A/N: I do not have any idea how to describe the wedding garments and for you to better imagine what it looks like, I recommend that you do read the manga. At least chapter four if only to get the picture. Oh, and don't mind the word Edalant too much. Think of it as the specific name of the where the Royal Place is located. Like, Ecuratan is the country, and that's the name of the land where Yamato's kingdom is settled because I think there are other Kingdoms in Ecuratan too. I don't even know know if the country exists and I don't bother checking. Sorry. Anyway, I don't own anything.

Royal Fiancé

Chapter Four: Veraison

Ecuratan country...

As the earth nurtures the trees, and the trees bring the harvest,

So shall the winds from the sea bring blessing to this land.

And now, Koushirou Izumi visits from beyond the sea,

And Ishiida Yamato Ecuratol, Prince of Edalant,

shall hereby exchange vows of matrimony

and proclaim their devotion to the Kingdom.

Today was the day that had been both awaited and dreaded. The Royal wedding and the Imperial Consort's bridal entry into court. The church, as grand as it was with beautiful architectural design both inside and out, only held a few people that the seats weren't fully occupied. There was no music, as to not attract any unwanted, public or media, attention from the outside, as Yamato and Koushiro made their way down the aisle towards the alter.

Yamato looked striking and as dignified as ever, in his Imperial suit: a long navy blue, coat-like garment longer than Koushirou's, with golden medal-like ornaments adorning the outfit, and a sash over the shoulder and another around the waist. Both golden in color. Koushirou's was somehow shorter in length, and with a light red color that complimented with his hair. Since he was male they did not give him a wedding dress, but they did include a wedding veil into the attire. It wasn't too long so they were no need for flower girls or such to be carrying it. Added to the tradition, the red-head had in his hands a bouquet of flowers.

It was all lovely, actually, despite the abscene of music and a mass crowd. But the joy that should be expected in such situation did not reflect on the attenders nor the bride and groom, whom are supposedly the reason for the occasion.

The minister read the standard mantra for weddings in Ecuratan(A/N: As seen above) and then so follow the kiss to seal the matrimony contract.

It was far more gentle than the first kiss the two shared, as Yamato cannot portray such aggresiveness while everyone was present although it still hasn't been erased from Koushirou's mind events from that time, but it held no life either, there was nothing in it but stiffness and blunt. There was no emotion from the two, their expression stoic and plain.

Love did not pass between the newly-weds.

Koushirou's POV

Our wedding ceremony's held at a small church. Since we are still both underage, the ceremony is silently attended by only the Royal Family members, with the slight excemption for Taichi and Hikari. Publication to the Nation and Worldwide is postponed until we come of age. Yamato is going to be an adult in a matter of months, and I won't be one until the following year.(A/N: In Japan, only when someone reaches age 20 he'll be acknowledge as an adult.)

There's no blessing word, there's no vows... There's also no love. It's only a contract named "Matrimony."

I am not supposed to be here. However, if I run away... that will also be unforgiven.

It is saddening, really. All these people who had attended the ceremony, my... wedding... and I am currently attempting to interact with at the reception party are people I barely know. The reception was held at the Royal Palace. Supposedly my new... Home. I have yet to tell mother or Willis about my current situation. It would have been nice to have them attend the wedding, even though it was mostly... Fake. I must tell them soon, though. Hikari tells me that my family must live at the Palace as well since I am going to be the Queen and both sides of the family from the King and Queen are expected to dwell there, it's the safer that way. My family... that being composed of mother only but maybe I can get Willis as well since he lives pretty much alone now without me and his parents are always away on business trips.

It was awkward the whole time as I was required to exchange pleasantries with the King and Queen. Lady Natsuko may appear to have conversing casually with me, but I felt that she was testing my etiquette and everything that has been taught to me the past days. Yamato remained by my side the whole time as required and proper, although we were stiff to each other the whole time, moreso when we had to dance at the middle of the room as tradition for the newly-weds and incoming King and Queen. There was music this time since the Public wouldn't be thinking that we were having a reception party and it could be mistaken for a banquet, as was the norm inside the Palace bounds.

Truthfully, the only time I was not too awkward was when I was with Taichi, Hikari and Takeru. Even I favored Jyou-san's company as he is Japanese like me and we both converse of the things we missed from our homeland. Even if the other three are half-Japanese, it was nice to talk with someone who lived there. I enjoyed Jyou-san's company, his practical tone and realism views. I'm sure he enjoyed my company, too, for he smiled once. The first time I ever saw him do so. I also notice the little things, like how he watches Taichi but glances away when he catches his gaze. Taichi teases him about it but he somehow pointedly ignores it.

Still, I had to mind Yamato, especially when I forget he was just nearby. Their were only brief instances wherein he left my side. I'm afraid he doesn't trust me, and that's just one of the many flaws in this whole thing. But no matter how much discomfort it puts me in, I mustn't move away from Yamato when he comes to me, sometimes a little too close.

To be quite honest, I don't know how to feel right now. I feel trapped, like a bird in a cage, just as Yamato had mentioned not so long ago. This is my life now, and it will be till the day I die.

...The Partner of one who does not love me.

"It must be annoying, isn't it?" Taichi mused that evening while I was looking out the window as the rainfalls. I looked his way when he spoke with a questioning look, and he simply smiled. "Rainfalls exactly on your wedding day." He explained.

I smiled weakly. Well, at least it's being honest about how the day has been... I can't be, otherwise people would take it as an offense. I shook my head, dismissing those thoughts. Taichi-san's nice, he doesn't mean to make me feel bad. "In any case, thank you very much, Taichi-san, for bringing me dinner." I bowed slightly to him.

"I accept your thanks but the bow... Don't do that, it isn't necessary." Taichi laughed. "Remember the etiquettes I thought you?"

I stiffened, remembering that for now, I am only to bow to the Present King and Queen, Yamato and, optionally, Takeru. Technically, all others I am in a higher position as future Queen. That's going to be hard to get used to... "G-gomen nasai..."

Taichi shook his head. "Anyway, it's nothing," He shrugged. "Bringing you dinner, I mean. For a pretty bride's sake, it's just an honor for me."

"Eh?" My cheeks burned.

"No matter how many times I've attended matrimonial services, I still get excited, maybe because I haven't had my own yet." Taichi has this excited and dreamy face about him, I looked at him with an anxious smile, unsure what to do. "I want to be like Koushirou-kun, I want a bride too... Well, technically Yama is the husband, but still..."

Taichi weirds me out sometimes, but I like how he expresses his love for Jyou. At least, I assume he feels that way for the bluenette. I've seen the way they act when together. Subtle yet... Something's there...

"I really want to escort you around the country, but," Taichi continues. "travel-banned to all destinations... I think Yamato is really cruel to you." He huffed, almost indignantly. I smiled, a warm feeling passing by as I think of how thoughtful Taichi can be.

Then I remember something. "Oh... By the way,"I begun. "Uhm... Thank you for what you did when we were still in Japan."

"Huh?" Taichi blinked at my diretion.

"For visiting my Mother at the hospital..."

"A hospital visit...? What are you talking about?" Taichi cocked his head to the side. "I don't remember doing it."

"Eh...?" I blinked at him in turn. "Oh... Maybe it was Jyou-san?" I placed a hand over my chin thoughtfully.

"Hmmm?" Taichi smiled at me, amused and looking thoughtful himself. "Heh, maybe... It was him."

"Huh? Who..."

Then, we are interrupted.

"Taichi, This isolation supposed to mean nobody's allowed to enter."

My heart thumped in my chest at the vehement tone Yamato used.

"Oh, really?"

"Please leave."

I feel so nervous, like something bad is about to happen as soon as Taichi gets out that door... Taichi... Don't leave...

"Okay, okay. This disturbing man will go away."

No...

END of POV

Yamato's POV

That evening, I was with Takeru out at the courtyard. Mother went to bed early, since she drank too much again so we were sure she wouldn't bother us. It was nice, to be with someone I can be myself with for a change after the whole charade today.

There's only one problem...

"Congratulations Oniichan! I'm happy for you!" Takeru beamed happily.

Takeru believes that things would go great for me... Now that I have Koushirou for a wife. He doesn't quite understand how I feel. Mostly cause I haven't directly told him. Maybe... I can't be all myself with him.

I faced him and forced out a smile. "Thank you, otouto..."

Takeru blinked at me before settling on a frown. I cocked my head to the side. "What's wrong with Koushirou, Yamato-oniichan?"

"Eh?"

"It's like you're always mad at him or irritated. Has he done something wrong that I don't know of?"

I looked up into the night sky. "I'm sorry, Takeru but... I'm not sure how to answer that."

Takeru sighed and places a hand on my shoulder. "You deserve to be happy, Yamato." He told me sincerely.

I blinked, not sure where that came from.

"I know this engagement was chosen by grandfather, and I know that you really wanted to choose the one who would be your wife. But this has happened already," He looked at me in the eyes and smiled. "But just because you didn't choose him, doesn't mean fate didn't choose him for you."

I shook my head. "It's just not that simple, Takeru. I can't force myself to love him."

"It's not force if you let it flow," Takeru pointed out simply. "Besides, it's worse if you force yourself to hate him. Do you have any reason to hate him?"

I pause to think about that.

"No."

"Then don't force yourself to, and bring yourself to see if you can infact love him."

I smiled and gave my brother an embrace.

Later on, a little later, I made my way to Koushirou's new private quarters, feeling excited for some reason. Well, as customary, after the wedding and reception so follows the honeymoon. We can't go anywhere else since this is a secret to the public, but it will be enough for now.

I paused in my tracks as I heard an additional voice in his room. Taichi's.

My blood boiled. What gives? And Taichi... Isn't it Jyou whom you love...? Why are you always with him?

Enraged, I stormed into the room.

"Taichi," I called out to him stiffly, barely able to constrain myself. "This isolation is supposed to mean no one's allowed to enter." I huffed.

"Oh, really?" Taichi blinked, looking at me. I could've smack that look off his face if I was near enough.

"Please leave."

Taichi stood up and made his way towards me, I took the chance to glance at Koushirou, and saw that his expression has changed. He looks worried... And scared.

I clenched my fists. How can he feel comfortable around Taichi... And not me, his husband?

(A/N: Yamato, you're seriously asking that? Get a reality check.)

"Okay, okay." Taichi sighed. "This disturbing man will go away." I wish he just left it at that, but he placed a hand on my shoulder and said: "Be kind to him." before completely departing.

*thud*

I turned to face Koushirou head on. "Right after the wedding," I glared at him, he had the nerve to shiver. "...you let another man enter your room."

He was moving away from me and that angered me more. "You misunderstand... T-Taichi-san came here to bring me some dinner and..."

Always about Taichi!

I know now... That This is what I hate.

I grabbed his hand firmly and pulled him to the direction of the bed.

"Where are you taking me?"

To answer his naive question, and threw him forcefully on the bed. He tried getting up, but I prevent him from any chance to get off the bed. I stared him down and looks wide-eyed to me. I started to remove my suit. "Back there, I intended to embrace you tenderly, but" I shook my head. "looks like it's not important anymore." I removed my suit and was left with only my dress shirt and unzipped pants.

Koushirou's eyes got wider. "No...!"

Adrenaline pumped my veins as I began to unclothe him as well, removing his suit and dress shirt first before turning his body over so his butt was faced to me. He bended over and grasped the sheets.

"Please... Please, don't do this to me."

I didn't stop and I only went faster. "Nobody would hear you even if you scream. This isolation means nobody's allowed around here." I hissed. "Taichi is a long way off by now." I added as I slipped my hand into his pants and underwear.

"Ah...!" His breath caught in his throat.

"How does this feel?" I asked as I pressed my body against his. "Starting today you are my wife. I will provide you money and position," I squeezed his burning erection. "In return, you have to satisfy me."

END of POV

"How does this feel? Starting today you are my wife. I will provide you money and position, In return, you have to satisfy me."

Koushirou sobbed breathlessly, his hands pressed against his mouth. "...don't touch me..." he gasped out pleadingly. "...there, please..." He begged, breathing erratically.

This only egged Yamato more as he stroke the weaker male's cock roughly. He gave a mighty squeeze that made the red-head yelp and choke in surprise.

"No, please..." Koushirou squirmed, feeling his body getting aroused and hotter. It felt so weird and new to him, to be like this with another man. "Ah! No... Ah..." He moaned.

"Has anyone ever entered..." Yamato spoke huskily, probing Koushirou's virgin entrance. "...here?"

"No... There..."

Without warning, the blond prince thrust his fingers, note two fingers already, into the never before stretched entrance. Koushirou gave a piercing cry of pain and shock.

"Aah...!" Koushirou's body twitch and he squirmed uncontrollably, breathing too fast and too heavily.

"Answer me. Have you ever done this with any other before?"

Koushirou couldn't even make out coherent words, let alone understand the question. "Stop... Please...!" He sobbed, saliva running down his mouth. "There's... no one... else..." He breathed out, his hand clenched to his mouth.

Yamato's eyess glaze over with lust and adrenaline coursed through his veins as he stab into the unsuspecting red-head's entrance with his thick cock.

Koushirou's eyes went wide. "Ah... Ah... AHHH!" He never felt so much pain before, he was so scared, his eyes wear teared.

Yamato grunted and Koushirou gasps, trying to keep up with his irregular breathing patterns. "Do you understand?" Yamato huffed. "I won't forgive you if someone else does this with you..." He sneered. "I won't forgive either if you let someone touch, or if you show this much skin to anyone else but me..." He breathed out.

I won't let you be with Taichi!

With another mighty thrust, Yamato pounded into the red-head repeatedly. Pulling out so that only the tip was inside before slamming into him once again. All Koushirou could do was scream, grasping Yamato's upper arms.

"Yamato... No... Aah!"

"Say it..." Yamato leaned closer to him, breathing into his ear. Tears flowed down Koushirou's eyes and a string of saliva forming in his mouth as he tried to make out the blond's words. ""I love you.""

Koushirou's black, ebony eyes went wide. "Tha... That's..."

"What's wrong...?" Yamato gripped his wrist hard. "You want me looking at you with more hatred in my eyes?"

"Stop..." Koushirou's pleas went to deaf ears as Yamato turned him over again so that their faces were inches apart. The red-head's black, ebony eyes looked into Yamato's oceanic blue ones and he only saw anger and authority reflected in them. He had no choice. "...ve you..." He managed to get out breathlessly panting.

"I can't hear you." Yamato sneered, gripping his wrist tighter. Koushirou trembled.

"I...love...love you.."

"Say it again!" Adrenaline pumped up Yamato's veins as he pulled out completely but ram back completely in as Koushirou let out a piercing cry of pain and Yamato released into the red-head's cavern.

"I... I love... AHHHH!" Koushirou cried out as he cummed himself, wrapping his legs around Yamato's waist. He never felt such overwhelming pain and confused pleasure.

Why does he... Want me to say something like that... Why me... When he doesn't even love me?

Meanwhile, at the Parlor...

Taichi crossed his arms and looked out the window."Hey... He really installed a lot of guards around this area. What's going on?" He asked of no one in particular since no Jyou was the only one with him.

That is, until Lady Natsuko came out, holding her head and settling herself on a couch. "We've got some information about Koushirou's assasination attempt." She sighed heavily, probably nursing a headache from her drinking. "Perhaps there is a leading figure who wants to block Yamato's way to the throne, not that I can blame the culprit." Then, she glared at Jyou, who flinched. "Well, don't just stand there! I have a raging headache from drinking and I can't sleep, get me some water and aspirin!"

"Y-Yes, my Queen, right away!"Jyou rushed away, to Taichi's regret.

"Ingrate..." Lady Natsuko huffed, massaging her head. "Well, as Yamato is the one to take the throne, it seems that our authority is fading away."

Taichi felt indignant inside. So it's all right, because you think the blame will fall unto Yamato... How cruel..."Then why are they still standing around here...? They should scatter to guard all places immediately. And My Queen, aren't you supposed to do something about it?"

Jyou came back in with the water and aspirin.

Lady Natsuko shrugged. "The Palace is secure enough right now. That boy is already capable to manage this far. Besides," she huffed as she took the aspirin and drank from her water. "It has nothing to do with me, if there is an attempt to assassinate the would-be Queen."

Taichi shook his head, disgusted. He and Jyou exchanged worried looks. The sooner Koushirou is Queen... The better.

Yamato felt hot, no duh, so he left the room for a moment to get a glass of water and to wash down hos body briefly. When he returned, the room was empty.

Koushirou... why is he going out? He can't run away.

Meanwhile, Koushirou only had the blanket wrapped around his body as he made his way around the Palace, lost. With nothing better to do, he brought out his phone and dialled a number.

"...Kaasan? It's me. Sorry I couldn't contact you for a while."

"Koushirou? Someoe just told me you're not home. I'm so worried about you."

"Right now... I'm in a country called Ecuratan."

The shock that followed was evident.

"WHAT? What did you say? Does Willis know? What are you doing in such a far place like that?!"

Koushirou smiled bitterly and didn't reply to that. But simply said in daze. "Yes, right... Such a far place... Very... very far..." a tear rolled down his eye, he recalled the time when he and Yamato were in their uniforms on the roof, in the distant past.

Really can't return... To that moment anymore.

Koushirou proceeded to wipe his eyes. There's nothing I can do about that now, no use crying over spilt milk. Koushirou smiled bitterly."In any case, I must live here now. But don't worry Kaasan, someone will come and bring you here, too."

"What? I must live there, as well?"

"Won't it be nice? We don't have to worry about paying rent and you don't need to get a job once you settle here."

"I have a hard time understanding, what's going on? How is that possible that we have a new home that's not even rented?"

"I'm sorry mother, it's a long story, and I'll explain once you arrive. I'll tell Willis about it, too. I feel bad for leaving him alone in our Dorm. In any case, we'll be together again."

"Well, if you put it that way... I guess it's all right."

"Oh, by the way, mother... Do you still remember the person who came to visit you that tme at the hospital?"

"Of course I remember him!"

"Can you please tell me what kind of person he was, please?"

"He is tall and very polite, he has golden, shiny hair. A very beautiful person."

Koushirou's mind reeled at that. Yamato...? "What...?"

"Oh," Koushirou could hear the tone of admiration from his mother's voice. "He really was like... A Prince coming out from a fairy tale."

Koushirou's eyes went wide. No way...

"If you're with him, Koushirou, then I guess I have nothing to worry about."

Meanwhile,

"Koushirou!" Yamato called out, starting to worry, The Dark Masters, the ones who are plotting to assasinate Koushirou, are yet to be discovered and now I can't find him anywhere.

Yamato recalled that time in the hospital, when he spoke with Koushirou's mother while Koushirou slept.

''...Please don't worry... I will always protect him. Would you... Let me take care of Koushirou?"

"KOUSHIROU!"

Yamato and Koushirou stood facing one another. Staring at the other in silence, Koushirou shock, Yamato relieved... Somewhat.

"Where do you think you're going in that condition? Hurry and go back to our room."

Koushirou squeaked as Yamato pulled him along. "I... I'm sorry."

Yamato walked towards the bed, Koushirou remained not so far behind when he spoke.

"... Do we sleep together?" Koushirou asked timidly.

"Is that a problem?"

Koushirou looked down without a word and silently climbed unto the bed. Yamato's gaze followed him when he suddenly jumped unto the poor red-head. Koushirou yelped, surprise and expected for the worse.

But Yamato merely ran his fingers across his cheek. "It's enough for today," the blond spoked softly and tiredly. "Just go to sleep." The blond wrapped his arms around Koushirou's waist and pulled him close to his clothed body and fell asleep. He left the blanket around the redhead and didn't share it with him as the younger male was still naked.

Koushirou blushed, stiff and bewildered with the sudden different form of Yamato. Suddenly... Gentle. Finally, he relaxed into the embrace.

... So warm... Will it... Be all right if I stay here... Like this always?

A/N: Next chapter will be the conclusion! Koushirou's life will be in imminent danger! Who are the Dark master threatening the Poor Uke? Just to be honest with my readers, these two are driving me crazy! R&R!