Akazukin Cha Cha: An Ultimatum
Disclaimer: I don't own Akazukin Cha-Cha.
Chapter 1I: Decisions
Dorothy sagged unto the heavy doors as she closed the bedroom doors behind her, her mind swirling from the shock of what happened just yesterday, and on what she needs to do in the following days.
It had only been a day when she left for home, but at the weight of the burden suddenly pressed unto her shoulders, she felt as if her life suddenly slipped from her grasp and began to run on its own. Ever since becoming a magician, she had been living life at a leisurely pace, but now she realized that she had been ignoring a hard reality at the back of her mind, a reality inevitable and life-altering…
A knock disturbed her thoughts, followed by a soft familiar voice, "Teacher Dorothy?"
Shiine. Dorothy quickly composed herself and smoothened her purple gown. Drawing a deep breath, she opened the doors with a ready smile.
She readily greeted her student's companions, Cha-Cha and Riiya, who were beside Shiine. It's not surprising to see them in her castle, considering how close the three were. Then her gaze fell on Seravi behind them, and was momentarily dazed as he was looking at her with those mesmerizing, knowing green eyes. She abruptly turned her gaze at Shiine, inwardly scolding herself for still being affected by his disturbing aura despite the number of years they have been together.
"Shiine! I was just about to fetch you. How did you know I was back?" She asked.
"Teacher Dorothy!" Shiine greeted happily, "Mr. Seravi used his crystal ball to monitor our gates, so that we would know the moment you come back."
"I see," Dorothy remarked uneasily, not daring to think more of that telling action.
"Teacher Seravi said we need to help guard your home so that bad people cannot enter," Cha-Cha added confidently.
"Yeah," Riiya seconded, "Seravi couldn't keep his eyes off that crystal ball even when he's cooking. He thought you were not coming back even when Shiine said you would, and—"
Seravi quickly covered Riiya's mouth to stop him from talking, and with an embarrassed laughter, he countered, "I'm sure Riiya is still hallucinating from that bump he got after breakfast."
Struggling away from his hand, Riiya continued, "but I heard you telling Elizabeth that you're worried, and—"
Seravi conjured up a huge muffin and stuffed it in the boy's mouth, "I'm sure you're just hungry, Riiya. Now eat." Riiya promptly ate.
He met Dorothy's soft gaze and quickly looked away, blushing slightly.
"Thank you," Dorothy remarked with an amused smile.
Seravi's heart skipped a beat. This was not supposed to happen. He was always the one who would make her blush with a sentimental retort of some sort, and he was always the one with amused with her uneasiness, but now the table was suddenly turned, and now he was on the receiving end. And he didn't like it, so---
"Well it's nothing actually, I was doing Shiine a favor. I couldn't let his house get burned to the ground or destroyed when your so many enemies, which I'm sure you have, decide to get even," he remarked.
"Enemies which you have probably since you have a very bad attitude and so not ladylike," Elizabeth added.
Cha-Cha and the others quickly turned worriedly to look at Dorothy, who they were sure to be spitting mad.
Instead of what they expected, they saw Dorothy looking quietly at Seravi, her eyes sad and understanding. Seravi and all the children looked surprised and puzzled at her unusual behavior.
This will probably be the last time that she and Seravi would bait each other. The last time they'd be together. She couldn't help but feel a bit regretful that they couldn't keep each other's company in a peaceful, happy manner. They'd bicker, argue, shout at each other all the time. No wonder they couldn't have a future together. No married couple could be happy when all they ever do is fight. Yes, and that's also why she can't marry Seravi.
"Yes, well," Dorothy remarked uneasily. And then with a brighter smile, she looked at her student, "I invited your parents over for lunch, can I count on you for the preparations, Shiine dear?"
At the mention of his parents and house chores, Shiine's eyes gleamed with anticipation, "I'll make sure everything's ready, Teacher Dorothy!"
"Can I help too?" Cha-Cha volunteered.
"Of course, Shiine would love your help, right Shiine?" Dorothy replied.
Shiine blushed in reaction.
"If Cha-Cha's going to help, then I'm helping too!" Riiya joined in.
The three walked merrily away, planning on what to do. The two adults watched them with a smile. When they disappeared from sight, Dorothy turned to look at her companion.
"Seravi darling, can I have a word with you?" Dorothy asked seriously.
Seravi turned to her in surprise. She had been fond of using endearments, but it had always been a form of expression rather than sentiment, except in Shiine's case. Now, her "darling" suddenly seemed sincere. Something is very wrong.
"Of course," he answered.
Dorothy led the way to a small sitting area at the opposite end of a corridor, and Seravi followed.
Seravi immediately asked as they sat down, "Are your parents ill?"
Dorothy was surprised. Trust Seravi to know everything. He really did deserve the title of the "world's greatest magician". Besides being so talented, he's also so smart. Funny how she finally was able to admit that to herself. She knew it deep inside, but she just couldn't get over the fact that he's always better than her in everything.
"Father is on his deathbed," Dorothy replied.
"And you're asked to go back." Seravi predicted with certainty.
Dorothy laughed softly, "It seems I don't have anything left to tell you. You figured all out!"
"Don't make fun," Seravi countered too seriously.
It was then that Dorothy saw the concern in Seravi's eyes. She knew Seravi still felt something for her, but she didn't realize how much. Ever since she changed her hair, he had been giving mixed signals on how he really felt about her. They had been friends and rivals interchangeably that she never really understood what she means to him. The only time she was sure of what he feels was when she turns blonde again, because he automatically turns into a nutty, lovesick boy.
Dorothy looked away, "Father is sick, and he wants me back, permanently. I'm the eldest, and they've given up hope on Doris to continue the family business…"
"You can't run a company," Seravi interjected as if it was a fact.
If this were any case, Dorothy would have contested to that opinion and probably start a business right away to prove him wrong. Instead, she looked at him with a raised eyebrow, "That might be true, but my husband can."
Seravi felt his heart stop at the implication of what she said. He didn't expect that.
"You mean you're—"
"Yes, I am."
Seravi looked at her and saw the sad but stubborn glint in her beautiful violet eyes. Those determined, impatient and passionate eyes. He often wondered if he could get lost just by looking into those eyes. For years, he had seen it glimmer with anger, annoyance, concern, laughter and all else, and he had always watched with hidden fascination. He wanted it to the point of instigating the emotions himself, just so he'd always have the opportunity to see her passionate nature assert itself, thus the endless insults and barbs. But now she's leaving and getting herself married…
"To whom?" Seravi asked as indifferently as possible. He wouldn't let her see how her words are putting his mind and heart in a riot of emotions. Not a chance.
I was hoping that would be you, Dorothy thought instinctively. Deep down, her heart twisted as she realized that he could sound so unaffected. She had anticipated as much, since they are really just friends technically speaking, yet to finally hear and see the truth that that is all they were still hurt. Dorothy looked down at her hands, her voice quite unsure, "I'm not sure yet. Someone."
"You mean you're going to marry anyone?" His tone curious.
"Of course not!" Dorothy countered, "I know the person that I want to marry, but he—" she shook her head, and rushed on, "that's not the point. The point is that I realized I want to get married, and I know what type of man I'm looking for, it's just that I haven't met this man yet."
At Seravi's continued stare, she continued, "I want a man who is stable, good with children, who'd care for me and the family. And for my father's sake, one who is skilled in business. Right now, I haven't got the man yet, but once I go back home, I'll start looking for one. Do you understand now?"
Yes, but I don't like it! He cried out mentally. "What about love, Dorothy? Don't you require him to love you?" Seravi asked.
"No," Dorothy answered sadly, "I used to think I'd marry for love, but I didn't realize how hard that is." And then with a smile, she looked at him, "I'll settle for affection and caring first. Maybe, in time, we'd get to love each other."
"Ah, I see," he murmured, not knowing what he did "see", and commented nonchalantly, "and you're doing this for your father?"
"I'm not!" Dorothy defended haughtily, "Well not entirely. I thought about it for a day, you know. At first I didn't like the idea. No woman wants to be forced into marriage, for heaven's sake. But Father is really ill, and it's hard to ignore his last wish. But also, this made me realize that I'm not getting younger, and I had always wanted a family of my own."
Uncontrollable fear turned Seravi's hands cold. Dorothy is a very stubborn and determined lady. If she had decided to get married, she will definitely see herself married. And it seemed that she has made up her mind. She even has her prospect of a husband in mind already! Suddenly, the idea of her leaving for good became reality, and he didn't know what to do.
What is the matter with him anyway? Seravi slightly frowned in thought. Ever since she changed her hair just to spite him, he had resolved himself to regard her as a close friend and nothing more. And he did exactly that. Most outsiders consider them an item, that they would be married one day soon, but their easy relationship didn't change despite that. Yet he is feelings things a mere friend wouldn't feel. He felt as if he's losing a part of himself…
Uneasy with the silence that settled between them, Dorothy spoke again.
"I guess now you know why I invited Shiine's parents over. I told them my plans earlier this morning. After lunch, Shiine will go back with them."
"Ah," Seravi remarked as he was pulled away from his thoughts, and with a gentle smile, "I'm sure Shiine would understand. He's a smart boy."
Dorothy smiled back and nodded. Even without her saying it, Seravi had known the difficulty she was feeling with regard to leaving her beloved student behind. For some reason, they sometimes had that inner connection of knowing how each other felt without outwardly showing anything.
Oh Seravi, why couldn't you feel what I really feel for you? Or is it just because you really don't care? Why couldn't you accept me the way I am, no matter what hair color I have?
She sighed inwardly. So this is it. There is no point in hoping anymore that he'd take their relationship anywhere ahead of friendship. Did she really think he'd do that? Volunteer to be her groom? Or at least show some signs of jealousy, of stopping her from marrying anyone else? Wishful thinking.
"Well I guess this is goodbye, Seravi," She remarked with a heavy heart as she stood up.
Seravi stood up too, and deliberately trying to be obtuse, "What are you saying, Dorothy? You're house is not that far, we can still meet in the city. Or are you saying that you don't want to see us anymore?"
Truth be told, she really wished she wouldn't see him anymore. It'll just be harder for her to move on with him showing every now and then, but how can she say that? "Of course you're welcome to visit my new home, and my new family soon," and then with a forced smile, she continued, "I have to start packing my things, the servants will be here soon. See you later, Seravi."
At Seravi's nod and smile, Dorothy excused herself and walked back to her room with as much dignity as she could muster, her back as straight as a lance and her fists balled by her side.
After she left, Seravi sat back down again, his smile gone. She's leaving for good, and it's tearing him apart. But why? Why is he feeling so miserable all of a sudden? Could it be that he really loved pink-haired Dorothy?
No way, Seravi thought. He loved Dorothy before, with her golden hair, there was no doubt about that. But for pink-haired Dorothy, he felt a combination of deep affection and anger, but not love. In his eyes, golden-haired Dorothy is perfection itself, and she destroyed that perfection when she changed her hair. What really hurts is that she did it just to spite him, to make him want to fight her in a petty battle for a position he had not desired in the first place. Everytime he sees that pink hair, he remembers how perfect she could be, and how she threw away his love. And that is why he could not love Dorothy as he had loved before, because deep inside is a grudge, a wound that never healed.
So it could not be love, he decided. Maybe he was just unaccustomed to the changes. After all, she had been his companion for quite some time, and her decision to leave will mean a lot of changes for him too. For one, he wouldn't have anyone to tease and argue with, and no one to take care of him in the few times that he gets sick, and—
Seravi shook his head. Thinking about it only makes him more miserable. He should just focus on training Cha-Cha more, yes that's it. That would put those disturbing thoughts away.
With his new will in mind, he stood up and went towards the kitchen, where he was sure the three are making a mess of.
