy. I smiled remembering how the Yellow Kingdom had once been this way, my smile faded as I also remembered the state of the kingdom now. I sighed, my stomach growled at me as I caught the scent of bread baking somewhere near me. I wondered if there was enough money here for me to purchase some food as well as all of the items I still needed to buy for Rin.

I had just finished counting the money I had left when I looked up to see the most spectacular sight I would ever lay my eyes upon. I felt my jaw drop as I stared at her, this girl with the most lovely long green hair tied up in two pigtails. She glided gracefully along, I watched as if the moment were in slow motion. She was alone, her long green dress complimenting her slim figure as she walked. In her slender arms she held a bouquet of freshly picked flowers, as lovely as they were they were nothing in comparison to the beauty holding them. I realised my breath was caught, and suddenly coughed as my lungs begged for air; I had been so mesmerized I had forgotten to breath. When I regained my poise once more, I looked back up to see if the girl was still there, and felt my cheeks burn, she was staring at me. I must've caught her attention with my choking. She was also blushing as she moved gracefully toward me, her green hair floating behind her as she walked; she truly was a vision of beauty. She walked as if being drawn by an invisible force toward me; her green eyes were glazed as if she were seeing a ghost. No she mustn't come near me, I looked terrible, I had only yesterday been in a fight for my life, I had not slept well, nightmares of murderous thoughts had plagued my sleep, I had dark circles beneath my blue eyes, I must look repulsive, I lifted a hand to my face as if to cover one of the bruises. My heart pounded furiously as she drew ever closer, she moved slowly in her trance like state, I couldn't breath, and I trembled uncontrollably. What on Earth was this feeling? I wanted to run, hide my face from her; such a lovely vision must not lay eyes upon something to evil, so unclean. Still I couldn't move, my legs shook the same as the rest of my body and refused to co-operate. Now she stood right in front of me, she reached out, she touched my hand, a buzz of feeling rushed up my arm, filling my entire body. Wasn't this what they said love felt like? She gently moved my hand away from my face and gazed up at me, straight into my eye, as if she could see into my soul, oh God, I tried desperately to hide the evil I had committed from her, she mustn't find out! She all too suddenly snapped out of her daze, and smiled the most captivating smile at me.

"Hello, it's nice to meet you" Such a breathtaking voice she had. She was lovely. I wanted her, my soul ached, this time not with guilt, but with a longing I'd never experienced before. I attempted to speak, but nothing came out. She giggled, she was still blushing. When I finally managed to speak again we stood chatting for a little while, and as each second passed I desperately prayed for it not to end. I felt a deep connection to this girl, love at first sight? I'd never believed such a thing, now I was uncertain. I felt as if I were floating as she spoke to me, I'd never felt this good before, ever. Now a man emerged from a nearby shop, he walked towards us and spoke to the beautiful young girl.

"Miku I have finished my errand sorry to keep you waiting so long" He smiled a loving smile at her, I disliked this man immediately. He flipped his blue hair away from his eyes and turned to stare at me with something that looked a little like disgust, but also suspicion. Why did I recognise him?

"Who is this Miku?" The blue man asked, a slight bitterness to his voice as he asked, he took her arm as if to tell me she was his. I felt anger boiling inside of me. I hated this man. Miku's smile changed, it seemed false, though that was probably just wishful thinking.

"This is Len, I met him just now, he lives in the Yellow Kingdom and works for the Princess there" Miku told him, why on Earth was she telling him all of this? Why did he need to know where I lived? I had told her in hope that I could meet her again.

"Oh you work for Princess Rin?" He sounded surprised, then noticed my yellow attire and his look of shock vanished. I didn't like how he had said Rin's name, as if it were poison.

"Yes and who are you?" I spat back, a little more angrily than intended, he laughed, making me even more furious before answering me. I didn't like this man one bit, he was too old for Miku who it turned out was only two years older than me, he looked at least twenty. He stared me down with his dark blue eyes.

"I am the Prince of the Blue Kingdom" He told me, smiling smugly. Ah so that was why I recognised him, he'd visited Rin before. I suddenly felt a sense of hopelessness, how could I compete with this man? He was a handsome king, he had lustrous blue hair, and stood at what I guessed to be six foot, and here I was, small with dishevelled blond hair, a servant to my own sister.

"Oh, I'm sorry I didn't recognise you" I bowed, feeling miserable now, I had met the most beautiful girl who seemed to like me back, and she was with a King. I should've known after all, she deserved a Prince, she was so lovely, not a servant boy. He told me it was fine but that he had to get going, and putting his arm around Miku's shoulder he guided her away from me, she bid me farewell, and I watched as they walked away into a crowd of people. She kept turning back to stare at me as they went, and because of this I felt hope. Maybe she felt the same way, I didn't have much to offer, but if she felt the same way, maybe I still had a chance, so full of optimism; I finished the shopping in a daze and rode back to the castle, daydreaming of Miku, my beautiful Miku.