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Chapter 8
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Everyone in the kingdom knew this, that the crystal chose a couple, two people who were meant to be together for eternity, to fuse with. Through them, it was able to utilize its immense power to protect the kingdom, as well as the other kingdoms in the solar
system from any harm. But the bond could not be held for long in some, and so was transferred every 15 years to a new pair that was chosen by the crystal itself. It was also rumored that if the bond
was not transferred, that it could become permanent, which would be disastrous. If the couple were to die after this, the crystal would be lost as well. No one dared to imagine what would happen then. But the crystal only chose those that were descended from the royal family.
"But why are we here then. Neither of us have royal blood."
"Ah... but that is not correct Nanako, for you are of royal lineage. Your mother was my daughter." He paused for a moment to allow this revelation to sink in for both of them.
Nanako looked at Nokaru in total confusion. Her mother? A princess? But there was only two princesses, no princes, weren't there? The eldest of which would inherit the throne, for it followed the maternal bloodlines. This King was simply married to the Queen, who presently ruled the kingdom together.
"But how is this possible?" Her brow wrinkled, pulling the otherwise perfectly flat surface of her skin together.
"She was my youngest daughter, and because she was my third born, she did not have to be trained and groomed to become leader. Surely one of her older sisters would take the throne. She had no interest in this lifestyle, even as a young child. Keeping out of
the public's eye came naturally to her, so they left her in peace. When she met your father, she left the palace. She did not wish to bring you into the world that she had grown up in, saying it was too monitored for a young child. Although it pained me to do so, I let her go to live her life the way she wished, and respected her wishes not to allow you to know your lineage. I have been keeping tabs on you however, and your mother does still keep in touch, and visits
often. Oh how I've waited for the day to meet you. You have turned out better then I have ever expected." He was beaming with pride, a fine film of tears clouding his vision. He wished he could just run
to her and hug her, but feared that he would frighten the poor thing if he did so. All of this must already be a horrible shock for the child to find out in this manner.
"I'm.... your... your grandchild?" she managed to spit out, though rather shakily. This totally took her by surprise. Her mother had lied to her. She had thought all her life that her grandparents were dead. True, she could see the reasoning behind her mother's
decision not to raise her as member of the royal family, but to lie to her about it? What harm could it have done to know the truth? Why, why!? These torturous thoughts kept running through her mind,
blocking out all else around her.
Nokaru looked down at Nanako, also dumbfounded by the news. *She's a princess? I will never be allowed to see her now, not being who I am. I can't stand to loose her. What are we going to do? How
will this affect us? *
His own thoughts about the situation were broken once he noticed the anguished look on her face. *No time to worry about that now, wait until this is all sorted out, * he told himself. He had to be strong for her now, his own thoughts had to be pushed away.
He gave her hand a little squeeze, but it had no effect. This did not help, and caused his fears for her to gain momentum in his mind. Trying to snap her out of the daze she was in, he gave her shoulder a little shake. Still nothing.
Obviously distraught by this as well, the king piped up, "Is she ok?"
"I don't know." Raising his voice, he shook her again. "Nanako... Nanako!!! Are you alright?"
Eyes blankly staring ahead, there was no sigh that she could hear or see anything ahead of her. Her body slackened, forcing Nokaru to hold her up.
"Nanako, don't do this to me. Please... snap out of it." He was becoming more distraught and frantic by the second, as well as her newly professed grandfather. She didn't move, didn't blink. What was wrong with her? Could it be shock? He shook her harder this time, causing her head to move back and forth like a rag doll. "NANAKO!!!" His tone hit a feverish pitch, tears starting to form in his eyes. "Please!"
A little twitch from her right eye. He hadn't missed it though. Calming down a little, he urged her on, "come on now. Come back to me. That's it."
A voice in the chaos. *Nokaru? * She could hear the worry in his voice, and winced at the thought that she was causing it. Slowly, the turmoil in her mind eased, allowing her to focus on the familiar form ahead of her.
"Are you ok?" His voice was a little raspy, his face drawn. Beyond, she could see that the old man was also quite worried. What happened to her?
"Yes, I'm fine." Her will alone kept her voice from cracking, though barely. Why did they all lie to her? Was her whole life a lie? How could he reveal this to her like this? Every thought just a string in newly woven tapestry of this blanket of pain
and doubt that now encircled her.
"Are you sure my dear?" His voice kind and showing concern, he stared at her, his face showing more wrinkles then she thought she had seen earlier. Yes, he did care for her. She could read it in
his body language, on his face, in his eyes.
She had always been able to read people for who they truly are, even if they tried to hide it. This man was kind, a good ruler. It hadn't been his idea, and clearly he hurt from the decision made so long ago. This was all her mother's doing, that she knew. Her
mother had always tried to control all those around her, manipulating and positioning herself and others, so things would turn out as she had wanted. She cared for her mother, but could never get close to her, and unconsciously kept her at a distance, not wanting to be
controlled herself. Yes, this definitely was her mother's handy work, though undoubtably in her mind it was all a selfless act.
"Yes, quite sure. Thank you for your concern, but it is unfounded." She regained control over herself and her emotions. Repositioning herself on the bench, she held Nokaru's hand once again and gave it a reassuring squeeze.
"I am sorry that all this has happened. I did so want to see you earlier, but your mother forbade it. I haven't seen you since you were a little baby. You've grown so much. Though your mother has kept me informed, I am sorry that I could not witness it with my owneyes."
"I understand. Once my mother has made up her mind, I know of no one who can persuade her otherwise. I'm all to familiar with her ways, and I apologize for it." Her voice quaked slightly with
the newfound distrust and anger at her mother. *She can NOT control my life, regardless of what she thinks. * A newfound vigor was added to this oh so old promise she had made to herself as a child. Her father knew it all too well, and did his best to dissuade his wife from her antics, going as far as to set up distractions to take her off her one way track, protecting his daughter from much of it.
"No dear. You have nothing to be sorry for. If anything, I should be. But not even a King can dissuade that woman." Sighing, he tried to push his regrets aside.
An eerie silence fell over the small group. All here knew what it was like to deal with the woman, and not one had a fond memory of trying to do so.
Taking a deep breath, the old man tried to find the best place to continue from. "Do you see now why you have been chosen by the crystal? Your lineage allows for this."
"Yes," the word coming out rather dull. She had completely forgotten about why she was here, and now wish she could. "Do we have a choice in this at all? Do we have time to make a decision?" e needed more time to come to terms with all of this.
A pained expression crossed the King's face, temporarily obliterating the kind look he had to him. "I'm sorry. The decision has already been made. The ceremony will take place this evening."
"But, do we not have any say in this at all? It is our lives we are talking about. What if we don't want to go through with this?" Looking frantically from him to Nokaru, she hoped one would
offer some assurance. All she received was a protective embrace from Nokaru, who was trying his best to calm her down as well as comfort her.
"No. If it were up to me, I'd give you what you want. But I'm sorry that it is not. You are the one of royal lineage it wants, the one who has found her soul mate and true love. The one of sufficient character and strength. It has always been a great honor to be chosen. That you were shows that you are an exceptional young Lady." His smile was warm, and had a strange calming effect on her. Still, she hated to be bound to something without her permission.
"What do you think about this?" she implored her love, hoping to find something within his words to settle this for her.
"I would gladly go through it with you, if you must Nanako. You know I'll always be by your side. It will all work out. I believe that, and so must you." He embraced her again, gently kissing her forehead.
Leaning her head against his chest, she listened to the
sounds of his breathing and his heart beat. He seemed so calm, and she knew he had resigned himself to this fate already. If only she could do the same thing, put a part of her she knew would never allow that. It had grown strong over the years, for it was the same part that denied her mother at every turn, never excepting any fate but for the one she had planned for herself. She closed her eye and allowed these sounds to sooth her. In a voice barely audible she whispered, "Could I have some time to take this in, someplace alone."
The King smiled warmly, and in a rich voice answered his granddaughter. "Yes. That is no problem. You are free to roam anywhere on the palace grounds. I ask you however, to join the rest
of your family and myself for introductions before dinner this evening. Would you permit me this small favor?"
"Thank you, and I would not miss meeting the rest of my newly found family." She offered him a halfhearted smile. Fatigue had quickly filled every fiber of her being, and she welcomed some time
alone to relax.
"Thank you. I'll have someone show you to the room prepared for you both. You'll find a change of clothing there. Make yourselves at home, and feel free to explore the grounds." With that he stood, and with a small motion another servant appeared to show the couple off.
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