Rosy Skies (Otayuri)

Midnight

Although Yuri was determined to hate the princess, he found that he could not. He had every justification to; it was because of her that he was going to die. But her personality seemed impossible to despise. She was like a big sister to everyone, and she was constantly teasing him. It was light-hearted and playful, never malicious.

She liked to prop herself up on his shoulder, or pinch his cheeks. Yuri glared at her, but she just ignored him or laughed. The princess loved to give hugs as well, which was a very strange trait for a royal mer to have. Her and her father both looked and acted differently from the inhabitants of Oabe's kingdom. While the merfolk of this nation were generally more reserved, the two of them were more open.

She wore different clothing, as well; it was more modest and less gaudy, but Yuri didn't know if all the mermaids in her country adorned themselves less, or if it was due to her education at the temple. She often wore a piece of simple canvas wrapped around her back and crossing over her breasts, then tied at the back of the neck. Sometimes, she wore pink pearls in her hair, and a matching necklace and tail ring. She regularly also wore shining bone wrist cuffs.

Her name was impossible to pronounce, so he called her Umia. It meant old woman, and so she started calling him a name that started with a click and then had "nnaa" following it. It meant little brother, specifically a bratty one. She found it hilarious, and Yuri found it exceedingly annoying.

Oabe smiled whenever he saw their good-natured squabbling. He seemed bursting with joy lately. Yuri was happy for him, although the marriage meant his death.Oabe was hardly around anymore, busy making preparations. Yuri wanted to savor all the time that he had left with Oabe, but his prince usually seemed too busy for him. A few times, Yuri tried to go along with Oabe while he was arranging wedding plans. But he ended up just sitting there, unable to hold Oabe's attention because he had too many things to attend to.

It was too depressing that the precious time he had left wasn't being spent with Oabe, and he felt guilty for distracting him, so he went back to their shared room. Soon, Oabe would be sleeping in it with somebody else. The thought made Yuri want to weep...

The betrothal had been announced the day after Oabe had made the proposal of marriage, and the wedding was to be held a week after that. The parties to honor the king and princess' arrival simply continued without a pause, growing more jovial with every passing day.

Umia's friends from the temple arrived, and she greeted them with great zeal. They were all excited to be there and offered their congratulations. Umia asked them to officiate her wedding, and they agreed whole-heartedly. They sent for a servant to go back to the temple and return with their holy clothing.

After Umia was finished speaking to them, she approached Yuri. He tried to escape, but she caught his wrist. She bit her plump, petal-pink lip and let go of Yuri to unfasten her pearl necklace. Yuri considered slipping away, but he didn't. She handed it to Yuri with a friendly smile, and he reluctantly accepted it. It was a simple silver chain, with three round pearls the color of carnations strung onto it. The middle one was flanked by two smaller ones. They shimmered softly in the light.

Umia reached out to help him put it on; he frowned and rolled his eyes, but allowed her to. She was very gentle, making sure that the clasp didn't get snagged on his hair. He traced his fingers over beads. Although he would never admit it, the gift warmed his heart.

Umia chirped cheerfully, then rubbed Yuri's head. Then, in all seriousness, she asked him if he would play a role in the wedding. Yuri was unfamiliar with the exact word that she used pertaining to what he would do, and she must have seen the confusion on his face.

"They bear the lantern that lights the couple's way. They are a very important part of the ceremony." Yuri tried to avoid her big sapphire eyes as he mulled this over, playing with the necklace. It would be terribly painful to guide the way so that the person he loved could marry another. But it would mean so much to Oabe and Umia...