Melody of the Rich and Infamous : Rogue x Yukino
Summary: ROGUExYUKINO - Yukino's family falls into debt and is targetted by their debtors. Yukino alone is saved by a family with high esteem, proper social standing and more wealth than be used in a millennium. Now she is employed in the Cheney household, but the way Rogue still treats her like a princess..makes her heart flutter. Written in Present Tense
Characters: Yukino Aguria, Rogue Cheney, other family members
Chapter 1 - Suitors
Yukino, Sorano, Lady and Lord Aguria look up as a man in a tidy suit bursts through the door, grasping a message in his hand.
"Mr. Westing?"
Yukino recognizes the man as Frederick Westing, the man who helps run the family business of stocks.
"Frederick? What's the matter?" Yukino's father, Lord Aguria, stands up quickly.
The note slips into Lord Aguria's hands.
"...What?...No way! It's not supposed to be for another six months...!" Lord Aguria's voice is urgent, pleading.
"I know, but sir…" The businessman lowers his voice to a whisper as the two men talk.
Yukino stares at the note that is causing both of them such serious concern…
"Sister, what do you think that is?" she asks, turning to Sorano.
"I've no idea. I'm sure it is nothing serious, however. Trust Father," Sorano says. Lady Aguria casts the older sister a proud look, no doubt for giving such a ladylike answer. Yukino rolls her red-hazel orbs, light catching in the irises making her seem all the more likely to shout out with her frank mouth.
"Exactly, Yukino dear. Don't worry so much or it will look like disrespect," Lady Aguria scolds, but when she turns away Yukino sees her wrinkle her forehead in impatience. Obviously her mother know more than she lets on.
Sorano sees this as well. She leans closer to Yukino and mouths, "Don't worry" then gives her a small smile.
Yukino nods back. No matter what happens or how ill-tempered her parents might be, her older sister is always kind and courteous.
Finally, Lord Aguria looks up from his conversation with Frederick. "I must away. Business calls. Ladies, I apologize." He bows low and walks out the door, Frederick following excitedly.
"Uh oh.. it's never a good sign when Father's that polite."
"It's nothing you have to worry about, dear. Just some unpaid debts that are due, that's all." Yukino's mother gives both her daughters a smile. "Now, let's change the subject. Yukino, have you gotten ready for your appointment this afternoon?"
The damsel groans at this reminder. "I was hoping you'd forgotten."
"Now why would I forget something like that?" Lady Aguria looks on the verge of anger, but unnaturally calms herself and looks sadly at her daughter with a sympathetic expression. It makes Yukino squirm in her seat.
"Sister, wouldn't it be better to double check your outfit for your engagement with the Duke of Fiore?" Sorano prompts.
"But Sorano…." Yukino whines. "He's not worth seeing, that sickly, dull man whose only interest is for politics and women!"
"Listen to what your older sister says, Yukino dear!" Lady Aguria interjects.
"Fine!" Yukino huffs, glaring at Sorano.
The ladylike young woman gazes back, her eyes soft and serious. Giving up, Yukino smooths out her dress and walks out of the parlor, her insides raging.
-o0o-
Her four-poster bed is elaborately designed, with an assortment of round, rectangular, or cylindrical pillows covered in golden tassels and fabric buttons.
She flops her back onto her king sized bed, spreading her arms out and staring at the ceiling. It is dotted with sparkling downlights, the trimming made of shimmering white gold. Daylight poured in through the windows at one wall.
There is a knock at the door. "Miss Aguria?"
Yukino recognizes the voice of the butler-in-training. "Come in."
The butler-in-training, Jack, pushs the door open. Yukino's heart fills with warmth. He is always especially kind to her, lending an open ear and helping her occasionally escape the grounds at night, even if he got in trouble for it. Plus, he is kind of handsome and her own age.
"Miss Aguria." He bows, grinning at her when he straightens up. "We have received a message that today's appointment with the Duke has been cancelled. He contracted the tropical illness malaria and is unable to fulfill the engagement of meeting you today."
"Stop speaking so formally, Jack! This is such good news," Yukino says, relieved.
"But," Jack says, pausing, "...I'm not sure you'll like the rest of the news, Miss Aguria."
"Call me Yukino," Yukino responds for the millionth time. "What else?"
"Your parents wanted me to tell you must not make any plans tomorrow... you will have an appointment for dinner and possibly the entire night."
Yukino's eyes widen.
"No way…! Stay the night?!" she squeaks. "Tell them they can do no such thing."
"Of course, Miss - Yukino-san." Smiling, Jack nods. "But why don't you talk to them yourself? Your father asked to speak with you after I gave you this news. I'm sorry about this...I could get fired for this but-"
Yukino smiles, patting Jack's shoulder as she moves towards the door. "I know, Jack, I know you'd give anything to kick the Duke in his fat behind." They both laugh and she exits the room.
She strides down the wide staircase, sliding her palm down the polished stair rail. Its smooth, dark chestnut surface had always given her a sense of calm. But right now it made her feel important - she is practically royalty, so how could her parents treat her like some girl who is willing to spend a night with a man she isn't even married to?! Preposterous, to say the least.
She walks down to the parlour, tentative as she approaches.
Sorano's rare exasperated speech seeps through the doors. "No, Mama, don't…."
Yukino flattens herself against the wall. Why is Sorano so upset? She never sounded like this! She listens for more but there was none.
The door opens.
"Oh, Yukino. I was just about to leave," Sorano says, her eyes not meeting Yukino's. "I need to talk to you later." She gestures behind her. "Mama and Papa are waiting to speak to you."
Yukino nods and enters the parlour.
"Yes mother and father?" Her heart pounds inside her chest, hoping that her parents could not see the anger resonating inside her soul.
"Darling," Lady Aguria nods. Then the regal woman turns to her husband. "Tell her."
How odd, Yukino thinks, keeping an eye on her parents. Her father barely ever took such direct instructions from her mother.
Lord Aguria seems distracted. "Well you see Yukino, the family business is a bit rocky. I wouldn't call it debt but there are -"
Yukino gasps, "This isn't about my suitor?" Funny I thought they wanted to talk to me about him...
"Oh yes that," Lord Aguria's face lights up. "He'll be arriving for you tomorrow night so make sure you impress him." She hadn't missed the delight in his voice, like all the troubles had gone away with the mere mention of the Duke's prestigious title.
"Father," she says slowly, feeling stupidly suspicious, "does this appointment by any chance have to do with the debt?"
"Don't call it that!" Lady Aguria says sharply, fear crossing over her face.
"Answer me!" Yukino snaps, striding over to her father and pointing a finger straight at him. "You want me to marry him so that the family can stay rich! You imbecile!"
"Yukino sit down!" her mother shrieks.
"OR better yet, how about we sleep together? If he gets me pregnant there'll be no way he can just leave me alone and we'll be FORCED to get married! Wouldn't that be simply amazing? Good for the family business too!"
"No! Yukino!" her father says, his face white.
She ignores him. "If you want him to stay for dinner, fine. He's horrible company but fine! But spend a night here? Why - you - you're no better than common people who just sell their own children to wealthy pimps!"
Her father stands up as well, pushing her accusing finger away. Lord Aguria's eyes were the colour of a bright blue lake that had been frozen for fifty centuries, covered with layers and layers of ice that were impossible to break. Yet - do I see cracks...and warm water underneath?
Hers are bright red with flecks of gold, emphasizing further her fiery personality. She flares them at him, willing the ice to crack even further.
"Yukino it's for the family! Why are you so selfish?!" her mother screams.
"You are the selfish ones," Yukino breathes, clenching her teeth. She continues to focus her furious gaze on her father.
"Yukino… I'm sorry but-"
"Yes, father, go on," Yukino prompts, nodding gently.
"It's not the Duke - he has already said that he does not want you. Instead you have a new suitor which will be coming over tomorrow night," Lord Aguria inhales, eyes steely. "You are engaged to Lord Cheney's son, Rogue."
Time stops. Yukino can hear her heart beating inside her chest, pumping her blood to her brain as the words sink in. Her mouth opens, her lips forming the words. "Rogue Cheney…"
A/N Welcome to the new world of Yukino and Rogue! Eh? It's already existing? "..." I'm still thinking about whether I should write more or just abandon, I have another fanfic to work on...so please review/favourite/follow if you like :)
Edit on 11/29/2013 (one day after publish): I don't like to ask for reviews/favourites/follows but I would like to thank everyone who has either reviewed, favourited, or followed my story so far. Your support is greatly appreciated, especially Girl-On-Fire-Forever who has done all three. Thanks once again! 3 :)
