*Peeps* Hi! How're you?
Thanks to TwilightUniverse018, Scarlet Witch of Terra, CuteTyHil, Justafan, Rock the road, Bahubali, Guest, Ezabella, Sehun is hottttt for reviewing. Also thanks to Emerald Rami for letting me know that she's reading the fic :D
Justafan: Oh well, I haven't read it yet. *Gulps*...Thank goodness you have informed me earlier. Anyways, this chapter holds the translation of "Tomake" according to your demand. Thank you so much for reviewing :D
Bahubali: Hehe, no problem. Besides, it is not the first battle between Kai and Tyson. More are on the way. So, don't need to lose hope right now. Cling to this story. Thanks a lot for your review :D
Sehun is hottttt: Well, you also don't worry about that. Just read this chapter and thank me later :3 Thank you so much for reviewing :D
Guest: Yes, this is the chapter which you will like because it contains what you wanted from me in your review for the previous chapter. Thank you so much for reviewing :D
So...it's the longest chapter of "Kingdom" till now. The snippet of a new OC is here (Let me warn, she is very kinky)...let me know whether you're loving her or hating her xD
Enjoy!
Under the ceaseless rooftop of the sky, there was a boundless meadow. Pushing the blades of the grass gently, white and yellow dandelions were curiously peeping at the outer world. Several trees were encircling the area protectively. Basking in the sunlight was really very comfortable for them, especially when it was the late afternoon. In the field, there was a rectangular area where no grass grew. It was covered in sands. Taking most of the place, laying the sheets of sackcloth, little girls were sitting there in diamond pose. Before them, a large canvas was tied to a pair of trees. A beautiful brunette was walking in front of it and lecturing. Bewildered, the pupils were listening to her. Their eyes were widened in awe. They were feeling as if their teacher had been showering elixir inside their ears with her honeyed voice. Not a single girl was absent-minded there.
"Children, love is the greatest power of the world," The chocolate-haired princess spoke, "Even the mightiest weapons fade away before it."
"How, princess?" A student asked, "Can love help us win a war?"
"Of course," The princess nodded, "If you love your motherland a lot, you will want to protect her from her enemies at any cost. Then, you'll fight for her bravely, leaving all the worries and fears behind. Thus, a war can be won only with the help of love."
"Wow!" The learners exclaimed in joy as if they had found out a treasure.
"Yes, my dear girls," Hilary acknowledged, lumbering softly, "So, it is important to love everything. Love your parents, friends and relatives. Learn to love your motherland, her environs, animals, plants and birds. Love the Creator because He also loves his creations. But above everything, learn to love yourselves. If you cannot do it, you cannot understand the actual power of the feeling no matter how much you love your surroundings and other people."
"Princess!"
Startled, the coco-haired girl looked back. An old lady was running in her direction, panting. There wasn't much energy left inside her body. Sweats were oozing from her fatigued face. Due to the lack of enough air in her lungs, she was seeming breathless. Quickly reaching her, the princess stopped her, holding her arms.
"My lady, are you alright?" Worriedly, she asked, "What happened to you? Why are you running in this way?"
"My...my land..." Exhausted, the subject broke down on the ground, "...Is no more..."
"What?" Hilary's eyes went widened in shock, "What are you saying? Who has done it?"
"I don't know them, princess..." Sobbing, the lady shook her head, "They were looking like the members of any royal clan. Coming to my cornfield, they started plucking the saplings. Most of the sprouts have also been...burnt..."
Not able to finish her sentence, the poor cultivator burst into tears. Seeing her condition, the princess gasped. However, sitting down beside her, she helped her subject stand up, squeezing her shoulders.
"Don't be sad, my lady," The chocolate-haired girl patted her head, "Let me see once what is happening there. Children!"
"Yes, princess?"
"Today's session ends here," Hilary announced, "It is time you returned your home. See you later."
"See you too, princess." The girls stood up, carrying the thin books and palm leaves. Bit by bit, they left the place. Once the tiny learning center became empty, the brunette started walking to the cornfield of the old lady. Her heart was beating fast.
'Who?' She wondered, 'Who could do these things with a poor farmer of Japan? The lady has said that the tormentors were seeming the members of any royal clan. No no, my father can never do such things even though he has to welcome his death. Then who?'
"Princess, here!"
The brunette stopped in front of the land. Once upon a time, it had been large. Still, it was gigantic but its largeness was no use of anything at that moment. Cut leaves of saplings were blowing in the air. Broken stems were scattering all over the land. Some scions were burning in fire. The smokes coming out from them were disappearing in the ether bit by bit. The odor of ashes hit the nostrils of the ladies. Some Tang-suit worn guards were poking the rest of the plants with their spears. Some of them were pointing the weapons at the crowd so that nobody could enter the place. Standing at the center, an old man around 50-55 with green eyes was bursting out frantic laughter, keeping his palms on his waist. The princess felt that Goddess Inari was gaping at her with tear-glittered eyes and saying, "What was my fault? What have I done?"
She felt as though a knife had stabbed her heart. Automatically, her ruby eyes started sparkling with tears. She gritted her fists, biting her lower lip. Despite her presence, the royal family of another kingdom was destroying the crops of her own subjects. How could she tolerate that? How?
"Halt! How could you?"
The brunette screamed, almost in the tone of commanding someone. Hearing her, the soldiers looked at her, stopping their chores. She marched towards the center, looking at nobody. The soldiers were about to trudge in her direction, stretching their javelins but raising a hand, their master forbade them. They stopped where they had been. Approaching the emperor, the girl looked here and there. Most of the people standing there were silently weeping. They ardently wanted to stop the devastation but ironically, they didn't have enough courage for that. Sniffing, the princess pulled her tears back.
"You've destroyed all the crops," She seethed, "Such cruelty? To mother nature?"
"We don't talk to mere citizens," The tormentor walked past her, pointing at the old lady who was still sniveling, "And I have already paid the price of the land."
"Price?" Hilary cocked an eyebrow, "How? Can the greatness of mother earth ever be measured in the scale of coins?"
"I don't care," The evil man grimaced, "It should be a matter of pride to you. You should consider yourselves lucky that I, Gonglu Zagart, the emperor of China, have stepped on the plane of your kingdom and regarded Japan as worthy enough for our arrival."
Hilary froze. She couldn't believe that the emperor of China was standing in front of her eyes. Yet, she didn't feel puzzled for much time. Had the situation been something else, she would have bent her head down before him and greeted him respectfully. But on that day, she lost her mood to do that. She was feeling to spit on his face, let alone greeting him. Yet, somehow, she bowed, producing a smirk in the lips of Zagart.
"Worthy, huh?" She simmered, destroying the grin of the emperor within no moment.
"Worthy enough for only our arrival!" Zagart pointed at her with his index finger, "It doesn't mean that I have started loving the land. I have only come here being invited in the groom-choosing ceremony of the princess so that I can win her hand for marriage. You all should be thankful to me because I'm trying to make your princess my queen. Just think about it once!"
Meanwhile, another girl with two-toned hair had reached there. Pushing the crowd, she tried to see what was happening between her cousin and the Chinese emperor.
"But instead of expressing gratitude, you're humiliating me?" The cruel ruler snarled, "Do you know what I can do with you at this moment in front of the crowd?"
"Learn to behave properly with the princess of Japan, the emperor of China!" The dual-haired girl moved towards her cousin, "She's not protesting but it doesn't mean that she's not feeling insulted."
The emerald orbs of the king became enlarged. With a shocked look, he looked at the eyes of the princess. She was still holding a calm expression all over her façade. Bit by bit, a satisfied smirk rose all over the face of the emperor of China.
"Hilary Tachibana, the princess of Japan," Zagart cleared his throat, "Then I think I should address you as the soon-to-be queen of China because none but I am going to win the groom-choosing contest of you. That's why, your marriage is bound to be held only with me."
"Destroying these crops," Not bothering to respond to his words, Hilary turned her face away from him, gnashing her jaw, "You didn't do the right thing."
Spiraling to her cousin, she spoke, "Julia, please bring Pavoria from the palace."
"Okay, Hil." Nodding, quickly, the Spaniard left the place.
"Why're you feeling worried when the price of the land has been paid off?" The Chinese man snickered, "This old hag is just over-exaggerating because she may want more coins. If you also want it too, I can give her more. I don't think it will be very difficult for us since there is plenty of gold in China. Besides, they were only mere crops, meant to be eaten at the end."
"No," Hilary shook her head gloomily, "They weren't mere crops. They weren't only foods, the emperor of China. They were our pride, our beauty, our livelihood. At last but not at least, they were the existence of our farmers. These...these farmers have reared the crops like their own children. Before their blood, their sweat, their labor-all the gold, silver and gems of the world fade away."
"O my soon-to-be queen," Huskily, Zagart whispered in her left ear, "Why are you feeling so sad? Soon, you're going to be the empress of China. There will be no difference between your subjects and my subjects."
"Stop calling me your queen, your Majesty!" Hilary blurted, "Only the contest going to be held tomorrow will decide whom I will welcome as my groom. Unfortunately, if you lose it, you will feel humiliated. So, I would like to request you to stop predicting the future. In our kingdom, you're our guest. It's a trait of the Japanese to treat their guests cordially. You must have known that we are one of the most hospitable nations of the world. But please, don't consider this quality of us to be our weakness."
"You yourself are a weakness, princess," With intoxicated eyes, Zagart looked at the brunette just like a predator eyeing its prey, "Even though I fail to win the contest, I'll make you my queen. By abducting you just in this way..."
Not waiting for a moment, the Chinese emperor clasped the milky wrist of the Japanese girl. Then, he started pulling her forcefully in his direction. Clenching her teeth, the princess thrusted the king cogently but she felt him too heavy. With no profit the attempt came.
"Leave my hand!" She snarled, "Otherwise, the outcomes won't be in your favor!"
Her feet were skidding on the field. Zagart contorted at her efforts. The subjects wanted to protect their princess but they were standing being dumbfounded before the blades of the spears steered at their faces by the Chinese soldiers.
Another hand of the brunette found its way towards the dagger which was inserted under the waist-strap of her kimono. Popping it out, she unleashed it with the help of her mouth. She didn't take much time to slash the hand of the emperor who was dragging her, opening a straight cut. The crimson droplets of blood started seeping from the gash. Leaving the princess, the king retreated but didn't fall back. The chocolate-haired girl wheeled on her ankles and distanced herself from the abductor. Seeing the weapon in her hand, again, he burst out frantic laughter.
"So...you wanna have a duel against me, right?" Zagart pulled out his sword from the sheath attached to his waist, "Let's see how much power my soon-to-be queen owns!"
"Shoosh!"
The sword flew from the hand of the Chinese emperor, ending up dropping on the ground. Stunned, Zagart looked at his fallen rapier. A couple of yards away from it, he discovered an arrow lying on the field too. He turned back. There was a young slate-haired guy standing facing him. One of his hands was seizing a longbow. The tips of arrows were peeping at the environment from the quiver hanging down from his back. His eyes were holding the serene expression as always.
"How dare you!" Striding towards him, Zagart was about to place a blow at his nose but before it, the phoenix-prince clogged it with his right palm. Seeing him, the brunette also rushed towards him.
"Oh, the prince of Russia!" She blurted, "Why have you come here?"
"Thank your cousin for it, princess," Kai looked at her, "Otherwise, you would almost be abducted before the day of your groom-choosing ceremony."
"So...you're the prince of Russia, aren't you?" The crude king removed his hand down, "Cannot believe! A boy around the age of my son has got the guts of blocking my punch!"
"If you have got the guts to stretch your arm of lust to a girl around the age of your daughter," The Russian commented, "Then what's my fault in it?"
'This boy is seeming stronger,' Zagart pondered, biting his tongue, 'He's from such a kingdom which is famous for its battle troops. I have to...I have to do something to take Hilary to Boris being safe. Well, at first, I'll challenge him for a duel. As I'll murder him, all my soldiers will kill the spectators here too. I'll abduct Hilary and flee from here. When the rulers of Russia will get the news, they'll hold Japan responsible for the death of their son. I'll have no disgrace then. Hmm...'
"You're such a skilled warrior, aren't you?" The green-eyed monster smirked, "What about having a duel? If you win, I'll leave the land immediately. If you lose, princess Hilary has to come to my empire with me."
"You haven't challenged me, king," Kai retorted, "Rather, you have challenged your own luck. Just wait and watch how I severe your pride with the tip of a single arrow of me."
"Arrows?" Zagart cocked an eyebrow, "Oww...the little prince of Russia, these darts are the toys of kids. Real men battle without weapons. What about a wrestling duel?"
Both Hilary and her Spanish cousin shrilled hearing the green-eyed monster. Gulping, they stepped back.
"Prince Kai is an archer," Julia whispered, "Totally different from the genre of wrestling. How is he supposed to do that?"
"King Zagart!" The brunette yelled, "If you want to have a wrestling duel, come to our royal gymnasium. You'll be able to find a lot of skilled wrestlers. Why are you challenging an archer for wrestling? Isn't it like to order a fish to fly?"
"Hahaha!" Zagart exulted, "Look, you all have started giving lame excuses before entering the battlefield. Prince Hiwatari, how can you expect to win the groom-choosing ceremony of the princess? How can you ever think of being present here? Aren't you feeling ashamed?"
In return, the dual-haired Russian didn't utter a single word. Slowly, he started removing the quiver from his back.
"What happened, kid?" The green-eyed man rolled his eyes, "Missing your mother?"
"A warrior is not a warrior unless he accepts all kinds of challenges bravely." Kai dropped his bow, "I accept your challenge, king Zagart!"
Putting the scarf off, he threw it towards a nearby rock. When the white shawl thumped it, a few tiny cracks appeared on the sarsen. Seeing it, all the viewers including both the girls gasped. Particularly, the brown-haired one was struggling hard to make her eyes believe.
'Is it...is it so heavy?' She mused, 'That day, when prince Hiwatari tossed it to me, I didn't feel crushed. It was so light to me then. Why?'
Following it, the slate-haired guy unbuttoned his shirt and pulled it off. In front of the eyes of the spectators, his six-pack chest, well-toned abdomen and muscular arms became visible. The veins beneath the skin of his biceps and triceps were blue. His muscles were so twisted that one could easily mistake them as boulders. In shyness, the face of the brunette turned as red as a tomato. Hurriedly, she bowed down, not trying to gaze at the eyes of the phoenix-prince.
"Told ya, Hil," Julia spoke inaudibly, "He's damn hot!"
"Shut up, Juli!" Hilary clenched her teeth.
Maybe dirty, but Julia wasn't wrong at all. Excluding the beholders, another pair of eyes were viewing the battle. Those round pieces of ice remained still on his body. The owner of the orbs licked her lips once, revolving her snake-like tongue. Saliva was dropping from her mouth. Her throat was like a desert; her private area became a river. Fire of lust started rampaging inside her heart.
'Oh, the sexy prince of Russia!' She thought, 'How lucky the girl will be who will get you as her husband! But...but I won't let any other woman on the earth get married to you. You're only mine... you are on this planet only to fulfill my hunger...my sex urges! My youth, my appealing charms-everything... everything of this Zina Balkov is only for you! But...not now. My troopers must be searching for me. Soon, I'll come back to you. Then, there will be nobody between us.'
Her sky-blue hair blew in the air. Tucking her tresses behind her right ear, she spread her arms. Within no moment, she disappeared like vapors.
Sniggering wickedly, the Chinese emperor gestured his opponent to approach. At the center of the field, the wrestlers started circumambulating around each other. The jade orbs of the elder one were fixed on the amethyst ogles of the younger. The phoenix-prince also didn't blink once, just gawking at his rival. As their feet were at the opposite sides of the land, all of a sudden, they both progressed towards each other, sprinting.
"Hiyaa!"
The fists of the phoenix-prince captured those of the emperor of China. His fingers applied much force on the joints between the carpals and metacarpals of the green-eyed man. The knuckles of Zagart also didn't leave his enemy, securing the palms of the Russian. They both were trying to push each other back but they were being unable to do that due to the same amount of force put by them.
Without warning, the Chinese man lifted the Russian up with his arms. The abdomen of the phoenix-prince bumped against the chest of his opponent. During a blink, Zagart tossed Kai on the ground. Exposing his teeth in pain, the prince of Russia landed on the surface on his back.
"Thud!"
The ruby orbs of the brunette went widened. In fear, she tightly clutched the fingers of her cousin, closing her eyes. Understanding it, Julia kept a hand on her shoulder, trying to tell her that everything would be in the favor of the Russian.
Not wasting much time, the twin-haired male got up onto his feet. Then, he charged towards the Chinese wrestler. Zagart was also prepared for this. Again, he hauled his challenger up with only his right hand and thrusted him down. This time, the fall turned to be worse than the previous one. A droplet of blood seeped down from the nose of the dranzer-wielder.
"Hilary, now I'm going to palace!" The Spaniard spoke, "For bringing soldiers."
She was about to go but stopped since her cousin held her hand. Looking at her, the brunette shook her head, "No Juli, you don't need to do that."
"But why?" Julia frowned, "Cannot you see prince Hiwatari's condition?"
"I can," A droplet of tears rolled down on the left cheek of the Japanese princess, "But in the letter that I received from him yesterday, he forbade me to embarrass a warrior by worrying for him. I have full faith both on the Almighty and the strength of the arms of prince Hiwatari. My heart is telling me that he'll win the battle despite the obstacles on his way. He has to be the victor."
Sighing, the Spanish girl kept standing beside her cousin and watching the wrestling match. Closing her eyes, the brunette drifted to prayers.
'Prince, you have to win it for me,' She mentally demanded, 'And I know that you have the abilities of doing it. Calm your head, prince. Don't lose patience. Teach this prideful emperor a good lesson!'
Huffing, the Russian stood up again. He was sweating badly. His lungs were also striving hard to receive enough oxygen. Bit by bit, he removed the dust from his arms. He recalled one of his quotes.
"As long as I'm here, I'll not let a single droplet of ink stain your character, princess," Kai coughed, picking up the fallen torch, "I'll always protect you from everything. Don't worry."
'No...I cannot let my promise be broken in this way,' The upper incisors of the phoenix-prince tried to push the lower ones down, 'I'm from Hiwatari clan. There's a custom in our clan since ages. It is: Even if you lose your life, you must never break your promise. No matter what happens today, I won't let this bastard abduct princess Hilary in front of my eyes. At any cost, I'll protect her honor.'
For the second time, their paws clashed. This time, the slate-haired wrestler chucked the arms of the elder. Zagart was about to place a kick at the guts of his opponent. However, kneeling down, Kai elbowed his left knee, blocking the kick. Unable to maintain his balance, Zagart fell on the sandy ground. From his lying position, the Chinese emperor tried to punch his enemy. Too poor the try came out; Kai caught his wrist immediately. Not taking a break of a single moment, the phoenix-prince twisted it perpendicularly. His knees pushed the back of the green-eyed man down. With another hand, the Russian lifted the left ankle of his adversary. Grasping the Chinese on the ground, he pulled both his wrist and ankles together. Making them touch each other, he hissed, "King Zagart, do you accept your defeat?"
The fallen man was scuffling much against the young man to free himself. But he found himself bound from all the four directions. He couldn't find any way so that he could come back to the battle. Sighing in disappointment, he slapped on the ground as a sign of surrendering. Victoriously smirking, the winner stood up. Walking to his shirt, he put it on. While wrapping the scarf around his neck, he spoke, "I hope you are aware of the deal. If you break it, my soldiers will crush the whole China."
"Hmph!" Getting up somehow with the assistance of his soldiers, the injured emperor blurted, "Princess Tachibana, today, I'm leaving Japan. But I promise, one day, my goal will be fulfilled. Then, nobody will be there for you. Not even prince Kai Hiwatari!"
Turning to his soldiers, he snarled, "Why are you staring at my face in this way? Let's get lost!"
As the battalion marched behind their master, the phoenix-prince moved back. The brunette forwarded the quiver and the bow to him.
"Are you alright, prince?" Worriedly, she asked, "Have you got hurt?"
"No," Taking his stuffs back, the dranzer-wielder shook his head, wiping the blood beneath his nostrils, "What about you, princess?"
"Don't worry about me," Blushingly, she replied, "I'm fine too. Julia, give Pavoria to me."
"Here is it." The Spanish girl passed the bow along with an arrow. Taking them, the brunette linked the dart against the string. Outstretching the arc, she launched it up. The projectile flew. As it vanished, the combination of blue and green rays dispersed from it, encompassing the cropland. All the ashes and destroyed saplings died out. Penetrating the ground, new seedlings of corns started peering at the sky. Smiling, the chocolate-haired girl walked to the female farmer.
"My lady," She placed a hand on her shoulder, "Don't worry now. Now, your field is as fertilized as it was before."
"How will I express my gratitude before you, princess?" The lady's eyes were still glittering with waterworks, "The more I thank you, the less it will be."
"No no my lady, no need to thank me," Hilary shook her head, "If you want to express your gratitude to someone, do it to prince Hiwatari. Only for him, this task has been possible."
"What are you seeing there?" The cultivator announced, "Praise our princess and the brave prince!"
"Hail prince Kai Hiwatari!"
"Hail princess Hilary Tachibana!"
"Hail prince Kai Hiwatari!"
"Hail princess Hilary Tachibana!"
The heart of the Russian got filled with mesmerizing sensations of satisfaction. In front of his eyes, an image appeared. In the large courtroom, he was standing before the golden throne. Beside him, there was she. On her head, there was a sapphire-embellished tiara made of diamond. People were sprinkling flower petal on them. Huzzas and jubilations were also heard.
"Hail his Majesty, Kai Alexander Hiwatari, the emperor of Russia!"
"Hail her Majesty, Hilary Tachibana Hiwatari, the empress of Russia!"
"Prince!"
His rumination broke as he saw the hand of the brunette waving. As he turned back to the reality, she smiled.
"We have to return now," She spoke, "The sun is about to set."
"Hn." Nodding, the phoenix-prince started walking beside the princesses. Julia went a bit ahead of them. Bit by bit, the orange sun was being crimson. The blush on his face was deepening. It was looking like a pomegranate. Kai kept watching the sunkissed face of the brunette. They both were silent while plodding.
"Thank you so much, prince," After a heavy pause, the brunette opened her mouth, "Today, you haven't only saved my dignity, but also only for you, the revival of the land has been possible."
"No need to thank me, princess," Kai retorted, "I can feel your struggles."
"As in?"
"In our kingdom too, the cultivators strive a lot to grow crops," He sighed, "I can understand how valuable they are for the farmers."
"Maybe you are right," Hilary nodded, "The feelings are mutual. You miss Russia, don't you?"
"No."
"Why?" Hilary cocked an eyebrow.
"Because I'm returning tomorrow."
Hilary's heart skipped a beat. Baffled, she looked at the determined face of the prince. Despite searching a lot, she found no hope there.
"Why?" Julia made her task easy, "Don't you know that the groom-choosing ceremony of Hilary is going to be held tomorrow? Why won't you participate there?"
"Pardon me, princess," Kai heaved, "I've not been allowed yet."
"But..."
"To me, the words of my guardians are the first and foremost priority," The phoenix-prince stopped her, "Sage Dickenson has told me nothing about it. So, I don't think I will be able to come."
Looking at the coco-haired girl, he dully smiled, "Princess, may you get all the happiness in your future life. I have to go now."
"Hm..." Gloomily, the princess replied, "The same wishes for you too, prince. Japan will miss you. If fate wants, we will meet each other once again."
"Hn." Finishing the conversation, the prince started trudging forward. The brunette kept staring at his trajectories till his complete disappearance. She felt her heart heavy all of a sudden. The rheum of pain cascaded down on her face from her lacrimal glands. Standing behind her, the Spaniard placed a hand on her shoulder. Looking at her cousin, the brunette wiped her tears.
"Control yourself, Hilary," Julia squeezed her shoulders, "You have to stay strong."
"You're right, Juli," The brunette cleared her throat, "Maybe, his companion wasn't written on my fate. I have to accept it. Let's go."
When budding began in my jasmine garden,
Oh bumblebee, how can you think of leaving?
How can you be so witless? Don't you know?
Beneath your holy feet, I have placed the offering?
Even the songs of forest, the chants of birds,
Oh dear, are still to ebb away,
Then how? How could you?
Still how are you wishing to move away?
"My girl," Placing a hand on the left cheek of the brunette, the Japanese emperor asked his daughter as worries could clearly be observed in his expressions, "Are you alright?"
"Don't worry about me, father," Hilary smilingly replied, "After all, I am your daughter, the princess of Japan. How would he be able to curve a single thread of my hair?"
"I'm extremely sorry, my child," Hayashi sighed, "If I got to know that this would happen, I would never invite him to the ceremony."
"Don't blame yourself, father," The brunette held the shoulders of her father, "You have no fault in this. How would you know about his nasty intentions? Thankfully, prince Hiwatari was there."
"I cannot be more grateful to the prince of Russia, Hil," The Japanese man smiled, "At first, he saved our subjects from a demoness and her battalion. Today, he has protected my daughter from the disgusting hands of the Chinese emperor. I wish I could gift him the most precious gem of my kingdom. But..."
"But?"
"But in the letter which has been sent from Russia says something else, my girl," The father patted the head of his daughter, "It doesn't seem affirmative."
The skipped beats of the heart of the brunette returned to her body. She huffed in astonishment. Gulping, she pleaded, "Father, may I have a glimpse of the letter if you want?"
"Sure, Hil." From the nearest table, the father took a folded scroll and placed it on the hands of the Japanese princess. Unfolding it, she started reading it:
"Honorable emperor of Japan,
Accept our greetings. Hope you're doing well. We have received the invitation letter of the groom-choosing ceremony of your daughter. Knowing about it, we have been very delighted. But pardon us, at present, our children are neither in Japan, nor in Russia. If they were anywhere of these two kingdoms, we would surely send them.
May the future of your daughter shimmer with the sparkles of good luck and happiness. Excuse us once again.
Sincerely,
The ruler body of Russia."
"But..." Hilary objected, reading the whole letter, "The Russian princes are in Japan at present. Then..."
"I cannot understand it, my girl," Hayashi heaved a sigh, "Therefore, let's see what is written on your fate."
"Father, if you don't mind..." Sheepishly, the brunette demanded, "May I keep the letter?"
"Sure, Hilary," The emperor of Japan nodded with a smile all over his face, "You may keep it if you want."
"Thank you so much, father!" Giving him a quick hug, the brunette stormed off, leaving the room. The brown-head emperor kept looking at the footsteps of his beloved child.
'In the same way, you used to leave my room in your childhood,' Hayashi drifted to memories, 'And tomorrow...your groom-choosing ceremony will commence. My girl, may you get all the happiness in your life which you want. May you get the person in your life as your soulmate whom do you love the most. It's a wish of a father...for his daughter...'
"What?" The Spaniard exclaimed, "The Russian rulers have written this letter in return?"
"Cannot you see?" The blunette scowled, "How tricky they are! They don't want their sons to participate in the contest."
"Why are you saying 'Sons', Mari?" Julia cocked an eyebrow, "Only prince Hiwatari will be participating here. I don't want to see any other Russian prince except him."
"Why?" Mariam rolled her eyes, "Has his cousin already been reserved for you, princess Fernandez?"
"Shut up, Mari!" The face of the twin-haired girl turned pink, "I'm not going to marry that redhead!"
"Hey!" The royal blue-haired girl snapped, "I've heard that prince Kai Hiwatari has four male cousins. How did you know that I was talking about the red-haired one? What was going on in your mind?"
Julia's heart pulsated a bit. Trying a lot to stop blushing, she spoke, "Because only that one has come here with prince Hiwatari."
"Stop making lame excuses, Julia," Mariam handed her the letter, "Cannot you remember what Hilary has told us? Deliver it to prince Hiwatari. Along with this!"
Taking a recurve bow, Mariam returned to Julia. Its hard part was made of pure bronze. Only the handle was glimmering like gold bars.
"Where have you got it?" The dual-haired girl felt curious.
"Prince Hiwatari's bow got broken in his duel against Tyson," The blunette retorted, "Hilary has got it built for him. Now, hurry and waste no more time."
"Okay okay..." The Spaniard wore a broad black shawl that covered her head and torso. Then, she let the bow sling from her right shoulder. Taking the letter, she looked at her chocolate-haired cousin through the windows. Outside, the brunette had blindfolded herself. Tying a piece of black cloth around her eyes, she was preparing to walk from one post to another. Her wrists were also fastened back. Both Charlotte and Dew were looking at her worriedly. Sighing, Julia left the room.
'God knows whether Hilary becomes successful to complete Okuninushi ritual by crossing the distance between those two poles without getting obstructed...' The Spaniard was quickly marching through the lobbies of the guesthouse illuminated by several torches clinging to the walls even in the twilight, 'Please, lord Okuninushi, let her be successful...let her love be successful...'
"Sleesh!"
The inner soul of the Spaniard quivered. Widening her eyes and gulping, she tried to move forward. To her utter horror, she felt that she couldn't walk a single step because something was pulling the fringe of her skirt. Rotating her head back, she looked down. Her jade orbs discovered a stiletto gouging the marble floor of the hallway along with the border of her bottom. Her heart throbbed since she saw a dagger which was able to cut stones for the first time in her life. She moved her eyes up. Slowly, they met the face of a scarlet-haired Russian. His teeth were gritted in wrath. Deliberately, he approached her.
"How did you dare enter the royal guesthouse of sage Dickenson, my lady?" He snarled, "Do you know what its outcomes can be?"
"How did you dare attack the princess of Spain, prince Valkov?" With her right hand, she removed her veil from her head, "Don't you know what it can result in?"
Biting his tongue, the wolf-prince stepped back, quenching and realizing what he had done. Almost stammering, he started, "Pri...princess...Fer...Fernandez? You...you're...here? At...at this...mo... moment?"
"Why? Julia wrinkled her eyebrows, "Do you have any problem? Remember, it's the kingdom of my aunt. I can roam here wherever I want. On the other hand, it's you who are the guest here. So, learn to stay here like a guest!"
"Huh!" Tala tried to lift his nose, "We are not ordinary guests. We have killed demoness Katherine and..."
"Stop telling 'We', prince Valkov!" The Spaniard retorted, "We all know in whose hands the monstress got killed. Whereas, you were hiding behind the back of your cousin and peeping like a frightened cat at the monsters..."
"You have no idea about my strength then," The redhead grimaced, "It's true that I didn't kill Katherine directly. But I cleared the ways for Kai. Hehehe, Tala Valkov never bends down in front of anyone. Be it a demon or a soldier..."
"Okay okay, kindly stop praising yourself," Julia coughed, "I have heard that you all are leaving tomorrow for Russia."
"Why?" Tala felt amused, "Will you miss me?"
"Duh!" The face of the Latina became cerise, "Who the hell on the earth will miss you? Before your departure, don't you want to give your cousin a news?"
"Which news?" The wolf-prince frowned, "That you are going to immolate yourself soon?"
"Shut up!" Julia spat, stretching the bow and the letter-held hand, "Take these stuffs and give them to your cousin. Hurry up, we don't have much time."
"Okay..." Tala took them, "Till then, get stuck here!"
Not noticing her face anymore, the redhead started running towards the backyard of the building. Sighing, Julia tried to free her skirt from the dagger but failed. Too deep the hole created by the wolf-prince was.
"Let the idiotic redhead come back..." She fumed, "Then he'll learn the lessons taught by princess Julia Fernandez!"
Between a pair of jasmine trees, the slate-haired Russian was skipping. But the rope held in his hands wasn't ordinary. Flames were burning on it. It was coming up and going down periodically. When the sweltering twine was passing beneath his feet, he was feeling painful. Yet, biting his lips and gnashing his fangs, he was performing the ritual. Under the ink-smeared sky, the blazing string was illuminating the aura. Cold blobs of perspiration were trickling down from his snowflake skin. Along with him, his heart was also jumping and landing; landing and jumping. His eyes were closed. He wasn't belonging to the real world at that moment. In front of him, there was none but a chocolate-haired princess. She was observing him very carefully.
The kick of love hit me so hard,
That I have become bewildered,
The more I go to my beloved,
The more I get shattered.
I have no idea of my body and mind,
All the world knows,
Helplessly, I roam around with no way,
Wherever my heart goes...
"Kai!"
The slate-haired Russian stopped as a sudden gust of wind blew around him, smothering the fire of his skipping rope. Looking back, he saw his red-haired cousin and the bald sage.
"No need to venerate Goddess Lada anymore now," With a smile, the wolf-prince approached him, holding both the bow and the folded letter, "These things have been sent to you by princess Tachibana."
Frowning, the phoenix-prince took the stuffs from the hands of his cousin. Disclosing the message, he started reading it. It was the reply of the invitation letter that had been sent to Russia for the groom-choosing ceremony.
"Prince Kai," Dickenson voiced, "I was waiting for this. The letter says that you would be permitted to attend the ceremony if you were either in Russia or in Japan. Since you're still in Japan, therefore, I allow you to participate the groom-choosing contest of princess Tachibana."
The Russian prince felt as if somebody had removed a great burden from his shoulders. He was feeling so light then. His soul was willing to fly independently in the sky. Noticing something written on the other side too, he tilted the paper.
"Honorable prince of Russia,
You don't need to pardon at all for the departure of my friend. You haven't committed a crime by showing him his mistakes and weaknesses. I know that one day, he'll return to us. Also, here is the reply of the invitation letter which was sent to your kingdom. Reading it slowly and patiently, take your decision. I'll respect and accept it, no matter what your decision is.
Your bow got broken in the battle with my friend, remember? Here's another one. I've got it made by the head weapon-creator of my kingdom. If you don't feel comfortable with it, let me know once.
Let me know about your decision too. Don't feel worried or hesitated in this case. I believe in the freedom of opinions. What kind of love is that love where there is no independence?
Yours ever,
Princess Hilary Tachibana."
His burning heart calmed down as the letter of the coco-haired princess sprinkled cold water there. The droplets of sweat clinging to his skin turned into vapors. Fulfilling the content of his lungs, he inhaled, trying to hold all the fresh air around him. His fingers roamed over the bow sent to him by his admirer. The consistency of the handle, the firmness of the metal part, the tightness of the knot between the string and the knob, the elasticity of the cord-everything was more than perfect.
Hastily going back to his room, he took another paper and ink-pot. Dipping the feather-pen into it, he started writing. Curious, his redhead cousin also followed him. Standing beneath one of the jasmine trees, the bald sage smirked.
Completing the message, he rolled the paper and gave it to the redhead, "Go and give the messenger this."
"Sure, Kai." Nodding, Tala stormed off past him.
The dual-haired girl was still standing there motionlessly. The more she was trying to free her skirt, the more she was feeling difficult. Clenching her teeth, she was cursing the redhead.
'Why hasn't he come here yet?' The Spaniard gritted her palms, 'If he becomes late, how will I be able to inform Hilary about the decision of prince Hiwatari?'
"Missed me a lot, didn't you?"
Pondering, the girl revolved her head to the scarlet-haired prince of Russia. He was evilly grinning at her, holding another roll of paper.
"Wow! You've come so soon," Cynicism splashed from her tone as she blinked, "Why to hurry? Tasting every bite of your dinner and having a beauty nap, you could come here."
"Sarcasm intended," Tala chortled, "Here, take the letter and let my brother sleep in peace. He has to participate an important event tomorrow."
"And how am I supposed to leave the place when your weapon is pulling me back like an athlete who is going to lose a race?" Julia hissed, "Free me!"
"Okay okay..." Clearing his throat, he knelt down on the ground. Bending his head, he picked the stiletto up. Looking at him, Julia started giggling.
"Why're you being so amused?" Tala rolled his eyes, "Have I done something funny?"
"Yes," Julia covered her mouth with her palms, "Cannot believe my own eyes! Tala Valkov, the mighty prince of Russia who never bends down even before the demons, has lowered his head and back in front of a girl today. How sweet!"
Taking the letter, the Spaniard twirled. The fringe of her gown caressed the lips of the wolf-prince. Chortling a bit, the girl ran across the passages, leaving a flustered and red-faced Russian behind her.
The brown-haired princess untied the cloth which had been covering her eyes, encircling her head. She had successfully reached the other column of the temple. All the girls rushed to her, cheering and laughing.
"Congratulations, Hil!" Mariam patted her shoulders, "It means you'll be able to marry whom you love."
"Duh!" In reticence, the brunette lowered her gazes. Immediately, the dual-haired girl appeared there, holding a letter.
"Hilary!" She threw it to her cousin who caught it, "Here remains the response of prince Hiwatari. Read it once."
Gulping, she started unfolding the paper. Her heart was crazily banging inside her chest. Somehow, revealing the message, her eyes started roaming all over the surface of the opus.
"If I were a poet, I would give you the response composing a poem. But what do to, I'm deprived of talents. I admit that the Creator hasn't given me the power of giving anything but I believe that the power of receiving is important too. Only the heaven will know how I have accepted the gift whose hopes were beyond my imagination. Donation can be seen, but...but receiving is hidden deep inside the heart.
Yours ever,
An ever-indebted person."
The brunette's eyes roamed over the letter once, twice, thrice...countless times. She felt as if someone had drummed the strings of a harp beside her ears. It was dulcet, just like the waves of the mighty Pacific. Those surfs rose in her heart too. With her lithe feet, she entered the temple. There was a statue before her, made of granite. Before him, piles of jasmines were gathered on a silver platter. Taking a few from them, she sprinkled it on the deity of love.
I wanna give you my life,
I wanna give you my heart,
I wanna give all my cogitations to you,
O, only to you!
I adorn the dreams and lose myself,
I go to sleep, in both my eyes, laying you.
O, only you!
Despite knowing, these eyes remain silent,
Every day, they add two more drops of liking,
In songs, in convergence, again and again,
You, only you!
When I'll whisper into your ears,
Then, I'll lock you into my embrace...
Enraptured, a dual-haired Russian was standing under the jasmine tree. Piles of jasmines were being showered on him. Though it was caused by the nature, he was feeling that a person was doing it for him. He was motionless, his heart was dancing. He was silent, his feelings were singing. His eyes were closed, the windows of his core were open. Intoxicating fragrance of the tiny flowers entered his nostrils and found their ways to his heart.
How could he express that he had fallen in love?
I live by your name,
I die by your name,
For your sake,
I can do anything.
What have you done?
I have already been shattered and dissolved,
I have already become yours.
Being crazy, I've already become yours.
Okay, you may be wondering what Kai and Hilary were doing at that moment. For Hilary, she was worshiping God Okuninushi, the Japanese deity of love. It is believed that being blindfolded and tying wrists, one who crosses the distance between two poles of His temple becomes successful in love life. As for Goddess Lada, the Slavic Goddess of love and harmony, fire-skipping or jumping over fire is also a ritual that is performed to get her blessings in order to be successful in love life. :P
So...do read and review. Pardon the grammatical and spelling errors of this chapter. Take care. Besides, I, Droplets of blue rain aka your dearest Misty, welcome you to the groom-choosing ceremony of princess Hilary Tachibana which is going to be held in the next chapter. There will be shocks and surprises for you. Be prepared and don't refuse this invitation of me. xD
Take care and stay safe :D
-Misty ^_^ ^_^
P.S: Are you feeling annoyed at my being fast? If yes, don't hesitate to tell me. I'll be slow :3