"What covetous people they all are," I thought inwardly and smirked as I slipped away stealthily into my private garden from the party that was held to celebrate my 18th birthday. "Just pretending to be courteous and gracious to me to beguile me for special favors."
Nevertheless, I knew that could not be helped. After all, I was the Duchess of Fleur, Rin Kagamine la Belle Ange d'Lucifenia , a lady born into nobility, with royal blood flowing through my veins. I was affluent, charismatic and undeniably alluring with my flaxen hair, sapphire eyes, a petite body and an immaculate face.
I sighed to myself as I sat on nearby bench and looked up at the dark sky, filled with glittering stars yet without a moon to accompany its charm.
Yes, I had what multitudinous commoners could only wish for. Money, power, beauty. I even had a wonderful fiance, making me the envy of countless ladies. Yet, my heart knew that something was still missing in my life and I knew it. I had never felt true love before.
I had seen many ladies fall in what they claimed was 'love', and every passing day they spent with their beloved was what they considered 'true happiness'. Truly, that was the expression they had showed upon their faces.
Once, I asked them what this 'love' felt like and they instantaneously started rambling something along the lines of, "Love is an unparalleled feeling, it intoxicates you, making you want to suspend time just to stay with your loved one for eternity," etc. They then proceeded to interrogate me about my relationship with the Duke of Puniceus, Gackupo Kamui d'Puniceus, my fiancé.
"Your feelings towards him should be what love feels like." was what they told me. I nearly snickered at that brainless statement. Were they not aware that our marriage was completely for political reasons? Certainly, I liked him as an acquaintance. His manners were charming and he had a unique way with words. If he wanted to, he could even persuade me that cake was meant to be drunk, not eaten. Still, that was all there was between us, there was no 'love' at all.
As I rested upon the bench contemplating about my life, the sound of a violin abruptly enveloped me, shocking me from my reverie.
"Who is it who dares to interrupt my thoughts and have the audacity to trespass my garden?" I spontaneously thought, displeased at the fact that someone could actually startle me, a lady who was known to be as unemotional as winter. Rising up from my seat, I immediately reacted by sauntering towards the source of the noise, looking for the people who were guilty of disturbing me.
When I eventually discovered the source of my disturbance, I saw only a single person whom I did not recognize making all that turbulence beneath my grove of aged weeping cherry blossom trees. The flowers were blooming and some petals were already falling off the blossoms, making it seem like a shower of petals.
Just as I approached this mysterious boy which I knew nothing of to reproach him for irritating me, I suddenly took notice of his unusual demeanor.
He had the same golden hair as me, perhaps slightly darker which was tied up neatly in a small ponytail. His aquamarine eyes were barely opened, making him look more incomprehensible than ever. His pale face was nearly as flawless as mine but the strangest thing about this unknown boy was that he had a world-weary expression etched upon him, yet he could not have been too much older than me.
Instantly, I understood that I was captivated and captured by him, like a butterfly trapped in a cage, with no way to escape. My heartbeat accelerated and fluttered, my blood pumped faster as my shoulders tensed up.
What seemed like noise earlier to my ears had now become melodious music. His every movement, whether it is the flicking of his wrist, the drawing of the bow or swaying of his body, all utterly bewitched me. "Was this the 'love' they were chattering about," I pondered, my gaze never once leaving him, observing his every moment, wishing that this moment forever and forgetting of even my original intentions of berating him.
The strange man continued playing his violin steadily, without making a mistake for even a single time. He played and played, engrossed in his music, unaware of even my existence, even though I was merely a short distance in front of him. For the first time in my life, I was able to stand silently for a long period of time, just to listen to music and yet without making a complain. It was indeed a clear indication of how much I was mesmerized by him.
When the piece finally came to an end, he lowered down both his violin and bow slowly. Lifting his head to look at my cherry trees, he was smiling slightly to himself, as if satisfied by the music he played. The mysterious man then proceeded to turn his head a full round, admiring the view that my blossoming trees gave, finally stopping in my direction.
"Good evening lady, it is a pleasure to meet you. I am Len Auroliem d'Hatsune, Lord of Superbia." He suddenly said, amused, with a voice more pleasing than the music the violin gave.
That was when I realized that I was too absorbed in observing him and thus, became unaware of the fact that he was now the one observing me.
Shocked, I spontaneously replied, "Uh, um, err..." as I looked left and right in my embarrassment, avoiding his gaze. Good grief, how could I be at a loss of words now at all times? Speak, Rin, speak!
"A pleasant evening to you too, Lord Auroliem. I am the Duchess of Fleur, Rin Kagamine la Belle Ange d'Lucifenia." I spoke, feeling flustered and extremely nervous, looking down, and still avoiding eye contact.
Good going Rin, you just made yourself look like the court jester.
In an attempt to continue the conversation and make his impression of me improve, I plucked up my courage, returned his gaze and inquired, "Are you perhaps related to the Viscountess of Viridian, Miku Michaelea Crudus d'Hatsune?"
"Indeed Duchess Kagamine, they are gracious people who took me when I lost my parents in the last earthquake."
Great, now I had to ask him a sensitive question. I just had to mess up in front of the first person I ever loved.
"And please," he continued, still sounding amused. "Spare the formalities and just address me as Len."
At the very thought of being able to be more informal to the person I loved, my face starting heating up furiously. In my heart, I was jumping up and down in joy, elated at the privilege he gave me. "Thank god the sky is darkening," I thought happily as I blushed even redder in delight, "it should make it difficult for him to see my expression clearly."
"If that is the case, to be fair" I responded, attempting to sound calm and dignified, nonchalant whilst twiddling my thumbs behind me nervously, "please address me as Rin as well."
"...If that is what you request, I shall gladly comply, Rin." Len hesitantly said, almost sounding shy himself, in that entrancing voice of his as I continued to observe his reactions contentedly.
"I apologize in advance," he asked politely, "but if I'm not wrong, wasn't this party held to celebrate your birthday? If so, why are you not in the grand hall but in the garden?"
Out of all things he had to ask.
"Indeed you are correct." I answered, feeling slightly affronted by recalling the unpleasant experience I had, which was to entertain the silly power-hungry fools, by the order of my mother to 'maintain diplomatic relationships'. "However, I felt slightly cramped inside that place and thus, decided to come to the garden for a breath of fresh air." I lied, not wishing to mention my ugly side.
"I understand," he agreed amicably, "it can get tiresome to stay in a place so full of people, whether the hall is spacious or not."
Thank god he was so naïve to believe such a lie.
Smiling, he continued by suggesting, "Would you like me to play another piece to soothe your nerves?"
I was delighted, my face lighting up the second I heard that sentence, akin to how fast a paper could catch fire. Just as I was about to agree to his suggestion, I suddenly and unfortunately remembered that I was still needed at my birthday party.
"How kind of you to offer but I must refuse; for I am the main reason why the party is held, which is why I need to return back to it soon. How about coming to my party with me instead?"
"I'm sincerely beg for your pardon Rin," he apologized, looking extremely regretful, "but I prefer staying in your magnificent garden instead of the grand hall, so I would have to decline."
My instinct pricked up, almost instantly realizing he was hiding something as well. I was quite disappointed at his refusal for no one had ever denied me of anything, but I decided not to ask further.
After all, everyone has something to hide.
"Since you appreciate my private garden so much," I smiled sadly as I told him, "I shall let you on a secret. There is a back door to my garden, an exit which is only known to me; directly behind the oldest cherry tree. It is what I use to escape when I'm bored of staying inside my palace. You can come back to enjoy this place if you wish."
Praying that he would agree as I looked at him with pleading eyes, I continued "It would enable me to listen to your wondrous music once more."
Please agree to come back. I don't want to let you go.
"You would allow me to come back here?" he asked, bemused, as if he could not believe what I had just proposed. "Are you sure?"
"Positive," I answered as relief washed over me, knowing that it was likely that I would see him again.
"Thank you for your kindness Rin," he replied cheerfully, beaming me an ecstatic grin, "I thought there might not be a chance this garden in full bloom again. Truly, thank you."
"It is nothing," were the only three words I left Len whilst turning around and hurrying away from him, hoping that he did not catch sight of my flushed face. My usually steady heartbeat had accelerated even faster, beating so loudly that I was afraid he could hear it. Even my normally calm mind was so clouded that I could think of nothing but him. Though the worst had to be my feelings, which were generally tranquil. They had now become so messed up that while I felt nervous, I was also on cloud nine, and that was only one example from the many.
This must be what everyone called 'Love'.