United Pt. 1

As I traversed the halls with a maid who guided me, we finally approached Azusa's room. I thanked the maid, gently stroking her chin before entering Azusa's bedroom. Walking in, I noticed how vibrant her room was, filled with fancy furniture only fit for royalty and antique items that signifies the history of her kingdom.

Azusa, who was sitting at her desk and brushing her hair, was patiently waiting for me, her gaze shifting in the mirror to look at me. "You're finally here," She said, setting down her brush and turning to look at me.

"Sorry for the wait. I had to freshen up after such a battle." I responded, a soft chuckle following my sentence. I walked toward her couch then sat down. "Now, let's talk business."

Azusa stood up, her eyes fixated on mine. "Before we talk about that, let me express how ridiculous this is. After all that hard work to dethrone and eliminate the Kings, you just waltz on up and convince me to marry you. You know, I could assassinate you right here and no one would ever know."

"As if you'd get the chance," I said then chuckled softly. "Azusa, the moment you kill me, not only will Yesha come to destroy Uthea, but the entire country of Eyica will come. You will enter war with the strongest nation in Utalia, the same nation that helped shape Utalia."

"How would they know..?" Azusa asked, her tone low and intimidating as she neared closer. "I could strangle you until you stop breathing. I could slit your throat and watch you bleed. The things I could do to you without your nation realizing..."

I watched Azusa then smirked. "If you want me dead so badly, how about you take the chance. I'm not going to stop you.."

Azusa stared at me, her eyes faintly glowing. She closed her eyes then sighed softly. "I can't...I won't! I lost fair and square, so for me to take your life not only symbolizes the fakeness within me, but it also goes against Mari's wishes..."

The room fell into silence, an awkward one at that. Azusa looked at me then took her spot beside me on the couch, her gaze meeting the floor.

"Sorry..." Azusa started, her voice soft and more considerate now. "I'm...just still on edge because of how my first husband treated me and Mari. I'm just so confused and just...lost right now. I want to give you a chance...I do, but..."

"It's alright, My Queen. I don't expect you to love me off the bat...I do understand your inner struggles and I do want to ease that inner tension you have." I responded, my tone understanding and caring.

Azusa's lips curled into a soft smile, her eyes closing. She softly chuckled and looked at me. "Never have a heard a man speak with such care...You truly have a way with words huh..?"

"I am an Emperor and this isn't my first rodeo with wives and all that. I understand how you all think, and I could tell you didn't mean what you said." I answered, a smile also playing on my lips.

Azusa fiddled with her fingers a bit and looked down. "Mari really likes you... it's strange because she never liked her father at all. He would never spend time with her and always brushed her off. I'm doing this mainly for her..."

I cautiously rested my arm against the back of the couch and closed my eyes. "It's understandable, and I could see it in her eyes of how much she liked me. She approached me when I first got here. It was like she could tell why I was truly here..."

Azusa softly laughed, turning to face me. "She approached you really? She's never really one to interact with strangers without my supervision. That really explains a lot then."

"Listen... Let's make this work okay? I really hope you're true to your words. I really do...I just have one question." Azusa said.

"What's up?" I asked.

"What happened in Yesha..? Why did you lead your empire into a civil war?" Azusa asked, her curiosity about my past at an all time high.

I was a bit silent, reluctant to speak about it at all. I closed my eyes and the memories played in my head. I sighed softly, deciding to just talk about it. "My first wife...her name is Manami. She came from Yascea to be with me and my family, wedding into my bloodline. After two years of being married, she back stabbed me...calling upon an ambush to try and kill me for my Crest. Because of this my entire bloodline was killed aside from me and my brother, Takeo."

I took a deep breath and sighed softly before continuing, "After having my mother pass away in my arms and gifting me The Crest of Arcane...I set out to kill Manami and avenge my bloodline. She had half of Yesha under her control while I had the other half. Ultimately I took her life and her Crest...but I have yet to find my bloodline's actual killer."

Azusa listened with open ears, her heart now heavy from hearing my backstory. Her expression was a mixture of sorrow, empathy, and compassion as I recounted my tragic past. Her eyes softened with understanding, her features sympathic as she listened.

"I'm sorry that happened to you..." Azusa started, reaching out her hand to gently grab mine. "I...never knew that side of the story. Those who survived your wrath told us their side of the story...they never told us that she was the aggressor.."

I smiled softly at Azusa and gently squeezed her hand. "You know the truth now, so there's no reason to hold animosity toward me. Even though I am the victim, I fully understand that I am not innocent. My conquest around Eyica was one of pure malice and anger. The fact that an allied Empire would try to kill me angered me, it brought out The Tyrant within. I ruled Eyica with an iron fist, tearing down every Empire and building it back up under my full authority."

"Seeing my own people afraid of me hurt... Although I did what I could to restore my name and honor, I couldn't escape the haunting memories. All the lives I took...the villages and cities I've destroyed. The Emperors I've killed...it haunts me till this day. I needed a fresh start...I needed to become who I once was, The Arrogant and Lustful Warlord..." I finished.

The room fell silent, Azusa taking in everything I said. Realizing there are two sides to every story, she took my word and acknowledged my struggles within my home.

"Everything is alright now, My Queen. My people understood my decisions and they weren't easy ones to make. Having to kill those who sided with Manami and even taking Manami's life...it did hurt and it still haunts me." I said.

"I believe you..." Azusa said, turning her head to look at me. She gently took my hand then let out a soft sigh. "Let's change the topic now, and plan our wedding."

With that, Azusa and I began to plan our wedding together as we sat on the floor. Azusa bought out a contract so we could agree upon the marriage, but I took it from her hands then ripped it in half.

"Ryoma..? What are you doing?" Azusa asked, her expression filled with confusion.

"Our marriage can not simply run off a contract. That is not love to me, My Queen..." I said, my eyes meeting hers. I gently held her hand, moving closer to her. "I want our love to be genuine...I want our love to be real.."

Azusa slightly blushed, only used to signing contracts for marriage, and was taken slightly aback by my suggestion. She slightly looked away, her eyes shimmering with slight hope that she might have a husband who will actually love her.

"Okay, My Emperor...I can try this 'genuine love' thing, but it might take a while for me to get used to it. I've never met a man who wanted to genuinely love me..." Azusa admitted, her voice filled with hope and slight excitement.

I chuckled softly, grabbing another sheet of paper then set it down in front of us. "However, we can plan how we want our marriage to go for the future."

Azusa smiled and nodded. "Right..~"

In the solitude of Azusa's chambers, the two of us began to plan how we wanted our wedding and marriage to go. While planning and preparing for our future together, we found ourselves at the brink of a conversation that was inevitable.

"TEN CHILDREN?!" Azusa exclaimed, her voice tinged with disbelief in the amount of children I wanted.

"Think about it, Azusa," I began, my eyes alight with the flame of ambition. "A large family, our children and their children carrying on the legacy we begin. Plus it'll also bring back our bloodlines as well. Plus you heard Mari, she wants brothers and sisters. This is more than a desire; it's a step and necessity for the future."

Azusa, who had been listening, her hands idly tracing the intricate patterns of her nightgown, raised her gaze to meet mine. There was understanding in her eyes, a depth of support for me, the man she chose to stand beside, but also a flicker of concern, a shadow of fear unspoken.

"I understand where you come from...I do," Azusa started, her voice soft. "But ten kids is kinda overkill don't you think? Plus how will you even help me take care of all eleven kids, moreso by myself when you're out on your conquest?"

I chuckled softly then sighed a bit. "I'm not gonna impregnate you while I'm focused my conquest. That is simply irresponsible as a husband and a father."

"Even still! Ten is too much! One or two is enough. I am but one woman and using Phantoms are out the question." Azusa said, her voice firm with her resolve.

"Ha! That's practically an empty home. How about seven?" I asked.

Azusa grunted and shook her head. "Three!"

"Five." I retorted, crossing my arms.

"Four! Take it or leave it!" Azusa said, making her offer the final declare.

I closed my eyes then chuckled softly. After a bit of thinking, I nodded to myself. "Alright, my queen...We can have four children.."

After we came to agreement we finally moved on and planned the color scheme and where we should hold our wedding. It was a very boring process because I could go without all of this, but it didn't hurt to be organized from time to time and not always flow with the wind.

Two hours went by and everything was now set. All Azusa had to do was inform her planners about the wedding and get everything set up.

"Finally..." Azusa sighed as she laid down on the floor.

"I must agree that this was extremely boring on all levels, but it was fun at the same time. Each time I go through this process, I'm wanting to pull my hair out...Now that's over, I'm heading to bed." I said as I stood up.

Azusa watched me then sat up. "Where are you going?"

"To my personal chambers. The maid told me of the king's old chamber I could rest in during my stay." I answered then felt Azusa grab my hand.

"This is the first time in years I have ever had another man in my room, and you have me to yourself and you're just gonna go sleep in the GUEST ROOM?" Azusa asked, gently pulling me back toward her. "If I want to learn to love you genuinely, I must learn to be with you at any given moment. I'm sure you know how to control yourself.."

"Azusa, I understand where you come from, but I thought it proper, to give us the respect and consideration of space in these early days." I replied, a soft smile playing on my face.

Azusa stepped closer, her decision clear and shining in her eyes, a beacon against the shadow of doubts. "I've lived through years and slept alone encased in walls that never knew the gentle touch of genuine and real love...Ryoma, I want to change that. I can see it in your eyes that you know genuine love and I want you to show me how it feels to...be held and cared for. I request you rest with me here instead of separate corners...I want to know how it feels to be held at night.."

The air between us hummed with the energy of new beginnings. My response was not immediate, not because of hesitation, but due to being caught off guard to her request.

I smiled at her then gently cupped her cheek in my hand. "Alright Azusa...If you will have me and want me to be here for you like this, I will gladly join you, to share not only your chambers but join you in every facet of our lives. Although it is still the early days, I'll show you genuine love and care.."

Azusa smiled, her eyes shimmering with hope and excitement to understand and finally experience the love she wished her first husband had showed her. She led me to her bed then we both took our spot under the covers.

"It feels strange having someone else in my bed when it's not for sex...Are you sure you can control yourself..?" Azusa asked.

I chuckled softly then nodded. "I may be lustful on the inside, but I'm not a monster nor do I believe in fornication."

Azusa smiled, moved by my morals that seemed to be much different from anyone she's met before. "This feels too good to be true...Are you serious about that?"

"I understand the power of sexual immortality and the negative outcomes that come from fornication. I am guilty of having sex in my younger days, but I truly understand the effects it can bring if done without care and irresponsibly. I'm much wiser than I once was...and I respect everyone's boundaries." I said, my eyes locked onto hers.

Azusa chuckled softly and snuggled closer to me, closing her eyes. "It feels like a dream, and if it is...just don't wake me up. This is not only perfect for me, but for Mari... she'll finally have a dad who will love her and spend time with her and I'll finally have a husband who will treat me and my people with respect..~"

"I can promise you that this is all real, my love...and when you wake up, I'll still be here.." I said, my voice soft and soothing as I gently stroked her hair.

Azusa hummed softly, her body relaxed and her mind clear from all negative thoughts. She thought of all the things such a wedding could do for her and the kingdom. Tonight ended well with us finally having everything planned. All there was to do was wait for the day our wedding starts, where we will become united, Athirus becoming an ally to Eyica.