Title: A Whisperer's Love
Author:
isha_mabinPairing: AKAME
Raiting: PG-13
Genre: Romance, Fantasy
Disclaimer: I only own the plot, nothing (or no one) else
Summary: The King's only son, Prince Jin, is gravely ill and it is said that only a kiss of life from a Whisperer - immortals who are able to wield magic - can cure the Prince. But Whisperers happen to be wiped out in the old times due to the decree passed by the previous royalties. Or so they thought until a Whisperer was caught. But there's a catch - this Whisperer happens to be a male.
A/N: I'm about to introduce another important character...
Previous Chapters:
Prologue,
Chapter 1,
Chapter 2,
Chapter 3,
Chapter 4,
Chapter 5,
Chapter 6,
Chapter 7,
Chapter 8,
Chapter 9,
Chapter 10,
Chapter 11,
Chapter 12,
Chapter 13,
Chapter 14,
Chapter 15,
Chapter 16 Chapter 17: Reluctance and Doubt
"Your majesty, some of the citizens are still in unrest over your last proclamation. Must you really marry that Whisperer, especially this soon?"
Jin gave his adviser a cold stare. "That Whisperer is my fiance. And I do not tolerate anyone disrespecting him."
The adviser bowed down in respect. "Forgive me, your majesty."
"Your majesty, Sir Reginald has a point. When you proclaimed that same gender people can marry, the people took that well. But your highness, they were really surprised when you proclaimed that Whisperers and the rest of the magical creatures are not to be hunted but instead protected," another adviser nervously said.
Jin sighed and massaged his forehead. "What are you saying?"
"If you marry a Whisperer, the people will think that you only proclaimed the two laws in order to satisfy your personal desires, your highness," a third adviser said.
"It is my obligation as a descendant of the Akanishi bloodline to protect and care for the magical creatures," Jin insisted. "They have been misjudged for a long time now. That is why I reopened the investigation of what happened hundred of years ago."
"Your majesty, until we have solid proof of their innocence, the people will continue to fear and despise the Whisperers."
Jin stood up and walked to the window. The sun was shining brightly. It was a lovely day. But inside the meeting room, the mood was full of tension.
"What do you suggest then?"
"Your highness, a beautiful princess from a distant kingdom is already in marrying age. Perhaps you could marry her instead?"
"Absolutely not! How dare you suggest such a thing!" Jin fumed.
"But your highness-"
"Not another word or you would suffer the consequences." Jin's voice was low but it held venom.
Kazuya was the love of his life. He was worth more than some unknown princess from whatever kingdom she came from.
He was not going to give up Kazuya. Not now, not ever.
"My lords, Princess Meisa has arrived," a servant politely said.
"Already?" One of he advisers squeaked and glanced at the King nervously.
"You insolent man! You sent for her without my permission?! Do you really not value your life?!" Jin bellowed.
"Your highness! Please spare my life!" The adviser dropped down and bowed to the ground before the king.
"Am I interrupting something?" A young woman stood gracefully at a respectable distance.
She had on traditional clothes and her hair was knotted up with a hair ornament that had a diamond - a symbol of royalties from the east.
She was beautiful.
But not as breathtaking as my Kazuya.
"I do not recall calling for you," Jin said coldly.
"My apologies, your highness..." She bowed and even that was graceful. She was obviously a refined princess, trained from a very young age. "Your servants told me I could enter," she added innocently.
"Hmp. Well, you may go home now. There is nothing for you here."
Confusion crossed her face. "But I was told that you were looking for a wife. That is why my father sent me here."
"That is all a misunderstanding. I already have someone to marry. I do not need another," Jin said calmly.
Jin walked to the door, intending to end this dreary conversations and relax in Kazuya's arms.
But to Jin's -and every one else's- surprise, Princess Meisa grasped Jin's arm to stop him from leaving.
"Please, your highness. I cannot go home to my father anymore without marrying you. It would be a disgrace. He would disown me. Y-you said you already have a lover. That is okay with me. If you marry me, I-I would be willing to only be a Queen by name. I would not ask for anything more. You could love anyone as you please. You could disregard me or pay no attention to me at all, that is fine. But please, please don't turn me away now." She did not meet the king's eyes as she said that but Jin could see her tears falling.
She looked so vulnerable, frail.
Jin wanted to protect her but all he said was, "It is already getting dark. You may stay the night. But tomorrow you shall leave."
He could hear her cries as he walked away. His heart clenched. He wasn't cruel so of course he pitied that girl but there is nothing that he could do. He wasn't going to change his mind or his heart.
----------------------------------------------------
"So why don't you just marry her?" Kazuya's voice was soft as he threaded his fingers through Jin's hair soothingly.
Jin sat up from his position on Kazuya's lap. "How can you say that?! Are you giving me away?"
"Silly. Of course not. I just thought that your advisers are right. For years, the people of Azure had hated Whisperers. They might hate you too if we get married. And we both know a King is useless without his citizen's support."
Jin raised an eyebrow. "Your mouth is saying that but I could feel your emotions. You do not like this. You do not want me to get married to her."
Kazuya glanced away. "It doesn't matter what I feel. I cannot have a girl be disowned by her father because of me."
"Kazu, she brought this upon herself!"
"She is innocent, Jin and you know it! She truly believed that she would be able to marry you and please her father."
Jin stared at Kazuya for a long time before the light of understanding dawned on his eyes. "Oh I get it. This isn't about the princess at all. You don't want to get married to me." Jin stood up from Kazuya's bed.
"What?!" Kazuya shook his head at the incredulous conclusion Jin came up with.
"Kazuya, you should have said 'no' when I proposed to you. I'm not going to force you into anything you don't want."
"Jin-"
But Jin didn't stay to hear Kazuya's explanation.
---------------------------------------
"Nee-chan, Papa is sick!"
"Shh! Papa isn't sick. He's sad."
"Why is Papa sad?"
Kazuya glanced at the door where Ruki and Ami was hesitantly standing.
"You bothered Papa, Ruki!" Ami scolded her younger brother.
They both called him 'Papa' now, as per Jin's instruction.
"You are both never going to be a bother to me. Come on in."
Ami and Ruki walked near to him.
"Papa, are you sad?" Ruki asked.
Kazuya nodded and opened his arms. "I need Ruki's magic hug."
Ruki giggled and ran to Kazuya's arms. "You're okay now, Papa? Did my magic hug work?"
"Of course." Kazuya kissed Ruki's cheek and smiled at him.
Ami wasn't as easily fooled. But she didn't say anything and just sat beside Kazuya. "We love you Papa."
"I love you too."
He should have told Jin that. He should have assured him that he loved him.
But he had been in denial. He was stubborn and didn't want to admit that Jin had been right.
Deep inside him, he was reluctant to get married to Jin. And Jin had of course felt that, being bound to him.
He loves Jin, there is no question to that. But Jin is forever in the spotlight, everyone was watching his every move. And if he marries him, it will be like that for him too.
Besides, his presence in Jin's life was already an inconvenience for the new king. Their marriage would only bring more problems to Jin.
Maybe I was being selfish?
After all, he had never discussed his worries with Jin. Maybe he was being unfair in doing so.
When the children left, he wrapped his arms around himself. He felt so empty.
Last night was hell. It was the first time since the 'Lord Ryo incident' that Jin had not stayed with him until he falls asleep.
Usually, Jin would sit on his bed and hold his hand every night. Sometimes, he would even sleep beside him.
Having those comfort suddenly taken away made him unable to sleep a wink last night.
I should apologize to Jin.
He sighed and touched the ring Jin gave to him. Yes, he should go find his lover now. A night was long enough for him to cool his head.
I'm sure it's not too late to patch things up.
With renewed hope, he left his room.
He went to the throne room but Jin wasn't there. He wasn't in his room either.
So he decided to check the gardens.
But once he was there, he wished he had not come there at all.
There in their special place was Jin. Only he wasn't alone.
He was in a lip-lock with a beautiful girl who he assumed by the diamond-studded hair ornament to be the princess.
And Kazuya could feel that Jin was enjoying it.
He hurriedly left the place. He felt like throwing up and just then, his brother's words came rushing to him.
"A human's promise...don't believe in it."
-------------------------------------
"Did Kazuya grow up to be beautiful, nii-chan?"
"What question is that? Of course he grew up beautiful! Even when we were young, everyone knew that he would be a great beauty someday."
Tatsuya smiled at his brothers Kaoru and Hikaru. Even now, they still loved to argue with each other.
"Why don't you see for yourself once we reach the palace? I'm sure he'll be glad to see you." He said cheerfully.
He himself was ecstatic. Why wouldn't he? In a span of a few days after he stepped foot in Azure, he was able to find his brothers. Sometimes, he thinks he really was meant to return to Azure after all these years.
"Everything happens for a reason." Those were Mint's words. She was always the wise one. The one who gave the best of advice.
Too bad he couldn't hear those advice ever again.
"This is it, isn't it?" Kaoru asked while looking at the palace gates not far from them.
Tatsuya forced the bitter thoughts away from his mind and focused at the task at hand. "Yes, this is it." He turned to the guards who were eyeing them suspiciously. "We are Kazuya's brothers."
"We would have to verify that first with his highness Kazuya," the guard said politely.
"His highness?" Hikaru whispered to Tatsuya curiously.
Before any of them could say anything else however, they say Kazuya running towards them.
"Your highness!" The guards bowed respectfully.
But Kazuya hardly noticed. "I...heard...you and I-I came running," he said as soon as he launched himself towards Tatsuya's arms.
Tatsuya frowned. Kazuya was out of breath by simply running that short distance. It wasn't normal. Not for a Whisperer.
He could also feel Kazuya's aura weakening.
"What's wrong, Kazu?" What the heck happened while I was not around?
"Take me somewhere...else nii-chan. P-please don't let...me s-stay here today. Not today. P-please."
He didn't know what was going on. And he could see by Kaoru and Hikaru's expression that they were worried as well.
"Shh. Calm down, Kazu. We'll take care of you," he promised.
He directed a look at the twins to signal them to follow him. Then he carried Kazuya and walked away.
"W-wait Sir! You just can't leave with his highness!" The guard argued.
"We can and we will. Until your stupid king learns to take better care of our brother, he will stay with us," Tatsuya said defiantly.
He was so sick of humans hurting his family.
He continued walking with Kazuya in his arms and the twins following closely behind.
Mother, Father, I promise I'll protect this family.
-------------------------------------------------
to be continued...
-------------------------------------------------
Any thoughts? I'll be happy to hear it ^^