I don't own anything.
Sorry for not update in a long time. As a an apology, here is an extra long chapter.
Starless Nights
"What happened?" Walking towards Usui, Misaki asked.
"It's..." Before 'nothing' came out of Satsuki's mouth, Usui spoke up.
"The Queen wants to meet you." Gently touching Misaki's shoulders, Usui informed.
"Then, what's the big deal?" Shrugging, Misaki asked.
"She doesn't like you." Without hesitation, Usui informed in a very straight forward manner. "You're a peasant, so she doesn't like you."
"Then why would she want to meet me?" Misaki asked again.
"Did the invitation clarify the purpose?" Turning his head around, Usui asked Satsuki who was standing at the stairs.
"It said private dinner." Reading the invitation, Satsuki replied.
"She wants to eat dinner with you." Turning to Misaki, Usui repeated.
"I heard Satsuki too." With a straight face, Misaki hoped that Usui didn't stated the obvious. She knew that Usui was stating the obvious to hide the truth. "Why would she want to eat dinner with me?"
"I don't know~" Though Usui was using a playful way to avoid the question, but it also stated that he has no intentions of answering the question.
"So am I going to dinner or not?" Understanding that asking the real reason why Queen Patricia dislikes her was something impossible, Misaki decided to ask if she was going to attend the war or not.
"According to the law, you have to go. According to my analysis, you stay here and I'll go." Usui suggested.
"I'm going." Misaki said.
"You're not afraid of some nasty assassin trick?" Challenging Misaki, Usui said.
"How can I be afraid when I don't know how this fearful queen looks like?" Asking back, Misaki challenged. "Also, I know you're protect me."
With a slight taste of challenge between Usui and Misaki, the conclusion of the conversation was that Misaki will be attending the private dinner. However, before even stepping out of the mansion, Misaki regretted her choice. She assumed that after experiencing labor pain, there was no pain she can't endure. Well, Satsuki proofed Misaki wrong.
"AHHHHH!" Shouting from the top of her lungs, Misaki can't stand the tight and stiff feeling that attacked her at every degree.
"For the waistline!" Using all the strength she stored up since her birth, Satsuki pulled the two laces that tightened the corset.
"What is this? OW OW OWWW" Feeling the solid shape of the corset molding into her flesh, Misaki was close to crying.
"It's just a tradition!" Satsuki pulled even harder.
"Tradition doesn't mean it shouldn't criticized." Taking in a deep breath, Misaki continued to endure the pain.
"There." Tying the laces together, Satsuki was relieved she finally completed the hardest task in dressing up Misaki.
"I don't understand, does this really make women look more attractive?" Looking at her forced waistline in the mirror, Misaki made a disgusted face.
"No comment." Satsuki answered as she helped Misaki wear a silky green long dress. "All I know that, helping a woman wear a corset is a maid's most painful job."
"Maybe this is method of diet? I feel like puking instead of eating when I wear this cage." Misaki shivered.
"Sit down, I'll do your hair." Satsuki pulled out the chair in front of the mirror, and gestured Misaki to sit down.
"Will the hair part be painful too?' Worried Misaki asked.
"Don't be silly." Giggling, Satsuki started combing Misaki's hair.
"Is there something concerning you?" Misaki asked, she realized Satsuki's odd action. Satsuki doesn't seem as cheerful as she usually is.
"I... I'm a little worried." Satsuki said calmly.
"About me?" Misaki asked. "I think my table manners are... ok..."
"No, Prince Takumi." Satsuki replied. "He's not in good terms with the rest of the royal family."
"I see..." Before Misaki could ask any other question, Satsuki spoke up again.
"Misaki, can you promise me something?" From the reflection of the mirror, Misaki could see Satsuki's worried face.
"Yes?" Misaki replied.
"Please Misaki, no matter what happens, stay beside Prince Takumi." Looking into Misaki's eyes through the mirror, Satsuki pleaded. "He doesn't have much in his life."
"I... promise." Misaki never knew that promise would make such a large impact in the future.
Aftering fully dressing up Misaki, Satsuki and Misaki both walked down to the entrance of the mansion. The carriage soon arrived, and Usui hopped down to open the door for Misaki.
"Very elegant, Milady." Usui smiled as he gestured for Misaki to enter the carriage.
"Satsuki's masterpiece." Misaki replied and went into the carriage.
"I'll put Umi in your care." Usui said to Satsuki and entered the carriage.
"Yes, Prince Takumi." Satsuki bowed, and got back up. She waved to the carriage, until the carriage was out of sight.
On the carriage, Misaki and Usui was surrounded by silence. Looking out the window, Misaki didn't know what to say to Usui. She knew that he was slightly mad about her insisting to come. Usui was just sitting on the other side of the carriage, looking outside the window too. From his emerald eyes, Misaki could sense Usui plotting something.
"What are you plotting?" Misaki asked.
"How to defend my brother?" Usui answered.
"Complicated monarch stuff." Sighing, Misaki sunk back into the cushion of the carriage.
"I won't have to be in this situation if my wife didn't insisted to go meet her mother in law." Rapidly but softly, Usui flicked Misaki's forehead.
"Ow."Rubbing the red spot on her forehead, Misaki then said. "In order to survive in your complicated world, I need to know who are my allies and enemies."
"Misaki." Looking into Misaki's eyes, Usui called. "Trust no one other than Umi and I."
"...is it really that bad?" Misaki asked.
"You'll see." A mysterious smile appeared on Usui's face. "By the way, don't be surprised that there will be quite amount of people. According to them, fourth degree cousins are also considered as cousins."
"What do you mean?" Frowning, Misaki asked.
...
Misaki understood what Usui meant. After arriving at the luxurious grand palace, before she could take any close observations of the architect, the butler hurried Misaki and Usui to one of the thousand rooms within the grand palace. Once the door opened, a long rectangular table with fancily dressed men and women reflected into Misaki's eyes. Clearly, from the moment Misaki and Usui stepped into the room, the wind like whispers filled up the whole room.
"Great..." Misaki thought to herself and slightly regretted coming to the dinner meeting.
"Welcome." A middle aged woman sitting at the very end of the long table said with a smile. Even though there were wrinkles on her face, but she still appeared as a stunning beauty. As her eyes and Misaki's eyes met, Misaki knew from those emerald eyes that this is Queen Patricia.
"Please to meet you, Queen Patricia." Usui and Misaki bowed.
"Don't be so stiff tonight, it's just a family gathering." A man sitting on a seat near Queen Patricia said with a challenging tone. From his looks, he highly resembled Usui. That moment Misaki knew, this must be the First Prince of the Kingdom of Walker, Prince Gerald. Even if Misaki wasn't interested in the politics of the Kingdom of Walker, Prince Gerald's name was well known across the border. Due to his active actions of building a friendly relationship between the Kingdom of Walker and the Kingdom of Miyabigaoka, Prince Gerald became a figure that represented the peace treaty of the two kingdoms.
"I apologize for my register of language first." With a scaring smile, Usui looked at everyone in the room. "This is family gathering, not a gossip center. If my dear cousins may understand their position, it would be great."
As soon as Usui finished his sentences, most of the members at the dinner table felt embarrassed and stood up. While they walked out the door, they all gave Misaki and Usui an uncomfortable stare. However, Misaki wasn't bothered by the stares, she was bothered with Usui's action. Staring at the man standing beside her, Misaki wasn't sure if he was the Usui she knew. Though she fully understood that Usui's action was to protect her, but it frightened her. Deep down, Misaki wasn't sure if she truly understood Usui or not.
"Now that you've cleared the room, do you want to take a seat now?" Prince Gerald raised his eyebrows and glanced at Usui.
"Ge-Ge-Gerald, manners! You're embarrassing yourself." The middle aged man sitting across of Prince Gerald reminded. His dark hair resembled Prince Gerald's, but his kind looking facial features does not resemble to anyone within the room.
"Dad, no big deal." With a playish tone, Prince Gerald said. "It's not like a certain someone has manners too."
"It's been a while, Duke Edward." Usui greeted.
"You've grown a lot." Duke Edward smiled and nodded. "Take a seat with Misaki."
Walking towards the long rectangular table, Misaki felt her heart throbbing. She was nervous, really nervous. An unknown pressure was pushing against her shoulders.
"Here." Usui pulled out a seat for Misaki. After Misaki took her seat, Usui took a seat right next to Misaki, which was right next to Duke Edward.
"How are you doing, Misaki?" After Misaki took her seat, Queen Patricia asked.
"Your majesty, I am doing fine." Misaki politely answered back.
"Seems like amnesia does bring some manners back." Prince Gerald snorted.
"Seems like authority took your manners away." Usui insulted back.
"This is a pleasant family meeting! You two, just for tonight." Feeling the headache her two sons were giving her, Queen Patricia rubbed the side of her forehead with her fingers.
"Tricia, are you ok? Do you need to go rest?" Immediately, Duke Edward asked.
"No, I'm fine." Queen Patricia nodded.
"If you really don't feel well, don't force yourself to stay." Once again, Duke Edward reminded.
"Thank you." Queen Patricia replied with a gentle smile.
"Let dinner begin." Prince Gerald clapped his hands twice to cue the servants.
Very soon plates and plates of food were presented in front of everyone. The appetizer was a 3 way appetizer presented on a long ceramic plate. From the left, the first dish was 2 peeled cherry tomato that was dipped in light plum juice and pierced with a silver stick, the next was some sauted mushrooms with spices sprinkled on top, and the last was a cream cheese based mixture wrapped in a piece of smoked salmon. After everyone had their own appetizer, Queen Patricia used a small silver spoon to clink the glass. Within the Kingdom of Walker, this action marks the start of a formal dinner.
"Not only is this feast a sign of a united family, it also serves as a warm welcome for Misaki to rejoin our family. No matter what happened in the past, the dusted issues are settled." Queen Patricia looked at Misaki and smiled.
"Thank you, your majesty." Reacting to Queen Patricia's welcome, Misaki smiled back. Reaching for the appetizer fork, Misaki's attention was distracted by Prince Gerald's constant stare. Since it was really distracting her, Misaki decided to ask. "Your Highness, Prince Gerald, is there something concerning you?"
"Aren't you scared that there's poison within this appetizer?" With a smirk, and a change within his stare, Prince Gerald asked.
"Don't eat." Usui silently said to Misaki. Though Usui fully understood that Gerald was merely just challenging, but he didn't want to put Misaki at risk.
"..." Staring back at Usui, then glaring at Prince Gerald, Miskai wasn't sure what she should do. The coward side of herself wanted to be under Usui's protection, but the competitive side of her wanted to accept Prince Gerald's challenge. A silent debate took place in Misaki's mind.
"These dishes are perfectly fine, Misaki. Don't worry and dig in." Queen Patricia said.
"It's not so convincing when those words are from the mother-in-law who wanted to exile you, isn't it?" Enjoying the intense atmosphere, Prince Gerald added.
"Gerald!" Duke Edward scolded.
"Your highness." Misaki picked up the silver stick pierced cherry tomatoes, and took a bite. After swallowing the tomato, she smiled. "There is no such thing as poison here."
"What makes you so positive?" Looking at Misaki, Gerald raised an eyebrow.
"There is a reason why many wealthy families have tend to use silverware. Not only for it's elegance, it has the ability to detect a large variety of poison. As someone who tries to poison someone in a meal, using a silver decoration is probably the most inconsiderate idea." Misaki smiled back. "Please don't be concerned about me. Even if I do not have the power nor the ability to fight back, I have plenty of energy for defense."
"You're saying that I have underestimated you, aren't you?" Prince Gerald asked back.
"Gerald, eat." Queen Patricia glared. "You're making this meal bitter."
"Sorry, I apologize." However, Prince Gerald's attitude showed no apology.
Under silence, the feast continued in silence, an abnormal silence. Even though there was clearly no noise, Misaki felt like she could hear the muted whispers of everyone's doubt against each other. Enduring the stressing atmosphere, Misaki felt her appetite fading away. Finally, the main course arrived.
"So, Misaki, I heard that you have a son." Breaking the silence, Queen Patricia spoke.
"Your Majesty, yes." Misaki answered.
"Takumi claims that it is his son, are you sure he is?" Queen Patricia finally cutted to the main point. All this time, she wanted to make sure if Umi was a potential successor or not.
"They highly resemble each other." Misaki answered.
"Misaki, sorry. I don't know how I should say this.. but we can't acce-" Before Queen Patricia could finish her sentence, Usui stood up.
"Let's go." Pulling his palm out to Misaki, Usui was ready to bring Misaki away from this place.
"Takumi, I'm talking." Raising her voice, Queen Patricia commanded.
"I don't need to hear that words that will defy my family." Turning his face to glare at Queen Patricia howled. "Talk about heritage purity? You have the least right to talk about that."
Grabbing onto Misaki's hand, Usui stormed out the gigantic doors with Misaki. Surprised Misaki wasn't sure how to react to the situation. All she could do was trying to catch up to Usui's rapid footsteps. Racing down the large hallway of the grand palace, Usui felt extremely sick. Even if he had always despised his family, a small part of his heart still believed that things may change. However, he was wrong. Sinking into his disappointment, Usui didn't realize that he was clenching onto Misaki's wrist overly powerful.
"Usui! Usui!" Misaki continued to call as she was dragged down the hallway.
"..." Usui continued to clench onto Misaki's wrist.
"It hurts!" Misaki tried express her pain.
"..." Still no reaction.
"Baka Usui!" Trying to swing her arms away from Usui, Misaki shouted loudly.
"!" The sudden loud noise frightened Usui, but also pulled him back to reality. Staring at the frustrated girl behind him, Usui then looked at his hands. "I'm sorry... does it hurt?"
"You're finally back..." Misaki sighed loudly.
"I'm really sorry, I didn't want to hurt you..." Gently holding Misaki's red wrist in his hand, Usui bent down and kissed the red spots.
"D-D-Don't you feel ashamed of doing that?" Blushing really hard, Misaki exclaimed.
"Let's not waste time in arguing." Usui smiled tenderly. "The carriage must be waiting."
Since Misaki didn't wanted to stay in this grand palace that gave her an unpleasant feeling, she didn't argue and continued walking down the long hallway with Usui. Though it was a small journey, Misaki's heart was pounding really heart. Though she told herself it was because of Usui's shameful actions just now, but that only caused her heart to pound like a soldier's marching beat. Finally, Misaki and Usui arrived at the entrance of the grand palace, Usui carriage was already waiting for them. There wasn't much interaction between Usui and Misaki when they entered the carriage. Usui just held onto Misaki's hand tightly, and looked out the window. Misaki felt the down emotions within Usui, but didn't know how to comfort, so she just rested her head on Usui's shoulders.
"This is my family." Looking out the window, Usui silently said. "We are just merely connected by blood."
"I'm sorry..." If Misaki didn't wanted to come, then Usui didn't have to feel so depressed.
"My father isn't Duke Edward, it's someone else. I am a proof of Queen Patricia's infidelity. Yet, they can't deny the royal heritage within me." Briefly explaining the situation, Usui didn't plan to tell Misaki these things. 7 years ago, Misaki had these heavy burden on her shoulders, and she suffered. Usui didn't want those things to happen to Misaki again.
Continuing the ride back to the mansion, silence conquered the space again. Even after returning back to the mansion, Usui just kissed Misaki's forehead and said good night.
...
Ever since the dinner that night, Usui has been avoiding Misaki. Misaki knew that Usui was avoiding her, but she didn't want to bother him too. She knew Usui needed time to sort some things out, and Misaki wanted some time for herself too. The reason why Misaki needed some time for herself was because she wanted to figure out a list of activity she can do in this large mansion. There were many times when Misaki decided to ask Satsuki if she could do any house chores, but Satsuki rejected the idea right away.
"This is boring..." Sitting at the bench at the garden, Misaki sighed. Maybe it was because of the contrast of her busy days as a teacher and her inactive days in the mansion, Misaki felt extremely useless.
"Too bored?" Kanou, Umi's tutor, took a seat right next to Misaki.
"You are?" Misaki hasn't met Kanou after she returned to the Kingdom of Walker yet.
"I'm Soutarou Kanou, your son's tutor." Kanou introduced himself.
"I am Ayuzawa Misaki" Misaki tried to dig in her deep memories. "Why does your name sound so familiar? Wait, you know me?"
"We were friends, and you might know me for the book I wrote." Kanou explained.
Review chapter 3 of "Starless Nights"
"Oh yes! I did read your novel, and the mental development of the characters were so natural and impressive." Misaki complimented.
"Thank you. I focus my studies on psychology." Kanou said.
"Aren't you supposed to be tutoring my son right now?" Misaki asked.
"We're doing herb observation today." This explained why Kanou is out in the garden. "You seemed troubled."
"Yes, I am." Without hiding anything, Misaki admitted. "Since you are an expert in psychology, can you tell me if it's possible for me to regain my past memory?"
"First, I think I should tell you the different causes of amnesia." Kanou adjusted his position, so he was facing Misaki. "Physical, this when you injure your head. Trauma, is another cause, this is when the individual witnessed an unpleasant scene and wishes to wash out that memory. Another is for protection, some individuals whom have experienced a hurtful encounter may wash out their memory to protect themselves. So, which one do you think you are?"
"I'm... not sure." Misaki said.
"If it's physical, I can't really help you. However, if you apply to the last two situations, through hypnosis it might be possible." Kanou replied.
"Really? Then-" Before Misaki could finish her sentence, a voice distracted her.
"Misaki!" It was Usui, he appeared in front of Misaki and Kanou.
"Yes?" Misaki stood up to approach Usui.
"Satsuki said she prepared some things for you to do. She's on the second floor, and slightly in a hurry." Usui informed.
"Ok, understood." Then Misaki turned to Kanou. "I'll continue our conversation tomorrow. Bye."
Soon Misaki rushed back into the mansion, she didn't want Satsuki to wait. After Misaki disappeared into the mansion, Usui glared at Kanou with a threat.
"What were you doing?" Usui asked.
"Letting her know that she may be able to regain her memory?" Nonchalantly, Kanou shrugged.
"Why would you want to let her remember all those...stuff." Usui said again. "I thought you were on her side."
"Yes, I am on Misaki's side." Kanou stood up, and placed a hand on Usui's shoulders. Quietly, right next to Usui's ears, Kanou whispered. "But, I was never on your side."
Walking away from Usui, Kanou went to find Umi. Since it was about time for Umi to decide which herb he wanted to observe today. Standing alone in front of the bench, Usui clenched his fist as guilt covered his heart from the veins.