Sunlight peeked over the horizon, slowly filling the sky. Birds stirred from their sleep and began to sing. The sky turned from its blackened depths to a light blue hue. A fresh spring breeze blew across the fields and billowed the curtains in the windows of the castle. Golden light peered through the window, finally landing on Yamato's body, warming him.

"Mimi, close the window. It's too hot," his voice mumbled from under the covers.

"It's a beautiful day! Get up and enjoy it!" Mimi jumped onto the bed, earning a grumble from the lump under the covers.

"I don't want to get up. Go away." The lump shifted, and Yamato peered out from his haven, eyes bleary and hair a mess.

"Now, now! No grumpy faces today!" Mimi stood and yanked the blanket from his body. "We have an important dinner to go to, remember?"

"Yes. That's why I don't want to get up."

"Too bad! I've already got a dress picked out for you, so get up!" Mimi bounded off the bed and picked a fluffy red dress up, holding it out for him to see.

"I'm not wearing a dress, Mimi. I'm not a girl." Yamato sat up and glared at his maid.

"But you look so pretty in it!"

It was the same thing every day, and had been ever since Yamato could remember. Every morning Mimi would pick out a dress for him, and every day he would insist that he wouldn't wear it.

"No! Now go get me some pants!" Yamato yelled, standing up.

His maid's eyes filled with tears and her lower lip began to tremble. "I... I just wanted to make you look pretty! I promised your mother I would take good care of you and... and..."

Every morning, Mimi would break into tears, and Yamato would give in.

"Fine. I'll wear the stupid dress. Just don't cry." Yamato sighed heavily and began to get dressed. "Why do I have to be at this stupid dinner, anyway? I'm just going to sit there and look bored."

"Because it's important to your uncle!" Mimi stated happily, doing up the clasps on the back of the gown. "And anyway, it's a great way to meet some nice young men! All the important dukes will be there!"

"Mimi, I don't want a nice young man," Yamato repeated tiredly.

"Sure you do! Who doesn't?" a voice asked from the doorway.

"Miyako!" Mimi squealed and ran over to her friend.

"That's me! What's up?" Miyako asked cheerfully.

"You know, just trying to get Yamato dressed for the big dinner!"

"Oh, yes. Yamato." Miyako gave him a cold look. Ever since the mysterious man at the fair had given him the golden arrow, she had been bitter.

"Hello, Miyako." Yamato finished adjusting his dress and went to the mirror to brush his hair.

"I see you're all dressed up, Yamato. Is it true that you're being courted by that filthy poor man who won the archery contest?" Miyako asked bitterly.

Yamato rolled his eyes. "I'm not being courted by anyone."

"I was going to impress Prince Ken with that arrow!" Miyako whined.

"You'd better not let him hear you calling him that!" Mimi giggled. "He hates being called by his real name!"

"Oh, but I can just see it! 'Here you are, my Prince! I won this arrow just for you!' " Miyako's posture changed, her voice lowered slightly. " 'Sherrif... no... Miyako! Why did I never notice your beauty before this day? Marry me!' " Miyako turned again and went back to her normal voice. "But he didn't because you and your stupid lover!

Yamato felt his face redden and he glared at her. "I told you, we're not like that! I don't even know who he is!"

"There, there, Miyako." Mimi patted his back. "You'll get his attention one of these days, don't worry."

"I hope so, Mimi." Miyako sighed, then straightened up. "Anyway, I was just supposed to make sure you're coming to the dinner tonight. I should go now. Prince Ken is waiting for me!"

***

The Great Hall was empty except for the Prince, who sat at the main table alone, hands folded, chuckling to himself. Miyako entered the hall and came up behind him, patting him on the head. "Yo!"

"Don't do that," the Prince grumbled, turning to glare at her.
"What's up?" Miyako asked, plunking down into the seat next to him. "Why did you need to see me?"

"As you know, we're having a dinner tonight with all the great lords and dukes tonight," the Prince stated, smirking. "I have to make an important announcement... some of them may not like it very much. I do have your support, don't I?"

"Of course you do!" Miyako said enthusiastically, leaning back in her chair. "What's going on?"

"The King... isn't coming back any time soon."

"WHAT?" Miyako fell backwards, then quickly jumped back up. "Did something happen?"

"He's been captured. You know he was traveling to study medicines and cures from all over the world... he's been taken ransom."

"Well... what are we going to do?"

"We'll have to raise the taxes," the Prince said with a malicious grin.

"But they're already so high! The people won't like it..."

"Too bad. It's their King, they'll have to help pay for his release. We don't have enough money, and we all want him back so much. Triple the taxes."

***

Dinner was in full swing that night. The great hall was filled with dukes, lords, knights, and all the powerful men of the country. All were dressed in their best finery, though Yamato was the only one wearing a *dress*.

"This is stupid, Mimi," Yamato grumbled to his maid, who sat at his left. "Can't I fake sick and leave?"

"No!" Mimi hissed back at him. "You promised you'd stay! Besides, this is important!"

"Is something wrong?" The Prince turned to Yamato and eyed him skeptically.

"No! Nothing at all!" Yamato laughed nervously. Being at this party was nervewracking enough (all of the young men kept hitting on him thinking he was a girl) but sitting next to his uncle just made it worse.

"Then be quiet."

Yamato shut his mouth and nodded, then went back to sulking. The guests were all men, meaning that the party was noisy and boistirous, and the smell was overpowering. Knights and nobles didn't feel the need to bathe more than once every few years, and Yamato felt sick to his stomach with the odor.

The table was laden excusively with huge mugs of ale, slabs of red meat, and mounds of potatoes. Mimi nudged him and indicated his plate. It was impolite not to eat something, but the food looked as disgusting as the men around him eating it. Honestly, if these were civilized men, what were uncivilized ones like? Still, he picked at his food and moved it around on his plate, hoping it would make it look like he'd eaten a bit.

"Attention! The Prince has an announcement to make!" Miyako was standing and yelling over the racket, trying to get everyone's attention. After a moment the guests calmed down and turned to look at her.

"My guests, I am sorry to darken this wonderful occasion with bad news, but it can't be helped. I have something very unpleasant to tell you." The Prince paused and took a long gulp of his ale. The hall was completely silent now. "I have recieved news of our King." There was unease written across everyone's faces as the Prince paused dramatically again. "He has been taken captive by an enemy country."

An wave of noise spept across the hall as men began to yell in protest. Yamato froze and stared nervously at the Prince. How could this happen? King Jyou was a peaceful leader, he had only wanted to study medicinal cures from other countries to better his own! Why would anyone kidnap him?

"I'm not at liberty to release the name of the country." Once again the crowd was in an uproar. "I understand your anger, but we do not want our King to be injured!" This quieted everyone, except for a few grumbles. "Instead, I've decided we should simply pay the random, save our King... and then attack them ruthlessly!"

A voice came from the back of the hall as the huge doors swung open. "And how exactly are you going to pay for THAT?"

"Who dares interrupt the Prince?" Miyako sprung to her feet and drew her sword.

"Now, now... let's remember our manner," the Prince said, grinning coldly at the intruder. "What was your question?"

"I said, how are you going to pay for his return?" The figure strode confidently up to the main table and leaned across it. "I don't suppose you have that much money lying around the castle, do you?"

"Of course we'll have to raise the taxes. The people will have to pay for the release of their own King." The Prince narrowed his eyes. "Aren't you the boy who won the golden arrow?"

"Yeah, that's me." Taichi smirked and glanced over at Yamato, who found himself blushing, then looked back at the Prince. "Raise the taxes? It sounds to me like you just want to take the little bit of money the poor people have left!"

Miyako unsheathed her sword and pointed it at Taichi's neck. "Are you challenging the Prince's intentions?"

"No, I'd never do that!" Taichi's grin faded and he stood back, crossing his arms. "But who'll lead England if the King is gone? I'll bet you've got an answer for that, too."

The Prince's smirk widened and his expression grew colder. "I will, of course. I am his brother. I am the rightful leader." He stood and gazed around the room. "Does anyone deny that?"

There were a few mumbles, but no one stood or responded.

"You see?" Ken indicated around the room. "My people support me."

Taichi's grin returned and he put his hands on his hips. "Well, if you won't back down, I have to warn you. I don't support you, and neither do the people that live under your rule. If you insist on raising taxes and abusing your power, I'll have to raise an army up against you."

"An army? Comprised of what, the peasants? I doubt you have any chance of winning that fight."

Taichi's smile did not fade. "Yeah, sure you will." Miyako dove at him, aiming to stab him through the heart, but he stepped back and she fell onto the floor. "Sorry. I've got to go now. I'll see you soon, I'm sure." He grinned and winked at Yamato. "Well, I've really got to go now. Oh, and sorry about all this. I know he's family and all," Taichi said, indicating the Prince. "But you understand."

Horrified, Yamato stared at him. What did he think he was doing? Challenging the Prince, declaring war, threatening to start a revolution - what was wrong with the poor? Why wouldnt' they want their King returned? With some disgust, Yamato decided that this man must be a traitor. A traitor that was flirting with him, no less! What could the other guests be thinking? Would they decide that he, Yamato, had something to do with this madness? "I understand that you're a pathetic, foolish peasant who can't bear sacrificing a few pieces of gold to save his own King, and I hope my uncle kills you. You understand." Yamato glared.

Taichi wrinkled his nose. "Too bad the rich ones are all such spoiled brats. And you looked so cute! Oh, well." He shrugged. "I'll be going now." But Taichi didn't get very far before the knights rose from their places, swords already drawn.

"No," the Prince said quietly, startling everyone. "No, let him go. I want to see him try to raise this pitiful army. Let the common people deal with this vile betrayer. When he leaves this castle, he leaves it as a wanted man with a price on his head."
Taichi laughed. "Sorry, you're a bit late for that!" He bowed to the Prince jovially, and then ran from the banquet hall.

Author's Notes:
Well, that was chapter three. I had a REALLY hard time writing this chapter, which is why I took so long getting it out. Sorry! ;-; Also, I didn't like the way it turned out as much as the others. I would have cut it if it wasn't entirely necissary to the plot. ^_^;; The next chapter is going to be great, though! Daisuke's introduction is very soon, and also probably Takeru and Hikari! ^_^ Huay! Thanks to those of you who've given me feedback, it helps me an unbelievable amount to know people actually read this, otherwise I might have given up on this chapter entirely! ^_^;; Also, thanks to Libek who helped me with ideas and editing this one into something readable. ^_~