♦⊱ Chapter 24 - Surprise ⊰♦

Ruka pov:

>>Dream

Having got ready after a sumptuous meal, I walked to Kichiro sama's study with a skip in my step. He had said he would be taking me to the market today and I was excited. I planned to enjoy my date with Kichiro sama and eat some delicious snacks and perhaps even visit the local games store.

When I reached his study, I knocked. I heard no response from the other side though so I knocked again assuming that he hadn't heard me knock. I still didn't get a response which made me wonder if he wasn't in his study. Shrugging, I pushed the doors of his study open and peered inside.

"Hello? Kichiro sama?" I called then frowned when I saw him sitting on his knees on the floor.

I walked to him and placed a hand on his shoulder while calling his name again, however, shrieked in horror the moment he lifted his face a little to look at me. Blood trickled from the side of his lips and he was as pale as a ghost. Panicking, I fell to my knees next to him while holding his shoulders. He coughed violently, spewing blood across the floor in front of him and it sent me to near-hysteria.

"No, Kichiro sama!" I hollered when he fell against me limply, his eyes closed, his breathing weak, and more blood trickling down his chin.

"Someone! Please help! Someone help me!" I cried out loudly, desperately hoping for someone to help Kichiro sama but all I heard in return was deep laughter.

Turning my head to the sources of laughter, I saw Kichiro sama's ministers watching me with mad grins, four of whose faces were recognizable. Chuckling more, they said in unison, "You killed him! You killed Lord Kurai! You poisoned him!"

My eyes went wide and my heart raced. "No, I didn't do it! It wasn't me!" I hollered, looking back at Kichiro sama in my arms who was no longer breathing. My breathing quickened and I shook him, desperately hoping that he would wake from my voice, "No, Kichiro sama! No, no, please!"

"He's dead! He's dead and you killed him! You killed Lord Kurai! And now, you will die too!"

>>End Dream

I sat up with a start, my breathing quick and my heart racing a mile a minute. Tears fell from my eyes with no control and I blinked rapidly while looking around only to realize that I was in our room, in our bed, Kichiro sama alive and well as he slept next to me.

Energy seemed to drain out of me and I slumped, closing my eyes. I had just had a nightmare...thank goodness what I had seen was all just a bad dream.

I opened my eyes to gaze at Kichiro sama – he looked so handsome in the moonlight, his features calm, his breathing deep. He was absolutely unaware of what his ministers were plotting. Though I was sure he could protect himself, I didn't want to give even the slightest advantage to those ministers to catch him off guard. I wanted to stop them before they could begin any part of their plan.

Unfortunately, I hadn't been able to speak with Kijima san last afternoon or evening – he had left the palace for an errand and was to return only by tomorrow morning. I had to meet him as soon as possible and tell him about this. Even a second late could result in something like what I had dreamed about.

With a soft sigh, I shifted slightly to face Kichiro sama. I outstretched and hand and gently touched his cheek with the back of my fingers.

Kichiro sama pov:

I twitched at the soft caress I felt on my cheek, waking from it. If it were any other time, I would have not hesitated to reach for the dagger under my pillow and do away with whoever was touching me but I knew that it was none other than Ruka who was doing so. I was mildly irked that my sleep had been interrupted but gave and inaudible sigh before opening my eyes to look at her.

She tensed momentarily and retracted her hand, "I-I'm sorry, I didn't mean to wake you."

I narrowed my eyes noticing that she didn't look...normal. She was pale, her eyes slightly red and puffy as if she had been crying, and...she was afraid. The fear I could see angered me. Had she come to fear me again? Was she going to revert to how she had been before?

"What happened?" I demanded and she averted her eyes, blinking away the tears that welled in them.

"I...I just had a bad dream," she answered, her voice soft. "It's nothing to really worry about."

She woke up because of a bad dream? I wanted to scoff at how childish that seemed, however, I couldn't because of how perturbed she seemed by it. She had wrapped her arms around herself and noticeably trembled.

"Sleep," I said after a moment.

She met my gaze, staring silently for a moment before she laid down on her side, her head on my arm. I closed my eyes and settled to sleep as well, not in the mood to talk anymore. I had to get up early for some nonsensical meeting in the morning tomorrow with the lords and elders of the neighboring provinces. I'm sure that they wanted to request an increase in their budget so they could profit personally rather than help the people of the province like they said they would.

I opened my eyes slightly when I felt Ruka shift to sleep closer to me. She gripped the front of my night robes in her fists and pushing her face into the crook of my neck and shoulder, shuddered once. She let escape a soft whimper and I tensed, feeling a shiver run down my spine at her proximity. This was very different from the times I held her to myself while we slept and I couldn't stop from tightening my arm that was around her waist to press our bodies together, as close as possible.

My chest constricted at the overwhelming feeling and I shut my eyes again while clenching my jaw. It wasn't long before her breathing eased, her body relaxing as she fell asleep. I sighed and waited impatiently for sleep to come to me.

>>Timeskip

I regarded the lords and elders sitting in front of me with a scrutinizing stare. I put one leg over the other without raising too many wrinkles in my formal attire and leaned back on my throne. I narrowed my eyes in mild distaste for being summoned by these people when I had more important matters to be taking care of.

"What is the reason for this meeting?" I questioned sharply.

Several flinched at that but one of the elders stood up to speak, "Your Majesty, we came here to pass on words of praise from the commoners from the provinces we govern under your guidance. The people have noticed your increasing kindness and generosity towards them, and the lax in the punishments you have always given for their misconduct."

Increased kindness and generosity? Lax in punishments? The only reason for those foolish assumptions was because I wasn't concentrating on such matters as intently as before – I was distracted, furious that despite all the efforts I was putting in, I was unable to find that b****** who had kidnapped Ruka and was leading an entire organization against me. They were hiding well, annoying me with their evasiveness, and I had been giving more attention to finding them than take care of the annoyances within the provinces under my rule.

Another reason was that I was constantly irked by the fear and hesitation Ruka had to step out of the palace compound. She wasn't afraid of me anymore, instead had told me that she loved me many times, responded to my kisses, embraced me on her own accord, and never did anything that displeased me. However, her fear of being taken away by those Red Eagle fools made me angry. At the same time, I couldn't stop from being so...possessive and protective of Ruka, desiring to not let her out of my sight for even a moment. During the time I was busy with work, I made sure one of my elite assassins guarded her from the shadows, ready to do away with anyone who seemed the slightest threat to her or even bothered her enough to make her uncomfortable.

I couldn't understand why the mere thought of her being frightened by someone, crying because of someone made me so enraged, but it just did. I would not spare anyone who harmed her in any way, physically or mentally.

But perhaps I had changed from who I had always been and I had been rather lax in punishments for the annoying hindrances the people had been causing off late. They were fixed soon enough but were annoying nonetheless, and ones that I would have dealt with severely before.

On the day Ruka was kidnapped, she had helped a young child reunite with his mother, saying to the mother that it was my generosity that aided in reuniting them. The woman had praised me for that, asked the heavens to bless me with health and prosperity – it was the first time anyone had said anything positive to me and it was overwhelmingly pleasing to hear.

I wanted more people to praise me, to see me positively. And perhaps I was getting it now.

"Your Majesty, we also bring you news of a rebel organization that has been disrupting the smooth governance of the provinces. I heard that they are the reason you are unable to conquer the remaining two provinces under the opposing rule," spoke one of the lords, bowing low with his hands hidden in his kimono sleeves. It broke my thoughts and had made my mood bitter again.

"Silence, you fool!" I spat, making him flinch and take a step back. "Do not think that I am unaware of those miscreants!"

"F-forgive me, Your Majesty," he stuttered, bowing lower.

"Your Majesty, we wish to provide our best men to help bring down the Red Eagle Organization, men that have been training to become fine fighters in the provinces we are looking over."

I glared hard at the lord who spoke as if my men were not good enough to deal with the matter. They thought they could offer to send in their men, their spies in an attempt to overthrow me. Fools.

"Are you implying that my soldiers are inefficient, that I need more people to aid me in dealing with a bunch of rodents who are too afraid to show their faces to me?" I challenged, narrowing my eyes at him dangerously.

He trembled and fell to his knees, bowing so his forehead touched the floor. "N-no, Your Majesty!" he whimpered. "Please, have mercy! I merely said that we wish to help you!"

"If this is all you have to say to me, you are all dismissed." I stood and strode to the doors of the throne room to leave, however, was stopped by one of the elders speaking.

"Your Majesty, there is one more thing we need to speak to you about, something that is threatening your position as the emperor."

"Threatening my position as emperor?" I hissed, turning to face him. I then strode to him swiftly to grasp his throat hard enough to make him choke, "I dare you say that again, b******!"

"Please, Your Majesty, you must calm down," said Kijima, hurrying to my side to make me let go of the elder before I killed him.

He fell to the floor coughing and remained on his knees while he spoke though occasional coughs, "B-By the rules set down by the past generations, Y-Your Majesty, y-you must have a wife before you turn twenty one. It is to secure your position as the emperor...and put the mind of your people at ease."

I narrowed my eyes slightly – I was to have a wife before I turned twenty one? I would be twenty one on the next new moon, barely three days for today.

"Very well, make arrangements for the royal wedding this evening, Kijima. I will marry Ruka."

"As you wish, Your Majesty," he responded with a bow.

I then walked out of the throne room, thinking of Ruka. I had brought her here to serve me, first as a mere slave with no right to refuse anything that I wished to get from her. With how things had changed though, the possessiveness I had over her and the wholehearted feelings of affection she seemed to have for me, I wanted to be mine and mine alone. She would be mine and had no right to refuse – we would be married tonight.

Ruka pov:

I paced restlessly outside Kijima san's office. While I was close to losing my mind in worry of Kichiro sama, Kijima san was nowhere to be seen. I know he was a busy person with many responsibilities to take care of but I had to see him as soon as possible! I needed to tell him what the ministers were planning so necessary precautions could be taken before it was too late!

Where in the world was Kijima san?!

"Of all the times to not be in your office, Kijima san," I muttered, leaning my forehead against the wall.

"Ruka sama?" I heard his voice almost immediately. I pushed away from the wall to look at him, a wave of relief washing over me.

"Finally! I was looking all over for you, Kijima san!"

"Is there something you wished to speak to me about, Ruka sama?" he asked calmly, walking to me.

I surprised him by taking a hold of his hand and yanking him into his office behind me. I looked on either side of the hallway to make sure there was no one suspicious watching us and then slammed the door shut. I turned and met Kijima san's narrow eyes that were filled with suspicion. He also looked guarded.

"What are you doing?" he asked a little sharply.

"Kijima san, I really need you help for something important. I overheard something recently and I've been going crazy keeping it to myself!" I hollered in a whisper.

"Ah, I see you have already heard about His Majesty making preparations for your wedding with him this evening."

"Exactly, I heard-" I paused, my mind slowly processing what Kijima san had just said. My eyes then went as wide as dinner plates, "W-wedding?! We're getting married this evening?! What in the-when did that get decided?!"

I'm sure the blush on my cheeks was dark and my face was hot enough to fry an egg on it. Kijima san narrowed his eyes at my reaction as he spoke, "You are not aware of it?"

"No, this is the first time I'm hearing about it. And w-why is it happening so suddenly?"

"It is customary for the emperor to have a wife before he turns twenty one, failing which he cannot remain as the emperor. His Majesty turns twenty one in three days, on the new moon, hence the decision was taken only a little while ago," Kijima san answered. "That being the case, you should begin making preparations, Ruka sama."

My jaw was slack in surprise. Yes, I did love him and wished to be with him but marriage? On such short notice, no less? I just a little over sixteen years old! I was too young to marry...or maybe not. I remembered that Tomoki had said that sixteen was the right age for girls to be married in this time period and I was pretty sure I had read about the age bar in history books.

The news had me flustered, excited, and nervous all at once. Getting married wouldn't really change how thigs were between us, I suppose, but carrying the title of wife and empress was overbearing to even think of. What if I wasn't good enough? What if I was useless for anything besides caring for Kichiro sama?

"If that is all, I will be taking leave, Ruka sama," Kijima san said, breaking me from my thoughts.

I shook my head, pushing the thoughts of the wedding out of the way for now. I had more important things to be discussing with Kijima san now!

Just as he reached the door of his office, I spoke, "Wait, Kijima san! I didn't come here to talk to you about the wedding! There's something more important I need to tell you!"

He frowned at the worried expression I had on my face. He turned to face me fully and said, "What is it you need to tell me, Ruka sama? You seem rather worried..."

"It's about what I happened to overhear yesterday. I know that I cannot trust anyone with this besides you, Kijima san, for it is regarding Kichiro sama."

"His Majesty? What about him?" Kijima san pressed.

"When I walking to the kitchen yesterday, there were ministers who were talking in one of the usually empty rooms in the guest block of the palace. I noticed them speak of me so I took the liberty to eavesdrop, even though I'm well aware that my action was rude. But what I heard was just so shocking...they, the ministers are planning to kill Kichiro sama," I explained, my voice soft so no one outside this room could hear.

"What?!" came the shocked and furious response.

"Shh!" I said, bringing a finger to my lips. "We can't let anyone else hear about this, Kijima san."

He clenched his jaw and fists tightly before exhaling deeply to regain some composure. He stepped closer to me, his eyes boring into mine. "What you said just now," he said, "is it true?"

"Yes, Kijima san," I answered with a nod. "I overheard their words clearly. Even worse, they plan to kill him by poisoning the food I make because they know that Kichiro sama trusts me. Kijima san, please, you have to do something so Kichiro sama doesn't get hurt! I love him and I don't want anything to happen to him! Please, you're the only one who can do something about this!"

I took a hold of his sleeve instinctively, to beg him for his help. He seemed mildly uncomfortable and made me let go of him. He said after a sigh, "Please, Ruka sama, you mustn't beg me this way. You will become His Majesty's wife today, which will make you the empress of this nation. You only have to give me orders and I will fulfill them. I will arrange for elite soldiers to keep watch on you and Kichiro sama secretly to ensure that the two of you remain safe."

"These elite men can be trusted, right? They won't betray Kichiro sama and hurt, would they?"

"You have no reason to be apprehensive, Ruka sama. They are assassins directly under my command trained to have no unnecessary emotions or personal attachments. They follow orders without the slightest breach in loyalty and will protect you and Kichiro sama with their lives," he reassured. "But for those b******* to actually think of using poison...ungrateful vermin."

I exhaled deeply with a hand over my chest, glad that some action was being taken to keep us safe. I'm sure everything would be alright now – Kijima san would ensure that we'd be safe. I believed in him.

"Ruka sama, now that this matter is taken care of, you must get ready for the wedding ceremony."

My cheeks flamed and I managed an awkward laugh while shifting on my feet. "A-ah, I guess I should, huh?" I stuttered in fluster. "I guess I'll go then. Um, thank you and, uh, e-excuse me."

I hurried to our room, my mind and heart racing at the mere thought of getting married. However, my fluster only broke through the roof when I saw Kichiro sama the minute I entered our room. Unlike usual, he was wearing white wedding robes, every inch of it screaming royalty, and he looked incredibly handsome. I averted my eyes from him shyly, ignoring the attendants who were helping him get dressed. A few moments later, the attendants left the room and Kichiro sama walked to me, stopping barely a foot away.

"Ruka," he said and I met his eyes through my lashes, "get ready – our wedding will commence as soon as you are ready."

I noticed that half his hair was tied up and a crown made of gold and precious gems was secured over his top-knot. He looked much more majestic than usual and I was suddenly aware that I wasn't just marrying anyone but an incredibly handsome and powerful emperor. I couldn't believe that I was so lucky to be with a man who was so amazing and trusted me so much.

I blinked out of my daze when he walked past me and out of the room without another word. Kyo chan then entered with two attendants to help me get ready. Much to my surprise and confusion, she met my eyes with a sad smile and said, "I'm so sorry, My Lady."

Kichiro pov:

"I'm so sorry, My Lady," I heard Ruka's personal maid speak just as I left the room. Frowning, I gazed through the slightly ajar door to see Ruka looking at her in mild confusion.

"Why are you apologizing, Kyo chan?" she asked, her voice as soft and soothing as always.

"I'm sorry I couldn't protect you from His Majesty. You must hate that you have to marry him, to marry a man so cold-hearted and cruel and frightening." Her words angered me but also sent an unexpected sharp pain through my chest. I clenched my fists, feeling like I had fooled myself into thinking that I was anything more than a monster to everyone I was surrounded by, including Ruka.

However, Ruka laughed as if the maid's words were amusing. It made me curious and took a step closer to the door to hear her answer, "What makes you think that, Kyo chan? I'm overjoyed that I'm marrying Kichiro sama. I'm nervous but truly happy and excited. I love him so why would I hate marrying him?"

I clenched my fists as her words yet again had my heart pounding hard against my ribs, so hard that it made me queasy. But I was also relieved and...glad.

"You...you love him?" the maid asked in surprise.

"I do, Kyo chan, very much. And being him always makes me so happy," she answered, averting her eyes to the floor with a dark red dusting her cheeks.

"Oh, I didn't know that at all, My Lady! But your reaction – you really do love him! That's adorable!" the maid responded, a smile audible in her voice.

"Kyo chan, don't tease!" Ruka whined with a smile through her flustered expression. A sense of pride rose within me for being the reason for her fluster.

"It's no wonder His Majesty has softened up a bit. So, tell me, My Lady, have you two kissed yet?" the maid pressed, eliciting a darker color onto Ruka'a cheeks. "Oh, I think I got my answer from that blush of yours. This definitely calls for a celebration! We have to get you ready so you're the most beautiful girl in the world on your wedding day!"

I watched them for a moment before leaving, no particular thoughts in mind. I headed to the throne room to check on preparations and glance over those who had been invited to attend the wedding. There weren't many who would attend for they were informed of it in such short notice but would be more than enough to serve as witnesses and pass on the information to all corners of all the provinces. I'm sure Kijima had taken care of everything properly though I was annoyed that people I disliked were also entering solely because it was customary.

I acknowledged the bows of those gather with curt nods, scoffing under my breath as they trembled in my presence. I took a seat on my throne and gazed to the side, annoyed by the foolish old men insisting on their foolish, old traditions.

Exhaling in mild annoyance, I settled to wait for Ruka while tuning out the unnecessary chatter of the guests in the throne room.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

*does happy dance* Kichiro sama and Ruka are getting married! Kichiro sama and Ruka are getting married! They're finally getting married!!!!! Isn't that just so cute! And I'm sure you're all happy for them :3 Keep your fingers crossed so everything goes smoothly!

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