Up to My Level

by rated-emm

Out of love for his child and to pay off her father's debts, Haruhi weds Kyoya's widower brother, Yuuichi. But being a stepmom and trying to conceive under pressure isn't easy, especially without support from one of her closest friends. Will Kyoya finally challenge his brother's position as heir to the Ootori Group and Haruhi's husband? Kyoya x Haruhi x Yuuichi, Lemons later on

~ Introduction ~

Taking a deep breath, Haruhi began making her way down the aisle to the distinct rhythm of the wedding march. It had only been a few months since her engagement to the next Ootori heir was made public, and yet the wedding had easily become one of the most anticipated events of the year. However, for as much hype being built around the wedding as there was, Haruhi wasn't as excited as a bride normally would be.

Not to be misunderstood, the wedding was beautiful. However, it just wasn't her own. Everything but her dress, an intricate lace gown featuring a stunning mandarin keyhole back and fishtail train, had been meticulously selected by the wedding planner. From the venue to the food, none of it was to Haruhi's particular taste. Even so, she put up with it and didn't raise a fuss. She just wanted the ceremony to proceed without any problems.

Arriving at the end of the aisle, Haruhi's father passed her hand over to the groom. He took it gently in his own and placed a soft kiss on the back of it. It was still the afternoon and the bright sun flooded through the large window behind the alter, creating a spotlight on the bride and groom.

As they turned to face each other, Haruhi caught a glimpse of her soon-to-be husband for the first time that day. Not much had really changed in terms of his appearance. Instead of a business suit, he wore a traditional black tuxedo and bow tie. His hair was still slicked back and he was sporting contacts in place of his usual glasses. Despite being older by several years, Haruhi's fiancé was very handsome. His broad shoulders and chiseled features heavily contrasted Haruhi's softer and more petite ones. He only slightly towered over her, but his height only added to his attractiveness.

The priest began his speech and the audience took their seats. As his words echoed through the church, Haruhi searched her fiancé's eyes. She wasn't looking for love or adoration. No, she knew this union was not born from affection. Instead, she just wanted some reassurance. She just wanted to be certain that what she was doing was right. Yes, attaching herself to the Ootori heir would rid her of her family's debts and ensure her a comfy lifestyle, but those weren't the sole reasons she was getting married. Likewise, marrying Haruhi meant more than just gaining a level-headed wife for the Ootori heir. Glancing over her shoulder at the flower girl and best man, it was then that Haruhi knew she'd made a good choice. Becoming Ootori Yuuichi's wife felt right.