DIslcaimer: I don't own Prince of Tennis or any of its characters.
Mayuri slowly made his way up the primary staircase, that led to each of the upper floors. He thought carefully about the situation, and what he would say to her. It was obvious how this was going to end, but it wasn't obvious to his daughter.
Her heart was broken.
When he reached her door, he knocked twice and received silence. "Sakuno, I'm coming in."
He opened the door and found her on the bed, crying into her bed sheets. She looked so helpless, and frustratingly pathetic. If she was going to bear children, this behaviour couldn't be normalized as they would most likely be heirs to this empire. Sadly, she didn't have the mindset nor care for running his businesses. She was too soft.
Mayuri walked over to her bed, perched on the side then hesitantly patted her shoulder, calming her from her tears. She didn't pull away from him.
"Sakuno…please listen." After waiting for regulated breathing, he spoke.
"I kept to my agreement, it's time for you to honour yours. Now that you know why Echizen-san is unsuitable, it's time to prepare yourself. If you want anything special in the beforehand to happen, let me know. There isn't a budget for the wedding events."
"For the sake of the Ryuzaki, right? If I have children, they'll be named after him."
"...your firstborn son will be my heir, Sakuno. He agreed."
"I-I can't believe you two!"
He sighed. "When you're ready, you'll understand why this is important for our longevity, Sakuno. This is but one decision you'll find you need to make for a collective."
He didn't share that though the collective mattered, the husband mattered more. Mayuri refused many suitors because they weren't good matches, and she was his only child. Yes, he spoiled her, and he felt the consequences. She'd understand better once she was married, especially because she'd be away from her familiar comforts.
She'd learn soon.
"You'll have a good life, Sakuno. Hate me if you wish, but know that I'm always right." He was always right because he made informed decisions.
It took some time, but it seemed like she accepted her destiny with a nod. He decided to leave her be and let Sora manage her from this point. He had contracts to draft.
4 months later…
Sakuno looked at herself in the long mirror in the bridal room. Her reflection was unrecognizable - it showed someone who engaged in a charade. Wedding parties, traditional events, news releases, photoshoots...everything in-between. It was exhausting, and it was all for this moment.
Maybe she should've pushed for a more complex dress with the designer. It was a simple, strapless and sleeveless white dress with a sweetheart line. It a mermaid cut, with gemmed pleats. The only complexity at the top was white rose embedded with diamonds. There was a chapel train, a veil and tiara. Her mother gifted her a set of pearls from her maternal line, that at the right angle in the light, had a hint of blue.
They claimed the Christian wedding was for the international audience, and the earlier Shinto tradition was private. Technically, she was re-marrying her husband. It was odd. He was quiet throughout the ceremony, which worked for her. They didn't have an opportunity to talk, as her father refused to have them stay together before this wedding was completed.
She had time until the ceremony started, and asked if she could be left alone. After the wedding, she was leaving with her husband to-be to Oita. They wouldn't have their own home, they'd be staying with his step-mother and half-siblings. She was upset, but thought it might be for the best as she adjusted to her new life. She walked over to the amour, where a laced set of gloves sat. Sakuno tried them on and they were lovely, stopping just at her elbows.
In a way, the 4 months was just as slow as it was fast. It felt like yesterday that the disastrous day with Ryoma happened, the last time she ever saw him. It also felt like an eternity that she hadn't seen him. Perhaps it was better this way…saying a final good-bye would've been hard. She felt like she didn't have time to process her feelings from what happened, and she also didn't want to access those thoughts just yet.
She sighed and looked out the hotel sliding door. The parking lot was devoid of people, meaning the ceremony would start soon.
'They'll be coming to get me…'
Sakuno placed traced her fingers over the intricate designs of the amour, thinking of who she'd miss. Despite her father choosing this path for her, she found peace with him these past 4 months. If anything, he nearly played the role of maid of honor. She giggled at some of the memories - her favourite one was when they fell asleep on the couch after shopping for this ceremony's outfit. Her head was on her shoulders and his head leaning against hers. Sora took a picture and Sakuno made it her phone's wallpaper.
The sudden knock at the door startled her. She quickly regained her posture and asked who it was.
"It's me." Even with months of separation, Sakuno couldn't ever forget that voice. She scrambled to unlock and open the door and found Ryoma standing in the doorway.
He barged into the room and locked the door. She watched as his amber eyes turned from frustration to awe when he saw her.
"Sakuno…you look even more beautiful than you usually do." He walked up to her and caressed her cheek. Sakuno blushed and looked away from his eyes and to his chest.
"T-thank you…Ryoma-san." She blinked, he was wearing a black tuxedo and his trademark cap was gone. "Ryoma-san…"
He frowned, "What's with the 'san'?"
"I have a husband now…all our familiarities must stop. Our friendship ends here, Ryoma-san." She felt his grip on her cheek tighten.
"What do you mean husband? You haven't gotten married yet - whatever, it doesn't matter. Let's get out of here, we can elope." He rubbed her check with her thumb and she frowned.
"Like it's the easiest thing to do in the world - it's not. I've promised my father that I would marry who he wanted. That man is already my husband, and this ceremony is for show. I cannot leave my responsibilities and frolic with you anymore, Ryoma-san." Sakuno loved the confidence she showed yet was surprised by it. A part of her still wanted to leave all of this behind and enjoy the freedom the man in front of her offered so willingly.
Ryoma's eyes narrowed and he pushed her against the nearest wall. He pinned her wrists above her head and slid his free hand around her back. He was too close for comfort.
"Sakuno, do you love me or some guy you haven't seen in what, 10 years?" Her heart beat so loudly and so rapidly, she was sure he could hear it…he was so close.
Surely her silence gave him the answer he was looking for.
"You belong to me…and only me. Run away with me and we'll be happy." His lips ghosted around her ear. She gasped, shivered and tried to pull away but failed. Those memories she tried to forget returned – those nights they spent together…
"R-Ryoma-kun! Please…stop it!" Ryoma opened his eyes and looked directly into hers.
"My husband is perfect." She knew the words would hurt him, but it was necessary. This was adultery and she couldn't be caught in scandals. "He's reputable, responsible, and...stable. I know he'll keep me happy. Father knew me best when he reminded me the life I lived, and what it takes to support a family. I want children and stability…and he offers the best environment. Now it's my choice, Ryoma-san…I will marry him."
His eyes narrowed and she became fearful.
There was another knock on the door. "Sakuno? Are you ready? It's time." Her eyes widened after hearing her father's voice and she looked from the door to Ryoma.
"Please leave!" She whispered and held back tears - she couldn't waste another day crying, especially this day.
When he tightened his hold on her and banged her against the wall, she barely stifled her scream.
"Sakuno! What's wrong?! Open the door!"
Ryoma released her wrists and quickly flipped her over his shoulder. Sakuno, who was not prepared, screamed and tried to keep her veil and tiara from falling. "Sakuno! Open this door now!"
"R-Ryoma! Put me down this instant!"
"No."
She heard a grunt from outside and assumed someone was about about to break the door down. As Ryoma opened the sliding door, the other door was forced open. Two men, whom she recognized as security guards, rushed towards them.
Ryoma tried to run with her but a guard caught him. The other pried Sakuno gently from him. "Hey! Let go!" As Ryoma struggled, Mayuri rushed in with another set of guards and they tackled him.
Sakuno started trembling. "Saku…it's ok now. Let's go."
But she didn't want to leave Ryoma - he was in pain and trying to push the others off him. Mayuri took her arm and dragged her away, picking up the mixed bouquet of iris' and orchids on the way out.
"Sakuno! You want a reputable, stable and rich man? I'll get those things! Just wait for me! Sakuno!" Before he could make another sound, one of the guards knocked him out.
She couldn't look back over her shoulders.
The ceremony was a blur and she just remembered to say,
"I do." Her mind refused to release the memories of the afternoon. 'Ryoma…I'm sorry.'
"I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may now kiss the bride."
Those words caught her attention. She felt exposed when her veil was thrown over her head.
Tezuka looked different today, somewhat more relieved yet tense. He leaned in towards her and her heartbeat accelerated. This was their first contact and in front of an international audience.
'For the cameras.' She thought, and raised her lips to his. His kiss was different, timid and soft. He had a hand on her waist and when they pulled apart, he smiled at her. The sun through the stained glass shined a beautiful mix of colours on him.
He turned to the audience first, and she followed his lead.
They had a glamourous photo finish.