Disclaimers on everything that I don't own.
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Act IX,
By Winterwing3000
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"Oh, come come Riku! The guests have gathered!" Risa said from the bed, urging her older twin to quickly finish her make up.
"Ah, almost done. Grab my fan will you, Risa?" Riku rushed around the room, fastening her earrings and taking out one of the plumes for her hair. She adjusted the aquamarine feather into her curls, which Risa had painstakingly done for her.
"Let's go, let's go! Oh, I can't wait." The twins headed out Riku's chambers and down the hall to the grand double helix staircase that lead to the masquerading room. Riku traveled down to the other stairs and counted slowly to ten, Risa doing the same at the opposite end.
Three… two… one… now!
They both stepped down the stone stairs carpeted with red. The butlers at the end of each side announced their descent.
"Elder princess of the South, Princess Riku."
"Princess of the South, Princess Risa."
As she came down, Riku could see the people swarmed at the bottom. Masses of pink, yellow, golds, silvers, greens and reds were everywhere. Suits were in black, white, and blue. She could see, by squinting, the crown prince, Krad in arm with his soon-to-be wife, Rosetta, dancing to the lively minuet.
An unruly flare of plum caught her attention at the end of the stairs.
Dark bowed at Riku, smirking slyly as he took her hand into his arm. She only stared at him in confusion. If he were here to escort her, then who…?
"Don't worry, Daisuke promised to get your sister and meet with us later at the dinner." Dark said reassuringly, but her nerves didn't ease up the slightest.
He whisked her into the crowds; soon they were circled by wealthy counts and dukes, with their respective wives at their sides. Some single duchesses and countess were there as well; eying the princess with a critical eye.
Riku resisted the urge to roll her eyes. Were they truly that desperate for the birthday prince? She took a glass of wine being served and took a small sip of the white fermented grape juice.
The lights caused the glass to sparkle, only to present to her a small crack at the rim, chipped.
Something bad was going to happen…
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Risa smiled, somewhat disappointed on the inside as Daisuke led her through the throngs of people. She had expected Dark waiting for her, not him. But maybe… Dark was busy. After all, it was his birth anniversary, so many would be around him with felicitations. And she'll see him at dinner anyway. It wouldn't hurt to see what was happening around her.
And perhaps, she'll bump into Riku, who was probably all alone. Unless Prince Satoshi had taken her with him. He wasn't all that bad. Aside from a slightly creepiness which both brothers seemed to possess.
"Ah, Princess Risa!" some ladies came over to the princess, separating her with Daisuke as he backed away from the growing ring of women.
"My, your dress is simply beautiful, Princess."
"Your curls! Such shine! Do reveal your secrets."
As Risa engaged herself with the others, Daisuke watched her from a corner.
Soon… he fingered the sword at his side. Either he wins it all or loses everything.
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Dinner came to a cease as Prince Krad tapped his knife against his goblet of red wine. He stood from his chair, Rosetta seated on his right, Satoshi on his left. "I propose a toast, to Prince Dark. May he have a happy and healthful year as his last." The silvery blond smirked at Dark, who sat at the head of the long table. His mother was at his right and Daisuke on his left.
The princesses sat on Daisuke's left. They followed suit. Dark did it somewhat grudgingly.
Tables around them raised their cups. "To Prince Dark!" Krad started.
"To Prince Dark!" everyone chorused.
"Thank you all." Dark drank to his healthy as did the others. "I hope that you had a hearty meal and continue to dance to your hearts' delight!"
Daisuke took a deep breath before standing up next to his brother. "Dark, now that everyone has presented to you their gifts; I would like to personally give you mine."
"Why don't we step out to the courtyard?" the red-head motioned to the balcony of the room, leading out of the dining hall.
Although he was unsure, Dark followed his younger brother nonetheless. Queen Emiko went along, Queen Ayumi and her two daughters went with, bringing along groups of guests. They all headed down the stairs and to the stony yard, surrounded by trees. The moon shone brightly tonight, clouds nowhere in view.
Dark stopped a few steps into the yard, but Daisuke went a tad further before turning around and drew his sword, pointing it right at Dark's neck.
"A duel is my gift."
This caused a great murmur to spread among the onlookers.
Dark was silent for a while but he soon chuckled. "Great joke, Daisuke. Now, why don't we head back inside?"
"I'm not joking. In fact, I'll make a wager with you."
It grew quiet as everyone listened. "If I win, you have to give up Princess Riku and court Princess Risa. And Princess Riku shall be my bride. However, should I lose you may do as you wish."
Gasps echoed.
Confused, Risa glanced over to her sister. Riku was stunned, what was Daisuke saying? Did he know about Dark and she? And why would he accept her as his bride? Wasn't he in love with Risa?
Why was this becoming to be even more confusing?
"You speak nonsense." The elder western prince drawled, but narrowed his red-tinted violet eyes.
"I disagree. It is unfair to both Princesses, for you to be courting one while playing seduction with the other."
Dark was thin lipped. How did Daisuke know…?
"Now, draw. The audience awaits, brother." Daisuke said, red eyes flashing. "And worry naught, I will defeat you."
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Risa dragged Riku out to the display hall, and released her sister's hand as if it were hot coal, refusing to turn around to face her older sister.
"Risa…" Riku reached out hopelessly.
"Don't touch me!" hands shaking at her sides, Risa glared at Riku with tearing eyes filled with anger.
"You told me! You told me that you weren't interested in Dark! That nothing was going on! So why? Why did you take him from me when you knew that I was interested in him! You! You had Prince Daisuke! Was he not enough?"
"I…!" the older twin started.
"NO! He was not! You became jealous and took him from me!" Risa hissed. "You wanted him for yourself and took him away. And… and… you, I despise you!"
"Risa!" Riku gaped at her sister's harsh words. "Listen to me, please! You don't understand!"
"Me?" Risa gave a haughty laugh. "I don't understand? I understand perfectly, Riku. You were afraid… afraid that I will be better than you once I become the crowned prince's wife, making me the queen of the Western empire. And if you should marry the second prince, you would not only have our Southern empire taken from you, but you will have no name here in the West."
"You think I wanted this to happen?" Riku said solemnly, eyes sober.
"Why not? You were always the better one, leaving me in your shadow. And just when I was about to be better than you, you take that chance from me." Risa pointed accusingly at her twin. "You were always praised for your diligence and willingness. You had solid traits admired by many. But what did I have? Nothing. When I wanted one thing from you, I never get it."
"That's not true, Risa. You know that that's not true." Her hands were limp at her sides. Riku looked sadly at her younger sibling.
"Ever since we were little, you were always there to help me. When I have trouble with my dress, you would come and tie the sash and button it up. When I mess up with my embroidery, you will point it out and sew it up right for me. You always were the more beautiful one, the one with more charisma and ageless wisdom. I envied you for those things, things which I never had.
"And I promise you. I had no intention of hurting you."
"Too late for that now, wouldn't you say?" Risa sneered, crossing her arms, head lifted defiantly.
"Yes. Maybe it was. But you have to know the truth. I never wanted to take Prince Dark away from you. It… it was all just made from a silly bet. He… wished to court me should I lose. And I did." Somewhat taken aback at her confession, Risa bit her lower lip. Riku was never the one to admit a defeat, even when she was knocked down to the ground and her sword tossed away from her. "I knew that I should have told you immediately. But I couldn't bring myself to do that. And that was selfish of me."
"You must realize… even though it was all play… I can't admit that I don't love him. Maybe, it was a fool's game to him but… I think I might have fallen in love with him." Riku said, looking down to the ground.
"Y-You couldn't have… you hate him!" Risa cried, sinking to her knees "You told me that! Why did you lie? Why sister?"
"I did. I swear to God, heaven forbid, but I did. And I'm sorry that I did." Riku closed her eyes in regret. "I hate to see you cry. You know that Risa. And you cry out of hurt. And I never wish to see you hurt, you know that. So I am sorry. Forgive me?"
"How? How can I after all this? All the lies and pain, are you trying to send me to an early grave? It is nearly impossible to forgive you, from the bottom of my heart, I give you these words." Risa said bitterly.
The thrum of pain vibrated in both of their hearts. Hearts of twins are connected, as are their minds and soul. They both felt each other's pain and sadness and they weighed heavily on Riku's shoulders.
Raising her eyes to the walls, Riku's darken caramels found a sheathed dagger hanging. Brining her hands to enclose the hilt she drew it from the leather case with a smooth metal scrapping sound. Risa looked up and gaped in shock as Riku faced her with the dangerous metal in hand.
"What…?" her twin… her sister was going to murder her!
The dagger was lifted into the air and stilled. Risa's light brown eyes closed in tight fear, body trembling.
But there was no blood, no wound, and no sword piercing flesh. Only a sound of sawing. Peering from underneath her lashes, the fallen twin choked back on a cry.
"Forgive me?" Riku pleaded softly, eyes closed, tears hanging on her lashes. "Let us forget this and return home. There is too much here that will eventually tear us apart. And I don't want that. You are my only sister and I never wished for ill will to befall upon either of us. So please… let's just go home?"
Sobbing in heartbreak, Risa clambered to her feet and threw her arms around her sister. She cried loudly as Riku cried with silent tears.
The dagger fell with a thud into the masses of copper-red locks. The aquamarine plume fell on top.
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AN: Oh ho! I'm back and I'm finally moving to the decline of this climatic chapter! Yes! Only… two more chapters to go! Yosh! And thanks for the reviews from litenshiarishi, Inu'sHardCoreBitchThatLovesDark, Osparrow, Camille, TheFoxGirlKitsune, L.D and CrYsTaLxAnGeL!
