It Was All Arranged [R. Sakamaki]

The Fall of the King

The courtyard was flooded with public citizens watching as the King's brother sliced a dummy in half. His hair had been tied half up and his eyes glowed beneath the moonlight as he flexed his swordsmanship to his future citizens.

Athena pushed past the crowd until she'd reached Kanato, placing her hand on his shoulder. He looked down at her, frowning at her current state. "What are you wearing?" He frowned at Athena's choice of clothes - a casual yellow dress which earned disgusted looks and curious whispers from the rich crowd.

"Thank you for lending me Teddy," she said softly, trembling as she gifted her brother-in-law's beloved friend back. "I'm sorry I kept him last night."

"Let us talk elsewhere," Kanato said, gripping her bicep as he led her away from the crowd and into the deserted gardens, "where is Reiji?"

"Preparing," she said, admiring the roses one last time.

"And why are you dressed like this?"

"I cannot say."

"Does Teddy know?" Kanato raised his eyebrow, looking into his beloved friend's eyes. Athena had gulped as her eyes grew wide, watching Kanato's expression change. After listening to Teddy's words, he'd turned pale, looking up to his sister-in-law who'd vanished. "Athena?"

Athena had found Ruki sulking in the library quite quickly after she'd run from Kanato. She'd taken a shuddering breath as she sauntered towards him, fiddling with her fingers whilst looking at the bookcases surrounding them.

"Hello," she greeted, catching the sullen man's attention.

"Why are you talking to me?" He snapped harshly, causing her to flinch in response.

"I… wanted to talk to you," she gulped, "might I sit?" He scooted over, allowomg space for her in the small couch. "I made a mistake."

"What do you mean?" He asked with a frown.

"Choosing Reiji…" Tears formed in her eyes as she took a shaking breath, "he… he hit me for cheating on him with you, called me horrible things… he-he…" she hiccuped as she wiped the tears on her cheeks, sniffing as new ones fell. "I should have followed my heart," she sobbed.

Ruki's eyes narrowed as he took in the Queen's current state. "Do you actually mean this?" He asked, "Or is this a ploy to defeat Shu?"

"Look at me," she whispered, wiping her face, "what do you think?"

"What do you want me to do about it?" He asked, closing his book as his grey eyes landed on Athena. 

"Run away with me," she whispered, taking his hands in hers as she looked up at him, "I was a fool to choose him when I love you." The words felt foreign in her mouth as she looked up at him, her face contorted into a heartbroken plea. Ruki's lips parted as his hand gently caressed her cheek. "You swear it?" He whispered.

"I do," she replied.

He frowned at her as he pulled away. "I don't believe you," he cleared his throat.

"I can help with that~" a sing-song voice sounded, causing the Queen to stiffen as Kou Mukami appeared from around the corner.

"Kou can read hearts," Ruki said, "if what you say is true… then he'll know."

Athena's eyes grew wide as the half-blood kneeled before her, frowning as his red eye glowed. A few moments passed and his face was stoic until he turned to Ruki, a smile on his face. "She's telling the truth." He said, hearing a bell in the distance, "The duel begins. Bye bye~"

Her lips parted as she turned her head to Ruki who had fully relaxed now, returning to his former self. "Thank goodness," he murmured, smiling softly at his Queen, "we can be happy together. Are your belongings packed?"