o n c e · u p o n · a · t i m e

c h a p t e r · x : a · d a y · w i t h · t h e · p r i n c e

At the castle of King Xiao-Lang and Queen Yelan, an elegant luncheon had just been called to closure. Servants attended the very long table, whisking away soiled napkins and painstakingly neat plates. Fifty guests were invited to the luncheon, at the request of the Queen Yelan in hopes of introducing her son to some beautiful courtiers before the approaching ball. Among the courtiers invited were the Lady Sonomi and her two daughters.

Excited at the opportunity to be in Syaoran's company once more, and ever tickled by the idea of becoming Queen, Meiling had primped for nearly three hours, emerging in a ravishing gown of smoothest red satin. She looked simply stunning. Sonomi had nearly cried.

Strangely enough, the Prince had stayed on only for the socializing before the meal. When the fifty guests were seated at the long table, all noticed that Syaoran's seat was empty. A servant made his excuses. A weak stomach. Couldn't keep anything in, the prince couldn't. So Yelan, frowning, had continued with the luncheon, noting that a sudden frigidity had fallen upon the table.

She sighed.

It would be a long meal.

About an hour's ride away, Syaoran, in perfectly good health, escorted Sakura out of his carriage, and led her through the grounds of the old castle.

"It used to belong to my great-great-grandfather," he explained enthusiastically. "But then when the kingdom divided into three states, this place was no longer safe."

Sakura looked about her. While the old castle lacked the rich grandeur of the new one, there was an antiquity about it that she found alluring. Something that spoke of overgrown moss, age-old oak trees, and leather-bound books.

"Somehow, I always preferred this castle to the one I live in," Syaoran commented, looking about him fondly.

"It feels more like home," Sakura replied, unable to stop the smile from spreading across her face.

Syaoran noticed her smile, and positively glowed.

Sakura, despite herself, was enjoying the prince's company very much. Stripped of his title and attendants, she had to admit that he was a charming young man. With the absence of the crown from his head, and not dressed in his usual finery, he seemed like a much younger man. Barely a man. A boy, really. The prince was a boy would had been forced into a man's shoes, before he could truly taste life for himself.

She found herself pitying him. How difficult must it be for him to parry with women like Meiling. And how many other women forced themselves on him like Meiling? Sakura wasn't completely ignorant of current affairs: she heard a great deal of the gossip around the manor. She knew the pressure the prince was under – how he had turned down half the girls in the country, and was now forced to make a proposal by midnight two days later.

She couldn't imagine living under that kind of pressure. To her, freedom had been everything. Freedom, and her home. And if she wasn't free at home…at least she could live life the way she wanted to. Free from the obligations and etiquettes of society. She ran barefoot, swam alone, climbed trees…

Somehow she had never wanted more from life apart from that.

"Of course, my father would never understand that," Syaoran continued, his voice growing dark. Sakura glanced at him. "To him, this castle is nothing more than a crumbling old building defacing this side of the country."

"But it's worth so much more than that!" Sakura interjected. "These walls, these grounds…they have a history of their own, as old as this country itself. The footsteps of your ancestors are strewn about this place. It is a place of great wisdom. You cannot deny it any more than you could your own mother."

"You don't understand," Syaoran said, and for the first time, Sakura's heart went out to the man standing next to her. "To them, wisdom means nothing. Beauty – is everything."

"I understand," Sakura said breathlessly, for the first time knowing what she was talking about. "I understand completely."

The bitterness in Syaoran's face disappeared as quickly as it had come.

"I want to show you something," he said. He took Sakura's hand in his, and led her up a pair of crumbly, worn steps.

Sakura couldn't help but feel shivers running down her back. With just that one touch – she didn't like to think about all the other sensations awakening within her. And guilt, sheer guilt – gnawing a hole in the pit of her stomach. This was wrong. The prince deserved the truth. And the sooner, the better.

She stopped in her tracks.

"Your Highness –" she began.

"Syaoran," the prince corrected.

"S – Syaoran," Sakura stuttered, the name sounding completely foreign to her lips. Had she been the first woman in the land to address the prince by his first name, apart from his mother. She didn't like to think about it.

"I – I haven't been completely honest with you," she forced herself to say, hating herself for letting the situation come this far.

To her surprise, Syaoran smiled again. When he smiled – she usually felt herself melt, but there was something in his eyes. Something soft yet dangerous. Blood was rushing to her face. Something within her screamed, danger! She was falling into something she couldn't get out of.

"Nor have I," Syaoran whispered. "I must confess that all my life, I have only dreamed to find a courtier such as yourself, Nadeshiko."

Sakura gaped inwardly. Not at the forwardness of Syaoran's words, but at the fact that, at that moment, she wished that the name he said had been hers.

"A – And what kind of courtier would that have been?" she struggled to maintain her composure.

"One who is strong and independent," Syaoran said gently. "I always wanted someone who was outspoken. Courageous. Honest. You, my lady, seem to know a great deal more about honesty than the rest of all the other women in the kingdom put together."

Don't say that, Sakura urged herself to say. Don't pass such a weighty judgment on me. I can't live up to this, I can't…

But she had to, for she could not bring herself to tell him the horrible, cutting truth. That she was nothing more than a servant, and her entire identity was just a lie. What he believed her to be was nothing more than an illusion.

If I told him the truth, Sakura wondered, would he ever forgive me? Or ever be able to trust again?

And she ignored the other thing bothering her. That she didn't want to tell the truth to the prince, because, despite herself, she was beginning to enjoy his company much more than she ought to.

Sakura…what have you got yourself into?

Syaoran cleared his throat, somewhat embarrassed.

"We should be moving again," he said, somewhat unevenly. He continued up the stairs, and Sakura followed him silently, her mind in turmoil.

They reached the top of the steps, and Syaoran opened the ancient wooden door. There was a creaking sound as the door opened, and Syaoran led Sakura inside.

The smell of dust and aged wood met her nostrils, as her eyes adjusted to the dimness of the castle's interior. She looked around herself. There were walls of rough grey stone, and the floor was of an ancient wood that creaked when she walked. The hallways were somewhat bare, though here and there, an elegant statue or intricate stained-glass window could be found.

She loved it immediately. It reminded her of her own home.

"Where are we going?" she asked as Syaoran led her wordlessly down the hallway, and turned into another room, lit brightly by a large window.

Syaoran flashed her a quick grin, as he led her into the room.

She gasped as her eyes took in the sheer size of the room, the largest room she had ever seen. More specifically, the walls. The walls were lined with dusty mahogany shelves, and each of these housed giant, leather-bound volumes.

Sakura took two steps into the room, her mouth open. Dazed. She couldn't imagine how many books were in this room. Hundreds. Thousands. Hundreds of thousands. She couldn't count any more. And these weren't the small fine paperbacks that the ladies of court slipped into their purses for a quick, easy read. These were thick, ancient volumes of literature and philosophy. Her eyes lingered in a section dedicated to Thomas More, and tears came to her eyes.

If only Father could be here…

Syaoran came to her side.

"Do you…like the library?" he asked uncertainly, not sure whether the tears in her eyes represented great joy, or great sadness.

Sakura turned to face him, eyes bright.

"I…I love it," she told him, struggling to find her words. "Thank you…so much."

Syaoran felt elated. He had known that Nadeshiko seemed to be a fan of books. But to be driven to tears at the sight of a library? He could not explain the feeling inside himself when he realized that he had made her very happy.

But he could never fathom exactly how happy he had made her.

And Sakura would never tell.

Back at Yelan's luncheon, the courtiers were in high bad humour. As the guests stood up and left the table, one by one, she could hear disconnected words of dissent.

"…can't even keep the Prince under control…"

"His Highness has had too much freedom…"

"I think he deserves the Duchess of China…"

"Your Majesty?"

Yelan snapped out of her reverie. She turned to face a beautiful young courtier, with ruby red eyes and long black hair.

"Why, Meiling," Yelan said, trying to smile at the young lady in front of her. "What a pleasant surprise. I could barely see you this morning. Did you enjoy the luncheon?"

"The food was absolutely divine, Your Majesty," Meiling affirmed in a syrupy voice. "If only our servants at home could cook half as well as the ones here!"

"Yes, well…" Yelan couldn't think of what else to say. It was obvious the young Meiling fancied Syaoran, and was upset that he had left halfway through the luncheon. Or better yet, before the luncheon had even started!

"Oh!" Meiling said. "I almost forgot why I came here."

She fumbled in her tiny sachet, and produced a heavy gold necklace, set with the largest diamonds in the kingdom.

"I think I saw you drop this on your way in," Meiling said, as innocently as she could. "I was just waiting for the luncheon to end so I could return it to you, Milady."

Yelan's eyes widened as she took the necklace from Meiling's fingers.

"Why…" she stuttered, frowning. "That is really something. I do not even remember putting it on!"

"Thank you, child," Yelan said, looking at Meiling in a renewed light. "I must say, it is a lady of great virtue who would return such an expensive necklace."

Meiling blushed modestly, though inwardly, she smirked. The Queen was falling for her trap, hook, line and sinker.

"You are too kind, Your Majesty," she said, as casually as she could.

"I must say the same of you," Yelan said earnestly, putting her necklace into her sachet. "Would you kindly care to visit me tomorrow? For a little chat?"

Meiling's smile widened as she nodded slowly.

"Your wish is my command, Your Majesty."

Yelan nodded. "Good. And bring your mother with you. It's high time I had a chat with Lady Sonomi as well."

Meiling nodded as she backed out of the room.

"As you wish, Milady."

"Pick one."

"I can't."

"Just choose one."

"I could no sooner choose a favourite star in the sky."

Back at the old castle, Syaoran had given Sakura a quick tour of the library. Now he stood by, waiting patiently as she struggled to choose a book.

"If you would pardon my asking," he said tentatively. "What is it about these books that fascinates you so?"

Sakura thought for a moment.

"Well…" she said slowly. "I suppose it started from when I was very young. My father taught me how to read, and before then, he would stay up late reading to me." She smiled reminiscently. "I'd fall asleep listening to the sound of his voice."

"Your father taught you how to read?" Syaoran asked, hardly able to believe it. Who would have imagined? A Count, teaching his daughter how to read. Usually a father didn't even have time for his daughters. Until it was time for them to marry, in which case, they had all the time in the world to find the richest suitor possible.

"Yes," Sakura said thoughtfully. "We were all the other had. I suppose he thought of me as the son he never had."

"Your father wanted a son," Syaoran nodded, understanding. The Countess' history was possibly just as fascinating as the Countess herself.

"He had a son," Sakura continued, her eyes misting over. "My brother. He was four years older than me. But he died as an infant, and then, after I was born, my mother died as well."

Syaoran didn't know what to say. Normal courtiers understood so little of true pain. This one had grown in it. Maybe that accounted for her sincerity and strength of will?

"So it was simply your father and yourself?" Syaoran asked.

"Yes," Sakura said, smiling as she remembered the days when her father was alive. "He used to find all the time in the world for me. He taught me many things – unconventional for a woman, I suppose, but useful nonetheless. He left me his passion for reading, as he travelled a great deal, and would bring me lots of books to read."

"Books about what?" Syaoran asked, eager to know more.

Sakura sighed.

"Everything," she said. "Science, philosophy…works by the greatest authors alive. I didn't care what it was, as long as I could read it. Utopia was the last book he brought home."

"How long ago was that?" Syaoran asked, frowning.

"Ten years ago," Sakura said, her face darkening.

Syaoran didn't know whether to intrude or not. Finally, he asked, tentatively. "Why did he stop bringing you books to read? If you wouldn't mind answering."

Sakura didn't mind answering.

"He died," she said shortly. "When I was eight years old."

Syaoran nodded, absorbing these facts. He turned around, and walked slowly toward another row of books. Sakura noticed, and followed him, curiously.

"Is there anything wrong?" she called.

Syaoran froze, and when he turned, there was a new look in his eyes. Something different from the carefree young man she had witnessed earlier. This man was older, and there was something in his eyes apart from the hopes of love and happiness that she had seen earlier. There was darkness, anguish, and something more intense in his face as he answered.

"In all my life," he said quietly, "I have never known one teacher to demonstrate a fraction of the passion you have shown me since I met you."

Sakura was dumbfounded.

"You live a life of your own, one that you determine for yourself," Syaoran continued, and there was definitely a bitterness in his voice now. "You have your ideals and your passions, and you adorn yourself with those. You exhaust yourself trying to fulfill your aspirations to the fullest, and in doing so, you leave no room for anything else. It's – as though you are the brightest light in a garden. The other moths nearby cannot help being attracted to you – and in seeking to come close to you, they lose themselves."

Sakura's hands flew to her face as she approached the prince.

"I'm so sorry," she breathed, standing behind the prince. "I didn't – if I've said anything that offended you, Sire –"

"Syaoran," the prince corrected as he turned around to face Sakura, eyes blazing. He placed his hands on her shoulders, somewhat more roughly than was proper. "And please don't apologize. It doesn't suit you."

Sakura nodded wordlessly. She wasn't capable of speaking. She was petrified by the look in Syaoran's eyes. It frightened her more than all of the Lady Sonomi's threats over the course of a lifetime.

Scarcely an hour later, Syaoran was frowning at his horseman. Behind him, Sakura waited patiently, as the men examined the broken carriage wheel, scowling.

"Well, this is quite embarrassing," Syaoran remarked. "The one time I take a lady with me –"

"I'll head back to the castle, Your Highness," the horseman said. "Doubtless the guard is still there."

"Perhaps…" Syaoran glanced at the path ahead of them, with his eyes narrowed. As though calculating the distance from his present spot to his castle.

"I shall return with the guard," the horseman said, climbing onto the horse's saddle, and galloping off. "Don't stray too far!"

Syaoran blinked.

"Of all the days," he murmured, just loud enough for Sakura to hear him. "My horseman has given me an order."

"Perhaps you had best do him the courtesy of obeying it," Sakura replied, "as he seems to obey your own readily enough."

Syaoran didn't even seem to hear Sakura's reply as a sudden grin spread over his face. Without a word, he grabbed her hand and led her down the forest path.

"Your High – Syaoran!" Sakura cried, keeping up with the prince. "Where are we going?"

Syaoran didn't even pause as he answered.

"We're going ahead."

"On foot?" Sakura questioned. Prince Syaoran was full of more surprises than she'd ever dared to imagine.

"How else would you enjoy the atmosphere of the forest?" Syaoran asked, smirking. "I for one would assume that you do it all the time, Countess."

"But – to your castle!" Sakura said, exasperated. "It's half a day's walk!"

Syaoran stopped in his tracks, and slowly turned to face Sakura. There was a very strange expression on his face.

"Honestly, Nadeshiko, I'm disappointed," he said dryly. "Where is your fabled sense of adventure?"

And with that, he let go of her hand and continued walking briskly down the tree-lined pathway.

Sakura felt her heart drop like a stone and settle somewhere in her stomach as she raced after him.

God, help me…

D i s c l a i m e r: I own nothing familiar.

A / N : Was that too short? I hope it wasn't. I've been spending a lot of time on my other story, Undercover - check that one out too! I'm reposting it, so look for thicker plots and revamped characters.

Anyway, thanks to my reviewers! I'm aiming to upload a chapter every week. Whether it be for Once Upon A Time or Undercover, I really can't promise. You all can start bugging me once the wait time exceeds two weeks. Before that, I can't really promise anything. I hope you guys understand.

That being said, happy Easter! Be kind to me and REVIEW:D

R.S.V.P! (Review, S'il Vous Plait!)

Lub lub!

- Rimjhim