EPILOGUE.

No one could understand the sadness. It has been two months since we’re married. I should be expecting by now. But luck doesn’t choose me.

    “Your right ovary was crushed, at that time when you were hit by the car. You’re too weak to carry a baby.” The doctor told me.

    I couldn’t contain my sorrow. How can I get over it? In fact, it’s every parents-to-be desire. When I got home, I locked myself in my room for two days. I was crying the whole time. Seijuro was worried so in the end, he destroyed the door.

    He embraced me tight while I was still sobbing. “Kizuna....” his voice so soft like the wind that blowed in the morning. He kissed the top of my head. My face was buried onto his chest. “Kizuna, stop crying.” He said.

    I clenched my fists so hard my palms bled. “Sei....juro..” I muttered.

    He caressed my hair. “It’s all okay, Kizuna. Don’t cry, it hurts to see you depressed like this.” He whispered.

    “I’m sorry,” I cried silently.

    He hugged tighter. “Don’t be. It’s not your fault.”

    “I’m..so....sorry....”

    “Kizuna, stop crying and apologizing. Nothing can be done even if you kill yourself. Stop torturing yourself, as well as me. I don’t like seeing you like this.”

    Afterwards, shortly after that, I fell unconscious in his arms because of dehydration. When I came to, I was in Seijuro’s room, covered with blankets. I sat up and the world spun. I placed the back of my palm on my forehead as I felt so dizzy.

    The door opened and Seijuro went in with a tray of food and a glass of water in his hands. “How are you feeling? Still dizzy?” he asked and I sipped the water.

    “Kinda.” I smiled slightly.

    He smiled back. “Glad to see you smiling, Kizuna. It’s been a while.”

    I nodded once and started to eat.

    “Yukina wants to see you.” He said and got out. After a while, Yukina came in. She closed the door behind her and immediately ran to hug me. She sobbed.

    “Nee-chan, don’t do that again!” she screamed into my hair. I patted her back, hugging her as tightly as she did now.

    “I’m sorry, Yukina. I’m just....”

    “Nee-chan, please don’t cry like that. It hurts everyone to see you depressed. You’re just as awesome as you are even with no child. I can also be your child!” she said.

    “I’m sorry.”

    “I love you, nee-chan.”

    “Love you too, Yukina.”

It was heartbreaking. How can they understand me, was what I thought at first. But after a lot of thinking, I found out. They understand me but there’s nothing we can do. Crying won’t solve anything. They love me. I’m glad, I thought after my parents died there won’t be anyone else to love me but I was proved wrong.

    They love me as I am. Even with my abnormal condition. It is sad to think that I can’t bear a child. But I am happy with my situation now. I have Seijuro. I have Yukina, Reo, Kotarou, Eikichi, Chihiro, Chiharu, Akito and Kisaragi. I have everyone I need.

    There’s no such thing as ‘happily ever after’ because it’s absolutely not happy when you die. The conclusion is, our life is full of misery but we have various reasons to deny it. We have various things in our life for us to be happy.

*  *  *  *

    “Yukina you’ll be late!” I called from downstairs.

    “Yeah coming!” she shouted then her figure appeared. She ran to the dining table and grinned when she saw the sandwich.

    “Where’s you beloved brother?” I asked.

    “Nii-chan in the room.” She said. I smiled then ran upstairs to our room. I was supposed to go to work, too. But he said he gave me a month of holiday to recover myself so I’ll be staying at home. He was tidying the bed.

    “Hey, I can do that, you know.” I spoke. He glanced at me.

    “I know. I just feel like doing this today.” He said.

    I went to him. “Come on down. You’ll be late for work.” I said. He turned to face me then without warning, crashed his lips onto mine. I returned the kiss then laughed.

    “Not now, Seijuro.” I said but he continued. I pinched his cheek and that stopped him.

    “Yukina will be late!” I said. He chuckled then leaned in.

    “Last.” He smiled and we shared a long, deep kiss.

    Seconds later, we went downstairs. After he took his breakfast, I accompanied him and Yukina to the front door. Yukina ran inside the car and he turned his head to me. I blinked. He leaned forward and I closed my eyes as he kissed my forehead.

    I opened my eyes then smiled at him. He pinched my cheek. “That’s more like it now you’re smiling.” He said gently. I grinned.

    “Have a safe trip!” I waved my hand happily.

    “Ittekimasu.” He muttered.

Oh, just imagine how happy I am with just this.

Akashi Seijuro, Akashi Kizuna and now officially, Akashi Yukina.

I am now, Bonds of the Red Emperor. His empress for eternity.