Rurouni Kenshin Fan Fiction ❯ Checkmate: Royal Aquisition ❯ Royal Pain ( Chapter 15 )

Chapter 15: Royal Pain

 

Tokio was baffled.

She was currently standing beside the king in a small official looking room with several important ranking witnesses around them cramming in to watch them sign their names in the wedding registry. Apparently it took no more than her signature to make her into a wife. Who knew a simple signature could mean so much?

Saitou, of course, signed first. She would have been more shocked if he had offered the quill over to her. She watched with emotional numbness as his hand boldly flourished upon the singular line. Wax was dropped next to it and the seal of his country pressed into the substance before it dried. Then all eyes turned to her.

`I wonder what they would do if I refused to sign?' she thought, but her mind didn't even seriously consider it. If the king was good humored about her rejection…which she doubted he would be since he didn't take no for an answer….he might just throw her in the dungeons. If he was in a foul mood she might find herself shipped home or worse…on the block. Marriage was looking better by the minute.

The room was hushed in silence as she took the quill from her husband to be and stepped forward. It was quite an effort to move the large court skirts among the dozens of spectators. She didn't bother to look around, but she could feel their gazes upon her…unfriendly and cruel. What had she done that was so worthy of their hate?

Maybe she didn't want to know.

“Obviously we will have a grander ceremony once preparations can be made and the treaty is solidified,” Saitou said, his voice harsh and authoritative. Tokio hardly expected him to be anything other than what he was….yet the indifference hurt all the same. Would it have really shown him to be so weak if he'd cracked a small smile at her?

`If wishes were horses, we'd be knee deep in manure,' she thought with a mental sigh. `At least I'm not married to Lord Hiraki.'

The witnesses and official paperwork went by in a blur as Tokio fought the cold, heavy feeling settling in her chest. She felt suffocated, trapped….betrayed. The king….no, her husband….asked for her trust. And yet right now it felt too much to ask.

`You're being silly,' she told herself. `Stop being such a ninny and face life! Your marriage was never going to be your decision. Be thankful it's someone you can at least respect!'

But was respect enough?

Saitou took her arm in his own, not even asking to escort her as they made their way back to the feast. She could tell his mind was elsewhere, fervently thinking of something far more important than whether or not she was worth a simple courtesy. That thought brought a cold shock to her.

`Being Queen will not increase my time with him….only the ease at which I can frustrate him.'

The last thing she wanted was to be in the way.

 

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Saitou's mind was working furiously and he was grateful for her silence as she let him lead her back to the feast. The nobles had already discussed something that had actually slipped his mind. He HATED forgetting minor details.

The consummation ceremony.

Having compromised her….well, admitting to it….he had thought he had effectively dodged that aspect, but apparently not. Whether he liked it or not, royalty did have to prove to a small assemblage that they had, in fact, consummated the marriage. This was to prevent royal couples from never bothering to get in bed together, effectively making their chances for offspring zero to nil. If she had been pregnant he could have by passed the law, but since it was too soon to tell he was stuck with the idiotic ceremony.

And oh how some of those nobles looked all too happy at the prospect of watching him mount his wife. It was sick. Or perhaps they just wanted to see the beautiful, young princess naked. He was sure that would sustain a few sick fantasies.

`Hell, I seem to be living one…marrying a woman nearly half my age.'

He glanced down at her out of the corner of his eye. She looked extremely withdrawn and pale. For once a slight pain of guilt ran through him, but he quickly stamped it out before anyone would notice. As they neared the throne room he could practically feel the fear and tension from her. Noticing the half guarded malicious glares and frantic whispers it didn't take a genius to figure out what was going on.

`I just gave them the gossip of the century,' he thought dryly. `And rather than pin it on me, the fools are blaming her….why is my country full of idiots?'

Suddenly he didn't want to be there anymore than she did. Obligation called…but since when did he give a damn about ceremonial bullshit?

Tokio gave a light gasp as he suddenly stopped not three paces from the door, his expression hardening and a dark look entering his eyes.

“We shall dine in the library,” he said in an authoritative voice. “Alone. Have Saori sent to serve us.”

Before the nobles around them could react Saitou spun her around in a whirl of skirts and headed back down the hallway.

`Heaven help me, I'll never understand this man!' Tokio thought.

 

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“My lady?” Sano asked as he tapped on the door and pushed it open. Megumi looked up from her chair in mild surprise.

“I thought you were a guard for a second there. What's with the sudden formality?”

“Wouldn't want to start rumors of our own, now would we Kitsune?” he teased, not noticing her face fell a bit at that. So much for respect. He had, however, brought her a tray of her favorite foods.

“Did you make sure someone taste tested it?” she asked jokingly.

“Come to think of it, no, but I'll remedy that,” he teased and picked up a chicken leg. “Hmm, doesn't taste poisoned to me!”

“Idiot,” she murmured and picked up a fork. “Most poisons aren't detectable until you're dead. And you're the prince. If anything I should taste test it for you.”

“Heaven forbid! I would never ask a lady to do such a thing. Besides, dad always has Yahiko if I kick the bucket.”

“You are incorrigible,” she said with a sigh and would have said more had a bird not smacked into her window with enough force to crack it.

“What the hell?” Sano cursed, dropping his chicken.

Megumi rushed over to the window and opened it. A large pigeon was righting itself and shaking its head as it nearly teetered over the edge. She quickly grabbed it and pulled it inside.

“Damn thing get lost?” Sano asked as she pulled the message strip from the leg of the bird. Her pale skin suddenly got a whole lot paler and she shook her head.

“It's from King Hiko. He demands proof. Medical proof.”

“Kitsune, there's no reason you should have to witness…..er….that. I'll just take your place and tell you yay or nay.”

“I can't. Hiko specifically forbids it. He's pissed, Sano. Really pissed. He even signed his signature with a blood spell…..he's not only serious, he can tell if I am lying and won't hesitate to have my head and hers if we do.”

“Are all kings….my father discluded….manipulative bastards?” Sano swore, nearly knocking over the food as he rose. “You've already suffered enough being a prisoner. Why the hell does he demand you do this for him as well?”

“Because I am the only one with rank and medical training. Why send more people when one who is already on location will do? If you think my uncle holds any affection for me you are wrong. He treats the men of the family harsh, but he just ignores us women and expects us to do his bidding without question.”

“You need not be beholden to him,” Sano said softly. “If he dares to cast you out, you are more than welcome at my father's court.”

He meant the words in the nicest way, but it only struck a nerve in her pride. Watching her back stiffen, her nose lift and her eyes turn hard he realized his mistake. Never tell a Kyoto woman she could run…they inevitably wanted to prove otherwise.

“I am the Duchess of Aizu. I have a responsibility to my king and country. I will not shirk my duty merely because it is unpleasant!”

There was nothing he could say that would sway her pride and temper now. Oh that she was more than a lass of eighteen years. It was not an age anyone should have asked for such responsibility.

 

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“Why are we here?” Tokio found herself asking as she made herself as comfortable as possible in the full court gown while sitting in the chair. The chair was large and comfy…the clothes were large, but in no way comfortable.

“I tire of their stupidity,” he answered as he looked up and down the rows of bookshelves, his eyes searching for something.

“I'm sorry…if I am being an inconvenience. I just…I don't understand,” she said quietly, stubbornly setting her chin as she refused to allow the tears to fall. `I am almost eighteen years old! Enough tears! Adults do not start bawling at the first sign of difficulties!'

“You are not an inconvenience,” came his sharp reply. “In fact, you are proving extremely useful. Far more than that room full of idiots anyway. Eat and I'll fill you in as to why.”

Even his promise of information failed to lift her spirits, but she did as she was instructed and began putting food upon her plate. She felt no hunger, but nibbled at the food in delicate numbness. It was almost tasteless and even the delicious smell failed to entice her.

“Your father wasn't inclined to give up the territory your adopted brother so viciously claimed. However, he was rather inclined to accept my terms when I pointed out a very important fact.”

Tokio stopped eating and focused all her attention on the man before her. He was pulling several books out and didn't glance her way.

“I pointed out you were a channel and not going to leave my country any time soon. Then I let his imagination run.”

“That makes sense,” she said slowly. “But why the marriage?”

Amber eyes moved from the shelf to meet her eyes, an eyebrow lifted in amusement.

“In order for someone to know you are a channel without you telling them…rather difficult since you didn't know…the person in question would have to have intimate knowledge of your body.”

“Intimate knowledge?” she asked innocently.

“What we did this afternoon. It's called many things. Sex, making love, fornication….take your pick.”

“Oh…” came her response. “I…get the feeling…we should not have done that.”

“Technically speaking, no,” he replied, amused that she wasn't blaming it all on him even though he had seduced her.

“I should be mad at you.”

Saitou nearly laughed as he regarded her with vast amusement. She certainly didn't look mad. Confused, yes. Tired, yes. Stress, most assuredly. But not mad. She was right, she should be mad. She should be screaming her pretty little head off at him. And yet here she was sitting in that god awful gown, patiently listening to him.

“I wouldn't have been surprised if you screamed and threw books at me, no,” he responded.

“I wouldn't want to hurt the book since I doubt it would do any damage to you,” came her sarcastic reply. She ran a hand through her hair, immediately running into the coronet and many pins that held her hair in the latest fashion. She began tugging them out and tossed them unceremoniously onto the floor.

“Your faith is…appreciated,” he mocked.

“So are you going to explain this whole sex thing or do I have to learn as we go?” she asked. He let out a low chuckle. Having such a young and naïve woman ask him such a question without blushing was the most amusement he'd had in months.

“Browse through these,” he offered and handed her the stack of books. She was wary of the overly amused look in his eyes and the slightly twisted smile on his face. And yet for some reason it left her heart pounding…

“Oh goody, reading material,” she replied dryly as she piled the books at her feet.

“Do me a favor,” he said, his voice turning every so slightly soft and husky. It was so different from the voice she knew to be his she actually jumped in surprise. Amber eyes held hers in an intense gaze as he leaned down and captured her chin between his fingers. A shiver ran down her spine but her eyes never left his.

“Read this one last,” he said and slipped a small book under her pile. For a single moment he simply stood there looking into her eyes, his gaze dark and intense. Her blood began to pound in her ears as her breath hitched ever so slightly and a heavy feeling began to build within her chest.

What the hell was he doing to her?

Then he suddenly moved, pulling her lips to his and claiming them with fierce intensity. Startled, Tokio let out a soft moan before she could hold back any reaction. She didn't care if this was right or wrong. It felt too good to question the way he was molding her lips to his or the way her heart was racing with the slightest touch.

He pulled back and gave her a gentle nip, his eyes nearly glowing with intensity. She hoped the books at her feet would explain whatever emotion was on his face. She also hoped they told her how to get it on his face often.

Releasing her he gave a brief nod of his head and made his way to the door.

“You're…leaving?” she asked, then wanted to his herself over the head for sounding so stupid.

“Some things are better studied in solitude. Besides, I don't want you to plague me with questions before you are finished reading all of it.”

Tokio gave a slight scowl that suggested he knew her all too well. To her it was far easier to ask questions about the information she wanted rather than shifting through all the information he was asking her to read. Oh well, at least she wasn't in a room full of hateful stares.

The door closed with a deep echo, reverberating in the silence. She gave a small sigh at being left alone. While the throne room was full of `idiots' as he called them, at least there was the music and sound of people. Here it was just her, the books….and a deep silence.

Yet she felt safe. Even safer than when he'd been there. At least she didn't confuse herself.

“So what is this silly book he wanted me to save for last?” she mused aloud. “He should have known that would only spark my curiosity.”

The book was small with no title and a thick leather binding. Opening it she felt a bit of a surprise to see pictures…very familiar looking pictures. If she wasn't mistaken, the two people in the picture seemed to be doing exactly what they had done…

No words graced the pages. Only pictures. Rather detailed pictures.

“Damn him,” she cursed stubbornly. “He knew very well I wouldn't understand a thing without reading all of this first. I hate it when he's right!”

 

 

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Ok, I lied….the humiliation will be in the next chapter. Can you all guess what it will be? Hmm, that means I have to come up with royal facts for this chapter. Uh, Prince William isn't married? Ok, that was lame. Let's see, how about the Danish royal family? A friend of mine had an exchange student from Finland for a year (boy was that interesting!). Ever had someone ask you a question completely in Danish? Almost sounds like a perfectly legitimate English question…except you can't understand a word!

Well to start with the royal family is over 1000 years old…wow. America is such a baby compared to that! At the top is the Queen (wow, another woman in power!). Her husband the Prince Consort, then there's the Crown Prince and Princess, the royal Princess (ie daughter of current Queen), the heir spare prince and his wife…and then 3 kids. Nothing really exciting although the Heir Spare, Prince Joachim is recently divorced from his wife of 10 years. No one is quite as exciting as the English royal family. They seem to be pretty down to earth….considering they are the focus of a lot of public attention. I wonder if that's because they don't tend to do outrageous things or if the people care less than the Brits…. Any Brits out there care to elaborate? Until my friend's exchange student I didn't even know Finland had a royal family….

Nope, I'm still holding out for Prince William…although I did see a rather hot classmate of his on TV. The guy was half Japanese (hence why he was seen on Japanese TV) and has a townhouse to die for near Harrod's (the really big, expensive department store in London). Cost way more than you want to think about…damn did I want to propose marriage right then and there. Then I remembered I don't like cities. Zannen.

I guess I'll just have to take a crack at being a real author (hmmm, how the hell do I get published?) and earn my own funds. It worked for J.K. Rowling right?