SAI: Okay Sai here! This story had been nagging up on my mind and I've now released it. Still gonna be updating my other stories. It is a VK Fic centered on our favorite arrogant pureblood and Tsundere Hunter.
Furthermore, this story is AU. Zero is human and has no knowledge of hunter and vampires. Kaname here would still be a pureblood vampire but that fact alone will be a shock for Zero in the coming chapters. By the end of this prologue you will probably realize that Zero's last name here is not the usual and that reasons for that will be known as I update.
Warnings: BL/ Boy love. Shounen-Ai don't like? Then don't read. OOCness! Grammar mistakes and misspelled words. English is not my mother language dear readers. :O
Disclaimer: Vampire Knight is not mine. If it was Zerorin and Kaname would be husband and wife by now. Hehehe. I only own my OCs namely Riku and Megumi :)
Here is the Prologue for A Royal Affair!
Prologue:
Zero's amethyst colored eyes shone with worry as he watched doctors and nurses set up his twin brother's room. Ichiru had fallen unconscious yet again in class which rendered him to straight away head to the scene and get his twin brother to the hospital fast.
"Your brother's going to be fine. Zero." Dr. Riku Takashi a man in his forties with brown hazel eyes framed with glasses and black hair informed, comforting the obviously distressed silverette. Ichiru's condition was severe, he had been the doctor assigned with Ichiru's case. Ever since the twins were young Ichiru had a low immune system resulting for the younger twin to be prone to sickness. Honestly, Riku felt pity for the twins, in their seventeen years in Earth lots of tragedies had happen. First would be that at a tender age of six the twins had lost their parents which got them to be pass and passed on to different relatives each year. And every year as well Riku would know that the twins were either abused or neglected. So, it's no wonder over the course of time, the twins preferred each other's company instead than any relations they could get from others.
Riku watched solemnly as Zero took a chair and seated himself at Ichiru's bedside, lilac eyes filled with concern, hand clutching his younger twin's hand reassuringly so. The kind doctor sighed, he was relieved that this time around the twins found the care needed in the presence of their distant Aunt Megumi Fujishioka.
"Zero!" a woman in her mid-fifties with short cropped black hair that had already a trace of white hair in its mane, and tearful violet eyes exclaimed.
"Aunt Megumi." Zero turned to the woman with a small smile.
"How is he?" Megumi asked, concern and fright clearly ringed in her voice to Riku.
"As I've said to Zero, Ichiru's going to be fine. Ms. Fujishioka. Ichiru just needs rest. But—" Riku's voice quivered, just when he thought that the twins were doing fine because of their aunt, he hated the fact that he would be the bearer of bad news.
"Yes? Please stop making us tense here, we are worried enough as it is!" Megumi snapped, the moment she got Zero's call, she felt dread creep up on her veins. The twins are the greatest precious treasure she had in her life. They were the source of her happiness. The moment the twins came to her care was the day she was relieved of her loneliness. Megumi had never settled and build a family of her own. Most of her other cousins had families while she had given up on building one. She lost her chance for it years ago, it also didn't help her case that she had once a relationship where she was always beaten up by her partner.
That experience in her life was what gave birth to her being afraid to love or even have a solid relationship with anyone. Until time had passed, and she found herself alone in her house growing older day by day. That's where she realized she was truly alone and had no one to care for and love. She was fifty years old when the twins entered her life. Both twelve years old but with such hollow lilac eyes. It took her some time and patience for the twins to open up to her. After all, the twins were once under the care of another relative of theirs that had abused the twins. Every time with them was a happy moment for Megumi and she cared for them like her own. For her they weren't trouble or even burdens to carry, the twins were the sons she had always wanted.
"I'm sorry but we found out today that Ichiru has an enlarged heart without the needed operation, Ichiru might die because of it." Riku informed, sadly.
"No, no, no." Megumi whispered in anguish, tears flowing from her violet eyes. Zero was silent, his head bowed unconsciously gripping Ichiru's hand tighter.
"Ichiru has to be operated as soon as possible, so he may live."
"How much would Ichiru's operation costs?" Megumi directly asked, her hand shaking at the gravity of the dire situation concerning Ichiru's health.
"It is very expensive, Ms. Fujishioka for we have to replace Ichiru's heart with a donated one. Overall it would cost ten million yen just for this and another ten million yen more for Ichiru's medications." Riku stated, his mouth dry and he felt like he was the most bad man in the world as he saw how Zero and Megumi downtrodden expression. "I will leave you two, for a moment and think of your options." He stated, if only he could do something to lessen their troubles, but it was just impossible.
:*:*:*:*:
"Don't go through with it." Zero's eyes snapped in attention as he heard his younger twin brother's voice. Ichiru was awake and apparently heard everything. Only deciding to open his eyes once the doctor was gone.
"Ichiru-kun." Megumi said in a small voice, her voice cracking as tears spilled from her eyes.
"I rather be with you in the little time I have. Instead of being cooped up in this white prison." Ichiru answered with a smile while squeezing Zero's hand that was holding on to his.
"Ichiru, don't say that. You will get better." Megumi reasoned.
"Auntie, enough. We all know that my situation can't be helped. I don't want to be a problem for you and Zero." Ichiru answered, lilac eyes determined.
Zero frowned, Ichiru may be able to lie through his teeth and make their Aunt Megumi believed it. But he was not fooled, Ichiru's form was quivering. He knew very much that Ichiru was in agony at the fact that he had only few moments left with them.
"Stop lying." Ichiru and Megumi's attention immediately directed to Zero as the quiet older twin voiced his concerns. "I will not let you accept this. Do you really think that you're a problem?" Ichiru's eyes were glistening as he heard Zero's question. "Because Ichiru, you're not that. I will never forgive you if you think, losing you is the option we have to make."
"Onii-,onii- onii- onii- Onii-san!" Ichiru cried as the tears that he was stopping to flow had revealed themselves to Zero and Megumi. "I don't want to die!" Ichiru wept that prompted Zero to embrace Ichiru's form, rendering Megumi's heart to break at the clear suffering and agony Ichiru had shown" I-I-I I wan-want to- be- with you two!" the younger twin continued. " I wa- wa- want to- to con-con- continue to sta-stay alive!"
"Shh. Shh." Zero cooed, patting Ichiru's silver hair which is also the same colored with the mop of hair he has "You dummy, never lie again what you feel. As if me and Aunt would let you leave us." Zero dislodged himself from Ichiru, lilac eyes with tears as well. "Don't give up Ichiru because me and Aunt Megumi is not giving up on you."
Megumi nodded in agreement. "Yes, Ichiru. All you have to do is rest and become strong for the operation."
"But—" Ichiru started, a guilty expression marring his face. Wiping the tears in his eyes with using the hospital's blanket he looks at them with sadness. "The operation is too expensive. We couldn't possibly cater to pay –"
"Who said it's impossible?" Zero intervened, giving Ichiru a comforting pat on the shoulder.
"Eh? But Zero-kun." Megumi looked aghast, even if she sold her flower farm it wouldn't be enough for the operation. So, what would Zero be planning?
"Even if I have to work everyday to save Ichiru's life. I will do it." Zero said determined. Not missing a beat. He would do anything for his loved ones. No matter what they may be.
:*:*:*:*:
"Thank you for all the work, Kiryu-san! Be safe on going home!" Mr. Michello stated happily as he bid the silver-haired hunter goodbye.
"Of course, I will." Zero replied to his boss for two years. Mr. Michello was a man in his forties with ebony hair and grey eyes and is also the owner of the Classico Bistro to where he was working part-time as a waiter.
Walking towards the train station to head home with his backpack hanging on his shoulder that contained his notebooks, books and other school items he needed. Also, his monthly pay of five thousand yen had Zero sighing and halting in his steps as he gazes at the setting sun. He was to put in mildly, losing hope as the twenty million yen seems so far away from his reach. As of now, with his salary, savings and of the little money left for them of their deceased parents it only equivalent to five hundred thousand yen.
With that begrudging and troubling thought he continued to be on his way. But then—
*bump* *ooff* *bump*
Zero found himself falling to the ground with his butt as the one that suffered the most. Glancing towards the reason for his fall, he saw an old man having a hard time standing because of the same predicament he was in as well.
Sheepishly and flustered since the fault of this situation rests at him because he was too goddamn had his head on the clouds because of Ichiru's situation. Got him standing up and presenting a hand to the struggling old man.
"I'm sorry. I wasn't looking at where I'm going." Zero apologized.
The old man gaze at Zero's hand apprehensively. Then to his form. Honestly, Zero was growing uncomfortable at the old man's intense look at him. Come to think of it, now that he was close to the old man he could see that the old man had messy sandy- white blonde haired which was hatted with a brown checkered cap, he couldn't clearly view the old man's eyes because it was covered with black glasses that had cross design.
"Oh, it's alright dear boy." The old man replied, voice fragile and understanding while accepting his helping hand. Lifting the old man gently. Zero checked if he was alright. "It's not only your fault as well. I'm a blind as bat anyway." The old man informed that made Zero feel awful.
"I'm really sorry. Is there anything I could help you with?" So that I can kick this guilty feeling away? Zero thought as he offered his assistance.
"Hmm." The old man expressed. Looking thoughtful on Zero's offer. "Why, yes. There is something you can help me with. You see, I would like to go here but I feel lost and being blind will prove this will be hard for me to get there alone." Informed the old man while showing Zero a piece of paper.
Zero took the paper only to sweat drop and be infuriated. The map it seems was too blurry and the lines of the black pen was going everywhere. What the fuck?! Where does this lead? Or is there even an exact location?
"Umm-, Is there anything that the person who gave this map to you give as a hint." Zero asked hesitantly. Honestly, if this flimsy paper that is drowned in black in is their only clue they will have to go all the establishments.
"Hmm. My friend said, it has a door and yellow windows." The old man supplied that got Zero frustrated even more. What the hell?! There are many places here that has doors and yellow windows.
"I see. But there are many establishments like that. I know some that match your description. Is it alright with you? It might take awhile for us to get there." Zero explained, kindly.
The old man nodded. Seeing that and taking it as a permission. Zero took hold of the old man's arm and guided him through the Cross Town.
:*:*:*:*:
After a painstakingly eight hours of searching, they stopped at the last place Zero knew had that description. Which is none other than the very place where he works. Classico Bistro. Looking at his watch, he found out it was already 12 am on the dot and knew he was about to be in trouble once he got home.
Zero looked confused as he saw the lights in the Bistro was still on. And even more so as his boss Mr. Michello opened the doors for them with a big smile stretched on his mocha skinned face.
"Oh! Zero." Mr. Michello acknowledge then turned his attention to the old man that he still guided. "My, thank you. Zero. You brought my friend here. I was worried he wouldn't get here."
"Huh? You know him boss?" Zero asked. This was just too much of a coincidence.
"Yup!" Mr. Michello replied with a goofy grin. "Head on home now, Zero. It is now late and knowing this friend of mine. He probably got you in a whirlwind. I'll take care of this now." His boss continued, ushering the old man in.
"Alright, then." Zero replied, turning to head back home.
"Wait, dear boy." The old man called out for Zero that prompted the silverette to turn to him.
"Yes?"
"It took you many hours just to help me. May I ask why?" came the old man's inquiry. "Is it because you feel guilty?"
Zero contemplated on the question. Truth be told he felt guilty for bumping an old blind man but as he was aiding the old man he finds that feeling no longer. And only wished to help. "No, times like these we should always help those in need." Zero answered wholeheartedly, finding the words easy for him to let out of his mouth.
The old man smiled. Giving a nod to Mr. Michello. Zero's boss head inside as the old man went to him. "Listen, I need a butler for my friend. And I think you would be great for the job. Zero. Zero? It's Zero right?"
"Yes."
"Well then. Should you choose to accept it. The starting salary would be twenty million yen in a year." The old man stated.
Twenty Million Yen! That would be enough for Ichiru's operation! I wouldn't have to worry over it anymore. But, Mr. Riku said that Ichiru needed to be operated immediately. Zero couldn't believe what the old man was saying. "Umm, about that."
"Yes?" the old man urged on. Voice full of understanding.
"Could I have an advance payment?" Zero requested, sheepishly and hoping to whatever entity the old man may agree.
The old man gave a bright smile. "For you dear boy, who helped me. Why not?" came the old man's reply. Zero sighed in relief.
"Be here three weeks from now and someone will you pick you up." the old man produced a paper that Zero immediately took.
"Thank you." Zero said in a whisper and knew the man wouldn't hear it. He hated feeling this vulnerable.
"You're welcome." The old man replied shocking Zero, yet too late to react as the old man had head inside the Bistro.
Heading home, he felt that things were finally looking up to him. Unbeknownst to him a pair of bright sandy eyes stared at him with delight.
:*:*:*:*:
"Rest, easy now. Ichiru." Zero advised, joy clear in his lilac eyes. Megumi smiled yet there was a hint of worry in her eyes.
"Hai, Onii-chan." Ichiru stated. And just a few moments he was asleep.
"The operation is a success. Ichiru will now be healed. But he still needs to stay here so we can monitor his progress." Dr. Riku informed happily to Zero and Megumi.
"Thank you, doctor." Megumi said, hearing that Dr. Riku took his leave.
Seeing that the doctor left and Ichiru was sound asleep. Megumi gave Zero a worried gaze.
"Zero. May I ask where you got so much money?" Megumi directly pointed out.
"I told you, Aunt Megumi. My boss at the Bistro lend it to me." Zero lied smoothly, thinking the whole story about helping an old man then said old man gave him twenty million would be too much for his aunt.
"I see." Megumi knew there was more to the story, but she stayed quiet, deciding not to push such topic. She prays that Zero would tell her and that it didn't came from illegal means.
Zero avoided his aunt's gaze and settled at looking at Ichiru's sleeping face. It was three weeks ago that he helped an old blind man and found himself in a predicament that could be called as a maze. Only to know that in the end that the very place the old man wanted to go was in fact the very place he worked on! Well, he got a job out of it and a high paying one as well. He could feel the paper in his pocket no matter how light it was, it just set the idea home that he had accepted employment from a stranger.
Cross Park: 4:30 p.m. It was the information on the paper and now looking at the clock it was already 11:30 a.m. And he had to submit his school papers concerning the fact that he was going to stop attending school now, that the job was a full time and he had to give all of his moments in that work. After all, he was already lucky enough to get an advance payment on the salary.
"I better get going Aunt. I have to pass by at the school then head to work." Zero informed her Aunt.
Megumi looked down. "Must it come to this? Can't you go to school while working?" she asked, not liking that Zero would have to sacrifice his education just to work for his boss.
"You know the answer to that Aunt. I can't, and it would be really embarrassing that I would request such thing, given the fact that my boss had leaned such a huge amount to me." Zero explained, he doesn't like that he had to lie to his Aunt but he was desperate for this. The money had been sent and paid and now he had to do his part on the deal. "I will call you whenever I'm free or off-duty."
Quickly, he heads out of the room. Ignoring the worried look his Aunt Megumi was giving him.
:*:*:*:*:
"Was it really wise for you to accept such employment? What if it was a scam?" His best friend and classmate Kaito Takamiya asked.
"The money has been sent and Ichiru's operation is done. I have to pay my dues. What is important would be that Ichiru will live." Zero replied a tinged of uncertainty in his voice.
Kaito scratched the back of his head. "Zero. What trouble have you fucking got into?" he stated, and it was only a smile of acceptance that was replied to him by Zero. "You idiot, now I will be the only good-looking student left here. Because you will be gone." He attempted to joke.
Seeing a limo parked in front of the school gate. Zero let out a grin. "Oh, I don't think that would be a problem."
Hearing that, Kaito gaze at where Zero was looking at. And found the limo's passenger door opened by huge masculine men in black suits as the crowds gathered on the limo. Multitudes of "kyaas" was heard as the occupant of the limo got out.
Beautiful wisps of dark burgundy hair and enchanting sienna eyes was what greeted not only Zero but the whole crowd of the students. The bodyguards of the said person cloaked him of his student's jacket. The whole crowd dispersed to two lines and gave a path to the man.
Zero had always been dumbstruck by this person. The man's handsomeness was just out of this world and sometimes Zero would think that it would be such sin to have a hot body and a great face that looked to feral and godly. That person was none other than the Academy's Royal student. Prince Kaname Kuran. Years had past since the Kuran Kingdom known for it's majestic capital and of its abundance of resources was lay siege and aided by the Cross. Because of that relations between Japan and Kuran kingdom was great, resulting for the royal family to have one of their own schooled at their allied country's domain.
"Lucky bastard." Kaito voiced out. "And at the same time unlucky."
That statement alone piqued Zero's interest. "What do you mean by that?" he asked as him and Kaito looked on to the Prince confidently walking through the path paved for him by his adoring admirers.
"Don't you know? The Kuran Prince is entitled to be engaged since he is of age to become king in their country." Kaito informed. "And the unlucky bastard is now arranged to be wed to someone no one even knows beside the Kuran's Prime Minister of whose identity is also kept in secret." Zero nodded at the information he had heard and continued to gaze at the Prince's form.
:*:*:*:*:
Kaname sighed for the umpteenth time. As he strode his way towards the school roof hoping for a private time all to himself. He halted in his steps and looked back at his bodyguards. "Do you two even have any clue on who is my fiancé?" he hoped that the two bodyguards of his were given any intel about it.
"Forgive us, Kuran-sama. The whole engagement process and Crown Princess picking was left in charge to the Prime Minister." The guard stated and Kaname cringed, hoping that hyperactive Prime Minister of theirs who is also the closest and oldest friend of their family knows what he is doing.
Kaname released a dry chuckle, "To think I used to have such a high regard for love and now I'm being forced to be wed someone I have no clue about." The guard looked upon him with pity. "Stay here. I prefer to be alone for now." He ordered and head up to the school roof. The view was great and he achieved the peace he wanted.
"Damn, Kaito. It's my last day in this school and he got me wet." Kaname turned to the voice and found himself awestruck at the lovely being he saw, silver hair and lilac eyes it was such a unique combination. And this was the first time he saw such colors in a person, the silver haired boy's uniform was wet and on the boy's arm was a lunchbox. He was amused as he saw the shocked look crossed the silver haired boy's face as said person realized he was there.
"Oh, sorry to disturb. I will just head—" the silver haired boy said aiming on going back.
"No, I was about to leave. Don't let my presence bother your lunch break." Kaname replied heading off.
"I heard you're getting married." Zero said and berated himself. It wasn't his business and he shouldn't be nosey about it. "I mean- everyone was talking about it. And I- I didn't mean to—pry!" He stuttered, feeling flustered all of a sudden.
Kaname stopped on his tracks and turned to the silver haired boy. Finding the boy's flushed face and blush cute. "It's fine. People are naturally curious about what's going on about my life. And yes, it's true. I don't even know her or him."
"Him?!" Zero was shocked, the prince's bride is supposed to be female right? That was why the prince's bride was called Crown Princess!
"Yes, our country has nothing against such relations. Over the course of time. Some of the royal family had males as their brides and wives." Kaname informed, liking the different expressions this boy was giving to him. "Well, I best get going." As much as he liked to keep on being in the company of this silver haired beauty, his duty compels him to go and prepare himself for his meeting with his fiancé.
As Kaname was about to open the door to the stairs leading down to the classes, he was stopped yet again by the silver haired boy's comment.
"I'm sure. For someone like you. They will choose a kind and special person." Hearing that, Kaname looked back to the silver haired boy.
"Thank you." He replied and gifted the silver haired boy, his rare smile. For one moment, the whole place froze as both Kaname and Zero smiled at each other in return.
:*:*:*:*:
Zero's eyes looked at his wristwatch. 4:30 p.m on the dot. He sighed, a sense of fear crept up to his spine on the thought maybe Kaito was right and this was all a scam. It didn't help his case that the park was quiet, and no one was there save for the twittering birds and the occasional walkers. Just as he was in that state of thought, a grand white limo parked in front of him. A gorgeous looking blonde haired with eyes that had the likeness of the color emeralds gone out of the limo and head to the other side of the limo. Only to open the passenger door for him. "Please get in, Fujishioka-sama," The blonde voiced out kindly and Zero was floored by the respected way the blonde was interacting with him. Confused, he got inside the limo.
As the blonde closed the limo's door and head inside to the passenger side next to Zero. Zero felt anxiety on the sudden situation. It seems the old man's friend is really rich, Phew. It seems this is not a scam. Zero thought.
"Umm. Could you tell me what my duties as the butler in your boss' house would be?" Zero inquired, better to know the basics so that he won't be dead weight for the others who work there.
"Huh? What butler duties? I was sure that the engagement money had been sent to you and your family."
"Engagement money?! But I was sent here for a butler job!" Zero gasped, thinking that this blonde person was not right in the head.
The blonde man frowned. "I assure you, Fujishioka-sama that there was no such agreement. The engagement money has been dealt with, my job is to ensure that the Crown Princess will get to the mansion where the Royal Family resides for the meeting."
What the fuck! Zero was floored. He can't understand what was happening. What Crown Princess? Royal Family? Meeting? What did he really sign up for? "Who are you?" he questioned.
The blonde let out a kind smile. "Forgive me for forgetting such detail Fujishioka-sama. I'm Ichijou Takuma the Royal Secretary."
Zero's lilac eyes widen more. And before he could ask more. The limo stopped, and he was suddenly guided inside a huge mansion decorated with gold and diamonds. Takuma lead him to a room where he saw a man's figure dressed in impeccable black princely attire, said man's back was what faced him.
"Finally." Zero's whole being tensed and chilled as he knew that voice somewhere. The man turned to him. "You've made me wait." Zero's heart leaped like he had been running nonstop as he was faced to face with none other than Prince Kaname Kuran.
"Oh, it's you. Funny. I was supposed to be here for a butler- "Zero started finding comfort in the fact he was in the presence of a familiar face.
"You!" Zero was shocked at the blatant hostility he was getting from the prince. "I see now, the rooftop wasn't just a mere coincidence." Kaname spat, sienna eyes darkening.
"Wait, why are you- "
"Never mind, since you've obviously are brought here because of money. Then you have no right to complain. As the Crown Princess, you shall do your duties and lessons as the future Queen of the Kuran Kingdom. Any adultery and bailing out on the engagement." Kaname paused staring directly at Zero's lilac eyes with menace. "would be unforgiven." With that Kaname turned back to him coldly.
"Wait! What Crown Princess? What the fuck are you even going on about?!" Zero slashed out, he was absolutely confused at what was happening.
Hearing that, Kaname looked coolly back at him. "Such vulgar language is befitting for the Prince's bride and of your status as the Crown Princess. I suggest you toned that down, I won't have you embarrass me."
Lilac eyes widen more at the information he just got from the Kuran Prince.
What?! I'm his fiancé. What happen to the butler job?!
:*:*:*:*:*:
SAI: Hate it? Love it?
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