[multi-chap] So close, so far - 09
Title: So close, so far 09/12
Author: vikyfaxerfeit
Beta: andreja1989
Genre: AU, fantasy, romantic, angst
Pairing: Junba, Sakuraiba, Ohmiya, JunxOC
Summary: Prince Aiba is the future king of Rainbow Kingdom who has to choose his future partner between marquis Sakurai and earl Matsumoto. The choice seems easy for Aiba who already loves one of them but what if a spell brings him far away from him? Can he believe in him or will he fall in the stained arms of the other?
Two days passed by without any change. The prince carried out his duties during the day and always came back to the cottage in the early evening. He felt anxious and lonely. Time never seemed so slow for him like in these two days. He just wanted Saturday to come as fast as possible because he couldn't bear to be apart from Sho anymore. In the meanwhile Sakurai stayed hidden in the cottage. Since he couldn't do anything, he just kept on thinking about the worst scenario that could happen on Saturday. He distracted himself by picturing in his mind his future happy life with Masaki and he tried to be strong enough even for his lover because he longed for his bright smiles that appeared lesser and lesser on Masaki's lips in thes few days.
Finally Saturday came.
Masaki couldn't sleep at all the night before because of the anxiety and expectation. Sho lied awake next to him for the whole night and from time to time he murmured soothing words into Aiba's ear to calm him. "Even if you can't hear me nor see me, I'm here next to you and I'll always be no matter what is going to be the outcome tomorrow."
"Sho-chan..." Aiba mumbled with a sad tone and for a second Sakurai thought that the latter heard him.
"Masaki... Can you hear me?" He asked in a whisper.
"Sho-chan..." The prince repeated staring at the roof with teary eyes. "I miss you."
Warm tears fell on Sho's cheeks and he felt a stab in his heart. Oh, how he wanted to hug his lover tightly right now! But he had to wait and he took comfort from the belief that they would pass the next night together. He didn't know that another obstacle was going to appear right in front of their happiness.
~°~°~
Later that morning, when Masaki arrived at the palace, he was immediately called by the king. "Good morning, son. You look pale. Did you have a good sleep?"
Masaki thought that he didn't need to lie to his father so he earnestly replied:
"No, father. I couldn't sleep a wink last night."
"I guess you're nervous for tonight." His father said with a happy grin. "I'm very sorry for Sakurai's death but this way you don't have to choose anymore."
"What do you mean, father?" Aiba asked worried.
"The choice was between Matsumoto and Sakurai. You have to understand that Sakurai isn't a candidate anymore. You can't marry a dead man." The king said and both him and the queen faked a laughter.
Masaki was shocked. He didn't think of the consequences that Sho's death could bring. He didn't want to marry Matsumoto. He didn't even know him! And most of all Sho was waiting for him, he didn't want to betray his one and only love.
"Sakurai isn't dead." He declared with anger.
"What are you talking about?" The queen butted in with an inquisitive tone.
"You heard me." Aiba said and looked at the queen with threatening eyes as if flames were sparkling in them. "I won't marry Matsumoto. I never intended to. And if both of you disagree with my choice I don't care. I'm going to spend my whole life with Sho. This time I won't let you take away my happiness."
"Have you gone crazy, son?" The king asked puzzled.
"I'm pretty serious here, Father. And if you even try to stop me, I won't attend the party. I won't even become the future king!" Masaki was out of his mind. The anger took control of his tongue and he couldn't stop his words. Maybe he exaggerated but he couldn't really care less now. His only goal was to find Sho. About all other issues, he would think later.
"Guards!" The king shouted and immediately a couple of men came in the room. "Escort the prince to his chamber and make sure he won't come out of it until the party starts." He ordered before the two guards took Aiba from both his arms and guided him to his room.
~°~°~
"What's the matter, Your Highness?" Ohno asked with a respectful tone when he was summoned all of a sudden by the king.
"It's Masaki! He became rebellious." King Aiba stated. "What do you think, Ohno-san? You are his godfather, you know him better than me."
"I know that he's not rebellious, Your Highness." Satoshi replied with a calm smile. "Although at times he acts hot-tempered, he doesn't want to hurt anyone."
"He wants to marry a dead man! Argh! What did I do wrong with my son?"
"Maybe..." The white magician paused for a while because he wanted the king's full attention. "Maybe Sakurai isn't dead. Maybe you can give your son a chance to show you how much he has grown up."
"I know you quite enough to smell something fishy. You're aware of something, Ohno-san." Satoshi just smiled as always but for the king it was like a 'yes'. "But you won't tell me." King Aiba stated with a defeated tone. "Alright. I'll go with your suggest. What do I have to do?"
"Just let him sneak away from the party before midnight. He will come back with a surprise." The magician winked with a foxy grin on his lips and the king couldn't help but laugh at that bratty side of his friend.
Everything would have been perfect if just the queen didn't eavesdrop.
"Are you sure?" A worried frown could be seen on Matsumoto's face.
"I heard it with my own ears, Jun!"
"Damn!" The earl screamed and punched the table in front of him before he fell in an awkward silence. He was thinking deeply and didn't even move when the queen hugged him to reassure him. After a while, he exclaimed: "We have to change our plan. Make sure that the prince stays in his room and take the king to the prison with an excuse."
"Ok, but..." The woman looked at Jun with worry and fear. "What's your plan?"
"You will see. I'll wait for you and the king in the dungeon in an hour." He said with a confident smirk and kissed the queen before running out of the room.
~°~°~
"What did you find in the dungeon, my dear?" The king asked curious when the queen persuaded him with a lie to follow her.
"That's a mystery." She smiled and took her husband's hand.
"You're always so fickle." The man laughed and followed her inside where they found Matsumoto waiting for them.
"Earl?" The king said surprised. "What are you doing here?"
"I'm assuring my future as king, Your Highness." Matsumoto replied with a sneaky smirk before he clicked his fingers and three guards appeared behind the king and pushed him into a cell.
"What are you doing?" King Aiba shouted with anger and confusion.
Matsumoto laughed approaching the cell and when he was an inch from the king's face, he evilly whispered: "I'm taking your place."
"Then what's this set-up?" The king asked and looked at his wife who seemed a bit lost and scared. "You could have just killed me in my sleep. I wouldn't have to assist at your betrayal!"
"Well, we just didn't kill you... yet." Matsumoto said drawing the attention on him again. "First I need to marry the prince and make sure the mass will love me. And then I just need to put off your naive son and you and I'll be the one and only king." He revealed before letting out a scary laughter that echoed in the deep of the dungeon.
TBC