My Betrothed: A Deanoru Story

Chapter 1: Wake Up Call

It's a warm day at the mansion. The sun is beaming through the skylight that Karolina once fell through, ironically making the whole building feel so safe and homely.

"Karolina." A tiny whisper in the ear, yet a voice as bright as the sunlight.

"Hmm?" A sleepy Karolina mumbles.

Motivated by a small kiss on the shoulder, she begins to stir. She is barely awake, but she feels a small warm body behind her. The warmth feels so good to her.

With a coy smile, she finally speaks, "Nico... five more minutes please..."

"I find it hard to sleep knowing you're right here. Something so wonderful, so close, but so far away at the same time."

With her eyes still closed, Karolina smiles. "What are you going on about silly Nico?"

"I've had many sleepless nights thinking of you, my betrothed."

Karolina laughs again. "Oh is that so?" She grabs hold of the arm behind her, wrapping it around her stomach, taking in the morning affection. Then her eyes suddenly widen. "Did you say... betrothed?"

She jumps up from the bed and whirls around to see a figure that seems to be Nico but isn't. "Xavin?! What are you doing in my bed?"

Xavin quickly jumps to their feet and shifts themselves back to male form. "I—I thought if I appeared more familiar that you would be more comfortable."

Karolina, furious at this betrayal, raises her voice, "By showing up as Nico? That is not okay, Xavin!"

Suddenly, the doors of the small bedroom burst open, flinging dust everywhere. "What's going in here?" Standing there at 5'2 is Nico Minoru. She looks unrecognizable to others as she has no makeup on, her hair straight and unfixed.

Nico looks to Karolina then to Xavin, clutching her staff, ready to destroy. "Xavin? What the hell are you doing in here?"

Xavin ignores Nico and keeps their eyes focused on Karolina. "I was attempting to connect with you... I wanted you to feel comfortable."

"Just... leave... please. I need... some space." Karolina holds her hand up to signal that she's had enough, then points to the door.

Xavin steps toward Karolina with a sorrowful look. "I deeply apologize if I offended you. I will try much harder to learn. I swear it, my betrothed."

Nico's face twists as she hears Xavin speak. She steps in front of Xavin, who stands at 6'1. "I may be short, but DON'T underestimate me. She is not your betrothed and she said leave." She lifts her staff and pounds the bottom of the wooden floor.

Xavin pays no attention to Nico and looks to Karolina who has her arms crossed, unable to make eye contact with them. Xavin finally understands Karolina's mannerisms. "As she wishes."

As Xavin exits, Nico slams the doors behind them and rushes over to Karolina, "What the hell just happened?"

"I'm fine. I'm just.. shaken up. I can't believe I thought it was you..."

"Me?" Her face in awe. "I knew he was a shape shifter, I just can't believe he would use my face."

Karolina sits down at the end of the bed staring off into the distance, deep in thought.

After some time, she finally speaks. "He's convinced we're meant to be."

Nico's face saddens and she finally lowers her staff to her side. "Yeah... I've tried to process that. This whole 'love' prophecy thing... you can't possibly believe it? Do you?"

Karolina, now looking at Nico, "I believe that Xavin believes it's true. But it's not what I feel... Nico, I can't imagine not being with you."

Karolina stands up and places her hands on both sides of Nico's face. "I don't care what some alien prophecy says. I care about you, you've always been my first choice."

Nico's face relaxes as Karolina runs her fingers down her face and neck. She stops at Nico's shoulders. Nico places one of her hands on Karolina's wrist. "Then what are we going to do? Xavin isn't leaving."

Karolina turns to plop back down on the bed. This time she lays on her back facing up and stares at the ceiling for a minute.

Nico, a bit anxious of Karolina's response, plops down next to her on the bed. She side eyes Karolina, her eyes big and full of worry. "Karolina?"

Karolina remains looking at the ceiling. "I have to talk to him. At least to set boundaries... I can't cast him away. He's the only one who knows more about Jonah and my family."

Nico, a bit aggravated but calm, "I hate to say it.. but you're right. Unfortunately, we need Xavin. But if he pulls anything like this again, he better hope my staff is far away."

Karolina rolls to her side and smirks at Nico, who also rolls to face her. It's silent.

Nico carefully studies Karolina's face, trying to bury any thought of the prophecy. Meanwhile, Karolina is staring deeply into Nico's eyes and wonders how she could ever mistake Xavin for her.

Her heart begins to flutter as her eyes move from Nico's eyes to her lips. She pulls Nico's face to hers and gives her a slow, but very passionate kiss before pulling apart.

"You're so patient with me."

Nico smiles and slides a hand behind Karolina's neck. She pulls Karolina back in for a deeper kiss...

"I'm not going anywhere."

. . .