Icy Highness | Yuzuru Hanyu

73.

"I'm the one receiving the award." He admitted. The skater had only received the news a few days before and hadn't given it too much thought with everything going on.

"What a nice coincidence!"

"I guess so! It will be better with Athena there, for sure." He confirmed while smiling at her.

"Can't wait to go!"

"How long are you staying in our lovely country, Yuzuru?" This time it was Gabriel asking and the skater shrugged his shoulders.

"I can stay for maybe about a week more before I have to go back to my physiotherapy. There's also the parade and the emperor's garden party..."

"A busy man..."

"Hum... This garden party... What is it like?"

"I have never been, but I guess it's just like any parties you host here for guests. The emperor invites notable people and addresses each one individually."

"Everyone? So it can't be a big affair..."

"1500-2000 people each time, I believe."

"That's a lot of people to talk to! I probably wouldn't do it like that." Gabriel said right away.

"I'm thinking it might be nice for Athena to attend this as well. Would you mind going to Japan 2 times, dear?"

Athena was shocked for a few seconds.
The last thing she expected was another chance to be with Yuzu so soon. It wasn't as if she would ever deny the opportunity.

"I wouldn't mind, of course not... Especially not if you think it's good for the international relationships of both countries." She said confidently making her siblings tease her right away.

"I'm sure that's the only reason" Sonya was quick to say, the words bringing laughter to the table once again.

They ate while in engaged in random conversation. It was something that wasn't that usual for their family because of her mother's influence but it seemed as if no one really cared about what the Queen thought on that day.

When the food was all served and everyone was satisfied, the music started playing and everyone seemed to be enthusiastically waiting for something.

The king stood and everyone smiled.

"Well, since today seems like a very special day, I think it's only fair that the first dance is done with my beautiful younger daughter. Athena?"

"Sure."

Athena stood and gave Yuzu a very brief smile before giving her hand to her father and they walked to the center of the room.

Yuzuru saw them start to dance gracefully together. The scene was both emotional and beautiful at the same time and he immediately wondered if they were supposed to dance together afterwards.

Dancing was one of his hobbies, but he usually did it alone, making the whole thing a bit more nerve-wracking.

Watching her like that, she looked even more beautiful. Somehow, this woman always managed to look more beautiful as time passed and he could only consider himself lucky to be able to have her every single day.

Luck made it so they met and destiny coupled with their strength made the rest possible.

She had the brightest grin in the world when her father gently guided her towards the table once again and offered her hand to Yuzuru, that took it with a similar expression.

It almost felt as if her father was giving her to him, in a way that one would expect on a wedding day.

He proudly took it and allowed himself to be led by this beautiful princess. His princess.

"You're okay?" She whispered.

" Just afraid I will screw up while you're dancing with me."

"You do quad jumps on a thin blade and are afraid of a little dance?" She joked making him chuckle.

"I guess that when you put things in that perspective, it does sound a little ridiculous."

"You will be fine, Zu. Come on."

Athena guided his hand to her waist and he quickly grabbed it before they started swaying to the music.

To be honest, the skater barely realized they were dancing since he was completely immersed in her eyes.
They just stared at each other with big smiles, pretending as if no one else was in the room, as if they were just enjoying each other's company in this big ballroom.

Had they truly been alone, he had already kissed her, but this would have to do, for now, with the hidden promises behind their wide smiles and unsaid words.

When she grabbed his free hand and guided him out of there, Yuzuru had no idea what she was thinking.

"Princess? Where are we going?"

"Away from here... They will start drinking and we already did our part."

"No one will be mad? You don't want to say goodbye to your brother and sister?"

"They are staying for a few days and who cares if anyone is mad? I want to celebrate this night with you, not with them."

Yuzuru smiled and pushed her into the nearest wall as soon as they were out of the ballroom, kissing her lips passionately.

He barely even checked if anyone was around, but it didn't matter. They were getting married, he had the right to kiss her in public if he wanted to. Especially when she didn't seem to object to it at all.

A small gasp was the only thing that made them part, clothes, and hair were slightly in disarray due to their small makeout session.

They both turned in the direction of the sound to find one of the maids staring at them.

The young girl quickly bowed, her cheeks red from being caught watching them.

"Your Highness, I'm sorry." She said looking at the ground.

"It's okay. You didn't see anything, did you?" Athena said with a gentle smile while fixing her hair slightly. The girl only nodded, eyes still fixed on the ground.
"Good. You can go now."

As soon as the maid was gone, Yuzuru erupted in a giggle crisis, making her laugh as well.

"Well... That wasn't embarrassing..."

"Bedroom?"

"Bedroom."