CindeReki
fanfic by: Sora Vasconcelos
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🔥-Chapter 7-❄
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It was almost dark, the sun was setting and Prince Langa and his assistant, Tadashi, were still searching for the owner of the glass shoe. As it was getting dark, Tadashi wanted to return to the palace, and continue their searching tomorrow.
—Your Highness, it's getting late, we should finish here for today —spoke the black-haired man, being serious and somewhat worried.
—B... but —Prince Langa did not want to leave yet, he wanted to find that boy.
—Your highness , we must leave —Tadashi was going to take Langa's hand to convince him to go to the castle, but the prince walked away.
—ONE MORE HOUSE, PLEASE! —begged the prince to Tadashi while pointing to the next house.
It was luck or chance, but that house he had pointed to was CindeReki's.
Tadashi let out a sigh, surrendered —Ah.... Well your highness, just that house.
The two boys walked in the direction of CindeReki's house, and when they were close, Miya noticed them and was excited to see the prince approaching.
—DAD, HE ARRIVED! HE'S HERE! —Miya announced very excited, it seemed that he was going to jump with happiness.
—YES, THE PRINCE IS HERE! —Cherry joined him, also smiling and enthusiastic.
—Children, remember, behave very well before the prince. —Shadow was about to open the door, but he saw CindeReki first. —And you stay there, and don't talk! —ordered Shadow to his stepson.
—Yes, sir... —Said CindeReki obediently, who was standing by the stairs. He stood there alone and with his hands behind his back, with a small piece of evidence tucked away in his jacket. CindeReki knew about the glass shoe and wondered who the prince was, one way or another he was going to clear up his doubts and on the other hand he was going to prove that he was the owner of that shoe.... He was in expectation of what would happen.
CindeReki already wanted to see the prince, he wanted to know if he was the boy he had met at the party or not. But he really wanted very much to see the one he met at the royal ball, he was very excited to meet him again no matter who it was. If the prince was who he met at the ball he would be very happy to see him again, but if it was another boy at least he would get to know who the prince was.
When the door was knocked on by Tadashi, Shadow quickly went to open it —Act natural. —said the older orange-haired man before opening it. Upon doing so, the first thing the big guy saw was the prince's assistant, Tadashi, as Prince Langa was standing behind him.
—Good afternoon, sir —the older black-haired man bowed slightly in greeting, —Allow me to introduce his royal highness, Prince Langa —Tadashi stepped aside so that they could meet the young man.
Langa stood in front of the entrance and bowed to Shadow in greeting. Miya and Cherry quickly approached and looked at the prince being very excited and impressed by his beauty. Even though Cherry and Miya had seen him before at the ball, having such a beauty as the prince, so close and visiting them in their own home, stole their hearts completely. Seeing the prince in such a direct way made an impression. CindeReki did not catch a glimpse of Prince Langa, because his step brothers were in the way and did not let him see anything.
—It is a pleasure to meet you all,— thanked the prince with a serious expression, —Sorry for the inconvenience,— he apologized, as he felt he was interrupting everyone in the kingdom with his visit and search.
Shadow looked at him with a huge smile —Don't worry your highness, we really like to help —he answered proudly of his lie, but that made Langa a little happy, who knew little of the true mean nature of the orange-haired man.
At that moment Miya approached the prince —Yes! Don't worry prince Langa, you can come in! —he spoke to make way for the prince, inviting him in with a wave, and his brother Cherry did the same.
When CindeReki's half-brothers stepped aside, the red-haired boy could finally see him.... It was that boy, it was the same one he was at the dance with! CindeReki could recognize him immediately, the first moment he saw him. That beautiful light blue hair, that snow-white skin, and those beautiful light blue eyes. Without a doubt he was the boy he had met, and without any doubt he was the prince and now he knew, with certainty and being very happy, that the boy's name was Langa.
Prince Langa entered and wandered his gaze over the people in that room. He could see Shadow, Cherry and also Miya standing before him, but he could also notice that there was someone near the stairs. Langa was going to approach that person to get a better look at him, but as he was about to do so, Shadow got in his way. The man did not want the prince to see CindeReki, as the red-haired boy might draw the attention of Prince Langa and ignore his children.
—Let me introduce myself, your highness, my name is Hiromi Higa, but you can call me Shadow —the elder introduced himself and taking prince Langa by the shoulders made him turn around to see his children —And those two beautiful youngsters you see there are Cherry and Miya, my cute and dear beautiful children.
The pink-haired smiled coquettishly covering his smile with his fan —It's a pleasure to meet you your highness, my name is Kaoru Sakurayashiki, but you can call me Cherry —he introduced himself, closing his fan and showing a kind look.
—And I am Miya Chinen, call me Miya! —the little one introduced himself by joining both of his hands and making beautiful big sparkling eyes at prince Langa.
When the two brothers introduced themselves, Langa could recognize them.... They were the same annoying brothers who were pestering him at the ball with their insistence. Yes, they were those two boys who ended up fighting to see which of them would get to keep him, as if he were a doll. He was about to say something about it, but Tadashi interrupted Langa the moment he opened his lips.
—If you allow me, I'll read the royal edict —the man took out a scroll with the royal seal and began to read it in a serious manner. —To all my loyal vassals, and by my royal will, I make it known that a glass shoe has come into my hands, —Tadashi stopped, and Langa showed the glass shoe to everyone.
Miya and Cherry's eyes sparkled when they saw it for the first time, but they said nothing. CindeReki, upon seeing the glass shoe, was very impressed. It was the same glass shoe he had lost at the ball and he had his pair. At that moment CindeReki could easily demonstrate the other pair of that shoe that Prince Langa was holding in his hand... but CindeReki preferred not to do that for the moment, he was afraid that Shadow and his step brothers would be upset with him and do something to them or hurt him if he did that, so he stood very still and quiet.
—The king, the queen, and the prince, ordered that from this day without delay an inquisition be held for the purpose of having all the unmarried maidens of the kingdom try on the glass shoe found in the palace gardens, which belongs to the young man who has caught the eye of Prince Langa, and upon doing so the prince will ask for the young man's hand in holy matrimony— Tadashi was about to continue, but Langa intervened.
—Mmm... That last one could happen, but first I would have to live with the boy and get to know him much better...— The prince spoke meditating, but since his mother had added that last phrase, he just started to think about it. His mother's handwriting and signature could be perfectly seen next to the last added paragraph that spoke about marriage. At the moment Prince Langa did not want to marry, just as he did not want to marry a perfect stranger, but he was open to the possibility of marriage someday.
Tadashi looked at Prince Langa and came to himself after a brief moment —Eh? Ah, yes, that was an order from the queen —Tadashi spoke, looking at the royal edict.
CindeReki, hearing that, couldn't help but let out a giggle, he had found the boy's reaction and what the prince had said funny and adorable. Almost no one had heard it, but however Shadow did, who immediately turned his face and looked at him annoyed and scowling, scaring the red-haired boy a lot, so CindeReki quickly shut up.
—Well, I guess we can start with the test —Tadashi said and Miya took a nearby chair to sit down, but Cherry took over the seat by looking at him menacingly and sidelong behind his pink fan. Chinen just pouted in annoyance, as he knew he had to behave himself in front of the prince.
—All right, Cherry you go first —Shadow said to his eldest son, feigning a very big friendly smile.
Cherry crossed his legs on the small chair they had placed near Tadashi and waited sitting on it. Langa handed the shoe to Tadashi, and the latter bent down to try the shoe on Cherry's foot.
Tadashi, upon putting it and making it fit, got the not so surprising surprise that the shoe didn't fit, no matter how hard he tried the shoe wouldn't fit Cherry's big foot, since him was much taller than Reki and his proportion was bigger.
—Put it right! This shoe has to fit me! —Cherry complained to Tadashi to try harder, but no matter how hard he tried, Cherry's foot didn't help —Surely you're putting it on me the wrong way —he said and the pink-haired man kept complaining.
Shadow looked worried —Young man, are you trying it on the right foot? —Shadow asked Tadashi.
—Yes sir, but your son's foot is too big —Tadashi couldn't exert much force because he was afraid of breaking the shoe if he continued like that.
—MY FOOT IS TOO BIG?! —Cherry asked, annoyed and very indignant —You are not trying it on properly! You have no idea what you are doing!
Meanwhile, CindeReki chuckled a little under his breath, as the scene was to die for. Indeed, Cherry's foot was very large compared to his. Cherry's shoes were too big for him, and that's why he never kept the old shoes thrown away by his older stepbrother.
CindeReki's laughter was heard by Prince Langa who, upon hearing it, could recognize it. The prince knew he had heard them before, but he could not remember from where, so he turned his face towards where the beautiful sound came from, but a voice surprised him.
—ENOUGH! —Tadashi shouted in annoyance. It was the first time Langa heard that tone of voice from his servant —I'm sorry, but you are not the boy we are looking for, so get up from the chair —Tadashi took off the glass shoe, and the long-haired got up from the seat very indignant.
—I'm very sorry, and thank you for your time —Prince Langa apologized to Cherry.
—The next young man, please —Tadashi asked and Miya hopped over and sat in the chair.
Tadashi bent down and took the little one's foot, and put the glass shoe on it. This time Miya's foot fit on the first try, but it was too big for Miya.
—It's normal, feet get small with time —excused Miya when he saw that there was too much room in the shoe.
—I say it's not you, kid —commented Tadashi raising an eyebrow at what the youngest had said.
—KID!? —he asked in annoyance —And you're a big fool, slime! —Miya pushed Tadashi with his foot very angrily.
—NO, YOU ARE! — the black-haired man claimed to the little one and took back the glass shoe.
—Thank you very much, and I'm sorry,— Langa thanked the little Miya who pouted being annoyed.
—Very well, I guess you two are the only maidens living here —said Tadashi looking at Shadow.
—Yes there's no one else —Shadow covered CindeReki from Tadashi's view.
—Langa wanted to walk further past Shadow, but the one stepped in front of the prince again.
That move Shadow made let Tadashi this time be able to see a red-haired boy standing by the stairs. He noticed that it was a dirty boy with very battered clothes, but it was a boy, and he smiled as that boy had a very pretty face, and his eyes were very beautiful just as the prince had described them to him. Tadashi hoped that this boy was the one they were looking for.
—Yes, there is a boy there,— Tadashi pulled Shadow aside so that Langa could see the red-haired boy.
When Prince Langa could see the red-haired boy he was impressed. The prince did not see how dirty and poorly dressed he was, but looked at his face and the first thing he saw were those beautiful eyes. Those eyes so beautiful and so bright were just like the eyes he remembered that day. They were similar to those of the boy he met at the ball —(Could it be him?)— the prince wondered as he approached CindeReki. For Langa at that moment no one else existed, only him and that boy.
At every step the prince took his heart beat as it did that night at the ball. He felt excitement, happiness and hope, since there might be a possibility that it was him, Langa could smile again as he did that night.
—(It's him, I'm sure of it, it has to be him) —Langa kept repeating over and over again in his head while looking at CindeReki.
CindeReki on his side, seeing how the prince was approaching in his direction, started to get very nervous. As he walked towards him, the red-haired started to move away, backing away little by little. He was not afraid, just the look of the prince made his heart beat very fast, his eyes had a very penetrating look and a very beautiful light blue color...
CindeReki's heart was beating just like Prince Langa's heart. He didn't quite know what he felt, as it was the first time he felt so many emotions together. He was happy because Langa had noticed him, and he was also afraid because he felt the gaze of Shadow and his half-brothers piercing his skin. He was feeling a lot at that moment.
CindeReki's mind was in a mess —(H-he recognized me, but how did he do it? Why is he approaching me like this? and... Why is he looking at me like that?)—
The redhead didn't know how to act in that situation, so he just step back, away from the prince. He didn't want to have him so close if he looked at him like that. But, sadly, CindeReki couldn't move further away since he was cornered against a wall; that helped the prince to have him within his reach and be able to see him much better.
Langa moved a little closer to him, his face was too close to CindeReki's. It was then that they began to speak in the mute language of their gazes.
Prince Langa, by having the red-haired boy close to him, made him stop breathing for a few seconds due to the emotion that invaded him. He was already before him, it was time for the truth.... He averted his eyes thinking about what to say to him, his feelings changed to ones of insecurity and fear because he didn't know how to act or how to start talking to him, but when his sight was fixed again on those eyes, they made him calm down a little.
CindeReki's gaze made the prince feel joy, and warmth, he didn't feel the cold he always felt when he was alone, now he only felt a warmth that made him smile for real.
On his side, CindeReki blushed a lot because of the prince's closeness. CindeReki was very embarrassed because it was not every day that a very handsome prince came so close to him. The redhead was getting very flushed, his body was burning at that moment because of everything that was going on in his head. For a few seconds he stopped looking at the others who were in that room, he only looked at Langa's eyes. He didn't notice it when he taught him how to skate, but seeing that look made him feel a cold, cool sensation in his chest that he had never felt before. He felt a cold, but it wasn't a sad cold, it was a very nice and very calm cold, like a snowflake resting on his heart.
Realizing that he was staring at him, CindeReki looked away so as not to be rude. That look so close to him didn't let him think clearly. However, the prince took the red-haired boy's chin with his fingertips so that he could look him directly in the eyes. That was when the prince felt the boy's skin.
Even though CindeReki's face was dirty it looked very soft and cute. CindeReki's skin was as soft as the snow he loved so much. Langa ran his fingers over CindeReki's face, he really liked the way the face of the boy he liked felt and looked. When he caressed his face he couldn't help but brush his lips with his fingers. Langa caressed them lovingly, they were pink and very fleshy. The prince at that moment wanted to taste those lips that had enchanted him. Langa's face was approaching little by little to CindeReki's and he was squinting his eyes. At this action CindeReki began to feel a little uncomfortable.
At the moment CindeReki saw this, he knew very well what the boy wanted to do. He tried to break away, but there was nowhere to escape to, he was cornered.
He got nervous, he didn't want his first kiss to be like this, he didn't want this to happen.... And uncontrollably, CindeReki began to sob from the fear he felt, he didn't want to cry, but he felt self-conscious.
The prince was surprised. He could tell by looking at the red-haired boy's face how uncomfortable he felt and how teary those eyes he loved so much were...
Langa had become too immersed in the feeling of finally meeting the boy again and realizing what he did he pulled away a little.
—What is your name? — Langa's voice sounded soft and calm. The prince didn't want to make him feel uncomfortable, and decided to calm him down a little, as he didn't want the boy he liked to cry.
—Mmm... R-reki, Reki Kyan... but everyone calls me... CindeReki —he answered, still very nervous.
—Reki... —Langa pronounced that boy's name with a sigh of a lover —Would you like to try on the shoe? —He said with a very kind and genuine smile.
—Eh? Oh, well... — he had almost forgotten why the prince came to visit them. —Yes, I'd love to —he answered with a small smile.
He wanted to say no, but at that moment his heart spoke for him. He brought his gaze to where his stepfather and stepbrothers were, who were looking at him very angry and very jealous because of the moment he had, and the red-haired boy became a little nervous.
When Langa heard CindeReki's answer he took his hand, and when he took it he could feel that his skin was very warm, he smiled. That sensation felt the same as when he took the hand of the boy he met at the ball for the first time....
—Come, let's go —Langa kindly escorted him to the chair where Miya and Cherry had sat earlier.
CindeReki perched, and Langa made a signal to Tadashi. He could understand that sign, so he approached them with the glass shoe to try on.
—Don't mind him —Shadow was trying to stop Tadashi.
Cherry joined him, —He's just the servant —he said belittling him.
—Besides, he didn't even go to the ball —Miya was also trying to convince Tadashi to stop insisting.
—That red-haired boy is crazy —Shadow got in the way and didn't let Tadashi move forward.
—Sir, I was ordered by the heir to the throne, so step aside —Tadashi stepped aside and continued on his way. Shadow snorted in discontent.
While Tadashi was walking towards Langa and CindeReki, Shadow saw CindeReki's skateboard nearby and he had an idea.
The man pushed the skateboard with his foot towards Tadashi, and that caused the black-haired man to step on it and lose control falling to the ground. That caused the glass shoe to break completely.
By hearing the sound of the glass shoe breaking, CindeReki and Langa were surprised.
—No...— The prince spoke very sadly, looking at the broken pieces of the glass slipper —Now I will never have the chance to find him... —Langa felt very sad and wanted to cry.
Prince Langa wanted very much to see that boy again, but now, the only clue he had to find him was destroyed. He approached the pieces of broken glass, bent down and took some to try to repair it... and when he saw that it could not be fixed, he could not help but let out a few tears.
—Your Highness, I am very sorry... —spoke Tadashi with fear since it had been his fault, and maybe the kings would give him a strong punishment.
—Calm down Tadashi, I will say it was my fault, but .... —the prince, kneeling on the ground, did not stop crying. He really wanted to see that boy again —Now I will never be able to find him —he lamented between tears.
—That's not true —CindeReki's voice was heard. The prince turned his gaze towards him and saw that the red-haired boy was very close to his face, that made the prince remember the moment when he was close to the face of the boy he met at the ball.
—But... Why do you say that? The shoe broke, and it was the only thing I had to guide me to him.
CindeReki smiled at the prince, and put his hand in his sweater pocket.
—I have the other shoe —taking it out, he showed him the glass shoe he had in his pocket.
Langa, seeing that CindeReki had the other pair of shoes, was very impressed. For that only meant that CindeReki was the boy Langa met at the ball.
—Is that you? —Langa asked, very excited.
—You can try on me the shoe if you want to be sure —CindeReki smiled at him and offered him his hand, helping the prince to stand up.
CindeReki sat back in the chair, and waited for Langa to put the shoe on. The prince bowed to him and took his foot delicately, and slowly began to put the shoe on.
The glass shoe fit him perfectly. It didn't fit him big or small, it fit him precisely, like a glove.
When Langa could see that, he smiled and raised his face to CindeReki. And when the prince looked up and saw his face, he recognized him completely. He remembered that smile, that shade of blush on his skin and those amber eyes.
—It's you, Reki, you're the boy I met —the prince smiled tenderly at the boy in front of him.
—CINDEREKI IS THE BOY THE PRINCE WAS LOOKING FOR!? —asked Cherry, Miya and Shadow at the same time, very impressed.
—IT CAN'T BE!— shouted Miya.
—THIS HAS TO BE A JOKE! — Cherry was heard to say.
—Mmm... Prince Langa —CindeReki got out of his skin and approached the redhead —Thank you for finding me —he looked at prince Langa with a warm smile.
—So, is he the boy you were with at the ball, prince? —Tadashi asked.
—Yes, Tadashi, that's him —he answered without looking away from CindeReki.
—Prince, remember what the queen ordered —Tadashi remarked calmly.
When Tadashi reminded Langa what his mother had ordered, he could not help blushing a little. —Yes, I know — Langa turned to Shadow.
—What's wrong? —Shadow asked a little confused when he saw the prince.
—You are CindeReki's legal guardian, right? —Langa said seriously.
—Yes, I'm his stepfather, his parents died when he was little... —Answered the orange-haired, a little dismayed.
—Well, I want to ask for CindeReki's hand —Langa spoke as formally as he could, as je made a little bow.
—WHAT?! —shouted Cherry, Miya and CindeReki, very impressed.
—What? W-want to marry...? CindeReki? —Asked Shadow, more astonished.
—Yes.
Langa's answer surprised everyone, even Tadashi, since a few moments ago he had said that he had to meet the boy before getting married.
—I don't have to think about it anymore —Langa returned to where CindeReki was and took his hand, —He is the one I infinitely want to be with —the prince smiled at him.
Although Langa didn't want to get married at first, when he saw CindeReki better, he changed his mind. Besides, he was sure that his mother was going to force him to marry CindeReki anyway. But now he didn't mind the idea so much...
—But, I think I have to do it the right way, don't I? —Prince Langa asked, separating from Shadow and approaching CindeReki.
—What do you mean by "the right way"? —The red-haired boy asked, a bit confused by what the prince said.
The prince stood in front of CindeReki and was a little flushed, looking embarrassed. Langa carefully took CindeReki's hands, he felt the warmth of his body again.
Even though Langa's face was a little red, his eyes reflected confidence. He felt embarrassed, but he was going to do it. The prince let out a sigh, without letting go of CindeReki's hands he bowed to him, kneeling on one knee.
When the prince did this, the red-haired boy couldn't help but turn red as a tomato. It was a very embarrassing moment. His heart was beating fast, he didn't expect Langa to do that.
—Reki Kyan —Langa had his gaze fixed on Reki's amber eyes —Do you want to marry me? —As the prince asked the question he started to take out of his pocket a little black box, and when he opened it, it showed a beautiful ring with a beautiful diamond. The precious stone was very beautiful and sparkling, and as white as a snowflake. It was the ring that had been given to Prince Langa by his mother, Nanako.
CindeReki's eyes sparkled at the sight of such a beautiful gesture. The redhead was looking at him kindly and lovingly. Hea was so impressed by the prince's gesture that he even stopped breathing because of the surprise of that proposal.
To see that boy who was so kind and with whom he had spent the best time of his life skating, now on his knees before him, and with a marriage proposal that surprised him.
The question had made his heart beat fast. For as long as he could remember, he had always dreamed that someone would ask him that question and save him from the loveless and unloving life he had, and it was only when he met that boy that he felt happy and loved for the first time.
CindeReki's feelings were very strong, he was very happy and excited and they made him involuntarily start crying, but it was the second time he cried from happiness.
—Oh, no... I'm so sorry CindeReki —Langa stood up and approached to the redhead and grabbed his arms, caressing them to try to calm him down. The prince didn't know what to do in that kind of situation and looked at him in grief.
CindeReki was still covering his eyes as he was crying so hard. He was so happy and found Langa's action so cute. Langa was always such a nice guy to him and didn't judge him by how he looked on the outside. The prince liked him for how he really was.
—Y-yes —It was the only thing CindeReki could say because of his crying and excitement. At first Prince Langa didn't understand what he meant by that monosyllable, but after a few seconds he realized.
— Yes...? Do you want to marry me? —Langa asked, holding back his emotion, looking at the red-haired.
CindeReki couldn't speak again and just nodded. Now he was not only covering his face from his tears, he was also covering it from his flushed face.
—Thank you very much CindeReki —Thanked the prince with a sweet kind smile and hugged the redhead, being very happy for his answer.
Luckily, CindeReki had calmed down and was no longer crying. Langa, noticing that he was no longer crying took the opportunity to take his right hand lovingly, and looking at CindeReki's half-covered face, placed the ring on his ring finger while Langa looked at the small sorrowful smile forming on the redhead's face.
The ring on CindeReki's finger looked very beautiful. The diamond reflected much of its beautiful sparkle and beautifully highlighted CindeReki's crystal clear and pure gaze.
When CindeReki had the ring on, both boys looked into each other's eyes, very much in love. They smiled at each other, and caressed each other's faces holding hands. That moment was uniquely magical for both of them.
But, a voice brought them out of that beautiful and intimate moment for both of them.
—Well, you can marry CindeReki. You have my consent —Shadow spoke, late, but with the utmost seriousness.
WHAT WHAT WHAT WHAT!!!!— shouted Cherry and Miya being very impressed. Shadow's answer surprised both of them as much as CindeReki.
It was true that they needed Shadow's permission since Reki was a minor and also because, even though he was his stepfather, he was his family.
—But on one condition —Shadow spoke again —That they take me and my children to the palace as well.
—No problem for me —Said Langa. The prince knew that his parents would like to meet CindeReki's family, but he didn't know if CindeReki liked the idea very much —What do you think, Reki? —Asked looking kindly at the redhead.
CindeReki was a little surprised to hear the prince's question. He gave the question some thought. Shadow, Cherry, and Miya were very mean to him, they treated him like a servant, humiliated him, and never bought him anything, and he could never have new things. He could easily say no, because of all the abuse he suffered, but CindeReki was not a vindictive, spiteful boy. He forgave his stepfather and stepbrothers internally.
So CindeReki looked at Shadow with a smile —You can come, I just don't want you to cause trouble —he spoke in a calm tone of voice.
—THANK YOU, CINDEREKI! — Miya and Cherry rushed to hug their stepbrother.
The hug that the redhead received made him feel uncomfortable, since they had never hugged CindeReki, and he didn't understand very well why they did it. CindeReki wasn't spiteful and could forgive them, but he had never received such a demonstration of affection from them and it felt... unusual.
Shadow even smiled, looking very pleased.... The behavior towards CindeReki on the part of the orange-haired man, as well as Cherry and Miya, had completely changed at that moment.
CindeReki did not suspect anything, he believed that at last his stepfather and stepbrothers loved him.
However, the reality was otherwise as Shadow was happy because he wanted CindeReki to support him and his children. His stepbrothers were also being nice to him as a matter of convenience, since they would have a lot of money and also have all the things they wanted.
—Well, we have to go to the palace —spoke Tadashi, opening the door for them all to leave. They followed the man very happily, Shadow, Miya and Cherry. Langa was about to follow them, but CindeReki stopped him by holding his hand.
—Wait, Langa, there is something I want to give you —CindeReki had taken the prince's hand lovingly between his palms.
The others were already hurrying outside getting into the royal carriage, and CindeReki took the prince to his room.
——🔥❄——
Being in CindeReki's room, the owner quickly went to a trunk, the same where he had found the suit his father had left him. But this time, Reki took out the skateboard that he kept there and he made for Langa.
The prince, upon seeing the skateboard, was very impressed, as it was a very nice piece of wood.
—Look, I made this skateboard for you —CindeReki handed the board to the prince, and it was also very much his style. The attention to detail surprised the prince.
—You made it... for me? —Langa asked impressed. CindeReki nodded with a smile. Langa's heart was pounding with joy.
It was the first time someone had given him something handmade. He always got fancy clothes or precious stones, but CindeReki had made him something simple. For Langa, this demonstration was something very precious and important to him, as it had been made by a person he loved very much.
The prince looked at the skateboard with much appreciation, but as he looked at it, he could notice something different. —Mmm... This... What is it? —he asked, looking at the supports that the red-haired boy had put on the top of the board.
—Oh, those are some supports that I put on it since I remember that it was difficult for you to stay on it, so I put these on it to make it easier for you to carry and not fall off.—CindeReki answered.
—Perfect....—Prinxe Langa looked at him happily —With this I won't be afraid of falling again —Langa gave CindeReki a very warm smile —Thank you very much, Reki —he caressed CindeReki's face tenderly.
The red haired couldn't help but blush at the way he did it. For him, Prince Langa was a very kind boy, nice with him and on top of everything, and what he liked, was that he was very handsome.
Langa began to stroke CindeReki's hair in a tender and gentle way. His fiancé's hair was very soft and silky. As he touched his hair he stared again into CindeReki's amber eyes. He loved that color, it reminded him of the sun. And so it was, CindeReki to him was like a beautiful, radiant sun that warmed and melted the snow of sadness in his heart and illuminated a pure, white one of hope.
The prince was so focused on CindeReki's eyes that he didn't know how he started to approach CindeReki.
The redhead noticed, but unlike the previous time, he didn't pull away. On the contrary, he stood there looking at Langa's eyes, Langa's eyes at that moment to CindeReki reminded him of the moon he looked at hi bedroom window every night. Yes, for CindeReki Langa was like a moon that looked at him and accompanied him in the nights of his sad days, promising him a tomorrow full of hope.
Prince Langa was getting closer and closer to CindeReki's face, he was closing his eyes little by little. The two were so close that they could hear each other's heartbeat. This time, there was nothing and no one else to interrupt their moment of love. It was just the two of them and their hearts.
More and more, the closeness was shorter between the two of them, and when they were close enough they joined their lips in a tender kiss.
It was a slightly awkward kiss, shy and soft as this was the first kiss for each of them. But, in spite of that, Langa and CindeReki enjoyed it, giving small demonstrations of affection to each other. It was the best sensation they had ever felt in all their lives. They felt how much happiness and ecstasy enveloped them at that moment and united their souls for the first time.
Langa's hands were holding CindeReki's waist, and CindeReki's hands were on the prince's shoulders. They both felt that they could be immersed in this feeling all day long.
Suddenly, the lack of air forced them apart.
As they pulled away, they looked into each other's eyes and both blushed as they realized what had just happened.
If someone asked them about that moment, they wouldn't know how to answer. It had just happened. They hadn't planned it, and the simple fact that they hadn't imagined it was what they liked most about it.
The first to speak was the prince —Reki, I'm afraid we have to go with the others...
—Oh, yes... we don't want them to worry about us. Let's go.— CindeReki replied, still blushing.
The two left CindeReki's room clasping hands.
--🔥❄--
After a few minutes, everyone arrived at the palace. Shadow and his children looked at the place very impressed. They had already seen the castle at the party, but only the entrance and the ballroom. This time they were walking towards the royal throne where the king and queen were waiting for them.
CindeReki was staring at the decoration of the castle. It was a nice place to live, he already wanted to see his future room and know every corner of his new home and the places where he could skate.
As they walked, CindeReki changed from having a smile on his face to a very noticeable blush, as in one hand he was holding his skateboard very tightly, but his other hand... was being held by Langa.
Since they reached the royal throne room, the prince held his hand, as he did not want to be separated from him.
They saw that there were Queen Nanako and King Oliver, who since early in the morning were attending to the requests of their citizens. When they saw their son enter the hall, they were already waiting for him with a wide smile.
—Majesties,— Tadashi bowed to the kings, —we have found the boy.— When he said that, Langa and CindeReki came closer to the king and queen.
—Mom, das, I present to you Reki Kyan, better known as CindeReki —said Langa introducing the red-haired boy to his parents.
The kings got up from their thrones and approached CindeReki to get a better look at him.
Oliver looked at the boy for a few seconds. The King's gaze made CindeReki nervous, Oliver's light blue gaze was very similar to Langa's, his gaze was very penetrating, maybe that look was from his family. After a few seconds of looking at CindeReki, King Oliver smiled at him and the red-haired boy calmed down when he saw that smile.
—It is a pleasure to meet you, young Kyan —the elder extended his hand to the boy in greeting.
—The pleasure is mine your highness, but you can call me CindeReki —the redhead, somewhat embarrassed, shook the king's hand with a smile.
While CindeReki was looking at the king, Queen Nanako was surrounding him while watching him.
She was looking at CindeReki from all sides and angles. The woman was analyzing every detail of the boy. The queen didn't care that CindeReki was dirty or that his clothes are very unkempt, she could see through all that dirt. She could see what her son saw in that boy, someone very cute, with a beautiful smile and also very kind. What the CindeReki queen liked the most were his amber eyes.
When the queen stopped surrounding CindeReki, she knew that this boy was going to make her son very happy —It is a pleasure to meet you CindeReki —smiled, shaking the boy's hand.
—The pleasure is mine, your highness —CindeReki returned the smile tenderly.
While she introduced herself in a friendly way, she could notice on CindeReki's right hand, on his ring finger, a ring. When looked at it for a second, she recognized the object.
—L-Langa, son... well, I see you gave this boy your grandmother's ring. —The queen's voice caught CindeReki's attention.
—I feel in my heart that he is the right one to wear the ring. —Langa's voice sounded kind and confident.
—Then you must really like this boy. —This time the king spoke and Langa nodded.
—Excuse me... —CindeReki's voice called the attention of the kings —Umm.... This ring... is very important to you? —CindeReki asked with some fear, as he did not feel worthy to wear something so valuable.
—That's right, that ring was made by my father when he met my mother —replied the king calmly.
—And when my dear Oliver proposed to me... he gave me that same ring. —The queen took her husband's arm very happy —That ring has passed
—My father decided that it should be a diamond, because it is a very resistant precious stone, and that was a way to symbolize the unbreakable love the two of them had for each other. —The king explained the meaning of the ring, which impressed CindeReki a little.
The red-haired boy, looked down and touched the ring he was wearing, he could feel how such a small object like that ring could have such a strong meaning. It was a way to represent the love two people had for each other. A beautiful smile came across his face as he caressed it.
CindeReki felt a great affection for Langa, as he was the only person who truly loved him even without knowing him... he was the only one who loved him for who he was on the inside, and not for how he looked. He knew Langa felt the same way he did because he had been looking for him so hopefully, that meant he loved him very much.
CindeReki turned his face towards Langa, he was looking at him with a big smile and eyes full of affection. The queen, seeing how CindeReki looked at her son was very moved, and she spoke again.
—Tell me CindeReki, have you thought about having children? —she asked really moved.
—What!? —said everyone, except CindeReki who was actually more embarrassed. That question surprised everyone.
—H-how? —CindeReki answered, who had been very embarrassed, making him blush too much.
—Mom, please don't ask him that... —Langa got a little angry with her because of the directness of that question.
—I'm sorry son —she apologized, smiling a little ashamed.
CindeReki sighed abashed —Well... Well, I would like to introduce you to my family... —he said shyly and CindeReki approached the older orange-haired man, —Gentlemen, this is my stepfather, his name is Hiromi, you can call him Shadow —the man made an exaggerated bow to the king and queen, with them noticing that he was trying very hard to be nice.
Then the red-haired boy approached the long-haired man and Miya —And.... these are my step-siblings, Kaoru or Cherry and the black-haired boy is Miya — the guys bowed.
—You can call me Miya —the kid smiled at the king and queen, showing them his best smile.
—It is a pleasure to meet you —greeted the royals, in a friendly way.
—The pleasure is mine —said Kaoru, making a bow again.
—Likewise —reply the queen with a small bow.
Miya bowed again and so did the King.
—The pleasure is ours —said Shadow, forcing a bow to Kaoru and Miya with his hands on the necks of each boy.
The queen smiled at the formality of CindeReki's family —I suppose you are here because of my son's proposal to marry CindeReki —she spoke in a kindly manner.
Shadow approached his stepson and hugged him —Yes, the prince proposed to CindeReki, I know that CindeReki is not my biological son, but I love him very much, as much as if he were mine —the man's tone of voice was very forced and exaggerated since what he said was not the truth, but he wanted to pretend it.
Shadow started to hug CindeReki very tightly and the boy was turning blue from the orange-haired man's hug —Aamm....Shadow was hugging him tighter and tighter and it was starting to hurt him.
Luckily for CindeReki, Langa was close to him, so the prince pulled the redhead closer to himself, pulling him away from Shadow's reach.
The Queen was looking at them candidly without noticing anything —Oh, Langa, then we can arrange the wedding! —The queen was excited talking to her son —We can do it right now! —The queen was jumping up and down in excitement in her position —Come on Langa, we have a lot to do! —with a smile, she took her son's arm.
—In fact, mother... —Langa stopped her gently and let go of her mother's grip in a calm manner, —I would like the wedding to be organized by you and CindeReki's family. —asked with a nice smile.
—Just us? Aren't you going to help us? —asked Nanako, a little confused.
—I would like to, but I want to spend time with CindeReki.—when Langa said the boy's name she took his hand.
—Really? —CindeReki asked, very captivated. He thought it was a nice gesture from the prince.
—Yes, I want to try my new skateboard, and I want you to keep teaching me about skateboarding —Langa smiled at CindeReki.
—Oh, yes, that's right, yes, I'll keep teaching you — CindeReki answered shyly, and a little disappointed, since he believed otherwise.
—Well, my son... —The queen approached the two boys and pushed them out of the room, —We'll take care of everything and you can spend as much time as you want together.
—Thank you very much, mother —answered the prince.
—Yes, thank you very much.—CindeReki also agreed.
The king and queen stayed in the main hall, as well as CindeReki's stepfather and stepbrothers, talking about everything they had in mind for the wedding.
Shadow, as the conversation progressed, became really excited, as did the queen.
—What do you think of a white wedding cake, with a decoration of different colored flowers, with a light blue ribbon that goes from the top to the bottom, and that is 3 layers? —the queen asked Shadow, very excited. It looked like she had all that planned.
—Only three layers? I think it would be better to have five layers or more —asked CindeReki's stepfather. —it's not a normal wedding, it's the prince's wedding, the wedding has to be spectacular!
—That's right, this wedding has to be spectacular! — claimed the queen firmly.
—By the way, I would like to supervise the floral arrangements, since I like that kind of things —commented Shadow, proud of what he was saying.
—That sounds perfect! Now, let's talk about CindeReki's attire. —the queen almost jumped with emotion when she mentioned that —I would be very happy if CindeReki would wear the same dress I wore in my wedding! —she said.
—Do you want CindeReki to wear a dress? —Shadow asked, a little surprised.
—Yes, it would look very nice, but I don't know if he would be uncomfortable because of the dress —thought the queen with a little sense.
—I think it would be better if he wore a suit —said Shadow thinking.
The queen would have liked CindeReki to wear her dress, but she also wanted him to feel comfortable on his wedding day.
King Oliver smiled as he watched them speaking, always agreeing with everything she, his beloved wife, said.
The King knew that he could not deny her anything or contradict or question whatever his wife wanted for his son's wedding, as he knew that this day, for Nanako, was what she had looked forward to the most in her entire life.
Cherry and Miya spent the first few minutes watching what the adults were talking about.
The pink-haired was looking bored, with a grimace, at the conversation of the adults. Miya was getting sleepy watching the conversation with his hands clasped behind his head.
When Cherry noticed that the youngest nodded off from sleep, he nudged him lightly, and when he looked at him, he gave him a little sign with his head to leave without saying anything, and explore and get to know the castle. As they got a little bored, they went out to get to know the palace, they wanted to see how big their new home was.
Meanwhile, Langa and CindeReki were in the palace gardens, skating together.
While they were walking together, Prince Langa felt his heart beating with excitement again, he felt again that fun he felt on the day of the ball. He was smiling with happiness, and he really didn't want to stop for anything.
It was almost the same as on the day of the dance, but the only difference was that he was doing it together with CindeReki, but this time there was a slight difference, he knew the name of that boy and he knew that he wanted to be forever by his side. So did CindeReki feel, just skating together made him have even more fun.
Not only was one having fun, but, this time they were both together, both enjoying the moment with a smile on their faces, both laughing and both enjoying each other's company.
If it were up to the two of them, they would keep skating all afternoon and all night until dawn came... but, they simply had to stop as their bodies were getting exhausted, but not their will to continue.
It was almost time for them to go to sleep, for them the time had flown by.
Although it didn't matter if they stopped at that moment, as it could go on another day, but tomorrow they wouldn't be able to... as they had to prepare for their wedding.
Though if that didn't happen it didn't matter, since, now, they were both going to be together infinitely.
End