DISCLAIMER: I do not own (I wish I did)

Romeo and Cinderella

Chapter 7 Arrogance

I woke up the next morning feeling stiff, but no longer drained. I stretched and rolled my neck and sat up in bed. The day marked Tuesday December 20th was just beginning. It was a day for independent study which meant that I would sit around in the Library and read. Thus it was the day that I most looked forward to for sure.

I looked over to my clock. It was seven forty-three. Just enough time to roll over for a few minutes before Luka woke me up at eight. I smiled and sighed in the crisp morning air.

The sound of someone stepping inside my room got me up again. I opened my eyes and looked into the face of Miku.

"I'm sorry. Did I wake you?" she fretted.

"No. I've been awake," I assured, sitting up and rubbing my eyes.

"I just needed someone to talk to," she explained, then added, "and thank you so much for letting me stay for the night."

"It's no problem at all. After such a night it would be purely evil not to let you stay." It surprised me that she didn't expect to be taken in after such an event. What family wouldn't do the same?

She smiled. "Thank you." She didn't even rudely agree like most other rich snobs. Miku truly had a kind heart to this. How strange.

"What do you need to talk about?" I asked her.

"Oh… I just needed to get my mind off of things. And…" She looked a bit embarrassed. "I hate to be so nosy, but did I hear someone in your room last night?"

My face burned bright red. "I…uh… I can explain."

She giggled and sat on the end of my bed. "Who was it?"she quizzed eagerly.

"He's," I tried to think of some way to explain. "He's from the other side of the city."

"Ooh!" Miku yipped. "I love a good forbidden love story. Tell me more." This was the brightest I had seen her face since we met. Miku was obviously working very hard to keep herself occupied with something that wasn't what had happened the night before. I wasn't about to make life harder than it was.

"I first saw him about a week ago," I began. "I had never seen him before as I looked out at the town square, and I had been staring out my window ever since I was a little girl. I was intrigued. So I went out to meet him. At first I don't think he liked me very much." I laughed. "But that changed when I went out one day and got mugged. The man almost killed me when Len showed up and saved me. Then we started meeting in secret."

"So his name is Len?" Miku seemed very excited about my mini forbidden love tale.

"Yeah. He was outside my window last night. That's probably what you heard."

"That makes sense," she concurred. "…Wait. Yesterday when we were talking on our way to my house, didn't you say you were engaged?" Oh shit.

I looked down and away. "Yes. But I hate my fiancé. I don't know what I'm going to do."

"That seems like a very difficult situation," Miku commented. She looked up into my eyes with content. "You need to follow your heart. It'll lead you to where you need to go." I stared for a moment. She was really serious.

I relaxed. "You're right. Thank you, Miku."

"You're welcome, Rin."

Luka opened my door. "There you are!" she exclaimed. "I was worried when you weren't in your room." Luka must have been looking for Miku.

"Oh, I apologize, Miss Luka. I was just talking with Rin," Miku clarified.

"No need to be sorry. I wouldn't want to keep you from socializing," Luka stated. "I'll be back soon with some breakfast for you both." Luka left the room and closed the door.

"So what are your plans for today?" Miku asked.

"I don't know. I don't usually do much of anything on Tuesdays. I usually sit around and read," I said.

"Do you have a study?" she persisted.

"You could call it that. I'm pretty sure we have about every book ever published inside." It was true. I would bet that we would have something in Miku's native language as well in the Library.

"Wow. Sounds like you always have something to do," Miku remarked.

"Yeah. It's quite unusual though. Most manors in Germany barely have more than a few text books."

"That's a real shame. My parents had me learn how to read at a very young age. Of course, that is quite unusual for a girl from Japan like me."

"Breakfast is here," Luka called from the doorway. "It's chocolate brioche."

Miku and I looked up at Luka then back at each other.

"Ooh, lovely," I said. "My favorite."

.

I walked into the kitchen. "Luka, can I help you cook?"

Luka had just taken Miku home on Joseph and I had decided that today's independent study would be in the culinary arts. I had just made my way to the kitchen where Luka was preparing to make dinner.

She looked up with a sort of "you've gotta be kidding me" face. "You can't really be Lady Rin," she accused. "You must have been taken away sometime within the past week and replaced with some evil twin."

"Well I guess if you don't want any help in cooking…"

"No. Way. You are getting yo' little behind in this kitchen and making food with me." I smiled at Luka's unusual accent. It sounded a little like a Brit trying to speak German except with a hint more stupidity in the accent. Not that I was calling Luka stupid. If anything she was smarter than my father.

"Ja gnädige Frau [Yes ma'am]," I replied, putting on an apron. Points with Luka plus I got to know what was for dinner ahead of time. It was a win-win situation.

.

We had an early dinner that day, or perhaps it was a late lunch. It was only five o'clock when everyone finished eating. I had returned to my room, like always, and sat on my bed to think. I had no further plans for the day, and the night before I had left so quickly that there was no time for Len and me to discuss another time to meet, so I was left bored. Then it occurred to me that I had not ridden Joseph in a long while. He had gotten a lot of riding recently, but it was never by me. I sort of missed it, so I put on the largest old skirt I could find, so I wouldn't have to ride side saddle, and set off to inform Luka as to where I would be. Me and my bright ideas.

"Luka, I'm going out to ride Joseph," I informed.

"Where are you going?" she asked.

I replied after some thought: "I think I'll go to the field just north of here."

Luka contemplated it for a few seconds. "Okay. If you aren't back in two hours I'll come down there to get you." I was thankful to Luka for giving me even that much time. I was amazed she even let me out at all. It was good to know that she trusted me. I guess that my random acts of kindness toward her had paid off.

"Thank you."

Without a second thought I walked down to the stables behind my house and saddled up Joseph. I missed the times when I would come down here every day to ride him. What could I say? I was a girl who loved her horse.

I rode north out of the city then east to a large grassy field. During the spring and summer the field would be very lush and full of wild flowers, but it was gray and brittle in the fading winter sunlight.

It was a very long stretch of land—perfect for running. Taking in a deep breath of frozen air, I kicked Joseph forward. Maybe the cold air was like fuel. Joseph took off running. It was probably the fastest I had ever gone; it was exhilarating. The adrenaline pumping through my veins just made me want to ride faster.

So I did.

And it didn't take long for me to hear the sounds of another horse's canter. My heart sunk to my stomach. Joseph could feel it too. He sped up. Wow. Who would've thought my horse could run this fast. And for this long. Truly remarkable. What was even more remarkable was that the other horse was faster. I looked over at the other rider. He wore a black cloak that covered his eyes. He returned my stare and smiled under his hood. I nearly fell off my horse.

I tried to stop Joseph as quickly as I could.

"What the—what the hell are you doing here?" I yelled.

"Riding my horse," Len replied bluntly. "How about you?"

"I'm getting a heart attack, that's what!" I screamed. "I've been robbed and cut and nearly raped in the last week. You just popping out of nowhere is kind of stressful."

Len jumped off his horse and walked over to me. "I'm sorry," he stated.

I was a bit stunned for a second. "No, it's fine. I'm just having a nervous breakdown." My tone had calmed down a lot. "That's all."

Len took my hand and kissed it. "Come back to my manor," he proposed.

Random much? Or maybe it was planned. "What! Wouldn't that be a bit dangerous? Your guard already caught us in the garden. Shouldn't your house be, err, worse?" Is he insane? I'm beginning to get the idea that he's insane.

"No. I have an 'agreement' with my maid. We wouldn't be bothered," Len insisted.

"… Really?"

"I promise." Len smiled. It was mostly sweet, but there seemed to be something devilish behind it.

"Okay." At that, Len hopped back on his horse and gestured for me to follow him. He went onto a path leading south-east to his side of the city.

After winding through a series of narrow paths in a thinly wooded area, Len and I came out to a large manor, almost as big as my own, but it seemed much older than my dwelling. There was a tower-like structure nearest us. That was where we stopped. Vines crawled up the walls, very thickly. They were so thick you could probably climb them.

"Are you up for a climb?" Len asked. Ironic much? I think so.

I sighed. "No, but I'll do it anyway." I stared somewhat angrily toward the wall. The thought of having to climb it made me unhappy.

"What, do you fear heights?" Len pushed.

"I dislike large intimidating walls with vines crawling up them whilst wearing a dress, yes," I returned.

"I can go behind you, so you won't—"

"Nooo," I interjected, holding out the o. "Not in this skirt."

Len stared blankly for a moment then seemed put together the message I was sending. "Oh, right. Never mind. Bad idea. I must respect a lady." He finished with a bow.

I rolled my eyes. "Danke, mein Herr," I thanked sarcastically.

Len laughed as he grabbed onto a couple vines and started climbing up. It was obvious that he had done this before. I just hoped that I wouldn't fall with my lack of upper-body strength.

The climb was only about eight meters up, give or take. But it still made my mind whirl. At the top, Len pulled me into his room. Inside there were five lit candles placed strategically around so that it was decently lit. From the candlelight I could see that the room was very small. His bed was to the left and surrounded by two and a half walls. On the opposite wall was a desk with a small pile of books and a pen next to a stack of papers. The door was shut across from the window where we stood.

"It's the only private room in the house," Len commented. "Every other room is practically showcased, just to torture the poor with how 'rich' we are. It's kind of annoying." He looked so hot when he was irritated.

I rolled my eyes. "The reasoning of adults fails to be comprehended by my own," I complained. "They act so mature, but in truth they're just like us except with more experiences. The day I meet someone with wisdom that knows how to use it, I will be dead speaking with Aristotle."

Len glared off to the side. "Really," he replied. Len looked back up at me. "What's your favorite color?" I swear this boy was ADD.

"Haven't you already asked me that question before?" I faced my head toward Len's. His eyes were boring into mine.

"What's your favorite color?" he repeated.

He blinked, making the mini oceans gleaming under his brow disappear for a moment. "Blue," I spilled.

"Why?"

"Your eyes. They're the color of the ocean. I love the ocean." Now that I thought about it I wasn't so sure if that really answered his question or just sounded like I was rambling.

He grinned devilishly. "I love it too." I felt like I melted a little bit inside. Len took me by the arm, while still facing me, and moved me onto his bed. He sat over me then bent down and whispered into my ear: "Aber Ich liebe dich mehr [But I love you more]."

He gently pressed his lips against mine. I didn't reject. At that moment he could have whatever he wanted. He was so gentle… Len leaned over me, forcing my onto my back with my hands half-heartedly pinned beside my head. He slid his hand down to my chest and began slowly unlacing. I let myself relax and blinked slowly, feeling a little smile creep across my face.

"I love you most."

.

"Cinderella, who had told too many lies, has said to be eaten by the wolf…"

.

I woke up to faint sunlight barely streaming in through the window. Looking over, I saw that Len was beside me. His eyes were open, staring at my face.

"You're awake," he stated.

I blinked, processing the two words. "Yeah, I tend to do that in the mornings," I answered. Then, it hit me. I was supposed to be at my manor eight hours ago. "Oh, God. I have to get home." I shot up and, feeling cold, I looked down. "Shit I'm naked!" I yelled. I also tended to speak before I thought this early. "Where are my clothes?" I asked accusingly?

Len gestured to the corner next to the window.

"Thank you." I paused for a moment, then leaned over and gave him a peck on the lips. Not bothering to pay attention to his reaction, I got up and tried not to fall over. My bones felt like jelly and at the moment I couldn't exactly remember why. I started throwing on clothes as quickly as I could. "Dammit, dammit, dammit! My maid is going to kill me." I opened the window and looked down at the ground below. "Ugh, why do you have to live in a goddamn tower!"

"Sorry," Len said. I could hear the amused smile in his voice.

I stepped out onto one of the thick vines.

"Don't fall!" Len called. He was still smiling. He almost laughed.

"Shut up!" I screamed. I dropped myself the last meter. Relief flooded me as I saw that Joseph was still there. "Good horse."

I leapt onto his back, feeling somewhat like a hero rushing to rescue his maiden, and kicked him. He took off nearly throwing me onto the ground for the second time in less than twenty-four hours. And by the time I had gotten to the field I had already realized three things I had forgotten at Len's manor: my cloak, a new meeting time, and my virginity.

I sighed. This was going to be a long day.

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Author's Note: AAAAAAHH LONG UPDATES! So sorry about all of the waiting, guys! DD: I have just been so busy lately, you have no idea. Plus I have a severe case of writer's block and I'm really falling behind. BUT I will pull through. My teachers think that cramming 3 weeks' worth of homework into one week is a good idea so I have little to no free time. _

So beside my excuses, how did you guys like it? A lil' taste of the Rin and Len romances. I think there will be more in….. well the next chapter and chapter 10? I don't know, I haven't written chapter 10 yet. ^^; Any suggestions to help me pull through my time of blocks and troubles?

I don't know about you but I see my writer's block as a huge block of tofu standing in my way and so long as I have a yummy broth I can eat through it. You guys are the yummy broth that I use to devour my troubles. So let me know that you're there and review. I know there are more of you out there. I've seen the traffic reports. XD So love plz?

Random German FTW (for the win)! If I got anything wrong PLEASE tell me~ I'd love to fix it ASAP

Preview of next chapter? I think so. You guys deserve it after stalking me for this long:

Isn't it funny how just one wrong word can make an entire night go bad? The drop of a pin causing turmoil, or a cross remark turning into a divorce? I thought it was a really funny thing. And it doesn't even have to be on purpose. In fact, it's usually an accident. Just a stupid little accident.

My fav paragraph in chapter 8~

Hope that wets your appetite!

Expect another long update. I'll do my best to push through all my work and write another two chapters. (so I can stay ahead and give you spoilers, of course) It just gets more exciting from here on out!

Can't wait to write for you guys! Again, SO sorry. Plz don't hate me plz? OmO