Ace of Hearts (Part 3 of Finale)

There was a prolonged period of deafening silence.

"I presume that the messenger carrying the invitation lost his way in the vast deserts of Jehanna or died en route from bandits or in an accident," Kai said stiffly, eyeing the blade wearily. "However, if your highness insists on making me shoulder the blame, I will, in which case I would accept whatever punishment your highness think I deserve." He bowed his head. "Even if it be the overly harsh punishment as your highness deems to be fit for an administrative error."

I silently winced at Kai's audacity. I could see Joshua's eyes narrowing dangerously into two slits, with a deep furrow appearing between his brows. From experience, I could tell that he was angry, furious and ready to strike. Slowly, he lifted his sword.

"No!" Turning, I threw down the roses and unsheathed Kai's sword from its scabbard, defending him with my body. The blade was too heavy for me to use it comfortably, and it was too long, but it was still manageable if I held it in my two hands. Standing in front of Kai, I positioned the sword to deflect any attacks from the legendary Audhulma.

Joshua's eyes widened. The tip of Audhulma trembled, sending a blue spark falling onto the carpet. "You would…protect him with…your life?" His voice trembled.

The tip of my sword wavered. My hands were starting to ache from holding up such a heavy weight. "It's not his fault," I proclaimed. "I was the one who stopped the messenger at the gates of Carcino. If you really want to, kill me instead of Kai. He's innocent."

"You..." Kai was momentarily taken aback. "But I…"

I silenced him with a sharp nudge to his ribs. I knew that he was the one who recalled the messenger at the gates of Carcino. I knew that he was the one who warned me of the dangers if we were found out. I knew that he was the one who had persuaded me relentlessly to let the invitation be sent to Jehanna. And I knew that it was from his hand that I took the recalled invitation from. So technically, if anyone had to pinpoint the blame, it would be him who had to accept the punishment.

But I was the one who wanted the invitation to be recalled. I was the one who threatened to cancel the wedding unless he recalled the invitation. I was the one who burned the invitation. I was the one who watched the invitation burn in the fireplace, writhing as it was consumed by the tongues of the flame.

It was my continuous silence that goaded him into doing so. I was the one who could not face the King of Jehanna. I was the one who insisted on recalling the invitation and violating the foreign policy rules even though I was clear of the consequences. And thus, if he were to die for it, I was going to die first.

A spark of realization shone in Joshua's eyes. The corners of his lips twitched. His hand, the one holding Audhulma, shook.

He had never been a stupid man. He understood in a flash.

And he laughed.

It was not a spiteful laugh, neither was it a peal of victorious laughter. It was similar to any normal laugh anyone would make when they encounter a humorous object or incident.

"I would have never imagined, Marisa," he laughed. "That you would have risked your own life to save anyone whom you didn't care a whit for." The smile on his face turned upside down into a bitter frown. "After all that I have said, you still don't believe a thing of what I have said, don't you?"

He was spot-on as usual. Even after everything that he had said, no, I still did not fully believe him. Perhaps the misunderstanding of each other's feelings was still acceptable, but the image of him embracing Natasha was so deeply etched in my memory that it was imprinted. Every time I close my eyes, I could see the two of them dancing before my eyes, smiling beautifully at each other.

"Well then, my time is up," he gave me a small smile, although I could see the disappointment and sorrow in his eyes. I was once again reminded of the feature that I loved best about him. "Seems like Lady Luck abandoned me today again." He attempted to grin as though nothing had happened. "But I won't give up hope, Marisa. Five years ago, I made a bet with heaven. I took heads, and I told myself that if the coin fell as heads, heaven wants me to pursue you. If tails, it means that heaven feels that we are not fated. I didn't rig the coin; I didn't cheat in the flipping. The coin fell as heads, and thus, I believe that heaven has always wanted me to continue loving you." He bowed his head. "I'll always wait for you in Jehanna. My mother's throne has been empty ever since she died, and…it will remain empty for you, Marisa. So long as I am alive and you are not back, no one will sit in that throne even if someone holds a blade to my throat…If you do change your mind one day…I'll always be there for you with open arms…" His voice had died down into a hollow whisper. "Always…"

He sheathed Audhulma. "Come on Gerik, time to leave."

As I watched him turn, my heart broke once again. I loved him, I used to, I still did and I would for the rest of my life. Even if I could distance myself from him physically, a portion of my heart would forever be retained for him. Marrying Kai would provide a relief, but a relief could only do so much; the next time I see him again, I would again fall deeper in love with him, and when he leaves again, my heart would break again.

I resisted the urge to cry as I watched his back turn.

"Oh, I almost forgot," he paused in the middle of the aisle and turned back. Delving into his pocket, he pulled out a small object and placed on my palm. "I had meant to give this to you five years ago, but I never had the chance, and this might be the last one I'll ever have." He spoke so softly that only Kai and I could hear what he was saying. "Do you remember how we used to spar, and whenever it boiled down to a contest of brute strength you would always lose to me?" He chuckled at the memory. "You were always upset over the fact that I was stronger than you, so I asked Colm to help me buy this from one of those underground secret shops."

I opened my hand. It was a golden ring, with a large red jewel at the centre. "An energy ring?"

Joshua nodded. "Look inside."

There were words engraved on the inside of the ring: I will always be there to protect you. Clearly, I recalled that day when I had been poisoned by a monster, and he had helped me back to base camp, arms around my shoulders, supporting me with every step I took, whispering words of encouragement in my ears.

Under normal circumstances, I would have been cold, exhausted and irritated. But with his arms around my shoulders, my body leaning against his, I was warm, cozy, comfortable and contented.

Would I…ever experience that ever again?

"I was going to confess to you that day when you saw me with Natasha in the forest. I was so worried when I saw you lying there by yourself, your lips white from the poison, the cold sweat forming on your forehead. I thought I was too late." He bit his lip. "Then after that, after you recovered, you never gave me the chance to tell you my feelings. You always, always ran away from me, avoided me everyday, everywhere…so today, I'll give this to you, and hopefully I'll make myself feel better when I return home and know that you are another man's wife." He took a step back. The crimson pupils were dull. "If you ever give me the chance, Marisa, I promise I'll make up for all the hurt and pain I've ever caused you over the past five years. I'll love you more than any man has ever loved a woman. I'll…" He trailed off and turned to Kai instead. "Take care of her for me." Turning to me one last time, he smiled, not a smirk, not a grin, but a smile. "I love you, Marisa, forever and always."

As we watched Joshua walk slowly down the aisle towards the door, Kai turned to me. "Do you…love him, Marisa?" he asked. There was no threat, no anger, no sorrow or disappointment in his voice, just curiosity. "Tell me truthfully."

There was no point in lying. I nodded, still following Joshua with my gaze.

Kai nodded, exhaled deeply. "I suspected as much. Go after him."

His words shocked me. That was not what I had expected. Was he not going to reprimand me for ruining the wedding? Was he not displeased by the fact that they were so many disruptions in our wedding ceremony? Was he not upset that another man had just came to challenge his position as my husband-to-be? Was he not angry that after we married, he would never be able to obtain the whole of my heart? "What?" I gasped, open-mouthed. "But…I thought…"

At the very least I had expected a duel, a challenge from him to Joshua, a clash between Kai's jeweled blade and Joshua's Audhulma. Was he not at all furious that the King of Jehanna had just burst into his wedding to announce to the whole world that he was in love with the bride?

Grasping me by the shoulders, he turned me to face him. "Listen Marisa," he sighed. "I am a gentleman, I won't force you to marry me. I've seen you with a sword. It'll turn out badly for both of us." He took a deep breath. "That day, when you described your relationship with King Joshua to me, I believed your words. I thought that you were seriously disheartened and disillusioned by the idea of love, and that you would be happy fulfilling your duties, doing what is expected of you. I thought that finally, I could find a wife who would be contented living as my dutiful wife instead of fawning over me and begging for affection everyday. But now- no, don't protest- you have proven that you have not at all given up on love. Even if you marry me now, there is no stopping that eternal spring in your heart that will continue to bleed for King Joshua. No-stop interrupting me – you love him right? Then go with him. I shall not deprive you of love when I myself do not seek it."

"But he-" I cast a lingering gaze at Joshua's back.

"Don't tell me he doesn't love you," Kai said sternly. "I have never seen a man more in love with a woman, even though all I've seen was just the fifteen minutes that had just passed. He's even willing to take up a life of celibacy for you, what else do you expect him to say? Not to mention that he's a king, he could have a harem of beautiful women, but he only wants you. He really loves you, Marisa, more than you can ever imagine. And he'll be able to make you happier than I ever will make you. I'm fond of you, Marisa, but he loves you. And there is a fundamental difference between love and like. If you do marry me now just because you think that he doesn't care about you, one day, you'll wake up and you'll regret it so deeply that you won't be able to forgive yourself for being a fool. Now go, before I have to resort to forcing you."

"But what about-" I began.

"Don't worry about me, I'll live," Kai cracked a small smile. "I'm still young, rich and eligible. I will not face a shortage of prospective brides anytime soon. And I would much prefer a wife who could truly live by duty, whom I believe I would be able to find so long as I try hard enough. I'm sure there are like-minded people around whom I will eventually meet someday. Marisa, you are, truly, a talented and special woman, and King Joshua is someone who will be able to treasure you and give you that special happiness. Don't harp on me. I quite enjoy my bachelorhood, and I would still treasure it for a long time to come, now that you are getting married to another. Now go, before it's too late."

I did not need to be told twice. Gathering the train of my dress, I sprinted down the aisle after Joshua.

"King Joshua!" I heard Kai call out. "Behind you!"

As he turned around, I tripped on my gown and fell forward, right into his arms. Staggering backwards at the sudden weight that had been flung on him without any warning, he enveloped me tightly in a crushing hug.

Flinging my arms around his neck, I held on to him like a drowning person holding on to a branch, never wanting to let go. After five years, it felt so right to be back with him, in his arms, holding each other tightly as though there is no tomorrow.

Happiness, euphoria, overflowing joy…there was no word, none at all, to represent the feeling that I was currently experiencing as I tightened my arms around him, breathing in the familiar scent of him.

"So you've…" He whispered softly into my ear.

I nodded. "I...love you...Joshua." After so long of suppression, uttering those words were a relief.

I could hear his sigh of contentment, feel his firm body pressed into mine, feel his strong arms tightening around me, feel myself melting into his warm embrace

Vaguely, I could hear the orchestra playing a soft lyrical piece. We were surrounded by applause from all corners of the church, with everyone standing at their seats. Every pair of hands was clapping as many bestowed understanding smiles upon us, whereas some stood bewildered at the sudden turn of events.

And this continued on and on, till at least we pulled apart. Turning to Kai, who was still clapping with the bemused and awkward smile etched on his face, I gave him a slight smile.

It must feel really bizarre to see a woman, who had been your prospective wife half a minute ago, flinging herself at another man.

It must have been quite embarrassing too, to stand at the altar, ready to be married, only to have your bride desert you for a gatecrasher.

Gratified and slightly mollified at what I had just done, I mouthed "thank you" silently.

Moulder, who was standing behind Kai, thought that I was thanking him for his priestly services, turned red in the face, squealed and toppled behind the altar.

Finally, when everyone had sat down once again and the church was silent. Joshua cleared his throat. "Marisa…I'm not a very chivalrous person and neither am I a knight, general, cavalier or paladin, I am a…dutiful citizen of Jehanna?"

Those who could see him laughed at the dubious look on his face. I heard someone say, quite loudly in fact, "Yeah right", which sent many people, especially those who had known him, laughing.

"-so I do not propose in the knightly way by going down on one leg. But I am sincere, dedicated, loving, rich, young and handsome-"

More people started laughing.

"-and I love you, more than anything else in this world. Marisa, will you, with this engraved energy ring-"

Everyone was laughing now. I could hear Gerik's "Ho, ho, ho" drowning everyone else's laughter.

"-consent to marry me and make me the happiest of all men?"

I nodded shyly. What was there left to reconsider when you have spent the last five years doing so?

A thunderous roar nearly lifted the roofs as everyone stood up once again in a standing ovation. Under the scrutiny of thousands of pairs of eyes, Joshua slipped the energy ring onto my ring finger and smirked. "Now, you're officially mine."

"Not yet," I reminded him gently, my lips curling upwards into a small smile as he grimaced at the mere thought of organizing the reception, clothing, venue, date, invitations…

"Say…don't some people owe us a kiss?" Gerik said, leaning against the door of the church, blocking the exit with his huge frame "If you don't kiss you don't get out." He shrugged as a devious smirk crept across his face.

Joshua raised a tentative eyebrow.

I glared at him.

I could have sworn I would have killed him. Chief or not, that was a thing of the past and he was going to regret that he had ever been born after I had finished sharpening my shamshir on him.

Urged by Gerik's demands, the crowd started chanting, demanding a kiss. I blushed. To think that all of them here were the distinguished nobility from all over Magvel, and they were all yelling at the top of their voices to see someone kiss?

"I don't like this…" I gripped his hand tightly as I tried to hide the blush on my face.

Grinning, Joshua leant in. "Close your eyes." He whispered gently.

I closed my eyes as I felt his lips brush lightly, almost tenderly, against mine and pull away a second later.

The crowd, not bothering whether it was a long or a short kiss, cheered uproariously once again.

"You'll see a longer, better one at my wedding, I assure you," Joshua promised, creating a wave of catcalls and wolf whistles.

"Do remember to invite me, King Joshua," Kai teased, laughing. "Otherwise I may just have to crash your wedding to point my sword at you."

Joshua tipped his fedora at Kai. "I'll send you the invitation personally, you can count on that, as a small gesture of my thanks, right Marisa?" He smirked at me.

I bit back a smile. He could never cease to amuse me.

"I love you, Marisa." he wrapped one hand around my waist. "I think I am really lucky to be able to spend the rest of my life with you. I swear by Lady Luck that I will treasure you for as long as I live and make you feel so happy as my Queen that you'll never regret your decision, not even for one second of your life."

"I believe you." I placed my hand in his. "Thank you for coming to find me today."

"Anything for you, Marisa." He grasped my hand tightly. "Speaking of which, did that Lord Kai guy say he want a uptight, duty-oriented wife?"

I nodded apprehensively. From experience, the smirk that he was currently wearing on his face signaled the beginning of one of his ideas. From experience again, the ideas usually resulted in someone trying to murder him at the end of it.

"What do you think if we introduce him to Natasha?"

Fin

Author's Note:

Woohooo! After so long...ahhh...it's finally over and they'll both together again in a fairy tale ending! Yay!

Thank you all for faithfully supporting this story and following it to the end. I sincerely hope that all of you have enjoyed the plot story and all that has come with it!

Special thanks goes out to those who have reviewed and given me all the encouragement to finish this piece! Thank you all so much! Please continue to review this chapter :D

On a side note, I was considering doing a sequel of Marisa and Joshua's wedding, which would be mainly humour and romance. After all, after all that they have been through, and given their very interesting personalities, I feel that their wedding would be epic, and thus worth a shot. Haha, but do give me suggestions on whether I should do it, as well as how to improve on my stories for my future fanfictions.

And now...we'll raise our cups and drink to a lovely life ahead for our newly engaged couple Joshua and Marisa...

Cheerios ~

Signed,

snowylavendermist