Hello all, on to chapter six. So in this chapter we learn what exactly is going on between Kenshin and Megumi. Read on and please review! And, as always, standard disclaimer applies. Oh, and Eskos is their country.
Mia21
The next morning, Kaoru was up early again, she nearly always was, and headed down to the ocean. The sand and jetty rocks were warm and soothing, embracing her like a favorite shawl. She relaxed back, wrapping her arms around her legs after she brought them to her chest. She closed her eyes, listening to the waves crash, spraying the sandy shore with sea water.
"Good morning," Kenshin said, climbing across the rocks to sit beside her. "Up early again, I see." He smiled at her but Kaoru frowned. "Why do you do that?"
"Do what?" Kenshin wondered.
"Hide behind a mask of pleasantry." Kaoru told him.
The prince sighed. "I care for my subjects, but in a broad perspective. I care about the bandits attacking our land-trade routes and the storms still making overseas trade difficult. In a good year, I care about crops and fishing, our imports and exports. I want the citizens to be happy and prosperous."
"But?" Kaoru asked, knowing he wasn't done.
"But I don't care to make personal connections. I don't particularly want to be involved in my subjects' lives, whether they are noble or common. It's not that I see myself as being above them, it's just…not something I enjoy. So I walk around smiling, hoping it will cover up the fact that I'm as unfriendly as a person can be. I worry for Eskos. To someday have a king that doesn't like people?"
Kaoru tapped her knee. "As long as you don't resent your role as future King and you do right by your country, I think you could be the most crotchety ruler Eskos has ever seen, and still be a good king."
Kenshin had to look away to stifle a chuckle, but Kaoru wasn't done yet. "We all have strengths and weaknesses. That's what makes us interesting. So you don't like people. What are the strengths you can play up instead?"
Thinking he would list his loyalty, intelligence, and incredible internal strength, Kenshin instead asked, "What makes you so sure?"
"Huh?"
"How do you know differences make us interesting? I thought all females your age tried to look and act exactly alike."
Picturing the Lady Megumi and the young women who followed her around, Kaoru couldn't help but laugh. Finally noticing Kenshin was staring at her, Kaoru got control of herself. "I'm sorry. As the daughter of a swordsman, I have always been different from my friends. But none of them ever made me feel lesser because I didn't wear jewelry or own the latest fashions. They love me because I am me – differences and similarities."
When Kaoru glanced up, the prince was still staring at her, a brilliant and unreadable intensity to his violet eyes, making the gold flash in the dawn light. No one had ever looked at Kaoru like that before, no one.
"In two days, we are hosting the Summer Ball at the palace. I was wondering if you would do me the honor of being your escort for the night?"
Kaoru was both touched and worried. "What about Lady Megumi?" She asked.
"Never you mind about her."
Kaoru found she was actually nervous, for the first time in her acquaintance with the prince, she was aware and nervous of Kenshin's close proximity. She took a deep breath, licking her lips, before telling him, "Yes."
"Good. I fear you will find me quite high-handed, but I already had a dress ordered for you."
"You didn't need -" she began but Kenshin touched her arm.
"I wanted to."
That evening, Kaoru was to learn why the prince had asked her to the Summer Ball and not Lady Megumi. As she headed down the hall to the dining room for dinner she heard loud voices coming from behind the closed library door. Tucking her head down, she continued walking even though she could tell by the voices it was Prince Kenshin and his mother arguing. She ate dinner slowly, watching as people finished and disappeared. When it was just her and a few others left, the Prince entered the dining room, sitting at the front table. Kaoru watched him pick at his food, waiting until she was the only one left before approaching him. Glancing up at her, Prince Kenshin told her, "I'm afraid I'm not very good company tonight, Miss Kaoru."
Kaoru shrugged and continued towards him until she could sit down across from him. "Do you want to talk about it?" She wondered.
The Prince sighed and ran his fingers through his red fringe. "My mother is…unhappy, because I've refused to sign the marriage proposal for Lady Megumi."
"And her unhappiness makes you angry?" Kaoru asked.
"No, it's more that I'm frustrated with the entire situation and I hate knowing that she's right."
"She's right about what?"
"It's my mother's opinion that if I was going to refuse her, I shouldn't have singled her out by escorting her to several parties. And she's right, although I certainly never told Megumi anything to encourage her." Prince Kenshin explained.
"Lord Aoshi said being the only daughter of the Takani family makes her a good choice."
"My mother agrees, and she likes Megumi, a lot. But there is another, so I won't marry her to appease my parents."
"There is another?" Kaoru inquired, curious.
The Prince nodded. "Two years ago, I was rescued from drowning after my vessel was wrecked in a storm. I have since been enthralled with the maiden who did the rescuing."
Kaoru's heart jumped. Her, he was talking about her! But then she frowned. "Weren't you discovered on the beach by servants from a nearby hotel?"
"Yes. But I still remember the woman who actually saved me."
Kaoru also remembered the beautiful blonde young woman who was the first servant to venture outside, had seen the prince and rushed to him. 'He must mean her,' she thought. 'Oh well, I should really concentrate on getting back to my brother.' Kaoru told herself firmly. Standing, she told the Prince, "Well, I hope everything works out for you."
"Me too." Prince Kenshin whispered, watching her depart.
So, what did everyone think, about Kenshin and Megumi and about the reason he's always smiling. I tried to write that part sticking as close to what I think Kenshin would say. After all, he doesn't really form attachments to anyone until he meets Kaoru and stays with her, I just added to that. Thanks for reading!
Mia21