Kaname watched as his fiancée looked out of the car window. Her eyes showed her fatigue and it displeased him to know that just over an hour ago, she had put herself in danger. But it's alright, for now at least. She was safe.
Kaname reached out to hold her hand which lay on the middle seat that separated them. Her head moved slightly towards him and her fingers curled slightly so he was holding a fist more than a hand. He ignored this and smiled at her.
"Sleep. It'll be a long journey."
Mana looked at him through the corner of her eye before directing her gaze back out of the car. He ignored this defiance again, leaning back and running his thumb across her skin. He watched as she continued watching the scenery go by, he watched as her eyelids fluttered closed and he raised her now lax hand to his lips to kiss it.
"I love you," he murmured.
Mana was still sleepy when they arrived eight hours later. Kaname was swift enough to usher her inside the mansion since the early afternoon sun was bright and Mana looked extremely uncomfortable. When the doors closed and staff took Kaname's coat away, Mana didn't look up in awe or look around the lobby. She just kept her head down, like a punished child. Kaname hooked a finger under her chin and tipped it up so her head was up straight.
"Stand up straight," he instructed in a gentle tone "You are queen here. Have them fear you."
Be proud, be strong. He saw her take in a breath and let it out slowly. He moved his arm to circle her shoulders and brought her closer. Her head was still held up but her eyes seemed to move around, as if they wanted to find a place to settle on.
"Have you prepared our rooms?"
"Yes, Kaname-sama."
One maid bowed in front of them and Kaname turned to Seiren.
"You're dismissed. Dinner will be at five."
"Yes, Kaname-sama."
She bowed as the maid began leading the way upstairs. Mana walked obediently by his side and he relished in the moment. This young lady will be his wife soon and they will finally begin their life together. He squeezed her shoulder and watched as the muscle under her eye twitched and the maid stopped abruptly with a flinch when a lightbulb smashed behind them. Mana let out a slow breath as she closed her eyes and Kaname felt somewhat pleased that she was trying to control her emotions.
The maid was watching them and he just gave her a sharp look to get her moving again. Out of the corner of his eyes, he saw Mana's hands tense but nothing else got broken. She looked stressed and he couldn't blame her. Suddenly turning into a Pureblood was most likely taxing on her emotions. She was trying so hard to suppress them and he felt proud. A woman with good perseverance is always a good leader. She'll be perfect.
When they arrived at Mana's room, he ordered for tea to be brought to them so they can make use of the small tea table that was by the French windows. He closed the door behind him and Mana stood still by his side, her head up but her eyes looking ahead blankly, as if not quite in this world anymore. He shook her slightly and she blinked, glancing at him from the corner of her eye. He pushed against her back and she moved reluctantly to the table. He sat her down before taking the other seat and reached out to hold her hand. She curled it into a fist so he rested it on the table where he could cover it with his larger hand.
"I hope you like this view," he said as he watched her stare out "You can see most of the gardens from here and I've made sure to have plenty of rosebushes planted near here."
Mana's only response was a slow blink and he tilted his head.
"Roses are beautiful, but of course their beauty is nothing compared to you."
Mana's gaze flickered to him briefly before she withdrew her hand and folded it with the other on her lap. Kaname circled the table with his fingertips briefly before withdrawing his hand and looking out to the garden.
"If you prefer I could have different flowers planted," he offered "Which flower is your favourite? I'll have them delivered by tomorrow evening so they may be planted as soon as possible."
Mana's lips moved slightly against each other as his young fiancée took a calming breath. He was annoying her. Very well, he'll wait until the tea arrived to discuss further matters.
The maid came back half an hour later with the tea and took the time to pour two cups of green tea. Mana nodded slightly when her cup was poured and Kaname waited until they were alone until he spoke again.
"I would like to arrange our wedding as soon as possible."
Mana's chest moved with her sudden hitch in her breath and a slight crack appeared in one of the glass panels. She finally turned her head to look at him, her eyes showing her hesitation.
"It would be more convenient for me, I'm afraid. I do have a busy schedule and I'd rather sort it out sooner than later."
Mana opened and closed her mouth before looking down then looking around. Perhaps it is a bit soon to spring it on her?
"The date doesn't have to be set right away but I would like it if we decided some details now. We can take our time with this, we'll be living together and getting to know one another better first of course."
Mana's breaths were coming in deep and slow as her eyes gave away the struggle she was holding back. They were still darting around the place as her lips parted then closed as if she couldn't decide whether to speak or not. She then turned to him and mimed writing on her hand. He pursed his lips momentarily.
"Mana, you can't still be on voice rest since your vocal cords should have been healed long ago," he said curtly "On top of that, your healing abilities as a Pureblood should have solved that problem. Please, don't be so childish."
Mana's eyes widened in disbelief as she sat back and looked at him for a minute or two. She then turned to stare out of the window, her breaths slowly becoming normal. Her bottom lip was wobbling, she looked like a little child who had been denied something so trivial. Kaname felt a small pang of annoyance as she seemed to focus on some imaginary spot in the garden. He picked his cup and took a small sip.
"I would like to have an extravagant wedding," he said frankly "I wish to show you off to the whole world. Gloat about the fact that you are mine and mine alone."
He could see Mana's small finger twitching against her scruffy jeans. He then distastefully eyed the red top she was wearing that was still a little muddy from whatever scuffle she had with Rido.
"Thoughts?"
Mana snorted derisively.
"I thought as much. We can reach a compromise."
Mana's lips twitched into a near sneer but she kept her face as neutral as possible. He lowered his cup and looked at her, feeling that familiar pang in his chest. She was so stubborn, so against him and it hurt. It hurt to know she had valued that hunter above everything else and she was simply treated as someone who could be easily replaced by him. It hurt to think she put herself so low that she would let herself get injured, have her heart broken… It simply angered him to know that Kiryu simply thought as if she never had a heart to begin with.
"Mana, you should put yourself above everyone around you," he said "Never let anyone think that you are beneath them."
Mana took another calming breath, as if she was trying to enter a meditative state so she could ignore him. Kaname sighed softly, taking another sip.
"Why won't you speak? You have a wonderful voice and it's sad to know that you are denying me such a pleasure."
Mana took a deep breath, swallowing and clenching her hands so tightly that they were turning white. Kaname chose to keep quiet as he finished his cup. Mana didn't touch hers and by the time he had finished, her eyes were closed and she was taking deep breaths. He stood and walked to her side, placing a hand on her shoulder. She continued to ignore him.
"If you wish, I can send Seiren with you to buy some clothes and other personal items to make it feel more like home here. There is a nightdress and some other clothes in the wardrobe for the time being."
He leaned down and kissed her head. She flinched minutely but he still noticed it.
"I love you."
Mana took another deep breath as he left, sneaking one last glance at her from the doors before leaving.
A week had gone by already. It had been a huge blur of work for Kaname, not really being able to spend a lot of time with his fiancée but finally there was a free day for him to spend with her. He waited in the dining room for her to appear for breakfast but it was only when the maid came with his coffee and told him that Mana had decided to just grab a quick bite to eat from the kitchen before going to the ballroom that he realised she wasn't coming. She had passed the past few mornings there, apparently, she had taken a shine to the grand piano.
So Kaname took his coffee and instructed for breakfast to be served in the ballroom. He swiftly made his way to the ballroom, hearing the piano music from the lobby. He carefully opened the doors and stepped in, seeing Mana at the grand piano which was on the far side of the room. He saw music books around, some looked new and others seemed old, as if she had spent time in the library to look for them. He saw that she looked focused, she hadn't even noticed that he had come in.
"Bravo," he said once she had finished the piece she had been playing.
Her fingers slipped and a couple of jarred notes echoed from the piano, making them both flinch. Mana looked up to see him walking across the dance floor towards her.
"If you would like, I could arrange for piano lessons so you can improve," he offered as he stopped to look at the collection of music books "Perhaps even singing lessons. I'm aware you never had them and it will keep you busy if you would like that."
Mana shook her head and he frowned.
"Are you sure? You love music, it can't hurt to study it further."
Mana shook her head again. Kaname sighed patiently, taking a sip from his coffee.
"I arranged for breakfast to be served here, I was hoping we could spend some time together."
Mana seemed irritated as she sighed softly and carefully placed the cover of the piano down over the keys. Kaname glanced at her, noticing the open notebook beside her.
"Have you been writing songs again?" he asked and she was quick to snap it shut.
He took another sip of coffee to conceal his irritation. She was just being childish again, maybe she just needs some more time.
"It would be nice to hear them," he said "There's no need to be shy about them. I can either keep silent or give you constructive feedback."
He lifted his head as the doors opened and Seiren came in with a tray of what looked like a breakfast for one. She blinked in acknowledgement towards him as she walked across the ballroom and placed it on top of the piano.
"Your breakfast, Mana-sama."
Mana nodded slightly and Seiren bowed before making her way out. Kaname was silent for a moment or two as Seiren left then glanced at Mana who was staring at the tray, as if contemplating something.
"Are you and Seiren getting close?" he asked "It's good that I know you aren't lonely at least when I'm not around."
Mana's brow twitched slightly as she continued staring at the breakfast tray. Kaname observed her silently as she kept staring and he placed his empty coffee mug down on the tray.
"I've ordered for breakfast to be served here so we can spend some time together."
Mana didn't say or show anything, her eyes shifting slightly to look at the empty mug he had just placed down.
"Speak to me, Mana. It's been a long time since I've heard your voice."
Mana turned her head away from him, her lips pushing themselves together a little at his request.
"You have a wonderful voice and I can only imagine how beautiful it would be if you just gave it some training…"
Mana lifted the piano cover up swiftly and slammed her fingers on the keys. Kaname swallowed as the notes hung in the air until her fingers began moving furiously to play another song. He stayed quiet, his eyes moving to the strings within the piano, watching as they were plucked to make a quick-tempered song. Mana's eyes were shut as she played, it seems like this was a well-rehearsed piece on her part.
Staff came in shortly to set up a table then to lay out the breakfast on it. Some younger maids and cooks lingered to listen to Mana playing who seemed to have locked herself in her world as she refused to acknowledge anyone. By the end of the song, she seemed a little short of breath and she continued to keep her eyes closed as she sat back and sighed. They fluttered open when Kaname applauded her. Silence hung between them for a while, neither one looking at the other as the tantalising scent of croissants and tea beckoned for them to eat.
"I love you."
As always, this sentence was met with a sneer.
The following week, Mana had locked herself in her room after Kaname found her in the ballroom again playing the piano. But she stopped the moment he had stepped in and was up on her feet, notebook and pen in her arms and she stepped through one of the many secret passages that this mansion held. Kaname knew each and every one so he knew just where that passage ended and that was in the corridor where his and Mana's rooms were. He had quickly chased her through and was faced with a locked door.
"Mana, stop being so childish!" he barked, his anger getting the better of him "Ignoring the issue and running away isn't the solution! Come, let's talk. We can sort things out, so please stop acting as if I'm your enemy!"
There was no answer as he unlocked the door and stormed into the room. Mana was sitting on the edge of her bed, staring down and clutching the book to her chest. She seemed lost for breath as she trembled when he stretched his aura out to her to signal just how angry he was.
"Mana, you have had enough time to settle down and adjust," he said as he approached her "Please stop avoiding me, I know I haven't been able to be around much because of work and I try my best to be patient with you."
He crouched in front of her and she avoided his gaze.
"Please, talk to me," he pleaded "Let's have a civil conversation with none of this hostility."
Mana gave him a look before opening her notebook and readying her pen.
"No."
Mana's hands shook when he grabbed the notebook and threw it aside.
"No, talk to me, Mana," he said firmly.
Mana's eyes were wide and staring at where her notebook had been, her lips shaking. She clenched her fists as her mouth opened and closed and Kaname began hearing the first of the cracks in the room. She then let out a hoarse noise and everything that could be shattered in her room was. Hundreds, possibly thousands, of glass shards fell to the carpet as Kaname watched Mana grip her neck, tears brimming in her eyes as she croaked and wheezed. It was only then that he considered one practically impossible possibility as to why Mana refused to speak.
"How can you lack a voice…?" he murmured softly as Mana began crying "Mana…how long has this been going on? Has it been like this for the past couple of weeks…?"
Mana looked up at the ceiling briefly before holding out seven fingers.
"No…not seven weeks?"
Mana nodded slightly as staff came in after hearing the noise of windows, mirrors and bulbs being smashed. Kaname swiftly stood up, carrying Mana in his arms and carried her out of the room to his. He ordered for tea to be delivered to his room and sat Mana down in his lap after sitting at his desk. Mana stared ahead with a dull look in her eyes as he rocked her back and forth, kissing her head.
"Mana, forgive me, I had no clue," he whispered and sighed "I am disgusted with how narrow-minded I have been."
He held her closer to his chest as a maid came in with a tray of tea and set it on his desk. Mana didn't even glance at her.
"I'll have the best doctors look into it," he promised her "I love you."
Mana's lips twitched and Kaname's gaze lingered on them for a brief moment. He wanted to kiss her, just to show her how much he loved her. But when he dipped down, she turned her head and he kissed her cheek instead. He pulled away and held her tighter.
"I love you beyond measure."
Doctors confirmed that there wasn't something physically wrong with Mana. So Kaname hired a psychiatrist to take a look at her. He spent days following Mana's schedule, communicating with her and was anxious to hear about what was wrong and if it could be possible to help her. Mana looked in a lot of pain because of her inability to use her voice and that in turn hurt him. How could he have been so blind to how much she was suffering? All he did was hurt her more.
"Kaname-sama…"
Kaname lifted his head sharply when Dr Hino entered his office and he sat up straight.
"I've been shadowing your fiancée and talking with her," he began as he adjusted his glasses whilst looking at his notes and crossing the space to the desk "It seems to be her unconscious is stopping her from using her voice."
"How so?" Kaname narrowed his eyes slightly.
"Well, it can happen that when we experience something which can be say a traumatic experience or a childhood memory which made a firm impression, the unconscious mind takes action to help protect the mind from any damage. Mana-sama's unconscious mind is most likely disabling her voice because deep down she probably feels as if she is underserving of it."
"Undeserving?"
Right, she always had been insecure and had low self-esteem.
"Would it have been possible that this event, which caused her voice to stop working, be linked to heartbreak?"
"That sounds like a solid theory."
Of course. Not only did he have to take her heart and break it, but that pathetic little hunter had robbed his precious Mana of her voice! Kaname felt a window crack as he suppressed his anger. If it weren't for Yuki, then he would have Kiryu dead.
"Kaname-sama?"
"How can we help her?"
"I believe she can overcome this by opening up more. She seems to be suffering from a lot of emotional stress, especially if we bring in the possibility of a heartbreak."
Kaname felt his annoyance surfacing. Mana didn't do opening up. All she knows is bottling her emotions and it didn't help that she needed to learn to control them so her powers wouldn't fly out of control.
"How often can you come?"
Mana was sitting in his office, patiently reading books that she had picked from the library. Kaname decided that this was a good way to spend time, especially since Mana needed to get used to him. He felt happy with her around, she always elevated his mood.
The clock struck five and he decided it was time to take a break. He lowered his pen and glanced at Mana who was still reading.
"I love you."
His only response was a slow blink as she turned a page. He stood and walked over to her, sitting next to her and watching as she edged away from him slightly.
"What are you reading?"
Mana closed the book, it was just an old book with no cover. She lowered it onto the coffee table and moved to leave.
"Wait."
He grabbed her wrist and she jolted slightly, lowering herself back down on the settee. He moved his hand to join hers but she clenched it into a fist, making it difficult.
"Mana…" he sighed and Mana reached for the notebook she always carried around.
He drew back as she turned to a fresh page and began writing.
Please, don't force me to marry you.
Kaname swallowed as he read those words.
"Mana, we aren't rushing anything, we can have the wedding whenever you are ready."
You are forcing me into a relationship and all it's doing is giving me anxiety.
"Do you really hate me that much?"
It broke his heart when Mana gave a firm nod. He looked away, sighing sadly.
"…"
Mana got up and moved for the office door.
"This marriage will happen, Mana," he said and she paused by the door "What else are you going to do with your life? You can't go back to Cross Academy where all you've experienced there is pain and anguish."
He gave her a firm look as she glanced over her shoulder at him.
"I am the best choice. One day you will realise that."
Mana hesitated before swiftly leaving.
It was raining heavily as Mana sat at the grand piano, by the windows that showed the gloomy gardens. She looked more absorbed in this piece than the others. It matched the overall mood that the mansion felt. Kaname watched from the viewing balcony, watching those lips move to imaginary lyrics. When suddenly…
She sung.
Kaname felt his heart lurch when he heard faint, shaky lyrics fall from her lips and Mana seemed unaware of this until the third line and suddenly her voice jarred and a soft wheeze came out. The piano music stopped as Mana stared at the piano in surprise before slamming her hands and head into the keys. Each one of the ballroom windows cracked as the chandelier quivered and Kaname saw her shoulders moving with her sobs. He saw Seiren cross the dance floor in a quickened pace to comfort Mana but he stretched his aura out, alerting her to his presence. Seiren slowed down and looked up at him. He nodded for her to leave which she did reluctantly.
He rushed down to stand by her, hand on her back as she cried onto the keys, sniffing and sobbing.
"Mana…"
She looked up at him, eyes red and watery. She then stood up then swiftly left through the secret passage, leaving him alone. Kaname glanced at the piece of music that was on the music stand and recognised it was her notebook. She had been playing and attempting to sing her own song.
Kaname read through the lyrics that had been written from her pain and he clutched the notebook. He'll make her better. Perhaps she just needs to leave here.
An idea sparked in his head which had him rushing to his office. All he needed was to work hard enough to get time off. Then he could take Mana around the world, visit different countries and she'll be able to heal over time. Kaname sat in his office and grabbed the phone. The notebook lay wide open on his desk, serving as a constant reminder of who this was for.
He didn't see Mana for the next two weeks because he had been locked up in his office, out for meetings and business trips. It was when he finally returned on the thirteenth day of exhausting, hard work that he felt something wrong about the mansion. He had been absent for at least four to five days.
When he entered, the staff seem disorganised and distracted.
"What's wrong?" he demanded in a firm tone.
"K-Kaname-s-sama!"
They all looked afraid to approach him. It was only when Seiren, brave and calm as always stepped forward that he felt his heart shatter.
"Mana-sama is nowhere to be found. She's been missing for at least three days and we've alerted the authorities. She's…gone."
