Chapter 19: Strategize
Do birds swim through air?
Staring blankly at the ceiling Izaya couldn't help but snort at the idea. He had been dreaming one of the most magnificent dreams. Flying through the fluffiest of clouds in the sky he had crossed unimaginable distances. Freely, with nothing to hold him back. Colors of red, pink and orange had surrounded him in a comforting scenery of safety. Nothing had been up there. Just him. But staying up so high became quite boring after a while. Curiosity was taking over and so he dipped beneath the surface of the sea of clouds. Fields, lakes and the greenest of forests displayed before his eyes as soon as he emerged drawing a perfectly content smile on his face.
And then he saw him. His father. At first Izaya hat instinctively halted midair. His body tensed as he wasn't sure what kind of scenery he saw unfolding.
But then he realized he was safe.
Like a small stupid gremlin his father kept jumping, trying to get into the air, but of course he couldn't.
Jumping like a flea his face had contorted to one of pure rage as he tried to get ahold of his son but pathetically stumbled over his own two feet during the attempt.
Unimaginable joy spread in Izaya's chest as he let laughter bubble from his throat at the petty sight.
Attention drawn to the right he suddenly spotted movement in between the many rows of fields.
His sisters!
Standing in the midst of vegetables, arguing whether it was right or not to take a pumpkin without asking, they were a little off from the two of them.
His father realized too- but between flying and running, Izaya was using the faster method to travel.
Indescribable joy had radiated off their faces when they spotted Izaya- he took their hands and he pulled them up- they were so light.
Like feathers.
Despite that, flying proved to be a little more difficult as he concentrated on keeping his balance. He had felt as though he had been swimming mid air instead of simply floating. But god heavens, he would always trade a little bit of discomfort for that angelic sound of laughter and joy.
Shutting his eyes once more, Izaya tried to recall the sensation. His sister's smiles, his father's expression of defeat, they were both too good to let go. But as all dreams do, this one faded as well. Slowly but surely as Izaya had trouble recalling the details.
Instead the steady chirping of birds and the soft sound of busy work reached his ears from his window.
The sun was up and most people in the castle were continuing their assigned duties.
He was probably the only one still in bed. Snapping his eyes back open he glanced towards the carefully crafted window.
Soft rays of warmth were kissing his skin up to his shoulder as he pushed himself into a sitting position. Multiple layers of blankets slid from his frame like water as he raised his arms upwards. It wasn't until a couple breaths were taken into the silent air that Izaya realized how light his chest felt. The stiffness, the agonizing pressure that had accompanied each second was suddenly gone.
He… felt good.
Hell compared to usual he felt amazing-
Lips curling into a smile radiating joy, Izaya really had to try his utmost to suppress it. He wanted to see them.
Mairu and Kururi.
Right now preferably- but he was aware that was a silly wish.
But he would. Definitely.
And that was more than he could ever ask for.
Everything was proceeding smoothly. His sister's would arrive in the near future. Izaya could finally ditch the role of the bride. Shizuo would receive a letter in which he explained his undying love for a mercenary in order to fend off any worries.
And his father?
That asshole was going to die alone in that castle of his as he rotted away in the midst of his nonexistent wealth.
Maybe he would even end up getting killed by his own people. Izaya wouldn't blame them for it.
All was set.
Letting his back plunge back into the cushions he sighed in pleasant contempt. It was funny, he had been staying in here for quite some time but only now realized how comfortable his room was. Every need he could possibly have was addressed. Alongst the cupboard, mirror and dozens of flowers arranged on top, there were also bottles filled with scented fluids, pure water to drink, colors of variety to enhance his beauty- a bell to the side to ring in case he needed anything.
The cupboard to his left held a variety of clothes, dresses, jewelry and small goods of joy.
A soft knock resounded from the door and for once Izaya didn't have to set up a false smile as it was a real one that was displayed on his expression.
"Come in."
Hesitation marked the maids' walk as they stepped inside the chamber. The servant called Mika seemed to be the only one lacking fear as she smiled at Izaya.
"My lady, are you feeling better?" she asked politely, lowering herself to a bow.
It was as much adorable as it was funny, really. The moment she asked all maids turned to look at her in what was undeniably surprise and respect for raising her voice.
Izaya hadn't quite realized how hard his attitude had been on the girls.
Clearing his throat he gave the best smile he could muster.
There was no longer a need to play hard to please.
"Very much so. Thank you for taking care of me."
Surprised as they had not expected such a gentle reaction the maids blinked as Mika smiled with a nod.
"Where is the king?" Izaya asked, specifically addressing one of the other maids.
The tallest of them stepped forward, adjusting her round glasses.
"Down in the hall, my lady. The stables have been swamped by the rain and the horses need more rest before they can leave for their campaign."
Ah.
So the king was basically wasting time waiting.
Dutiful the maids scurried to the cupboard, reaching for the finest of fabrics as they pulled a gorgeous dress from the confined space. Sapphire's of deep blue aligned all the way down to the rim of the dress. They were dark and intense, only matching the rich glimmer of the satin fabric making up the rest of the dress. Izaya could spot pearls arranged in between, coming in all sizes to serve a pleasing contrast to the patterns of blue.
Getting ready to fulfill their duties the maid scurried to his side.
Izaya raised his palm in a motion that signed for them to halt.
"If it's alright with you I would prefer to dress myself."
Hesitation laid bare in the maids' eyes as they cast unsure glances at each other.
"If you wish." Poor girls. They probably thought they had done something wrong again already.
"My lady, if you are feeling up to it then-" Mika gestured towards the oldest of their maids. As if having ignited a spark to a flame the tall woman stepped forward.
"The fabrics for the wedding dress arrived."
Ah.
A short pang of horror clutched Izaya's guts on the news.
The wedding dress-
He knew what this was about. They wanted to get it measured so it would be done in time for the wedding. They would call a seamstress for the job and Izaya-
Grasp on the blanket tightening the slightest bit he swallowed.
He remembered the maid facing him. She struck him as very competent. She had been the only one with enough guts to speak to their unforgiving new queen.
Her long black hair was held tight in a ponytail. Not a strain of hair acted against her orders as she had them all strictly pulled back.
She radiated confidence and obedience with every fiber of her being.
"What is your name?" Izaya asked, trying to get on a more personal level.
"Clarence, my lady," the maid bowed curtly before raising again to adjust her glasses.
Clearing his throat, Izaya gathered his best acting skills. He couldn't show how much he dreaded the fitting for the wedding dress.
"Clarence, what exactly do you require for me to do?"
The maid didn't hesitate as she spoke with confidence.
"Not much, my lady. The seamstress already knows everything about your measurements, we just opted you may want to choose the design."
The design-
Uncontrollable relief cleared the tight feeling in his throat as Izaya sighed softly.
Design, huh?
He could do that. Noone was going to reveal his true identity just by the colors he chose.
"I want long sleeves, preferably connected by a single strip of fabric tied to a finger. The veil should be quite thick, to cover my hair." Izaya tipped the top of his lips.
What else?
He heavily doubted he would be present when the wedding started, but who knew? Time might not play out in his favor and he might have to improvise on the spot. Not to mention they might make him wear the dress before the wedding.
"It will be adjusted accordingly." Clairence quickly assured, signing for one of the other maids to take notes.
"As for the chest, I want the dress to reach up to my collarbone. Nothing too revealing," Izaya added after a thoughtful moment, addressing the last danger of reveal.
"Understood."
That should be it more or less. He would be able to keep his act going with these adjustments.
"What about the color, my lady?" Mika asked quickly. Curiosity sparkled in her eyes as she envisioned their queen's future dress. It was quite obvious that she was a romantic at heart and the wedding was probably the event she looked forward to the most out of all of the maids.
Izaya snorted.
The color, huh?
The topic couldn't have been less important, he could choose anything and it would be fine. But somehow Izaya suddenly found himself remembering his mother's wedding dress.
Nevermind the asshole she got wedded to, but she looked amazing in it. He had seen her wear it in secret when he was a little child. Sometimes she would put it on late at night and smile at the mirror.
It was a bittersweet memory of when times had been easier. No one had known of his illness yet. Their father used to hold at least a shred of humanity and reason with her present.
Izaya would probably deny it if anyone ever asked, but he was quite fond of the memory.
She looked beautiful in those rubies.
"... red." Izaya mumbled softly, and he couldn't help but smile a little as he thought about how much his mother would have loved the dress.
His joy must have been infectious to some degree as the maids suddenly chuckled.
"You will look gorgeous my lady!" Mika nodded quickly, obviously misinterpreting his reminiscence as anticipation.
Clairence on the other hand kept a professional stoic expression and bowed curtly, before retreating to the other maids. "Well then, we shall retreat. If you are in need of anything just ring the bell," she announced, and the rest of the maids bowed in unison as they respected Izaya's earlier wish to dress himself.
It was when they moved towards the door that Izaya remembered their earlier words.
"You said the king is in the study?" Izaya questioned while clearing his throat.
"Ah, yes he should be!" Mika announced quickly, about to leave the room as she showed a beaming smile.
Yep. Definitely a helpless romantic.
Izaya snorted, before waving her off.
"Thank you, you can leave now." Another quick bow was given and with that she left as quickly as the maids had come in.
… what an amazing day.
But what now?
Slipping out of bed Izaya realized just how much time he had on hands. Now that everything was set there was nothing left to do.
He didn't need to find dirt on the former king's name. Didn't need to call off the wedding.
Pulling the deep blue dress from the shelf he quickly glanced towards the door before sliding off his nightgown.
He felt like some sort of magician considering the speed he executed as he slipped inside his pretentious clothes.
No woman got dressed as quickly as him, he supposed and the idea somehow made him laugh a little as he turned to his mirror.
Glancing over his shoulder he tried to make sense of the large variety of strings as he knotted his back shut.
What now?
Mind wandering around aimlessly he looked around his chamber as his fingers fiddled with the cords.
Should he go looking for Shizuo?
He was still in desperate need of a good lesson on how to act in the presence of aristocracy.
Or rather- a lesson on how to read their lies. It wasn't like his acting skills were in need of improvement, it was his capability to spot true intentions in masked decisions.
Pulling the last of the devils string's tight Izaya sighed content before moving towards the door.
That was his newly assigned duty.
Getting the blond used to his new job.
What else was he supposed to do with all this spare time on hand? Just sitting around waiting for news or the arrival of his mercenary was only going to drive him insane anyway.
Slipping the massive door to his chambers shut he moved down the hallways.
Funnily enough they had changed a little from what he remembered.
The last time Shizuo carried him up here there had been multiple trinkets of previous victories assembled in every corner. They looked beautiful as much as extremely preposterous.
Had the new king gotten rid of them on purpose or was he just trying to be reminded of his late father as little as possible?
Izaya couldn't help but wonder as he slid down the now open space of the staircase.
It was definitely an improvement to the former crowded castle.
"What-"
Blinking, Izaya stopped as he caught the familiar voice.
Shizuo.
Leaves of the chamber leading to the library left open just a bit he could spot movement in the shadows.
Curiosity driving him onwards Izaya approached as he pushed the leaves open.
There he was.
The newly crowned king and his old head butler.
A game of chess was displayed on top of the desk and considering the quantity of white on the board, Shizuo was losing to his servant.
"Kururi-" Surprise reflected in Shizuo's expression as quickly as he spotted his bride. Raising to his feet he moved over quicker than Izaya was able to respond. "How are you feeling?"
Funny.
The way Shizuo worried so openly about his future bride was quite endearing- even though Izaya knew he was doing so for no reason.
He was neither his bride nor his future wife.
"Good enough to see you haven't improved at all." Izaya snorted, taking a few steps past the king as he bowed to look at the current situation on board.
"I haven't lost yet." Izaya laughed.
"But you will." Just looking at the pawns left told him so.
While the butler still held the vast majority of his pawns, safe for one knight and one bishop, Shizuo had nothing left except his rooks and a handful of pawns.
The butler laughed, obviously knowing just how right Izaya's assessment was.
"Interesting take. Do you think you can save our king?" A playful smile played along his old and gentle eyes as he gestured towards the king's seat.
The motion was easy to understand. He was challenging him.
"I might." Izaya hummed, taking the offer as he slipped gracefully onto the old couch.
to be continued~
Hey~! Sorry I have been sick for like the past 3 weeks x'D I got everything possibly available from throat ache to coughing to fever and whatnot x'D I'm still not entirely well again tbh haha
but! I am at least well enough to write xD So here you have the Impostor update 3
Next Saturday I should be able to update everything at once again :3 3