A/N: Aye, another new story? I am sorry, I wasn't able to help myself. But this story is not a typical love story, it has quite a handful of bumps and humps here and there, haha! (': I hope you will enjoy reading it.
The prologue is written in the first person. The person who figures out the narrator wins a cookie, haha. (: I challenge you. ~
Warnings for the future chapters: Fucked up relationships, unrequited love, loads of sexual situations, subtle non-con, and brief mpreg. (Nothing serious in this chapter, that's why I have rated it 'T'.)
Pairings: [Haruka x ?] [Haruka x Zero] [Rido x Zero] [Kaname x Zero]
Beta Reader: Benevolence Black
Disclaimer: Vampire Knight belongs to Hino Matsuri.
Prologue
The vampire kingdom is divided into two parts: the East Kingdom and the West Kingdom. The West is ruled by the eldest son of the Kuran family – Rido Kuran – a capable man with varieties of king-like qualities, quite handsome, serious on the outside, but has a heart of gold; while the East is ruled by the second son: Haruka Kuran – another qualified male to the throne, drop-dead gorgeous, and unlike his brother, cordial, easy-going, more sociable, and yet, most of the times, proved to be rather unreadable.
Thanks to their father and my distant uncle, Seishiro Kuran, peace is established between the vampires and the humans, who rule the parts of the North and the South. An important agreement – I found it quite dull, if I may be frank, was signed between the two parties. I am not entirely certain what was written on it, but it must have been the "do's" and "do not's" since bloodshed among the members of the human and vampire race had been reduced significantly.
My Uncle Seishiro was quite the mastermind, solving a problem that was unsolvable. I hope wherever he is, he is at peace.
Moving on, for several recent years, Rido-san's wife has been a hot topic among the people of the vampire race, and surprisingly, among some of the humans too.
There are rumors that the wife of Rido Kuran is the epitome of beauty: silky, silver hair, amethyst gem-like eyes, a delicate body that any man would be willing to die for to just have a single taste, and pink, plump lips that can make you forget your very own name if they are laid upon yours. I could claim these things with utter certainty because I have had my own share of experiences when I had met the vampire.
The divine-looking pureblood's features could closely be on par with one of an angel – not that I know what they look like, of course. I have only seen well-drawn paintings of them made by people of the physical realm, whom, I am very sure, have not encountered one of the heavenly beings before either.
Anyways, proceeding back to the actual point, the only catch about Rido-san's wife is that he – yes, you read that right, he – is actually a male: Zero Hio. A divine name befitting a divine creature.
As I have subtly mentioned before, I have indeed met Zero-san. Although, my encounter with him had been a one-time occurrence, and one, which had me reeling with prickling feelings for an extensive period of time.
It was five years ago. The library was where I had been and doing what I always do in my free time: read. Writing novels is another way how I spare my available hours, but unfortunately, this topic is beside the point, for the time being at least.
I had been engrossed in reading this Asian comic book, which also went by the name 'manga', I know it had a funny sound to it, but the plot of it had been somewhat decent. My memory fails to recall the title of the so-called manga, but in it, two guys had been fighting over a clueless, average girl – I had to suppress the urge to shake the living hell out of that girl for being so indecisive; continuously leading each guy on – and one of the male protagonists finally managed to acquire the girl, after fifty years of relentless persuasion of her; while the other one, who awfully looks like me, expired, in a futile attempt to make the world a peaceful place for her.
A sob, pathetic love-triangle tale was what the manga had been, but overall, I could not deny the interesting aspect of it. The plot-line, after all, was decent, at least in some sort of a fucked up way.
Sigh. There I go again with my non-stop nonsensical rambling. As I was saying, I apologize for the interruption yet again, my eyes had been fixed on the last black-and-white colored page of Volume 19 when two arms had wrapped themselves around me from behind, bringing me against a firm chest; holding me securely in a warm embrace.
Flinching out of my skin had been my initial and very appropriate reaction. The suddenness of the contact had me honestly freaked out, and as a result, I had been extremely close to pushing the intruder away from me with my entire strength, but my intentions had been rudely cut off, my body immediately rooting on the spot, when the man bent his head down, his breath raising goosebumps on my skin.
"I missed you, Haruka." He had whispered in my ear, his voice sensual and alluring.
At that mere comment, my eyes had widened, lips parting to let out a surprised gasp. I warily remember getting slightly jealous then, no, that's a lie, I had gotten extremely jealous of that man. Because he had dared to mention Haruka in such a sexual way, one which was only allowed to me.
Feeling quite irked, I had turned around and thrust the man away before giving him my deadliest glare.
My, my, I could be quite frightening when situations, precisely like that one, required me to be.
Although, I had to reluctantly admit that the male was gorgeous and very pleasant to the eyes when I had gotten a proper look at him. However, he had no need to know that.
Puzzled amethyst eyes had met mine, and I had absentmindedly bitten my lip, once again entranced, hating the very fact that I had found them to be absolutely captivating.
What was he, a siren? That was the only logical explanation I had come up with at that moment because I hadn't crossed my paths with a person who held such sorts of allurement before. I had felt ashamed for not being able to take my eyes off him.
Sighing exasperatedly, I had shaken my head. My thoughts had been leading me astray. There was no one in this god damn world more gorgeous and sexy than Haruka. There would never be. That also included the pureblood standing in front of me.
My eyes had once again settled upon the man and I could tell that he also had been quite surprised - if the sudden widening of his eyes was anything to go by. It must have sucked to hug have hugged the wrong person.
"You are not Haruka?" He had inquired, his amethyst eyes getting wider.
"No shit, Sherlock." I had replied, sarcasm clearly evident in my voice. I had been in no mood to play the nice "host" for the intruder. The man was somehow acquainted with my Haruka for whatever reason, and I hadn't liked that fact one single bit. Jealousy could be a bitch, right?
"Why is Haruka's scent all over you, then?" The silver-haired pureblood had glowered down at me, obviously disliking my taunt, his voice taking on a threatening edge while his fine eyebrow twitched slightly.
I had raised my eyebrow inquiringly, quite pissed off myself. Who the hell did he think he was? He was in my home, and asking me why I had Haruka's scent on me when he was the outsider? The nerve of that person.
Burgundy eyes narrowing, anger had brimmed in the very depths of them, and I had rasped out through gritted teeth, "Excuse me? You are asking me that when you are the outsider here? Well, let me answer that. Haruka's scent is all over me because I am his wi-"
"Zero." A soft, melodious voice, one I knew all too well, had interrupted mine from the doorway as the third pureblood made himself known.
Chewing on my bottom lip, anxious, my gaze had followed Haruka as he walked into the room, his eyes steadily fixed on the silver-haired male.
It had felt like I did not even exist in the room.
The corners of my eyes had started to sting when he had turned to the left instead to the right, where I had been standing, and had pulled the grinning silver-haired pureblood into his arms for a tight embrace.
What about me? I had bitterly thought, pursing my lips into a thin line.
My heart had ached painfully at the sight. It had ached even more when the taller vampire placed a fond kiss on the shorter one's forehead, causing the latter to break into a gorgeous smile.
Ouch, that hurt.
I had presumed that I was the only one entitled to Haruka's kisses, even if the latter had barely laid his hands upon me, but that had not stopped me from desiring.
Although, by the looks of it, Zero-san seemed to be more likely to get Haruka's affections than I ever would.
Clenching my fists, I had trembled, various emotions surging through me. I had wanted so badly to go between them and tear them apart from each other, but I had not been able to move - frozen on the spot once again, helplessly watching the heart-wrenching scene being unfolded right in front of me.
"N-ghh." I had uttered, managing to find my voice with great difficulty. I had wanted to say "no," but it had come out as something unintelligible and inarticulate. Looking back now, I seemed to have had looked quite a bit of an idiot.
My mission had been accomplished. Mahogany eyes had been laid upon me, regarding me silently. Haruka's attention was finally focused on me; the sheer happiness I had felt that moment was incomprehensible.
Although, my so-called moment of joy had been short-lived when Haruka's next words made their way to my ears, "I am going to take Zero to my room. I have some important matters to discuss with him. I will see you tomorrow at breakfast." With only that, my Haruka had disappeared with that siren for the whole night, not even bothering to wait for my answer.
I briefly recall being really furious, hurt, and extremely jealous. Half of the library had been destroyed as a result. I still feel guilty about that incident.
When I had seen Haruka the following afternoon, I had wanted, desperately so, to ask him about what the fuck had they been doing the entire night, but I couldn't muster the courage to do so, so instead, I had pushed the whole event to the very back of my mind in a futile attempt to forget about it.
I had found out later, from various sources, that this Zero-san belonged to the prestigious Hio bloodline. As far as I know, the members of the Hio family are wildly sought after for their powers, fair beauty and tremendous wealth. They, after all, are only second to the Kurans.
Don't get me wrong here, the Kurans are also good-looking, extremely wealthy, exceptionally powerful as well as top-notch purebloods to be sought after, but the only distinctive feature about the Hio family was that males could give birth, while the males of Kuran could not; and those children prove to be the strongest of all.
That is why Hio males are preferred more than the females ones in the vampire society. They are pursued relentlessly and adamantly. I do feel sorry for them. It really must be a drag to chase off vampires day and night from getting into your ass.
Rido-san had sheer luck on his side to claim Zero-san as his before any other vampire could. Although, I have to say that Zero-san is also one fortunate pureblood to have a kind hearted person like Rido-san as his husband, who not only cares about having an heir but also deeply loves him at the same time.
Their marriage is picture perfect and I find myself, sometimes, no, all the time, getting envious of them. They have something to hold them together for eternity, and that something is called "love." A love which is given and returned, unlike mine.
I hopelessly desire that my marriage would be ideal like theirs, but I know that is never going to happen. You may ask why I am being such a pessimist, but I am really not. I am being a realist. Because I know the truth.
Because I know that my first love, my king, my partner, my best friend, and my husband is in love with someone else. Someone that I could never compete with and someone that Haruka cannot ever have.
Because that person is already married. Married to my eldest cousin. Married to his dear brother. Yes, you have guessed it correct.
It is non-other than Hio Zero.
When I had found out, I was heartbroken. I was furious. I was jealous. I had wanted to kill myself.
To make matters worse, I had discovered about it when one night, Haruka and I finally crossed the final line of our marriage and became one body and soul. It had been the best moments of my life.
But as the saying goes, good things never last for too long.
My finest night had quickly turned one of my nastiest in the next few moments.
We had been coming back from the euphoria of our climaxes, our breaths ragged, our bodies covered with sweat and other bodily fluids. I had been happy. I was about to whisper the three sacred words when everything started going downfall.
Haruka had fallen on top of me, holding me tightly, crying, and mumbling the same name over and over again.
"Zero, Zero, Zero, Zero."
I had never felt so betrayed in my entire life.
I had wanted to push him away. I had wanted to hurt him so he could feel the same pain I had been experiencing. I had wanted to run away, from this, whatever all of this was.
Because my heart had been hurt beyond repair.
But I had done none of those things. My action had been quite the exact opposite of what I had been feeling.
Instead, I had laid there and wrapped my arms around my trembling lover, stroking his sweaty locks and whispering sweet nothings in his ear until I heard the small sounds of his snoring.
Only after I had known that he was sound asleep, I had allowed myself to weep. For hours and hours, until I was not able to anymore.
I had been awake all morning, my eyes puffy and red from the previous night, not even able to get a wink of sleep since my mind had been preoccupied with endless, tortured thoughts.
Realization that it was already a new night only occurred to me when Haruka got up, went straight to the shower, came out wet and naked, not even a towel around his waist - if I had been in a better mood, I would have appreciated the sensual sight even more - and got dressed in his fitting black suit.
I had been pretending to be asleep all of that time and I must have done a hell of a job acting because the next thing I knew, Haruka was already gone from the room.
I had expected some sort of apology or a damn hug or even absolutely anything; but maybe, just maybe, my expectations had been too high.
Because I was not him.
Don't cry. Don't cry. Everything is alright. Everything will be fine. Stay strong. I had silently coaxed myself, but even to my own ears, my words sounded like a load of bullshit.
Clenching my eyes shut, I had gritted my teeth as small tremors had run throughout my entire body. I hadn't wanted to be there any longer, craving desperately to go far, far away, where no one could find me. Anywhere where I would not be reminded of Haruka; but I had known that was impossible. I would always miss him wherever I went, with whomever I went. Because Haruka was the most important part of my life. Because he was a part of myself.
The only way out will be...The only place I won't have to miss Haruka will be...The only place where I don't feel the pain in my chest will be...
Before my thoughts could proceed more, they had been pleasantly thwarted by a familiar presence, who had gently barged into my room, his breaths heavy and ragged.
He must have been running. Probably forgot a file or some shit like that. I had sarcastically mused, urging my body to stay still, continuing my pretense of being asleep.
My cover was nearly given away by flinching when I had felt a small dampness on my forehead and a barely audible, 'I am sorry' before the strong presence had vanished from the room, leaving me stunned speechless.
Haruka had disappeared once again.
But that time around, I hadn't been sad anymore, quite the opposite actually.
Touching my forehead with the tips of my fingers, I had let a small smile grace my lips. Haruka had come back for me. He had kissed my forehead and had apologized. That had been enough for me. That had kept me going until now.
Because, at that moment, I had realized that there was still a pinch of hope for me, and I had every intention to cling to that minuscule hope no matter how hard things proved to be in the near future.
Because believe it or not, I matter to Haruka. I don't know to what extent, but I still do. And that is enough for me. At least for now, anyway.
From that point onwards, I had done my best to be a better spouse by being the more active one and by putting a great deal of effort in our relationship.
I could feel my efforts bearing fruit when Haruka started giving me smiles whenever our eyes met. The intense stares that he gave me when he thought that I was not paying attention. Lately, he was the one who initiated most of our conversations; and the best part, the small pecks on my cheeks whenever he left or came back from work.
This is what I call progress. Things are going slowly, but efficiently. I wouldn't have wanted it otherwise.
Most times, I find myself feeling fortunate that I hadn't met Zero-san before Haruka. Because I am sure I would have been under his spell too, like Rido-san and my husband. It is hard to imagine a life where Haruka is not the center of it. After all, he is that important to me.
Sensibly speaking, I should be regretting that I fell in love with a man whose heart was already taken, but surprisingly enough, I am not. I gradually came to accept the fact that I am not the one in his heart, for the time being at least. I am planning to change that. Soon enough.
He would have broken down a long time ago if I was not there for him; and god forbid, what he might have done if he couldn't handle his life anymore. I don't want to even think about it. I was there to stop him. I was there to take care of him. I was there to love him. It was not Zero-san, it was me.
I dearly hope that Haruka will realize that too soon enough.
I'm willing to stay by his side until my last breath, knowing that my affections might never be returned. Because he needs me. I want him to need me. It made me feel somehow important, hah.
You might wonder why I am willing to bear so much unneeded pain when I can move on and find someone else who cherishes me as much as I cherish them?
The answer is quite simple. Because I am in love with the man named Haruka Kuran. Love is illogical. It can't be questioned. No one has the right to question my love for my husband.
From that day, I had decided that I was not going to give up on Haruka anytime soon. Zero-san can't have the only thing that I consider important in my life. He already has Rido-san. He can't steal Haruka away from me. Not on my watch, not without a fight.
I have a feeling you might also be pondering on who the hell am I, right? I apologize for introducing myself so late. My name is Kaname Kuran. I have only recently turned the age of 30. The Kurans are my distant relatives and the people I consider my family since my actual parents had forsaken me when I was very young. I am married to the King of East: Haruka Kuran, who I am hopelessly in love with as you have figured out, for seven years now. My looks, my charms, my social skills are rather average compared with Zero-san, but my heart and my morals are in the right place. I can say that with downright confidence. Reading and writing are my passion, and I have to say, my writing skills are pretty damn good.
So please bear with me as you read the following events of my, Haruka, Rido-san, and Zero-san's lives. I would, from the bottom of my heart, appreciate it.
Things didn't go as I had expected; desired, but I still want you to know every detail of what has happened.
Without further ado, here is my story.
A/N: Eeek, did you figure out who was the narrator? Shocked or nah? (': Zero will make an official appearance in the next chapter.
I wasn't very confident in posting this story, so I hope this was to your liking. Many thanks to alis-chan for giving me the confidence to publish this! ^^
Please do leave a review. ^^ It will mean a lot. Anyways, have a lovely day/night!
-Love332