Chapter 12

Kaoru hadn't thought the actual wedding through. She'd seen the stacks and stacks of replies from every corner of the globe. She'd seen the gift rooms and had attended the rehearsal in the massive church. But nothing had prepared her for the vast space to be crammed full of members of the extended royal family, visiting dignitaries, family friends and a couple thousand guests.

Organ music soared to the arched ceiling of the fourteenth century church. Saints watched from stained glass windows, their hands out stretched.

Kaoru found herself shaking with unexpected nerves. The only thing that kept her going was watching Tokio ahead of her. Megumi's half sister moved slowly, in time with the music. Kaoru kept her pace even as she struggled to not turn and run.

She could hear the faint murmurings of the guests as they watched her. At least her bouquet if flowers cascade down to her knees, hiding her bulging belly. She didn't want there to be any speculation-not on Megumi's day.

As she approached the front of the church, she saw Sano. He grinned at her; then looked past her as the organ music shifted to the wedding march. Everyone stood. Kaoru wanted to turn around to watch her sister, but still she had about ten feet to go. Her gaze lingered on Sano, and she watched his expression change to one of love a wonder. He looked as if he'd been waiting for Megumi all his life.

Perhaps he had, Kaoru thought as she stepped into place next to Tokio. Perhaps she was his one true love.

Kaoru casually glance at Kenshin, who stood behind Prince Saitou, who was Tokio's husband. Kenshin didn't seem to care that the bride had entered the church. He stared at Kaoru as if he could claim her with a look.

She fought against a feeling of sadness. Possession was not love, and whatever feelings he had for her were just about the baby. Intense longing filled her-longing for what Megumi had. A family, a man who loved her more than anyone in the world, a place to belong. Was it so wrong to want to be a part of something? She'd spent her whole life on the fringes, always on the outside looking in. She had a bad feeling that wasn't going to change.

Kaoru shook off her unhappy thoughts and turned her attention to her sister. Megumi looked like a princess as she walked up the aisle, her father escorting her. Everything about the moment was perfect, and no more than Megumi deserved.

Kissing the bride was not a part of Bahania ceremony, but Sanosuke did it anyway. Kaoru joined the spontaneous applause as the couple clung to each other before turning and facing their happy guests. Bells rang, the vibrant sound echoing in the church.

The bride and the groom started to walk down the aisle. Kaoru went next, expecting to link arms with Saitou, but he had shifted positions with Kenshin, and she found herself close to the one man who could—despite everything—still take her breath away.

"You are radiance itself," he murmured as they strolled down the aisle. He nodded at several guests. No doubt rulers of a distant land and personal friends of the family.

"Thank you."

As they had on the way up, the crowd continued to overwhelm her. This was for real, she thought, stunned and amazed. Her foster sister, the same person she'd fought with about the bathroom time and who had once tried to pierce her ears with a sewing needle was and honest-to-goodness princess married to a sheik.

Even more shattering she, Kaoru was walking down the aisle of an eight hundred year old church, next to a prince who could trace his bloodline back a thousand years. Oh, and she was pregnant with his child.

Her head spun when they stepped outside and she saw that thousands had gathered around the church. In a special area set up to the left of the church, several dozen television crews reported on the event for the international news. Still cameras flashed, taking pictures everywhere.

The horse drawn carriages stood waiting. After Sano and Megumi moved off in theirs, Kenshin helped her into the next one. Thank goodness Saitou and Tokio sat with the. Kaoru didn't think she was capable of forming words let alone dealing with Kenshin right now.

"You look shell- shocked," Tokio said kindly as their carriage started forward. "I'm not surprised. This is a little overwhelming for me and I've been through this before."

Kaoru nodded, afraid that if she tried to speak she would either scream or cry. Neither would be helpful.

They returned to the palace. Pictures were taken, and then the royal family joined the reception already in progress.

The largest palace ballroom had been transformed into a fairyland, thought Kaoru, still dazed. Thousands of yards of beaded tulle decorated the walls and pillars. Lights twinkled beside a cascading waterfall that hadn't been there a few days ago. Buffets had been set up against three walls, and there seemed to be enough food to take care of several nations at once. A large orchestra played continuously. Champagne fountains flowed at both ends of the head table where Kaoru found she had been seated next to Kenshin. His doing, no doubt.

She managed to go through the motions, toasting her sister, offering best wishes, meeting people. Kenshin stayed at her side for much of the afternoon. When Sano and Megumi disappeared to change for their honeymoon, he swept her into his arms and danced with her.

"I think they will enjoy their time together," he said, speaking quietly into her ear.

"Yes. They will," her mouth felt numb. She knew she was talking, but she couldn't feel her lips moving.

The king had arranged for the newlyweds to spend several weeks on his privet yacht. They would cruise through the Mediterranean, then up the coast of Spain to France and England.

Her gaze swept over the room and something inside her snapped. This wasn't her world; she didn't belong here. Nothing about the situation felt right.

But even as she was prepared to run, she felt a fluttering sensation in her belly. Her baby turned or kicked, or maybe just waved. It was enough to remind her that there was more at stake than her own desire to belong. If she left, she would have to abandon her child, and Kaoru was willing to walk through hell before ever doing that.

Yet compromise seemed hopeless. How were she and Kenshin supposed to come to terms? Obviously, she would have to live in Bahania, but how? She refused to be supported, assuming that was what he had in mind. Yet who was going to five the former mistress of a royal prince any kind of job?

Kenshin watched the light fade from Kaoru's blue eyes. She had begun the morning bursting with happiness for her sister, but somehow over the past few hours it had slowly disappeared until she looked wounded.

He did mot like to think of her so, and tried to shake off the image. Still, there was no energy in her speech and she only picked at her food.

Sano and Megumi waved to their guests and ducked out of the far door. Kenshin took advantage of the distraction and quickly ushered Kaoru toward a side exit that led to the privet wing of the palace.

"Where are we going?" she demanded, showing spirit for the first time that afternoon.

"I think we have things to discuss."

"Oh, sure. NOW you want to talk. Isn't that just like a man. Before, when I had things to say, you weren't interested. You were all caught up in finding out about the baby. Well maybe I don't want to talk to you."

Kenshin ignored the outburst, just as he ignored the way she tugged on his as if trying to escape.

"There is no point," he said calmly, continuing to lead the way. "I have no plans of releasing you."

"That's my big fear."