1 Chapter 1

Emerged into a new environment Lira's instinct says to remember her path in and out, but her own nature says to embrace the scents of the place. Nothing smells funny, either than gusts of sweat, it was just the usual smell of air. However there was something different when she entered the palace walls. It wasn't the smell of the place but rather vibrating feelings. It's hard to explain. It caught her off guard, all her special training for nothing, she was definitely not prepared for that feeling of - royalty.

It was up to fate for her to be selected, but she still has that tang of confidence, like all heart servants have. Her eyes remained toward her hands, where they are gently placed on her legs as she kneels in front of the high class men. There are rows of women just like her trained and skilled to become servants. But she knew she was no ordinary servant. She had proudly graduated from the Heart Servant Academy. The highest servant qualification to give her the highest chance possible for her to serve the imperial family. She was Lira. Trained to serve and skilled to protect. All her training instincts had faded and everything was mild - all noise and sound. It was only her heart beat which kept her within reality. The sudden sound gently startled her.

"My my, what fine servants we have for selection this year." A rough voice, definitely a male for war. Strong and powerful echoing voice full of control.

"I can say that myself," This man had a smoother voice, a more wise, but just not quite. He spoke posh, definitely higher than that war man. Almost a bit feminine.

At the corner of Lira's eye she could see high class men. Seated on skillfully crafted birch thrones just for the hot summer coming in on them. The mid summer weather never spared their nation - Mitcha. However all the high statused were all shaded under the tent, well protected from the scorching sun. And under the large pavilion tent stations four birch thrones, two men in the middle with countless amount of silver embroidery on their luxurious clothing. And formally cross legged, but it definitely looks as though one of them is seated restlessly. Possibly someone desiring freedom. The two men each baring unique patterns of mythical creature. It's said these mythical creatures are chosen at birth to determine fate and identity of each royal descent. The one that's started to shift into a casual sprawl has a silver tiger with venom fangs like snakes against his black gown, it laid on the right side of his waist, the tiger's head shining below the contrasting black obi belt strapped around his waist. The other prince, still and firm in his cross legged position, centered in the chair, allows his gown to flow in front of him. While his knee caps expose on either side from the special design of these gowns. The gown's double layer of material cover upon a cut on both sides, allowing knee caps to leak out, and when standing it covered the leg. There is a silver crane bird embroidery on the left side of his gown. It contained patches of red….. They stood out among the gold gown and a matching golden obi.

A top both their heads sat a crown of silver, a signature of royalty, but neither were crowned with gold which is for the crown prince or princess of the nation. Apparently the Queen had not chosen a Heir.

As for the other two men - seated to the right a muscular man in armour, seated extremely casually, even so it must be extremely hot to be in his shoes - bulky heavy armour. Another, an advisor in silk blue clothes with his pigeon feathered fan waving in front of him. Positioned one leg over another, very feminine. With a few quick glimpses, Lira feels like he was constantly batting his eyelashes while in his elegant position.

Flocked beside these wealthy men are young men and women grasping palm leaves fan. From their thin white clothes they're definitely not just fanning servants for the upper class. They all sat close to their master, almost touching them as they are all hoping for attention - for a change in life. Every one of them striving for the fate to never serve under hot weather, and sweat like a waterfall. Some of the fanning servants already have their white gowns soaked in sweat. Their clothes sticking to their skin. Revealing curves of their slim bodies. Oh but those stationed guards. It's too hard to imagine what the nearby guards feel in their armour, especially those stationed outside the pavilion, beneath the rays of hell. Luckily for those under the shades of the willow tree, others, we all suffered the uncontrollable weather.

"You stand up," this was a different voice but definitely a general. One of the four but Lira didn't know which one, because all the servant's heads were now lowered even more, almost to the floor for formality, as it was extremely rude to stare at them directly in the eyes, "The one with the crimson rose," He was summoning upon, Aph. It was Lira's best friend which she met at the academy, another Heart Servant graduate to compare with her, but a more friendly one. It was only the two of them who had qualified for the Easter selection. Aph raised her head towards the general. No - a prince. The 8th Prince of Mitcha. He had recently stepped into the age of marriage - 17. However does not have any women. Growing up he was skilled in combat, and one of the adored prince. So the Queen didn't want him to go to war rather to stay and train the imperial guards. He was truly a man of status. Someone truly looked up upon by warriors. The silver tiger born with deadly canines.

The appointed heart servant lifted her face towards the four men, while remaining on her knees like all the other servants. But her face was more than enough than that red rose. Aph had a beautiful contrast of Grey blue eyes and dirty blond hair. Possibly one of the most attractive servants among every heart servant present. But her personality had always been the opposite of her gentle features and soft eyes. Calmly seated Aph crossed her right hand over her left shoulder, it was a warrior's symbol of determination and loyalty, "You summon upon me 8th Prince." Her eyes met the prince's. All his confident features melted into shock. No, drowned at Aph's beauty. Hilarious. A man of combat yet unskilled from the most simplest of things. He tried his best covering that split embarrassing second with a lazy smirk, "The Heart Servant Academy, the Red Rose. Our Imperial uncle had one Red Rose, these servants always get the job done." He slurred at those last few words and glared towards his brother, the 10th Prince, with a wide grin. The other calm Prince, the one with the silver crane. Then spun his head back to that servants irresistible good looks, "Speak up." He purred.

"Graduate of the Heart Servant Academy, Aph, titled second. Diligent and strong." She grinned with enthusiasm, and her pure white teeth leaked from that gorgeous smile. Her cute freckles spread on either cheek. A sensible smile but also a killing one. Especially for men.

The 8th Prince didn't stand a chance, you could see bright as day all his features that has betrayed his heart. The 10th Prince spoke, very formally. "Royal Brother if you desire this servant, you may contract her." His voice was soft and gentle like the wind, but definitely confident wind, someone capable of shifting the wind. A warrior in the sky - A crane.

Also, yeah, you see servants aren't just for keeps, they have to have a contract with their masters. A contract of oneself, with wins and losses.

The 8th Prince roared in laughter, his silk fabrics waved its delicate silver patterns as he stood up from his birch throne. His mighty tiger softened its features into a cat. Under those fabrics of delicacy he maneuvered with his muscular legs and body towards the fine young lady. He weaved through a straight path in between rows of women. Aph still had a right hand on her left shoulder, they had not dismissed her formality so she must keep it there. That was one of the first rules and instruction they were given when they started training. The 8th Prince approached Aph and was about a meter away from Lira, herself.

"What would you serve me diligent and strong Aph, your fine beauty or your fine abilities. To see is for me to decide, you shall be called upon to serve the Imperial Family, The 8th Prince of Mitcha. May you disobey the cost is heavy." He spoke with such a strong commanding voice, I doubt anyone would disobey him. Even if Aph did, chances are she would be unharmed, obviously the Prince has already given parts of his heart for her beauty. Aph's elbow seizes the floor into a low bow, her head inches from the Prince's shoes. But the bow didn't alter her confidence and strength to talk. "May the Imperial family call upon the Red Rose of the Heart Servant Academy, Aph, to treat the Prince with all her heart and ability." The 8th Prince didn't sprung up with joy to those words of recognition. The towering prince summoned his loyal guard, "Shay, come forth and show my new heart servant to my chamber." A woman around her thirties stepped out from her position behind the birch chair the 8th Prince had been seated in. A guard. Her body was wrapped in armour and her serious face was everything about skill and confidence. Her stride was elegantly feminine but she did make it obvious that she too was a skilled fighter.

"Rise Aph and go forth," His hand lifted Aph by the arm with grace. They both hint cheeks of pink.

Soon Aph was guided by the female guard, Shay. Lira caught a glimpse of Aph's weary eyes. Aph was always the adventurous and curious type but fear never stops to creep up on her. Sometimes fear achieved its goal. Worry spread in all her features. The last thing Lira saw was only her flowing mauve gown before the tiger took her into his grasp.

The 8th Prince swiveled on his heels toward the pavilion, the opposite direction which Aph went. He spoke. His powerful voice vibrating, "Royal brother, I see you're anticipating which heart servant you shall get." He revealed a devilish smirk. The calm 8th Prince doesn't falter in making a suggestion. Simply the 10th Prince gave a sensible smile to his Royal Brother.

"Why Royal Brother, who do you propose to be my heart servant?" The 10th Prince formally spoke. He knew very well why his Royal Brother had taken the Red Rose, so that out of good relationships with his younger brother it would only be right to leave the best for him.

The 8th Prince gleefully outbursts with laughter, "You see," he directed his body to face Lira, "Why not contract her, the Black rose. Speak Black rose of the heart servant academy."

Lira gestures the same greetings with her right hand on her left shoulder. Her hazel eyes illuminates from rays of sunlight to gaze up at these divine beings. "You summon upon me 8th Prince of Mitcha. For I am Graduate of the Heart Servant Academy, Lira, titled First. Loyal and elegant."

The 10th Prince gave a cute polite smile towards Lira and greeted her with the same formalities to verbally seal the contract. Unconditionally Lira formally accepted the offer. "May the Imperial family call upon the Black Rose of the Heart Servant Academy, Lira, to treat the Prince with all her heart and ability."

The next thing that happened to Lira is a handsome prince who shifted her into the wind. Took her and sailed her by the course of fate.