STANDARD DISCLAIMER APPLIED.
Hello everyone. I dont have all the time in the world at the moment so I hope u enjoy this chapter and try leaving me a review as soon as youre done reading. And sorry I cant reply to reviews. I'm working now and very very time restrained.
Arigatou Gozaimasu!
Chapter Nine
To commemorate the arrival of Laird Eneas, the Umi dining hall was filled with food for the laird and his soldiers. The highlanders were mostly dark-haired fellas so Fuuko could understand why the Umis actually believed their fake charade about being ones. Except for the eyes, all highlanders possessed dark cerulean eyes. All in all, there were about fifteen occupants around the long table including Proteus, Joker, Fuuko, Recca, and Yanagi.
"There seems to be a twist in fate here. We didnt know they were your grandchildren," due to Tokiya's silence, obviously perplexed about the news, Proteus had to do most of the talking.
Fuuko and Recca didnt dare join in the conversation and had ate in tentative silence. They had to look at each other and break a sweat in fear that the Laird might compromise their already threatened disguise.
"I bet you didnt,'" Eneas answered with a glint of mischief as he looked pointedly at Fuuko and Recca. "My granddaughter was supposed to be betrothed to a young laird in the East but evidently, she didnt favor the upcoming bond and resolved into running away, dragging her brother along."
Joker laughed at that. "So you penetrated the Umi kingdom thinking your old man here wouldnt find you?" He directed the question to Fuuko.
Still dazzled from the laird's version of their story, Fuuko could only meekly nod at the blond.
"However, posing as a concubine and a soldier, were you ready to demote yourself into servants just to escape your planned fate?" It was Yanagi's turn to ask.
"As long as I get my freedom," Fuuko had eventually decided to get over the initial amazement and go along with the play. Glancing discreetly at the laird, she received a quick wink of his eye, silently saying she's doing a great job. She responded with a smile and a wink in return.
"And you drag your brother along? How selfish of you," it was the first time Tokiya uttered words but he was obviously in a very dark mood.
"I volunteered to come along. Unlike some creature I know, I am not a stupid insensitive being who could care less about other people's behalf," Recca glared at Tokiya.
The king leveled the raven-haired's gaze with one of his own. "Enlighten us who this 'stupid insensitive being' you're referring to," from Tokiya, it came out as an order and not a request.
"Iv'e always thought you're smart enough to know its you," Recca smirked.
"Manners, Recca!" Laird Eneas thundered and Recca was more surprise that he actually cringed at the sound of the old man's voice.
Seeing Recca's reaction at Eneas, Tokiya exaggerated a smirk. "Scared at grandpa, lad?"
"You too, Tokiya. I will not tolerate these childish bickers during my dinner," Eneas said and Joker cleared his throat to cover up his amusement.
Being chastised in his own kingdom, his own castle and his own dining hall was too much a humiliation to bear that Tokiya shot Eneas a horrified 'what the fuck!' stare. "Do I need to keep reminding you of who I am? Do you know who owns the seat you're using and who provided you the warm food on your plate?"
"Oniichan!" Yanagi cried out with a look of terror.
"I dont appreciate that kind of tone being used to my grandfather. If you cant say anything nice, then refrain yourself from talking at all," Fuuko countered.
Not one single person dared move on their seat nor bat an eyelash. They were mute and speechless, awaiting the king's response to this massive defiance. With narrowed eyes, Tokiya confined his gaze on Fuuko and everyone could see the extent of his silent wrath as the handle of his utensils crumpled in his clenched fists.
Within the minute of silence, Eneas sent his sign on Proteus. His eyes asking if this always happens when the two are placed in one room. Exasperatedly, the commander nodded.
"I'm done," Tokiya made everyone gasped when he stood up from his chair and threw his crumpled knife and fork on his plate. "There is no use dealing with lowlings who would never bend. You've never realized that I have the power to perish you for this insolence but I was kind enough to to resort that that in my hope that one day, I could earn your trust. But now, it seems unlikely so if you choose to continuously ignore me as your king, I would kindly request you to depart tonight and make sure I dont see you by tomorrow," then to Fuuko, he put on a sober face. "And Lady Fuuko, our wedding is cancelled."
That speech was followed by his grand exit and left everyone in the dining hall appalled and bolted on their seats.
After dinner, Laird Eneas invited Recca and Fuuko outside the castle for a conversation. The wide open crystal-walled corridor was supported by huge crystal pillars and beside each pillar was a long wooden bench. With Fuuko in between the two men, the three of them seated silently, admiring the lovely Umi moon that seemed to be so close, it was so big. The Umi palace was situated on the highest part of the kingdom and via carriage, it takes up to thirty minutes to reach the closest part of the town. From Fuuko's place, she could see the entire kingdom and freely roam her eyes on its divisions. Due to its vastly wide area, the Umi kingdom had to be subdivided in four districts---namely, Wales up north, Koi down south, Sharktale at west and Nemo at east. During Fuuko;s stay in the castle, idle chats with Yanagi had oriented her to some basic information about the land and she found out that Proteus was actually the Duke of Nemo and Neon, a daughter of the Duke of Koi. The water clan had a rich kingdom and every family was considerably well-off. Their houses are nice and were neatly lined in an orderly manner. It's amazing that they could see all of these from where they sat but Fuuko decided to lay off the sightseeing and get on with the talk.
"Laird, we thank you for helping us earlier. We were sure to be dead tonight but you spared us our lives. How are we going to repay you?" she started with a gracious slight bow and a smile of gratitude.
Eneas smiled back warmly. "I did what I had to do."
Still repulsive for receiving ample battering from the old man, Recca scowled from the opposite side of the bench. "Did someone pay you to do this job? They might have paid you a lot."
Fuuko cast Recca a horrified glare.
However, Eneas didnt answer and instead raised his cane on Recca's head. The firelord caught it just the right time before it land successfully on his cranium and give him a lifetime headache. "I will not fall victim on that kind of trick twice," Recca had on a smug face.
"I know you wouldnt be," the laird replied and with a quick jerk, his foot was sent flying on Recca's face, long leg stretched in front of Fuuko. When he took his foot off, the lad was glowering amidst the profuse bleeding of his nose.
Hastily, Fuuko took her napkin and pressed it on Recca's nose to control the bleeding. "That's what you get for being so cocky."
Recca turned his piercing gaze at her. "You better make sure my room is lock from outside tonight Fuuko, cause I swear I'm gonna burn that old leech in his sleep," he hissed.
"I dare you to do that, child, and suffer the wrath of your mother," Eneas sighed.
"How do you know the fire queen? How did you know about us?" Fuuko asked, her curiously perked up to the tenth power now.
"When I told them you were my grandchildren, it was half of the truth. As much as I would have preferred having a beautiful granddaughter like you, I was bestowed with a stubborn spoiled undisciplined brat of a grandson instead."
Recca's eyes bloodshot with dread. "And what in bloody hell did you exactly mean by that?!?"
Confident that his next words would knock the wind off of Recca's head, Eneas held on a knowing grin.
"Kagerou, your mother, is my first and only child."
They didnt hear any answer as Recca collapsed on Fuuko's lap.
"I hope your father would temporarily forget about our misunderstandings and get the kids safely out," Shigeo whispered to his wife as they settled down for the night. A few days after Fuuko and Recca's disappearance, Kagerou decided to voluntarily seek her sire's help and although reluctant, Shigeo was left with no choice but to allow his wife to go back to where she originally came from.
Kagerou gently placed her head on her husband's chest. "I know my father. He could be stubborn and hard to please but he would never compromise his grandson's safety. And he's easily fascinated with bright young ladies so i'm sure he'd immediately take a liking on Princess Fuuko as well."
"But still, after secretly taking you away from the west highlands without his knowledge, I doubt he'd have the soul to forgive me. If he doesnt participate and help, I could only blame myself."
Kagerou touched a finger on her husband's bare chest and made slow circular strokes. "Dont take on it too much, dear. My father had never favored the majicans, most highlanders dont. So we had no choice but to elope discreetly. And as far as I know, I voluntarily offered myself to you so i'd take half the blame."
Shigeo bestowed an affectionate kiss on her forehead and run his long fingers through her black mane.
"Tell me, my love, have there been a time when you regretted turning your back from your origin to live with me and be a majican?"
The fire queen closed her eyes, smiling and snuggling closer. "I admit there were times when I missed my father, but id I'd have any regrets, that would be the time when I chose not to come and marry you."
Her tender words pulled a wide smile on Shigeo's face and he embraced his wife closer to his chest and whispered. "Dont you think its time we give Koganei a little baby sister to cuddle?"
And Kagerou could only giggle at that.
Fuuko could feel the remorse and heartache Laird Eneas had felt when his only daughter had eloped with Recca's father many, many years ago.
"That Hikaru bastard lured my little darling with sparkles and sunshine and took her behind my back. He was a royal son of a bitch!"
Never had Fuuko seen such a fierceful old man and she gulped and sweatdropped profusely. Recca was still on her lap, breathing evenly now but still unconscious. She couldnt blame him though. Having a firsthand look on his bloodline and finding out he was only half-majican wasnt something one could actually be proud off. Especially if you have lived as a proud Majican all your life. Personally, Fuuko had nothing against the highlanders but in the majican world, those born from a Majican and non-Majican parents are not considered pure blood and are usually teased since first grade. Funny enough, Recca was one of those who used to ridicule these half-blooded children when they were younger. Because of these societal problems, most of these families had to live in the neutral land where they're treated with equal rights and respect. In Kagerou's case, when she married a Hikaru, she was afforded a magical ceremony that would cleanse her highland blood and fully transformed her into a Hikaru complete with rose-colored eyes and a power to handle fire. This isnt illegal and was a normal ritual done by newly wed couples in the Majican world if they so choose. Ganki had done the same when she desired to possess air instead of retaining her fire for this gives her more privileges and insights as a Fuu queen.
"Anyway, enough about me. You're gonna be wed to Tokiya tomorrow. Any last words before you deliver yourself to the pit of hell?"
Fuuko had been a bit guilty on what she's done at the dining table earlier and realized that here finally comes the limits of her insolence. She lowered her gaze, not meeting the laird's eyes and busied herself on counting Recca's eyelashes. "I believe he cancelled the wedding and commanded us to pack up and leave."
"But you dont want to?"
Fuuko shook her head. "I have a mission to finish and I wont go anywhere unless I've completed it."
"Ah, who was it again? Your fiance? Kagerou did mention that when she came to me for a visit but she also requested that you and Recca be brought safely home. Raiha's rescue would soon follow once you're out of the way. To put it bluntly, they dont want the two of you interfering their escape plans."
"They they rather burn their blueprints 'cause were staying. I cannot trust Raiha's life to anyone else but myself," she answered indignantly. "They know nothing about the kind of strict security they have in this castle. There are doors that can only be penetrated by royalties and I need to marry Tokiya in order to obtain the royal seal."
Eneas smiled at her and shuffled her purple hair heartily. "You remind me so much of my daughter when she was your age."
Fuuko smiled back. "I'd take that as a compliment then. For Kagerou-sama was one of the most admirable women I've had to pleasure to encounter."
"Well, except for her choice of a husband, that is. Dont give your parents the heart attack she gave to me."
"Since I'm going to be wed to Tokiya, I might. But when this is finally over, there's nothing much to worry about. I'm gonna marry the man I love."
Much to Fuuko's confusion, Eneas gave her a wary smile and a small shake of his head. "Dont take much grudge on Tokiya. His mother died when he was but a young lad and all his life, he was constantly reminded of his fate as a future king. He grew up without having much fun and his type of play had mostly been solitary. The only friends he had were the ones he'd grown up with-- Nanashi and Neon. Five years ago, after claiming the king's throne, he captured your brother when Kenji attempted stealing the Umi life crest. However, things turn up quite compatible between the both of them and odd enough, Tokiya and Kenji became good friends despite the two clan's feud," in this part, Eneas held on his cane as he pulled himself up from the bench and walked a few feet forward as though wanting to get fresher air. "But Kenji betrayed Tokiya's trust when he fell in love with Princess Mifuyu, Tokiya's eldest sister, and ran away together to the neutral land. Eveersince that day, Tokiya had been eaten by his hatred towards the Fuus and considers them all as a clan of lying cowardious traitors."
Fuuko didnt want to be affected by Tokiya's life story so she didnt listen intently. Tokiya could be an orphan or suffering a terminal illness for all she cares. He would still be the enemy king for her. "We were told that Kenji died after being captivated but what you said actually made sense. Kenji visited me in my chamber last night and told me he was, indeed, married to Tokiya's sister." And then Fuuko's face lit up as though amazed at finally arranging all the vivid details and formed a logical explanation to all mysteries of the world. "Did you mean 'Mifuyu' with silver hair, light blue eyes, and porcelain complexion?"
Eneas laughed at her description and thought it was pretty absurd. "You just described half the Umi population."
Fuuko blinked and realized he was right. "Well, she's incredibly beautiful and exquisitely delicate-looking."
"All Umis are beautiful, dear. Its the first thing they're known for. But I was simply teasing you. Even if you dont give me descriptions, I could assure you that were talking about the same Mifuyu for there are only two people here with that name. And the other one was the late Umi queen."
When Fuuko opened her mouth to retort, Recca finally stirred and slowly pried his eyes open. His grandfather came standing in front of him with a huge smile of greeting.
"Ahh!" Recca got up and backed away, interpreting the laird's smile as Sadaku's wicked grin.
Fuuko laughed and rose up from her sitting position, dusted her gown and bid a smile of farewell. "I should get going. If I have to beg on Tokiya's feet just so we could resume the wedding, I have to do it now."
"Just one question before you leave," Eneas called out and held the wiggling Recca on the lad's ponytail.
"Yes, milord?"
"When you are married, you will be given the choice to transformed yourself to an Umi which will give you so many advantages in this kingdom. If you become one of them, the lesser they'll think of you as a potential traitor and with your newly acquired power, you can easily execute Raiha's escape without arising anyone's suspicions. Would you take that opportunity? Or you'd rather risk it all and stay as an air lass who is powerless in this castle?"
Fuuko scratched her chin, thinking. "That's quite tough. But I havent enjoyed my wings yet enough to say goodbye to it tomorrow. And besides, I dont think I'd prefer having scales so I might decline the offer. Also, I have no plans of staying here for long, all I need is the seal and the perfect timing to take Raiha out. And if the Almight Fuu would grace us with more luck, I might take the Umi life crest as well."
"You do realized that if their life crest is taken, all Umis would lose their power and die."
"Sometimes, in order to achieve peace, we need to sacrifice a whole clan. Whether we like it or not, the expected outcome of our feud is the eradication of either the air or water kingdom."
"Well, isnt there any way you could ask for a meeting for reconciliation and peace?"
"Milord, you said you'd ask one question only."
Eneas chuckled and sighed a merry defeat. "Alright, alright...just one request then?"
Fuuko nodded, waiting.
"Call me 'grandpa'."
She laughed and run towards the old man, giving him a quick peek on his cheek. "Aye, aye, grandpa. I better hurry up before King White Shark becomes grumpier than what he alreay is."
With that, Fuuko skipped away, leaving the bawling Recca with his grandfather.
"Fuuko! Dont leave me! This man is a sadist!" he howled hard but Fuuko pretended she was too far away to hear him.
"How's the captive doing?"
At the sound of the man's voice, Vanni jumped up from her seat and met Joker's grinning face. She had been temporarily assigned to nurse Raiha in his unconscious state due to her excellent healing capabilities. "What are you doing here? I thought it's Neon-sama's shift to guard the captive?" She glared at the duke as she stood up and carefully tucked Raiha's blanket under his chin.
"She told me you were here so I decided to come opver and see you."
"Save those tricks to the sinful women whom you had shared many nights with and never abide to the sacred rule of marriage within seventy two hours."
"What am I? A man from the past? This is the fourteenth century! Nowadays--"
"Nowadays, people are still supposed to follow traidition," she interrupted with an indignant glare. "Look at Afiura-sama and Proteus-sama, King Tokiya and Fuuko-sama--"
"Those couples you mentioned were all forced to wed because they had the misfortune of having other people witness their empty night affair. Proteus and his wife were trapped in a cave and was rescued by morning, a lot of people saw them coming out of the cave together after being there whole night. Fuuko was escorted by Afiura and Proteus towards Tokiya's chamber and they all expected it to end up in marriage in three days." he moved towards the bluette and touched a soft bundle of her hair. "Did you actually think those couples would marry if they didnt have any audiences?" he chuckled a bit as Vanni slapped his hand away as though it was a pest. "Still the ferocious concubine I used to like, I see."
"And you're still the arrogant moron I used to hate. You have no idea how hard it is for me to act all excited everytime Mikaro-chan cries out your name and tells heroic stories about your adventures. I've been aching to tell her what a demon you really are but I couldt. She has a very fragile heart."
"She could take it. It's not like she's in love with me or something."
"Was that a permission for me to tell everyone your real nature?"
"Go on. But I doubt she'd be upset. If anything, she might like me even more. Can you afford having your bestfriend falling in love with me eventually?"
Vanni rolled her eyes and shook her head, disgusted. The she lifted her skirts and headed to the door but Joker's big hand captured her wrist. "Have you never forgiven me for what I did to you ten years ago?" We were mere fifteen years old at that time, surely you knew I was just a silly lad and didnt actually mean what I did," he husked.
"You didnt mean what you did!? Even children knew that what you did to me was unforgivable. And until now, I have to carry the sting of your actions and no longer consider myself a perfect concubine."
"But only you and me knew about it. Why are you fuzzing so much?" he grinned teasingly.
Vanni shut her eyes close and her fists clenched. "Ugh!" she grunted annoyingly and with a quick shove, she freed herself from his grasp. "Dont you ever let me see your face again!" she snarled at his nose and stormed out.
Neon met Vanni upon her entrance to Raiha's recovery unit and the concubine gave her a quick curtsy and a sniff before she dismissed herself. As Neon roamed her eyes around the area and found Joker's grinning face near Raiha's bed, she knew exactly what made the woman upset.
"Still cant get over the lass?" she moved towards Raiha and checked the sleeping man's pulse.
"Are you kidding? It's her who couldnt get over me."
Neon disregarded his statement with a chuckle. "Go away already, it's my shift to be Raiha's guard. And close the door when you leave."
"You should really minimize your exposure to the captive or you might fall in love with his good looks," Joker said with a low snicker.
"It's not like I have any options. You and Proteus-sensei always have excuses not to be on guard. I could understand sensei's reasons but you, you are just plain lazy."
Joker seemed to only hear the first statement and cover his ears on the rest. "You have no other options but to fall in love? Is that what you're saying Neon?"
Neon threw an iceball at him but he was able to duck it easily. Laughing hard, Joker walked towards the door and was gone before she could land another iceball on his face.
"Asshole," Neon muttered as she sat on the bedside chair.
A few minutes later, she was alerted when Raiha finally stirred and slowly opened his eyes. When he attempted to get up, Neon quickly want to his side to assist him. "Dont force yourself if you cant. You're still too weak," she commanded.
Raiha looked up to her and smiled. "Thank you, my lady." Then in a lousy pose, he seated leaning his back on the headboard. Running his eyesight everywhere, Neon could see he was still adjusting to his environment. "Where am I?" he asked suddenly.
Expecting this question, Neon answered appropriately. "You are in the Umi castle's Royal hospital."
Raiha cast her a poker face, clearly wanting more explanation. "Who am I? How come I dont remember a thing? What am I doing here?"
"Oh," Neon smiled as though remembering a very important thing. "I've forgotten. We made you drink a medicine that made you forget most of your past so I understand you might be a bit confused at this time. Your name is Raiha, you are a fire lord and is currently held as a prisoner in this castle. You made a dangerous act that almost took all of your life force and for us to save your life, we have to take your memory so you'll have no reason to try escaping. However, this condition is reversible only if you behave and stop threatening your own life."
Raiha produced two deep dimples as he smiled and his eyes glittered. "You just chastised me as though I'm a stubborn little boy, I swear I've never been humiliated like this all my life, even if I dont remember most of it for now," he said as he grinned.
"Then act like a good lad and tell me if you have any questions."
"What questions could I come up from this empty brain? And even if I do ask, I doubt you'll answer since you made me forget on purpose."
"At least you retained your intelligence. So I'll assume you don't have any inquiries then."
"I have one."
When Neon nodded, Raiha continued.
"May I know the lady's name?"
"Neon Kitajima. Commander of the Umi archers."
"Will I see you often?"
The question surprised her, but she nodded slowly. "You were assigned to me. But you will see the other commanders as well when Im not around. Occassionally, you get to see Vanni-san, your nurse, until we could make sure you're completely fine and King Tokiya as well."
Raiha nodded in understanding.
"Anymore questions?"
He looked ip to her but she was almost taken aback by how his face swiftly changed from warm to serious. "If I am a fire lord and held captive in this castle, why am I treated like a guest? Shouldnt you be happy that I just die?"
At that, Neon shrugged. "We are more civilized in handling prisoners here. There's always a room for second chances. We let them go when were sure they've changed."
"And how would you know if they've changed? What if they're only acting 'changed' so you could free them?"
"If they choose to act, then they have to do it everyday for five years. We dont release any prisoner until that time at least."
In answer, Raiha simply pulled the corner of his mouth in a warm smile. Extending a hand to Neon, he said, "Then I guess, I'll be seeing you for five years, Neon-san."
Neon was a bit suspicious of that kind smile and gesture but she had known him for quite a while now, enough for her to say that this Hikaru is a bit tamed and different from the rest. She took his hand, expecting for a firm handshake but Raiha twisted it and kiss its back in a dainty gentlemanly manner that Neon thought the hair behind her nape pulled off. In reflex, she swiftly pulled her hand away but the crime was already done.
She glared at him. "I have to remind you of one basic house rule when I'm your warden. You are never to treat me as a lady. I am an Umi commander and you should regard me as such," she ordered.
"I doubt that, men would be blind not to notice your screaming ladyship," he said in a lop-sided grin.
"I hope I just let you die and rot in your dungeon," she sneered and left out of the door.
He blinked at the door and when she didnt return, he decided to get back to sleep.
Fuuko was fortunate enough to meet Yanagi-chan on her way to Tokiya's bedchamber and asked her to open the king's door for her. Yanagi, who was one of the people who got distraught about the cancelled wedding, was all too supportive on Fuuko's plan of salvaging it and making up to her brother tonight.
As the door opened, Yanagi wished her the best of lucks and Fuuko thanked her enthusiastically. But when the door was fully opened and the room showed Miki propped over Tokiya's lap, kiss him soundly, Fuuko and Yanagi was deadpanned. The Umi princess was bolted speechless on the ground but Fuuko was the angry vixen who came boldly towards them, pulled Miki's hair and dragged her out of the door. Everything was done on impulse and before Fuuko could think clearly, she was left alone with Tokiya in his room. Yanagi, obviously, was the one who closed the door and gave them privacy.
Tokiya had his legs crossed and was staring at her in impatience. He was evidently waiting for her to make the first words. Then suddenly, the tension was too much for Fuuko to bear so she did what she thought was a dignified thing to do. With a chin held up, she turned her back on him and marched towards the door.
"You bulged in here, got rid of my temporary pleasure bunny and then just leave without a word?"
She paused. "I could see there was no use saying anything," she walked out but he stopped her yet again.
"Why didnt you tell me you were Eneas' granddaughter? What reason did you have to lie to me?" his words were stung with pain but Fuuko couldnt think of any reason for him to fet affected by this issue so much. Would it change anything if she was a laird's immediate kin?
"I wanted to start a new life here and I didnt want my grandfather to find me."
"You should have changed your name as well."
"'Fuuko' is a common name in the highlands so I know he would not just settle in knowing every girl's name, he would dwelve on who this and that Fuuko is. My grandfather would never think i'd be a concubine so this is the perfect disguise," she lied. For all she knew, she's the only one in the entire would named 'Fuuko'.
"So you decided to trick him and your king as well."
Fuuko swirled around and saw that he had already stood up and was already a breath away from her, making her jump out and staggered for balance. He caught her easily with a firm hand on her elbow and pulled her on his broad hard chest.
She gulped. " 'Trick' is such a strong word. I never meant to lie to you--"
"But you did," he countered.
"But I didnt mean it. I was trappped. Recca and I never wanted to be servants of the castle but Proteus saw us outside the Holy Forrest and everything became a chaos and a staircase of lies. We had to formulate a quick lie to prevent him from killing us for tresspassing and I had to use the lie I gave you when you were--," she trailed off, her face hued beet red as she remembered where they first met and what she told him. Never had she been more embarrassed than tonight.
Tokiya new exactly what was in her mind and he made a point of showing her less mercy through probing. "What? What was I doing, Fuuko?" he breathed on her earlobe.
She looked away and didnt answer. "Let me go. I have some packing to do cause were leaving tonight."
"You're leaving?" he was stroking her cheek with his warm lips and Fuuko could swear her skin burnt at the path of his mouth's carress.
"Have you forgotten? You asked us to."
"Oh yes. I did, didnt I?" he lifted her face to him and plastered a huge smile. "Do you want to leave?"
With all my heart. "No. Tonight, I just learned the importance of bending to my superior's will. One of the rules is about always remembering where you stand and know your rights. And as a concubine, I dont have any. Only responsibilities."
"Your king is giving you a right to choose now. Do you want to miss this chance?"
Fuuko shook her head. "If it means I'll have to go, I'd rather not be given any chances."
"Your words are double-edged. I dont know whether or not I should be happy or mad."
"Does it matter? You get what you want."
"And you're certain I want you?" he cocked a grin, eyes shining teasingly.
"Take it or leave it."
He didnt say a word as he gripped her arm and delivered her to the door. Fuuko bit her lower lip, totally sure she just blew her last and only chance to be back as Tokiya's concubine and live in his castle. Oh why and why couldnt she just clip her mouth shut and never retort to his sarcasm? When he finally tagged her to the door and was opening it, Fuuko came in front of him, her voice pleading shamefully. "Your Highness, please, I will never--" she swallowed her words when he gave her a hard long kiss on the mouth.
After the kiss broke, Fuuko was still gawking at him. Gently tossing her out of his room, he gave her a smile that would have killed half the female population, be it Majican or non-Majican. "Go to your room and get enough rest for the wedding tomorrow. If you dont leave now, I might dishonor my promise of not touching you until the wedding night. Also, its bad luck sharing the night together before the wedding."
The door was closed before Fuuko could get her thoughts back but when she did, she was aghast. "Oh my goodness," she whispered to herself. "What have I done?! I'm actually getting married!" she exclaimed, but she didnt really know how to react properly about that.
A/N: I'm done with this chapter but there was no edition. As what u usually expect from me. More so now becoz i'm currently islands away from him and without a laptop. I had to write all of this on my sketchpad and type it here in an internet cafe...huhuh..how miserable.
Due to the demands of my work now, I doubt id still be able to update on the same pace. But I will try everything I can to update as soon as possible.
Thank you so much for the kind reviews and I will make sure to drop by from time to time just to read it and gather inspiration from you guys.
Love and Care,
Khryzle Kawaii