A/N: Finally, the last chapter is here. So, good. I am feeling so happy. But before that, I want to thank you for reading, favorite, follow and review. You may not know this, but it did really help motivate me into writing. So that's why I manage to write this for you guys! Thanks and Enjoy!
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Chapter 7
All's Well That Ends Well
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Last night was like a dream for the young man. He sighed into his pillow and smiled. It was so amazing. He had managed to perfectly skate the routine: Eros and what most important was he had found Vicchan! They talked and even danced - skated - together. Talking about skating, Yuuri jumped from his old bed - the bed making a creaking noise - and looked below it. He reached one hand to pull a half of a pair of skates. In his haste to escape from the castle, he had lost one of his skates. He sighed as he cradled the skate to his chest.
"Vicchan..." he whispered longingly.
He had been so scared of the prospective that his stepmother would find out about him going to the Prince's Birthday Ball, that he did not think that he would be saved if he had stayed with Vicchan that night. But, thinking about spending an entire night with handsome, beautiful, matured Vicchan was enough to make Yuuri's entire face blossom red like a tomato. He dropped the skate on the bed as he cupped his warm cheeks.
He shook his head.
How embarrassing! How could he think about that?
Him and Vicchan alone, together.
He had gone redder every passed seconds just thinking of that warm body and his broad chest. He put a hand on his chest, feeling the organ below his ribcage beating like crazy at the thought of platinum locks and icy blue orbs. "Ah..." he sighed, closing his eyes to calm down his heart.
"Yuurella!"
He jumped in surprise when the door of his bedroom forced open by none other than his stepmother.
"M-Mother?"
He stuttered in fear when he saw the woman's eyes fell on his bed where his skate was. Gasping, he quickly took the skate and tried to hide it from Lilia's narrowed eyes. But, it was too late. Lilia had saw the skate and she was walking to his bed with hatred on her face and her voice.
"What is that skate doing here, Yuuri?"
Her voice was menacing and Yuuri found himself sweating and shaking in fear. "I-It is my old skate, mother."
"Oh, really?" Suddenly, her voice was deceivingly sweet.
Alarm raised in his mind.
"Since, it is an old skate... I should help you throw it out." She quickly grabbed the skate from the boy's hands and held it high.
"No!" He tried to get back the skate but his stepmother had backhanded him, causing Yuuri to fall on the floor from the impact.
Lilia smirked down at him and shook her finger. "It is bad to lie, Yuuri." Her eyes glinted evilly. "Since you have been a bad boy, I would have to destroy this old skate of yours and you are not allow to go out of this room for a day."
Click.
The sound of the door being lock sounded too loud in the dazed boy's ears. When he had came to himself, he quickly ran towards the door and tried to open it only to fail. He banged on the wooden door desperately as he cried for his stepmother.
"Mother, please open this door!"
He banged it again.
"Mother! Please give me back my skate!"
Another bang.
"Mother! I beg you! Please open the door!"
No matter how much he plead and cried, the door would not open. Exhausted from the constant shouting, the dark haired orphan slid down the door and sat on the floor. Tears flowed down his smooth cheeks as he sobbed quietly. Why? Why this always happened to him? Why did his stepmother hate him so much? He never wrong her or anyone and he always tried his best to please her. So, why would she always treat him badly? Crying, the young man pulled both his legs, until his knees touched his chest. He rested his forehead on his knees as he wrapped his arms around his legs.
'Please god, just this once I ask of you to give me happiness...'
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"Next person!"
It was a huge middle-aged lady with red lips and red painted nails, looking at the plump lady, Prince Victor gave a dazzling smile causing the lady to swoon as he gestured for her to try the skate. Inwardly, he cringed when she tried to force the small skate into her huge feet. After struggling for a few minutes, he shook his head and raised an eyebrow towards Otabek.
"Thank you for trying the skate. Unfortunately, the future Prince Consort is not among these people."
After saying that, they excused themselves and went to the carriage. There were five soldiers following them from behind. Prince Victor huffed and scoffed indignantly as he glared out of the window. He had wanted only a male with brown orbs to try the skate but no, everyone even the married or old or widow male and female trying to fit their feet into the skate. He sighed. If this was what it would be, it would take him forever to find his adorable bride. His bride. It sounded good to his ears. Imagination ran wild, the icy blue eyed Prince almost giggling when he imagined his Yuuri in a white wedding dress. Ah... that would suit him perfectly!
"Your Highness!"
He jumped in his seat in surprise as he looked at his attendant and messenger. Both males looked at him like he had lost his mind. He cleared his throat and smiled. "What is it, Yakov?"
"There are only two households left after this. Are Your Highness sure you will find this young man?"
Hearing that made his platinum brows furrowed together. Only two households? It could not be? What if Yuuri was not from these two houses? Where he could find him? He shook his head. No way he would give up here. He should just go through the last houses and if Yuuri was not in either of them, then that would be a different story.
He smiled ruefully at the old man and Otabek. "Just go on with the plan." He said and kept quiet the rest of the way.
Not long after, they had arrived in front of a house built shop. The carriage stopped and Otabek stepped down first before Yakov and finally, the Prince. The five soldiers waited behind them patiently. Otabek knocked on the wooden door, waiting for the owner.
"Coming!" The door was opened and a young male in his teen years peered up at the guests. His dark eyes widened as he saw the guests. "Your Majesty!" He exclaimed and quickly knelled down.
"Raise young man." The Prince said, smiling.
"The Prince has came here to invite any male with brown eyes to try this skate." Otabek said and Yakov came forward to present the lone skate.
The young man raised his head and looked at the skate before his eyes widened in recognisation. "I know whose that skate belongs to." He said and grinned. "Your Highness, it is me, Phichit Chulanont from last night banquet. This belongs to my friend, Yuuri."
Icy blue orbs widened as he heard those words. He looked at the young man and realized because of his hair style, he almost did not recognise the Chulanont. Finally, someone who knew of his little angel. He came forward and held the younger man's hands into his. "Do you know where I can find him?" He asked, voice full with hope and anticipation.
Phichit nodded his head. "I can show Your Highness the way to Yuuri's house."
Nodding his head repeatedly - which earned him a scold from Yakov for acting so unlike a royalty - he grabbed the boy's hand and ushered him to the carriage.
"W-Wait, Your Highness!"
But, Victor did not wait for him. He pulled the man into the carriage and demanded both Yakov and Otabek to hurry. They sat in the carriage as Phichit gave the instruction to the coachman and the soldiers rode the stallions two each sides of the carriage and one at the back, guarding.
"So, how did know Yuuri?" Victor asked. Inwardly, he still felt the jealousy from last night event. This man was close to his Yuuri.
Chuckling, the younger male's eyes twinkled with mirth. He had seen the green monster in the Prince's expression. "Ah, I do apologize Your Majesty. I do find it is unnecessary for you to get jealous." He paused and nodded apologetic. "I am merely his childhood friend. I do not harbour feelings for your future bride. Correct me if I am wrong."
"Ah... you caught me, ." Prince Victor laughed. "Then, I do apologize for thinking that you are going to take my bride away. That is stupid of me."
"Your Highness! Your words!"
"But, Yakov..."
"No."
"Fine." Victor sighed and ran his fingers through his platinum tresses. He pouted and glared outside before he heard a chuckle in front of him.
"I apologize Your Majesty but I am glad you are like us normal citizens," Phichit smiled and leaned back on the leather seat. "This way, I can be sure that my friend will be in good hands. Can you promise that, Your Majesty?"
The carriage was silent except for the noises of horses' steps. The mentioned person looked into dark eyes before he nodded his head and smiled. "I promise. I will protect Yuuri with my whole life. I will not let anything hurt him, not even myself. If one day, I would be the cause of Yuuri's misery, I will kill myself."
"Thank you," Phichit let out a soft smile and sighed in relieve. He could trust the Prince and his words. Yuuri would be happy and no more tears would fall from his eyes. Well, maybe except from the tears of happiness.
It was already 7 in the evening when the carriage had came to stop.
The guards stopped and stayed at their places. Victor looked like he was about to jump out of the carriage but ceased when Yakov cleared his throat threateningly. He sighed and let the others out first. The Prince adjusted his royal uniform before he stepped out of the carriage. He blinked his eyes and looked around him. "Wow! This is onsen! Is that right, Yakov?" He smiled so widely as he glanced around the inn.
"Yes, Your Highness."
Phichit chuckled and nodded his head. "Yes, Yuuri's family own an inn." He said before his voice darkened. "But now, it is monopolized by his stepmother."
Before Phichit could continue or Victor could ask, one arrogant voice called out to them. "What is this carriage doing here?"
All of them looked at the blond haired teenager with a red haired girl. The two's eyes widened before they bowed. "Your Majesty! What an honour to have you in our humble house."
Phichit glared at the blond while Victor watched with mild interests. 'So, these two are Yuuri's family? But why he did not come with them?' He thought in confusion. If they were his angel's family why would Yuuri's friend act so hostile towards them?
"Yes and you two may raise. This skate," Prince Victor pointed to the skate in Yakov's hands, "belongs to the young man I danced with last night banquet. Therefore, I would like for all males with brown eyes to try this skate."
Mila perked up. "Oh, that beautiful dark haired young man." She paused. "I am not sure if my brother is allowed to try this skate since he did not go to the banquet but he does have brown eyes. Ah! His name is-!"
"Your Majesty! What brought you to our inn?"
Mila was interrupted before she could finish talking. She saw her mother glared at her from the doorstep. Yurio hissed at her and stood near his mother. Mila closed her mouth and frowned. These two always hated the late Katsuki's only son and Mila could never understand why. Yuuri was such a sweetheart and he was really nice and always soft spoken unlike her own brother. Though, she was guilty as well for not stopping them.
She was about to open her mouth only for her mother to smile at her.
"Mila dear, why not try the skate?" She said with hidden warning. "It may suit your foot."
The red haired girl shut her mouth and Victor quickly interrupted. "I only allow a dark hair young man with brown eyes to try this, Madam." He smiled at the older woman. "By any chance, is there any person who is went by the name, Yuuri, here?"
Yurio blanched while Mila was about to say something again when Lilia just smiled politely and shook her head. "I do apologise, Your Majesty. But, there is no one here who has dark hair and brown eyes by that name. Perhaps, you are mistaken." She clapped her hands and pulled her son. "I think you mean my son here. His name is Yuri too. Though, he does not have dark hair and brown eyes."
Prince Victor shook his head. "No. I am not mistaken. I am sure this person lives here," he looked at the dark skinned male behind him who looked like he wanted to commit a murder.
"Mr. Chulanont."
"Your Majesty, Yuuri Katsuki lives here. This is his late father's house, Toshiya Katsuki and this woman here is Yuuri's stepmother." Phichit spat heatedly.
"Oh my, I think you are mistaken young man."
"There is no way I mistaken, woman. I knew Yuuri since he is a toddler. Before late Katsuki married you."
Before Lilia could counter his words back, there was quite a ruckus from inside the inn.
Bang!
Bang!
Bang!
Phichit alarmed, quickly running inside the house ignoring the shouts and footsteps that were following him deep into the inn. He knew by heart where Yuuri's room was and not long before he arrived in front of the door.
Bang!
"Mother, please open the door!"
Bang!
"Please mother! I am sorry!"
"Yuuri get away from the door!" He shouted.
Phichit's face full with rage, before he could kick the door open, the Prince already did that. The tanned young man was surprised to see such an angry, rage, mad expression on the handsome man. But he also could seen the deep worry there for his best friend. He looked at the damaged door and saw as Prince Victor embraced his friend in a tight hold.
"Yuuri! My Yuuri! Are you okay?!"
"V-Vicchan...?"
Victor tightened his hold. "It is me, Yuuri." He could not understand how could someone be this cruel to his little angel. This young man was too kind and such an adorable sweetheart. How could his stepmother do that? His eyes hardened before he loosened his hold on the sobbing male and looked behind him at the guilty woman and her children.
"How dare you do such a terrible act? Hiding and locking a person inside his own house. And you two for being accomplices as well," his voice hardened and looked pointedly at the five soldiers. "Guards, seize them! Put them in a jail! I will determine their punishment later!"
"No! You are wrong Your Majesty! That boy is the servant here! He is nobody!" Lilia tried to plead as two guards seized her.
"Mother!" Both her children struggled against the guards, panic and fear eating at them.
"How dare you to lie to me?! How could you as his own mother do those things?!" His voice boomed when he heard Yuuri sobbed harder in his chest.
"Get them away, guards! I will deal with them later."
"Yes, Your Highness!"
The scream and shout from the three getting slow and slower. He cradled the younger man as he sighed in relief. He still could not understand what had happened. Yuuri. His Yuuri had suffered for years inside his own house and he did not know anything about it until now.
"Yuuri..." he said softly when he heard the sobs gradually stopped. "Are you okay?"
The young male pushed away from the broad chest and slowly he nodded his head.
"Look at me..." Victor demanded softly as he tilted the orphan's chin upward. What he saw breaking his heart. Yuuri's beautiful brown eyes behind the glasses were red and puffy, his nose red and his lips bleed, perhaps from the constant worry biting. The boy was paled, his soft black locks messy and he looked like he did not have an energy. He frowned. Did his stepmother not feed him?
"Have you eaten Yuuri?"
The boy shook his head.
"How long did she lock you in there?"
"..."
Victor growled low in his throat at the silent answer. It was evening now and judging by how Yuuri looked, the boy was locked inside his room since morning or last night - he was not sure - and did not give anything to eat. He felt like murdering people and the woman might just become his victim.
"Yuuri!"
The Prince looked at the dark skinned young man and he loosened his hold when Yuuri's eyes widened and he leaped into his friend's arms. He knew how deep these two relationship and he would never let his jealousy get the worst of him. He watched from the side as Phichit worried over his little angel.
He sighed.
"Your Highness..."
Victor looked behind him and gave a tight smile. "Yakov."
"It is late." The old attendant paused as he looked at the orphan, their future Prince Consort. "You should stay here for tonight. I will go back to the castle and bring some necessities. There will be guards coming with me and before Your Highness say anything, no, I will not tolerate. There will be guards come later and Otabek will stay here with you."
"Ah..then, I will stay here." He nodded his head as a silent thanks to the old man before Yakov went away with the carriage leaving them there.
Victor smiled as he looked at the heartfelt scene between the two friends. His smile widened when Yuuri looked at him lovingly and he opened his arms.
"Vicchan!"
He hugged the younger male to his chest and before Yuuri could say anything, he surprised him with a kiss which made the dark haired male widen his eyes. He ended the kiss and looked at those beautiful confused brown orbs.
"...Vicchan, why?"
"Do you I have to spell it Yuuri," he smiled and leaned forward until his mouth aligned with the other's ear. "It is because I love you."
"..."
"Yuuri?"
The shy boy reddened before he shyly pecked the Prince's lips, "I love you too."
From the side, the dark skinned male just watched his childhood friend finally found his happiness. He smiled warmly at the two lovers before he silently excused himself. He looked at the hiding and blushing Otabek and grinned. "Are you staying here, dear sir?" He laughed and shook his head. "I would not recommend you to stay here. Who knows what will happen?"
"Ah... I need to ensure the Prince and future Prince Consort's safety." Otabek answered, blushing slightly.
Phichit just waved his hand and said good luck to the stiffed man. He would just sleep at one of the guest rooms for tonight and made sure the room was at the far end of where these two lovers were. After all, he would not want to be a witness to Yuuri losing his innocence.
"All is well that ends well."
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The End
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A/N: So... what do you guys think? I think it is a bit dramatic *sweatdrops* but I personally like the end. Or should I write one more chap for the epilogue? Their wedding scene. Who wants the epilogue please drop a review or I just assume you guys are contented with the end same as me. Or I'm just too lazy to think of the wedding scene lol. For now, this fic will be marked as complete until I got enough requests to do an epilogue.
Current mood: Thinking of plot for my another YOI fic: Cage.