Icy Highness | Yuzuru Hanyu

64.

Turns out that Yuzuru stayed in the palace after all.

It didn't even take that much insistence.

All Athena had to do was ask her father.

Never had she been so thankful that her father seemed to love Yuzu. It just came in handy when she wanted something.

Thea wasn't dumb. She knew that him staying didn't mean they could sleep in the same bedroom. She was sure that her mother would have an attack just by knowing he was staying in one of the guest rooms but it was at these times that she was thankful for the male-dominated culture of Royal Families.

If the King said yes, it was allowed.

Even if Yuzu kept telling her he would be just fine at a hotel, Athena had to admit that she was a bit afraid.

Her mother could be crazy when provoked and she knew that he would at least be safe at the palace.

It took some time, but eventually, they found themselves alone again.

Even with at least 4 bodyguards watching the door.

"You're crazy" was the first thing she heard him say before hugging her body.

"About asking my dad for you to stay? It's fine..."

"No... I guess that too but I meant about abdicating."

"I really don't care, Zu. I hate it here."

"But..."

"I would miss my father and a few people from the staff, but that's it."

"You say that but if you didn't have your mother..."

"You underestimate my hate for that woman."

"But she is right in one thing... You're used to living rich. I do have some money but..."

"Yuzu, remember Canada?"

"Hum?"

"When I stayed with you?"

"Yeah..."

"I was relieved to be able to be in sweats the whole day, to not have to deal with makeup or worry about my looks. It was relieving... During those two weeks, I didn't once care about anything futile that money could buy for me. Nothing but the trip there."

"Two weeks it's not your whole life."

"Do you think I'm that naive? That I can't understand how my life would change?"

"And you're still willing to do it?"

"Yes. Because not only does it get me my dream prince" she joked making them both laugh "but it also gives me freedom. A freedom that I never had."

Yuzuru didn't care that the bodyguards could be watching and brought her close immediately, hugging her.

"I love you, princess."

"I love you too, Zu."

He closed the remaining distance between them with a kiss, none of them caring about their surroundings.

"Would you really do it? For me?"

"Not just for you... But yes, I would."

"Marry me." He whispered without even as much as a blink.

Athena stopped everything she was doing to stare at his face, trying to convey if he was messing with her.

When she found a serious and meaningful look on his face, she finally spoke out loud.

"Are you joking?"

"No... I don't have a ring now...but..."

"Yes."

"Yes?" It took him a few seconds to fully understand her answer.

"Yes."

He kissed her again, passionately, hands roaming through her neck, her breasts, and her waist. Nothing else seemed to be around them at that moment. It was just them.

They only parted when they were too breathless to continue and Yuzuru was quick to place his forehead in hers, trying to calm down everything that was going on in his brain and body.

"Your dad is going to kill me... I didn't ask him for your hand."

Athena giggled and placed a small peck on his lips.

"You can still ask him and I'll pretend all of this only happened later?"
She joked.

"You know what? That's actually brilliant. As usual."

"Good save."

"Wish me luck?"

"You're going now?"

"Yes?"

Athena grabbed his arm to stop him for a few seconds.

"Only if you want to... I don't care about what they say."

"Let me do this right, princess."

"Ok. Good luck."

A final peck and Yuzuru was out of the door and asking Joanna to take him to the king.

He had to admit he was shaking slightly as the maid knocked on the door of the office.

"He said you can come in."

"Thank you, Joanna." He said with a small bow before entering the door that she had left ajar.

The king was sitting at the desk looking powerful and intimidating. So much that Yuzuru wondered for a few seconds if he was ready for this.

Not that he had many chances to run away now.

"Mr. Hanyu. Please have a sit."

"Thank you."

There was only a limited time before the king stared him down with a questioning look and asked the question on his mind.

"So, what can I do for you?"

"Well... You see..."

Seemingly all of the English vocabulary seemed to vanish from his brain at that moment. Just when he needed it the most, of course.

"Are you nervous, Yuzuru?"

"To be honest, I am a bit nervous."

"You don't have many reasons to be. I feel like Athena already told you that I like you."

"Yes, but this is no regular conversation."

"I see..."

"I feel like you can already tell that I care a lot about your daughter."

"And she cares about you as well."

"Yes. Because of this, I have been considering our relationship for a long time and I think it's come to a point that we need to have this conversation."

"Mr. Hanyu, let me save you from any more words. I know how you feel and how she feels. If you wish to marry my daughter, I have no opposition."