Authors Note: I feel like my writing wasn't the best in this and it may be a little all over the place but I hope you all can still enjoy. I also feel like all the chapters I write will be short since I don't have the patience to write any more than this and would rather progress the story when I can. So please bear with me and my inconsistent updates.
The longer that Kaiba stayed with us the more I felt like I have never met a more unlikeable man in my entire life! All the stuck up women and obnoxious men could never compare to this person. Every time I would even step in a room he would either end whatever conversation he was having at the moment or leave the room all together. I know that he didn't want to marry me anymore then I wanted to marry him but at least he could be civil about it. And the worst part was he was very kind to my father and sister when I wasn't around. Serenity would often visit me in the garden after our dinner to discuss her lessons.
"I just don't understand, I get he doesn't want to be here but why does he have to constantly at like someone shoved a stick up his…" Before I finished my sentence Serenity slapped my arms gently as if to scold but her face held a loving grin.
"This is all new to him, just like it is for you. You can't expect him to relax around you so easily. Especially when you too will have to spend your lives together. That's a lot to get used too."
I sighed and looked over at the flowers across the walkway. They weren't in bloom yet because it was still too early for them but when they did they were beautiful. They had always been my favorite. I had specifically asked that they be planted my window so I could see them every morning and every night before I slept. Too bad that was one thing I would get to miss when I left with my new indifferent husband.
"It may not be easy for him, but it's no easier for me either. He gets to stay in his home with his family and friends. He doesn't have to change anything other than who he sleeps by every night. I have leave you Serenity." I turned to face her, fresh tears streaming down my cheeks. "You and father, my flowers, my home. All of it will be gone when I leave with him why can't he see I'm scared too?"
Serenity pulled me into a tight hug as my crying became sobbing. I was unable to hold it back anymore. The realization of how my future would look was too much for me to handle. I hugged Serenity back so tightly as I cried I wouldn't have been surprised if I hurt her. But she never complained, she just held me as I cried and softly rubbed my back trying her best to comfort me in my current state. The longer we stayed to darker the sky got and eventually the sobs turned into soft breathing. I was slowly succumbing to exhaustion and if I didn't get moving I would fall asleep in the garden. I couldn't bring myself to move though. I didn't want to leave my sisters gently embrace, my time was too limited with her to end it now.
As my mind drifted further into slumber I faintly heard Serenity talking to someone. I tried to make out the words but my head was too fuzzy to focus on anything that they were whispering.
'It's probably just a guard….Serenity is just gonna have him take me to my room so she wouldn't have to carry me.' With that thought in my mind I finally succumbed to the sleep my body needed. 'The guard will take me to my room.'
I groaned loudly as the sun rudely interrupted my sleep. Swiftly rolling over in my bed I fully intended fall back asleep until a thought occurred to me. My room was on the west side of the palace…which means…
I quickly bolted out of my bed only to realize that what I feared was true. The sun was setting which means I had slept the whole day. That can't be right I should have been woken up before the sun even peeked over the horizon. Or at least someone would have tried. But I have never slept the entire day away! My mind went frantic. Father was going to be extremely disappointed in me for embarrassing him in front of our guests. And Kaiba… I had worked so hard the past couple of days to wake up on time to try and at least get on his good side. All this will do will prove to him that I really wasn't good enough to be in the same room with.
I silently cursed to myself as I quickly threw on my clothes. Before I left my room I tried to manage my hair as best as I could but realized it was a losing battle and I was running out of time. Ignoring the strays I couldn't keep down I raced out of my room and down the corridor to the main hall. Maybe if I apologize on my hands and knees father would go easy on me. I would have to ignore the humiliation of having the high and mighty Kaiba see that but if luck is with me he'll leave the room like he normally does. Coming to the door I was out of breath as I pushed them open. I was barely able to even get out the first 'I'm sorry father' before I was cut off. I immediately braced for the worst knowing that everyone in the room would be privy to my sound verbal lashing. Instead I was given barely a glance by any of the persons in the room. Curiously I walked forward with slightly more confidence.
"Father please forgive me for my tardiness, I know that this behavior is unacceptable." My voice came out smoother than I thought it would and for a moment I was surprised it didn't break.
"Calm down my son," my father motioned with his hand a gesture which he commonly used to make a subject feel at ease in his presence. "I was already informed of your state last evening and your betrothed has insisted you needed your rest."
"My…betrothed?" That couldn't be right Kaiba wouldn't do something like that, it was too nice. I looked over too him for some form of denial to my father's claim but he didn't even blink.
"I'm sorry father I was not aware that Seto had...' the capacity to be nice to me I thought but I refrained from saying, "…seen me last evening." I stated instead.
"It's all right my son we have all noticed your effort the past few days, so when Seto saw you in the garden he asked that we not wake you and just let you rest. Now that that's settled they will be serving dinner soon Joey and Yugi was in the middle of telling me a fantastic story." With that and nothing more my father turned away and I was left to find my seat next to Seto.
I couldn't bring myself to say anything at first to him as I was still trying to process what my father had said. Seto was the one who found me in the garden last night. Shit! How much did he hear? I wasn't at my proudest moment but in my defense I thought only Serenity was around. And if Seto was around that means…he was the one talking to Serenity! I slowly turned to look at Seto as the possibly sets in.
"How much did you see last night?" I asked quietly. He didn't answer at first and part of me thought he wouldn't.
"Enough to owe you a small apology." He whispered. I was barely able to hear his words and had to lean in slightly to catch them. "Mind you its small but and apology none the less. It was unfair of me to treat you the way I did when you we're giving up more than me. I won't promise to fall in love but will be kinder. I'll try to treat you like an equal rather than a nuisance." Seto smirked slightly at that. I almost wanted to respond with a sarcastic retort but thought better of it. He doesn't have to love me, I could live with that. But if he's willing to act kinder then I shouldn't pass it up.
"Thank you Kaiba, I really appreciate that." I smiled my genuine toothy grin and I could almost swear I saw a blush. Nah just the lighting. I looked outside as the sun was finally setting. The time was getting closer for our departure but I wasn't as scared of it now, at least at the moment. Right now everything feels like it will work out just fine.
Authors Note: I just wanted to say that when Joey slept in this time it was already close to dinner and the sun was setting. In the first chapter I also mentioned him waking up because of the sun but I wanted to clarify that in the first chapter it is slightly past mid-day and they have been trying to wake Joey up already verses no one waking him up this time and sleeping all day. And in the first chapter they were preparing a large dinner which is why they were cooking it all so soon and when Joey woke up this time dinner was already almost out. I just wanted to clarify in case someone pointed that out. Hope you all enjoyed this chapter and hopefully I'll have the next one out sooner!