Here you are, the remake of Chapter 10. Thank you to all of you who have been supporting and reading the story up until now! I might also do a remake of chapter 11 as well. So please be patient because chapter 11 might be the last remake :)

~Enjoy!

~X~

May 14th, 1413

"I absolutely hate you, Takumi." Misaki muttered as she glared at him. "Go die."

"What am I doing wrong?" he asks, looking a little hurt. He frowns.

"It's not that you're doing something wrong. You're doing everything right!" Misaki accuses, pointing an annoyed finger at the plate in front of her. "What is this?!"

"Food."

"It's not food! It's too perfectly made to be food!" Misaki exclaims. She stood up and slammed her hand on the table. "Isn't this your first time?!"

"Indeed," Takumi smirked. "It would seem that I have a natural talent for cooking."

"Rubbish! This dish was just a fluke! Make it again!" Misaki complained. "It's too perfect!"

Takumi shook his head and grinned a little.

Today was the day where all the servants get a day off from work so at the moment, the castle was empty. This left Misaki alone with Takumi since she didn't have anywhere else to go.

She had stormed into Takumi's room in the morning and starting panicking because there wasn't any servants around. Takumi had woke up very tired and explained to her why no one was in the castle.

Misaki refused to cook because she didn't want to food poison him; so Takumi offered to cook for the first time even though he insisted that Misaki cooked.

But, he cooked up a few dishes and Misaki was upset.

Takumi sat down at the table. "Eat."

Misaki's face grew red. Probably in anger. "I refuse!"

"Why? It's tasty isn't it? It'd be such a waste if you don't eat," Takumi leaned in with a sly smile. "I made this for you especially after all."

Misaki's expression changed and she began to blush. She looked down and shifted awkwardly.

It's a been a few weeks since Takumi had confessed his feelings on the night of his birthday. It bothered Misaki how quickly he had a change of heart in two months. It bothered her how he grew feelings of attachment to her in two months.

It was too quick, wasn't it?

But that wasn't the only thing that bothered her. What bothered her was that his responded to their kiss….for the second time!

Misaki's face grew extremely red again as she remembered the night. I'm such a idiot! Why did I do that…?!

The day after Takumi's birthday, was a little awkward but to everyone's surprise, Takumi was smiling more often then ever.

Takumi began to follow and speak to Misaki more often. But, the only thing Misaki could've thought of while speaking to Takumi was about the way they touched each other on the night of Takumi's birthday.

Misaki wanted to scream in frustration.

"Fine...I'll eat…" Misaki muttered finally. "Only because I don't want the food to go to waste!"

Takumi grinned. He stood up and walked around the table. When he got up from behind Misaki, he touched Misaki's hair. "Hm. I'll eat later, in the meantime, I'll be in my room preparing something so take your time and eat."

With that, he allowed the strand of Misaki's hair fall and left. Misaki turned her head a little to watch Takumi leave and blushing in the progress.

As soon as Takumi left and away from her view, she stood up abruptly and starting yelling. "Why am I blushing so much, damnit!"

He...likes me….that was the only thing Misaki thought of for a while. She flushed. He has feelings for...me….!

But, she didn't know how she felt back. Surely, for her to respond to his kiss, she knew that she had something for him. Although, to have feelings for a stranger so quickly?

"I need...air." Misaki huffed breathlessly while having an annoyed expression on. She stood up and walked out the back door of the kitchen that lead a little away from the castle.

When Misaki stepped outside, she breathed in the scent of the air and sighed as she looked around the large field behind the castle.

After Takumi's birthday, something unexpected happened and it caused an uproar around the village. A happy uproar because now, when you look around Seika, it wasn't a blanket of white snow anymore. In fact, green grass was beginning to take over.

The villagers were happy when the grass began to bloom as well as flowers as well. The farmers are beginning to think about growing crops again since Seika had very rich soil for farming and the villagers and even the knights began to go outside a lot more.

Misaki couldn't help but grin.

Misaki stares down at the small flowers beneath her and she knelt down to pluck a yellow flower.

Trot, trot, trot, trot

"Whoa!" A distant voice called. Misaki turns around and begins to walk towards the front of the castle to see what was going on.

There was a dark horse that was carrying along a very elegant pine green carriage that was pulling up in front of the castle.

"A visiter…?" Misaki wonders, hiding herself behind the brick castle wall. She slightly craned her neck to see who the visitor was.

She watched the coachman halt the horse and jumps off his seat to walk around and open the carriage door for whoever was inside the carriage. A leg came into view from the carriage and out came a slick boot and very large and dark cape.

Misaki immediately froze as she saw the king stepping out from the carriage.

She clasped her hands over her mouth and gasped. The man had heard her gasp and glanced her way but Misaki quickly hid herself against the wall, still clasping her mouth.

Why...is he here…?!

"You can leave, thank you." Misaki heard the all too familiar voice order. The caused shivers up her spine. Not a good way though.

After a few minutes and Misaki couldn't hear anything until a gust of wind blew against her hair. Misaki gulped and slowly looked beside her to peek.

But, she was met by a very slim figure, cloaked in dark colours and the man stood in her view. Misaki slowly looked up and her heart raced when those familiar hazel eyes met hers. The king was so close to her as his figure towered over her like a statue, casting a shadow over her.

"Hello," The king greeted. Misaki stumbled back when he king and touched her hair and brought it to his lips.

When Misaki's amber gaze met his, his eyes had widened as he released Misaki's hair and grabbed her wrist instead and pulled her towards him. He stared at her. "Misaki…!?"

Misaki was taken back and quickly shook her head, her eyes wide. "No, I'm not…"

He continued to stare at her and Misaki tried looking away but for some reason, she couldn't look away from him. His eyes looked down at Misaki's clothing.

The king with those hazel eyes, pale skin and short brown hair smiled at her in apology and released Misaki. "I see, I apologize. I must have mistaken you for someone else,"

Misaki said nothing as she teared her gaze from him and took a few steps back. He recognizes me...I know he does…!

Misaki was afraid to look up as she heard him shuffle. At the corner of her eye, she saw knelt down to pick something up. "I believe you dropped your flower, Miss."

Misaki hesitantly nods once as she shakingly took her flower away from him.

"Excuse me, lovely maiden," The king murmurs before he turns away from her and began to walk away, his cloak giving off that familiar scent.

It made her nauseous because she smelt that scent before. Many, many times before.

Later…

Her hands trembled and her heart was racing.

For sure, the visitor King was inside with Takumi. Misaki knew that she couldn't, and wouldn't, go inside where they were but it could be questionable since she was the only maid in the castle.

She was holding a tray of tea for the two kings.

Her hand moved to the door and she knocked a few times. Hesitantly, "Your majesty, I brought tea…"

"Come in." Takumi calls.

Misaki breathed in and pushed the door open. Act…like a maid...don't look at the King…

When Misaki entered the chambers, she heard the visitor King laughing and chatting with Takumi who responded.

"And then, he snorted out his drink and everyone was laughing," the visitor King laughed.

"I wish I was there to witness it." Takumi says.

When Misaki approached the two kings that sat on the large sofas, Misaki's near began to race more. She tried not to raise her head.

"Tea," Misaki murmurs, placing the tray down.

"Thank you," Takumi says. From the corner of her eye, she saw Takumi giving her a smile before proceeding to talk with the other king.

"Takumi, I thought today all of your servants are off," The kings asks.

"Well yes, but I do need at least one servant with me right," Takumi says. "She decided to stay."

"I see," the king turns to Misaki. He smiled. "It's nice to see you again,"

Takumi gave a suspicious look at the king, "You know her, Hinata?"

The name, Hinata, gave Misaki a very bad shiver down her spine. She didn't hate Hinata, but she didn't like him either. Misaki presses her lips together while clasping her hands together. She tried to stop them from trembling.

"Actually, I met today outside the castle just for a moment to say hi…" Hinata explained. He looked at Misaki. "I mistaken her for somebody that's all,"

"Really…" Takumi eyed Misaki and she knew immediately that she had some explaining to do for Takumi later.

Misaki couldn't help it then, she bit her bottom lip and she felt something stinging her lips. Both Takumi and Hinata reacted immediately. Hinata was first when he stood up from his seat.

"You're bleeding," Hinata murmured, reaching into his pocket for a handkerchief.

"Hinata…?" Takumi murmurs with uncertainty.

Misaki found herself cringing back, away from his hands that held a soft cloth. Misaki stared at the cloth, it was the cloth he'd always use to wipe away her tears. He had reached out a hand and held her chin with his two fingers to hold her still.

Don't move. Misaki's head screamed forcibly. Stay still…

Misaki, instead, closed her eyes shut as she felt the soft cloth touch her bleeding lips very gently. She felt it, he was very close to her.

Her heart began to race, to the point where it began to ache.

"That's enough." A very cloth voice said. Takumi, Misaki sighed inwardly with relief. Misaki opened her eyes to see a large, familiar pale hand in between her and Hinata. "Hinata, the maid can take care of herself."

"She's human just like us, Takumi. You don't need to be so rude." Hinata said, pushing his hand away. He stared at Misaki. "I am King Hinata Shintani. You are…?"

"My name is...M-Misa Koyuki." Misaki answered. "I am the King's maidservant."

Takumi gave her a questioning look.

"I see, well you unlucky," Hinata laughed. Misaki took a step back because his laughter gave away a darkness she couldn't explain and yet, it brought back so many memories.

"What's that suppose to mean, Shintani?" Takumi asks bitterly.

"I mean, who'd want to serve you, the coldest king of all Japan?" Hinata asks. "I'd say, that's equivalent to a nightmare."

"Funny." Takumi muttered, crossing his arms.

Hinata only laughed. "Well, are we going to go joust or not, Takumi?"

Takumi sighed, scratching his head. "I suppose we could joust tomorrow when the rest of the knights and maids are here to watch."

"You're right."

"In the meantime, why don't we go have lunch?" Takumi asks. Hinata's eyes lit up in excitement and nods quickly.

"Of course!" Hinata grinned widely.

"I'll go change my cloths, then I'll be right down." Takumi said. Hinata nods once and walked away from Misaki and Takumi.

"Then, I'll see you." Hinata waves at Takumi when he was at the door. Before Hinata had opened the door to go outside, he looked back at them.

But not to meet Takumi's gaze, but to meet Misaki's instead. And that, surely sent a pitiful feeling in her guts that made her sick. She saw him grin and those hazel eyes smothered her.

I know it's you, Misaki. That was what his eyes were saying to her before Hinata had left the room. When the doors closed, Misaki allowed a long breath that she held in out.

She couldn't believe he was here. Misaki had reached a hand up to her chest and clenched the clothing there tightly.

"Misaki," Takumi's voice interrupted. Misaki looked up at him and she knew he had noticed the pain and anxiety in her eyes. "Do you know him, Hinata I mean?"

Misaki looked away from his emerald eyes. "No." She lied.

Takumi only frowned. He leaned in closer to her, having both his arms at either side of her, trapping her. "Tell me the truth. You know Hinata."

"No, I don-"

"Misa Koyuki?" Takumi asks. "What's the matter with Misaki?"

"The name is too revealing! It'll make people suspicious-"

"But you can always say that it was a crazy coincidence, Misaki." Takumi frowned as he leaned in much closer. He presses, "Tell me,"

Misaki tried to say no again but when she had finally looked at him again, she saw that his eyes were dead serious. Misaki found herself blushing and a little piece of her heart melted. She knew that he was only worried about her and she had no right to not answer to his worries.

Misaki didn't smile. "Hinata is...my childhood friend."

There was a pause. Takumi blinked. "You know, childhood friends are very close to each other. They have an unbreakable relationship unlike a normal friendship. Are you sure there wasn't anything going on with the two of you?"

Misaki sighed when he leaned in closer and he hands automatically pressed against his chest. "We were...to be engaged."

"But…?"

"I refused the proposal." Misaki says. She explained further. "I couldn't see Hinata as my husband. I couldn't see him as the man reigning over my Kingdom with. I only saw him as my childhood friend but he became persistent into marrying me until I noticed a very dark change in him. He became more evil as time went on."

"So you ran away?"

"I didn't want to marry something I didn't love. I never had any close relationships with Hinata other than being a childhood friend." Misaki said. She blushed. "So I ran away and I came here."

She saw Takumi smiling warmly at her that knocked the breath from her because he looked dazzling. "You met me here,"

Misaki blushed and nods. "Yes…"

Takumi placed a hand on Misaki's cheek. "No worries. He will be leaving soon so you shouldn't have to worry. I'll make sure he doesn't do anything to you while he's here."

Misaki couldn't describe the feeling but she was relieved. She closed her eyes and smiled, liking the feeling of being protected in his arms. She hated to admit it but she did like it.

That's when Takumi's arms encircled her shoulders but she didn't push him away because deep in her heart, she knew that she yearned for someone to embrace her.

This is bad...Misaki thought. I shouldn't like him…

The Next Day

The next day was a nice sunny day with a slight cool breeze. Takumi was inside the changing room, changing into an armor so that he could prepare for the joust.

Since the day off for all servants was over, the maids were back in the castle, cleaning away and cooking. The knights were the witnesses for the joust today as well as a bunch of villagers who Kuuga and Yujiro invited to come watch.

The knights were also going to joust but Takumi and the visitor King were jousting first to start the matches.

Since most of the maids were busy making some food and refreshments were the villagers, Misaki was the only maid free and so, she was told to help Takumi get into his armor.

Misaki turned around to see Takumi fidgeting with his armor. Misaki frowned and walked over to him.

"Let me help," Misaki offered.

Takumi smiled at her and allowed his hands to fall at him side to get out of Misaki's away. Misaki was in front of him before she reached up and helped him into his armor.

She felt Takumi staring at her the entire time. "You're very good at this, why?"

Misaki eyed him. "Because I had alot of practice, helping the armor onto my Father and my knights back in my kingdom."

"Your knights?" Takumi asks suspiciously

She rolled her eyes. "Like you and Kuuga, they were childhood friends of mine as well."

"I see...well, now, I'm the last person you'd be helping to armor. From now on, you're not allowed to help any other men."

Misaki scoffed at him when she finished and pushed his chest. "Please, shut up and go joust. The villagers are waiting for you." Hesitantly, she says with a blush, "Good luck."

Takumi smiled and leaned in to press his forehead against hers. Misaki blushed furiously but didn't move. He whispered, "Thank you," and he left the room.

When he came out, the villagers started cheering loudly. In the room, Misaki had only blushed. He's been getting too comfortable with me, dammit.

Misaki had also left the room and went to the sides where she spotted Kuuga standing with his arms crossed. "Kuuga!"

He turned and his eyes beamed. "Misaki, hey."

Misaki quickly walked over to him. "How was your day off yesterday?"

"Great!" Kuuga said with a large grin. "Since the weather is warming up, the lakes are melting so me and the others went for a swim and ran around all day pretty much."

"If it just began melting, wasn't it still cold?"

"It was freezing."

"You're crazy." Misaki laughed. "What if you caught a cold?"

"Then you can nurse me back to health. No problem," Kuuga smiled. His attention turned back to the joust as he walked over to Takumi and helped Takumi climb on his horse. "Good luck, Takumi."

"It's sire, to you." Takumi smirked and as the horse trotted away, Takumi said. "Thank you, Kuuga."

"Let's get back, the joust should be beginning soon." Kuuga said, taking Misaki's hand and guiding her to sides again. When they were behind a safety range, Kuuga asked. "So who do you think will win?"

Misaki looked between Hinata and Takumi. She could only frown when she saw Hinata. "I think...maybe Takumi?"

"How about Hinata?"

Misaki shook her head. "Between you and me, he doesn't look at all strong."

She wasn't lying. Misaki had seen Hinata's bare body plenty of times during their times together to know well enough that Hinata didn't have a well built body. She hasn't seen Takumi's bare body either but she could somehow know that Takumi was well built.

"I agree." Kuuga said. There was a loud blare of a horn and Kuuga and Misaki knew the joust was starting.

The entire rows of villagers were cheering for their King. As soon as the horn blared, the two kings had charged towards each other. Takumi was the white horse and Hinata was the black horse.

Misaki watched them holding out their large jousting sword and charged at each other. Misaki couldn't help but take her eyes off Takumi because she wanted to watch Hinata.

For the reason that, she knew Hinata had changed into a dark person so she must watch his every move. She couldn't put her finger on it but seeing Hinata on a black horse gave her a very deep feeling.

A bad feeling.

"Despite his large chances of losing against Takumi...he sure looks confident doesn't he?" Kuuga muttered, narrowing his eyes.

Misaki frowned. "You're right…"

Misaki focused her eyes on Hinata and that's when her eyes glazed on Hinata's jousting sword.

"I wonder why he wanted to use his own jousting sword though…" Kuuga muttered.

Misaki's eyes widened. "What?"

"Hm? Oh, earlier when we were helping him, he refused to use out jousting swords and he pulled out his own sword for some reason." Kuuga explained and that's exactly when Misaki's eyes flickered back to Hinata's sword again.

Misaki heard a quiet and yet loud shing! Coming from the tip of Hinata's sword. Misaki gasped when she saw the shining blade at the tip of his sword.

What?!

It was too late though, because Hinata and Takumi were close to each other and now, Hinata's jousting sword had pushed against Takumi's left side of his protected waist. It wasn't protect no longer since his armor had shattered against the touch of Hinata's blade.

Misaki's heart sped and her eyes grew. Takumi…?!

Beside her, Kuuga started yelling at the other knights to go in and stop the joust because it was as clear as day that Takumi was in danger.

In the jousting area, Takumi was still on his running horse but he was barely holding on. One hand was on his wound that gushed out blood and the other dropped his long, large sword.

The entire jousting building of villagers roared into terrified screams of their injured king and nearly all of the knights jumped in and ran towards Takumi. Some of them fearlessly grabbed Hinata and force him off his horse.

Misaki couldn't hold back the tears that suddenly began to sting her eyes. "Takumi..."

She watched in horror as Takumi's helmet came off to revealed him biting his lips, trying to hold back his screams of pain. "Takumi….!"

She watched his hands tremble and released the rope that helped his support himself on the horse and fell hard to the ground.

"No...Takumi…." Misaki couldn't move when she watched that hideous dark thick red liquid staining the sands.

From the corner of her eyes, she saw Hinata standing there, being captured by the knights. Her gaze landed on hers and Misaki felt his dark, intense aura as he snickered grimly and was taken away.

He….He came here to….do this to Takumi! Misaki realized.

"No…!" Misaki muttered. She trembled and her lips quivered and she collapsed onto her knees. Misaki clutched her stomach as her tears began to overflow and teared down her cheeks. "This...NO!"

Takumi!

Thanks for reading!

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~WhiteAngel83