Alright guys a few things!:
-This series is very much closing to an end! A predict maybe 8 more chapters should be the most, but we shall see. Maybe reaching 80+ won't be so bad.
-After this series, I will be thinking up another ObiYuki series so please do follow me to anticipate it!
-The NEXT CHAPTER (SEVENTY-THREE) will be very explicit and sexual, so brace yourself for 21+ scenes.
-Thank you all for sticking around and reading my piece. It has made me so happy to read all the reviews and know that so many of you are enjoying this story. To the new favs and followers, welcome! To those who've stuck from the first few parts, thank you very much for staying and believing in this story. But to everybody: thank you for just reading this and I am ever so happy to satisfy your ObiYuki feels.
SEVENTY-TWO - Two Cold Rings
2 Days Until The Wedding(X)
The Princess walked into the dining area without a single word.
Haruto's eyes narrowed at the petite woman as she lifted her dress and walked over to take her seat beside Zen at the large dining table. Haruto was previously praising the chefs for making all her favorite meals as well as her deceased husbands, Kain Wistaria. But her content quickly vanished when her eyes latched onto the compact Princess walk into sight. Zen didn't dare utter a word, and Izana decided to take charge in being respectful.
"Thank you for joining us tonight, Lady Elizabeth," Izana speaks, his tongue forcing a gentle tone. Izana was good at keeping his anger in, but when it comes to his mother, there's only so much he could do about it. "I believe this would be the first time you have met my mother, yes?"
Elizabeth's blue eyes stay at her heels as a guard helps pull out her seat and allows her to sit. "Yes, it would be. It's very nice to finally meet you, Miss Haruto." Elizabeth takes her seat and places her hands on her lap. She didn't want anybody to notice her sweaty palms and how badly her hands had been trembling. She was nervous, and that was something Haruto noticed immediately.
"Princess Elizabeth," Haruto begins. The Queen changed into much more comfortable clothing. A light blue gown intended for sleeping, but she didn't want to be bothered with the outfit she's worn all day anymore. Haruto puts her elbows on the table and rested her chin on her connected hands. "Our first meeting should have been hours ago."
Elizabeth gulped, "that is correct, yes." She shifts in her seat, clearly uncomfortable. She, for a long time, has always been able to out-intimidate people. She's even met other queens and has been able to stare at them straight in the eyes. But Haruto was different. She wasn't like any other queen. "I apologize for my absence for your arrival, Miss Haruto."
"It'll be Your Grace to you," Haruto spits. "Or Your Highness. Or My Queen. Or Queen Haruto. Just to keep you reminded as to who your superior is." Elizabeth quivers. Haruto clicks her teeth with her tongue, studying the young girl before her. "Your apology owns no weight, little girl. Do you truly feel sorry for not greeting me upon my arrival? Or is that your Princess conditioning speaking?"
Elizabeth raised her head, shocked at the Queen's words. She goes pale very quickly, her nerves not helping one ounce. She nods her head dreadfully, "I really am, Your Grace. I'm very excited and happy to finally meet the mother of my fiance and-"
"Are you now?" Haruto interrupts, silencing Elizabeth quickly as she leered at the young Princess. "Why aren't you meeting my eyes, girlie? What's wrong?" Haruto teases with a whisper. "You scared?" Elizabeth shakes her head no. "Then raise your head and look at me, child."
Elizabeth slowly raises her head, finally meeting eyes with the scariest person she's ever faced. Haruto was immensely gorgeous and it makes sense where Zen and Izana got their looks and hair. The Queen truly was a woman who would steal the show as soon as she walked through any door. "'M sorry."
"I bet you you're not," Haruto challenged, her tongue not missing a single beat. Elizabeth felt herself burn from locking eyes with Haruto. "Whenever I arrive to Wistal, this castle is typically turned upside down. Maids would be cleaning the air, even. And somehow, you were not present for it. I wonder why."
Elizabeth had been brewing up an answer, but it was hard to answer promptly due to Haruto's intimidation. Elizabeth begins to stammer, "I-I had been at my fitting a-and lost track of time."
"I came at 13 o'clock, honey," Haruto informs. She thinks for a moment before continuing to answer, "it's about 19 o'clock now; supper time. You cannot tell me that you've spent about 7 hours at a fitting for a dress that should already be complete?"
"The tailors aren't exactly the quickest-"
"You dare insult my tailors as if I don't know how prompt they are?" Haruto interrupts once again. "Everybody hired here are the people, if not their offspring, for when I was to marry my dead husband. You cannot tell me they aren't fast when they are the best the world has to offer."
Elizabeth stays shut. She was beyond nervous. Haruto isn't just some Queen. She isn't petite or saccharine sweet the way she sounded through the letters. Her edges are all rough and she isn't ashamed of it. She owns the most elegance, but her tongue is the polar opposite. Haruto doesn't require anyone to speak for her, and that was very clear. Elizabeth was mortified. What kind of kingdom did her father give her off to?
"I've given you the honor to marry my son and become the Princess of one of the finest lands you'll ever step on," Haruto gestures to the walls and the pillars that hold up the beautiful castle. "You'll be pampered for the rest of your days and unconditionally loved by my people. But you could not show your respect towards your future mother-in-law?"
Elizabeth knew of her mistake. The habit of constantly being occupied in her room had become serious, but it was her comfort zone. After Izana's lecture and Zen's clear disinterest in her, Elizabeth had no choice but to isolate herself from them. She slapped Zen's ex lover and had full protection from him, Mitsuhide and Obi. It was hard for her, but nobody in this castle would understand. Especially because she deserved it.
She hasn't got a clue about Shirayuki's condition, if she's under any, as she solely remains in her room. But her suspicions grew high when no commotion had been heard if she went ill or entered a more serious health state. Elizabeth didn't know whether she swallowed that gulp of wine, even though it was so little and would barely do much damage. But Shirayuki couldn't have been smart enough to figure her out, she doesn't think.
The Princess stays quiet as Haruto emits a laugh. "I'm embarrassed," Haruto begins, covering her mouth with her hand. She grabs the tall glass of water and takes a sip before setting it down again. "Of all the Princesses I could have chosen, I just had to choose you."
Elizabeth was now entering one of Haruto's scariest phases; her insults. Haruto is immensely blunt about everything; she's not one to sugarcoat. Her smile dissolves and she keeps her eyes directly set on the Princess, "your kingdom is quite rich with its water-based system and everything you can retrieve from residing by the ocean. But it seems your parents did not train you well enough to understand what you can and cannot do as a Princess in another kingdom."
"I'm sorry," she apologizes once more, but Haruto couldn't care less.
"I don't even think I want your benefits anymore," Haruto shrugged. Elizabeth widened her eyes, astonished by her words. Her plan can't go through if she's banished from the castle. Her parents would kill her, and her kingdom would suffer greatly. "It doesn't seem worth it anymore."
"N-No please, Your Grace!" Elizabeth pleads, rising from her seat with nervous hands planted flat on the dining table. Izana starts cutting into his steak and putting a piece in his mouth, clearly amused by the drama happening at supper. Zen could only look back and forth between the two woman. "I love Zen and I don't want to be without him-"
"Little girl, you don't love my son," Haruto dismisses quickly. "I won't deny that you must enjoy his presence, as he is a good man." Haruto's eyes dimmed, and there was something peculiar in her look. It held absolutely no intent of forgiving, regardless of how redeeming Elizabeth's character could be. "It was an arrangement, an exchange of benefits that would help our kingdoms flourish. I wouldn't have given my son away to someone like you if you didn't hold the value you have."
It was gruesome. Haruto had been shredding Elizabeth like a dog biting meat until the bone was clean. Being absent during her arrival clearly wedged deep as Haruto has never been disrespected in such a way. But it's clear that this girl also didn't own the drive and bite that Haruto craves for her son to indulge and bounce off of. Zen could only imagine how his mother would behave if Elizabeth admitted to her ploy.
But he could sit back and enjoy the show, for Shirayuki's plan to expose her will be more glorious than telling his mother directly.
"P-please forgive me, Your Grace!" Elizabeth continues to attempt, using a lot of her energy to conceal her fear. "I will improve myself as a Princess; one that will be acceptable to you! Please- my father would not be happy if you sent me away now!"
"Oh, you mean the parent of no value?" Haruto jokes. "I'd be more worried over what your mother will do." It was hurtful but Elizabeth has already been sprayed down with those words. She glances over to see Izana stab one of the small boiled potatoes with his fork. He smirks wickedly before putting it in his mouth. Haruto then looks over at Zen and sighs, "send me a bird towards my bedroom- I'm writing a letter to the Knights."
Elizabeth's eyes were of a deer in headlights as Zen asks, "sure, but why?"
Haruto rises from her seat and grabs her plate of food in one hand and her glass of water in the other. She keeps the napkin dug into the collar of her nightgown before she starts taking her leave, "I'm sending Princess Elizabeth back to her kingdom to be prepared once again for her marriage with you." Then Haruto shrugged, "or never come back. They're equivalent."
Elizabeth and Zen widened their eyes and watched as Haruto passes by Izana towards Elizabeth's seat. The Princess' guards stand nearby, unsure of Haruto's intentions. Zen rose from his seat as well and tilted his head, "are you calling off the wedding, mother?"
"What does it sound like I'm doing?" Haruto hums as she walks towards the exit. "Remove your wedding bands at once, the both of you. Prepare to take your leave, Princess Elizabeth. I can either send guards to escort your return or you can wait for your people to come get you. I don't care which option you choose."
Elizabeth pushes away her chair and tails Haruto, stopping just inches behind her back. "No please, please don't do this!"
As the girl pleaded, Zen couldn't help but feel his blood boil in his seat. He was shocked. All it took was an absence in order for his mother to completely retract the forced arrangement she set up for him. He had to announce his engagement to a woman he does not and will never love in his love. He had to put up with her for many hours, and showed her affection with no love.
He lost everything. He lost the only woman that is more than suitable to marry him. Shirayuki is the only woman who will ever amount to being the perfect bride, Princess and mother. His entire world had been exchanged for a woman who will cower at the very glance of responsibility. Zen wanted to explode from the anger he suddenly felt towards his mother. But seeing her there, right before his eyes, as she cancels the wedding he's been dreading for many weeks.
It slowly came to his realization that the wedding will not happen, and he will not be forced together with a woman he will never find himself loving. Zen quickly enters a more calming state, as his mother has, in one dinner, solved most of his issues. He looks down at his left hand and eagerly pulls off the wedding band, much to Elizabeth's dismay. He no longer had this disgusting feeling against his chest over something that is no longer happening.
"Thank God," Zen emits with a loud sigh, closing his eyes before allowing his tension to disappear. Haruto glances back to notice her sons overwhelming relief, suddenly coming to the realization of how unhappy he must have been. Had she really been that inconsiderate to her son? It would seem so as she looks down at Elizabeth, now on her knees in attempts to beg.
"Finish your food and head up to your quarters," Haruto dismisses, wanting nothing more than to try and speak to her clearly upset son. Elizabeth's words were futile, and she was finally coming to terms with it. The young Princess returned to her seat and reluctantly ate her food. As she did, Haruto looked over at Zen with a sympathetic smile, "let's talk tomorrow, yes?"
Zen could only nod as Izana bid her a good night for the both of them. She returns the goodnight to her sons while studying her younger sons face. He was lost in thought, but his azure eyes were much lighter and welcoming than when she first saw him. He was clearly elated after a long period of not seeing her, but something clearly wasn't right. The tranquility swallowing him whole was evident, and Haruto couldn't help but face her mistake head on.
But even she isn't really ready to see what her mistake has done to her son.
She leaves the dining room without another word as the Princess and the two Princes remain silent at the dinner table. Izana quietly finishes his plate while Elizabeth had been forcing the morsels in her mouth. Zen didn't want to eat and refused his meal before he too, decided to leave the dining hall. Elizabeth watched him leave as Izana simply kept eating. He left through the large double doors, where his aides were waiting and did not shed another word.
Izana couldn't help but laugh. "How tragic," he begins, his voice low and monotone. "Your life has fallen apart, hasn't it?" Elizabeth didn't reply as Izana smiled in amusement. "I thought that my little brothers life falling apart was entertaining but this… this is something you would read in those fairy tales."
Elizabeth waited and allowed Izana to continue speaking, pushing her brunette head of hair behind her. "For a while, I figured it would be okay. His lover before you had proven herself to be quite excellent- especially for a commoner." Izana dabbed his lips with a napkin and cleared his throat. "So I thought that seeing as you hold some royalty in your blood, it would be much better for Zen. Didn't think I'd be wrong."
Elizabeth, after everything, still had the audacity to reply to Izana, "I'll be the best he's ever had."
Izana snorts at this statement and begins to rise. Maids immediately rush over to clear his plate and dirtied utensils. But he keeps the glass of water in his hand and studies it. "This water looks clean, doesn't it?" He holds it up to let her observe. "Doesn't look silvery or anything, does it?"
Elizabeth can only stare into those deep indigo eyes, unable to escape his lock. The words he just uttered- she didn't know whether he was messing with her or he's just that smart. Izana smiles cunningly before taking a sip and putting the glass down, "let's not risk it much." He begins to walk towards the corridor, bidding the girl a good night before leaving her alone with her thoughts and her plate of food.
Does Izana know? The girl was overflowing with paranoia as she puts her utensils down. The pit in her stomach squirmed and brought about nausea. Elizabeth knew she was in the worst possible situation now, with suspicion that Izana has completely figured her out. But, she heard final words from Izana in the corridor, "remember to take the ring off!" A chuckle came after his call before he officially disappeared from the dining area.
Elizabeth could only be left with her thoughts, as she pulls the ring off of her finger and throws it aimlessly, listening to it bounce out of view.
Mitsuhide and Kiki didn't know what to do as they followed their Prince up the stairs to his quarters. When he left the dining room, Zen requested for them to stay with him for the night. So the two aides picked up their bedtime requirements from their quarters before following the Prince to his bedroom. They entered, completely silent as Kiki walks towards the couch in order to start a makeshift bed, but Zen was quick to stop her.
"You take my bed tonight, Kiki," Zen hums quietly, "a lady shouldn't sleep in discomfort."
Although Kiki wanted to deny his offer, she couldn't help but noticing how off the boy had been. It's been a long while since she has seen the boy this distraught. She's heard that his ultimate low had been when his father, Kain Wistaria, died when he was still quite young. But those azure blue eyes dimmed, his cheeks deflated and his movements forced, like he couldn't feel his body.
She noticed that he had been fidgeting with something in his hand, but it was unclear what it was. But it was clear that Zen wasn't doing well. So, she accepted his offer and proceeded to move her things onto the bed. In turn though, she began to take his pillows and blankets and prepared his bed on the couch. Zen appreciated the gesture.
Mitsuhide already had his bed prepared. In the closet, whenever he and Zen would have sleepovers when he was younger, would sit a small mattress. It always had new sheets swallowing it weekly, just in case Mitsuhide would have to stay with him. It's been a while since they've done this, but the aide will never deny a sleepover with Zen. He was curious for the call of it, though. Especially when he asked for Kiki to join as well.
"Was dinner okay?" Mitsuhide asks quietly, pulling out the silk-sheeted mattress. He shoots glances at him while aligning the mattress with Zen's temporary new bed. He always sleeps by him, after all. "Did you eat?" He shook his head dismissively. Mitsuhide raised a brow, "why not?"
Zen didn't respond. The two aides watch as he walked over to this bedside drawer and fished out a small key. Using that key, he unlocks the secret drawer that nobody else but he would know. Kiki widens his eyes to see him reveal a green translucent bottle from it. It wasn't small, but also not particularly large, both in height and widge. "This," Zen announces, "is a bottle of bourbon."
"Go figure," Kiki studies the Prince carefully. "And what intentions do you have with that bourbon?"
"We're going to drink it," Zen hums, tossing the bottle to Mitsuhide. His aide just barely catches it as Zen takes out three glasses from another drawer. "I'm in need for some emotional remedy."
"And why's that?" Mitsuhide questions as he begins to open the bottle. Kiki was quick to badger him for it.
"Why are you opening the bottle?" She hisses. "He shouldn't be drinking in order to 'relieve his sadness.'"
"Kiki," Mitsuhide soothed his clearly agitated lover. His brown eyes softened, pleading for her to just work with him. He understands Zen the best, and this isn't the first time that he has behaved this way. Kiki knows how long they've known each other, and how many emotional breakdowns this boy has had. As reluctant as she was, she didn't say another word and looked away.
"Kiki." Zen walks over to Kiki and offers her to the glass, in which she looks over and takes it. But with it, he drops something in her cup that causes a few 'clinking' noises before it rolled flat. Kiki brings the glass closer to her eyes to reveal a ring had been dropped into her cup.
She frowns, "Zen, isn't this your-"
"My engagement ring?" Zen gives Mitsuhide his glass. "Yes." Mitsuhide glances at it before pouring some bourbon into the Prince's cup. He was quick to force it down his throat as Mitsuhide walks over to Kiki to fill up her cup. During his stride, he had been filling up his own cup as well. Kiki slid the ring out and let it fall into her available palm.
"Why is it off?" Kiki asked, but she already could guess the answer.
"Because." Zen finishes the last sip of his cup. "I'm no longer getting married." Mitsuhide looks astonished, stealing glances at the man as he steadily poured Kiki's drink. Zen beckons him to poor him another, but Mitsuhide had questions at his throat after what he just announced.
"The wedding is off?" Mitsuhide asks, pouring him another glassful. "Why? What happened?" Zen delays answering as he brings them together for a cheers. They clink their glasses together before downing their cups of bourbon. The alcohol isn't enough to get him drink when shared with more than one person, but it's doing the job of helping Zen stay somewhat numb.
"My mother finally realized what a disgrace the Princess is," Zen says lowly, the bourbon heating up his throat. "Which reminds me- Kiki, can you send extra guards to stay around her? Who knows what that girls willing to do after this news." Kiki listens and rushes out of the room to alert the guards.
As she does, Mitsuhide pours the two yet another drink and forces it down with slight grimace. "So Miss Haruto retracted the wedding?" Zen nods. "Because she was absent to her arrival?" Zen nods once again. "The Queen is a funny one, I'll give her that."
"To think her absence was enough to prove how much she didn't deserve to be the Princess of Clarines," Zen began, shaking his head while spewing his words. It's still shocking to him, he couldn't even begin to fathom. He was free, sure, but the damage has already been done and it's unfortunately irreversible. "And I'm more than happy about it but now… I'm left with nothing."
Mitsuhide understood these words as Kiki came in to hear them. She connected the dots already, but still wanted to see Zen express his feelings about the situation. She imagines it's difficult, considering he's downing drinks like they're shots of water. "That's not true- you're still the Prince of a wonderful kingdom with friends who will stay behind you."
"And I will always be grateful for that, but look at this," Zen begins, his arms wide to gesture the castle. "I live in the most luxurious kingdom, with maids and butlers who will attend to every single one of my needs. They will cook my favorite foods, clean my clothes, and address me by my title every time they see me."
He finishes his cup of bourbon, "I have wealth that commoners would die for even a pinch of it. Princesses from all over want to be married to me, Princes envy me for my well done work in being a leader for my Kingdom." He slaps his hand against his chest, "people have every damn reason to look up to me and respect me and claim that I deserve every single thing I have."
Zen looks down and studies his now-empty cup, suddenly forgetting that he wasn't alone in the room. "But I don't have anything. All these materialistic minds around me will never understand how little value I and my possessions hold…" Zen quiets down, circling the glass in his hand. The hand which no longer held a wedding band. "I lost the only woman that made me the richest man alive, and for that, I don't want anything else."
He grips the cup a little tighter, tears beginning to develop in his eyes. "All this time, I had been exchanging empty kisses and hugs with a woman I despise," Zen points out, "while Shirayuki had been exchanging these things, filled with love and happiness, with someone else… someone who was loving her at the same time I was."
"And the crazier part about it," Zen's voice goes a little higher, "is that he didn't even dare act on it. Obi went ahead and suffered in taking care of the woman that both he and I love, and I decided to be a monster and arrest the man out of spite." Zen admitted to himself that he was tipsy, but his rant was far from an end. All Mitsuhide and Kiki could do was watch and listen.
"At this point, he deserves her," Zen admits woefully, his bottom lip quivering a bit. "I've become the person I swore I'd never be, and there's no going back to fix it. And all this…" he looks around at all the luxuries that was his bedroom. It brought agitance, enough for him to aggressively throw the glass to the floor. Mitsuhide flinches at the cracking of the glass, while Kiki simply narrowed her eyes at all the broken pieces.
"All this will never make up for it," Zen whispers. Tears finally fall, rolling down his heated cheeks as he looks down in defeat. "I would give everything just to have her back… this damned position, this castle, my money- I wouldn't even think twice."
Mitsuhide passes Kiki the bottle of bourbon, which became lighter in such a short time but still had some remaining. He passes his glass, too, as he approached Zen and wearily brings his hands to his shoulders. Zen could only stand, tears escaping his eyes with his drunken state providing more throbbing to his heart. "Zen…" Mitsuhide quickly pulls him into his arms and holds him in a tight embrace. "It's going to be okay…"
Deja vu, Zen thinks. He rests his head against his aides shoulder, closing his eyes while allowing his tears to continuously seep from them. His head was starting to throb from a headache ensuing, but he couldn't handle it. The sadness needed to be let out, and he doesn't have much of a choice about it. "I'm never getting her back…"
Kiki rises as well, putting all the glass objects on one of his little tables before walking up and giving the two men a look. Zen allowed his eyes to open slightly to notice a surprising sight; Kiki was crying. She still kept her stern look on her face, but one couldn't deny the shiny streams connecting her eyes and her jawline. It hurt, watching her close friend hurt. Zen wasn't one too keen on showing his emotions, but the trust between those three couldn't be compared. As much as she understands why Zen feels the way he does, she also understands the reality of things.
She could not wish for Shirayuki to have changed her mind and get back with Zen because Kiki loves Shirayuki as much as she does Zen. The girl is happy with where she's at in life and who she's with as of currently. It's out of her control of the girls reaction when everyone finds out that the wedding is off, but Kiki solely wishes for Zen to find his own way towards happiness. And if it must be, it will be without Shirayuki.
"You may not get her back as a romantic partner again," Kiki starts quietly, crossing her arms in front of her chest. But she soon cracks a sympathetic, curt smile and shrugs. "But I think this is a good opportunity to reach out to her- as friends."
Mitsuhide agrees with the idea as Zen could only shut his eyes and nod.