Still Heartbroken | Yoko

That was close. Dangerously so. If this band of merry do-gooders hadn't come to the convoy's rescue, who knows what those bandits would've done? They were even kind enough to offer their base as a temporary shelter while the wounded were treated! If this didn't deserve a proper royal thank you, then what did? Her mind set, Yoko straightened out her dress and approached one of the masked vigilantes.

"Would it be right to assume that you're the leader of those brave heroes? Let me express my gratitude from the very bottom of my heart. Such selfless heroism is hard to come by these days." The bunny-eared princess spoke, her elegant smile bright enough to illuminate the whole room. "Can you remove your helmet and introduce yourself? I'd much prefer knowing who exactly I'll be knighting once we're back in the capital." Silence. It was as if her savior was hesitating, unsure. Most unusual, given their situation. "Come now, don't worry. I won't be repulsed by the sight of scars or burns."

Alas, this was a promise that Yoko couldn't keep. As soon as the helmet came off, she gasped, taking a few steps back, her shaking intensifying. "You..." She refused to believe it at first, but the equally shocked faces of her convoy chased away any doubt. Confusion and disbelief slowly morphed into something thought to have been long suppressed. "YOU!!!" All the pain, all the rage came back in full force, and they came back swinging. The sound of the slap rang out across the entire room, its force almost enough to send sparks flying.

"You loathsome, venomous snake! You dare to show yourself before me?!" Usually an icon of grace and elegance now was consumed by burning anger, desperately trying to incinerate the person who broke her heart all those years ago with just her gaze. "You... You've set this whole thing up, didn't you?! What, did you expect that I would forgive you?! After all this pain you've inflicted upon me?!"

Unfortunately for Yoko, however, in matters of heartbreaks, misery always wins. Something she could regrettably confirm herself as she felt treacherous tears starting to prickle her eyes. Unable to cope with the memories of her standing at the altar, alone and betrayed by the person she once trusted most, Yoko hastily approached one of the bunks and sat on it before her legs gave out. Hiding her face in her arms, she used the last ounce of her fleeting strength to ask just one question, aimed more at the heavens above than her former friend. "Damn it all... Why... Why did it have to be you?.."