Now, here I seem to be again, recovering from a cold (Damn, I've been mad at it the entire week) Now I have decided to not fall ill for at least six months (nods stubbornly).

A lot is going to happen in this chapter, and many things may clear at the same time. This is the "Moment of Truth" after all (smirks).

If you have complains or comments about anything, write them down and send them to me.

The moment Truth

May 5, 1630

The day for the princess's birthday is closing in, and so is the day of doom.

That man. He disgusts me to no end. The princess is becoming colder and colder for every day that pass. She always looks annoyed, always tense and has this wrinkle between her eyes. Yet she is not harsh to anyone. She still talks with calmness and with a voice that so clearly tells she is more than clear in her mind. Towards me and Kyoko she is gentler than ever. But I fear that for every day that passes, another piece of her heart is broken.

The princess never refuses to answer me when I ask, and she always smiles towards me when she does. She tells me not to worry about her. She tells me she will not leave. And she tells me that everything will be fine. I so dearly wish I could believe her, but it is because of her smile I can not bring myself to it. The princess wants to believe everything will be fine again. She wants to believe there is no need to worry. But for every day that passes, that tiny hope is gliding away and slowly out of reach. Her smile tells me everything. Because when she smiles, her lip is trembling ever so slightly, making her smile sad and scared.

God help us. If the queen betrays her kingdom, what will happen to the people? What will happen to her?

God help us.

Yuniko was called to the throne room that noon, May 6. Dressed in a magnificent purple and blue dress with gold embroidery that, much to the council's displeasure, left her sun kissed shoulders bare. But whatever was said about the queen, no one could deny her beauty and dignity.

"Lennart Martinsson, son of the Martin clan, wishes to see her majesty with a very important issue, according to him."

"What is this issue, Sir Hermes?" the queen asked calmly.

"Martinsson refuses to tell anybody but her majesty," Hermes said and bowed deeply again.

A sting of worry hit the queen's heart. She had felt the vampires around the barrier last night. "Call him to me and let him talk," she said slowly.

Hermes bowed and left for the room where guests were told to wait for the queen's arrival. The one who followed him back was a very young man, not many years older than the queen. Yuniko felt rather than saw Malin raise an eyebrow. The man was dressed in his clan's colours, with a medallion of bronze around his neck as a sign he was important to the clan. His skin was nicely tanned and his body was a little underfed, yet his strawberry blond hair was glossy and clearly healthy. This wasn't what caught Malin's, or Yuniko's, attention though. It was the fact that his face was bright red.

"Tell me why you seek me, Lennart Martinsson," the queen asked gently.

The man bowed deeply and clumsily. "I-I, it is a pleasure for me to meet you in person, your m-majesty. I-I… my reason f-for seeking you…" he swallowed soundly.

"Has something happened that is worrying you enough to seek my advice, or protection?" the queen asked, her voice still gentle and understanding.

"Yes!" the man almost yelled enthusiastically, rising from his bow and almost looked into the queen's face, when he suddenly remembered who he was talking to and bowed again. "I-I mean; yes. Yes, something is really troubling me, and my entire clan. I am sure it troubles your entire people."

Yuniko felt her stomach sink. "Then tell me, what is this issue worrying you and my people?" she asked.

Seemingly, the man could not hold himself back anymore. He dropped all formality, looked up into the queen's eyes and burst out: "ARE YOU REALLY GOING TO MARRY?!"

The throne room was very silent after the falsetto yell. Everyone was staring at the poor young man standing, blushing all way to his hair roots, staring at the surprised queen.

"Your majesty, let me…"

Hermes couldn't say anymore, because slowly, little by little, the queen started to laugh. It rang through the silent room like the spring birds' singing. The air lightened, the room felt warmer, and it felt like a darkness that had been resting over the queen ever since the Irish lord Thomas's arrival disappeared. Her entire being seemed much brighter than when she entered the throne room.

But Martinsson was more embarrassed than before he came. The queen was laughing at him. Of cause, it was the most beautiful sound he had ever heard, but it was directed at his stupidity. He looked down in shame.

When Yuniko finally calmed down she stood from her throne. "I understand why you sought my help," she said kindly, a warm smile lightening up her features. "You are afraid I will abandon Scotland for my fiance, am I right?"

Martinsson could only nod, not daring to look up from the floor. He heard a quiet whisper above him and stole a glance upwards, catching a glimpse of one of the prettiest women he had ever seen standing beside the queen, but he quickly looked down again.

"There is not much I know about the future," the queen suddenly spoke up again as she started to walk down the flight of stairs. "But one thing I can promise you, Lennart Martinsson." Yuniko lifted the young man's face to look at her. "I will never abandon my kingdom for anything in the world."

Martinsson blushed even deeper. The queen's face was so close to his. She really was a stunning beauty. The statuette in his village wasn't fair to her. But she soon let go of his face and turned to the pretty, blonde woman standing by her side.

"Malin, please lead our honourable guest outside. Hermes, please call Mokuba to me."

The two bowed/curtsied before they turned to obey.

"Come with me," the girl Malin said with a kind smile. She led him to the door at the end of the throne room and towards the exit. Whispers followed in their tracks, making Martinsson even more embarrassed. He had really managed to make a complete fool out of himself.

"I must thank you," Malin suddenly said.

Martinsson said the first intelligent word coming to him. "Huh?"

"It was so long since I heard the queen laugh like that. I have not even seen her smile so happily since the king's, since the prince's death even. She has been suffering so much lately. So I must thank you, for bringing a smile back to her face."

"Not only Miss Malin is grateful," a voice said from behind them. When they turned they were met by a young teenager with black hair and big, grey eyes. "The entire castle is whispering that an angel sent from God has brought a smile back to the queen's face. That angel is you, sir."

Martinsson didn't know what to say. "So… the queen… was not… laughing at me?"

"Milady would never laugh at anyone," Malin said. "She laughed because she was relieved. All this time she has thought that she is alone. Milady does not want anyone to bear the burden of the kingdom with her. You have reminded her that just as her majesty supports the kingdom, the people of Scotland are holding her back in return. I can not even guess how relived she is now."

"Our queen told me she has been stupid," the black haired teenager said. "Stupid to ever think she was alone. Now, she wishes for you to accept this, as a sign of the queen's gratitude."

"Mokuba, is that…?"

Martinsson looked at the pearl the young boy held out to him. From Malin's outburst he could tell it was something very rare and valuable. The pearl was clear with a beautiful crimson colour. It sparkled in the sunlight as clear as the queen's crystalline eyes.

"This is a treasure given a few," the boy Mokuba said. "It is given your entire clan, not only to you. If you are ever in trouble, or threatened to your lives, this can save you all. It will protect you from anything. Because now you are under the queen's personal protection."

Martinsson knew this gift was something extraordinary. He took the small, crimson pearl in his hands and bowed his head for the teenager.

"Thank you again, for coming with our beloved queen's smile," the boy said before he rushed off.

Martinsson looked after him before Malin gently nudged him towards the gate. "Could you please do me a favour, Angel?" the blonde woman asked quietly. Martinsson blushed at her choice of title for him.

"Of cause, anything."

"Do not brag about being under the pearl's protection."

"Why not?"

Malin was smiling, but her eyes were so sad it almost pierced Martinsson's soul. "Because then someone else may try to steal it, which is not possible. This pearl has been given to you and your family. If anyone else tries to touch it, they can be badly harmed. The queen does not wish for anyone in her kingdom to be hurt because of her. What it is meant to protect you against is not other humans, but from the Devil."

Martinsson nodded in understanding.

"Live well!" Malin called after him as he left through the gates.

When he was through the great wall, Martinsson was surprised to see the guards bowing deeply in respect for him. With the pearl, a drop of the queen's blood, clutched tightly in his grasp, Martinsson ran all the way home.

Yuniko stood in a window, watching as Martinsson left. She felt so light, as if she had lost all weight and floated far over the floor.

"You look happy, beloved," a very familiar voice said. But not even Thomas could blow her mood today.

"I am happy into my very soul, my dear," the queen asked with a smile. It was actually the first time she smiled at her fiancé.

"Would you care to tell me the reason?" the Irish lord asked, very suspicious.

Yuniko giggled shortly to herself. "Because the moment of truth is closing in rather quickly. And when it comes, there will be nothing left for you in Scotland."

Lord Thomas called Ken to his chamber that night.

"I am somehow worried," the Irish lord confessed.

"Of what?" Ken asked carefully. "I confess the queen can be very direct and quick-witted. But still she is only a woman. There is nothing else with her but her royal blood, which is giving her a great amount of power. But that is also all there is to her."

"She told me something strange today," Thomas said lowly. "She told me the moment of truth is closing in, and that when it comes, there will be nothing left for me in Scotland. What does that mean?"

Ken was highly surprised. The queen couldn't see into the future. But then he started thinking clearly. The queen knew that if she married Thomas she would have to step down from her place on the king's throne to sit by his side, watching as he led the kingdom instead of her. He already knew that if you had power, you would do anything to keep it.

"I believe there is nothing to worry about, sire," Ken said calmly. "The queen is only trying to scare you somehow, though I confess her ways of doing so are a little strange. She is Scotland's most powerful woman, and she simply does not wish to let go of that power."

"Are you sure? She was smiling when she said it. It was the first time she smiled at me."

"Not to worry, sire," Ken said, sure that he was right. "There was a boy here earlier that made the queen laugh. It is easy to entertain her if you only place your feet right. That foolish smile will last until the wedding, which is closing in rather quickly now."

"The wedding?" Thomas asked, as if it was news to him.

"Are you sure you are all right, sire?" Ken asked with raised eyebrows. "This is why you came here in the first place."

"Y-yes, of cause I know. But… the way you said it… it was almost exactly what the queen said to me earlier."

"Forgive me my ignorance, but why sounding so worried about it? It is the day when the entire Scotland will be placed at your feet."

The Irish lord sat down and looked into space. "Could it be…? Is there another name used for a wedding? Maybe that was what she was talking about."

"How can it be? There is no other name for a wedding that I know of. You and the queen are going to be bound together in the presence of God. There is nothing anybody can do to stop that. The queen herself has agreed to marry you."

Thomas only nodded, slowly, before he dismissed Ken.

"Sleep well, my king-to-be," Ken said right before he closed the door.

May 30. The end of the month and the beginning of the summer. It should be a day of ease and activity on the fields. Well, the fields were taken care of, but the air resting over the people were nothing like the ease there used to be. Because it was now only five days left for the queen's wedding.

The guests started coming from here and there. Governor Duke was the first one to arrive to the castle.

"Your majesty?"

The queen turned to the young man, flashing him a brilliant smile. "Governor Duke, it is always a pleasure to be in your presence," she said.

Those were words the governor didn't hear very often, at least not without sarcasm. His appearance often had quite the opposite effect. His black hair could be described as curly, but at a closer look, the hair looked more like black flashes that made their way down his back. His skin had a soft caramel tan and he was long and lean. But what scared most people when the governor appeared were his face. His eyes were evergreen, greener than Scotland's green fields. At least the left one was. In younger days he had been slashed by a thief trying to rob him outside the fortress he lived in. It had made him blind on the right eye, the cut causing the colour to fade so it was almost white. And the scar that was left was black.

"As is it my pleasure to be able to bath in your light, your majesty," he said and bowed. "I merely wish to speak with your majesty, alone, if your majesty forgives me to be so straightforward with it."

Yuniko gave another kind smile. Duke was as loyal as a dog, in lack of a better word. Of all Scotland's governors, he was the one she liked the best. She turned to Malin. "Could you please tell Chef Solomon to make us a snack and take it to my chamber?"

"Anything, Milady," Malin curtsied before she left, curtsying once for the governor.

"Please come with me, governor Duke," the queen said and turned into the other direction.

As they reached the chamber, Joey caught up with them. "Malin told me," was all he said. Yuniko nodded at him before she opened the door and invited Duke inside.

For being a queen, her room was very cheaply furnished. A huge bed in the end of the room, a smaller one for Malin in a corner, an oak desk, a quite big dresser, a make-up table, a full-size mirror standing beside it, an open fireplace, and a few comfortable looking chairs. The floor was dressed in white with Scotland's shield on it; a red cross with the thorn wreath of Christ behind it.

"Please sit down and tell me the reason of the deep wrinkle between your eyes," Yuniko said, smiling kindly as she sat down in her favourite chair.

"Nothing is hidden from your gaze, is it, your majesty?"

"Not when it comes to my people," Yuniko said.

Duke sat down heavily in the chair beside the queen. "I must say… I am concerned about you, your majesty," he confessed. "Since… since you took over the throne, Scotland has lived the best of her days. Most of the noblemen I have talked to since your majesty's coronation are satisfied with you. The clans are, most of them, living their lives in peace, doing their business on their own and there have been minimal conflicts between rivalling clans in my district."

Duke was quiet for some time, enough for Yuniko to give him a piece of her mind. "I am very glad to hear that. I would be heartbroken if Scotland ever started to fight within herself. My goal as a monarch is to keep Scotland safe from threats both from outside and inside of her. But it is not to tell me this you sought me today. These news are not a reason for you to worry. Or are you one of those who wish this land into chaos?"

"Of cause not, your majesty!" Duke burst out and stood. "Never even think that of me. Not of me…"

"It was not my intention to anger you, governor," Yuniko said calmly and smiled warmly. "But you are good at avoiding the subject. The time will not extend only because we need more of it for this moment. As I hope you remember I am the queen, and as such I am sought by many, not only you."

"My apologizes, your majesty," Duke said anguished.

"No, because I am the one who should apologize. I was questioning your loyalty. And for that I am sorry."

Duke smiled slightly and sat back down. "My concern is not Scotland in her precious condition, but what she is heading to. My concern is your fiancé's worthiness of sitting on your majesty's throne. Forgive my choice of words, but that Irish pig could never even start to compare with her majesty's dignity. His place is in the same pit as the dirty dogs wandering the streets, eating rats to survive."

"Enough," the queen cut off harshly.

"Forgive me."

"You should aim your apologies to the pigs, dogs and rats you have just insulted."

Duke just stared at the queen, not quite grasping what she had just said. However, his face must have been a funny sight, because Yuniko let out a wholehearted, bell-like laugh.

"My apologizes, governor Duke. But you and I share our picture of my fiancé. Therefore I find it insulting to my friends, the animals, to compare him to them."

Duke was still at a loss of words. Whatever the reaction he had awaited from the queen was most certainly not the one he had gained.

"Enter," Yuniko suddenly called, turning Duke's eyes towards the door. He hadn't realized there had been a knock.

"You ordered a snack, Milady," Malin said.

"If I remember correctly, I asked you to bring a snack," Yuniko smiled. Ever since Martinsson's visit, her mood had been light-years brighter.

"Different words for the same thing, Milady. I would have brought Milady a snack no matter what words she would cared to use."

Yuniko laughed again. "I suppose you are right. Governor Duke, if there were more you wished to speak with me about, I hope it is not so serious it can not wait until after we have finished the tea. Now, let us enjoy this our lovely time together."

"And Chef Solomon sends his greetings to Milady as well," Malin said.

"It was a long time since I saw him. I suppose it is about time I pay him a visit, if only for his food's sake."

"Governor Duke, if you do not close your mouth anytime soon, I am sure a bird will mistake the hole for something else and build a nest in it," Malin teased the still shocked Duke. He snapped out of his shocked state and picked up his jaw from the floor.

'But if you marry…' he thought silently to himself. 'You can not imagine how many hearts you will send into misery, my queen.'

"Your majesty," Lilana breathed in complete aw. "Your majesty, had I not been a woman, I would fall down to my knees right here and beg you to stand as my bride."

"You only say so because it is the dress you really wish to marry," Malin said with venom.

"Miss Malin!" Lilana burst out, her face highly red.

"But…" Kyoko started timidly. "I think I agree with Ms Lilana. Milady, you are as beautiful as Scotland herself."

"Why, that really was a compliment worthy of the queen," Joey said, not being able to take his eyes off the sight in front of him; Yuniko in all her wondrous glory dressed in a wedding attire that would have made Elizabeth I envious.

The material hugged her shapes tightly down to her hips. Her shoulders were, for once, covered with a cream coloured silk scarf, hiding the pendant she always wore, the last gift of her brother. The sleeves were long and so wide they almost touched the floor, with a very pale picture of Scotland's shield on them. Roses made of red velvet served as a decorating belt resting on her rounded hips. The full length skirt was very carefully decorated with pale pink, yellow and white flower embroidery, forming sunflowers for wisdom, daffodils for summer, and water-lilies for innocence. Lilana had really put down all her heart in this dress.

Yuniko smiled to her friends. "It is lucky the wedding is tomorrow evening," she said. "It would take all night for me to get ready had it been in the middle of the day."

"Yes," Malin mumbled. Yuniko almost looked like she was looking forward to be married, something that didn't pass anybody by. But they all tried to hide their sinking hearts. "As it is now, I have plenty of time to do your hair, Milady. I will do my very best."

"I know you will. Scotland will see me at my very best tomorrow." 'Along with many others with their fates bound to mine,' she added silently in her mind.

Though Yuniko was quiet about it, she had felt the presence of at least three vampires since midnight. And they still hadn't left. They were walking around the castle like any other, which unnerved her greatly. Yet, she hoped they wouldn't do anything before she could blow their cover.

There was a knocking on the door.

"Enter," the queen answered almost automatically.

"Your majesty, I…"

Honda stopped halfway into the sentence and stared at the queen with open mouth.

"Yes?"

"What? I am sorry, Yu-your majesty. For a moment I thought… I mean; you look wonderful."

Yuniko laughed and playfully swirled around, letting her friend from the council admire her a little, but not for too long. Honda was still a man, even if he was more of an uncle for her. She didn't need him to prise her beauty right now.

"But I suppose it was not for admiring me in wedding suit you sought me, sir Honda," she said calmly, acting like she didn't have a care in the world.

"N-no. No, I did not. My reason for… my reason is… um?"

"Come, sir. You can tell me in another room where her majesty is not present to distract you."

"And what is that supposed to mean, Joey?" Yuniko said with a pout, pretending to be hurt.

"Why do you ask when you already know the answer, Milady?" the bodyguard asked back with raised eyebrows.

"Touché," Yuniko laughed. "Now get out so I can change back into my normal cloths," she told them.

The two men abandoned the room for another one down the corridor. Once in safety of Honda's study, the council man sat down heavily in his chair, hiding his face in his hands.

"Sir?"

"When I saw her… all I could think of was to what we are giving her hand. Still… I can not help but wonder… How do you think the king would react if he saw his daughter like this? A happy, carefree soon-to-be bride to a… a… monster?"

Joey, without realizing it, let his own pain and worry show. "I can not tell," he said lowly. "She is acting like a little girl, always smiling, always bright and loving. I can not tell if she is only acting to give us some peace in mind, or if she has… accepted the bridegroom, just like that."

Honda shook his head, almost in despair. "I refuse to believe it is like that. Our queen is wiser than that. She would rather poison herself than risk the throne to fall into the hands of that man. I… I refuse to believe she has… given in."

Silence filled the room, only disturbed by the soft droplets of rain that started to fall on the window. Joey was the first to break it.

"Why did you seek the queen now?"

Honda looked up from his hands, but his eyes were empty as he stared into nothing. "I wanted to ask her why. Why she accepted his offer in the first place. Why she has not done anything yet. Why she gave Ken a second chance when she knew he would betray her again. Why everything that happens… Why she can not find any peace in mind." A lonely tear made its way down the councilman's cheek. "I wish… that the queen was young again. I wish the king was still here, that prince Atemu never died, that the old queen was back. There is so much I wish never happened. But no matter how hard I fight against it, things happen that hurts our queen, breaking her apart until nothing is left. I can no longer pretend I am sleeping well during the nights."

Joey looked out the window. The rain out there was pouring harder by the minute. As if Heaven itself cried for what was about to happen. "Have you wondered… or even noticed?" the soldier asked quietly. Honda focused his gaze on him, urging him to continue. "The queen… has been very quiet lately," Joey continued. "Like… she never talks about the future. Until today I have never heard her mention the wedding other than when answering questions about it. She never… You remember the man who was here last month?"

"Lennart Martinsson?"

"Yes. He asked the queen if she would really get married… but she never answered. The only thing she said was that she would never abandon Scotland."

"That is the only hope I still can hold onto," Honda said quietly. "Hope is the only thing I can do. The rest is up to Yuni."

"Joey, there you are."

"Huh?"

Joey looked up into Yuniko's concerned blue eyes. He had been walking around aimlessly the latest hours, grieving, trying his hardest to make time stop, or at least go slower. He might as well try to reach the sun from the bottom of the sea.

"Are you all right, Joey? You look very far away."

"No… no, I am fine. No need to worry."

"I do anyway," his friend answered. "I have a free moment now. Please come and talk to me."

"Milady?" Malin spoke up.

"Malin, could you please look after the young girls for a moment. I believe Joey and I must talk in private."

"Of cause, Milady," the nurse curtsied and left without another word. She would never refuse Yuniko her privacy.

"Let us go to my room, and you can tell me what sir Honda sought me for. I have not been able to find him since you left with him."

"No, he only… no… never mind."

Yuniko gave him a look of pure concern. Joey was really not acting like his normal self. But as long as they were in the corridor she would not pry anything out of him. She took lead towards her chambers and locked the door behind them.

"Please, Joey. You must tell me how you feel," she pleaded quietly.

"How I feel? You want to know how I feel? Then let me tell you. I am furious, confused and completely in despair! First of all you promised to stand as my bride I do not know how long ago, and then you suddenly give your own hand to somebody else right under my nose! I felt like you betrayed me. But… for a moment, for some time, I believed you had a good reason to accept his offer, that you somehow were given no other choice. And today… today you look like tomorrow will be the happiest day in your life! I no longer know what to do, how to feel. Every day you break another piece of my heart. Mokuba is crying himself to sleep, Honda can not sleep at all anymore. I know Malin is keeping herself in check only because you are always near her, but I can tell her heart is sinking and how she seems sick whenever you are speaking to that man or his Godforsaken son. And it is not only us. The entire castle is feeling the same. And you know why? Because tomorrow you are giving away yourself and Scotland freely."

Yuniko slowly sat down in a chair. By any means she didn't look surprised, she wasn't even hurt. But when she looked up in the young man's eyes, her eyes were sad.

"Do you not know me well enough by now?" she asked, just as quietly as before. "Do you seriously think I am giving away Scotland freely?"

"That is what everybody think, Yuni. You yourself are giving everyone that picture."

"But do you believe it?"

Joey looked away, his features reflecting his pain. "I do not know," he answered truthfully. "I do not want to believe it. I refuse to… but every time I see you smile… I doubt it. You are not talking to anybody anymore. Malin, the one closest to your heart, knows nothing of what is going on behind your eyes. How can you expect us to trust you when you smile like you do?"

A quiet sigh escaped Yuniko's lips as she searched for the right words. "Tomorrow, everything will change, for good and bad. By now I am positive you know I am a terrible liar, why I instead am silent. I have never lied to you or my people. I was true when I kissed you. But Lord Thomas… is not of my people. It is to him, if to anyone, I have lied. I know I can not ask for your trust, yet I wish you can put some faith in me, Joey. Everything I have been hiding from my kingdom will be revealed tomorrow night."

Joey said nothing. He heard in her voice an undertone of fear. But what was she afraid of? "Yuni… what do you think the king would say, did he see you at that man's side?"

Yuniko smiled in amusement. "It is because of my father's absence my fiancé is here. Does that answer your question?"

The soldier managed a small smile. "I suppose. Good night… Yuni."

Yuniko stood and kissed her friend's cheek lightly. "Good night Joey. I love you."

It was midnight when Yuniko suddenly woke up. There were no sounds reaching her through the deep darkness surrounding her, no breath of air skating across her skin. Still she knew what had disturbed her sleep. She sat up in bed.

"Who are you?" she asked fearlessly.

There was a silence, in which she got out of bed, prepared for anything.

"By now, you should know who I am," a dark, emotionless voice said from the darkness of her room.

"Crow."

A pale ray of moonlight seeped into her chamber, falling on the vampire sitting as black hole in front of her. Only his lonely, green eye, grey hair and skin broke the black that ruled in him. "It has been a long time, love. I must say I was shocked when the news about your marriage reached the fortress."

"Is that why so many of you are here? To witness my wedding?"

"You noticed us? You are sharper than I expected. Yes, we have come to witness your wedding. Because the moment you say 'I do'… I am positive you know what that means."

"I know exactly what will happen if I step down from my place upon the throne. The knowledge is breaking me apart."

Crow's only eye glared at her. "Do you seriously think any of us will stand and watch when you give everything to a nobody? I am surprised Atemu did not suck him dry the other night when he paid that human a visit. He is furious with you, with himself, because he is not here to protect you."

"No one can protect me," Yuniko said, voice soft, but the words were as sharp as a newly sharpened dragger. "Human or vampire, no one can protect me. Those who try are swept away with the wind. I have seen it too many times already."

Crow gave her a devilish grin, showing off his sharp fangs. "And you will until the end of your life, love. Because the mortals hold you dear, they will try to protect you with their very lives. And they are not the only ones. The animals are on your side as well. How many lives can your conscience take before you decide to join them?"

Yuniko frowned. She knew he was right. Everyone who had died had because of her. But she tried, tried to protect them. That was the only way she could think of to stop this constant flow of deaths.

"You forgot one who is on my side as well, Crow," she said steadily. She would never let this creature bring her to her knees.

"Hô? And who would that be, beloved?"

The silver cross around Yuniko's neck suddenly shone through her cloths, its holy light hurting the vampire's entire being. "God."

Desperate to get away from the light, Crow broke through the window, alarming the guard outside.

"Your majesty! What happened?"

Yuniko walked up to the broken window, letting the clear night air wash over her like a wave. "It seems like they are preparing to make their move," she said calmly.

Sky suddenly came down and landed in the now open window, looking up at his mistress in question.

"Tomorrow will be very interesting indeed," she told the eagle, scratching his neck.

The high priest waited with Lord Thomas at the altar for the queen. The strict priest was relieved that there was coming a king to the throne, that he could not deny. But the high priest was a patriot, and as such he was not overly happy about the Irish lord standing as the queen's groom. She may be a woman ruling Scotland, and no one could deny she had not kept her promise of keeping Scotland safe and calm, but even the high priest doubted she was a complete fool. The high priest had hoped for one of the Scottish lords or earls to stand as her groom, not one of the Irish ones.

The church was filled to the brim with people waiting for the bride's arrival. The air was tense and somewhat anxious. There were jealous noblemen, earls and lords with their wives and sons, stiff soldiers, the council, and other, important people. The servants and locals were collected outside the church, behind lines of soldiers.

Malin sat with Ryouko, Kyoko, Honda and the council. Her face was empty and her eyes brimmed red. She had not been able to sleep, no matter how much she had tried to cry the comforting darkness over her. Kyoko fisted her skit so hard her knuckles had turned white and Ryouko held her cold hand over her little sister's. The white-haired girl looked almost sick with her sheet white face. Honda's face was like carved from stone, and his wasn't the only one. The entire council, minus Ken, was stiff. Joey, who stood on the queen's side of the altar, could as well have been a statue.

The organ started to play and everyone stood. The door opened and the bride started walking the path towards the altar, drawing a unison gasp of adoration from every man and woman with her appearance. Seeing the queen dressed up was an experience itself, to see her in wedding attire made some people want to swoon. Her face was hidden by a bridal veil so thin her eyes shone though the material, and she stared straight at the groom.

Thomas licked his lips. Soon, very soon, Scotland would be placed at his feet, and this woman would be chained to his bed.

The head priest, though happy the queen's shoulders were covered, frowned as he opened the bible.

Everything went smoothly forwards as the sun slowly set beyond the horizon. Then it came, the one moment of confession, the moment of truth.

"Now I ask you, Thomas IV Gabriel of the Lion clan. Do you, in witness of God and this audience, give your word to stay true to this Yuniko I of Scotland, and love her until death do you part?"

"I do," Thomas said clearly. He could taste victory on his tongue now, and so did Ken.

"Now I ask you, Yuniko I of Scotland. Can you, in witness of God and this audience, give your word to stay true to this Thomas IV Gabriel of the Lion clan, and love him until death do you part?"

A grave silence ruled in the church as everyone held their breaths, waiting for the queen's response, just as the sun disappeared.

"No."

The church became even quieter, everyone staring with wide eyes at the queen, quite not grasping that simple, single word. Thomas was the first one to find his words again.

"Excuse me?"

The queen removed the bridal veil from her face, staring straight and emotionlessly into the groom's face. "You heard me, Lord Thomas. No. I simply can not give my word to love you until the end of my days."

Finally the queen's words hit in and the church was suddenly filled with noise. Some women fainted, the lord's son started to cry from relief, soldiers got down to their knees as they started to breath again. Malin, along with Honda, slumped down into their seats, their relief so great all power left them.

"Thank you, Holy Father," Honda thanked his God, a tear escaping his eye. Malin and Ryouko started to cry loudly and Kyoko had swooned.

"YOU PLANNED THIS FROM THE BEGINNING!" Thomas suddenly roared over the noise, silencing most of it.

"If I had I would have turned you down when you asked for my hand," Yuniko answered calmly. "No, I did not plan this from the very beginning. This is simply what I have to do in order to protect my kingdom."

Silence lowered over the church once again as the queen stepped up beside the still mute head priest. "Heed my words. The one sitting upon the throne of Scotland is the one who must protect the kingdom, and the entire earth with it. Outside the lines of my kingdom there is a great evil waiting for me to step down and allow it to swallow the entire earth. I and Scotland is the only thing preventing this from happening. If I step down from my place upon the throne there will be nothing standing in evil's way and then earth will soon forget the feeling of peace and security as the earth's people slave in the Devil's shadow." She turned to Thomas, lowering her voice. "You still wish to have the throne of Scotland?"

A memory sneaked up on the mute Irish lord. A pair of glowing blue eyes, claws reaching out for him, a mouth opening to reveal the gate to Hell. "You are LYING!" he roared in denial.

"Not at all," said another, strangely humming voice. "The Battle Princess is simply doing everything in her might to protect her people."

The head priest suddenly found his voice again. "Scot?"

Thomas turned around only to be met by an ash grey hand with sharp nails, cold as death, gripping his throat. "Long time no see, my old friend," Scot greeted the head priest with a fanged grin.

Screams were heard from the seats closest to the altar as another of their kind suddenly grabbed Thomas's son and the rest of the Irish visitors.

"We are not staying for very long, your majesty," Scot said, bowing for the queen. "We are only here to pick up your enemies. You have my word they are not coming back from the other side of the grave."

"Do you understand me now, Thomas," the queen said softly, her eyes very sad. "Without my protection there is nothing standing in their way to get to you. I was never able to save any of you."

"Let us take leave," Scot said, dragging a cocking, and fighting Thomas with him in his claws.

As the vampires swiftly moved towards the exit, Yuniko suddenly lifted her skirt and rushed after them. Maybe, maybe she could save them anyway. She could not just sit still as humans were being killed right in front of her eyes. She had seen that too many times already, and she didn't want to see it again.

Through the church, into the porch and almost out the gate. But before she could exit the church cold hands gripped her, stopping her from chasing the monsters further. A soft voice whispered in her ear from behind.

"I am proud of you, daughter. Very proud."

Yuniko suddenly flew out the church's gate. For a second she could only hear the frightened cries of the people outside, she saw them try to get away from the sight of the horrifying creatures, carrying limp bodies of humans.

"NO!" she cried, releasing a wave of light that pushed the vampires away, but to her desperation they didn't let go of their victims. But the people saw her, and drew closer to her, seeking her protection. Yuniko noticed, and immediately calmed down. She was not alone, she had to remember that. Scotland's entire people pushed her back, giving her strength. She was the people's mother, the one who protected them from all. She let her light gently wash over them.

"There is no need to fear, my people," the shining queen said calmly. "I will not let those monsters touch any of you."

"Long live the Queen!" somebody called, and soon the entire mass of people joined in. "LONG LIVE THE QUEEN! LONG LIVE THE QUEEN!"

With a warm smile, Yuniko sent out a huge wave of pure light that washed over the people, the land, and the entire kingdom. The humans saw it, and followed the wave with their eyes as it suddenly rose into the sky, creating a golden shield between them and everything that could possibly harm them.

With a sigh Yuniko relaxed and let her light fade, that was when it happened. Cold arms suddenly grabbed her and lifted her into the sky. With a yelp she threw her arms around a familiar neck.

"Do not fear. I will not hurt you."

"Aku?"

Yuniko suddenly noticed that she was totally and completely worn out and exhausted. The world spun in front of her eyes and her body slowly fell limp.

"Stupid," Aku whispered to her fainted form. "Using so much power to protect both the people and the kingdom. Of cause you would faint."

The golden eagle Sky flew in a circle around them, before he decided to only guard his mistress for now. If Yuniko fell from this height she would die.

No hurting mistress, he warned the vampire though.

Never, Aku answered truthfully.

"YUNIKO!" Malin and Joey yelled after their disappearing queen.

"Give her back, you devil!" Malin yelled as she tried to run after the flying being.

"Malin, take Unicorn!" Joey yelled as he freed the two white mares from the carriage which Yuniko had arrived with. Ryouko, with surprising speed, somehow managed to get on the white mare behind Malin. "I will come with you," was all she said, and that with finality.

The people who had all seen the shadow sweep their queen away, also started to follow the vampire, but Malin, Ryouko and Joey was far ahead on their fleeing horses.

"It can not hurt her," Malin whispered to herself, keeping her eyes on the shadow in the sky. "Yuni's blood is poisonous for evil."

To all three the queen's friends' surprise the vampire aimed for the castle and the queen's room. They exchanged a puzzled glance.

Aku flew through the broken window, careful to not let the sharp glass make contact with the woman in his arms. He couldn't tell if the room was cold or not, but he couldn't stay here for too long either. He decided to only place her on the bed without covering her.

A ray of moonlight suddenly fell through the window, casting its pale silver light on the queen's being. Had Aku had a heartbeat, it would have stopped at the sight. He had seen her as the princess like this, but suddenly, only months later, she had changed. Her face wasn't as pained or shielded as it had been that night in Mars. Right now it was so peaceful he almost feared she was dead, though he could still hear the calm and safe beating of her heart. She was lean, but still healthy with rosy cheeks and sun kissed skin. Her entire being breathed an air of calmness, security and peace… still, she looked so breakable, so helpless where she slept, chest rising and falling with her steady breathing. To think that this peaceful human was the world's most powerful woman was hard to believe had you witnessed her in that very moment.

Cries and yells were heard from the courtyard, and the vampire knew his time at the sleeping Yuniko's side was soon over. He leant over her form, whispering.

"The war is coming to an end. There is no escape. Not for you. Not for us." He watched her peaceful face as if waiting for her response. "We can not escape," he breathed. "In the end, there will be no winner. Because you must victory. Because we must fail. Because there is no other way."

Running feet were heard down the corridor, aiming for the room he was located in. Aku would have sighed had his lungs remembered how to do it. Ignoring the humans coming to put up a living shield between him and the queen, Aku leant down the last inch between Yuniko's lips and his own, kissing her softly.

The door, unlocked as it was, was almost hit off its hinges as the bodies were thrown into the wood. The three in the lead landed in an awkward heap right behind the vampire. Aku just lifted his head and looked at the newcomers over his shoulder. One of them he recognized as Malin, Yuniko's nurse. The other two wasn't as familiar to him, nor did it matter. He had gotten what he came for.

"You Devil! Leave Yuniko alone!"

The white-haired vampire calmly moved over to the window, almost as if he was levitating, and spread his wings, when suddenly an arrow passed and made a cut in his cheek.

Surprised but unable to stop himself in his move Aku took flight into the air. The one who had shoot that arrow stepped up into the window and aimed at him again. She was young, only in her middle teenage, with waist-long, white hair and clear, brown eyes at the moment filled with anger.

'Grandmother?' Aku thought to himself. That couldn't be possible. His grandmother was dead since long ago, she died right in front of his eyes and he had buried her himself. Yet those eyes… it was no doubt they were his grandmother's eyes.

Ryouko was about to fire her arrow away when she suddenly lost her balance.

"Ryouko!" Joey called out and tried to grab her as she fell. Just then the white-haired girl realized how high above the ground she was. Never in her life had Ryouko been so scared. The bow slipped from her hands as nothing but empty space was all around her while the ground approached fast enough to kill her.

'Yuniko!' she called silently and closed her eyes tightly.

But when the ground finally reached her, it wasn't as hard as she had believed it to be. It didn't even hurt to land.

Opening her eyes to see what had happened she realized that she had never hit the ground. In front of her face she saw the profile of a man with white hair and sharp fangs. The vampire had caught her!

"No! Release me immediately!" she cried.

"We are too high above the ground for that," his deep voice informed her, never once looking at her.

Looking down Ryouko saw the roof of the castle. Mostly subconsciously she threw her arms around the vampire's neck.

'No! I do not want to die. Not yet. I must stay with Kyoko. Mother…'

"Here, you can let go now."

Surprised she opened her eyes again and realized he had landed in an open window in the west tower. Sky was there also, sitting with spread wings on the vampire's shoulder with open break, prepared to protect her. Slowly she let go of the vampire's neck as he let her down on the floor.

"W-why? I thought…"

"I feed last night," he said softly, looking at her as if searching for something.

"Last night? But…?"

"We only feed once a month, twice depending on the hunger. But since we are as many as we are it may seem we feed every night. Besides, had I tried to feed on you I would be burnt to ashes thanks to the Battle Princess's blood around your neck."

Ryouko wasn't sure she should relax, yet she could see no kind of hunger in the monster's eyes. If anything, she could see sorrow, and maybe pain. "W-what were you doing to Yuniko?" she asked bluntly.

The vampire grinned, but his eyes betrayed his pain. "You think only the living can love?" he asked lowly. "I love the Battle Princess… more than anything. Even if I know I can only love her from a distance."

Ryouko looked at the vampire from an entirely new view. It had never hit her that these monsters knew of such a human thing as emotion. It made them seem more human, less monstrous.

"You really…" the vampire mumbled after some time, once again seemingly trying to find something in her eyes. "If I did not know better, I would…" He fell silent again, his eyes slowly widening. But then he suddenly turned his eyes over his shoulder, anger covering his features. Without another word he jumped out the window and flew away swiftly, leaving a very confused Ryouko behind.