Author's Note: Part two to the grand ball… TBH, I'm actually a little surprised at the lack of reaction to the last chapter… O.o Anywai. This is my sad attempt at writing an "action"-filled chapter. U_U
To everyone who started reading this story within the last 6 months or so: I was reformatting my chapters and reuploading them, and somehow managed to upload chapter 19 or something in place of chapter 11… thanks to HappyHam for pointing this out! It should be fixed out now.
)Light in the Darkness( - Hmm? What do you mean by courses you need to graduate but not for your major? Like electives, you mean? Haha, not likely n.n; I believe my next term will be filled with statistics, actuarial science, and computer science! FML much?
)ayunli( - OMG thank you sooo much! It really means so much to me to hear you say that! ;.; Don't worry, there will be steady updates at least until April! (check my profile for update dates) And thank YOU for being more or less the first one to type out your email address correctly! XD
)BiskElle( - You, my dear, are almost too good at guessing :p I won't say which you got right and which you got wrong though—but don't worry, you'll find out within the next two chapters! Ah, I suppose that's true, people liked Lilia and Reyn quite a bit… unfortunately can't say the same for poor Jayx… n.n; I actually debated long and hard about Ilonka and Jelensta—either make them fall in love, or just be best friends. In the end, I guess since the story is taking place in such a "traditional" world, might as well kick it up a notch.
)AngelEmCuti( - Haha really? What made you so sure Sakura would reject him? x3
Thanks for everyone who's been keeping up with this story despite its inconsistent updates!
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Chapter Twenty-Seven
The Grand Ball II, Part II
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An awkward silence filled the room. The guests looked uncertainly at one another, unsure how to react.
King Syaoran felt as if he had just been slapped across the face with the whole world watching. But worse. Never had he been so embarrassed! And in front of everyone who's anyone in this entire land! "W-What?"
Sakura looked down shamefully. "I-I said no, I can't… I won't marry you."
King Syaoran took a deep breath. He picked up the ring from the ground, then stood up. Slowly, he examined the ring, as if unsure what it was, what it meant. And abruptly, he threw it at the ground with absolute anger and hatred. He threw it so hard Sakura actually jumped a little at the loud sound it made purely from the impact. She wouldn't be surprised if the floor was dented. The King lowered his head, and his bangs fell, casting a dark shadow over his face. With the intense lights and shadows from all direction, it was incredibly hard to read his expression.
"Y-Your Majesty?" Sakura squeaked uncertainly.
And slowly, he looked up, his eyes glaring murder. "Tell me, Kinomoto." Sakura winced at the coldness in his voice, and her heart broke. Oh Syaoran… I never meant to hurt you… not like this! B-But I really just… can't… "Did you not enter this competition, knowing fully well that I was searching for a wife?"
"Y-Yes, Your Majesty…"
"Then that means upon entering you were fully prepared to be chosen as the one to be my wife…"
No… not in a million years… "Y-Yes, Your Majesty…"
"And knowing that fact you still entered, meaning you wanted to be my damn wife, correct? Meaning you loved me, and wanted to be with me!"
Sakura felt near tears. No, no, no! It's all wrong! I'm a terrible, terrible person! My sole purpose in coming here was to hurt you, and harm you! Oh Syaoran… I deserve any punishment you deem suitable for me! But all she could say was: "Y-Yes…"
Anger seeped into his features and for a moment he looked like a starving wolf staring at a prey he's been chasing for weeks. "Tell me then, Kinomoto, IS THIS ALL SOME KIND OF A GODDAMN JOKE TO YOU?" He began to advance on her, in a predatory way.
"N-No!" She squeaked. "I-It wasn't a joke to me—"
"THEN ARE YOU ENJOYING THIS RIGHT NOW? DO YOU ENJOY HUMILIATING ME?"
"No! Of course not! Please King Syaoran—"
"DON'T YOU EVER SAY MY NAME AGAIN! YOU SELF-CENTERED DIRTY SLUT!"
Her hand came over her mouth, hearing him call her by such an insulting name… imagining how warm his eyes had been just moments ago simply broke her heart. And it's all because of me… I've made him go crazy… "Y-Your Majesty…" she whispered, tears falling rapidly down her face.
"YOU'RE SENT BY THE DEVIL YOU HEAR ME? IF NOT THE DEVIL REINCARNATE HIMSELF! SENT TO HARM ME, TO HURT ME, TO MAKE MY ENTIRE LIFE A JOKE! TO MAKE ME LOVE AND THEN BREAK ME! YOU SELFISH, SELFISH BITCH! GO TO HELL!"
"M-My King…" Sakura choked, unable to stop the tears. Because everything he said about her was true. And slowly, she fell to the ground. Her face a mess with tears smudged everywhere.
"Oh God…" Tomyo whispered, watching the scene in horror.
"S-Sakura…" Even Meiling felt sorry for her at the moment. Despite everything, she knew it must be killing Sakura to say no to his proposal, especially when her heart clearly longed for him… And to hear him say those cruel, cruel words…
"GET UP!" He stormed over to her, and pulled her upwards roughly by the fabrics of her dress, nearly ripping them. "LOOK AT ME WHEN I'M TALKING TO YOU!"
But she couldn't. So much tears were pouring out it was blinding her. She felt so weak in her body she couldn't even keep herself standing without him holding her up.
"GODDAMMIT LOOK AT ME WHEN I'M TALKING TO YOU! DISGRACE! SLUT! WHORE!"
And the screaming continued. He screamed profanity at her, but as he screamed, tears began to fall down his face, because saying those things to her didn't make him feel better at all. It just made him feel worse because he knew they weren't true. He knew that he truly loved her… and just wanted her to be his Queen. But it seems no matter what he did, he couldn't make that one wish a reality, and worst of all he couldn't understand why. All the signs were there—she reciprocated his feelings, she risked her life to save his… so why?
But Sakura was too absorbed in her own pain to see his. She was so wallowed in misery she couldn't even hear what he was screaming all her. She couldn't hear, couldn't see, couldn't feel… it was as if her body had just gone numb from the pain.
But then suddenly, in the tangled voices a clear scream stood out, and then more screams. And the next thing she knew, Sakura found herself flying into a nearby table, her left cheek stinging. Had the King… slapped her? Desperately, Sakura's hand came out to grab something, anything for balance. She wasn't sure what she grabbed but as she pulled on it the object came towards her and dropped off the table. It fell onto the ground and touched her dress. Lit her dress. On fire. Sakura screamed, and began hitting at it frantically trying to put it out.
People everywhere began to panic. In a matter of seconds everyone was screaming, candles were being knocked over, people trying to get out of their seat and escape the room. The Dining room was turning into the burning pit of hell.
"Oh no…" Jelensta got up from her seat, leaping over the table to help Sakura put the fire out.
"SAKURA!" Eriol, Tomoyo, Meiling and even Lord Ferrer poured any liquid they could find on the flames.
But before anyone could reach Sakura, it was the King who took off his robe and slapped at it frantically.
"Li…" Ilonka's expression was dark, her voice quiet but threatening. "The one girl you ever loved… the only girl you've ever loved… and yet you still hurt her like this? You're truly a black-hearted beast… there is no hope for you…"
I need to get Ilonka out of here… it's too dangerous… Jelensta frowned scanning each corner of the room quickly. But as expected it was too dark and they couldn't see anything. Regardless, she's not going to take a chance and put her lover in danger. "Ilonka!" She quickly rushed over to her and kissed her quickly on the cheek. "Please, Sakura's hand it slightly burnt, please seek a medical doctor for her immediately!"
Ilonka searched her eyes. "Why are you sending me and not anyone else? In fact you know this castle the best, you should go!"
"Please, Ilonka!" Jelensta begged, already pushing her away. "It's dangerous here! I'll watch out for Sakura, you just go get her a doctor!"
"No. If it's dangerous then you should go! Sakura's a better friend to me anyway—"
But she was cut short when Jelensta leaned in and kissed her on her lips. All around them people were either panicking or surrounding Sakura, and no one saw the kiss. Jelensta pulled back gently, and stared into Ilonka's eyes with genuine worry and concern. "Please Ilonka… I don't know what I'd do if something were to happen to you."
Ilonka paused, but finally sighed. "All right." She said. "I'll get out." She turned around to leave. Just as she was about to disappear from view, she turned back around. "I love you." She whispered, so quietly no one heard it. But Jelensta read her lips and her heart fluttered. And she stared longingly at Ilonka's retreating figure.
It took quite a bit of will power for her to turn around back to the scene happening before them. By that point the fire had spread all over the room, smoke was rising. Servants were pouring buckets after buckets of water at the room. But they couldn't leave. Not yet.
"SAKURA! SAKURA! ANSWER ME!" Syaoran shook her violently in his arms. "SOMEBODY GET ME A DOCTOR! NOW! SAKURA! WAKE UP!"
Jelensta stared coldly at the King. "Wasn't this what you wanted? For her to get hurt?"
King Syaoran spun around abruptly with Sakura slung across his arms, his eyes full of hatred. "Yes," he said loudly, his voice clear and overcoming all the screams and noise around them. "But this is not enough. I want her to live through this nightmare and then some. She deserves every single bit of it."
"You cruel, cruel King! Sakura's innocent! You asked for her hand in marriage, that means she has the right to refuse!"
"NO! NO ONE EMBARRASSES ME LIKE THIS! I WILL MAKE HER PAY FOR EVERYTHING WITH THE REMAINDER OF HER LIFE IF NEED BE!"
Jelensta knew something was wrong. A split second after those words left the King's mouth she ran forth and tackled him to and Sakura to the ground. When they looked back, there was a long, thin needle stuck in the ground where Syaoran was originally standing. Had Jelensta not pushed him, it should've landed straight into his back.
Jelensta pulled it out of the ground slowly and smelt the tip of it. Amazing aim… to be so accurate, and so certain not to accidentally harm Sakura in the process especially when they're so close together…. He must be very, very skilled… "Poison." She said without hesitation. "If this had entered your bloodstream, you would not live past dawn tomorrow."
Syaoran was suddenly alert. Eriol quickly ran forth and stood back-to-back against the King. "Your Majesty, he's here."
The King nodded. "Yes. Everything better be in position. RAMSA!"
Slowly, Sakura stirred. "What's going on…?" She mumbled.
King Syaoran grabbed her by the hand and stared into her eyes seriously. "Sakura. He's made his move. Get. Out. Now."
But she was determined. They had gone this far. She was going to go through with the plan one way or another. May it cost her life if that was what was meant to be. "No." She replied stubbornly. "I will protect you." And she too stood with her back against the King Syaoran, in front of him protectively.
Jelensta quickly joined them as she did the same, so that the three of them created a triangle, enveloping the King within.
"The guards are here!" Captain Ramsa declared.
"SEARCH!" Jelensta cried. "Search the room thoroughly! Don't let anyone get away without being inspected!"
But it was easier said than done. By the time the word of the assassin travelled around the room people were in full-fledged panic mode. As the guards attempted to hold them down for questions, the guests simply trampled over them. It was turning out to be a disaster. People escaped the room in droves.
C'mon… Sweat fell down Jelensta's brows. It was so damn hot and smoky in here. And if too many people left, it would make King Syaoran too clear of a target. C'mon Ramsa… you'd better have done as I asked… In all honesty the fire hadn't been part of the plan, but the assassin didn't make his move when Syaoran was screaming at Sakura, and the King knew he had to do something dramatic to drive him over the edge.
Jelensta could almost feel the frustration of the assassin…
Whoosh!
But quick as lightning Jelensta grabbed a plate on a nearby table and held it above King Syaoran's head.
A similar thin needle pierced right through the center of the plate and got stuck literally half a centimetre away from between the King's eyes.
King Syaoran stared at the pin in utter disbelief. How close his life had been to an end. "RAMSA!"
"ALMOST THERE YOUR MAJESTY! THIS CROWD IS REALLY HARD TO CONTROL!"
Of course that had been a distraction to give the assassin a safe sense of security. Thanks to Jelensta, they knew he had to be hiding in one of the four dark corners of the room.
Still scanning the room with his eyes, Eriol said, "Lord Ferrer, listen to me very careful." Lord Ferrer nodded and gave his undivided attention. "I need you to get Meiling and Tomoyo safely out of here. And see them to my dorm, get them comfortably settled in my bed. And get the maids to prepare hot food and shower and some calming music." It broke Eriol's heart to think how much trauma Tomoyo and Meiling must be going through right now.
Lord Ferrer nodded. "I understand. I too would like to stay by the King's side, but I understand the ladies need to be taken care of. You can count on me." With that, he grabbed the hands of the two girls, both of whom were practically in shock by this point, and forcefully dragged them away.
Jelensta could almost hear a growl of frustration somewhere the room. Her eyes scanned desperately. Every minute that goes by meant the King is more and more endangered. And suddenly a sharp glint caught her eyes. She spun around in the nick to time. There looked to be at least a dozen needles. "MOVE!" Jelensta cried in horror shoving Syaoran, Eriol and Sakura out of the way. But she pushed them so hard Syaoran ended up getting shoved right onto Sakura who lost her balance and hit her head on the corner of a table on her way down.
"AAHH!"
"SAKURA!"
"I'm okay…" she moaned softly touching the bump that was starting to form on her forehead.
"AH!" Jelensta cried as a needle grazed by her arm. The bundle she had seen coming landed in a scatter around her. Had she not pushed them out of the way more than one of them would've certainly been hurt by now.
"JELENSTA!"
Her hand shook as she pinched the flesh on her arm where the needle brushed by. Blood trickled down as she gritted her teeth. But now was no time to worry about whether she was going to live or not. "HE'S OVER THERE!" She shouted facing the corner opposite the entrance to the room.
Taking a cue Ramsa's guards aimed their arrows at the corner. But before they could fire, poisonous needles flew in all directions, catching more than half the guards as they went down to the ground screaming in pain. Taking that opportunity, the assassin leapt off the ledge and dove straight for the exit.
"HE'S GETTING AWAY!"
But as instructed by Ramsa, ten guards quickly reinforced and blocked the only exist to the room.
The assassin—who was dressed completely in black with a black mask that had only slits for eyes—nearly ran into them. As he saw the guards before him, from within his shirt he withdrew two daggers. "AAAHHH!" he screamed charging forth. The scream… it was rather feminine…
"NOOOO! DON'T LET HIM GET AWAY!"
But the guards were in a panic trying to reach for their sword. The daggers came down, one on each side of him to cut them down.
But the gruesome sound of bodies being slashed was never heard.
Instead, Captain Ramsa had charged in front of his guards and he held one blade in each hand. Blood trickle down his palms but his hand never even shook. He held onto the blades tightly, staring into the wide, frightened eyes of the assassin. "Game over, you worthless trash. I have sworn to protect King Li's life and damn, I do a bloody good job of it."
The assassin's hands shook, as he let go of the daggers and instead attempted to run, but within seconds he was surrounded.
"NO!" He let out an agonizing cry, reaching into his shirt for more needles. But Captain Ramsa stood behind him, held the assassin's own knife against his throat. "Don't move."
And slowly, the assassin's muscles relaxed. All his weapons dropped to the floor, as he fell on his knees. "I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry…" he kept whispering over and over again.
Within an instant the guards were on him, brutally binding him, blindfolding him, a few kicked him just for the hell of it. But they got him tied up so fast it was no doubt they feared him greatly. Except Ramsa. Despite his bleeding hands he stood very still, a cold expression on his face glancing down in disgust at the assassin. "The Devil's offspring is dealt with… at last…"
A few minutes later doctors came rushing in.
"SOMEBODY! GET RAMSA'S HANDS BANDAGED UP NOW! AND SOMEONE GET JELENSTA, MAKE SURE SHE ISN'T IN ANY LIFE-THREATENING DANGER! AND I NEED SOMEONE TO ATTEND TO SAKURA NOW, CHECK TO SEE SHE HASN'T SUSTAINED ANY INTERNAL BLEEDING OR HEAD INJURIES! AND FOR ERIOL—" But the King's eyes suddenly became dazed. Sweat fell down his forehead, and he passed out onto the ground.
"YOUR MAJESTY!" Eriol cried rushing to his side. "SOMEBODY! GET THE KING TO HIS CHAMBERS, NOW!" With all the excitement of the night, the smoke that had filled the room, it would be too much for anyone. And Eriol found himself wobbling on his feet as everything around him became black.
—
"You're fine, sweetie, nothing severe, the bump should fade within a day or so." The doctor commented kindly.
But Sakura continued to stare blankly ahead. Her mind was racing. Her heart was beating so quickly. And it wasn't from being in life-threatening danger. It was something else. Something else that scared her so, so badly. Something she never thought would happen to her… She choked back a sob, but her face contorted into pain, as she desperate tried to hold those tears in.
"Well…" the doctor said uncertainly, reading her expression. "You're free to leave here if you'd like… or you can stay, but I must attend to other patients now…" And with that the doctor left.
Sakura's hand came over the mouth. The events of the night replayed in her mind. Just that one scene…
Will you marry me...
And Sakura knew she couldn't hold those tears in any longer. But she could not let anyone see her like this. Because no one must know her secret.
Bolting out of her bed, her hand over her mouth, she ran out the door and into the hallway.
She ran, and she ran. The tears were becoming harder and harder to hold in. Her vision was blurry, she could hardly see where she was going but the past year had accustomed her so much to the castle she knew her orientation even without sight.
Almost there! She bit into her lips until she tasted blood. I… must not cry!
It felt like an eternity had passed, but at last, she made it back to her room.
Quickly, fumbling terribly, she turned the doorknob and ran through the door, closed it tightly behind her and leaned against it.
In less than two seconds, she fell to her knees, squeezed her eyes shut, covered her mouth with her hand, and the agony just drowned her, choking her.
She was in so much pain that she bent over forward slowly, until her forehead touched the ground. Whimpers escaped her lips, and they soon turned into sobs, and eventually she let out a cry of sheer pain.
How could he do this to her? How could he?
It was too much. What she was feeling. What she knew she had to do because of those feelings. It was so painful. But it had to be done. She felt like her lungs were about to burst, but she had no choice, she knew.
—
A month ago…
Sakura looked down shyly. "And then at this point… you propose?" She asked.
The King smiled briefly. "Yes…" he replied softly, continuing to stare at her, thinking, pondering.
A few minutes went by without either of them saying anything. Slightly uncomfortable, Sakura said, "Are you… going to tell me how this scene will play out?"
Syaoran remained silent. Deep in thought. Ideas were coming to him. It was going to be brilliant, a proposal she deserved. It really was too bad it had to happen like this, but this is what she would deserve, and he didn't want to wait. "No." He finally replied.
"Oh…" Sakura replied, slightly confused. "So… how is this going to work?"
The warm smile returned to his face. "You know what you have to do when I propose, yes? Well, you, my dear, aren't exactly the best actress in the lands." He teased, watching her pout. "So, to make sure your surprise is genuine, I'm going to keep the procedures of the proposal a mystery to you."
"H-Hey! Well, that's just not fair."
The King kissed the side of her head lovingly, silencing her. And also because… I want you to feel like a princess. My princess. My Queen.
—
But he had truly outdone himself. Not to mention changed the timing completely. The grandeur and intricacy of the proposal caught her completely off guard. She thought it would just be a meaningless, obviously-rehearsed proposal, and she would say no, and it would mean nothing to either of them… But when the King had gotten on one knee… she knew it was so stupid to think such impossible thoughts, but the way he looked at her, the warmth in his eyes, it seemed as if he meant what he said, that he wasn't simply acting out the scene. And what scared her most was that she had believed it. In that moment, under the bright lights emitting from the candles beneath her feet, her in her stunning dress, and him looking breathtakingly handsome in his suit, she was lost. Lost in his eyes, his words. Her heart fluttered and longed for him. Despite her role, despite the script she was supposed to follow, she nearly said yes to him. And she knew—even if it was very arrogant and egoistical of her to think he would—if he really did ask for her hand in marriage, or even if there came another moment when they had to act this scene out once more… she didn't think she would have the strength to say no to him. And so, at this exact moment, she knew she wanted to be with him… be his bride.
The tears fell silently down her cheeks, flowing like a downstream river. She squeezed her eyes shut tightly, and felt her heart about to burst from so much feeling. She had to admit it. She would overflow if she didn't soon.
I love him.
She could deny it no longer. Touya had accused her of it. Meiling had accused her of it. Ilonka had accused her of it. She had gotten angry at them all for their preposterous declaration, but all along, it was she who was blinded by her denial. I love him so much! God Syaoran… I LOVE YOU SO DAMN MUCH! But I… can't… Never in her life had she regretted anything. But at that moment, she regretted marrying Touya. It was a selfish thought, but she couldn't help it. She was a married woman, and she is now bound to her man for eternity. Eternity. That's a damn long time. While she loved another.
And so it had to be done. She had wanted this to continue a little later, but she did all she could. There were five women left in the competition now. Preferably she'd leave when there was only one left, but one way or another, this competition will end. And she simply couldn't stay any longer… any longer here, with him… she just might tell him she love him. And she might lose herself again when she's with him. And she might—no she knew she definitely would—lack the strength to reject his proposal once more.
Goodbye, Li Syaoran… I'm so sorry for all I've done…
All she wanted was to cry her heart out, but she dared not risk anyone hearing her. As quietly as she could, with her vision blurred, her voice choking, heart pounding, she felt blindly around her room for her possessions, dumping them onto her bed, then tying the four corners of the bed sheet together to form a carry-on bag.
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Author's Note: recently I'm getting a lot of emails about favourites or subscribes to this story… while it is appreciated, if you're an old reader following my story, or a new reader planning to follow my story, I would really appreciate it if you would LEAVE A REVIEW!
This story has been put on hiatus for a few times over the past long, number of years… it's nice to know how readers have been following from long before, versus how many are new.
Plus, I do take quite a bit of time to write these chapters, and I'd like to know your comments and thoughts on them! Thanks in advance (though I have no doubt less than half will even read this A/N…)!
Happy belated Chinese New Years!
4585 Words. Short. Was going to be longer but figured the 2nd half fitted better as a separate chapter.