Mirror Image

Chapter 37: The Wedding

Rin's heart lurched at the realization that she was falling head first through an empty space of nothing. The feeling remained as Rin had yet to feel an impact with any hard surfaces. She remained tense and unsure. She was overwhelmed, soon consumed by a beautiful jade light, wind rushing through her ears. The one thing that reassured her was the firm grip placed on her shoulders.

Squinting through the light, Rin raised one of her arms, outstretching her fingers, fighting against the wind as they clasped over Len's. A great burst of energy formed through the contact, jade light transforming into pure white beams, blinding her. Suddenly, she found herself in the stillness of a familiar room, caught in a tight embrace.

She was in a daze, soon blinking away white spots muddling her vision. I...I'm back? "You're back," She heard the words gently whispered at the back of her ear. "I thought I'd never see you again."

Rin stared down at the cursed mirror sitting by the corner of Len's room. Energy sparked through the surface of the glass, the actual mirror itself appearing beat-down from years of use. She understood everything now. Turning her body towards Len, Rin returned the embrace. "I...I'm so glad I came back," she whispered. "I wanted so desperately to see you, but I―I couldn't."

"It's alright. We're together now."

Rin and Len's reunion had been cut short by the business of the day. Last minute preparations were taking place for the wedding, palace staff rushing to get these tasks complete before the sun was at its highest. Their main focus: Rin and Len. Both needed to look presentable for the event. They soon went their separate ways. Rin's face flushed a deep red as Len spoke his parting words.

"I'll see you later, my soon-to-be bride."

Rin was sent to beauty specialized servants who hadn't given Rin a moments rest. She failed to receive privacy in the bath. Maids had scrubbed her down until there was not a lick of dirt hidden under her pores. After a vigorous bath, scented oils of vanilla and lavender was massaged into her skin and she was soon sent to Gala, who she had successfully avoided since their fight. It had been so long ago, but Rin could still sense the heavy atmosphere standing between them.

Gala stood by his female assistant, engaged in a seemingly friendly conversation until he noticed her presence. "―oh," he said cutting his sentence short. "Come in." Rin hesitated by the door. "I do hope you realize we're short on time."

Rin swallowed back a lump forming in her throat. His tone unnerved her, but Rin kept her expression cool and serene as she walked into the room. The assistant, a tall girl with sky blue hair and crimson eyes stared between the two, unsure if she was the only one sensing the tension.

Gala motioned for Rin to sit in the chair seated between two small tables holding face powders and a variety of color palates. Rin was careful not to knock over the small pieces of furniture as she seated herself into the comfy chair. Once seated, Gala, smiling sweetly, turned towards his assistant. "Matsu-dear, can you go get my brushes? I seem to have forgotten them in the other room."

She raised a brow in surprise. Gala wasn't one to forget, especially when it came to his work. It seemed her master was human after all. "Alright." Gala watched her leave, his smile dropping the instant he heard the door close.

"Gala...about before―" she began, but was silenced by the wave of his hand.

"I don't want to hear it," he snapped. "Look, I'll be honest with you, future Queen or not, I don't like you," he stated blatantly. "Now, I don't know what sort of tricks you pulled to lock his highness into marriage, but know if you do anything, and I mean anything to hurt him, you will be hearing from me."

"I won't!" she snapped back. "I mean...I wasn't planning on it."

Gala simply hmphed in response. He turned towards the room's dresser, pulling out several brushes out of its compartment when his apprentice walked back into the room. "Sorry, I couldn't find―oh."

Gala feigned embarrassment. "I'm sorry. It looks like I brought them with me after all."

They soon went to work. Rin avoided the boy's eyes as his face neared hers to line her lids and thicken her lashes. His assistant would hand Gala applies to help perfect his work. Combs, brushes and other objects foreign to Rin's eyes.

Sometime during the beautification process, Tonia walked in with a cart. In it, there stood a tall, perfectly figured mannequin wearing the most beautiful dress Rin had ever laid eyes on. It had taken her a moment to realize that it was a wedding dress―her wedding dress since the dress itself was not white, but black. It was light, made entirely of lace with gold embedded into the hem and bodice. A shimmering silk veil was worn atop the mannequin head, held down by a small golden tiara, with matching train that trailed not far behind the dress.

"Ah, so you've brought it. Great. I'm almost done here." He quickly brushed light blush on the apples of her cheeks before moving away, breathing a heavy sigh of relief.

Gala stayed back watching as Rin was fit into her dress. The dress fitting had been a long and difficult process. The wedding dress was delicate and hard to slip into. Tonia had aided her all throughout the fitting, placing extreme caution as she slipped Rin's arms through the oh so delicate sleeves of the dress. She had helped tighten the bodice and when she was finished, she placed the veil over her head with Gala's help, careful not to ruin the hair he'd worked so hard on.

"Finished! And just in time too," she smiled. "You look lovely."

Gala stood away from the mirror, allowing Rin to see herself. Though her face felt plastered and her dress tight, she looked stunning. Her skin was glowing, her face perfectly sculpted by the magic of Gala's makeup skills. Her hair was styled in the most elegant of buns. It was simple, but the look perfectly suited her. While she still had yet to properly break into the lace dress, the dress framed her body perfectly, accentuation what little curves she had. In all her seventeen years of living, Rin had never looked so beautiful.

Gala couldn't help but nod in agreement. "Well, you look appropriate enough to stand by his highness."

Rin stood by the wooden doors of the temple. The temple itself was intimating to her and lit with purpose.

Rin was getting married.

She was nervous.

Nervous couldn't even begin to describe her feelings. A pit formed in her stomach, a pit which was slowly developing into a stomach ache. Over a thousand guests were seated inside that temple. Rin only knew a few of those guests, the others were strangers to her, but there was no denying the fact that they were nobles and other high-ranking officials. All of whom would be looking at her, judging her.

She shook her head. No, she couldn't be nervous. She couldn't show her fear to others. She had to remain cool and serine, or others would question her. There were already dozens upon dozens of guards protecting the temple, quite a few had already begun to take notice of their future Queen's minor break down.

The head guard approached her. "It's time," he said giving her a supportive pat on the back.

She nodded grimly. She swallowed back a nerve, taking a few steps towards the doors. The guards, taking notice of her approach, opened the doors for her. Rin took a deep breath, slowly releasing white winter breath trailing behind her upon her entrance into the warm temple.

She felt it. The eyes. Each stare pierced her very being causing her gaze to go downcast. She could feel her knees knob against each other. Her nerves had worsened. Just then, a soft melodic tune began to play a second short of her arrival. It was quiet but possessed a very beautiful sound. It calmed a few Rin's nerves.

I...she thought. I'm going to be alright. Her head tilted upwards. She could see the fancy dress shoes many of the guests wore, including Len's. Daring herself, she slowly raised her head, making out the figure of her future husband. He wore navy blue robes bearing the emblem of his kingdom. Since his return to being his true self, he rarely wore jewelry, but Rin spotted a golden gleam dangling under his left earlobe, a sapphire jewel hanging beneath the thin string of gold.

Len stared straight ahead, his face stern and serious. Their eyes met and that's when she saw it. The warmth and excitement mixed together into one look, melting away all of Rin's fears and doubts. Rin felt foolish for feeling so anxious. What was there to worry about? This was her day after all.

Rin walked forward, walking to the slow rhythmic tune of the music. She placed confidence in every step she took. She soon reached the steps leading up to a small elevated area. She strode up the steps with grace, now in the presence of the King and a Sasarian priest who began the ceremony. He spoke in a language foreign to her ears.

As he spoke, Rin felt warm fingers coil around her own. She glanced at Len who gave her an encouraging nod. It was then she realized the priest had paused in his speech. He stared at her, awaiting an answer. "O―Oh...I...do?"

He smiled.

Rin heard footsteps echo up the steps, her eyes following a boy, a young priest in training, she realized. He held a decorative silk pillow. On it sat a large golden crown similar to the one Len wore. She was so fascinated with the crown, she'd almost missed Len signaling her to kneel. She raised a brow at him, confused. Taking a step towards her, he whispered, "Kneel. He will crown you."

She obeyed, standing on one knee as her tiara was removed and replaced with the much heavier crown. Struggling against the weight of the crown, Rin stood receiving a huge round of applause, greeting her upon her stand and acknowledging her, recognizing Rin as the country's Queen. She blushed, unused to such attention. Her lower lip quivered and she couldn't help but break out into a smile.

She turned towards Len, beaming at him. He returned the joyful smile, and to her surprised leaned in to kiss her.

The ceremony was long over, but the Capitol was still in celebratory mode. Rin and Len rode through the Capitol through an open carriage, smiling and waving to the citizens they drove past. Rin's cheeks began to ache from her constant grinning throughout the day, but her smile had yet to falter. After all, it was powered by her ever-growing happiness.

"I'm sorry."

Rin paused in her wave. "Huh?

"You were a bit lost during the ceremony."

"Ah, well...yeah," she admitted.

"A Queen doesn't have to do much during the coronation, so I didn't place much importance in it. I did mean to inform you about it a few days before the wedding, but..."

She smiled. "It's fine, Len. We got through it, didn't we?"

He nodded. "We did."

They hadn't stayed out for long. The sun had soon set and the newly wed couple had returned to the palace. They were to enter the palace ballroom where they would celebrate their marriage with the guests who had attended the ceremony. Rin wasn't one for parties, but she was really looking forward to it. She'd felt like an outcast from the previous balls she had attended. She wanted to enjoy herself this time.

Rin had never seen the palace ballroom before. She realized this upon her entrance to the room, located on the highest level of the palace. There was an open window space providing a never ending view of the Capitol. The ballroom itself was beautiful with detailed gold design schemes on the wall and paintings of the heavens that decorated the ceiling. And as every other ballroom she'd seen before, a large crystal chandelier hung from the ceiling, holding hundreds of candles that warmly lit the room.

The minute Rin and Len had entered the ballroom, they were surrounded by nobles congratulating them on their marriage and wishing them both long and happy lives. They'd spoken to many guests. Though Len had done most of the talking Rin had managed to speak with a few of the guests she knew.

At one point, Rin and Len had been separated from one another. She walked across the ballroom, searching for him. It wouldn't be too hard to find him. All she had to do was search for the biggest crowd in the room.

"Why Rin, don't you look lovely tonight."

She turned to find IO standing behind her, wine glass in hand. "IO! What are you doing here?" She meant to sound curious, but her sentence came out as panicked worry.

He smiled. "I was invited, obviously."

"Oh...right." She'd almost forgotten IO was a high-ranking noble. Ever since Mikuo had told her that IO was the anonymous benefactor of the rebel army, Rin had trouble seeing him as anything but such.

IO giggled. "You almost sound relieved." Rin froze. "But that's impossible."

"Of course it is," she said a little too quickly.

Again, he smiled. "Well your highness, I have to admire your continuous struggle in fighting for the rebel army." He almost sounded mocking.

"I was―I didn't―" IO skipped away before Rin even got the chance to explain herself.

The night wore on. Rin eventually found Len and the two seated themselves in their thrones located at the side of the ballroom, taking a small break from any form of social interaction. Instead, they sat back, content with watching the celebration of their wedding unfold.

"Are you alright?"

She smiled. "Of course." To be honest, she wasn't. Conversing with IO had dampened her mood. She preferred that she not share this with Len. Rin's life in the rebel army was a topic that rarely surfaced in their conversations. She rather Len not share any of her burdens relating to the rebel army. Rin understood the marriage life was all about sacrifice and sharing the troubling aspects of life in order to overcome the problems they had, together. Not this time.

Len observed her. He'd sensed her lie, but didn't press on it. Instead, he stood up, extending his arm towards her. "Do you want to dance?"

"W―What?" She looked over her shoulder, confirming that Len indeed was speaking to her. "S...Sure."

He laughed, amused by her timidness. "Come. No need to be shy."

Rin took his hand and he lead her to the middle of the ballroom, instantly gaining the attention of the other guests. Unfazed by the attention, he led Rin through their waltz. Rin, on the other hand, was bothered by the stares. It bore a negative affect on her dancing.

"Rin," Len whispered, snapping her out nervous state. "Are you really alright?"

"Yes, just a little tired."

He nodded, taking note of her words. He stopped, breaking away from their position. Looking away while twiddling with his fingers, his mouth opened and closed shut. He appeared to contemplate his next sentence. He took a deep breath, making his decision. "Rin, I've been wondering whether or not I should tell you this but―" He was cut off by the sudden outing of the lights.

The sudden darkness bought alarm and worry to the other guests and admittedly, even Rin herself. She felt Len's fingers curl tightly around her own, silently assuring her that everything would be alright. And for a moment, Rin believed him. "Wealthy, selfish and uncaring. These words are commonly used to describe the nobles of this nation," A voiced boomed through the terror and confusion. "Vicious, malicious, and cruel are the only characteristics The Dark Lord bears."

The voice. Where was it coming from? Rin...Rin recognized the voice. "For centuries, the people of this nation have waited for a change that never came. Forever scarred by the cruelty of this world while the rest of you continued living your lives without a care."

The lights were relit. Heads turned, searching for the source of the voice when eyes came across the tall figure of a boy. A mischievous glint shone in his teal eyes. He sat in the King's throne, crossed legged and holding the hilt of his sword. "We have become the change the people have so desperately prayed for."

He stood up. Raising his sword, he yelled. "Attack!"

The doors were open, and rebel soldiers poured into the room. It was complete chaos from there. The nobles ran for an escape, only to be mercilessly slaughtered by soldiers. IO, who had stood near Rin and Len, backed away from an approaching, bloodthirsty soldier. IO had yet to be recognized as the savior of the rebel army, and so he was placed in as much danger as any other noble in the room.

"IO!"

Just as Rin was about to charge his way, Mikuo appeared standing in-between IO and the soldier. "Don't even think of harming this one." His ears perked as he ignored the soldiers sputters of disagreement. He thought he'd heard Rin's voice. Sure enough, he spotted her, unnesscairly breaking through for an escape. "IO, you'd better stick with me."

Rin had dragged Len out of the ballroom where they were momentarily safe. "Come on!" Rin grabbed him by the wrist and pulled them through the halls. Rin had no idea where exactly she'd be taking him, but anywhere was better than back there. Rin's heart lurched. She was angry, hurt and just so very confused. What had just happened? Had Mikuo really called for an attack, a mass murder?

"Rin, stop!" She heard Mikuo call after her and out of sheer instinct, she braked. She gasped once she realized what exactly she'd done. She and Len exchanged looks of shock. Rin decided to act fast and place a protective arm in front of him as Mikuo caught up with them with IO trailing not far behind.

"Rin."

"Mikuo," she snapped. "What do you think you're doing?"

"I told you, we'd come back for you eventually."

"By killing people? Innocent people!" She gave Len an apologetic look before turning to glare at Mikuo. "I thought you said you didn't want to be like The Dark Lord."

"I don't, but innocent people? Rin, they were nobles. They were never innocent to begin with."

Rin couldn't believe her ears. "Isn't IO a noble? And what about you?"

His eyes widened. He shot daggers at Len. "You told her?" He raised his sword. "How could you―"

"He didn't tell me. I figured it out on my own."

Mikuo's anger subsided, but by only a little bit. "Rin, you can step aside now." He pointed his sword at Len. "He's under arrest." Mikuo walked towards him, but Rin blocked his path. "Rin. What are you doing?"

"I can't let you kill him."

"What?" He shook his head. Was she in her right mind? "Rin. Get out of my way. I won't say it again."

She didn't move. A fight ended up breaking between the two. Rin fought against him, pushing Mikuo away whenever he tried to go near. Mikuo did the same, but the two ended up in a deadlock. He struggled to break free from their stalemate now angered by Rin. Why wouldn't she let him past? Why was she so desperate in stopping him, from capturing Len? He'd waited so long for this. "Why...Why are you getting in my way?"

Equally angered, Rin spat the truth. "Because I love him!" Mikuo's eyes widened in shock and IO's mask of nonchalance shattered. Len...Len remained silent. It was then Rin realized her mistake. "Mikuo, this has all been one big misunderstanding."

Mikuo lowered his head, his bangs masking his expression. "Rin."

"If you just let me explain, you'll understand that Len was never the one at fault."

"Rin."

"Len is innocent―"

"Rin!" He raised his head, revealing angry glass eyes. Rin was stunned into silence. Was...Was Mikuo crying?

"That bastard...he killed Kaiko!"