Icy Highness | Yuzuru Hanyu

72.

Athena could feel all eyes on her as she left the stage and headed to the table to face what would certainly be her very pissed mother.

Once she reached her destination, the obvious need to kiss his lips was only dampened by how many people were looking at them and their Interactions.

Yuzuru stood and acted like a true gentleman, pulling the chair for her with a gentle expression.

"You're okay?" He asked immediately as soon as she was close enough.

The princess answered with a nod but couldn't resist hugging him close. It wasn't a kiss, but it would have to do for now.

"Scary." She muttered.

"You are amazing." He told her, trying as best as he could to protect her from all the stares before placing some distance between them with a small kiss on her forehead. "My team is releasing a statement too..."

"Yeah... Ok... It's real."

"It is, my love. Just take a breath now. It's done."

He guided her to finally seat down, noticing how much she was shaking in his embrace.

Yuzuru glared at the Queen. He didn't care who she was, he was going to make sure that the woman thought before saying anything to Athena at that moment.

He was scared of how much Athena was shaking but he also knew that it was probably due to all the stress and panic being released after the craziness of the night.

The king was also looking attentively at his daughter while they waited for the food.

She was shaking so much that both her siblings held on to the congratulations for the engagement until they were certain she was ok.

"Yuzu, why don't you take her upstairs for a bit?" He eventually suggested.

"Is that a good idea? Everyone is staring..."

"I'm okay... I'm okay. I can stay." she said but her body didn't seem to be feeling the same way as her words.

"Princess..."

"It's alright..."

"Just tell me what you need." He said so only they could hear.

"Just hold me."

Yuzuru merely obeyed her request and ignored everything and everyone around them.

It surprised him that she didn't cry. Her body was releasing all of the frustration in a different way, and even if it was scary to anyone close enough to notice, he knew that she would be okay, despite the worries.

From the corner of his vision, Yuzuru saw the King speaking with his wife. He had a stern look on his face and it was hard to listen to most of the conversation.
The one thing he managed to understand was "She is an adult. Let her be happy and don't cause a scene. You've done enough."

To his understanding, it wasn't common for the king to so openly protect Athena from her mother. Maybe this time he felt like things had gone too far and felt the need to protect his youngest daughter.

Yuzuru still barely understood the dynamics behind that marriage but it didn't matter as long as Athena was okay in the end.

He liked the king and her brother and sister, it seemed like the only insufferable person in the direct family was her mother.

As his princess was there, head resting on his shoulder and trying to calm down,  he realized just how much she had done for him while he was only existing. Athena was taking the weight of her whole country's expectations while he merely had to tell his sponsors to expect the news.

The toll on his career had been minimum, but for her, it could be a drastic change of reality if they forced her out of her title.

Yuzuru felt guilty immediately but this had been her idea. Athena wanted to tell everyone and was willing to take anything in consequence.

She was brave.

His warrior.

He felt her shaking gradually decrease and kissed her head while rubbing soft circles in her waist.

"Feeling better?" He eventually asked as he noticed that they were starting to serve the food.

"Think so... Just a bit longer."

"As long as you need."

When the servers reached their table, the king silently told them to serve the food. They had to change sides on Yuzu and Athena due to their position but just did so with no questions asked.

He felt her gradually move away from his shoulder and smiled at the beautiful woman by his side.

A mere nod was everything that he needed from her and as soon as the King noticed this, he started eating, allowing everyone to start as well.

Athena's quick guide on royal politics had been efficient enough to prepare her future husband for all of these stupid rules and norms.

"Itadakimasu" he heard a soft whisper from her and a grin reached his face.

"Itadakimasu." Came his reply seconds after.

In minutes it was as if nothing had happened on that night. Soft conversation being held at the table, with everyone joining but the usual grumpy people.

"Yuzuru" the king called out.

"Yes, your majesty?"

"Athena is going to Japan soon. She has told you that, right?"

He smiled in reaction. They had spoken about that months prior, just when she finally convinced them to be the ones going.

"Yes."

"I think it would be nice if you went to a few of the events as well. I know there's some kind of award... How is it called... huh... persons' award? You should know better than me..."

"People's award? Is that why you're going?"

"Yeah, I think so... Why?"

"Huh...I'm already going..."

"You are?"

"I'm the one receiving the award"