"Um.. I'm so sorry, but we might have to live our lives in this simulated world." Mitsuki says.
"But aren't you the one stuck and I'm not?"
"Well, are you able to log off and leave the game?"
I pull my arms close to me and motion gestures of taking off a helmet in thin air, but nothing happens. Mitsuki just stares at me.
"Well, that's not good. Are you sure you're doing it right?"
"I mean if my body is moving with me then yes?"
"Hm.. I wonder if this has to do with mind syncing. For example, your mind probably thinks it is still giving messages to the body to move, but maybe there is some mix up and your body is on autopilot. It won't or maybe can't send messages to your body parts to move. It's either that or your mind is stuck within the brain wavelength of the game."
"So we're stuck?"
"I have to confess something since we're kinda having the same thing happening."
"What do you mean?"
"I'm not sure what's going on in the real world, but you might actually be stuck like me now."
"Please explain. Why are you so sure I'm stuck like you?"
"Well, remember in the morning I was telling you how I can feel your senses?"
I nod and listen to him.
"I think that might have to do with the brainwaves you sent through the headset and the A.I. adaptive technology was sending your waves to me like a long distance phone call. I think the game has finally synced your brainwaves to the in-game body motions."
"So, it's like a bug in the game?"
"I can't say for sure. But it might be."
We both hear a knock and out of instinct, I throw the blanket off my bed on top of Mitsuki.
"Princess Hina? Are you awake now?" says the voice coming into the room.
"Yes? No! I mean, no I am not ready for the day."
"Princess, are you okay? You seem out of breath," says a young girl.
She looks much older than me, about five years older. She wears her hair in a braided bun.
"Oh, it's nothing. I just had another nightmare."
"A nightmare? Oh, no, you should talk to your mother about them so she can help you figure out what is happening for you."
"Oh, there's no need. It was just a little dream."
"Princess. Don't be so modest. Your dreams govern the worlds around us. They need great attention and care. So, please talk to the queen about them. We don't want anything to happen to you or the kingdom."
"Okay.. I will."
"You must have had a terrible dream. Look at your blanket all over the floor!"
The young woman picks up the blanket and pulls onto it, as though the blanket was caught onto something.
"Have you seen that darn, Mitsuki?"
"Mitsuki?"
She pulls harder and beneath the blanket reveals Mitsuki.
"Tsk tsk, what are you doing here under the blankets, young man?"
"Please don't get mad at Mitsuki. I had a nightmare and I asked him to stay with me until I calmed down."
"Oh, Princess, that's why you should have called me. It isn't appropriate for servants to be so close to the princess."
"It's okay. Mitsuki is my friend and I don't want to be separated from him."
"Well aren't you lucky young boy Mitsuki, to have the favor of the princess. Not even the world has gotten to see her majesty. However, just because the princess says she allows you to be here, it's only right that a young man leaves while a young lady gets ready."
"I- I should let you get dressed up. I'll wait outside," Mitsuki says, flustered.
She seems like a nice lady, but she sure does speak harsh words.
I watch Mitsuki leave the room as the lady undresses me. I feel embarrassed. I like the idea of wearing pretty dresses like a princess, but to be helped every inch of the way is still so embarrassing. Even my mom stopped dressing me when I was a toddler. Eventually, she let me dress up on my own. But then again, it makes sense that princesses need help to wear multiple pieces of clothing.
I stay still, letting the lady place fabric over fabric on top of me.
I feel worried and guilty for not knowing her name even though she knows my name. By the sounds of it, she knows who I am. But, I should still try to find out her name.
"I'm sorry, but how would you like me to address you?"
"Oh, princess, you can call me, Verona, like you usually do."
"Verona, thank you for helping me."
"As I always will."
"Is your job difficult?"
"My job has multiple factors to it, but I don't think I would say difficult. It's normally a busy schedule for sure, but I know what I'm doing. So please trust in me to get things done."
"Okay, I will. Please be nice to my friend though."
"I understand, Princess, however he needs to know his place."
I stop talking. I don't want to keep talking about Mitsuki if she is going to keep saying mean things about him. Talking about our status as facts makes sense but I still have respect for Mitsuki. Probably because we both don't actually live in this world's sense of status. In our world, status is rich or poor, not royalty. And even the rich and poor can see eye to eye sometimes.
Verona finishes dressing me up and begins to work on my hair, wrapping strands of hair with velvet, red ribbons.
"Is today special?"
"Yes, your father is going to make an announcement today."
"What is it about?"
"It is your royal debut party."
It is!? Mitsuki, what do I do… I don't know anything about etiquette.
"Don't worry princess, just follow as your father says."
"Do we get to practice before things start?"
"You're so silly princess. You practiced many times before this. You'll be fine."
What practice? When? I whimper in my head.
"Would you like to practice a little dancing with me to ease you? Ah! Wait, we already have someone who could help you in my stead."
She walks to the door and opens it.
"Mitsuki, can you help our princess with a little dancing?"
"Dancing?"
She nods and places a clear, crystal cylinder into a box. It's like a music box and DVD player, a futuristic version.
Mitsuki bows and reaches for my hand and I place my hand onto his.
Even though Verona seemed like she didn't like Mitsuki at first, I think she is, not so secretly, loving the show.
"Have you danced before, Mitsuki?"
"Mhm, my mom taught me."
"Did you like learning how to dance back then?"
"I did and didn't. Rehearsals were harsh, and doing the real thing can be nerve wrecking sometimes when you dance in front of others. But I try to forget my background and just be myself."
"Same for me. I've never really properly danced before. I've only done some wiggling here and there haha."
"Haha, I guess wiggles count as dancing."
I notice Mitsuki's hair softly swaying in the air as we swing around a little. His hair glistens a lovely autumn citrus color, like topaz shining under sunlight.
"See, you'll do fine Princess," Verona says.
"Thanks for practicing with me, Mitsuki."
"No problem."
"Now that your practice is over, let's head to the gathering," Verona says to us.