Hi guys! Sorry again for not updating yesterday. It's been a crazy weekend and I have a very busy week ahead of me. I'll try to update on tuesday, but if not, I'll do wednesday. Hopefully it'll be sooner!
The Keeper of Worlds - Bahahahahaha! I love how much people hate Hiraki. Honestly, I never would've imagined he'd had sooo many enemies :D Hopefully you'll also be shocked by this chapter because it's going to be intense!
PokemonFreak90 - I can't say what's going to happen with that but you'll see! It's going to be intense!
Red Page - YAY! Welcome to our little reviewers club haha. I'm so glad you've loved this story so much! I'm having a blast writing it! And I have to say I'm very impressed you haven't stopped. It feels amazing to be recognized :D There's a lot more Takumi drama in this story by the way so be ready for it! :) And feel free to give your opinion because I love reading them.
Guest1 - I know! :( It was such a sad chapter and I think this one will be even more intense! The term was SOOOOO perfect so thank you for that lol. And yeah.. Takuya's just trying to do the right thing you know? Hopefully it will turn out better :)
Aquamarine6996 - It's not over yet :) We still have a LONG way to go! You know how much I love Takumi so you'll see :D
Guest - O_O .. Wow. hahahaha You really let out those feelings, didnt you? I know it sucks that people can't admit their feelings, but it's essential to the story, don't you think? Otherwise, this would've ended a long time a go. But just trust me becuz I know what I'm doing! :)
fighterofflames - It was a good movie, but I also didnt like the ending at all. Don't worry. I have made MANY MANY MANY MANY changes (hope you've seen them) in this story, so I'm only taking the basic essence about that forbidden love. But I am 100% Takumi so trust me.. I know what I'm doing :)
Ok guys! Ready?! Here it is... CHAPTER 12!
Chapter 12: The Black Wedding
[ERELARIA]
ZOE'S POV:
Today was supposed to be a joyous occasion. It was supposed to be the day I would walk down the aisle in my white wedding gown, orchids in hand, while family and friends looked on with joy. It'd be the day I would start a new chapter, the day my dreams would be fulfilled next the man of my dreams. My best friend. My soul mate.
Ever since I was a little girl, I've been dreaming of this day. I imagined my castle decorated with lavender centerpieces. Kari, my maid of honor, would help me put on a pillowcase over my head and use it as a veil. Then, we would hum the wedding tune as walked down one of the halls, pretending it was an aisle. My dad used to play along with us and sometimes even walk me down the aisle, while mother waited for us at the end. Even though I had no prince. I imagined how he would be. He would be the perfect man: gentle, kind, smart, brave… but above all, he would make me be a better person. Whenever I'd be with him, I would always feel safe and happy. I imagined an incredible journey with him, in which I would fall in love with the same man every day for the rest of my life. Now, I know that man was Takuya.
But, of course, the universe had other plans for me. I would never have my perfect wedding. I would never have my father walk me down that aisle with a smile on his face, entrusting the man waiting at the end with his daughter's life. I would never have my mother next to me, wiping away tears of joy. But worst of all, I would never have my Takuya with me. Instead, I was bound to wed a man I didn't love and be forced into seeing the one I truly loved with another woman.
Oh, how mad did it make me to witness what happened last week at my engagement party. We were so close.
***FLASHBACK***
I kept my eyes on Takuya. That stupid girl, Mimi, had her arms wrapped around his neck as she danced seductively to him. Why the hell didn't he tell Kouji? He just came back from saying that he thinks we make a cute couple? What is that?
I shifted uncomfortably to try to pull away from Kouji's embrace. It's not like he wasn't a nice guy, because he was. He's just not for me. With Takuya, I felt the connection instantly and this doesn't seem to be the case.
Several minutes passed and I managed to remain as calm as I could on the outside, even if on the inside that wasn't the case. Out of the corner of my eyes, I noticed Takuya gazing at me. I needed to know what happened.
"Kouji?" I asked.
"Yes, my love?" he responded, giving me a smile.
"Do you think we could dance?"
"But of course! Come!"
He began to lead me to the dance floor, where Takuya and that slut… I mean… Mimi…. were. Takuya looked at me nervously as we approached them and stood next to him.
"Enjoying yourselves?" asked Kouji to Takuya and Mimi.
"Very much!" said Mimi, grinning. "Kouji, I never knew you had such handsome men in your army. I would've come sooner if I'd known."
Ugh… horny slut.
Takuya didn't say anything but lowered his gaze.
"Hey," I said. "What if we trade partners for the next song? Mimi, you haven't seen your cousin in a long time and you might want to catch up."
Mimi eyed me with suspicion, but then nodded. "Fine. I'll be back handsome."
With that, he gave a kiss to Takuya on the cheek and made her way to Kouji. I swear, I could've punched her just then. Takuya looked at me and gave me one of his crooked smiles. He bowed his head and I made a curtsy before beginning our dance.
He put his arm around my waist and I put my hand gently on his shoulder. We stared into each other's eyes for a long time.
"What happened?" I asked.
"I'm sorry, Zoe."
"You were supposed to tell him!"
"I tried! I swear, I tried. But Zoe… he's happy."
"What do you mean?"
Takuya sighed and clenched his teeth. "He said you were the best thing that's ever happened to him. He knows he hasn't known you for more than a couple of hours, but that you've managed to make him happier than anyone he's ever met."
I gasped. "But… we don't know each other well enough!"
"I know. But the heart wants what the heart wants."
"Yeah? Well mine wants you."
Takuya didn't answer. He inhaled deeply and kept staring at my eyes.
"It's over Zoe."
Ouch. I'm about to break down in tears right now. I can't believe he just said that. How could he say that?!
"Stop it!" I cried.
"I'm sorry – "
"Shut up! Just, shut up! How can you say that?!"
"What do you want me to do, huh?" he hissed. "What? Do you want me to take you away and hurt my best friend like that? Huh? Would you do the same if it were you and Kari?"
I didn't respond. I pressed my lips together trying to stop myself from sobbing.
"Zoe, this is it! We can't be together!"
"So you expect me to just forget about everything that's happened with us? You expect me to forget every hug, kiss and touch we've shared? Because I can't!"
Takuya sighed. "Don't forget it, but learn to live without it."
I snorted. "Easy for you that now you have that Mimi bitch to help you through this, right?"
"Zoe – "
"Just shut up! I don't want to hear another word from you! I hate you! I curse the day I found you in that beach and healed you. I should've just left you there to rot!"
Takuya's eyes widened. "Stop it!"
"No, YOU STOP IT! I would've given anything for you, Takuya! I risked my own life to save you back in Lamia! My father would've killed me if he had found out! But you know, what? I guess he's right! Erelarians are incapable of love after all!"
"How the fuck can you say that?!" snarled an angry Takuya. "I love you! How can you not know that after everything we've been through?"
"Because loving someone means that you would do anything for the other person! But I will never be above your stupid duty! And you know what? I'm done. I'm done with this shit!"
"Zoe – "
"I'm going to marry Kouji, like you want me to. I will marry him and I will only ask you one thing. I need you to stay as far away from me as possible and NEVER talk to me again! I hate you!"
With that, I turned around and ran back into the castle. Tears were running down my cheeks uncontrollably as I left a heartbroken Takuya by himself.
***END OF FLASHBACK***
God, that hurt. It killed me to tell him those terrible things. Of course I didn't mean them. I loved him so much, but it made me frustrated that he wasn't willing to give up anything for our love. Why should I come after his stupid duty? I don't understand. I had a duty to my father, but I helped him nevertheless. Of course, I didn't go with him as soon as I had the chance, but still… I knew I was bound to live an unhappy life for the rest of my days. It seemed more like a funeral than a wedding. I loved Takuya, but right now I hated him.
"I'm so sorry, Zoe! Did it hurt?" cried Kari.
I snapped back to reality and turned to her. She was in the middle of making the final adjustments to my gown "What?"
She raised an eyebrow. "The pinch… I accidentally pinched you with one of the pins from your dress. It seems I got out a little blood… does it hurt?"
I looked at my leg and it had a red spot coming out of it. I shrugged. "It's alright. I didn't even feel it. As a matter a fact, I don't really feel anything."
Kari pouted. "I'm sorry this is happening, Z. Could I help in any way?"
"Nah," I gave her a fainted smile. "I just have to get used to the idea that this is what my life will be like from now on."
We both exchanged sad glances but then she gave me a reassuring squeeze on my hand. "Everything will turn out fine, Zoe. All done, by the way."
I turned and took a look at myself in the mirror. The dress was stunning. It was white, long and had delicate lace details around it. My hair was tied into a messy bun, with several strands of braids around it. Kari had put smaller orchids in my bun that matched my orchid bouquet, and from the bun was attached a long, chiffon veil that went all the way down to the floor. If I would've been marrying the man I wanted, I would be thrilled with how I looked. However, that was not the case, and my white dress seemed to be turning into a black gown in the back of my mind.
"Knock, knock."
I turned around and saw Tommy, poking his head in the door.
"May I come in?" he asked.
I smiled. "Of course."
Tommy opened the door and entered the room, followed by JP. Both of them stopped in their tracks when they saw me.
"Wow", said Tommy. "You look beautiful, Zoe."
I gave him a crooked smile. "Thank you, Tommy."
"You do, princess", said a blushing JP.
I laughed. "Thank you, Junpei. When did you two get here?"
"We just arrived with father", said Tommy. "He should be here in a few minutes. He's just talking to someone I think."
"Alright. Well, it's good to see you both. I've missed you."
"Us too. I miss my sister."
We smiled and hugged each other.
"So," he said. "How is it living with the crazy people?"
I laughed. "They're not… that bad."
Tommy raised an eyebrow. "Right… Zoe you're marrying the leader…. Doesn't that make you feel awful?"
I sighed. "You have no idea."
We talked for several minutes after this. Tommy was telling me how Lamia was dealing with our new alliance with Erelaria. From what he said, people weren't too happy about me being here. Although, they'd think differently if they knew my father's plan. Oh… The plan! I completely forgot about that! My dad wants me to murder Kouji as soon as I get a chance after we're married! Oh God… I don't know if I can do that. Kouji is such a sweet man. It's not his fault that I don't love him, but he's genuinely a good person. Why do bad things happen to me? Seriously? Have I ever really done something so awful that I deserve this karma? How am I going to get out of this?
Suddenly, there was another knock on the door.
"Who is it?" I asked.
"It's me Zoe." I heard my father's voice coming through the door.
"Come in!"
My father entered the room and smiled at me. He was wearing his red cape, with a golden and black suit underneath. Of course, he had to wear his biggest crown of all. He can be so… flamboyant?
"Zoe", he said with a smile.
I gave him a crooked smile. "Hello father."
"You look stunning."
"Thank you."
His smile suddenly disappeared and he dropped his gaze down.
"What is it?" I asked.
He hesitated and gulped. "You just look so much like your mother on our wedding day."
I bit my lip nervously. Every time he brought up my mother, our conversations didn't end well. Why is it that he can't look past that? I know he misses her. I miss her too. All I really need is my father. My real father. I want him to act normal with me and just be happy for me. I want him to want me to be happy. Is that really so much to ask? With him, it was.
"I'm glad you could make it", I said, trying to change the subject.
He snorted. "But of course! How could I miss my own daughter's wedding?"
I gave him a fainted smile and turned back to the mirror.
"Hey everyone", he said. "May I please have a moment alone with my daughter?"
Kari, Tommy and JP nodded and walked away. I was nervous about what he was going to say to me, since I had a feeling it wasn't going to be good. My father started approaching me slowly and stopped right behind me.
"You really do look beautiful Zoe", he said. "You have really become a magnificent woman."
"Thank you, father."
"But you know… with age comes new responsibilities."
I knew it.
"I'm aware of what you want me to do", I said.
"I know you are," he said as he circled me like a vulture. "But knowing is not enough. You need to want to do it."
"Father, I said I would do it. It doesn't mean I feel good about murdering a man."
"Then you won't do it. If you don't want to do it, you are going to back out at the last minute. I know this."
"No, I'm not."
"Yes you are!... All right, just imagine this scenario: You are with Kouji. You're both alone in the darkness of the night. You went out to the woods for a romantic getaway. There's no one there. It's only you two. If he screams, no one will be able to hear him and nobody will know it's you who murdered him. You will be able to say that you were both attacked and you managed to escape while he tried fighting for your lives. It's not your fault he got killed…. So while he talks to you about the beauty of the stars and how they resemble your own…. You take a dagger. You are so close. One swing of your arm, and he'll be dead. You raise your arm slowly and you're this close to finishing this. A million thoughts come to your mind.. You start thinking about how guilty you're going to feel when you do it. You start shaking but you know you have to do it. So you take a deep breath and swing –"
"NO!" I screamed. Oh God. I can't do this. Kouji doesn't deserve this. He's a good man!
"What did you just say?" my father asked.
"I'm sorry" I said, now shaking. "Father don't make me do this. I can't!"
"I knew it!" he hissed. "I knew you'd back out!"
"He doesn't deserve this! He's a good man!"
He rolled his eyes. "When are you going to learn, Zoe? Erelarians are NOT good people! They have nothing but hollowed hearts in them!"
"That's not true! There is good in them!"
"Oh, really? They killed your mother Zoe! They killed her mercilessly! Not only her, but they've killed so many of our people! Are you really going to let them win? Get it through your head! Erelarians don't care about us Lamians! They can pretend all they want but they will never care! They will ALWAYS put their own happiness first, not giving a crap about us!"
Those words hit me like a giant carriage. I was speechless. As soon as I heard him, I remembered Takuya. I remember everything that I did for him… how I risked my own life to save his, without even knowing his name. I remembered the several times I pleaded for him to stop with this madness and to take me with him. But he never did. No. All he cares about is the duty he has to Kouji. All he cares is his spot as Captain of Erelaria. He said he loved me, and yet, I will always be second to his stupid duty. Who does that? I'm beginning to ask myself if he really did love me. Because I always thought that if you love someone, you're supposed to do anything for that person. Like I did for him! You know? Maybe my father's right. Maybe people in Erelaria only care about themselves. Takuya had broken my heart and shattered it. He's not the person I thought he was, and maybe that means that neither is Kouji. Kouji seems like a good person, but in reality, he may not. I curse this land. People here can deceive you in so many ways and I hate it. I hate Erelaria!
"I'll do it", I said.
"What?"
"You heard me. I said I'd do it. I'll murder Kouji and give you this land once and for all."
Father snorted. "You're not going to do it."
"Yes I will, because you're right. Erelaria is filled with people as evil as you've said they are. I hate them and I want to put and end to this right now. I want to do this!"
He raised an eyebrow. "Are you sure?"
I smirked. "I've never been more sure of anything my entire life."
I could see a wicked smirk form in my father's lips. "Excellent."
"Now let's go," I said. "We have a wedding to get to."
TAKUYA'S POV:
I had been a week since the engagement party. I hadn't slept or ate anything since that night. Zoe had hurt me more than anyone ever has with the awful things she said. Those words haunted me night and day.
"…I curse the day I found you in that beach and healed you. I should've just left you there to rot!...I need you to stay as far away from me as possible and NEVER talk to me again!... I hate you!"
God. That stung even more than the injury Akira had given me. How can she hate me? I love her! I know it's hard and that I had to let her go, but it doesn't mean I stopped loving her. I can feel tears staring to form in my eyes. Stop it Takuya. UGH! I hate this shit. All I can think about is her. I can't even bring myself up to where Kouji and Kouichi are. All of the guards are sitting in the front of the room, next to the twins and Mimi. Kouji seems nervous. He's wearing the navy blue suit his father used when he got married. I know he wishes he was still alive to see this. Actually, I do to. If Yutaka were alive, none of this would've happened. Kouji wouldn't be marrying Zoe and I would probably be the one taking Kouji's place. Instead, I'm hanging here in the back, leaning against a wall, about to see my best friend marry the girl of my dreams.
All of a sudden, the priest asked everyone to take their places. Everyone did as they were told, and I slowly made my way to the front. I saw Kouji noticing me, and he smiled at me. I gave him a fainted smile and sat next to Davis and Shia. The music started and everyone rose to their feet. We turned around and there she was. Zoe was looking radiant. She had her hair pulled into a beautiful messy bun, and her gown was breathtaking. She had her arm wrapped around her father's and she slowly made her way to the front. Soon, she was passing in front of me. I kept my gaze on her, but she refused to meet my gaze. Instead, she kept looking at the front to where Kouji was.
She finally reached Kouji and he gave her a small peck on the cheek before leading her to the altar.
"Dearly beloved," said the priest. "We are gathered here today, on this joyous occasion, to unite not only two souls, but to kingdoms as well. King Kouji will be taking Princess Zoe as his one true companion, to rule Erelaria and have peace with Lamia."
The ceremony kept going and, with every word, I could feel my break a little more inside. This was even harder than I ever imagined. What's even worse is that Zoe refuses to look at me. She is standing there, pretending like I don't exist. I hate this! Why is she doing this to me? Did she really mean what she said about me? Does she really hate me?
"Do you, Kouji Minamoto," continue the priest "take Zoe Orimoto, to be your lawfully wedded wife? To love and to hold from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, now and forevermore?"
Kouji smiled. "I do."
"And do you, Zoe Orimoto, take Kouji Minamoto, to be your lawfully wedded husband? To love and to hold from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, now and forevermore?"
Oh god… here it comes.
Zoe nodded. "I do."
"Then by the power vested in me, I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may now kiss the bride."
Kouji smiled and put a hand behind Zoe's neck, while his other hand went behind her waist. He pulled her in gently towards him and slowly pressed his lips against hers. Everyone cheered and rose to their feet. Me? I'd never felt sicker than how I am feeling right now. He kissed her… and their married now.
Married.
"Dear God", I said to myself. "What the hell have I done?"
*Sniff, sniff* OMG... Kouji and Zoe got married! :'( This chapter was so hard to write. What's worse is that now Zoe's planning on going through with the plan since she found a new hate for Erelaria! Was Takuya too late? Will this finally be the end for Takumi? FOLLOW/FAVE to stay tuned! and of course.. keep telling me your thoughts by reviewing! :D
