This one shot was a Birthday present for two friends (one of them, Mina, has a little cameo in this). It was an 'Arranged Marriage' request.
And at over 10,000 words, it is the longest chapter I have ever written...
It may look like it has a lot of paragraph breaks, but some only mark a change in the POV.
Four Hearts and Two Crowns (AU) / Jaya and Coliel
"Master Jason, Mistress Seliel." The housekeeper called out for the two children, who were chasing each other through the castle gardens. "Your parents would like you to come in and see them right now."
"What is it about, Miss Edna?" The nine-year old boy asked as he came bouncing up the stairs to the castle, his pink-haired best friend running after him.
"They have a surprise for you, Master Jay." Edna Walker explained, trying to fix the child's tousled auburn hair. "Actually, for both of you. And I'm afraid there's no time to get you changed." She sighed, looking at the children's expensive outfits that used to be fresh and clean just half an hour ago.
She led the children to the Grand Hall where Jay's parents, the Duke and Duchess of Gordon, as well as their guests and Seliel's parents, the Duke and Duchess of Nom, were impatiently for waiting for them.
"Lord Clifford. I have brought the children, as you've requested." Mrs Walker told the Duke.
"Jay." Lady Libber embraced her son. "I am sorry to have interrupted your play, but we have some very important news for you two."
"Sel, honey." The Duke of Nom addressed his daughter. "As you know, your mother and I have been good friends with Lord Cliff and Lady Libber for a long time –"
"And Jay is my good friend." She added.
"And Sel is mine." The boy nodded.
"Yes, you are." Seliel's father smiled at her. "Also, the Gordons and their people are our allies and most important trade partners of Nom. Therefore, the four of us-" He gestured towards his wife and Jay's parents. "Have agreed that the two of you will get married when you are older."
"Whoohoo." The two children high-fived each other, not fully understanding the seriousness of the matter.
"That means that we will be living together and you don't have to go back to your home." Jay cheered. "We can play all the time."
The girl nodded. "And we'll be friends forever."
"I am glad that the two of you agree with our plan." Seliel's mother smiled at the children.
"The wedding will take place on the day of Jason's eighteenth birthday." Lady Libber informed them.
"You can go back to your game, if you wish. Spend as much time together as you can, for tomorrow, we must return home to Nom." Seliel's father said. "You can write each other until you meet again."
"Oh, but that's still sooo long to go." Jay whined. "Why can't we get married right now so that Sel can stay here?"
"Honey, you are way too young to get married." Lady Libber told her son. "A wedding is a very important step in an adult's life. And both of you still have a lot to learn until then."
"I'll write you every day." Jay promised his best friend. "And I can't wait until I finally turn eighteen. I wish it was already my birthday now."
I wish it wasn't already my eighteenth birthday now. Seventeen-year old Jason Gordon thought.
The auburn haired young man sat on the bed in his room, looking out of the window and remembering the day that his and his friend's future had been decided.
There were only a few days until Jay's eighteenth birthday, and Lady Seliel of Nom and her family were due to arrive at the Gordons' castle later today.
As much as he was always looking forward to seeing his childhood friend again, Jay dreaded this particular meeting, for the two of them were going to get married as part of his birthday celebrations.
And, unlike on that day almost nine years ago, Jay really didn't want that to happen.
Granted, Seliel was one of his oldest and best friends but he just didn't love her in a romantic way. And from reading the many letters she had sent him over the years, he knew that the young woman felt the same way about him.
Use the Power of Positive Thinking. Jay told himself. It could be a lot worse. At least, I am going to spend the rest of my life with a friend.
Their friend Harumi had not been as lucky. Just a few weeks ago, the princess of Ninjago had been betrothed to one of the country's worst (former) enemies.
After many years of raging war, peace had finally been restored between Ninjago and its neighbour, the Dark Island. And as part of the treaty, 'to strengthen the bond between new friends', the Jade Princess and the crown prince of the Dark Island were set to get married to each other.
"Hey, what's up?" A voice called from the door, snapping him out of his thoughts. Standing in the doorway was one of the castle's knights and Jay's closest friend.
Nineteen-year old Cole Brookstone was a commoner, his father Lou was the trusted advisor of Lord Clifford and the two boys had been tutored together and become close friends, despite their different backgrounds.
"Uhm, nothing." Jay mumbled.
"I thought it was the sky." Cole entered the room and sat down on the bed next to his friend. "What's the matter, Jay?" The black haired male wanted to know. "Must be something serious if you're not even up for a joke..."
"You know me well." Jay sighed.
"Is it about the wedding?" Cole suggested.
"You know me a bit too well." Jay confirmed. "I-I don't know if I want to get married to Seliel."
"When we first met, you kept telling me how excited you were about it."
"I was nine." Jay said. "I simply had no idea what a wedding – or a marriage – is all about. I don't even know it now. And I don't think I am ready to be a husband."
"But Sensei Wu-" the boys' private tutor "-has made us read all these classic novels that deal with true love and marriage."
"Yeah, but that't part of the problem." Jay explained. "In the books, it is always about true love, but that's not exactly the way it works for us. Sure, I love Sel as my friend. But I am not in love with her."
"But you haven't seen her in a long time." Cole tried to comfort him. "Maybe you will fall in love with her when you two finally meet again. From what I've heard, she is not only a very beautiful young woman, but also very smart and strong. You are a very lucky guy, Jay."
"But what if I don't?"
The black haired knight shrugged. "Then that's just the way the cookie crumbles..."
"Cole, you're not being very helpful right now." Jay groaned.
"Think about it as part of your job os future Duke." Cole suggested. "Your marriage will unite the duchies of Gordon and Nom. Even the Emperor and Empress strongly approve of it. Also, at some stage you will need an heir to your title..."
"Ugh." Jay pulled a disgusted face. "I'm definitely not ready for that."
Before the two friends could continue their conversation, there was a gentle knock on the door.
"Master Jason?" It was one of the young housemaids. "Mrs Walker has asked me to bring you your new outfit for the banquet tonight." She was carrying a pile of neatly folded blue items of clothing in her arms.
"Thank you, Mina." Jay smiled at the dark-haired girl. "You can leave it over there, please."
"Of course, Master Jason. Good afternoon, Master Cole."
"Hey, Mina. How are the preparations for the banquet going?"
"Very good, Sir. And yes, there will be plenty of cake." She grinned at the young man.
"Aww, man. Am I that predictable?" Cole asked his friend who had burst out laughing.
"Yes, you are." The Duke's son managed to croak out before another laughing fit overtook him.
As it was a warm summer evening, a reception was held on the castle's terrace before the banquet.
The Duke of Nom and his party had arrived only very late in the afternoon, just in time to be shown to their rooms and to freshen up. Jay had therefore not seen his bride-to-be before the start of the event. Right now, he was standing between his parents and his best friend, anxiously waiting for the guests of honour to make their grand entrance (or exit, for that matter).
And finally, the Duke, his wife and daughter as well as their most trusted servants, came walking through the castle doors out in the open air.
And Jay had to admit that Cole was right. The cute little girl from years ago had grown up into a stunning young woman.
Seliel's long pink hair with a single blue streak elegantly cascaded down her back, stopping just above her slender waist. She was wearing a slim, floor-length smoke grey dress that perfectly accentuated her female curves. And the girl's grey eyes sparkled with excitement as she rushed forward to embrace her friend.
"Jay." She exclaimed. "So great to finally see you again. It's been so long..."
"Way to long." He agreed, genuinely happy to be reunited with his childhood friend.
For the rest of the reception as well as during the dinner, Jay and Seliel kept chatting to each other. As they had told each other pretty much everything in their many letters, it was almost like they had never been separated.
And they were both happy avoiding the topic of their upcoming nuptials. That is until...
"May I please have your attention?" Lord Clifford announced, and the room immediately fell silent. "Lady Libber and I are delighted to welcome our dear guests, Lord Aiden and Lady Sylvia, the Duke and Duchess of Nom, and their lovely daughter. As many of you already know, Lady Seliel and our son Jason are getting married next Saturday, on the day of his eighteenth birthday and we, my wonderful wife and myself, couldn't wish for a better partner for our boy. And if I remember correctly, neither can he, for the two children were very excited when they first got engaged all these years ago. So, please raise your glasses and let us drink to the happy couple."
The groom-to-be could feel his face heat up and his chest tighten. When had the air in here become so stuffy, he-he just couldn't breath...
Jay desperately needed to get some fresh air. Right now.
"Thank you, father." He replied politely, putting down his glass. "Will you please excuse me for a moment?"
As soon as he had left the Grand Dining Hall, Jay broke out into a run, until he found himself back outside on the terrace where the servants were busy tidying up the leftovers from the reception.
Jay sat down on the low wall surrounding the venue, he gladly inhaled the fresh air and watched the sun going down over the castle gardens.
"Are you feeling alright, Master Jason?" An unfamiliar female voice asked. He turned around to find himself looking at a pretty girl, maybe a year or so younger than Jay himself, with raven black hair in a short bob cut and dressed in a maid's uniform. Concern was displayed in her dark brown eyes. "You look a bit pale, your Lordship, would you like me to bring you a glass of water?"
"N-no. I am fine." He replied. I am fine. Everything is fine. He kept repeating to himself. "But thank you, Miss ... ahem..."
"It's Nya, Sir." She told him.
"Thank you, Miss Nya." He smiled at her. "Are you new here? I can't remember having seen you around before."
And he would definitely have remembered her lovely face.
"Oh, I am actually Lady Seliel's handmaiden. But everyone here has been so busy with the banquet, so they were grateful for an extra pair of hands helping with the clean up." Nya explained. "I am very sorry to have disturbed you, Lord Jay."
"No, no, you haven't disturbed me at all." Jay quickly said. "Would you like to sit down with me?" He offered. What was he doing here talking to a servant girl, when he should be inside with his parents and his fiancée?
"Thank you for the kind offer, Sir. But I need to get back to my work." She apologised. Jay's eyes followed as Nya picked up a tray with empty glasses and carried it inside, until she had disappeared inside the castle.
Later that night, long after the end of the banquet, Jay just wasn't able to sleep at all. In his head, he kept both replaying the events of the evening as well as thinking about what was going to happen over the next couple of days.
The auburn haired male had stayed outside on the terrace for a bit longer before he had returned to the Grand Hall. Luckily, he hadn't been missed too much at all.
Cole, being the great friend he was, had covered for his absence and had started conversing with Seliel, while Jay was gone. After his return, the young nobleman had simply joined them, and the three of them had kept chatting until the end of the banquet.
Jay kept tossing and turning in his bed until he eventually decided that he was not going to get any more sleep tonight anyway.
He got up and slipped in some casual clothes, very different to the fancy and rather uncomfortable outfit he had worn earlier tonight, and quietly left his room.
It wasn't the first time that the Duke's son would sneak out of the caste during the night, so he well knew his way around the place in the dark.
In the moonlit courtyard, Jay took a deep breath before he made his way over to a secluded narrow building that held the blue-eyed man's more or less secret workshop. Much to his parents' dismay, the young Lord was a passionate inventor who would rather spend his days – and nights – dealing with blueprints than with politics.
As he approached the shed, Jay could hear noises coming from the inside of the building.
"Oh, of course you can use all of these for your project, my dear." Jay recognised the voice as Edward Walker, the groundkeeper and also the person who had taught Jay about engineering and inventing in the first place. "I am sure Master Jason won't mind, he is a very wonderfully kind young man."
"Yes, he was very friendly." The second person sounded like the girl he had met earlier – Mia, wasn't it?
"Oh, so you have had the pleasure of meeting him?"
"We've just exchanged a few words on the terrace."
"Ah, that makes you his friend and you can use anything in here that you need." Ed stated.
"Of course, you can." Jay confirmed as he opened the door to the workshop and entered the small room. Tools and blueprints were scattered all over the place. "My apologies for the mess."
"Master Jay." – "L-lord Jason." Ed and Nya exclaimed in surprise.
"Please, call me Jay." He replied. "No need for formalities in here, Miss... uhm... Mia?"
"It's Nya, Mast-... uhm, Jay."
"My apologies, Nya. It was a rather... eventful evening." He looked at the shimmering item in the girl's hand. "What's that?" He curiously enquired. "I've heard you talking about some kind of project..."
"It's a dagger." She handed him the short weapon. "My brother and his wife are expecting their first child, and I've made this as a present for my future niece or nephew. But I didn't get to finish it before we left Nom, so Mr Walker has kindly offered me to use some of the tools here to polish and sharpen it."
"You've made this?" Jay asked incredulously, inspecting the dagger. "It is amazing."
"Thank you. My parents were blacksmiths." Nya explained with a light blush on her cheeks. "They have taught both Kai and I since we were little children. But unfortunately, a female blacksmith is not accepted by our society, so I took up a position as maid at the Duke's castle."
"I am sorry to hear that." Jay apologised. "And I can understand you very well, it's just the same for a Lord who just wants to be an inventor..." He added in a quiet voice.
"What kind of stuff do you invent?" The girl wanted to know.
"Oh, this and that. For example, I once made a pair of wings to fly down from the highest tower of the castle. My mother almost had a heart attack when I came gliding past the window to her room..."
"As did my dear Edna." Ed chimed in. "We were all relieved that this invention actually worked."
"Yeah, not all of them were successful." Jay sheepishly rubbed his neck, his freckled cheeks burning in embarrassment. "Like this one." He pointed at a metallic figure in the corner. "I've been trying to make a robot, but I just can't seem to get the mechanic limbs to work properly. They always fall off." His face lit up. "You seem to be very good with metals, maybe you could give me some advice?"
"Sure." Nya smiled. "I'd love to."
Unbeknownst to them, Jay and Nya were not the only ones who couldn't sleep this night.
Finally having met his best friend's bride-to-be, Cole wasn't able to understand Jay's reluctance to get married to the pink-haired woman.
Lady Seliel was the most beautiful person the knight had ever seen. And not only that, having spent the evening in her company had just been an overall delightful experience.
Cole certainly wouldn't mind sharing his life with this kind, funny and very intelligent woman.
Alas, she was not the one for him but for his friend. A friend who didn't even see how lucky he was.
The black-haired male looked out of his window, seeing the full moon lighting up the castle grounds. There was no way he was going to get back to sleep, so he might as well spend the time doing something productive. And for a knight, this usually meant getting some training.
With a sigh, Cole got up from his bed, put on his uniform in the blue colours of the Gordon family, and left his chambers. As he was just about to turn into the castle's training court, he saw a dark figure running over the courtyard.
"Stop." He called. "Who is there?"
The person stopped and turned around. Cole saw that it was another knight in full armour, he couldn't even get a glimpse of the face underneath the helmet.
"Put down your weapons and show your face." Cole demanded.
The other knight, however, did not as he was told. He drew his sword, but instead of placing it on the ground, he got into a fighting stance.
"If you want to find out who I am, you'll have to earn it." He shouted in a croaked voice.
"And if you want trouble, you can have trouble." Cole muttered, drawing his sword as well, and he charged at the other knight.
Returning to her chambers after the banquet, Seliel had taken off her formal dress and put on her nightgown, before she sat down at the oak desk. With a sigh, she looked at her reflection in the mirror and started brushing her long pink hair.
The young noblewoman had been excited to finally meet up again with her childhood friend today, but she was not looking to the events of the upcoming days.
While he was one of her oldest and closest friends, a friend was all Lord Jason was to her. And sure, the chatty young man was funny and very cute, but that's just not the kind of person Lady Seliel of Nom wanted to spend the rest of her life and have a family with.
She preferred a more quiet and serious man. And maybe someone tall, dark, handsome... in fact, the kind of man that Jay's best friend was.
When her fiancé had left the banquet earlier this evening, Sir Cole had immediately taken his place next to her, making sure that Seliel wouldn't feel left alone.
But while it may have started as a knight's 'duty', it had turned out to be one of the most pleasant conversations Lady Seliel had ever had. Even after Jay had returned, Cole had stayed at the table with her – with them, of course – and the three of them had enjoyed a wonderful evening together.
And not to forget, the guy was absolutely gorgeous with his muscular build, the olive-toned skin (unlike Seliel herself who always felt like she was far too pale), and especially the deep emerald-green orbs under his jet black shaggy hair. Even the thick, bushy dark eyebrows fitted perfectly into his handsome face, making him even more attractive to her.
Letting out another loud sigh, Seliel got up and turned to her bed. It had been a long, eventful day, so she'd better get some rest now.
On the other hand...
Once she was a married woman, she would probably not have much opportunity to pursue her hobby.
Seliel opened the chest under her bed and took out the silver grey armour. Back at home, she had adopted the identity of the mysterious Phantom Ninja, a vigilante protecting the streets of Nom from the scum and lowlife.
Of course, she had to keep this a secret from her family, only her maid Nya as well as Master Dareth, Seliel's tutor, were aware of it.
She put on the armour and placed the helmet on her head after tying her long pink hair in a rather messy bun - but who was going to see her like this anyway?
She removed the sword and a couple of smoke grenades from the chest before she climbed out the window and down the water pipe into the courtyard. Looking for a way out of the castle, she suddenly heard a familiar voice call out to her.
"Stop." Someone shouted. "Who is there?"
When Seliel slowly turned around, she found her suspicious confirmed for it was Sir Cole who had discovered the Phantom Ninja.
She muttered a few very unladylike words into her helmet, praying that he couldn't hear them.
"Put down your weapons and show your face." Cole demanded.
No, that was not an option. Nobody here could find out who she was.
Seliel put on hand onto the hilt of her sword. She slowly drew the weapon, but instead of placing it on the ground, she adopted a fighting stance.
"If you want to find out who I am, you'll have to earn it." She stated, trying to disguise her female voice. She didn't know about the other's fighting skills, but hopefully she would be able to make an escape during the fight.
"And if you want trouble, you can have trouble." Cole replied and, his own sword drawn, run towards her.
Cole had to admit, the mysterious knight was an excellent fighter.
His skills with the sword matched his own, and while he was not as strong as Cole himself, he made up for that with his speed. And his moves looked almost... elegant.
It had been an evenly matched battle so far, but Cole could feel that the other fighter was starting to tire. This was his chance...
But just as he was about to attack again, the other one launched some smoke grenades. Cole was not expecting this rather unfair move from his opponent, much less from another knight, so he was completely taken by surprise.
Cole dropped his sword and fell down on his knees, coughing and rubbing his burning eyes, so he didn't even realise at first that the grey knight ran away.
The Phantom Ninja ran towards the castle, feeling horrible for having used unfair measures to get out of this fight against Cole.
But she had started to get tired and just couldn't risk getting discovered. No matter how much she had enjoyed this particular fight...
Having now seen and experienced Cole's sword fighting skills, Seliel was not surprised at all that Lord Clifford had already made him a knight. Granted, he was not as fast as her, but Seliel had hardly ever met such physical strength in combination with agility and amazing technique.
She just wished he could hold her in his muscular arms rather than fight her with them.
Seleil shook her head. What's wrong with me? She wondered.
The pink-haired lady started to climb up the old water pipe again. She was, however, still mildly distracted by thoughts of her opponent, that she didn't notice that the pipe had come loose during her down climb.
Seliel could not suppress a scream as she fell back down and took a rough landing on the hard ground.
Cole was slowly recovering from the other's very unknightly attack, when he heard a high-pitched scream coming from the castle.
Worried that the other knight might have climbed inside the building through an open window and attacked one of the female residents, he jumped up and started running towards the source of the cry.
But when he got closer to the building, he saw his opponent lying flat on his back on the ground.
Cole placed his foot on the other's armoured chest, preventing him from getting up.
"What are you doing here at the castle?" He asked sharply. "And who are you?"
"I can't tell you." The grey knight said in a muffled voice.
Cole removed his foot and crouched down next to his opponent. "If you don't tell me, I'll have to find out myself." He put his hands on both sides of the helmet.
"Please, no."
Cole ignored the other one's pleads. As he slowly pulled up the helmet, the first thing he noticed were the strains of pink hair falling out of it.
"Lady Seliel?" He gasped, finally having revealed the most beautiful face in all of Ninjago from behind the mask.
"Lady Seliel?" The disappointed look on Cole's face was by far more painful than her sore back.
"I am sorry." She whispered. "Please, don't tell my parents."
"I won't." He promised. "But what were you doing out here?"
"Have you ever heard of the Phantom Ninja?" She asked back.
"The mysterious vigilante? The protector of Nom?" He asked. "Do you know him?"
"Yes." She nodded. "I-I am the Phantom Ninja."
"You are the Phantom Ninja?" Cole looked at her slack-jawed. "Well, I actually shouldn't be surprised, having experienced your fighting skills." He remarked.
He gently took hold of her arm, pulling her up into a seating position. "Are you alright?" He asked worriedly.
"I-I think so." She replied, removing her chest plate
"Here, let me help you, Milady." Cole put his arm around her waist and helping her stand up.
"Thank you." She looked to her window and sighed. "I am not sure how I'll get up there again."
"Don't worry, I know all the castle's secret passages." He smiled at her. "I will help you keep your secret, Lady Phantom Ninja."
"I appreciate that, Sir Cole."
One arm firmly wrapped around her waist and carrying her armour in the other hand, Cole led the girl to a side entrance and up the back stairs.
"Thank you, Sir Cole." She repeated, having reached the door to her room. "
"No need to thank me, Lady Seliel." He handed her the chest plate. "By the way, I have enjoyed our fight – apart from the bit with the smoke grenades, that is."
Seliel blushed. "My apologies for that, Sir Cole. I was worried I wouldn't get away otherwise."
Not that I would ever want to get away from you. She added in her thoughts.
"I understand that you were only trying to protect your identity." He smiled at her. "Good night, Lady Seliel."
He placed a formal kiss on her hand before he started to walk away.
"Cole, wait." Seliel called after him.
"Yes, Milady?" He stopped and turned around.
She took a step forward.
"Please, call me Seliel." She requested, gently running her hand through his silky hair.
"Seliel." He whispered, cupping her face with his surprisingly soft hands and running his thumb over her blushing cheek. "Such a lovely name for a lovely woman."
"My gallant knight." Seliel smiled, closing her eyes as she leaned in.
"My beautiful Phantom Ninja." Cole muttered, before he closed the gap between their lips.
Over the next couple of days – or rather nights – Jay and Nya kept meeting at the little workshop to work on their robot and dagger, respectively.
Thanks to the female blacksmith's advice, Jay had finally gotten the droid to move his mechanical arms without them falling off. And they were even making good progress now with the closing and opening of the hands.
To thank her for the great help, Jay had given some valuable gemstones to his new friend, to decorate the dagger with them. Also, he had persuaded the Duke's own blacksmith to let her sharpen the weapon at his forge. Needless to say, Master Karloff had been very impressed with the girl's skills.
Jay, on the other hand, was not impressed only by her abilities, but the young Lord was rather enthralled by everything about her.
When he had first met her, Jay had thought that Nya was rather pretty, even in her plain servant's attire.
But having spent more time in her company, he had found her to be the most beautiful being he had ever met, even more beautiful than his bride.
Her raven black hair was shimmering in the dim light of the workshop, and the chocolate brown eyes showed determination and strength. But there were also some worries displayed on her lovely face, and Jay was wondering how to make them go away.
And finally, there were Nya's ruby red lips that he was magically drawn to. The Duke's son wanted nothing more than to kiss them. But of course, that would be highly inappropriate, considering their position, so he had to settle for the second best.
Lord Jason was famous for being a cheerful and funny person. And during their work, he would always make little comments to make her smile.
And the way she laughed made his heart flutter even more.
During the time they had been spending together, the two of them had told each other about their very different lives. While Jay was an only child, Nya had one older brother. And she was orphaned for their parents had passed away a few years ago.
For a while, the young siblings had run the blacksmith workshop together, but they had soon found out that no one would (knowingly) buy any weapon made by a woman, and many customers would not even accept her professional advice in the shop.
Nya had therefore taken up a position at the palace and had recently been promoted to Lady Seliel's handmaiden.
But whereas Jay's new wife was going to stay with him after the wedding, Nya was going to return back to Nom with the Duke and Duchess, to be closer to her brother and his family.
"How is the dagger coming along?" Jay asked.
Nya looked up. "It's almost finished." She smiled. "Just like our stay here..." She added in a quiet voice.
"I will miss our little meetings." Jay told her.
"Me too." Nya agreed. "But I am looking forward to going home the day after tomorrow, my sister-in-law is due to give birth any day now."
"I'm afraid this is the last night we will work here together, I won't be able to come tomorrow." He apologised.
"Turning eighteen and getting married is a good excuse." Nya giggled. But Jay could see some sadness in her eyes. "But at least, I will get to see you at the party, they have asked every person available to help out, even some of the villagers. Oh, it will be a grand celebration."
"I guess so." He sighed.
"What's the matter?" Nya placed her small yet strong hand on his arm.
"Sure, I usually like birthdays, but I really don't want to get married tomorrow." He said. "Seliel is a wonderful person and a great friend, but I am not in love with her. Why do I marry someone my parents chose for me instead of someone I want? Argh, why does life have to be so complicated?"
"I understand what you mean." Jay could see some tears glistening in Nya's brown eyes. "I may not have to marry for political reasons, but I still have a very similar problem"
"Please, tell me." Jay sat down next to her and wrapped his arm around the girl. "Maybe I can help."
"I don't think so, but thank you." Nya smiled weakly. "In the village where I come from, there is this man, Master Nadakhan. He's quite old already, used to be a merchant. After making his fortune overseas - although it is rumoured that not all of it was acquired legally - he retired and settled down in Ignacia where he opened up a shop. Apparently, I look very similar to his first love who passed away at very young age, so now he has his mind set on marrying me.
I have rejected him, of course, but he's threatened to ruin our business. He has a lot of influence in the area, so if he starts spreading rumours about the low quality of my brother's work, nobody will buy from us any more, even if they're not true. He is expecting my final answer when we return to Nom. I-I don't know what I'm gonna do."
Jay pulled her into a hug, letting Nya cry I to his chest while he buried his face in her hair, inhaling the inciting scent of coconut.
What in the name of the First Spinjitzu Master was happening with him?
"I am sorry, Milord." She sniffed. "I should not burden you with my problems, when this should be a day to celebrate."
"Please, don't worry, I don't really feel like celebrating anyway."
"I guess neither of us has a chance of being with the person we love."
Love... so that was what it was. But... a future Duke couldn't love a servant girl, right? Especially not when he was going to marry someone else.
Sure, he knew that is was not unusual for noblemen to have concubines but that was not an arrangement Jay would want to have.
And Nya would never abandon her brother and his family, especially not in their current situation.
As Jay loosened his grip, Nya pulled away.
"Thank you." She said. "We should probably get back to the castle now and get some sleep."
"Yes, tomorrow will be a long day for both of us."
"Actually, it's today." Nya corrected him. "It's already past midnight." She smiled. "Happy Birthday, Jay." She handed him the finished dagger. The sheath had been beautifully decorated with a pattern of rubies and sapphires – Nya had told him that her brother's favourite colour was red whereas her own was blue.
"It's marvellous. But I really can't take this." Jay replied. "It's for your brother's new baby."
"But... it's your birthday. I don't have anything else to give to you. I want you to have something to remember me by."
"Nya, I will never forget you." His blue eyes locked with her brown ones. "But you don't have to give me anything. There is only one thing I want from you."
Nya swallowed. "And what would that be?"
Instead of replying, Jay cupped his face with her hands and pressed his lips onto hers. Nya wrapped her arms around his neck and eagerly kissed him back.
Jay knew that what they were doing was wrong. But he didn't care.
He loved Nya, and he was going to enjoy this probably final moment that they had together.
Well, the moment turned into a rather long time, for neither of them wanted it to end.
Alas, it did end in the worst way possible, as neither of them had paid attention to have heard the door to the workshop opening and closing.
"Ahem." When someone behind him loudly cleared their throat, Jay's eyes snapped open and he was abruptly brought back to reality.
Somehow, Cole and Seliel had managed to secretly meet in the castle gardens every night for the past week. They would usually take a stroll through the park, talking about everything and nothing and just enjoying each other's company.
Tonight, however, was different. They both knew too well that this was going to be their final date. Although Cole knew that Jay was not in love with Seliel, the knight was not going to pursue an affair with his best friend's wife.
They two lovebirds were sitting on a secluded bench, crying in each other's arms.
"What are we going to do?" Seliel asked. "I can't imagine seeing you every day and not being with you."
"I feel the same." The knight replied. "But you will be my friend's wife. He's a truly great guy who deserves to be happy. I will not interfere with that."
"But I love you, Cole." Seliel stated. "And as his best friend, you must be aware that Jay doesn't love me either."
"You know that?" Cole's eyes widened in surprise.
"He's one of my oldest friends. We've told each other all our secrets." Well, almost all of them, Jay didn't know about her and Cole. "He's even told me that Miss Edna has caught him kissing his pillow a few years ago."
"Oh, I remember that." Cole chuckled. "After hearing that story, I snuck into his room to draw a face on his pillow."
But then his own handsome face darkened again. "But what are we going to do?"
"We need to tell him the truth about us." Seliel stated firmly. "We owe it to him."
Their hands entwined, the couple walked across the courtyard.
Cole pointed at a narrow building. "By the way, that's Jay's workshop."
"The light's still on in there." Seliel noticed. "Maybe he couldn't sleep either. Let's have a look."
They carefully peeked through the window into the small, dimly lit room.
And indeed, they found Jay to be still awake. The auburn-haired man had his back turned to them, he appeared to be talking to another person before they suddenly fell into each other's arms in a passionate kiss.
"Looks like he hasn't told us all his secrets either..." Cole mumbled.
"And I feel like he would mind cancelling the wedding..." Seliel smirked.
They quietly opened the door and stepped inside, unnoticed by the other couple.
"Ahem." Cole cleared his throat, causing the couple to break apart. Jay spun around, a deep blush on his freckled cheeks, shielding the other – smaller – person from their view with his body. His mouth agape, he stared at the two newcomers like a deer in the headlight.
"C-Cole?" He eventually spluttered. "S-Seliel? I-It's not what it looks like..."
She grinned. "Oh, really?"
"Sel, I-I..."
"I am sorry, Lady Seliel. It was all my fault." The girl behind him said apologetically as she stepped forward and into their view.
"Nya?" Seliel gasped.
"N-no." Jay exclaimed. "D-don't blame her."
He took Nya's hand into his and squeezed it lightly. "I've kissed you first."
"But I..."
"Ah, you don't have to explain anything." Seliel interrupted them. "Jay, we've talked about this more times than I can count. I know you don't love me. And I want this wedding no more than you do – which is the reason why I came here in the first place. Because, I am in love with someone else."
Jay's gaze shifted to the couple's entwined hands.
"You and Cole?"
"I am sorry, Jay." The knight apologised. "I didn't mean to fall in love with your bride or to keep a secret from you, but I..."
"It's okay, Cole." Jay placed a hand on the knight's broad shoulder. "Seliel deserves to be loved and cherished, which is something that I cannot give her." He looked at his pink-haired friend. "So, what are we going to do?"
"Knowing that we both love other people, we just can't go through with this wedding." Seliel stated firmly. "We would make each other miserable. And hurt the people we truly love."
"I agree, although I hate to disappoint my parents."
"Me as well." Seliel agreed. "But it's not about them. Our wedding is for the rest of our lives. And I want to spend the rest of my life with the man I love."
Jay grinned widely. "You mean Cole?"
"I do." Seliel nodded. "And he loves me too."
"And I love Nya." Jay flashed a smile at the black-haired girl. "I love you."
"I love you too." She smiled back.
"Then it's settled." Jay stated. "First thing tomorrow, we're gonna talk to our parents."
"Well, it's actually today already." Seliel remarked. "Happy Birthday, Jay." She hugged her friend.
"Yeah, happy birthday, bro." Cole joined it.
"Thanks." Jay replied. Looks like t's gonna be our parents to get an interesting birthday surprise...
"Good morning, Master Jay." The maid greeted the young Lord as he came jumping down the stairs. "And happy Birthday, Sir."
"Thank you, Mina." He smiled. "And good morning to you too."
"The Duke and Duchess are already waiting for you, Master Jay. It will be a very special day for your Lordship." The girl remarked. "May I say that you look very excited about it."
"I am. And believe me, it will be a very eventful day." Jay confirmed. Just not in the way everyone else might expect it.
Seliel was already waiting for him in front of the doors to the dining room.
"Good morning, Jay." She greeted him. "Are you ready to face our parents?"
"No." Jay shook his head, taking Seliel's hand into his own. "But we're gonna do it anyway."
After taking a deep breath, he pushed open the door and the two young adults entered the dining hall, where their parents were already sitting at the long table, having breakfast.
All personnel were lined up on the side of the room, in honour of Lord Jason's eighteenth birthday.
"Aww, there's my big boy." Lady Libber jumped up from her seat to wrap her son in a loving embrace. "Happy Birthday, honey." She kissed his cheek before she turned to the pink-haired woman by his side. "And good morning, my future daughter-in-law."
"Thanks, mum." Jay blushed. "Uhm, about that daughter-in-law thing...we-we..."
"We're not getting married." Seliel blurted out.
"What?" Four Dukes and Duchesses exclaimed simultaneously.
Jay's mother giggled. "Great joke, my dear Seliel. You've always had a great sense of humour. Another proof that you and my son are just perfect for each other."
"No, mum." Jay said in a firm voice. "We may be a perfect match for each other, and we are great friends. But Seliel and I are not getting married. At least not to each other..."
"What is that supposed to mean?" The Duke of Nom's voice resonated throughout the grand room. "Is my daughter not good enough for you?"
"Dad. Jay and I have made this decision together." Seliel tried to calm down her father. "We are not in love with each other. And we are afraid that, by getting married, we would only make each other unhappy. And the people we do love."
"I cannot believe it." Lady Sylvia slumped down in her seat. "We've arranged this marriage years ago, thinking it would be the best for our children and for Ninjago. And now, our children have just decided that they know better than us."
"Mum." Seliel pleaded. "This is about us. And don't worry, even if we don't get married – which we won't – Jay and I will still be friends and do anything to maintain the strong bond between Nom and Gordon. Also, I am not generally objecting to a relationship with someone from here."
The Duke's featured softened. "Sweetheart, are you trying to tell us that you are in love with another person?"
"I am." She confirmed, holding his gaze. "And while he may not be a Prince or Lord, he is a wonderful man – in fact, a noble man."
She stepped towards Cole, taking his hand and pulling him with her. "This is the man I love."
"Cole?" Lord Clifford asked incredulously. "I would have never expected you to betray us like this. You were always Jay's loyal friend."
"And he is." Jay told his father. "Cole is my best friend and I couldn't think of anyone who'd be a better husband for Seliel."
"Thank you, man." Cole smiled at him.
"We will talk about you later." Lord Aiden said. "Right now, we will have to decide what to do about today's wedding."
"I want my boy to be happy." Lady Libber stated. "If he and Seliel both are entirely sure that they want to cancel, then I am with them."
"But darling..." Her husband started.
"No, my dear." The blonde Duchess shook her head. "I was lucky enough to marry the person I loved – and still do – with all my heart, I want our son to experience the same."
"How could I argue with that?" He gave his wife a loving smile.
"I agree." Lady Sylvia nodded.
"Alright." Lord Aiden sighed in defeat. "If this is what you want..."
"I do." Seliel flung herself around her father's neck. "Thank you, dad."
"Well, I guess we have a wedding to cancel then..." Her father said.
Seliel smiled. "But don't throw away the cake, because we still have a birthday to celebrate."
At night, the reception celebrating Lord Jason's eighteenth birthday – and not his wedding to Lady Seliel – was in full swing.
Nya, who was serving drinks to the guests, watched as Lady Seliel happily danced with Sir Cole. The Duke and Duchess didn't appear to mind, so the raven hared beauty hoped that her mistress's parents would approve of their daughter's choice rather sooner than later.
"Good evening, Nya." Jay smiled at her. "You look lovely."
The maid was wearing a short blue dress. For this special occasion, all the staff had been given simple yet rather nice outfits they were allowed to keep afterwards.
"Thank you, Jay. It's my favourite colour." She smiled back. "You look very handsome yourself."
The auburn haired male took the tray out her hands and put it on a nearby table. "May I have this dance, Miss Nya?"
"I am sorry, I am not supposed to join the party." She shook her head.
"What about a little walk outside then?" He suggested. "I am sure nobody will notice your absence."
Their hands entwined, the couple took a walk through the park.
"I am really glad I've got to meet you." Nya said in a quiet voice. "I will miss you when I'm back home."
"Nya, why don't you..."
"As much as I want to, I cannot stay here with you." She interrupted him. "It just would be too complicated, considering your status – and mine..."
"I understand." Jay pulled her in a comforting hug. "I will miss you, Nya."
"Jay, we were looking for you." His father chided him when they finally returned to the Grand Hall. "It is time for your birthday cake."
The kitchen staff had been busy all day to redecorate the wedding cake as a birthday one.
"I am sorry, father." He apologised. "I have forgotten to look at the time."
In the background, Jay could see Cole impatiently tapping his foot, already equipped with a plate and two cake forks.
"Where were you?" Lord Clifford wanted to know.
"I've shown Nya around the park; she loves cherry blossoms so I wanted her to see our Sakura Trees."
He left out the fact that they had spent most of the time kissing under the biggest and oldest of the trees on the Gordon Estate.
His father raised an eyebrow. "Why would you spend your time with a maid from Nom?" He looked at Nya, who was blushing slightly. "And distract her from her work."
Jay looked straight into his father's eyes. "Because I love her."
He went down on one knee in front of her, taking her hand. "Nya Smith, I don't care how complicated it is. But I have an idea on how to change your status. Will you marry me?"
The room fell silent, only a few gasps could be heard, when the guests saw the son of the Duke kneel in front of a humble servant girl.
Nya pressed a hand over her mouth, her eyes welling with tears.
"Jay, I-I ..."
"Absolutely not." Lord Clifford objected loudly. "I was alright with cancelling your wedding to Seliel, but you will not marry a servant girl."
"But dad..."
"Had I known about this, I would not have let your mother persuade me to cancel at all. Seliel was at least reasonable enough to choose a knight. But I will never agree to this-this farce."
"Nya is not a farce, father. And you would see that, if you were just willing to get to know her."
"Luckily, I don't have to know her as she will leave us tomorrow. And I do not wish to see her ever again. And you won't see her again either."
"But..."
"Jason. This is your birthday party, and it would be very rude to let your guests wait any longer for their cake."
"I don't care about the cake." Jay muttered as he stormed out. He ran up to his room, slamming the door behind himself, and threw himself onto his bed.
He knew that what he had done had been very unreasonable and definitely not the appropriate behaviour for a future Duke, but he didn't care what his father had said in this matter.
He was going to see her again.
Two weeks later
"Jay." Seliel rushed down the stairs of the castle of Nom to greet her friend, followed by her new fiancé.
The Duke and Duchess of Gordon as well as their son Lord Jason had just arrived at the Castle of Nom for the union of Lady Seliel and Sir Cole.
Tonight, the celebrations were to kick off with an 'intimate' reception (for royal standards) followed by the actual wedding tomorrow.
Jay embraced the pink-haired woman before he man-hugged his best friend.
"So, you're ready to be a Lord?" Jay nudged the knight.
"No, but I am ready to marry the love of my life." He smiled.
"You're gonna be a great Lord, probably better than I will." Jay encouraged him. "And we've always been brothers by heart, now we're finally going to wear the same title. I just hope you'll remember where your loyalties lie when we'll be the ones to negotiate trade agreements in the future."
"Oh, I'll make sure he knows that." Seliel smirked. "It's good to see you're making jokes again. How are you doing?" She asked. "And how are things with your father?"
After the incident at his birthday party, Jay had locked himself in his room, refusing to come out even to say goodbye to Seliel and her family. The only person who had been allowed in had been Cole, but the black haired knight had left for Nom a few days ago with his father, to help prepare his own wedding.
"We're still not talking much to each other." Jay admitted. "I know it's childish, but I am still mad about the way he's insulted her."
"I am sorry things didn't work out for you." Cole gave him a pat on his shoulder. "Having met Seliel, I now understand now why you didn't want to go through with the arranged marriage. Your wedding is something you should be looking forward to." He turned to his wife-to-be. "I can't wait to be your husband."
"I can't wait either." Seliel gave him a loving smile. "I just wish our friend could be as happy as we are."
"Is Nya here?" Jay enquired. "I have something for her."
Seliel shook her head. "When we got back here, she quit her job and moved back home."
"I'm going to see her." Jay claimed, mounting his horse Wisp. "Ignacia is that way?"
"Just follow the road, it will lead you directly to the blacksmith shop." Seliel explained. "Good luck."
Although it didn't take long for Jay to ride down to Ignacia, it was already late in the afternoon when he arrived, so the Four Weapons, just like every other business in the village, was closed for the night.
Through the window, Jay could see a little light in the room so he knocked on the door.
"Nya?" He asked. "I-It's me."
"Jay?" Came her surprised answer.
Inside the dimly lit room, Nya was sitting at the table, sketching out the design for a new pair of sais. Once in a while, she would raise her head to watch the scarlet haired young woman in the cosy armchair by the fireplace, cradling her newborn son in her arms.
Nya smiled at the pure bliss the couple irradiated, she was delighted for her brother and sister-in-law – and, if she was completely honest, slightly jealous of them.
The raven-haired girl wished to experience the same happiness herself, but she knew that it wouldn't happen for her.
Why did she have to fall in love with someone so way out of her league?
Even though Jay's wedding to Seliel had been called off, his father had made it perfectly clear that he would not accept someone like her as his son's wife.
But it didn't matter anyway.
After her return to Ignacia, she had given Nadakhan his reply. But in the past two weeks, he had made it very clear that he was not going to accept her 'no' for a final answer. He kept sending her presents – flowers, perfume (although she had told him several times that she was allergic to it) and so on – while at the same time repeating his threat to ruin the blacksmiths' business. He had gone as far as ordering some cheap (and in Nya's expert opinion of very poor quality) tools and weapons from a manufacturing site in Jamanakai Village to sell them at his own shop.
Nya took another glimpse at her sister-in-law and infant nephew, and it was there and then that she decided to accept the merchant's proposal. She couldn't let her family suffer for her stubbornness.
A knock on the door snapped her out of her thoughts.
"Nya?" She immediately recognised his voice. "I-Its me."
"Jay?" Nya rushed to the door and opened it.
When she saw the young Lord standing outside, she jumped into his arm and kissed him.
"I've missed you." She said, when they broke apart, resting her head on his shoulders.
"I've missed you to." He gently put her down.
"But what are you doing here?" She asked. "Your father said that..."
"I don't care what my father says." He frowned. "I wanted to see you. And I have a present for your new niece or nephew."
"It's a boy, his name is Matthew." Nya explained. "This is Skylor, my brother's wife. Sky, this is Jay, I mean Lord Jason of Gordon." She introduced the newcomer to the red haired woman.
"It's an honour to meet you, Lord Jason." Skylor got up from her seat, carefully holding her son, to kneel before the nobleman.
"Please, stay seated, there is no need for formalities." Jay smiled at the new mother. "I am just here as a friend who has brought a present for your son." He handed her a little red teddy bear. "Our housekeeper has made it for him. And I had a few gold coins sewn into the bear's tummy, for emergencies."
"It's lovely." Skylor smiled at him. "Thank you for your generosity, Lord Jason."
"No need to thank me. It was the least I can do after receiving the gift that was supposed to be for him." He pointed at the dagger he had strapped onto his leg. "Now, will you excuse me please?"
He turned back to Nya who had watched the scene with a sad smile on her lovely face.
"I do love you." He said, taking her hands into his.
"I love you too." She replied. "But we can't do this. Your father will never approve of me. And I need to support my family." She had tell him how she was going to do it, even if it would break his heart.
"Seliel is marrying Cole tomorrow." He stated.
"Yes, but he is still a knight." She retorted. "I am just a housemaid, and I..."
"I'll find a way, I promise." He ran his hand through her black hair. "I am so glad you didn't marry that Nadakhan guy." He stated, relived.
Nya felt tears pooling in her eyes. "Not yet." She said. "But if I don't, he will do anything to ruin us. I am going to accept his proposal to save the shop." She smiled at Skylor and the baby. "I need to do it for my family, they don't deserve to suffer because of me."
"Nya, you don't have to do anything you don't want to." Jay said softly, wiping her tears awy with his thumbs. "I can help you. All four of you."
"But how?" Nya wondered.
Jay's eyes fell on the drawing on the table. "I may have an idea." He said. "Where is your brother?"
"He's still working." Nya pointed to the narrow door leading to the workshop.
"C'mon." Jay took her hand and pulled her with him.
The reception was already in full swing when the Duke of Gordon's son returned to the castle of Nom. And he was not alone. A pretty young girl was riding with him on his horse, and a young man with brown spiky hair followed on his own animal.
In the courtyard, Jay jumped off the horse and helped Nya get down. The two animals were left in the care of the servants, while the three of them entered the castle and the Grand Hall.
"Mother, father" He called. "We need to talk."
"Jason, where were you? You always used to be so punctual." Lord Clifford chided him. The Duke then noticed the other two. "Not this girl again." He groaned. "I told you I don't want you to interact with her. And I definitely don't want to see her here with you."
"Please, father. Hear me out." Jay pleaded. "I apologise for my behaviour, but I need you to have a look at these."
He handed him the katana that Kai had brought from the workshop as well as the dagger Nya had given to him for his birthday.
"Do you remember Master Karloff saying that he is looking for an assistant and possibly a successor when he retires. I may have found him one."
"Excellent craftsmanship." Lord Clifford examined the weapons. He looked at Kai. "You've made these, young man?"
"I have forged the sword, but my sister has made the dagger." Kai replied.
The Duke's eyes widened in surprised. "I am impressed, young lady." He smiled at her. "It seems that there is indeed more to you than meets the eye."
"Thank you, Milord." She blushed.
"I assume Master Karloff wouldn't mind having two assistants. When can you start?"
"You mean..." Nya looked at him wide-eyed.
"It would be a shame to let your talent go to waste. So, when can you start?" He repeated.
Cheering, the siblings happily embraced each other. "Whenever it suits you, Lord Clifford."
Later that evening, Nya was standing on the balcony, looking over the gardens. After the formalities had been dealt with, Seliel had invited the siblings to join the celebration. And this time, the Duke of Gordon hadn't objected – not that it would have mattered at this place anyway.
But, of course, Kai had wanted to get home to his wife and son and tell them the good news, so Nya had stayed at the castle on her own. The Duchess had invited the girl to sleep with the other maids in her old quarters, and Lady Seliel had given her an old dress of her own.
The young blacksmith still couldn't believe her luck. While he would not accept her as a suitable wife for his son, Lord Gordon had at least acknowledged her skills - and his generous offer had at least saved her from marrying Nadakhan.
Nya turned around when she heard some footsteps on the marble floor approach her.
"Hey." She smiled at the newcomer.
"Hey." Jay wrapped his arms around her. "Feeling better?"
Nya leaned against him. "I am great, thank you. For everything you did for us."
"I just did what was right. You and your brother have earned this chance." He told her. "Of course, I am looking forward to seeing you around at the castle."
"Me too." She agreed. "And I can still be with my family at the same time."
"And I hope my father will get to see how amazing you are."
Not wanting to cause a scene at his friends' wedding, he placed a chaste kiss on her cheek.
"It's nice to be a guest rather than a servant..." Nya mentioned.
"You'll better get used to it." He stated. "But as you are not working tonight, may I have this dance, Miss Nya?"
She took his arm. "You may."
From their seats, the Duke and Duchess of Gordon were watching their son dance with the love of his life.
"Don't they make a very beautiful couple?" Lady Libber remarked.
"I admit, they are." Her husband nodded. "He's not gonna give up until I agree, is he?"
"No, darling." His wife shook her head. "He's just like his father. If he wants something bad enough, he'll do anything to make it happen. And he's never wanted anything more than being with her."
"I admit, she does seem to be a lovely young woman... well mannered, smart, and very skilled."
"And don't forget madly in love with our son, which means she has great taste." His wife laughed. "And I know that you are not as much against her for our son anymore as you pretend to be."
"I've hired her only because of her skills." Her husband insisted.
"But once she works for us, we will have to get to know her better, although you've said you don't want to. And you can't keep Jason away from her."
"You know me so well, my dear." The Duke sighed. "Sooner or later, I will need to talk to the Emperor and Empress, if they can accept a blacksmith and former handmaiden as the future Duchess of Gordon."
"I know they will, my love." Lady Libber beamed at her husband. "And you should look at the bright side of it." She laughed. "We will have the most adorable grandchildren in all of Ninjago."