I'm back! I'm so sorry! I know it's been more than a year, and I had so much work and school and my life was so hectic! but I've graduated now and I have a job that gives me so much free time so I finally have time to continue with the story, so tell me what you think!

Wedding on hate

chapter 10:

Emptiness, there was nothing but emptiness and hatred in his heart. He knew he could not blame Kaoru but he still felt a bit resentful of the fact that she had no trust in him, thus falling into the trap set by her family to get her married off to a wealthy and respected Lord. However, the love he felt for her was still as strong as ever, albeit a bit resentful, and he was determined to get her back.

The day after that fateful night in which he saw her in the splendid white gown and learned of her recent marriage, he also learned the name of her new husband: Lord Kenshin Himura. It was a name he grew to despise even though he'd never actually met the man who owned that name, merely because he knew his beloved Kaoru was now Mrs. Himura. Shishio was quick to inform him that killing the Lord Himura was crucial to overthrowing the Emperor and that he would be giving Soujiro his full support in setting Kaoru free. He was torn. It turned out Kenshin Himura had been a war hero 10 years ago at the Revolution, an undefeated swordsman, had many resources and was faithful to the Emperor. Soujiro was fully aware that he needed to report back to the General that Himura was now a Juppongatana target but knowing that if he did so, General Saito would warn Himura, thus preventing any harm in coming to him and making the task of recovering Kaoru nearly impossible. So he kept silent about the matter, distracting his mind by receiving sword training from Shishio and planning the attack on the Himura estate.

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The smell of food woke her up. Opening her eyes, she felt panic for a few seconds as she gazed at her surroundings and she did not recognize the room she had slept in. Panic was soon replaced by desperation as she remembered the events of the previous day. Her sapphire blue eyes then focused on the tray that had been set on a bedside table and the smiling woman beside it.

"Good morning, mistress. My name is Tae and I shall be your personal maid, and may I say, welcome to the Himura estate."

Kaoru immediately sat down on the large bed and blinked before answering, "Good morning Tae, what time is it?"

"Almost 11, ma'am, I would have woken you up sooner but you were sleeping so deeply, I did not have the heart to do so, so I busied myself unpacking your luggage." replied Tae.

"Thank you, but please call me Kaoru, Tae"

Tae's eyes widened, "but madam, that would be very inappropriate!"

Kaoru smiled reassuringly, "Please Tae, I insist. You see I have no acquaintances in this place and I'd much rather have you as a friend than a maid, I would feel less lonely." her smile vanished and her eyes lowered sadly.

Tae smiled, "Well of course madam, I mean, Kaoru. Now, I imagine you must be famished after such a long journey so I brought you breakfast."

Kaoru looked for a second time at the tray of food, "that's very kind of you, but I'm not really hungry."

"Nonsense dear, breakfast is the most important meal of the day and I want you to have your strength, I'm planning on showing you the estate today and introducing you to the staff, they are all very eager to meet their new mistress." Tae said setting the tray on Kaoru's lap.

Kaoru thought for a second, she did not want to be rude to her new friend so she took the fork and started to eat. Once she was done, Tae showed her to the large and luxurious bathroom and helped her bathe, afterwards, she was taken to a big room adjacent to the master bedroom full of the most exquisite gowns, a few she recognized as her own. "Aren't they beautiful? The Lord Himura had them brought for you from a famous seamstress overseas a few days ago."

Kaoru felt something cold at the mention of her husband and she let Tae choose a dress for her to wear. It was now hard to think of Kenshin as the sweet gentleman who proposed so many days ago to the cold and angry man who'd treated her so roughly the day before. But thinking on it, she also recognized she had been unfair to him, her anger got the better of her and she said some things she regretted, but there was no way in hell she was going to apologize to him.

Walking in Tae's company and touring her new home was comforting. She liked everyone she met and the estate was breathtaking, the decorations and paintings were both tasteful and elegant, the gardens were full of beautiful exotic flowers of nearly every color and the marble fountains glittered in the morning light. But she refused to think of it as her new home. Her thoughts were interrupted when Tae told her the gardens had been remodeled for her, "he told me in a letter about how much you enjoy taking long walks in your garden and he wanted you to feel welcomed."

The rest of the tour was spent in the same manner, with Tae mentioning the changes her master had ordered for his new bride, such as the exquisite china in the dining room and the breathtaking chandelier in the ballroom. Even though such conversations made her feel uncomfortable, she smiled and nodded to everything Tae said. There was no need to make Tae feel uncomfortable as well. Taking a last look at the beautiful chandelier, Kaoru followed Tae out of the ballroom and into the kitchen, where she could see many people busying themselves around the large rooms. "As you can see, the kitchens are very well organized and we pride ourselves in the excellence of our cooking, as we speak, dinner is being prepared to welcome our new mistress and tonight's guests," informed Tae.

Kaoru looked up, "Guests?" she asked.

"Why of course! Mr. Shougo Amakusa and Miss Magdaria have been invited to dinner today, they are our neighboors and since Miss Magdaria's health is very poor indeed, it was impossible for them to make the journey to attend the wedding. Miss Magdaria has talked of nothing but meeting you ever since she learned the happy news." exclaimed Tae excitedly. Kaoru simply nodded so Tae continued, "how about we continue with the stables, Kaoru? I daresay you shall like them very much."

As they left the kitchens to continue onto the stables, Kaoru nearly bumped into someone.

"Oh dear! I am so sorry my Lady!" exclaimed the beautiful woman. Kaoru saw she was not wearing the dresses worn by the maids but a simple gray cotton gown with a full skirt that fell to the ground. Her features were exquisite and her pale skin contrasted beautifully against the dark black hair she wore in a simple knot above her head. The girl curtsied and spoke, "Allow me to introduce myself, my Lady. My name is Tomoe Yukishiro and I am the stewardess," Tomoe could not help but look with envious eyes at the breathtakingly beautiful girl in front of her, the sparkling blue eyes, the perfectly curled dark glossy hair adorned by tiny gold flowers, the silk dark green dress embroidered with exquisite gold thread and the emerald pendant adorning her neck. The way this Lady carried herself spoke of elegance and poise, and when she spoke, her sweet voice carried a certain superiority only achieved by high ranking nobles. "That's quite alright Miss Yukishiro, I was the one at fault, you see, I was not paying attention." Damn, she was polite and sweet. Tomoe hated her already and hoped her forced smile would not be too obvious. Kaoru continued, "I'm impressed such a young and beautiful young woman as yourself takes care of all finances in this large estate, you must be very smart indeed! I confess I was never any good at mathematical equations." Kaoru blushed and gave a shy smile. 'Damn, sweet and modest' thought Tomoe before answering, "My late father was the estate's steward and close friend of Master Hiko, Kenshin and I - I mean, Lord Himura -practically know each other since we were children, and after my father's death, he asked me to stay as stewardess and manage the estate."

Kaoru smiled, "Well then, I'm so glad I married such a kind and wonderful man. You see, I am an insecure type of girl, so meeting someone as affectionate and honest as him was perfect! You see, I could never doubt his love for me, even with such a beautiful woman like you living in such proximity to him."

Tomoe was furious! But she had no other choice other than to smile politely, congratulate her new mistress and excuse herself from the room.

Once Tomoe had left, Tae stepped up and beamed at Kaoru and gave her an appreciative nod to which Kaoru laughed, "What? I don't like her. The looks she was giving me and that whole 'accidental slip' of Kenshin's first name? It was completely obvious!"

Tae laughed, and continued walking, "She's always doing that in front of the staff. Ever since Master Kenshin appointed her stewardess, she struts around like she owns the place. It was time someone showed her her true place."

Kaoru thought about it while following Tae before asking, "How does she treat the staff?"

"She's not particularly cruel, but she is very strict and hands harsh punishments around, it has been a bit more difficult ever since she's in charge and with Master Kenshin away on business trips."

If she was doomed to live as Himura's wife for all eternity, at least she could immerse herself in the estate's household activities and distract herself by helping those who worked in the estate under Yukishiro's orders. She definitely did not like that woman.

Upon arriving at the stables, Kaoru found the best surprise in the day, at the biggest stall, she saw her magnificent white stallion, Allegria, and she practically ran to him, stroking his mane, "Hi boy, I'm so glad to see you." Kaoru then turned to Tae, "what is he doing here?"

Tae smiled, "Master Kenshin wanted it to be a surprise, he arranged for him to be moved here last week, and he arrived just this morning while you were sleeping. Do you want him to be saddled?"

"Oh yes please!" Kaoru replied, "but I'm not dressed to go riding! Let me go get changed and come back?"

Tae laughed at seeing Kaoru's eagerness, "Why yes of course, won't you get lost?"

Kaoru was already running out of the stable, "I'll be fine!" she shouted back while running into the mansion and up the staircase, turning corridors and into her chambers, opening the doors to the walk-in closet and choosing a blood red riding dress, she changed as quickly as possible, sliding on her riding boots and gloves and opened the door again to go out, bumping into someone for the second time that day. Only this time, she bumped into her redheaded husband.

Kaoru immediately felt weary at the sight of him, "What do you want?"

Kenshin stared directly into her eyes before stepping in the room and closing the door behind him, "Going somewhere?" Kaoru backed one step, lifting her chin. "Yes, as a matter of fact, I'm going riding."

Kenshin stared at her clothing and nodded, "Very well then, just make sure you're ready in time for dinner."

Kaoru felt anger boil within her, "I don't need your permission. If I want to do something, I'll do it. And I have no intention of joining you for dinner, so there is no need to wait for me."

Kenshin's eyes flicked gold and he grabbed her arm,taking a step closer to his wife. Kaoru flinched. "You will be ready for dinner and in time to welcome our guests. You shall be nice and polite and treat our guests with respect. Lady Magdaria was crushed when her health prevented her from attending the wedding and she is a sweet, sick girl eager to meet my bride. You will be nice to her. You will do as I say. Remember, you are mine." he said backing her off into the wall.

Kaoru glared at him, she would not allow him to know how much she was afraid of him, especially while she was backed into a corner like a wild animal. She wrenched her arm out if his hold, "You do not own me, Kenshin Himura! And you have no right to order me about!"

Kenshin slowly took her chin in his right hand, "That's where you're wrong. You are mine and you shall do as I say if you do not want to be publically disgraced as an adulterous whore." He locked his gold tinted eyes with her brilliant sapphire eyes before giving her a forceful kiss and leaving the room, leaving a shocked and enraged Kaoru in the room.

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So, what do you think? I just can't resist drama! Kaoru obviously saw trough Tomoe and since she was being a bitch, she just gave her a taste of her own medicine! ;) more Kaoru and tomoe confrontations to come! I really enjoy planning them! hehehe

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