Mikado

You grew up in a poor village, lost among dusty roads and hills. There was rarely laughter there - only drunken shouts and loud blows. The village was inhabited by thieves, vagabonds, and almost every house hid a bottle. On the outskirts stood a copper house - a gloomy place from which rarely anyone returned the same.

The father was a weak man. He would disappear for days, getting drunk with people like him. One day, in a fit of despair, he decided to sell his eight-year-old daughter to that very house.

Mother did not allow it. That same night, trembling with fear, she packed her things and, taking you by the hand, ran away. They walked for a long time through forests and fields until they reached another village - rich, beautiful, like from a fairy tale. Aristocrats, scientists, noble families lived there. They said that the Mikado was hiding among them - the last surviving son of the Emperor, saved from palace intrigues.

Mother got a job as a maid in the mansion where Mikado lived, and you were taken there as an assistant. You helped out of your own free will, to be near her.

One day, having broken the ban, you looked into an unfamiliar room and saw a boy. He woke up, noticed you, and, contrary to expectations, did not get angry - he smiled.

• I'm Mikado. And what about you? Let's be friends?

From that day on, you were inseparable. Mikado laughed as before, and his mother was immensely grateful to you. You were allowed to study together, you were bought dresses. These were the brightest days.

The years passed. You became a beautiful girl, Mikado became a man. When he turned eighteen, he had to return to the capital and take the throne. When he said goodbye, he promised:

• I'll come back for you. I swear.

You believed. You rejected suitors, you shone at the academy, but your heart belonged to him.

After the war, having barely recovered, Mikado wrote a letter: he asked you and your mother to come to the palace. His mother, beaming, burst in to you:

• Get ready, sunshine! Mikado is waiting!

At the palace he was waiting for you on the steps, in formal attire, with the same warm smile.

• I kept my word. Welcome home. You're mine now. Forever.