Author's Note: Yes, here it is: the eighth chapter! Tohru is finally Queen! Although, it was a little earlier than planned! Tohru certainly was caught off guard!nn Anyways, this was once again another perfectly perfect chapter without a lot of problems... But, in the next few chappies, there will have some conflicts... Enjoy!

Chapter 8

Coronation Ball

It was the beginning of an eventful day. (A/N: I know that this isn't how real coronation balls are in Japan. But, just bear with me!) She was wearing her traditional red gown adorned with an Elizabethan train. There was a white material that lined the hem of her skirt and the large sleeves of her gown. It had a square cut neck and there was a delicate white fur that went around it. Everything were the traditional colors, red, white, and gold. She looked perfect down to the last details. Her eyes sparkled with glee and her cheeks were rosy from laughter and embarrassment from all the attention that she was getting from people. All the maids left her in peace now that they had finished fussing over her. The ceremony was taking place at noon and they needed every detail right.

It was quarter to 12, and her nerves were on edge. She couldn't wait any longer. She took her cell phone and dialed Yuki's number. He picked up almost instantly.

"Tohru!" he anxiously said.

"I'm fine. It's so nice to hear your voice. It's soothes me!" she sighed happily.

"What would you do if I wasn't here?" he teased.

"I would be married to another prince and lived happily ever after!" she said in turn.

"Another prince? I see…. Hmmm. It seems I have some competition, then?" he said somewhat seriously.

"Well, I have to dance with every eligible bachelor that it attending today's ball. So, yes. I suppose you do. But, I think that my grandmother and the rest of the council has decided that you would be most fit for me. She even said so," she laughed.

"Well, I guess that it can turn out very well," you could tell that he was happy.

"Princess, you must go out in five minutes. The dowager Queen requests your presence," a maid bowed and said sweetly.

Yuki heard this and smiled. His little Princess. "Okay, well, I'll see you at the ball. You're going to get the first dance. I promise," she replied with a laugh. "Bye,"

"Yes, you called?" she curtsied.

"Oh, Tohru. You look beautiful! This coronation ball is going to be wonderful! I just wanted to wish you luck. I'm sure your very nervous about the whole affair," she smiled down upon her.

"Well, I do admit that I am a bit worried that I'm going to mess something up," she replied worriedly.

"You'll do fine, I'm sure of it. Oh, there calling you. You'd better go," she stood up and patted her on the shoulder and left with graceful steps.

Tohru straightened her posture and sighed happily as she slowly walked towards the balcony that will present her to the council and all the people there. The horns announced her appearance and she waved slowly with his gloved hand. She blushed prettily as she looked at all of the people who looked up at her with such happy smiles on their faces. She could make out the features of Yuki and smiled at him. As she gently walked down the grand staircase that spiraled towards the floor below where the grand chair that was decorated with gold and silver. Her grandfather stood by weakly as he smiled at her from the side of the two steps that led up to the chair. She felt her skirts rustle as she walked down the red carpet with rose petals flying in the air landing. When she reached the steps. The bishop came and took out a large scroll from which he read aloud. After many hours, he finally finished with a flourish.

"On this glorious day, we pronounce the Princess Tohru Honda as the new Queen and ruler of our kingdom," as he rolled the scroll back up, a chorus of "Long live the Queen" followed. She sat down on the gold encrusted chair and her Grandfather gently placed the gold crown on her head while a smile flickered on his gnarled face. He said something that she couldn't make out and gently patted her hand before stepping back away from the chair symbolizing that he had passed the crown on to the heir. An ovation of applause greeted this gesture and four soldiers from each side who had been standing on the sidelines thrust their swords outward towards the skies, making a bridge. Tohru smiled widely and walked grandly down the path now crowned the Queen of Osaka. It was the beginning of a fruitful reign.

The sound of violins gently serenaded in the background as Tohru positioned herself to begin the dancing. She held a deep red rose in her hand. Tradition said that the person who she handed the rose to was not only the person who danced the first dance, it was usually the one who became the next King. Everyone was anxious to see who their new Queen would pick to begin the evening's festivities.

Tohru was completely oblivious to all the looks that the bachelor's were giving her. As she stood in her deep red dress that matched the rose, she had eyes only for Yuki. He was quite handsome and looked the part of the Prince. He was dressed in a tuxedo that was made up of black dress pants and a white tuxedo which was a tailcoat. His silver hair glistened in the light of the chandeliers and his violet eyes met Tohru's and they exchanged a look of understanding and amusement. When Tohru moved, her droplets of diamonds that hung from her ears sparkled and her small tiara was placed snugly amidst all of her braids. Man servants moved about with small black trays which held glasses of champagne and shrimp cocktails.

All night, Tohru wandered waiting for the right moment. And now, it was time. She approached Yuki from behind and put a hand to his shoulder while whispering in his ear, "Would you do me the honor of dancing the first dance, my Prince?"

He turned his head slightly to the side and spoke in a low voice. "The honors all mine," he turned around, accepted the red rose, which was put in his buttonhole and gently took Tohru's hand and led her to the dance floor.

Immediately, the band played a soothing melody consisting of a viola and a cello. As the couple twirled around, the other men cleared their throats gruffly before finding partners of their own.

"You were wonderful today at the ceremony," Yuki complimented her as they waltzed.

"Thank you," she blushed prettily and smiled softly.

"You're going to make a great Queen for Osaka," he smiled that smile that he reserved just for her.

The music changed it's tempo and it became a fiesty dance. For a few hours, Tohru danced with Yuki as if it was the end of the world. They waltzed, tangoed, and who knows what else. It was a wonderful evening for them. Except, the other guys weren't too happy with the chemistry between them.

The night had arrived, and Yuki pulled Tohru into a dark corner. "You look so beautiful tonight," he caressed her velvet cheek with fondness.

Tohru looked down slightly and then looked up into Yuki's eyes with her deep blue ones.

She tilted her head slightly and replied mischievously. "Come with me. I have something to show you," she led him by the hand towards the gardens.

A perplexed Yuki dashed after her. Tohru laughed with glee. "We're here,"

Yuki looked around and saw a small fountain with a dolphin spurting out water from it's mouth. A little to the right of it, there was a large oak tree that had something engraved on it. It had a K and something else that was barely readable because of the snow.

She pointed to the heart with the letters on it. "Do you see this?"

Yuki squinted at it. "Yes, I do. What is it?"

She smiled up at him from the place where she squatted and replied. "This is where my mother and father first came when they were here and they engraved their names into this tree," she smiled.

"That's so romantic. Here," he bent down and took a small jack knife out of his pocket and suddenly started to scratch a heart right below the heart. "This day, this engraving will represent our love for each other. It's going to be here, leaving a mark forever," he grunted and stood up again. "There,"

Tohru looked at the newly craved heart with Y and T inside it. "A forever remanding symbol," she gently stroked it with her fingers and turned around all of a sudden.

"Do you believe in love at first sight?" her question lingered in the air between them.

"I'll let you know," Yuki took her by the waist and swung her back so that she was prevented from falling by Yuki's support. He kissed her deeply. Tohru didn't resist the loving gesture and opened her mouth a little bit more to allow Yuki's tongue into her mouth. She moaned slightly as she hugged him closer. "Oh my gosh! I can't believe I'm kissing him! He's such a good kisser!"

Yuki was frantically thinking in his head. "I'm kissing the girl of my dreams. I can't believe this is happening to me,"

They broke apart reluctantly for air and Tohru was still clutching Yuki to her.

"The Prince of my Heart, the King of my dreams," she said softly while looking into Yuki's eyes.

"I don't know what I would do without you. I'm so happy you're with me, Tohru. I'm so happy to have fallen in love with you," Yuki gently kissed her forehead.

It was a wonderful dream filled with pleasures and love. But, there were going to be thorns among the garden of life, and their love was truly going to be put to the test.