A Black and White World

Ceremony

Chapter 2: Ceremony

Touko listened as her mother's footsteps began to fade away. A few droplets of tears fell from her eyes.

She felt so powerless.

First she lost her father, and now her mother was gone too. 'No, I mustn't lose hope, that's exactly what the Black King wants. He wants the white kingdom to be weak and vulnerable, to take advantage of us.' And that is why her mother had asked her to stay strong. She need to be strong not only for herself and her mother's sake, but also for her kingdom.

Touko balled up her fists and wiped away her tears. "I need to be strong." She spoke to herself with determination.

After finally calming herself down, Touko stepped out into the hall. Halfway towards the corner of the hall, Touko could hear something on the other side of one of the hallway doors. As she slowly approached the end of the hall she could hear...giggling? 'Where is that coming from? Maybe a closet or guest room perhaps? But why would there be noise coming from that? Why would someone be in there at a time like this?' The door was slightly opened and Touko could see everything. A Blonde haired woman was entwined with a brunette haired male, kissing each other lustfully. Touko, which was horrified with regret quickly tried to scamper away before she was noticed. 'How revolting! Disgusting! Undignified!' Her cheeks turned red due to seeing such an inappropriate scene. 'For a pair of lovers to be so scandalous during the day....of my mother's wedding!! In a closet room no less! Are all citizens in the Black kingdom this porpostriqous? I fear for my mother...' Touko's steps soon started to quite down as she reached two large doors and walked to the to the ceremony room. She had just barely gotten there in time for it to start. A soft melody played as soon as the doors opened to reveal the bride. Touko was void of emotion while watching her mother walk slowly to the alter.

The Black King cleared his throat, and then the music stopped. Beside the King should've been the crown prince, however he was nowhere to be seen. There was an obvious scowl on the King's face, and Touko assumed that was the reason why. Wasn't it tradition to have the next in line seated beside the king and queen? Though in this case they were standing rather than sitting at the throne. Still, the prince should be beside his king. Surely that custom is the same in the Black Kingdom as it is in the White Kingdom. Although the two kingdoms were very different, some traditions including weddings, held the same types of rules in the courtroom.

The room was silent, no one dared made a sound as the King turned to face the priest with a nod. Touko assumed that was a cue to finally start the vows. Touko closed her eyes trying to tune out the words that pierced her heart and pride.

'No.' She thought to herself, opening her eyes slowly. 'Watch with your eyes, listen to every word with your ears. Burn every detail into your skull. Remember this day Touko, for the rest of your life never forget it. It's the day you suffered the consequences of being too weak to protect what you love. The day you realize the white kingdom is now on your shoulders. The day you promise to never suffer a defeat from the Black King again.' Her blue eyes turned hard listening to every single line required to be exchanged during the ceremony.

'Don't you dare forget this day Touko. Today is the day your mother sacrificed everything for you. Don't be ashamed, be proud. Be proud she is your mother and she is so strong.'

Touko's lip started to quiver so she bit down to make it stop. She bit down hard enough to draw blood. It tasted bitter, which was a perfect match to her emotions built up inside.

The ceremony to which lasted only for a few mintues felt like an eternity; however the event finally began to close as the last part started. The room, which was filled with nobles from both kingdoms soon began to stand up and make their way to the front of the room. Once in front of the king and queen they bow down and submit, with a wish of good fortune for their rule. One by one the people raised up; however since Touko held the second most power, considering she was the first in line for the White throne, she would be going up first.

She approached the new King and queen of the kingdom and bowed gracefully.

"Your Grace," she paused to look up at him straight in the eyes. "I congratulate you on your wedding. May our new ties together with the Black and White family will bring prosperity to all of our people." Her eyes flickered over to her mother for an instant, before looking back at the king. "Though, this ceremony seems a bit...incomplete due to the lack of royal members. Pardon me your highness, but may I inquire the whereabouts of the crown prince? It is mandatory that he'd be here, is it not?" Touko sent a sharp glare with a bite in her tone. Her mother held a horrified expression after what Touko had just said to the king.

Then king cleared his throat, obviously looking displeased. "Yes, it seems my foolish son needs further teaching on his manners..." He sent Touko a sharp glare back. "I will make sure this intolerable act will not go unpunished. Will that satisfy you?"

Touko did not flinch, she did not quiver in fear, because that is what she knew what the king wanted her to do. "Severe punishment is not needed, your Grace, possible just a firm scolding should do the trick--"

Just then the doors to the ceremony room swung open hard enough to bang against the wall. There stood a young man with brunette colored hair in princely attire.....

The princess's eyes widened in realization. 'That's the young man from earlier! The one who was shamelessly kissing the woman in the storage closet!!' She thought to herself in disbelief.

"Ah, perfect timing Touya. We were just discussing your punishment for being late to the ceremony...as the crown prince, your presence was needed in today's event."

'Crown Prince?! HIM?!' Touko's head was screaming in confusion and shock. 'That brute of a man, who was inappropriately making out with some random noble in a storage room?'

"Oh, pardon me I thought the ceremony started at this time, Your Grace I implore your forgiveness. It seems I was misinformed of the time." The crown Prince held no shred of guilt on his face as he spoke. 'Yeah right.' Touko spoke in her mind. 'Hard to come in at the wrong time while there was literally no one in the castle but a few stationed guards. How is that not obvious you were messing around?!'

And it seemed like the King didn't buy his excuse either, because his next words were very surprising.

// Hello guys! Thank you so much for the awesome comments I've been getting. I apologize for updating so late than I originally wanted to....but here it is! Sorry it's on a cliffhanger too --