The Nightingale

Chapter 19: Arrival 2

January - x492. Winter. Rukia 16 years old.

Her birthday had started so well that it seemed like a bad joke that at that moment she was back in the Great House with Yuki who kept looking at the floor.

She had woken up late; winter in Maranni was cold, but snow had never fallen, the snow only fell on the top of the Blue Mountains covering them in white, so it was comfortable to be between the sheets of her bed; her mother had come in to wake her up with a hug and a kiss, and when she came down to the dining room for breakfast, Hisana gave her a nice hair clip that she used to wear.

— It is magical, it will bring you good luck. — Hisana said with a smile as she placed the pin in Rukia's hair.

Rukia hugged her sister-in-law with care, Hisana's belly seemed to grow bigger every day and Rukia feared that if she hugged her too tightly, she could hurt the baby inside her.

— I wonder if it will be the same kind of luck that brought you. — She said with a knowing smile before they both laughed.

— I hope it is not "this kind of luck" but yes, I hope it gives you a lot of luck. — She said that pointing to her belly and Rukia smiled at that comment. — You are very young, conquer the world before having an adventure like this.

It was a strange comment coming from Hisana but she assumed she meant it with the best of intentions; she didn't want children, not at that time.

Her mother prepared Rukia's favorite breakfast and made sure that she ate everything she liked while they talked all morning about Hisana's future as a new mother, about what would happen with the baby's birth and about all the help she was going to need in the first days after her child was born.

Hisana spoke happily for her future baby and, although Rukia knew that she was an exiled princess, she did not seem very concerned about it; even Hisana had mentioned that she had sent a letter to her mother to let her know about her pregnancy.

Rukia didn't know much about exiles, but she supposed that one of the reasons people were exiled was because they had committed a crime and couldn't return to their place of origin; Hisana's crime had been to reject the arranged marriage to an important Lord and marry Byakuya. It was strange that Hisana wrote to her mother but Rukia supposed it was because Hisana missed her mother; Rukia had also missed her mother while she had been in Adelaar.

After breakfast, Rukia wanted to spend the rest of the morning with her sister-in-law who was learning to embroider to make newborn blankets but Yuki prevented her. Yuki had told her that she had to go out to the city to buy some things and that she should accompany her. Rukia did not want to go, it was sunny but the cold was still present and going out was not a good idea, but Yuki insisted so much that Rukia had no choice but to go out with her or she was not going to leave her alone.

They left the Great House a couple of hours before noon, the sun was not hot enough and the cold made Rukia's cheeks red; Yuki said that she looked adorable and perfect, but Rukia still didn't know why she should look perfect. They reached the city and Yuki led the way to the temple of the Deities, then Rukia knew why she wanted her to look "perfect".

— Yuki, I must buy some things at the bakery, I'll see you when the mass is over. — She said that to avoid having to enter the temple but Yuki took her too hard and made her enter with her. They were both the same age, Yuki was a couple of months older than Rukia but she had too much strength; surely the next day Rukia would have bruises where Yuki held her.

— No. You have to listen to Mass today, and you also have to give thanks for living one more year. — Rukia rolled her eyes and agreed to enter the temple but broke free from Yuki's grip and sat on one of the benches closest to the door.

Rukia was thinking of thanking the Deities for her birthday, but she was planning to do it in the old temple they had on the grounds of the Great House, not in the temple of the city where that Priest was. Yuki tried to get her closer to the pulpit but Rukia refused and threatened to leave if she didn't leave her alone; Yuki gave up and sat near the pulpit, Rukia just stayed on that bench trying not to be seen and thinking that she shouldn't have agreed to go with Yuki.

The Priest came out of a room behind the statues of the Deities and began to give his sermon for the day, just below the three statues representing the Deities: the Father, the Mother, and the Shadow; the first two turning their backs between them and the Shadow with outstretched arms about to embrace them. The Priest's voice was deep and eloquent, all those present were attentive to what he was saying, preaching the word of the Deities and singing small parts of the chants to carry the rhythm with the hands.

Anyone who has seen that Priest lead the mass could not imagine that he had spoken of love to Rukia before her departure to the capital, using the same eloquence with which he spoke of the Deities, to ask her to give him a chance. Rukia felt foolish at that moment as she remembered that those words had made her blush and she was upset with herself for even having thought that being with a Priest who had renounced the call of the Deities was a good idea.

At the end of the mass Rukia was the first to get up and leave there, she wanted to avoid having to talk to him but it seemed that Yuki had other plans because she did not leave the temple until the end and she did it accompanied by the Priest.

— Miss Kuchiki, you have pleased the eyes of this humble servant of the Deities with your presence. — He said the priest, making a small bow.

— Priest, it's a pleasure to see you again. The call of the Deities has been strong on you, the eloquence in your words will surely inspire many to follow the same path as you. — Rukia tried to keep her distance but it seemed that the Priest was advancing towards her in a subtle way to bring her closer to the door of the Temple.

Yuki was there but she was pretending to be watching something and people didn't seem to pay attention to what they were talking about; Rukia had the impression that he wanted to say something to her but he was waiting for the right moment to do it and that Yuki was his accomplice.

— Miss Yuki told me that today is your birthday, would you like me to accompany you in the prayer to The Mother? — He asked pointing to the entrance of the Temple for both of them to enter.

— No, I will do it with my family in the little temple in the Great House. — She politely declined the invitation.

— I insist. — She didn't like the way he cornered her and was about to hit him but she didn't need people to be talking about her and the Priest; that would be really embarrassing.

— Miss Kuchiki! At last I find you! — A man that Rukia would have mistaken at a distance for Yuki's brother made her stop seeing the Priest. The stranger had a smile on her face, as if he didn't know what was going on there but from the way he called her, it was obvious that he did. — Your mother has asked me to come for you.

— Miss Kuchiki was about to enter to pray to the Mother. — The Priest looked annoyed and Rukia noticed a slight gleam in the stranger's eyes.

— Our Mother will know how to forgive Miss Kuchiki not praying to her at this time, but Lady Kuchiki is waiting for her. My lady, allow me to escort you to the car.

Rukia just nodded, she didn't even question the stranger who was calling her or offering his car, that was better than staying alone with Akon in the temple while he kept talking about giving up his priestly habits if she gave him a chance; If she thought about it, her family had enough money that neither she nor her husband, if she married someone from the lower class, would have to work for their entire life; Priests, on the other hand, lived well but with financial limitations, they always wore the same clothes and could not have a wife.

— Yuki, let's go. — She said and Yuki noticed how upset she was because she didn't hesitate to accompany the stranger who had intercepted them, until they were both inside the carriage that he had indicated.

Rukia looked out the window and saw Akon's anger on his face, he kept seeing the carriage moving faster and faster until it was impossible for Rukia to continue seeing Akon.

— I should thank my savior, but I'm afraid I don't know his name. — Rukia's hands had started to sweat from nerves, fearing that she had gotten into another problem.

— It's because I haven't told you, my lady. — The stranger smiled. — It would be strange if I introduced myself first and then told you that your mother was waiting for you, plus your friend didn't seem to notice anything other than the specks of dust in the air. It was really obvious that you were being harassed by the Priest.

— Oh… really? — She asked looking at Yuki, who was the only one responsible for that and who immediately looked away at the floor. — Then will you tell me your name, my Lord?

— Of course I will, but you will excuse that manners cannot be used properly while we are on move. — The stranger said taking Rukia's hand in a gesture of elegance and chivalry. — I am Koga, Prince of Jetaiya.

Kholtan was flying overhead near Adelaar Castle, screeching high above before descending onto the balcony of Ichigo's room; going to Maranni and going back to Adelaar had been exhausting and Ichigo could feel it when he approached the eagle.

— I'm glad you came back well. — He said stroking the feathers on its head.

Ichigo looked at Kholtan's container, the one he had tied to one leg, it wasn't big but roomy enough to carry the bracelet and the letter to Rukia, and noticed that it was empty; Rukia had taken the content but had not responded and Ichigo felt that this was fine, that absence of response was also an answer, the confirmation that she was going to stay in Maranni having a calm and happy life.

— Rest, my old friend. She is fine, she is at her house. — He said to the eagle but the words were for himself.

The path he was taking could only end in death, Rukia was safe in her home, with her family, away from everything that could happen in the castle.

— Oh, you saved me. Now I feel like a damsel in distress. — Rukia's amused tone made Koga smile.

— The last thing I want is for you to feel that way, I am sure that you are perfectly capable of emerging victorious from any situation that comes your way, surely that Priest would receive what he deserved if I arrived a little late, but your mother asked me to come for you.

— How did you know that I was the one you were looking for? — Rukia asked curiously. The prince's last words had pleased her but she was not without her reservations with the man in front of her.

— Because I had seen you before, at my sister Hisana's wedding. I was here but we weren't introduced correctly, I wanted to say hello but your father wouldn't allow it and then the party got out of control. — He made a nonchalant gesture with his shoulders. — I offered to look for you because I wanted to meet you before your father arrived.

— My father? — Rukia did not imagine that her father would arrive in Maranni and even less that day.

— I think I have talked too much, but yes, your father will come, in fact he was the one who summoned me here and that is why I came, although I would have come anyway, my sister is pregnant and my father is anxious to know if it is true and to know if it will be a male or not.

Rukia was about to ask one more question but the car stopped, looked out the window and discovered that they had already reached the Great House; Yuki was the first to get out of the car and Rukia had the impression that she was running away from her, then she would settle accounts with her.

The prince of Jetaiya helped her down and said goodbye to her with a courteous kiss on the hand that Rukia thanked by making a small bow. They each went their separate ways and Rukia spent the rest of the afternoon in her room until one of her mother's maids came looking for her to tell her that her father was arriving; she had to be present to receive it.

Rukia felt the urge to laugh but she held back until she was alone, at that moment she had no one to escape to the beach with but she didn't want to do; she wanted to see her father and to know why there was a prince from a neighboring kingdom in her house.

She adjusted her dress and put on the white gold and emerald bracelet that Ichigo had sent her with that strange eagle; she had not answered him because she wanted him to feel a little of everything she had felt, only then she would be calm with herself when she saw him again; she still hadn't forgotten about the Inamorata.

Her brother had returned from taking care of business in the city and at dinner time they were all sitting in the dining room celebrating Rukia's birthday; the prince of Jetaiya apologized for not having brought him a present and everything seemed to flow with joy until it was really late. When Rukia retired to sleep, only her father, her brother, and the prince of Jetaiya were still talking in the dining room and they seemed to move the talk to their father's private office.

Rukia assumed that a pregnancy brought families together, regardless of whether a member had been exiled or not.

The prince of Jetaiya left the Great House several days later; all the time he was with her brother and Hisana, sometimes only with Hisana but what seemed curious to Rukia that he did not speak to her alone again and if they spoke it was in the presence of Hisana or her mother; she did not care, after all each people had their customs.

— Does your mother know about your kidnapping? — Her father asked and Rukia denied. They were alone in her father's private office and she supposed that talk would define her future.

— She only knows that the nuptial engagement with the Second Prince was broken. — She said and hoped her father would understand that she had not spoken to her mother about anything that had happened during her stay at the castle.

— Okay, she doesn't need to worry about past things. In the summer we will offer your hand in marriage with some male children of the Lords, you can choose the one you like the most. It was customary for the princesses of Maranni to choose her husband and, being free from your engagement to the Second Prince, we will use that old custom again.

Rukia looked at the bracelet Ichigo had sent her before daring to reply.

— Father, I want to return to the Queen's Court. — Her father looked at her seriously. — I want to go back to the capital.

— No. — Her father was blunt. — In the capital there are many dangers for you and you are not made to live in an environment as hostile as the Royal Court is, you have shown it in the little time you spent there. You do not know how to obey the rules of the Court, the nobility moves differently and you, although you are part of the nobility, you do not know how to behave appropriately.

— I can learn, father. If you allow me, I can show you that I can handle the situation. — She promised just like she did the day he scolded her for slapping Ichigo.

— No.

Ichigo was in Orihime's room, he had gone to talk to her like he used to do a few times a week, and he was teaching her how to defend herself; when Orihime is no longer an Inamorata and Ulquiorra became a General, she should know how to defend herself.

— Sometimes the wives of the Generals are allowed to stay in the castle, but don't forget that you could be a target for Ulquiorra's enemies. — He had told her that afternoon, when he was teaching her how to use a spoon to gouge out an enemy's eye.

His mother had helped him cover up the Inamorata charade and Orihime drank the tea on time every week; Ulquiorra was the one who entered her room at night and the queen could not allow Orihime to get pregnant. Many Inamoratas had died for refusing to lose pregnancy and many princes had died for hiding their lover and their child.

Orihime wanted a quiet life but married to a General that was practically impossible, when he went to war, she would not know if he would return or not.

— A house… a nice house on the outskirts of the city. — Orihime commented with a smile when he said goodbye to her.

— I will tell the king to give them a house. A big one, so that you can live with all the children you will have with him. — Ichigo made that promise, it was something he could keep and Orihime blushed in response to his words.

Ichigo knew that she was a good person and Ulquiorra seemed like a good man, he still wasn't entirely sure of his loyalty but he seemed to be on his side, at least as long as Orihime was safe and sound.

He went to the kitchen where Hanataro was, the cook served him some of the food they were preparing and Ichigo sat on one of the furniture where the cooks rested between rounds of food. Ichigo didn't say anything, he just watched them cook and walk around with the plates and trays; he had spent so much time there that he recognized the service trays. The first food service to go out was that of his parents, they were going to have dinner together that night; the next was his sisters', that one had extra dessert because he had asked Hanataro to put it; and the last to come out was Kaien's, that tray of food was accompanied and Ichigo guessed that Kaien would have dinner with Ulquiorra's sister again that night.

Ichigo had a hunch that Kaien would make the formal engagement request with Nelliel any day; Kaien was moving fast and if he married and had a child in that same year, the fight for the throne when his father died would be a bloodbath. Ichigo wondered if he would be able to kill a child to get him out of the way.

He was glad that Rukia had gone to Maranni, there she was fine, safe and happy.

— What? One more service? Do you know how tired I am? My hands hurt and I cut myself making the king's dinner! — Ichigo stopped thinking about the murder of children when he heard Hisagi yelling at a soldier who seemed quite scared.

Hisagi had been a soldier, a very good one, but he had lost a leg in battle and, instead of retiring and living as a peasant, he asked to be allowed to work in the kitchens; after all his father had been a palace cook and his father's father before him.

— I'm sorry sir, but Grand Councilor Kuchiki will be here any minute and he asked us to have dinner ready when he arrives. — The soldier spoke fearfully.

— At least it's dinner for one.

— It is dinner for two, the Grand Councilor is coming with his daughter.

The soldier fled from there as soon as Hisagi had thrown the huge kitchen knife, which he took from the table, and it stuck in the wooden frame of the door.

Rukia was going back to the castle but as soon as she passed the gates of the castle grounds it would be really late and he doubted that her father would let her go out and talk to a soldier. Surely she would live in the Lord of Maranni's rooms and seeing her would be more complicated than it was before.

— Hanataro. — He called the little cook who approached him, he was completely exhausted but he gave him a smile. — In Miss Kuchiki's dessert, I want you to put an apple.

— Only an apple, Your Highness? — He asked curiously as he looked at him without understanding that request.

— Not only an apple, you will make a message with the apple. — He said feeling that happiness returned to him in a way that he couldn't explain, it was as if every moment Rukia approached the castle, he felt more and more alive and then Ichigo started explaining to Hanataro what he wanted him to do with the apple for Rukia's dessert.

—

The sea stretched out in front of him, huge and majestic, it even seemed better to him than the Vayalat Sea whose color was different from turquoise could be appreciated from where he was at that moment; he was thinking how incredible it would be to travel the world with her, show her what he had seen, cross the sea beyond sunset and show her how different the world was on that side of the sea.

Maybe he could do it, maybe when he was king they could do that but the idea that Kaien was moving quickly to marry and have an heir struck him suddenly; he wondered if he would be able to kill a child if he got in his way to the throne.

— Apple? — Rukia's voice made him stop thinking about that and he turned to see where that voice had come from.

There was Rukia, handing him an apple as red as the first one she had eaten in that place, he also noticed that she was wearing the bracelet that he had sent her with Kholtan. He took the apple and got up from the floor, he hadn't heard her come but that didn't matter, she was there; Ichigo looked at the fruit and then at Rukia before giving her a little bow, as if she were a princess.

— I think we have not been formally introduced. — He said with a smile. Rukia also smiled and held out her hand for him to take, Ichigo gave her a small kiss on the hand and continued. — I'm Prince Ichigo, of Avanta and the Blue Mountains.

— A pleasure, Your Royal Highness. — Rukia smiled as he looked at her like the first time; she bowed to him. — I'm Rukia Kuchiki, daughter of the Lord of Maranni.

— My pleasure, Miss Kuchiki. — Ichigo approached her caressing her face with a softness that he only used with her, as if Rukia were the most delicate being on earth.

— The pleasure is all mine, Your Highness. — Rukia closed her eyes and Ichigo finished closing the distance between them before kissing her.

Thanks to all who have read this story.