This is a story summary and rewrite of the anime Revolutionary Girl Utena, Episode 9, “The Castle Said to Hold Eternity. “

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And upon their deaths, two coffins sealed shut, I climbed within the smallest one, the one just my size. Mother and Father slept in theirs, so I had thought, “This one must be for me.”

And in my coffin, all was quiet and cold. They had died, and I was to join them. Through tears I waited for my life to be taken away from me just like it had from Mother and Father. There was no such thing as something eternal.

And amidst my tears and heartache, I heard two voices. But I recall only one face. The details of him I have long forgotten, but his presence, the feeling he inspired within me, was something… something…

He lifted the lid of my coffin. 

A rose scented embrace. A hand running through my muddy hair (I had fallen in a puddle, I think). Wiping the tears from my cheeks. 

I was a little girl, and he was a man, regal and handsome. The prince. 

My prince.

And he told me, “Growing up in great sorrow, you must never lose your strength or nobility.”

He kissed me and slipped a ring on my finger, whispering into my ear, “I give this to you to commemorate our meeting. This ring will lead you back to me one day. Keep me in your heart until you are a young lady. I will find you again.”

So inspired by his gesture, I climbed out of my coffin. It was not quite ready for me. Not  yet.

The prince. Noble and regal and brave and charming. I listened to his words, and I have carried them with me my whole life. Swallowing his characteristics I so wished to embody, I vowed to not only meet him again, but to return to him as a prince. Strong and beautiful and sharp and purposeful. Standing with all the greatness as he. Yes, I vowed from that day to become a prince.

But was that really such a good idea?

~ Sammicakes