Disclaimer : I don't own CCS…
Hi all! Another update is here! Yeahhhhhhhhhhhhhhh……………. Well, I'm really sorry for making ur wait so long.. cause I was away on a holiday the last week, so I couldn't do anything there due to a lack of the access to an computer. But, no worries, now that I'm back!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
And the mysterious fiancé makes her grand entrance here! Hahaz.. but I suppose she isn't really that mysterious since most of you have guessed her identity… anyway.. on to the story…
A carriage drove into the mansion, along with it, a dark cloud loamed overhead.
Sakura did not understand what she was doing there, all she knew was that this is what Master Li ordered and she is not one to disobey him.
She finally understood what the young master meant in his conversation the previous night. He wanted her to be transferred into the guest wing of the mansion, to take care of the new mistress… But why does my chest feel so stuffy everytime I think about this? Maybe I still have not fully recovered from my illness… That's it…
The carriage slowed down in front of the main hall. Eriol is already waiting at one side of the stairs, opposite from where Sakura's standing. When he saw Sakura, for a moment Eriol looked suddenly very shocked. However, before he could open his mouth to inquire about it, the door of the carriage opened. From inside, an elegant, beautiful lady with porcelain-like skin and silky black hair walked out. Her dress flowed with the wind, giving her a dream-like feeling.
Sakura stared at the lady. She is so pretty…If even I think like this… Then the guys will surely… Looking left and right, Sakura realized that she wasn't far from the truth. Most of the other servants present were looking at the young lady with a daze-like expression. Even for those with a little more composure, they were still staring at the lady unblinkingly. Would Master Li also look like this if he sees her? Sakura couldn't help but think. Stupid… That stuffy feeling in my chest is coming back again… I really haven't fully recovered from that cold have I?
"Meiling, welcome." Eriol said while walking towards his fiancé.
"Thank you. I'm really sorry to impose on you and your family this few days…" Meiling replied with a faint smile on her lips.
"It's nothing. In fact, we're really glad to have you here. Take a rest in your room first, the servants will call upon you for dinner later."
"Thank you, Eriol-kun."
"You'll be currently staying in the guest wing, if you have any needs, feel free to ask!"
"It's fine, I have Nanny Feng here to take care of me."
"How can we let your nanny do everything for you? I'll send a few more servants to take care of you later." Eriol instructed, having already made full preparations for her stay in his mansion.
"Then, I suppose I won't decline anymore."
"Wei! I want you to handpick a few maids to take care of my fiancé."
"Master Eriol, Sakura here is already deployed to take care of the new mistress. This is an order by Master Li." Wei replied, feeling a sudden unease.
"Syaoran?" Eriol stunned for a while. He had almost shouted out that he do not need any of Syaoran's people near his fiancé. However, thinking back at how Sakura managed to stay at the side of Syaoran for more than two months now, she must have a way with making friends. So perhaps she could make Meiling feel more like home. Although I know that I should guard against Syaoran, but I'll let it pass this time…
"Sakura" Eriol tried to get the attention of the young servant girl discreetly.
"Hai. Master Eriol?"
"Syaoran… Did he have any motive by sending you to the guest wing?" He asked in a very soft voice so that other people will not hear what he is saying and only be seeing that he is instructing the new servant.
Looking at his with her large clear eyes, Sakura replied with certainty, "No, Master Eriol."
"Really?" Eriol find it hard to believe that this is the case.
"Yes. Master Li did not instruct me to do anything else other than to take care of the new mistress." Actually Sakura only learnt of this arrangement recently. More precisely, this morning from Wei. And the young master did not even talk a word about this when she was helping him wash up this morning. So technically, she really did not receive any special orders.
Looking at Sakura's truthful eyes, Eriol could not make up his mind whether to really trust her. After all, he was sure that Syaoran will try to pull some tricks sooner or later.
"Alright then, take care of Meiling. After all she will be the mistress of the Li mansion some day. Do you understand?"
"Hai, Master Eriol."
"Good, you can take Meiling to her chambers now."
"Hai. Please follow me, Meiling-dono."
Nodding her head gently towards Eriol, Meiling trailed after the departing servant to the guest room.
After Meiling walked out of earshot, a voice said behind Eriol, "So this is your fiancé? Hmm… She's a beauty alright, but too thin. That won't feel too good when you have her in your arms I believe…"
Turning around, Eriol tried to speak in a civil tone, "She's your sister-in-law. Please show her some respect."
"Things are often unpredictable, my dear brother. Since you haven't had your wedding yet, so technically, she's not my "sister-in-law" as of yet. " Syaoran said.
"Just what are you planning!" Eriol exclaimed, understanding the underlying meaning of what Syaoran had just said.
"Hey hey! Why does everyone think that I have planned something for her? Isn't she my "sister-in-law" ? What can I even do to her? The most I could do… hmm… would be to pay her a nice visit? " Syaoran said with a knowing smirk.
"I'll give you this warning in advance. I don't care what you do to me, but I will not allow you to do anything to Meiling. You better leave her along." Eriol said in a warning tone while at the same time staring at Syaoran with a dead glare.
Raising an eyebrow, Syaoran's smirk became even more visible. This woman is really his weak point. Well… If he could just "seduce" and "take away" this Meiling person from Eriol, that's surely gonna give me something "good" to watch. Well, initially I had only wanted to scare him for a bit. But looking at his reaction now! Hah… I can't wait to see what it'll be like when…
But seriously, I really don't have interest in that kind of woman, only a vase with no practical use at all. But, that isn't important. As long as I can get Eriol to feel uneasy, that'll be all that matters.
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"Mistress, Master Eriol is really good to you! I heard that this part of the mansion is the most beautiful at this time of the year." Nanny Feng said.
"Humph! Who cares about some stupid trees?" Meiling said with distaste.
"Mistress, there's an outsider here." Nanny Feng hushed, gesturing towards an unknowning Sakura.
"She's just a servant. If she dares to speak even a word of this, I'll make sure she'll never have a day's peace in this mansion." Meiling snorted which watching Sakura from the corner of her eye.
Sighing, Nanny Feng tried to persuade her mistress again," You're not married into the Li house yet, just be careful." The mistress may look gentle and mild-mannered, but she is the apple of her parents eye after all. Although she used to be a really sweet girl when she was young, but as she grew up always getting what she wanted, she became more and more spoiled. However, they are not at their own house anymore now. It's still better if she could tone down a bit.
"Humph!" Meiling know what her nanny meant. But to act all soft and good in front of a servant girl? Impossible.
"Hey, you there!" Meiling called out to Sakura.
"Hai, Mistress Meiling. I am Sakura, the servant assigned to you for the duration of your stay here. " Putting down her work at hand, Sakura replied politely.
"Whatever. I don't care who you are. I'm just going to warn you not to spill a single word of what you see here. If not, I'll definitely have your head. Do you understand?"
"I wouldn't dare."
"Good. Get out now, I don't want you disturbing me."
"Hai." Retreating out of the room, Sakura finally let out a breath that she didn't realize that she was holding until now. Who would ever think that the beautiful and gentle-looking new mistress could be such a person?
Everytime she see's such a person who hides their true character, it'll lead her to think of her Aunt Sonomi and the day she picked herself (Sakura) up. Haiix… When can I ever return to the inn?
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Meiling was dressed in a light, flowing skirt with the peony flower embroidered onto it. Tilting her head slightly downwards, she made her entrance into the dining area. Immediately, all attention turned onto her.
Sakura was walking behind the new mistress. Looking at the shy and gentle girl walking in front of her, she cannot believe that this is the same person who had just harshly ordered her out of the room a few hours ago.
"Wait outside the door." Nanny Feng ordered Sakura.
Nodding her head, Sakura obediently returned outside and silently waited beside the door. Looking up to the clear sky with a few scattered stars, Sakura started to daydream.
From afar, Syaoran, who is making his way to the dining area, saw Sakura standing below the dim lantern, giving her face a rosy hue, staring out to the limitless sky.
She isn't beautiful, at least not the kind of beauty you'll find on all the young mistresses of the different rich households. But her smile always had that kind of power to feel serene and content. Like the streams that flow through the hills, silently and softly flowing through thousands of miles. Unknown to many, yet always there to quench the thirst of a wary traveler.
Everytime I see her, I'll have this weird feeling… "Damned!" Syaoran cursed under his breath as the unfamiliar uneasiness assaulted him again.
"Sakura!" Syaoran suddenly called out.
Suddenly brought back to earth from her daydream, Sakura nearly stumbled when she turned to the source of the voice. As she turned, the handsome figure of the young master appeared in her direct view. "M-Master Li!"
"What are you doing here? Aren't you supposed to be with the new mistress?"
"Mistress Meiling ordered me to stay here to wait for her." Sakura replied.
Raising an eyebrow, Syaoran thought back to his "sister-in-law". She is so bold as to order this mansion's people around even when she's just here for the first time?
"What do you think of her? Do you think… she's fit to be a mistress of this house?" Syaoran suddenly asked.
"W-What?" Sakura was shocked for awhile of the abrupt question. Thinking for a while, Sakura tried to give an indirect answer, "She is already Master Eriol's fiancé."
"Oh yea?" watching her intently with his swirling amber orbs, Syaoran asked again, "Do you know why I sent you to serve the new mistress?"
"I do not know." Sakura shoke her head.
"Because I want you to tell me all about her, her personality, what she likes, what she hates. Everything." To beat your enemy, you must start by knowing everything about them, their strengths and weaknesses.
Sakura looked at the young master in confusion. Until he suddenly smiled, Sakura suddenly felt butterflies in her stomach and her heart started to beat irregularly. However, when he finally spoke of his intention, it all but became a huge stone, crushing her heart in one blow, shattering it into a million pieces.
"M-Master Li! You're not going to…"
"Going to do what?" Looking at Sakura's reaction, wanting to say something, but stopping mid-sentence. And her suddenly desperate expression on her face, Syaoran can't help but suddenly feel excited and curious at the same time.
Could she be…taking it to heart?
"M-Master Li!" Sakura said with a sudden bravo, "She can still be considered your sister-in-law! T-This is against the code of conduct for a respectable person!"
"She isn't married into the Li clan yet? So how could she be considered my sister-in-law?"
"B-But… this is unfair to Master Eriol!"
Unfair? She is speaking up for that… that bastard?
"What do you mean unfair?! Then what do you deem as fair? Just because he is the son of the first wife of this house? Just because he is the true heir of this house? So he can whatever he want? This is called fair?" Syaoran barked angrily at the young servant, furious at her previous words.
"M-Master L-Li…" Sakura was shocked at his sudden outburst.
Syaoran looked at Sakura coldly, his face darkening even more. "This is none of your business. Don't poke your nose into where it doesn't belong."
It was just a ploy to play with Eriol's feelings, but now… it's for real. I will make Eriol lose that woman for real…
Who asked Sakura to pity his opponent?
The anger swelled in his chest the more he thought about it. "B-But… this is unfair to Master Eriol!" Shut up! He do not know where did the anger come from, but he only had one goal in his mind now, and once he makes up his mind, it'll go on to the end.
"Humph, I won't let Eriol take everything away! I will stop him and no m atter if it is his money, or woman, I will take all of it from him! This is my revenge, to him and to his mother!"
Sakura was shocked by his intense hatred for Eriol. She could not spak, and neither does she know what to say.
"You are my servant! Remember this, you belong to me now. You will swear loyalty to me and me only! Do not let me hear a single word of you speaking up for him again. Do you understand?" Syaoran stared down at Sakura with a warning glare.
Seeing the raw hatred and anger in his eyes, Sakura couldn't help but suddenly feel tears well up in her eyes. She isn't afraid of his temper, his tantrums, his anger, but she could feel his pain. And that, made her heart squelch in pain as well, giving her an urge to cry.
"M-Master Li…" Sakura spoke in a trembling voice, trying to contain her tears, "Constantly living in anger and hatred… Doesn't it hurt?"
Syaoran suddenly stiffened, holding his fists tightly, he scolded, "What are you talking about? Who do you think you are? Speaking to me in that tone!"
"I am only a servant girl! But I know! I know how it feels to wallow in hatred and self-denial! And… one could never feel happy that way…" Sakura shouted out, her tears dropping from her eyes like a string of broken pearls.
Seeing Sakura's tears, Syaoran suddenly felt as though a hand was squeezing his heart painfully. "What are you crying for? I hate women who cries! Stop crying!" Syaoran shouted hoarsely.
Sakura could not understand why she is crying either too. All she know was that her heart hurts and her chest feels stuffy. And the only think she could do now… was to cry. So she bent her head even lower, trying to wipe away her tears with her sleeve, but once the floodgates open, it could not close, no matter how hard she try.
Syaoran have scolded many servants until they cry before. However all he felt at that time was disgust and his thinning patience. But… this time… Sakura's tears made him think of another woman in his life… Why?
Mother always cried for father…
Could it be because Sakura was crying for him? Is this what is causing the uncomfortable feeling in his heart? She is the first person to cry fo him instead of herself... That's why he's shocked? Stumped?
Finally stopping her tears, Sakura looked up timidly at the young master and apologized, "G-Gomen… I shouldn't have cried." Looking at the girl with cheeks still red from her rubbing and eyes still red and puffy, Syaoran felt another wave of frustration. Unable to decipher his swirling emotions, Syaoran said thorugh gritted teeth, "I forbid you to cry in front of me again, ever." And with that, he turned and walked into the dining area.
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Walking into the dining area, Syaoran saw his targets. I should put my mind on more important business, I will not be swayed by a mere servant girl's tears. With that resolve, Syaoran pushed down his chaotic emotions and walked towards the couple seated at the table.
"What are you doing here?" Eriol promptly asked, seeing Syaoran's unexpected approach.
Turning her head curiously towards the direction to which her husband-to-be's voice was directed, Meiling met with the sight of a handsome man walking towards them with a casual smirk. His chesnut-coloured hair lay tousled and messy, framing his face. He may look scholarly and lean, but from his walk she could see a hidden strength in them. Staring openly at the man now in front of her, Meiling could not tear her eyes away from him.
Smirking at the young lady now mesmerized by him, an evident blush on her cheeks, Syaoran turned to Eriol and said in a teasing tone, "We have a guest here at the Li mansion. What kind of host would I be if I do not come to welcome our guest?"
Looking at his childhood friend and now fiancé by his side, Eriol's heart sank at her dazed expression directed at Syaoran. He knew better than anyone else the powers this younger brother of his have on most girls. His face itself is a weapon more powerful than anything. But even more saddening to him, is that even Meiling, a girl of noble birth and strict upbringing would also fall to Syaoran's charms so easily.
"Meiling is your sister-in-law." Eriol emphasized on the last word, hoping to remind Meiling of her circumstances.
Nanny Feng saw all of this, and sensing the hidden meaning, gently nudged Meiling, hoping to bring her back to her senses.
Being suddenly nudged, Meiling cast a annoyed glare at Nanny Feng. However, after seeing her gesture towards Eriol, Meiling suddenly realized her meaning. "Hi, I did not expect to see Eriol's brother. I'm really sorry to not have recognized you in time."
Seeing Meiling finally regaining her senses and manners, Eriol let out the breath that he'd being holding all the way until now.
"It's okay. Meiling here is a guest of the Li clan, and as a Master of the house, it's my responsibility to see that you enjoy your stay here." Syaoran continued while looking at Meiling intently.
Meiling's heartbeat quickened at his intense look and replied nervously, "Thank you… It's my honor."
"Ahh.. I believe that you must have not visited the places of interest in this city yet, would you give me the honor of bringing you around the capital, Meiling?" Opening flirting with the girl, Syaoran tried to look as hopeful as possible.
Meiling always liked beautiful things, now that such a handsome man is opening inviting her to a "date", she could not help but feel extremely flattered by it. Perhaps… I could have a fling with him before I become the mistress of the Li clan? After all… he's so handsome… and I'll have nothing to lose…
"But…" Meiling tried to act hesistant, "Eriol-kun?"
"My brother need to go for a business trip down to Zhengzhou… I'm afraid he will not have time to accompany Meiling here out… Rather than keeping her in the house the whole time, why not let me bring her out to tour the city?"
Syaoran knew exactly Eriol's plans. He never do fruitless things, and this is also the case here. If not for Eriol's upcoming trip, he would never try this bold suggestion. Nevertheless, he want to play with Eriol's feelings, especially when he can't do anything about it.
"Although I really want to explore the capital, but if Eriol–kun needs to go on a trip, then I will not impose on you either. If Eriol-kun thinks that I should not go, then I will just stay here until my visit to the temple." Meiling said sadly, making it hard for Eriol to reject her directly.
"Syaoran is my brother and you are my fiancé… Theoretically, him bringing you out for a tour is alright, but a guy and a girl going out together, I do not want rumors to fly because of…"
"Eriol, how could you say that? Nanny Feng, as well as Sakura will be with Meiling and Fu will always follow me. Brother… you think too much." Syaoran cut Eriol's sentence in half, while at the same time, totally rebutting his point.
"Eriol-kun, What he said is right, Nany Feng will always be with me. So there can't be any rumors this way right? And… does Eriol-kun not trust me or your brother?" Meiling bit her lips and looked at the floor. Looking up again, she looked as if tears were about to leak from her eyes.
Looking at the fake tears, Syaoran felt a wave of disgust at her pretence. Women, all they know is how to cr those fake tears, none of them is ever worth trusting.
Suddenly, the image of Sakura crying just a few minutes ago flashed in his mind, making his heart give a sudden clench.
"Meiling, please do not misunderstand, I trust you with all of my heart… but…"
"So, you'll let me visit the city?" Meiling suddenly gave a bright smile, all traces of her about-to-drop tears disappearing.
Sighing, Eriol finally gave in, "Do as you will." Luckily, he'll only be there for a few days, hopefully, nothing much will happen by these few days. He only hope that his fears will not come to pass. He can bear with all the things that Syaoran does to him, be it payback for his harsh childhood. But, Meiling is different, she is his fiancé, and it is his responsibility to protect her from harm.
"Thank you Eriol-kun!"
Thinking to the next few days, Meiling gave a secret smile. I wonder how we'll look together, it'll surely be a beautiful picture…
A/N: This is an extra long chap for making all of you wait for so long! Enjoy! And… R&R! I really love reading each and every of your reviews and it gives me motivation to write! Yea.
Ah.. and to clarify a few matters, the Li clan is presently situated in… ermz… Peking… not hong kong… ya… because to be situated in the capital make them that much more powerful as they are near the emporer!