Daughter of the Dragon
Prologue
Began: 3/26/2002
Completed: 3/26/2002
Posted: 3/27/2002
Standard disclaimers apply.
*~*
Usagi plucked nervously at the hem of her top. Her knees were sore from kneeling an hour. But what was she to do? If she simply stood up, the Emperor could have her executed should he walk in at the precise same moment. Finally, Usagi thought. No she should not think such things; it was an honor for the Emperor to request her presence. But for what reason is he gracing me with his presence? A wave of fear washed through her, sending shivers down her spine. She'd heard stories, of course, of the Emperor's lust for beautiful young women. Whenever a young girl disappeared from her home, rumors would fly about how the Emperor had taken her for his harem. Naturally the rumors were quickly silenced, but the damage had been done. But then again, Usagi thought wryly, she was neither beautiful nor endowed enough for the Emperor's tastes. "Your Majesty," she whispered, neither adoringly nor scathingly, just simply as if recognizing his existence. Slowly and carefully, Usagi laid her hands on the red carpeted floor before bending at the waist so that her face was mere centimeters from touching floor. She felt the heat of his gaze on her back the entire time. With the same delicacy, she returned to her kneeling position.
"You may stand." The Emperor of Kutou commanded from his position on his throne.
"Thank you, you are much too kind." Usagi whispered, hiding the disgust in her voice. So what she'd heard of his love of beautiful women was true. That much was evident with two women draped over his shoulders and a third in his lap. If Luna were here, she'd most likely mutter something about the women being no better than prostitutes off the street. Usagi had to suppress a smile as she thought of her adopted mother. Luna and Artemis were such a perfect couple even if both refused to admit it, Luna at least.
"Little girl, is there something you find amusing?" One of the women draped over the Emperor's shoulder asked crossly.
"Shh, Dear, it's alright." The Emperor whispered, tilting his head back and lightly kissing the woman's neck and allowing his hand to wander freely down the back of the woman in his lap. The woman who had spoken gave a small giggle and stared down adoringly. "Usagi." Usagi flinched when she heard her name spoken in such a carefree manner. The Emperor ignored her behavior. "Your mother wants to speak to you before you are sent to Konan."
Her mother? Konan? A million different thoughts swam through her head as one of the guards led her into a brightly-lit hallway. Usagi had thought her mother was dead. If she wasn't, then she'd be able to tell Usagi the name of her father! But what was this about Konan?
"Serenity-san, I have brought your daughter." Usagi blinked, she hadn't even realized she'd been walking. The room she currently stood in was brightly lit. There was little decoration, and mostly bare of furniture, except for a vanity, a canopy bed, a desk, and a wardrobe. Upon the bed sat the most beautiful woman Usagi had ever seen. Her hair was long and silvery-white. It was pulled into two circular buns on the opposite sides of her head and the rest flowed down freely in two trails. Her eyes were amethyst and twinkled with laughter.
"Thank you Nakago-sama. May I request that you allow my daughter and I to speak privately?" Serenity's voice brimmed with regality.
"As you wish." Nakago did a flourished bow before backing out of the room.
"Hello Usagi, as you may have heard, I am your mother, Serenity. Please do call me by my first name, it would be rather odd to hear someone calling me mother." No response. Usagi was intently observing Serenity. She's barely older than 30, Usagi thought with surprise. Serenity seemed to note the confusion Usagi was feeling. "You most likely have questions. I will do my best to answer them in my story. Feel free to ask any others that you may have. Seventeen years ago, two years before you were born, I was the fifth youngest daughter of the Emperor of Japan. At the time, there was rising tension between the countries of Kutou and Japan, and my father knew that if a war were to break out, we would lose. So to protect his country, he made a deal with the Emperor of Japan. He would give his youngest daughter that was fit for marriage, me, to be part of his harem to prevent a war. So the Emperor of Kutou agreed, and I was quickly sent here. Within the first night I arrived, the Emperor visited me. And he kept visiting me repeatedly, for the first month. The other girls in the harem were not so much pleased, so the Emperor had to appease them of course. Therefore he left me alone for a while until a year later. That night, you, Usagi, was conceived. When the Emperor found out, he was aggravated, and told me to dispose of you. Of course, I refused. I begged for your life, and in the end, he agreed, under the circumstances that Artemis and Luna, my two servants, raised you away from the palace. He did not want a child burdening him, you see. So you grew up believing Artemis and Luna were your parents until they revealed to you, on your thirteenth birthday that they merely adopted you. Of course, they also told you that your biological parents weren't around anymore, and in a sense, it was true. But now, the Emperor requests for you. It is because there are growing tensions between Kutou and Konan. The Emperor is giving you to the Emperor of Konan to be a part of his harem to buy our spies more time to assess Konan's army. Is there anything more you want to ask?"
Usagi was silent. She didn't know how to respond. How could she know? Serenity had spoken as if the story meant nothing to her, was nothing to her. Then slowly and quietly… "And should I refuse?"
Serenity looked shocked. "You are not given a choice. He is the Emperor and therefore has control over you."
"Just as I thought," Usagi muttered bitterly. She'd never been given a choice her entire life. If she was told something, she was expected to obey.
Serenity ignored Usagi's comment and began talking as if nothing offending had been said. "Of course you'll be well protected during the journey; Nakago will see to it. Do not fret about accommodations either, the Emperor will pay for everything. All you must worry about is looking beautiful for your arrival. Why, we must decide what you shall wear right away!"
Usagi stared incredulously at the older woman, her mother, who continued talking. This has to be a first, Usagi thought dryly, a mother who encourages prostitution.
"Oh do not just stand there like a fool! We must prepare; after all, you leave tomorrow." Serenity bounded up and began dragging Usagi out of the room and through the maze-like halls of the palace, Nakago in tow.
Tomorrow? Usagi was beyond angry. She was to leave tomorrow and she hadn't been told until now?
"I'm sure Luna and Artemis told you that you were to pack your belongings for a trip tomorrow, correct?" Serenity had stopped walking. They stood in a large rectangular white room; endless amounts of racks were scattered around the room. On one side, there were a few screens, and on a different side, there was a long table, mirrors, and more makeup than a palace of women could use in their lifetimes.
"No, they never told me," Usagi responded coldly. So those two have known about this the entire time…
"Oh. Well, we'll just have to have them pack for you then! You may also take some of the things from the palace. Here, try these on." Serenity handed Usagi a small pile of clothing. Usagi blinked, she hadn't even noticed Serenity choosing clothes from the racks.
*~*
I really don't like this. Usagi looked down at the dress she was wearing. The dress she was wearing was beautiful enough, it just didn't look beautiful on her. The dress was designed in a kimono-like style. It was made of shiny navy blue satin and came just off the shoulders and plunged down to show enough cleavage to be alluring but not enough to come off as indecent. The sleeves were billowy and had a layer of translucent navy fabric over them. Where the obi would typically be, a strip of sky-blue satin, about the width of the obi was sewn around the body. From there down, the design was like that of a kimono's except for the two slits on either side coming up to upper thigh, which revealed long slender legs and the sky-blue underside of the fabric. All in all, it was a simple garment, especially in comparison to some of the others Usagi had tried on. But it still felt indecent, much like the rest of the clothing she'd tried on.
"Does this suit you?" Usagi asked crossly, stepping out from behind the screen. Serenity tilted her head a bit, walking around Usagi.
"I think it's perfect! And about time. You've been trying on outfits for two hours." Serenity's voice held an air of impatience.
"And whose fault is that? Now allow me to change." Usagi whirled around, but not before hearing a deep voice.
"You look nice in that." A deep voice said. Usagi turned around and sapphire met sapphire. Feeling her cheeks burn, Usagi broke the eye contact to observe the rest of the man. He was tall, much taller than herself, that much was certain. He had blonde hair that fell into his eyes, not to mention a well-built body.
Nakago watched silently as she stepped out from behind the screen. He felt his breath catch in his throat. When he'd first seen her, Nakago had ignored her. But that was then, this was now. The first thing he noticed were her eyes, the color matched his own, blue. Her waist-length golden blonde hair was roughly pulled into a low ponytail in a boyish manner. Slowly his eyes wandered down her body, remembering every detail, every curve of her form. He watched as anger flared in her eyes, and as she turned around. And then he'd spoken. He surveyed with amusement as she blushed and scrutinized him, before stuttering out a few words. It was too bad she would be taken soon, but that didn't mean they still couldn't have fun. They'd just have to be discreet about it. And that would only add to the thrill when he finally claimed her.
*~*
Ok, that wasn't the best I've ever written. Nothing much happens here, it's just the prologue that sets the mood for the rest of the story. Remember to tell me what sort of pairing you'd prefer in the end. For now I'm going to toy around, but I want a definite couple for the ending. Either that, or if you want multiple endings, do tell me. Well, remember to REVIEW to make me happy. ^____^ (Yes, I do like reviews. They tell me that people actually read my stories and they help push the next chapter out. Do people even read author's comments anyways?)
~Chii