A Wedding's Blessing

This morning had felt a little different for Misa the moment she woke up. A little surreal, proof that something momentous was going to happen. It was a feeling hard to explain.

This feeling was filtered throughout the air, filling up her lungs as she breathed the new day in. She had felt lightheaded as she'd sat in her bed this morning, staring at the wall ahead as if she could see through it and was focused on something happening on the other side.

In reality, she wasn't interested in anything happening anywhere. All the commotion was happening inside her head.

I'm getting married today, she had thought, the first--and only--thing repeating in her head. Everything outside her mind was like white noise. She had felt like she was floating chest deep in the middle of the vast sea.

When Ida had come for her with the young female attendant from a few nights before in tow, Misa had allowed them to do whatever they needed to get her ready for the day without so much as a flinch or snort. She was groomed like a thoroughbred, everything that happened a dizzying blur. Within the hour, she had been bathed, clothed, styled, and made up. Her yellow-green eyes had been lined as dark as coal but otherwise, she wore a light dabbing of makeup.

"You look beautiful, m'lady." Ida had said to her this morning, looking at her reflection through the vanity mirror.

This had been the moment Misa had finally managed her second thought of the morning. Wow. The books and movies have been lying to me all my life. These vampires have no problem reflecting in a mirror. Sunlight, too. I can even see their shadows... Never expected that... That's wild.

Then she stared dumbly at herself. It was like the nonsense thoughts and the repeated 'I'm getting married' thought were dueling for dominance, trying to see which one could be dumber louder. 

"Thank you," she had managed, an automated answering machine-like response, and was quiet again afterwards. Silently, she observed herself in the mirror, thinking that her appearance now indeed made her look like a vampire bride.

'Look like.' Not 'become.'

I'm not one of them yet. Not yet, she clarified to herself. And when she felt an ice cube-like shiver clatter down her back at the thought of 'them,' Misa was finally able to discern where her true issue with waking up this morning lied.

Everything was going to change for her. Her behaviorisms, her beliefs, her abilities, her responsibilities, her life. Just, her.

I'm no longer going to be me. 

Ida had spoken then, popping a tiny hole through the cloudiness in Misa's mind. "I suppose I'll be calling you 'princess' soon, m'lady." She'd applied this comment with a surprising and genuine smile on her young face. She placed both hands on either of Misa's shoulders and gave a tight squeeze.

Misa was sure the gesture was supposed to be comforting, but it had less effect on her than she now felt was appropriate, thinking back. She had basically been a rock, emotionally incapacitated.

"I suppose you will." Misa was all she'd had to offer in response.

This had made Ida laugh, "You fear this wedding, am I correct, m'lady?" The wizened tone of her voice made the question seem much more like a statement. "Do not fret. Our Prince Ran, though he has his... interesting personality traits, will make a fine husband. I assure you."

Misa shook her head fervently, wanting to remove any considerations that she might doubt Prince Ran from Ida's mind. "It's not that. I... I like Prince Ran. A lot, actually."

And that was true. Her feelings over the past few majorly eventful days had blossomed into something 'otherworldly' and almost inexplainable. When she'd first arrived here, it had made no sense to her how anyone could think she would fall for a bloodsucking ex-human within two weeks, feeling comfortable enough to marry him and tether herself to another world for an eternity.

But here she was, ready to take on this world, his world, with her vampire prince.

Just, not so much as a vampire. She, rightly, had so many reservations about just up and dying. 

Which brought her to her current location outside in the garden, hiding from the bridal party--a.k.a. Ida and the young attendant--who had long since started looking for her while calling out desperately to Prince Ran. Misa could hear the elderly Ida all the way from her hiding place behind the tallest hedge of the garden. 

They're going to skin me alive for hiding right now. Of all times, I had to chicken out right now?? Misa could have slapped herself, except she feared the palm-on-cheek action would make too much sound. Their super ears will pick on that in seconds. Nope! I need more time to myself. Got no time to be caught.

When the sound of Ida's voice shrank until it was no longer present, Misa released a sigh of relief and stepped out from behind the hedge.

Then, she screamed in surprise.

"Ah!! Oh my God, oh my God! What are you doing here?!" She cried, eyes bulging and her just barely still-beating heart hammering the best it could in her chest. Misa darted her eyes around like she found herself doing so often lately and then leaned forward for the kill. "You made me shout!" She hissed. "What if they find me now?!"

"I will be sorry, I guess." Came the laid-back reply on a soft chuckle. The smile he offered her was as fake as ever.

Misa frowned. "What are you even doing here?" She asked again, but this time needed a solid answer.

Because it was Ryusei, wearing a proper blue silk button-down top and void black pants and dress shoes to go with. The creature who, just two nights before, admitted to his estranged brother that he'd likely have to kill her someday over his totally unfounded suspicions of her.

Before responding, Ryusei took a step toward her, kicking his foot out like he was kicking an invisible rock. Does this guy think he should be this relaxed?! I'm freaking out!

"S-S-Stay back--!"

"I'm here to apologize, human."

"You know, if you add 'human' like that--"

"Fine. Princess of Prophecy. You like that?" Ryusei asked, cutting her off a second time. His sigh and the roll of his eyes had really done her in.

She felt a little sheepish when responding, "Just Misa is fine..."

Silence filled the space between them for several seconds, allowing the busy--or rather, chaotic thanks to Misa--sounds of the castle to float over their paused conversation. Finally, Misa gestured to round, white marble table she often sat at with Ida. "Care to sit?"

Ryusei moved without responding, and Misa realized with a face flaming with embarrassment that this had been his garden for who knows how long just seventy years ago. Gosh, I could just kick myself in the mouth, she chastised herself silently and scurried behind the former prince to occupy the leftover seat.

She tried thinking about how she could be careful with what to say next as they sat across from one another, but Ryusei spoke up first. "I owe you an apology." He started. "I've... talked a bit with my brother since coming back here--Ha. Invited this time." He said humorlessly, possibly embarrassed. He paused a moment and looked around the garden with fond recognition.

Misa found herself feeling bad for him. Knowing everything she knew now about Chie and their son. About how Prince Ran's lie pretty much landed Ryusei here, admiring his own family garden as a visitor... It's not right, she thought.

"I know that Ran spoke with you a couple nights before, about me, and--"

"Yeah, I'm sorry, about that. Are you here to kill me?" Misa interrupted, skipping to the important questions.

Ryusei huffed, his light blue eyes creasing a little at the corners as he squinted shamefully at Misa. "No--"

"Still planning to kill me?"

Ryusei shook his head, blinking a lot at Misa's questioning. "I am truly here to apologize for my immaturity. I seek reconciliation with my brother and parents. With the kingdom. For I was blinded by my own anger and prejudice.

"Honestly, you have nothing to do with anything I feel in my aching soul. And I believe I should allow you to live your life with Ran for the betterment of the kingdom. You are, after all, the Princess of Prophecy. I am but a lost and lonely soul."

For a moment, Misa remained still and considered Ryusei's words. I feel hesitant, she thought, considering Ryusei's deep-seated hatred for humans who had long been the root cause of his pain. However... She looked at him, looking so like Prince Ran, alone in this world having lost everything.

And now, Ryusei shocked Misa with a cute little cake the size of his palm, spelled right out of thin air. It was blue with white frosting, looking to be a sign of the coming winter, Misa's favorite month. There was even a blue-and-white fondant rose crafted on the top. She smiled wide at the little magician performance, looking up to see Ryusei's light blue eyes gleaming mirthfully. 

He placed it on the table before her, a spoon on the saucer next to the cake. "My apology cake, for you, Misa. If you could also take it as a blessing for your happy marriage to younger my brother? That would be great."

Misa laughed, proud at Ryusei for being funnier than his brother. She had no guarantee that the hatred he had for humans no longer consumed his heart, but in this moment, she felt like Ryusei deserved some mercy.

She chose to take him for his word.