Chapter Text
Karneval: Voyage to Rimhakka
Voyage to Rimhakka
Chapter 33: The Perfect End to a Beautiful Beginning
Nearly a month had passed since they reached Rimhakka. Now, Yogi stood out in the courtyard, pacing. He, Tsukumo, and Miumarie had told his father the entire story, each adding what they knew from when the others had been gone. Well, not the WHOLE story. Yogi left out any mention of sexual intercourse with Gareki, though his father seemed to be aware that something had happened between them, the way Yogi carried on about the young captain.
As Yogi had promised, the crew members of the Kuronomei who had been loyal to Gareki were pardoned of their crimes. Those who had mutinied were properly incarcerated. Hirato and Tsukitachi were both to be commended, now that the Kuroi Hitsuji had safely docked in the Rimhakkan ports. Thanks to Yogi’s support, the king had not only condoned Tsukumo’s courtship with Jiki, but already had the treasurer set to work on paying Kiichi’s debt in full. Once the girl left Madam Iva’s Brothel, she was to report straight to Rimhakka, where she would be treated like a princess and reintroduced into society. Once she was ready, she and Jiki could travel to Kafka so she could reunite with their parents.
Now, all that was left, was the matter of Gareki. Yogi fidgeted with the purple bracelet around his wrist and bit his bottom lip, anything to prevent nibbling at his fingernails. With Karoku married to Eleska, Gareki was now a Prince of Kafka, fully pardoned of all crimes. Half his family was now in Kafka, while the other half was in Rimhakka.
Yogi was nervous, no matter how much Gareki had denied it, there was SOMETHING, he had wanted in Rimhakka, and now he had gotten it; his freedom. But now he’d already surrendered both of his ships to the service of Rimhakka. If the king refused to make Gareki a royal merchant, then both ships would be lost to him.
Gareki emerged from the courtroom and Yogi rushed to him. “What did they say?” he asked.
Gareki smiled. “Your father has agreed to your proposal,” he said. “As of now, the Kuronomei and the Kuroi Hitsuji are both to fly the flag of Rimhakka, and my crew and I are to sail them as traveling merchants. Your father believes that with our history, we should be aptly prepared to defend our ships and their cargo, should we run into trouble out on open waters. Our first mission is to return to Karasuna to pick up Kiichi and bring her back here, we set sail at dawn.”
Yogi smiled. “Gareki, I’m so happy for you!” He hugged the raven tight. “You got what you wanted.”
“Yogi, I’ve told you before,” Gareki objected, “There’s nothing I…”
Yogi put a finger to Gareki’s lips and smiled at him, gently shaking his head. “You wanted your freedom, something Palnedo refused to give you, even after you ran away from him. You have that now. Your family is safe, and will be taken care of. You no longer have to live constantly looking over your shoulder, worried someone’s going to lock you away.” He chuckled, “And you’re living the good life, now, a Prince, and a Royal Merchant, no more cheap Kafkan booze for you,” he winked.
Gareki laughed. “That’s a definite plus.” His stormy blue eyes quietly surveyed Yogi’s face. Though the prince claimed he was happy for him, Gareki could sense a hidden twinge of sadness. “Hey?” He gently caressed Yogi’s cheek. “What’s wrong beautiful?”
“I’m going to miss you,” Yogi lamented. “I’m happy for you, Gareki, really I am!” he assured the young seafarer, “But you’re going to be gone for so long, every time you leave, it could be weeks, months, maybe even years before we see each other again, depending on your destinations.” Yogi blushed and looked away. “I’ve gotten rather use to sharing a bed with you, too. It’ll be cold and lonely without you.”
“Why don’t you come with us?” Gareki invited.
“Huh?” Yogi exclaimed. “Me?”
Gareki nodded. “The ships are now Rimhakkan property, not my own. You could co captain with me. It’s not like you’re going to claim the throne anytime soon, your father’s in perfect health.”
Yogi gave a slight nod. “That may be, but what about Yotaka and Jiki, won’t they be a bit irate if I come aboard and rank higher than them?”
“You’re a prince, you already DO rank higher than them!” Gareki pointed. “I’ll leave the Kuroi Hitsuji to Yotaka to command on his own, if he likes. I doubt Jiki will complain at all. Besides, you and I seem to make a pretty good team. You’re strong and dependable, you fight better than you give yourself credit for. You’ve got the best diplomatic skills of anyone I know. Yogi, you’re a prince, you deserve to have the world as your oyster, with the adventure of traveling it as the pearl for your taking. Not to be locked up in some castle like a bird in a cage. How do these people expect you to rule the kingdom in harmony with the rest of the world if you don’t get out there and see how the rest of the world works?”
Yogi smiled. “I…”
“Yogi?” his father addressed him, as he exited the courtroom.
“Father,” Yogi greeted him, with a bow. Gareki followed suit, giving the king a quiet, courteous bow.
“You have several members of the court rather upset, right now, my son,” the king said softly, “There have been rumors that there’s more between Prince Gareki and yourself than simple friendship.” Yogi and Gareki both blushed a slight shade of pink, but did not deny the accusation. They knew he’d eventually find out and this issue would be brought up. “They don’t think it’s right for you to associate with him, given his past, regardless of his current status.”
“With all due respect, Father,” Yogi replied, “It’s none of their business. My relationship with Gareki is between the two of us. If they can’t trust the judgment of their own prince, then perhaps those people shouldn’t be on the council anymore. Whom I spend my time with is my decision, not the council’s.”
The king smiled and gave a jovial laugh, patting his son on the shoulder. “I couldn’t have put it better myself,” he admitted, “In fact, I’m almost certain I hadn’t put it quite so eloquently when I told them the same thing.”
“Your highness,” Gareki piped in, “I have one last request of you, if I may be so bold.”
“I knew working for me as a merchant couldn’t have been the only reward you’d wanted,” the king nodded, “Very well, ask away, though I promise nothing until I’ve heard it.”
Gareki knelt before the king and prince, down on one knee. “It is something of a reward that I ask,” he admitted, “Though, it is not in the form of money or resources of any sort. I simply ask for the most valuable treasure in all of Rimhakka.” The king raised an eyebrow. “I would like for Prince Yogi to accompany my crew and me on our voyages, as a co captain of the ships, until the time comes that he is to wed and claim the throne in your stead. His bodyguards, Hirato and Tsukitachi, are more than welcome to escort him during that time, but as acting captain, I shall claim full responsibility for any mortal injury and turn myself over to the Rimhakkan authorities, should it be deemed necessary.”
“G…Gareki…” Yogi murmured, his face flushed bright red.
“I owe Prince Yogi a life debt, from eleven years ago, when he did all he could to save my brother and me. As long as we both draw breath, there is nothing that can free me from that bond. I swear I will do all that I can to protect him with my life,” Gareki concluded.
Yogi blinked, but before he could deny that Gareki owed him anything, the king spoke up. “You have a good head on your shoulders, Prince Gareki,” the wise ruler nodded, “It would be a shame to lay it on the line for a promise you can’t keep. Though, my son seems to trust you. He’s quite fond of you. Even his sisters spoke well of you. This is not a decision I can make. Yogi, have you been informed of Prince Gareki’s wishes for you to join him?”
Yogi nodded. “Yes, he had only asked me moments before you joined us, Father.”
“Then this decision is yours,” the king granted.
“Before I give my answer,” Yogi said, “And Gareki, forgive me for putting you on the spot like this… I faintly recall asking you something on our return trip to Karasuna. Though, I do not recall receiving an answer.” Yogi crossed his arms and looked directly at Gareki. “Depending on your answer, I will make my decision.’ Yogi instantly felt his heart begin to beat faster. He waited with baited breath. For Gareki to rebuke him, now, after everything they’d been through, would dash him to bits, and he truly felt guilty for reproaching the issue with his father nearby. But, he had to know.
Gareki sighed and shook his head. “I still don’t know how you can ask me that,” he stated, “Yogi, of course I love you! When I said there was almost nothing in Rimhakka I desired, the only thing I truly wanted was to be by your side.”
Yogi blushed, hesitated for only a moment, then threw his arms around the raven haired captain. He could already feel the sting of tears in the corners of his violet eyes. “That’s all I needed to hear,” he sighed happily, “I love you, too, Gareki! Of course, I’ll come with you.”
Gareki smiled and hugged the blonde prince tight. It was settled. Come dawn tomorrow, they would set sail with their crew, aboard their ships, as co captains. As long as they were together, they knew they could face whatever challenge came their way.