Twisted Cinderella Story
Once Upon Cinderella's Reprocussions


I laid on my side and more tears fell from my eyes.

"Dearie, you must calm down. You are in absolute distress right now."

I nodded. It was past midnight and I wasn't able to sleep. Not since this morning when I screamed at Jack and now the fairy from the necklace was talking to me.

He came back hours later, around nine, and lit candles before settling down with a book but never came to bed. Which gave me the impression that he fell asleep in his chair or he didn't want to come to bed purposely and slept somewhere else. "Are you listening to me?"

I nodded again and I tried to calm myself else she chew my ear off. "Martha, is something wrong?"

"What do you mean child?"

"You only come to me when something is wrong. What is it?"

"I was called out upon your distress, you upset yourself when you screamed at your husband earlier today. He hasn't spoken to you since then right?"

I shook my head. It was my fault. I had become jealous of Ashleigh for a moment and it had changed from envy to rage toward someone that had nothing to do with it, now I was the one hurting. "Please leave me," I whispered, "I can't deal with it. I need to think."

"Alright dearie, if you need me, just call me out."

The light blue glow disappeared and I shuddered. Why did I hurt so many people? I cried softly. This was crazy, I couldn't cope with what I felt missing. I pushed the blankets off and stepped into my slippers. I stepped across the room and Jack slept across the plush couch at the end of the bed, an arm under his head and a book on his chest. I smiled softly, and walked out of the door.

"Where are you going?" I looked at Bruno and I hadn't even realized my eyes teared again.

"I'm going to visit my father." I replied softly. "And don't follow me."

"It's close to one in the morning, it's too dangerous. Prince Jack will not have allowed this."

"If I find you had followed me Bruno," I sighed, "I'll have you exiled and sent to the Satellite. Do you understand me?" He seemed to be shocked with my comment and I closed my eyes. If this is how I had to be to get my way so be it.

He sighed, "I understand my princess."

I walked on down the dark corridor into the main hallway of the east wing. I followed the opposite pathway toward the north wing hoping the king was in his study. Sure enough as I reached the end of the hallway, a soft glow was eminating from the large doors and I knocked softly.

"Who is it?"

"It's...Yuui."

"Come in child." I pushed on the door and the king sat in his large chair looking at me in confusion. I closed the door and went to sit in the chair in front of his desk.

"Who came with you child?"

"No one." I shrugged lightly, pulling my knees to my chest.

"You came alone? Where is Bruno?"

"Back at my room where I asked him to stay. I told him that I would exiled him if he followed me."

"Well, where is Jack?"

"I don't care right now."

The king became silent and I swallowed before I started crying again. It was too much. "He came to see me earlier, he said you were upset and didn't want to see him so he left. I gave him quite a yelling for leaving you in such a state but I told him to go back once he thought you felt better. You look terrible though, have you slept at all?"

"I couldn't. I felt horrible about yelling at Jack this morning and when he's not there the nightmares come back. He hasn't said a word to me all day and that was okay, I deserved it but when he didn't come to bed, I was heartbroken. Am I really such a terrible person?"

"Oh no! That's not true and I don't ever want you to think that way again. Jack doesn't know what to do in situations like this so I'll have to tell him again because you didn't mean it when you said for him to leave you alone did you?"

"No! I would never, I was upset about a simple issue and I had taken it out on him. It was a mistake, I'm sorry." I cried into my nightdress.

"Don't apologize to me child." The king said. "Now tell me this thing you were so upset about."

"I was jealous."

"Jealous? Of whom?"

"It pains me, my king, the horrible fact that I am incapable of carrying children. You should hate me at the moment for not being able to produce an heir to carry on the throne. Because sometimes I forget and I hate myself again."

"Oh dear child," the king stood and made his way around the desk to me, "I have no ill feelings toward you for that. I could not have asked for a better match for my son. It matters not to me whether you can carry children because I still love you just the way you are." The soft sincerity in those words made my heart swell and I hugged him.

"Thank you."

"Oh you're welcome, now I want you to go back to your room and get some sleep. Jack loves you and that will never change, he knows and no matter what he'll never stop loving you. So don't ever forget that."

"I love him, so much. My heart aches when he's not with me."

"Then go on and return to his arms, and never forget." I nodded and hugged him tightly.

"Thank you father." He let me go and I went to open the door. It was dark and suddenly all of my adrenaline was replaced with apprehension. I waved shakily to the king and began my trek anywhere but to my room. I walked down the corridor and took a right to the west wing instead of a left to the east. I couldn't face Jack nor Bruno for all the horrible things I've said. I turned into a corridor and halfway down I realized this was the hall that my old guest room was. I staggered to the end of the hall and opened the door. Everything was as I left it, minus all my stuff being gone but luckily for me the bed was made. I pulled the covers back and settled on the pillows. I wonder if Jack would be looking for me.

Martha sat beside me in the bed claiming she couldn't leave me alone because my heart was in distress and it directly affected her as she was connected to me through my emotions. She muttered something and I focused on her. My mind was foggy from the lack of sleep because of bloody nightmares. "What?"

"Your heart will tear soon. You're giving yourself too much doubt and guilt and your heart is so pure all of the ill feelings you're creating is going to creating a deep dark scar that will allow all of the bad things inside of your soul. Then all of the bad people after you will have you to control."

"Pure heart?"

"Yes. Your heart isn't filled with bad emotions but good ones that keep your heart filled with pure light. That's why people are searching for you. They're after the light in your heart for a power that could shroud the world in darkness and destroy everything." I was more alert at this point listening intently. "There's just one person that is feared beyond the four kingdoms for he rules over the fifth kingdom where everything is darkness and shadows. He has agreed to leave each kingdom in peace under the condition that the first kingdom to find the person of pure heart and give this person to him, he would let that certain kingdom live."

"So this person is after me?"

"He is after your heart. He needs your heart to stay pure for his plan to work but in doing so he's trying to manipulate everything around you and drive you into his arms. He wanted to take your virginity so the effects of darkness would spread faster but since that is no longer possible, he's going to try anything now. You felt the strange pressure on your heart at the Old Domino Castle didn't you?"

I nodded. "It hurt."

"Your body was fighting the darkness that was threatening to take over. That person was trying to grasp a hold of your soul but you were led to your husband and his bond with you negated all darkness. He wasn't strong enough to capture you in time."

"What do you mean he wasn't strong enough?"

"A short while ago another person with a pure heart was captured by that person and darkness spread almost instantly. But the light in this person was so strong she waited before unleashing it on the darkness. That person was severely injured and the woman that defeated him also. She died in a flash of white and the world returned to normal. She was happy even though she left two very important people to her."

"Who was she?"

"Her name was Julinda Atlus, your lovely husband's mother."

"Jack's mother was the last pure heart?"

Martha nodded. "It was the reason I was given to her. Didn't your lovely husband tell you that I used to belong to his mother? You remind me so much of her. Long black hair, although her eyes were a vivid violet, the eyes she gave to her son, and a fiery additude, much like you."

I smiled before suddenly my stomach jerked painfully. I gasped and clutched the lower part of my abdomen.

"Are you alright child?"

"Yeah. I'm fine." I looked down at my bare, concaved stomach in surprise.

"Are you feeling sick?"

"No it felt like something moved really fast inside of me." It felt strange. I poked and prodded at my belly seeing if it would happen again but it didn't. I laid back down and pulled the covers over my shoulders. "It must be my imagination." I settled and turned away from Martha. I was too restless to even fall asleep but that was the least of my problems, Jack had me on a meal schedule so that I would get used to eating more sustainable portions of food and it had been awhile since I last ate so I was feeling the pain of hunger again.

"Dearie, you really should go back to your lovely husband. You'll be more protected that way."

I turned back to her, "how many people know that I'm what I am?"

"The entire world dear," she responded casually,"the pure hearts aren't gained but are known from birth. Your father kept you protected until the day he died. And even now after death. Your husband knows about you but he kept very many secrets from you so you could live a happy life with him. He truly has a deep love for you."

"Does that person know who I am?"

"No, he can feel everything about you though. That's why he knows you have already been deflowered."

"What is his name? Everyone refers to him as 'that person'."

"Oh dear, I can't tell you. They say that once you think of his name he will appear before you and drag you back into the darkness with him. That is why no one ever speaks of him because someone else will repeat it and he will appear."

"I see." I settled back into the blankets and sighed. Why did I have to be so special?

It's been a few days since I last saw anyone. Jack was probably blowing things out of porportion and sent an entire search party for me. My conversation with Martha bothered me and she could tell so she left it alone. It felt great to relax and not do anything. I read through a few novels and I realized for the first time that I had power. And a whole lot of power. I was Princess of Neo Domino, I could do anything I wanted. I had the happiest thought before my stomach lurched and I hurdled to the bathroom for the fifth time today. I vomited harshly into the toilet although there was nothing in my stomach, it felt like my entire stomach was turning inside out. I began choking and some warm and wet came up. I coughed into the toilet and a thick stream of blood traveled to the porcelain. I cried out in distress but I forgot I was completely alone. I sniffled and tried to push myself off of the toilet and ended up falling on the floor. I took in a long shuddered breath and my stomach jerked again and I saw more blood streaming from my mouth. I moaned in pain and I felt paralyzed. I tried to breathe evenly so the tension in my stomach would loosen up and it worked after awhile but I still couldn't move. I closed my eyes as I felt the blood soak my hair and cheek get cold and tried to stay awake but the more I tried the more energy I used. I couldn't fall asleep, I didn't want the nightmares, I wanted my husband but I still felt the guilt. The darkness felt welcoming and I slipped into relaxation so that the pain would go away.

"Yuusei darling," the little raven haired boy looked up at the red headed woman and grinned, the little gap showing from his lost baby tooth.

"Good morning, stepmother! Are you well today?"

"Ah yes, I am very well. What are you doing?"

"Father gave me a hard puzzle to do and told me I was a smart boy and if I could finish it before suppertime I would get a piece of swiss chocolate afterward." He grabbed another piece and placed it in the puzzle.

"How long have you been at this?"

"Since this morning. I believe it was seven."

"You've been up that long?"

"Yes stepmother."

"Mother!" Aki's daughters Carly and Sheri ran into the room.

"Mother!" Carly wailed dramatically,"Sheri hit me!"

"Sheri!"

"She stole my dollie and pushed me away when I tried to get it back so I struck her." Sheri replied casually.

"What have I told you about hitting?"

Aki turned her attention back to Carly, "dear you need to calm down. How about you help Yuusei with his puzzle?"

"No!" Yuusei said, "Father says I have to do it by myself!"

"But Yuusei, you'll get done faster if you have help."

"I don't want help!" Yuusei hissed before turning back to his puzzle.

"You insolent little brat!" Aki inhaled sharply to prevent herself from hitting him, "go to your room. It seems to be time for your nap."

"No! Then I'll never get done on time! I'll go when I'm finished."

Aki grabbed Yuusei roughly and smacked his upper thigh very hard four times. "I said go to your room! Now!"

Yuusei cried, tears streaming heavily down his cheeks as he walked away and ran as he saw Carly kick his half completed puzzle, pieces scattering once more. He bumped into his father but didn't stop or apologize. He ran into his room and locked the door before jumping on his bed and burying his face into his pillow.

He didn't like that he couldn't ever do anything to benefit himself but had to share with his mean sisters. All he wanted to do was show his father that he was smart but he couldn't do that. He cried harder at that and suddenly there was a hand on his shoulder. He turned and slapped the hand away before he realized his actions. He saw his father's calm face through his tears and curled up. "I'm so sorry father!"

Hakase Fudo looked at his son in sadness before sitting down and pulling Yuusei to sit on his lap. "Come now Yuusei, don't cry." He wiped away his son's tears and sighed. "You did so well, I'm so proud of you."

"But I didn't finish," Yuusei sniffled, "I wanted to show you I could do it."

"I knew you could do it though. That's why I gave it to you. I love you Yuusei, if you tell me you can do it then I will always believe you. You never have to go out of your way to prove anything to me."

Yuusei smiled at his father, "thank you father."

"Now, in reward for finishing more than half the puzzle, I present you a piece of Swiss Chocolate." Yuusei squealed happily as his father unwrapped the little ball of chocolate and popped it in Yuusei's mouth.

Yuusei smiled widely and his eyes brightened. "Thank you! I love you!"

I opened my eyes slowly, thick heavy tears falling out. I swallowed and lifted my arm to wipe my eyes.

"Are you alright dear?" I looked up to see Martha floating above me.

I sat up slowly and nodded. "My entire body hurts." I looked down at the dried blood stain on the floor and lifted my hand to my cheek where I felt flakes of dried blood chipping off.

"You've been gone for awhile, the moon is already high in the sky. I was becoming very worried as you didn't respond. You don't want to be found so I couldn't go against that and try to contact someone."

I looked at myself the blood on my cheek running down my neck staining the long shirt I wore. I heard a small noise outside of the bathroom and I jumped. The bathroom door was opened and a person dressed in guard attire stood there staring at me in all half naked glory, the shirt hanging off my shoulders and barely reaching past my thighs. It probably had to be a sight seeing me like this covered in blood down my front side.

"I found her!" He yelled and fully came into the bathroom. I scooted back quickly as he advanced on me until my back hit the wall of the opposite corner. More shuffled feet came through and then all these people had me surrounded. I curled up and screamed when one of the grabbed me and just as fast they let me go as if they had been burned. I looked up to see something like a clear bubble surrounding me.

"Are you doing this Martha?" I asked.

"No dear, you're doing this! I don't know what's happening but you are the one controlling this - this forcefield. I can feel it but I have never been able to do this."

I curled up tighter and I felt safe and warm again despite the cold bathroom floor. I closed my eyes and felt my entire body relax. "Thank you."

I could hear the voices outside of the bubble but they sounded so jumbled together; they were trying to break into my protection, into my ward, but then suddenly, a voice rang through my ears, loud and clear.

"Move out of my way!" I didn't look up because I knew exactly who it was. My heart raced and I wanted so bad to be back in his arms but I couldn't move a muscle. I peeked at him and I saw him standing in front of me. "Leave." He ordered everyone in the room.

I watched them all leave one by one until it was just us in the room. He knelt down to my level, his vivid violets staring at me with intensity that made me want to cry. "Yuusei..."

I inhaled sharply preventing myself crying. "I was worried to death, you, your condition, I thought you had been taken from me. I'm sorry, the way I had acted, it was completely unacceptable. My father told me you had come to him in the middle of the night and had given me a tongue lashing from dawn until dusk for it." His head lowered in seeming shame, "I never wanted to hurt you, and I never wanted you to think that I don't love every single thing about you. You're my life now, Yuusei, no matter what you think, and I will never stop loving you." I looked up at him then and he gave me a soft smile that made my insides melt. He placed his hand against the bubble but his skin didn't blister. I reached for him and the protection disappeared. He pulled me into an embrace and I buried my face into his chest, many emotions welled in my heart.

"I was worried." He whispered into my hair, "you hadn't come back to our chambers and father had yelled at me for not taking better care of you. I had the castle searched from top to bottom." He chuckled. "And never once thought of you to come here." I had a lump in my throat and couldn't think of anything coherent to say. All I felt was happiness to be back in my husband's arms.

I laid wide awake back in our bed, Jack spooned against me, arms tight around my waist. I sighed softly, I was so tired; tears of sleep burning painfully in the corners of my eyes. I wrenched myself from Jack's death grip and made my way to the bathroom and leaned against the sink. My head was pounding and the light from the lit candles wasn't helping.

The nausea I felt didn't bother me as much as it should have but I leaned over in case. "Are you alright?" I jumped and looked at Jack through the mirror.

"Yeah, I'm fine." I turned on the tap and splashed water on my face,"just a bout of anxiety. My stomach is jumping about." I think I finally knew what was wrong with me, and if my assumption was correct, then Jack couldn't know. He could never know.

"Come back to bed, I'll rub your stomach for you." I nodded and turned off the tap. He led me back into the room, and laid me on the bed. He sat beside me and rubbed his gentle fingers across my belly, his touch soft and almost fearful, as if he was scared I would break. "You missed Christmas, no one could celebrate properly because you were gone." He whispered softly, "although you have a room full of gifts and things from the villagers."

I smiled. "I'm sorry. I never meant to worry everyone. I was acting upon my own foolishness." He leaned down and kissed me gently.

"It was my fault. I didn't mean to hurt you."

"I understand." I moved myself into his lap and curled up. I closed my eyes and yawned. "I get it. I know you didn't want to hurt me intentionally so I forgive you."

"Wow..." I breathed. I had never seen so many boxes in my life. "Is this for me?"

"Yeah," Jack wrapped his arms around my waist, "the villagers really love you."

I peeked behind me,"Ne, Bruno, will you go find Rally so he can help me?"

"Yes, my princess." I shook my head. Everyone had become accustomed to referring me as princess and it still seemed weird to me. I turned in Jack's embrace and smiled at him.

He smiled back and kissed my forehead. "Would you like your gift from me now?"

"You got me something?"

"Of course. What kind of husband would I be if I hadn't?"

"No, I just mean I haven't received a gift in years. My christmases were usually spent in my room watching the snow fall outside. I wasn't expecting it." His eyes softened but I cut him off, "I know what you'll say. 'You know that I would never' and I know that you wouldn't but it's just a scar left in my mind."

"You still refuse trial?" He asked.

"I—yeah. I just don't see it to be right."

"But after all the things she's done to you."

"I'm sorry Jack, but can we not fight about this?"

"Oh yes, happy day, I'm sorry." He gave a grin and kissed my lips. "So is that a yes?"

"Of course, but first can I run to our chambers and fetch my gift for you?"

"A gift for me?"

"Of course," I smiled, "you weren't expecting one?"

"Of course I was." He blushed and I laughed.

"I'll be right back." I removed myself from his warm embrace and hurried back to our chambers. The king had discreetly given me a gift for Jack with the knowledge that I had no time to buy one. I laughed lightly as I entered my chambers and spotted the small wrapped box on the bedtable. I went to retrieve it but in doing so I spotted a folded letter with: To Yuusei-chan, on the front. I stared at it in fear because all I knew was that someone figured out my identity. I picked it up and slowly opened it.

Dear Yuusei-chan,

I must say love, you have done very well in hiding yourself away wherever you are in the world. Although you haven't hidden yourself enough as I have discovered your hiding place in Neo Domino Castle, courtesy of my guard in the castle. He has found your location and delivered this to you for me. I have a demand I wish for you to follow little one, and a few consequences if you refuse my proposal. You will return to Old Domino Kingdom and come live at the castle where you belong. Under relying circumstances I will be coming to retrieve you myself. However, if you refuse to comply with my demands, I will destroy the entire castle, and then you can go to sleep every night knowing you caused the deaths of all those innocent people. Enclosed is a special piece of parchment for you to write your reply. You will leave it outside your bedroom door for my spy to pick it up. I await your choice Dearest Yuusei, I hope it's the right one.

Heir of Old Domino Kiryu

I glared, I knew that man was up to something. But I had no time to ponder on it as I had to return to my lovely husband's arms. I grabbed the little wrapped box and ran out of the room as I stuffed the letter in my dress pocket. I shut the door to my chambers and nearly ran into the brick wall Bruno calls a chest. "Ah there you are Princess, I found little Rally."

"Thank you Bruno. It seems you found me too. Come on, let's go back I found my gift." He nodded and followed me back to the drawing room.

By time we arrived there, Rally had ripped through half the presents, colored paper scattered across the floor. The box tops thrown from the boxes. I stood beside Jack and watched the pure joy that ran across Rally's face everytime he ripped paper. I didn't really care about the gifts inside, he could have the ones he wanted, the only thing that mattered was that he was happy. Jack laid his arm around my shoulder and I leaned into him.

What was I to do about that letter? It was more than threatening and I really hated to betray my husband but with my own assumptions gnawing in my stomach, I didn't know what else to do.

"I have your present Jack," I said suddenly turning on him. I held his box in my hands and he smiled. I felt horrible about keeping somethings from him but if it would keep him safe, I would give myself away. Just for him. Only for him.

Jack had given me a white casual short dress and asked me to change into it and meet back with him in the front courtyard. It seems the chain I gave him had more meaning than I knew. The king had placed a special heirloom in the box; a pretty little cross on a star made of raw silver. It was a shiny thing but it's luster was fading through the generations. Jack told me it was only passed down through the heir's first married christmas. It was exciting to know I had unknowingly given a gift of such deep meaning.

I sat down at Jack's desk and fingered the letter Kiryu had sent me. I had a few moments to decide what to reply back. He had a spy here and either way if I said anything but yes, something terrible would happen and he would maybe even learn about my new identity.

"What will you say darling?" I looked up at Martha who was reading over the letter.

"I don't know, I'm going to have to say yes. If I don't, who knows what he'll do. I don't even know how he found me."

"That was my fault." Martha sighed.

I looked at her in confusion, "what?"

"I was given to you for a reason. People around you can feel the light you give off. No negative feelings, no hatred and people around the world can feel it. When I granted your wish, I lost power and in turn I couldn't suppress your aura. That's how he found out. I've been hiding it away for awhile now but that short amount of time you weren't protected gave this person time to find you."

I looked down at the blank parchment, "does he know my identity?"

"No. He only knows you dwell here at the castle."

I reached for the parchment he provided me to write on and grabbed the pen next to my arm. "I suppose I don't have much choice."

Kiryu, I'll comply to your demands under a few conditions. If you wish for me in your company that bad I hope you'll hear me out. Fudo Yuusei

I folded the letter and my reply back up and set it outside of the corridor where my bedroom was on my way down to the courtyard. I'm sure no one would suspect where my actual bedroom was in the corridor, if they didn't already know I was under the guise of the princess.

I was more excited to know what Jack was planning the reason he had me dress in such odd clothes for the middle of winter. I had put my long arm warmers and boots on and walked outside. Sure enough, Jack stood there in a his glory looking up at the sky. I smiled and cleared my throat and he faced me with a soft smile. I ran to him and he lifted me up into his arms.

"Happy Christmas Jack," I smiled kissing him.

"Happy Christmas Yuusei." His violet eyes shone with an emotion I'd always seen and know I knew it was true. A solid feeling toward me and it was a good feeling for me. It was called love. I finally found happiness for once in my life and I just wished this moment would never have to end.

~~ Random Mid-chapter Interlude~~

"Our plan is working, my lord." Kiryu bowed in front of his master, "we have located the boy and in the process of drawing him out at the moment. He will be at your side soon."

That person looked over his servant carefully. "Are you jealous of my beloved, Kiryu? Do you want to be the one at my side?"

Kiryu didn't answer and his master smirked. "Stand Kiryu."

Kiryu rose to his feet head still bowed and his master grabbed his chin roughly, leaving scratches in his wake. "You like giving your master the sadistic pleasure he wants because no one else can do it. No one else is as strong as you to withstand me. You want that place don't you?"

"Master, I-," His master silenced him and rubbed his thumb across his lips.

"I have corrupted you dear Kiryu," his master chuckled, "you have been such a good boy since I took you in all those years ago." His hand wormed its down Kiryu's shirt and popped the button off his trousers. He grinned sadistically and released his servant's chin.

"Master..." Kiryu was attaining an obvious erection and his master smirked.

"Drop them Kiryu," he ordered, "I'll indulge you tonight if that's what you want."

Kiryu shook in anticipation as his master pressed up against him and swallowed. His eagerness would cost him walking ability tomorrow.

~Random Mid-Chapter Interlude End~

It seemed that Jack still felt bad about causing me to run from him so he took me on a carriage ride to a faraway hot spring for the day. A wonderful picnic and snow covered hot spring and a fun, meaningful romp in the water gave me one of the best days of my life. We were currently at the cottage he had near the spring and I sat in between his legs, a basket of fruit and a book on my lap whilst Jack leaned back with his own novel. I peeled the mango and began to slice it when Jack told me not to cut myself.

"Oh I won't cut myself," I said and no sooner did I drop the knife and give myself a thin cut across my palm.

I rolled my eyes as he laughed at me and removed myself from my warm spot to wash my hands in the basin in the bathroom. He came to me with a bandage and wrapped my hand before kissing the covered wound. I smiled and thought about our future. I believed Martha about granting my wish now and I knew that soon, one day I could tell him about everything I haven't told him.

"Jack, can we stay here?"

"Of course love, we can stay here for as long as you want."

"But of course I want to go back for the new year, I don't want father to celebrate alone."

"Alright," he smiled and pulled me back into the open room. "Come, you were cutting mango for me?"

I grinned as we attempted to get back into our original positions but managed a new position on the long settee to where I could feed Jack mango while I still read my book.

It seemed that not even a few hours of warm silence could break the contentment I felt and as we laid together cuddling in bed, I felt the warm feeling in my stomach. I fell asleep and slept through the night that night for the first time in nearly two weeks.

"Good evening Princess," I smiled at the messenger whom had been sent by the king to give Jack his letters.

"Good evening," I scanned through all the mail when my eye caught the frightening script. "Do you have a pen with you?" I asked the messenger as he turned away.

"Yes princess." He pulled a pen from his coat pocket and handed it to me.

"Don't leave yet, I'm going to reply to this and I need you to take it back to the castle and set it in the hallway outside of my bedroom corridor."

Dear Yuusei-chan, I understand, and I won't question your motives as you don't remember me but either way I wish to hear these conditions of yours. I await your reply. Kiryu

I stared at letter before I realized that I had a short amount of time to reply before Jack came back from gathering wood.

I pulled out the enclosed parchment and wrote down the reply.

Kiryu, I am away from the castle with someone, I will not be back until after new year I would appreciate it if you did not contact me until I am back on the second. If you are truly going to retrieve me yourself do so on the third of January. When that day comes, I will explain my terms to you. Until then, I will not speak to you. Yuusei Fudo

I folded my reply and the letter together and gave it back to the messenger. "Don't forget where to take it. It's crucial that you do this. If you look at it, I'll have you beheaded."

"Yes, my princess."

He mounted his horse and rode away and I went back into the cottage. It was about another fifteen minutes before Jack came back with blocks of wood.

"You have letters," I said, peeking over the top of my book. He dropped the wood and stared at me. I chuckled and placed my book down before going to kiss him. "Is that what you were waiting for?"

He gave me another kiss, "yes it was actually."

"Your letters are on the table. A messenger came by a few minutes ago."

"Thank you love."

I went to sit back on the settee and picked up my book. "You're welcome."

He went looking through the letters and I started back on the page I was reading.

"Hey, it seems Kiryu is holding a New Year party and wants us to come."

"Yes but I'd very much prefer to stay with my husband at his villa by a hot spring instead of going to a boring party with boring nobles going on and on about politics."

"You calling me boring?"

"I said boring nobles, you're not a noble, you're a royal, there's a difference love."

He chuckled and kissed my forehead, "do you want to go back to the hot spring?"

"I would love to but I have no clothes." I ushered to the dress I had on from yesterday.

"I planned ahead love. I expected you to want to stay here so I previously had clothes sent here for the both of us."

"And I fall more and more in love with you everyday." I got up and took off my dress left in only the shorts I put on underneath the short dress. "I know it probably dangerous to go running through snow but I'll meet you at the hot spring love!"

I ran out of the cottage and made my way up the hill toward the hot spring and jumped into the hot water when I heard Jack yelling after me. He appeared over the hill after a few moments and grinned at me with a predatory gleam in his eyes. He began stripping down his clothes and entered the spring.

I backed away slowly, "now Jack, let's handle this situation with the utmost maturity."

He scoffed, "I'm always mature about this, tonight you'll be begging for this night to never end."

I raised an eyebrow, "oh? And are you, my dearest experienced husband, going to make me feel that way?"

He came to me, his bare nakedness sending warm shivers down my spine, "would you like to find out?"

"Amuse me."

He pulled my shorts from my lower half and threw them somewhere. "When I'm through with you, you will never forget through every reincarnation you may have, that no one else can make you feel as good as I can."

I shivered and his hands went down my sides, "get ready, for a night you'll never forget."

The carriage arrived the morning of New Year's Eve, the next day with promises from Jack that once the New Year was over we would go back to live at his cottage for a few months. I smiled and decided to leave all of my things there since we would be coming back and I could just get my seamstress to make me more dresses.

Jack carried me out to the carriage as our passion filled night left me immobile and tired still and all I wanted to do was lay down and sleep for the rest of the day. Jack laid me on his lap and I promptly went back to sleep.

"Yuu, wake up, we're home." I was shaken awake and I held up my arms.

"Mmm...sleepy, carry me."

I heard his deep chuckle and I was airborne again being carried out of the carriage.

"Ah, Yuui, having him haul you around again?" I poked one eye open to look at the king before closing it again.

"Father, you are insinuating that I am fat using that word 'haul', I can assure you I'm not fat and he's not hauling me around, he's generously carrying me since it's his fault I'm unable to walk anyway."

"Yes yes, of course, I'm sorry. Though you are still far too thin."

I was falling back to sleep by this time, "what are you on about? I've gained seven pounds already." I snuggled closer to Jack and went back to sleep.

But my sleep was cut short by a sudden pressure on my chest and I opened my eyes to find a big poof of bright red hair in my face.

"Neesan!"

I smiled, "you know, good evening would suffice without you trying to suffocate me Rally."

He got off of my chest and grinned, "sorry. Nii-sama asked me to wake you for supper. He had a visitor for important business or something. He said by time you wash up he'll be waiting for you at the dining hall."

I shook my head, "that silly man, sending a child to do his bidding."

I sat up and looked around the room. Tomorrow was the first of January. It was a scary thought. Kiryu would contact me again on the second and he would arrive to take me to Old Domino on the third. I rubbed my stomach, it was the most dangerous thing I'll probably ever do but what was I to do? Kiryu was going to destroy the castle, he was going to hurt innocent people in the kingdom if I didn't comply. Time wasn't on my side.

I swung my legs over the side of the bed and went into the bathroom to wash my face and brush my hair.

After that job was done I grabbed Rally's hand and began toward the dining hall.

"Ne, Rally..."

He looked at me, "yes, Neesan?"

"If I left would you miss me?"

"Of course I would! But are you leaving or something?"

"No no, I'm just asking."

We turned the corner out of the corridor and he began telling me about the tutor he had and all the work he had. It was a nice distraction to hear about his day and I could get my mind away from the bad days ahead.

I laughed when he complained about extra work. "You should take use of it Rally, people like you a lot when you're smart."

His eyes brightened, "really?"

I nodded, "yes, really."

"I'm going to work really hard then!"

I chuckled as we closed in on the dining hall. Two guards stood outside the hall and I smiled.

"Good evening Princess."

"Good evening, is my husband inside?"

"No, he is still taking care of business. Your father is inside though."

"Ah, thank you." They opened the doors for me and Rally and we went inside. Many people greeted me and I smiled, replied, and waved.

A few of the nobles' children waved for Rally to sit with them and I let him go when he looked at me for permission. I sat across from Father and he began a conversation as soon as I sat down.

This was all the same. The talking, the atmosphere, everything. I would miss it. And Jack, I looked over at the empty spot beside me. I felt so clingy. So anxious when he wasn't next to me. He made me feel like I wasn't safe without him near me. I looked back at the king who was going on about how happy he was that I was married to his son. He wanted so desperately to make me comfortable, to make me feel like I could talk to him. I smiled at his antics. Something was worrying him though, the edges of his hair were graying immensely although when I met him more than three months ago he had impeccable blonde hair like his son, his bright blue eyes diluted with sleep, and wrinkles and shadows covered his eyes. Someone doesn't age in three months like the king has. There is no war, the economy is good, so what was it? Was it me? Did I cause the stress and tension? I looked down at the food placed in front of me rapidly cooling down. Maybe it would be best for everyone if I left. I'd be saving them anyway. And Jack, maybe he could find someone who could make him happier. My chest tightened. I wanted to be the only one for him but my fantasy was cut by reality. Once I left, I wouldn't come back. I had made a decision to give myself away to save the people of Neo Domino. It just seemed like the right thing to do and I wouldn't think otherwise.

"Yuui," I glanced at the king and smiled.

"Yes?"

"You haven't touched your food, are you quite alright?"

"Oh!" I looked down at my plate. I hadn't even picked up my fork. "Oh yes, I'm fine! I'm sorry, just a lot of stuff on my mind. I guess I'm not really hungry."

"You should eat more, you are really thin. I'd hate for anything bad to happen..."

I swallowed as he gave me a look. He couldn't know right?

But the tension was broken by the hall doors opening. Jack walked down the hall and he was upset. Although the moment he saw me he smiled and his body relaxed. I wonder what business he had that made him upset. He sat next to me greeted his father warmly and rubbed my arm. "Good evening love, did you sleep well?"

"Just a little, Rally did a good job of ordering me around."

He chuckled and my heart warmed, "you let a little kid order you around?"

"He's a bossy kid." I took a look at the king. "Oh dear, don't feel left out my king. When did you find a tutor for Rally?"

His blue eyes brightened, "the day you two left. He complains to me about how much work he has." He laughed and started going about the procedure and Jack got involved.

I put my hand over his and I frowned when I felt him shaking. I grasped his hand in both of mine and rubbed it to ease whatever stress he had. I wouldn't ask because if I wasn't meant to know then I wouldn't know. He would tell me if he felt the need to. Soon enough, his shaking stopped and his muscles began to relax. I smiled and continued rubbing. He'd come to thank me for saving his life.

It was early that next morning when I woke up. It had to be around half past seven and Jack was still sleeping. I trudged into the bathroom and turned on the tap to take a shower. The scalding spray was welcoming as it soothed the tense muscles in my back and washed away the evidence of sex from the previous night. I sighed as I pressed on every bruise and bite mark Jack left on me. The ones from my neck, on my shoulders, collarbone, chest, stomach, waist, hips, all over my thighs, especially the ones inside my thighs that brought me to release every time, on my calves, and the one on my ankle. I not really sure about my back but it was most likely marked up too. And I appreciated each one of them, it showed me I was loved. And I liked that fact. Although it would all come to an end tomorrow.

My time was running out, today was January the second. Kiryu would be sending me a message today to determine when he would retrieve me, and in that time I would need to compose a letter to tell Jack everything he needed to know.

I turned off the tap and grabbed a towel from the rack. As I dried off, I went over the entire plan in my head, but I needed to find a place I wouldn't be discovered. I slipped on some trousers and one of Jack's shirts. I plaited my hair and left the room toward the castle's library.

The librarian gave me a look and I smiled. She nodded and turned to her own business. I searched around the library for a book and once I found what I was looking for I looked for parchment and a pen. I sat down at a table and began writing.

At some point tears began falling down my cheeks and wiped them away furiously. I closed the book with my letter inside. I went to the librarian and asked her to hold onto the book and when the day of January 16th came to give it to Prince Jack personally. She nodded.

"And whatever you do," I said, "do not look inside."

She nodded once more, "I understand Princess."

I smiled and left the library back to my room. I opened the door and Jack was nowhere to be found. I began stripping my clothes and I heard him shut off the shower. I went into the bathroom in only his too long trousers and paused at his sheer nakedness.

"Morning love, where'd you go?"

"I went walking, anxiety forcing me to my feet. I didn't want to be bothered so I put on your clothes. Of course my disguise didn't work."

"Did someone bother you?"

"Oh no, the librarian recognized me."

"Went to the library?"

"Yeah, there was this children's book my father used to read to me when I was little. I thought I'd look for it while I was passing by."

"Did you find it?" He wrapped himself in a towel and I turned to look in the mirror.

"No. But it's fine, I'll look for it some other time."

"You sure? I'll help you find it."

"No, I want to spend some nice quality time with you today. Yesterday was a whole lot of excitement."

It was true. There had been a party starting from yesterday morning to yesterday night to celebrate the new year. Of course we had stayed up and celebrated at midnight but the party began the next morning. I drank just a tiny bit too much wine and got frisky with Jack last night. Whatever stress he had, he got it out with me and seemed better this morning.

"Oh? Well what do you suggest we do today?"

"I was going to say a picnic. Spend some time in your garden. It would seem like a repeat of our first date. You know?"

"First date, huh? Okay, sounds like a plan. Dress okay? It's cold outside."

I smiled brightly, "okay!"

I stood on my tip toes to get the blankets down from the wardrobe and grinned. Jack went down to the kitchen to get stuff for the picnic and I was in charge of setting up the blankets and extra if we fell asleep out there. It was cold and there was still snow on the ground. I took the blankets and set them up neatly out in the garden. I went back in to get more when I saw the folded piece of paper laying on the floor. I went for it and opened it. Only a few words were printed on it:

Yuusei-chan, I'm coming for you at half past nine tomorrow. Be ready else you understand the consequences. I can't wait to see how much you've grown. Kiryu

I sighed and ripped the paper before drenching it water and ripping it more. I grabbed more blankets and stuck the ripped paper under a bush in the garden.

I put down the last blanket and Jack walked in. "Nice job love."

I blushed, "thank you."

He put the big basket on the blanket and sat down. He ushered me to sit on his lap and I complied happily. "I love you Jack. So so much. More than you ever know."

"And I love you more." He kissed me softly sealing his vow and a tear fell down my face. I really loved this man. It seemed so surreal but it was true and the best part was; he loved me too.

I sighed softly. I was curled up in Jack's embrace, our bodies covered by extra blankets and our natural body heat lulling us both to sleep. We spent the entire day in each other's company, Jack showing me all the parts of his garden I hadn't seen, eating the food he fetched, and just cuddling. We talked a lot about nothing. We talked about our families and I told him about all the things I couldn't remember and things I could. And he began explaining to me that people were after me and they wanted to tamper with my mind, to erase my memories and he gave me the rings and necklace not only for our marriage but also to protect my mind and also to give me physical protection when I needed it. He didn't want to lose me to the darkness and I figured that magic forces and all of that was fairy tale and fiction stuff but apparently not. He said that someone had erased all the memories I had before I turned eight.

Now that I thought about it, I wondered how he knew that. I didn't want to ruin the mood by asking though. I sighed, time was going by too fast, and I was becoming increasingly tired with every time Jack ran his hand through my hair. I hated keeping things from him especially something as big as this, but he would never let me leave if I didn't. I closed my eyes and felt the sudden urges to have a nice, sweaty romp with him in the snow.

I flopped over and he poked open one eye, "what's wrong?"

"Jack, will you take me? Again and again and again? I want you so bad right now. And if you refuse, I'll take you instead."

He stared at me and I curled out my lower lip, "I want you inside me, I want you filling my insides, give me the pleasure of my life, make me yours and nobody else's, mark me all over and never let me go." I moved to straddle him and he steadied me. I toyed with the buttons on top of his shirt and popped one off. "I'll tear your shirt off your body, I'll tear your pants from your legs and take what's mine."

"What's yours, huh?"

He gave me a devious smirk and I smiled, "you belong to me love, from the ends of your hair to every cell in your body, you're the only one for me." I popped off another button, "so show me that you want me and only me. Scar me, bruise me, mark me, hurt me, if that's what it takes just take me and take me hard, make me scream, cry, and beg for more. Let everyone see that I'm your possession."

I popped off another button and he leaned forward and kissed me. "You know, love, I really like this shirt," he flipped our positions, and kissed me again, roughly this time, "you said you like it too."

I wrapped my arms around his neck and grinned, "so is that a yes?"

He chuckled, and that was all the answer I needed.

I awoke the next morning apprehension filling my heart. I wasn't even calm enough to bask in the belated afterglow of the precious love I made with my husband last night. It had to be in my top 5 best nights. I sighed and realized I couldn't move as Jack's arms kept me laying on his chest and my legs were tangled with his. I'm sure he didn't want a knee to the groin this early in the morning. I laid back down and tried to relax. I'm sure...I could get...in...a few...more...minu-

BANG BANG BANG

My eyes shot open and Jack was up covering my body and his as a Trudge bustled into the garden.

"I'm immediately sorry for the interruption, My Prince, but the Heir of Old Domino is out front in the Castle Courtyard, what would you like me to say? I have guards keeping the townspeople tame but he refuses to speak to anyone but you. He has come searching for something is all he said."

"I'll be down in a moment, keep the townspeople at bay and send them back to their homes. No one has awoken my father?"

"No sir, he asked for you."

"Alright, leave him be. Go and supervise I'll be down in a few minutes."

Trudge bowed and left the room. Jack rubbed his face I kissed his cheek. "Why is he here? And this early in the morning."

"Don't stress. I'm sure it's nothing important."

He looked at me and smiled ,"if it's Kiryu, it's probably life-threatening, and this early in the morning he's probably declaring war."

I laughed, it was definitely close enough. He stood up and I blushed and stood too, and he pulled me flush against him when I nearly fell over. "My love, you should keep to your word. I did exactly as you asked me to and now you can't stand. Don't let me bring you to your knees everyday now."

"Full of yourself aren't you?"

He lifted me up and he chuckled as I covered my intimate parts. "Oh lord, ever so modest. You act like I've never seen before."

"Still, it's embarrassing..." I blushed and he nuzzled my cheek, "every time we have sex, it's embarrassing."

"Well you blush from your face to your toes, and I know firsthand, but there's no reason to be embarrassed."

I sighed and kissed under his jaw, "you have some important business to determine whether or not you're going to war?"

"Oh yes," he began walking toward his room and I sighed, closer and closer to my doom, "thank you for awaking me up a bit more love."

"Oh it's nothing, I know that I radiate sunshine, but don't let me blind you okay?"

"Why full of yourself aren't you?"

I laughed and he set me on the bed. He went into the bathroom and came out freshly dressed in trousers and a button down.

"You stay here, I'll figure out what he wants and I'll be back soon."

"But-"

"No buts, just please stay here."

I nodded solemnly. He sighed and kissed my forehead,"I'll be back."

I watched him leave and sighed, this would kill him. It was the third of January, there would be thirteen days until he would know the truth. And thirteen days of murder and however many more after.

I went into the bathroom and put on a pair of Jack's trousers and one of his favorite shirts. He would never forgive me. I looked at the rings on my finger and smiled. That's how we would be connected, I would never take off my rings.

I tied up my hair and looked at myself in the mirror. This would kill him.

I went out of the bathroom, and looked around the room. I would miss this.

I left the room and headed toward the entrance hall where a huge uproar was going on. There were people blocking my view but I heard bits and pieces.

"We're talking in circles Kiryu, you're not telling me anything."

"I've explained to you, you have something that belongs me, and I want it back."

I pulled at my clothes and bit my lip, this was nervewracking, I didn't want to do this but I was saving everybody.

I walked out of the doors and everything seemed to stop.

"Why look, it seems our guest of honor has made an appearance." All eyes turned to me and I swallowed. I couldn't look at Jack, I would've cried.

"Yuusei..." I closed my eyes tight and walked forward, the tightness in my chest increasing with each step.

I opened them and all I saw were a pair of violet eyes staring at me with sadness and confusion,"what are you doing?"

"Why Yuusei, you didn't tell the Prince of your sacrifice?"

"What?"

"I'm sorry, my Prince, but it's true. The kindness you've shown me has been greatly appreciated, but," I looked in his eyes hoping he'd get my message and his eyes widened slightly,"but in order to save the lives of each and every person in this main branch of Neo Domino, I am giving myself away to Old Domino. I have been planning this day and it's here now." I turned to Kiryu, "you will listen to my demands?"

"Of course," he replied casually.

"You will leave this kingdom alone, and there is someone I wish to bring with me."

"Oh? And who is that?"

"Bruno." I pointed to my guard, and Kiryu shook his head.

"Isn't that the princess' guard? I'm sure that she wouldn't appreciate you taking him."

"He can take Bruno. Yuui no longer needs the protection of a guard as there is no more danger for her. She'll understand." Jack interjected.

"I see," Kiryu seemed to be laughing, "you can bring him along then. Is that all?"

"That's all."

"Then come."

I walked forward and Jack grabbed my hand, his thumb brushing over my rings. "But why?"

I pulled my hand away, "my time here has been fun. I've learned many things and you've shown me a lot but now I must go."

I walked across the courtyard and stood next to Kiryu, who had a smug look on his face. "My Prince, thank you for your cooperation." But Jack wasn't listening, his eyes were trained on me. I hoped he understood what I meant.

'I love you,' I mouthed to him and put my hand over my stomach.

"Come Yuusei," Kiryu said and I jumped.

"Thank you for your kindness, and give the king my best wishes." I bowed and turned away to enter the carriage Kiryu had come in. He let me enter first and I realized my rings would be in plain view. "Martha, hide yourself." The rings melded to my skin and disappeared from sight. I sat down with Bruno next to me and Kiryu sat across from us. And as the carriage door closed, the world closed behind me and I peeked out of the window, Jack still staring at me with such sad eyes, sad, sad eyes, a piece of my heart broke off. I turned away and looked out of the window beside me. And as the carriage began moving and I left my home behind, I really regretted not asking Jack to save me.

The carriage ride seemed long and Kiryu wanted to touch me at every moment. I was becoming highly irritated and nearly snapped at him but I held my tongue. I didn't know any other way to cooperate but the feeling of dread as we got closer to the castle grew with every passing thud of the carriage. I swallowed and suddenly the carriage stopped. "We're here."

Bruno got out first and held open the door for Kiryu and myself. I tensed when Kiryu put an arm around me and led me into the castle.

"Does any of this look familiar?" He asked.

"No," I lied smoothly, "I've never been here before."

"Oh but you have."

"Well I don't remember," my heart was racing. Did he know?

"Of course you don't." He pulled me up the stairs and handed me to two women. "You know what to do."

"Wait, what's going on?"

"You're going to get dressed for a party."

"What? This early in the morning?"

"Yes, now hurry."

The women dragged me to a room and began pulling off my clothes and I screeched. "What are you doing?"

"You must prepare, hurry now!" My pants came off, thankfully left in my boxers and I was taken in the bathroom and thrown into the bathtub. It felt like deja vu of my wedding.

These people washed my hair and cleaned my roughly and then pulled me out and began drying and embarrassingly removing my boxers and replacing them quickly. I was dressed in pure white tight trousers and a snug white dress shirt and my hair was pulled out of the tail I had tied it in and re-tied with a deep blue sash. After that, they put white shoes on me and pulled to what I remember was the ballroom. The doors opened and everything went silent. I was led to the podium all the way across the room with all eyes following me and a man in robes stepped up beside me.

"Today is a joyous day, a day to celebrate as our missing link has been found. Our heir found him dwelling in Neo Domino, and returned him to us today. We celebrate the day with a toast and-" a little boy stepped up to podium with a pillow and what was on it surprised me. The man in robes lifted it and placed it on my head and I nearly fainted in shock. "Please, in all respect and courtesy, bow down to your Prince, Yuusei."

I took a step back and my heart skipped a beat when every single person in the ballroom got down on one knee and bowed their heads to me.

"Welcome home, My Prince."


So yeah, super long for no reason except entertainment chappie. 11,343 words this time horray!

You know what going on, I'm already three paragraphs into the next chapter and school's a drag. Who knows when I'll update next but be patient!

See you and PM if you've any questions.