Hello everyone! What's up?

Thanks a lot to Cutetyhil, TwilightUniverse018, Justafan, Blue Shadow of Sky, Emerald Rami, LadyPeach7, IshuRock8, Jyotsna, Scarlet Witch of Terra, Sohana Sarkar, Rock the Road, Sehun is hottttt, Alpha beta gamma and Bahubali for reviewing :D

Justafan: Yes, I missed your reviews *Hugs you back*. Don't worry about the wedding, you all waited a lot for the first meeting of KaiHil. It was good, wasn't it? Then I promise that I'll make the wedding memorable for everyone. Though a wedding ritual (I don't know whether it belongs to Japan or Russia) has been kept here where the families enjoy the dishes prepared by the bride. :P Yeah, Kane has done a huge mistake but...all he did in his intoxication xD.

Oh...that scene! I freaking love that! :P Anyways, thank you so much for reviewing :D

IshuRock8: Aww...baby, don't be sad. You've done awesome! Congratulations! *Hugs and smooches* In future, you'll do better. Yes, Frankie is definitely a psycho. Hehehe...you're right. When I was in school, my writing skill was so horrible that anyone puked at them :P. You must be better than I xD. Thank you so much for reviewing :D

Jyotsna: Mariah will make an appearance soon. She'll be so lovie dovie that you all will want to hug her! Anyways, thank you so much for reviewing :D

Sehun is hottttt: I'm late? *Gulps*. That's why, I've been early because I didn't want to make a sweet reader like you wait. In this chapter, some KaiHil (TalaJul as bonus) moments are here. Thanks a lot for reviewing :D

Alpha beta gamma: Oh, I see. If you're looking for Kai fanfictions, then please, keep reading it. You must have read the curses which were spelled on Kai, right? More important events from the main Beyblade series will result from some events of this story. Thank you so much for reviewing :D

Bahubali: She'll realize when it'll be too late :P...Also, this dumb love square is turning into a straight line, noticed that? Umm...nope, Silvia doesn't know Kai or Hil. Thank you so much for reviewing :D

Warning: A torture scene.

So...enjoy! :D

The entrance of the large royal kitchen was that of a cavern, parabolic and made of shingles. Lanterns were enlightening the half-dark chamber with blazing flames emitted from the shoulder-high bronze lamp-stands, standing inclining against the gravelly walls. The sunlight was seeping inside through the rectangular skylight windows at the roof. Milkmen were entering there from the cowshed, carrying the earthen pitchers of fresh milk. Placing bamboo-baskets on their heads, the farmers were delivering the vegetables and fruits. Some were pouring water in the cylindrical reservoir for fulfilling it. Meats and fishes were being roasted in the barbeque chamber. Striding around, the princess was checking whether everything was going perfect or not. With utmost zeal, she was taking care of the task. Why not? After all, she'd been given the responsibilities of the foods which were being cooked for her soon-to-be groom.

"No no," The brunette rushed towards another maid who were mixing flour with the batter, "Don't add it anymore. Otherwise, the cake will be hard and the prince won't be able to eat this."

"Sure, princess," The servant bowed, agreeing with her. Moving away from her, the noblewoman went to another corner where vegetables were being sliced. With keen eyes, she surveilled the task.

"Sharpen the kitchen knife a bit more," She ordered, "It will help you cut the stuffs easily."

"As your wish, princess." Nodding, the worker started rubbing the sharp edges of the stiletto against a round pebble. The chocolate-haired girl watched the sparkles fly from it as a few of them rose in her heart too.

She was going to get married to the prince of Russia. Very soon, she would be the empress of the icy kingdom. How would the country be? From books and scriptures, she had learnt that it was very cold. Would she be allowed to take the responsibilities of kitchen there? In this way, would she be permitted to cook foods for her love and family members? But...what did they like to eat? What were their favorite foods? Did she know it? Nope, shit!

Sighing, she came to an oven on which a clay pot was placed. From it, steams that could increase the secretion of the salivary glands of many people were being produced. Sitting on a tool before the stove, she removed the lid and stirred the food a bit with a wooden spatula. In it, the bubbles of boiling water could be seen. The vapors encircled her, causing a droplet of sweat to ooze down from her milky forehead.

"Julia!" She called her cousin, trying to sniff the stuff.

"I'm here," Swirling, the Spanish girl sat beside her sister, "Order me, your Highness. How can I serve you?"

"Can you tell me how it's been by tasting it?" The brunette took some gravy in a spoon, "I'm feeling so nervous."

"Oww Hil, stop being so fastidious," The dual-haired princess patted her shoulder, "Don't you know that the foods prepared by you and aunt shouldn't be humiliated by being tasted? Whatever is cooked by you and aunt becomes the language of foods. So, tasting this will be a sin for me. Do you want me to be a sinner?"

"You never cease to flatter me, Julie," Hilary sighed, "But I still don't know whether my foods will be appreciated by him or not."

"Hil, father, uncle Taro, uncle Hayashi, Tyson, Max, Raul-everyone loves to eat the foods which are cooked by you," Julia snickered, "Why are you worrying so much?"

"Uh oh..." The princess bit her tongue, "I wasn't talking about them, you know. I was speaking about the choices of Hiwatarian."

"Now I have got the fact for which you are so tensed, Hil," Her cousin winked, "Why didn't you tell me his name?"

"Duh, silly!" Hilary grimaced with a flushed face, "I feel too embarrassed to utter his name."

"Aww..." Giving a flash grin, Julia pinched the cheeks of her cousin, "You look so cute while blushing when you remember him!"

"Julie, my face won't fulfill his appetite," The princess put the lid on the pot, "Rather, the foods will."

"Then, let me go to him and check it out what he likes to eat!" Standing up, hurriedly, the girl left the kitchen before her sister had spoken anything else. Staring at her routes, the princess of Japan deeply exhaled again.

'I hope Julia will be able to know the favorite foods of him correctly...'

The guesthouse for the sages was as serene as their residents. Priests were walking across the earthen lobbies, holding scrolls and scriptures on wooden salvers. Wild creepers were rising high, encircling the doric columns like snakes. Violet and fuchsia flowers were blooming from them. Clay lamps were burning in the niches. The huts were surrounded by sakura and plum trees. Tussocks of baby-pink and white flowers were looking like colorful fountains. Fluttering their fluffy tails, snow geese were swimming in an oval loch. Yellow goslings like squishy balls were behind their parents. The spring was crooning through the voices of nightingales sitting on the twigs.

"Ah!" The Spanish breathed deeply, "How holy the atmosphere is! That night, I couldn't see anything properly because of the interference of that redhead. I wish I could stay here for a while."

Following her will, her responsibility emerged from her brain before her. Grouching, she hung her head, diverting her mind to another side. She was bound to hurry.

"But what to do?" She sighed, "Hilary has sent me here to know about the favorite dishes of brother-in-law. I have to complete the task as soon as possible. Otherwise, it will be late. Then, Hilary won't be able to cook them. But...where's he?"

Some scholars were passing by, wearing black kimonos and yellow shawls. Treading to them, she bowed, "Sirs, have you seen prince Hiwatari around?"

"Sorry, my lady, we haven't." Shaking their heads, they left the place. Going to another woman who was letting the pigeons eat, she asked, "Lady, have you seen prince Hiwatari?"

"No, my lady."

"Oh God!" Julia slapped on her forehead, "Where can he be right now? I need to talk to him. Otherwise, Hilary won't leave me alive."

Her eyes fell upon a straw hut. In its veranda, cocks' combs and sweet peas were blossoming from ligneous tubs, flirting with kohl bumblebees. Rabbits were nibbling in the ground, sometimes, sniffing the flowers. Flowery vines were entering in the room through the gaps of the criss-cross bamboo grills. The emerald eyes of the Spanish glimmered at the sight.

"Hilary told me that prince Hiwatari loves to be closer to nature," Julia thought, "It means he must be there."

Going to the cabin, she started peering through the diamond-shaped holes of the bamboo frameworks, not knowing that someone was behind her. Seeing her, the redhead's eyebrows screwed along with his nose. Without any logical reason, his nostrils sensed the smell of dangers hovering in the air. Automatically, one of his hands untucked the bow from his back. Reaching his quiver, another brought an arrow. Placing the shaft against the string, he voiced, "Who's there?"

Turning back, the Spaniard laid her eyes on the scarlet-haired Russian. Seeing the bow and arrow pointed at her, her jade orbs widened in fear. So did his sapphires, but not terror, but in wide astonishment. Quickly, he put down his weapons, realizing what a grave sin he'd been going to commit.

"Princess...Fernandez?" He neared her, "You...you're here? What...what brings you here?"

"Why should I tell the reason to a ferocious terrorist like you?" Julia clenched her teeth.

"What? Am I a terrorist?" The redhead frowned, "From which corner am I looking like one of them to you? From which angle?"

"From your style of holding the bow and the arrow," Julia answered "Quite different from the grace of true warriors. That's why, your hands were shaking."

"Oh, so you were stalking me?" The wolf-prince raised an eyebrow, "What special lies inside me, princess?"

"Nothing but your arrogance," The princess contorted her lips right, "Anyways, I was searching for the prince of Russia. Can you kindly tell me where he is?"

"He's in front of you." Pompously, the redhead spread his arms widely.

"I didn't mean you," Less than a single second, Julia broke his pride, "Where is your cousin?"

"Why?" Tala glowered, not answering to her question, "What do you need from him?"

"I want to ask him his favorite foods." Smilingly, the princess expressed her goal for which she had come here.

"Kai likes every kind of food." Crossing his arms on his chest, he informed.

"How have you known that I have come here with a view to inviting you and him for the lunch at our place?" Julia creased her eyes.

"Just now, you have exposed it," Tala shrugged, "You're so forgetful, princess. So sad it is, isn't it?"

"Since you have known the actual reason," The princess didn't pay any heed to the acute taunt of the Russian, "Please, tell me the names of some dishes which brother-in-law likes to have. Something special..."

"Just check it whether it isn't too spicy."

"Spicy?" Julia crumpled her brows, "Why?"

"After all, you're going to make it."

"What does it mean?"

"Since you speak such a peppery way," Moving his eyes away from her, the wolf-prince started checking the firmness of the cord of his bow, "So, isn't it obvious that all the dishes prepared by you will be spicy?"

"What?" Julia placed her hands on both sides of her waist, "If I am peppery, how are you? Are you sweet? Do you think yourself to be sugary? Cannot you remember what happened in the engagement ceremony of Hilary? How arrogantly you started debating with Hiro Granger! Thank goodness, brother-in-law was there. Otherwise, that hermit would separate your head from your body with the tip of his axe just like slicing a fruit!"

"Huh!" The redhead's nose was erected, "Nothing like that would happen. I know my cousin far well, he wouldn't..."

"Brother-in-law!"

The girl happily squealed with a bright smile all over her face, seeing a beam of hope in the darkness of being taunted and tiffs. He'd been there for a while, folding his arms on his chest. Leaning against a tree and closing his eyes, he'd been observing the banter between his cousin and the princess of Spain. The curvy smile in the corners of his lips was effortlessly expressing that he'd been enjoying the mockery a lot. Hearing the girl's call, he opened his eyes and coughed.

"Greetings," The Spaniard bowed, "I'm Julia Fernandez, the princess of Spain and the cousin of your fiancée."

"I know you."

"How?" Julia raised her brows, "We haven't talked much."

"Not for that," Kai shifted his gazes at his garnet-haired cousin whose jaw was dropped, waiting for his response, "You're the reflection of Hilary."

"Hey!" The wolf-prince objected, grouching, "Don't compare her with my lovely sister-in-law, Kai!"

"Aww...how sweet!" Julia leaped, "But...why doesn't it happen in case of brothers? Why cannot they be one another's reflection?"

"As in?" Tala scowled.

"Nothing," The Spaniard gesticulated, "Anyways, brother-in-law, uncle Hayashi has invited you for the lunch today. You must come there...along with your reflection."

"Me...and his reflection?" The redhead snorted which earned a death glare from his cousin, "Only in your dreams, princess."

"Look, stop pissing my brother-in-law off," Julia rebuked, "However, what would you like to eat in lunch, brother-in-law?"

"Whatever you cook."

"No no!" Tala shook his hands, "Kai, don't do this. God knows how horrible her cooking skill is. So, don't put your tongue at any risk."

"Uh!" Julia gave him a nasty look, "Your poems are useless just like you. But brother-in-law, if you told me your favorite dishes, I would go to Hilary and inform her about those. She'll be able to prepare all your preferred foods."

Hearing her, the slate-haired prince went silent for a few moments. Suddenly, he didn't feel to tease his cousin by praising his would-be sister-in-law. Unexpectedly, despite being accompanied by two young people, loneliness hummed in his ears. Somebody cared for him. No, it wasn't like that he wasn't taken care of. His choices and wishes had always been monitored by royal servants, cousins and relatives. After a long time, somebody, not directly, but had asked him about his preferences. Somebody had wanted to show interest in him. Usually, either people had swooned over him, or had they ignored him. For a while, he forgot what he liked to have. His head turned totally blank. Had he ever eaten something? Ever?

"If Hilary is cooking," He started, deeply breathing, "Then I'm leaving it on her choices. I'll have whatever she prepares."

"Okay then, I'll tell Hilary about it," The Spaniard curved her eyes at the wolf-prince, "By the way, what does your reflection like to eat?"

"If sister-in-law is cooking, then I'll be ready to eat everything!" Tala announced, wryly staring at the half-Spanish princess, "You know, Kai, hands do differ from one another. If the same responsibilities of cooking were given to someone else, it should be needed to be clarified which dishes would've to be cooked."

"Whatever," Julia blew the statement in the air, "Anyways, we'll eagerly be waiting for you, brother-in-law. Please, be present there at the right moment."

Wryly staring at the wolf-prince, she commented, "Thank goodness, brother-in-law didn't become your reflection, prince Valkov."

Giving another smirk and not letting him bite back, the princess left the place quickly, burying her mouth in her palms. Tala's blood started boiling seeing her actions. Fuming, he looked at his cousin. The phoenix-prince's eyes were closed. A subtle grin that was playing across his lips were silently saying, 'Through a tunnel, you're carrying out your business, bro. When I ride the horse, strikes start on the road.'

That smile seemed poisonous to the redhead. After a long period, he felt to be mocked by his cousin. He couldn't accept the defeat easily. Grouching, he dashed inside the cabin. The dual-haired Russian chortled a bit, noticing the condition of the wolf-prince.

'This is call tit for tat, Tala,' He also followed his cousin, 'Be prepared for more.'

"Hilary!"

The brunette was lifting a pot down from the stove. Almost all the foods had been prepared, just left to be garnished and served. The clinking of spoons and knives could be heard in the hands of the maids. Some were carefully rubbing the dishes with alkaline mixtures near the well. Keeping the crock on the floor, she removed the lid, letting the aromatic vapors spread all over the kitchen. Forgetting all their tasks, the workers kept sniffing. Satisfied, taking a bowl, she started shifting the curry with a ladle in it. Hearing the call of her cousin, she turned her face to her.

"What happened, Julia?" She smiled, "Have you got to know his favorite dishes?"

"Pardon me, Hil," The Spaniard's face stooped gloomily, "I have tried a lot but he didn't utter a single word about his choices."

"Oh no!" Hilary exclaimed with sorrows, "Now what will happen? What should I give him to eat?"

"Don't worry, sis," Julia playfully tweaked her chin, "He has told me that he'll have meals according to your preferences."

Hilary sighed in relief, smiling a bit. At the same time, her eyelids trembled. Only for her, the prince of Russia was ready to give up his choices. He wanted to get himself acquainted with the princess of Japan. His love, his heart had so much dedication. It was an honor to her. It increased the depth of his immense love for her. Only once, they'd confessed to each other. They hadn't shared so many intimate moments. Yet, their love was blooming. Its fragrance could only be sensed by the lovers.

"Brother-in-law is so matured and good-minded," Julia praised, "Whereas, there is his cousin, having no good quality. Anger always remains on his nose. Hmph!"

"What happened, Julie?" Worriedly, Hilary asked, "Is something wrong there?"

"No no, not at all," Julia shook her head, "I just don't like that redhead."

"Oh, you've got after my brother-in-law, Julie," Hilary handed her the dish, "What's your problem? He hasn't done anything bad. He's quite a nice guy, you know. How many actual brothers will accompany their siblings in adventures? Hiwatarian is very lucky."

"Wow, what a coincidence!" The face of the dual-haired girl beamed, "Here, you're praising the cousin of your soon-to-be groom. There, your Hiwatarian was admiring me in front of his brother. Miracle, isn't it?"

"No dear, it isn't a miracle," The brunette cupped her face, "Look, when a marriage takes place, it doesn't only connect two souls with each other, but also links a pair of families together. Relations and the depth of love grow with every member of a family, not only with the life-partner. Look, prince Valkov is like my own brother. So, stop badmouthing him, okay?"

"Okay, my lady, I've got it," The Spaniard sneered, "But what are you going to place before prince Hiwatari? You don't know what he likes."

"Today, before him," Hilary smiled, blushing, "I'll present whatever I have prepared. I hope he will like them."

The sky of Doomland was blacker than the hair of an Asian girl. Ripping the dense barrier of the clouds, sometimes, the bolts of lightning could be seen. They were like the splattered lines on a piece of navy-blue cloth. Though the murky vapors were dancing the dance of destruction above the head of the cruel emperor, he smirked, thinking it to be the signs of the doomsday of his rivals and enemies. He wanted to drink their blood. He wanted to destroy their existence from the lap of mother earth. His eyes were motionlessly placed at the rectangular, yet, boundless blue. He watched the heaven roar, standing on his balcony.

Suddenly, the temperature of the environment around him dropped rapidly. Though it wasn't winter, he felt his spine getting chilled. Arctic blusters flurried inside the porch, freezing the blood beneath his skin. Unlike his nature, he shivered, his teeth clattered against one another. Despite the surprising change in the weather, he didn't feel worried. Rather, a sly smirk rose all over his face. Turning behind, he greeted the four-foot animal which was slowly trudging towards him. Its thick, white furs were preventing his skin from the ruthless chills of the outer world. When it opened his mouth, four canines like the blades of Dao swords exposed themselves. Its ears twitched a bit, embodying his hearing power.

Stopping in front of the ruler of underground, it bowed. Soon, its quadruped appearance turned into a bipedal one as he took the form of a human being. His skin tone was whiter than the snowflakes. His eyes were as clear as the crystals. Sliver locks were touching his broad shoulders from his head. Bowing, he started, "Greetings, lord Balkov. Tell me how I can serve you."

"Go to Japan and destroy the land completely with your chills, Cayden," The purple-haired man commanded, "Ensure that the king of Japan should leave his life in the end so that he can see the sorrows and sufferings of his subjects, his near and dear ones with his own eyes. Turn the land of spring into a plot of destruction! Go!"

"You wish, I severe my head, my lord," The wolf-man bent his head down, "Your ordered will be obeyed word by word. Don't worry, my lord."

"I expect the same thing from you, Cayden," Rotating his face from the murderer, the cruel man smirked. His blood was bubbling with the sensations of reprisal. Seething, he mumbled, 'Soon, I'll be the lord of the universe!'

"Hail prince Hiwatari and prince Valkov!"

"Hair prince Hiwatari and prince Valkov!"

Amidst all the jubilations, both the Russians entered the feast hall of the royal palace of Japan as the sakura flowers were getting sprinkled upon them. The guards tapped the ground with their javelins, kneeling down in their honor. There were four different square-shaped tables at the four corners of the room. The height of them wasn't more than that of the knees of a human being. Made of timbers, clover patterns were engraved in them. From the scarlet, yellow, navy-blue and green velvet table-cloths, tassels of golden and silver threads were hanging. The round tools were also low with silk seat-covers having damask designs. From the vintage vases, tussocks of hydrangeas were peeking out. Burning candlesticks were melting in bronze multi-hole lusters. Round plates, sticks, spoons, knives, desert bowls and goblets made of stones and metals were placed on the tables in an arranged way.

At a corner, the chocolate-haired princess was standing with her friends. As her eyes met her groom's, they cordially smiled at each other. However, another pair simply moped at each other, causing their cousins to be amused.

"Come in, prince Hiwatari," The king of Japan stretched a hand forward, "We were waiting for you. Your presence has increased the glory of this lunch meeting."

Shaking hands, the nobleman bowed. Noticing it, the princess of Spain remarked, "Look, how polite brother-in-law is and how arrogant his cousin is!"

"Julie..." The brunette narrowed her eyes at the Spaniard. Biting her tongue, Julia commented, "Sorry, Hil."

"Hn, that's a good girl." The princess of Japan sneered. The smile of the chocolate-haired girl also reached the lips of the dual-haired guy. Accompanied with other noblemen of Japan, they sat on their chairs. Once everyone was seated, the maids entered the room, holding the copper platters of various dishes. The fragrance of food suddenly tickled at the nostrils of the phoenix-prince, making him realize that he was hungry. True it was, he'd been starving since the invitation of the lunch had come to him...only for tasting the foods cooked by his love. The aroma was only fueling the fire inside his stomach. Yet, he kept patient. The inner impatience of him couldn't remain hidden from the brunette. Guessing it, she approached the table for serving food.

"Kai, you know, Hilary is the best cook of Japan," The navy-haired guy enthusiastically spoke, "If you taste her dishes once, you'll want it twice."

"Glad to know that the noblewomen of Japan are interested in cooking," The redhead acknowledged, secretively gaping at the Spaniard, "Otherwise, it is not easy for everyone."

"Aaah!" Almost inaudibly, Julia burst, "What does this spoiled prince of Russia think about me? He thinks that I cannot cook? Well, sooner or later, I'll show him my prowess. In front of him, I'll prove what this Julia Fernandez can do!"

"Calm down, Julia," The blunette beside her patted her shoulders, "Ignore him."

'I wish it could be easy...' The Latina thought, lowering her gazes.

The princess of Japan put a few sushi-balls on the plate of the redhead, grinning gently. Forwarding the curry bowls to him, she asked, "Do you need anything else, prince Valkov?"

"No, sister-in-law," He smilingly shook his head, "Thank you."

"Look there!" The dual-haired girl pointed a finger at the redhead, "How affectionately Hilary is behaving with prince Valkov! I cannot understand one thing, Mari. Why is Hilary giving him so much importance?"

"Talking about him again and again," Mariam whispered, "Aren't you giving him significance too, Julie?"

The cheeks of the Spaniard wore the color of newly bloomed roses. Facing the floor, she snorted, "Shut up, shameless girl!"

Sniggering once in shyness, hearing the family word, the brunette moved towards the seat where her fiancé was sitting. She was progressing, so were her heartbeats. It couldn't be denied that she was an excellent chef. Everyone in the palace liked the dishes prepared by her. She was always confident regarding them. Then what was happening to her on that day? Why were her thoughts wobbling? What happened to her self-assurance?

Bobbing, the princess doled out foods on the plate of the crown prince of Russia. Though they were tasty, the nobleman didn't look at them a bit. His amethyst orbs were fixed on her apple-like face. He could sense some fears, some tensions there. Giving a silent nod, he tried to silently speak to her, "Don't worry, princess. I have full faith on you."

Getting the tiny gesture, the worries got washed away from her appearance. Done with her job, she placed the dishes at the center of the table and left the young men. All the people inside the room started eating after the prayers had been completed.

"I really hate this dish, Hil!" The dragoon-wielder nagged, aiming at a saucer, "Why do you make it every time?"

"Tyson is right, sis," The blonde agreed, "We all know that your foods are amazing but you cannot make the coal white, right?"

"Because it's good for health, Tyson," Hilary answered, "I know that mashed wasabi cannot be controlled by everyone, but you should eat this. By the way, how have the foods become?"

"Splendid, sister-in-law!" The wolf-prince exclaimed, "You've fulfilled both my stomach and heart."

"Specially the mochis!" The hyperactive American added, "You should make them more often."

"What else should I say, Hil?" The navy-haired guy acknowledged, "Praising your cooking every time, I become tired."

"Thanks a lot, everyone," The princess bowed, "But your cousin hasn't said anything, prince Valkov. From him, may I know how the dishes have been?"

Everyone looked at the slate-haired prince. Closing his eyes, he was chewing the foods mildly. Never in his life had he tasted the unique staples. Though he was acting natural, his soul was dumbfounded observing so much creativity in the field of cooking. To him, the dishes made by his mother and aunts were always his favorite. The cooking of the Japanese princess added another dimension to the language of culinary to him. Each intake didn't only stimulate the taste buds of his tongue, but pleased his soul as well. The consumption of fodders usually decreases the hunger. But in his case, his appetite was growing. No, it wasn't the longing of eating. It was the desire of knowing the aspects of the art by her.

"Prince, I'm waiting for your reply," Eagerness confided in front of her embarrassment, "Please tell me how they are."

"You have prepared so many dishes, princess," The phoenix-prince didn't reply immediately, "About which are you expecting me to tell you?"

"Then, tell me about the dish which you have liked the most," The brunette insisted in a polite way, "Amongst all of them, which has become your favorite?"

"This."

The dual-haired prince steered at the copper saucer on which there was an olive-colored paste. Everyone frowned at his reaction. It was nothing but the dish which Tyson had despised before a while. The heart of the princess throbbed. Was her fiancé kidding with her? Did her cooking seem so bad to him that he started being sarcastic?

"But..." She didn't lose her patience, "Prince, this dish is the spiciest of all the foods of Japan. Eating this, the tongue starts burning. Smokes seem to be emitted from ears and nostrils. How are you eating this?"

"You're right, sister-in-law," The redhead nodded, "I admit that the choices and preferences of Kai have always been weird but...today, the awkwardness has crossed all its limits. A Russian can never have such hot stuffs! Then..."

"Prince, are you joking?" The brunette pouted, "You could have told me if you hadn't liked my cooking, I could have prepared something else for you. But why are you troubling yourself in this way?"

"Even your enemies will not say that your dishes aren't likable, princess," With a sad look, Kai stared at her, "I'm only speaking the truth."

"But...even the people of Japan struggle a lot to eat this wasabi paste," Hilary frowned, "Being a Russian, how can it be possible for you?"

"Because of the hands of the cook, everything is possible, princess," Kai gave a mild smile, "They are beyond our imaginations. They can turn a bitter-gourd into a pineapple, princess."

"Oh my God!" Tyson squealed, "I have never tried a bit to discover the fact. I have kept hating this but never tried to appreciate how skillfully Hilary makes it. I don't like spicy foods but...Kai, today, you've made my eyes open. Now, I'll also taste this!"

"Me too!" Max snatched the saucer from his best friend.

"Hey, give that to me!"

"No, the younger at first!"

The banter continued as the girls laughed beside them. Only the coco-haired princess and the slate-haired princess didn't take part in it. He kept savoring the platters straightly looking at the brunette. In inhibition, she hunched her head down. Yet, her lowered gazes found their ways to the chiseled face of the Russian. It was the source of her pleasure. Though his hands were far from her body, his words, his expressions were affectionately caressing her soul.

'Oh, my prince...' The brunette thought, 'The dish which was despised by everyone won your heart. Why, my prince, why? Really...do my hands really hold any kind of magic?'

'It's your love for me, princess...' He mentally replied, reading the language of her ruby pools, 'Let alone mashed wasabi, I can even consume the poison prepared by you happily...if your love is mixed with that. My love for you will always provide me with the utmost strength. Always.'

We're a sole soul, yet, divided in two forms.

If the Dranzer-wielder is the earth, Nipponista is the sky,

A magical bond lies between them,

From ages to ages, it tends to beautify.

It will last forever, be it in the medieval or the modern,

Since lives to rebirths, more essence of love it will earn...

The ink of the evening was getting deeper on the page of that day. Birds had already returned to their nests for looking after their young. The crimson of the sun was getting erased little by little from the sky. Night-queens started exposing their fragrance from the buds. The flittering wings of the bats were clinking the discreetness of the twilight by fits and starts. Grumpy voices of the owls were sending shivers through the spines of the people. Outside his cabin, the slate-haired prince was sitting under a tree having widespread branches, leaning against its stem. His face had the stars before it which were blooming just like the flowers. They couldn't be smelt, yet, he sensed their perfume.

"Kai!"

Getting called by his cousin, the phoenix-prince opened his eyes and stood up. Seeing him, the wolf-prince wore a toothy smile.

"Did you call me?" Tala asked.

"Hn," He replied, "You've to carry out an important task."

"Sure," The redhead nodded, "Which one?"

"Aunt Natalia must be very angry with me at this moment," Kai replied, "For cooling her down, I'll write a letter to her. You have to make sure whether it's been sent properly or not."

"Don't worry about mother, Kai," Tala placed a hand on his shoulder, "She always becomes possessive when the matter involves you. But she does it because she loves you and she only wants the better for you."

"And I want her to understand what is better for me, Tala," The phoenix-prince deeply exhaled, "That's why, I'll try to convince her. Another thing, ensure it so that the envelope hasn't been opened before it reaches Russia."

"As your wish, Kai."

"Hn..." The phoenix-prince cogitated, 'Sorry, brother. When I came to Japan, you didn't leave my side. Today, it's the payback time. Before a few days, two horses of Russia entered this land. Now, they will leave only with a pair of palanquins, not one!'

"Sister?!" A blonde girl entered the dark room, holding a vintage candle-holder, "Are you awake?"

"Hm," Straightly lying on her feathery bed, the silver-haired lady concurred as two narrow creeks of tears crossed the verge of her chin, "I haven't slept yet, Goldie."

"How more nights, Slivie?" Placing the luster on the side-table, the younger princess sat by her sister, "How more nights will you remain sleepless?"

"I don't know, Goldenia," With a jolt, the lover sat up on her bed, "I think I'll suffer from this sleeplessness for the rest of my life."

"Control yourself..." The younger girl was about to squeeze the shoulders of her sibling but before it, the elder enfolded the body of her sister tightly. Dropping her jaw, the blonde felt her dress getting drenched because of the tears shed by her companion.

"Why cannot father understand us, Goldie?" She sniffed, "We are his daughters, not his property! Without my allowance, how could he fix my marriage with a man who is nothing but a monster? Do you know how many wives and concubines he has?"

"I know, sis, I know..." Tears brimmed from the eyes of the blonde too, "But what to do? Though people call us princesses, deep inside, we can realize that we are nothing but the mere pawns of the king. We are the puppets who cannot dance. The one who holds our strings is our master. He can do whatever he wants to do with us, sister."

"Remember?" Silvia sobbed, "Remember how badly father bet Robert?"

The golden-haired girl shivered. Yes, even the thought of that event was way scary to them.

Flashback:

"Ah!"

The purple-haired young man screamed as the whip on his back got slammed once again, leaving another straight line which was red. His hands were tied to a pair of poles with iron shackles. His feet were chained too to the ground. He was half-naked, wearing only a pair of bellbottom trousers. Though it wasn't raining upon him, he was drenched. His own sweats made him sodden. In different places of his body, the dark patches of blood were visible beneath his skin. A lot of linear stains were clinging to his arms, cheeks and back in the shades of crimson. Blood was dripping from his bruised lips. His eyes were tired. Soon, he would fall on his knees.

"How?!" The bald king roared, "How did you dare want the rights of a crown prince? When your useless parents left the world, it's I...it's I who brought you up like my own son...just for seeing you as a rebel?"

"It's my right!" Fearlessly, the prince blurted, "My father was the king of Germany. According to the rules, I should be the successor of the throne."

"Again!" Recurrently, Blackman kept thumping the lash on the different spots of his figure, "Again you're being defiant? Do you know that I can tear your body into pieces and make the dogs eat them?"

"Father!"

Hearing the tone of his daughter, the emperor calmed down a bit. Dropping the whip, he turned to the entrance of the torture cell. Her elder child was standing there with puffy cheeks and tearful eyes.

"Silvia!" Robert's eyes went dilated, "Why have you come here?"

"I had to come here, Robert," The girl rushed to his father, "Otherwise, you wouldn't be alive."

Moving to the king, the girl pleaded, "Father, please don't kill Robert. I'm begging of his life to you, father! Have mercy on him."

"Silvia, you still think that he's worthy enough to get my mercy?" Her father titled his brows, "Don't you know what he has done?"

"I know, father," She sobbed, "Punish him...whatever you want but please...don't snatch his life from him. Don't hurt him!"

"Okay, since you're requesting so much, I'll keep it," A sly smirk became visible in his lips, "But only on two conditions."

"I'm ready to agree with you on all the points, father," Silvia quickly nodded, "Just let him go."

"Okay," The king cleared his throat, "The first is: Robert has to leave the palace. The second is: You have to marry whom I'll want to be your groom."

"No, Silvia!" Robert protested loudly, "Don't do this! I can live everywhere in the world but you won't be able to do it! Don't destroy your life only for saving mine, Silvia!"

"Sorry, Robert..." The silver-haired girl sniffed, "But...your life is way dearer than mine."

Wiping her tears, turning to her father, she took a deep breath. Hearing her reply, the evil ruler chuckled wickedly.

"I'm ready, father."

Flash forward:

"Even I also love the prince of Scotland, sister," The blonde murmured, "But father isn't ready to agree with me."

"Why, Goldenia?" Silvia bitterly sniveled as the embrace of the sisters went tighter, "Why had I to be destined to be the daughter of such a selfish man? Why? It would be better if I breathed my last..."

I haven't blessed you ever,

But I have never cursed you either,

I never became angry with you,

Neither I have been unfaithful.

But why did you leave me?

Why did you become upset on me?

Now after getting separated from you,

I'm totally devastated...

Aww...poor girls :'(

What will happen to them? Will Boris be successful in his plan? Or not?

Do read and review. Pardon the grammatical and the spelling errors. Take care and stay safe :D

-Misty ^_^ ^_^