Empire 《Mikayuu/YuuMika》

⥈ Chapter Eighteen ⥈

Married life wasn't as difficult and absolute as Mikaela thought it would be. He was not obligated to touch Akane if he chose not to. They slept in separate chambers, and only greeted each other politely during breakfast. After that, Mikaela seldom saw her until the next meal they shared.

He was still able to perambulate the wood with Yuuichirou as he pleased, sharing secret kisses and affectionate touches while hidden behind the sea of trunks and leaves. In Shibuya, a sanctuary of their own, where they were free to do as they pleased. Mikaela wished it was Yuuichirou he married, but the world did not operate as such. Marriage was mere politics, anyway, free from any semblance of emotion and love. His heart was still Yuuichirou's to keep.

He waded through the river, over which Shibuya was waiting patiently for him. The large stone gathered more moss since the last time he'd been here with his lover, a few days before his wedding took place. Now that it occurred to him, it was a lot smaller than when he and Yuuichirou first met there, eight years ago. Although it sounded like a brief time to his ear, it had seemed like an eternity. Yuuichirou rescued him from his solitude, gave him a new, secret life that he adored. He created a whole kingdom of him, an entire empire to covet.

The leaves had fully grown on the trees, filling them with life, and the water in the river was almost filled to the rim from all the snow melting in the mountains. The crystalline water caught the sunlight that shone through the canopies of the trees and sparkled. Shibuya was truly beautiful, and it had taken him years to truly understand it.

Mikaela sat on the large rock and waited for Yuuichirou, remembering his childhood and the day they first met. The aching loneliness of before was a mere memory, as he had Yuuichirou to keep him company.

He truly loved him, and he would be the only one to have his heart. He was certain of it.

The leaves and the grass reminded him of his effulgent eyes, the way they glistened with happiness. Yuuichirou's eyes held the essence of springtime, in its purest, truest form. They radiated life and youth and constantly rejuvenated Mikaela's aging soul.

He heard the sound of shifting grass in the forest and sat up with anticipation, blue eyes gleaming with excitement, despite that he had seen Yuuichirou just a few hours before. It was a different circumstance, however, as Mikaela could feel that Ferid's prying eyes were near, and they only were able to exchange a couple pleasantries before parting ways.

It wasn't long before Yuuichirou's kind face emerged from the wood, casting him a smile that rivalled the sun's magnificent intensity.

"Yuu-chan," Mikaela said. "You've arrived at last."

"Did I keep you waiting for long?"

He shook his blond head. "No. In fact, I just arrived shortly before."

Yuuichirou waded across the river and stood there before him, marvelling in his beauty. Mikaela looked up at him in confusion.

"What is it? Do I have something in my hair?"

"No, you're just beautiful, is all."

Mikaela blushed slightly. "Thank you."

He stood from the rock to be eye-level with Yuuichirou. The vibrant nature of his eyes was something to truly admire.

Yuuchirou wrapped his arms around him and pressed a deep kiss to his lips.

"Kissing a married man," Yuuichirou said against his lover's lips. "What would my mother think?"

Mikaela giggled. "Does it matter much?"

"Of course not. I love you, Mikaela."

The prince kissed him again, wrapping his arms around Yuuichirou's waist. "And I absolutely admire you, Sir Amane."

Yuuichirou's smile widened.

They spent the rest of the afternoon sitting in a lush patch of grass by the riverside, making crowns from the wildflowers. Mikaela had never felt more free than he did in that moment, obscured from the world by the leafy canopies of trees, in a sanctuary of their own making. He felt like a different person, unbound by the heavy nature of the crown. He felt its tenacious grip loosen on him, and he felt like he hadn't truly breathed in years. He began to dance around the grass. His mind was soaring through the clouds, unburdened, without a single obligation to attend to. Yuuichirou laughed at Mikaela as he danced, the wildflower crown still swinging limply in his grasp. Whenever Mikaela came near Yuuichirou, he ran a hand through his dark hair. Mikaela felt his gaze on him with every leap he took, every barefooted step through the soft grass. It was like Yuuichirou was hypnotized, his eyes not wanting to behold any other sight but the beautiful prince before him. 

Yuuichirou smiled tenderly as Mikaela settled down beside him, the grass tickling his exposed skin. He finished the flower crown he had been creating and placed it gently over Mikaela's brow.

"I crown you King Mikaela of Shibuya."

Mikaela took his and placed it over his lover's raven hair, imitating his action. "And I crown you King Yuuichirou of Shibuya."

Yuuichirou cupped Mikaela's cheek in his hand and pressed a gentle kiss to his rosy lips. Like every kiss, it sent him into a blissful state, and he never wanted their lips to part, even for the demanding need for air.

"I wish to marry you, Yuu-chan," Mikaela said beneath his breath, as if the birds would witness his words and relay them to the world. "If only..."

"We can be married here, Mika, if you truly wish."

"I do."

Yuuichirou allowed his love for the other male seep from his bones and out into the air. It consumed him like a untameable flame, and he never wanted it to fizzle out.

"Someday, Yuuichirou," Mikaela whispered against his lips. He kissed him again, with such a great intensity Yuu wondered if anyone could be kissed more passionately. If anyone could love more powerfully than he loved Mikaela.

As the prince and he reveled in their shared bliss, Yuuichirou held him closer. He wanted to marry him, to rule an entire kingdom with him, or simply to exist with him where he was allowed to, as mere townsfolk that worked to survive. If he could be with him, would there ever be misery, strife, or suffering?

As long as Mikaela was at his side, he felt there wasn't a single negative thing in the world.

As the sun began to descend below the horizon, the two made it back to the castle. Yuuichirou pressed a deep kiss to Mikaela's lips as a farewell.

He held Mikaela's fair hands in his own. "I will see you in the morn', my dearest."

Mikaela smiled humorously from Yuuichirou's trite gestures, but he felt just as bromidic. Mikaela allowed his hands to he held, gazing into his lover's eyes.

"You can..." he paused, embarrassed by what he had to say. "If you do not wish to wait until the morning to see me, you could...

Yuuichirou seemed to understand, and he pressed gentle kisses to his knuckles. "Do you think it safe? Will there be anyone that could see us?"

Yuuichirou didn't care about the thought of anyone seeing them together. It was the notion that they would be separated after discovery, and he couldn't bear that thought.

Not a trace of doubt resided in Mikaela's sparkling, entrancing eyes. "No."

With that, Yuuichirou kept one of Mikaela's hands in his own, as if they were to part he would die, and followed Mikaela to his chambers.