Haruhi
Today was the day of Kyouya's wedding. I could not get myself to sleep at all the night before. I was so preoccupied thinking about Kyouya. I was even awake when Celia came to make sure I was ready for breakfast, even though I almost had to fight her off when I told her I did not want to eat. The only thing on my mind was figuring out how to stop Kyouya from making the biggest mistake of his life, and I couldn't help but also feel responsible for what had happened between us. It really was my fault that everything up until now was so complicated. I thought to myself as I stared at Celia.
She tightly held the tray of food that had my breakfast while she glared at me. "Princess, you must eat at least a little," she said sternly.
"No, it's alright. I don't have much of an appetite now. Besides, you know what today is. I have to get to the Southern Kingdom before Kyouya's wedding starts and stop it somehow."
"You didn't even sleep last night and you have dark circles under your eyes for goodness sake! At least... drink the coffee or something. You look terrible."
"Wow, thanks Celia. You are too kind," I spoke sarcastically, "but I'm fine. Really."
Celia had slammed the tray of food on a nearby table, splashing the coffee on the tray and disturbing the neatly arranged eggs benedict and the small tossed salad. She concentrated her attention on me as she walked towards my bed. I could only watch in shock at her sudden anger, until she pinched my cheek with a bit more force than I thought she was capable of inflicting on me.
"Ow!" I winced in pain. When Celia let go of my cheek, I instinctively tried to rub away the pain with my hand. "What was that for?"
"Princess Haruhi. Listen to me," Celia squatted down at the side of my bed and I watched her, sensing her seriousness and concern for me. "I know how much you love Prince Kyouya and I just know that he feels the same way about you, but you can't continue with whatever it is you are planning to do to stop his wedding. You are exhausted and you are not thinking clearly."
"Celia... But I caused all of this. Things never would have happened if I had just... let Kyouya into my life."
"Oh nonsense!" Celia rose to her feet and folded her arms across her chest. "I heard the story of how His Highness wanted you two to marry and how King Yoshio planned this to test his son. To be honest, I feel like all four of you are at fault for the trouble that you are all facing now."
I mumbled to myself. I almost couldn't believe the words coming out of Celia's mouth... but I knew she had a point. And a part of me knew that it was true.
Celia continued, "The Prince had his reasons for his past and present actions as do you obviously have yours. I know you finally have realized your true feelings for him and I am glad. However, I do not want to see you blindly rushing to the Southern Kingdom, trying to stop this wedding without thinking of the consequences that may come because of your rekindled feelings. You need to be rational."
Celia was right. I wasn't thinking clearly. I was so upset about hearing the story from Father—what he had kept secret from me and what he knew—I was hurt and I stayed up all night just thinking, planning what I had to do to make things right between Kyouya and I. All I knew was that I had to stop that wedding and tell him how I felt... because even though we both already knew, neither Kyouya nor I have actually admitted that we loved one another and I wanted to tell him.
No. I needed to tell him.
"Do you understand me, Princess Haruhi?" Celia asked. She tilted her head slightly to get a better look into my eyes and all I could do was nod slowly in confirmation. Celia breathed out a relieved and airy 'good' as she let her arms fall to her sides.
"Celia?"
"Yes Princess?" She smiled softly.
"Thank you," I said to her gratefully. I looked over at the table where Celia had left the tray with my now cold breakfast. I felt my stomach churn in hunger and grumble. I heard Celia chuckle lightly as she placed a gentle hand on my shoulder and then let it slide off as she walked away. Without me even having to say a word, she had gone to get me a new breakfast tray.
If I was going to stop this wedding, I needed all the strength I could get. Especially after defying King Yoshio as I have. I closed my eyes and folded my hands together just as I had done when I spoke to Parliament, and I prayed.
Mother, please watch over me.
Fuyumi
Less than two hours to go, I said to myself anxiously. I didn't know what was going on anymore. Not with the wedding, not with Kyouya, not even with Father. I had felt as though everything I strived to fix between Kyouya and Father, Kyouya and Princess Haruhi, was slipping through my fingers. I even knew nothing about what Yuuichi said to Father last night. I wandered through the palace at a fast pace to match that of everyone else. I passed all the workers setting up last-minute decorations, moving furniture to make room for a crowd to walk through, the maids and butlers working with everyone else to make sure nothing would be lost or broken, and redirecting where the food would go.
I wasn't sure of what to do with my time because I knew everyone was busy and I refused to take part in helping with details of the wedding because something inside me said that somehow, things were going to turn out for the best.
I walked by a few women in maid outfits while aimlessly wandering around. I was not familiar with them and saw them walk into our guest room. I figured they were from the Houshakuji's estate. I peaked in to see Lady Renge standing on an upholstered step in front of a mirror surrounded by two women. She was being fitted into an extravagant wedding gown. I watched them finish putting her into the gown, the veil and all at the doorway before walking up to see her. She looked beautiful and a sharp pang of guilt suddenly hit me as I looked at her. I'm taking away your happiness, I thought to myself, I'm. . . sorry.
When Lady Renge saw me, she told her personal maids to leave the room so we could speak. Not that I knew what I was really going to say, but I should at least put on a happy front for her. Lady Renge smiled at me as she stepped down to walk towards the large vanity, which was now strewn with makeup placed all over it. When I stared at her reflection, I noticed a strange expression behind her gentle smile.
I walked over to her.
"How are you doing Fuyumi?" she said as she lightly powdered her nose and forehead. Lady Renge was not wearing much makeup and it didn't look like she was going to put much on despite all the beauty products and makeup sitting before her.
"I am well." I paused for a moment. "How about yourself? You seem to be rather calm among all the chaos out in the palace."
"Yes. . ." She trailed off. She had placed the powder she used on her face to the side and took hold of a simple looking wide toothed comb and ran it through her curled hair slowly. I watched her in silence, expecting her to say something but she never did. She had been acting a bit strange for a little while now. I hadn't really noticed until before but something was definitely wrong.
"Cold feet?" I asked simply, smiling to try to lighten the mood.
"Hm?" Lady Renge replied, a little taken aback by what I said. "Oh no. Not even a little bit," she chuckled softly.
"Really? Then. . . are you sure—"
"You know. . ." Lady Renge finished combing through her hair and placed the comb on the vanity and placed her hands on her lap. "I never dreamed of the day, that I would be engaged to marry a Prince of the Southern Kingdom. But now look at me! It's the day of my wedding, the happiest day of any woman's life, where I get to marry Prince Kyouya. It's almost like a dream." Lady Renge shifted in her seat so that she could look at me, her gaze gentle and sweet but. . .
I knew it. There it was: her gentle smile and normally happy-go-lucky expression was now visibly tinged with sadness.
"No. I don't have cold feet." Lady Renge had looked down for a moment then shook her head. "I'm just a little sad. Sad because. . . I'm not really going to end up marrying Kyouya."
I felt my eyes widen in surprise. What was she saying all of a sudden? Lady Renge had been so full of joy to be engaged to Kyouya but, by her tone and the way that she's smiling at me in bittersweet defeat. . . Does she know? "Wh-what are you talking about, Renge?" I laughed nervously, trying to play as if I had nothing hide.
"Kyouya doesn't love me, Fuyumi." She said still with a sad smile on her face. "I was always aware. I just chose to ignore it. He is most definitely still in love with Princess Haruhi—that was made very clear the day both of them were invited to our estate. Even still, I carried on with the wedding plans like nothing was wrong!" Lady Renge held back her tears as she tried to laugh. Wiping her face carefully of what little makeup she did have on, she continued to smile. I brought my hand up to my chest and clutched the fabric of my dress tightly. The guilt I was feeling earlier was only getting worse. "Fuyumi, I figured out what you have tried to do for Kyouya. It's very sweet."
"Renge, let me explain," I said on a rush of breath.
"No need," she said. "I understand. You want Kyouya to be happy, as do I."
"Renge. . ."
Lady Renge rose to her feet and placed a hand on my shoulder. She left it there for only a few seconds before taking a few steps forward. "The only way out of this mess is to continue with the ceremony."
"What? But how—"
Renge cut me off. "Trust me," was all she said before walking out of the room in her wedding gown.
What just happened? I stood motionless by the vanity dumbstruck. I had no idea what was going to happen at this wedding, but all I knew that it was going to cause a commotion.
Kyouya
I was anxious. In only a matter of minutes was I about to be married. I was disappointed in myself since I hadn't found out a way to get out this mess. Making Haruhi jealous worked but it produced no results. I led Lady Renge on and I felt bad about it. I felt defeated. My father got what he wanted. . . that I could never be eligible for the crown.
As I stood at the altar, I had my arms folded together in front of me and everyone who was invited were patiently waiting in their seats staring at the altar—staring at me—as I waited to see Lady Renge make her way down the aisle. I saw Father sitting in the front row along with my brothers and Fuyumi. Something seemed off about them, however. Fuyumi was trying to look composed but she was fidgeting. Father looked angry and my brothers actually had a slight look of concern in their eyes. I kept glancing at them because I found it all so peculiar. Something was going on and I felt as if I was the only one that didn't know anything.
On the other side, I spotted Lady Renge's family sitting together. They looked happy that their daughter was getting married. However, yet again, Sir Houshakuji's seemed unsettled.
Strange. . .
After a few minutes the music changed and everyone rose from their seats, turned their backs towards me to face the double doors of the chapel. At first I saw her silhouette and then I saw her, Lady Renge in her wedding gown and her face hidden behind her veil. She walked down with grace and with a small smile on her face. Which I thought was odd when she was so excited about this whole thing only a few days ago.
As she passed each row of royals and higher class citizens, everyone slowly turned to face the altar as they watched her walk. When she finally came to stand beside me at the bottom of the altar's four steps, I held out my hand for Lady Renge to hold but, she just stood there. Confused I tilted my head to try to get a glimpse at her face. It was then that she grabbed my hand with a rather firm grasp. A little thrown off, we stepped up to stand before the minister. We stood face-to-face and I removed the veil which was the minister's cue to begin the ceremony.
"Welcome. We are all gathered here today—" The minister had begun to speak, but Lady Renge cut him off.
"Wait," she had said quietly but loud enough for the minister to hear.
"Oh? What is it dear? Is everything alright?" He asked in the same tone.
Renge smiled at him. "Yes, but may I have a moment to speak with Kyouya?"
Puzzled, the minister nodded his head and folded his hands in front of him. I could hear the confused murmurs of everyone and as more people started to ask questions to one another, the talk got a little bit louder each time.
I looked down at Renge, "What is it? Are you sure you're okay—"
"Kyouya," she said quickly, "listen to me. I can't. . . I can't marry you."
I was taken aback. "What are you talking about Renge?"
"I know this is all so sudden but this was the only time I've been able to see you the past few days. . . Let's face it, Kyouya." Renge began to speak slowly. Then she brought her hand to my left cheek. "I know you don't want this marriage and I know that you are in love with Princess Haruhi. You always have."
I felt my eyes widen. "How could you. . . Renge, I-I don't know what to say."
She let her hand drop and smiled. "You don't have to say anything. I can't go through with this marriage knowing you are not happy and I want you to be."
"Renge!" All of a sudden, Renge's father rose from his seat and shouted. "What is the meaning of all of this?" He then quickly turned to my father and started to shout at him. "Did you say something to my daughter?"
My father rose as well, anger burning in his eyes. He shouted back, "do not blame me for her own actions! I have not spoken to Lady Renge at all."
"Father! Your Majesty, please!" Renge pleaded for her father and mine to calm down before things got out of hand. Then she swiftly grabbed her gown and turned to face everyone in the chapel. "Everyone! I need to say this: I'm so sorry to have taken the time out of your day, but Prince Kyouya and I will not—"
"STOP!" Gasps of surprise came from many people as the doors to the chapel had burst open. It was promptly followed by an uproar of chatter.
All eyes were on the panting Princess Haruhi. I couldn't believe that she was here with the obvious intent to stop the wedding. I suppose I should have known that even with Father telling her that I did not want her here would be meaningless. My eyes were glued on her and in the background I could hear Fuyumi speak under her breath, "it's just one thing after another."
I watched as Princess Haruhi took a few steps down the aisle, her face slightly flushed from embarrassment. I thought I saw a figure behind the doors that looked like King Ryoji. But it vanished. Next to me I heard Renge quietly say, "perfect timing," and she abruptly picked up her gown and hastily made her to way towards Haruhi.
Renge's father shouted his protests as the two talked to each other for a few moments and then Renge pulled Haruhi along to the alter. Now I was more than just confused, but I was also beginning to panic. I looked over to Father, worried that he was more than beyond outraged. To my surprise I didn't see outrage on his face—he was actually calm. I saw that Yuuichi was talking with my father while they watched Haruhi and Renge run to altar. Before I knew it, Renge had pushed Haruhi up the steps. She took my hand as well as Haruhi's and curled my fingers over hers. Renge had a triumphant smile on her face. "This is how it should be."
I looked at Haruhi and she flashed me a hesitant smile as she uttered an embarrassed 'hi.' I turned to Renge. "What are you doing?" I asked her.
"Helping," she said simply as she smiled at both me and Haruhi. I noticed that she turned around to look at Fuyumi before she turned to her father. It looked as though Fuyumi had a glimmer of joy in her eyes. I felt so completely lost in all that was happening. It was a chaotic mess in the chapel that even the minister began praying in hopes the uproar and sudden arguing would end.
Without another word, Renge began to make her way towards the door as quickly as she could, her father, then the rest of her family went running after her. I turned to face Haruhi who was patiently waiting for me to compose myself from the craziness. I realized that we were still holding hands and I immediately let go out of shock and embarrassment since, to be honest, I was more than happy to see her. But I knew that Father was watching. I couldn't take any risks with him around. "Haruhi, what are you doing here? I did not want you to come."
"I know you do not really mean that," Haruhi said with a small smile.
"I did mean it. That was why I told my Father to tell you I did not want you to come." I turned my face away from Haruhi. I could feel my cheeks becoming warm from embarrassment. "I knew that if I saw you here. . . just seeing your face, I was not sure if I could follow through on this wedding."
"Oh. . . Kyouya. . ." Haruhi said in a sweet and soothing voice. "I could not take it either. The thought of you getting married to someone else just tore me apart and so I decided that I had to stop it." She was silent for a moment before she smiled again. "I love you, Kyouya."
"Haruhi. . ." I said with a smile forming on my lips. It was the first time Haruhi had every said those words. But something inside me wanted to talk to her first. I needed to tell her everything; why I even agreed to the arranged marriage in the first place. "I really think we should talk first."
"We can talk later," she stated.
"Kyouya." The sound of my father's voice resonated throughout the chapel. All the talk and all the noise started to quiet down. Haruhi and I stared at him. "Princess Haruhi. I see you have disregarded what I had said. "
"I do not have to listen to you. I have made that clear, King Yoshio." Haruhi spoke with no sense of fear in her voice. It still amazed me that she had the courage to stand up to my father like she did. And for the first time, he did not say anything back. He was silent. He did not even look angry. "You cannot force Kyouya into any marriage! You are cruel and all this trouble would have never started if it were not for you." Haruhi said firmly.
"Haruhi," I said. "You don't have to go that far."
"No," Father had said. "Princess Haruhi. . . makes a valid point. As do I know you are more than capable of that, Kyouya."
"Father?"
"I. . . realize that I have wronged you."
"Oh, Father." Fuyumi said with a huge grin on her face. Haruhi looked at him in surprise, as was I. In all of my life, I had never heard him say he was wrong or that any of his actions had wrong intentions. At least not so straight forward.
Father was acting strangely. What had happened to him, I did not know, but it made me glad to see that he was letting himself change. Just like how Haruhi changed me. I found that I had a hard time finding my voice.
Father was quiet before saying anything more. "Do as you please. . . my son." And with that, he started to walk out of the chapel. People bowed as he passed them and when he walked out, confusion still lingered in the air.
Was that his way of apologizing? I thought.
This wedding was a mess. No one understood what was happening; whether or not if it was okay to stay seated and wait to be dismissed or to just leave. For the most part, almost everyone chose the latter. However, the minister did stay put. He had watched the talk between me and my family and Haruhi.
"Kyouya!" She jumped up and down and ran up to the altar where Haruhi and I were frozen in place. "It's okay now!"
"What? What's okay?" I asked.
The movements of Yuuichi and Akito stepping closer to the altar caught my eye. They were standing next to Fuyumi now. "I was not expecting Lady Renge to find out," Akito said calmly, "but I suppose her outburst set the stage for what Father was going to stop anyway."
Yuuichi nodded in agreement. "Indeed. Father was going to stop the ceremony when the minister asked, but oh well." He turned to look at me. "Kyouya. Akito and I have always known how hard you have worked to prove your worth to Father. We had told him that we refused the right to the crown and that you deserved it. It helped give him that push to realize his mistakes, especially after having talked with Fuyumi."
"Why on Earth would you say such a thing to him?" I said. Then I turned to Fuyumi. "What did you talk to him about?"
"It's nothing to be worried about now." She rushed to change the subject. "Father has been angry and because of that it he acted childishly. He is only now realizing this. I believe that what he said just now was his way of apologizing to you both," Fuyumi smiled gently.
"So then. . ." Haruhi had appeared to understand the meaning behind Fuyumi's words. She brought her attention to me and stared straight into my eyes with so much love. Her gaze made me go crazy. It had been so long since I saw her look at me like that. "Kyouya," she said grabbing my hands, "marry me."
I couldn't help but let a chuckle escape from my mouth. This was all happening so fast that I had no time to comprehend if it any of this was real. I glanced at Fuyumi and saw the joy in her face. This had to be her doing. Most of it at least. I looked back at Haruhi and smiled. "I thought that I was the one who was supposed to ask."
"If I may?" The minister said suddenly, moving closer to Haruhi and I. He smiled as if he knew all along that among the chaos, something good would eventually happen.
I stared at Haruhi with a smile on my face and she did the same. My brothers and Fuyumi stood around us. There were only a few stragglers in the chapel who saw all the events up until then. It was quite nice. A small and more intimate ceremony. After all this time, Haruhi and I could finally be together.
While the minister talked, I was only half listening. I couldn't keep my eyes off Haruhi. She didn't need a wedding gown or glamorous makeup to look beautiful because she was no matter what she wore or looked like. She glanced my way for moment from listening to the minister talk, then smiled.
I love you, I mouthed to her while caressing the back of her hands with my thumbs as I held them. Haruhi's face turned beet red and the ceremony continued without any interruptions as we said our 'I do's.'
"Then by the power invested in me, I now pronounce you husband and wife. . . You may kiss the bride," the minister said with a happy smile. And with that I pulled Haruhi closer to me, held her chin high, and leaned down to meet her lips with mine.
Somehow we did it. Somehow we managed to get through this mess and came out with everything we wanted most: each other.
a/n: HELLO EVERYONE! I did NOT mean to be away for over a year... I really tried to work on this but school got in the way and I just could not, for the life of me, figure out how to write this nicely. This was kind of the best that I could do with it but as always, I have the trouble of not being able to properly write out what I am thinking in my head. There were some things that I still wanted to touch on and clarify but... Oh! Also, I'm sorry if I made Kyouya a little too... timid(?) in this chapter. I couldn't really figure out a way to make his dialogue more prominent but when I thought about it, he really didn't know anything that was going on, haha.
Anyway! Guess what! I actually have one more chapter for you before the epilogue! I wanted to add one more scene to really clear things up and so that you get more of an understanding of Yoshio and his... change of heart. I hope you guys liked this chapter and I will upload the next one and the epilogue once I'm done with some edits/rereads which will likely be in about a day or so (I hope there are not too many mistakes in this chapter..).
FEEDBACK/COMMENTS ARE ALL WELCOME AND APPRECIATED! Thanks for reading and being patient with me!
~Bliss