Author's note: As I had said in the previous chapter, this chapter is the end of this season. I apologize for the delay, it is a longer chapter than usual and it took me longer to write and translate.
I also want to thank Ichirukitrash4ever, jobananasan, Gman, Scarease, diah77, Leomae2.0, and rruki4087, for their comments. You guys are great.
Thanks to everyone who reads this story, you guys are great too.
Enjoy this chapter made with love for you. If you like it, let me know; if you don't like it, let me know too. Next chapter: September 17.
The Nightingale
Chapter 37: Princess of the People
— Ah! Outdoor mornings are the best! — Kisuke stretched out on the bed where he slept that night. Kirio was next to him, she was already awake but she had not dared to move, she was tired from the trip; like everyone there.
— You are the only one who enjoys sleeping in the middle of nowhere, father! — Hiyori tossed him one of the feather pillows she had on her bed; the pillow slammed into Kisuke's face making him shut up for a moment.
— You should enjoy it more, you are becoming a spoiled princess; I'll have to send you to war soon, we just have to choose which kingdom to attack. You need to get a taste of the outdoors in the middle of war. — Kisuke took the pillow his daughter had thrown at him, and threw it back at her. The pillow hit Hiyori in the face.
— Send me to whatever wars you want, father. I'm the best archer in the kingdom, the enemy will not know where death came from. — Hiyori said completely sure of herself and Kisuke smiled.
— That makes me so happy, my little girl is growing up and becoming an independent woman. — He whimpered but covered his expression with his fan; that gesture hid a smile. Hiyori threw a pillow at her father again.
— Stop fighting, it's time for breakfast. We still have half a day of travel to get to Adelaar and I want to get there today. — Kirio spoke sitting down on the bed, adjusting her hair and clothes; she couldn't get off because the bed was wedged against one of the carriage walls and Kisuke was lying on the edge of the bed.
— Excuse me my dear Kirio, I promise not to fight any more with our irreverent daughter; but she inherited my character and it's impossible not to fight. It would be easier if she had inherited yours. — Kisuke kissed Kirio's hand as he spoke making her smile.
— If I had inherited the character of my mother, you would already be dead, father. — Hiyori jumped off the bed, which was wedged against the back of the carriage and was higher than Kisuke and Kirio's bed, and she ignored her father.
That carriage was larger than a common one, it was even a little taller than traditional carriages, it had two beds, several cushions that served as chairs, a desk and a wooden screen so that they could change their clothes; also the door was double so that they could go down easily.
They were parked by the side of the road, in a fairly spacious place because they weren't the only ones traveling; along with them was a guard of 12 Red Cloaks, the servants, the cooks and the personal guards. It was a fairly large entourage for only three people, but it had to be that way; if the king of Vayalat had made that journey too, then the people would see a walking city on the road.
— I'll change my clothes. — Hiyori announced taking her clothes and standing behind the wooden screen. — So get out of here, father.
— You don't let me enjoy my wife's company. You are a bad daughter. — Kisuke complained but got out of bed and put on the robe he had left on one of the cushions.
Kisuke gave Kirio a kiss on the hand before exiting the carriage and leaving his wife and daughter alone. Outside were the maids who were going to help them dress and Lisa was sitting on the roof of that carriage, eating a piece of something that Kisuke didn't want to ask.
— Your Highness, you should send a messenger to Adelaar to notify them of our arrival. — Kensei suggested. Kisuke was walking towards his own carriage, which was a few feet behind the carriage of his wife and daughter.
— You're right, we were supposed to arrive next week, not today. I'll write it down in a moment more, although the surprise is going to be ruined. — He whispered setting aside his fan before entering his carriage followed by a couple of servants with the necessary things for him.
— Tomorrow is your birthday and in a week is your wedding. As friends that we are, we should take you to a brothel to celebrate your birthday and say goodbye to your single life. — Renji suggested with a mocking smile as he sat down in one of the chairs in front of Ichigo's desk. — After marriage, nothing is the same again, they say.
— Don't say things like that, Renji. You know that if Lady Rukia finds out that you are suggesting that kind of thing she can hit you, maybe castrate you as punishment so you don't suggest things like that again. — Uryu played along with Renji, also sitting in one of the chairs in front of Ichigo's desk.
— I don't think it's a good idea Renji, if your sister talks to Rukia, surely she castrates me too. — Ichigo commented chuckling a little.
— Why can Lady Rukia go to visit brothels and you can't? — Renji asked. That doubt interested him more than getting angry at Ichigo's comment about his sister.
— Because she doesn't sleep with "the girls."
— Apparently you don't either. — Renji muttered crossing one leg for comfort. Ichigo just shook his head at that comment.
— And because Rukia has a good relationship with your sister and the girls from The Jewel. So stop suggesting that sort of thing or my marriage may end before I get married, and the Deities know I'm marrying Rukia thanks to a miracle.
— Ichigo saves his own virginity for their wedding night. — Uryu concluded by making everyone laugh a bit before Ichigo moved on to the topics that had brought them to that office.
Renji was going to take care of the secret group, as he had called those soldiers who were about to be secretly handed over to the Shadow, and Uryu was going to take care of the paperwork that was generated every day. Ichigo knew that his friends would do a good job, he had faith in them, and he had warned the Generals that Renji and Uryu would be his representatives in absentia; the chain of command wouldn't be affected just because he was gone for a few days.
If Renji or Uryu couldn't solve the problem, Kaien would be the next to be notified. Ichigo didn't like Kaien's ways of resolving conflicts, but he had to admit it worked.
— Commander, a messenger arrived. — The guard guarding the door spoke and Ichigo rubbed the bridge of his nose. The messengers did not bring good news in the last days; he still remembered Gardelia's messenger.
— Let him in. — He ordered and his friends rose from their seats; each one to one side of the door where the messenger was going to enter.
The door opened and a man dressed as a messenger entered; Ichigo saw that "messenger" and knew immediately that this man was not a messenger. The man wore the uniform of the Vayalat soldiers and had his head covered with a cloth, which Ichigo knew very well because he had worn a similar one many times when he arrived in Adelaar. Ichigo closed his eyes and rubbed the bridge of his nose again.
— Can't be! — He whispered without seeing the messenger who was still standing at the entrance. The gate guard had closed the door after the messenger entered.
— Is this how you greet your dear uncle who has traveled more than a week to see you? — Kisuke asked shoving his hands into his pants pockets. That puzzled Renji and Uryu, Ichigo noticed it and waved for them to lower their guard. — That breaks my heart.
Kisuke pulled his right hand out of his pants pocket, which was clenched into a fist, and threw something directly at Ichigo; Renji and Uryu quickly drew their swords and pointed them at Kisuke who looked amused but Ichigo didn't flinch; Ichigo was waiting for his uncle to do something like that, because he caught what his uncle threw at him with the left hand, without even getting up from his seat.
— With the left! At least your reflexes work fine, but your guards are lousy. If I were a member of The Shadows you would already be dead. — Kisuke said; and from one moment to another he hit Renji and Uryu on the back of the neck when he noticed that they lowered their guard at that moment; both men were reduced to the ground in a matter of seconds.
Ichigo rolled his eyes at that comment and got up from his seat when he saw that his friends ended up on the floor; he walked over to them and helped them up off the floor with his free hand.
— Shadows don't throw strawberries. — Ichigo said opening his hand to show his uncle what was left of the fruit he had thrown. The fruit was squeezed and the juice dripped between Ichigo's fingers.
— It was a strawberry or the stone that I have in my other hand, but if you didn't catch it, you could get a blow to your forehead and you wouldn't look good. — Kisuke added showing the stone in his other hand. — I should have thrown the stone at you.
Ichigo and Kisuke stared at each other for a second before hugging each other with a smile. If his uncle didn't try to kill him at every chance he got, it would all be very boring; that had been the way his reflexes had been trained while he was in Vayalat when he was a child. Uryu and Renji apologized to Kisuke for pointing the sword at him, but Kisuke hit them again on the head with his fan before saying that they were a disgrace as soldiers; he also beat up Ichigo for being a disgrace as a coach.
Rukia waited for Renji to arrive at the entrance of the castle where she was waiting for him. Of Ichigo's two guards, Renji was the one who liked her the best; that's why she had asked Ichigo to have Renji accompany her on her visit to The Jewel.
— We will go to a place that no one should know that I will go, so don't tell anyone, just Ichigo. — Rukia clarified as they were leaving the castle grounds.
Renji was not like his father's guards, she could not buy his silence with prostitutes; Renji was smart and loyal to Ichigo and she knew that whatever she did, Renji would tell Ichigo in great detail. Rukia needed a guard like him.
They reached the city center and Rukia went to a street that sold traditional candies, bought some candies and gave Renji a lemon meringue. Rukia kept walking down that street, seeing the stalls but not buying anything until they came to an alley that led to the street where the brothels were. That street did not have a name as such, but people used to call it "the Street of Pleasure".
— Lady Rukia… — Renji whispered when he saw her walk down that alley but she didn't stop; she was not dressed as a lady, but as a servant.
— Walk Renji, and don't say that name; I'm Kia. — Rukia clarified by tousling her hair a bit to make it look messy. Without stopping anywhere, and ignoring the people coming and going on the street, Rukia walked to The Jewel.
The Jewel was the brothel where she had gone so that prostitutes would teach her how to please Ichigo in bed. She said that she was the daughter of a lesser Lord who wanted to learn to give pleasure to her future husband and not everything was a lie. Ichigo knew how to give her pleasure, he knew how to touch her or how to speak to make her legs shake; she at least wanted to know how to make him feel the same as he made her feel.
Rukia knocked on the door with the metal knocker that was shaped like a naked woman, and waited for someone to open the door. The brothels had a very peculiar rule, they could not open their doors freely until the temple of the Deities rang the evening bells; that was funny because those bells rang for evening mass too.
An older woman answered the door, she had provocative makeup and was dressed the same way, but she was really older; Madame Cyan had been a prostitute all her life and, although at that time no one bought her services, she still dressed like that.
— Kia! Little one, it's good to see you again! — The woman was happy to see her, but that joy was because every time Rukia went to the brothel, she left quite a few coins in profit for the place. — And the handsome soldiers you always come with, Kia?
— They no longer take care of me, Madame Cyan; but I will definitely tell them to come visit the girls, one of these days. — Rukia said noticing that Renji looked uncomfortable and that Madam Cyan had been surprised to see him standing at the door.
Neither Renji nor Madame Cyan said anything or exchanged words between themselves; Madame Cyan invited them in and led them to a small living room filled with colorful cushions where the girls used to rest in the evenings when the doors were opened and they could come out to offer their services.
— What brings you here, little Kia? I thought my girls had already taught you what you asked for. — Rukia noticed how Renji was still uncomfortable but kept silent; Renji played his guard role very well and Rukia hoped he would stay that way for the rest of the talk with Madame Cyan.
— I would like to know how much Tatsuki's debt is, I would like to pay it off. — Rukia replied putting a small black cloth bag on her own lap. It was too small to have money, but the look of the woman gave Rukia to understand that she suspected what was in that bag.
— Tatsuki's debt is very large, are you sure that what you bring in that bag will be enough to pay it? — Madame Cyan asked; her eyes were glowing with curiosity and greed to know what Rukia had in the cloth bag.
— It will be enough to pay for it, I assure you. — Rukia opened the small bag and took out two small stones, one white and one blue. — I know that someone has tried to pay off Tatsuki's debt before, but the debt always increases; I hope an agreement can be reached this time, Madame Cyan.
Rukia knew various things about Tatsuki because Ichigo had told her; she knew that Tatsuki was Renji's older sister, she knew that Tatsuki was the reason why Renji had joined the army and she knew that Renji had tried to pay Tatsuki's debt more than once; but whenever he arrived with the money that Madame Cyan asked for, the debt had increased. Rukia knew that Ichigo had supported Renji as much as Renji had allowed him to; and she knew that if she offered Renji her help to get Tatsuki out of there, he would refuse.
— I think we can try to come to terms, little Kia. — Madame Cyan said taking one of the two small stones that Rukia had taken out of the little bag.
They were precious stones brought from Maranni, Rukia had stolen them from her mother because even before she knew who Tatsuki was, she wanted to free her from there for having been a good teacher and teach her more things than she expected to learn. Rukia needed someone to teach her what the queen couldn't or didn't want to teach her.
A messenger, one who was indeed a messenger from Vayalat, arrived with the notice that his aunt Kirio's carriage was not far from the castle. Ichigo was in charge of giving the corresponding orders to the guards and, with the help of the Kahya, had several servants ready to collect the guests' luggage and take it to the rooms where they were going to stay during their visit.
The Great Gate at the entrance to the castle grounds opened the moment Ichigo reached the castle entrance, for a moment he thought that Vayalat's guests had arrived too quickly but he realized that they were not the guests; it was Rukia accompanied by two people. Ichigo knew that one of them was Renji, so he assumed that the other person must be Tatsuki.
Rukia had told him about her idea about Renji's sister, and it seemed like it had worked, because the girl was in the castle. Ichigo understood Rukia's need to have someone who was completely loyal to her, so he hadn't refused to support her in her idea. If the girl was as loyal as Renji, then Rukia would have a good maid.
— Did you have fun on your walk, my love? — Ichigo asked with a smile when Rukia was in front of him. Renji bowed to him and Tatsuki followed suit.
— Sure, I also found my new maid. — Rukia was happy and that made him happy.
Rukia was not wearing her engagement ring at the time, nor was she dressed appropriately to receive visitors, so Ichigo could only trust that neither his aunt nor his cousin would make any derogatory comments for seeing Rukia dressed like that.
— Very well, if you want it that way, it will be that way. — Ichigo kissed Rukia's hand with a smile. — Renji, take Tatsuki to the doctor, get her checked and bathed, also give her clean clothes. When she is ready, you introduce her to Kahya and tell her that she will be Rukia's maid.
— Yes, Your Highness. — Renji bowed to Ichigo and left along with his sister. Ichigo would talk to him later, at that time he couldn't because the carriage of Vayalat's entourage was traveling the white road.
Ichigo saw the flags waving with Vayalat's emblem and colors; the blue nightingale over the red and black shared field. The Red Cloak guard leading the way and the carriage his aunt Kirio was riding in, along with all the people who had traveled with them. The carriage was parked in front of them and a couple of guards quickly opened the doors, which were decorated with the royal coat of arms of Vayalat, allowing their aunt Kirio to get out first, who looked charming as always; and immediately afterwards Hiyori came down.
— Your Highness, welcome to Adelaar. — Ichigo said to his aunt kissing her hand, making Kirio smile. — I hope the trip was not tiring.
— It was nice to have such a leisurely ride. — Kirio replied with a smile before kissing Ichigo's cheeks as if he were a small child. — But Hiyori is in a bad mood, as always.
Kirio was amused. Hiyori, who actually seemed to be in a bad mood, approached Rukia and handed her the panther cub that she was carrying in her arms as if it were an extremely large plush doll.
— Your! Do something and don't stand there like a fool! Take my puppy to my room, he likes cow's milk and fresh chicken eggs. Feed him well and maybe I'll give you a few coins at the end. — Hiyori ordered a confused Rukia who was holding the puppy in her hands. The silence produced by that phrase lasted a second, but Ichigo felt it was the second longest of his life.
— Hiyori! She's not a... — Ichigo was about to scold his cousin when Rukia spoke lowering her gaze.
— Yes, Your Highness. I immediately do. — Rukia said bowing to Kirio and Hiyori before leaving taking the puppy with her.
One of the servants who was there, and who was just as confused as Ichigo, followed Rukia until they both got lost inside the castle. It took him a moment to get out of that confusion and he turned his back on his aunt with the intention of going after Rukia but his aunt took him by the arm and stopped him. Ichigo just stood there.
— And where is your fiancée? I hope she is pretty. — Kirio asked, hanging onto Ichigo's arm naturally; Ichigo had to follow protocol and pretend nothing was wrong; but anger at Hiyori and concern for Rukia were dominating his mind.
— She is reviewing the last details for the wedding. — Ichigo muttered under his breath.
— I hope she is prettier than Yoruichi. Yoruichi came to the spring celebrations this year, she is really beautiful and she is adorable. She would have been a good wife for you, you should have asked your father to release you from that stupid marriage agreement and marry you to her; Yoruichi would make a magnificent princess. — Kirio said entering the castle holding Ichigo's arm. Hiyori ignored that talk and devoted herself to seeing what was in the castle as they advanced through the corridor; Ichigo had to take them to the living room where his parents were chatting with his uncle Kisuke.
Ichigo had to close his eyes and swallow all the responses that his aunt's comments had elicited; at that moment he was glad that Rukia wasn't there. Ichigo didn't want Rukia to hear the comparisons his aunt would surely make between her and Yoruichi; he was really uncomfortable and at that moment he regretted having that relationship with Yoruichi. Ichigo knew that his Aunt Kirio supported Yoruichi throughout their relationship; even after they broke up. Apparently, his aunt Kirio still preferred Yoruichi as his possible wife, even after so many years.
— They offered me to marry Yoruichi. — Ichigo clarified making his aunt turn to look at him surprised by that revelation. He was still upset, but he hoped it would make his aunt understand that he was not interested in Yoruichi.
— And why didn't you accept? Yoruichi is a princess! She has everything it takes to be your wife! She is rich, she has a kingdom behind her and she is beautiful. — His aunt was really shocked.
— Because my fiancée has something that Yoruichi doesn't have, something that no one has. — Ichigo clarified thinking of going to find Rukia as fast as he could.
The welcome dinner for Vayalat's guests had been fun, it had been a family dinner and everyone had been there; everyone except Rukia. Ichigo had been looking for Rukia but she didn't show up, and the idea that she was hiding from him angered him even more; he knew that the words Hiyori had said to Rukia had hurt her. The early arrival of his uncles didn't give him time to prepare Rukia for them.
His mother excused Rukia with the pathetic excuse that she was ill; Ichigo didn't buy it. Rukia did not get sick, she had never seen her sick since she arrived at the castle.
At the end of dinner, and after wishing his visitors a good night, Ichigo offered to accompany his mother to her room with the intention of going to see Rukia; his mother knew it and prevented him from passing beyond the archway.
— I know you're going to Rukia's room, but not tonight. Go to sleep, tomorrow will be a busy day. — Masaki gave Ichigo a maternal caress and left him there, with a mixture of anger and helplessness that he had not felt before. He tried to follow his mother but the guards stopped him.
He was the fucking Commander-in-Chief of the kingdom, but if his mother said no, the guards weren't going to let him pass. He was thinking of hitting the guards to get inside when Kaien's voice, speaking to Nelliel, sounded very close and he had to step aside for Kaien to say goodbye to Nelliel.
Kaien kissed Nelliel's hand when he said goodbye to her; Nelliel looked really happy, she even looked radiant and, although Ichigo had nothing against Nelliel, that happiness disturbed him a bit. Nelliel bowed to Ichigo and then went through the stone archway to cross the inner garden that she led to the bedrooms.
— You are not married yet and your girlfriend is already giving you problems, little brother. I hope she doesn't embarrass you tomorrow for your birthday celebrations; what's more, I hope she shows up to the wedding. — Kaien spoke with that false concern that bordered on sarcasm and that Ichigo hated so much.
— Stay out of my business, Kaien. You should better let your wife sleep with you, maybe that way we could have an heir faster. — Ichigo replied very annoyed. The idea of seeing Rukia had to wait, at that moment Kaien's presence and comment had angered him more than he already was. — I'm out of here.
Ichigo walked past Kaien with a firm step; he sometimes hated having the power to kill Kaien and not being able to do it without ending up in prison.
— It's good that you mention my future children, little brother, because that's my birthday present to you. — Kaien was happy and that made Ichigo stop.
Ichigo didn't want to turn to see Kaien because he knew that he would see that triumphant smile, the one that he had seen several times on Kaien's face; that smile that clearly said: "I won." Still he turned on his feet to see his brother, with that detestable smile. Ichigo was completely serious, his eyes fixed on Kaien who wouldn't stop smiling.
— My birthday present? — Ichigo asked, feeling his heart beat faster and faster and the anger he felt at that moment increased. Kaien was approaching him with soft steps and Ichigo wanted to punch him in the face to remove that stupid smile.
— Don't worry, we won't say anything so as not to overshadow your birthday and wedding. — Kaien put a hand on Ichigo's shoulder making light pressure. — Enjoy your celebrations, little brother. When you return from your honeymoon, we'll deliver the big news to the king.
Kaien patted Ichigo on the shoulder and left there leaving him in a bad mood, Ichigo took a few more seconds to leave as well. Breaking into Rukia's room was pointless at the time, he was truly angry and Rukia had never seen him like this. It wouldn't be on that night that Rukia would know that bad side of him.
Again he wondered if he would be able to kill a child, because life did not stop and the future was inevitable. If Nelliel was pregnant, Kaien wasn't going to leave her alone or unprotected; the only place Nelliel would be alone was her bedroom and he couldn't go in there, because surely there would also be the queen's guards guarding the entrance.
Ichigo came to his bedroom completely angry and threw everything he found on his table trying to calm his anger; he was really upset and emotions got the better of him. It wasn't like the night they escaped from Maranni, that night he was upset but he kept focused on getting Rukia out of there; but at that precise moment he had nothing to focus on and he could feel the ankh fluttering like butterflies on his fingers.
He paced back and forth inside his bedroom, like a caged lion looking for a way out of his prison; the ankh kept causing his fingers to tingle and Ichigo knew he couldn't free the hellhounds without help; he didn't need them, he didn't want to kill Nelliel. He just wanted to make sure Kaien didn't have a child anytime soon.
He let the ankh flow; Ichigo was in control enough to let the magic take shape in his hand, flowing like a dark liquid that trickled between his fingers from the tattoo on his back, forming extremely fine threads that blended into one another. Ichigo raised his right hand watching how those threads shaped a small and elusive animal, until the shadow consolidated into a small spider that swayed on the threads that were still attached to his fingers.
Ichigo smiled looking at the little spider, he was so focused on what he was doing that he didn't hear when the door opened, he didn't even notice that Rukia had entered until he heard her voice. Rukia could have seen everything and he wouldn't have noticed.
— Why is it so dark in here? — Rukia asked, who was standing at the entrance of the room and the door was closed. Ichigo was aware that there was only one lit candle left, the one farthest from him and near the door.
— My fault. — Ichigo muttered. His voice came out rough and hard, reflecting the anger he was feeling at the time. He didn't know how much Rukia had seen and he didn't want to ask.
The spider climbed up the threads that ran from his fingers and began to walk up his arm, entering under his clothes; Ichigo closed his eyes as the spider became part of the tattoo ink on his back. Rukia was still standing at the entrance to his bedroom.
— Obviously it's your fault. — Rukia muttered. Her voice was a mixture of sarcasm and certainty. — The ring is awake.
Rukia began to light the candles with the small candle that remained lit. As the light began to fill the room again, Ichigo noticed that Rukia was wearing the Inamoratas nightwear. That puzzled him a bit but he liked the way those clothes looked on her.
— Sorry. — Rukia looked really beautiful in those nightwear, but the anger was there, as was the magic that tickled his fingers. — Why didn't you go to dinner?
Rukia lit the last candle and placed the candle in her hand on a solitary stand on the nightstand next to the bed. Ichigo tried to calm himself but didn't go near Rukia. The mess in his room was noticeable in the light; there was an ink stain on a carpet and the papers were scrambled on the floor, some things were thrown on the carpet and it seemed that more than one had been torn.
— It was a family dinner, it had to be between family members. — Rukia answered simply; she began to play with a candle flame with the fingertips of her left hand.
— You are my fiancée, we are getting married. Isn't that enough for you to attend a family dinner? — Ichigo was upset and approached Rukia taking her by the arm so that she would stop playing with the candle flame; that game was dangerous.
Rukia looked up and Ichigo could see something in Rukia's eyes that made him calm down a bit, however he didn't let go of her arm; she did not do anything to make him let go of her, they just stood in silence looking at each other's eyes.
— You're upset, but it's not because of my absence at dinner. — Rukia just looked at him and brought the hand he was holding closer to his face; Ichigo released her slowly.
— Why didn't you go to dinner? — He asked again, this time modulating his tone of voice so as not to sound so hostile to Rukia. She was right, he was upset but it wasn't with her.
— I was going down to dinner. — Rukia released Ichigo's face but didn't break eye contact; just like beast tamers did. — But I had no clothes; I spent the whole afternoon going through my clothes and none of them were according to the occasion.
— You're lying, I know they sent you to make dresses for this week. Tell me a better lie. — Ichigo couldn't stop looking into her eyes; Rukia smiled.
— I was going to go downstairs for dinner, but while I was bathing I heard a piece of news that made me question some things. — Rukia turned her back on Ichigo and Ichigo approached her; He put a hand on Rukia's hips and another on one of her shoulders, eliminating the distance between them. The bed was in front of them.
Rukia tilted her head, and Ichigo kissed her neck feeling that minty scent that exuded Rukia's skin; Ichigo smiled when he felt her shudder and gave her one more kiss. Rukia had an ability to calm him that was surprising; perhaps it was the scent of her skin that soothed him.
— What things did you think? — Ichigo gave her one more kiss, this time on the shoulder.
— My clothes, I got rid of the old clothes, of all the clothes that I brought from Maranni, of all the clothes with which I went to the city; I will be a princess, those clothes were no longer worthy of me.
— Was it because of what happened in the afternoon with Hiyori? — Ichigo asked making one of Rukia's shoulders bare and gave her one more kiss.
Ichigo could feel Rukia's anger, it was completely different from the way he used to get angry; she was quieter, and that made her dangerous, because he could never know what she would do. That part of Rukia, of which she seemed not to be aware yet, was surprising and he loved it.
— Is that the name of the girl? — Rukia asked. Ichigo just made a noise with his throat and kissed her bare shoulder, he didn't try to take her clothes off because he wanted to see her with those clothes that she hadn't worn before her; as if Rukia was his Inamorata. — Yes, it was because of that. It doesn't bother me that she mistook me for a servant, because I was dressed like one; it bothered me to realize that those dresses were my safe zone. I didn't use them to feel comfortable or free, I used them to escape. Apparently, I have not stopped escaping from the future. I have your cousin to thank for making me understand some things.
— What did you hear while taking a bath? — Ichigo also knew how to control Rukia's anger, that's why he caressed her arms with only the tips of his fingers making her shiver and letting her speak all she wanted.
— I heard something that made me wonder if I would be able to make Nelliel fall down the stairs and make it look like an accident. — Rukia's words made Ichigo surprised and smile at the same time.
Rukia not only calmed him down, she turned him on in equal measure. She made him want her with those simple actions like wearing the clothes of the Inamoratas that accentuated her figure and made her look more beautiful than she already was; but she made him want her more when he saw her strength and determination, as if she were a hurricane about to devastate everything in its path.
He kissed her shoulder before whispering in her ear.
— Did Kaien tell you?
— No. Nelliel was commenting to her lady-in-waiting that she was possibly pregnant. — Rukia raised one of her hands and brought it to the back of Ichigo's neck, entangling her fingers in his hair. Ichigo smiled again and took her by her belly, pressing her back to his chest making her gasp. — That's why you were angry, isn't it? Since I heard those words, I haven't stopped thinking about many things, all about Nelliel and her possible pregnancy; they weren't good things. — Rukia paused and Ichigo felt her shudder again. — I felt the ring wake up, what were you going to do?
— I was going to throw Nelliel down the stairs. — Ichigo whispered into Rukia's ear in an amused tone of voice.
Ichigo could almost imagine Rukia's expression at that moment and he let out a very soft curse when he felt Rukia's hand stroking his cock over his pants. They both fell silent and Ichigo, by sheer instinct, made Rukia lift her hips a little, bringing her as close to him as possible, feeling her buttocks brush against him. Rukia gasped.
— Your cock is hard. — Rukia whispered. Ichigo could see how Rukia's chest rose and fell, controlling her breathing, and how she clung to the back of his neck; her hand wouldn't stop caressing him and that only turned him on more.
— You're dressed like an Inamorata, my love. You can't break into my room dressed like this, ambush me like this and hope I don't get an erection, my love. — Ichigo clarified with a smile.
Rukia took Ichigo's hand, which was on her belly, and guided him to the buttons on her chest that kept the clothes in place. The clothes that the Inamoratas wore could be opened at the front, a row of buttons that was easy to open, put in that way to fulfill their purpose with ease, even the skirt had openings on the sides leaving the legs free.
Ichigo began to open the buttons slowly with one hand and with the other hand he held her in her place.
— You sent me a hair clip with a servant, and the message read "Prince Ichigo asks you to wear it to dinner tonight." I remember that message, it is the message that is given to the Inamoratas. — Rukia clarified turning on her heel. Ichigo noticed that one of her lips was slightly damp and red; that used to happen when Rukia bit her lip and Ichigo didn't hesitate to kiss her too intensely making her gasp.
— My Inamorata, you say. — Ichigo whispered against her lips before kissing her again. Rukia hugged him and pressed her body to his as much as that kiss allowed. — Do you want me to treat you like my Inamorata, my love? — Ichigo asked over Rukia's lips. His hands opened the buttons on Rukia's dress and Rukia's hands opened the buttons on his shirt, undressing him even faster than he undressing her.
— Why not? — Rukia asked with a sly smile. She would not stop looking into his eyes as she opened his pants quickly. — I assure you that this time they will not interrupt us, my love.
Ichigo didn't quite understand that sentence and stopped thinking when Rukia sat on the edge of the bed and brought her lips to his cock, which was hard from how aroused he was at that moment. Ichigo loved it when Rukia had the initiative, but it just completely overcame him and made him gasp at the warmth of Rukia's mouth and saliva.
Rukia was looking at him from below, while she gave him pleasure with her mouth, and Ichigo could see in Rukia's eyes the same desire that he felt for her; she made him gasp, she ran her tongue over his cock in a way that made his legs shake while one of her hands played with his balls making him close his eyes. If she kept it up, she was going to make it finish too fast and he cursed on a gasp as he pulled her away from him.
— You are going to make me finish sooner, my love. — He said with a smile and Rukia licked her lips without taking her eyes off him.
Rukia was provoking him and he stopped resisting the desire that he had been suppressing for a long time; they were getting married in a week, it was ridiculous to keep waiting. Ichigo kissed her again, not caring what she had been doing with her mouth earlier; Rukia finished undressing while still kissing him and Ichigo did the same before they both ended up lying on the bed, completely naked.
Rukia's skin was warm and smooth. His hands ran over her legs without the restriction of the clothes they had before, and he kissed her desperately from her lips to her belly. Ichigo deliberately evaded her crotch by leaving kisses on her thighs that made Rukia gasp and tangle her fingers in his hair. Ichigo knew the taste of Rukia's skin, it was just as fresh and addictive as mint.
Rukia begged between gasps and Ichigo couldn't resist giving her what she was asking for. He licked Rukia's crotch almost hungrily, with the same intensity that Rukia had used when she had used her mouth to pleasure him. Ichigo felt the taste of Rukia emanate from her crotch and drank it as greedily as the hands and legs of Rukia clinging to him allowed. Ichigo heard her gasp, he heard her ask for more and it just turned him on more than he already was at that moment.
Ichigo didn't stop until he felt Rukia shudder completely and then relax on the bed, leaving her blushing. He gave her one last kiss on her crotch and slowly climbed over her, leaving kisses on every part of her skin from her belly to her neck; stopping for a moment on her breasts where he also left kisses before making one of Rukia's legs tangle around his hips.
Rukia looked at him completely agitated, he could see Rukia's chest rising and falling with each breath she took, and he saw her bite her lip waiting for what was next at that moment; Ichigo also saw nervousness in Rukia's eyes and that made him pause for a moment.
— If you are afraid, we can stop. — He whispered while still looking into her eyes. Ichigo wanted to make her his like never before, but he wouldn't if she wasn't sure.
— I'm not afraid, and I don't want you to stop. — Rukia whispered; she kissed him and hugged him. Ichigo felt the wet closeness between Rukia's legs before entering her as slowly as possible, containing all urges to move faster; he felt her shudder and heard her let out a painful moan that made him stop. — Don't stop, this has to happen; just don't stop.
— It's just a moment, I promise you it will pass and it will feel better. — Ichigo whispered looking into her eyes, moving very slowly so that Rukia wouldn't suffer so much that first time.
—
Rukia woke up wrapped in the sheets of Ichigo's bed, she did not open her eyes immediately, but kept her eyes closed remembering what had happened the night before. She remembered the way Ichigo kissed her everywhere on her body, on all the skin that was available to kiss; she remembered how Ichigo caressed her gently, with desire and care, as if he was afraid that she would break; and she remembered the way he gave himself to her, the way she gave herself to him.
Ichigo was hers and she was his.
Those memories made her smile and she shifted a bit on the bed before feeling Ichigo's arm gently hold her. She stayed still for a moment, thinking that he had woken up but Ichigo didn't move again, so she opened her eyes feeling Ichigo's soft breath on her back. He was asleep.
From her place on the bed she looked around the room, not daring to move much so as not to wake Ichigo, and found her clothes thrown on the floor along with Ichigo's clothes; she also saw several things thrown on the floor that must have been on Ichigo's desk; he must be truly upset before she arrived. She bit her lip as she remembered that under the covers they were both completely naked, and she turned carefully to face Ichigo, who was still asleep but who hugged her between dreams to bring her closer to him; Rukia could feel the aroma that emanated from Ichigo's skin, it was a mixture of wood and citrus that she found very pleasant.
Rukia settled in better and Ichigo hugged her, this time she knew that he was awake and was just enjoying that moment just like she was doing; the night hadn't started as she had planned, but it had definitely been better than she had imagined.
The night before, Rukia had made sure everyone was at dinner before going to the laundry room, where they kept the clean clothes and the clothes they had made for the ladies of the queen's court; Rukia was lucky to find the hanger where they hung the dresses that would be given to the Inamoratas on the first night they went to visit the princes; and she was luckier because she found the dress that had been made for her in that beautiful black color with small stones that reflected the light.
Rukia knew what she wanted, she was completely sure of what she wanted to do the night before, so despite what happened in the afternoon, she decided to follow her plans; and showing up at dinner was not an option, she would let them forget about her face before reappearing in front of them.
Ichigo was gently stroking her bare back, making her bite her lip with a mischievous smile and forget the memory of how she had stolen the dress from the laundry room. Rukia didn't hold back and kissed Ichigo's bare chest, she left a trail of kisses from his chest to his lips and Ichigo smirked before giving her an intense and passionate kiss that took her breath away. She got as close to him as she could and wrapped one of her legs around Ichigo's hips without stopping kissing or caressing him; little by little they settled into the bed until she made him stay between her legs, feeling Ichigo's new erection in her intimacy.
She felt him move a little, settling himself between her legs, and she closed her eyes with a gasp as he entered her softly. She clung to him feeling him kiss her neck and shoulders; he made her close her eyes and moan louder and louder with each new thrust he gave her, making her shiver with pleasure completely. Rukia bit her lip before kissing him, trapping him between her legs so that he wouldn't come out of her; every time they did it, it felt better and she liked that more and more.
— Good morning my prince. — Rukia whispered as Ichigo grabbed her wrists anchoring her to the bed above her head.
— Good morning my princess. — Ichigo gasped as he approached her to kiss her again while still thrusting into her with that force that made Rukia close her eyes in pleasure.
Rukia liked that feeling that Ichigo gave her, the sensation of feeling like prey being eaten by that wild beast that she had seen many times in Ichigo's gaze. Ichigo let go of her wrists and grabbed her hips to make her sit on him; the morning air from her balcony caressed her bare back, but that didn't stop her. Rukia settled on Ichigo and it was her turn to subdue him, to take him by the wrists until he was immobile and at her will; she enjoyed seeing the look of pleasure on Ichigo's face, and memorized it in the light of day.
Rukia kept moving her hips over Ichigo, feeling him inside her with every move she made, feeling how hard he was. Moving her hips over Ichigo gave her so much pleasure that it made her close her eyes and moan on his lips before kissing him. Ichigo kissed her, she felt his tongue and his saliva in her mouth, he took her breath away with those kisses and made her wish she would not stop or leave that cloud of pleasure in which they were both. Rukia heard him plead, Ichigo's tone of voice as he pleaded, completely immersed in pleasure, made her not want to release him; she wanted to keep him that way, completely surrendered to her. When she released him, Ichigo took control again.
Ichigo hugged her tightly, he kissed her with such passion that Rukia felt like it was going to take all her breath away between those kisses; he touched her and caressed her, making her feel so many sensations that were extremely pleasant and that made her think that this was how the paradise should be.
They didn't stop until the pleasure hit them like a wave and washed away the rest of their energy, leaving them lying on the bed, completely shaken, sweaty and tired; and still, Ichigo kissed her and Rukia enjoyed all those kisses that were so soft that they seemed like a caress and not a kiss.
— Is late. — Ichigo whispered as he fiddled with her fingers and the bells of the Deities temple sounded in the distance indicating noon. — You haven't eaten anything, would you like to bathe with me and then eat?
— In the king's bathtub? — Rukia asked with a smile, sitting up on the bed; she was covered only with the sheets.
— In the king's bathtub. — Ichigo got up from the bed, put on his pants and took her in his arms making her laugh. Rukia clung to the back of Ichigo's neck to keep from falling. — That bathtub is all mine for today, as are you, my little princess from Maranni.
Summer x492 - Julio / Ichigo, 18 years old.
The servants placed on him the blue sash that distinguished him as the Second Prince of the Kingdom, and he himself placed the blue ring on his hand; that day he had to dress with all the formal honors that corresponded to his birth and put on his best face for what he was going to do.
The signing of "The Nuptial Contract" was something he definitely did not like because it was not just any contract. The contract that bound him and Rukia in marriage also reinforced the conquest of Maranni; included in that contract was the marriage clause that was stipulated in The Accord of the Fall.
That event would not be quick, because with the guests in the castle, a slightly more formal celebration had to be held than just the signing of that document. Fortunately there would be no more guests in the castle until the next day, who would arrive for the wedding, so the celebration after the signing would not be so great.
The bells of the temple of the Deities rang, announcing the sunset, and Ichigo let out a sigh, looked at himself one last time in the mirror and adjusted his hair with his fingers before leaving his room; Outside, Renji and Uryu were waiting for him, who were fulfilling their role as the Second Prince's escort and were also dressed according to the occasion; they wore a different uniform from all the captains and soldiers because they were in charge of that new elite group that they were training.
They walked in silence until they reached the Signature Room, which was a room where agreements and treaties had been signed since the beginning of the kingdom's history. In that place were his parents, Kaien and Nelliel, and his little sisters; Rukia's parents and that little girl who pretended to be Rukia's lady-in-waiting were present; and Orihime, who had arrived with Ulquiorra the day before. Also present were his uncle Kisuke, his aunt Kirio and Hiyori, the War Councilor and the Money Councilor.
Ichigo bowed to his parents and approached the table where the document rested, where he could see everything that was stipulated in their marriage and in the reaffirmation of the conquest. Along with that document were a pair of new pens, an inkwell of powdered red ink, and a dagger resting on white handkerchiefs.
The Accord of the Fall had been signed in blood, that nuptial contract would also be signed in blood; that is why it was done a couple of days before the wedding, and not after mass as in traditional weddings.
Rukia entered the Signature Room a few minutes later, she was dressed in a white, simple and beautiful dress, with a green necklace that matched the earrings and bracelet that she always wore. Rukia was escorted by Ulquiorra, who was in charge of her security that day; when she arrived in front of the king and queen, she bowed to them before approaching the table where Ichigo was.
— Are you nervous? — Ichigo asked taking her hand to kiss her as a welcoming gesture. In those moments they had to keep contact to a minimum.
— A little. — Rukia replied with a slight smile.
In that signature the High Priest was required to be present, because it was a wedding after all, and it had to be preceded by that man. Everyone heard the words that the High Priest had to say about the union of two people who were meant to be together, and Ichigo had the feeling that the man had chosen the words to emphasize that they were getting married out of obligation. Rukia made a gesture of annoyance, very subtle but that he could recognize, when she heard the words of the High Priest.
Rukia had endured the occasional comments his aunt made, that although she did not clearly say Yoruichi's name, they were charged with the intention of comparing Rukia to the princess of Gardelia. Ichigo had talked to his aunt to stop her, but his aunt still believed that the best woman for him was the princess of Gardelia and she used to make those comments "accidentally".
Fortunately his aunt hadn't recognized Rukia, she had no idea that the "maid" was his fiancée, and he knew it because when Rukia appeared before them, the day after his birthday, his aunt made no comment. His aunt wouldn't have been silent seeing Rukia dressed as a lady after seeing her as a maid, and Rukia surely would have reached her limit before lunch.
Rukia had reached her limit regarding the comments his Aunt Kirio made, the night before the signing of the nuptial contract; Ichigo saw her for the first time really upset and Rukia, having no one to blame, blamed him and scolded him. Ichigo admitted that it was his fault, and when Rukia calmed down, he watched her enter a silence that indicated that she was thinking about how to confront his aunt. Seeing Rukia's anger and resolution process was surprising, obviously when he wasn't responsible for her getting upset.
If Rukia hadn't faced his aunt Kirio yet, it was because she was probably thinking about the best way to shut her up, and not because she respected Kirio for being royalty. Ichigo knew that Rukia could be cruel; he knew it because he saw it in her eyes every time she got angry or jealous.
— Are you here by your legitimate will and without pressure from anyone? — The High Priest asked. Ichigo and Rukia answered affirmatively without hesitation. — Then it is time to prepare the ink. Lady Rukia first.
Rukia looked at Ichigo and then extended her hand to take the dagger with which she was going to cut the lower part of her right palm, in the same line that followed the little finger.
— Let me do it. — Ichigo stopped Rukia's hand before she cut herself off and Rukia handed him that dagger looking into his eyes. — If you are afraid, close your eyes.
— I am not afraid, and I will not close my eyes. — Rukia said, knowing it was a clear reference to the first night they spent together that only they understood. — We have to, no matter how much blood we have to spill.
Ichigo smirked at her answer. Those words could be seen as a form of self-sacrifice for the good of the kingdom, but only they understood the true meaning of those words; only they understood that secret promise made with witnesses and in front of the highest representative of the Deities on earth.
— No matter how much blood we have to spill, my love. — Ichigo repeated with a smile.
Ichigo made a small cut in the palm of her hand, deep enough to cause a few drops of her blood to flow into the inkwell, where there was powdered red ink, and it could be moistened to prepare the ink. He took one of the tissues on the table and carefully cleaned Rukia's wound, at the end he applied a little pressure to stop the bleeding from the wound. Rukia took the dagger from Ichigo's hand and did the same; Ichigo's blood flowed to the inkwell where several drops fell, mixing with the blood and ink inside the inkwell. Rukia cleaned Ichigo's wound and put some pressure on it to stop the bleeding.
The High Priest prepared the ink and when it was ready, Rukia took a pen and signed the Nuptial Contract with ink made with her blood mixed with Ichigo's; Ichigo took the other pen and did the same, he signed that act and the High Priest declared them married before the laws of men.
Ichigo walked over to Rukia and gave her a little kiss on the cheek. They both left the table to make way for the king, the Lord of Maranni and the witnesses who were to sign that contract; their signatures would be in plain ink.
At the end of signing that document, everyone went to a slightly larger room where there were servants waiting with glasses of wine to toast that event. Everyone congratulated them, and Rukia thanked the good wishes with a smile. Everything seemed like it would be fine, he and Rukia were talking and eating those snacks that had been served just for them, when Ichigo could hear his aunt Kirio make one of her "wise" comments.
Duty before love.
No matter the context in which his Aunt Kirio said that phrase, Ichigo was sure that he had every intention of making Rukia feel bad. The servants refilled the glasses of all the guests and Ichigo watched as his father caught everyone's attention by tapping his glass a couple of times.
— I have to take advantage of the fact that this celebration is family, so I will make a less formal toast. — Isshin turned to Ichigo and Rukia, who were sitting in a double chair made especially for them. — I hope this union will be fruitful, and bring joy, prosperity and peace to the kingdom; as it has been for over a hundred years.
The king's smile, which was cordial and lively, emphasized to Ichigo the warning the king had given him days before about the fate of the traitors, clearly referring to Rukia's father, who was still under suspicion of treason to the kingdom.
All the guests raised their glasses and toasted. Ichigo could see the nervous smile on Rukia's family, and the disdain in his aunt Kirio's gaze; what really made him smile was seeing the natural and genuine happiness on the faces of his little sisters, who were truly happy because he married Rukia, and were oblivious to all that web of conspiracies that was woven in the castle.
Ichigo kissed Rukia's hand, which was still between his, and saw her rise from the chair with elegance and a charming smile, he got up together with her and stood next to her; it was all a play on appearances in what must have been a happy family celebration. Everyone present stared at Rukia curiously and Rukia bowed to the king, who responded with a smile.
— I too would like to make a toast, if your majesties allow me. — Rukia said with a cheerful and innocent expression. The king nodded again, the queen just gave her a smile, and Rukia looked at Ichigo with a smile; Ichigo saw in her gaze the celebration prior to something that was going to be forceful.
Ichigo again kissed her hand and waited for Rukia to speak.
— They say duty before love, and that is true; you do not live, eat or survive with love. I came to this castle with a duty to fulfill, that of marrying the Second Prince of the Kingdom, but many things happened along the way, including the breaking of the engagement that we celebrate today. I'm aware that someone else may have been in my place at this time, perhaps the daughter of a kingdom Lord or the princess of a friendly kingdom; but it makes me happy to know that it didn't happen. It makes me happy to know that the love I profess for Prince Ichigo is fully reciprocated by the prince; I know the prince had options, I'm glad to hear that none of those options was good enough for him, and I'm the one with him right now. — Rukia raised the glass she was holding. — So I want to make a toast, because on this occasion, love was the reason that this duty was fulfilled.
Ichigo looked at everyone present while Rukia spoke, especially his aunt, because all the words were directed at her; he also noticed the puzzled expression on Rukia's father. His mother was smiling and the king had an expression that Ichigo couldn't quite make out, it was a mixture of surprise, anger and interest; Rukia was not like the other girls, and that was easy to see.
They all raised their glasses and toasted; Ichigo gave Rukia a kiss on her hand and pulled her closer to him with a smile on his face not caring that the others were watching.
— Not even I could have chosen better words, my love. — Ichigo whispered ignoring everyone in the room.
— If this party is going to be awkward, I want to contribute too. — Rukia whispered and Ichigo couldn't resist kissing her on the lips.
Summer x492 - Julio / Rukia, 16 years old.
— Why are you standing here, Tatsuki? — The Kahya's voice made Tatsuki stop thinking about what she had seen inside Kia's bedroom. She looked up from the tray of food she was holding and met the Kahya's kind and terrifying expression; no matter how sweet that woman's voice was, Tatsuki felt fear.
— I can't get into the room yet, Mrs. Retsu. — Tatsuki replied. She was nervous and it was something that she could not understand yet, everything was so strange and new for her, that adapting to this new way of life was a bit complicated.
— Have your hands been cut off or is the tray too heavy for you? — Tatsuki shook her head. — So why are you still standing here? You are going to enter the room, deliver breakfast to Lady Rukia and accompany her to the bathroom for her to prepare for her wedding. It is easy and simple.
— It's just that I can't really get into the room, Mrs. Retsu. Prince Ichigo is in there and… — Tatsuki paused when noticing the Kahya's expression, it was ridiculous that she was nervous. — Prince Ichigo is in bed with Lady Rukia.
The Kahya was silent for a moment and approached the door, Tatsuki was afraid that the woman would open it and interrupt them, but the Kahya only gave two forceful knocks on the door. Tatsuki was scared; she knew better than anyone that no man liked to be interrupted when they were with a woman, and Prince Ichigo, even though he was a prince, was still a man.
— When someone opens the door, you will enter, attend and ensure that Lady Rukia is in the bathroom within half an hour. — The Kahya ordered and continued on her way. Tatsuki stood in her place, waiting for someone to open the door to do what the Kahya had ordered.
Several minutes later she heard the door of the room open, she immediately hurried to enter, but Prince Ichigo was standing there, avoiding the passage. Tatsuki turned completely red when she saw him and immediately lowered her gaze apologizing for her mistake. The prince was dressed only in pants and a very soft and unkempt undershirt; his hair was disheveled and he looked upset, really upset.
— Your Highness, I brought Lady Rukia breakfast. — Tatsuki sounded nervous saying that sentence; the prince stepped aside to let her pass without saying a word.
Tatsuki didn't want to look up, so she went straight to the table and started preparing service for Rukia's breakfast. She was still completely flushed and just remembering the scene she had seen by mistake made her stupidly more nervous. She had done those things with hundreds of men, she had taught Rukia to do them, it was ridiculous to feel like that, but she was. It was definitely not the same to sleep with a soldier than a prince, and she had only seen the prince's back.
Tatsuki only relaxed when she heard the prince leave the room after saying goodbye to Kia; it was at that moment that she felt as if a great weight was lifted from her shoulders and she dared to look at Kia, who was standing next to the bed, with a mischievous look and a smile on her lips.
— I... am I sorry?
—
The rose bath was prepared in the queen's bathtub. To the hot water they added essence of roses, natural roses and something else that Rukia could not recognize; it was the best bath she had ever taken in her entire life.
Tatsuki was with her, she was helping her wash her hair and back. Tatsuki would tell her brothel stories, the ones that were funny and made her laugh, and she let the hot water soak the scent of roses on her skin. Rukia was in the water until the Kahya arrived warning that it was time to return to the room; Kahya looked upset and Tatsuki told Rukia that it was possibly because Prince Ichigo was with her in her room.
Rukia thought that was ridiculous, she and Ichigo were married, the damn Nuptial Contract had been signed and she had the scar on her hand to prove it. Rukia stayed in the bathtub for a few more moments before exiting there and going up to her room using the queen's private stairs in the company of Tatsuki, who was the one who was going to help her dress.
Upon reaching her room, Rukia found her mother sitting on the bed, with a huge wooden box in her hands; she was a little surprised to see her mother there, but she approached her with a slow step. Rukia wasn't upset with her mother, she was upset with her father and Yuki, but not with her mother; she couldn't be bothered with her mother, not when her mother seemed to be the only one who was truly happy for her and what she was doing.
The hug from her mother, on the day the contract was signed, was the only one that she felt truly sincere; it was something that made her happy, knowing that her mother supported and trusted her despite everything.
— I brought you a gift. — Her mother got up from the bed and approached her with that wooden box in her hands; Rukia noticed that the box was engraved with the Maranni tree and that it was quite old.
— A gift? — Rukia asked looking at the box. Her mother nodded and handed her that box for Rukia to open.
— It is a family heirloom, like the Blue Crown worn by Hisana. I cannot give that tiara to you, Hisana will be Maranni's Lady and she is the new owner.
— Rukia already knew that explanation, and was surprised to realize that she was not expecting any jeweler from her family for her wedding day.
Rukia realized that she had never longed for her wedding day, she had not dreamed of dresses or flowers, she did not dream of a party or anything related to her wedding. Rukia always knew that she was going to marry the Second Prince of the kingdom, and that it didn't matter if she wanted him or not, she would still end up married to him; that's why her wedding wasn't something she dreamed of, because she didn't want an arranged engagement.
Rukia had always dreamed of the freedom to choose who to spend the rest of her life with.
Even when planning her wedding to Ichigo was started, there were so many problems, so much conspiracy, so many things that could go wrong, so many omens of a bloody future, and so many worries, that Rukia didn't have time to dream of a fairytale wedding; but that was it. That wedding was a fairy tale; she was going to marry a prince and become a princess; the queen had planned that wedding for her, from her dress to what they would eat that day; the flowers, the guests, the tiara that would be put on her head when the mass was over.
Rukia had chosen everything, she had chosen Ichigo to marry him; why did she feel that her wedding was not a fairy tale?
Rukia placed the box on the table and didn't dare to open it, her hands were shaking but she didn't know why; her mother's hand touched her and squeezed it tightly before hugging her against her chest, as if she were a little girl.
— You're a bride, but you don't look like a bride, and it's my fault. It's my fault that your eyes are not shining with the illusion of putting on a dress or a family jewel; it's my fault there's no emotion right now, it's my fault you're not nervous because you're getting married in a couple of hours. — Her mother held her while she said that and Rukia felt a lump in her throat and burning in her eyes; but she did not hug her mother. — I should have taught you many things, I should have allowed you to come to the castle when you were a child, I should have allowed you to be happy and to dream of the life you would have; but above all, I should not have allowed your father to cultivate a desire for revenge so great that it affected you, my little girl. I just want your future to be as you really deserve, my girl, a beautiful, bright and happy future.
— Mommy… — Rukia whispered, like when she was a little girl, and she hugged her mother unable to hold back her tears.
Emotions grew inside her chest and overflowed with force, with the same force with which she hugged her mother. There were so many feelings together that she did not know how to distinguish them, there was happiness and sadness in equal parts, there was anger and resignation and hope, and some more feelings that could not be named because she could not identify them; there was also love and comfort for the words of her mother, and that warmth that she had not felt inside her chest since she arrived at the castle; it was a fraternal feeling so necessary that only family love could give.
Rukia cried all she needed to cry, and when she separated from her mother's embrace she felt a huge weight lift from her shoulders and from her heart; she felt such gratifying relief, despite having her cheeks wet with her tears, she made her smile when she saw her mother return her smile.
— Open the box. — Her mother whispered, and Rukia did so after wiping the tears that were left on her cheeks.
Her mother's words did her good, and she found herself nervous to know what would be inside the box; this time her hands were shaking but it was from excitement and curiosity to see what was in the box, and as soon as she opened it she was surprised to see the White Soul resting on a black velvet bed.
The Blue Crown that Hisana wore on her wedding day was beautiful and legendary; but the White Soul was something that was rarely used and was part of the truly ancient heirlooms of the family, along with the crown that Queen Masaki wore and that had previously belonged to the Queen of Maranni. Rukia had only seen the White Soul once, when she had entered the family vault with her mother, but she had not seen it again.
The White Soul was a necklace made of black gold, the strangest and most difficult metal to obtain; the necklace had small diamonds set as if they were stars and in the center, the reason why the necklace was named like that, a huge white diamond cut in the shape of a hexagonal. The collar was large, two inches wide, and when worn, it covered part of the wearer's clavicles. That necklace had a matching pair of earrings, and a bracelet, all made with that strange black gold and diamonds.
Rukia stroked the necklace with her fingers, without saying a word, and thanked her mother for giving her that; it was amazing and beautiful, and she was thrilled to know that this necklace matched her wedding dress, which was dark blue with silver thread and lace.
The bells that announced noon rang, and Rukia came out of the reverie caused by that necklace; she immediately made her way over to Tatsuki, who was waiting next to her dress, and Rukia noticed that she had a problem. The dress had lace sleeves, in addition to the top line from the bust to the neck, it was also made of lace; Rukia wasn't going to be able to wear that necklace.
— Nothing that a little needle and thread can't fix. — Tatsuki suggested seeing the trouble they were in. They still had time before the bells rang again to announce the start of the ceremony, so Rukia nodded and with Tatsuki's help, they removed all the lace from the sleeves and neck of her dress.
Her mother helped her sew some parts of the dress and Tatsuki helped her put on her underwear, stockings and shoes; Tatsuki also helped her comb her hair, gathering her hair so that her neck would be free to wear that necklace, and put on her earrings and bracelet.
Rukia looked at herself in the mirror when she was fully dressed; her mother carefully put the necklace on her, and Rukia saw in her reflection the princess from a fairy tale. It was at that moment that Rukia felt the nerves of a day like that; it was at that moment that her hands began to sweat when she realized how important that day was. Rukia realized that she was going to get married and it was something she was not aware of when the contract was signed, because the day of the signing Rukia had taken it as a requirement and not as an event. The day the contract was signed, it was the obligation and not the love, which settled on paper.
— Now if you look like a bride. — Her mother said, giving her a kiss on the cheek and taking her hands so that she would stop shaking.
— I'm going to marry. — Rukia whispered, as if she was discovering an undeniable truth.
Rukia had joked with Ichigo about Kon and Kia being married, they had faked a marriage in Maranni, and they had signed that certificate in the middle of a celebration that was a wedding but it didn't feel like that. In that moment, in that absolute moment, she really was dressed as a bride and she was going to marry Ichigo.
Faced with that undeniable truth, Rukia felt that she was going to faint.
Rukia looked at herself once more in the mirror and remembered what she had said to Yuki a year ago: "I'm not going to marry Prince Ichigo; the daughters of the Lord of Maranni marry the Second Prince; besides if I were a princess I would only have to look pretty and you know what I think of princes."
— Princes do not know how to clean their faces without help. — Rukia whispered, looking at herself in the mirror and starting to laugh like she hadn't laughed in years.
— Rukia, are you okay? — Her mother asked, worried to see her laugh like that, so abruptly.
— I'm fine, mother. — Rukia replied and looked at her mother, who looked worried. — It's just that I remembered something that is very funny now. Come on mother, it's almost time.
Rukia decided not to wear the veil she was supposed to wear to cover herself, it bothered her and she preferred to just put on the hair clip that kept her hairstyle in place. Tatsuki opened the door at the moment when the bells of the Deities temple sounded for the first time, calling for those present to start gathering in the temple, and Rukia sighed before starting to walk towards the exit.
The Kahya arrived a few moments later, when Rukia and her mother were about to start down the stairs, and she accompanied them to the front door telling Rukia what she had to do; Rukia just nodded to the Kahya's instructions and said goodbye to her mother when they reached the main gate of the castle.
There was her father, dressed formally as the Lord of Maranni, waiting for her. Rukia greeted him respectfully, he was her father and even though she still had a bit of resentment, she couldn't just ignore it and pretend something wasn't wrong.
— You look beautiful. — It was the first thing her father said when he saw her arrive. — I should have...
— We must walk to the temple, father. — Rukia whispered. She felt uncomfortable, the happiness that her mother had caused her, her father had destroyed it.
— You should understand me.
— I do, I understand you. — Rukia looked at her father as they walked down the path that led to the temple where the guests were waiting for her. — But this is not the day to talk. Today is my wedding, and you should understand it, father.
— I will die.
— I know. And because I know, you will make my mother go to Maranni, and from there they go to Jetaiya or wherever you want; you can't let her stay here. — Rukia looked at her father before they reached the temple. — You cannot allow her to see your death.
The temple bells rang for the third time, and her father said no more; Rukia didn't say more either; she only dedicated herself to walking the rest of the way until they entered the temple. Inside the temple were the guests, they were as numerous as at Kaien and Nelliel's wedding; there were the lords of the Thirteen Cities of the kingdom, Vayalat's guests, Ichigo's friends with his companions, the Queen's Court Ladies, the king and queen, and the princesses; among many people that Rukia did not know.
At the end of the hall Ichigo was waiting for her, dressed with all the elegance that the day deserved, with the blue sash of the Second Prince and a smile that was just for her and that made her legs shake with every step she took. Seeing him made her feel again all those nerves that she had felt in her room, and for a moment she wondered if she was dreaming or not.
Seeing him made her forget about the world and all the problems there were; because he was there, waiting for her.
— Take care of her, Your Highness. — Her father said.
— With my life, Lord Kuchiki. — Ichigo replied, before taking her hand.
Her father nodded at Ichigo's response, and walked away from them going to his seat next to his wife.
Rukia looked at Ichigo, and he smiled at her before kissing her hand; they both took their seats in the places set especially for them and the High Priest began the mass. Rukia knew that the mass would be long but she felt happy, the bad mood that the conversation with her father had caused her was completely dissipated when she felt Ichigo's hand in hers, intertwining his fingers with hers.
The High Priest was talking about the Deities, but Rukia stopped paying attention when Ichigo looked at her and whispered how beautiful she looked dressed like this; Rukia was lost in Ichigo's gaze that she was not aware when she had gotten up and Ichigo was holding the wedding ring with one hand before making the vows and promises of the ceremony.
— I, Ichigo, take you, Rukia, as my wife in front of Deities and men, from today until eternity. — Ichigo promised. He placed the wedding ring on her ring finger and kissed her hand.
Rukia was nervous, she was happy and her hands were shaking when she took the ring before making the vows and promises. Ichigo's smile didn't help her control herself.
— I, Rukia, take you, Ichigo, as my husband in front of Deities and men, from today until eternity. — Rukia promised. She placed the wedding ring on Ichigo's ring finger, and Ichigo kissed her hand again making her smile.
Rukia couldn't stop smiling and had no words to express all the happiness she was feeling at that moment; Ichigo's smile, the one that was as genuine as his feelings for her, made her feel like she was truly in a fairy tale.
The High Priest said a few more words that Rukia did not hear, but understood that the mass was ending when she felt Ichigo's gentle caress on her cheek.
— We are supposed to kiss. — Ichigo whispered with a smile before approaching her and giving her a soft kiss on the lips.
Rukia looked at him, with that expression that indicated that this kiss could not be called a "kiss", and Ichigo pointed to the guests and the king who was approaching them followed by a guard carrying a small cushion. Rukia mentally cursed the guests, she wanted to keep kissing Ichigo, but they had to follow protocol.
— Your Majesty. — Rukia bowed to the king, who was in front of them, and Ichigo did the same.
— Welcome to the family, Rukia. — Said the king with a smile.
Rukia appreciated the king's words, and the king took the tiara of pink and white stones that recognized her as the princess of the kingdom; Rukia tilted her head forward and the king spoke the ceremonial words before placing the tiara on her head. The guests celebrated, wishing her and Ichigo long life, and the king stepped aside to follow the wedding protocol.
Ichigo offered her his arm for her to hold on, and they started walking down the hall to leave the temple and head to the hall where the banquet would be. Rukia could see her mother, who had a smile on her face, and Orihime, who was standing a few places back, looking radiant and charming; she paid no attention to Yuki, nor to many people who were there, and they stopped caring when she and Ichigo left the temple.
— And as I recall, you told me you didn't want to be a princess. — Ichigo whispered with an amused smile as they walked towards the hall where the banquet would be.
— The Second Prince has charms that I couldn't resist. — Rukia replied with the same amused smile without taking her eyes off him.
Ichigo laughed and held her in his arms, like the princess she was, before giving her a kiss that again took all her breath away.
— End of Season —