Calm before storm

Well, that went well. I'm surprised that it goes so well. I thought I would need to convince Aoi more to makes him believe me, but he surprisingly taking it very well. The fact that he was a time traveller might help to make it easier for him to accept my story, still, i got the feeling that he is not understanding it fully.

I'm glad though. At least I got his permission to propose to Kii.

After that, everything calms down. We met the king and his family, we spent our time enjoying the rest of our holiday. Aoi and I haven't talked about it again but he did steal Kii for few nights. Sigh. It makes me lonely.

Aoi also seems to be very wary around uncle Raselle. Though now their relationship is getting better it was used to be very tense and stiff. I'm glad to know that they're in good terms now. Aoi even seems to be in a close relationship with uncle Raselle's apprentice, Ben.

Ben is a smart and brave 13 years old boy. He was an orphan and saved by uncle Raselle when he was a child and about to be sold as a slave. Ben adores him, and after he knows Aoi and Kii are his nephew and niece, he adores them too.

Well, the feeling was mutual. The twin also seems to adore him as much, especially Kii, who was quite happy to be called Nee-sama.

Good time always ends too fast. It soon is the time for us to go back as the graduation is drawing near. On our last day here, after Nii-sama and Midori went to spend their own time alone, Akai and Aoi come back from their time researching something with Ben under Uncle Raselle, we finally able to fulfil the promise with the royal family to go on a voyage with them, so off we go.

We sail with a big ship. It's not as big as Moby Dick, but it big enough to make me feel nostalgic. It was amazing, all of us had good times. Kii loves it very much. She made me promise to take her to the sea again next time which I happily agree with. It was such a perfect memory to end a vacation.

By the time we need to leave, Aunt Rose is better and now able to walk by herself. She showered Aoi and Kii with her loves and made them promise to keep in touch.

Uncle Raselle gave us each a magic tool for communication, just like the Den Den Mushi, but is in a form of stone instead of snails. He said he gave it to make us easier to reach him in case we need his help.

The king gave us a declaration form which tells that we are allowed to enter The Ethervizh freely as we like. It was such a valuable gift that we were reluctant to accept had the King and Queen not insisted us to accept it.

I'm glad. This trip is worth so much. Not only Kii was able to meet her family but Nii-sama also was able to gain their approval. It will be good for his future connection when he becomes a king.

We were leaving The Ethervizh with a happy smile and promise to visit again in the future. We leave with a smile. Everyone is content, but I can't shake this dreaded feeling in my gut. It might be because I want Kii for myself, but I don't feel like taking her back to the Academy. This past day, I keep thinking that if I take her back there, I will lose her.

We need to go back though. We need to attend graduation and I need to propose to her. I will protect her at all cost. I know I will. I'm not alone, the others are also adored Kii and will ensure that she is unharmed. Yet...

Yet, I feel as if the storm is coming.

Now I remember why I don't want to bring Kii back here.

Tomorrow is graduation. We've been back for a week now and that pink thing is back bothering me again about the purification. Sigh... At least she is not bothering Kii.

Tomorrow. I'm going to propose to Kii tomorrow. I smile. I look down on Kii who is sleeping soundly on my chest, her hair is covering her back, hands resting carelessly beside her head. I hold her tighter. I love her. Tomorrow everyone will know it too. I will announce it in front of everyone just how much I love her. How much I want her by my side.

To avoid remembering our sweet time a few hours back and save myself from another erection, I had no choice but think about what happened this afternoon.

I hope that pink thing is satisfied now. I really, really hope she finally gave up on me. I mean, I already did what she wants me to do. I let her purify me, didn't I? She should know that I'm not under Kii influence, but truly love her on my own choice.

Yeah, after getting tired of her babbling about me being a victim and Kii being a dark mage, I finally let her 'purify' me. We have witnesses and all. She got her sweet time chanting her spell. She even did it a few time because she deemed that the first one is a failure because she was nervous.

After a few more times and I still in love with Kii (not that I ever had a doubt about staying in love with her) and still not love that pink thing, even the students around us also starting to advise her to give up and said that maybe she was mistaken about Kii. She had no choice but to leave, of course.

It was a nice afternoon, Kii, Aoi, Akai and I were having our lunch in the cafeteria when that pink think show up (again) and start to talk to me.

"Arzen-sama, may I have your time for a bit?" she asked.

I was having lunch. It's rude to ask for something from someone who is eating, you know. Say who, you ask? Say me! People should be allowed to enjoy their meal peacefully! It's a crime to interrupt, someone when they eat! The food may go away if you leave it, you know!

"I'm eating. Whatever you want to talk about, talk here or not at all" I told her curtly.

"It's about the purifica..."

"Honestly!" I cut her. "What part of NO that you don't understand? Is it the N part or the O part that you don't get, huh? How many time do I need to tell you that I'm fine?" I said coldly.

"But..."

"And please kindly stop insulting my fiancee!" I ignore her.

"Arzen-sama, I just worry..."

"You don't need to. You're a nobody to me. We have no relationship. We're not even friend. You don't need to worry about me." I cut her again.

"Arzen-sama..." she started to cry.

People around us starting to make a commotion and looking at Kii weirdly. I don't like it. They can talk anything about me, but if it was Kii that their start to gossip about. I can't take it. I don't like it.

"Fine!" I snapped. "Do your thing. Purified me or something. Just stop bothering my fiancee!" I hissed.

"I will do my best. You won't regret it, Arzen-sama. Please come..." she smiles at me, forcefully trying to look cute.

I snort. "I'm not going anywhere with you! Do it right here, right now. Or not at all." I told her.

"But..." she protested.

I raised my brow toward her. A smirk adorning my lips.

"I understand. If you will please stand up, your highness." she finally said.

I stand as she started to chants.

"Holy Ether-sama, I'm the person who was bestowed by your pureness" she starts. I can feel the air shifted. "My aim is to free a caged soul" she continues. Her hands starting to glow in white light. "What I want is..." then it turns pale golden as she finished her chants. "Purification!" she sent her spell toward me. I feel cold as the light engulfed me. After a minutes or so, then it's gone.

She looks at me expectantly. She smiles smugly at Kii when I blink at her and shakes my head to get rid of the light that dancing in front of my eyes.

"So? Are you satisfied now? I've been purified now, right? Can I continue my lunch now?" I ask her sarcastically.

Her smile drops as she looks open-mouthed at me.

"What? How?... But... You're supposed to... No... It can't be. Please let me try one more time, your highness. I was nervous. Something must have been wrong with the process." she pleaded.

I look at her in annoyance. "Whatever," I said carelessly.

And tried she did. Not only once more time but many times. After a few more times, then I finally end it. I don't want to spend my whole day being purified after all.

I don't know why she did what she did. It was obvious that it was me who clinging to Kii, I know people know. I myself aware of it. I don't need purification in the first place, she was bound to fail. She tried anyway. What did she really want from me? No, not me. What did she really want from Arzen?

Sigh...

Even if Kii does not exist in this world, I don't think I would fall in love with that thing. She just not the one that I want in my life. She is too fragile for me. She will not fit into my life. I, who always want freedom wherever world I born into, will not able to stand beside her type of girl. Even if she was not that cheap. She still too fragile. Far too fragile for my taste.

Only Kii. I'm sure it's only Kii that would able o handle me.

The crazy me, the reckless me, the selfish me, the petulant me, the idiot me, the harsh me, the rough me, the demanded me, the perverted me, the ugly me, all of me. Only Kii. Only her that will able to love all of that.

Kii woke me up with a kiss on my lips. A sweet good morning whisper and of course a passionate time in the morning. We had a nice bath and I helped her with her gown. Yes, here we don't wear our uniform at the graduation ceremony. Instead, we wear tuxedos and gowns.

Nobles just like to be extravagant, I guess. Especially today. Because of Nii-sama is also graduated, My King Father will also attend the ceremony, because of that noble's family are also in their best outfit to impress him. I don't get it why outfit matter but they just weird like that i guess.

"What are you thinking about so seriously, Ace-kun?" Kii asked, hugging me from behind.

"Nothing. It's just weird that we need to be this glamorous on a graduation party" I told her, pecking her lips in the process.

She giggles."I know, right. Nobles are weird" She continues.

"My thought exactly!" I laugh with her.

"Hear, hear" She giggles again.

I look at her up and down, then pulled to me, "Kii, you look so ravishing, right now. I would love to take you back to bed and never get out again" I told her. "Sadly we have a graduation party to attend and a big brother to congratulate" I sigh.

"You can have me after, Ace-kun" She giggles.

"Don't tempt me!" I whine.

She laughs and kisses me.

Today is a good day.

The graduation ceremony passed successfully. Nii-sama gave a parting speech and soon will be my turn to deliver a speech as a farewell to them. I hate speech but today is special. My beloved Nii-sama is graduating after all. Besides, I also have something to tell the audiences after my speech.

As I finished my speech and all those formal congratulations. I asked the host if I'm allowed to say something personal to someone precious to me. All eyes looking at Kii. Everyone seems to be aware already of who my precious is. Good, good. Kii tilted her head at me. I smile as the host said (eagerly)that I'm allowed to do that.

"When I said someone precious, people already know who it is" I smiled at Kii. "But, that's not enough for me. I want them to know just how precious you are to me, Kii." I said and start walking toward her.

"I never know what love is until I meet you. I never feel this happy until I meet you. You have no idea just how much your existence affecting my life. It's so much brighter now and I am happier. I know you love me as much as I love you. I know we're young and we don't need any vow to prove our love. But I want to. I want people to know you're precious. That you are my treasure. I am greedy, Kii. I want you for myself. I want people to know that too. So Kii..." I said as I stand in front of her.

I take out the ring from my tuxedo's pocket and lower myself to one knee.

"Will you marry me?" I ask her.

I heard people gasped and murmured. I ignored them all as I feel my heart beating like crazy. Kii still looking between me and the ring. Still not saying anything. I'm starting to worry now. Was I too hasty? Was Kii not ready?

"Yes. I would be honoured" She said faintly.

I snap myself back and grin to her. She returns my smile with her own which is gorgeous, I tell you. Gorgeous!

I slip the ring to her finger and hug her tightly. People around us clapping and congratulating us. I'm happy. This is the happiest day of my life.

I humming to myself as I walk back to my room. I hope Kii is back already.

We were meeting with our own family as my action just now was surprising for them. My family was happy in the end and I'm sure so are the Wallace.

I can't wait to marry Kii. Our wedding will be on a big ship. We will invite all Kii family and our other friends that we met on our journey.

Kii will wear a beautiful dress that will make her even more beautiful. We will be happy and forever together. Ah, I'm too excited just by imagining it.

Sabo, Luffy... Can you believe it? I'm getting married! I laugh to myself as I imagined how they face will look like.

Oyaji, Marco, Thatch... Everyone. I'm getting married!

Gramps, Dadan and co, Makino... I'm getting married!

Ether! Thank you. I'm getting married!

I laugh again and continue humming along the way to my room. I was too happy that I let my guard down. I failed to notice that I was being followed and observed. I didn't hear the rustled behind me. I was late to react when I was attacked. I hear someone murmured something when I turned to check, it was already too late. All I can see is blackness.

"Kii..." I murmured as I feel my head getting heavy and consciousness leaving me. I don't understand why I feel Kii getting farther and farther from me even though she is not here and I can't see her. Who was attacking me? I have to protect Kii. 

"Kii..." I tried to call her again. I saw her image materialise in front of me. She turns back and smiles at me. She held her hand toward me, I try to reach her hand but then I feel nothingness engulfed me.

"Kii..." I murmured before everything went completely black.