©Fujiwara Hiro

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Chapter 21: Fiddling Fingers Under Interesting Christmas Dessert

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Christmas has always been one of my favorite seasons here in the kingdom of Zelawien. It's always lively here. The twinkling lights are fascinating & the decorations in town are just so right.

A few days after Aoi came to visit & annoyed the living crap out of me, the royal family invited us for a dinner in the castle.

Of course my parents didn't hesitate at all, but I'm a completely different story. I was actually thinking of calling sick for that day. Gathering our parents in the same room is a bad idea. Very bad. Not on the top of my "to do" list.

But I couldn't escape their clutches now as they greeted us by the huge door of their home. The only positive side of all this was Takumi will be there, too. I didn't see him much after the Aoi event.

And there he was, smiling his megawatt smile at me. My heart pounded erratically. How does he manage to have that effect on me?

He was drop-dead gorgeous in the simple black suit & pants. After politely greeting my parents, he stopped in front of me, still wearing his charming smile. His eyes were smoldering liquid emerald.

'Hi,' he whispered.

'Hi,' I breathed, blushing like a tomato.

'You look especially lovely tonight, Misaki,' he brushed a loose tendril of my pinned hair from my cheek. My heart jumped at the skin contact. Geez, what's happening to me?

'That she is,' the king agreed. He approached us & kissed my cheek, filling me with tear-jerking paternal love. His goddess of a wife hugged me & she looked at me fondly.

After the brief greetings, they led us to the dining hall. Takumi held my hand, intertwining our fingers in a romantic way.

'I like your dress. White really suits you,' he complimented quietly as we fell behind the adults.

'T-thank you,' I blushed. I was wearing a long-sleeved baby-collared dress that flowed down just before my knees. It was made of thick cotton for cold winter. Simple but really cute & cozy. I wore my favorite white flats which has a large pale pink bow on each.

'So, uhm... what's up?' I started casually. It has been a few days since I talked to him properly & I kind of miss him [yes, I did].

'I think,' he leaned down close to my ear & lowered his voice, 'they'll be having us for dessert.'

I scrunched up my nose, 'I figured it out that much.'

He chuckled & sighed. 'I missed you,' he said. Heat spread through my body, concentrating on my cheeks.

I couldn't hide my smile. So it wasn't just me, I thought gleefully. 'I missed you, too,' I said shyly as I gently squeezed his hand.

His answering smile was dazzling.

The castle's dining hall was blazing with homey warmth & lulling calmness.

Takumi, as gentleman as he was, pulled a chair & offered it to me.

'Thanks,' I smiled. He sat beside me & took my hand. He fiddled with my fingers under the table as we wait for our food to be served.

I didn't mind him as we had one side of the table by ourselves, away from the prying eyes of our parents. My mom & dad occupied the other side with the queen & the king sat on the head.

Before the food was served, I smelled the heavenly fragrance of roasted turkey & all the other mouthwatering dishes, courtesy of Takeru-san, the head chef of the castle.

Takumi reluctantly dropped my hand with a small pout on his lips.

'Here, let me,' he took the serving utensils from the dishes & gracefully filled my plate.

'Thank you,' I beamed at him. I realized our parents were watching us with gooey eyes & I bet they were squirming inside like hardcore fan girls. I wanted to roll my eyes.

We dutifully ignored them & ate our sumptuous dinner. Not before long, they started to dig in, too & immersed themselves in a casual conversation. I sighed in relief.

'Do you want some orange juice, my lady?' Takumi smirked at me playfully.

'Yes, please,' I smirked back, holding out my glass. He poured out some & I took a sip.

'How are you these past days?' He asked, tucking my stubborn raven locks behind my ear & successfully making my heart jump again.

'Fine. Boring,' I shrugged nonchalantly.

'Bored without me?'

'Hmm, possibly,' I smiled. 'Don't give me that look, your highness,' I added as he grinned smugly.

'We have to do something about that boredom of yours, don't we?'

'Huh?'

He smiled mysteriously, 'you'll see.'

I pursed my lips, 'okay, fine.'

'Ahem.'

Someone pierced our little bubble. We looked up & our parents were watching us.

Uh-oh. Is it dessert time already? I glanced at Takumi, he had his poker face to hide his annoyance.

'So, kids, how are things between you two?' My dad asked.

I wanted to kick him from under the table & glared at him to shut up. But I wouldn't do that in front of the king & queen.

'We're good,' I answered rather pointedly.

'Sorry for keeping Takumi away from you these past couple of days, Misa-chan,' the king sincerely apologized which was a bit funny. Why was he apologizing? It's not like I'm going to die if Takumi wasn't with me.

'Eh? N-no, your majesty, it's absolutely fine. I understand.'

'Maybe I should cut Takumi's work so he can be with you...' the king muttered as if he was really thinking hard.

What?! 'Your majesty, it's okay. Really. No need to do that, it's alright-ah!' In my haste to put up with the eccentric king, my spoon flew out my hand. It jumped on my dress, slipping on my collar before clattering on the floor.

'Oh, dear,' my mom gasped.

I bent over to get it but Takumi beat me to it. 'I'll get it,' he said.

'I'm sorry,' I mumbled. A maid from somewhere appeared & brought me a clean spoon. 'Thank you,' I smiled at her.

'Honey, you got your dress stained with sauce,' the queen pointed to my collar.

'Oh, I'm sorry. I-I got it,' I snatched the table napkin but Takumi beat me again.

'Let me,' he wiped the stain off, his hand closely touching my neck & I had to suppress a shiver. He was smirking. Damn it.

'Aw, look at that, you two are so cute together,' the queen remarked with a squeal. The others murmured their agreement & started snickering.

'I'll definitely cut off some slacks for my son,' the king nodded.

Ah, geez! Stop it already.

I glanced helplessly at Takumi. And much to my annoyance, he seemed to be enjoying it, too. I sighed. Maybe because his dad's cutting off his workload.

'Ah, I remember the photos from the library last week,' the queen said dreamily.

Photo? Library? Last week? Damn, was she talking about the photos taken by their paparazzi in the library?

'They were so cute, weren't they?' My mom added with a giggle.

Shit, this is really troublesomely embarrassing.

I looked at Takumi with horrified expression. He grimaced then shrugged. He leaned back on his chair; his appetite must've left him as he played with my fingers again like it was the most fascinating toy ever. I'm sure as hell our parents will drop unconscious if they ever saw what the prince was doing.

'Our children are all grown up,' my dad sighed like the thought was a dream come true.

I wanted to stand & yell to them: Shut up, old man! Stop being so melodramatic. Doesn't suit you. Now, all of you, Ziploc your mouth!

'Ah, I already want to see a small Takumi running around the castle,' the queen suddenly blurted out.

Takumi's hands froze against mine under the table. He looked like he was poked right between his eyes.

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Then, BOOM!

My brain had finished processing the information from the queen's mouth. I robotically turned my head to her.

We all stared at her with the same shell-shocked expression. The silence was deafening.

'What?' She cautiously looked at us, palms up like she was surrendering. 'It's just a thought!' She giggled.

My parents & the king sighed in relief.

'That's a scary thought,' my dad mumbled as he chugged down his glass of wine.

'That's too early for that thought,' the king agreed.

'Let them enjoy their youth first before prepping them of baby ideas,' my mom said.

'It's just a thought!' The queen pouted.

My scalp prickled & a shiver ran past my spine. Blush burned my face. God, this is so not happening. I looked helplessly at Takumi, his face was flushed, too.

We had a mental conversation that went something like this:

T: We need to evacuate this place, immediately.

M: How are we supposed to do that?

T: I'll think of something.

M: Think fast!

I gritted my teeth as I urgently squeezed his hand.

'We are a traditional family, aren't we? So marriage comes first before babies,' the king said as a matter of fact like he was discussing business.

Marriage? I gulped.

'Yes, yes, that sounds better,' my idiot dad agreed. I shot him a warning look which he just brushed off casually. Oh, he's going to get it later, I mentally took note.

I desperately glanced at Takumi, hurry up! Get us out of here!

The queen lightened up, 'oh! I always wanted a garden wedding-'

Takumi cleared his throat. 'Mom,' he smiled, 'that's nice but I think it's time for us to go.'

'Go? Go where?' The king asked.

'I want to show something to Misaki, if that's alright, Sakuya-san, Minako-san?' He flashed his I-am-so-darn innocent smile.

'Oh, is it a present for her?' My mother quipped.

Present?I cocked my head curiously.

Takumi just smiled & winked at my mom. She giggled like a two-year old.

'Okay. Have fun, kids!' My dad enthusiastically waved. 'Bring my daughter home safe & unpregnant.'

'DAD!' I shrieked.

The adults laughed out loud as a flustered Takumi dragged me out of the hell's dining hall.

Takumi smuggled me inside a dark room somewhere in the castle. I think it was a study or a library because the room smelled like stack of books & old papers.

He didn't bother turning the lights on as he led me past across the room to the balcony, overlooking the frozen garden. The place was picturesque from our viewpoint & the silence was perfect for a quiet conversation.

'Seriously, bringing our parents together in one room is not something I look forward to,' I said, looking up at the huge full moon above us.

'That wasn't so bad,' Takumi muttered beside me. He had thrown his black overcoat somewhere, loosened his tie & opened a few buttons of his white shirt. He ran his fingers through his hair, messing it more. He looked wild & ragged which suits him perfectly. He was so damn handsome it should be illegal.

'It was bad,' I insisted. 'They want us to get married and-and t-they want us to have c-children!' I blushed furiously.

Takumi didn't say anything at first. Then he pursed his lips & eyed me cautiously. 'Don't you want to marry me & have kids with me?' He asked quietly, giving me the big puppy-dog eyes & all that crap.

My heartbeat doubled & my breathing caught in my throat. What the hell's he saying? Was that a marriage proposal? I blinked at him; I think I was having an out-of-the-body experience.

'Don't you want to spend the rest of your life with me?' He inquired. God, he was so irresistible when he flash that alluring smile.

I swallowed. I tried to avoid his eyes & looked at my fingers. 'I-I don't know,' I admitted. 'I mean, it's still early to think about those things. We're too young for that, your highness,' I tried to explain my point.

'Well then, in five years' time, where do you think our relationship will be?' He asked softly. By the tone of his voice, I could tell that he was really curious...and hopeful.

I thought for a moment. In five years' time, huh? We're all grown up by that time & I sincerely hope I'm still with him. In a happy marriage, perhaps? Yes, I like that. I smiled secretly. But we wouldn't know for sure. Things aren't set on stones. Changes are inevitable.

'In five years' time, I hope I'm still with my beautiful Ayuzawa Misaki. But preferably, she'll be Usui Misaki by that time,' Takumi said, grinning happily.

I flushed. He was overly excited about this but I could sense that he was serious.

'You know, there are a lot of things that can happen in five years,' I said. 'What if, one day you wake up & you realized you don't want me, anymore?' My voice faded out as the thought sent my stomach plummeting at the speed of light. My breathing became faster & faster as million possibilities crossed my mind. 'Takumi, what if, you find the girl that was really meant for you-' I choked.

He hooked his finger under my chin & forced me to look at him. His green eyes seemed glowing.

Panic rise in my throat; unbearable scenes flash in my head. 'W-what if-'

'Ssshhh,' he put his index finger on my lips. 'If ever that day comes when I wake up & realize I don't want you, then I'll stay awake until that day passed so I don't have to wake up,' he smiled. 'But I highly doubt that day will come. As for the girl that was really meant for me, I think I already found her,' he encircled his arms around my waist & pulled me closer to his warm body.

My heart pounded erratically. I was sure he could feel it as I was pressed against him.

'Tell me, Misaki, where do you see us five years in the future?' He whispered in my ear, sending volts of electricity in every vein in my body.

I bit my lip, so many emotions hurling inside me. I fisted a handful of his shirt, pulled him to me & buried my face on the crook of his neck. I didn't realize I missed being this close to him.

'In five years' time,' I said softly against his neck, 'I still want to be with my prince.'

I felt his body shuddered as he laughed. He pulled away slightly & caught my face in his warm hands. He was smiling like an idiot. But I'm sure I was mirroring his expression, too.

He brushed my bottom lip, his eyes glinting brightly & as I watched with my own wide eyes, he kissed me.

Everything swirled & burst altogether like fireworks. An unexpected gasp escaped my throat as he bit my lower lip & pried it open with his tongue. He kissed me like he never kissed me before. It was full of love; full of passion... it took my breath away.

I cupped his face as the kiss deepened. His hand found its way to my waist & squeezed me closer. I felt his other hand slid up & down my back.

Still cupping his face, I reluctantly pull away when my lungs were screaming for air. I opened my eyes, flushed & panting. Takumi was breathing steadily. He rested his forehead on mine & affectionately bumped his nose against mine, eyes still close. He locked his arms around my waist.

'I miss this,' he murmured. I nodded slightly.

It seemed like eternity before he opened his eyes & stared at me.

'Misaki,' he said my name like it was the most precious thing in the world.

'Hm?'

'I love you.'

I smiled shyly, 'yeah... me too.' We all have that mushy moment, don't we?

'You are the very first girl I fell in love with & I want you to be the last one, too. I promise to make you happy, I offer you all of my heart & soul to love you for the rest of forever,' he paused. He let go of me & breathed deeply.

My skin started stinging. My hair stood on its end like an angry cat's fur. I was rooted on my feet.

Uh-oh. This isn't good. Run, Misaki! My mind screamed at me, for even with naivety, I know what comes next after that speech. But my thumping heart told me to stay & listen. I heard the roaring thunder of blood in my ears as the biggest idiot in the world slid down to his knee.

Oh. My. God. This isn't happening! I stared at him with popping eyes. My throat tightened. I didn't know what to do. I was having a coronary attack on the spot.

'Misaki,' I managed not to squeak when he called me softly. He looked up to me & looked at me straight to my soul. 'In five years' time, will you marry me?'

'Eh?' I hang my mouth open.

Somehow, I felt a twinge of relief; not now. Still within five years, I mentally sighed. I thought I might throw into a shotgun marriage with all that sudden proposal.

Takumi took my hands & grasped it tightly; 'will you be my wife five years in the future?'

'Aren't we too eager, your highness?' I giggled nervously.

'Early bird catches the worm,' he smirked & stood, wrapping his arms around me again.

I made a face, 'I hate that quotation.'

He chuckled & sighed. 'So what would be your answer, my lady?' He prompted, looking at me with those big, emerald eyes.

Every fiber in my body was screaming YES!But a nagging part of me was creeping up my nerves: am I ready for that? Sure, it's still half a decade to go but aren't we setting out too far in the future? Can we really do this?

Five years... that would make me 21 & Takumi will be 22. Whoa. That's still pretty young.

So, what now? My stupid-but-almost-logical part of me tapped her foot impatiently & glared. Are you going to dwell on the fact that you're both too young for this? Don't tell me you can't handle this marriage because you're too young? That's just plain stupid. Can you see yourself five years in the future without Takumi? You said it yourself you want to be with him. Damn it; just give him a fucking 'yes' already!

'Yes!' I said too abruptly after that long speech from my stupid-but-almost-logical part of me.

'Yes?' Takumi widened his eyes in surprise.

'Yes,' I nodded. The spreading smile on his lips was infectious.

'Well then!' He beamed & glanced at the clock, '10:26pm, December 24th, five years from now, I expect you to be in your wedding gown.'

I burst out laughing at his craziness & then he joined in, too.

'That is some plan you got there, your highness,' I chuckled.

'Yeah,' he breathed as he touched my cheek & kissed it earnestly. His nose slowly, sensually glided along my jaw, heightening my senses to the maximum level. I fought a shiver that was threatening to surge my body.

'Thank you,' he whispered & bit softly on the soft spot under my ear. We stayed tangled together until he suddenly pulled away as if remembering something.

'I almost forgot my present for you,' he said.

'You got present for me?' I asked stupidly. These past days had been busy & distracting I forgot to get him a Christmas present.

'I'll go get it. Wait for me here, don't go anywhere,' he put a chaste kiss on my cheek before disappearing.

Takumi came back not a minute later. In his arms was a big, fluffy white... stuff toy?

'What's that?' I frowned at him curiously. The big, fluffy thing in his arms was not exactly a stuff toy. Or a Teddy bear for that matter. But it has a pair of arms & legs without hands or feet. It has a rectangular body & a square-shaped head.

Takumi held it out so I can see the face. And I doubled over, clutching my stomach as I laughed out loud.

On the square head of the stuffed humanoid, was a picture of the crown prince, smiling. It was fitted so it looked exactly like a stuffed robot version of Takumi.

'Here, it's for you,' he gave it to me & I was still giggling when I engulfed it in a big hug. It was so soft & surprisingly, it smelled just like him.

'What's with the weird gift?' I grinned.

'You said you're bored without me, so...' he shrugged.

'I just told you that earlier before dinner.'

'I figured it out that much. Besides, that stuff is multipurpose. You can stare at it as long as you can when you miss me,' he smirked. 'Or you can hug it at night since I am not allowed to sleep on your bed, yet-'

'Yet?' I raised an eyebrow.

'You can also beat that up instead of me whenever you got pissed at me.'

'That's cute,' I giggled again as I crushed the stuff Takumi in my arms. Hmm, so soft.

'I'm sorry. I forgot to get you a gift,' I mumbled. I am a very nice girlfriend, aren't I? Forgetting to buy her own boyfriend a present for the first Christmas they're together. Great.

Takumi flicked his finger on my forehead. 'Your positive answer is more than a gift,' he said.

I blushed. Then, gathering up my courage, I stood on my toes & gave him a kiss square on the lips.

'Thank you,' I whispered. I swear I could see a faint redness across his cheeks. I had taken him by surprise. I giggled.

He smiled & shook his head slightly as if something amused him. He caught my free hand & kissed my knuckles.

'Come on. I promised your dad I'll bring you home safe & unpregnant.Let's go now, before I do something really stupid,' he said quietly.

'Pervert,' I muttered, blushing beet red as we made it out the dark room.

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12/25/12 OWARI

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SORA'S RAMBLING CORNER:

Merry Christmas!

Hai, just as promised, another sort-of-Christmas-special chapter update for you! I hope you like it. Treat it as a present for my ever-loyal readers :)

I actually managed to write this whole thing out within almost three days. I practically squeezed my brain out to make this, you know? Hahaha!

Anyway, the humanoid stuffed Takumi was my sister's idea. I was bashed up thinking of something that might be a nice & romantic gift for Misaki & I thought of a necklace. But it was too typical & boring, so I asked my sister. And that was her answer. She said she got the idea from the Korean TV series, "Princess Hours".

So, how was the drop-bomb marriage proposal of our prince? That was really unexpected. Was it too mushy? Hahaha!

It's already 2:31 am here & my eyes are drooping, I hope you appreciate my little gift for you & my hard work for this, teehee!

Thanks a lot & once again: HAPPY, MERRY CHRISTMAS, EVERYONE!