Quick note: I want to say thanks to buchielle, for reminding readers that this story is based off of Rosehaven by Catherine Coulter.
"What?" was all Tea managed to say before lightening flashed. She turned and a look of fright crossed her face.
She instantly remembered Seto and his anger. Turning towards Duke, she shook her head.
"Nay, I cannot." She said, shaking her head.
"What? But, why?" Duke asked. Rain continued to pour from the sky, wetting her face and soaking her gown.
"I am married." She said as thunder roared.
"But, he has Kisara." Duke protested.
"Nay, I am his wife. No matter what happens, that will not change." She said. She looked up at Duke's sad face and closed her eyes.
"I really wished you were the one I married." She said, opening her eyes. Tears rolled down her face, mixing with the rain water as it fell.
"I wish it were so also." Duke sighed.
"We should return to the manor. They are probably looking for us." Duke said. She nodded and started towards the manor.
"We have a feast to attend when we return." She smiled, her previous sadness gone.
Duke smiled and nodded.
"I look forward to it." He smiled.
"Where is she?" An angry voice growled.
Tea looked up as the door of her chamber burst open. An angry Seto stormed into her room.
"Ah, hello Se-," She began before he grabbed her arm.
"Where were you?" He snarled, looking down at her with angry eyes.
"What?" She asked.
"I said: Where were you?" He repeated. She looked up and scoffed.
"It does not concern you." She said, pulling her arm from his grasp. He let out an angry cry and pulled her towards him and spun her around.
"Do not anger me." He said quietly as he looked into her eyes. She smirked up at him.
"Are you not always angry?" She asked. He let out and growl and roughly pulled her.
"Answer me!" He thundered, his voice competing with the roaring of the thunder.
"I was out." She said.
"Out?" He repeated. She turned and nodded.
"Aye. I was out. With Duke." She swallowed a smile as his face became red.
"With Duke?" He asked. She nodded.
"In this weather?" He breathed. She nodded.
She turned and walked towards her vanity dresser. She picked up her brush and began to brush her hair.
"You really should get dressed." She said, looking at him through the mirror.
"Why?" He asked. She turned and smiled.
"For the feast tonight." She said. He looked at her and narrowed his eyes.
"Feast?" He asked. She nodded.
"Aye. Feast. There is to be a feast to celebrate Duke's return." She smiled.
"With whose permission did you organize that?" He asked. She turned and smiled at him.
"With my own." She said.
"You may be the lord of this estate, but do not forget. It belonged to my father and I have lived here longer than you have. The people are loyal to me. They listen to me. As it is now, many are upset at you and your public displays of affection towards your mistress. I doubt they would listen to a lord with a mistress in the same house as his own wife." She said.
She watched his eyes grow wide before turning away. She smiled to herself and returned to brushing her hair.
"Very well." He growled.
"I will see you at supper." He said. He walked over to the door and opened it.
"Be sure to bring your mistress." Tea said as he began to leave her stood and walked towards him.
"Be sure to give her a beautiful gown to wear." She scoffed before closing the door.
"Tea," She heard him hiss but paid him not attention. Instead, she walked back towards her vanity and sat, brushing her hair.
A single tear plopped down onto the marble surface before sliding onto the ground.
"What a wonderful feast." Duke smiled at Tea s they watched the jester. He was spending most of his time in front of Seto and Kisara, no doubt admiring her beauty.
He turned and smiled at her. She giggled and turned towards Seto, who smiled back at her.
"And now, a song for the beautiful Lady Kisara:" The jester smiled.
Lady Kisara is a daisy.
Her beauty is known for driving men crazy.
The length of her hair,
Why, no one could compare.
The fairness of her face
Makes her the winner of the beauty race.
Tea saw her smile and saw the peasants glaring at her. However, the other lords invited to the feast simply smiled at her, enchanted by her beauty.
"Are you ready to enter?" Duke asked, looking down at Tea. She smiled and nodded.
"It is time." She said. She took a deep breath and entered the great hall.
At once, the chattering and merrymaking stopped. She became aware of all eyes on her, everyone in the room examining her as she entered.
She saw Seto look up and saw his eyes grow wide as he caught sight of her. She relished the effect her outfit had on him, but didn't show it.
Instead, she merely smiled and, looping her arm through Duke's, walked towards her seat.
"Thank you all for attending this feast." She stood and smiled at the people in the room.
"I am glad that you can all join me to celebrate the return of one of my dearest and most beloved friends." She said. Her eyes flickered to Seto's face, which was red with jealousy. He was obviously angry that she chose to enter with Duke and sit beside him.
"A friend who is as dear to me as life itself." She paused and saw smiles cross the faces of her peasants.
"I would like for everyone to meet my darling friend, Duke." She smiled and pulled him towards him. He looked back at the crowd and heard whispering.
"-Duke. Yes, the same one.""Aye, the same one." "Wealthy?" Fragments of conversations drifted back to Tea. Duke cleared his throat and the talking stopped at once.
"Thank you all for coming. I am glad to see so many people and I know many of you." He looked into the crowd and smiled at many people.
"I hope many of you enjoy yourselves and enjoy the feast. And now, without further ado, the lord of this estate." He smiled and turned towards Seto. He stood and looked back at the people.
"Thank you all for attending this feast. Please be sure to enjoy yourselves. Thank you." He sat down. Muttering filled the room but died immediately. Everyone noticed the difference in Duke's aura and Seto's.
"Why did you do that?" Duke asked as he sat down. Tea giggled and shrugged.
"Do you not remember when you made me sing a few years ago at one of father's feasts?" She asked. He shook his head, an unsure look on his face.
"Nay." He said. She scoffed.
"I had just learned Merry It Is and wanted to sing it to Father. However, you convinced him to make me sing it at his feast. I was so pink at the end of it." She said.
"Ah, I remember now." He chuckled.
"You were pink indeed." He smiled. She let out a pretend angry look and punched his arm slightly. He chuckled and smiled at her.
"Ah, what a beautiful rose." A voice said. Tea turned and saw the jester. He smiled at her.
"The next song is dedicated to Lady Tea." He smiled.
There is a maiden, so radiant and fair
About whom even the angels care.
A beautiful and fragrant rose,
The maiden wearing the midnight clothes.
Whose beauty shines like the morning sun's rays.
Under whose gaze warmth always stays.
Whose beauty bedazzles and charms
And whose voice can soothe the storms.
The rare and beautiful maiden in front of me,
How he must be lucky that she is his to be.
He smiled at Tea and Duke. Tea gasped and looked up as Seto's eyes grew wide.
"Nay, you are mistaken. He is not my husband." She said, pointing to Duke. The jester smiled.
"Then, your betrothed is very lucky indeed." He smiled at Duke.
"Nay, he is not my betrothed. My husband is," Suddenly, she stopped. She looked up and saw Seto staring at her. Part of her wanted to say Seto was her husband, but it died the instant she saw the smug grin on Kisara's face. However, her choice was quickly taken away.
"I am her husband." Seto's voice said. The court jester turned and gasped.
"Forgive me, your lord. I was under the impression that the pretty woman at your side was your wife." He bowed. Kisara felt her heart stop. Pretty?
She had been called beautiful earlier. However, not that Tea was in the room, she was reduced to pretty?
She felt venom ganwing at her heart. How dare that wench try to steal her title! She was the only beautiful one in the room! No other woman could compare to her beauty.
"You are forgiven." She heard Seto say. She saw him sit and sat beside him.
"Do not be angry at his words. He is a silly man." She said, turning to face Seto. He scoffed and nodded.
"Of course he is. How can you be my wife?" He asked. He didn't see the impact his words had on her, however. He picked up his goblet and drank.
Kisara felt as if she had been struck in the head. She looked up and caught sight of Tea as she smiled at Duke.
She felt jealousy slap her as she looked at her. She hated her with a passion. Never before had another woman been called even more beautiful than her. Never before had she ever been the second most beautiful in a room.
She let out a hiss as she saw the young lords admiring Tea, despite the fact that she was married. All the attention that had previously been focused on Kisara was now on Tea. She turned to Seto, whose eyes were watching Tea as she smiled at Duke and held his hand in her own.
"Would you like to dance?" Kisara asked. She was losing him. She had to seize him again. She smiled at him as he looked up, the smile that had always bedazzled him. The smile he had never been able to refuse before.
"Nay." He said, not even looking at her. She felt her smile shatter beneath the surface. He had not even looked at her yet he rejected her so coldly. She felt her coolness beginning to fade.
She was losing. Losing to Tea! A woman who did not care about her appearance. She scoffed and turned towards Seto again. She was not going to give up so easily.
"Please?" She said. He didn't answer.
"Come now Seto. Everyone else is dancing. Can we not just dance one dance?" She asked. He shook his head.
"Nay, I do not dance." He said.
"Please?" She asked again.
"I said I do not dance!" He yelled, spinning around to face her. She shrank under his gaze. Seto had never yelled at her before. No one had ever yelled at her didn't answer. Instead, she turned away as the tears came to her eyes. However, he paid her no mind.
Tea smiled at Duke as showed her the figure he had made with his napkin.
"Would you like to dance?" He asked, looking up at her. She gasped, unsure what to say.
"Of course." She finally said. She smiled and he took her hand, leading her to the dace floor.
Seto watched in anger as Tea smiled at Duke. Apparently, he had made an animal from his napkin. He scoffed. What foolishness.
However, his mind was still thinking about what the jester had said earlier.
"Then your betrothed is very lucky indeed." Her betrothed was indeed very lucky. He was spending more time with her than her husband was. Seto gnashed his teeth together as he thought about it.
No doubt everyone in the room thought Duke and Tea were perfect for each other. The other lords and ladies seemed very happy when the jester had said that. Even the peasants had smiled.
Tea herself looked as if she didn't want to admit it was a lie.
His eyes grew wide as he saw the pair head towards the dance floor. He turned towards Kisara and smiled.
"Would you like to dance?" He asked. He didn't wait for her answer. Instead, he pulled her to her feet and raced over to the dance floor.
Tea smiled as Duke twirled her. The beat sped up and everyone began to switch partners. She laughed as she spun into the arms of several partners.
She was in the arms of dukes, counts, marquesses. Many different lords. She smiled as she ended up in the arms of Tibalt.
"My oh my. I have not danced with you since you were 9 years old, Tea." He smiled. She giggled and nodded.
"You taught me to dance." She said as they swung along to the music. He chuckled and let go of her. She chuckled as she swung into the arms of her next partner.
However, her face changed as she looked up.
"Seto." She breathed. He glared down at her before wrapping his arms around her.
"I see you were very excited when the jester mistook Duke for your husband." He said suddenly. She paused briefly and looked up at him. His eyes were cold and emotionless.
She scoffed and shook her head.
"Nay, I was going to correct him before you did." She said.
"Really?" He asked. She nodded and smiled.
"Aye. But, it did not seem as if you wished to correct him when he said you and Kisara were married." She said, looking up at him. His eyes changed and she saw surprise flicker in them before he scoffed.
"Nay, I corrected him. It would look terrible if my mistress was called my wife." He said. Tea felt her breath freeze in her throat. However, he paid her no mind. She looked up and saw Duke dancing close to them.
"Aye, you are right. I would hate for my lover to be mistaken for my husband." She said. She saw the anger and shock cross his face before she twirled into the arms of Duke.
She looked over his shoulder and smiled at Seto. Seeing his angry face, she chuckled and rested her head on Duke's shoulder.
Kisara let out an angry growl as she watched Seto and Tea dance. How dare she dance with him!
She looked around and her eyes fell on Tea's glass. Smiling to herself, she walked over to it. While speaking to one of the young lords, she quickly dropped something in Tea's glass.
She smiled as the lord escorted her to the dance floor.
Shortly afterward, the dance ended and they all headed back to the table. Kisara watched as Tea raised the glass and drank her wine.
She bit back a smile. Now, Seto was going to be her own for sure.
Tea looked up and smiled.
The room was beginning to spin. She turned towards Duke and shook him.
"What is it?" He asked.
"The room. It keeps spinning. Make it stop." Tea said. Duke looked at her confused.
"What?" He asked.
"The room. It keeps spinning. It will not stay still." She said. She stood and wobbled before plopping down into the seat.
"Tea, are you fine?" Duke asked. She chuckled and nodded. She turned towards him and directed her attention towards him.
"Where is Seto?" She asked. He looked over her shoulder.
"He is sitting." He said.
"With that witch?" She growled. Duke nodded.
"Aye, he is. He is laughing with her and smiling." He said. She let out a hiss.
"Fine. Then, we will show him we can laugh also." She said to a confused Duke.
"What are you," He began before she cut him off with laughter.
"Duke, you are so funny." She chuckled. He looked at her confused.
"Are you well, Tea?" He asked. She nodded and brushed his concern aside.
"Is he looking?" She asked. Duke looked up and nodded.
"Aye, he glanced over here." He said.
"Is he still looking?" She asked. He nodded. She smiled and reached out, taking Duke's hand in her palm and pressing it against her face.
"What is he doing now?" She asked. Duke looked up and then at her.
"His face is red from anger." He said. She chuckled.
"Perfect. Then, this will make his blood boil for sure." She smirked.
"Tea, what are you," Duke began before her lips silenced him.
She smiled against his lips.
"Is he looking?" She muttered. Duke nodded. She chuckled and wrapped her arms around his head, pulling him closer.
When they broke apart, she was smiling. Duke looked up and became aware that everyone was staring at them, including a murderer Seto.
Seto looked up. Tea was laughing at something Duke had said. He scoffed and was about to turn away when she grabbed his hand and pressed it against her cheek.
He let out a growl but sat in his seat. He was aware that several people were looking at them.
He tried to pretend not to care. After all, he was with Kisara. However, he nearly exploded form anger when she pressed her lips against Duke's. Seto watched as she wrapped her arms around him, pulling him closer. He let out an angry growl, ready to kill.
He did not even notice Kisara staring at him. His attention was directed towards Tea.
He hid his embarrassment as everyone else in the room witnessed their kiss. However, it returned and slapped him in the face with her next words.
"Can I have everyone's attention please?" He heard her call. Everyone stopped and directed their attention towards her.
"Thank you. I would like to thank you all for coming." She stopped and hiccuped. Seto noticed she was swaying slightly. She was unable to stand still.
"I want to thank you all." She repeated herself and hiccuped again.
"Yes, thanking you all. Now, time for some exciting news." She smiled and turned towards Duke.
"Duke and I are planning on eloping and getting married!" She yelled. Seto felt his blood run cold and felt it leave his face.
What nonsense was she blabbering? He heard the muttering and saw her smiling like an idiot.
Duke looked up at her, unable to move. What was she saying?
He saw her sway slightly to the side and then heard her hiccup. She turned and smiled at him.
He looked up and caught Seto's murderous eyes. Turning towards Tea, he shook his head.
"Are you insane?" He asked. She smirked and shook her head.
"No, you silly boy. I am not." She chuckled.
"Is that a bird?" She smiled, pointing to thin air. She chuckled and reached up to grab it. Her hand closed around thin air. He watched as her face fell.
"You bad birdy. I will get you." She giggled and reached up again.
"Tea, what are you," Duke stopped and his eyes fell on her cup. He picked it up and sniffed it. He looked into it and gasped.
Someone had added a more powerful wine to it. Tea was drunk! Tea was drunk?
He turned and looked up at her as she smiled and waved at him.
"Tea, are you drunk?" He asked. She chuckled and shook her head.
"Of course not, you silly birdy." She giggled. However, she lunged forward and collapsed into his arms.
"I will take that as a yes." He muttered.
Seto watched as Tea smiled and swatted at something in the air. She turned and giggled at Duke. He saw Duke raise her goblet and smell it. He gasped. She was drunk!
He stood and started walking towards them when she suddenly collapsed.
"Tea!" He yelled. He ran towards her as all eyes turned towards him.
"She is drunk." Duke said as he reached them.
"I know." Seto scoffed. He raised her arms and took Tea. He was aware that Duke did not want to let her go. However, he pried her out of his arms and walked towards the stairs with her.
"Explain to everyone what happened. I will take her to her chamber. She needs rest." He said. Duke nodded and turned towards the crowd as Seto left the great hall. Kisara watched in anger as he carried Tea to her chamber.
Seto looked down at Tea as she slept soundly in the bed. Her soft breathing filled the chamber, bouncing off of the wall.
He raised his hand and pushed some of her hair out of her face. She let out a soft moan and grasped his hand. He looked down at her, unsure what to do. However, she released it.
He smiled down at her as she turned on her side and hugged herself. He saw her shiver and pulled the cover over her.
She let out a soft breath and lay on her back.
Without realizing what he was doing, he leaned down and gently pressed his lips to her forehead. She groaned and he chuckled to himself.
She looked so sweet and innocent while she slept. No one would ever guess she had such a fierce temper and personality. He stood and walked over to the door when she gasped his name.
"Seto." He heard her groan and froze. He turned slowly to face her. Her eyes were closed and a look of pain was on her face. She was asleep, dreaming about him.
"Seto." She moaned it again. He strode over to her bed and sat on the corner.
"I am here." He whispered.
"Do not leave me. Seto, I love you." She groaned. His eyes grew wide and he saw a tear slip down her cheek. She was crying in her sleep.
"Do not leave me for Kisara. I love you, Seto." She said again. He reached down and wiped her tear. She groaned and turned, taking hold of his hand. He sighed and pulled her head towards him.
Leaning down, he gently pressed his lips against her own. He felt her stir, but she remained asleep.
"Seto." He heard her mumble again.
"I am here." He whispered.
Soooo, reviews! Tell me what you think! I know. She was going to get drunk sooner or later. And he was going to find out sooner or later about the eloping thingie. So, why not from her when she's drunk? Lolzz. I will try to update it asap, but with school, it might be hard. But i promise to finish it! so keep checking! and i won't update once evry month. I'll try to update at least every week! so keep checking! Thanks!
-DramaQueen95