I'm such a liar. I say, Oh, I'll update in one week. Well, it's been one month.
Excuses? Well, I do have three! One, exams. I wasn't on the computer hardly at all that week. Two, I had some viruses on the computer that we finally got rid of last night. :D And three, I haven't been on Fanfiction much at all. I actually have like 20 some stories in my inbox waiting to be read. I've been really lazy.
Well, on the plus side at least we get more RutgerxClarine romance. And much more Rutger interaction.
Please read and review!
Chapter 8
She closed her eyes, scared to death. But, the dagger never made contact with her skin. Instead, Rutger stepped in front of her, deflecting the dagger away from her. The dagger clattered to the floor, not even a scratch on Rutger.
Pent was furious, as was Louise, Cecilia, Klein, and everyone else in the room.
But their fury compared nothing to Rutger's fury. It was the same protective surge that he'd always get around Clarine. That same vengeance he had always whenever anyone attacked Clarine. Or hurt her. It was that same anger he felt when his clan had been killed, while he was spared. That fury that gave him his blood lust. He would kill Holyn.
Definitely kill Holyn. Because no one laid a finger on his Clarine.
"Rutger..." Clarine grabbed his arm. "Please, don't." Rutger regarded her coldly, completely furious with Holyn. "I want him dead, too. But you can't kill him..."
"Why not?" his voice was sharp, cold, and angry. Clarine took a deep breath, but hugged his arm.
"Because if you do, then you'll be killed. The prince will take care of this," Clarine whispered, beginning to cry. At the sight of her tears, Rutger calmed down, slightly. He decided to comfort the girl, rather than killing her ex-fiancee.
"Holyn," Mildain began, standing beside the man, "I will not tolerate what I've seen here. You attempted to kill one of our highest generals. That is punishable by death." Holyn whipped his head around, shocked at the prince. "You must have forgotten," Mildain began softly, "I worked with both of these people during the war. They were assets to our team." Holyn trembled, in shame, fury, and fear. "I will let Lord Pent decide what to do with you, though."
"I'll talk to Clarine about it," Pent responded. "But, for right now, I want him out of my mansion and into the nearest jail cell." Miladin nodded, agreeing softly. Pent motioned for some servants and told them to fetch some Etrurian soldiers. In about ten minutes, Holyn was arrested and lead out of the mansion. Hopefully to never be seen again.
"I'm sorry about that," Clarine told them.
"It wasn't your fault," Pent reassured. "If anything, it was ours. We shouldn't have been forcing you to marry someone." Clarine smiled at them.
"So, does this mean Rutger and I can get married?" Pent nodded.
"And while you were gone, I've already planned your wedding! We need to go over a few things, but for the most part... You two could get married in as short as a month!" Louise grinned cheerfully. "But before that, I'd love to get to know you, Rutger. You have to have done something special to make my daughter fall head-over-heels in love with you." Clarine blushed slightly, but held tightly to Rutger.
"When am I going to become Sorcery General?" Clarine asked, trying to change the subject.
"Tonight, we hope," Mildain answered her. "Percival is getting everything prepared."
"Umm... General Cecilia... you don't mind stepping down?" Cecilia shook her head.
"Relieved, really. I think I'll visit some other countries now. Visit Roy and Lilina again." Clarine nodded, gratefully.
"I didn't want you to be upset..." she began, but Cecilia shook her head.
"I'm not upset at all. You deserve this position much more than I." As an after thought she added, "Plus, you'll be following in your father's footsteps." Clarine smiled even wider.
"I will, won't I?"
"You've already surpassed me, Clarine," Pent told her. "I may be better at magic than you, but you're much better with staves. And you're faster than me. Plus," he added, "You and Rutger make a much better team than your mother and I ever did." Louise nodded.
"Definitely much better. General Roy was lucky to have you," she told Clarine. Clarine smiled brightly, latching onto Rutger's arm.
"I'm lucky to have been in that war! Without it, I wouldn't have met Rutger!" Clarine smiled at him, and Rutger looked down at her, amused.
"My Lord Pent, General Percival has arrived," a maid announced.
"It's time, Clarine," Pent told her, placing his hand on her shoulder. She took a deep breath, nodding.
"My prince, we are ready." Mildain nodded, leading the way out of the mansion.
"The official ceremony will be at the palace. Please get into the carriage," Mildain told them, gesturing to the waiting carriages. Rutger and Clarine sat together, Cecilia, Percival and Mildain sat in another carriage, and finally Tate, Klein, their daughter, Pent and Louise sat in the last carriage.
"I'm nervous," Clarine admitted to Rutger.
"Clarine, if you can defeat dragons, I'm sure you can do this realitive ease." Clarine shook her head.
"I'd much rather face dragons than the Etrurian court!" She grabbed his hand, squeezing it tightly. "They're much more intimidating!"
"What happened to my fearless, I'm-better-than-anyone Clarine that I always knew?" Clarine rolled her eyes, grinning.
"She was replaced by the I'm-scared-to-death-of-this-Etrurian-court-and-this-upcoming-meeting Clarine!" Rutger couldn't help but laugh at her softly.
"You'll do fine, Clarine." He gripped her chin, loosely, "If I can marry you, than you can become the Sorcery General. The first one seemed impossible, but it's going to happen. You're nervous, and this seems impossible, but it'll go over fine." Bringing her closer to him, he kissed her. Quick and light, just a simple brush of lips, but it completely washed away Clarine's nervousness.
"I love you," she told him, smiling ear to ear.
"I know," he responded. The carriage stopped, and the two got out. Clarine gave his hand a squeeze, smiling nervously at him. He nodded at her, his face emotionless. He never did like to show people what he was feeling in public! Clarine giggled at that.
"Ready?" Pent asked her, walking up behind her. Clarine took a deep breath and nodded.
"Yes."
Who would have thought that becoming one of the highest generals in Etruria would have such a simple ceremony? She had to take a few oaths, listen to a few things, and say a few more things, and then, the king knighted her, officially making her the new Sorcery General of Etruria.
The applause Clarine received was deafening. She smiled ear-to-ear, though. She knew she had deserved this position--more than any other girl.
Speaking of any other girl, Clarine could have laughed at the expressions on the female nobles faces! They were so jealous of her! And quite mad, it seemed. It made Clarine smile even wider. They had always mocked her for studying so much these last three years. They had always made fun of her horrible singing voice that she had inherited from her mother. They had always made fun of her mother's lack of nobility status, and as of late, her brother's wife. Clarine had always defended her family fiercely, her retorts scathing.
But now! The king was talking to her. The king and the prince. And all three of the leading generals. And all the Etrurian military was saluting her. Of course, some of them were mad, too. How could some little 16 year old noble girl come in out of nowhere and take one of the highest positions in Etruria?
Simple. She had been off fighting in General Roy's army, fighting side-by-side to each of the three General's of Etruria, side-by-side to the Prince, and helping to defeat the King of Bern. Sure, she might not have been in the military, but she had been now. She was captured by the enemy, freed by Rutger, and then she trained and did her share of the work in the war. She trained and became an intelligent, respectable, strong woman of Etruria.
She may not have known a lot about military strategies, but her father and General Cecilia had helped her with that. Her father had even given her some battle tactics from and old tactician that had saved the world 20 years before.
She had enough strength to be in the military. She knew the horrors of war first hand. She knew how rough it was. It wasn't like she was a naive little girl. She knew how to fight, how to kill, how to protect, how to save. She was a Valkriye, a strong one at that, too!
So, because of that, she rightfully deserved her position as the new Sorcery General of Etruria. No one could say anything against it, because it rightfully belonged to her. She worked so hard for it!
"Clarine Reglay, congratulations," Mildain told her, being the first to congratulate her. "You are the youngest person to have ever achieved this position." Clarine smiled proudly at that.
"Thank you, my prince," she replied, "for letting me become this General. I'll do all I can for Etruria."
"I know you will, Clarine." He smiled softly at her, gesturing with his eyes towards Rutger. "Will you make your announcement?"
"I will. Just not at the moment. I'll do it at the banquet." Mildain nodded.
"I wish you the most luck." Clarine nodded her thanks. The prince excused himself, leaving Clarine to be bombarded by all the others. Congratulations were thrown at her, some men tried to ask her to marry them, and other women sneered their congratulations. Clarine couldn't help but smirk at them.
"Clarine." Clarine whirled around, ignoring everyone who was rushing at her, to find that voice. The voice of her dreams. Where was he?
"Rutger?" Clarine called, causing a hush to envelop the surrounding crowd. Who was Rutger? Her violet eyes scanned faces, hair, clothing, everything she could. But he was gone already! Of course, Clarine mentally lectured herself. Why would he be out in the open?
"Excuse me! Please, excuse me! I must freshen up," Clarine told the surrounding crowd, rushing away from them. Hopefully Rutger would follow her. He better.
Once she got towards the washing room, she saw him, leaning against the wall.
"Took you awhile," he told her. Clarine grinned brightly.
"Sorry. I seem to be quite popular today," she joked. He shook his head at her, though she saw a small grin on his face. "So... Rutger... are you ready?" He raised an eyebrow at her. "I mean... ready to... be... well... in the Etrurian society. It's not too late if you want to... leave... I mean... I don't want you to! But just in case..." Rutger shook his head.
"I'm here. And I'm not leaving." Clarine hugged him, surprising the Swordsmaster.
"Thank you so much! Now," she said, wagging her finger, "I'm going to wash up and look more presentable. So, give me just a second." Rutger nodded, and watched as she turned into the washroom. He waited a few minutes and then she came back out, having washed her face, straightened her hair, and made sure her outfit looked alright.
"Ready?" she asked him, smiling. He nodded. "We're going to walk in there together, okay? Escort me in." Rutger had to crack a grin at the old commanding tone she used. It reminded him of the spoiled little 13 year old girl again. It was good to know she hadn't completely changed.
He looped his arm around her's, and the two walked towards the ballroom where the reception was being held. They opened the doors, and once everyone realized who had walked in, talking immediately stopped. All Etrurian nobles had there eyes on their new Sorcery General and the new man holding her arm.
Clarine smiled at them, though Rutger remained emotionless. Though, there might have been a bit of a scowl on his face.
"Who... is that?" Clarine could hear whispers begin to surface.
"Is he from Bern?"
"He doesn't look like nobility."
"What happened to Holyn?"
Finally, one of Clarine's worst enemies, a brash Etrurian noble lady (who was a distant cousin of the prince, Clarine thought) spoke up. "So, Clarine, who is this? Is he... a lover? Maybe from the war?" The lady, who's name was Lecia, asked, though her tone only displayed malicious intent.
"He is not a lover, Lady Lecia," Clarine told her, her eyes narrowing. "He is my fiancee, though."
"And what happened to Lord Holyn?" Lecia leaned in close to whisper something that none of the other Etrurian nobles could hear. "Was he too good for war trash like you?" Clarine's eyes widened, and she stepped away from Lecia quickly.
They had always called her that, now. War trash. She wasn't fit for the Etrurian Nobility any longer. Women didn't go to war, and they definitely didn't try to be the Sorcery General. They had ridiculed her, telling her she was no longer a lady. She was just "War trash".
Rutger had heard what the girl said. And, unlike his shocked fiancee, who wasn't saying anything to defend herself, Rutger would. No one ever insulted Clarine like that.
"War trash?" Rutger echoed, glaring at the woman. "We saved you," he began, his eyes flashing dangerously. "We risked our lives to save people like you. And how dare you insult her?" Rutger took a deep breath, trying to restrain himself. It was quite hard. "Did you know," he began leaning close to the girl, "that I kill anyone who insults, or tries to hurt, Clarine?" The woman's eyes widened, and she took a sharp breath. "Did you know that I have no problems killing Etrurian nobility? Did you know I've done it before? I have no qualms of killing anyone." Rutger smirked at her. "And that includes you."
"Y-you couldn't!" Lecia began, her voice trembling.
"I couldn't?" Rutger whispered, grinning. "I easily could." He gestured towards the sword hanging at his side.
"Rutger!" Clarine held his arm. "As much as I wish... You can't." She gestured with her eyes towards the room. The room filled with staring faces at them. Those who had heard what Rutger said (which were few) were looking away from him, mostly scared of this new man that their Sorcery General was going to marry.
Those who hadn't heard him, or Lecia, were confused to why they were speaking in hushed tones.
"That's right! Listen to your woman," Lecia sneered.
"...."
"Rutger, calm down. She'll get what she deserves later on." Clarine grinned and Rutger could see the spark of evil in her eyes. "Anyways, we have more important things to do than to waste our time on someone like her. I think the Prince has a seat saved for us near him. By Percival, Douglass, and my brother." Clarine smirked at Lecia. Lecia growled, upset that she, a cousin of the prince, didn't even get to sit near him.
The two walked to their seats, sitting beside the prince and the king. Percival gave her a small grin, while Cecilia all out smiled. Douglass nodded his head in approval to Clarine and Rutger.
"Who is this?" the king asked Clarine, gesturing towards Rutger.
"My fiancee. We worked together in the war," Clarine told him, smiling.
"I remember him quite well," Douglass began, "as he and Clarine were the ones who held me from attacking their army when we were fighting because of the Coup-d'etat. I always attacked Clarine because she couldn't fight back, but Rutger was always there, holding his sword dangerously. I knew if I happened to hit her, I wouldn't live very long." Douglass chuckled. Clarine grinned.
"So, do you wish to make the announcement now?" Mildain asked her. Clarine nodded.
"Yes. My speech, I guess." Mildain nodded, and he silenced the room. Clarine took a deep breath and began to speak.
"I never, ever thought I'd be at this position. I remembered as a little girl, all I wanted was to be the prettiest of all Eturian ladies. But, when I was 12, I had was captured by Bern's forces. A young man watching the prison let me escape, placing me on a horse, and sending me out into the battlefield. That is where I met Roy and joined his army. The same man that released me, I talked into being on our side. His name was Rutger.
"As the war went along, I grew and matured, becoming a strong fighter for the army. I was so excited when I was given a new horse and promoted to the rank of Valkyrie. After that, I was in every battle. And, not far from my side was the same man who had saved me from the prison-- Rutger. Midway through the war, I decided I wanted to become the Sorcery General of Etruria. And, once I came back from the war, that was my sole goal. I had nothing else besides that.
"And here, now, I have achieved it. But not only that, but I was reunited with that man from the war. The same one who was always by my side, the one who I fell in love with. And now, three years later, this man has agreed to give up his old life and become a part of Etruria. I'd like everyone to meet my fiancee, Rutger." Clarine gestured to the Swordsmaster. "The engagement with Holyn, as many of you are wondering, was broken off during my trip. We weren't compatible for each other. This, I'd like to point out, is before I reunited with Rutger.
"So, all in all, to end my speech, I'd like to thank everyone who helped me get this far. General Cecilia, General Percival, I owe you both so much. My father and mother and brother, for always being there. Lady Tate for giving me the courage to pursue things I never would have imagined. The prince and king for letting me rise to this honor. And, above all, Rutger. Because he was the one who inspired me to grow stronger, to push myself to be the best I could. I'm so glad... that we are together, finally." Clarine smiled at him, tears flooding her eyes.
"Let's eat and be merry!" The king announced, causing conversations and voices to erupt everywhere. "Because," the king continued, "This is the celebration of our new General, and the celebration of her engagement!" Yells rang out, congratulating Clarine and Rutger. Surprisingly, the majority of the Etrurian Nobility seemed to accept the couple into their ranks.
But that could be because the king and prince were there beside them. Who would dare speak out against a marriage blessed by the king, prince, and two of the three head generals? No one that wished to live, or at least retain Etrurian nobility.
"Clarine..." Rutger began in a low whisper, meaning whatever he would say was to be heard by her ears only, "thank you." Clarine smiled at him, wiping her eyes.
"No, thank you." Smiling, she gripped his hand, tightly. "Thank you for everything. You've made me who I am today. You've made me... someone who I can admire and be proud." Clarine wiped her eyes again, as a new batch of tears had slid down her soft, peach cheeks.
"Clarine..." Rutger trailed off, not used to seeing his fiancee cry so much. He was used to seeing the spoiled little noble girl, who had to tough it out in a bloody, dangerous war. Not this strong, emotional, thankful woman, who was finally seeing beyond her nobility.
"I'm sorry," she finally told him. "I've been crying a lot, haven't I? I guess I'm just not used... to having you back." Rutger smiled at her softly.
"You'll get used to it, though." Clarine's eyes brightened.
"So... you're going to stay? No matter what?"
"I'll try my best," he told her softly. "I want to stay with you." And those words made Clarine's night.
She smiled, looking out of her large, balcony window. Her blonde locks were hanging down, swishing around her waist anytime she moved. The silk, pink nightgown she wore went to her ankles, and it was sleeveless. Not very appropriate attire to see anyone, so Clarine was shocked when there was a knocking at her large maple door.
'Who would come here at night? They are ruining my daydreaming about Rutger!' Clarine couldn't help but think sourly. She opened the door, shocked to see Rutger.
"Ru-rutger! What are you doing!" Clarine hastily tried to cover herself up the best she could. "This is com-completely inappropriate! Yo-you shouldn't see me at night! We are not married!" Clarine's face was completely red.
"Clarine..." Rutger began, taking a deep breath.
"Do you know what could happen if a maid saw you here?! Rutger..." Clarine took a look down the hallways, seeing nobody, grabbed Rutger's arm and pulled him inside her room. Shutting her door, then her curtains, she sat down on the bed, covering herself with a blanket. "What's wrong?"
Rutger decided not to say anything, instead grabbing her chin and tilting her head towards his. He then kissed her, deeply. Breaking apart, Clarine blinked a few times, wondering why Rutger was doing this?
"I have to... tell you something." Clarine patted her bed, which Rutger sat down beside her.
"What's wrong, Rutger?"
"I don't know if I can be a good noble. I could disgrace your name. I could tarnish your family's name. I'm nothing but a--" Clarine placed a hand on his mouth.
"I don't care. Three years ago, I would have. But not now. Rutger, if anyone says you disgrace my family name, well, they can just shove a fire spell down their throats. Because I don't care. I care about you. I'm willing to give everything up to be with you." Rutger looked into her bright purple eyes and could see that she truly meant it.
She would, in a heart-beat, give everything up to be with him.
"So please," Clarine began, stroking his face, "don't worry. I don't care anymore what anyone says." He could tell she was lying. Of course Clarine cared. She always cared. "Well," Clarine started to re-phrase, seeing his look, "I do care. But, I'm not going to let it interfere with our relationship." And that Rutger knew that was true. "So, don't worry," she told him, beginning to lay down on her gigantic bed, "it doesn't matter what type of noble you are. Because if I don't care, you shouldn't either. It's about us, right?"
"I suppose so." Clarine rolled her eyes.
"My family approves. The prince and king approve. The highest Generals of Etruria approve. Roy and Lilina approve, and if Roy approves something, then Queen Guinevere will approve, so really, why should it matter if some low ranking nobles don't approve? They don't have as much authority as Roy does, right? And since I'm close friends with Lilina, who is Roy's soon-to-be wife, then we're in the clear. Nothing matters, then." Rutger finally smiled at that. She was right. If the highest ranking people in Elibe approved of their relationship, and her family approved, why does it matter?
It doesn't matter, he told himself. She was right. It was all about them.
He leaned down, kissing her on the lips. Clarine felt his tongue brushing over her lips, so she opened her mouth, letting him explore. Their tongues danced together, Clarine couldn't help but think. Breaking apart, Clarine smiled at him.
"I take it that means that you believe me?" She grinned.
"Yes," he told her, somewhat crossly (mostly because she had broken off the kiss and he hadn't particularly wanted to end it just then) "You're right." Clarine smiled proudly. She loved it when Rutger said she was right.
Rutger had to smile at her smile. She was so beautiful when she smiled. He couldn't resist kissing her. This time, he hovered over top of her, so the kiss could be much more passionate. And it definitely was.
Clarine lost all track of time when Rutger kissed her. And continued to kiss her. It felt like time had stood still for them, but Clarine knew that wasn't true. But it didn't matter at the moment.
All that mattered was Rutger. And those lips against hers.
End Chapter
:D Nice, non-cliffy ending. I think.
Okay, preview for next chapter:
She had always imagined that Rutger would be so affectionate when they were in private. He would kiss her everywhere, he would be sweet and caring, he would treat her fragilely and gently, and she would be his everything. She had always imagined that Rutger would always wake her up with kisses, or when she would wake up, he would be looking at her, admiring her beauty. Or in the rare event that she would wake up first, she would cuddle up against him and listen to his heartbeat.
Clarine had always imagined that they would cuddle often and always hold hands. They would train together, work together, and learn how to be the most powerful team like her parents were. They would have wonderful children, like six or seven. Or more. Clarine always wanted to have a lot of kids.
Yet, none of that would happen. Clarine would be lucky if she had one child with the way Rutger acted! Would there be any romance in their relationship?
Yay! Problems! We get to actually start seeing them have problems. So far, they've just been clinging to each other (well, at least Clarine has) Soon enough, though, we get to see the bad stuff.
Other things coming up next chapter: Clarine gets in a fight with her parents, Lecia and Rutger interact, she starts her job as Sorcery General, and of course, the best of the best, Clarine and Rutger get married! :D
Well, I'll try to update soon! Two chapters left! And then I can post the sequel (which is sadly only on its third chapter)
