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Yukimi noh Diaomoru
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Neal stumbled from the Chamber of Ordeal. His knight master, Lady Alanna, jumped forward to catch him.

Yuki felt herself rise a bit to get a better view above the crowd. Neal looked exhausted, but he was in one piece. He was her knight in shining armor.

As Neal and Lady Alanna started down the walkway to leave the Chapel of Ordeal, Yuki fumbled with her obi, untangling her shusuken.

When Neal got to her, he paused. Yuki held out the fan, catching his gaze. He took it, a spark lighting in his emerald eyes.

Lady Alanna pulled him off, mumbling about resting away from the crowds.

…..

Nearly six hours after Neal's Ordeal had ended, Yuki slipped into his room. His father, Duke Baird, was there. He was seated beside the bed, waiting for his son to awaken.

"Your Grace," Yuki whispered as the duke rose.

"You are quite a lily, Lady Yukimi. You must be special to have captured my boy's heart."

"He has had a hold on mine for awhile, Sir," Yuki replied.

"Well, I, for one, approve," Baird said. Yuki flipped her fan open to hide her smile. "I'll give you some time alone." Duke Baird left the room, closing the door behind him.

Instead of taking the duke's vacated chair, Yuki carefully climbed up onto the bed beside Neal. She nestled into his side, one hand grasping his, and the other gently stroking bits of fallen hair away from his eyes.

Yuki let her lips brush Neal's cheek. They left a mark from the color she had painted on earlier.

Neal stirred. When he saw Yuki, he smiled slowly.

"What a pleasant way to wake up," he said, pulling her close. Yuki's eyes suddenly brimmed with tears. She felt ashamed, but she didn't hide her crying.

"What's wrong?" Neal asked with the air of a man who had just stepped on a cat's tail.

"You could have died," she whispered. "I've seen the emperor in the Islands execute people at the drop of a hat, but imagining them carrying your body out of that Chamber was far worse; I couldn't bear it. I just feel so relieved to be able to hug you."

Neal kissed her until she was quiet.

"I love you, Yuki," he drawled. Yuki felt his hands wander down the back of her kimono. She put her arms around Neal's neck, returning his passionate kisses.

Some time later, Yuki felt as tired as Neal looked. She smiled over at him and he grinned back. He took her hand and raised it to his lips.

"I guess that this means we're betrothed, my dear," he whispered, adjusting his blanket so that it covered her bareness. Yuki blushed heavily.

"I love you too," she said at last.