Empire 《Mikayuu/YuuMika》

⥈ Chapter Seventeen ⥈

Prince Mikaela woke up the morning of his seventeenth birthday, his stomach feeling like lead. He wondered if he could stage a grand illness that would force his mother to postpone the wedding, but he knew it wouldn't fool her. She was too clever to fall for something as ill-conceived as a pretend illness. If he were to hide away in the woods, his mother would find him. He wished Yuuichirou had agreed to run away with him, so he would not have to face the kind Princess Akane. But, he could not bear to leave her alone at the altar, mortified and saddened by rejection. He would never forgive himself for such a selfish act.

The gentle knock on his door ripped him from his guilt-ridden thoughts, and he rose from bed, prepared to dress for what he knew would be the most disappointing event of his life.

His wedding. He did not want it to come so soon, but it was there, haunting him.

He expected Yuuichirou would hide out for the day, avoiding the event at all costs. Perhaps he would be out riding Asuramaru, and wait for him by the window. Maybe he would change his mind about running away and rescue him from his predicament.

Yuuichirou was too rational-minded to change his mind, Mikaela thought, but he could have. He did spend the better part of his life chasing the dream of knighthood.

Mikaela wanted to dream, too, but Shibuya was too far away to do so. He was trapped in his situation, and he would have to endure it, like he always had.

He could hear the bells ringing from the chapel, and the dread sunk deeper into his stomach. He wished he was somewhere far away, facing anything but his upcoming wedding, that was mere hours away.

He called to the servants to enter once he was decent, and they brought in his wedding robes. The sight of them brought to him the reality of it all. He wanted to cry, but he had to maintain his image. A regal prince never cried. He did what he was told.

His chambers were a busy place that morning. Servants in and out, fashioning his fluffy, blond hair and straightening his clothes. He was never alone in the room for more than a second, and, in his mind, he was screaming for some peace, for some time to himself.

The chiming of the chapel bells resounded through the town once more, and Mikaela looked in the mirror. His eyes looked large, his skin fair and his light hair pulled back and tied in a ribbon. The blue from his clothes made the blueness of his eyes look faded, tired.

Despite this, he knew Yuuichirou would think he looked beautiful. He always did, and he told him so. It was enough to bring some color into his cheeks and a small smile on his face. Not much other than the thought of his lover was capable of that, anymore.

It wasn't long until he left his chambers and descended the staircase, the chapel on his mind. His mother smiled at him, pleased with how he appeared. He offered a smile in return, but the moment she was not looking, it faded from his face.

He was to be married. The thought should have been gleeful and exciting, but he had never felt more devastated.

- - ⥈ - -

The chapel was becoming, elegantly decorated. People Mikaela had never met greeted him and sat in the pews. His clothing wasn't tight, and the chapel wasn't congested, but he felt like he was suffocating.

Yuuichurou was probably wandering in the woods, wanting his thoughts to be anywhere but the chapel. Mikaela didn't want his thoughts to be on anything but him, with his vibrant green eyes and charming, boyish smile. He wanted to feel his arms around him, his lips against his, to hear his gentle, loving voice in his ear.

Princess Akane strode into the room, flowers braided into her hair and powder on her face. She looked beautiful. Mikaela felt like he was deceiving her, and he felt he was the ugliest creature in the room.

She smiled at him like he wasn't as she approached him, no sign of deceit or unwillingness on her face. She seemed genuinely happy to be marrying him, while a war of guilt, sorrow, and longing erupted within him.

The ceremony was to begin. The prince felt nauseated, and wondered if there was any way he could turn and leave without being noticed.

The old priest stood before the couple, the sunlight through the window reflecting off his balding head. Mikaela and Akane kneeled before him. He began his sermon. The ceremony had commenced, and Mikaela knew there was no way that he could escape. Not from this.

With a glance over his shoulder, he saw the familiar mess of raven hair. He contained his surprise, but glanced over at him.

He was there as a knight, to stand guard and protect him, like he always had. His eyes never left him. Despite the event, he looked hopeful, cast him occasional smiles.

Mikaela's heart swelled. He loved him, and he always would, even if he belonged to someone else on paper.

Akane smiled at him, the organic beauty she was, and he returned her smile, no longer weighed down by dread. Even if their marriage meant nothing but politics, his love for Yuuichirou would always remain. No wedding could alter it.

He kissed her chastely on her lips when he was told, his attention anywhere else than on the man and woman before him.

The feast was to begin, and they turned to leave the chapel. Akane looked like the happiest woman in the world. It alleviated his guilt slightly to know he was the one who caused it.

Yuuichirou stopped by him for a mere second, inconspicuously. He leaned to whisper in his ear words that made Mikaela feel lighter than air.

"Heavy stones fear no weather."

Mikaela watched the back of his head as he retreated from the room.

He was Yuuichirou's new dream, and Mikaela knew him well enough to know there was nothing anyone or anything could do to stop him from achieving his dreams.

He felt loved, and there was never a greater feeling.