Chapter Nineteen

Card Captor Sakura

Misty Dreams

--starjade--

A Marriage

" Good....good...t-thanks for agreeing," Syaoran said, his voice stuttering a bit as he looked at her with a softening look in his amber eyes. Sakura was trying to breath, her chest constricting.

Was this the right thing to do? Did she do the right thing? Or was she just giving into her own fantasies...of marrying the prince of the Li Kingdom?

Her protector....and her enemy...

" It'll really help you!" Syaoran said, earnestly. " If you have my name, hell, no one will lay a hand on you. It'll protect you....and it'll help me to know that you're safe. Please remember this. This is your own choice."

Sakura nodded and tried to smile a bit at him to reassure him. He gave her a tiny smile back as he got up.

" Don't worry. It'll all work out. This wedding can be annulled and you can go back to your land after Meiling is home. It'll all work out. I promise," He answered as he gave her a hand to pull her up.

Sakura closed her eyes in pain and grabbed his hand as she got up and they packed away their lunch supplies. They put it away on the horse and she saw him fold up the picture of her and tuck it into his pocket. It lightened her heart and she got up on the horse, as he climbed onto it as well and they rode away.

Dust rose in clouds behind them as the horse thundered down the pathway and she breathed in deep, holding onto Syaoran's back. It was probably the closest she'd ever be to him.

Ever since she was a little girl, she imagined her marriage to be to the one she loved. She usually never imagined another prince or royalty...it was always a peasant. She had a crush on one who always came every day in the market, selling red, shiny apples.

She loved apples since then. She would always go and buy one apple, blushing the colour of the apple as she did.

But now, here she was, marrying the enemy crown prince. For name only. This was never in any of her fantasies, in any of her dreams as a child. Hiding the hot tears that arose to her eyes from Syaoran, she looked out at the fields as they came closer and closer to their destination.

Sacrifices had to be made. For her brothers...for her father...for her kingdom...

" We're here," Syaoran whispered softly. Sakura looked up at him, surprised and he caught sight of the dusty trails of tears that streaked down her face. Embarrassed, Sakura tried to wipe them away but Syaoran's eyes just grew more pained.

" I promise, this marriage means nothing. Nothing at all," Syaoran whispered to Sakura. Sakura could feel her heart breaking at the words, but just nodded along. He helped her off the horse as they walked towards a quaint little cottage on the hill.

---------------

" YOU WHAT?"

" We're-we're getting married," Syaoran said, backing away a little at the man's anger.

Joe shook his head, his eyes taking on a crazy look. " But you were supposed to get married to Lady Rita! TODAY! What happened to that? Why aren't you marrying her? Why are you marrying-"

He looked at Sakura with shock in his eyes and Sakura hid behind Syaoran in fear.

" Look, Joe. We need you to help us get married in secret. We didn't ask you to lecture us or to berate us about our decisions," Syaoran yelled out. He took a deep breath and looked at Joe, coldly. " I know what I'm doing. Do you not trust your future King?"

Joe turned white and bowed low. " I apologize, your majesty-"

" Joe-" Syaoran started and ran a hand through his hair nervously. " I didn't mean that....just trust me, okay?"

Joe nodded and they both looked curiously at Sakura. Sakura never felt more self-conscious in her life and she tried to hide her swollen hands behind her back. Around Syaoran, she never felt that her hands were something ugly...he accepted them but around Joe and his wife...

" Well....may I ask.." His wife said, rather meekly. " Why you two are getting married?"

Syaoran breathed out. " It's better if you don't ask. If you do know everything....then it'll come back to hurt you. When this is all done and over with, you'll know."

His wife just nodded, but curiosity was apparent around the couple. Syaoran looked at them pleadingly. " Can you get us married?"

" Yes....yes, there is a pastor in the village who does marriages in secret. We could get you married there," Joe said, wiping his hands on a cloth. " But we should go now, if ever. He isn't available at night."

Now?? Sakura felt fear and anxiety rush through her. Now? Of all days, she couldn't get married now!

Syaoran put a hand on her shoulder, reassuringly and nodded to Joe and his wife. " Let's go."

-----------------

It was eerily quiet. Darkness was like a fog, settling over the furniture and stifling all the occupants. Light broke through the tinted windows, breaking through the dark and cleansing the air with shards of colour.

Candles were lit at the front and Sakura and Syaoran were both kneeling down. The pastor was in front of them, chanting.

Sakura felt her hands trembling and she folded them in her skirts, trying to breath. This was actually happening. She was marrying Syaoran Li, the crown prince of the Li Kingdom. Could anything get more ironic?

They recited back the prayers and then they stood up to sign the legal parchments. Sakura didn't know how to write the Li language, so Syaoran had to write her name for her and she copied it from him.

Sakura was rather glad that she had worn the dress that Tomoyo had made for her. Sure, it was dirty from the sand and the water when she was playing at the beach, but it was much nicer then the wool ones she usually wore.

Joe and his wife were at the back and they came up to sign the parchments as well, as legal witnesses to the marriage. Then after one last prayer, the quiet and mysterious pastor announced that their marriage was complete.

Amid the incense and the candles, he asked them to hold hands and to recite the last prayer together. Sakura kept her hands at her side but Syaoran reached for her swollen hands without hesitation.

The touch swept through her and she tried not to break down as they recited the last prayer. Then when it came for the exchange of rings, Syaoran surprised her by bringing out two rings.

" These rings I made....I didn't want to give you the ring my mother gave to me to give to Lady Rita...it just didn't feel right," He said, awkwardly. Sakura looked at his hand and there laid too wooden rings, smooth and small, engraved with vines and flowers.

He slipped it on her finger and Sakura put the other ring on his finger. Then the pastor touched both of their heads and gave them the parchment, as proof of their marriage. Then they walked out of the temple, Sakura quickly letting go of Syaoran's hand.

They were married....married...

" I can't believe it," Joe shook his head. " That must have been the weirdest marriage I have seen in all my life."

" It wasn't a real marriage," Syaoran muttered. Joe looked at him confusedly and Syaoran realized his folly almost as quickly as Sakura did. " I mean, not the kind of marriages that I'm used to seeing."

"Well, it was a sweet one still. Rather romantic, if you ask me," Joe's wife commented and Sakura flushed. She found nothing romantic about that wedding. Maybe if they had been in love with each other, then maybe....

But all her fantasies of how marriage would be like...she had never ever imagined this. Marriage for convenience. Romance wasn't involved, even in the slightest.

They rode back to Joe's house in silence and they slept through the night without a word to each other. And the morning came much too soon for Sakura as they ate breakfast and Syaoran saddled up the horse.

" Take care of yourself, Syaoran....and you too, Keili. I find it hard to imagine that you will have it easy just because you are married to Syaoran," Joe said, solemnly.

Sakura flushed at his words. Married to Syaoran....she couldn't believe it. Syaoran nodded and helped her onto the horse as they galloped away. Reaching the gateway to the castle, Syaoran helped Sakura off the horse.

" This is where...I have to leave," Syaoran said, his voice low. " Eriol has told them all about our marriage. They won't hurt you. I promise. I'll be back in a week."

He looked at her earnestly and Sakura nodded slightly, keeping her eyes to the ground. Then, without a warning, he put his finger under her chin and raised her head up so her eyes would meet his.

" Keili..." He whispered and Sakura was entranced by the colour of his eyes. Dark amber, they flashed with emotions she couldn't decipher. His jaw clenched and a muscle in his cheek jumped as he turned his face away from hers.

" I-I'll be back soon..." He said, his voice cracking a bit. His fingers drifted away from her chin and softly touched her cheek. Sakura closed her eyes, almost automatically, leaning into the touch, but he pulled back almost as soon as he had touched her.

" If they hurt you..." He said, his voice hard. " There will be hell to pay." And without another word, he climbed up on his horse and sped away, his figure becoming lost in the sunlight and the cloud of dust left in his wake.

Sakura put a quivering hand to her cheek. His touch awoke emotions in her that she had tried to stamp out. Without Syaoran...she felt lost. Confused. Vulnerable...

Her eyes drifted to the looming gates and she breathed in. She had to be strong. For her brothers, she had to be strong.

She'd finish her shirts in the safety of the Li Kingdom....and then she'd return home and everything would be set right.

She wished she could see Yukito again...maybe he could give her some advice...

With that, she pushed open the gates and walked down the pathway, before she reached the castle steps. There, her eyes widened and her jaw dropped open in shock and fear.

In front of her, the whole castle's occupants stood. And before them all, was Queen Yelan and Lady Rita, standing tall, commanding and angry.

Fear flashed through Sakura and she fingered the ring Syaoran had given her...She was a Li...they wouldn't hurt her...

She hoped.

" Keili of the Kinomoto Kingdom," Queen Yelan spoke, her voice quiet, but ringing through Sakura's ears and body like a cymbal clash. " Confirm this statement. Are you or are you not in a relationship with my son?"

Sakura couldn't breath. She couldn't move. Frozen to the spot, she didn't know what to do. She hadn't expected that she would have to confront them all like this....actually, she didn't even try to imagine the confrontation with Syaoran's mother and the castle's occupants.

Eriol was supposed to take care of it. But they probably hadn't believed him.

" I will repeat the statement. Are you or are you not MARRIED TO MY SON?" The last few words Queen Yelan yelled and Sakura shook hard.

Then she slowly nodded.

Gasps and cries flew through the crowd and she heard people cry, " He's right!" " That witch!" " It cannot be true!" " The prince! This peasant has seduced the prince!"

Queen Yelan held a hand up and the chaos stopped. Sakura's eyes traveled to Lady Rita and she felt her heart pang with shame. Lady Rita's eyes were filled with tears and betrayal.

Queen Yelan began to walk towards Sakura, step by step. Everyone held their breath. One person ran out into the courtyard, running to stand beside Sakura.

" Your majesty, please! It is as I explained! Prince Xiao-Lang is in love with Keili! They are married, legally!" Eriol protested but Queen Yelan rose another hand and looked at him sharply.

" You will not interfere," She whispered, but it was as deadly as a spear for Eriol fell quiet instantly.

Queen Yelan looked deep in Sakura's eyes and Sakura tried to will herself to stop shaking but she couldn't.

" I cannot believe that you.....such an little girl....in dirty clothes, plucked from a lake in the Kinomoto lands, a peasant at most....with strange hobbies, sewing with starwort...has married my son. The Prince of the Li Kingdom. The most important man in all the Li lands...he has married you."

Sakura could not hold back the tears that rose to her eyes at the implied meaning behind queen Yelan's words. She didn't expect Syaoran's mother to accept her, ever. She was from their enemy kingdom.....Queen Yelan hated her..

" You...you have married my only son. The future KING. You have shamed the Li family. The royal family. A peasant! A KINOMOTO peasant! To be Queen!!" Queen Yelan's voice was almost desperate and Sakura saw, at the corner of her eye, Lady Rita who had fallen to her knees, sobbing.

" He left his fiancee at the alter. He left his family, his traditions. Where is he now?" Queen Yelan asked.

" He is searching for Meiling. News has come-" Eriol cut in.

" MEILING IS DEAD!" Queen Yelan yelled. Silence spread through the courtyard, only broken by Lady Rita's sobs.

" No, she isn't," Eriol whispered. " She is much alive...and Syaoran is finding her and bringing her home...finally."

Queen Yelan looked at him, and turned away. She looked at Sakura one last time. " You...." She whispered. " You are now a daughter of the household. As honour requires, you will stay here. No one will touch you. Since you are married to my son, we will move you to the royal chambers. You are now..." She took a deep breath and turned away, speaking the words so quietly, but it seemed to echo in her ears for eternity. " A daughter of the Li household."

With that, she picked up her skirts and walked into the castle.

Sakura felt her shoulders sag and she touched her cheeks, wiping the tears away. Then she felt another presence walk towards her and she looked up.

Lady Rita stood there, her beautiful porcelain skin covered with tears as well. " I was left-" She started, choking a bit. She looked at Sakura imploringly, her bright blue eyes swimming with tears." I was left, standing at the altar. Because you had stole my fiance away from me. H-How could you?" She couldn't speak and she ran off as well, her blond hair streaming behind her.

Sakura felt all the pressure start to overcome her and she fell to her knees. Eriol grabbed her quickly and she felt another person run towards her.

" Keili? Keili, are you okay?" She heard Tomoyo's voice, faintly.

But it was too much for her. The marriage, Syaoran leaving, Meiling being found, the shirts, the curse, Oribia, Queen Yelan, Lady Rita, being mute-

It finally caught up to her and she fell unconscious, only hearing her Li name resounding in her ears.

Not Keili, she thought before she surrendered to the darkness, Sakura.

Sakura Kinomoto...

-----------------

" Keili? Keili!"

Sakura opened her eyes slowly, and closed them as quickly as she could. Beams of light attacked her senses and she felt herself come into awareness. She got up as slowly as possible.

Opening her eyes once more, she blinked at the blurry images.

It was Tomoyo and Eriol.

" Oh, Keili!" Tomoyo sighed, coming towards Sakura and holding her hand tightly. " You wouldn't believe how worried I was about you! I searched the whole castle but I couldn't find you! And then Eriol told everyone...about the news..."

She looked pointedly at Sakura's ring and Sakura felt a blush rise to her cheeks. She looked down, ashamedly.

Eriol chuckled. " I made sure it was the most dramatic scene anyone has ever seen in the Li Kingdom. Lady Rita was waiting there for Syaoran, and everybody was searching for him and I burst into the temple, shouting, " The Prince has run off with the Kinomoto peasant!""

Tomoyo slapped Eriol's arm. " Eriol! That wasn't very nice of you."

Eriol rose an eyebrow. " Well, excitement in the Li castle has been missing for ages. I had to make everything as dramatic as possible."

Tomoyo rolled her eyes and Sakura felt a smile creep onto her face. Eriol grinned. " See there? Now that's the smile I was looking for."

Sakura hid her face behind her bangs. Her hair had grown to her shoulder blades since the incident with Oribia at the castle. She wasn't quite used to long hair and it was always out, unlike the royalty at the castle who had their hair in intricate designs on their head.

" Keili.....why did you agree to marry Syaoran? Is it because he's the Prince? And you had to do what he says? Or was it because of other...reasons?" Tomoyo asked, her voice gentle.

Sakura froze up at the question and she looked at Tomoyo fearfully. What would Tomoyo say if she knew what Sakura felt about the crown prince of the Li Kingdom? Sakura couldn't do anything and Tomoyo sighed.

" You do know that you are now a princess of the Li Kingdom...and technically the future Queen," Tomoyo said, a bit ironically and Sakura nodded, shrugging.

Eriol laughed. " Who would've known, the little girl we plucked from the lake would be my future queen?"

Sakura flushed and Tomoyo rested a hand on Sakura's shoulder. " Don't worry, Keili. Eriol and I will be by your side. Even though the whole castle hates you right now, none of them can touch you without going to execution..."

But then she traded a worried glance with Eriol and turned back to Sakura. " Be careful, though. Don't step out of the kingdom without someone with you. People might find ways...around your royalty status now. Especially since the Duke is coming back."

Sakura's eyes widened in fear. The Duke? Did he ever leave her alone? Now that she knew that the Duke was connected to Oribia...there was no end to what he could do to her...

What Syaoran had promised would be a robe of safety might end up being her downfall...She hoped Syaoran would come back soon. And she hoped that she could finish the shirts...before the Duke could do anything to her....and maybe then, would this twisted life turn back to what she had before...

Before Oribia. Before the curse. And before her marriage to the crown prince of the Li Kingdom...

a/n: hahahahaha...another chappie, here ya go! The story is slowllly winding down, so don't be surprised if it ends in 4-5 chapters. Yeaaa I knoe, but i don't really like stretching stories out till their thirty or forty chapters, cuz then it just gets realli repetitive and kinda borin. Anyways, thanks for ur reviews guys! A few of them were confusin, especially one which was tellin me not to follow the book, but was then criticizing me for taking out parts of the book and pretty much was confusin, but besides that, thank ya all!

see ya latez, and review zee more!

---starjade---