Sorry for the slightly overdue chapter, I didn't want this to end with just the ceremony so I stretched it out a bit more. I feel kinda happy about this chapter, it pretty much went as I had planned, though with slight changes.

Oh, and during the first part (breakfast scene) windows media player decided to play some opera for me... might have had an impact in the word choices I've made...

Enjoy!


Chapter 7.

The two weeks had gone by too quickly in Kanda's opinion. When he woke up that morning he suddenly – though 'wish' isn't exactly the word he would use... ever – but he had a sudden urge, perhaps, to leave, to forget about that 'promise' he'd made to Allen, about staying.

He stood up from his bed; he could feel a soft wind coming from the slightly open window. He got dressed and left the room. Outside were two guards stationed, who then followed him to the dining room. One of the guards ran in front of him to open the door to the room.

Inside, Kanda saw his father and his brothers sitting by the table, eating the breakfast they'd been given. Kanda was just about to go sit on one of the chairs when another door opened and Cross and Allen stepped inside the dining room.

"Ah, good morning, Cross! A lovely day, is it not?" Tiedoll greeted and motioned for the two to sit down. Cross smirked and sat down on the far end of the table. Allen sat down next to him and Marie.

"Give me a glass of your finest wine", Cross demanded from the servant closest to him, making Allen look at him in disgust.

"For breakfast? Have you no restraint?"

"Perhaps you should take one as well? Calm down your nerves", Cross said and took an apple from the bowl on the table. The Crown Prince snorted and helped himself to some juice.

"Yuu, don't just stand there, come, sit down", Tiedoll called, Kanda snapped back to the present and made his way to the table, there were only one seat left which was next to Cross' other side and in front of Allen.

"Or are ya scared of the to-be-wife, huh?" Daisya joked and laughed; Kanda scowled at him and sat down. They, Allen and Kanda, only glanced at each other for less than a second before they both got busy with their respective breakfasts.

An awkward silence hung over the room as they ate.

The ceremony would begin shortly before the sundown, so right after breakfast Allen was ushered out by some servants, Cross leisurely followed. Kanda stood up first among the people left by the table and stalked out of the room.

He was thinking. About the wedding, the war in Aederia, Alene and Allen. In retrospect he should have realized that Alene hadn't been a 'normal' girl. He remembered what Allen said, about the reason for the deception, that it was Cross' way to have fun. Kanda could understand that but...

But why is Cross so insisting on the two getting married? He's got to have a real reason, not some half-assed one about thinking it would be fun. Kanda opened a door and he was suddenly in the hall, the hall he was getting married. It was a spacious room with high roof. Light came in abundance through the large windows high up on the walls. Rows and rows of pews were neatly placed facing the three steps that lead up to the raised floor. The walls and floors were pearly white and the pews brown, standing out. What was new were the many roses that had been put out strategically around the room. Kanda could see some servants frantically make everything ready for the ceremony that will begin in just a few hours.

Suddenly the doors busted open and Kanda was roughly grabbed from behind.

"YUUU!" And a flurry of red hair came into his vision. "Can't wait to get married?"

"Damn it, Lavi!" Kanda grabbed an arm and threw Lavi over his shoulder. With a loud thud Lavi landed on his back in front of his friend.

"Ooow..." Lavi said as he slowly stood up, hands massaging his aching back. "Did you real..."

"Yes." Kanda said, effectively interrupted him. Lavi gave him a hurt look but Kanda didn't care.

"Have a best-man yet?" Lavi said after a couple of seconds, earning another harsh glare from the unhappy groom. "Guess not. Want me to volunteer?" Kanda left without a word. "Guess so."

Kanda was caught not long after leaving Lavi in the hall. He was forced to dress up, pretty much the same get-up from the ball two weeks earlier, and the changed his normal hair-style (high pony-tail) to the opposite (low pony-tail), the bangs were left untouched.

Things were getting awfully real.


The many rows of pews were full, the guest were all high-standing citizens of Ligoun and a few selected one from Aederia and Zenwia. Lavi stood on the altar to the side of the a bit nervous, aederian official that had been called in to do the ceremony. There had been a bit of a problem finding one in Ligoun who was willing to wed two men, the current one from Aederia had been a little hesitant as well – but no one could stand up against Cross when he really wanted something.

They'd been rehearsing this bit a few times. Though this time Allen had to actually wear the clothes and shoes... Allen did not look forward to it. He was supposed to be lead to the altar by his Uncle, and then Kanda was supposed to 'take over' – the same set-up as in ordinary weddings. Allen wouldn't get away now. But then again, he's been humiliated before and it will probably happen again... and again...

Until Cross dies of course.

But that would take forever. That man was a damn cockroach.

The large doors opened and Kanda walked regally towards the altar. He gave no one a glance, especially not to his father and brothers, who were sitting in the first and second row of pews to the left. Tiedoll closes to the lane, Marie and his fiancée Miranda sat next to him. Behind them sat a snickering Daisya and Chaoji. It was soon time, the first tunes from the music organ was proof enough. Kanda closed his eyes and took a deep breath, as if it was the last breath he was ever going to take. He opened them just in time to see the large doors opening one more time and in the doorway stood Allen, clad entirely in white. Like with the ball dress this one had the right sleeve gone and the left covered both the hand and arm. The dress was long, covering all of the legs and feet, though one could see a hint of a white shoe when Allen walked. Pearls adorned the neckline of the dress, accompanied in the middle by a single blue topaz. A necklace of the same design hung around his neck. On the head was a golden crown, also adorned with one single topaz. The veil hung over Allen's face, so Kanda couldn't see his red face.

The walk was slow, Allen clutched to Cross' right arm desperately not wanting to fall and make the whole situation worse. When they finally arrived to the steps up to the altar, Cross, making a big show of it, handed Allen's left hand over to Kanda, who in turn reluctantly took it. During those few seconds of having none to lean on, Allen stumbled. But Kanda was able to keep him upright. Allen held him hard, and when he was closer he leaned towards Kanda's ear and hissed:

"Don't you dare let go!" Before walking up the steps Allen gave Lenalee, who'd been sitting on the front row on the right side, the bouquet he'd been carrying with his right hand.

Then they were finally in front of the holy-man.

"W... We've gathered here today to join these two in holy matrimony", the man began, his voice shaking a little. Cross must have scared him good, Allen figured, he then glanced at the rock that was Kanda. He stood in front of the talking man completely rigid, devoid of any emotion. Though Allen had enough problem getting his own under control.

He wished he was dead.

"Do you have the rings?" Allen snapped back to reality and watched as Lavi wordlessly, but with a faint smile of mirth, gave the rings to Kanda. The rings were simple, gold and silver bands wrapping around each other. "Do you, Yuu Kanda, Prince of Ligoun take this w... man to be your lawfully wedded... husband", he almost whispered that last word.

"Yes", was Kanda short answer, he didn't hesitate or mumble, he probably wanted all of this over with Allen thought.

"Do you, Allen Walker, Crown Prince of Aederia take this man to be your lawfully wedded... uh, husband?" It took a second for Allen to register the question, but he then answered:

"I do", The holy-man motioned for them to trade rings, Kanda put one of the rings on Allen right ring-finger, and Allen took the other and put it on Kanda's.

"I now pronounce you husband and... husband. You may now kiss, uh, each other", the two men whipped their heads to face him, both faces asking, well roaring, why? The official looked quite frightened. Allen glanced at the smirking Cross. He had way too much fun to be legal. But Allen got the drift. This was another of Cross' schemes.

"Help me with the veil", Allen whispered to Kanda.

"You're not serious!" He hissed back.

"Now!" Allen said hurriedly. Clenching his teeth tightly together, Kanda helped him. When the veil hung behind Allen's head they stared at each other for a second. During that one second they both understood what they had to do – what Cross has forced them to do. In front of everyone. Damn it all to hell! Kanda thought and leaned down towards Allen. None of them wanted to do this; the kiss was short and without emotion. A simple nudge on the lips.

And then it was over. Tiedoll was the first one to clap, and the other soon followed. Allen could see Cross' smug smirk from among the ocean of cheering men and women. They walked down the aisle hand in hand – well, Allen was clutching Kanda's arm for support who in turn was walking very stiffly. All eyes were on the two men, Allen didn't even try to look happy, but a warning glance from Cross had him instead wear a neutral look instead of a miserable one. Woe is me! Allen suddenly thought as he reassessed his situation. A bit overdramatic – yes, but he was wearing a wedding dress! Damn it, he was allowed to be overdramatic!

Kanda on the other hand, wasn't being overdramatic in his mind. He wasn't thinking at all. He saw, he knew but he didn't care. At least not right now. He was trying to get as few inputs to his memory as possible; even while it was happening he was trying to suppress it. But he couldn't ignore the body that was clinging to him, annoyed Kanda realized that this horrible event had just started.

After the ceremony there was a grand banquet. The ball room had been redecorated and now long tables had been put out to form a rough square. People sat down after the newly married couple had, and after they've been served champagne – Cross' choice – Tiedoll stood up to bring about a toast for the tightening bonds of the two kingdoms Ligoun and Aederia.

The glasses were refilled and Marie stood up to congratulate his brother and new brother-in-law, but Kanda new that he was laughing inside, he could see it in Marie's eyes. Daisya was the next one to give his best wishes, though could barely hold it together – Kanda decided to teach him a lesson later when Daisya said:

"I hope you two live happily ever after, like in the fairytales when the Prince goes to save the Princess", he pointed at Allen, "wait... perhaps it should be the other way around...? Your Majesty, you sure we put the right guy in the dress?" Daisya asked Cross who simply raised an eyebrow, though clearly amused.

"Now now, son, you shouldn't embarrass your brother on his big day", Tiedoll chastised, Daisya sat down after doing a mock bow towards his brother and Allen. Chaoji stood up next and delivered for once a clear speech where he wished them happiness – as was the custom.

Next was Cross, and Allen dreaded what he was going to say. As Cross talked all Allen could hear was what his Uncle was really saying:

"As you know, my idiot nephew is the one heir to my kingdom, and to finally know that his future his secured, be it with another man, fills my head with all the new horrible things I can put him through. I can bring up the teasing to higher levels – making his life completely miserable, just for my amusement of course. Let's have the two of them dance for us one more time!" Allen did not just hear that last sentence. He glanced at the now murderous being that was Kanda and realized that they had to dance... again. Damn.

Kanda, in his anger, almost flung out of the chair and then he took Allen's hand, who had stood up much more calmly, and they walked to the dance floor slowly. The music began to play, slow at first, and Kanda lead the dance as he had during the ball. They were very stiff in the beginning of the waltz, since Allen for awhile tried to lead, but Kanda was adamant and Allen yielded. The music began playing faster and the two, quite gracefully, sailed over the floor, circling around on the dance floor.

And then it was over. Applauds echoed in the room, and Allen became all too aware of himself as the two stood in the middle of the dance floor. Then suddenly a yawn came to him, he tried to stifle it but not enough. Tiedoll came to the two, taking their hands in his, tears in his eyes, as he said:

"I know you must be very tired, I've already arranged the room if you wish to retire for the evening?"

"The room?" Kanda asked suspiciously but servants had already gathered to escort them to the room they've been assigned. Allen was too tired to argue and just went along. The room was a, for all purposes, a suite. An adorning bathroom and wash room, dressing room, living room and of course a bed room – with a single king size bed. Allen was ushered to the dressing room where they helped him take the dress off, they made sure to have the door closed so that Kanda would not see the arm. Allen then dressed himself into a comfortable purple pajama, with a single white silk glove on the left hand. After a few minutes they were alone. Kanda tried the door, thinking that he could go sleep in his own room, but no such luck; the door was locked from the outside.

Cursing, he stalked back to the couches and promptly sat down. Allen had already resigned to his fate, knowing that this was another of Cross' schemes.

"How the hell could the old man agree to this madness?" Kanda angrily said to no one in particular, Allen snorted.

"You think he could've said 'no' to my Uncle? He planned the whole thing, and your Father just had to go along with it... like a puppet", Allen said, Kanda gave him an angry glance but didn't speak. "Well, I'm going to bed, Good night Kanda", Allen stood up from the armchair and walked into the bedroom.

"What's with the glove?" Kanda suddenly asked, Allen stopped in the doorway, frozen solid. At first he didn't knew what to answer, but he knew that he couldn't say the truth, so instead he said, although lamely:

"For comfort", and then he stepped into the bedroom, he didn't close the door though. Kanda knew he was lying. But he was surprised at the poor effort Allen had put into the lie, usually Allen could convince anyone with anything, but now... he was hiding something, something he didn't want Kanda to know. It wasn't any of his business, but Kanda had gotten curious.

He sat on the couch for about half an hour before he himself went into the bedroom. The white-haired prince was lying on one side of the bed, face towards the bedside table. There was only one candle lit and it was the one on the empty side of the bed. Kanda casually walked up to the bed and lay down on the empty side, his back facing Allen's. Sleep came mercifully quickly.


Allen woke up first. He sat slowly up in the bed; he looked to his right and saw Kanda still sleeping soundly. He could hear bird twitter from outside the slightly open window – the servants must have already been there. The curtains were still in place, leaving the room in obscurity. He quietly stepped out of bed and tip-toed out of the room as to not wake the other. He was greeted by a lovely sight of fresh-baked bread, jam and butter, egg and bacon – everything he loved to have for breakfast. He had just sat down to eat when he saw the envelope. He was about to open it when Kanda stepped into the room, he gave Allen one glance before sitting down himself by the table to eat. Allen forgot about him and opened the envelope. What was inside shocked him to say the least. As he read every line and saw the drawing in the letter his face became more and more red. When finished he stood up and went to the nearest candle.

"Burn!" His voice dark and dangerous. Kanda stood up and took hold of Allen's hand before he could burn the letter. "Let me go, you idiot! I'm going to burn it to hell!"

"What the hell's wrong with you, Beansprout? What the fuck's in that letter?" When Allen didn't answer Kanda took the letter forcibly from his hands. He then started reading the letter. Even though he didn't show anything on his face, his eyes could not hide the disgust and anger he felt as he read it.

"I'm killing him", he then stated.

"I'm with you on that one", Allen said just as angry.

"He went too damn far this time!"

"Let's go find him!" And they both turned towards the door, intending to search for Allen's Uncle, but as they were to opened the door it was opened from the outside and Cross and Tiedoll came in. The two princes were shocked at first but then they pulled themselves together and was about to angrily yell at Cross about the letter when Tiedoll asked them to sit down.

"I'm not sitting the fuck down! What the hell's wrong with you?" Kanda yelled the last question at Cross, who feigned innocence.

"I don't know what you're talking about", Allen shoved the letter to his face.

"That! Did you really expect us to do that? I've done as you told me: the ball, the wedding, the kiss, the dance and I will not do that!" Cross scrutinized the drawings.

"Hmm... and here I thought you'd be interested in doing these positions, I tried that one myself by the way", Cross said and pointed at one particular drawing of a naked woman and man having sex in a quite peculiar way in Allen's opinion.

"That's not the point!"

"What are you talking about?" Tiedoll asked the two confused. Cross smirked and gave the letter back to Allen.

"Nothing in particular, would you like to start?" Tiedoll shrugged and motioned for the two young adults to sit down, which they did.

"I wanted to tell you two as soon as the wedding was announced but Cross thought it would be best to wait until after the wedding", he began.

"Tell us what exactly?" Allen asked, dread spreading slowly inside of him.

"About this contract", Cross took out an old and dusty roll from one of his pockets.

"Contract?" Kanda frowned, "what contract?"

"Cross, could you read it?" Tiedoll asked and Cross rolled it open and began reading it aloud: On this day it hath hereby been decided that the successor to King Marian Cross will, when sixteen, marry to King Froi Tiedoll's fourth son, Prince Yuu Kanda, in holy matrimony", One particular word had Allen thinking: successor – meaning that it wouldn't have mattered if he'd been a boy or a girl, he would have been forced into the marriage anyway.

"When did this...?"

"Years ago, I recall it was just a few months after you were adopted by Prince Mana", Tiedoll answered. Then it must have been when he had first met Kanda. Allen didn't remember much but he knew that he had been wearing a dress... When Cross wrote this then he didn't know that Allen was a boy... somehow Allen felt comforted by the fact that the cross-dressing had not been something Cross had thought about in the beginning. But the Cross continued reading :

"And as such they will be next in line to the throne of Aederia. This contract hath been signed by both parts and a witness. If change of mind, all three – Marian Cross, Froi Tiedoll and Mana Walker – must be present at the burning of this contract. Signed: His Royal Majesty King Marian Cross, His Royal Majesty King Froi Tiedoll, Witness: His Royal Highness Prince Mana Walker", Cross rolled it together again when he finished.

"Wait, what's that about 'next in line to the throne of Aederia'? You mean that I couldn't have become king if I... didn't marry..." Allen glanced at Kanda who had a thoughtful expression on his face.

"More or less, yes", Tiedoll answered mild mannered.

"Then we can get a divorce now? We've done what the contract asked; we should be able to..." Kanda was interrupted by Cross:

"No, it says here that 'as such they will be next in line', if you go through with a divorce then it will be a breach of contract.

"But it's a stupid contract! You two are here, and you Uncle have already had your fun, just burn the contract!" Allen's tone almost desperate, he saw Tiedoll shaking his head and Cross explained:

"We cannot because Mana's not here", both Kanda and Allen's faces drained of blood as they realized that there was no way out now. They looked at each other, not knowing how to take all this. Then Cross continued: "We're leaving for Aederia tomorrow; I've already ordered the servants to pack your things."


This chapter was the 'funny' one, the next one will be cuter: Kanda and Allen on the boat to Aederia - and Allen gets a bad case of seasickness...

The intro is just about done, now I'll get into the story proper.

Hope you'll stick around ^^

Seya next time!