Hello everyone, what's up? Kingdom is there. Hope everyone is safe and sound.

Thanks a lot to Cutetyhil, Seafoam green Under Twilight, Guest, IshuRock8, pokemonamvfans2, Emerald Vivienne Ramira Elil, Stark02, Sohana Sarkar and ILoveMyIndia for reviewing :D

Guest: Yes, you're right. They were Dranzer and Wolborg. Thank you so much for reviewing. Enjoy this chapter :D

IshuRock8: Absolutely right, dear! Hope your exam went good. My physical Chemistry exam also went awesome by the grace of Almighty. Actually, it was nothing but a letter which Kai asked Tyson to carry to Hilary. TySew in this chapter, hope you'll enjoy. Btw, please read and review Outburst T_T. Thank you so much for reviewing :D

ILoveMyIndia: Aww...no problem, dear. Hope your exams are going good. All the best for the rest and thanks a lot for reviewing :D

So, in this chapter, four out of the five major couples will be portrayed. Enjoy it! :D

Recap of the previous chapter:

"Clamp!"

Everyone left the seats, bewildered. Their eyes went widened at the sight. The dancing maiden hit the navy-haired messenger who was at the open door. Some blue colored his indigo bangs. Dew had been immersed completely in dancing. With the collision, she came back to the real world. Still, it felt dream to her as she'd been imagining the same person who was in front of her, while dancing. Innocence and the vibes of being startled struck his manly face. One of his arms tied her waist; his face was leaned forward; auburn eyes were drowning in her teal orbs.

From her hands, without any pre-warning, the platter of the color fell down and hit the ground in the same way.

Now:

Stares were still fixed on each other completely. The purplette still didn't find any way to come out from the complicated enigma. She couldn't discover how the person who'd been in her imaginations while dancing was in front of her. The powdered blue dye was blowing away around her feet, getting splashed by them but they weren't spinning on the dance floor anymore. The chestnut pupils of the dragoon-wielder were so deep, she didn't know where their bottoms were. So many emotions were mixed with one another there and engaged into a fight, she failed to learn which one belonged to love. On her bronze cheeks, a few shades of red appeared, not even leaving her straight nose.

My anklets tingled,

Veil also slipped from my head,

The way he looked at my eyes,

My eyes demurely lowered…

He was also no less nervous than her. Though the tints of embarrassment weren't evident on his expressions much, he was feeling the heat creepily climbing to his face from his neck and ears. The blue powder smeared his evening blue bangs, getting invisible in that but it was out of his interests then. Her floating turquoise orbs were like teal birds swimming in a pair of crystal-clear eye-shaped ponds. So serene, so holy. Tyson Granger was never fond of playful and naughty eyes which Julia and Mariam had. Hilary's matter was something different, whenever he looked at those ruby orbs, he had to bow his head down in respect. But princess Dew's eyes…they had something special which was holding him. Neither he could step back, nor could he lower his ogles.

The incident of our meeting was strange,

My heart was throbbing,

For a moment, I thought,

My heart had stopped….

"Tyson?" The brunette bride finally stepped forward, "You're here? In the ladies' chamber?"

"Oh, Hilary," The male bluenette scratched his head, pulling out the scroll from the pocket of his Hakama pants, "Actually, I came here to give you this. Kai has told me to do it."

The ladies in the room made an "Aww…" in unison as the red tints which had been on the cheek of her adopted sister daubed her face. Quickly reaching him, she almost snatched it. Grasping the parchment tightly in the fingers of her right hand, she went back to her seat. Nudging her from the left side, the Spanish princess wished, "Recite it, Hil. Let us hear too what brother-in-law has written for you."

"Yes, Hilary, read it!" Others demanded. Raising her eyes, she saw her best friend shamelessly chuckling and winking at her. Exposing all his 32 teeth, he spoke, "Read it out, Hil. Let me know too what I actually carried…..."

Soon, he saw the foods decorated on the three-legged, round wooden table at a corner as he failed to finish his words. On a large silver plate, a big chicken pie was kept, sliced into separate pieces. Half-fried chicken cubes were coming out from the loaves. Beside it, there were carved and deep-fried potatoes. Shrimp noodles were unlimited on a ligneous tray, decorated with coriander leaves, boiled carrots and tomatoes. Dipped in sugar syrup, there were strawberry mochis and bocchan dangoes. The smell of melted cheese, dissolved sweeteners and warm butter-oil teased the nostrils of the dragoon-wielder. Instantly, he forgot that he'd stuffed his stomach with two full bowls of custard and ten beef momos before a while. The girls did a huge mistake by letting the chicken roam free in the presence of a fox.

"My foods!" Tyson's eyes twinkled, "My lovely foods! My beloveds! I'm coming! Wait for me! Don't be finished!"

He rushed towards the feast table but all the girls hurried to him and caught his arms tightly. They were struggling hard to hold him because he was almost brawling with all his energy. The brides giggled together at the antiques of the dragoon-wielder.

"Let me go!" Tyson's arms were sliding out from the grips of the ladies, "I'm hungry!"

"You're hungry?" Dew snickered, "Didn't the cooks give you foods to eat in the men's chamber?"

"Oh, they were cooked by male chefs, princess Dew," The male blunette replied, still scuffling, "The dishes which are cooked in the hands of the celestial nymphs like you are something else."

Another "Aww…" was let out by the girls. Realizing what he had said, the dragoon-wielder bit his tongue, gulping. The violet-haired princess lowered her eyes shyly which was her obvious nature. But the smile didn't vanish from her lips.

"Wait, Tyson!" The brunette stood up, "Are you really hungry?"

"Tyson Granger doesn't need to be hungry to eat, princess," The blunette chuckled, "He can do it anyway."

"But he can do it in the best way when his stomach growls, right?" The dual-haired girl sneered.

"Um…yes, you're right, Julia," Tyson nodded, "But what should I do now for being hungry?"

"Simple it is." The Spaniard shrugged, "Do some physical exercise."

"As in?"

"Julia's words are as simple as water," Hilary sniggered, "Adorn this evening with a dance. With Dew."

"What?"

"What?"

Both the male blunette and the female purplette remained awestruck. Silence fell all over the room too but only for a single moment. Right after it, all the young unmarried ladies stood up and whistled, cheering for the couple. Covering her face, the violet-head hid behind her lover as the mouth of the dragoon-wielder became open. Gasping twice or thrice at the strange demand of his friend, he somehow spoke, "I…I... will…gi…give…a…d…dance? W…with…D…De…Dew?"

"Yes," Hilary strongly concurred, "Right now. It's your punishment."

"Punishment?" Dew sheepishly spoke, "What has Tyson done by the way, oni-chan?"

"You don't need to know it, Dew-chan," Mariam blinked, "Just help Tyson and reduce his troubles which he is going to face during his punishment."

"Yes!" Emily punched on her palm, "Let's have some Tysew show!"

"Tysew! Tysew!"

"Hail Tyson Granger and princess Dew!"

"Hail TySew!"

Everyone cheered, snatching all the colors from the faces of the dragoon-wielder and the peacock of Japan. With pale stares, they gaped at each other. Dew was an excellent dancer, no one had any doubt regarding the fact. But at that moment, standing in front of her lover, her feet were violently juddering, so were her fingers. She was at such a honeyed loss that she didn't know what to do. She had always wanted to dance with the blunette but…before all her elder sisters and friends? It was beyond her weirdest imaginations. How would she gain the courage to do so in their presence?

Her nervousness broke as she felt a hand of him on her shoulder. Eyeing him, she found his unusually calm face plastered with a confident smile which was providing her too with confidence. Gently tittering, she hung her head low again. Turning to the musicians, the dragoon-wielder ordered, "Let the instruments be played."

Everyone clapped together and went back to the seats as the couple came at the center of the room, placing their feet on the mandala artwork painted in blues and purples. The music started with the rings of the silver bells, then the ancient mouth-organs. Soon, the tabors joined as the couple spread their respective arms to the opposite sides, drawing quarter-circles in the air. Eyes were at eyes, the man had his hand on the right side of her slim waist and the female found hers on his left shoulder. He didn't forget to glance all over her looks once. Her turquoise and sky-blue Houmongi kimono and chikori-flowered hairpins attached to her soft mauve locks almost stopped his breaths.

Really, she was looking beautiful. Ravishing. Angelic. Ethereal. Nope, these words would be too less for her. Tyson thought it and snickered.

Flirt and let your smile spread,

Grape-shaped pearl's glow be shaped,

O, olive-colored pretty maiden,

O, dancing moonshine which is golden!

Parting away, they circled the mandala art on the floor, not leaving each other's hands which were bound in the fingers of the respective partner. Raising the same legs in the air parallelly, they curved their waists and returned to the arms. In her eyes, Dew held his cheerful rubies having a manly charm. She couldn't guess when the reckless and mischievous lad had turned into a bold, attractive and matured man. The way he was touching her was sending jolts to her heart. His fingers laid on her olive skin were giving her goosebumps. They were received by the watchers too but they were as silent as the dead, failing to express it.

Like a python, one of the legs of the female dancer wrapped the waist of her partner. He held it and lifted her up diagonally, seizing her midriff. Dew felt as if she'd been floating in the air. That's why, she enthusiastically spread her arms. Knowing that she could lose her balance and fall down, Tyson whispered in her ear, "Hold my neck." Nodding and thanking him inaudibly, she let her right elbow embrace his throat. He didn't feel uneasy at all. Dew was lighter than a feather to him at that time on the dance floor. Maintaining the position, the navy-haired boy swirled dramatically. People forgot to clap at the step. Tyson sneakily sang in Dew's ear, making her as red as a tomato:

Aren't you a golden anklet?

Aren't you a cooing nightingale?

Aren't you my peacock?

With rain, whose feet jingle?

Suddenly, all the windows of the room were pushed open, stormy gusts of wind blustered in. A few candles became smothered, decreasing the amount of light in the room in the half of its previous state. The murky shadows of the couple fell on the mandala, taller than they were. From nowhere, dry leaves stormed inside the room. People couldn't understand from where they were coming. The dancers weren't in the condition of noticing them. To them, the chamber had already become empty. No one else was falling in their eyes. Quietly, Tyson put his right hand under her kneepit and embraced her diaphragm as she curved back in bliss and rapture. After it, when they were marching forward dramatically, holding each other's waist, they were only two. Only two.

It was heaven's court on the earth.

Stealthily, his nose neared her hair and received the ethereal aroma of her silky violet tresses. It remained tucked at her pitcher neck for a short time. She was smelling like a lavender flower. Tyson thankfully smiled at it and rebuked himself not for realizing her beauty and worth before it. Her skin was heated but she wasn't feeling uneasy with him. Those blushes from her face disappeared nowhere. She felt as if she'd danced with Tyson since births and rebirths. To her, he was not a stranger. She knew him since a long time. A baby-blue ray poured in, increasing the divineness of the aura. The navy-haired boy smirked at her. She was Tyson's own lavender flower.

Hey, cooing birds!

She sings and coos,

In the birch tree, he swings and moves,

He makes the nest,

And calls you to mate,

O, crazy lover, he makes the nest,

And calls you to mate.

As she turned back, he pretended to tie an anklet around her left ankle. In return, she moved to him and poured some invisible water in his open palms which were spread before her like those of a beggar. A beggar he became, begging for her love. Finally, they sat on the dance floor on their knees. Dew's hands were joined together and shifted right. She looked below with embarrassment-ridden eyes, yet, with a honeyed smile clinging to her berry lips. Tyson's palm was still on her shoulder, his eyes held the confidence and the pride which were showering love on her. As the music stopped, all the ladies stood up and burst out wild applauses. Their claps were louder than the thunderbolts. Obvious it was, for the first time, they'd watched such a euphoric performance. Why shouldn't they express their joy?

"Breathtaking!" Julia rushed to the duo, "Never have I watched so beautiful dance. You both did a fantastic job, Tyson and Dew."

"I agree with Hilary," The female blunette was excited, "For a moment, I thought that you both weren't human beings."

"Watched the dance of a god and a goddess on the earth," Hilary wiped her eyes so that nobody could see her tears, "I always knew about Dew. But…where did you hide so much beauty, Tyson?"

Scratching his head embarrassedly, the navy-haired rotated his neck and eyes at his dancing partner. Her turquoises were fixed on the ground, she wasn't raising her chin. Crimson tinges dyed her neck and ears, her vine-like slim body was curved down. The brunette bride gave a contented smile, thanking the Almighty for matching her sister with her best friend.

"Well…" Mariam rubbed her palms together, "Now you may eat, Tyson."

"Thanks, Mariam," Tyson spoke, "But I don't need it anymore now."

"Huh?" Every girl in the room felt astonished. Even the shyness-smitten purplette had also to raise her head and stare surprisedly at the male blunette.

"Well, Hil," He didn't care, "Check out that scroll. I have to go to Kai now, he must have been irritated by this moment. Bye."

Not letting anyone speak in the room, he turned back and stepped out of the chamber. The girls exchanged baffled stares among themselves but couldn't find out. Dew felt a pain at her chest. Was he angry with them?

"Dew," Hilary ordered, "Go and ask Tyson whether he's fine or not."

"Who?" The purple-haired princess felt as if she'd fallen from the sky, pointing at herself, "Me?"

"Yes, you," Julia added, "I don't think Tyson is ready to talk to anyone at this moment except you. So, you're the one to console him now. Go."

"O…okay…" Nodding somehow, the discomfited maiden also exited the room. Before her, she saw the navy-haired walking away. Marching behind him as fast as she could, she stretched an arm and yelled, "Tyson!"

In the speed of lightning, the blunette turned back to her as she dashed to him. Concernedly gazing at him, she asked, "Are you alright?"

"Yes," He nodded, "Why?"

Before the maiden could answer, she saw the guards holding spears and standing straightly in two separate rows by the sides of the track. Clearing her throat, she spoke, "Come with me. I have to talk to you."

"Now?" Tyson cocked an eyebrow.

"Yes," She sternly affirmed which she could never have done, "Now."

Sighing, the navy-haired followed the purplette who stopped by the high wall of a granite tower. Between every two slabs of it, mosses were growing, penetrating the barrier and peeping out at the external world. Some blue and violet flowers also bloomed from there, decorating a few wild creepers. Only two silver torches were sticking to the hedge, releasing the orange flames up. Except them, there was no source of light. Even the moonlight couldn't pour in because of it. Tyson wondered why Dew had brought him there.

"Now, tell me the truth," The purplette stared at his eyes, clenching her teeth, "What's bothering you?"

"Nothing, Dew-chan," Tyson was annoyed at this question, "I'm fine."

"Then why didn't you eat anything?" Her greenish-aquamarine pupils glimmered in tears; she bit her lips to control them.

Tyson didn't answer to this query of her immediately. He shook his arms for a few moments worriedly, pretending to think about it. Suddenly, he gave her a snicker which puzzled her more.

"What does it mean?" She put her hands on her hips.

"It means…...I was hungry before dancing," He shamelessly replied, "But when I danced with you, I got so much satisfaction that it destroyed my appetite. Those foods were delicious indeed but…...after dancing with you, I didn't think that they would be able to satisfy me. In short, I didn't need them anymore because you fulfilled it."

The pain which was stinging Dew's heart was no more as she heard his words. Instead of it, a unique restfulness filled her body, mind and soul. Tears which were sticking to her eyes now fell down like the pearl beads on her bronze cheeks. With one hand, the navy-haired wiped her face, caressing her chin, lifting it up and softly pushing her towards the wall. Restlessness backed to her; she gasped.

They weren't dancing anymore. Yet, the purplette found his robust arm encompassing her midriff and placing another palm on the wall, leaning forward. Their foreheads joined each other, so did their noses. Her eyes were feeling embarrassed a bit to get linked with him but eventually they did. His mouth neared hers, she felt his warm and unsteady breaths teasing her nostrils, cheeks and lips. Her exhalations were more peaceful than his but she felt them being shaky too. Thunderbolt passed through her spine as his lips crushed on her blueberry ones, taking them inside. She was going dizzy. For support, she clutched his shoulders and back firmly like a cobra wrapping the thickest and broadest branch of a tree. Letting her tears fall, she enthusiastically participated in the mellowing kiss, thawing in his broad arms and forgetting all the norms. They let only love be there.

My body sees, in my heart, his glances pierce,

My lips seal up against his soft lips, but,

I remain counting my own chains of tosses and turns,

What do I do? How can I say?

When and how this night ends?

My heart burns up, my spirit burns up,

In my eyes, smoke arises, smoke arises,

All night smoke arises,

I don't know, I don't know, oh dear,

My heart burns up, my spirit burns up…

"And this round ends!" The announcer blurted with much fervor, "Prince Max Tate has been the winner of the spear-fighting competition. Let's have a big hand for him!"

Claps of the watchers rained all over the battle arena, the hyperactive American outstretched his lance to whose blade a purple gemstone was attached. Throwing his arms and legs in the air, he jumped and cheered with the equal enthusiasm of the announcer, "Yay! I've won it!"

"Man, I cannot believe that I lost to him," The blonde Russian scratched his chin, reaching his brothers, "In spear-duels, the tall fighters always get the advantages. Despite being so short, how could he manage to win it?"

"Not only that," Bryan mumbled, "He knows it that height is a benefit to the fighters. He has learnt to defend it. He has his own defensive techniques, noticed it?"

"Specially that move," Tala commented, "How he engraved the tip of the weapon in the ground and swirled around it, using it as a pole, kicked all his opponents strongly…."

"With no muscle or sturdy physique, this boy seems weak from outside," Ian remarked, "But nobody will ever be able to guess how much strong he is by looking at his body."

"Hah, doesn't matter," Spencer chuckled, wiping a bead of sweat from his forehead, "One day, I'll beat and defeat him so badly that nobody will be able to forget it. Let me reach the next life for it or not, let me cheat or not, my goal will be fulfilled."

"Ah, Spencer!" Kai finally broke his silence, "Cannot you understand that it was a friendly competition? Instead of learning from your mistakes, you're fuming?"

"Hmph!" Only that's what Spencer could utter. The guests from the bride's party rushed to the stadium in order to congratulate the American. The Russians could only growl silently but Kai did neither of them. His eyes were placed at the open door of the arena. He was waiting for the navy-haired guy. Before a long time, he had gone with the scroll. Where was he?

"Hey!" The dragoon-wielder entered the showground, "Did I miss something?"

"Tyson!" Spreading his arms, Max rushed to him and glomped on him, pinning him on the ground, "You know what you missed? You missed the spear-fighting competition! I've become its winner! Yay!"

"Oh…congratulations…" Tyson nervously sweatdropped, trying to remove his hyped friend who was over his body. As they both stood up, Max boasted, "You should have watched my battle, Tyson. I rotated my spear in such a way that it would have created a whirlpool if someone had poured a bucket of water on my weapon. But…."

Sniffing in the air, Max screwed his nose, "By the way, why're you smelling like a girl, Tyson? It is lavender perfume, right? But it is used only by the girls. Then…."

The navy-haired froze. He remembered what had happened between him and the purple-haired princess. The touches, the kiss, the affectionate strokes-nothing was unforgettable. They had left a permanent sign around his body too. What if the boys got to know about it somehow?

"Well…." Tyson stammered, "Actually, I-I went to the girls' chamber for conveying a message to…"

His eyes fell on the phoenix-prince who was gawking at him angrily. Immediately, the dragoon-wielder understood that the fiancé of his best friend would murder him with bare hands not delaying a bit if he let out the truth. Coughing, he continued, "That…they shouldn't take much time to groom themselves tomorrow. The ceremonies must be started earlier….but they punished me for entering their chamber by spraying lavender perfume around me."

"Hahaha…." Max clutched his stomach, "You should have been stealthy like me….." Not able to finish his sentence, he bit his tongue.

"What?" Tyson frowned, "You also went there?"

"No no….I mean….my stealth in the spear-fighting duel," Max shook his head, turning crimson despite not wanting, "Using only it, I won the match."

"You must be hiding something from us, Max," Tyson narrowed his eyes at him, "What's the matter?"

No sooner had the hyperactive American been about to open his mouth to defend himself that a watchman entered the chamber. Bowing, he spoke, "Princes, two sages have come to meet you and bless you. Should we allow them to enter?"

"Two…sages?" Tala glowered, "Who can they be?"

"Hn," Kai nodded, not feeling doubtful like his cousins and friends, "Let them in."

"As your order, prince Hiwatari." Bending his head once, the guard left the room. The slate-haired Russian thought deeply, closing his eyes. Who could come there?

Within a few moments, two men stepped in the compartment. One of them seemed in his early twenties. His hair was just like Tyson's, rich blue. Some parts of it were shining sky-blue in the beams of the lamps and candles. Orange orbs were serene like the calm expressions all over his tanned face. He was wearing a long kimono gown printed in blues with tangerine specks at the bottom, appearing as a sage. Coiled earrings were attached to his ears, head wore a silver circlet studded with a sapphire. His companion's hair was two-toned with purple bangs and black extensions lying on his neck, seeming quite younger than the blunette. Wearing dark and violet cloths, he had a mauve helmet surrounding his head. His appearance was cheerful with a mischievous smirk in his lips. Their presence made the room cool and calm.

All the men in the chamber stood up. Taking the redhead, the dual-haired prince walked to the field from the gallery and silently bowed before them, paying them respect. The twin-haired sage gave a sweet smile but the orange eyes of the elder hermit started brimming with tears, having the glimpse of the phoenix-prince.

"I came here with a view to blessing you, prince Hiwatari," He spoke, "But how should I bless you? You're the epitome of patience, courage, sacrifices and valiance. What I can do is only to request you to participate in the activities of the removal of the evil from the world. I know, you'll be successful in it."

Turning to another blunette, he smiled. Approaching him and placing a hand on his shoulder, he spoke, "Tyson Granger, I also hope that you'll be by his side always, performing the responsibilities of a true friend. Your innocence and pure character will help him a lot to win against the evil."

"How…how do you know my name?" Tyson was bewildered.

"We're sages, the chief-commander of Japan," The younger hermit smirked, "With the energy of our penances, we know everyone's name easily."

"The world can be saved when the red will join the blue," The blue-haired philosopher commented, "The world will be rescued when all the sacred forces will join one another. The world will remain unharmed when the seven heavenly virtues will be together in the same group."

The princes and noblemen gave confused looks to one another, not understanding the meaning of it. Only, the slate-haired Russian smirked, closing his eyes.

"Haha…don't need to be so confused right now, boys," The dual-haired sage chortled, "Just be prepared for all kinds of situations. Prince Hiwatari, prince Valkov-may you both lead a happy married life."

"Another thing," The elder mentor advised, "A man's life can be complicated sometimes. He has to know his responsibilities towards all his family members. But when he becomes the emperor, the whole kingdom becomes his family. Maybe, one day, the life can bring you at a point at which you have to choose one between two. Don't lose your cool on that day, Hiwatarian."

"I won't." Opening his eyes, Kai assured him, "An emperor's duties are greater than those of a husband or a son or a father. I won't forget my responsibilities."

"Be blessed." Raising their hands, the sages prayed for the princes who were going to get married soon. Bowing to everyone else, they exited the room gently. For a few moments, the boys remained silent. No one could utter a single world. Kai was calm as usual but Tyson was shocked the most. The hyperactive American was confused regarding their identity. They both thought they knew those sages but couldn't identify them. Who were they after all?

"Hey," Max softly spoke, managing the first wave of the kick at his teeth, "No need to be so perplexed now. We can continue our festival, cannot we?"

"Of course, we can!" Tyson punched in the air as the atmosphere lightened, not the mood of the slate-haired prince. He was just waiting for the ceremony to end so that he could have her glimpse once. Would she respond to his call?

Finally, all the ceremonies ended for that day. Tyson and Dew were announced as the bestman and maid-of-honor for the wedding of Kai and Hilary. For Tala and Julia, Raul and Natasha received those roles. All the girls and boys had returned to their respective rooms. The royal blue-haired girl was changing in front of the large diamond mirror of her gypsum dressing table. She was exhausted but equally excited for the wedding ceremony of her friends. Putting off an earring, her hands reached for another to her left ear. Unfortunately, her fingers caught the air and some blue tresses. Clear it was, there was the absence of the jewelry.

Within no moment, all her excitements and tiredness turned into vapors. She gasped, looking down and moving her restless eyes here and there to find the earring but no, it wasn't there. Folding her lips inside, she checked all the corners of her room and her tracks, rummaging through the objects but her attempts went futile. When she felt exhausted and slumped on her couch, someone tapped the door.

"Tock tock! Tock tock!"

Leaving her seat tiredly, she plodded to the door and opened it. Her fatigued leafy green eyes met the baby-blues of her secret lover who stood there with his hands behind. Again, she became surprised. Yet, with a dull tone, she asked, "You're here?"

"O, the life of Max Tate," He naughtily addressed her, "I knew that the color from the sunflower of Japan was fading away. That's why, for recoloring her, I had to come here."

"Stop composing riddles, Max," She put her hands on her hips, "I'm not in the mood of enjoying them, really."

"So, what do you want to enjoy now, your Highness?" The American gave her a goofy grin, "My dance?"

"What?"

"Oh, dance comes from dancing," Max pretended to remember a thing suddenly, "Your dance was eye-warming today."

"You…you were there?" Mariam frowned.

"Of course, I was," The blonde rubbed his palms together, carefully hiding an object, "Lady, I never knew that you could dance like a nymph. But believe me, nymphs are more careful than you when it comes to jewelries."

"What do you mean, Max?" Mariam was getting irritated.

"I meant, this," Max showed her the lost aka stolen earring, "It fell from your ear when you were dancing. Couldn't you be alert a bit?"

"Hey!" Mariam leapt, "That's mine! How did you get it?"

"When friends are there, there's nothing to fear," He chuckled, "One of my agents was there in the room. But pardon me, I cannot mention her name now."

"I know her," The blunette gritted her teeth, "I'll deal with her later on. But now give me that!"

"Sure, but nothing is free in this world," Max was being sly, "You've to pay something for it."

"And what is that?"

Turning his head left and right and seeing whether they were being watched or not, he neared her ear and whispered, "A kiss on my lips."

"What the hell!" Mariam's face turned redder than a tomato, "At this night, you came to my room for a kiss?"

"Max Tate is very persistent, my lady," He didn't give up, "He won't return without a kiss from you. Additionally, on his lips."

Mariam's heart pounded; heat invaded her ears. Unlike her nature, she bent her head down but not for a long time. Tweaking her chin, he raised her face and gazed at her tobacco-leaf orbs. Yes, they were as intoxicating as tobacco leaves, not resembling the color only. He didn't leave her face, embracing her closer to his chest, his mouth neared her lips. Her lungs felt a sudden scarcity of fresh oxygenated air as his lips hit hers. They were like sweet lemons, giving citrus sensations to his taste buds. She didn't scuffle to be free from his clutches, just surrendering herself completely to him. The hands on his chest sensed the speed of his heart.

Once they parted away for breathing, their hearts swirled fast, they panted, passionately looking at each other. Approaching the blunette, the blonde stuck the earring to her hair.

"Now, you're looking beautiful," His fingers brushed through her tresses, "With kohl smudged under your alcoholic eyes, lips smeared in oranges, untied hair seizing a jewelry…ah!"

"Stop blabbering, Maxie," She punched his shoulder, blushing, "Someone will see us here. Go from here."

"Sure, my lady," Max saluted, "But make a promise to me."

"Which promise?" Mariam curiously asked.

"You've to dance with me tomorrow." He demanded.

"What are you saying, Max?" She gulped, "Is it even possible?"

"Why not?" He winked, "Like Dew or princess Valkov, you don't have any work to do. So, have a dance with me, won't you?"

"Fine!" She sighed, "I promise. Now go from here."

"You know what I will do if you don't keep your promise?" Max leaned forward.

"What will you do?" She shrugged.

"I'll lift you on my shoulders," His tone seemed spooky, "Abducting you, I'll take you to a deep and dark forest where nobody will be able to enter. Then, marrying you in a tribal style forcefully, we'll make a nest and live there happily ever after."

"Keep your daydreams to you, Max," Mariam chuckled, "Now, will you go? Or should I call Ozuma?"

"Okay okay, your Highness, pardon me," He dramatically bowed before her, joining his hands, "I'm leaving. Good night. Have sweet and naughty dreams with me!"

"You…!" Mariam took a broom from a corner and pretended to rush to him in order to hit him with that. Gulping, Max held his ears. Mumbling a sorry, he sprinted towards the open door and disappeared in the darkness. Closing it and keeping the broom at its proper place, Mariam heaved a tired sigh and stood before the dressing table again. But she didn't wish to detach that earring from her hair. Max had been speaking the truth. Smiling, she kept staring at her own reflection.

The bright full moon occupied almost all the sky with her rays and serenity. The surreal glow was flowing on the earth too. Trees, nests, grasses, flowers, ponds, rivers, buildings, castles, huts-everything was bathing in it. Some nocturnal birds were flying in the blue, tending to touch the asteroid and drenching their throats with its gleam. Night-queens were blossoming in the garden, opening their eyes and squinting at the moonlight. Butterflies and bumblebees travelled around them for honey. The showers of the fountains were cascading through the pebbly layers of the granite, holding the still images of the moonbeams on their ever-flowing mirrors. Amidst all of them, the dual-haired Russian was waiting for her, standing under a shady tree. According to the given scroll, she should have come. Wouldn't she keep his request?

His wait didn't go in vain. Within a few moments, in the laid moonlight on the meadowy ground, a faint feminine figure became visible, treading towards him. But her chocolate locks couldn't remain hidden fully from him. She was covering her head and upper torso with a dark red shawl. Her lotus feet were softly caressing the soft verdant meadow. Powdered silver, which was untouchable, was showering on her from heavens. Quickly, the butterflies and bees fled away from the place. Such delicateness was evident in her steps. Maybe, she was practicing to walk like a bride. Kai couldn't help chortling silently at this thought of him once.

Quietly reaching him, she stood beside him. Not revealing her face, she whispered, "Why have you called me here, prince?"

He didn't reply. That day, he didn't want to talk. The rose perfume of her skin was a delicious treat to his nostrils. Soothing breeze blew around them, spraying the utopic perfume of romance all over the aura. she also didn't open her mouth. Maybe, she understood that he only wanted her company for a few moments. Perhaps, he was feeling very nervous before the day which would give him a new life. So was she; feeling so restless deep inside. His patience was breaking bit by bit, she was also losing her perseverance. They both were mute, only enjoying the presence of each other and the nocturnal atmosphere.

My tongue is pale since the evening,

As we haven't gotten a chance to talk yet,

I'm joyless without you,

This is exactly what I feel even today,

I request this to you,

Show me the worthiness of love,

When I'm sleeping, of a dream,

Add a little sweetness of it.

Become my, oh you, become my,

Sugar syrup of love, sweet sugar syrup of love…

"Tomorrow," Finally the brunette opened her mouth, "We're going to belong to each other forever."

"I know." His tone was as gentle as a lotus petal.

"How're you feeling, Hiwatarian?" She didn't eye him, not trying to fall in his eyes.

"Ask this question to yourself, princess," He smirked, "You yourself will get the answer."

Not wrong he was. The state of his heart belonged to her; the condition of her mind was his. Impatient, reckless. There rose thousands of waves in the calm oceans of their minds, they couldn't stop them. Both were curious, both had a lot of questions which remained unasked. They weren't seeing each other because it was forbidden to see the face of the future life-partner before the wedding day. That's why, her veil was covering her eyes. Despite being invisible-faced to each other, they didn't have to struggle much to see their respective partner with the eyes of their souls. He could imagine her pink-streaked cheeks and lowered ruby orbs. Even the bashful smile clinging to the corners of her coral lips wasn't out of the list. In the same way, in her meditation, there rose the tranquil image of the phoenix-prince with his relaxed face and closed eyelids, sniffing her existence and offering his ears to the crooning of the nature.

Neither I would ask for calm sunshine,

Nor the moonlight,

May your love bring bliss in my life,

A sweet blissful love…

"I think I should go now, prince," She uttered after a pregnant pause, "Tomorrow, we have to rise early, don't we?"

"Hn," He nodded, "I'm also returning. Good night, princess. See you."

"See you too," She snickered, "In the alter."

When I have you in my thoughts,

I come-up with wonderful things to talk about,

When I get to see you in the morning,

The whole day of mine goes excellent.

What kind of desire for you is this?

What kind of yearning for you is it?

See, I ask yourself from you.

Be mine, oh you, be mine…

Be my sugar syrup, oh, sweet sugar syrup…

Another soon-to-be wedded couple was there, but not at the exact place. They were by the edge of the river. The moon was checking her beauty on the wavy crystal mirror of the water surface. Serene surfs were present in the chest of the Fuji. In tranquil zephyr, the glimmering leaves of the nearby trees were shivering. Together, they watched the tiny stars twirling around the full moon like a garland hanging round her neck. When their reflections fell on the liquid looking glass, they shimmered like the beads of pearls there. The salty fluid showered from her emeralds as he got closer to her. She folded her lips in her mouth, trying her best not to let them fall.

"Are you crying, princess?" The redhead worriedly asked.

"Nope." She furiously shook her head.

"Come on," He put a hand on her shoulder, "We're going to be life-partners. Don't hide your heart from me."

She sighed; her lips were in the rows of her teeth. A pain was throbbing at the left side of her chest. She still couldn't accept what had happened in the lamp-floating ceremony in that evening. Even the words of the anonymous silver-haired lady were seeming very inflaming to her. She'd fallen in love with him on that very day when he'd saved her from the jaws of the ferocious wolf-monster. Somehow, he had also agreed to marry her. But those omens…what had they meant? Wouldn't they be happy in life? What would happen to her Tala?

"I told you earlier, princess," Tala heaved, "Being my wife is not easy. Still you have time. Go to your parents and break this alliance."

Those words uttered by him stung her more than the sentences of the mysterious maiden and the incident in the lamp-floating ritual. Like a furious tigress, she seethed and turned to him. In his horrified eyes, her reflection fell with her bloodshot jade orbs, the dried stains of the tears on her cheeks and her screwed nose. He swallowed somehow at those expressions.

"Do you think me to be so selfish, prince?" She hissed, clutching his collars, "Actually, you know what? You're selfish, not me!"

Tala flinched. After a long time, in front of his eyes, he'd seen her furious portrait. He bit his tongue. Uh oh…what a grave mistake it had committed!

"If you weren't selfish," She shook him, "You…you would agree to take me along with you. How could you think of leading your miserable life alone? Do you want to suffer all alone? Don't you want to share your grief with me?"

His jaw dropped. What was she saying? People fled away from one another to be far from all the bad things and she wanted them from him? What kind of woman was she? Made of iron?

"Julia…calm down…" He squeezed her shoulders, softly speaking, "Will you be able to bear so much pain?"

"If you're capable, then I'll also bear it, prince," She sniffed, "Hilary told me that two souls become a single one when two bodies are tied in the bond of marriage. Everything of you will belong to me and everything of me will belong to you after our marriage. I don't care what will happen to you or me in future. I know only the present. I'll always remain with you. I'll support you and if needs be, I'll protect you too."

The wolf-prince snickered. Moonlight landed on their faces, making the droplets of tears shimmer. That day, they saw the whole world and the sky in each other's eyes.

"I'll see you, tomorrow, prince," Julia spoke, after a while, "Be prepared."

"Same to you," He smiled at her. Exchanging love-stricken gazes once again, they parted away, leaving the river with the bunches of the stars and the round silvery plate, shining gorgeously at that night.

So...how was it? Which event did you enjoy the most? TySew's dance and kiss? Maxriam's funny and cute tryst? KaiHil's divine and peaceful meeting or TalaJul's angsty encounter?

Do read and review. Pardon the grammatical and spelling errors. Besides, grab the invitations of the most gorgeous and celestial weddings of "Kingdom". These are the happiest moments of this novel, so relish them because once the sad events start, I myself won't be able to stop my hands from writing them.

Come in the wedding ceremonies in time. The brides and grooms will be waiting for you. Without your blessings and presences, the ceremonies will remain incomplete. :P

Those who haven't read them, read "Anklets, wine bottles and a burning lamp" co-written by me and my little sister Seafoam green Under twilight published on the account of my co-author. Also read "A futile revenge", a one-shot written by me, requested specially to the tyhil fans. ;D

Take care and stay safe :D

-Misty ^_^ ^_^ ^_^