Chapter 22: The ceremony- Act 1

Blood grazed the horizon like a dying man's wish to tell the world what he had seen. The trees, flowers, tall grass and high rocks reflected in the same manner as the droplets of morning dew that had accumulated on their various ends and tops over the course of the night. Only a few scraps of tattered clouds tainted the image as they tiredly crawled across the sky.

Inhaling the fresh air Shizuo tried to suppress a yawn coming up his throat.

It was a good morning.

Snoring and lovely gurgling sounds filled the few voids the early birds left, as most knights of his troupe were still asleep.

Night had fallen a bit too soon for everyone's taste and instead of urging his men to press for a late arrival, he decided they would be happier if they just stayed the night.

They weren't far from the castle grounds anyway. A few hours of riding and they would arrive at their destination.

Just in time for the wedding.

Feeling his lips involuntarily curl into a smile, Shizuo moved his sore joints.

He might be a rumored warrior battling anything out there, but his muscles still strained and went sore after riding for hours on end.

After what had happened to Kururi, Shizuo wanted to make sure no woman in his lands would ever have to fear getting abducted again. All in front, his … wife.

Feeling the grin intensify, Shizuo quickly shook his head as he rose to his feet.

Not yet. Not yet.

The wedding was going to take place in a few hours, but she was still his bride for the moment. One of the horses neighed quietly as Shizuo moved over to untie its bindings.

Dirt and exhaustion marked their appearance along with dried mud, but despite that they seemed well rested. Pressing its nose against Shizuo's palm the animal expressed its good will.

Movement from the side grasped Shizuo's attention as one of his fellow soldiers stirred in his sleep. A soft groan followed the heartly yawn as the man rose from the ground. Shizuo's knights had always been something to take pride in even before the king died.

Riding through the night and inspecting various suspicious locations they had not complained for even a second about their duty. Working hard to make their lands even a slight bit safer came natural to the lot.

Turning south Shizuo gazed at the sun slowly rising at the horizon.

Tips of trees, stones and meadows were slowly but surely graced by the morning rays. A spot of red diverted the newly baked king's attention as he glanced at the ground.

A flower.

The one Kururi had pointed out was only native to their lands.

It was a symbol of returning home, right?

To be completely honest Shizuo had learned and heard a lot as the king's son. But knowing the diversity of plants surrounding his lands had certainly not been any of the subjects present.

That fact alone somehow made the flower stick out more than it should as he crouched down. Looking at it Shizuo couldn't help but feel as though it had captured the expression Kururi had held when telling him. Her smile, her witty remarks, the way she held her pride dear despite everything else.

… after today, not only that flower would wait for him at home.

Gently, as if afraid to break the fragile structure he grasped the stalk as he picked it from the ground.

"Hey, king, we are ready!" loud and clear, like a bear's mating call one of the knights announced the words as he strode towards his leader with quick steps. A short moment of pause was taken as he glanced at the flower in his king's hands. "What is that?" A cheshire smirk drew across his thick red beard as he rose an eyebrow at the king in amusement.

Quickly bringing the flower out of his fellow knight's sight, Shizuo shrugged as he turned. "Nothing-"

But the knight had already seen anyway as he hummed. A younger one by a few years and of a much leaner stature approached the two and glanced at the friend of nature. "A flower for the lady?" As the demon of the battlefield the act of picking flowers seemed to amuse the bearded knight as his laugh hallowed. "Lord, I didn't take you for a romantic."

A soft snort followed as Shizuo shook his head. "Shut up Craigh, at least I have a woman to pick it for."

"Ouch," the young knight stifled a chuckle as Craigh's pride shattered like a finely crafted mirror on cold stone.

"Well deserved, I would say," another of the knight's commented and soon the small campside was filled with pleasant amusement.

Gracefully ignoring the blow Craigh simply pointed behind his back.

"Well then, should we get going my lord? I take it you don't want to be late to your own wedding and I'm really urging to get some well deserved drinks, right men?" Agreement surged through the rows as the knights cheered.

Shizuo loved his knights, really.

They had been through thick and thin.

He would trust them with his life and give his own to provide the same. They felt more like brother's than mere pawns as his father liked to view them.

Getting on his horse he quickly grasped the reins as he steered it towards the correct route.

"We depart!"

Cheers followed, and like a branch having struck a bee's nest, motion suddenly settled in the knight's bones as they swarmed to their respective horses fluid like a river's stream.

Of course.

Not only Shizuo was looking forward to going home.

Rushing through the dirt of early morning routes the pack of men advanced. The air was clean, the sky clear and the sun kissing their necks as they flew like the wind.

Was it weird that Shizuo wanted to share this feeling of freedom with his wife one day?

"Good lord you are late!" rushing out of the castle like a beaver whose dam had been destroyed, Shizuo was met with a nice scolding instead of a welcoming gesture.

Hopping off his horse in a swift motion he suppressed an amused smile as he greeted the butler. "Good morning to you too James."

Hands reaching for the sky as though he was casting a quick prayer to god he clapped them together. "I wish it were, do you have any idea how long we have waited for you?"

Rushing right up to the man, James pulled and tugged at the armor around Shizuo's waist.

Shizuo snorted. "What are you doing?"

"You reek! Ladies-!" A quick set of claps followed as a few maids rushed out from the castle.

A quick nod and a few polite bows were given as they approached.

"Welcome back my lord." Chuckles flew through the air all around as Shizuo was forcefully pulled and pushed inside the castle while losing his armor on the flight.

All of course whilst having James follow him like a watchdog.

Arriving at one of the many extra rooms on the first floor Shizuo faced what he suspected was his wedding gown.

Right.

He would soon be a married man.

Seeing as the servants quickly prepared a bath he spotted one of his favorite maids.

Meeting her eyes for a quick moment he moved his lips quietly. "Kururi?"

Adjusting her glasses Clarence was quick on the uptake. "She is still in her chambers, my lord, the others are getting her ready for the altar while the bishop arranges everything at the chapel."

A quick smile flashed across his lips as he couldn't help but imagine his bride at the altar.

Soft chuckling resounded from the excited maids preparing the bath.

"My lord, are you looking forward to the wedding?" One of them asked slyly while another hummed. "Oh dear, he didn't even see her in her wedding dress and he is already done for."

Shizuo snorted as he stepped inside the pleasant warmth of the steaming hot bath the maids had provided. Water splashed left and right as he lowered himself into the muscle easing heat. "Good thing I serve as such an amusement to you."

A new one of the maids quickly approached with a sponge at hand, but Shizuo quickly turned her down.

He knew his father and other royalty enjoyed being scrubbed by a pair of beautiful women for one reason or another, but hell he would be damned if he weren't capable of washing himself.

Splashing a handful of water into his face he combed his fingers through his hair. Gently touching the new maid on her shoulders Clarence was the one to sign that she hadn't done anything wrong to decline the service. "They just want the best for you, my lord." She continued as usual, defending her fellow coworkers gently.

Shizuo smiled. "I know."

Water splashed, herbs of various kinds had been added to the bath and by the time Shizuo was done washing he smelled like he just stumbled into a field of flowers.

Happily nodding, James stood by the side as he surveyed the progress. Shizuo didn't need to ask to know they were in time for the wedding considering how pleased the butler seemed with himself.

Layer after layer was put on his body.

His wedding gown was quite simple, really. Shizuo had wished for it to be.

Usually the groom's attire should consist of various prestigious furs, embroidered silks, cufflinks and of course embroidery of various kinds. Precious gems, jewels, gold and what not.

Especially as the king he was supposed to wear all these things as a symbol of his wealth. It was what his father had worn to his own wedding, but not Shizuo's taste.

This was his wedding, not some of these atrocious aristocratic balls where he had to act a certain way and wear what pleased others.

Straightening his silken tunic and robe he put the few layers he had to wear in place.

The color of the silk was a nice mixture of white and gold, he would have preferred to wear a simple linen shirt to be completely fair, but James had insisted that if not for everything else then to at least leave him this.

It was a fair deal in Shizuo's eyes.

"Perfect, perfect," said butler mumbled as he circled the soon wedded man.

A soft smile spread across Clarence's usually so stoic expression as she cleared her throat.

"So, are you looking forward to the ceremony?" Groaning softly, Shizuo couldn't help but snort at her unusual behavior. "Not you too-"

James was finally done accessing the king, it seemed as he took a few steps backwards while nodding.

"Alright and now-"

"Wait." Striding towards the window where his dirty clothes had been piled up, Shizuo quickly reached inside his mantle. Carefully he grasped the flower he had picked for his wife as he brought it forth. Quick steps were taken towards the door, sending Jame's nerves flying through the window.

"What- My lord we are already late where are you going?" Quick like a weasel, the butler followed as Shizuo entered the hallway.

"Don't piss your pants James, I will be right back." He signed for the butler to stay as he waved over his shoulders.

This would not take long.

Feeling his lips tug into a smile he sped up his steps. Up the stairs to the second floor. The destination was Kururi's chamber.

He wanted to give the flower to her before the ceremony.

But honestly it was just an excuse.

He wanted to see her.

Even if for just a second.

His bride.

Shizuo's smile grew broader and his steps faster.

"Hey!" Too late he saw the shadow moving on the ground as he turned. Boxes over boxes toppled to the ground with the teeth grinding sound of glass clattering and cracking.

Stopping dead in his tracks, Shizuo quickly reached for one of them, catching it midair so it wouldn't hit the ground as well.

He had run into a merchant. Quite dead on too.

"Ah, I'm sorry-"

Wiping his hands on his linen shirt and well filled belly the quite well fed man glared at the ground and the boxes as he screeched. "Can't you watch where you are going?! My precious goods! My-" it was at that moment that he lifted his face and realized just who he was yelling at. Almost instantly all color wiped off his face and he quickly took on his sweetest smile and gentlest voice. "Oh! My lord! Forgive me I didn't see you coming!"

Usually Shizuo hated it when people changed their attitude just because of his status, but right now he couldn't quite be mad at the guy's outburst, considering he had probably just broken half of what he had carried.

"No, no, it was my mistake. Wait let me help you-" Crouching down he turned one of the boxes, only creating more of the noise resembling broken shards.

"It's fine my lord, just leave this to me," the mercenary quickly hurried as he took the box into his own hands.

A tinge of guilt befell Shizuo as he glanced at the ground. A few beautifully crafted pieces of jewelry had dropped to the ground and he quickly picked them up. Necklaces, bracelets- would Kururi like them? Shizuo couldn't help but feel himself wondering.

It was then that he spotted the arguably prettiest object on the ground.

A vial. Deep blue like the night sky with streaks of glimmering pearls in between were captured by a set of elegant silver strings. Like a snake they had been bent upwards to form the cap of the bottle. It was gorgeous.

"What is this? Perfume?" he asked as he picked it from the ground.

"Ah, good lord!" quicker than Shizuo could react the merchant snatched the vial from his hands. "Forgive me. But this is potent poison."

Surprised, Shizuo looked at the vial, then back at his hands. He was glad to find them dry. His eyes narrowed as he glanced at the source of danger.

He had seen cases of poisoning.

Various beasts and animals owned their own set of it. He had seen victims die to a snake bite or spider in the most gruesome ways. Not much scared him, but this silent and bloodless death did.

"Poison? What are you selling that for?" he didn't mean to sound rude, but he was pretty sure he did. Quickly putting the vial in the box the merchant had carried he explained. "For the master surgeons, my lord. They sometimes require little doses of this although I'm afraid its use extends beyond what I understand."

Feeling his shoulders relax Shizuo took a deep breath.

He wasn't all too fond of physicians in general, but if it could be used in a way to help people then it was a different matter.

"I see. And it's really that dangerous?" he found himself asking as he relaxed.

The merchant laughed. "A few drops and even you would be dead, my king."

So that's why he had snatched it away like that. Shizuo was glad for the merchant's quick reaction. And pleased. Because this way he didn't have to fear he would mindlessly lose it somewhere.

"Is that a threat?" he joked, and the merchant laughed.

"God heavens no-" picking themselves up from the ground Shizuo took it upon himself to stack the other box back onto the other.

"Well then, I need to get to my wedding," Shizuo quickly said and the merchant nodded eagerly. A broad smile was on his lips, and honestly, Shizuo didn't really spare him much more attention as he headed on.

The flower he had been carrying had thankfully stayed safe even during this small interception and so he turned around the last corner.

"My lord!" The maids that had helped him get ready earlier had met up with those that had been instructed to serve Kururi.

Standing in front of the lady's room they had been about to enter as well it seemed.

"Is Kururi in her room?" Shizuo asked, the smile still in place as he reached for the door- except he couldn't as there were suddenly three maids blocking the way with their bodies.

"What-?" Stern expressions marked their faces as they pouted.

"I'm sorry but this is off limits!" One of them announced.

"Yes!" the second stated.

"She is wearing her dress my lord!"

… ah.

Shizuo remembered.

There was some rule like that. When the parents arranged a marriage between their children they weren't allowed to see each other until the wedding. Just in case so none could back out of the arrangement until the actual wedding took place.

Groaning softly, Shizuo rolled his eyes.

"... I have already met her though. Who cares?" A unified gasp sounding as offended as if he had just crucified an angel in the middle of a church resounded from the girls.

"You can't be serious my lord!"

"Everyone knows seeing the bride before the wedding means bad luck!"

Shizuo stifled a soft laugh as he tried to remain serious. He might not believe in superstitions like that, but he was aware his maids did. And what they said was only spoken with the best intentions in mind.

"Awfully old fashioned way to think, no?" he questioned amused.

"Do you want to risk it?" Surprised, Shizuo turned around. Clarence had caught up with him it seemed as she strode towards him in quick steps.

"What are you doing here? Shouldn't you help James?"

Clarence adjusted her glasses courtly, trying to hide her displeasure, but it was obvious she wasn't quite fond of Shizuo's escape either. "I am. He is furious and wants me to bring you back as quickly as possible."

Shizuo snorted. "I told him it's just a second."

Suddenly the door to Kururi's chamber opened. Unexpected joy radiated off Shizuo's expression, but it dimmed as quickly as it had flared up as only a maid quickly slipped out of the room.

"What's going on here?" she asked innocently as she glanced at her fellow maids and at the king.

"Mika, is the lady ready?" Clarence asked, addressing the freshly arrived maid, and her face lit up in joy.

"Yes, she is!"

A soft nod followed by the stoic maid as she addressed the king.

"So? What will you do?"

…

A glance was cast at the three maids blocking the door. At the maid called Mika, that seemed obviously confused, and the flower.

…

Sighing softly he extended his hand.

"... here." Surprised Mika took the flower that was shoved towards her. "Give that to her. Make sure you tell her it's from me." A blink followed.

Another.

And suddenly her face just took on the greatest smile as she squealed. "That's so romantic!" Carefully bringing the flower to her face she smelled its sweet fragrance. "She will be a very happy queen," she chuckled, and all the surrounding maids nodded pleased by the king's decision.

Feeling the heat rise to his cheeks, Shizuo quickly cleared his throat. It was somewhat embarrassing to act like this.

And yet…

"... you think so?" The maids turned to look at him, their faces all beaming as they nodded eagerly.

"Of course!"

to be continued~

Well, well, well, isn't this a happy morning? :3 :3 :3 :3 Next up will be continuing with Izaya's point of view~ C;