You Reign Forever [Neji Hyuuga] In My Destiny {2}

I lay awake that afternoon, and well into the evening, just thinking. Sometime in the midst of it all, I moved away from the door and over to my bed. I sighed as I sat down on it. The bed, the room, the palace house. They were all more reminders of my captivity. Maybe that seems too strong a word to use, but it really isn't. I was a captive, though my older sister Akemi would have called me a fool to say such a thing. She loved this life. She loved being in a position of power. I, however, was the opposite. I liked going into the village, but at the same time, I didn't. I loved associating with the people, but I didn't like that they acted as if I meant more than them. As if I was more important. I really wasn't, in my opinion. I was just like them, the only thing setting me apart being the family I was born into. But that didn't change anything for them. They still treated me strangely, as if they were afraid that I would convict them for anything less than perfection. And they were jealous, some even told me so! They would never know that I envied them for being just normal people... They had no idea what they were taking for granted.
I had been lying there, unmoving, lost in thought, for what must have been hours, before a sound jarred me from my reflections. It was coming from outside, as was a faint glow. I rushed over to the window. A bonfire! Of course! The celebration was tonight. Every year in my land, there was a music festival. It was beautiful. I had been present every year since I was four, and now I was late! I started to rush back in to change and join them, but stopped dead in my tracks.
'Wait a minute. This means that Mom, Dad, Hideki, and Akemi are all at the festival...'
I resumed my hurried motion, heading back into my room. I changed, as I had planned to before, but, now, instead of my festival clothes, I pulled into a black tank top, long, fingerless gloves, a short skirt with a shorts underneath, and a pair of thigh highs. I finished it off with a pair of flat shoes. When I glimpsed my reflection in the mirror, I laughed to myself.
'Imagine what people would say if they saw me - their princess - in this!' I didn't mind though. I was comfortable. And this was much more appropriate for what I had in mind as far as plans went tonight. Sticking my head out to make sure the coast was clear, I snuck out into the hallway. Empty.
'So far, so good.'
I silently made my way down the hallway, stopping once to take cover in the alcove as a servant passed. In minutes, I reached the stairs. I stopped when I heard voices drifting up to me.
"I'm sure she'll be delighted to meet you." That was my mother. Why was she still home?
"I'm surprised she didn't already join us for the festival. Sorry for making you wait." That was my father. What was going on?
"Thank you, and it's not a problem at all. If she's as wonderful as I hear, than she is worth waiting for." That voice, I didn't recognize. I peeked around the corner, seeing without being seen. There were my parents, talking to a man I didn't recognize.
'Strange. They didn't come and get me for the festival, and they didn't send someone up saying we had a guest?'
"You are so kind, and you haven't yet even met her!" My mom was talking to the stranger.
"Be that as it may, I have met her parents. A beautiful mother and a strong, wise father. I am sure she is wonderful." My mom blushed, and I held in a very unladylike urge to gag. What a suckup!
"Well," my father spoke, "from what we can gather, you are going to make the perfect husband for my daughter."
'Huh? Akemi's getting married? So soon?' It was customary for the eldest daughter to be married off, but I hadn't expected it just yet.
"Thank you, sir." The man bowed his head in respect. After a moment of silence, my mother spoke again.
"Are you sure you don't want us to go and get her? It's not like her to miss a festival, and I'm sure she'd love to meet you!"
"Yes, and you ought to get to know her. Who knows?" My father chuckled. "After seeing and spending time with each other, you and Takara might want to move the date up!"
I didn't hear the reply. My jaw dropped. They weren't talking about Akemi. I was the one this stranger was supposed to marry! I stumbled back around the corner, cutting off my view. Then, without a word, I crept back to my room. Once there, I grabbed my backpack of clothes I had packed earlier, as well as a small pouch, taking care to keep the pouch hidden. I went out onto the balcony and leapt to the ground below, landing in a crouch.

...

{{Seeing the Bonfire}}
End in results.

'I am not getting married. Not if I have anything to say about it! I'm thirteen!'
With no other thought in my mind, I got to my feet and ran.