Shackles of Ends

No one expects it, but it always comes. THE END. The two words loom dreadfully over everything, like the life that will eventually end, the relationship that will enventaully fade, the bout of good luck that will eventually disappear to allow her sister Lady Bad Luck to enter...

And guess what? There are shackles in ends too. Because sometimes it's just so hard to actually end something. Or maybe one party refuses to end the thing, or maybe you're just a L'Arachel reincarnated, and you have unlimited luck.

Who knows?

There was an instant silence, so deadly quiet that even if a ribbon fell on the floor, you could hear the rustling of the silk.

The four individuals in the room all stared at her incredulously.

"That's lovely, Marisa," Queen Ismaire cried in delight. "I knew you were a sensible daughter-in-law!"

"What?" Lord Fulrer's tone suggested triumph, but also surprise at the ease of his victory. He appeared to have expected more of a fight. He sank back onto the couch in disbelief, still contemplating what to make out of her answer.

Helen stiffened, but remained smiling nevertheless. Marisa thought that she looked more like a glazed statue rather than a human being.

"What!" Joshua exclaimed. He looked furious, disappointed and anguished.

Queen Ismaire clasped her hands together in joy, seemingly oblivious to Joshua's response. "Thank you so much, Marisa. I always knew that as Joshua's wife, you always placed his interests first and foremost in your heart. Today, I am truly gratified towards you for allowing this blissful union between my son and Lady Helen." She reached forward and grasped the smooth, white elegant hands of the prospective concubine of her son. "Helen, I, as the Queen of Jehanna, cordially invite you to join our Jehannan family. No, I beseech you, to join our Jehannan royalty. I promise that Joshua and I will offer you the best of whatever we have in the palace."

"Mother!" Joshua interrupted, but was ignored by Queen Ismaire.

"Now, for such a talented, charming and outstanding daughter-in-law, as a mother I assuredly will pay the due bride price, or dowry as they call it, never you fear, Lord Fulrer," she continued.

"I am gratified," Lord Fulrer bowed. "I am unworthy of accepting your highness' gifts and extravagant luxuries."

"Mother!" Joshua glared, hoping to interrupt but to no avail.

"Now, I suppose this marriage will definitely strengthen the bilateral ties of Jehanna and Carcino, will it not?" Queen Ismaire smiled merrily. "Oh, you need more soldiers and mercenaries? Rest assured, Lord Fulrer, that now we are kin Jehanna will do all that we can to aid Carcino in times of distress, never you fear. I suppose another contingent of swordmasters should be enough? Yes? You are willing to offer a thousand crates of swords for one contingent? Why, that is wonderful. We, Jehannans have been exceptionally partial towards swords since the time of our forefathers and the armouries are continually in shortage of swords. Yes, yes, indeed. With you as our trading partners-Oh, we even get a family discount? Why, that is more than wonderful, that is terrific. I look forward to working with you, Lorrd Fulrer, your terms are certainly very attractive."

But…Carcino's Senate does not allow for the negotiation of prices for the country…doesn't it run as a mercantile state? That would mean that the arms dealing and trading would be under Rennac's father. This man is in charge of architecture and infrastructure, which is nowhere near commerce. So why is this man here to talk about trade? Something smells…fishy…

"Mother, I-" Joshua tried again.

"Well then, now that we have the finance sorted out, why not let us discuss the date of the marriage, shall we? I propose that the couple be married as soon as possible. After all, your daughter is certainly very beautiful and we cannot waste time dallying her youth away by pushing back the wedding dates and whatnot. How about-"

"I refuse." The voice was so cold it was bordering icy. She shivered unintentionally.

Joshua was a serious look on his face, and his muscles were tense.

"Joshua!" Queen Ismaire turned to him and scolded, frowning. "Even Marisa has agreed, what else is the matter?"

"Your highness," Lord Fulrer addressed smoothly. "You look extremely tense. Perhaps you would need a massage. My daughter here has been trained well in the arts of serving one's husband. Helen…"

Like an obedient puppy, Helen rose soundlessly and drifted across the room. "Would you like me to relieve some of your stress, Prince Joshua?"

The voice, which a minute ago had been sweet and innocent, had turned sultry. It sent shivers up and down her spine. Surely Joshua will be unable to resist…she thought in disgust. So that's what my future companion will be like…a dog on a leash subservient to her father and to Joshua…

Joshua shifted himself away from her hands. "I apologise," he said coldly. "But I would not like a massage. If I really want one, I have a wife who will be able to give it to me."

"Joshua!" Queen Ismaire cried in exasperation. "What is wrong with you today, Joshua? These are our guests!"

"Guests or not," Joshua replied sharply. His arms circled protectively around Marisa's waist. "I would not allow them to degrade Marisa."

"I suppose your highness misunderstands our intentions," Lord Fulrer said smoothly. "We aim to degrade no one. Having my daughter as a concubine is not at all degrading to your highness, or Princess Marisa. They could co-exist as princess and concubine happily."

No…we will not co-exist happily. We will likely live in complete isolation from each other because I won't be able to stand her ways.

"The issue of taking two wives in itself is degradation to both your daughter and my wife," Joshua retorted seriously. "I apologise, Lord Fulrer. Sorry Mother, but I cannot accept this arrangement."

He is…defending me? Oh wait, he is defending the entirety of women. Yes, that makes more sense.

"Joshua, why can't you see the benefits of this situation?" Queen Ismaire pleaded. "It would aid Jehanna and Carcino, and it would be the most binding bilateral tie. No one asked you to be in love with Helen now. Love can be cultivated through interaction! There is nothing degrading about this to Marisa; even she already agreed to this plan, yet you still disagree?" She pursed her lips.

Ah…she's going to say it. Finally, she's going to say it.

"Maybe it would aid you in begetting a royal heir as well, Joshua," Queen Ismaire said finally. "It had been a year, and I am tired of waiting, Joshua. War is imminent. Grado will not wait for you to produce an heir before attacking. We cannot afford to wait."

And this is when he comes come about his numerous affairs, tells his Mother about Natasha and Henry…and they have a huge family reunion, change the prospective concubine's identity and they all live happily ever after in the palace as a complete family.

Joshua was breathing heavily.

Lord Fulrer shifted uncomfortably in his seat. "Your highness, perhaps you think my daughter is not beautiful enough for you? But rest assured, she has been flirting with the idea of being your wife since she saw you at the Frelian Ball five years ago. Rest assured-"

"Pay us the courtesy of shutting up, Lord Fulrer," Joshua drawled icily.

Lord Fulrer looked outraged, but shut up.

Oh…but Joshua is pretty suave when he wants to be…too bad I don't love him…

"Mother," he said severely, enunciating each word to its fullest. "Whether I have a child or not with Marisa, it is none of anyone else's business. I fully intend to survive the war with Grado intact, and knowing that Marisa is waiting for me will encourage me to live on and fight for my country. So rest assured, Mother, if I leave for battle, you have not seen the last of me. But I refuse to take another wife. My wife will only be Marisa and only Marisa. I will not accept any other individual as my spouse." He cast a scornful glance at Lord Fulrer. "Even if they are noble or anything." He looked back at his mother. "If you force me to the wedding, Mother, forgive me for my imprudence, but you will find the wedding without a groom."

"Why you-" Lord Fulrer exclaimed, but was waved into silence by Queen Ismaire.

The Queen was silent for a long time. "Joshua…" she sighed. "You are my son; I only wish the best for you, from a mother's heart…Are you certain?"

"I have never been more certain in my life, Mother," he replied confidently and swiftly, without a single hesitation.

"Very certain?" The Queen pressed.

"Very certain."

What just happened?

"Well then," Queen Ismaire turned to Lord Fulrer and his daughter. "I apologise, Lord Fulrer, but apparently my son has a fond attachment to his wife and refuses to take another spouse out of his ardent love for her. So, I am afraid I would have to reject this betrothal. Good day, Lord Fulrer. Good day, Helen."

Considering the discussion to be over, she emptied her cup gracefully and stood up, completely unruffled.

Lord Fulrer watched the queen's retreating back with a mixture of shock, fury and detest. His face turned a shade of mottled purple as he bard his teeth in rage. With one sweep of his hand, he swept all the teacups onto the floor.

Well well…the mask is off…

"You!" Lord Fulrer pointed a finger at her face, fists clenched.

Me?

"You whore! You common whore!" He spat acrimoniously. "You are the reason why my plan failed! You! Some common street loose woman rescued because you bewitched the prince!"

How dare he? Her hand went to her shamshir. If he were not the senator of Carcino, he would be little than a bloody mashed pile of pulp on the ground right now for insulting her.

She need not have fretted, for Joshua's sword was unsheathed and pointing at Lord Fulrer's throat.

"I do not tolerate abuse of any form thrown at my wife in my or her vicinity or on the palace grounds," he threatened coldly. "Leave, Lord Fulrer, you are no longer welcomed here in my abode."

Lord Fulrer glared at Joshua, at her and at the sword pointing to the hollow of his throat. He knew that if he made any slight protest, Joshua would fulfill his threat of driving the sword into its targeted area. Slowly, he inched towards the door. "Good day, your highnesses," he spat bitterly as he exited. "You'll pay for what you did today."

Helen trailed behind her father, like a ghost following its master.

With a heavy slam of the door, they were gone.

Marisa sat calmly in the middle discordant mess of what had once been the furnishings of their bedroom, legs crossed as she perched on the oaken chair, polishing her shamshir as though there was nothing wrong.

Joshua swung his sword, and the blade struck a vase. Promptly, the vase was swept off its prominent place on the marble podium and fell to the ground, shattering into a thousand shards.

Not stopping to assess the damage, he turned around and slashed his sword through a pillow, slicing the poor pillowcase into two. A shower of white down rained on their heads and onto the carpet. Carelessly, he threw the torn pillowcase to join the pile of wreckage on the floor, perusing through what remained of the room for a new target.

There was more discordant cacophony: sounds of porcelain breaking, the noises of silk ripping apart, the rustling of feathers, the crunch of glass shards as Joshua stepped on them, the tearing of books, the clang of metal ornaments as they hit the ground, definitely ending their existence as an ornament.

Finally, he stood before her, sword in hand, bunch of drooping flowers in the other.

She raised her head expectantly.

"These were not here in the morning," he said matter-of-factly. There was a barely noticeable strain in his voice. "Yet, I find them here when I come in the afternoon. Where did they come from?"

It was the lilies.

Damn.

"Good question." She feigned ignorance as she gave him her standard I-don't-care look. "I don't know how it got here either. Why don't you ask Belle? Maybe she placed them here to refresh the room."

He did not budge. "Marisa, don't lie to me," he said flatly. "These are the lilies of Rausten, only grown in the Rausten Imperial Gardens, why would they be here if not someone came from Rausten and brought them with him?"

"Ridiculous," she said hollowly. "Anyone could have brought them here and placed them in the vase you just smashed."

"I didn't smash that vase," he retorted smoothly. "It was smashed even when we just came in. I didn't even touch that mess until I saw these lilies. Who is it?"

"I have no idea what you are saying," she replied coldly. "Perhaps you went to visit L'Arachel and brought it back by mistake or something. Maybe someone sneaked in while I was sleeping and left it here."

"Or maybe someone came to visit you, came inside, gave you the lilies and stayed for a while in this place with his legs on the table!" He concluded his statement with a lean cleave onto the table. The sheer force of his fury smashed the table into two portions. "Is that person's name Rennac, Marisa?"

"How would I know?" She remained nonchalant. "You're making wild guesses, Joshua, without evidence to support your hypothesis."

He walked over to the window in two large strides. "Look, in the mud, you can clearly see a line of footsteps leading to the window," he said. "On the windowsill, there is a muddy footprint, which I deduce is the mysterious stranger. There is mud from the garden all over this carpet, and there is mud on the table." He grimaced. "His scent is all over this place, Marisa. His scent was all over you when you came into the Hall of Serenity."

"Are you insinuating that I am having an affair with Rennac?" She snapped. She was tired from his outbursts. First, he trashed the room, then he played juvenile detective and after all that hullabaloo he accused her of having an affair?

Bastard.

"That's exactly what I'm hoping to find out," he said coldly.

"Would it make you feel better if I said that I was?" she snapped angrily. He's probably going to slam the door and go and find his Natasha. Just as well, I can finally have some peace and quiet. "Since I am already having an affair, you might as well call Lord Fulrer and his daughter back and agree to marry Helen. Maybe you'll find someone who you can engage in illicit activities behind my back as well. Or do you already have someone?"

She expected him to yell at her, get mad at her and storm out of the room. She predicted a look of pure rage or outrage on his face. She believed that he would definitely leave in his anger.

But never would she ever to see his heartbroken face.

"Marisa…" He looked more than shocked, he looked thunder-struck. He looked more than sad, he looked miserable. There was not a sign of anger in his voice or expression, only a deep regret and an entrenched sorrow that seemed to have emerged from the fountain of all emotions, his heart.

What…is wrong with him?

Very slowly, he moved his right foot and shifted forward by a step. After a long pause, he lifted his left foot and inched forward towards her a little more. There was a wild look in eyes that bordered on desperation and misery.

Staggering, he moved till he was standing right in front of her, before he collapsed onto his knees.

Shocked, she dropped to her knees as well. Is he unwell? He's acting in such a bizarre manner…almost as though he is ill…Is he running a fever? She placed her hand on his forehead.

It was warm, but not burning. He was not delirious from fever.

Is he poisoned? There could be no other explanation for his bizarre behaviour besides the possibility that he was poisoned or sick with some mysterious ailment.

He grabbed her hand and cradled it tightly in his hands, clasping it above his heart. "Marisa…" he sighed. "Marisa…Why…" He brushed her hand with his lips lightly and tenderly. "Why…why must you do this to me…"

He IS delirious. A sense of fear crept into her heart. She suddenly felt very vulnerable, in the middle of a destroyed room (that looked a hurricane just tore through it) with her crazed husband. My shamshir! It's in the outer sitting room!

She rose to retrieve it, to protect herself just in case of emergency.

As though he saw through her intent, he clutched to her hands despairingly, clutching to her like a drowning man to a tree branch. "No…don't go…please…" he begged, pulling her down until she was kneeling down on the carpet with him. Closing his eyes, he frowned and rested his head against her chest.

That was…what I used to do…at night…A sense of nostalgia attacked her, flooding her with memories of warm comfortable nights snuggled against him, until that eventful day shattered everything she had. She closed her eyes.

"Please…Marisa…" He pleaded desperately, his arms around her waist in an iron grip. "Why don't you understand…why don't you try and respond…why don't you ever give me a chance…"

Reluctantly, she placed her arms around him and hugged him to her chest. He was delirious; he didn't know what he was rambling. She was enveloped by his scent once again, the same musky scent that she had fallen in love with…The tears stung in her eyes…

Everything…was so familiar…

But nothing would change…because he made his choice already…

A cold tear slid down her cheek.

She had once vowed not shed another tear him, but today, she broke her promise.

His calloused hands caressed her face gently, causing her to open her eyes and look at him. She could see the depth of emotions in his gaze, the searing pain in his heart and his disorientation at the recent happenings…and more…

There were pent-up emotions…the darkness of his eyes promised her more than she was comfortable with.

"Joshua…no…" she began, frightened by the intensity of his gaze and his complex array of feelings. She tried inching backwards, but was restrained by his arms around her waist and fell flat on her back on the carpet. "Joshua…"

"Marisa…please…" He silenced her with his feverish kissing.

There was no more room for discussion or protest.

For once, she obliged him.

She lay beside him, adjusting her sash uncertainly. The bed was still covered with feathers from his previous burst of anger.

Why did he do that? Why does he want me when he has so many girls at his pick? What's wrong with him?

She almost hated him a little. The tears threatened to overflow once again.

She listened to his deep breathing against the back of her neck.

I don't want to think about this…I don't want to make the same mistake twice…I can't afford to make the same mistake twice…I'm not that much of a fool…what's his damned problem…why must he demand everything I have…I'm not in love with him anymore! Never!

"You lied about the affair with Rennac," he said soothingly. He seemed to be back to normal. His breath tickled her neck; she refrained from squirming. "You never had any affair with anyone to begin with. Why did you lie?"

"…" Personally, she had no idea. Because she hated him and wanted revenge? To annoy him? To bruise his ego? What was her reason?

I don't know…

"I don't know," she confessed truthfully, a tinge of bitterness in her voice. "Stop asking me." She hated him. How would she ever face Saleh now that she had given Joshua everything she had? How would she ever lift her head again knowing that he would abandon her once he became king?

"We need to talk, Marisa," he placed a hand on waist.

She inched roughly beyond his reach, blowing at the feathers glumly. "We don't. Don't touch me."

Please, don't touch me anymore.

"I…" he hesitated. "I'm sorry. I just lost control for one moment. I didn't know what I was doing. I think I lost it when you told me about you and Rennac." He sounded regretful.

"It's too late." She bit on her lip, trying to stop her tears from flowing.

"For what?" She couldn't see his face, but she could hear the fear in his voice.

"For everything." That was the truth. It was too late for anything. Their relationship ended here, in tears and regret.

From the beginning, it had been doomed to fail.

They didn't know anything about each other at the start and where married because of a gambling bet.

They each had their love interests, duties and other responsibilities.

They saw the world differently.

They had little in common.

He had a kid behind her back.

She saw her male friends almost everyday behind his back.

Both of them ended up just wounding each other more and more as they continued their escape in the opposite directions.

And thus, here it should end.

"Is there really no way for salvation?" he whispered.

"No," she replied without hesitation. Even if he wasn't hurt, she had been so deeply scarred mentally and physically that she was exhausted. She needed a break from all this. She just wanted to live her remaining days as princess peacefully, without any chaos, any drama, and scheming.

The tear that just flowed down her cheek would put the full stop on their relationship.

Author's Note:

I'm mean, but not so evil to make Joshua marry another wife. Heck, as long as Marisa is still his legally wed wife he will have no other wife *puts foot down*

Tired ~ snowylavendermist