♦⊱ Chapter 25 - Wedding ⊰♦

Kichiro pov:

"I love him so why would I hate marrying him?"

My eyes were narrow as I looked into the distance, the words Ruka had said echoed in my ears over and over again. Ruka loved me...she loved a man who everyone considered as nothing more than a monster, a demon in human form. Her smile, her warmth, and her acceptance felt great to me. I couldn't even think of doubting her in anything and the slightest thought of her not being with me for even a short time left me feeling thoroughly unsettled.

I looked to the people gathered in the throne room. This was the first time there was anyone in the throne room besides my ministers or lower officials who came in to report what was going on in the provinces I had them govern. Those gathered here were smiling and talking to each other while sharing sake. The loud chatter was annoying for I was so used to being alone and in silence, but the thought of showing all these people that Ruka belonged to me and me alone sent immense pride pumping through me.

With a deep inhale, I averted my eyes to the floor, my train of thought changing. So much had changed over the past half year – the only thing that I didn't have as a human and an emperor was now in my hands. Love. I had always had power, strength, luxury, control and now, I had love too. I had the one thing I had been denied since I was a child and there was no one, not one person in all the lands who could take them away from me. It would only be more obvious when the remaining two provinces were won over and I became the Supreme Ruler of Nihon.

My train of thought was interrupted when the chattering in the throne room came to a stop. A priest stepped towards the podium I was seated on and gave me a deep bow with his eyes closed. He straightened up slightly and said, "Your Majesty, please stand so we can commence the holy matrimony of you and Lady Ruka."

With a curt nod, I stood. It was mere moments later when an attendant announced, "Here enters the bride, Lady Ruka!"

Kijima stepped into the throne room whilst holding Ruka's hand in his. The sight of Ruka in the royal wedding kimono sent my mind reeling, my heart squeezing so much that I felt queasy. She looked radiant and everything around her faded into a blur, as if she was the only thing I could focus on. The chatter in the room too seemed to fade out and an overwhelming desire to hold Ruka in my arms rushed through me.

Just like I had seen on several occasions, especially when I held Ruka or we shared kisses, her face was a dark shade of red. She was smiling though, as she stared at the floor and walked on towards me. I was momentarily irked that she didn't look at me but I was snapped back to reality when I felt pain from my nails that dug into the skin of my palms. I inhaled deeply, clenching my jaw to regain composure.

When Kijima and Ruka were barely a step from me, Kijima bowed and held Ruka's hand out for me to take. I did that, yet again noticing how dainty her hand was and gentle her touch was, feeling a bolt of lightning run down my spine at the contact. I couldn't take my eyes off Ruka as she climbed the three steps to stand next to me, the color of her face becoming darker.

Ruka pov:

I was yet to actually believe that I was getting married to Kichiro sama today, right now. It had all happened so fast but I was excited. I was also so flustered that I couldn't look at Kichiro sama. My cheeks were flaming, all the more because I could feel his intense gaze that had been on me since the very moment I had stepped into the throne room.

I glanced at our hands briefly. His grip was firm but not tight enough to hurt me even in the slightest. My hand fit in his perfectly and the warmth I felt from this simple contact was immense. We had held hands many times but today felt even more special and I couldn't only picture – despite it being very embarrassing – how I would always be wrapped up safely in his arms from now on.

"On this blessed day," began the priest and I lowered my gaze to the floor again, "we have all gathered to witness the union of our Heavenly Sovereign and Lady Ruka. This occasion will forever entwine their destinies and will bring peace and prosperity to all the lands of Nihon!"

I could feel each quick and powerful beat of my heart that threatened to burst out of my chest. I spared a quick glance at Kichiro sama's face as he stood tall and confident, his gaze sharp and focused ahead. He looked very handsome and I got extremely flustered again, my blush darkening to probably the darkest shade possible as I averted my eyes.

"May the Great Heavens bless this couple with health and happiness! All rise to celebrate and toast to the new life of His Majesty, Lord Kurai and Lady Ruka!"

I nearly flinched, the joy and excitement of this occasion coming to a screeching halt when Kichiro sama's grip on my hand tightened. I glanced up at him again only to notice that his eyes were narrow, his jaw tightly clenched in visible anger. In the time I had spent here, I had understood that he hated the title he had and having to hear it now would obviously make his mood bitter. I let escape a barely audible sigh – no matter how or why he had earned the title, I wanted to ensure that he didn't have to feel bothered by hearing it on this special day.

If people knew the truth about his past, I'm sure they wouldn't blindly continue using that title. He needed support and encouragement. Even if no one was willing to be open-minded and give him what he deserved, I would most definitely always support him. I wanted to show him that I would always support him no matter what and he had no reason to be bothered by unnecessary thoughts.

I gave his hand a gently squeeze. He met my eyes at that and I gave him a small smile. He seemed to calm down at that and eased his tight hold on my hand. My chest constricted as I felt momentarily pained by seeing him have to go through so much unfairness but I smiled a little wider just to make sure that he was reassured that everything was alright.

"Your Majesty, you may kiss Lady Ruka to seal your union as husband and wife," the priest added, making my fluster rise again.

Kichiro sama turned to face me and I, him, and I felt like a pressure cooker ready to blow out steam. My heart skipped a beat when he held the side of my face so tenderly to tilt my head up. It was less than a second before I was lost in his scarlet orbs. They were so deep and held so much gentleness towards me. The loneliness I had often seen in them was no longer visible – I felt proud that I was able to heal him.

My eyes stung in joy and a lone tear made its way down my cheek. Kichiro sama narrowed his eyes at that but I smiled and closed my eyes, waiting to feel his lips on mine. My wish was granted soon enough and I placed my hands on his chest as we shared a slow, sweet kiss. The beating of my heart got faster when I noticed that Kichiro sama's heart too was racing. I opened my eyes partially to see Kichiro sama's face, his eyes closed as his lips moved slowly against mine.

[A/n: isn't the picture just dreamy?? *w*]

He tensed though and we parted from the kiss when cheers and laughter rose from our audience. I was mildly out of breath and light-headed but managed to turn to face the audience along with Kichiro sama. I smiled bashfully at the people who raised their cups of sake in a toast before they all settled to chatting amongst themselves.

I wanted to be alone with Kichiro sama so I tugged at his arm. He met my gaze and I smiled through a blush, "Can we step outside, Kichiro sama? It's kind of noisy in here, isn't it?"

He nodded and we stepped out of the throne room. We walked hand in hand to the strolling garden, content with each other's presence. When we were in my favorite pathway in the garden, we paused walking and I stood on my toes to touch the drooping flowers without letting go of Kichiro sama's hand.

I met his absorbing gaze when he tugged at my hand. I watched him curiously for a moment before he stepped closer to me to embrace me. My eyes went wide momentarily and a dark blush rose to my cheeks but I closed my eyes with a smile to hold him around his torso. His embrace always felt so strong and protective and the very faint cologne-like scent of his was addicting. I smiled more as his hair that swayed in the breeze tickled my hand, neck, and cheeks.

I looked into his eyes when he pulled out of the embrace. He seemed mildly hesitant – I smiled at that, remembering that I wanted to constantly reassure him that everything would be alright. I reached up and cupped his face with my hands, caressing his cheeks with my thumbs. He said nothing as I continued to adore him. After a moment though, I glanced at his lips with a light blush, wanting to kiss him. I met his eyes for a brief second before closing my eyes and raising myself onto my toes so I could kiss him.

He responded immediately and we tilted our head to deepen the kiss. The passion I felt made me dizzy. Involuntarily, I lifted my arms to wrap them around Kichiro sama's neck and shoulders. I couldn't stop from grasping his hair at the roots. He tensed momentarily but tightened his hold on me, wrapping his arms around me tighter so there was absolutely not even the slightest gap between our bodies.

When we parted, I was out of breath and flushed. I gave Kichiro sama a lopsided smile, "I love you, Kichiro sama."

The color of Kichiro sama's eyes seemed to get darker. My smile widened and I lowered myself to settle into his embrace again, my eyes closed in absolute bliss.

Tomoki pov:

"Hurry up! We have to get there before the wedding!" I hissed, glancing at my men as we snuck into the palace.

I was not only angry that, that b****** Lord Kurai was still alive but also that Ruka had betrayed me. She had chosen the enemy over me and was even marrying him! She was marrying that demon who deserved to die for everything he had done!

Narrowing my eyes, I ushered my men to stop behind a line of bushes. We unsheathed our weapons before rising slightly to check if there were any soldiers we needed to take care of before we advanced towards the palace. However, I tensed, intense rage bubbling within me when I spotted none other than Ruka and Lord Kurai standing a little away from where we were. The fact that they were kissing made me even more enraged.

When they parted from the kiss, Ruka smiled at him so warmly with a blush dusting her cheeks. "I love you, Kichiro sama," she said before falling into an embrace with him.

Their clothes were a dead giveaway that the wedding ceremony was finished. I tightened my hold on the hilt of my katana but didn't give in to impulsiveness. I couldn't attack them without knowing how many soldiers were in the vicinity to guard them. Besides, I knew that if I attacked that b****** right now, Ruka could get hurt in that middle of the chaos. I was angry at her for betraying me but I still didn't want her to get hurt. I would, in fact, make her mine once I had done away with that b****** and show her that she was mine.

With a nod of my head, I signaled my men to spread out and do some scouting before we attacked. I looked back at Ruka and Lord Kurai. Ruka stepped away from him and slowly stepped towards the bushed we were hiding behind. She touched a rose gently with her fingers, a distant look coming to her eyes.

"Kichiro sama?" she spoke softly. I narrowed my eyes at the way she addressed him – he was known as Lord Kurai so why was she calling him by a different name?

"If I told you something that sounded crazy and fantasy-like," she continued, "would you believe me?"

Lord Kurai said nothing but merely watched her. She smiled, as if expecting the lack of response. She looked so beautiful suddenly – the elegant dress she wore, the light makeup, the aura of innocence she had tempted me to jump out of the bushes and take here right now. I clenched my fists tightly to compose myself.

"Kichiro sama, would you believe me if I said that I'm from a time 400 years in the future? I lived with my mother, father, my younger brother Kojiro, and my pet dog Sparks. My family was very rich because of my father's business – he travelled often so I got to see him only once a month. I was in my first year of high school and I enjoyed studying and hanging out with my friends. I loved playing basketball and tennis. I wanted to study medicine and become a doctor who could treat people who were suffering..." said Ruka.

I frowned at her words. She was from a world 400 years in the future? What kind of crap was she spouting?

She was silent for a while before she laughed. She retracted her hand from the rose and turned to walk back to Lord Kurai, "I guess it's quite unbelievable, isn't it? Forget what I said – I'm probably just speaking nonsense because I'm so happy today."

"Attack!" I yelled, unable to bear seeing Ruka so happy with that demon anymore. My men and I jumped out of the bushes to surround Lord Kurai and Ruka.

Ruka shrieked in startle but was immediately held to Lord Kurai, his arm around her waist. She held him back and met my eyes with obvious fear in them.

"Ruka, come here," I hissed sharply.

"No," she answered immediately. I glared, angered by her flat rejection.

"Don't you remember that we were to be married?! You said you would marry me! How could you betray me after you agreed to marry me?!"

"I never had a say in the matter, did I?" she responded, sounding angry. "My answer then was no and still is! I love Kichiro sama and I've married him. He's my husband and he's the only one I ever thought of this way."

"Insolent fools! You dare infiltrate my palace!" Lord Kurai bellowed like the beast he was, narrowing his eyes.

I returned his glare with one of my own then gave one to Ruka. She was a traitor – I had given her one chance to set things right but she had chosen the enemy. I had no choice but to attack her as well. She brought this on herself and I would make sure she regretted that she ever disobeyed me!

Ruka pov:

I glared at Tomoki – he wasn't the Tomoki I had been so fond of before. He had changed so much, having become someone I didn't know, and now he stood in front of us, threatening us on our wedding day.

I was apprehensive but reassured by Kichiro sama. I had my arms wrapped tightly around him and he held me to himself with an arm around my waist. I was also reassured by the fact that we were in the palace, with enough soldiers to aid us in this unexpected encounter.

"Someone help!" I yelled at the top of my lungs as Tomoki and his men lunged at us.

Kichiro sama was unarmed but managed to dodge the attacks and land a few hits even with me clinging to him. A few maneuvers later, five men lay dead but we were still surrounded by many attackers. Kichiro sama was breathing heavily – the nervousness in me had risen for I was worried that we wouldn't be able to hold out for much longer. A wave of relief washed over me though, when Kijima san appeared with at least two dozen soldiers following him, ready to apprehend the infiltrators.

Just as Kijima san reached us, he threw a katana to Kichiro sama who caught it with ease. The fight then got serious, the Strolling Garden turning into battlefield. It was moments into the battle that it began to drizzle. It soon progressed to a thunderstorm, much to my misfortune. As thunder and lightning echoed through the sky, my fear of thunderstorms kicked in and I began to tremble in Kichiro sama's arms. I shrieked and covered my ears while shutting my eyes tightly when another loud thunder roared around us. The strength in my legs left and I collapsed to the ground shuddering.

Kichiro sama sunk to the ground with me, continuing to hold me protectively. I held him back just as fiercely, burying my face in his shoulder. He fought as best as he could in the position I had forced us into and the storm got worse by the minute. I desperately wished for the storm to pass quickly and for Tomoki and his men to go away but I screamed in terror when a bolt of lightning hit the ground right beside us.

I was thrown back roughly. I saw stars before my eyes rolled back and I fell unconscious.

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

.-.

Of course, things aren't meant to go smoothly...Tomoki and his men have infiltrated the palace and there's that darn lightning bolt again! On the day Ruka and Kichiro sama got married no less! Ugh!!!

Welp. I've left you all at a major cliffhanger XD Excited for quick updates? You know what to do!

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