*eight years later*
{MIHO'S POV}
This may seem a bit sudden, but I'm currently being kidnapped. I recognize the perpetrator as one of the recently hired groundskeepers.

I have to scream for help.

Easy to think, impossible to do. It's been almost a decade since I went mute and expressionless, so now I can barely speak in broken sentences of 1-3 words. That's only when I'm alone with my family. Kiki, Obi, and Mitsuhide too, but only if I'm feeling bold.

Right now, I'm not feeling bold at all. And even though I'm panicking inside, I know my expression is as apathetic as ever.

Ever since that day when my facial muscles froze in place, I can't move them no matter how hard I try. My poker face and mutism have earned me a nickname I truly hate.

A golden rescue opportunity presents itself. A couple of maids are walking down the hallway, laughing and chatting. My kidnapper ducks into the shadow of a pillar and lets them pass.

I'm tossed over his shoulder like a sack of potatoes. He doesn't bother to cover my mouth. Everybody knows that the second princess of Wilant castle is pretty and silent like a porcelain doll.

And I don't scream. I can't. I open my mouth and right before I can form a sound, the harsh stares and painful words I've received from nobles over the years flood my mind and constrict my throat.

If I stay quiet, they won't notice me. If I keep my expression flat, they won't get the satisfaction of knowing their words hurt me.

I hate this cowardly part of me. I want to express myself! I want them to see that I have feelings. To tell them that the things they whisper behind my back burn like acid. I just... can't.

Then I hear the familiar laugh of my big sister Akegi. She and Shiro are fourteen now, two years older than me. The twins must be coming back from sword practice with the knights.

And sure enough, my kidnapper rounds a bend and there they are. Shiro's silver hair is cut short, but Akegi has her red hair pulled up in a high ponytail. They have towels wrapped around their necks and their matching blue eyes glitter like sapphires.

I love my big brother and sister. They're already proficient enough in politics to help Dad with his work, yet they still make time to study and do the things they love, like swordsmanship.

Everyone in the castle treats me like I'll break if they drop me. Shiro and Akegi have many responsibilities and are well-respected.

My older siblings pause when they spot us. It's not often you see royalty being manhandled like so. I suppose the scene would be quite comical, with me dangling over the man's shoulder.

Now or never. If I can't say it now, to them, I'll never be able to. And I want to change.

"Help."

I meant to scream it, but my vocal cords are weak from disuse over many years. My plea is around normal conversation level, which is still quite impressive for me. Especially considering it's in front of a complete stranger.

Shiro's eyes widen. Akegi's mouth opens. They know it's deadly serious if I'm able to speak up.

My kidnapper yells a string of cuss words as he spins and runs in the opposite direction. The profanity draws the attention of others, but I guess he no longer has to remain hidden.

I watch Akegi sprint after us, sword drawn. She's faster and gaining ground. Her eyes have narrowed with anger. Shiro isn't with her.

Then my kidnapper falters. I look around him to try and see what's blocking his path. Shiro took another route and cut us off.

There's a hallway off to our right, but before my kidnapper can make his escape, two guards block the hall with swords drawn. Two more join Akegi, and another guard rounds the same bend Shiro did and joins him, sword at the ready.

My kidnapper is cornered, seven against one. He backs up against the left wall while my siblings advance slowly.

I can already tell what's going to happen. Sure enough, my kidnapper pulls me off of his shoulder and uses me as a meat shield. The tip of knife that he waved around like a lunatic when he initially captured me is now pressed against my throat.

"Don't move!" He shouts desperately, and I feel the sharp knife tip dig in and draw a drop of blood from my neck. I wish his hand wasn't trembling. "Or I'll disfigure her face!"

Really? Not even 'I'll kill her!' or 'I'll slit her throat!'? This guy thinks that a marred face is a worse fate than death in my case?

"Bastard!" One of the knights yells and advances, but Shiro holds him back. He and Akegi are being cautious with my life on the line.

The knights fan out, maintaining a semicircle of eight feet while blocking all escape routes. More guards are arrive with every second, until there are over twenty.

"Can't you be more scared?" My kidnapper accuses me, mistakenly assuming that my lack of expression means I'm not petrified with fright.

I want to cry, but I quite literally can't.

I don't respond. This only fuels his anger, and my kidnapper starts yelling all the vulgar things he planned to do with me once we were alone.

Akegi grabs a sword from one of the knights. She tosses it on the ground at my feet. Her blue eyes are colder than a blizzard. Believe me, we have our fair share of those during Wilant winters.

She levels her sword at him. "Pick it up. I don't like bullying people when they have a worse weapon. Or are you scared you'll get beaten by a girl?"

My kidnapper grits his teeth. "Like hell! I won't fall for your tricks."

He's seen through it. It is rather obvious that Akegi's trying to get him away from me. To pick up the sword, he would need to let go of me.

One more barb will do it. I know they see it too. Shiro and Akegi share a glance. Then she relaxes her stance. Shiro shrugs, deceptively careless.

Like she's speaking to a baby, my elder sister croons, "Aw, it's okay. You can run away if you want."

Angered by Akegi's blow to his pride, my kidnapper shoves me aside and grabs the sword. He took the bait, hook, line, and sinker.

My kidnapper roars, swinging the borrowed sword in a wide arc. Akegi dodges graciously. She could easily cut him down, but I'm too close and she won't risk me getting hurt in the crossfire.

Crouching low, I slink away from the fight and aim for the ring of knights. Right before I reach them, Shiro grabs me and yanks me out of the way.

Akegi finally got annoyed with my kidnapper's trashy swordplay and kicked him in the stomach, sending him flying right towards me. He might've knocked me out if it wasn't for Shiro.

Akegi jogs over to me, looking guilty. "Sorry Miho! I didn't think he'd fly so far! I only put fifty percent of my strength into it!"

That's my sister, ever the beast. She doesn't look it, but her physical strength is monstrous. She's undefeated in arm wrestling with the knights.

I shake my head, indicating that I don't mind. Shiro and Akegi still insist on taking me to the pharmacy and having Mom check me out, while the guards take care of my would-be kidnapper.