Chapter 3 – Marriage is no Picnic
Hikari sat in front of her dressing table and stared at her reflection. Hana was styling her hair in an elegant chignon and secured it with a sliver comb. Her makeup had been immaculately done. It was only minimal though, only to bring out her natural beauty. She knew that she should have been happy to be getting married to Kaname, but she wasn't. She'd planned on marrying someone she loved and now that dream had shatter into millions of pieces. But she had stiff upper lip; she was doing this for her father.
As she slipped her dress on, she smiled softly at her reflection, "Oh, Lady Hikari, you look quite lovely."
"Thank you, Hana," Hikari said distantly. Hana walked over to the velvet box which had the tiara in. It had been her mother's tiara. It was made out of silver and it glistened with many small diamonds. Hana lifted it from the box and placed the tiara on Hikari's head. She then took the silver comb from the chignon and attached the veil to it before slipping it back into place. Hana took a step back to admire her handy work. Hikari looked up at Hana. Hana was wearing a white dress that was very close fitting to her body that elegantly revealed her curves. It was floor length and it flared out. It was made out of chiffon and silk fabric.
There was a knock at the door and Hana went to answer it. She opened the door, "Yes?"
"I'm Hikari's father," Eisuke said.
Hikari's lips curved into a gleeful, cheery smile. Hana further opened the door and let Hikari's father inside, "Thank you," he said.
"Hello, my dear girl," Eisuke walked towards his daughter.
"Hello, father," Hikari smiled. She met her father half way and hugged him tightly. Eisuke hugged her back and then pulled back to take a proper look at her.
"Hikari, you look like your mother," Eisuke said, admiring his daughter's beauty, "Take that as a complement."
"Thank you, I will," Hikari said with a small smile. She turned to her maid, "Father, this is Hana."
"Nice to meet you, Hana," Eisuke said, "I hope you are looking after my daughter."
"Of cause, my lord," Hana said with a small smile.
"Is it time, Father," Hikari asked. Eisuke nodded. She sighed softly and linked her arm in his. Hana picked up Hikari's train. They walked out of Hikari's room and down towards the Kuran family chapel. She could sense the presence of all the guests waiting for her and the presence of her husband to be.
As they stepped inside the chapel, everyone was chatting amongst themselves. She spotted Ichijo standing next to Kaname. She also spotted Sara Awayuki, Ichijo's fiancée. She was as beautiful as ever, wearing a silk sapphire evening gown with white, arm length gloves. Around her neck was silver locket with an engraved rose on it, encrusted with blue sapphires. In her hair was discreet silver tiara, also encrusted with sapphire and diamonds. She was sitting on the groom's side of the chapel with the Kurans. Few people were sitting on Hikari's side. Her aunt, her uncle and that was all. Most of her family were gone. Ichio, Ichijo's grandfather, was sitting with the Kurans.
"Are you ready," Eisuke asked. Hikari nodded. Her veil was placed over her face and she took a hold of her bouquet of roses. Eisuke nodded to the violinist and cellist. They played Canon in D by Pachelbel, not the ordinary wedding march. They slowly made their way towards the alter and Hikari's heart was beating in her chest painfully. As Hikari approached her husband to be, she handed her bouquet to Hana and stood next to Kaname. She glanced at Kaname once and then back at the priest.
"Dearly beloved…" That's how the priest started. He droned on and on, not really caring if anyone was listening. But before they knew it, it was time for their vows. Kaname turned to her and held hand.
"Will you, Kaname Kuran, take Hikari Kitamura to be your wife? Will you love her, cherish her, honour and protect her, forsaking all others as long as you both shall live?"
There was a pause before Kaname answered, "I will." They dropped hands.
The priest then turned to Hikari and indicated that she should hold Kaname's hand. Hikari nodded and grasped Kaname' hand, "Will you, Hikari Kitamura, take Kaname Kuran to be your husband? Will you love him, cherish him, honour and protect him, forsaking all others as you long as you both shall live?"
Hikari hesitated. She looked up at Kaname and held his stoic gaze. She closed her eyes. Well aware of everyone's expect gaze; she nodded softly, "I will."
After that it was just a blur. They exchanged the rings and she said those vows as if she was in a trance. But when the priest said, "You may kiss the bride," it snapped her out of her stupor. The priest was looking at them expectantly. She looked up at Kaname and out of the corner of her eye, she saw Juuri looking expectant.
Finally, they took the plunge. They moved a little closer to each other and Kaname lifted her veil, bending down to accommodate her small stature. They pressed a soft kiss to each other's lips. They pulled away from each other as soon as their lips had touched.
They were husband and wife…and Hikari knew she should have been happy…but she wasn't. Most girls would happily give up their left arm just to be with him, even if it was an arranged marriage…but she wasn't most girls.
After signing the registers, they walked back down the isle. Everyone was clapping cheering, but Hikari's face didn't show any emotion and neither did Kaname's. They appeared neither happy nor sad: just a straight laced expression.
They made their way to the ball room with the wedding guests following closely behind. Once they entered, they were led to the main wedding table for the bride, groom and their parents. Eisuke sat beside his daughter and held her hand, knowing that he needed the support, "You did well, Hikari, well done."
Hikari nodded. She glanced over at her husband and back at her father, "He's not going to talk to me, Father, it's just such hard work."
"Well the likelihood is that he's just as scared as you, dear, just take your time and get to know each other bit by bit," Eisuke reasoned. Hikari sighed and nodded. She gazed out at the wedding guests who appeared rather happy and cheerful. She saw Sara talking to Ichijo. She was envious of Sara but was also happy for her. She wouldn't wish a loveless marriage on anyone. Sara and Ichijo were engage to be married, it was an arranged marriage, but they still held affection for each other and were having time to at least get to know the other.
Hikari sipped her fake blood and tried to think happy thoughts. She was soon served her first course for dinner. She wasn't very hungry, but she ate it to be gracious. As she ate, she found herself glancing at Kaname. She didn't know why she was doing that, but a part of her wanted to be noticed by him. That was only natural after all.
After a while, Hikari decided to walk out onto the balcony. She stared out at the setting sun, watching as the moon and the stars became more visible. What had she been condemned to? She dreaded to foresee what her future was going to be like; it seemed bleak.
She felt as though she was going to cry, but she felt someone tap her shoulder. She whipped around in shock and her eyes fell upon Sara, "I came to give you congratulations, Lady Kuran," Sara said sweetly. Hikari placed a hand on her heart, getting over the shock.
"Thank you," Hikari said softly, "You're Princess Sara Awayuki, aren't you?"
The girl nodded, "Yes, I am," she said serenely, "Glad to meet you, Lady Kuran."
"You're engaged, no," Hikari asked, knowing the answer already but she was just making conversation and breaking the silence that had preceded them.
"Er, yes, that's true. I'm engaged to Takuma Ichijo," Sara replied.
"Was it arranged?"
Sara nodded, "Yes, it was just arranged, but I think we understand each other now and I'm starting to fall in love with him. He says that he feels the same way." She coyly played with her fingers.
"Oh…good for you…" Hikari turned back to gazing at the moon.
"Are you looking forward to your new family life," Sara asked. Hikari sighed softly and shrugged.
"He doesn't love me…we only met yesterday," Hikari said sadly. Sara gasped.
"Really? I couldn't even imagine myself in your position! But my mother did prepare me for such happenings before she died and if you would like me to give you any advice, I'd be glad to do so."
Hikari turned her head to look at the young girl. Sara was younger than her by three years. Was she all right with taking advice from someone so young?
"Okay, give me what advice you have for me," Hikari said aloofly.
"Well, I wouldn't seduce him straight away," She said, "Be sweet and kind as you are. But if he tries it on with you, be 'hard to get' as the humans would say. Don't give him into him."
"But he's acting coldly towards me."
"A man has needs and he will have to give into them eventually. If you act coldly, just like he's doing to you, you'll drive him crazy."
"Although Lady Juuri has assured me that he wouldn't take mistress, I'm still not sure and acting coldly could push him away."
"Yes, it could and there are so many times that you can do it, I admit that. But do your best to keep his interest. Think of Queen Anne Boleyn of England. Remember, she seduced a king just by refusing his advances, keeping him entranced. She wasn't particularly beautiful, but her intelligence, wit and rejection of his advances kept him interested for some time. Although she was executed in the end, you cannot deny that she did a good job for what would seem an age," Sara said softly, "Impress him with what you have, keep him interested because men like a challenge; they don't like easy women, becoming bored very quickly. Men like the thrill of the chase."
"But I don't have his attention," Hikari said.
"Earn it and then make him earn it."
"Did you ever…do any of this with Ichijo?"
"No, but I tried it though," Sara said honestly, "Because Takuma was so nice to me and there was no real need. It only works if you want to attract attention in an arranged marriage that's just starting out."
Hikari sighed, "Will it work?"
"Perhaps, perhaps not; it worked for my mother. She had my father head over heels in love with her by the end of the year. It wasn't happy at the start, but my mother cleverly entranced him with her wit, intelligence and beauty and it was like that for at least a thousand years," Sara said dreamily, "Just don't be too heavy handed with your technique, be subtle."
"I see. Thank you very much, Lady Awayuki," Hikari said with a bright smile, "I hope we can be friends."
"Yes, I'd love that, Lady Kuran," Sara said kindly, "You can visit me if you wish."
"Oh, you too," Hikari said happily, "Oh, do call 'Hikari'…if we're friends…it seems only right."
"In that case, you may call me 'Sara'," Sara said, taking Hikari's hand in hers. Hikari nodded.
Suddenly, Ichijo also stepped out on the terrace, looking for his fiancée, "Ah, Sara, there you are. The next dance it about to start. Will you dance with me?"
Sara smiled at him, "Of cause, I'll be right there."
Ichijo nodded, "See in a minute." He walked back inside, leaving the two girls alone.
"Well, see later," Sara said with a quick hug. Hikari watched the bubbly girl walk away with a hint of sadness. She envied her, but it made her like her even more.
"Yes...see you later."
As Hikari entered her room, Hana prepared her night dress and pulled the new Lady Kuran further into the room, "I must give you my congratulations, my lady. You make a beautiful couple."
"Do we," Hikari said with quiet skepticism. Hana nodded.
"You seem to be melancholy, Lady Hikari," Hana said softly.
Hikari shook her head, "No, Hana, I am quite happy."
Hana didn't look convinced but knew better than to press her, "All right, Ma'am," Hana said as she helped removed Hikari's dress, "Will you be joining Lord Kaname tonight, Ma'am?"
"No, I most certainly will not," Hikari said sharply, as she slipped her night gown over her head. She pulled the pins out of her hair, letting her hair cascade down her back.
"Would you like me to help you," Hana asked.
"No thank you, Hana," Hikari said with out looking at her. Hana nodded sadly and walked from the room.
"Good night, Ma'am," Hana said before closing the door behind her. Hikari sighed sadly and swallowed back her tears. She had to stay strong, for herself and her father.
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