Author's Note: Hey guys! Sorry it took so long. Well, here's a treat. A double chapter update! Hope you guys like it. More characters are being introduced! Yay.
A Slave of Love
Chapter 9:
Sakura treaded behind Yelan as gracefully and quietly as she could manage. She envied the queen's fluid gait. The older woman walked with a dignified control not many could muster. They came to a stop in front of a closed door. Sakura could hear music being played on stringed instruments inside. She guessed the room to be a formal drawing room.
Yelan didn't attempt to step inside. Instead the queen turned to face Sakura, scrutinizing her appearance with capable eyes. Sakura was thrown back to the first time she had met the queen. Again, she felt like she was being judged. This time she was wearing something even more horrible than her previous attire. She was wearing a plain riding dress covered in dust, mud and sweat. Her hair was neither combed nor styled. And she was sure she smelled of horses.
A dimple appeared in Yelan's right cheek as her eyes danced with a glow mischief. "We had better dress you properly first."
That one mysterious sentence had hidden promises that Sakura was afraid to find out. She gulped and followed the queen up a flight of stairs. Yelan led them away from public areas into more private sections of the palace. Before Sakura knew what was happening, she was ushered into one of the many rooms and stripped naked of her clothing. Her protests died when she saw the heated bath that awaited her. A maid came to offer her services but Sakura waved her away. When she was truly alone, Sakura delightedly jumped right in the steaming water and scrubbed all the grime off her skin until it glowed a healthy shiny pink.
A dress of the deepest emerald green awaited Sakura when she left the bath. Colorful dark pearls were strung dramatically on a necklace and bracelet and went elegantly with the gown. A line of maids assisted her into the apparel. She was furthered pampered with milk lotion, perfume, hair ornaments and face paints.
The queen entered and revealed a soft smile. "Come."
Sakura swallowed and obediently took her place behind Yelan. They stopped once again in front of the door briefly before entering.
"Let us see how well you handle yourself with a group of hungry lions." The queen whispered as they sauntered through the doors.
Hearing the words, Sakura felt like shivering. She mentally applauded herself as her exterior only expressed a serene calmness.
Ladies-in-waiting floated about chatting with one another, gossiping about the latest trends and events. As soon as Yelan's presence was announced, the beautiful noblewomen flocked about the queen immediately, praising and complimenting her. Sakura soon lost sight of the queen as she was led away and swallowed by the group of admiring women.
Sakura hung back, not wanting to be crushed in the wave of bodies vying for the queen's attention. Watching everyone conversing informally with one another made her feel alone. She knew no one in this court. She envied the companionship the ladies had with one another. Deciding to make new friends and hopefully allies, Sakura picked up a cup of tea and mingled among them. As she passed by groups of conversations she listened to their choice of topics. Some were uninteresting while others seemed to draw her in. She came upon a discussion about Li Syaoran and began to voice her own opinions about the Prince of Clow when a voice behind her called her attention. She found she was surrounded by a group of seven women. Three of them waved their exquisitely drawn fans. The others scrutinized her with their arms crossed under their breasts, mimicking the young belle who seemed to be their leader.
"Ah, the much talked about Kinomoto Sakura," the belle said, undertones of scorn lacing her words.
Sakura noticed the woman's lack of titles when addressing her.
"Are you sure she is the Princess of Tomoeda? She was rumored to be a beauty." One of the others interjected.
"Yes, but this one is no longer a princess," Another said. "I hear she is now serving His Highness Prince Li Syaoran."
"No!" A few of them exaggeratedly gasped, waving fans and hands.
"I hear she was seen this morning saddling the prince's horse." Someone else offered.
As the women tsked and overstressed her situation to the other women who began to gather around them, Sakura shook her head in weariness. She hated when those who had power in numbers picked on the weak. And what she hated more was having others believe her of weakness.
Sakura decided to ignore the ridicules and shrugged it off. Turning, she attempted to walk away but was jerked forcefully back to face the group. The leader of the bullies had her long slim fingers wrapped tightly around Sakura's arm like a snake with its prey.
"We were talking to you. Do not walk away," she snarled. "It's rude. Were you never taught manners or are your abilities in learning proper conduct lacking?"
Sakura yanked her arm free and faced the tittering group of girls. Straightening to her full height, she gave them a ridiculously bright smile. "I am so sorry! Please forgive me. All I heard were flies buzzing around annoyingly. Should I have swatted at them? Would it not have been rude of me?"
"What?!" A few of them exclaimed.
"Oh!" Sakura innocently covered her mouth lightly with both hands. "Was that vexatious noise from all of you? I'm terribly sorry! I did not mean-"
"You!" The belle shouted in anger. She raised her hand above her head, ready to slap. As the woman brought it down, Sakura lifted her own to meet it in a high-five. The belle blinked in disoriented confusion.
A few of the ladies-in-waiting who were not part of the bullying group laughed at the action and the expression of the belle's face. Some were bewildered and didn't know what to think. When the laughter infectiously caught, others joined in the giggling. The bullies blushed their embarrassment and tried to stop the laughter. Sakura took this moment to escape. She looked for the queen but did not see her in the room.
"So you are the Princess of Tomoeda, Kinomoto-no-miya-Sakura," a voice behind her asserted.
Sakura sighed her annoyance and readied herself to face more bullies. She was surprised to be confronted by two beauties with friendly expressions. One of them was a dark-haired woman who was dressed in a flattering blood-red gown. Her strong, clear voice and the way she spoke so steadily and precisely gave off an authoritative aura. Her sharp angular features gave her a predatory, sexy look. She met Sakura's gaze steadily. Sakura was startled to realize the woman's enchanting eyes hinted at the same vivid hue as her gown.
The woman's companion was also dark-haired, although hers was so black, it looked almost blue in color. She wore a deep blue gown that was covered in sapphire diamonds, the color of her own eyes. Her beauty was softer, more gentle. She gave off the feeling of helplessness and innocence.
Sakura offered them a smile and said, "I am, but it seems I know not your names."
"I am Daidoujii Tomoyo, daughter of Duchess Daidoujii Sonomi," the blue-eyed woman introduced with a dimpled cheek.
"Li Meiling, Duchess of Wen." The other offered curtly.
Sakura made a respective curtsey to them both. "I am pleased to make your acquaintances." She noticed the Lady Daidoujii Tomoyo watching her intently and the young woman's name finally registered. She let out a gasp as she blurted out, "Tomoyo!"
Tomoyo let out a twinkling laugh. "So you've finally remembered," she nodded. "The last we saw of one another was when we were just children barely out of the nursery."
The joy of having found an old friend, who was also a member of her family, washed over her. Forgetting all rules of correct decorum, Sakura embraced her kin in a tight hug. Tomoyo released another squeal of laughter at her enthusiasm. When they parted, she led Sakura to a seating area a bit apart from the other women.
"How do you find the Li Court?" Tomoyo asked as she sank into one of the colorful chairs.
Meiling snorted at the question. "Did you not just witness the warmhearted reception she received from these court nobles?" She snickered sarcastically, looking over the ladies-in-waiting with contempt.
Sakura blushed and hid her smile at the young woman's obvious dislike of the haughty aristocrats. Taking a sip of the herb tea, she replied before thinking, "It is a very proud and lordly court. Especially the prince who rules this place."
Sakura immediately bit her tongue to stop herself from continuing to insult the prince and deprive him whatever good ethical conduct he had. She let out a sigh of relief when Tomoyo and Meiling laughed at her hint of Syaoran's arrogant and overbearing , they didn't take her comment as offensive.
A servant came around and offered more drinks. Sakura refreshed hers and conversed with Tomoyo and Meiling. They joked about the latest gossip, reminisced in their memories of Tomoeda, and exchanged information about the latest fashion trends of other countries. Sakura felt a close connection to the two young woman.
They were in the middle of a conversation when Tomoyo nodded and lightly tapped Sakura, indicating with her head in a certain direction. Sakura turned and saw that the queen was making her way towards them. When the Yelan was within four feet, they each curtsied to pay their respects.
"Hello ladies. Birds of the same feather I see," the queen commented with a smile.
Tomoyo let out a twinkling laugh as Meiling gave a sober dip of her head. Sakura settled with returning Yelan an agreeing smile.
"My dear Sakura, would you accompany me on a turn about the gardens?" Yelan asked, offering up an arm.
"Of course," Sakura obediently replied and took the queen's pro-offered arm, an honor only given to those whom the queen trusted with her life. Tomoyo beamed at the high honor the queen gave Sakura while Meiling smirked at the astonished gasp that some ladies let escape carelessly.
Yelan led her slowly on a procession through the room, which was not needed to get to the door leading out to the gardens. Sakura knew the queen was up to something, but she didn't know what it was nor why. Even though the large room provided ample space for circulation without having to pass through and interrupt a conversation, Sakura found that in the queen's presence, space was an issue. The noble court ladies tended to blockade the path of the queen, hoping to get in a good word or even join the queen on her walk. The queen turned down several verbal requests. Sakura heard those who were rejected muttering hateful comments directed at her behind her back. She straightened her spine and lifted her chin. She was a princess, the princess of Tomoeda.
Once they were outside, the queen led them quiet seating area by the small waterfall in the garden. The tranquil sound of the cascade made Sakura homesick for Tomoeda's own beautiful landscapes. She sighed, knowing that longing to go back home would do no good. She was in a pit of snakes and would need all her energy to stay alive.
Yelan signaled to a nearby maid and a tray of delicacy and tea was immediately brought over. After a few sips of the tea, the queen faced Sakura.
"I have news of your mother," she announced, a sad smile gracing her elegant profile.
Sakura's heart dropped. A sad smile never accompanies good news.
"Your mother, Queen Nadeshiko, is no longer bedridden although she does not have much strength. Her waking hours are getting shorter and shorter it seems. She spends much of her days napping now." Yelan informed.
Sakura sat silently, taking in the news. The kingdom will be fine in Touya's hands. What Sakura was worried about was her mother and father. Her mother's health was deteriorating and her father seems to be engulfed in grief.
"The crowning of Prince Touya will be held two days from now." Yelan said, pulling Sakura out of her thoughts.
"Why so soon?" Sakura wondered. "The succession should take at least fortnight. Did something happen to my father?"
"He is well," Yelan replid. "He has decided to retire his crown and hand over the kingdom to Prince Touya, who is doing quite well handling the kingdom's affairs. King Fujitaka is known for the love he has with his wife. I believe he wishes to devote his time to her, something he cannot do as king."
Sakura knew her parents loved one another very much, a rare thing for those born of royal blood. After her parents' marriage of convenience, neither one took on other lovers or concubines, always being faithful although they didn't have to. They enjoyed each other's company and would always set aside time for one another. Sakura had always envied their relationship.
"Thank you for informing me." Sakura said appreciatively.
Silence stole over them as they watched the flowers dance in the light breeze. Yelan broke over the quietness when she asked, "Do you wish to return?"
"Eh?" Sakura turned a surprised look at the queen. "Return? You mean, you would let me go freely back to my country?"
"Not freely, no," the queen answered. "Everything has a price."
"And that price is?"
"Then do you consent to accomplishing the task I set before you?" Yelan traded the question with a question.
Sakura gulped. Before, she had little hope of ever seeing Tomoeda and her family again. Now, the queen dangled a key in front of her. The key could lead her back to her home. Or it could lead to something else. If she said no, she would be stuck living with the arrogant prince for the rest of her life.
Sakura looked the queen in the eyes with all seriousness. "Yes, I consent."
"Good."
