Imprisoned to Love You [Edited]

♦⊱ Chapter 25 - Wedding ⊰♦

Kichiro pov:

"I love him so why would I hate marrying him?"

My eyes were narrow as I looked into the distance, the words Ruka had said echoed in my ears over and over again. Ruka loved me...she loved a man who everyone considered as nothing more than a monster, a demon in human form. Her smile, her warmth, and her acceptance felt great to me. I couldn't even think of doubting her in anything and the slightest thought of her not being with me for even a short time left me feeling thoroughly unsettled.

I looked to the people gathered in the throne room. This was the first time there was anyone in the throne room besides my ministers or lower officials who came in to report what was going on in the provinces I had them govern. Those gathered here were smiling and talking to each other while sharing sake. The loud chatter was annoying for I was so used to being alone and in silence, but the thought of showing all these people that Ruka belonged to me and me alone sent immense pride pumping through me.

With a deep inhale, I averted my eyes to the floor, my train of thought changing. So much had changed over the past half year – the only thing that I didn't have as a human and an emperor was now in my hands. Love. I had always had power, strength, luxury, control and now, I had love too. I had the one thing I had been denied since I was a child and there was no one, not one person in all the lands who could take them away from me. It would only be more obvious when the remaining two provinces were won over and I became the Supreme Ruler of Nihon.

My train of thought was interrupted when the chattering in the throne room came to a stop. A priest stepped towards the podium I was seated on and gave me a deep bow with his eyes closed. He straightened up slightly and said, "Your Majesty, please stand so we can commence the holy matrimony of you and Lady Ruka."

With a curt nod, I stood. It was mere moments later when an attendant announced, "Here enters the bride, Lady Ruka!"

Kijima stepped into the throne room whilst holding Ruka's hand in his. The sight of Ruka in the royal wedding kimono sent my mind reeling, my heart squeezing so much that I felt queasy. She looked radiant and everything around her faded into a blur, as if she was the only thing I could focus on. The chatter in the room too seemed to fade out and an overwhelming desire to hold Ruka in my arms rushed through me.

Just like I had seen on several occasions, especially when I held Ruka or we shared kisses, her face was a dark shade of red. She was smiling though, as she stared at the floor and walked on towards me. I was momentarily irked that she didn't look at me but I was snapped back to reality when I felt pain from my nails that dug into the skin of my palms. I inhaled deeply, clenching my jaw to regain composure.

When Kijima and Ruka were barely a step from me, Kijima bowed and held Ruka's hand out for me to take. I did that, yet again noticing how dainty her hand was and gentle her touch was, feeling a bolt of lightning run down my spine at the contact. I couldn't take my eyes off Ruka as she climbed the three steps to stand next to me, the color of her face becoming darker.

Ruka pov:

I was yet to actually believe that I was getting married to Kichiro sama today, right now. It had all happened so fast but I was excited. I was also so flustered that I couldn't look at Kichiro sama. My cheeks were flaming, all the more because I could feel his intense gaze that had been on me since the very moment I had stepped into the throne room.

I glanced at our hands briefly. His grip was firm but not tight enough to hurt me even in the slightest. My hand fit in his perfectly and the warmth I felt from this simple contact was immense. We had held hands many times but today felt even more special and I couldn't only picture – despite it being very embarrassing – how I would always be wrapped up safely in his arms from now on.