[Author's -extremely long apology-note]: It's a little late, but happy 2012 my dear readers! I know I owe you all an explanation (or an excuse just to make me feel better). You see, I have been a bit preoccupied with trying to excel in my classes because I failed both my biochemistry AND molecular biology classes over the summer. My failure cost me a huge delay in graduation. I had to decide what to prioritize firsthand, and updating this story was not one of them.
And so… here I am now six months later! I have a bit of free time since I am trying to take it easy since I'm done with most of my classes! (Currently retaking the class I failed in! Eeks! Wish me luck!)
And to the lovely reader who reminded me that it's been a year since my last update, thank you! I'm so thankful to know that people out there are still interested in this story! Thank you everyone!
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Only For Her
Chapter 6
By Broken Pencil
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He woke up the next day with little energy. The night before left him confused to the point that he was unable to sleep the whole night. The lack of sleep simply made him too tired to plan his next course of action. Furthermore, Airi's reaction toward him was still fresh on his mind. He couldn't possibly face her after what he said. The last thing he wanted to do was to cause unnecessary stress. But how could he possibly remain composed when he sense her feelings slipping away from him with every day that passes?
When Airi seemingly returned to herself last night and kissed him, he wanted to embrace her, to tell her that they are lovers for eternity, to shower her with affection until sunrise.
Aram heard his door open, but didn't bother to see who it was. He made the likely assumption that it was probably Airi preparing to tell him to move out because things were getting too awkward for her to handle.
"What are you still doing in bed, Aram?" she asked in an exasperated manner. "It's almost noon!"
Aram took the extra caution of wrapping the blanket tighter around him just in case she decided to forcefully throw him out. "At least give me another day before I move out," he mumbled.
There was a brief silence. "Fine," an irritated Airi replied shortly, "You can move out after we go to the amusement park, Aram."
He sat up, completely awake and alert. "We're still going?" he asked once to confirm his hearing while staring at her suspiciously.
She was standing in front of him with her hands tucked behind her back. Aram scanned her serious face and then her outfit caught his attention. She was wearing a white sundress; it suited her well. The sunrays casted a warm glow over her slim figure and accentuated her fair skin. Although he only heard of these heavenly beings from Airi before, Aram was convinced that he had just seen an angel.
She blushed under his intense gaze. "Yes, we are still going," she affirmed. "I invited you after all."
Aram hesitated before proceeding with his next question, "Will I have to appear as my younger self?"
Airi shifted nervously as she stared at the floor. "I'm sorry I got you upset last night," she answered in response to his sullen expression. "It was my fault. It has been five years already, and I still treated you like that little Aram five years ago. You may have grown up, but you're still Aram, and I need to accept that."
He was shocked, yet pleased by her initiative. "Are you really going to accept me the way I am now?" Aram questioned once more.
She nodded firmly. "Every part of you," Airi replied resolutely, nervously tucking the loose strands of hair behind her ear.
"Then will you do me a favor?" he asked rather eagerly.
She stared at him with suspicion. "What is it?"
Aram sighed. "I am rather tangled up at the moment," he said, indicating to the blanket wrapped tightly around his body. "Will you assist me?"
Airi let out a sigh of relief and giggled as she approached the messy bundle, but she was taken by surprise when she reached out to blanket and found herself being pulled down instead. Suddenly she was looking up at Aram's face. She flinched when she saw his hand reaching toward her.
She felt his large hand lowered pass her face and grasped a lock of her wavy, brown hair. Aram then lifted the strand higher and pressed it against his lips. He returned his intense gaze upon her face once more and smirked.
"Can you accept this part of me as well?" he whispered, dipping his head closer to her face until he was able to feel her ragged breaths against his lips.
Airi was beet red but being very red and hot did not mean that her judgment was impaired as her hand suddenly launched forward and landed a good whack across his head.
"Aram, you idiot!" she cried, covering her face with both hands in a poor attempt her hide her embarrassment.
He shook his head in a disapproving manner. "You ought to know better than to enter a man's room while he's half naked after waking up," Aram stated, pushing his entire body off the bed to stretch his body.
He smirked as Airi seemingly froze upon seeing his body in full view. "I get it already!" she chided, hurriedly getting off his bed. "I will meet you in the living room!" she yelped, skittering across the room with one hand blocking her eyes from Aram until she exited the room.
When he heard the door close, Aram's playful expression was replaced with a frown. His patience was wearing thin; after all, he was never a patient child to begin with.
"Things aren't moving fast enough," he calculated carefully and sighed. "If only making her fall in love was as easy as using magic…"
A brilliant idea hit him, but he hesitated at the thought of it. But wouldn't that overload her already frail mind? It was magic that caused this problem in the first place…
Aram shook his head, he was getting desperate and time alone with Airi was limited. It couldn't hurt to try, it was not like he was changing her feelings; he was only making their relationship mend faster.
He clenched his hands with resolution, "At least… I hope so."
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Airi was waiting patiently in the living room when Aram finally emerged from his room.
"Are you ready Aram?" she asked while packing up the remaining items into her bag.
"Yes, I am."
"Let's head out after I find my keys..."
"That sounds great," another feminine voice chimed in, "Where are we going today?"
"Didn't I tell you already? We're going to the…" Airi stopped shuffling through her bag and turned at the source of the elegant, but irritatingly familiar voice.
She froze from obvious shock when a girl exited the kitchen and entered the living room. The long, flowing green hair gave it away.
"Mariabel!" both Airi and Aram screamed in surprise.
Trying to remain in a calm composure, Airi smiled sweetly and asked, "When were you here, Mariabel?"
The girl flipped her hair elegantly and smiled back with equal sweetness, "I've been waiting quite a while already…"
Airi tried not to cringe from Mariabel's glaringly beautiful face up close that made her feel like an ogre in comparison. "Who let you in?" Her answer manifested when she caught Mariabel giving Aram a long, anticipating stare.
"Please excuse Aram and I for a second," she replied as she slowly nudged Aram to the hallway hopefully far enough from Mariabel's hearing range, not that she really cared if the other party heard anyway.
Airi immediately glared at Aram and grabbed the collar around his neck. "You invited her over!" she hissed as lowly as possible.
"Of course not!" Aram responded heatedly. What was Mariabel doing here anyway?
"Then how did she get into the house?" she bit out in a matter-of-factly response. "Magic?"
He took the suggestion as a possibility, "Perhaps…"
Airi released her grip on his collar when she realized that he seemed serious and openly gawked at him. "Are you teasing me at a time like this?"
Their conversation ended abruptly when they heard Mariabel's approaching steps growing louder. "Are we leaving yet, Aram?"
Airi pushed him toward the living room. "You," she growled, "fix this right now!"
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Aram was quite taken aback by Airi's reaction; her sudden mood change was likely ignited by Mariabel's presence. He almost smiled at the idea that perhaps it was better to keep Mariabel here; however, he did like the idea of dealing with an angry Airi today.
He ran a hand through his hair and exhaled. He opened his mouth to speak, but was quickly interrupted by Mariabel.
"Airi!" Mariabel's soft but clear voice echoed throughout the house. "Will you please fetch a drink for your guest?"
A silent and embarrassed Airi emerged from behind the couch adjacent to the two and made a quick beeline straight to the kitchen.
"Why are you here, Mariabel?"Aram finally asked when he was sure that Airi was out of range.
"Did I make a good entrance?" she responded with a playful smile.
"This is a very inappropriate time to bother me," Aram replied impatiently. "What are you doing here?"
"Always as brash as ever," Mariabel commented and crossed her arms. "I am here to see your progress with Airi, your highness. And, if I may add, you two are still as rigid as ever."
He clenched his fists at the unwanted truth. "I have a plan," he answered, but he could tell from her eyes that she was not convinced.
"Does that plan include getting the necklace off her?" she replied calmly. "If that's so then bring it to me soon. You see, I thought I would come by today to save you the trouble of retrieving the necklace yourself, but I see that I have made an erroneous decision."
Aram instantly felt guilt ridden. He should have had more faith in Mariabel. The girl here was not trying to hinder their progress but to solve the mystery item that caused this situation in the first place.
"I'm sorry," he said with a weary sigh. "I haven't had much sleep last night."
She could no longer maintain her serious façade and laughed in response. "You don't have to explain it to me; I can already see it on your face. You could suffocate your entire kingdom with those massive eye bags of yours."
He chuckled. "At least if I suffocate my kingdom first, then there's no way my people would ever see me in such a pathetic state."
The conversation ended abruptly when Airi entered the living room with a glass of orange juice in her right hand.
"This is all that's left," Airi added.
"Thank you, Airi. You are such a good host." Mariabel motioned to grab the glass until her eyes caught sight of the curious object. "That's a lovely pendant you got there, do you mind if I take a look up close?"
"Not at all," Airi replied hesitatingly and lifted her head higher to allow Mariabel to have a closer examination.
Mariabel's finger briefly made contact with the object and instantly retracted.
Airi did not notice fast enough, but one glimpse was enough for Aram to see Mariabel flinch in pain the moment her fingers touched the pendant.
The atmosphere suddenly grew cold as she swiftly turned around and faced the couple.
"I-I just suddenly recalled that I have an important errand to tend to," she responded, obviously trying to keep her voice tone as calm as possible. "Thank you for letting me come over, and I apologize coming on short notice."
Airi was seized with concern as she followed the girl into the kitchen, "But you haven't had your drink yet…Mariabel?"
Aram emerged behind her and inspected the room as well.
"How did she leave so quickly?" Airi wondered in surprise. "It's as if she never opened the door."
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"My poor skin," she whispered upsettingly, analyzing the fingers on her left hand once more to see if any side effect had taken place. "What a painful curse…"
"It did look painful," another voice interrupted.
Mariabel shot up from her comfortable position on the bed and turned to recognizable voice. "Your highness!" she exclaimed, "Weren't you supposed to be at the amusement park with Airi-san?"
Aram didn't bother to answer her. "Let me see your hand," he commanded, fully emerging from the hallway and into her room.
Mariabel pulled her hand behind her back and regained her cool posture. "It's nothing worth fretting over, really."
He approached her without minding her personal space and reached out for her hidden arm.
She made an effort to protest, but Aram would not budge, "Don't look!" she cried as he finally grabbed her wrist and took a clear look at her hand.
But it was too late to turn away. The prince shook his head as a guilt washed over his face. Mariabel's index and middle fingers looked like they had been burned by a piece of hot metal; like as if the locket had imprinted her. "What happened?"
Mariabel stared at the marble floor in shame. "I don't quite understand myself, it's like as if the pendant was built to have this defense mechanism for people who try to remove it," she placed a hand over her heart, "What a fearsome object."
"Maybe it was because Airi did not want you to touch it," he added. "Perhaps it was responding to its host's emotion."
"Whatever it is, Aram-sama, I need to get a closer look at it."
He clenched his teeth. Great- this locket was a complete mystery unless they could closely examine it. But was it worth risking a chance for that thing to make a counterattack?
"Aram-sama?" he heard her ask meekly. "Can you please let go of my wrist now?"
He shifted his negative thoughts on the situation and looked at the delicate hand in his grasp then turned his head to look at its owner.
"I'm sorry, Mariabel," he replied ruefully, slowly releasing his hold on her. "You were hurt by my personal affair."
She shook her head. "I was the one being meddlesome," she added. "It's a consequence I expect for getting involved."
Her answer didn't seem to alleviate his guilt, and made him even more wore worried now that someone got hurt on his account. "I'm not even sure what I should do now," he admitted. "Maybe I should stop forcing her to remember."
She reached for his hand and held it firmly with both hands. "You mustn't give up, your highness, not after all this time of fighting for everyone to acknowledge your love for each other," she urged firmly, but gently. "Do you not love her?"
"I do!" he replied offensively, "But I feel that this fighting is only to drag on a losing battle."
Mariabel pulled away. "Don't say that when you haven't lost the war!" she replied heatedly. "You two were going somewhere today before I interfered. It seemed like she was giving you a chance. You cannot stop now."
He lifted his downcast face, eyes revived with determination. "You're right," he answered, smirking once more. "I apologize. I was too preoccupied with the moment that I forgot to think about the future."
She smiled, "That means you've been lingering on earth for too long, maybe it was a smart idea for me to have made a visit today."
"Thank you, Mariabel!" he answered energetically. "I will be heading back to Airi now."
Mariabel nodded and waved goodbye. "Good luck!"
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Somewhere outside and around the Kaldia property, a hooded figure emerged from the dark halls and swiftly made its way to another room toward a man of great stature that was seemingly fixated upon the scenery outside the window.
"Permission to speak, my lord," the hooded figure requested while bowing respectfully.
A pair of curious eyes wandered to the servant. "What is it?"
"My lord, I believe I have just seen Prince Aram exiting Mariabel's chambers."
The sharp eyes initially displayed surprise, but eventually exhibited interest as another plot slowly formed in his mind. He grinned smugly, "I wonder what we should do about that."
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Aram made sure to enter through the front door, fearing that Airi would be around if he was to appear miraculously in the room.
"You're back already, Aram?" she asked sleepily. He nearly leaped from shock, but he recovered after noticing her sitting on the couch in her pajamas.
"Why aren't you in bed yet, Airi?" he responded not too happily, then he noticed the makeshift bed on the couch. "Were you waiting for me?"
She blushed under the dim night. "I was worried about Mariabel, she didn't seem okay after leaving today even though she tried to act like it didn't bother her."
"I thought you didn't like her?" he teased.
Airi turned away as her cheeks flushed with a hint of pink, "But it doesn't mean that I don't care about her well-being. No one is that heartless…"
He smiled. Although her memory of her friendship with Mariabel was gone, Airi was still able to care about her. Maybe there is a chance for her to recover her feelings for him.
"She just had family problems to attend to," he answered. "It was nothing to worry over."
She yawned. "That's good," she replied. "I'm sorry I cancelled the trip to the amusement park today."
Aram shook his head. "It's fine- you were worried about Mariabel's wellbeing. You know, you have the tendency to put other's needs before yours," he pointed out. "You should consider being selfish for once."
Her blush deepened as Aram approached her. "Tell me what you want," he commanded softly, making eye contact with her. "Were you really only worried about Mariabel?"
"I-I want to go sleep," she stammered, pushing him away with no avail.
"Airi?" he urged sternly.
She ducked her head, knowing that he would not budge unless he had a direct answer. "I…" she murmured shyly, "I just want to spend some time with you."
His heart almost skipped a beat while hearing those words.
"Sometimes…I have these strange dreams that feel more like a distant memory," she continued, "These dreams always involve someone who makes me warm and protected all the time. But what I find strange is that the aura emitted from this figure in my dream feels like yours."
He was at loss for words, but it was apparent to him that he shouldn't say anything to interrupt the moment while she was being honest about her feelings.
"I'm scared," she admitted. "The more I push you away or hurt you, the more vivid these dreams become. I think you're the key to unlocking my missing memories."
More like I am your missing memory, he wanted to correct, but figured it was the wrong time to add unnecessary, possibly life-threatening, crucial information- even though they were very, very important and life-changing memories of her past 5 years with him.
"Airi," he began, grabbing her shoulders to get her attention.
She looked up, eyes pleading for an answer, "Yes, Aram?"
"If I help you find your memories, will you promise to not run away from it?" he asked.
"I just want them back," she said earnestly. "I feel so empty without it."
He pulled her into his arms and held her tightly. He bit his lip, trying to hold back the wave of emotions crashing on him; he felt like crying and rejoicing at the same time. He couldn't believe he almost gave up when she was about give in.
"Thank goodness," he whispered tenderly.
Aram jerked back at the silent girl in his arms, realizing that he might have triggered Airi to have another painful episode again and thus collapsed in his arms. He eyes softened when he saw a peaceful expression across Airi's sleeping face. He carefully lifted her body and carried Airi into her bedroom, setting her down on the bed.
He brushed her bangs away from her eyes. "I promise I'll get them back for you, Airi," he vowed. "I won't give up…" I will not give up even if it's me who gets hurt in the end.
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*Review and I might write faster and update sooner! (; (hint hint) You know you want to!