This will be my first published mature work. Although I have written a few pieces, I've never posted them anywhere for anyone to read, so technically, I am a closet writer in that aspect. I would love to hear comments from you.
Yours,
Lili
Note: This is set 2 years after the final case of AA3: Trials and Tribulations, and after Phoenix Wright was disbarred, in New York instead of Los Angeles, and some information, such as family matters, friends, and relationships may be fictional. The author strives to write the story as close to the original canon lore as possible, however this was written before AA5 was released. Character and personalities of each character, however is strictly retained and maintained by the author.
Hopefully no character has deviated excessively from the original.
Feel free to review your corrections or suggestions.
As usual, Standard Disclaimer Applies
Chapter 1
-Prosecutors' Offices, New York City-
March 27 2022
9:30 AM
"No."
That was the first word Miles Edgeworth had to say in this story. Such negativism however was compensated with his dark, but exquisite good looks and intellect, not to mention his recent transfer to New York's Prosecutor's Office. His usual magenta tailcoat and cravat was replaced currently with a black mourning suit, which he wore alternately along a number of other black apparel for the past 6 months.
"You're being... you're being foolishly absurd again, you fool!" Franziska von Karma, an internationally-acclaimed prosecutor, his former adoptive younger sister, younger by seven years continued to walk down the hallways after him. She too, was wearing a black lace dress instead of her usual white and blue suit and dark stockings.
"You are the one being absurd Franziska. I cannot fathom how you have come to this conclusion just months after Grandmother Gerta had just died, and-"
"Marry me." She blocked his path.
"Franziska... Just... Just go home. You must be tired." Miles stepped aside to walk past her.
"If you don't marry me, I shall have to marry someone else."
Miles pushed up his square eyeglasses, sighed, pulled her into his office, and closed the door.
Miles's office was tidy, and well-kept. It had a similar layout to his office at LA (now occupied by Prosecutor Klavier Gavin), minus the framed magenta suit he wore in his first trial. He had case files and law books lined neatly by spine color and alphabetical order in a huge clear glass bookshelf, and two square minimalist-design black leather sofas perpendicular to a glass desk- neat and well-kept by his part-time secretary, Kay Faraday. He had a small octagonal glass coffee table between the sofas where a moon lamp cushioned in a velvet magenta pillow rested on.
"Sit." He motioned her to one of the black sofas.
"I am serious, I really will marr-" She retorted, with fists at her sides. He raised an eyebrow and struck her silent with a cold stare. With a muttered 'hmph', she sat on the sofa.
"Tell me everything." He sat on his desk and made eye contact with her. She shuddered when his grey eyes met her blue ones. They seemed to mentally strip her of everything.
"Grandmother Gerta's will has been read." She began.
"I see. It has been a full six months since her passing." He commented.
"And I see you refuse to come out of mourning for her." She said.
"You likewise." He pointed it out, which made her smile secretly.
"She wanted me to marry before her death. I didn't do it. Her will now states that I should be married before my birthday this year. Otherwise, I cannot inherit, and everything goes to a dreadful cousin." She explained. Much to her chagrin and disgust, this all sounded like one of her older sister Triela's Regency Novels.
"Have you even met this cousin?" he asked, remembering that they haven't seen a lot of relatives in the main house, or in society parties.
"No, but since he is to inherit if I do not meet the will's terms, I consider him dreadful." She answered. He sighed.
"I heard you were supposed to inherit a quarter. Why did you refuse it?" she asked.
"I told her that I shouldn't inherit, because I am not a blood relation."
"That is true. But she was fond of you." -Maybe even more than she was fond of me. She mumbled to herself. She caught the brief look of sadness in his face. He was fond of Lady von Karma as well. It was rare for Miles Edgeworth to openly show weakness. She despised it.
"She once told me that she wanted to see you settled and happy more than anything. Those were the original terms of the will in return for my portion. She released me of that obligation when I refused to accept her offer." He poured her a cup of black Ceylon tea.
"I'll help you find a husband." He sighed. "When do you need to get married?"
"Like I said, before my birthday ends this year." She replied. "That is today."
"No, I need you to be serious. Tell me the truth." He shook his head.
"I am not lying, Miles Edgeworth. Your insensitivity and workaholic tendencies made you forget that today is my 23rd birthday, unless you are showing signs of senility at 29 now." She glared at him. He stared at her in disbelief. She said it so bitterly, he was disappointed in himself for forgetting. He was very busy with his investigations, and she was likewise busy from her smuggling ring cases. She had just returned from Cohdopia yesterday.
"The old woman expects me to fish a man to marry the same year she dies." She said.
"I never understood that woman's dark humour." Miles commented fondly.
"If you marry me, we'll still have similar lives, except that we'll have to live in the same house, and keep the marriage for at least two years. We can just divorce right after." She explained.
Miles Edgeworth stood from his desk and approached her, sitting on the sofa right in front of her. He disapprovingly stared at her. "You do realize what you are going into, should you really marry me, don't you, Franziska?" His voice was cold but silky. Was he mad at her proposition? Indeed, he sounded polite and gentle like he always foolishly was, but she couldn't help but sense a hint of... mischief- not quite the fond one, but not quite malicious either. She couldn't help but notice the sensual curve of his lips, the vague beginnings of a stubble on his jaw, those grey eyes framed with his eyeglasses and dark ash hair. Her breath became uneven, and she felt weak all of a sudden.
"Yes." She said breathlessly.
"Do you not think it strange to marry the man you call, 'Little Brother'?" he challenged? She wasn't certain.
"No." Her hands trembled on her lap.
"You seem to be afraid- of me perhaps?" he glanced at her hands.
"I am not, you fool." She ground her teeth.
"We'll have to correct that behaviour of yours. You cannot address your husband as 'fool' after all." He leaned in close, caging her against the sofa.
"Are you going to marry me, or not? Because I will-" Franziska felt a light pressure near her eye, on her beauty mark. His warm lips? She felt hands combing through her hair, and touching her neck. Warmth radiated from her cheeks down to her neck, and chest. She felt liquid heat in her belly. She didn't understand what was happening. She only hoped his lips would travel lower- her cheek, then maybe...
He stopped at her cheek and leaned back to look at her face. She had to hide. She couldn't bear looking like this in front of him. She was blushing madly, while he smirked at her.
"Franziska, have you ever been kissed?" he smiled.
"I hate you." She stood up to exit the office.
You play dirty Miles Edgeworth. You think you can get rid of me by suddenly acting like this? How foolishly naive of you! She fumed.
"I expect to see you in the marriage registration offices at six o'clock!" she continued, and with that, she slammed the door. He smirked and shook his head.
-Table 60, Broadway, NYC-
March 27, 2022
1:15 PM
"I cannot believe the nerve of that Miles Edgeworth!" Franziska slammed her mug of root beer on the bar table, and cracked her whip on the chair next to her.
"This is the first time I have ever heard about the Miles Edgeworth making a move!" Adrian Andrews, a cream blonde woman also in her twenties laughed while sipping on her cosmopolitan.
"Maybe I should get some real beer instead. I am furious!" Franziska whipped the bartender.
"Wh-what can I get you... Miss?" the bartender cringed but approached looking sallow, and asked with a shaking voice.
"Oh no, you don't Franziska. Sorry buddy, she can't have any alcohol, she's pregnant." Adrian said. The bartender nodded and turned.
"I am NOT. Fool. Water then would be acceptable." She glared at the bartender who poured her a glass with a slice of lemon.
"Listen Frannie, you can't marry under the influence of alcohol. Finish that up now. We have a wedding dress to pick out for you." Adrian took out her cellphone to make a call to one of their favourite couturiers.
"Adrian... I don't... I don't want to get married."
"Then don't. Miles will understand."
"I have to, or the manor, the properties, it'll all be gone."
Franziska looked perplexed.
"It's never been about all that money, was it Frannie?" Adrian smiled and intelligently pushed up her eyeglasses.
"Hmph." Franziska refused to admit the truth out loud. She didn't want to lose Heiterkeit. It was her home. It was where she had few memories of her mother with. It was where she and her sister had happy times together. It was where she grew up with Miles Edgeworth.
"You don't want to lose it." Adrian restated. Franziska nodded.
"Then come on. Let's get you out of those dark clothes, and get you into a wedding dress." Adrian dragged her to a designer shop at 5th Avenue.
-Elizabeth Tang, 5th Avenue, NYC-
March 27, 2022
2:11 PM
"I can barely walk in this Elizabeth Tang." Franziska struggled to pace the room, holding the chiffon skirts up of a white mermaid wedding gown.
"Thanks for helping us Liz despite the short notice." Adrian said as she browsed more bridal magazines.
"It's no problem. I just regret that I can't make Franziska a splendid wedding gown. I swore I would eat my ribbons and create my best wedding gown if she landed herself a husband before thirty." Elizabeth Christina Tang, Franziska's old friend, and Adrian's classmate in university said as she handed Franziska another dress to try on.
"Ooooh, I can't get it past my bottom." Franziska tried to pull the gown up after stepping into the skirt.
"Sorry, I will get you another kind." Liz handed her another white gown.
"My chest feels tight." Franziska growled.
"Franziska, I think your proportions increased the last time you came in here. I think I will have to measure you again." Liz noted. Franziska's last visit was for a friend's wedding, where she had to be a bridesmaid.
"You mean to say I have gotten more stout?" she raised an eyebrow.
"Of course not. Your woman assets have simply grown. I doubt that could be possible at your age, but hey, your husband wouldn't complain either way." Liz and Adrian laughed.
"I... I can't imagine... I can't imagine that man..." Franziska looked away, blushing madly.
Adrian smiled, appreciating that Franziska showed this side of her to her closest friends. She always seemed too strong and in control of her emotions.
"Well, remember Frannie. Marriage is not just a legally-binding contract. For it to be true and valid, you must consummate it, and then at least hold some affection for each other." Adrian spoke gently.
"I know." Franziska spat.
"We'll be here if you want to talk, okay Franziska? See, now your hands have grown cold. I better get us some tea." Liz rolled up her measuring tape and walked to her tiny kitchenette beside her studio.
"While I'm heating up the tea, you can pick a dress from shelf D. Your proportions might match the designs there." Liz said.
Franziska picked a cream coloured halter-type above the knee-length dress with a conservative A-line cut skirt. The bodice was covered in lovely crystal beadwork depicting tiny tulips. She tried it on. It fit her very nicely. The skirt gives enough room for her lower body, and the halter straps accommodate her bust well, not to mention, frame her shoulders and arms very nicely. The bodice appears as if it was made for her since it was her exact waist size, and perfectly emphasizes her curves.
"That looks perfect." Liz admired her work on Franziska.
"I think I'm going to cry." Adrian's eyes grew misty. Franziska turned to look at herself in the mirror. 'I... I am beautiful.' She thought to herself and felt a bittersweet pain in her heart. She knew she was in some way, attractive, but not beautiful. Maybe, she could be beautiful, even for a day.
"Your husband is a lucky man. If I were him, I wouldn't wait 3 hours for the wedding but sweep you off your feet, and..." Liz babbled.
"Thank you for your assistance. Truly, I am grateful." Franziska cut her off and handed over her credit card.
"All in a day's work Franziska." Liz nodded.
"We got lucky Frannie. Liz is one of those designers who doesn't make more of one piece. That dress is one of a kind in this world." Adrian commented.
'Just like the one I'm wearing it for.' Franziska thought, feeling nervous.
-NYC District Court, Marriage Offices-
March 27, 2022
5:59 PM
Franziska stepped inside the room wearing her white gown, with a pair of Prada white shoes, and a small bouquet of white tulips with baby's breath. Miles Edgeworth couldn't help but stare. Her hair had grown longer, how stupid was he to not notice that- not even this morning. Seven years ago, her hair was cropped short to her cheeks. Now, they were mid-arm length, and curled for the occasion. It framed her lovely face and along with that shining silky dress around her curvy body, she looked... beautiful. Suddenly the room felt stuffy, and he grew uncomfortable in his navy blue suit and tie. He could be particular with his clothing, but magenta and excessive ruffles might be not the occasion for Franziska's wedding- oh wait, it's his wedding too.
'That fool. Who does he think he is, standing there so... so Miles Edgeworth-like!' she could barely understand her own thoughts as her slow-paced procession advanced into a canter down the aisle. Pachelbel's canon was poorly synced with her footsteps now.
Eventually, she reached the judge and her groom. Her two witnesses, Adrian Andrews, and Kay Faraday smiled at her when she glanced at them. The other two witnesses, Phoenix Wright, and Apollo Justice had smiles on their faces, when she shifted her head to their side of the hall.
They both followed the court proceedings, saying their lines properly, and signing the right amount of papers. The 'ceremony' was quite solemn, with the occasional glance and nod from both the groom and bride. Miles placed a plain gold band on Franziska's left ring finger and she did likewise for him. At the end of the process, Miles gave her a simple kiss on her lips; Non-intrusive, and not inappropriately longer than required. It was rather chaste and respectful, and Franziska didn't understand why she felt horrible after.
-Caines Loft, Manhattan, NY-
March 27, 2022
10:00 PM
"I am sho haaappy for you both." Kay hugged both Miles and Franziska tightly, with her seventh glass of martini. They couldn't really tell whether she was crying or laughing anymore.
"Let me take that glass for you, Kay." Apollo offered. He was on his fourth glass of beer, and he was actually holding his liquor well.
"No thank youuu, Polly, I can shtill drink a lot more you knoooow."
"You don't seem to be drinking so much, Wright." Miles raised an eyebrow at Phoenix's bottle of grape juice.
"I never liked drink." Phoenix laughed. "Your wife seems to like it a lot though." He watched her down five tequila shots at once.
Franziska wiped her lips and sighed loudly with that challenging grin on her face. Miles shook his head and sighed. "One of us has to drive at least." He poured himself and Phoenix a small glass of whisky on the rocks.
"To your marriage." Phoenix raised his glass. Edgeworth nodded and raised his as well. They both finished their glass in one gulp.
"So is this the right time to ask what's going on?" Phoenix asked good-naturedly. Annoyingly nothing gets past his intuitive friend.
"-A small issue over Grandmother's death. She wished to see Franziska married before her birthday this year."
"That figures. Today is Franziska's birthday." Phoenix chuckled. Miles was slightly annoyed that his old friend even had better memory of his wife's birthday more so than he did. Wife. That rang heavily in his mind. Keeping the marriage for two years is something he did not like; not at all.
"Will you be okay with this Edgeworth? You are sort of playing with fire- and not just any fire, but a hell of an ass-whipping type of fire."
"I would like to think I have some influence on her- enough that she will not be compelled to abuse my bottom." Miles almost choked on his new glass of water. Phoenix laughed, desperately trying to drive off the picture Miles conjured with his words.
"But seriously Edgeworth, if anything happens, you can always ring me up for a chat or something. I mean, it's not like I have anything significantly and legally important going on nowadays." Phoenix smiled and assured Miles. Miles frowned at the injustice done to his friend. He knew that Phoenix did not deserve to lose his attorney badge and licence. He knew Phoenix was not the kind of person to do what the press say he did. But he knew better than to dig up the skeletons in his friend's closet.
"If I hadn't invited you to this wedding, I doubt I'd ever see your shadow again, Wright. Thank you for coming, especially since it was quite in short notice." Miles pat him on the shoulder.
"No problem. It's been a fun trip for Apollo too. Maya's still in training, and Kristoph's working on another case, so he asked Apollo to accompany me instead." Phoenix said.
"He is quite young." Edgeworth observed the young man who couldn't be more than 20 in his perspective.
"He's not yet a lawyer, but Kristoph's taking him under his wing as an intern. The kid just started two months ago." Phoenix looked at Apollo with a knowing smile. Edgeworth knew what Phoenix was thinking then, and he probably thought the same too, when he took a second glance at the young man.
The party ended with Phoenix and Apollo leaving for their return trip to LA, and Adrian taking a drunken Kay home.
"So it's late, Miles Edgeworth." Franziska's efforts to make small talk as they were driving to the airport were too apparent.
"Indeed." He curtly acknowledged. "Did you pack everything you need?"
"Yes. I tell you, the climate in Maldives will not be friendly this season, so I hope you brought the right clothing." She added.
"It has been years since I last set foot on sand. You?"
"No. I went to Boracay with Adrian and Ema Skye last spring. It was apparently their summer season in that place, and there were a lot of beach parties for our amusement."
"I never thought you liked those kind of parties." He quirked a tiny smile while keeping his eyes on the road.
"I don't, well- It's only enjoyable when you are with friends. You don't look like a fool all by yourself."
He wished he could ask her if she danced like anyone would at a music festival on a beach. He didn't. He knew better than to do that. She was wearing a confection of a wedding dress, but he suspects she might have hidden a riding crop on her somewhere.
"It's a one-bedroom villa. You don't mind, do you Miles Edgeworth?" she icily looked over the dark road.
"Do you, Franziska?" he asked right back.
"No. Grandmother Gerta's friend knows the will executor, and he manages the place. I think he would suspect something if we insisted on different lodgings, and I doubt he would lie for us. The executor is oddly too serious and strict with my marriage." She rolled her eyes.
"If I were the executor, I would take the necessary precautionary measures. I cannot have anyone just get away around the terms- unreasonable or not." He cleared his throat and loosened his tie. Franziska couldn't help but watch his long fingers against his collar and neck. She unconsciously bit her lip then looked away, not understanding the unsettled feeling she had.
"We're here." He shut off the engine and took off his seatbelt.
"Oh." She glanced at her surrounding and found themselves at a parking lot in JFK International Airport. He handed her a tiny blue box wrapped in a white ribbon.
"Happy birthday, Franziska." He smiled faintly then kissed her cheek, tantalizingly at the corner of her pink lips. Her baby blue eyes widened and she felt herself blush. He stepped out of the car.
She realized it was now exactly 11:59, just a minute before her birthday would end. She unruffled her skirts and took off her seatbelt as well. She stepped out of the car, while walking around to help Miles with their luggage.
"I'll take that Miles Edgeworth." She grabbed the handle of her Louis Vuitton trolley bag.
"No, I'll take care of this." He placed his hand over hers to take the trolley bag. She flinched. "You may stick to your handbag." He cooly said.
"Very well." She tried to camouflage her fluster with a smug smile. Yes, she was manipulating Miles Edgeworth into being a good slave- yes.
-Male International Airport-
March 29, 2022
4:00 PM
The flight was around 19 hours long. By the time they arrived they arrived in Male, Maldives, it was already 4 o'clock in the afternoon. They were currently combating jetlag from the 9 hour time difference of America and the archipelago.
"Did you sleep well, Franziska?" Miles asked as they were claiming their luggage.
"Tolerably. I dislike long flights, and that child on the opposite aisle was foolishly annoying. They were in first class, but the other young passengers were restless.
"The sunset is lovely." He looked through the large windows of the airport to see an expanse of violet, orange and pink over the horizon.
"Did you eat something bad, Miles Edgeworth?" she snorted.
"No. I only realized that for a week's time, there are responsibilities I do not have to think about." He looked at her in the eye.
"Let's go. The car is waiting." She looked away. She walked over to the man in a suit who was likely their driver, holding a sign that said: 'Mr. and Mrs. Miles Edgeworth'.
Was marrying him a wrong choice? She couldn't tell. Only for some reason, she felt it was a dangerous choice.
O-o-O-o-O
To be continued.