Vietvn: Ahahahaha~ I've risen from the dead once more. Let's face it, all my other stories are like...dead because stupid me have no idea where to go with it till I get some sort of epiphany OTL sorry to the readers who are eager to know what's gonna happen next T.T And stupid me for having a questionably A.D.D mind for coming up with other story ideas. This isn't exactly a Christmas special or anything, it's just a random short story I came up with that you can take as a Christmas present~? XD
Anyways MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL~~ ^^ I hope you're enjoying your holidays, getting fat on food and partying with the family or just forever alone at home...on the computer...all day...(like me...T.T) and HAPPY NEW YEARS~~!
Since this short story is too damn long to be one gigantic...story thing..I've split it up in chapters so enjoy~!
Start; Devious
"You always seem to request Earl Grey as your choice of tea whenever you come visit me, Lady Tomoe." Queen Victoria laughed lightly, "No doubt your favourite tea I assume."
"Indeed." The Japanese noble lady said light heartedly, smiling a bit. "The taste of it is quite exquisite; much different from Japanese green tea. It has a richness to it that seems to have me addicted."
The porcelain of the expensive china tea cup touched her lips and tilting it ever so slightly, Yuuka Tomoe let the dark liquid travel through her pink lips and into her mouth before swallowing it. The eighteen year old smiled, dark hazel eyes gleaming satisfactorily as the familiar taste of the English tea flowed through her system. Black hair, styled in a Hime cut was held up in an arrangement of black chopsticks with dangling silver chains of butterflies at the ends. Perched on top of her head was a small top hat, tilted slightly at an angle forward with black and white feathers at the side for decorations.
The top hat matched with the rest of her Victorian riding outfit; a black velvet coat with a slightly high collar and a deep v-neck though the white silk, ruffled ascot covered mostly anything revealing and a black silk skirt, reaching just mid calf (revealing black stockings underneath) with petticoats lined with white lace trimmings. Carefully setting down the teacup on the saucer she was holding, Yuuka relaxed back into the plush seat across from where Queen Victoria was sitting. She watched the old woman take a sip of her tea, eyes shut calmly before breathing out pleasantly. Opening her eyes once again, the queen addressed the young noble lady.
"So...how are..affairs in Japan? Are they adjusting well to becoming a more...'Westernized' society?" [1]
"Of course, our country has adopted very well to westernization and industrializing. I'd say that this has got to be the best thing that's ever happened for the country..." Yuuka said smoothly, taking another sip of her tea. Her eyes suddenly held a gleam of underlying meaning; oh yes she thought, soon Japan will rock the European world off of its high pedestal...
"Lady Tomoe...?"
"...Hm? Oh! Pardon my rudeness you Majesty, I was just mulling over affairs in my thoughts...A lot has happened since the whole...'Westernization' thing..."
"But business for you are still thriving yes?"
"Yes, I'm-..."
"Your Majesty we're back~!"
A small, almost exasperated sigh finally escaped from the ever silent John Brown, the queen's loyal aide (which nearly startled Yuuka; she completely forgot that he was standing just a little behind the queen's chair). Despite the call being a good distance away and behind closed doors, it still resounded quite clearly throughout the royal palace. Soft clacks of boots against tiled, marble floors gradually drew nearer and nearer until the double doors to the vast study room the queen and the Japanese noble lady resided in burst open and revealed a white haired man whose handsome face had a grin adorning it. Followed closely by the happy queen's officer was the more stoic of the two. Yuuka had seen them around before but hadn't so much as inquired their names; she only knew them as their infamous code-name, 'Double Charles.'
They approached the queen but stopped a good distance, bowing lowly in respect before straightening up.
"Charles, Charles." The queen greeted pleasantly. "I assume no troubles?"
"None at all Your Majesty." Taller Charles replied dutifully. Other Charles looked disinterested in their 'report' (therefore letting taller Charles do all the talking) and instead, opted to smirk knowingly at Yuuka. There he goes again, that infuriating bastard... She thought sourly on the inside but on the outside, she remained calm and quiet as the queen was distracted with whatever taller Charles had to report on their recent job outing.
As mentioned before, Yuuka had seen the two officers around but only when they come in on their tea and conversations to give the queen a report on their daily job/errand outing (like now). But every time this happened, other small things also followed to repeat itself as well. Like for instance, white haired Charles always bursts in with a grin on his face, taller Charles remains stoic as ever. They bow, and taller Charles begins to give their report while white haired Charles (for some odd reason that Yuuka didn't like) begins to smirk at her knowingly as if he caught her doing something wrong.
She didn't like the look in those storm grey eyes; it's as if he was planning something or knew something she failed to pick up on. What was worse was that she couldn't find any way to tap into that head of his to try and figure out what exactly (if there was any; maybe he was just messing with her head). And what was annoying was that he did this Every. Single. Time she visits and was having tea with the queen and won't stop until he was dismissed with taller Charles by the queen. Oh the two don't leave the room though when they're dismissed (much to Yuuka's disappointment), they just stand off to the side somewhere near the queen and Yuuka would then proceed to ignore them; still feeling steely eyes on her.
At times like those, it was difficult to concentrate or keep up a conversation with the Queen.
"Lady Tomoe,"
The call of her name from the old woman jerked her out of her thoughts; Yuuka only hoped she didn't wear a scowl on her face that reflected her thoughts.
"Yes, Your Majesty?"
"There is a ball coming up and I will be hosting it in the grand hall of the palace. I would very much like you to attend; seeing as how you're my favourite tailor!"
Yuuka chuckled lightly at the remark, bringing the back of her black gloved hand to her mouth. "You're too kind Your Majesty." Her family was well known for their extravagant suits and dresses of the latest fashion and not to mention made out of the luxurious fabrics commonly known as velvet, silks and the like. It certainly helped her reputation that the queen herself bought her dresses or on some occasions, custom make her gowns. Costly, but what would you expect? It was from the best of the best if she did say so herself. And since she was now made the head of the family, being that she was the eldest daughter of her father who passed on such skills to her, she was privileged to be acquainted with the queen enough to make yearly trips to her palace for tea.
"I insist that you attend this ball Lady Tomoe, I am certain that it will prove to be advantageous to expanding your business." With saying that, John Brown stalked up to her and presented an invitation on a silver platter as well as a letter opener. Reaching over to it, Yuuka took the cream envelope and with a quick swipe of the letter opener, tore the side of it open to let the folded paper fall out neatly into her waiting hand. Unfolding it, she scanned over the cursive text.
"An auction you say...?" Yuuka inquired.
"Precisely, all the money funds will be donated to charities of course. If it's alright with you, a gown of yours that you made for me will be amongst the many rare goods that will be auctioned off. Money made from selling the gown will be given to your expenses towards opening a shop here in England."
The young Japanese noble lady pondered; since she was still oh so young and running a business basically on her own, her only trade monopoly was within her own country. But even then, only the wealthy Japanese could buy her attires...But still, since Japan was 'Westernizing', trade routes should've expanded which means nobles of England can have her stuff shipped to them which means more money for her because of shipping taxes. Oh but wait, her business -let's face it- was almost entirely dependent on the queen (seeing as how she's a regular custom as well as a personal tailor). So this auction should prove to make her name be even more well-known afterward...If she can't open a shop here then she'll still get a public debut...Why not?
"I will be most honored to accept this invitation." Yuuka smiled.
"Excellent! The ball will be held in three days and as always, you are most welcomed to enjoy your stay here at the palace till then."
"Oh I could never-..."
"Nonsense! Your hard work will be recognized! Oh! Lady Tomoe since I believe this is to be your first major social gathering here, I think an escort will be most fitting."
"Oh Your Majesty you-..!"
"Charles!"
Dear God no that woman cannot be...
"Yes Your Majesty?" came two replies. Please not-...
"Grey." Yuuka visibly saw the white haired man's smirk widened as he stepped up from being in line with his counter part. Yuuka resisted the urge to groan out and face plant herself on the table. Of all the men she had to pick...
"Yes Your Majesty~?" His voice dripped with fake innocence, trying to mask that underlying pleasure of seeing her shocked expression. Yuuka finally confirmed that he was definitely up to something and unfortunately for her, his plan was going well under way (and she still doesn't know exactly what).
"Since you're a noble yourself, I think you'll be fitting to escort Lady Tomoe to the ball. Can I be assured that you'll take good care of her well- being during those time?"
"Of course~ I won't let her out of my sights."
"I trust you Charles."
Charles Grey turned his storm grey eyes to lock with Yuuka's dark hazel ones, the smirk ever present on his face. Placing a hand over the right side of his chest, he gave a humble bow.
"Charles Earl Grey at your service~"
"Yuuka Tomoe, a pleasure." She managed to say while keeping a smile on. Look at him; smirking like he's innocent...
Yuuka felt her head go slightly hazy from all of her internal raging and happenings; maybe she should retire from this tea session and get some fresh air. A nice walk throughout London sounded nice.
"If I may excuse myself Your Majesty," Yuuka started as she got up, pushing back her chair lightly. "I would like to tour around the shopping district of London for a while. Maybe pick up a few things for the ball."
"Oh certainly dear! Grey, since you're her escort please insure that she stays safe."
"Oh no need for that, I wouldn't want to trouble any of you with something so petty..." No really, it was bad enough that he was her escort for the ball but to make it worse by making him her personal escort throughout the days of her stay?
"No! The streets of London are dangerous for a pretty face like yours to be walking around by themselves."
"Please, you've done so much for me already. And I'm sure Mr. Grey would like some rest after getting back from a job..." Yuuka insisted gently, inching away from the small tea table that everyone seems to be gathered around. She sneaked a quick warning glance at the still-smirking Charles Grey. Honestly, she was quite capable of handling herself out on the streets.
The queen sighed and finally gave in to her, "Alright, if you're sure..."
"Positively. Have no worry Your Majesty." Yuuka smiled gently; she knew the old woman only meant well but still, maybe if it was anyone but Charles Grey then she would've reconsidered. "I'll be off now, tea today had been wonderful as always." With a small curtsy, the Japanese female began to make her way to the double doors. With quick strides, John Brown had already reached there before her and already had the door held open for her. Nodding in quick thanks, Yuuka made her way out of the palace and onto the streets of London, breathing in the cool fall air deeply with a brighter smile on her face.
"Rather stubborn isn't she?"
"Grey."
"Yes Your Majesty~?"
"Watch her like a hawk..."
"...With pleasure~."
Happy Holidays~~!
[1] In my world history class, we're studying imperialism and I vaguely recall how Japan took advantage of America's 'westernization' of their country (built up military, got their economy up, etc. and eventually beat Russia in a war but in this story that's way before that X) ) Just thought I'd add that in to you know...yeahh... XD