"That's not fair! It's not fair at all!" Harmony whined in protest on the ride back to the townhouse. Her fist clenched, eyes narrowed, and cheeks puffed red.

She expressed every emotion you held quietly behind your placid facade.

"That's cheating! It's cheating!" She cries rose hoping for some reaction from you.

You gave none. What reaction could you give? Your world...it was now...closing your eyes fade Harmony and everyone away; find yourself at a crossroad. Which to take? At the crossroad standing under the pointing signs, Ciel. Your stomach wrenched.

"May! May! Sister?" Harmony called for, there was no response. Her heart dropped but didn't douse her flame.

She opened her mouth to say something, Soma sitting next to her set a hand on her head. "Harmony," his voice kind and stern, pushing back his own current of emotions, "your sister is tired. Let her rest."

She wanted to protest but felt the heaviness in the air and did as she was told. Her eyes dropped to her feet. All the jubilant and joy was nothing but grays and reds. Mey-Rin, sitting next to you, held your hand tightly in her lap. She held it all the way to the townhouse.

Agni greeted everyone upon arrival, smiles and all, "Ah, good evening Baroness and Lady Harmony and my prince."

You didn't take his hand, you didn't even really notice him. With your head still spinning and thoughts trying to process everything, you needed to rest…you needed…you just needed….

Seeing your state Soma gave out commands to the others. Mey-Rin nearly protested to stay by your side, but he instructed her to tend to Harmony with Agni. Finny and Snake would get her room ready. Tenaka went to the kitchen and began preparing some tea, you took to the study and slumped in the chair. You hold your head between your head, now twice its weight. Bent over, your world just…it was just now swallowed up and every time you tried to close your eyes saw…Gray…saw the edge of his lips curl into a triumph smile that filled you with a burning rage. You wanted to scream…you just wanted to…to…

Marry…him!?

Of all people! How…why would you…what the hell!

Never in your mind or a million years would you ever consider the thought of marrying the likes of him. You never had marriage cross your mind at all, all you wanted was to…to live out your life with…Harmony and Harmony alone. Watch her grow…watch her blossom and maybe marry as well.

That's all you thought about…that's all you cared about. Why would he even want to marry you? Well, you knew why…that slimy…son of a…oh how you wanted to rip that smirk he had. You wanted to punch a hole in his chest and rip out his spine….you wanted to…to…

Your shoulders trembled with an emotion you could not understand, but you knew if you could cry..you'd do it.

Oh god…why?

Burying your face in your hands silently wail and cry. Bitterly swallowing back the screams you so desperately wanted to screech. There had to be a way you could…

The Queen!

You nearly forgot…she…she approved this. She came over to give her blessings and Ciel…what were his thoughts? He looked as stricken as you on the whole thing. He was…his…he…Ciel, you thought.

For a moment or maybe it was your mind playing tricks on you, there was a flame of anger at the man and tinge of refusal, but he kept his mouth shut and…

Would he try to stop this?

He couldn't…no…he couldn't fight this…you wouldn't want him to. You caused enough on him and besides what was between you and him was now…cut. He kept you around for only one reason.

Obligation.

No longer familial love. Even if it was hidden.

Oh, god, Ciel, you cried in your thoughts. Ciel…Ciel….Ciel….

Submerged in your thoughts you didn't notice the figures that entered. Carrying a tray of tea, Tanaka quietly sit by you. His eyes held their sympathies, he want to reach out and take you by the hand and offer you his love. But, he withdrew and quietly left you, though not before starting the fire. Hoping its warmth might do you some good. The others who entered, Soma and Mey-Rin stood back. Hot tears welled up in Mey-Rin at the sight of you, her mind yelling at her for not telling you…for not doing a single thing to stop it. She should have protected you from this…she should have….

The promise she made you…the promise you made her that you would never have her worry like this and…and….the more she remembered the more tears came. She tried to stifle them but she could hardly stop them. It was the only sound heard besides the crackling fire. You paid them no mind. Still drowning.

You weren't the only one, Soma, trying to swim through all the crashing waves and sinking feeling he felt inside. All because of…the world was so…it was so perfect not to long when you and him danced. Everything just…it just disappeared. Though it was night he felt as though the day was permeant. He saw you smile, your smile, again. The one he loved so much and cherished. It warmed his heart, no, it set his heart ablaze! He saw a whole other world with you during that time. Walking on the banks of India, Harmony of course there, running ahead with Agni.

You and him arm in arm, enjoying his homeland which would become your home. You'd be a princess to his prince. All his brothers, all his siblings would envy him. He'd move you, himself, Harmony, and Agni into one of the palaces away from the royal court and create a life just the four of you. Of course, Ciel would be allowed to visit whenever. It would be paradise, he always found paradise with you. A year or two after the birth of the first child, he'd want a girl. Another beauty like you.

The world would become brighter after that; you a mother and him a father. He had a name and everything picked out and if faith allowed it, he became sultan you'd be by side and no one else. Not even harem. He couldn't divide his heart from you. Elephant rides for Harmony, he'd even get the girl a flamingo, like he promised and much more, you…everything.

That's what he always saw, but this time he foresaw it. But, now….he…he….

Mey-Rin wiping away her tears took a step towards you, stopping when Soma walks first. She stood back and the tears stopped. Her mouth gapped slightly at the heartfelt sight before her.

Soma kneeled before you and gently took your trembling hands in his, holding them in a way that Mey-Rin knew it was love. You didn't look up, but somehow knew he was but remained the same. Gripping his hands back, as though begging him to do something or for strength…for something…for anything….

Anything he could give.