The Renegade's Fire

When Ruma was a girl her mother used to read her stories about handsome princes, beautiful princesses, nasty dragons, and villains. They were nicer than the stories of her people's survival but always so cut and dry. The handsome prince would save the princess and they would be married, happily in love and their kingdoms would rejoice.  One thing that Ruma noticed while her mother told her these happy stories was that she never really smiled. The stories were happy, but her mother didn't seem so. Not really, she would give her the smile she plastered on when she was trying to be polite, the smile of a Queen.  The same one she used when her husband, Ruma's father, had told her that she was to be beheaded on a Friday afternoon.  Maria was a cold and indifferent woman, but she had always shown her children as much affection as she could. Maria always revealed her true smile to them. Now that she was older, Ruma guessed that Maria knew just how wrong the fairytales had it. Ruma's fairytale ended when she was about 7 when she learned of a Prince. Prince Kent Michaelson of the Kingdom of Mordad, that is.  According to Mother, Kent was a 10-year-old boy who's betrothal recently fell through. Ruma learned later that his 10-year-old bride had died of Radiation poisoning, not everyone could tolerate their new existence on their irradiated planet. Her mother had told her that 'It was a miracle the child survived for so long with how sickly she was" needless to say Mother was ecstatic by the news. Ruma on the other hand was a little perturbed by the fact Mother was so happy with this little girl's death. That was Maria Delgato, the cold bitchy Queen from Deloria for you though. As a surprise to everyone, the Mordidians didn't choose a neighboring kingdom with their 'wonderful' views on the unwanted and gifted. Instead, they chose Ruma's home, the kingdom of Deloria, to ally themselves with. Apparently, the king had also wanted to 'mix it up' and throw in some family members of the 'exotic kind'. Mother's words exactly. At the time Ruma had thought that they wanted a relationship with her kingdom because of their 'exotic' or forward and accepting ideas about the unwanted and gifted. She thought that maybe bringing someone who thought that all people who had survived and deserved a place in their world, would bring about change.  Now she understood that the King of Mordad was an ass and thought his second son would enjoy having a tamed exotic-looking woman to himself. She was afflicted with chills of disgust every time she thought of the King's reasoning. This all ended with her, a 7-year-old girl, being shipped off to Mordad and chased about by the rudest 10-year-old boy in history. Now she was 18 and had been able to fend off marriage with said brute for 6 long years. She hadn't set foot, in her country or seen her older brother, since the age of 12 when he had made a surprise trip. Although she supposed some girls have had it worse. Living in an unfamiliar kingdom for so long, Ruma's accent from her homeland had now been twisted into some sort of mix of the two kingdoms.  While some found it interesting, many found it odd. She honestly couldn't tell the difference but did as her mother taught her and indifferently humored the blithering idiots of court. Disdain and annoyance practically radiated off of her as she stepped into the hall, in a billowing dress and indifferent expression on her face. "Introducing Princess Ruma Maria Amora Delgato of Deloria" She sighed as the guests stood. Plastering on a small fake smile that would have made her mother proud, Ruma walked through the ballroom with her vibrant layered skirts swishing across the floor. "Introducing Prince Kenten Vincent Michaelson of Mordad"  Kent was not a Crown Prince, he was actually second in line, a fact her mother had disdained when she was still alive to be bitchy and power-hungry.   Kenten's older brother Xavier was more level headed but still a little arrogant. The epitome of a true Crown Prince. However, Kent still had the checklist of what Mother required for Ruma's future husband: Title, Money, Land, Money, Servants, More Money, and his King's favor. In other words, he got the job done. The last thing Mother said to her seven-year-old daughter before she shipped her off like a prize horse was that if the opportunity should arise, Ruma should try to seduce the older brother and become Queen. A month later, Ruma received word that her mother was dead and a letter encasing her mother's last piece of advice for her daughter before she was beheaded.  Secure the Crown Prince if you can, never show them your true colors, and fairytales will get you killed. Just those three notions, then her mother's elegant signature. A truly touching sentiment from one's beheaded mother, exactly what Ruma had expected. Ruma snapped back to reality and watched as the arrogant pig strutted towards her with his pale nose upturned as if he just smelled something funny. Probably smelling himself, she determined. When he reached her, the music began and he pulled her to him in an ungraceful manner. "I told you to wear the other dress" he whispered vehemently in her ear. He meant the one that was not more than a handkerchief that barely covered her assets and may as well have labeled her a w***e. "So sorry my love, but that handkerchief of yours would cover more of me" He spun Ruma, allowing her to do her part of their tango. Pulling her back in, he let out a growl as his face flushed in anger. "You will wear what I want you too, remember who is whose better darling" She rolled her eyes, pushing away from him before being pulled back in "Of course my lord" He looked content as he dipped her finishing their dance. She chuckled " The question is do you?" Ruma pushed away from him only to be pulled back in and given an unwanted kiss on her cheek "We will have words after this" She huffed as he finally released her, God she hated him. ************************************ Later that night Ruma decided to take a walk to clear her head. The distant sound of the string cortet floated through the air as she looked up into the starry sky. It was then that meteor shot across the sky leaving a trail of its stardust. Fascinated by the sight she didn't even notice the protruding stone of the fountain in front of her and began to fall. She let out a squeal, but just before she could hit the water she felt a pair of strong arms envelope her. Her stomach began to knot with nerves "Dear God Rumi, you are quite possibly the most clumsy person in this world" Ruma scowled up at the beautiful face in front of her "Well maybe if your brother weren't such a brute then I'd have my wits" She squirmed in Xavier's arms eliciting a chuckle "Oh come on Rumi, Kent is a bit of a pig but at least you have me" He said ruffling her hair in the process.  She let out a cough trying to ignore the growing presence of butterflies in her stomach. For a Crown Prince, he really was truly Un-Princely at times. Sometimes he seemed to forget that she is the Princess of Deloria and not his little sister. "Oh shut up Xavier, that doesn't help a bit" He rolled his eyes, sighing as he sat on the fountain's edge. She sat beside him, taking her place on the cool rock. "Rumi, my brother is a complicated... Human being" She scoffed at Xavier's pause,t his was something she already knew. Although it wasn't so much complicated as pig-headed. "I sure hope he is Xavier, if not he is sure to meet a gruesome end in the wasteland. He is far too pampered to survive as one of the gifted or unwanted. Not that I've noticed any deformities really. Although I suppose the thing on his hand could-" "Oh hush Rumi, you know what I mean. You've been his fiancé since you too were little, he knows you can't leave him no matter what he does." Ruma wanted to scream, just because she was 'supposedly' going to marry him, shouldn't excuse him. She could never say the same for herself. She had to be perfect to keep their Alliance. It wasn't as if she were a Queen who could simply call it off. She wasn't making any plays, she was a pawn. "He's also frustrated that you are the only one he can be with... I'm sure he'll come around" Xavier patted her back sympathetically while she remained silent, not wanting to pop Xavier's bubble of optimism. What Xavier didn't know about his brother is that he had been taking other women to his rooms. Probably trying to decide which one to keep as a mistress. "Xavier..." He looked down at her as she fiddled with her fingers nervously. "What if it were you and I?" Even out of the court settings, one had to be careful of these types of questions, especially with a Crown Prince. Luckily, Xavier was never betrothed as his father found it inconvenient to for such an alliance. An alliance with a king to be was very different from an alliance with a Prince in line with the Crown.  Although now that he was older, she supposed he had to be wed to take the throne. Something, her mother would call this a perfect opportunity... Something in Xavier's eyes changed as he leaned in closer "And why would you want to know that?" Ruma gulped "Well" she murmured, a little unnerved by his closeness "I guess I was wondering how you would feel in Kent's position, my position... Would you act like that swine because we were to be married? Would you use it as an excuse too, Xavier?" She swallowed, hoping that she had not gone too far. Although her question was backed by her mother's intentions, Ruma found that she needed to know how he felt. Her breath hitched as he grabbed her chin to tilt her head upwards to look him directly in the eye. As he spoke she could feel his breath flutter across my face "If you were my betrothed, Ruma Delgato Princess of Deloria, then I would have ruined your virtue by now and ruined you for all other men by now" She gasped, trying to hide her face as a blush appeared. "You would be mine, and I would never let go" She stared at him with wide eyes "Xavier..." He pressed his forehead against hers, his breathing unsteady. "I would respect you in all the ways my brother takes for granted and dance with you all night" She swallowed trying to steady her own breathing. "You would be my sun and moon, my Queen" He tilted their faces so that his soft lips hovered over hers. She needed to stop this, she was betrothed to another and if anyone saw this, she would be ruined for court. But on the other hand, she really didn't want to. And just like that Xavier took Ruma into a passionate kiss, stealing her first real kiss away from her. Their lips finally came to a stop and they pulled apart slowly, their breathing erratic. Xavier's eyes were dark and his hair was ruffled. She was sure that she didn't look any better. "I-I thought that you didn't..." She stumbled through her sentence unable to find words. "You didn't think I saw you this way? How else could I possibly see you?!" He smiled. She twisted her fingers in her lap, looking downwards before muttering quietly "Well I guess like a... like a sister..." Xavier doubled over in loud bellowing laughter, startling me just a bit. When he finally caught his breath, he looked at Ruma with teary blue eyes "Like a sister? Oh Lord above, dear God no" He shook out his arms as if trying to get the words off of him "I can't recall a time when I haven't seen you as the pretty girl that should have been mine" She nearly swooned, he was still ridiculous but charming at the same time. "When we were children I suppose it might have been because my little brother had gotten a princess and I had not. But later I found that all I wanted was you." "I still do..." He said slowly Ruma's eyes widened "What exactly are you suggesting?" His eyes glimmered, suddenly there was the heavy sound of footsteps, sounding off the rock of the patio leading to the gardens. As the murmur of voices grew louder, Xavier whispered in her ear "Meet me in the West Gardens tomorrow" Ruma nodded as he stood, turned, and walked away from her, back towards the sound of the string cortet.  ********************************************* Ruma woke up feeling light and airy. Today, it didn't matter what Kenten accosted her with, she would be with Xavier. She had gotten dressed in her favorite gown, her pastel blue skirts flowed around down her body, softly accentuating her curves while her sleeves draped off her shoulders, revealing the freckles marring her dark skin. She looked in the mirror trying to tame her dark curly mess, deep in thought. She wondered if she was headed into this too fast. Before when she thought of Xavier, she thought of him as sweet and funny. Never had she allowed herself to think of him this way. The way that left her breathless with butterflies. Maybe it was just because she was never really allowed to see him that way... Although, truly, she still should not. Maybe this is what it felt like in fairytales to be saved by the handsome Prince. Ruma smiled to herself, finally ready. Disregarding the nerves set upon her by her mother's last words - Fairytales will get you killed... She nearly floated all the way to the West Gardens. She wandered around the flora, grazing each soft petal with her fingers. The sun had barely woken up and the sky was painted by the warmth of the colors set off by the sun. She smiled and looked up dazed at the sight of the stars left in the sky. Then she waited for her Prince... And she waited... And waited... And waited... Ruma grit her teeth as the sun now beat down on her, sitting high on its throne in the sky. He had said the West Gardens, right? He told her to meet him. And yet it had been hours! Did he forget everything that had happened, their kiss? Was it just her? Maybe she should find him... Thoughts ran through her head endlessly, plaguing her mind, causing pressure to form in the back of her head. Finally, Ruma had had enough. Just as she was about to storm out to find him, Xavier appeared. "Xavier!" she shouted speeding towards him "What happened? I thought I was going crazy! You kept me waiting all day, I thought you said-" and that's when she noticed the rest of the party. Yep, there was her fuming fiancé, her soon to be Father in law the King, and some random woman. "Rumi I-" he was cut off by his father, who merely raised his hand effectively silencing Xavier. The King broke from the group and approached Ruma glaring "You know my dear Princess, I was actually enjoying my quiet morning. I was fed breakfast in bed while listening to Gwen wake me with the sound of her violin when I was set on upon by my eldest son." He looked back, turning his glare on Xavier. " He claimed that he would like to strengthen our alliance with Deloria. Of course, I merely thought he meant to increase our trade with our dear friends, but then he proposed this... Preposterous idea." As the king inched closer she took a step back, trying to ignore the fear bubbling up inside her, plastering on a cool expression of indifference. "My son proposed that he take over in his brother's responsibility to Deloria and-" The king let out a frightening chuckle " Well he asked that he be the one to marry you!" Ruma watched timidly as the king burst into hysterics, his crown nearly falling from his head. "Can you believe that! After I had just brought his own fiancé from Savaria!" Ruma froze, her eyes widening as she finally took in the women with her arms now wrapped around Xavier. Her fair skin was unblemished, her honey hair gleamed in the sunlight and her ice-blue eyes sparkled with pure venom as her face turned smug. Ruma stumbled back a bit as the truth hit her and her butterflies sank to the bottom of her belly. The king caught her arm dragging her forwards to face the couple. "Ruma, this is Valerie, my son's queen." Ruma looked down at the ground, squeezing her eyes shut to keep them from watering. Why did she care so much! Deep within her, a fire stirred, one she hadn't felt in a great deal of time. One she had to bury now, in the face of this intolerant King. The King wrenched her face upwards turning her to face him "My dear Princess, I knew your mother to be conniving but I had never thought that she had passed this attribute onto her respectable daughter. Now you make this... Power grab for my son?" Ruma looked up to him, trying to cover how flustered she had become "Of course not your highness " She said in a breathy but level voice "I would never-" The king silenced her quickly with a harsh slap that left her stunned. Grabbing her harshly, he whispered out vehemently "You do not fool me, child. And I do not take kindly to such behavior! I have treated you kindly in my court and this is how you repay me! You are a Princess, not even a direct heir to your throne. My son would never marry you. He is to be married to a queen, such as Miss Redwin here. Never forget, you will never be anything to a King" He shoved her to the ground ordering for his small party to leave. Ruma watched as all but Xavier left. "Ruma I'm sorry, I really did try-" She looked up to him, cooly " How? How exactly did you try?" He looked down at the ground. She laughed as her composure broke, her eyes watering "You didn't even try and stand up for me out here, where there's no one to hold you accountable but your family! I would've understood if we faced the whole court but... Did you even say anything to him after he told you no? You know while you were having your talk with him?" He shoved the dirt around at his feet. Ruma rolled eyes, standing up from the ground "That's what I figured" Xavier looked up at her, offended "How do I know you weren't what he was saying?! How can I fight when I have to think of my country!" Ruma was ready to explode, her fire nearly consuming her, ready to be unleashed "You should know who I am, from all the years I have been forced to stay here! How dare you even imply such a thing!" She turned away and stormed deeper into the gardens, not wanting to look at him anymore. "Ruma I-" "Oh shut it!" she turned to face him one last time "I wasn't even the one who wanted to tell him anyway! If you had asked me first, none of this would have happened!" She knew that was probably a lie, but the thought helped her. Ruma left him standing there, and fled through the flowers. In an attempt to quell the burning inside of her.