It Was All Arranged [R. Sakamaki]

Officially Wed

Athena Tsukinami was pacing back and forth before the large, golden framed mirror. She was taking deep breaths. In and out and in and out. Her auburn waves had been twisted and pinned to the back of her head, strands framed her pale face. In and out and in and out. She pressed her hands to her hips, the torso of her dress was white and backless with spaghetti straps. Her cleavage was on show and pushed up with the assistance of the brassiere of the customised dress. In and out and in and out. The ball gown's tulle skirt shifted across the polished floors as she paced anxiously. Back and forth and back and forth. Her tall, strapped, white heels clacked against the floors, irritating the floorboards. Back and forth and back and forth. Her nails were long and white, the nail on her ring finger painted a shimmering lilac - the same shade of purple as her bouquet. In and out and back and forth. Diamond earrings were snug in her earlobes. Her engagement ring, a golden band with a diamond rock embedded in the centre. It had been mailed to her six centuries after her engagement had been made official. Back and forth and in and out. She wasn't ready, she needed to run, she-
“I can do this,” she whispered, pausing before the large, floor-length mirror. Soft, auburn curls framed her oval face, her long locks had been styled beautifully. The top half of her hair had been twirled and knotted into an elegant bun, a lilac flower crown sat upon her head, it travelled beneath the bun, providing it with support. Her thin lips were stained with rouge, her sharp eyes outlined with black. Glistening gold eyeshadow had been swept across her eyelids, glittering beneath the warm glow of the candle light. Her cheeks were a kind pink and a soft glow highlighted her cheekbones. She was stunning to say the least. She hated it. Anxiously, she twisted the diamond ring upon her ring finger as she stared into the beryl eyes of the mirror. Her father had a plan and she needed to carry it out. This was merely the first step. The Tsukinami daughter took a long, deep breath, longing for her brothers’ comfort. A knock sounded upon the door and Athena sent a reassuring nod in the mirror’s direction. She was ready.
“It is time,” her father’s gruff voice sounded. He’d been dressed in lilac - apparently that’d been chosen for the Tsukinami colour scheme. Athena was sure that her younger brother hated it. Giesbach said nothing else, he merely held his arm out for his only daughter to take.
“Aren’t you going to say anything encouraging?” The young first-blood questioned, “This is my big day - you are giving me away to a man neither of us know nor respect.” Giesbach sighed, his eyes darting across the room before he looked at his daughter. His only daughter.
“You look like your mother,” he finally said, “with my hair and my eye colour. You have your mother’s bone structure.” He fell silent after that, watching as Athena’s eyebrows furrowed in an attempt to fight her oncoming tears. She did something she’d never once dared to do and wrapped her slim arms around his broad figure.
“Thank you,” she whispered, savouring this father-daughter moment. Of course, Giesbach pushed her back with an irritated huff.
“Pull yourself together,” he snapped, avoiding looking in Athena’s direction, “put the veil on. We do not want to run late, do we?” She nodded solemnly, carefully catching her tears with her nails before pulling the glittering veil over her face. It was itchy and cold - she hated it. She hoped glitter didn’t end up on her.
The ballroom had been altered greatly. A stage stood at the end of the long, unnecessary aisle, with stairs leading to the towering altar. White and pale purple roses twisted forcefully around the thin beams of the altar, the strong scent made Athena’s nose tickle slightly. Thousands of well-dressed guests stood as soon as the grand doors had creaked open, whining with agony as the bride and her father stepped into the singing room. A pipe organ stood high above the altar, playing traditional wedding music, the notes were loud and daunting, making Athena’s stomach sink. This was really happening. In and out, she reminded herself, out and in. The aisle floor had been smothered with large rose petals, they crunched beneath her feet - one had probably been stabbed clean through by her heel. How irritating. Candles brightened the tense room, they were almost as bright as Karlheinz’s evil smile. He stood beneath the altar, waiting to officiate this “wedding”. Athena wanted to scoff, it was a false hope of peace, not a wedding… but a union. Her eyes latched onto Karlheinz. He was a tall man with long, curly white hair and a pale complexion. He was dressed in handsome robes with shining jewels - he obviously wanted to flaunt his wealth. Before him, stood his second son, causing Athena’s blood to boil.
Giesbach didn’t even hesitate to hand his daughter to his enemy’s son. He’d taken the large bouquet from her trembling hands and even shoved her slightly closer to the Sakamaki spawn. She clenched her jaw, taking Reiji’s hand.
He’d matured over the years, that much was clear. He was still slim and pale, his hair dark and long - it’d been swept away from his face, probably to save his eyes. He wore a pair of rectangular spectacles; his fuschia eyes stared coldly at his bride as his hands slowly lifted the veil over her head. A whistle sounded from the front row, followed by a childish voice scolding a man named Laito. Reiji had been dressed in mostly black, the only different colour was the white shirt he wore beneath his waistcoat. His hands were cold to the touch, sending shivers throughout Athena’s arms. In and out, she told herself, in and out. It’d be over soon.
Karlheinz clapped his large hands together, causing the music to cease and the chatter to come to a halt. His golden eyes glowed with malice as he looked down at his new daughter-in-law. “Welcome!” his voice echoed throughout the hall, “To the union of Athena Tsukinami and my son: Reiji Sakamaki!” Athena fought the urge to roll her eyes. She wanted to go home. “The beginning,” Karlheinz was adamant on long pauses, Athena noted as he then said, “of a peaceful world!” He grinned, gesturing to the two people who clearly did not want to be there, “A new world!” He moved to stand behind a podium, slowly opening a thick book before he said, “Our races have been at war for many, many centuries,” Karlheinz’s eyes flickered to Giesbach, “to keep the peace between us, Lord Giesbach has offered up his beloved daughter.” He showed a sadistic smirk, Athena swore she heard her father grunt with distaste. “Are there any vows that you would like to share?” he stared between the soon-to-be-wed pair. The Sakamaki boy’s jaw clenched before he spoke.
“For the sake of ending a war and starting anew,” he said, his voice low and strained, “I will take you as my bride. I will look after you, I will stay by your side, you will be the only woman in my life. For the sake of peace, whatever I own will now be yours. My accomplishments will be considered ours. You will be deemed as mine… and I yours.” His eyes never left hers as he spoke these half-assed words, his grip on her hands tightened, attempting to force a wince from Athena. She didn’t budge. Karlheinz hummed with approval before turning to look at Athena.
“And you, my dear?” Athena stiffened at the words, she’d prepared no vows - hell, she’d hoped one of her brothers had objected by now… or even one of his brothers. She sighed.
“For the sake of peace, right?” Her voice was raspy as she forced a brilliant smile, “Until death do us part, our marriage will represent the union of two races.” She said nothing more, casting her gaze to Karlheinz who nodded slowly. He lifted a glass jewellery box, carefully opening it. Lilac roses had been painted across it, causing Athena’s stomach to churn.
“Do you, Reiji Sakamaki, take Athena to be your wife?” Karlheinz’s voice seemed louder, panic soared through Athena’s veins. This was really happening. Karlheinz placed a ring in her hand. It was big and golden - too big for her hands at least - with white lining around it.
“I do,” the words were forced, Athena could tell. Reiji’s facade was falling, just as hers was. This was it for them… this was the end of their lives… and a fake start for everyone else. With trembling hands, she took Reiji’s left hand in hers and slipped the cool metal onto his ring finger. He looked sick as he stared at it, Athena felt ill herself.
“And do you, Athena Tsukinami, take Reiji to be your husband?”
She knew that her life was over as soon as she forced the words, “I do,” beneath the altar. Reiji was silent as he took her left hand in his, sliding a smaller ring onto her ring finger. It was thicker than her engagement ring which was only thin. White outlined it - much like Reiji’s ring. She swallowed the urge to vomit. At least it wasn’t lilac she told herself.
“You may now kiss the bride,” Karlheinz’s smile could be heard in his words. Athena flinched at those words, Reiji noticed it… but he said nothing. He stood closer, placing his hand upon the side of her neck. Only a small kiss, Athena said to herself, only small and tiny and then you may vomit. Her lips parted as his face crept closer. He was hesitating - he didn’t want to do this as much as she did. Finally, he pressed his lips against hers. They were soft and… warm? Was this what a kiss was like? Athena forced her eyes shut as her eyebrows furrowed. Applause sounded from the hall… applause from everyone except her family and his.
She wanted to cry, she wasn’t as strong as her brothers or father, she knew that… she couldn’t even wear a facade for an hour at most. Reiji pulled away from her, avoiding her gaze as he took her hand in his and turned to face the crowd. Athena did so as well, showing a weak smile as she waved at everyone. Her wedding was meant to be her happiest day… So why did she want the world to stop right then and there…? Why did she want the ground to swallow her whole? Still, it was over, she told herself, at least the first step was.