The sound of the trumpets marked the entrance of the new leader. Guards have spread out to protect the royal family while the event was occurring. Dozens of people piled up the vast venue. They cheered once the crimson curtains have moved.

          "Ladies and Gentlemen of Water Kingdom, I present to you our new queen, Haruno Sakura!"

          While the cheers began, a woman with long pink curls entered the area. She was wearing an aquamarine gown and she waved her hand to the crowd. The crown on top of her head was dazzling like her emerald orbs.

          She scanned from left to right, searching for something though she failed to find it. Suddenly, her determined expression broke into a melancholic one. She knew there was something missing.

          In a snap, the crowd went wild as screams pierced her eardrums. The balcony from where she stood started to crumble before she could even make a run for it. The cracks widened, she could feel herself slipping off the ground.

She gripped roughly on the soft sheets as if she was about to die. In surprise, she shrieked while her heart pumped in a high rate of speed.

Groggily, she sat up and breathed heavily. She was sitting on the king-sized bed while she caught her breath. There, she realized that she was in the bedroom—their bedroom rather.

"Sakura-hime, is there something wrong?"

"Just a nightmare!" Sakura replied promptly once she heard the concern.

She caressed her forehead with the use of her palm, feeling drowsy. However, she could still hear the disturbing shouts. She took a sip of water from the glass that was standing on the table.

To her dismay, she can still hear the blood curling screams as if it was real. It haunted her. She stood up in frustration as she took a peek on the transparent window.

Girls were scattered at the front yard. Their squeals could be heard once the prince walked out of the castle. He was wearing a formal outfit with badges of stars attached on his navy blue suit and his dark hair was naturally spiked up.

Sakura sighed in relief, assuming that the terror may finally end. When she took another glance, she was surprised that instead of him telling them to go away, he was doing the exact opposite—he was entertaining them.

With her temper rising, Sakura wore a proper dress before she walked out to the balcony. She rang the bell to alarm the people who were making a commotion.

"Prince Sasuke, could you please keep it down!" She yelled, earning a thumbs up from the prince and he continued with his business.

Groaning in defeat, Sakura went back inside the room. She expected Sasuke to let the crowd flee, for them to run to their own errands.

She dragged herself to the bathroom in order for her to freshen up. Seeing her porcelain face, she washed the dirt off and stared at her reflection—her jade eyes consist nothing but sadness. Maybe it was because the ones that were overflowing with joy before, could soon end up being empty.

All of a sudden, she recalled her past life as if she was trying to place puzzle pieces together.

"Sakura, dear, straighten up. A princess should be formal and do not get too much food. You would look like a starving animal." The queen informed after swallowing with jewelries dangling from her neck.

As a family, they ate their meals in peace at the royal dining room. Sakura and her sister sat next to each other as their parents were seated from opposite sides.

Sakura followed the instructions before replying in a stoic manner. "Yes, mother."

"You must also be married in two weeks." The king who wore his crown with might casually added as he sliced the steak in half.

"Yes, father." It was the latest news to Sakura, but nonetheless, she could not react. Neither she could decline nor accept. Since all of the decisions, regardless of her thoughts, were made by the king—her father. "However, may I know who the man is?"

"Uchiha Sasuke, prince of the Fire Kingdom."

Instantly, Sakura dropped the fork she was holding, creating a loud clink as the utensil dropped unto her plate.

"Sakura!" Her mother inclined with an angry tone.

"My apologies," she bowed respectfully after getting off her seat. "Excuse me."

"You are not excused. Get back in your seat." The king ordered and Sakura had to muster up every inch of strength she had to avoid clenching her fists.

She occupied her previous seat and tried to act matured. "I would marry anyone as you please. Anyone, but Uchiha Sasuke."

In a blink of an eye, the king smashed his fist against the wooden table, resulting the three females to be paralyzed on their seats. "You, Sakura, will marry Sasuke at any means—not anyone else!"

Sakura curled her hands into fists as she hesitated to answer. "Yes, father." She said through her gritted teeth and her vision sunk down to her plate. Neither she ate nor touched her meal ever since her father declared that she would marry the source of her hatred.

To make things back in place, the queen broke the silence. "After this, you and I would transfer to the dressing area to receive your measurements for your wedding gown! Isn't that exulting? Also, you would pick..."

Sakura knew that her mother was blabbering about the fixed marriage. However, Sakura could not get over the fact that she would leave her hometown—which meant leaving her sister to hell.

"Sakura-nee," her sister called. "Let's eat." The five-year old smiled dearly like a star of hope that sparks up Sakura's world.

Just seeing her smile, it made Sakura more determined. She looked over to the window, the city was not as popular as the Fire Kingdom nor did the citizens contain discipline in comparison to the people in the other kingdom. At that moment, she promised herself to make her country better if ever she would come back. To make it the best place like it was supposed to be.

She accepted the offer internally as a challenge—for her sister and for her country.

The elder princess grinned back, despite the struggles she was facing. "Let's eat, Kara."

Regaining her senses, she returned to the bedroom and sat above the bed. Her sight unconsciously dropped to the photo of her and Kara displayed at the night stand. They were both holding their bows and arrows as they wore a gear for archery. The two were grinning in pride with their silver tiaras on the top of their head.

Sakura grasped the picture frame filled with different emotions which triggered her tears to flow down.

It was no doubt that she did not miss her kingdom. Because she did not have any home in particular. She practically lived in a prison, where she did not have freedom to be responsible or freedom to decide. She was not even allowed to choose her own food since everything is planned out.

She only missed the times with her sister because Kara was the reason why she wakes up every morning. Even though Sakura lived a life like she was a robot—controlled.

A gentle knock on the door brought her back to reality. She noticed that her hair and clothing were messed up. With just a glance, her dried tears could be easily seen.

She immediately placed the frame above the table before she mentioned, "a minute!" Then fixed her hair and changed her attire.

Once she opened the doors, she gave the man a quick glance before going back to her original position. "What must you need from me, Prince Sasuke?"

"Your medicine package has arrived, including your archery gear." Sasuke responded, noticing Sakura's trail of dried tears. "Is there something bothering you?"

"As if you care." Sakura sniffed. She attempted to ignore her husband while she organized the photograph.

Sasuke raised his eyebrow, indicating Sakura to answer his question seriously.

She breathed in and out to calm herself down. "No, no such thing. Thank you for the concern." Afterwards, she excused herself to go first.

Stuck in curiosity, Sasuke averted his gaze towards the last item Sakura held before closing their bedroom doors.

···》···》···》···》···》

PUBLISHED.//12.25.15//

Merry Christmas to all of you, awesome and beautiful people! Hope you enjoy the holidays!

That's one down. Thank you for supporting! :)

[No plagiarism please.]

~Kikaraaa