Mon Amour

Saya sat lazily on one of the lush, velvet cushions in her spacious bedroom. She was felt surprisingly calm despite the big event and ceremonies that were soon to take place. Smoothing out imaginary wrinkles on her skirt and tapping her dainty fingers on her lap, she awaited her father’s arrival.

Glancing at the antique grandfather clock, there was still about half an hour before the ball begins, she swiftly stood from her seat and went towards one of her closets. She knelt down and rummaged through the many boxes, chests and cases that lay underneath her gowns and dresses. Finally, she found the chest she was looking for.

Picking it up, she gently cradled the chest in her hands. It was probably at least two decades old. Intricate carvings lay on the sides of the chest and the royal crest of Guildor adorning it, the colors had faded through time but the careful and good craftsmanship of the one who made can still be seen.

She took a big huff then blew off the thick dust that covered it. She then took out a necklace from underneath the bow tied round her waist. A small silver locket containing the crest of Guildor hung daintily upon it. Opening it carefully, she placed the locket on the place where a keyhole should have been then turned it.

Hearing a soft click, she lifted the lid and a small smile instantly graced her lips. There were quite a number of small trinkets and photographs in it, things that the late Queen Nadeshiko, things that Saya’s mother had kept since she was the first princess of Guildor until she was married to Prince Joel of Miriador, later on becoming Queen and soon, mother to Saya.

Saya would to take a look at these things whenever she felt lonely or nervous about something, and seeing these somehow made her feel better. She felt as if her mother was with her, comforting and encouraging her on.

“Oh mother, I wish you were here with me right now. Well, I’ll need you more when the wedding comes but oh my, I really wish you were still with us mother.” Saya choked back a sob as she hugged a photograph to her chest. On the photo was her mother, ever so radiant and beautiful even in just a simple white summer dress. Wearing the same outfit was cute little Saya, she was probably about four or five at that time, who was sitting at the lap of her Father, King Joel. Smiles, happiness, laughter and glee-filled days with her mother, with her family complete, oh how Saya wished she could relive it all over again.

Suddenly she heard a knock on her door, quick to close the box and retrieve her locket; she gathered up her skirt and brushed off the tears that had gathered at the corner of her eyes. “Come in”, she called out, her voice trying to sound as calm and composed as possible.

“Saya, my little princess, the ball’s about to start and--.” King Joel began but quickly changed what he was saying when he saw Saya still clutching the old photograph. “C’mon here my dear, is something the matter?”

“Oh, father I…I don’t know.. I’m worried, nervous, woozy..ohmy, my emotion’s awhirl!!” Saya’s voice came out muffled as she hugged her father.

“You really are just like your mother. You are acting exactly the same as your mother during our engagement ball, well, that’s what her sister told me.” She heard her father say with a hearty chuckle.

“I was like Mother? She was also jittery even with just an engagement ball? Don’t tell me she nearly didn’t arrive when it came to your wedding day.” Saya looked up at her father, eyes regaining their bright sparkle.

“Thankfully, her jitters were only during the engagement, the wedding day went smooth and well.”

“Do you think I’ll make it to my wedding day? I mean father, I love him and all but he still gets on my nerves at times.”

“Haha, well..you are your Mother’s daughter, mine too of course, so I’m sure you’ll make it. If not, well, I’ll force you.” King Joel laughed. “I want no one but that lad to be the father of my future grandchildren, and if you must know, dear Nadeshiko used to say she wanted lots.”

“Boy, mother sure planned way, way, WAY AHEAD OF TIME! You too father.” Saya exclaimed, eyes widening. “And if you must know, you sound very much like an old housewife or something for a moment back there.”

Another round of hearty laughter came from the king. “Well, it never hurts for one to plan ahead. Anyway, enough of this chats for now, we can talk about mine and Nadeshiko’s grandchildren next time, with m’boy Haji of course. But for now, let us make haste for your entrance at the ball.” He said, extending out his arm.

“Yes father dear.” Saya muttered in annoyance, but took his arm anyway. She was a bit annoyed by her father’s over-enthusiasm with his grandchildren but still she wanted, but not anytime soon, to become a mother. Someday, probably in her twenties, she wants to become a mother. Probably one boy and one girl, yes that would be nice. Saya mused as she walked down the ancient halls leading to the ballroom where Haji, and royal families and nobilities await her arrival.

At last they arrived at the entrance.

“You ready my dear?” she heard her father ask as he unlinked his arm from hers and made a bowing gesture before outstretching it again.

Saya took one long deep breath and then looked up at her father. “If I told you I’m backing out, what would you do father?” she asked, face steered clear from expressions.

“Have a heart attack my dear.” Her father gasped, clutching his chest.

Hearing this, she then giggled. “Don’t worry father, I was only joking.” Giving him a peck on the cheek, she then took his hand. “Shall we now?”

“Definitely my dear daughter.” Said the king and so together, father and daughter walked regally into the ballroom. The formerly buzzing crowd immediately parted as the Miriador’s King and Princess made their way to the throne.

“Why don’t you go off and have fun for awhile? I’ll make the announcement later.” Her father told her.

“Thank you father.” Saya curtsied before her father before rushing off to find her friends. Within moments she found her friends, paired up in couples, Prince Kai was dressed up in a brown suit and in his arm was the lovely Lady Mao von Schlitz who was wearing a beautiful light green silk gown; Proud and beaming Lord Karman all docked up in a navy blue coat stood beside his lovely blonde bride-to-be, Lady Irene vi Francia who looked like a lovely porcelain doll with her gentle features and her frilled and ribbon-y gothic lolita-inspired white dress; Prince Moses, uptight but somewhat still calm as always, was in a black suit and in their mini-reunion, he arrived this time with a lady by his arm. She was a petite red-haired beauty named Akami vu Machiav, the only daughter of a duke from a state in the outskirts of Miriador and heiress to a large shipping firm, she was wearing a cute blue thin-strapped gown; the last couple, much to Saya’s surprise and delight was Prince Solomon who was in a white Armani and Ryouichi/Princess Aiko who was wearing a sophisticated black empire-cut gown with small ruby gem details at the bodice and sans wig this time, her lovely midnight hair hung long behind her back. She was wearing a tux and her usual wig when she was with me earlier. Saya thought of confronting and teasing her cousin but it’ll have to wait for later.

“Saya dear, congratulations on your engagement with Prince Haji!” Lady Mao said, giving her a hug. “We’re really happy for you.”

“‘tis just a pity we couldn’t have our weddings all together on the same day.” Saya turned to face Karman. “Hey Karman, your wedding will be in two months right?”

“Yep, and boy I can’t wait for it!” Karman answered, giving Irene’s shoulder a soft squeeze.

“Can’t wait for the wedding or the honeymoon?” Kai yawned lazily as he stretched his arms into the air.

“The wedding of course!” Karman retorted angrily. “And at least I’m not chicken-livered unlike some bloke out there who took years to propose to his girl!”

“I say take that back you glasses-wearing bookworm!” Kai reposted with the same fury. “Mao help me out here, love.” He called out to Mao.

“Well, I have waited for five long years love, I’m sure you can do fine by yourself with that.” Mao rolled her eyes.

“Anyway, break it up boys. We’re here to celebrate Saya and Haji’s engagement, not to listen to your childish bickering.” Moses finally spoke.

“Yes.” Karman and Kai both replied though still angling and trying to give each other a kick at the shins.

“Speaking of Haji, where is that man? He should be here by your side tonight, shouldn’t he?” Irene, who was now eating some blueberry cheesecake, asked.

Hands fidgeting behind her back, and head glancing over the crowd once in a while, “I don’t know. I saw King Louis talking to my father a few minutes ago but I haven’t seen Haji yet.” Saya replied nervously and chewed on her bottom lip.

“Uhm, well, I’m sure Prince Haji will show up soon. Don’t worry Princess Saya.” Akami said, finally speaking from behind Moses’ arm.

“Thank you Lady Akami.” Saya smiled meekly. I hope nothing’s happened to him. She thought.

“How’s my cute little niece?” a familiar voice asked from behind her.

Spinning round gently, she was delighted to see her dear uncle Nathan, King Joel’s second and youngest brother. “Uncle Nathan!” she exclaimed happily and gave him a hug. “I thought you couldn’t come because of your schedule.”

“Wouldn’t miss this for the world sweet pea.” Nathan replied, flicking his wavy blonde hair. He was tall and slender, with nice features and a natural blonde just like her grandmother, the late Queen Mother Isabella Maria vi Goldschmidt. Nathan, though supposed to be with a title of Archduke, gave up his title to pursue a fashion/theater-inclined profession and is currently one of the country’s most sough-after designer and director. “I’m just quite disappointed I wasn’t the one to make your engagement ball gown.”

“Oh, I’m truly sorry Uncle but Godmother Lilith insisted on making this.”

“Well, I must say Lilith did a good job, but not as good as if I had done it.”

“But of course, dear Uncle Nathan’s gowns are the best!”

“Oh pish, just promise that it will be I who will make your wedding gown.”

“Yes, I promise!”

Finally, her uncle smiled then did a bowing gesture before extending his hand. “Great then, may I have the honor of having your first dance, dear niece?”

Giggling, Saya curtsied in turn before taking his hand. “Why of course, dear uncle.”

After pretty much dancing every dance she had studied, ballet, cotillion, minuet, tarantella, and dancing with her friends, Saya was already exhausted and yet still no sign of Haji.

“Father, I haven’t seen that man the whole night! I’m getting annoyed.” Saya complained to her father as they minuet.

“Patience my darling daughter, I’m sure he just had some urgent business to do.” King Joel replied, his demeanor calm and composed as always.

“Something more urgent than our engagement ball?! Father, my patience for him is thinning by the second, and if he doesn’t appear here in five minutes I’m calling this engagement off.” She muttered angrily. “Hmf, excuse me for a while father, I’ll just get myself some champagne.”

“Go ahead my dear.” Her father simply smiled at her before she walked away from the dance floor.

Saya took two champagne glasses from a passing waiter before she went to the terrace, placing down one of the glasses and taking one in her hand, she emptied the contents in one gulp. “That Haji really gets on my nerves.” She said to herself as she watched the reflection of the moon on the lake.

“Well excuse me for being so damn handsome and charming.” She heard his voice say with a chuckle. Stomping her heels round, frown at face and ready to give him one heck of a scolding, she was surprised when he bowed and extended his hand, an invitation for a dance. Holding back her frown and maintaining her composure, she took his hand and allowed him to lead her back to the dance floor just as the musicians started to play a romantic waltz tune.

“Have I told you how beautiful you look tonight?” Haji whispered to her ear as they danced.

“No, cause one, you’ve only gotten here and two, your flattery won’t get you anywhere.” Saya whispered back, anger ringing in her tone.

“I was late merely because of some urgent matters I had to finish.”

“What is it that is more important that you left me all alone the entire night until now?!”

“You will know soon enough.”

“I’m already angry Haji, are you bent on fanning the flame even more?”

“I am hurt mon amore, I have no intention of hurting my princess.”

“Like I said, flattery won’t get you anywhere. I can really hurt you if you want. By fist or gun or by blade, you choose. I do remember having a nice collection of rare scythes and swords.”

“You will hurt the man you love?”

“Which man?”

Suddenly, from waltz, the music changed to a much slower one.

Haji sighed as he rested his head on her shoulder, “What can I do to have your forgiveness? Slit my throat? Jump from the Clock Tower? Have my neck at the guillotine?” he asked.

“Oh, pish! If you die hom will I marry then?”

“So does that mean you forgive me?”

“Uh-huh.”

“And that you’ll marry me?”

“Stupid question! Why are we here about to be engaged officially if we are not to marry afterwards?”

“So you’re marrying me just because of the promise between our fathers?”

“Of course not, argh! Just what are you up to Haji?”

With swift motions, Haji suddenly went on one knee and took out a velvet box from his coat. Opening it, a beautiful diamond ring was revealed. “Saya vi Goldschmidt nee Bielefelt, neither because of traditions nor promises between our fathers, but with your own heart, will you do me the honor of becoming my bride?”

Blushing, astonished and all of a sudden her anger disappeared as the man she loves proposed to her, humbling himself, who is also of royalty, before her. “Yes!” she exclaimed happily and flung her arms around him.

Haji hugged her back, lifting her off her dainty little feet.

The whole room was filled with thunderous applause and cheers for the newly engaged royal couple.

“I was hoping to be the one to make the announcement, but your son did it better.” King Joel chuckled.

“Like father like son of course. Did quite a scene too back in the day when I proposed to Hana.” Came King Louis’ reply.

“Of course, in our time, the way I proposed to Nadeshiko was the most epic! Nearly cost me my life, her father was living hell.” King Joel said, wiping his brow.

“Enough about the past, what’s important are these children. Cheers then my friend, to the future wedding and lovely grandchildren!” King Louis raised his wine goblet.

“Cheers!” King Joel repeated, clinking his goblet with his friend.

Meanwhile, back to the young couples.

“So then, now that Haji and I’ve been engaged, Solomon, you should hurry up and propose to this fickle cousin of mine before the spell’s broken.” Saya teased. “You too Moses.”

“Already have dear cousin.” Moses said with a smile, as he held up Akami’s hand which showed a lovely Ruby and Sapphire engagement ring. Dear Akami couldn’t help but merely blush.

“Guess that leaves Solomon and Aiko the couple yet to be engaged then.” Kai commented.

“But we’ve only but barely started dating, isn’t that right Solomon dear?” Aiko turned to Solomon, tugging at his sleeve and asking for back-up.

Before Solomon could even begin speaking, Irene had already cut him off. “BUT you two have known each other for ages!”

“Bah, let’s just hope he doesn’t take four years to propose like Kai.” Karman added.

As the friends continue on their friendly bickering, and the ball getting livelier by the minute, Saya and Haji had quietly snuck off and escaped to the gardens for some time alone.

Sitting by the Angel fountain in the middle of the rose garden, the lovers sat happy and content to be in each others arms.

“So this was the reason you were late.” Saya held up her hand and admiring the engagement ring that Haji had given her as it glistened more beautifully as it reflected the moonlight.

“Yes, well the delivery had some delays so I had to get it personally.” Haji replied, resting his chin on Saya’s shoulder.

“Thank you Haji, I love it. I really do.” She said as she turned and wrapped her arms around his neck, before giving him a quick kiss on the lips.

“I’m glad you do.” He smiled before reclaiming her cherry lips, his arms round her waist and pulling her closer to him.

“I love you.” Saya whispered softly when they broke apart for some air.

“I love you too Saya.” Haji replied and nuzzled her nose with his.

“Forever and ever?” Saya asked, ruby orbs staring into his onyx ones.

“Forever and ever mon amour.” Haji assured her with yet another breath-taking kiss beneath the stars and the moon.

Yuki’s Notes:

Before anything else, I’m so sorry! I promised that I’d update chapter 9 soon but I wasn’t able to because of too much schoolwork and university entrance exams (I’m graduating high school by 2009)

To make up for my slow progress, I made this chapter longer than my usual ones. I hope you guys like it.

Reviews are my energy and inspiration so keep em coming! See y’all on the next chapter! Cheerio!