A/n: Hi guys, sorry for the very late update. I won't make a long author note, so this is the story. La Corda is not my own. Hope you'll enjoy it ^^.
-000-
When the redhead opened her eyes, she noticed it was almost twilight and she also noticed that she was no longer in the forest which full of trees.
"Where are we?" she asked her companion with a sleepy tone.
Noticing her tone, her companion said "If you're still sleepy, you can sleep again."
"Mmm… sleeping can wait, but where are we?" she asked again.
"We are at Violoncelle Kingdom. Well, actually almost at the Kingdom. We are about to reach its gate." He said.
Hearing this, she was fully awake. Her sleepiness has gone leaving her. "Really? We almost arrive?" she asked excitedly.
"No. We are already here. You should pay attention to your surroundings, Kahoko-san."
Instead of listening to her companion, she looked around the town form the horse. She found out the town was interesting and she saw a store which took her interest.
"Len, what store is that? Is it an antique store or a music store? What are they selling in there? I want to see that store. Can we have a tour around the town? Where are we going, by the way?" Kahoko gave him a lot of questions at the same time and not only that; she said it out loud like a child. The people who saw them chuckling and giggling, of course Kanazawa and the others heard that too, even Keiichi who is sleeping, now awake hearing Kahoko's voice.
"That is a music store where they are selling an instrument and the music score. You can have your tour tomorrow and you can't enter that store now because it was closed and, to where we are going to go, you'll find it soon." Len answered all of her question so easily. He used to that behavior of hers because when they went together she often asks him like that when she got excited about something.
"Why can't I have my tour now? We are not in hurry, are we?" she asked a little disappointed.
"We are not in hurry, but we can't just go leave them because their destination is same as ours." Len said and pointed towards Kanazawa, Ousaki, Mori, Amou, and Keiichi.
When Kahoko was about to say something to Len, Kanazawa cut her off. "Stop talking, we must go now. You can have your tour later, Tsuchiura. And for your information, we are become a center of attention now."
Hearing this, Kahoko and Len looked around and as what Kanazawa said earlier, the people near them are gossiping and talking about them. Kahoko heard someone say something like 'Is she his girlfriend?' or 'She is very lucky' or 'They are a cute couple, aren't they?' and so on. Len too heard this, and he starting to catch up with the others who is leaving them.
-000-
Kahoko's jaw dropped when she saw their destination. It was The Palace. In the beginning, she thought they are going to go to the inn but, she is wrong. They're inside the palace now and she can't hold her curiosity any longer.
"Len, why are we here? I thought we are going to stay the night at the inn. This is the palace, isn't it?" Kahoko asked but, before she received an answer, the door was opening and there is a blonde guy standing there and walked toward Keiichi.
"Keiichi! Welcome home! How was your journey? Did you stay at that cave?" the guy asked as he hugged Keiichi.
"Stop that. Don't question him like that, and there is another person you know. You should introduce your self first." Kanazawa said.
The guy looked at Len, then to Kahoko and to Len again. And then he detach himself from Keiichi, he said "I'm sorry. I don't know you are there. You must be Len-san. Princess Fuuyumi's personal bodyguard." He point towards Len, and Len only give him a nod. Then he looked at Kahoko. Being a good girl, Kahoko give the guy her friendly smile. The guy who saw the smile was mesmerized because of it and he has a glint of pink on his cheeks and it didn't go unnoticed by Len. He coughs and said "And you must be Princess Fuuyumi. It's nice to meet you." And he took her hand and kissed it. Of course Kahoko was blushing because of the action, in the other hand, Len was irritated and want to kill the guy.
"U-uh… i-it's n-nice t-to m-meet y-you t-too, b-but…" Kahoko wanted to tell the guy she is not Fuuyumi but the guy cut her off.
"I forgot to introduce my self. I'm Aoi Kaji. Keiichi's step-brother and I'm your fiancée." He explained.
"EEH?" Kahoko said out loud and almost jump while Len has his eyes wide open.
Seeing their reaction, Kanazawa and Amou wanted to laugh out loud and Kaji is very confused. Kaji decide to ask "Is there something wrong?"
"You're Fuuyumi's fiancée? Not Keiichi?" Len asked with shock mix with disappointment in his voice.
"Yes I am. Why are you two acting like that?"
"We're just shocked Kaji-sama, and you said you're Kei-kun's step-brother, aren't you?" Kahoko asked. Kaji gave her a nod.
"Then that means Kei-kun is a prince?" she asked again. She receives another nod.
"Len, why don't you tell me Kei-kun is a prince?" Kahoko asked, turning her head toward her comrade.
"I'm sorry Kahoko-san; I thought you already know."
"Wait! You called her 'Kahoko' not 'Fuuyumi'?" Kaji asked.
"I'm sorry Kaji-sama, but I'm Kahoko Tsuchiura, not Fuuyumi Tsukimori. I tried to tell you but you cut me off." Kahoko explained.
"You're lying to me, aren't you princess?"
"No, Kaji-sama I tell you the truth."
"B-but…" Kaji tried to find something as an excuse, then a lamp above his head turn on. He remember something which told by his parents before. "I know it! This is a test, isn't it? Don't worry princess; I'm really sure about this. You didn't need to test me." Kaji said and leave them.
Kahoko was very confused. "Test? What test? And why does he not believe me?"
"I'm sorry for my brother's behavior Tsuchiura-san. He can become very stubborn sometimes." Keiichi apologized.
"It's OK Keiichi. We can tell him later if the other arrives." Len said. A secret smile was on his lips. He didn't know why but somehow Len's smile made Kanazawa wanted to pity Kaji.
"Yeah, he is right. Don't mind it. Now, I want to eat. I'm starving." Amou said.
"Where will you be eating Amou?" Kahoko asked.
"I don't know. Maybe at the café. Why did you ask? Want to come?"
"W-well…"
"I know! Why don't we eat at Shinobu's place? I'll cook for you." Suggest Kanazawa.
"That's a good idea Kanayan, count me in." Mori said enthusiastically.
"It's OK with me. What about you Len-san? You and Tsuchiura-san can stay at my place as well. I have a few vacant rooms for you." Ousaki said.
"I don't have a choice, do I? Beside, I don't want to see that prince today or tomorrow. If I see him I don't know whether I can hold it or not." Len said.
"Hold what, Len?" Kahoko asked.
"Hold the urge to kill Kaji." Kanazawa answered her question.
"Huh? Why?"
"Because of jealousy. Right Len?" Kanazawa said but he only received a death glare from Len which mean shut-your-mouth-or-I'll-kill you.
"What do you mean Kanazawa-san?" Kahoko asked.
"N-never mind it. It's nothing. We must go to Shinobu's place now."
-000-
"Woow… this is very delicious. You're a good chef Kanazawa-san." Praise Kahoko.
"Kanayan is one of the greatest chefs I know." Amou said.
"Thank you but Nami, don't call me Kanayan!"
"I'm full! I think I'm going to go home now. See you later guys!" Mori said and went to her house.
"T…that's a d…delicious di…dinner. T…thank y…you." Keiichi said and began to sleep.
"I think I'll bring him to his room." Ousaki said and brought Keiichi with him.
"I think you two should go to sleep as well, especially you Len. You haven't slept since we went yesterday, have you?" Kanazawa said.
"You're right sensei. I'm going to sleep now. Today is very tiring." Len said and went to his room.
"What about you Kahoko? Will you go to sleep as well?" Amou asked.
"I don't know. I'm not sleepy."
"Great! You can help me tonight. Come with me to my room." And then Amou dragged Kahoko to her room without waiting for Kahoko's answer.
Kanazawa who saw this only shakes his head and muttered 'poor Tsuchiura.'
-000-
A/n: Chapter 7th has done! Another peaceful moment. Sorry for the grammatical errors which I write unconsciously, and also sorry for the very late update. I'll TRY to update this story sooner.
Thanks for reading and don't forget to review. See you and have a nice day! =)
