Chapter Eight: Prince
Fakir took Duck by the hand brashly and turned to leave.
"Thank you Miss Duck" Gaston said with a little bow making them both turn around, "For the lovely dance once again. It was delightful. And it was a pleasure meeting you as well Mr. Fakir."
Fakir continued to frown as Duck bowed her head once more. Then he pulled her closer to him as they departed. When they were outside the door Duck turned to him with a quizzical expression.
"What's wrong Fakir?" she asked, "You seem upset."
"I would be careful of people like him if I were you Duck" he replied looking straight ahead as he walked.
"What do you mean?"
"I've been out in the world right?" he said as he stopped still holding onto her hand and she nodded, "I've met many people and not all can be trusted. People like him. Do you understand?"
"Uh huh" she nodded again, "So you're not mad at me?"
"No of course not" he shook his head and looked at her with gentle eyes and a smile, "I was just worried about you that's all."
"Good."
"C'mon" he replied, "Mytho and Rue are waiting for us."
She nodded a third time and then allowed him to walk with her hand in hand to the spot where Rue and Mytho were waiting, sitting on a big blue blanket under a large oak tree.
"There you both are" Rue said with a smile, "What took you guys so long?"
"Oh sorry" Duck replied as she sat down and Fakir crossed his arms, "But Gaston Faber was just here, in the practice room."
"Really?" Rue said in surprise her eyebrows rising, "I wonder what he was doing here?"
"Probably here to see Mr. Cat no doubt" Mytho replied with a slight frown as he glanced up at Fakir's angry expression.
"Yes I guess," Rue nodded, "And you spoke to him Duck?" she added turning to her friend.
"Actually I danced with him a little" Duck shrugged making Mytho frown even more like Fakir whose eyebrows were becoming even more furrowed as the conversation went on.
"You danced with him? Are you serious?"
"Mhm."
"Wow."
"You know I think I have heard enough about this" Fakir interrupted uncrossing his arms, "Can we talk about something else please?"
"So did you get to talk to him too Fakir?" Rue asked looking directly up at him.
"Yes, I saw him in all of his glory" he replied sarcastically, "What's so special about this guy anyway?"
"Well" Mytho said speaking up after taking a sip of his tea, "Gaston Faber is known as one of the most renowned dancers in the entire world. And at a young age too. In fact Mr. Cat is taking everyone on Wednesday to the theater to watch him practice before his recital."
"All the other dancers are excited about it" Rue added.
"I can imagine."
"Well it was nice to meet him anyway" Duck said with a smile, "I hope you all don't mind if I go change before we eat" she replied standing, "We don't have school the rest of the afternoon after all."
"I'll come with you" Rue said standing up next to her, "We'll be right back" she added to the guys as Fakir crossed his arms once more.
"Take your time" Mytho nodded with a grin, "We'll wait here for you."
"Okay" she nodded with a smile and then joined Duck on the sidewalk that led back to the dormitories.
Mytho took another sip of tea as a soft breeze blew and then looked up at his friend who was now staring back at the ballet building with a look of anger in his eyes.
"So um Fakir" he replied tactfully, "Did Gaston Faber do something to get under your skin?"
"Hmm?"
"You seem upset. What happened to make you so angry?"
"Mytho" he said slowly and then sat down with a sigh, "I'm glad it's just the two of us here right now, because I need you to tell me everything you know about this guy."
"Huh?"
"I know you know more then you were saying, after all you were frowning too when you heard that Duck had danced with him. Why is that?"
"All right" Mytho replied with a heavy sigh as he leaned forward, "But I don't want you to get too upset, you're on edge as it is."
"Well?"
"I have heard a lot about his reputation and in my own opinion, it wouldn't have mattered if it had been Duck on the dance floor or some other girl."
"What do you mean?"
"Look Fakir, Gaston Faber might be a fine dancer but he also has the reputation of being far to familiar with the girls in the towns that he visits."
"I knew it. I knew there was something not trustworthy about that guy" Fakir frowned again his green eyes flashing.
"Why do you care anyway?" Mytho asked out of nowhere his white hair falling into his eyes.
"Huh?"
"I seem to remember a time when you didn't worry about anyone but yourself Fakir. But suddenly it seems like ever since you have been back, she's all you're worried about" he looked directly at him with a slight frown on his face, "Why is that?"
"I know it doesn't make any sense" Fakir replied with a sigh as he lowered his head, "I mean before, when I first knew her I thought she was such a pain. I did everything I could to keep her away from you. But overtime my feelings about her changed."
"Your feelings?" Mytho's eyebrows raised as his eyes widened.
"When she disappeared she was all I thought about on my trip. I wanted to know what happened to her? Where had she gone? And most importantly why did she leave me? All these questions were in my brain constantly; perhaps that is why I wrote that story. I don't know. I believe that sometime down the road, without realizing it, I came to care for her in a way I never thought possible. As we helped each other to save this town and to regain your heart shards Mytho, I felt a connection with her."
"A connection?"
"I couldn't write unless she was in it. The first story that I was able to make come true was a story I wrote for Princess Tutu. When I saved her from Drosselmeyer that's how I did it. And then in the end to complete the story of the Prince and the Raven, I couldn't do it. Not without her. By adding her as the main character of the story I found I could write better then I have ever before. I believed in that power for once. And it didn't stop there. My first story that I wrote, the one that became famous" Mytho nodded, "I wrote that because of her. Because of her disappearance. It's funny, I asked myself the very same question when I came back here, that you're asking now? Why do I care? Why do I care so much what happens to her? And then it was clear. I want to protect her. I want to become the knight she dreams of. I believe that without me knowing I fell in love with her a long time ago, I just never admitted it."
"You love Duck?" Mytho asked a bit stunned.
"I think I do, otherwise why would I be the way I am?"
"Good question" Mytho nodded, "Oh they're back" he smiled suddenly as the girls approached.
With that the conversation ended. Duck and Rue sat down with Fakir and Mytho to have a leisurely lunch. Fakir pushed his worries from his head and concentrated on enjoying the time spent with her. Mytho on the other hand was still thinking about the conversation all through lunch with a feeling of anger in his heart. He couldn't quite understand why, but ever since Fakir had returned he had felt this way. When lunch was over Fakir and Duck departed leaving Rue and Mytho alone. Rue leaned against Mytho lovingly and sighed contently.
"They really make a good couple don't they?" she replied with a smile.
"Hmm?"
"Duck and Fakir."
"Oh. Yes I suppose" Mytho said with a no emotion.
"Hmm?" she looked up into his somber expression, "What's the matter Mytho?"
"Oh it's nothing" he shook his head, "I must be tired."
"Okay" she nodded and then leaned next to him once more.
(Next Scene)
As they walked quietly side-by-side Fakir glanced at his companion remembering his conversation with Mytho earlier. He stopped suddenly making her stop and turn to look at him.
"What's wrong Fakir?" she asked.
"I just, I wanted to apologize."
"For what?"
"For earlier. I shouldn't have been so rough with you, back in the practice room."
"Huh? Oh but you told me you were just looking out for me right?"
"Well yes but, I shouldn't have done it like that. I hate it when I act that way."
"Fakir I don't mind" she smiled.
"Hmm?"
"You're my knight. You're entitled to protect me like that aren't you?"
"Mmm" he lowered his head with a frown, "Duck about that, we need to talk."
"What about?"
"About you and me."
"What about us?"
"Well no doubt that Mytho and Rue have tried to help you to remember all the stuff forgotten right?" she nodded, "Well I want you to remember me. Not the me as your knight, but as the me you knew back then."
"Okay" she nodded, "You know what you could tell me about" she leaned in her eyes becoming wide.
"What?"
"Were you there, were you there around the time that Princess Tutu was?"
"Princess Tutu?" his eyebrows rose astonished.
"Mhm. I've asked Rue and Mytho to tell me about Princess Tutu and they said they would but they never did. Were you there Fakir? Could you tell me?"
"Of course I was there" he nodded, "That's how you and I met in the first place."
"Really?"
"Mhm. Let's go sit over there" he pointed to the large white gazebo at the back of the school and then took her hand leading her over to it, sat her down, and then sat down next to her, "So Mytho and Rue haven't told you anything about Princess Tutu yet?"
"I think they wanted to, but there was never any time. Who was Princess Tutu Fakir?"
"How do I explain this?" he replied scratching his head and closing his eyes as he thought, "Okay" he said as he reopened his eyes, "Back when you first met me and Rue, and Mytho. Um, let's see. No let me start this way. Duck have you ever heard of the story The Prince and the Raven?"
"The Prince and the Raven? I think so but I never got the chance to read it" she shook her head.
"Well in the Prince and the Raven the main character, the prince was a kind loving ruler. He loved everyone and everything in his life."
"He sounds like such a nice guy" she smiled.
"Yes, he was, but there was a raven who was his enemy who only wanted to hurt people. So the prince being the kind hearted person he was did the only thing he could to stop the raven."
"What did he do?"
"He took out his own heart and sealed the raven away with it."
"His heart?" she said her eyes becoming wide.
"Yes. The raven had been sealed away but the prince was without feeling. He could no longer feel anything. Anger, sadness. Happiness or even love."
"How sad?"
"Yes, but there was someone who could help him, and her name was Princess Tutu."
"Did she do it? Did she save him in the end?"
"Yes she did. She restored the prince's heart and he defeated the raven."
"That's good. Then it was a happy ending but it still doesn't explain what that has to do with me?" she replied still confused.
"That's just what I am trying to tell you. Duck that prince was Mytho."
"Mytho is the prince?" she said surprised.
"Uh huh. And Princess Tutu saved him and this entire town from the Raven and I helped her do it. Duck you see" she looked up, "You're Princess Tutu."
"Me?" she replied her mouth becoming dry, "I am Princess Tutu?"
"You were once. You restored Mytho's heart and saved Gold Crown Town from the Raven along with me."
"I did all that?"
"Mhm."
"I don't remember any of that."
"Maybe you don't" he shook his head, "But I think it's important for you to know. For you to know who you are. To know what you have done. And more importantly to remember who we all really are to you" he moved closer to her and placed his hands lovingly on her shoulders, "I'm not just your knight Duck, once I was just your friend, your partner in saving Mytho."
"Maybe so" she nodded, "But I got a feeling, that you were more than that, much more."
"Huh?"
"I don't know why, I just feel that way. Anyway thank you for telling me Fakir. I appreciate it."
"Mhm."
"But I do have a question?"
"Sure. What is it?"
"How did we save Mytho together?"
"We have always been connected Duck" he replied, "I don't know how but we were. We needed each other to save Mytho. Each other's power. I suppose that's how we became friends."
"Hmm" she smiled contently.
"And when you had disappeared two years ago, I thought I had lost you. I am so glad to have you back in my life. Duck."
"Hmm?" she looked up into his gentle eyes.
"I will do everything in my power to help you remember who you really are. This is my promise to you" he leaned down and kissed her forehead his eyes closed astonishing her completely.
"Huh? Fakir" she said softly as he pulled away, "But I thought you couldn't stay here. That you had to leave soon," she added as he embraced her holding her tightly in his arms.
"Nonsense" he shook his head, "Why would I leave? When the person I love the most is right here."
The wind blew around them and Duck fell deep into his arms feeling safer then she had for a long time.
"Fakir" she said breaking the silence.
"Hmm?"
"I once heard from Rue that you also attended the academy, a long time ago, in the dance class. Is that true?"
"Uh" he blushed pulling away, "Yea. It was a long time ago though."
"Do you dance well?" she asked curiously standing up her hands behind her back.
"Well, I am very rusty" he replied standing up as well " After all I haven't danced since forever. Why?"
"I'd like to see it if you don't mind?"
"Right here?" he replied nervously his back becoming stiff, "Right now?"
"Of course not silly" she giggled, "Back at the school. In the practice room."
"I don't know Duck" he shook his head.
"Please. Maybe it will help me remember something. Please dance a pas de Deux with me?" she held out her hand.
Fakir hesitated for a moment and then tentatively took her hand and she pulled him back towards the school and the ballet building.
(Next Scene)
Fakir stood timidly by Duck on the dance floor dressed in his old dance clothes. She walked over to him and smiled.
"You ready?"
"I guess. Like I said I haven't done this in a while. Don't be surprised if I turn out to be terrible."
"That's crazy. I'm sure you're better than you say you are. It's just like getting back on a bicycle, you never really forget. Besides Rue told me that next to Mytho you were one of the finest dancers to come out of the academy."
"She's exaggerating" he blushed, "Let's just get this over with" he took her hand and the music started.
Just as Duck had predicted Fakir got back into the swing of things automatically. It was if he never quit in the first place. Dancing with her was just like the last time they had done it under the lake when she had decided to give up. When the music ended he stared into her eyes until they heard loud clapping echoing throughout the room. They looked up and saw the ballet instructor who was beaming ear to ear.
"Miss Duck" he grinned, "Mr. Fakir. That was magnificent. And for you Mr. Fakir for not dancing for a long time that practically brought a tear to my eye" he lisped wiping the tears.
"Mr. Cat?" Fakir said at once recognizing the voice.
"Yep, that's him" she nodded as he walked over and shook Fakir's hand.
"I wanted to come and see you" Fakir replied with a grin the sweat dripping slightly off his brow, "But I haven't had the time."
"Yes. Yes it is good to see you too Mr. Fakir. And I am glad to see that you have kept up with your dancing even though you are a writer now."
Fakir chuckled slightly as Duck smiled.
"Anyway you children should be heading home as should I. Especially you Miss Duck. After all we have an early day tomorrow."
"Yes sir" she nodded.
"Oh by the way Mr. Fakir" he added turning to the young man, "Since you were one of my best students perhaps you would like to accompany us?"
"Huh?"
"Gaston Faber, the famous young ballet star is putting on a performance for the students tomorrow at the stage. Would you like to join us?"
"You know what?" Fakir said glancing down at Duck who was nodding enthusiastically, "I would love to go."
"Great. We'll meet you at the theater first thing in the morning" he added, "Anyway you two hurry along home. No more practice today Miss Duck" he said sternly but proudly.
"Yes sir" she nodded as he departed, "I'm so glad that you'll be coming with us Fakir" she replied excitedly to him.
"So am I" he nodded, "Besides" he thought frowning slightly, "This is one way I can keep an eye on that creep."
(Next Scene)
"Fakir is coming?" Rue said surprised, as the girls got ready for bed that evening.
"Mhm. Mr. Cat invited him exclusively."
"That's wonderful Duck" Rue smiled, "It'll be great to have him there. By the way when Fakir and you left so suddenly after lunch today he mentioned that he wanted to talk to you about something. What was it?" she asked curiously twirling a piece of her curly black hair on the end of her finger.
"Oh. Well actually Fakir told me about Princess Tutu this afternoon."
"He what?" Rue dropped her hair a bit worried.
"Mhm."
"What did he tell you Duck?" she asked with a worried frown this time.
"He told me all about the story about the Prince and the Raven. And then he told me that Mytho was that prince and that Princess Tutu was the one who restored his heart. And that I was Princess Tutu at one time. Is that true?" she asked as she leaned back into her pillow.
"Yes, but is that all he told you?" she asked her eyes filling with anguish.
"Pretty much" Duck nodded, "Why?"
"No reason" Rue shook it off relieved, "I'm glad he told you. It's about time anyway. Oh well goodnight Duck. See you in the morning."
"Goodnight Rue" she nodded and then rolled over while her friend laid her head down her eyes still open wide.
"He didn't tell her everything" Rue thought, "I'm glad. I don't think I could take her knowing the truth right now. The truth about everything" she lowered her head sadly as she closed her eyes.
(Next Scene)
The dance class, Mr. Cat, and Fakir arrived at the theatre right on time and entered the building in a perfect line. Everyone took their seats carefully. Rue sat next to Mytho on his right while Duck sat next to him on his left and Fakir was on the other side of her. Soon Gaston Faber began his practice. Fakir was afraid to admit it but he was good. Really good. He moved flawlessly across the stage and had all the girls in absolute love static. When he was done every girl plus Mr. Cat was clapping energetically.
"Thank you" he replied as he bowed his head, "And now I'd like very much if one of you lovely young ladies would join me up on stage to dance a pas de Deux with me" they gasped, "And I have already made my decision who" he added holding his hand out to the audience dramatically, "Will you join me up on stage Miss Duck?" he asked.
"Huh?" her eyes blinked.
"What?" Fakir fumed as she stood up.
"I couldn't possibly" she shook her head.
"Please come dance with me" Gaston urged.
"But."
"Go dance with him Miss Duck" Mr. Cat insisted, "Do not insult our guest."
"Yes sir" she nodded and then walked up to the stage where she was at once led to the back to change into a dancing costume.
Mytho frowned as Fakir crossed his arms and slouched in his chair his expression refusing to leave his face. A few moments later Duck returned and she and Gaston began to dance. When they finished the entire auditorium cheered for their performance. As Gaston bent to kiss her hand Fakir stood up furiously.
"Just hold a moment," he said loud enough for all to hear.
"Hmm?" Gaston glanced in his direction.
"I think you've done quite enough" Fakir replied and Mr. Cat made no attempt to stop him.
"Perhaps you're right" Gaston smiled, "Let someone else be the star for a change."
"Huh?"
"I understand that you were once a fairly good dancer yourself Mr. Fakir. Would you care to demonstrate your skills for us now?"
Fakir glared at him his fists clenched at his side.
"Of course you get to pick your own partner" he added, "Not that I have to guess who that is" he glanced in Duck's direction, "So why not?"
Mytho stood up at this point.
"It hardly seems fair to ask someone who isn't even a dance class member let alone part of the academy anymore to do such a thing" he replied, "If you make Fakir dance then I will up be with him as well."
"Mytho?" Rue said surprised as she watched his determined expression.
"Very well" Gaston nodded with a grin, "If you would like to dance be my guest. Perhaps Miss Duck would not mind having two pas de Deux partners?" he added looking directly at her.
"Um. Uh" she stammered not sure what to say.
"What say you Mr. Fakir?" he said turning to the other who was still frowning, "Will you dance or will you allow Mr. Mytho to steal your partner?"
"Anything to wipe that smug grin off of his face" Fakir thought heatedly, "Fine" he spat, "I'm coming up."
Mytho and Fakir walked up onto the stage, walked to the back to change, and came back moments later prepared to dance. Duck stood in the center of them both when the music began. Despite Gaston's jeering the boys just like the formidable dancer were flawless. Together with Duck they put on the best performance that they could. When it was over they were breathing heavily because of all the turns, Fakir especially since he was a little out of practice as the crowd clapped excitedly. Gaston Faber was clapping too and still grinning quite menacingly as they departed the stage to change.
(Next Scene)
That evening Fakir walked Duck home to the dormitories. He was still quite angry about what had happened but to be honest he had expected it. As he dropped her off he smiled and then took off back down the road to Charon's. From a corner of the boy's dormitories Mytho watched him eyeing him carefully with a distinct frown on his face. He was about to leave to head to his room when he heard some faint violin music which stopped him dead in his tracks.
"Can't stand it can you?" a familiar English voice spoke making Mytho turn his head.
"Mr. Faber?" he raised his eyes surprised at seeing the youth leaning against the wall his arms crossed and his same cocky expression still on his face.
"You can call me Gaston if you want to Mytho" he replied.
"What are you doing here?"
"I came to check on you. And I find you exactly like I thought I would,"
"Huh?"
"You really hate it don't you? That he's back like this?"
"What are you talking about?" Mytho shook his head, "What do I hate?"
"You hate that Fakir came back to Gold Crown Town."
"That's not true."
"Don't deny it. You hate the fact that he ever dared show his face again. Because that means that he has the upper hand once more."
"What are you talking about?" Mytho repeated a bit more angrily, "I don't hate Fakir. He's my friend."
"Really? Is that truly how you feel your majesty?"
"Huh?" Mytho's eyes became wide as he said the last word, "How did you?" he began.
"Oh come now, that's not important" he replied beginning to walk around him like a circling snake on his victim, "I saw you up on that stage today. Your expression. You wanted to beat Fakir. You wanted to be better than he was."
"Beat him? We weren't even in a competition."
"That wasn't the way you were dancing. You were so determined and quite surprised when he managed to keep up with you."
"Okay, I was, but that's only because he hasn't been dancing for awhile. I was surprised by that."
"Hmm. So you say?"
"What do you want anyway? Why did you come all the way here?"
"I want to help you," he said simply.
"Help me? Help me what?"
"Get what you want?"
"Huh? What I want? What do you mean?"
"I know how you really feel deep down Mytho" he replied leaning over his shoulder, "Or should I call you prince?"
"Huh?" Mytho's became wide once again.
"Surprised that I know" he chuckled as he moved to the front and faced him, "Well I do, I also know that you have been lying to your own heart. Let's be honest, you can't stand the fact that Fakir is back in town for one reason and one reason alone."
"And what reason would that be?" Mytho asked very irritable by this point at all the assumptions.
"Her."
"Her?"
"Yes, her. He is the very obstacle that stands in the way of what you really want your majesty. It's what you wanted back then. It's what you still want but you've denied it. Do you truly believe in your own heart that you made the right choice?"
"The right choice?"
"As prince" Gaston moved behind him once more and whispered in his ear, "You could of had any princess of your choosing. Why did you end up choosing the one who hurt you?"
"What are you saying?" Mytho pulled away horrified, "I chose the one I wanted. I chose Rue because I love her."
"Did you? Why?"
"Huh? What do you mean why?"
"Wasn't she the one who tried to prevent you from regaining your heart in the first place? Wasn't she Princess Kraehe the very person who hurt you time and time again just so she could have you all to herself?"
"But she was hurting too. The Raven was hurting her too," he protested.
"Yes, true. But what about Princess Tutu?"
"Huh?" Mytho's eyes became wide at the sound of her name.
"You never really forgot about her did you Mytho? That's why you hate Fakir" he pulled away from his ear and stood behind him, "He came back and took her away from you. In fact he took her away from you back then."
"What?"
"Yes, while you were suffering he was taking her away from you bit by bit. But weren't you the one who decided first and foremost that Tutu was the object of you affection? Wasn't she the one you gave your special gift of love to? Wasn't she the one who saved you not hurt you like Rue did? Or Fakir? Wasn't she the only one who really cared about you?"
"Why are you telling me all this?" he said in a scared tone his eyes getting wider by the minute.
"Let's be truthful with ourselves, you never forgot Princess Tutu did you Mytho? You never forgot the way you felt about her? Even now you think about her the same way you thought about her then. That is the truth isn't it, Mytho?" he added as he wrapped his arms around his neck his eyes flashing red.
"Yes" Mytho said slowly his eyes becoming dull and placid, "It is true."
"Then what are you going to do about it prince? After all you are the prince aren't you and he is nothing but a pathetic worthless knight. He doesn't deserve a princess. So again I ask what are you going to do?" he hissed in his ear.
Mytho lowered his head and then raised it again his hazel eyes flashing as they glowed.
"I'm going to take back what is rightfully mine" he replied growling and clenching his fists.
"Good answer" Gaston smiled sinisterly with a chuckle.
(To be continued..)
Authors Note: Okay one of my fans wanted me to write this so here it is. I promise you this time I will get some more done on this story this week tomorrow and Friday. Anyway here's a long chapter for ya Ducklin and I hope you enjoy the rest of the story. Thanks again for waiting!!!
Next time on Princess of the Lake:
Chapter Nine: Tower
And
Chapter Ten: Truth
