Icy Highness | Yuzuru Hanyu

76.

Yuzuru and Athena were staying at a hotel for a couple of days because of the garden party.

As much as Yuzuru loved his hometown, it made no sense to go to Sendai for a night and go back to Tokyo for the event the day after.

She couldn't help but notice the bodyguards' presence every time she went anywhere, but this was all too predictable.

To be fair, Athena had no idea what to expect from this garden party, she was completely unfamiliar with it.

Even so, she would gladly be by Yuzuru's side if that's what he wanted.

And it didn't hurt international relationships either.

She dressed impeccably as usual and he settled with a suit that Athena was quick to frown upon.

"What's wrong with the suit?" He eventually asked with a frown.

"Well, I guess it's not the worst you've worn. It's just hard to accept when you looked so good last week."

Yuzuru chuckled before hugging her from behind.

"We both know you prefer if I don't wear anything but it's not great for public appearances."

"You're unbelievable... I meant the suit for the ball, not how you looked in my bed" she said while giggling, turning her body to kiss his lips sweetly. "You're lucky I love you so much."

"I love you too, my princess." He replied happily. "Now seriously, do I look that bad?"

"No, honey, you look great as always. You can't look bad."

"Hum... Keep the compliments going and we will be late."

Her eyes widened and she looked at the watch on her wrist. They still had time but it was best to be early than late.

"We won't be late. Hurry up and finish getting ready."

She was almost immediately running around, fixing her lipstick and looking for her shoes before quickly placing them on her feet.

"You're cute when you're in a hurry."

He was already sitting on the bed, all ready to go while she franticly ran around the hotel room.

"Yuzu!"

"What?"

"Don't distract me."

"You already look perfect, love."

"But what if..."

"Thea, you look beautiful, like always. Should we go?"

"I'm just nervous about today."

"Me too... I have never attended anything this serious."

"Besides the ball..."

"Yes, but that was easy because you were there guiding me."

"I'm here too... But I admit I will be as lost as you"

"We can do it, right?"

"Together? Of course, we can."

Her reassuring smile was all he needed to grab her hand and drag her out of the room.

The security team was quick to show up at their side and escort them to the imperial garden where the party was being held.

A sea of guests had already arrived when they did. One of the security guards opened the door of the car and Yuzuru got out first before offering his hand for her to take.

Ignoring the security team that followed their every direction, he guided Athena through the crowd and into the entrance.

After giving his name for them to check the list and explain in detail why 6 other people were entering the garden without invitation, they were finally allowed inside.

Each person invited had a designated place that they dutifully obeyed.

Yuzuru was quick to make conversation, recognizing a few athletes and leaving Athena pretty much alone while he conversed in a language she barely understood.

It would have been understandable if it was only for a little while but it had been a whole hour that Athena didn't understand a single piece of conversation.

She grabbed his arm to get his attention and he just eyed her innocently.

"Everything okay?" He switched to English.

"Would you mind... Huh... Including me a bit? I feel a bit out of place right now."

Athena could tell how he instantly felt bad as he realized that she had been ignored.

"Forgive me..."

"It's alright."

She smiled softly at him in reassurance as he changed the conversation to English and introduced her to the people he had been speaking to. Their English was just as bad as she remembered his to be when they first met, but they managed to understand each other.

"Well done, Yuzuru-san. Not everyone could get a princess so easily." They joked as he shared the story of how they met and started dating.

She was about to joke as well when the emperor and empress came out and started to slowly greet their guests, making everyone stand to attention and politely wait their turn.

When the emperor finally approached Yuzuru, they bowed and the man started congratulating him for the Olympic medal, taking some time to make conversation.

It surprised Athena that they took so much time into making conversation with every guest.

The man stopped the conversation when he spotted her figure behind Yuzuru.

"Is this the lady that had been making headlines for being engaged to a Japanese figure skater?" He asked in perfect English, making both of their eyes widen.

"I would say so..." Yuzu replied with a warm smile.

"Your majesty" she acknowledged the emperor with a bow.

"It's an honor to have you at our event, your highness. You could have let us know and we would've welcomed you properly."

"Nonsense, I'm not here as a royal." She replied with a gentle smile.

"Let me see you properly, my dear." The Empress said this time and Athena dutifully followed by moving to the front.

"Empress... It's nice to meet you."

"You will make a beautiful wife, Hanyu-san is lucky to have you."

"I'm the lucky one, ma'am."

"Yes, yes. He's one of Japan's most treasured athletes. Do take care of him for us."

Athena smiled at the older woman and nodded. "I will do my very best."