(Disclaimer: The Twelve Kingdom Characters belong solely to Fuyumi Ono, but Mariette and the other unknown characters I am writing about belong to me. If this disclaimer is wrong, then please do not sue me.)

Chapter 37: Mariette's Realization

Mariette walked around her garden after recovering from all the confessions she received. Mariette found Yuki and Usagi near her pond and sat between them.

"Hi guys."

Yuki and Usagi licked her cheeks making her giggle. Mariette petted their heads and asked, "Am I a bad person?'

Yuki and Usagi looked at her confusingly.

"What do you mean, Mariette?" asked Yuki. Mariette looked down sadly and said, "I heard a lot of confessions from my friends today, but I know for a fact that I can't love them the way they want me to." Mariette felt a tear fall from her eyes.

Usagi licked the tear away and said, "Just love them the way you are doing now." Mariette gave a small nod. Yuki and Usagi saw that she was still sad.

Yuki suddenly remembered something and said, "I heard that Kishi is going to visit soon." Mariette burst into a smile and said, "Really?" Yuki and Usagi nodded. Mariette smiled brightly and said, "It's been a while since I saw him. I hope he's doing fine."

Usagi and Yuki smiled at her and said, "We love to see you smile, Mariette." Mariette stared at them and then giggled.

"Thanks, guys."

Mariette hugged them as she smiled brightly.

Mariette left their sides and walked on one of her bridges around her palace. She thought of the others and sighed.

"How should I tell them that I don't love them like that?" Mariette asked herself. She suddenly tripped on a loose plank of wood. She fell to the ground and groaned in pain. She sat up and said, "Today really isn't my day."

"Mariette?"

Mariette flinched and looked up. She was relieved when she saw that it was just Keiki. Mariette smiled at Keiki and said, "Hello, Keiki." Keiki held his hand to her.

"You shouldn't lie here, Mariette," said Keiki. Mariette gave a small pout and said, "I just fell." Keiki helped her to her feet and said, "Then you must be clumsy." Mariette pouted.

"I am not," retaliated Mariette. Keiki smiled at Mariette and said, "Fine, you are not clumsy." Mariette blushed at Keiki's smile and then shook her head.

"Do you need to go somewhere, Keiki?" asked Mariette. Keiki nodded and said, "I was planning on going to Mount Ho to see the Nyosens. It has been a while since I last saw them."

Mariette felt sad when she heard that Keiki was leaving. Keiki saw Mariette's sadden face and placed a hand under her chin.

"Don't look so sad, Mariette," whispered Keiki. Mariette felt her face flush as she stared into Keiki's eyes. Her heart began to beat rapidly as well.

Keiki pulled away from her and began to walk away. Mariette stared at Keiki's back and placed a hand to her heart. She remembered Wuya's words and clenched her heart. Mariette began to remember the first time she met Keiki, how she always wanted him to say her name, and all the times he had been with her.

Mariette looked at Keiki and called out, "Keiki!" Keiki stopped in his tracks and looked back at Mariette.

"What is it Mariette?"

Mariette clenched her hands together as she stared at Keiki.

I only felt like this toward Keiki since the beginning.

Mariette smiled at Keiki with tears beginning to show in her eyes and said, "Ever since I first saw you, I was in love." Keiki looked at Mariette in surprise.

"I love you, Keiki."

Mariette had said the words that have been struggling to get out all these years. Mariette wiped her tears away and said, "I heard many confessions from the others, but couldn't feel the love they wanted me to feel for them. It was only you that I felt love toward. It was always you."

Keiki stared at Mariette remaining silent. Mariette smiled at Keiki and said, "I know that it was sudden, but this is how I truly feel. I just wanted you to know" Mariette bowed slightly to him and then turned away. She began to walk away, but suddenly felt firm hands on her shoulders. She was turned around and immediately kissed by Keiki on the lips. Mariette's eyes widen in surprise.

Keiki pulled away from her lips and smiled at her.

"I am a Kirin, but I know what love is and I love you more than anything Mariette," said Keiki. Keiki embraced her as he began to kiss her passionately. Mariette felt Keiki's lips and began to kiss back.

Mariette felt a tear escape from her eye as she kissed Keiki with all her love.

Thank you, Keiki.

Yoko watched the scene and smiled.

"So Keiki and Mariette were in love. I wouldn't have guessed, especially with Keiki's character."

Yoko remembered Keiki when she first saw him and asked, "If Keiki loved Mariette so much, then why did he forget her?"

Yoko suddenly noticed a movement by one of the pillars and peeked behind it. She saw Wuya leaning against the pillar looking downward.

"Why is Wuya here?" said Yoko as she stared at Wuya, who looked like the world had just ended for her.