Chapter 09: Breaking Traditions & Rules

***

March, 9, 1894

Ryujin's POV

It has been months, after the ball, and I still have no idea, on what to do with my sister's case. I've been reading books about, on how somebody can interfere, in a arrange marriage, but nothing really actually helped me.

I was busy reading another book about it, called: "The Arrange Marriage Guide". Mel, said, it will save my sister, from her arrange marriage.

I was so uninterested in reading this type book I'd rather read more math and science books, but, for my sister, I'll do everything. I'm currently on page two thousand, nine hundred, eighty-two. Until a eye capturing, title got my attention, it said: "How to stop a Arrange Marriage, from two Royal Parties".

I finally, got to the section, where I really wanted to be in!

***

After, reading that full, section. I finally, get that the only way to stop it was, if you have a sibling, an older one. If they, either, die or run away, then, you are next in line to the Throne, meaning, if I left, the Kingdom, then, she'll stay here, and manage the Kingdom herself. She then won't be in that arranged marriage no more!

I quickly thought of a plan, so I can approach my parents, on this matter, without harming anybody. All they have to do was, agree on my terms, and were good to go.

But, if they stay away, then, I'm sorry, for I'm about to do, for Father always says, make a back-up plan so, if plan number one fails, you already know what to do.

Once, I got a plan, I stood up, and went towards the door of my Study room, but quickly looked back, thinking if this is really the good thing to do. Once, I got my mind made up, I quickly opened the door, and went outside walking towards my Parent's Study room. Knowing, that they'll be there.

I'm currently, standing in front of my Father's Study Room. To my surprise, I wasn't really scared or anything. Normally, I would be scared or anxious just talking to him, but, I'm not, well, anymore.

I knocked on the door, before saying my name. I waited for my Father's response, to let me come in. Once, I heard it, I gently turned the knob, and went in. I closed the door, and turned around, to see both my parents, sat and reading some books.

'Maybe, it's a cover up?' I thought, because it looks super odd.

"Mother? Father? I want to speak to you." I said, and walked towards them.

"Hmm? About what?" Mother asked me, but her attention was still on the book.

"You know? My sister's arrange Marriage?" I asked them.

"You still remember that?" They both asked me.

"You guys know me. If, it's something important, I don't forget it that easily. Especially, when it comes to our family." I said, while raising an eyebrow at them.

"I know, you won't be happy about it, but, please accept it. It's for the sake of our Kingdom." Father said.

"Well..." I said, and smiled.

I know that they're buying that I'll say yes. But, they're wrong.

"If, that's what you guys want, then I'll have to disagree with this matter." I said, and smiled.

"Why? Why do you disagree then?" Father asked me.

"You guys do know that she is literally a kid! She doesn't know anything about how the world works! And you guys are literally, okay, to send her off just like that?!" I shouted back at the both of them.

"Ryujin! Don't you dare, raise your voice at us! We're still your parents!" Mother said, scolding me.

I quickly, took a deep breath, and continued to make my point. This time, without shouting.

"I respect, your decision has been made, but, I disagree, with what you guys did. What you guys did, is unforgivable. Making and forcing your own, youngest daughter, marry somebody she doesn't even know about." I said, with a firm voice.

"So? What's your point?" Father asked, obviously, annoyed.

"I'd like to replace her. So, she'll be able to stay here." I said.

It took them by surprise, and that's why, you can see that their reaction has their eyes out. Well, who wouldn't be?

"What?" I asked, them, in my normal tone, bored

"You can't do that, Ryujin! You're the heir to the throne! You need to stay here!" Father said, raising his voice.

I admit, father does kind of looks scary, when he shouts.

"I thought, you knew me better? You guys know that whatever I have in my mind. I'll do it, right? So, whatever you guys, say or do. It'll have no effect or what so ever to me." I said, crossing my arms.

"Our answer is still NO, Ryujin! Don't you dare, disrespect us! You should obey, what we say!" Father said, and walked closer to me.

"I've been listening to what you guys want for as long as I remember! You can't just order us, as long as you guys want! We also, have our own lives!" I said, shouting back at them.

"Ryujin! Don't you dare, raise your voice at us! We're still your parents!" Mother said, while walking towards me, and ended up slapping me.

It looked like; she was shocked with what she did. But, for me, I just kept my tears, in, as I don't want them to see me cry. I pretended that it didn't hurt at all. I can hear, my Mother, new, as if she was crying, I looked at her, and she was. She tried to touch me, or rather my face, or maybe hug me. But, I retaliated, and that made Mother more upset than before.

"Our final answer is still NO! Young lady, you should respect, our decision!" Father shouted.

"Well, if that's your final answer, then. You should be ready for the consequences, of what you just chose." I said, and stormed out the room.

On the way to my Bedroom, I quickly met Mel; she was busy fixing some random stuff. When, she saw me she quickly went to me, and started to comfort me. Once I calmed down, she asked me what happened, and why, I'm crying. I quickly ran towards my Bedroom, with Mel behind me.

Once, we reached my Bedroom, I know Mel, quickly locked the door. And right there, I was literally a mess, I was crying. I've never had disobeyed, disrespect, and raised my voice at my own parents.

People, say I act differently, than other Princesses, but, the truth be told, just like any other Princess, we all only wanted to be loved, to feel loved.

Once, I know, I was good to go, I looked at Mel, and quickly dried my tears, and told her what happened, before I even knew, my tears were back once again. Mel, was even comforting me, telling me everything's going to be alright. Once, I was sober up once more, I continued to tell the story, and then a plan went in my mind. I looked at Mel, she looked super confused. I quickly called her attention.

"Mel, I need your help." I said, calling her attention.

"You do know that whatever that is, I'll help you right? Now, tell me what is it?" She asked me.

"Help me, Run Away..." I said.

"What?! I know, I said, I'll help you in anything, and you're in a rough position right now. But, is this really, just too much." She said, trying to change my mind.

"This isn't because of what happened. It's because it's the only choice now, since they, didn't want the first option, they'll just have to accept the second one." I said, while walking towards the window, and looked outside, and then I saw her, I saw my sister, playing with her maid.

"What do you mean?" She asked me.

"Remember the book, you gave me? It said, there are only two ways, the other one, taking the original place of the person, and the second is to have the real heir to the Throne gone." I said, explaining to her, and turned around.

"Meaning, if you're gone. She'll have to stay, and manage the kingdom!?" She said, waiting for a confirmation.

"Right, now will you help me or not?" I asked her.

She quickly fell into a deep thought, before answering.

"Yes." She said, with a bit of hesitation in her voice.

"Now, then let's continue with the plan." I said, and started to discuss the plan to her.

***

Once, we were done, I quickly went over the plan to make sure she got it.

"And what will you tell Mother and Father?" I asked her, just to make sure if she gets the plan or not.

"I'll tell them, that you sent me out, to send your Pen Pal a letter." She said.

"Okay, now that's settled, I'll be writing to you whenever I get to, okay?" I said, and got a luggage, and decided to pack already.

"Okay, but we still need to inform your Pen Pal, plus what will I do, with the letters, that he will send to you?" She asked which caught me completely off guard.

"Hmm, you're right." I said, and sat down on my bed, to at least think of something.

After that, I quickly thought of an idea.

"You remember that I have two boxes, right? The other one is filled with the letters I already read while the other one is empty, put the ones that will be sent there, okay?" I asked her, which she just nodded as a reply, and I continued to fix my clothes more.

"Okay, okay. Now, I'll handle that luggage of yours, you should write a letter to that Pen Pal of yours now." She said, and pushed me towards my Desk.

She did made a point, I sighed knowingly I already lost to Mel. I sat down and got a piece of Paper, and a Pen, and started to write.

<<>>

Dear: Secret Pen Pal

This will be most probably my Last Letter to you. I just fought with my parents, and decided to do things that are just too much, because they didn't agree with me; they'll just have to face the consequences, of their actions. Since, this is my last letter to you, I'll tell you, my real name, my name is Shin Ryujin. That's right; I'm the First Princess of Roselia.

P.S. I want you to know, that, talking to you is probably one of the funniest things, I've done in my life. Thank you for being a part of my life. I'll never forget you; you always have made my day. I'll always consider you as my Best Friend. ♡♡♡ Three hearts for you, meaning, I Love You.

Signed,
First Princess
Shin Ryujin,
Secret Pen Pal

<<>>

After that, I quickly put it inside an envelope, and gave it to Mel, for her to send it on the day of the plan. After that I helped her, with fixing my clothes. I decided, I shouldn't really have any gowns, as I don't think I'll need it.

Once, we made sure that I have every single thing, I need. We quickly hid the luggage, and fixed ourselves, so they won't judge us. Now, the only thing I have to do is, to avoid my parents, until the day comes. We talked with each other and spent time.

"I'll miss you, Mel..." I said, while being laid down on the floor.

"Yeah, I'll miss you too, Ryujin..." She said, also being laid on the floor just right beside me.

"Although, I don't think I'll be able to have another Ryujin to take care of, I'm still very happy to know you. You're really different, from the other Princesses." She said which made me smile.

Not long after, I feel sleepy, before I even knew it, I fell asleep.