I'm Yours

By: Iceyicecream

Chapter 30: The Princess and Her Knight in Shining Armor

HAPPY 30th Chapter!

Sakuno pulled the covers over Aoi and kissed her forehead. "Good night, Aoi." Sakuno whispered.

Aoi looked up at her mother and frowned. "What's wrong?" Sakuno asked as she brushed Aoi's hair with her fingers.

"Can you tell Aoi a story?" Aoi asked, "Until Aoi fall asleep?"
Sakuno smiled and nodded her head. "Of course!"

Aoi smiled and curled up closer to her mother. "Which story would you like me to tell you?" Sakuno asked.

Aoi pondered the question. "What about something Aoi hasn't heard?" Aoi suggested.

Sakuno smiled and continued to brush Aoi's hair. "Alright right then. Let me see…"
Sakuno formulated a story quickly through her head. Sakuno smiled and looked down at Aoi. "Are you ready?"
Aoi nodded her head. Sakuno cleared her throat. "This story is about a Princess and Her Knight in Shining Armor."
Aoi squealed with delight and waited eagerly for Sakuno to continue.

Fairytale Land

There once was a young maiden named Ryuzaki whom all men wanted to marry. This young girl was not only beautiful but intelligent. She was adored and loved by all those who live in the village and those all over the country. Many men had come to try to win her affection but alas, it seemed as if the princess had no interest in any man. It was not until this young princess met a boy…a boy whom wished to become a knight.

It was one fine spring day while the princess was in her orchard picking apples that she had spotted the young lad around the same age as her napping under her favorite apple tree. Curious of whom this young boy was, she walked over to the tree to get a better look. His hair was pitch black and yet his skin was fair like hers. Ryuzaki thought that the boy was very handsome and wished to have a better look. Carefully, Ryuzaki brushed the bangs away from the boy's face but suddenly the boy's hand was upon her and Ryuzaki was pinned down on the grass. "What do you think you're doing?" The boy asked tightening his grip.

Ryuzaki started to panic, "I-I-I-I-I'm Ryuzaki-Hime, I live in the castle there and I came to pick apples and I-I-I-I I saw you laying there and I was…curious."
The boy's golden eyes softened and his grip loosened. He stood up and helped Ryuzaki up. "My apologizes Hime, I was just resting."

Ryuzaki nodded her head. "I would have just been as startled as you if some stranger came and started touching my hair."
The boy's brow rose and Ryuzaki's face heated up. "A-a-a-a-ah! I I-I-I me-mean that I w-w-w-wou-would be startled too."

Ryuzaki bent her head down to keep the boy from seeing her blushing face. There was a moment of silence and Ryuzaki began to panic, the boy must have thought she was such a weirdo.

Moments later though, a husky chuckle came from the boy, Ryuzaki looked up to see him smirking. "I understand," He said, "I accept you apology and in return would you allow me to pick apples with you."
Ryuzaki smiled. "I'd like that very much."
The boy smiled and bowed and extended his hand out to her, "Shall we go then, Ryuzaki-Hime?"
Ryuzaki couldn't stop the warmth from reaching her cheeks. She bent her head down and accepted his hand. "Yeah."
He chuckled again and led her towards the apple orchard and they spent all day picking apples. They talked of everything and anything. Ryuzaki had never been interested in talking to anyone as much as him. Before either one of them realized it, the sun was already leaving meaning it was time for the princess to go back home. Ryuzaki couldn't help but wish that they could stay out even for a few minutes more. "When do you think I'll see you again?" She asked as they sat under her favorite apple tree.

He looked up at the darkening sky and shrugged. "I would like to reassure you it would be soon but honestly, I do not know."
Her heart sank. "Are you going somewhere?"
He nodded his head. "There is something I must do before I come back to you."
Ryuzaki turned to face the boy. "When will you come back?"
He smiled and cupped her face. "I do not know…but I promise you I will come back."
"I do I know that you will?" Ryuzaki asked, "Many people have made empty promises to me, how can I trust yours?"
The boy thought this over and smiled. He pulled something out from under his shirt and put it in Ryuzaki's hand. "I will come back not only to retrieve that but to marry you."
Ryuzaki's face turned scarlet. "Wh-wha-wha-what are you saying?"
"Exactly as I had stated, when I come back, I will come back for that and for your hand in marriage."
Ryuzaki turned her gaze away from him. "You're being very rash don't you think? I've only met you today."
He chuckled and leaned in. Ryuzaki's eyes widened in realization in what he was doing, he pulled away and kissed her hand. "With this, I seal my vow that I will return to you."
Ryuzaki blushed and was rendered speechless all she was capable of doing was nodding. He smiled and nodded his head in satisfaction and stood up. "Shall I walk you home then?"
Ryuzaki nodded and together he walked her home.

Back in Aoi's Room

Sakuno looked down to find her daughter sound asleep. Sakuno couldn't help but smile. She kissed the top of her daughter's head and tucked her in. "Sweet dreams Aoi."
Sakuno quietly got up and turned off her light and eased the door shut. Sakuno stretched out her arms as she walked to her bedroom. She opened the door and let out a startled gasp. Ryoma was changing his clothes and was only his boxers. Sakuno let out a sigh of relief, "You scared me Ryoma!" Sakuno said walking over to her husband.

Ryoma looked at her with one brow raised, "Who else would be in here besides me?"
"No one but you just startled me that's all."
Ryoma chuckled, "Sorry."
Sakuno smiled and kissed her husband, "It's fine."
Sakuno headed to the bathroom and got ready for bed herself. Sakuno let out a yawn and watched as Ryoma slipped on his shirt and climb into bed. "I heard the story that you were telling Aoi." Ryoma said.

Sakuno looked at her husband. "Yeah?"
Ryoma nodded his head. "I'm curious of what happened to the two of them."
Sakuno couldn't help but giggle, "Would you like me to tell you what happens?"
Ryoma let out a snort, "You don't think I'm a little too old to have stories told to me?"
Sakuno shrugged, "You're never too old to hear stories."
Ryoma ran his fingers through his hair. "Mm…if you don't mind."
Sakuno smiled, "Of course not, but we have to do it properly."
Ryoma looked at her confused. "How so?"
Sakuno sat up and leaned her back against the backboard and patted her lap. Ryoma scooted closer and laid his head on her lap like he use to when they were in high school. It was always so comforting for him to be there. Ryoma closed his eyes and he could feel the stress just wash away when Sakuno began playing with his hair. He didn't know why but he just found it so relaxing when she did that. "Now where was I?" Sakuno asked trying to remember.

"The boy was walking the princess back home." Ryoma reminded her.

Sakuno smiled. "Ah, right. Ahem, well then that's where I'll start."

Back to Fairytale Land (A Few Years Later)

It had been years since Ryuzaki had last seen the boy. She banged her head thinking of that day, she never even bother asking the boy for his name nor had he bothered to tell her his name. Ryuzaki let out a sigh and reached for the ring chained around her neck. She felt the smooth cool metal around her neck and felt reassured. "He said he'd come back." Ryuzaki whispered.

There was knocking at the door, "Hime, it's time for the royal address." A maid said.

"Yes, I'll be right out." Ryuzaki replied.

She gave herself a once over in the mirror and headed to the door, together with the maid leading the way she was led into a grand hall with marble pillars and beautiful arches. Ryuzaki and the maid had come from the side entrance and were greeted by all those in the room standing and bowing in respect. Ryuzaki blushed and headed to her throne chair besides her grandmother's. She and her grandmother sat followed by everyone else in the hall. A horn was blown and the double doors on the other side of the grand hall opened and in marched more than a dozen strapping men wearing suits of polished armor. They lined up in an arc in front of Ryuzaki and her grandmother. Ryuzaki looked at each of the men's face and couldn't help but let her gaze linger on the last man. His hair was pitch black and his eyes a piercing golden color just like the boy's. Ryuzaki shook her head to remove the thought from her head. Her hand instinctively reached to the ring around her neck. Once the knights had filed in Ryuzaki's grandmother stood up. "On this very day, we honor all those who have now been deemed worthy of being the protectors of our land. These young men who stand before you, are the men who you will see fighting in our battles and protecting our borders. It is now that there is training is complete that I have the honor of knighting each and everyone one of you into the royal family. I would like to first begin with the top of their class, step forward."
The man who Ryuzaki's gaze lingered on stepped forward in front of her grandmother. She nodded her head in approval as he knelt down on one knee and crossed one arm over his chest. "Rise, Echizen." Her grandmother ordered, "I will know bestow upon you my blessing."
A servant carrying a pillow with a sword on it bowed his head beside her grandmother. She took the sword and lightly tapped it on Echizen's shoulders. She did this to each of the knights and once this ceremonial act was done everyone rose. "I know present to you the newly blessed knights. May all of your journeys be in the favor of our ruler."
The knights all crossed one arm over their chest and bowed. One by one they filed out. Ryuzaki watched as they exited and turned to see the man with piercing golden eyes staring at her. She could feel her face heat up but as soon as she looked back he was walking out the doors. Ryuzaki's heart ached and she felt like crying. "Obaa-Chan please excuse me." Ryuzaki said as she left the hall.

Ryuzaki discarded the fancy and expensive clothing and slipped away to the apple orchard. She headed to the apple tree and was stopped in her tracks when she saw the same man standing at the apple tree. He was staring up at the tree as if looking for something. Ryuzaki's heart raced, so many things came to mind thinking if he was the one she had met long ago. She squeezed the ring around her neck. As if being called he turned and looked at Ryuzaki. Ryuzaki's heart felt as if it would explode. "D…do-do-domo." Ryuzaki stuttered out.

The man bowed. "Do you think it would be alright for me to take an apple?" He asked.

Ryuzaki nodded her head, with that he reached for an apple and plucked it. "Would you like one Hime?" He asked.

Ryuzaki nodded her head. He grabbed another and walked over to give it to her. It was not until now that Ryuzaki noticed how much taller he was compared to her. "You're quite tall." She blurted out.

She instantly covered her mouth a red hue marking her cheeks. He chuckled, "I get that a lot."
Ryuzaki couldn't help but smile. "Shall we sit under the shade? It's quite hot today." Ryuzaki offered.

The man nodded his head. They sat under the tree enjoying the crisp red apples. Ryuzaki continuously glanced over to the man. "Is there something you want to ask me?" He asked.

Ryuzaki blushed. "Um…I was wondering…um…um…do you know what this is?" Ryuzaki asked showing him the ring around her neck.

He looked at it and shrugged, "Never seen it."
Her heart dropped, "Oh…I see."
There was an awkward silence now settled between them. Ryuzaki felt like crying, she had honestly thought it was him. She stood up and turned to the man and smiled. "Thank you for picking an apple for me, I must be going now. Thank you for allowing me to enjoy the evening with you."
Before he could say anything Ryuzaki hurried back to her castle. She laid in her bed and the hot tears rain down the sides of her face. "I'm such an idiot." She said aloud as she felt the tears flow more down her cheeks.

She swiped at them but they continued to fall. She stared at ceiling and tried to recall the boy now it was hazy and all the replaced it was the man she had seen. She shook her head and the tears burned. She took the necklace off and slipped the ring on her finger. "He promised." She whispered.

Her heart ached…she had really thought he would come back. She laid there crying in her bed until she fell asleep.

Back in Ryoma and Sakuno's Room

"I thought that guy was him too." Ryoma mumbled opening his eyes.

Sakuno nodded her head. "I wonder what's going to happen."
Ryoma turned his head to look at Sakuno. "Don't you know? You're the one who's making up this story."
Sakuno smiled. "Yeah, but that doesn't mean that the story can't change."
Ryoma shrugged. "I suppose."
Sakuno ran her fingers through her husband's hair, "Well would you like me to continue with the story."
Ryoma nodded his head and closed his eyes. Sakuno leaned forward and kissed his head. "Alright."
Fairytale Land (Later that Night)

Ryuzaki woke up to the noise of something hitting her window. She sat up and looked at her window to see a shadowy figure over it. Ryuzaki was about to release a scream when the window opened and she saw who it was. Her heart raced and she turned her face away. "What are you doing here?" She asked.

The man stood up straight and shut the window. "I came to apologize if I caused you any pain."
"I am in no pain." Ryuzaki said, "I am just fine."
He let out a sigh, "Obviously you do not understand yourself if you're saying that. Now I ask you what is wrong?"
Ryuzaki crossed her arms over her chest. "Nothing is wrong except for you being in my room."
Echizen stepped forward and knelt down on one knee, "I'm here to fulfill the promise I had made to you so many years ago. I have not forgotten what I had vowed to you."
Ryuzaki's eyes widened, "But, I showed you the ring-"
"I know and I apologize for playing ignorance," Echizen said keeping head bowed, "There was no reason for me to do that and I understand if you don't want to talk to me-"
"That's no true!" Ryuzaki cried, "I'd never want that...I've waited so long for you...I wouldn't be able to bare it."
Echizen looked at Ryuzaki and bowed his head, "Then would you do me the pleasure of being my wife?"
Tears began to fall and her shoulder began to shake. Ryuzaki nodded her head unable to form the words. Echizen stood up and hugged her. "I will never leave you again."
Ryuzaki nodded her head. They then married and lived happily ever after, the end."
End of Fairytale Land
Sakuno smiled and looked down at her husband to find him fast asleep. She couldn't help but smile she leaned over and kissed his forehead. "Sweet dreams my dear knight in shining armor."