"Three Jewels Enchanted: The Prince and the Mortal"
by Seventh Faythes
Xiu Ying: Sorry for the late update! We're having a fiesta right now and my mom keeps reprimanding me for the sudden up of the electric bill. (sigh)
Jezareth: But we have good news! The story's all planned out already! If my guess is right, this fic will be over in…secret! I won't spoil the surprise! Let's just say it's not far away.
Disclaimer: Seventh Faythes do not own any CCS characters that all belong to marvelous CLAMP ladies. Though Jeza and I agree that owning Syaoran would be quite a dream….This fic is also based on the uber-cool tele-fantasya (television Fantasy show) here in the Philippines, Encantadia, which, by the way, is sweeping us by storm. If you have time, you can look it up in the net, and we assure you a great catch!
Robin: We are looking for lyrics of the Encantadia theme so that we could make it into a songfic in the story. Watch out, k? It's in Filipino but where looking if we could translate it just for you guys.
Raimundo: We've also got some songfics and one-shots lined up to be published. Please read and review them for us too!
Xiu Ying: We also want to tell you that we messed up something in the first chapter.
'This is how stone spirits should be speaking to their holders. (aka, Luna to Syaoran)'
Seventh Faythes: On with the fic!
+The Prince and the Mortal+
Sakura was in shock. She is not able to go back to her world?
"I am sorry, Lady Sakura. I shall inform the princess," Tomoyo said, running off. Sakura could only continue to stare into space. Her remaining companions glanced at each other with concerned faces.
"Lady Sakura, I think it would be better if we sit down," Debezigeti advised, taking Sakura by the hand and leading her to one of the empty seats.
+meanwhile+
"Is that so? She is not able to make a return?"
"Yes, Sei'sa. The Illusion Dragon's powers cannot be activated for some reason. It said there was a force interfering with his magic. I am worried about Lady Sakura. She seems to take the news in a difficult manner."
Jenith glanced at Syaoran, who had his back to them, but she knew he was taking in every word. She smiled and turned back to Tomoyo, winking. "Hm… I believe there is no other solution but to take her in the castle. But Syaoran may reprimand me if we treat her too exclusively. She may stay in the maid's quarters."
Jenith smiled when she felt a hand touch her right shoulder. With a sugary voice, she turned around. "Yes, Sei'rih? How may I help you?"
Syaoran only stared at her, furrowing his brows. Then he glanced over to where Sakura was sitting and turned back to his sister. Jenith got the idea before he even approached her.
"You want me to give her much finer treatment? Of course, your highness. With one word, she will be treated with the highest respect possible." Jenith bowed down respectfully. He then walked away. The princess turned to her smiling maidservant, who bowed and left.
"Oh, Syaoran, somehow I foresee great things to come," Jenith whispered.
+moments later+
The hall erupted in joyous music and voices. The Faeries were all dancing and merry making, for there new king. Sprites and Elves were also among them, praising the newly commissioned keepers of the celestial stones. Of course, the king remained his usual self, and only shot glances at those who greeted him. Nobody took it as an offense, though. They were all used to this type of behavior.
"Syaoran, are you not in the mood to dance? This is for your honor as well," Eriol told his brother, who was sitting quite uninterestedly on the throne. Eriol and Jenith were both standing at his sides, glancing at each other with telling smiles.
Syaoran stared at him blankly. Eriol quickly added, "Oh! Do not take it as an offense. I am merely asking you to see if you would like to ask anyone to dance, in order to have any entertainment at all."
"I am positive that is what mother would tell you if she were here," Jenith whispered into Syaoran's ear. He breathed a silent sigh and stood up. He turned to Jenith and offered his hand. The princess glanced quickly at Eriol and then shook her head.
"Forgive me, my brother, but I believe that I…would dance with Yue! You should search for somebody else. Someone who…you are not familiar with. You should be more social, kuda, for you are now the king." With that, she walked away, searching for Yue.
"Well, I should be going, my brother. I would also want to search for someone to dance with. I wish you luck."
Syaoran could only sigh again as he found himself left alone at the throne.
+meanwhile+
Yue stood silently at one corner of the room, his arms folded over his chest. 'What am I doing here? Peasants are not allowed in balls as grand as this. Unlike Ruby Moon, I am someone who is much poorer than everyone in the castle.'
He had already turned around to leave, when someone tugged him by the sleeve of his robes. He turned around and was met by the princess' eyes. The young sixteen year old guardian suddenly turned pink. "Y-yes, p-princess?"
"Did you come with anybody else, Yue?"
"Well…N-not exactly…"
"Good!"
Yue could only gape in shock as the princess grabbed him by the hand and dragged him to the dance floor. She locked his arms around her slim waist and her arms around his neck. Yue was blushing to the maximum, though the princess did not even seem to be looking at him.
"Please do not mind this, Yue. I am only trying to see if my brother shall ask Lady Sakura to dance. He somehow seems infatuated with our lovely guest."
Yue sighed disappointedly. He stared at the princess, who was staring somewhere else. He tried to hide his disappointment, and failed miserably. He only looked down at his feet as he and Jenith swayed to the ballad the sprites were playing.
"The princess and Sir Yue look perfect together," Tomoyo commented, her hands clasped together and her eyes twinkling as she watched Jenith and her guardian dancing together.
"That goes without saying. I have been trying to tell Yue that he and my sister are the perfect couple, but he does not seem to want to acknowledge that."
Tomoyo was startled by the voice. "S-sei'spe Eriol? Just what do you mean?"
"I mean that they are perfect together as well. You seem to be alone, Lady Tomoyo."
"Ah…y-yes. That is because I had spent my time preparing the princess for the coronation. I have no more time to search for a suitable partner."
"Then, if it would not be much trouble, could I be your partner for the time being?" Eriol asked, offering his hand. The maid blushed pink but nonetheless took his offer.
Syaoran watched his two siblings dance with their chosen partners. He could not believe they would actually ask Yue and Tomoyo, who they do not even seem close to. He shook his head and scanned the place. His eyes traveled over to one corner of the room, where Sakura was sitting, looking devastated. A small twinkle appeared in his blank eyes and he started walking toward Sakura.
"I can't go back…what would happen now?" Sakura mumbled, playing with her thumbs. She almost cried, but she tried to stop. It was going to be a big disappointment if she ruined Jenith's preparations of her face.
"Ah, Lady Sakura. Why are you so melancholy?" She looked up and saw a hooded woman, with four sprites hovering around her.
"H-huh? O-oh! Nothing! I-I'm just-oh, please forget it."
"I am honored to meet the Sei'rih's savior. My name is Candifor."
"Oh! Same here, Miss Candifor."
"Why not dance? It may liberate you from your worries."
"Huh? Oh, no thank you! Besides, there's no one eager enough to dance with a foreigner like me."
"You may be wrong, Lady, for here comes someone who might like to join you." Candifor pointed her hand toward the place before Sakura. She turned and saw the prince-no, king, walking toward her.
"B-but-" She turned to Candifor again, but the woman was gone.
"Oh! Your highness!" Senritsumon blurted out. She, Lupinelightning, and Debezigeti fell to their knees and bowed, along with others who were near them. Sakura saw them and hastily followed.
Sakura looked up, though, when she saw a hand offered to her. The hand belonged to the king. She was quite confused, and looked to and fro from his face to his hand.
Syaoran rolled his eyes and reached for her hand. Then he pulled her up and led-or rather dragged her to the dance floor. When they reached it, he let go of her. She rubbed her wrists lightly, cowering before his glares. "I-I…do not know what you might want from me but that hurt."
Syaoran took her hand again, but this time more gently. Then he wrapped his free hand around her waist. Sakura was astonished, but somehow eased down when they started swaying to the beat. She laid her other hand on his shoulder, and looked down, her cheeks turning pink.
When she looked up, she found Syaoran staring at her. Their eyes locked together for a moment that lasted forever. Sakura felt like she could stare into those amber spheres perpetually, and all other noise was blocked out of her ears.
She had always thought that Faeries were small creatures, who were only cute. She thought they always had gentle faces. But right now, she was dancing with their king, and he was as tall, taller actually, than her and had this ultimately icy expression which could have chilled her to the bone, if only she was not melting in his arms right now.
+on the other hand+
Jenith giggled behind her shield, Yue. She tried to lean in closer, to get a better look, causing her body to push closer to Yue's. The winged boy blushed beet red at the contact. He gulped hard. It was a good thing her attention was focused on Syaoran, for she would have laughed at him that instant.
"Ah! She has finally asked her to dance!" she squealed excitedly. "Finally! Now I truly know that he has a special feeling for Lady Sakura. Perhaps she is the one Eriol and I have been waiting for. Oh, Syaoran…"
Yue sighed disappointedly. 'Oh, I had forgotten that she has been dancing with me only to watch her brother…Why do I even hope?'
Tomoyo and Eriol were much luckier though. They were more indifferent than the others. After all, they see each other almost all the time, and are not as irritated with each other.
"Ah, the princess can be such a mature lady, and yet turn into a childish girl at times," the dark-haired maid said.
"I agree. But that is what makes my sister so admirable. She has multiple personalities, and she can change to your liking. I believe that what Syaoran lacks, she makes up sufficiently. That is why I am thankful that they are my siblings."
Tomoyo nodded agreeably. Then she broke away and bowed. "Pardon me, Sei'spe, but I need to leave. I have been assigned with the task to prepare for Lady Sakura's stay. It has been my pleasure dancing with you."
Eriol bowed back. "The pleasure is all mine, Lady Tomoyo." He watched her turn and leave, his eyes following her retreating figure. Then he turned on his heel and walked back to his place beside the king's throne.
+back with Sakura+
Her feet were already tired, but something was still telling her to keep on dancing. She liked being with the prince. It was like a fairytale. Only, her prince charming was from another world, and she is not a damsel in distress. Well, maybe she was in quite a dilemma.
Her heart started beating madly, and heat and color rose to her face. It was like heaven.
But her feet just could not go on. Without warning, her feet gave way. She would have fallen straight to the floor if Syaoran had not caught her. It took her a minute before she realized that she had leaned against his sturdy body, with his strong arms around her shoulders. She felt protected and secured, and she swore she could have fainted right that moment. He smelled beautiful. They locked together for a moment before she heard someone.
"Lady Sakura? What is the matter?"
"N-nothing, Senritsumon. M-my feet ju-just gave way…I-I think I'll be fine after I rest them and-ah!"
Sakura had gasped for the king had surprised her yet again by literally sweeping her off her feet. He carried her again bridal style with ease, as if she was as light as a feather. The music and dancing has stopped, and Sakura felt like she had blushed to her limit. Syaoran took one glance at Senritsumon and left the ballroom, still carrying Sakura.
"Oh, do not stop the merrymaking. The king has informed me that he will only send Lady Sakura to her room and he will return shortly. Please go on!" the tiny sprite announced.
"I must see what has happened," Jenith said as she broke away from Yue. "I hope you do not mind, Yue. I shall be going."
"O-of course, Sei'sa."
"Thank you. Aqu ya alsi an (I am leaving now)," she said, before picking up her skirts and following her brother. Yue only sighed as she left and went back to his place at the corner, and folded his arms again.
" Prahn dei iqa pah jah'ni sen Sei'sa Jenith (you seem not yourself whenever the princess is around)."
"Wac nagyoon, Ruby Moon (Not now, Ruby Moon)!" he muttered exasperatedly. His fellow guardian smiled.
"It is not my own comment. It is from Prince Eriol."
"I do not believe what you have said."
"I see, but it is the truth. Even I believe that you are a perfect couple."
Yue could only sigh mentally. 'Someone like me could only hope that it would happen…'
+in Sakura's new room+
Sakura continued to blush as Syaoran laid her on her new bed. She sat up, since she was still not that sleepy.
Her face was still beet red as he knelt beside her. "T-thanks…for bringing me here, that is."
He did not appear to hear her though, and instead he took one of her slightly swollen feet and took off her slipper. He did the same with the other foot.
"Oh, you shouldn't-"
She tried to protest, but he lent a deaf ear and continued. He touched one of her feet, and she winced slightly. It really hurt. Then he pushed away the part of her skirt that covered her feet and gently massaged her feet, his hands glowing dim silver. Sakura still continued to blush, but somehow the pain gradually deceased, and so did the swelling. She sighed deeply, as if relieved of a huge burden.
"Kuda? I am-"
Jenith stopped. She had just entered through the door when she saw what her brother was doing. Sakura immediately jumped away from the prince and hugged her knees.
"Uh…Jenith, i-it's not what you think…!"
Syaoran turned to his surprised sister, and glared. She simply tucked a stray strand of hair behind her ear and smiled. "Oh, forgive my intrusion, kuda. I was merely concerned about our guest. But I presume that she is already taken care of now. Aqu y'a aaksih a'n (I shall leave now)." She turned around.
However, Syaoran stood up and stopped her. She looked at him and then nodded. "Very well, then. I shall attend to her illness, Sei'rih." She bowed and let him pass her by on his way out the door.
"Lady Sakura, what hurts you?" the princess asked, approaching Sakura.
"Uhm…well, my feet…"
"Ah. Do not despair any longer. I shall attend to that." She knelt down beside the girl sitting on the bed and laid her hands over her feet. She closed her eyes and chanted in the Farina language. Sakura, being a human foreigner, had no idea what she was saying. But her feet completely healed, and she found that they were in perfect condition to dance again. Not like she would like to dance that long again…
"Uhm, thanks, princess Jenith."
"It is my pleasure. Now, I shall send some of my maidservants to help you prepare for bed. You need much rest. We shall see you tomorrow."
Sakura watched the princess turn and leave. Finding that she was alone in the room, she decided to look around. Like Jenith's room, most of the fabrics in the room were silk. Torches hung on the wall to give the room light. And on one side was a balcony. Sakura stood up and, barefoot, decided to go out the balcony.
There was a slight breeze that night, which caressed her rosy cheeks and toyed with her auburn locks. She rested her hands on the marble rails and looked out as far as her eye can see.
The night was beautiful. And unlike in the "world of mortals", the night cast a gray-blue glow on everything. Sakura remembered some of those paintings which only used one type of color in different tones. What she was seeing now was like those paintings, only much more realistic.
She looked down at the palace's lawn. It was covered with different types of beautiful plants and flowers. She had not seen any of those plants back home, but she suddenly remembered the plants her mother used to grow.
'Wait a minute! That flower…'
One particular flower caught her eye. Its bushes were all placed in the center of the lawn, in a crescent moon shape. The flowers were all silver, and looked as smooth as satin and silk combined. The center of the flowers was a shade of deep blue, as if someone painted them meticulously. Sakura suddenly remembered the unusual plant her mother took care of always. It looked the same. She put on her slippers and hurried down to the garden to take a closer look.
+at the garden+
Sakura stared at the flowers. Yes, they were exactly the same kind her mother grew. She lightly touched one with the tip of her finger, and traced its outline.
"Silver Moonlight."
"Huh?" Sakura turned around. Seems like every now and then someone would suddenly pop out of nowhere to surprise her. The one who was before her now was a tall and beautiful woman, with long jet black hair and a demanding presence. It only took one look for Sakura to know that she was the queen.
"Uh…Y-your highness," she said, getting to her knees.
"That is not necessary, Lady Sakura. Your mother and I were good friends."
"Y-you know my mom-mother?"
"Yes. And very well at that. If it was not for her, these Silver Moonlights would have been long erased from our history. She grew and tended for them every time she came here."
"B-but how did you meet?"
"I was the one who first met her when she first arrived. She had found an Illusion Dragon by mistake in her world, and used it to get here. That was the start of a strong friendship. Even if we were not all the same, we found that we are both fond of some things, such as gardening, and flowers. She was a wonderful woman. It was such a waste that she had to leave the world of the leaving too early."
"Yes…you knew about her death?"
Yelan walked around Sakura and looked at her. "We kept a certain…rapport. It was something that kept us together even through the threshold. We could feel each other's emotions, and when I suddenly felt alone, I knew that my good friend was gone. That is why I am glad that her daughter stumbled upon my son. And saved his life."
"Oh, I am sure anyone would have done that."
"And you have inherited Nadeshiko's humility as well. Pardon me, for I have to return to my room before my servants notice that I have gone. It has been an honor speaking with you, Lady Sakura." Yelan politely bowed her head and left.
Sakura turned her attention back to the flowers when the queen had gone. She loved looking at them, probably because she also inherited her mother's fondness for them too. But a cold wind began to blow, causing her to shiver.
"What the-?"
Sakura was startled yet again as she felt something being wrapped around her shoulders. It was a hooded cloak. It was silver, and glittered under the moonlight. When she turned around, she was greeted by a group of silver sprites, all giggling at her. Their hair was white, and their eyes were completely blue. Their clothes were also blue, but their wings and auras were silver.
"T-thank you," she told them. They only glanced at each other and giggled again. Some of them even leaned toward each other to whisper something.
At the corner of her eye, Sakura noticed something designing the cloak. She pulled up the hem of the cloak to take a look.
It was a moon.
And Sakura had no idea what it meant.
+meanwhile+
Syaoran watched the girl standing in the garden, his eyes fixed on her face. She could not decipher just why he bothered to ask some of his luna sprites to fly down there just to give her his cloak. That was probably why they were giggling.
'Something the matter, my king?'
'Not now, Luna.'
'I have noticed that you seem to have become infatuated with your guest. There is no more reason to hide it.'
'You know well that I should hide it. A ruler of Fantasya is…'
'Not allowed to choose his wife? So why not tell that to your mother, so she could betroth you to Lady Sakura?'
'Is this some form of mockery? I could not possibly do that. And, please, leave me be. This is not a matter that can simply be controlled by any of my powers. And-'
Syaoran's eyes suddenly widened when he finally realized what he was doing. Luna's soft chuckle resonated around his room.
'You were not intending to let anyone know about your infatuation, am I correct? However, I seem to have caught you in a vulnerable moment. But do not despair, for I could not possibly relay any information to anyone.'
'What am I doing? I should not be bothering about such things! I only feel gratitude toward her for saving my life! Why should I feel more than that?'
'There are some phenomena that cannot be explained, such as this incident. But it is best if you just let your feelings run free.'
'You know well why I could not. I must lift Agate's curse from me first.'
'But that might require you to have someone with you. Why not Lady Sakura?'
'You ask too many questions, Luna. I have vowed over my father's grave that I shall break this curse alone, and alone I shall prevail.'
After saying that, Syaoran tore his gaze away from the garden and walked back into his dimly lit room.
+in the cave of goblins+
A smirk appeared on Agate's face as she watched the young king go into his room. She seemed to be amused with his change of behavior.
"Agate!" the king bellowed. She knelt down before him with that smirk still plastered to her face. "What is this plan you were talking about?"
"My curse would never lift from the king unless he marries someone from beyond the threshold. But it would be quite a task, for he could never show emotion, nor can he speak more than seven words. And I see that the mortal girl could be the key to free him."
"What! Then what are you smiling about? Once he is freed, his full power and rage will be upon us!"
"You see, my king. I have long prepared for this moment. The curse will be lifted only if the girl would be willing to give up going back to her own world just to be with a cold and unfeeling prince. And, if they do end up together. For the king does not know how to lift the curse. And of course, every king needs a bride."
"What do you mean?"
Agate stood up. "It is time, my king, that the stone of Darkness may show its full potential!" She raised the stone of Darkness above her head, and slowly she shrank and changed form. The king watched intently. When she had finished, the king clapped his hands and laughed.
"Very good, Agate! Ingenious!"
Agate joined him in laughing, and their icy voices bounced off the caverns walls.
+Wakas+
Jezareth: Ohohoho! Just what could Agate be planning? And what did she turn into? No, that would not happen in the next chapter! We love keeping you in suspense!
Xiao Lei: And looks like Lupinelightning liked his character! Thanks for the feedback! We love reviewers like you!
Xiu Ying: We also found some lyrics already, but we're still translating. There's gonna be a songfic chapter here, so look out, k?
Preview:
Queen Yelan's time for leave has come. Everyone is in mourning. While walking around the gardens of the land of the Sprites, Sakura chances upon the sleeping king. She discovers a hidden power, and discovers the king's untold past as well…
R & R