Disclaimers on everything that I don't own.
A quick shout-out to my lovely OSparrow-chan! This chapter is a gift for your Sweet SixteenBirthday! Hope you love it!
Act X,
By Winterwing3000
The audience watched in awe as the two princes faced off with one another.
The second prince charged with a direct attack, quickly forcing the crown prince to take the defensive. They pushed back and forth, never relenting in every strike and advance they made. At times, Dark would retreat a few steps as Daisuke was bent on winning and at other times, Daisuke frowned as he was finding himself losing ground with Dark smirking with every par.
They locked in a deadlock, both refusing to back out first until it became a battle of strength pushing against each other. Finally, in his haste, Daisuke dragged his blade in a slashing motion, breaking the hold.
Dark lunged. Daisuke brought his sword up to block, trying his best not to step backwards. It was the easiest method of being pinned. He pressed on forward, attempting to push his older brother back instead.
But the plum-haired prince quickly stepped to the side while curving his blade downward, forcing Daisuke's sword to follow the semi-arch motion. He grinned, sweat slipping from his brow. "Is that all you have?" he said mockingly, watching as the large red eyes grew wide with shock before narrowing with furiousness.
He came at his brother without hesitation, almost too quick for the eye to follow. Dark's eyes widened by a hair's width and barely dodged the attack as he stumbled on his feet without his usual nimbleness and fell to the clammy ground. He felt the moss underneath his hands and the moisture of his perspiration soaking into his clothing. His dark purple hair slicked to his face.
The tip of Daisuke's sword landed between his neck and his shoulder. His younger sibling looked down upon him for the first time in years. However, it was not over just yet…
"Why do you hesitate, Daisuke? You were quite anxious to defeat me a few moments ago." Dark said, quirking a brow almost knowingly.
"I may have promised to defeat you, but I did not promise you death." The red-head's heart wavered the slightest, his inner compassion and natural habit against fighting creeping upon him slowly.
A fault, Dark thought as he grinned inwardly and made his strike.
The crowd was still as a loud 'clang' echoed in the grounds and the long saber whipped through the air before piercing the soft soil.
Daisuke was defenseless with his brother's sword against his jugular.
Emiko's eyes met with Ayumi's. Perhaps the time has come to tell and have no secrets.
The sun beams broke through her window, curtains drawn. Riku took the last of her dresses from the armoire and walked over to her bed, where her wooden truck was laid open.
Last night, she hardly received any sleep. After that confrontation with her younger twin, Riku could barely hold in her exhaustion. But they promised each other that they were leaving. They told their mother just early this morning before going back to pack.
Thought muddled her mind, countless of them.
Riku closed her trunk and looked around the room which she housed in the past few days. Although it was adorned with dark rich colors, it felt… melancholy. Picking up the thin shawl, she drew it over her shoulders and stepped aside as the servants bustled in and carried it out.
The large door closed behind her hollowly.
Dark entered the large hall and seated himself on the opposite side of his younger brother. He noticed the lack of the presence of the two Southern Princesses but chose not to be too hasty to satisfy his curiosity. Females tend to take longer in the mornings after all.
However, it was unusual for Riku to be so unpunctual. It wasn't like her to be so. And her sister even more. She was usually here before he was, always walking down with his younger brother.
Speaking of which, Dark threw a glance at Daisuke, noting that he also knew that the girls were missing. It seemed that his sibling held no more hostile action against him, especially after last night's display. Although, he was slightly confused as to why Daisuke felt threatened to his courting of Riku. Did his brother like Riku…? No, couldn't be. Dark could tell that he was deeply infatuated with the other princess. Then—"Mother, are Princess Riku and Princess Risa ill? Should I have a maid sent up with their breakfast?" Daisuke said, genuine concern written on his face.
Emiko looked almost surprised from his question. "Whatever do you mean, Daisuke? They are packing currently. Their carriage departs as soon as they are finished. I've sent a man to tell the cook to pack some food for their journey home."
"Packing? Did you not say that they were staying for two weeks? It has barely been a week!" Daisuke said in disbelief.
"Yes, well," Queen Ayumi interrupted, "My daughters tend to get homesick quite easily. And Riku has been feeling under the weather. If you like, they are most likely still awaiting to enter their carriage. They've just left their rooms."
Their mother was about to give another input when they left the grand dining hall as she opened her mouth.
Daisuke and Dark hurried to the front gates and saw the twins waiting patiently as the servants loaded their carriage. "Princess Riku! Princess Risa!" Daisuke shouted as they were near.
The princesses turned around, one with surprise the other with an air of avoidance. Risa greeted them as they came to. "Prince Dark, Prince Daisuke. Should you both not be at breakfast?"
"Your Queen has informed us of your leave. Is it true?" Daisuke asked, hoping it was not.
"Yes. Riku has been homesick lately and wishes to return home. And there are certain duties which are waiting for our return." Risa offered for an excuse, noticing the quick look of sadness washing ashore on the princes' face. She saw Dark walked a bit over to her older sister, leaving her with the younger prince.
"You are leaving then?" the violet-haired man said. His dark eyes said something different, almost accusingly at her.
"As you have heard Risa, I have been ill for home." Riku told him, wishing to look away from the heat of his stare.Dark looked at Riku thoroughly, searchingly. He was somewhat astounded as he noticed her hair, now hanging just short of her shoulder. "Riku…"
The addressed princess squirmed uncomfortably under his gaze, suppressing the blood rushing up to her cheeks.
"What?" she turned her head and saw what he was looking at. She grasped at a lock of her coppery hair, which Risa had personally helped her trim this morning. "Oh, this. Well, I just thought that perhaps a change was necessary."
"Hm…" Dark stared, taking in her new look while Daisuke kept his gaze on the younger twin. His ruby eyes glimmered with longing and disappointment, but force a smile nonetheless. "I'm sorry to hear that you have to depart at such short notice, Princess Risa. But you're welcomed to return any time."
"Thank you." Risa held his gaze for a few moments before looking away, turning her attention to her sister and her love.
"Riku…" she called. "The coach is waiting."
"Yes." Riku nodded, now fully looking at the two princes. "We must leave now. Thank you for your hospitality, my princes." She curtsied. The brothers turned to the other princesses. Daisuke stepped up to her and kissed her hand. "It was our pleasure."
Risa looked hopefully to Dark, watching as he approached her. "I hope that you had a wonderful time here at our Kingdom, princess." He said charmingly, kissing her hand as his brother did. She retracted it with a blush gracing her cheeks. "I did, thank you Prince Dark."
"You may leave." Risa said curtly to her maid, sitting herself on her large mattress. She sighed happily as she closed her eyes and stretched out her senses, looking with her mind's eye at her familiar surroundings. It had only been a few hours back here and she was perfectly accommodated with her room.
Pulling herself to her feet, Risa walked to her dresser and gazed lovingly at the trinkets and boxes lined on it. Each held certain symbolic meaning. Others were gifts from her suitors. And a few were from her sister during her birthdays.
A small soft smile drew on her face as she remembered of her youth. Things then were not as complicated or stressed. Now, too many things occupied her mind. Especially her sister. Her beloved sister, her twin.
Riku… Risa noticed during their carriage ride home, her older sibling was constantly either looking down at her hands at her lap or out the pane-less windows. Sometimes, when she asked Riku a question or tried to strike up a conversation, Riku's eyes seemed distant, almost day dreamingly. As if she never was there in the first place.
She pulled out her ribbons and ornaments from her hair. Her dark tresses tumbled down. Picking up her horse-hair brush, she slowly pulled the comb down from her crown to the hair drawn over her shoulder. It came down smoothly.
The princes… Dark and Daisuke.
One she loved, the other loved her. The former her sister loved, the latter she thought her sister loved.
She knew that she was deeply in love with Dark. And she knew that her sister had feelings for him as well. But… did they both love him as much? Or did she love him more than Riku? Or were Riku's feelings stronger than hers?
It was noted that Risa hadn't spent as much time as she had desired with Prince Dark, unlike Riku, who probably passed most of her days with he. Her days were spent with Prince Daisuke…
Prince Daisuke, the man who had confronted her with his feelings. The feelings, which she declined to return as she simply waited on another. Perhaps… she was inconsiderate of him, but truly, she could not turn her heart away just because of his proclamation! She was flattered deeply though she thought best for her sister to have such a man who could love a woman so easily and be such a devotee to.
However, the fact still lied in front of her. Whose feelings were stronger? Hers or Riku's?
She did not doubt the immeasurable love she felt for the prince. But she did not know of Riku's feelings. Were they rooted so deep which even she could not comprehend? Or were they brief, shallow so that they'll pass soon?
How has this all started to be so simple turn out to be so complicated?
She was supposed to be courted and then happily married to Dark as she and her sister shared a wedding, Riku being married to Daisuke. They would both rule the West and South hand in hand, prospering and keeping peace. They would have children, a boy and a girl each, and they would share play-dates at both kingdoms. And slowly, they would grow old, leaving behind a great history of accomplishments and watch as their children grew beautifully. Watch as the children succeed their rightful place as heirs to the kingdoms and have their own seeds, giving them many grandchildren.
But now, time has halted and left everything in a mess, waiting for it to be fixed before it restarted.
Risa replaced her brush on her dresser. Maybe she ought to have a small talk with her sister.
"You've no doubt are wondering as to why I called for you, do you my sons?" Emiko smiled mysteriously as the two princes entered the library.
"Mother, if it is another game to find us suitable wives, I suggest you should cut back now." Dark said dryly.
"No, I would never do that, especially with Ayumi over here. But to the real matters at hand. The scroll in front of you. Pick it up and read it." She commanded, leaning back comfortably into her finely embroidered seat. Queen Ayumi watched on next to her.
Daisuke looked over questioningly at his older brother who shrugged and picked it up from the table as told. He unrolled it and read it silently, eyes widening after a few moments. The red head, intrigued by Dark's reaction, peered over his shoulder and skimmed it carefully before dropping his shoulders in shock.
"Mother, what is the meaning of this?" Daisuke asked after snapping out of his daze.
"You do not understand? Oh my, was it written in such a horrible hand? I knew that we should have gotten a true scribe from the Empire to write for us than that silly old man that Father trusted so much." The queen tsked.
"No, he meant as in the scroll itself. You don't mean to tell us that this was for us are you? As in a betrothal contract." The plum haired prince stared at his mother, eyes sharper with a slight tint of red.
Sighing, the dark haired queen closed her eyes. Her lips recited a dialogue which was spoken between Ayumi and her. "Yes, it is a betrothal contract. It was written almost immediately after Queen Ayumi had given birth to the twins. We decided that it would be best if our kingdoms would continue with lines of strong and pure royal blood. Your father was of a foreign land and of course, your grandfather, the stubborn man, would not crown him as king. His blood was not pure and could not to be said of royalty. Therefore, the king offered to my kingdom a choice. Either we unite with the Southern kingdom or the Eastern kingdom."
"Do not think lightly of your mother's decision, my princes. She has given much thought." Ayumi said as her friend rested. "It was decided to bring together the South and the North. My daughters are to be your brides, the queens of your kingdoms. It was not only because they were twins and both were girls, but also because of your compatibility. We had the High Priest read your stars. If you were to be wed to the Princess of the East, disaster will befall."
"I see. When were we going to be told?" Daisuke inquired, his hands by his side as he walked to the side of the seat where Emiko sat.
"It would have been earlier of both of you hadn't been busy. And now… will you fulfill the written pact?"
The brothers gave no response.
"I've seen the way you both acted toward the two young princesses these past few days. Not to mention the way you've both been without them…" the queen of the princes smiled gently. "Even with them gone, you both dearly miss their presence, do you not? Then why do you hesitate? What is there to hold you back?"
"But Mother the con-!" Daisuke started, but froze when Emiko interrupted her son.
"If you truly love them, you would go despite what is written before hand. That is the true meaning of love. Unless what I've seen are false and was merely a time of careless fun."
"You speak true Mother. But isn't that against what you have learned us?" Dark asked seriously. "A contract is a sacred bond which is written with the eyes of all that is holy. Those who are bound to it are to uphold it with the utmost importance and respect, regardless of what they wish."
"You are right." Emiko picked up the scroll and walked to the fire roaring in the fire place. Daisuke and Dark watched on as their mother took one last look at it and sighed. The next moment, the paper was no longer in her hand but was burning, slowly curling from the heat and blackened.
"My Queen!" the maid cried, hurrying over in hopes to save the contract. Emiko held out her hand. "It is alright."
She turned to her sons. "Now, no more is there a contract to hold you back from choosing the one you desire. It is no longer for you two to 'hold it as your highest regard'. The princesses are at home, in the Southern Kingdom and are waiting. Isn't that right, Ayumi?"
Smiling softly, the Queen of the South nodded. "Yes. No longer to do you have to fight. Because now, all you have to do is ask them for their answer."
The brothers exchanged a look and determination shone brightly in their eyes. "Thank you mother." Dark said humbly, bowing before dashing off and out the door of the study. Daisuke followed suit but kissed his mother farewell before running after his older sibling.
A grin crept on Emiko's lips as a small evil cackle escaped her lips. "Ohohoho! I'm going to have so many grandchildren now!"
Ayumi just shook her head at her friend.
"Riku? Are you here?" Risa poked in her head and peered around the room, searching for her twin. "Yes, come in."
She stepped into her sister's chamber, leaving the door slightly ajar for the maid to leave. She found her sister sitting on her bed, knees folded underneath her with a book spread open on her lap. It was a book which she didn't recognize so it did not come from their archives, she knew that much.
"Did I disturb your read?" she asked, settling herself on the mattress, directly across from Riku.
Riku shook her head, her shortened hair brushing against her cheeks. "No, I just started it. And I've more than enough time to read. Is there something which you wished to speak to me of?"
The younger princess hesitated and reached to her sister's lap, lifting the book from its nest and closed it with a quiet 'thud'. She placed it aside. Her eyes caught a glimpse of the title. "The Western Kingdom, A History".
"… Have you been feeling ill lately, sister?" Risa asked.
"Hmm? No, why do you ask? Do I look pale?" Riku's brows furrowed as she moved to get up to look at her mirror. Risa grabbed her wrist and kept her sitting.
"No, it isn't that. It's just that… you've been unlike yourself since we've returned. Even during our ride back, you've been so."
"I… I suppose I'm just tired."
"… Please, Riku. Don't lie to me. I'm not here to point my anger at you. I… have been thinking things over since our return. I realized… that there were many things which could have been settled and went smoother if I weren't as blind and ignorant of my surroundings. Maybe I was blinded by love, infatuation, obsession, or naivety, unable to see who I could have truly chosen to love.
"No. You were only devoted to your feelings for him. There is no wrong in that. I'm the one at fault. I don't understand, but somehow… I did start to love him. But your claim on him was before mine and I had no right to take him from you." Riku said apologetically.
"But you did not love Prince Daisuke, did you Riku? And you would not have been happily married when I would have. Even if I were married to Dark, making me a happy woman, you would be unhappy with your marriage to Daisuke. I think… that all four of us would have been unhappy if things were to turn out that way.
"I knew that Prince Daisuke love me. He told me so once. But I chose Dark over him. Isn't that just silly, sister? To deny another's happiness for my own? I thought it was. And… I think I've hurt Daisuke more than I hurt myself. So… I think I'll step back and take a better look."
"But then, what of Prince Dark?" Riku asked, puzzled. "You said you will be happiest with him. Do you wish not to have your own happiness? Because it really doesn't matter to me, to be happily married or not. Marriage has always been a battle of politics. Not many married of love and happiness."
"To me, it doesn't really matter who Dark chooses now. Because I just want the both of you to be happy. Both of you about very important to me, Riku. If he chooses you, I'll be happy. And I'm sure that he will."
"But what if-!" Riku said, startled at her sister's sudden change in behavior.
"If he does choose me… will you be happy for me, Riku?" Risa asked with round eyes,
A knock interrupted their conversation. Riku turned to her door. "You may enter."
A maid slipped through the small opening of the large door. She curtsied and addressed the sisters. "Princess Riku, Princess Risa, I'm here to inform you of the arrivals of the Western Princes. They are waiting in the Great Hall."
Startled, Risa and Riku exchanged a look.
AN: Hoho, one more chapter and I'm done! I'm planning to reedit all of the chapters before I write the last chapter. Yup, thanks for reading and review please!
The big question from the last chapter (DID RIKU CUT HER HAIR?!) has been solved. The main clue was the last two sentences of the chapter. "Aquamarine plume" is basically the feather attached to Riku's hair for the night. And she has darker hair than Risa… though not by much. Hmmm….
Thank you to Liltenshiarishi, TheFoxGirlKitsune, ABC, swirl-ed, Inu'sHardcoreBitchThatLovesDark, hardy4ever, and OSparrow (my lovely! I missed you much! Happy VERY Be-lated birthday! I hope you enjoy my gift!)