All the romance that you didn't get in part one and that you don't really need, but here it is anyways because I am so starved for any romantic interactions in this fandom. This became much longer than I thought it'd be…

Pairing: Megumi Tadokoro/Ryou Kurokiba, kind of sort of one-sided Miyoko Hojo/Megumi Tadokoro

Notes: AU (Odin Sphere inspired AU), OCs (for some background characters… Like papa Odin ( though who am I kidding, at this point I'm sort of imagining the stern looking fisherman)), OOC from characters, Yuki is everyone's big sister…, mention of mutilation, vague sexual content, some spoilers for Odin Sphere but it diverges sort of from the plot of the game…...

Chapter Summary: Everything about Ryou is different from what the other valkyries have told her.

Part 2-Blue Bird

Megumi wakes to someone gripping her hand. At first she thinks it is Yuki, but the hand is too large and rough to be her friend. Megumi glances over, sleep not quite gone, before her attention is snapped by who the hand belongs to.

Ringford's Ryou. The Shadow Knight.

He is slumped against the chair, eyes closed and breathing soft and even, as though in sleep. What is more surprising, more than the fact he has a tight hold on her, is the fact that he is not in armour, dressed instead in a dark sleeveless shirt and baggy pants.

The Shadow Knight is not dressed for battle; this is a place he feel safe. He has fallen asleep while by her side; Megumi does not pose a threat to him. Not that she can do much in this heavy dress.

So, this is how it ends. Forced to become the wife of the enemy's elite soldier. She can accept this, though it will be difficult as he is the enemy, but she has known this would be an eventuality, grounded-never to fly or fight again.

But not right now. Right now, she'd rather be alone to wallow in self pity.

Megumi attempts to free her hand, but the knight's grip is too strong. She can try to pull back through brute strength but she doesn't want to awaken the other occupant in the room. With a sigh, she runs her free hand up and down the top of his until he opens his hand and she can slide out of his hold. That completed, she slips off the bed, noting that she is in her mother's dress; her favourite, the multi-layered one of navy blue silk. Megumi looks around the chamber, realizing with a gasp that she is in her mother's summer castle.

But how? She expected to be trapped somewhere in Ringford, where the Shadow knight would make his home. How could it be that he is so comfortable here?

She shakes her head and runs to the terrace, searching for the hidden staircase that will lead her to her mother's garden. She will not think of this now.

One thing at a time.

Once upon a time, when everything had been different, when the war didn't rage as strongly as it did, when her mother yet lived, this had been her summer retreat. Her father had the castle built small at the queen's request that the castle only be used for the royal family. In the summer, they would come here and spend their days together in peace. Megumi and her sister, Ryouko, would follow her mother to the garden where they would help tend her mother's bushes and herbs and learn about the various remedies each plant produced.

It was a long time ago. The garden, once so lush and neat, has now fallen into disrepair; bushes crowd the stone steps, shrubs lay naked save for a few browned leaves, revealing gnarled branches beneath, and ivy crawl up and around each marble statue her mother had carefully situated around her garden. Megumi slips off her shoes, light flat slippers of silk, nothing like her heavy boots and steel leg plates, and wiggles her bare toes in the tall grass. Megumi looks up at the night sky and realizes that she is among the earth now, rooted like the dying trees around her. Her wings are folded and pushed down by the weight of the dress; it is something she will have to get used to.

"So, this is where you were," a deep voice states behind her and Megumi clenches her fists to stop herself from jumping in shock. She presses a hand on her chest to try and slow her racing heart before turning to meet the knight. His dark eyes dart around the garden in interest before focusing his intense gaze on her.

"Sha-" she begins to say before cutting herself off. No… this man is her husband now and she must respect that. "….Lord Ryou," she states instead with a little tilt of her head.

"When I woke, you were not there. I was worried," he replies, before pointing behind him at the direction of the staircase. "I did not know the terrace led to the gardens below."

"It was my mother's favourite place," she says softly, before crouching down to put her shoes back on. "Lord Ryou, why are we here, in this castle?"

"You don't have to call me that, princess," Ryou states flatly. It seems the knight has the emotional range of a rock, his voice never changing from the deep, blank rumble. "As -"

"I am no longer a princess," she cuts in with a furrow of her brows.

"And I am no Lord. Simply Ryou will do," the shadow knight replies blandly, running his hand through his black locks. "And as for why we are here… it was rewarded to me by Odin."

Megumi cannot control the choked gasp she emits at his words. Her father…. Just gave him the castle? Her mother's sanctuary? The place of so many memories?

"Are you alright, Megumi?" Ryou asks, stepping closer and bringing her out of her reverie.

"Yes, I'm fine," she replies quickly, smoothing down her dress as a distraction, trying to ignore how close he is.

The knight's face shows he doesn't believe her but he does not argue. Instead, he put his hand out to her. "We should get inside. There's food prepared for you," he says, thankfully making no other moves to bring her closer.

Megumi exhales deeply, and takes his hand, the hand that has slain hundreds….no thousands of her people; she takes his hand and tries to ignore the fact that her hand is now smeared with the blood of her countrymen.

"MEGUMIII!" Yuki shouts in glee as she jumps to hug her. Megumi falls at the impact, but she doesn't care, laughing at her friend's energy. Yuki is an oasis in this desert of nightmares.

"Yuki!" she replies with another laugh. "What are you doing here?"

"Like I would leave you all alone!" Yuki says with a grin, before helping Megumi stand. She then turns to the shadow knight, smacking his arm with a hand. "And You! You said you would tell me right away when she wakes up!"

Megumi gasps, fearfully for her friend and glances over at the knight to see his response. However, instead of the violent reaction she expects, the knight simply shrugs as though he is used to Yuki's quirks and says, "I brought her straight to you so you can feed her back to health, or whatever it was you said."

Megumi cannot stop the widening of her eyes as she witnesses such an exchange.

The dinner is a collection of all of Megumi's favourite dishes, mostly seafood that she is fond of. She and the knight, Ryou, sit across from each other at the table, and stare in an awkward manner as Yuki places the dishes with a flourish then joins them as well. The food is all so delicious, and many ingredients no doubt were hard to procure.

"How did you manage to make so much?" Megumi asks with a smile, taking another bite of the stew.

"Ryou got them all!" Yuki says with a tilt of her head, smiling. "He asked what your favourite foods were and then disappeared for about three days. Then he came back with all this food! It was really funny! If only you had been awake!"

He did this for her? Megumi can feel her face flushing and darts her eyes over to where the knight sits. Ryou does not look up from the food, shadowing his face with his hair. "How long was I asleep for?" she asks, trying to change topic while she presses a hand on her cheek to cool down her face.

"22 sunsets," Ryou replies, glancing up to sip at his drink.

Almost a month, no wonder Yuki and the knight are getting along so well; her friend can get along with just about anybody if she spends over 2 weeks with the person.

Conversation dies down after that and Megumi glances over at her husband again and feels her cheeks heating up once more. It is no doubt the spell that is making her do this.

The magic is the only reason she feels this way.

Ryou leaves abruptly after dinner, his eyes narrowed as he glances out the large window of the dining room. He leaves the room only to return dressed in his signature black armour and red psypher before grabbing Megumi's hand.

"I need to step out for a moment," he states. His face seems paler than before. "But I will return soon."

"Ok," Megumi replies as he leaves. She turns to Yuki, who continues to eat nonchalantly at his departure. "Does he do this often?"

Yuki nods. "Usually at night. I think he goes and hunts something down?"

"I see... Well, it is for the best," Megumi comments before turning the Pooka. "It's about…Ryou… and it just is too inappropriate for me to ask him…"

"Oh, yeah! I was expecting this," Yuki says before sliding her chair closer. "What's up?"

Megumi taps her fork on her lip, furrowing her brows as she struggles to put her thoughts into words. "Well… He… He is a knight of Ringford, so how is it that he's married to me? I mean, how did my father…?"

Yuki's bright smile dies into a neutral expression before she fiddles with the loosen strands of her hair buns. "Well, he's not really connected to the fae anymore," she explains with a hum. "According to Lord Odin and based on what I've noted after spending the last 22 days with this guy, you know, trying to wake you up."

"And the castle? What deed did he complete to be rewarded that?"

"Oh umm…" Yuki taps her finger against her forehead, eyes closed in thought. "He killed a dragon," she says, snapping her fingers.

Megumi's widen at her words. "He killed a dragon? For this place?"

"Nope. He killed the dragon for you. Everything else was sort of a bonus," Yuki replies with a grin before leaning in close. "Are you beginning to fancy him?"

He killed a dragon? For her?

"No!" Megumi replies vehemently with a shake of her head. "Think of how many of our people he's killed! Besides… Even if I do, it's only because of the spell!"

She leaves before Yuki can reply, ignoring the blush dusting her cheeks.

Yuki's brows furrow as she watches the princess leave hurriedly. So, she believes the spell to be real. Yuki wonders if she should correct that and tell her the truth.

….But then again, this may be for the best. Megumi always keeps everything to herself, thinking that it is expected of her. If she already believes that the spell is making her love the knight… Perhaps she will be more willing to truly open her heart to him.

"Ahh! What a headache," Yuki mutters to herself, slapping the palm of her hand on her forehead. "Still, it'll be better to leave it be for now."

Megumi sits on the bed, waiting for her husband, dressed in the new nightgown Yuki made during her spare time. It's made of pale blue cotton covered in lace embroidery, and she wonders when the energetic Pooka gets the time to do all this; she's even made several dresses for her and shirts for the knight.

The knight still has not returned, though the moon is high in the sky now. Not that she is worried… But her duty dictates that they consummate their marriage. Megumi already knows what it will be like; the other valkyries whispered to each other about it during the lull between battles. Painful, humiliating. What happens the day after is even worse; to allow her wings to be clipped like a common chicken.

Perhaps he would be gentler; the knight is smaller than most of the warriors in her father's army, and he hasn't treated her anything but kindly. But… he is as fierce as any of her father's men, there is no doubt of that. Megumi sighs once more before putting her knees up and wrapping her arms around them.

What is taking him? Where did he even go?

Ryou returns late in the night, as Megumi is nodding off to sleep. He's out of his armour again, dressed in what appears to be the same set of clothes he was wearing before, but in a different colour. His brows rise when he sees her before his lips quirk upwards and his eyes soften. "Were you waiting for me?" he asks, coming close to lean next to her.

"Mm-hmm," she mumbles with a nod, her loose hair swaying with the motion.

"You didn't have to, but thank you," he says, helping her under the blankets before going to his side of the bed; thankfully the bed is large. He casts a spell under his breath and the candle flames die with a hiss, leaving the room dark save for the sliver of moonlight that peeks in from between the curtains.

Well… It's for the best. Megumi's too sleepy at the moment to properly consummate anyways. She allows herself to drift to sleep.

Her days are spent apart from her husband. He seems to be avoiding her. By the time she gets up, he is long gone, usually to the neighbouring kingdom of Titania to trade goods. Whenever he comes back, he comes laden with supplies and food.

She usually spends the day with Yuki, learning to cook from her and going out into the forest to collect wild herbs.

She is glad that he's not here. He is the enemy's soldier, no matter what his allegiance is now.

Megumi tries to ignore the heavy weight on her chest when he isn't around.

Something must change. It has been 6 days and they are no closer to consummating than they have the first night. It's not even that he comes in late every night. Sometimes they come to bed together, and Ryou asks her about the stories she's read in the library. Then she gets so engrossed in telling her tale that by the time she is done, she's too tired. When they sleep Ryou ensures to sleep far enough that he does not touch her. He must be regretting marrying her.

Megumi glances over at Ryou before poking him on his arm.

"What is it?"

Megumi fidgets from under the covers. Doesn't he know? Would she have to say it? How embarrassing. "Well… Um…"

Ryou sits up now, lighting the candle by his bedside table. "What's wrong?" he asks.

She sits up as well, letting the cover pool around her waist. Damn her face for blushing! "Well… Are you not…. Do you…." She stutters before taking several deep breathes. "Do you not find me pleasing?"

Ryou places his hands on her shoulders, and his skin is shockingly cold. "Megumi, I find you to be the most beautiful woman I know. Just having you near me pleases me."

Megumi's face heats up again. "But you haven't…" she gestured awkwardly at her body.

His eyes widen in understanding. "Because you do not want it," he explains, meeting her eyes. "I would not force you."

"I want to though!" she exclaims, putting her hands up to grasp her hair. She twists the strands, biting her lips.

"…Why?" he asks though his eyes are lit with hope.

"Because it's our duty to do so."

He deflates with a sigh. "Megumi, I want our union to be because you like me," he explains, shaking his head. "Not because you feel obligated to."

'The spell makes me love you regardless!' she wants to say but instead replies with, "How can I learn to like you when you are never here?! The only time we spend together is at meals and even then you don't talk about yourself very much!"

Megumi stares down at her hands, embarrassed at her outburst.

"Megumi. Megumi," Ryou says, and she ignores his words by firmly staring down. He brings his cold hands up to her face and tilts it so she meets his eyes. "Megumi…. I'm sorry- really I am. I thought- I thought you'd be uncomfortable if I was here."

Suddenly she's trapped in his arms, his cold body pressed against hers. "I'm sorry," Ryou says again. "We'll work this out."

In the morning, the other side of the bed is cold. Again. She had hoped he would still be here but perhaps the talk last night was meant as only an empty promise. She changes into a light dress made of chiffon, which puts less weight on her wings; summer is coming, after all.

When she arrives at the dining hall, Yuki places a dish of fruit salad for her. "Do you know where Ryou has gone?" Megumi asks once Yuki joins her.

Her friend looks up from her own plate and tilts her head. "He went out early this morning… " she replies with a hum.

"Oh," Megumi says, trying to hide her disappointment. He's left again then.

"But he said he'd be back really soon!" Yuki adds with a smile. "He told me to tell you that!"

Megumi nods and goes back to the fruit, but everything tastes like ash. He only said those things to make her fall asleep… He's still avoiding her.

But he does return, as promised, just as Megumi is finishing breakfast, dressed in comfortable clothing and holding a pair of boots about Megumi's size.

"…You're here," Megumi says, golden eyes wide.

"Yes," Ryou replies. "…And I was hoping if you are not too busy that we can work on your mother's garden?"

When she makes no response, he adds. "That's where I was this morning. Getting plants and such. The castle already has the tools…. I got you these-" he shakes the hand with the boots. "-You can't really garden in your thin slippers."

Megumi blinks up at the knight. "Thank you," she says, because not only is he here, he remembered her words about her mother's garden, how important it was to her.

They spend the day in the garden, clearing the debris, dressed in matching work clothes of pale grey. Yuki had scratched her head and admitted that she made them both from the same old curtain, prompting a laugh from Megumi.

She has not laughed like that in a long time.

Many of the shrubs and plants Ryou brought are good for the fields of sunny Titania but not the best for their forested garden.

"We can go tomorrow," Ryou says, while ripping the ivy vines off one of the statues. "To Titania. To find plants better suited here."

"But… That would be a waste of what we have now," she replies, looking at the numerous plants with a furrow of her brows.

"The owner will be willing to exchange the plants if we return it soon enough," Ryou reassures. "Besides, I'm sure you'd like to get out of this place for a bit."

"I…Yes, that would be a great idea."

Ryou is fast. Faster than Megumi had possibly imagined. What would take her 4 hours, even by using her wings, he can get in half the time, using his shadow knight ability. His body becomes engulfed in black flames but it does not burn her when he carries her to Titania's edge, and his jumps and sprints are beyond compare. But when he changes back, his breath is heavy, and his skin is sallow.

"Are you alright?" Megumi asks, her eyes wide. She places a hand on her husband's forehead. "You're cold."

Ryou quirks his lips but the smile is weak; he breathes heavily, clutching his chest. "It's nothing. It's just a side effect of my abilities," he explains. "I'm good in a few minutes."

"Even so, maybe we can go back home with the help of Yuki and her Pooka portals," she says, surprising herself at her words. The castle has become home for her now, how… odd.

Her husband nods in reply and takes her hand, leading her into the city.

Her armour is a familiar weight, and Megumi grips the psypher spear as they meander through the cobbled streets of Titania. Her wings flutter in freedom after spending so long under the heavy silk dresses.

"It's quieter than before," she comments, looking around the empty street. She'd only been to Titania once, as a child of six, but she distinctly recalls the streets being much busier.

"Titania has become dangerous in recent times," Ryou replies, bringing her closer, his other hand at the hilt of his blade. "The prince has gone missing, and the King has demanded higher taxes in order to increase their war efforts. Thieves hide at every corner now."

"War efforts? Isn't Titania neutral?" she asks, holding her psypher closer. Well, it is technically Ryou's but the knight presented it to her at the beginning of their journey, stating that he did not need a second weapon.

Ryou glances down at her, nodding. "In the war between Aesir and Vanir they are," he says. "However, since the prince's disappearance, there are rumours that the King believes his son kidnapped."

"But that is neither here nor there," the knight says, changing topics abruptly. "We should focus on getting our greenery."

It surprises Megumi that such a large greenhouse can exist in the city, even if it is on one of the side streets. The faded sign reads Star Gardens in a cursive font that must have once been a bright yellow, now faded to a dull beige colour. Ryou pulls open the door and gestures for Megumi to step in before him. Inside is a cacophony of plants vying for attention.

"Welcome!" a cheerful voice says, waving at them with a grin. His shaggy hair is dusted with pale grains of sand. "Oh! It's that handsome knight guy! Did you come to get more plants?"

A slight narrowing of Ryou's eyes is the only indication of his displeasure at the nickname though Megumi presses her hand against her lips to hide a smile. "No," he replies in a calm tone. "I actually came to return some of the plants and buy new ones. My wife-" he tilts his head towards Megumi. "Has said many of the plants will not grow where we live."

"Hello! My name is Satoshi Isshiki," the man introduces himself, petting one the plants before walking towards Megumi. "Welcome to my shop! So… what sort of plants were you looking for? And which ones did you need to return?"

Ryou pulls out several small marbles from his pouch and mutters a spell. Megumi watches in awe as the orbs grow and grow until the plants they needed to return float to the ground with a pop.

Megumi claps her hands together. "Wow, Ryou is very good at magic!" she says, glancing over at her husband. There are no mages in Raginrave, perhaps save for her father, but even he does not use it very often outside of battle. But Ryou utilizes the spells for everyday tasks, to snuff out the light at night, or to clear debris.

"It's not much," he replies with a scratch of his head. "But I was raised by the fae, and know rudimentary magic. It's quite handy in situations like this."

"It would make delivering goods a lot easier!" Isshiki adds with a smile. "But Ms. Valkyrie, what sort of plants were you looking for?"

"Oh, yes. The place we live in is very shady, not much sunlight-" Megumi says, explaining to the shop keeper about the details of their home.

She loves him. It hits Megumi suddenly as she is trimming one of the smaller bushes in the garden. The revelation shocks her enough that she drops her shears. She actually loves Ryou, and not simply because of the spell. Because he is kind, and he listens to her, and doesn't push her words aside. He does everything to make her smile and never acted as though he owned her, even though he does and he has every right to command her.

And… They've never even kissed, not once.

Megumi abandons the shears and runs to the library, where Ryou spends much of the day. Like always, he has a pile of books on the desk, flipping through the text. She feels her face warm as she watches him.

"Ryou!" she calls out, walking towards him. "I-!...I wan…."

His brows furrow as she stammers, and stands to put his hands on her shoulders. "Megumi, are you alright?"

"Ah…Well…" she continues to stutter, too embarrassed to say the words. Damn. Is she not a brave warrior? Has she not faced hundreds of foes in battle? What's so hard about saying what she wants?

Because no one usually listens. Because they choose to ignore it or blame her for wanting such a thing.

But not Ryou. Who is silent most of the time but brings her exactly what she's wanted. Who presented the psypher spear back to her as though she was the owner of it, even though he won it as he had won her.

Megumi presses her lips against his, perhaps a tad more forcefully than she should have. And there is no response, and she's made a mess of things, she knows it, it is her first kiss and she's not done something correctly, and it is awkward and-

Ryou tilts his head and it is much better. He runs one hand down her back until pressing his hand against the curve of her spine, bringing her closer, the other rests on the back of her neck.

When they part for a breath, Megumi glances up at Ryou. "I- Ryou I want to," she gasps out, ignoring her burning cheeks. "Be-because you are kind to me, and listen to me even though you don't have to- Even though I would love you anyways."

"Megumi," Ryou replies with an uncharacteristically large smile, before he grips her wrist and Megumi is whisked away.

Even though he tries to be gentle, Megumi still ends up pressed down on the mattress, wings folded down awkwardly. Perhaps it is the only way to copulate?

Ryou's above her, eyes darkened with lust. He runs his hands down her body until he grips her waist and grinds their hips together. Megumi can't help but release the pained yelp as weight is pressed upon her wings.

He sits up, letting go of her as though burned. "Megumi- I'm sorry."

She sits up as well, covering her breasts with one arm, though it doesn't really matter at this point, and putting her other hand on his arm. "No-no! It wasn't you. It's just-" she cuts off with a gasp as he pulls her wings from under her, smoothing down the bent feathers.

"I did not think about your wings," he says, rubbing the sore parts of her wings in a soothing circle. "I'm sorry. I should have known."

He turns them so that he is the one that leans against the headboard before position her to straddle his lap. "This should be better," Ryou adds, nibbling on her neck and rubbing his fingers against her core.

And it is better; her wings open free as she balances on her knees. It is like flying in a way- her body is still hers like this, not forced down to the dirt. It is much different from what the other valkyries have said; she is in control here.

Megumi is so happy it is much different.

She is happy… but she is also scared as she glances at her sleeping husband. Megumi is glad that they've finally united together, felt his devotion and love through their union. But, now she will never see the world from the skies, never again feel the joy of flight.

It is worth it; Ryou is worth it.

Megumi nudges her husband and smiles down at him before leaving the warmth of the bed to pull out the box from the desk drawer. She takes a deep breath before opening the box and pulling out a pair of blade shears; it is made of steel, runes embossed into the metal. She presents the item to Ryou, who takes the blade while still blinking back sleep.

"What is this?" Ryou asks once he's sitting up, running his fingers through his hair with his free hand and waving the blade with the other.

So, she'll have to explain this as well. She tries her best to describe the pinioning process, trying to keep her voice as light as possible, trying to prevent the winces as she mentions the amputation of her pinion joint, adding that as a married woman it is only right.

Ryou's face goes from confusion to shock to anger, until his eyes blaze. He holds the blade with both hands, one on each handle, before using his strength to snap the shears in two and tossing it away with a frown.

Megumi releases a shocked gasp. "What have you done!?" she cries out, struggling against Ryou's hold on her wrists.

"Megumi," he says, drawing her close, pressing her against his chest. "Megumi…I refuse to do this….I love all parts of you- the kind gardener, the flying warrior. Besides, you love flying too much for me to take that away."

"Bu-But it's what's done," Megumi argues weakly, ignoring the flutter in her chest.

Ryou quirks his lips. "I think, here in this no man's land, we are entitled to make our own traditions."

Megumi presses her face against his neck to hide her smile and her tears of relief.

The world is brighter now, with Ryou by her side. There is just one thing that is bothering her; he still leaves many nights in armour, and does not return for many hours. When she confronts him, he only states that he is dealing with it, and she has nothing to worry about.

But Megumi cannot help but do so. Because every time he returns, Ryou comes paler than before, the dark circles under his eyes more pronounced. And sometimes, he grips his chest as though in pain, even when his blood red psypher is nowhere near.

Once, when she goes to visit Ryou in the library, she glances over at one of the book titles on the desk. It is a book of medical remedies. After another look, she realizes all the books are of healing.

Ryou is ill.

"I must leave for awhile," Ryou says, sitting next to her on the bench; they've been admiring their garden under the sunset.

She turns to glance up at him. "Is something wrong?" she asks. "Is this to do with your illness?"

He nods, turning to face her. "Yes. I cannot let this lie," he says. "I need to deal with this."

"Let me come with you, I can help."

Ryou shakes his head, pulling her towards him. "This is something I must do alone," he says, running his hand down her loose hair. "Will you wait for me Megumi?"

"Of course," she replies with a watery smile. It still hurts, that he hides secrets from her.

"Your hand," he requests, holding out his hand for her to take. He slides a ring on her ring finger, the amber cat's eye glinting in the dying rays of sunlight.

"This ring…"

"I wanted to present it for so long," he says with a weak chuckle. "It is a ring I acquired after killing the vicious dragon, Hind."

"You will be back soon?" she asks, pressing her hand to her chest.

Ryou holds her tight against his chest. "As soon as I can."

Days pass with no sight of Ryou's return. Megumi fiddles with the ring and haunts the library, looking for any clues as to where he's gone. Eventually, it is Yuki that gives her the answer, running into the library with an anxious look on her face.

"Megumi," Yuki says, gasping heavily and sweating ; she must have run all the way here. "It's-It's about Ryou."

She is up in an instant, worry clear on her face. "Is everything alright-what news have you heard?"

Yuki's eyes are alight with fear. "He has gone to the underworld," she explains, wiping her brow with a hand. "His psypher- I spoke to the blacksmith that made it-it's cursed. Oh god, I ran here too fast- The psypher is bounded to the Queen of the Dead- that's why he keeps getting sick and he goes out at night! He's killing the messengers of death. Oh man… I need to exercise more… Ok…. Anyways, he's gone back to the realm of the dead to confront her."

"That's… that's impossible. How can he get there?" Megumi says, trembling. "There is no way for the living to enter…. Except for the way my father found… and even then, he is the only one to know."

Yuki's face is solemn. "Megumi… The reason Ryou came into King Odin's favour, did he not tell you?" she asks with a frown.

"He… killed a dragon," Megumi replies.

She shakes her head. "That's how he won the castle and you," Yuki says. "But… Ryou spared the life of Lord Odin in the Underworld and in return the king showed in the way in and out…"

Megumi's releases a choked breath, as though punched. Then there is only one way left now. She curls her hands into fists before releasing the breath she'd been holding. "Yuki… Please help me into my armour," she says in a firm tone. "I must go to Lord Odin."

"So, you have returned Megumi," her father says from his throne. They are alone, the servants long excused by the king. "I had expected you sooner."

Megumi bows to her father; though she is an exiled princess she must show proper respect. "The reason I've come here today is to enquiry about how to enter the Netherworld," she says, not wasting time. Ryou has been in the Netherworld for almost six days, each second is precious.

King Odin rubs his bearded chin. "What foolishness is this?" he rumbles. "A daughter that has been banished wishes to make a deal with her father, the king of a nation?"

Megumi stands, staring up at her giant father. "Then… Why did you think I came here, father?"

"He gave you a ring," he states. "The knight lied and said he never found it, but I knew. The ring is Titrel. And I am its rightful owner-I had thought my daughter wise enough to return it to her father."

So, that was it; she had been used by her father as a pawn… Ryou would not do such a thing to her.

She keeps her face as blank as possible. "That is not why I came."

Odin leans against his throne with a sigh. "…Very well," he says, frowning at his once dutiful daughter. "In exchange for the ring, I shall escort you to the Netherworld's border. Now, hand me the ring."

This is the first time she's stood up to him, and disobeyed such a direct order. "Not until I return with my husband," she replies, gripping her spear tightly.

More than the darkness, it is the perpetually dank smell and the cold that gets to Megumi. It feels like being in a sewer. She glides through the air, avoiding many of the underground vines that crawl out once you touch the ground. It's like a scene from her nightmare, the dead walking again, attacking her.

She descends, sitting on a rock to nibble at the mulberry tart Yuki had packed for her, shivering at the cold; she would have brought some warmers if she knew how cold it would be here. This place is vast; she has no idea where she is going, everything looks the same.

An apparition appears, and Megumi jumps up, spear at ready; she tries not to shake at the arrival of the Halja, the messengers of death.

"Lady Megumi," it hisses out, head tilted in a mock bow. "Empress Miyoko awaits you. I shall take you there."

Megumi does not lower her guard, glaring at the creature. "I have heard from the Demon Lord that she detests trespassers," she says. "Why welcome me? Why should I trust you?"

The Halja cackles. "You've no obligation to come with me. However, I've watched you struggle through this realm; at the rate you are going, you may be old and grey by the time you reach the palace. So… what will it be princess? Will you continue to blindly venture alone, or put your faith in the Halja?"

Megumi runs her hand down her spear and sighs. There is no other way. "Take me to the Queen."

"I have been expecting you Valkyrie Megumi," Queen Miyoko says, gliding from her throne, her heavy dress dragging against the myriad of bones on the ground. Megumi had expected someone larger, more menacing, considering the vast realm she rules, but the queen only looks a few years older than herself, and is barely a head taller than her.

Megumi bows, the queen is still a powerful being. "Great Queen of the Dead, Lady Miyoko," she says, one hand on her chest. "Please, where is Ryou?"

The queen's violet eyes narrow, and her expression turns bored. "Oh.. him," she mutters, snapping her fingers. From above a massive skeletal hand falls, and curled fingers open to reveal Ryou, unconscious and pale. Megumi holds a shudder as she looks at her husband; his breathe is laboured and she can see the broken bones as his arms hang awkwardly.

"Please, Queen Miyoko!" Megumi says with urgency. "Please let Ryou go! Please return my husband! He needs medical attention."

Lady Miyoko narrows her eyes. "This man's life was mine long before he ever met you," she replies in a flat tone. "He is a worthless man- using my power as his own than trying to weasel out of the deal now that he fears for his life. Megumi, listen to me; men are all the same. Selfish and useless. You would do better without him."

Megumi shakes her head. "No, you-"

The queen cuts her off, gripping her arms tightly; her bony hand digs into her skin and Megumi bites back a yelp. "No… Dear Megumi, you are wrong," she says, leaning close to her. "Think about it! How the men in your life ruined everything for you! Your father- so blinded by his greed and obsession for power that he uses his only living daughter as bait! And that soldier! Has he not killed so many of your own? Yet he acts as though nothing's happened, as though you are not bought through the blood of another!"

Lady Miyoko continues her tirade, but Megumi is more focused on her face than her words. The more the queen speaks, the more Megumi realizes that it is no longer about her, but about Miyoko's own betrayal. The grief on the queen's face is plain to see.

So Megumi hugs her, not knowing what else to do. She brings the cold, bony body close, and puts her head on the queen's shoulder. "I'm sorry," she says, because she is, even more so when the queen puts her arms around her as well. She wonders how long lady Miyoko has held on to these feelings alone. "I'm sorry that you were hurt so badly. And I can't really say anything to defend my father… But Ryou is not like you say. He is kind and he respects me- and even if this is due to a spell, I love him. So please, please return him to me."

The bones that make up Miyoko's left hand tap against Megumi's back before sliding out of the hold. "Megumi, even if I let him go tonight, as long as he continues to hold the psypher, I will have claim to his soul," Miyoko explains with narrowed eyes. "My Halja will continue to hunt for him."

Megumi puts her hand on top of her ring. "Then as long as he relinquishes his ownership of the weapon, he will no longer be bound to you?"

The queen laughs, cold and condescending. "He will never do such a thing," she says with a tilt of her head. "The man's desire to be powerful will prevent it. When divided between you and the power he holds… he will choose power… It is the way of men; they lust for strength."

Megumi shakes her head. "No, I believe in Ryou," she says, pressing her hands together.

Miyoko laughs again in a bitter tone before nodding. Ryou falls from the giant's grip and Megumi barely makes it to catch her unconscious husband. "Take him," Miyoko says. "But… he will do doubt return. And I will not be so kind the second time."

"Lady Miyoko… Thank you," Megumi says, bringing Ryou closer.

Miyoko glares down at her. "Do not be foolish," she hisses. "This… Is simply a means to teach you the true nature of men."

Megumi spends the days at Ryou's bedside, holding his hand through day and night. She wonders if this was how he felt as she laid sleeping all those months ago. His broken arms were set by a Pooka healer, a friend of Yuki, and now all there is left is for Ryou to wake from his slumber.

She glances down at the ring, Titrel, once more. After she returned from the Netherworld, she could not find it in herself to give it to her father, for it is a symbol of the depth of Ryou's devotion.

A groan snaps her out of her reverie, and she smiles as she sees Ryou claw back to wakefulness. "Ryou, here, drink," she says, holding the bowl of soothing tea gently to allow him to take a small sip.

"Where am I?" he asks, voice raspy.

"We're back at the castle."

"How?"

Megumi glances at their joined hands. "I-I'm sorry for not waiting for you… But I followed you to the netherworld," she says. "The Queen… She let us go, and told me how to break the curse."

Ryou sits up abruptly, wincing at the stretch it causes. He holds up a hand at Megumi's worried hum. "What is it?" he asks, dark eyes alight. "How is the curse broken?"

"If you relinquish your ownership of your psypher, it'll stop the curse," she says with a hopeful smile.

Ryou chuckles darkly, shaking his head. "The witch lies," he replies. "The Halja are waiting for the moment my power fades. The bastards fear me and stay away as long as I wield the psypher, but now she's telling you that giving it up will set me free?"

"Ryou… Please. It will heal you, stop the rotting of the curse!"

The knight closes his eyes and shakes his head and Megumi feels ice in her veins. The queen was right… he will not give up the blade, even though it will save him.

"Ryou, please… Trust me," Megumi begs, meeting his eyes and praying that he will see that her words ring true.

The psypher had been left at his bedside and Ryou pulls the red crystal blade, running his finger on the point. His eyes dart from the psypher to her before his focus is back on the blade.

"The blade has been my constant companion all my life," he says, his full gaze upon the blade, and Megumi blinks back tears at his words. "….But now, I renounce my ownership of this psypher."

Nothing happens at first, but then the red psypher shimmers and fades, gone from their sight. Ryou turns to Megumi with a small smile, bringing her in for a kiss.

"I trust you."

Yes… I didn't kill off Miyoko… Because I'm actually quite fond of her. Yes, the story is pretty much turned left field after the sleeping bit… OTL. And there is nothing but open holes in the story….. and the ending… sorry..

I always imagine Ryou as this guy that's really stupid about really simple things (ex. Like showing off something that will KILL him eventually OTL…. Megumi (or Alice/whoever you ship him with) loves you anyways!)

Sorry this took a long time! It turns out I have no romantic bone in my body and so this part was really difficult to write. I also wanted to make Miyoko be a bit more human than Queen Odette was. More empathetic (only to people she likes, of course… still hating the men!)

And stay tuned for the story that is jumping off of this one (like… WHO is the missing prince of Titania?! Is he a Pooka like in the original story?! Will SNS version of Velvet show up?!)

It is a big fat YES for all three.

Thank you for reading!