" Hey," I heard Shunsuke's voice from the bedroom. I looked over to him coming towards me out on the balcony. "I am sorry about earlier. I am pretty sure you're father is just glad to see you." I knew he was just trying to reassure me, but it wasn't working. It made me feel worse.
"Then why would he say such a thing?" I asked. I stared down at the gardens and water fountains below the balcony. The world was so serene and tranquil. I couldn't help but wonder why I wasn't that content right now. Was what I had become such an unforgivable thing?
He didn't answer right away. "But your mother seems like a really nice mother," he sighed "you're lucky."
Guilt tangled within my heart. Shunsuke hadn't hardly known his mother, and here I was sulking about my problems. I was really being inconsiderate of his feelings. I was about to say something when the door opened. Shunsuke ducked behind the balcony door, probably was afraid my father would come in and see us together.
It was just a servant bringing me a change of clothes for dinner later. I nodded to her, a weak, sad smile on her lips. She pitied me. They all did. I knew they were talking and gossiping about me and Shunsuke at this very moment, and it made my blood boil.
After she shut the door behind her, Shunsuke stepped out from behind the door and sighed. "Do they come every second of the day?"
"Sometimes" I said with a shrug, leaning up against the wall.
"I have to get used to that," he said leaning over and kissed me, putting his hand on the wall to steady himself. I kissed him back, relishing in the moment. Shunsuke was making me forget everything that had happened today, and I was truly grateful for the few seconds of bliss I was feeling.
"My lady?" Shunsuke pulled away when another servant entered the room. I smiled to myself at how red Shunsuke got. When would he learn that couples did that in front of people, that it was normal?
" I-i think I will leave; I will come later," he muttered to himself as he passed the servant, closing the door behind him.
I sighed, sliding down to the ground, siting on the cold, cement balcony floor. I wanted to so desperately curl up into a ball and cry.
"My Lady," the servant came over to me, putting a hand on my shoulder to comfort me. "Your father will come around. Give him time. It was just so sudden, something he hadn't expected. Something none of us had expected. He just needs time."
I looked up at her. "What he is doing isn't fair." I knew I sounded like a child, but in the moment, I didn't care. I wanted him to see things from my point of view instead of from his. "Shunsuke should have been welcomed in open arms and shown how hospitable the Ghile's can be. Instead, he was shown the darkest side of my father. A side I had never even seen."
The servant bent to my level. "I know it is difficult, but perhaps after your father has had time to cool off, it would be wise to speak with him about the matter."
I nodded, standing up. "You're right." I headed for the door and disappeared down the hallway. I could hear the servant calling after me. She hadn't meant this exact moment, but I could wait no longer. I would try talking with him one last time. If he refused to see things as they were, I would find somewhere else to call home.
I opened up the living room double doors to find my mother, father, three sisters, and my brother. I knew they were discussing about me. They all turned to stare at me as I entered. But, I didn't let that faze me.
My sister, Elainea, who was only two years younger than myself, engulfed me in a hug. Elainea was whom I was closest to. She understood things about myself that even I never understood. She stood by me no matter what happened, and I knew I could count on her now. She looked the most like me with her long black hair that we had inherited from our father, and our eyes that we had received from our mother. She was just a younger version of myself.
Josana and Briona, who were twins and three years younger than myself, stood up and faced me, unsure of what to do. They both were inclined for father's approval, and so never went against his wishes. The two took after our beautiful mother in every aspect, their blond hair, blue eyes, their elegance and grace.
Shane, my eldest brother who was nearly three years older than myself, came to my side, placing a hand on my shoulder, giving me a look that said he was truly sorry for what father was putting me through. It meant a lot knowing my brother and sisters were behind me in this.
"Father," I said finally. "We need to talk." I left my brother and sister and went to stand directly in front of him.
"I have nothing more to say to you, and if you brother and sister choose to accept what you have become, then I will see to it that they are last in line for the thrown," he threatened.
I stepped in front of his line of sight. "Don't you dare blame them for something that I have caused. Do you really hate humans so much that you would rather your daughter be dead than to become one of them? What happened to wanting to ally ourselves with every race of people?"
He said nothing, just staring at the floor.
"If you truly get to know Shunsuke, you'll see that he's a good guy. One more worthy to be with me than any Hollow. I was assigned to him not by choice, but because there is something different about him. He isn't like any normal human. I was dying and the only way to save me was to bind with me. He did what he could to keep me alive," he finally looked into my eyes and saw how much I was pleading with him to understand.
"Do you love him?" he asked finally.
I stopped short. I hadn't really thought about love, not true love. I answered honestly, "Ya. Yes, I think I do."
"And he returns these feelings?" he asked.
"I believe so."
"But he has not told you this?"
I shook my head, "No, neither of us have said anything."
"He will have to prove his love for you," Father decided, pacing the room. "If," he held up a finger, "he can beat Chance in a series of challenges, then he will be free to be with you, and I myself will bless the two of you and plan the wedding. I'll announce the engagement at a ball that welcomes him into the Shadow World."
"Oh, Daddy! Thank you!" I cried, hugging him. "Thank you so much."
"But, if he fails to win, you must marry Chance without a fuss. Deal?" he asked.
I nodded. "Shunsuke will not lose."
"WE will see. And part of the deal is that you have to at least meet with Chance and get to know him."
I knew he wanted me to get close to Chance in the hopes that I would fall in love with him instead. It wasn't going to work. "I accept, but, you have to agree to be nice and civil to Shunsuke." I nodded. Shunsuke would not fail.
"I'll agree to that as well, however hard it will be," he agreed. "Why don't you go bathe. You reek of humanness. Maybe the servants can get you to smell like you used to."
I frowned. "I'll always smell as a human to you. It's just something you'll have to learn to live with."
"It'll take some getting used to, you not being a Hollow. You will no longer be able to partake in any of the events this year at the festivals."
I hung my head. "I know." The festivals had been one of my favorite things of the year. But, if it meant being with Shunsuke, I was willing to give it all up. "I shall go inform Shunsuke of the challenge." Daddy and everyone nodded, allowing me to leave.
Shunsuke, I sure hope you're up for a challenge.
