That night, something rare happened. Something that hadn't occurred in years: I didn't have a nightmare about the attack. Normally, when I closed my eyes, I would remember the bombings, the gunshots, my parents' bodies on the ground.

But tonight, I remembered the royal gardens before they were burned. I remembered my parents and I walking along the riverside, my small hands linked in theirs. I remembered my real smile, which was something I hadn't shown ever since.

But when I woke up, I knew something was wrong. I was no longer in my small bed, on the highest floor of Luna's hotel. Instead, I was in a limo. And not any ordinary limo. This one was huge. There was a curtain separating me from the other benches, and I freaked. I gasped, started hyperventilating, whatever happens in a panic attack.

The curtain flung open and I came face to face with Hotaru. Behind her were all the other royals, who were crammed side-by-side because they'd laid me down, taking up almost half the room. "Mikan, what's wrong?"

I looked at her angrily, my eyes incredulous. "What's wrong? You...you just kidnapped me! Without my consent!"

Hotaru sighed. "It's not kidnapping if we're being hospitable. We're giving you a new life, Mikan, where you don't have to suffer all the time."

"No. I refuse. Bring me back." I said adamantly. "I'm sorry, I can't go."

Tsubasa and Misaki were just confused. "Why? Mikan, that caretaker has done nothing but abuse you. If you came to the palace, we could finally fix things."

"I...I can't. Narumi told me that I could get exposed."

"Narumi gave his consent." Natsume said calmly.

"What? Really?"

"Yes," Natsume replied emotionlessly. It was hard to believe that this was the guy who'd seemed so caring yesterday night.

"Are you sure?"

Natsume turned to me with a dark look on his face. "Do I look like I'm kidding, you idiot?"

I shuddered. "N-no. I'll go back behind the curtain-"

"Oh no you don't!" Anna exclaimed, pulling me beside her. "Sweetie, we've got catch up time to do."

I groaned. "Please, no."

Nonoko grinned. "Oh yes."

"So I heard that you were breaking some hearts back in your old town?" Anna asked.

"What? Who told you that?"

"Oh, the maids around. They were happy to talk, especially the one who almost tackled Ruka. Larissa?"

I laughed. "She's crazy."

"We know," Ruka exclaimed, a scarred look on his face. "Oh, we know."

I smiled. A semi-real smile, but still not real. I turned back to the girls. "I don't know what Larissa told you, but I didn't date. I'm not a playgirl."

"Playgirl? Sounds weird. Is it even a word?"

I stared at the small silver-haired boy who'd just spoke: the youngest prince, Youichi, sitting across from me. I hadn't even noticed him before. "You weren't here yesterday."

"I always come fashionably late," Youichi said in his small voice. The tone was a little rough, but when I looked at him, he seemed so cute. I laughed a little, along with the other royals.

Then, "Do you remember me, Mikan?"

That stopped everyone in their tracks. I shook my head sadly. "I'm sorry."

"I knew it," Youichi said. Disappointment was clear in his voice, and then the kid started crying.

I was shocked. Everyone was. Youichi was known as the small boy who never showed emotions, like Natsume. They were brothers, after all.

"But you said I was your favorite little boy!" Youichi wailed.

At this, I smiled. I held out my arms and Youichi hopped from his bench to mine and settled in my arms. We stayed like that until we drifted off to sleep, as it was three a.m. in the morning...

6 A.M. at Luna's Hotel: (Luna's POV)

I kicked open the little brat's door, surprised that it wasn't locked. The little pest usually dead-bolted it shut. Huh. Maybe she was finally getting obedient.

And then when I noticed the empty bed, I knew something was off. I looked back at the door and realized that the deadbolt had been seared off, like it had been burned. Immediately, I knew this was the work of the prince. I let out a string of curses before running out the hall. Why didn't I notice it earlier? All the bodyguards were gone. I ran down and got the spare key and slammed open the doors. Empty, empty, empty.

I screamed and punched a wall. She was gone. I should've known the royals would recognize her. Even after all these years. They must've met up at one point...but when? And then it dawned on me. When I went out to finalize the contract of our hotel. They could've talked without me realizing it. Stupid, stupid, stupid.

I opened my phone and dialed a number I knew by heart. The person on the other end picked up immediately. "The girl's gone."

"What?!"

"I'm sorry, Persona. I don't know how it happened. I locked the doors."

"You bitch! How could you let her go? I already said I should've assassinated her a long time ago. But you...you disgusting piece of filth had to use her as a slave! I couldn't care less about her well being, but I knew this would happen."

"So it's my fault? You wanted me to torture her. You hated her family."

"So? Now she's alive, and back with the royals."

"She'll never expose her real identity, Persona. Relax. Nothing's changed."

"Are you nuts? That Yukihara is a threat to us. That girl has the most powerful Alices anybody could wish for!"

I snorted. "Like what, a pretty face?"

"I'll get you for this." And then the line clicked.

Luna's eyes widened. She dialed another number. "Hey, get me out of here tonight. Move all my savings to the foreign bank. I'm out of here within a couple hours, got it?"

How was it? Please rate and review! Sorry it took so long for me to update.

Clarifications: So the royals have taken Mikan back to the main palace, where all the royals live. Technically. It's the heart of the nation, because it's the point where all five provinces touch. Anyways, Youichi just came into the picture. He owns the limo that picked them all up. And he has a sweet spot for Mikan. So cute! . Anyways, Luna is connected to Persona! Yes, that's bad because Persona knows that Mikan is alive. A/N PERSONA WAS THE ASSASSIN (If you didn't get that part yet.)