"No one can go back and change a bad beginning but anyone anytime can start working for a successful ending"

Castles in the Air

Every Cloud has a silver Lining

By

Kanata Saionji

Author's Note:Hey this is Kanata and what you all are about to read is the final chapter of my most favorite creation "Castles in the Air".

This might sound cliché but I'm honor-bound to say the following…

"I would like to take this opportunity to thank every one who had taken the time to read at the least one page of my story. Whether you review or not, just thinking that someone somewhere appreciates my story is more than enough.

"Everything is not so easy. There was a time when I wanted to quit Cinta for I thought it was a silly fairy-tale. But now, about to finish it, I feel so empty that I will never be able to write Cinta again. This was more important because of everybody who read it. This story became more special because people liked it.

"I'd like to thank you all again for going through my "silly little Fairy-Tale". Thank you all"

Dedication: to everybody... everybody who had ever spent even a minute with this story… and also to Kanata and Miyu… and also, Mika Kawamura for creating such a lovely masterpiece.

Story till now: Kanata, a seventeen year old prince, was married to his parents' friends' sixteen-year old daughter, Miyu who dreams of entering the Palace as a Minister rather than a Queen. Unable to take in the fact that they are married against their wishes, the couple, full of life and angst for each other, came up with a treaty so that they could separate in a year.

An entire year passed and the couple, already granted for each other found it difficult not to fall for each other. The course of the year was marked by many difficulties—like when Kanata's childhood friend, Akira Kijoyu shows up and makes him remember his promise of wedding her.

Yet, everything seems fine until the very end. With just a few weeks to go for their anniversary (as well as Kanata's eighteenth birthday), Mizuki, Miyu's first crush, returns from his voyage and proposes his undying love for Miyu. Miyu quickly rejects him saying that though she loves him, she loves Kanata more.

Mizuki relents but Kanata, who chanced to hear only one part of the conversation, got the wrong idea and signs the treaty, which he had planned on throwing into the fire if Miyu still wants to be with him. He asks her to sign and leave the palace, which Miyu does after tears. Neither managed to say out loud how they felt about each other.

Now, on the anniversary of their marriage, Kanata is getting married to Akira and Miyu planned on leaving the Saionji Kingdom with Mizuki.

And now, the story's FINALE…

Note: Please read a little slowly and please do not rush through the paragraphs. And I'd like to apologize in advance if this chapter is a little too long/short for your liking; and also for the fact that I tested your patience till this long only for the finale. 

Episode 30

Love Story—A New Beginning

'Even when he's the one who hurt you, you'd rather want him to comfort you…'

Miyu rested her chin on her palms as she looked up at the sky thinking about what she was going to be doing in a few hours time. The black of the sky was undergoing a sudden change in colors—from grey to a light pinkish glow at the eastern side of the horizon.

No matter how much she wanted to think against it, she couldn't stop from admitting the fact that truly, Mizuki was right. At that moment, when she was overwhelming with despair, she had really wanted Kanata to be the one comforting her… not Mizuki.

She sighed lightly. She rubbed her face with her palms and wondered how red her eyes were right now. She didn't need a mirror to know that it might be a royal crimson.

'I love you more Miyu…'

'I don't understand,' thought Miyu her emerald orbs unfocussed and teary, 'why the hell I am head over heels in love with him when I know for sure we can never be together any more…?'

She absent-mindedly looked at her right hand. Suddenly tears streamed down her cheek as she saw two jewels decorating her hand. One was the beautiful and one of the prized possessions of the Saionji Kingdom—Hitomi Saionji's bracelet.

The other was her wedding ring. As her eyes focused sharper on the diamond ring, tears streamed at a faster rate and though she tried to control them with her hands, they never stopped.

He had made it a point to send back her stuff and even something that was precious to him—Sandy. But how could he have forgotten to get back the ring? Did he forget or did he think it was not worthy enough to have returned?

'I… I would be needing the ring back…'

If he needed it back, why not take it?

'Why are you doing this to me…?' she cried, looking up at the light blue sky, tears flowing steadily down her cheek.

She looked behind her and on her bed was her bags neatly packed and organized ready to leave tomorrow as soon as she submits her resignation to Kunimitsu. Looking at the bags a kind of painful relief spread through her. She would not have to face Kanata again but that in itself was a pain for her as she wants to see him but not with anyone else.

'Happy Birthday Kanata…' she whispered as a single tear crinkled down her cheek, glittering with the morning rays of sunlight.

~Every cloud has a silver lining~

The Saionji Kingdom looked like a Christmas card on the King's nineteenth birthday. Snow was covering almost everywhere and the homes of the inhabitants looked like freshly baked bun covered with frosting. The roads were all covered with clear snow and quite some people were sweeping snow off of their entrances.

Christmas decorations were up in every home but not many were actually cheery or were they in a festive mood. Everybody was brooding over the fact that the King has chosen to leave Miyu and get married to Akira on their very anniversary.

Unlike last year, when Kanata and Miyu got married, this year his wedding with Akira was not to be held at the main cathedral but inside the castle itself, in the gardens. A special podium, which was erected earlier that year on request by the Internal Affairs Ministry's interns, was where the wedding is going to be held.

Only people really close were invited unlike last year when the entire kingdom was given permission to bless the newly weds.

As the sun slowly drifted from behind the hills, illuminating the entire Capital, the inhabitants, looked up at the sky only to notice that the snow stopped falling. The sun's rays were beautiful and it played beautifully on the mounted up snow.

In unison a lot of the people sighed throughout the Capital even though it was one of the most beautiful days in the Season. Who can blame them…? It was also a day of dilemma as their most beloved King was doing wrong in leaving his wife for someone else.

The clouds started drifting away and the wedding decorations were up (but not as amazing and elegant as last time). The decorations were limited only to the castle unlike last time when the entire Capital was decorated for the wedding. This time however, decorations (though was handed over to one of the most popular and famous decorators—The Taylor-Beth Co.) were not overwhelming.

Over in the castle, people were bustling about trying to get everything done before the ceremony starts. Tensions were running high since there was so much to do and so little time left.

'Nozomu…!' called a short-haired teen with sharp auburn orbs, towards a blond who was sprinting with two huge bouquets in his arms.

The blond stopped abruptly at the call and with the momentum, dropped to the floor on his back going, 'Ahhh….'

'Nozomu!' panicked Nanami and ran towards the fallen blond with an apologetic look in her sharp orbs. She dropped on her knees beside him and helped him to a sitting position.

Nozomu massaged his back lightly going, 'Ouch…'

'I'm so sorry…' she apologized, helping him up as she held on to one of the bouquets while he carried the other with his free hand which was not still massaging his hurt back.

'It's ok…' he managed a smile as he took back the other bouquet and then asked, 'why did you call me by the way…?'

'Oh…' she gaped, 'yeah… well, Mikan asked you to check on Kanata… the wedding is in a few hours and she wants him into his wedding dress already…'

Nozomu sighed lightly and handed over bouquets to her and said, 'well, I guess you should take this to the podium…'

Nanami rolled her eyes as she staggered lightly with the weight of the two bouquets and muttered, 'well, good luck…'

He smirked and as she turned to leave, he caught her by her arms and smiling pecked her lightly right near her lips and said, 'I need all the luck I can get…'

A light tinge of crimson hue appeared across her cheeks as she saw the blond run in the direction of Kanata's room. She shook her head after a minute and as she started walking towards the podium in the garden, she muttered, 'jerk…'

She sighed after another minute of walking through the corridors. She looked out through the window and muttered, 'I just wish Kunimitsu-san is right about doing this…'

~Every cloud has a silver Lining~

The cold air wheezed past him, lifting his brunet hair just an inch, making him look more serene and worn out than he already appeared. He roamed aimlessly inside Sandy's stable and tried to do something useful which is practically impossible as he refused to replace Sandy. And now, the stable was completely empty but for a few hay-straws and spotlessly clean.

Finally, with nothing better to do, he heaved a slightly exhausted sigh and sat down on a small stool in the stable which he usually used for placing the buckets and buckets of water that was utilized for cleaning the chestnut.

Inspite of the fact that it had played house to a horse, the place smelled nothing like a horse stable. It was practically emitting a bearable scent. Actually, the smell of lilies rose in the stable.

As the odor reached the nostrils of the brunet King, who was taking refugee from all the people outside the doors to this stable, he closed his eyes and realized at once why he had sprayed a lily scented perfume all through the stable.

The reason—it smelled a little like her.

He sighed and closed his eyes and his façade relaxed as he sniffed the scent in the room. Then, after a second, he opened them again.

'Only a little…' a husky whisper escaped his lips, 'because she smells way better…'

He frowned again as his thoughts drifted back to the blonde who had successfully made his life a living hell with nothing but her mere absence. He had tried time and again to forget how she made him feel but he couldn't—not once.

The way her smile made him smile back, the way he couldn't control his heart from racing at her soft touch, the way his brain went blank at the sound of her voice calling his name, the way he would rather drop dead than get her into danger, the way she made him mad by dancing with someone else, the way his entire self calmed down at the feel of her lips against his… Everything about her tortured his living senses.

He suddenly sat bolt upright and then shaking his head lightly muttered under his breath, 'you have no right to think about her…'

He sighed as he replayed his own words again and again. Yes, he had no right. How would he…? After all, he was the one who kicked her out.

'But', said a nasty little voice inside his head, 'she chose him over you… remember that…'

'Maybe… but she said only "like"…' he muttered closing his entire face with his two hands, apparently arguing with himself, 'not "love"…'

Even as he said it, it was just a shadow of mere desire… not even hope.

'But she has never said either word to you now, has she?' asked the voice smartly and Kanata could not retort.

Conscience or he going insane (hearing voices inside his head and all)… Either way, the voice inside his head was right. She had never directed either of the two words to him and she chose to direct one at Mizuki. So, where did that put him?

Apparently, on a not-so-dirty little stool inside an empty horse stable.

He sighed again. He didn't need any of this. He already had had a very disturbing childhood with silly promises…

He didn't have to ponder on his idiocy for long for at that minute, there was a soft knock on the small door at the rear end of the stable and the door creaked open with a blonde's head poking through.

'Knock. Knock' said the blond teen with a small smirk playing along his lips, 'can I come in your Highness…?'

Kanata straightened up and pushed back his brunet locks lazily with one of his hands only for them to slid through his fingers softly and return to their original position again.

'Nozomu…' he acknowledged, a despair filled exhaustion draining even his warm and strong voice to something between a croak and a choke.

The brunet King got to his feet and Nozomu winced lightly as he saw the difference that had been brought upon him within a span of a few days. Whatever he was doing was practically killing him but he chose to do it.

"Well", Nozomu thought as he walked towards the still brunet slowly, "I have no right in giving him advice seeing as I tend to run away from my problems…"

Nozomu cleared his throat pointedly and then shrugging his shoulders said, 'erm… Mikan is looking for you… she wants you to get into your wedding dress already…'

Kanata gave him one curt nod and walked swiftly, almost glided right past him.

Nozomu had no idea what made him do it but before he could even put a stopper to his wildly swerving thoughts, he blurted out, 'if you love her then why are you doing this Kanata…?'

"Crap," thought Nozomu, and cursed himself for it was Tezuka's clear order for none of them to talk to Kanata about this. He could almost hear Kunimitsu's breezy order.

'Let him to it…! Give him a clear field and with that head of his, he's bound to get confused…'

Kanata froze in his tracks.

"Oh god," thought Nozomu his hand immediately reaching for his forehead, "this can't be good… Kunimitsu is going to be so mad"

But unexplainably, not even a word escaped the brunet's lips as he stood there, frozen still and unmoving. Nozomu doubted whether he was even breathing. A sudden surge of concern swept past him and at the same time, he realized why Tezuka didn't want any of them to talk to Kanata about this:

He was obviously in hell. Where further down can he go when even his friends gave him the cold shoulder?

Nozomu was wondering what to do now, when he heard the brunet chuckle lightly much to his utter—not amusement—definite horror. Of all the emotions that he could possibly show, it was "laughter"?

'Kanata…?' Nozomu's voice came as a confused choke.

Kanata finally turned to face Nozomu and the latter was a little amazed to see how a small chuckle managed to bring some color back into his face—till then he had been like some wax zombie.

Nozomu raised a questioning eyebrow and Kanata gave him a reassuring smile obviously motioning that he wasn't insane—not yet.

'I was actually worried…' he said slowly and clearly as though it had been centuries since he had actually used the power of speech. It sounded odd and weird, a voice which was different to him—to someone as strong and powerful as Kanata—the King of the Saionji Kingdom.

But what he said bothered Nozomu a bit. Worried…? About what…?

'What are you worried about…?' asked Nozomu, possibly thinking that it would be the same punishment if he broke the rule once or a hundred times over.

Kanata frowned lightly as though searching his vocabulary for the right words.

'I thought—or maybe even hoped,' he said slowly, turning away from the bespectacled blond, 'that you all might give me a reprimand for…' he cleared his throat nervously, '…for what I did…'

He gave another chuckle but this time it was positively coated with despair and remorse.

Nozomu was lost for words. Well, another reason for Tezuka's order: complete blankness as to what to say/do next. Obviously, nobody had a clear explanation to the couple's problem; neither did they have a resolution.

But Kunimitsu seems to have one.

"It would've been the best to have followed orders without screwing up", thought Nozomu, biting his lower lip.

'How's everything with Nanami…?'

A constructive change of subject…

Nozomu didn't mind one bit. He just wants to get this over with so that they could go to the next phase of Tezuka's big plan.

'Erm… I guess its fine,' Nozomu said, managing not turning crimson for the first time, 'my parents would be here New Year's eve… I plan to tell them then…'

Kanata gave Nozomu a smile that said all too clearly—"at least somebody gets a happy ending".

Nozomu hated this new Kanata. If it were the old Kanata, he could probably be bright red by now, with all his snorts and teasing. But this unfamiliar brunet was acting so strange that even his physical appearance seemed nothing like Kanata—more like the way Kanata held himself—proud and careless—not lifeless and uncanny.

Kanata gave him a calculating look and then with a smile asked, 'when's the Big Day…?'

Nozomu pulsed.

Right—like he hadn't been asked that question already. That's like… hm, the hundredth time possibly.

From the very second he and Nanami had kissed at the gates, it was official that they were a couple and everywhere they went—separately or alone—they were bombarded with the same question: "when's the Big Day?"

But his reply to all the other ninety-nine times cannot be given to this particular person because for all the other persons' it was: "As soon as Kanata and Miyu get back together, we'll start planning".

'Erm…' pondered Nozomu searching for a possible reply, 'I guess, sooner or later…'

Kanata gave him an encouraging nod and a small smile and said, 'right… that's great…' and then with a shrug added, 'well, let's go then…'

'Yeah…' said Nozomu, heaving a huge sigh of relief inside his head so that Kanata wouldn't hear.

The brunet walked out the small door and the white of the snow welcomed him to the world that he'd rather avoid at the moment. He lifted one of his feet from the snow and stared at the place where the imprint of his feet now lay.

He then took another step and closed his eyes lightly and breathed gently, as though worried he might hurt the air surrounding his kingdom by breathing in it too hard. With his eyes still closed, he faced the sky and lightly opened them.

Nozomu walked out and standing behind him wondered what the brunet was thinking at that exact moment but he would gamble his own life that it was definitely about Miyu.

"Just a few more hours…" thought Nozomu as he looked up at the beautiful sky, "…just a few more hours and everything will be fine…"

Coincidentally, those were the same lines, with a light change, that passed through the brunet's head: "just a few more hours and everything would be better…"

Their thoughts were so identical… and so different.

~Every cloud has a silver lining~

Miyu watched as she saw the last of her luggage being loaded onto the carriage outside her mansion. Sandy was not tied to the carriage. Yes, she didn't want to tie her. Her previous master had never done that and Miyu did not intend to start now.

'Ready, Miyu…?'

Miyu recognized Mizuki's voice but it was barely audible. Or maybe it was just her, suddenly going a little numb to everybody else.

She found Mizuki's worried irises and gave him a small nod and a pathetic attempt at a smile. Then, she turned to her parents.

'Miyu…' her mother started and probably with nothing to say that can remotely change her daughter's mind, just lunged forward and gave her blonde daughter a heart-warming hug.

As she let go, Miyu saw silent tears rolling down her mother's cheeks. This was the last thing she wanted: seeing the people she loved cry.

She gave her mother an assuring smile and then turned to her father.

He father, copying his wife, hugged Miyu as well but prolonged a little. He held her and whispered into her ears, 'I love you, honey…'

Miyu closed her emerald orbs, enjoying the warmth and protection that her father gave but she cursed herself for thinking that she preferred someone else's better.

'Love you too, dad…' she said gulping, 'and… I'll miss you two a lot…'

'We'll miss you more,' he replied and withdrew from her.

There was an eerie silence as they all stood there, with nothing to say. The servants had tied Miyu's luggage and the maids had helped Miyu into some really good clothes, which Miyu found no necessity for.

She looked down a second and her dress made her almost want to break down again. It was a long and elegant blue-green dress that reached beyond her toes. What made her whine in pain was that it was his favorite shade.

'Let's go Miyu…' Mizuki's distant voice echoed inside her head as he spoke.

Miyu closed her eyes at the very instant she felt like welling up again and as she opened them again, she saw Mizuki nodding reassuringly towards her parents.

Her mother gave her one more hug and this one was more heart-wrenching for Miyu than the last for she didn't know whether this might be the last hug she might have with her mother for she had no intention of returning where she might see him… with someone else.

Mizuki gave her a hand as she climbed aboard the carriage. His hand was warm and comforting. Yes, but it was not his. She bit her lip for thinking so. She had made a determined—yet no way going to happen—resolution to stop thinking about him.

The chances of not thinking about him was certainly bleak, she realized as she sat down at the seat near the window and waved at her parents. They were bleak for forgetting about him would honestly be the most difficult thing she would have to do for he was everywhere for her. Everything around her suddenly reminded her of him.

'Miyu, you okay…?' asked Mizuki, 'if you don't want to, I'll get someone to take you back home…'

But before she could even think up a reply, his sentence urged up a distant memory—as though from another life—when there was no complications and what distinctly linked this memory to present was that the same words were spoken to her by him months ago, inside a carriage—just like now.

'Hey…' she remembered the brunet looking up front, 'if you don't want to, I'll get someone to take you back to the palace…'

That night had been one of those most beautiful nights she had had. It was first (and also last) time she had danced with him and the first time he had voiced out something really… she had no words to express how she felt about what he said that night. She seldom believed that she might forget those words:

'If Hanakamachi is wine, I want you to be water, Miyu…'

Speaking of beautiful nights, it would take her another life-time to forget the first time he had kissed her—not hard, not bad… but the perfect first kiss… gentle and tender, as though he had tried very hard not to offend her in any way… as though afraid she might push him away.

'If you did it for me, then I want to finish it…'

And impossible would be the word if she ever thought about forgetting the night they had spent together—not on either side of the bed, but together, on the same bed—when she had been sick.

'I won't leave you, Miyu…'

And also she could never, ever think about forgetting the night when he had stuck up for her with Mrs. Hanakamachi.

'I'm glad you understand,' said Mrs. Hanakamachi, cheerfully.

'I do, Mrs. Hanakamachi,' he said softly with a weird smile, 'then I hope that you'll understand that now, I have to imprison you for insulting my Queen...'

Despite herself, the corners of her lips lifted up at the sound of those memories playing inside her head. As far as beautiful nights went, she could vividly remember one that, even if her mind would, her body would never forget—the night the two almost lost control.

'Do you want know what happened the night of the Ball…?' Miyu could almost feel his soft breath on her lips as he had said those words and also the desperate hunger in his auburn orbs.

"Does he really think he can forget all that and marry Akira?"

'Damn Kanata…'

A query she had been pondering over for the past few days broke past her and sounded vividly and clearly inside her head.

"How could he even think about forgetting the way he acted towards me…?"

'Don't you remember? A Saionji knows everything…'

Fury like never before urged through her body and all she needed right now was to corner that brunet and hit him as hard as she could.

"Does he expect me to find someone else when he not only took over my mind and heart but also my body?"

Miyu's heart almost skipped a beat. He hadn't done much to her. Not much, anyway. Now that she thought about it, in spite of living inside the same room, granted to each other, he had never taken advantage—not once.

She then found herself wishing that he had… that he had taken advantage as any other guy would and now, he would have a reason not to let go and she'll also have a reason not to leave. But no… he had to keep his word for that damn pact.

Miyu looked down and saw the officially sealed envelop in her hands. She brought it up in level with her eyes and read the front:

To,

Tezuka Kunimitsu

Chief Minister,

Internal Affairs Ministry,

Saionji Kingdom

And within this envelope was her resignation. This one parchment inside this envelope held the full-stop to her life-time dream. But now she thought about it, her dream seemed nothing when compared to the life with him.

Miyu closed her eyes tightly. Her resolution was not doing any good up until now and she had no idea when she'd be over him.

'Mizuki…?' she called her voice sounded alien and strained to her.

Mizuki, who had been observing every one of her unusual movements, sat straight and asked, 'what is it, Miyu…?'

Miyu inhaled deeply and said, 'I'm sorry that I'm putting you through all of this…'

Mizuki smiled and placing his hand on her shoulder said, 'it's nothing… don't push yourself… just concentrate of getting that resignation to Tezuka…'

Miyu smiled. Now, that was not pushing herself. That was practically pushing her headfirst into a bottomless pit. Seeing Tezuka meant seeing his other ministers, Nanami and Aya. Seeing Nanami meant seeing Nozomu, and seeing him meant seeing his higher official Mikan. And seeing her meant seeing her once pupil Kanata Saionji.

Miyu sighed. She couldn't cry. All her tears seemed to have dried up and she kind of passed the phase of tears. When she decided at once point to drop from that cliff, she had lost all will to shed tears again. She felt horrible thinking about it and she was sure Mizuki was right:

'He would have devastated if he knew that you even tried that'

Kanata would really be devastated if he knew he was at fault. That was not only because it's her, but actually because he'd feel the same way with any other inhabitant of the Saionji Kingdom.

There had been a point in her past (that is, some months ago) that she had considered the possibility that he might just like her. Possibilities… then there must a little evidence, right…

'Just kidding… tell her to get married… she'll realize that there will be nothing to lose…'

'Help me,' and added in a scream, 'KANATA!'

'Damn Kanata!'

'I asked you to reduce my headache, not to make my fever go even higher…'

'It's no laughing matter!' protested Miyu at once, 'if you must know, I fell of the horse on my first day ever on them…'

'It's ok…' he said and grabbing her wrist lightly added, 'you can ride with me…'

And the list proceeded. Thought it was not doing her any good by thinking about the brunet, she couldn't help it. She felt comfortable with him. She was happy with him. She was… at home with him.

The carriage came to a sudden halt. Miyu looked up and at once looked out of the window. The familiar entrance to the Castle was waiting for her to enter. The castle was decorated (obviously) for the wedding. Miyu gulped lightly as she felt as though her heart was suddenly gripped by iron-clad hands.

It was her ex-home.

'Let's get this over with, Miyu…'

~Every cloud has a silver Lining~

'How come they are not here yet?' enquired Mikan as she looked out of the window to the Internal Affairs ministry with an impatient look in her orbs.

'They'd be here in a few minutes,' offered Tezuka lightly as he looked at the peeved Literature Minister who was wearing a cerulean colored sleeveless dress which began with frills from her waist and reached up to her toes in elegance and grace.

Mikan turned and gave him a glare that certainly proved the point of "if looks could kill". He sighed and walked to the tensed minister with a comforting look in his eyes, behind those spectacles.

'They are going to be fine, Mikan…' he said so softly and so lightly that even Mikan's anxiety evaporated into nothing.

She bit her lip and stood still for a minute. The next, she placed her head on his chest and with one of her hands playing with his button, she closed her eyes.

Tezuka fidgeted for a second and then the next, adjusting to her touch wrapped his one hand tenderly around her waist and the other brushing his hair, cooling her down.

There was silence as the two stood there, alone, thinking—each in their own world.

'I'm worried about Akira…' voiced Mikan, gripping his tighter.

'Mizuki talked to her…' informed Tezuka lightly, 'she was at a breaking point but he kind of convinced her that this was for their own good…'

'I can understand…' muttered Mikan, lightly, 'to have the chance to be with the person you love the most but love just laughs at your face and says that that person likes someone better…'

Tezuka tightened his grip around Mikan and said, 'everything's going to be fine…'

Mikan relaxed in his embrace and said, 'I know… with you, everything will always be fine…'

At that moment, there was a soft knock on the door and a voice interrupted the couple informing from outside the door, 'the wedding is going to begin… they want you two there…'

~Every cloud has a silver lining~

Another sigh escaped the lips of the brunet as he got to his feet and reviewed himself in the mirror. He had no idea what he was wearing. It was some royal wedding outfit that was specially made for today was all that he knew.

The Saionji crown glittered with its many stones as he slowly placed it among his brunet locks. It fitted rightly in place and he looked more a King than usual as he slipped his sapphire cape onto his back and fixed them in place.

Then, slowly and steadily, he walked out of the room and as soon as he did, he was ganged by two well-built guards. The three made their way to the podium where he was going to get married to Akira.

As he walked along the snow, his footprints placing neatly on the snow, he forced himself to think about Akira for that was the one way he would not think about her. Honestly, he hadn't spoken or even seen Akira for the past days, from the night he asked her to marry him.

The reason was that Mikan said it's better this way else it would be bad luck. He snorted as he thought about that. Really, what worse luck could come to a wedding where the groom looked like the living-dead?

As he neared the podium, he saw beautiful flowers almost everywhere. Flowers in winter were a beauty in itself, after all. The path leading to the podium was covered with soft petals, of what he guessed as roses and also Sakura flowers. People were appointed to make sure that nobody was stamping the flowers so that they stayed beautiful—frozen in time—when the bride walked along them.

The podium was also decorated with beautiful flowers. The decoration seemed to be concentrated only on flowers though it was one of those seasons where a variety of flowers cannot be found.

On either side of the flower carpet were beautiful and compact white chairs for the guests. As he walked with the guards towards the pastor, he couldn't help but think how much better and grander the last one was, though he had not paid much attention to it.

As soon as he stood before the pastor, the guests were on their feet. Kanata could recognize some of them like the Hanakamachis who gave him a weird look, the Ambassador Takeshi Kamiya was there with his daughter, and then there were a lot of prominent people in the place whom Kanata was not a tad bit interested in.

He knew for sure what everybody might be thinking. After all that big show he made at the ball about choosing Miyu over any other women, they obviously must have thought he and her would have been together till death. But, so did he…

He took his place to the pastor's left and held his breath with his eyes closed. Then, the wedding march was played. He could almost feel Tezuka and Mikan, walking down the aisle, after who would be Nozomu and Nanami and finally would be his bride—Akira Kijoyu.

That was it. There was no turning back now. Everything was over. Fin. Zip. No way to change.

An automatic list formed inside his head about stuff that would be non-existent from then on: No shouts to knock the door. No body to call him a pervert. None to make him act like a love-struck teenager. Not one soul to make him lose control… to make him jealous.

"Most of all", he thought closing his orbs tighter, "no more my Miyu"

He could feel Tezuka and Nozomu come to a definite stand behind him. And he didn't need sharper earlobes to realize that Akira now was walking towards him, in white, ready to get married to him—for him to realize his promise to her.

The music stopped and Kanata slowly turned. There stood Akira, her arm linked to her disapproving father. Kanata gave them both a small smile which Akira returned tenfold but her father just pursed his lips and placed Akira's hand in Kanata's and wishing him luck in his marital life, walked away.

Akira's hand was very warm against his as he stood facing the pastor again. He let go of her hand almost instinctively. It was very weird and… improper like "this shouldn't be right".

Then it began—

"We are all gathered here today to celebrate the union of two hands in holy matrimony…"

~Every cloud has a silver Lining~

Miyu took a huge breath and hoped that she wouldn't bump into anybody at all and that she'd get in, give Tezuka the resignation and get out. That's it. As simple as that.

Since Mizuki said that he would be waiting outside with the carriage, Miyu entered the castle alone. She didn't feel like going inside the main building out of fear of running into anybody. So, she took the way through the gardens.

She hadn't walked far when she came in view of the frozen fountain. She closed her eyes at once and walked blinded past the fountain for it held too many memories—both happy and sad—and she was in no mood to remember any of them.

She clutched the letter to herself tight and walked steadily with her eyes closed past the fountain and after a few minutes of walking blindly, she stopped. She knew the gardens to the castle way too much to get lost. Without opening her eyes, she'd know exactly where she was. She was…

At the podium.

She opened her emerald orbs and what scene met her sight was hell. Despite the fact that the most beautiful flowers were laid, and the most gorgeous decorations around the podium, it was the perfect picture… But sudden fury and despair filled her entire system as she saw the bride and the groom up front.

Her eyes began to water. Since she was at the rear end, nobody seemed to have noticed her… yet. Her mind screamed her to runaway and that it was not a scene she'd rather watch. But her legs didn't seem to listen to her. They just stood rooted to the spot as the pastor up before the beautiful couple started.

"We are all gathered here today to celebrate the union of two hands in holy matrimony…"

It was like a sharp blade rushing right into her tiny heart, spurting blood everywhere. It was nothing like when she got married to him. Before she could even stop them, tears flooded down her cheeks.

As her eyes feasted on the brunet standing at the other end of the podium, looking as handsome as ever, she couldn't help but shed tears. But her lips remained closed and not a sound came out. Nobody seemed to have noticed her presence. And she was grateful for that.

Suddenly a sentence of the pastor caught her attention.

"Anybody here, who would not like this wedding to proceed, for any valid reasons, please raise your hand…"

Her hand suddenly made a twitching movement as though it wanted to pull up and respond her disapproval. But she caught hold of both her hands firmly and turned away… she faced now the opposite direction. She closed her eyes tight and was about to run away when suddenly, people all around her gasped and Akira's soft voice spoke.

'I have an objection to make,' she said, clearly.

Despite herself Miyu turned. Akira was indeed objecting her own marriage for her hand was up in the air. Miyu glanced at Kanata for a second and realized that he had not moved an inch. It was as though he hadn't even heard what Akira just said.

'Akira…' gasped a few at the front.

The pastor nervously cleared his throat and asked, 'erm… You object the wedding…? On what grounds…?'

Akira gave the pastor a wide smile and said, 'it's a simple thing…'

Kanata frowned but did not look at her. His thoughts were a bit jammed. He found it impossible to think straight at the moment. And it had nothing to do with Akira's objection. He felt something. He felt something behind him and he was too much of a coward to turn his head.

He wasn't paying much attention to what Akira was saying but certainly caught attention when she turned to face him and he involuntarily turned his head to see her, searching in her eyes as to what went wrong, now.

'Your ring, Kanata…' she said as though responding to his thoughts.

Kanata frowned.

"My Ring…?" he thought and then it struck him.

He lifted his right hand and there, glittering elegantly were the diamonds in his wedding ring… with Miyu.

'You have to take it off, Kanata…' said Akira gently, 'else, it means that you are still married to her…'

Kanata's teeth clenched.

Miyu gasped thinking, "he didn't take the ring off…"

Her gasp, almost inaudible that even people closest to her might not have heard it but Kanata, who stood almost a dozen feet away from her jerked his head to see her at the sound of her gasp.

'Miyu…' he voiced, a sudden emotion swirling inside the bottom of his heart.

Akira smiled and said without looking at Miyu, 'the ring Kanata… Take it off…'

But Kanata did not respond. His auburn orbs widened as he looked at Miyu, unmasked love for the blonde overflowing. Miyu's heart began to race rapidly and tears continued to flow freely as she looked into those auburn irises of his. Her leg began to shake as he did not break their eye-contact.

Unable to take it anymore, Miyu closed her eyes tight and then made a run for it. She had no idea where she was headed towards but she ran, as fast as she could, earning herself the stares from everybody present there.

After a few more minutes of running, she came to a halt and dropped to her knees on the snow. Then, she clutched her face as tears rolled down and she cried as hard as she could.

'Kanata…' she sobbed repeating his name over and over.

But she knew, deep inside, that how many ever times she might call, he would not come any more. She could not be able to hear his "damn Kanata" anymore.

Back at the wedding, everybody turned to look at Kanata horrified at what they had just witnessed. But Kanata did not look in any state to respond. He stood quite still, staring at the point where Miyu had stood last.

'Kanata…' Akira's voice rang through him, 'take off the ring…'

Kanata swallowed lightly and then slowly turned to face Akira, his eyes confused. Akira was a little taken aback at the reaction.

'What…?' he asked, as though he had never heard her.

Akira, bit her lip lightly and then said, 'take the ring off Kanata… we have to get married…'

There was no urgency in her voice. It was as though she had it all revised beforehand. But Kanata, whose mind was elsewhere, did not pay attention. He just stared into Akira's face for a long moment without responding.

'Kanata…?' quite a few called softly.

Finally he spoke.

'Damn Kanata,' he exclaimed, through clenched teeth, his eyes closed.

Everybody froze.

Then—

Everybody gasped for Kanata had turned around and bowed before the guests. Everybody got to their feet. The King of the Saionji Kingdom, their ruler, was bowing to them.

'I'm sorry…' he said, his head still bent.

'Kanata… what are you doing…?' asked Akira, a little irritated.

Kanata got back up straight and then facing Akira said, 'what I should have done… what I should be doing…'

Akira frowned.

He got hold of both her hands and said sincerely looking into her navy orbs, 'I really have to tell you this…'

Akira flinched lightly for she knew this was it—the finale of their big plan. She waited with bated breath for him to tell her that he was in love with Miyu.

'I… I love you Akira…'

'What!!!!' almost everybody who were in on the plan exclaimed, in horror.

Kanata gave her an amused chuckle and with a smile said, 'yes I do… I love you… a lot… but that's not enough…'

'W-w-what…?' she stammered as she stared at his flawless face smiling at her, like he had never done before.

'Love is not enough to get married…' he continued, then as he saw the questioning look in her eyes, he lifted her hands and placed them on the left side of his chest.

She closed her eyes. She heard Kanata's heart, pounding at a very high pace. It was beating unusually fast. She opened her eyes, still confused.

He smiled and said, 'I love you… I love her too… if possible, more…' and Akira obviously knew who he was talking about.

He gripped her hands a little tighter and said softly in almost a whisper, 'but my heart beats for her… it recognizes only her though I love you both… I want her more… no… I need her for my heart to beat like this…'

Tears rolled down her cheeks as she gave him a warm smile.

'I'm sorry Akira…' he said, his eyes hazy, 'I was stupid… you should hate me for this…'

'I should…' she said, smiling through her tears, 'but I can't… I won't be able to…'

Kanata gave her another smile and then asked lightly, 'a hug…? A quick one…? Before I go get her back…?'

Akira smiled and gave him a quick hug after which he pecked her lightly on the cheek and removed his hands from hers and started running the same direction as Miyu, a determined look in his eyes.

Miyu's tears dropped steadily on the snow, wetting the snow to water. She rubbed her face again and again but the tears wouldn't stop. Then, through her tears, she got to her feet, almost slipping in the snow in the process. Finally, with tears still flowing down, she looked around to see where she was so as to reach the carriage and not run into the wedding again.

She was at Hitomi's fountain. Tears flowed further more vigorously as she stared at the frozen water and she could almost see herself and Kanata at the very fountain, his head on her lap, asleep peacefully.

'Oh Kanata…' she sobbed through her tears, her face closed with her hands again.

'Damn…,' a voice sounded and Miyu's tears stopped in shock, she turned and saw the handsome brunet King standing there panting, '…Kanata…'

Miyu's emerald orbs widened at the sight of him. When the reality struck her, she turned to run away again before a fresh horde of tears took over. But she hadn't taken a step when she felt sudden warmth on the cold skin of her right wrist.

She gasped and stopped but did not turn.

'Miyu…' his strained voice called her name. Her heart gave a sudden jolt as she heard his voice again, this time not an illusion because the grip was too much to imagine.

Miyu's breathing took forward at an alarming rate and she wished that her heart would stop right then and there.

'I'm sorry…'

Taken completely by surprise, she turned to meet his auburn gaze.

'I'm sorry,' he repeated, his auburn orbs shaking lightly as though he was holding back the tears that she had already shed.

'K-Kanata…?' Miyu managed to mutter.

He closed his eyes and muttered through clenched teeth, 'damn Kanata…'

The corners of Miyu's lips threatened to lift but she controlled them. Possessed by a sudden rage, she tried to heave her wrist away from his grasp.

'Let go…' she commanded but he didn't obey.

'No…' he replied, staring fixedly into her emerald orbs forcibly.

'Let me go, Kanata Saionji,' she said, making her tone freezing cold.

He winced at her intonation but did not let go.

The two were only barely aware that they had become the show for quite a number of audiences.

His grip tightened and he pulled her closer and muttered in a determined voice, 'I don't make the same mistake twice…'

'What do you want…?' Miyu found herself shouting at him, her eyes filled with fear and her heart filled with rage and despair, 'you insulted me… you kicked me out… now, what more do you want…?'

'I want…' he started, his grip around her wrist becoming gentle, 'I want to be shouted at…'

Miyu frowned.

Kanata smiled and continued his voice shaking, 'I want someone to ask me to knock before I enter my room…'

Miyu turned a light shade of crimson and her tears abruptly stopped.

'I want someone to starve for me…' he said, wrapping his free arm around her waist. She did not give him the cold shoulder this time. She let him continue.

'So that… so that I could starve for her in return…' he continued as a gentle breeze blew, lifting both their hairs making the best picturesque beauty anyone there had ever seen with the most beautiful couple standing before a gorgeous frozen fountain.

'I want someone who'd worry about me…' he said, smiling, though his voice was still in a whisper, 'I want someone about whom I'll worry about… more than anyone else…'

Miyu breathed in suddenly as she felt his arm snake around her a little tighter and as he pulled her closer, blood rose to her cheeks and she flushed.

He smirked despite the tears welling up in his eyes, 'I want someone who I'd want to protect with my life…'

'K-Kanata…' she muttered under her breath so inaudibly that even he didn't hear the quiver in her voice.

'I want someone who I'd really want to be with me… forever…' he said breathing on her lips, '…I want someone who I'd love with all my life…'

'Did y-you…' Miyu choked and continued in her mild whisper, 'did you find that someone…?'

Kanata smiled and slowly nodded his head going, 'she's standing right before me…'

Miyu bit her lip.

'In all my life,' said Kanata, 'I never imagined... that… I'd fall for a girl so bad…' he paused, taking a deep breath, '…so bad that her mere absence becomes hell…'

Miyu edged closer to the brunet and he continued.

'I never thought that I'd fall for you,' he said, his whisper now a little cracking, 'not once…' then letting himself a chuckle said, 'but now, here I am… desperate for you…'

Miyu smiled.

'I don't think I can live without you, Miyu…' he said smiling, 'not for one minute and I don't wish to try… I need to be with you…'

Her heart was beating against his chest and she was sure he'd know sooner or later that her heart was yearning to be with him by the sound it made.

'My life is not incomplete without you,' he said making her frown lightly, 'it's empty without you…'

Miyu bit her lip again and this time preventing it from breaking into a huge smile.

'And…' suddenly he smirked and said, 'and, now… even if you want to, I won't let you go… will never let you go…'

Miyu's happiness suddenly turned to fury.

'Wh-what..?' she asked incredulously her heart beating fast, 'who needs your permission? I can leave whenever I want to…!'

'No…' he said simply, mischief sparkling in those auburn orbs of his, 'the Queen can't live without the King, Mrs. Saionji…'

Miyu turned a brighter shade of crimson as he said those words and gripped her tighter and lifted her right hand with his right. The two identical rings glittered like the snow on the grounds.

'We're still married…' he informed her smiling, 'and you're still a minister…'

'T-the p-p-pact…?' asked Miyu stuttering in her happiness and excitement, 'y-you signed… I-I-I signed as w-well…'

'Papers…' he said smirking, 'papers are destructible materials… loser'

Miyu's eyes narrowed as fury rose to her head and she started, 'I—you idiot... you—'

'I love you,' he whispered with a smile.

Miyu's heart almost stopped.

That's it. Those three magical words that had been giving the couple hundreds of problems… misunderstandings… idiocy… stupidity… love…

Miyu stared into his eyes and tears fell down her cheeks once again. But this time, out of heavenly happiness.

'Miyu…?' he called, a little disturbed.

She winced lightly.

'You haven't answered…' he pointed out, almost desperately.

She suddenly smirked and said through her tears, 'I thought a Saionji knows everything…'

He returned her smirk and whispered on her lips, 'this Saionji has taken too many risks for his own good… I don't want to guess…'

She smiled and slipped her wrist away from his grip. He looked shocked for a second but she didn't stop. She wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled herself up.

'Does this answer your question?' she whispered on his lips and then closed the tiny distance between their lips.

Kanata's eyes widened for a second but the next, he wrapped both his arms around the blonde's waist and pulled her closer and deepened the kiss.

A sudden applause was heard around them.

But they were in their happy place and not even this ear-splitting applause could separate them.

Finally, the two withdrew for lack of air and then Miyu asked smiling and with a red face, 'did you get the answer…?'

He smirked and said, 'I don't know… this is all I got…'

And he kissed her this time.

When they broke apart, Miyu whispered her lips touching his, 'I love you, Kanata…'

'I love you more Miyu…' he responded with a kiss.

When they broke apart this time, Kanata chuckled lightly and then with his lips inches away from hers said, 'I think it's time I took steps to satisfy my dad's dream…'

'And what is that?' asked Miyu, tightening her grip around his neck.

'To make him a grandfather,' he said and taking advantage of her shock, he kissed her again.

When they broke apart, Kanata smiled at her and Miyu could feel everything… every tiny problem vanished without a speck. Everything was perfect.

Then, Kanata grabbed Miyu's wrist again and pulled her towards the crowd. Miyu looked stunned for a second but when she saw who he was leading towards, her emerald orbs widened a little—it was Mizuki.

They stopped before the smiling Yamamura. Kanata smirked.

Miyu wondered what he was doing.

'Mizuki…' said Kanata in an almost arrogant voice, 'I'm sorry that I won't be able to keep up our promise…'

Mizuki smiled whilst Miyu looked between the two with a questioning glance.

Kanata's grin widened and he said lazily, 'and now… even if she wants to, I'm not going to let her go…'

Miyu jaw dropped. But Mizuki smiled and said, 'I know…'

'And…' continued Kanata, raising an eyebrow and gripping Miyu even tighter said, 'you missed your chance…'

'I know…' said Mizuki smiling still.

Kanata returned the smile and then turned to his half-angry and the half-embarrassed Queen.

'Let's go…' he said lightly with a smile.

Miyu looked at him curiously and gasped as he lifted her bridal-style with a quick movement.

'Kanata…' she gasped as she clutched his neck for support.

'Damn Kanata,' he chuckled and added, 'let's go back to where we belong…'

Miyu smiled and said, 'of course…'

The crowd stood in awe as Kanata slowly carried his queen, his most priced possession, towards one of the doors back to their home.

Mikan sighed and then broke into a wide grin as she watched the two.

'I told you that the plan would work…' muttered Tezuka lightly.

Mikan smiled at him and entwining both their hands together said, 'I know…'

And thus ends the story of how Kanata and Miyu finally finished building their castles up in the sky.

And the silver lining throughout was their unconditional love for each other that finally triumphed over all their problems.

We can never guarantee that the two never argued or fought, but what we can definitely say is this:

They finally had their

"Happily Ever After"

THE END

A Story by

Kanata Saionji

A/N: Do I even have to say…? Please Review…

Love is an electric blanket with somebody else in control of the switch.
~ Cathy Carlyle

Romance has been elegantly defined as the offspring of fiction and love.
~ Benjamin Disraeli

The heart has reasons that reason does not understand.
~ Jacques Benigne Bossuel

Love grows by giving. The love we give away is the only love we keep. The only way to retain love is to give it away.
~ Elbert Hubbard

There is no instinct like that of the heart.
~ Lord Byron

Thanks for Reading…