The qualifications of a lady
With the departure of Yuki and Hikari, all 3 vampires snapped out of their daze to look at each other. Ruka was the first to speak "The first two rounds are not easy, especially with the qualifications of a lady, Hanabusa. Wakaba-san will have a hard time in front of her." Turning around, she looked over the darkening shadows in the courtyard. "Since young, I was trained to be a lady in all forms. Under Grandmother, I underwent the training that she had for me. Etiquette, tea ceremonies, flower arrangement, general knowledge of the world, fashion and more." Taking a deep breath, she continued "Wakaba-san have only a week to learn all this…can she do it?"
"I have faith that she will do well." Kain rumbled, as he looked over at Aido, who is now leaning back in his chair, arms over his eyes. "After all, she is Hanabusa's chosen. Will you help her, Ruka?" "…….Yes." Ruka replied. At her words, Aido snapped to attention and sat up suddenly, as he asked "You will?" Shock and surprise was written all over the face as he looked at his childhood mate. Ruka blushed and look away "Yes, I will help her! After all, no one else would! She is your chosen one and is Yuki-sama's friend as well."
For once, the Idol of Cross Academy is at a loss for words. Finally, he uttered "Thank you, Ruka." "Just remember, you are going to owe me big time, Hanabusa" Ruka smirked, as she looked at Aido, who grinned back at her in reply. "You got it."
--VAMPIRE KNIGHT --
"Yori, take a break, alright? After all, you had been going on for hours already!" Aido coaxed, as he poured a cup of a steaming tea, which he then placed in front of her.
"Go away, Hanabusa and let me finish this book first. Once I am finished, I will drink. After all, it's too hot." Yori replied, without evening looking up from the book on world vampire history which she is reading.
"Too hot? How about now?" he held the cup of tea in front of her nose, which cooled immediately under his vampire powers of ice. "Now, drink it or else I will feed you personally." He grinned at the fierce blush that covered her cheeks, then he added "not that I will mind."
"Hanabusa!" Yori blushed even harder than before, as she set the book on the table with a thump. "Behave!" She casted an eye over to Ruka and Kain, who were seating together on the settee, who are now observing the pair, with amused expressions on their faces.
"Don't bother about them. Now, are you going to drink this tea or am I going to feed you personally?" Aido leaned even closer, as he took the book away from the table.
Yori sighed "Fine. Have you offered Ruka-sempai a cup already? After all, she was kind enough to offer to teach me how to become a lady."
"She got Akatsuki to serve her. I am more worried about you." Aido said, as he handed Yori a slice of cake, which she accepted with a murmur of thanks. "Take a break, Wakaba-san. After all, we had been going on for 4 hours straight already." Ruka spoke up from the settee, as she took a sip of her tea as well.
Nodding, Aido turned to Yori, who smiled gratefully. "See! Even the teacher says you are entitled to a break!"
Ever since the challenge was launched on Friday, Yori had been undergoing intensive training classes conducted by Ruka, helped by Kain and Aido. A lesson plan was drawn, showing the areas to be covered for the next few days. Topics such as History of the Vampires, Politics, Economy, tea ceremonies and even personal grooming were added to the list.
Luckily, though not born a vampire, Yori came from a very decent family. Hence, she was able to breeze through some topics such as tea ceremonies, flower arrangement and the basics of personal grooming. Hence, Ruka had decided on strengthening her knowledge of the vampire society. For someone who has no idea that vampires existed in the first place, it is a real challenge but Yori managed well, as she was able to absorb the knowledge quickly.
All seem to be progressing well, for someone who had to learn everything from scratch. Aido has been very supportive, reminding Yori to take breaks and to comfort her at the end of every session. Though not present at the training sessions, Yuki and Hikari was updated with the progress every step of the way. Yuki had also sent word that Aido's parents had agreed to the challenge as well. All they have to do now is to prepare for the event as well as they could and pray for the best. Eventually, the day of the competition arrived.
--VAMPIRE KNIGHT --
"Are you ready, Yori?" Hikari asked, as she helped her friend to adjust the silk gown around her. Her friend certainly looked gorgeous in the peach coloured gown, with tiny crystals scattered all over. Pearls are wound around her neck and woven into her hair as well. Pinning the last pearl earring in place, Hikari said, "I cannot be with you during the competition but I am sure you will do well. Gambatte!"
"Thank you, Hikari-chan. I am nervous but I am sure I will do well." Yori smiled. Then, she raised a chin a little, a confident posture. "For my future with Hanabusa, I will do well."
"That's the spirit, Yori-chan." Yuki said, as she stepped through the door of the dressing room, where Yori and Hikari had been in for the past one hour. "It's time. I will lead you to the ballroom, where the competition will be held." Looking over at Hikari, she said softly, "I am sorry, Hikari-chan."
"It's alright. I have no wish to be around the vampire lot tonight anyway. Sometimes…I do have some bad memories of them…" Hikari gave a small smile at Yuki. "However, no matter what you may be, Yuki, you will always be my friend. Now, don't keep the judges waiting."
Taking a deep breath, Yori turned and walked towards Yuki, who was waiting next to the door. All 3 girls gathered together and held hands for a while, before letting go. "Good luck, Yori." Hikari whispered, as the doors start to swing open.
--VAMPIRE KNIGHT --
"So, she is the girl?" "Marrying out of his class, what a surprise, given that fact that there are so many other better qualified girls out there!" "She is to be the next lady-in-water to Yuki-sama?" "I should be the one instead!" Whispers reached her ears, as Yori and Yuki stepped into the room.
Head held high, with nothing revealing how nervous she actually is, Yori glided into the room, with Yuki by her side. She looked around the room and saw Aido, Ruka and Kain seated at a corner. At the other side of the room, Chairman Cross waved energetically in support. Catching her eye, Aido smiled and nodded. More assured now, she stopped before the panel of judges, who are now standing behind the table.
"Evening, Yuki-sama." The panel bowed before their queen, who just nodded. Stepping forward once more, Yuki announced "All of you are here tonight, to witness and to judge this first part of the competition, whether my next lady-in-waiting, Wakaba Sayori, is qualified to become the next mistress of Aido House." Sensing the thinning of lips from the current head of the Aido family, she turned to him and spoke "Will you honor your words, Lord Aido?"
He bowed. "Yes, your majesty." "Very well, let this competition begin." So saying, Yuki swept forward, past the panel of judges, to where Kaname was sitting, to take her seat next to him on a raised platform. Looking up at Kaname sempai, who smiled and nodded at her, Yori did a perfect curtsey. Gesturing towards the panel of judges, Kaname said "The qualifications of a lady are numerous and I will introduce you to the judges, Yori. The first is Rin Souen, the matriarch of the Souen family, grandmother of Ruka. We also have Lady Aido, the current mistress of the Aido House. Finally, Yuki will also be acting as one of the judges as well."
Yori nodded. "First, we will test you how well do you know of our heritage, our culture and traditions." Lady Souen spoke, as she leaned forward in her chair to address Yori. The grand dame of the vampire society, she is someone that every debutante feared, as she is most unforgiving on any errors made. "Next, you will be tested on your skills at flower arranging. Take note, you will be observed for every second. How you walk, how you talk. Everything about you must be fitting for a lady, not to mention, the future lady-in-waiting to Yuki-sama. I will not tolerate any errors."
"I understand, Lady Souen." Yori replied, as she met the eyes of the Souen matriarch head on. Unsmiling, Lady Aido spoke next. "My eldest daughter will be your competitor for this round. Should you lose out to her…you know what to do." So saying, she gestured to the tall, slender brown eyed beauty next to her, Hanabusa's oldest sister. Her daughter then walked forward, to curtsey to the Kurans before taking her place next to Yori.
Yuki then said "Over on the table at the end of this room, there is a paper filled with 100 questions covering all kinds of topics related to vampires. Finish them within half an hour and return the paper to us. The one with the most number of correct answers will win the first round. You may start."
--VAMPIRE KNIGHT --
Half an hour is a very short period of time for 100 questions, especially when more than 50 of them require writing and explaining. However, when her heart and soul is set upon something, Yori will do whatever it is to accomplish it. Glancing over the questions, she peeked underneath her eyelashes at Aido, who is watching her intently. Realising that she is looking at him, Aido gave a tight smile. Smiling back, she reached for the pen set out and wrote the answers neatly and quickly. All the training sessions with Ruka worked after all, as some of the questions are the ones that Kain has posed to her during the Politics session. Barely 10 minutes later, Aido's sister rose and made her way gracefully to the panel of judges, where she submitted her paper. All eyes are upon Yori now.
Finally, with barely a minute to spare, Yori rose and walked towards to the judges, with her head held high and back straight. She did not rush, instead, walked calmly but swiftly towards them. Submitting her paper to Lady Souen, she thanked her and Lady Aido before turning away to curtsey to Yuki, who smiled encouragingly at her.
Kaname then leaned forward and said "In honour of Yuki, who is the youngest Pureblood who ever graced our halls, the theme of the flower arrangement will be "Yuki". You have half an hour to make your creation and present it to the rest of us. From there, Yuki will make her selection. Back at the table over there, you have all the materials that you will need. Begin."
Both Yori and Aido's sister nodded and turned to walk to the table. As she walked, Yori smiled and held her head high, confidence emitting from her very pores as she knew what exactly how her creation would look like. Reaching the table at the same time as Aido's sister, she looked over at her fellow competitor and smiled when she noticed that she was looking at Yori. Catching Yori looking at her directly, she glanced away quickly and got to work. In no time at all, she finished what she had in mind and brought it forward to Yuki. A short while later, Aido's sister followed.
As expected of the Aido family, Aido's sister's creation was a very fancy one. Orchids are arranged all over, in a sweeping pattern. Birds of paradise flanked the back and sides. In all, it is a very empowering creation. It is meant to awe people, to showcase the prestige, pedigree and wealth. Indeed, a piece most fitting for royalty. Standing in front of the judges, Aido's sister explained "In honor of Yuki-sama, our youngest Pureblood queen ever, this creation for her. It is meant to showcase her beauty, as well as what you represent to us - as our queen, our lady. I hope you like it." She placed the creation on the table in front of Yuki and stepped to the side.
As compared to the previous creation, Yori's design seemed to be too simplified. However, she stepped forward to explain her creation as well. Before doing so, she looked at Yuki, who smiled at her. Silent communication passed between the two, before it was broken by Lady Souen who asked "Well, girl, are you going to stand there all day or what?"
"My apologies, my lady." Yori turned back to the judges. "I present to you my creation, entitled "The Beginning" This is for Yuki-sama, who just came into her powers recently. Although born as a pureblood, she lived as a human for many good years before being restored to who she actually is. Hence, there are many changes in her life. The big blood red roses around the perimeter represent what she is outside, beautiful, striking and yet at the same time, delicate. In addition, she was once the adopted daughter of Chairman Cross, who made the roses as the school logo. Hence, it also represents her duties as a Prefect, who believed that peace and harmony can exist between human and vampires."
"However, at the heart the heart of it all, she is still who she is, no matter what her status now may be. I have known Yuki-sama to be a cheerful and bubbly girl, always willing to go the extra mile for people whom she believed in. With friends and family, she has nurtured to what she has become today. As her friend, I chose yellow roses to represent our friendship as this arrangement is from me to her. Finally, no matter what happens, she always sticks to her beliefs, values and promises. For this, I chose forget-me-nots to complete the arrangement. A gradual change from the interior to the exterior, this is what Yuki-sama is."
Silence reigned the air as Yori finished speaking. Looking up at Yuki, Yori smiled brightly and offered the arrangement to her. Standing up suddenly, Yuki stepped down from the platform and ran to Yori, casting aside her mask as the queen for a moment. She hugged Yori as she took the arrangement. Murmuring a quiet "thank you", a tear dropped from her eye and fell to the floor, as the whole vampire elites look on.
--VAMPIRE KNIGHT --
The results of the first round were out. Aido's sister scored better for the written test but the difference between them is only 2 points. It came as no surprise that Yuki chose Yori's creation, given that Yori really put her heart and soul into it. Eventually, it was the grand dame of the society, Lady Souen, who gave the biggest shocker that night. She declared that, though both ladies carried themselves well, it was Yori who exhibited the confidence of a lady. Combined with superb dressing in that silk gown, Lady Souen declared Yori as the winner of the first round of the competition.
AUTHOR'S NOTES.
Second chapter! I hope you like it. Some readers had remarked to me, as to how Aido is quite OCC. However, love does change a person, does it not? Given that there are social barriers to break, Aido have to change his behavior a little, I suppose. Though I tried to portray his character as close to the original as I can. All of us do love Aido's bratty ways at times! P
Next, if you noticed, Yuki changed quite a bit as well. As shown in the manga, she is no longer as cheerful as compared to the time when she was a human. At the point of the time when the Challenge was held, she is still trying to live up to the image of being a queen. However, changes need time and deep down, she is always who she is. In my story, she will show another character when surrounded by her loved ones.
First round down, 2 more to go! What will happen next? When will the next challenge be held? Stay tuned!