Hi all. I'd like to thank all those who reviewed my previous chapter. I'm really sorry I took so long but I had an exam to study for. A whole week of exams.

Love Is Ultimately Blind

Chapter 2: Venturing Into the Forbidden

Kimiko followed silently behind her master-cum-father as he took a bunch of servants to be sold in the market. Most of them were girls. Just then, royal music blasted through the air. "Prince Raimundo Pedrosa coming through," a guy shouted as he pushed his fruit cart to one side.

Kimiko looked up to see a very handsome teenager riding a golden-brown stallion. He had on a very solemn face but Kimiko knew that inside, he was just a happy teenager with no problems and all the luxuries in the world.

Prince Raimundo's right hand man, a cowboy guy named, Clay, announced, "The Prince Raimundo Vento-" but he was cut off by Raimundo, saying, "Cut to the chase, Clay. I've got things to do."

Clay nodded and said, "The Prince Raimundo would like to have a personal servant."

Kimiko's master looked very surprised. Usually, his Highness would get a very experienced maid. "You are most welcome to pick whoever you like, Your Highness," Kimiko's master said, bowing lowly.

Raimundo nodded solemnly. He scanned the small group of illegal servants that stood scared behind their master. All looked at the prince with great fear but one little rebel stood out with a 'whatever' look on her face.

So here is the so-high prince father always talks about, eh? Doesn't look so very grand to me, Kimiko thought as thousands of emotions flooded Raimundo's thinking face.

Then he flicked out a slender finger at Kimiko. She gasped a little. Her master was also quite shocked. "Sir," he said, apologetically. "This girl is someone you should not have. She is not fit for someone as grand as you."

Raimundo's face flicked a bit of annoyance. "You said I could chose whoever I liked," he said, coolly.

Kimiko was taken back by his coolness. No one had ever kept their raging temper when her master annoyed them like this. Her master began to sweat. "Oh, of course. I did say that. I'll charge you nothing for this round," her master said.

He nudged Kimiko hardly in the back, beckoning her forward. She stumbled to the front. "Bring her Cherry," Raimundo ordered, smiling warmly at her as she stood up.

She dusted the midnight-blue dress she was wearing. A pretty reddish-gold mare was led in front by Clay. He helped her onto the mare. Kimiko thanked him. Raimundo clicked the reins of his stallion and they left. Kimiko, not knowing what to do, followed him. As soon as they had their way back to the palace, she caught up with him. "Hey, stay a metre back from the prince!" shouted a small Chinese guy.

"Do not worry, Omi. She will not cause me harm," Raimundo said, turning around to meet the guy's gaze. He smiled at him and turned to Kimiko.

"Why didn't you choose Natalie? She's so much prettier then me," Kimiko objected, raising her voice a little.

Raimundo turned to her. "Because you are much more energetic then she is. I can see that you are much too stubborn for someone else's liking so I thought I might as well choose you," he explained, patting his stallion's black mane. "Steady there, Tornado."

Soon enough, the tall marble walls of the palace blocked out the sunlight. From the watchtower, a guard shouted, "Open the gates. Prince Raimundo is back."

The large, brass gates slowly creaked open. Raimundo rode in. Kimiko sat on her horse, not daring to go forward but Omi took the reins from her and led her and the horse in. "Stay here and don't go anywhere else," Omi ordered, helping her off the horse.

Kimiko just nodded, dumbfounded. A large but sweet looking lady came out behind Omi after a few moments. "Lara, this is the master's new servant. She will attend to his every need and accompany him wherever he goes," Omi explained. "I'll be leaving now."

"Well, honey," Lara, the head of the maids greeted, smiling. "Let's get you with the proper clothing. You'll be sleeping in the room next to Master Raimundo's."

Kimiko just nodded and followed Lara. Oh my God, I'm finally here. In the places where venturing into without permission is forbidden and you will be beheaded, Kimiko thought as she looked at the large hall she had just entered.

Fifteen minutes later, Kimiko was fully equipped with a black dress with a short skirt. (It isn't a French maid-style outfit) Around her waist was a with sash and her hair was bound into a loose ponytail and her bangs hung and framed her fair face. As she appeared from behind the changing curtains, she twirled around examining the dress.

"Why does my outfit look so different from the other maids?" she asked.

Lara smiled. "That's simple. It's because you are the prince's personal maid," she explained, glancing at the cukoo clock on the wall. "Right now, the prince is at his archery lessons. Hurry over there. You will always have to be by his side."

Kimiko nodded and hurried off. Then she suddenly stopped. "Umm," she said, blushing a little as she turned to look at Lara. "Exactly where is the place?"
Lara just smiled.

Lara had led her to a large open area with a lot of target boards and Raimundo was getting scolded by his personal trainer, Master Fung. "I need to go," Lara said, smiling. "I think you can find your way down there."

Kimiko nodded and walked down. "Raimundo!" Master Fung shouted, angrily. "How many times must I tell you to relax?"

Raimundo looked at him, boredly. Kimiko walked over to the both of them and asked, "Is there something wrong, sir?"

"Prince Raimundo here can't shoot an arrow at a bullsye even practising for five months straight," Master Fung said, calmly, after he had notcied Kimiko was there.

Kimiko nodded, understandingly. "Let me try, sir," she said, taking the bow from Raimundo.

She picked up an arrow from the grass and lifted the bow, drawing the arrow. She concentrated a while and let the arrow go. It slid past Master Fung's head, barely missing his left ear with a whizzing sound and hit the red bullseye in front of her.

She closed her eyes and prayed it hit as she didn't see it hit. Then, she heard a lone clapping sound. She peeled open her eyes. "Well done, little girl," Master Fung complimented. "I suggest you might like to teach Prince Raimundo here. I've given up on him. I need to go get some tea to calm down my nerves."

Kimiko nodded obediently. "So, shall I annoy you, too?" Raimundo asked Kimiko, picking up his bow.

Kimiko shook her head. "Unfortunately, sir," she said, taking a bow from the container that was slung over Raimundo's shoulder.

"Call me Raimundo." He gave her one of his intense gazes which made her blush deeply. A servant should never like her master, Kimiko told herself as she felt her cheeks redden.

"Unfortunately, Raimundo, I'm quite patient."

"So what do I do since you're such a hotshot at archery?" Raimundo asked, raising the bow to eye's level. He pulled the bowstring and fired the arrow.

It hit a centimetre away from the bullseye. "I'm not use," Raimundo sighed, plopping himself down on the grass. "I can't even shoot a bow at two metres range and a scullery maid can shoot a six metre range."

Kimiko smiled and replied, "I'll take that as a compliment. You're too tense."

Raimundo looked up at her and asked, "What do you mean by that?"

"Try once more," Kimiko said, helping Raimundo to his feet. "I'll guide you through."

Raimundo once more lifted the bow to eye's level and pulled the bowstring. "Don't fire just yet," Kimiko's soft voice said. She gently ran her hand across the arm which held the bowstring.

"You're too tense. I can feel your muscles tensing by a gentle touch," Kimiko teased, smacking Raimundo's arm gently. "Come on, loosen up. Don't tell me all you do is look at documents of the country?"

Raimundo smiled sheepishly at Kimiko. Kimiko gasped. "Don't tell me you've never had a moment's fun before?" Kimiko asked, gasping in shock. "Gosh, you have to spend more time outside than in. Right now, let me teach you how to shoot properly. You're hopeless."

"That's not the way to speak to a prince, you know," Raimundo said, grinning at Kimiko's bravery.

Kimiko planted her hands on her hips and cocked her head sideways. "So?" she asked, raising one eyebrow. "Place a death sentence on me and get my death bed ready."

Raimundo chuckled, softly. "You're awfully sharp-tongued for such a girl," he said, grinning at her.

"Just get on with it," Kimiko said, smiling back at him.

He raised the bow and with Kimiko's guidance, he managed to shoot a bullseye for the first time. Raimundo let out a breath he was holding in as he saw his exact hit. "See?" Kimiko asked. "The key is to relax but not too much."

Kimiko helped Raimundo put away the archery equipment. The both of them met Master Fung on the way back to Raimundo's room. "I trust you shot a bullseye?" he asked, sipping the fragrant tea.

Raimundo nodded. Master Fung nodded in approval.

Kimiko poured the last of the hot water into the tub behind the bath screen. She tested the water and said, "Raimundo. The water is ready."

Raimundo came in with his shirt off. Kimiko gawked at his 6-pack. She saw Raimundo smirk so she quickly shut her mouth and went out.

Kimiko sat on Raimundo's bed, folding his clothes neatly in a pile. Raimundo came out with a towel around his waist. Kimiko blushed a deep crimson when she saw him. "I'll be in my room if you need me," she said, quickly getting up and running to her room.

Raimundo quickly dressed and looked for her. She was brushing her hair and braiding it. "Umm...Kimiko," Rai asked, popping his head into her room. "Would you like to go out riding with me?"

Kimiko turned around to see who had spoken. She was so surprised as no one has ever called her by her name. Usually they called her bitch, ho or useless worm. Tears started to well up in her eyes. "I would love to," she said, getting up.

"You had better get changed. You're not going to ride in that get-up," Raimundo said, smiling at her.

He smiled at me, Kimiko thought, watching her cheeks turn red as she looked into the mirror. No one has ever smiled so sweetly at me before, she thought.

She pulled open the cupboard and took out riding clothes.

Kimiko was pulled foreward again by the beautiful mare she was riding whose name was Mareal. Her cheeks were red and she was panting. Raimundo who rode alongside her held Mareal's reins and slowed her down. "I think we should take a break," he said, climbing off Tornado.

The both of them left their horses to graze on the grass while they sat under a shady tree, talking. "Isn't the horse supposed to get tired?" Raimundo teased, passing her a bottle of water.

"Hey!" Kimiko shouted, grinning a little. "It's my first time on a horse. I've never ridden in my life."

Raimundo laughed. "Do you know what Mareal means?" he asked, lying down on the grass.

Kimiko shook her head. "It means gentle in some fairytale language," he laughed, stroking Kimiko's head as she laid down next to him. "I guess you made her impatient. Usually she's very slow and gentle."

He laughed. Kimiko smacked him lightly on the arm. "You know, if Omi was here, he'd have you arrested and put in jail," Raimundo said, staring into her blue eyes.

Kimiko felt herself blush as his eyes gazed deeply into hers, like searching her for an answer. Then all of a sudden, Raimundo tossed his head up in laughter. "You blush a lot, don't you?" he asked.

Kimiko pouted and replied, "I can't help it. It's just me."

Raimundo stood up and stretched. "Come on, I want to go for another ride before the sun sets. Then, I can show you something very beautiful," he said, whistling to Tornado.

Kimiko sweatdropped and nervously climbed onto Mareal. Mareal seemed to sense her fear and went slower than before. An hour before sunset was near, Kimiko was already beating Raimundo back to the castle grounds.

Once she reached the stables, she slid off Mareal, gave her fresh water and food and brushed her. Raimundo arrived a few seconds after her. "I didn't know you knew how to groom a horse," Raimundo said, grooming Tornado.

Kimiko laughed gently. "I can't ride but don't forget, I'm a servant," she said, rubbing her hand up and down Mareal's nose. "I've had to groom my master's horses since I was eight."

After grooming their horses, they took a short shower and met down in the dining hall. "We are not dining here tonight," Raimundo said, opening a wooden door.

Kimiko stepped through the door and gasped. A candlelight dinner was prepared for the both of them. "This is so beautiful," she said as Raimundo held the chair out for her.

"I thought that I might prepare something so beautiful for someone so beautiful," Raimundo said, sitting down opposite her.

The waiter lay delicious treats on the table and the both friends began digging in. "Actually, this is a test run," Raimundo explained, sticking his fork into a plate of spagetthi.

Kimiko looked at him, questioningly. "What do you mean?" she asked, sipping the sweet red wine in her glass.

"I'm planning to invite Ashley, the princess from the neighbouring country. I'm trying to get her to marry me. Father wants me to get married as soon as possible," Raimundo explained.

At once, Kimiko felt her heart sink. She had started to have feelings for the prince and found it sad to part with him. Raimundo saw her sadness and said, "Hey, don't worry. You'll still be by my side, serving Ashley, our kids and I," he said, soothingly.

Kimiko smiled and nodded. She continued eating in silence as the sunset casted a warm glow onto her evening gown.

After dinner, Raimundo told the orchestra to play a romantic song so that he could teach Kimiko how to waltz. Kimiko learned quickly and by the time it was midnight she was dancing perfectly.

"I wish you good fortune in marrying Ashley," Kimiko said, laying her head on Raimundo's chest. She silently cried. "I think I need to go to bed now. Lara expects me to be up early."

Before she left, she gave him a long, lingering kiss. My parting present to you, my dear Prince Raimundo, she thought, quickly running away in sheer shame for kissing someone of a higher rank then her.

Raimundo's lips burned with Kimiko's kiss. Even when he went to bed, he could still feel Kimiko pressing her lips against his.

Well, I hope you enjoyed this chapter. F.Y.I. Ashley is Katnappe I so do love this story myself. I hope it turns out to be a real success.