Not so charming

Rating: T

Pairing: Yonekuni/Shiro, implied Maximilian/David

Summary: Alternative Universe.
Yonekuni is young, smart and handsome. Moreover, he's the crown prince. He's always surrounded by women and he loves it.
But one day the Kingdom's councillor Sir David Woodville -his father mistress- told him to stop "flirting" until his wedding, to prevent any illegitimate child.
However, he assured he would find him a wonderful replacement…

Author's notes: That could be a little disturbing for some of you, but I chose to describe things (decors, actions etc.) like in an occidental way because I really have no idea of how things were in Asia at that time. So, I'm sorry for those who will be bothered by that but I'll do as much as I can.

Part Three

The castle is falling apart.
Or at least it's how it could be seen from the outside.
On this fresh but sunny morning, the castle was in full swing.
An uninterrupted flow of cooks, florists and servants flowed through the large and wooden doors of the palace; even the knights were helping, their training field being occupied -as well as the whole castle courtyard- by the many horses, carriages and goods bought for the upcoming event.

The betrothal of the youngest son of the Aogiri Royal family would take place in this castle and last a month; the Queen had brought the finest craftsmen, merchants and the most renowned poets from all over the country to Kyushu.
Everyone here worked harder than usual to welcome in the best possible way the crowned heads who had been invited, everything had to be done for their arrival.

When he woke up that morning, Shiro had a bad feeling about the day. He was feeling worried and a bit nauseous but blamed it on the stress he had tried to restrain.

Days had passed since the Prince had proposed to the Councillor's son; the boy had hesitated for a long time between reason and feelings but eventually ended following his sensibility and accepted the wedding proposal of his kind-hearted friend.

Oushou had always been so considerate and charming that he could hardly refuse and reject him; plus, he had never been in love with anyone and never thought about marrying someone, the feelings he had for the Prince may be the closest to love he'll ever have.

However he had nearly broke their engagement when faced to the looks and gossip of court nobles; even if some turned out to be more open-minded and friendly than what he had expected from them, the largest number of the Castle residents were two-faced courtiers who enjoyed badmouthing him.
But as days passed, the atmosphere had lightened a little and life had been more peaceful.
The poor boy had been kept out of the preparations for the wedding but, to be totally honest, that had not bothered him that much…

Looking at the importance of the upcoming event, the number of guests and their high status, the Queen had thought it was better to hold the rejoicing in Kyushu's palace as it will be the future residence of the Prince and his beloved and because of its calm and lush surroundings.

But this unknown change had contributed to Shiro's growing uneasiness; without his fiancé and the comfort he provided him, he would have felt alone and lost in this luxurious edifice.

He had no other friend but his betrothed, no other family but his parents, had never felt at ease with people and would be the favourite subject of the conversations, so he knew that this royal marriage would be as terrible as hell.
That day had finally arrived, today was the day when he would be introduced officially as the fiancé of the youngest Prince of Japan and not anymore as Fujiwara Shiro, son of the councillor.

He would see if the intense training he had been given by the Queen's ladies-in-waiting these past weeks will pay and if he succeeded in holding his head high with all those crowned heads.

Stressed he had merely observed from the window of his room the ballet of carriages, which revealed the arrival of the nobles and their servants.
Seeing them acting all haughty and contemptuous, he realized how lucky he was to have Oushou.

He rested in his room, with a book of poems -perfectly simpleton and tasteless to be honest- that he had found in the bookcase, playing nervously with his fingers and adjusting his outfit while waiting for his domestic.
When Yuriko -his attendant- opened the door, he jumped off the couch and offered her an uptight smile.

"My Lord, I am sorry but her Majesty the Queen is calling for you, the guests have all arrived and are waiting for your appearance.
_Good, I'll come. Oh! Yuriko?
_Yes, my Lord?
_Would you please make sure my clothing is properly adjusted?
_Well … Of course, my Lord." While turning to present her his back, he couldn't see the discreet smile the servant wore while looking at his already well-fitted outfit.
"_Perfect, thank you Yuriko. Now we may go."

The passage through the castle's corridors had been particularly awkward, and yet he had walked this route countless times since his childhood.
The Royal Family, when the little princes were much younger, preferred to summers in this quiet and cooler palace far away from Tokyo and its activity.
But this time was different, he would have preferred for this journey to never stop.

The idea of all these Majesties reunited in a room sent him shivers, all so elegant, so educated and so proud looking only at him and judging him…
At least, his fiancé would be here…

The guests were discussing in small groups spread out in the enormous ball room, which had been richly decorated but with refinement for the occasion. Due to this division, his arrival had been less noticed than he had thought it would and so, a far greater experience…until the Queen saw him.
The Viper, as she was called by the people for her general behaviour, was in fact a mother hen towards his youngest son and had developed the same kind of feelings for the shy Shiro since the announcement of their betrothal.

"Shiro! My dear, come here." She wore a broad smile and was waving at him. His Majesty the King was of a taciturn nature. The sovereign was besides his wife, talking to his only friend and councillor, Shiro's father. Both turned to him, one to give him a single nod and the other offering him a large smile but with a worried look; his father had been more than surprised to hear of his engagement, he had been glad for his son for sure, but he also doubted the reasons of his son's choice. Would he really be happy marrying his best friend? Was really that wedding based on love?

The Queen was talking with some distant relatives, their faces seemed pretty familiar but he couldn't place names on them. His father had always refused to attend the balls and other ceremonies that had happened through the years, feeling that his role was not to appear in celebrations but rather to research subjects in order to be of good advices to the King.

"Come here Shiro." She put her right hand on his back and with the left one she designated a tall blonde middle-aged man, this man was good-looking and had some kind of really charismatic aura surrounding him.

"Shiro here is his Majesty Maximilian, beloved King of England.
And his Grace, David Woodville, Earl of Norfolk. Your Majesty, here is his Highness Fujiwara Shiro; he is Oushou's fiancé and the son of the Earl Fujiwara*, my dear husband' councillor."
The boy bowed his head a little with a shy and discreet smile towards the gentlemen who returned the gesture, "I am delighted to meet the boy who had caused such uproar". The man made a slight pause and by what Shiro could see, his eyes and smile were just sincere. "And glad I'll be able to make my own opinion on him."

The brunette felt better, relieved by the man's words, finally! He thought, I meet a Monarch who will not make me feel sick! The English King radiated good-will, curiosity but mostly sincerity.

He did not have any opportunity to go on with their conversation because the Queen already dragged him with her in the centre of the room. Reasons that could have stopped him from protesting were nothing compared to the fact that where the Viper was dragging him stood his fiancé, greeting him with a tender look and a wide smile in a sumptuous red velvet outfit.

Once they had joined Oushou's group, the Queen decided it was time to start the ceremony and do official introductions.
"Hell begins…
_Sorry? Shiro, did you say something?
_Oh! Well no, I- … Let the fun begin!"

If only he knew…

* "Earl Fujiwara", I had no idea if counts had existed in Japan or not, but I found something. So let's just say I somewhat used the titles of nobility created during Meiji era, which was inspired of the occidental ones (cf. Wikipedia)

Hello! I know it's been quite some time, let's say there's no schedule and no real time for me to continue writing but as I said I won't give up, so I just want to tell you I'm really sorry for the wait I had and will impose on you. Also, big thanks for those who support me and continue to follow my works.
Bye xxx
Anthea.