Forbidden Relationships

by

nexa alex

Full Summary:

"Why this question? "

"Because the woman I watched is not the little girl I left behind" he retorted bitterly. "You are integrated in this world, Sakura! You move like a princess. Everyone bends in your way, surrender to your conversation and your smile. Your stepmother was a good teacher! You have the most powerful man in the empire stuck to your charm and a step away from your bed..."

My hand snapped in his face, with such force that the echo spread through room. I almost scream, such was my revolt.

"How are you able to suggest something so heinous?" I snarl wounded.

Thank you my wonderful beta : xCrazyKindOvWeirdx

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~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ Chapter XII ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

(Sakura has fifteen years)

Days turned into nights, weeks turned into months, seasons passed before my eyes without me even noticing. My heart and feelings were frozen, by the force of necessity. I no longer recognized myself. The smiling little girl, who looked at her reflection in the water of the lake died of anguish and sadness. Who was I anyway, but an amalgam of pretense, falsehood and concealment, in a permanent struggle for survival?

Of my brothers, only Yue remained by my side. Touya was in constant motion with the troops and never visited us for a long time. After the marriage of Lord Fujitaka with Myrna, Yukito joined the older brother. Ryuu was denied by father and the fate of Eriol was not guessed differently, since his name was avoided before the Allies, who attended our land as if they lived there; not missing the church reunion celebrated every week by a Christian priest in the room of the Big House.

Fiona was now five years old and was a healthy and intelligent girl. I almost didn't know her, but I tried not to relieve myself of the guilt. Myrna took over the education of my sister when Lady Nadeshiko died. From that moment, the girl started to adore her. She did not want to be near anyone else. She only supported Melody and only with some arrogance. To me, she simply hated me.

Awakening of my own sympathy, my hand tightened around the wooden handrail, until I lost the color of my fingers, as I saw who was now Lady Kinomoto and Lord Fujitaka returning from a morning walk. Fiona jumped between them, hand in hand with his father and stepmother.

I clenched my teeth till they threatened to break.

I do not remember of ever having a walk with my father. Lord Fujitaka never had the time. But now that he handed the control of all the Land to Count of Goldheart, time was what it lacked. However, what I was angry at was the vision of a beautiful orange stone hanging on the neck of Myrna. I would never forgive Fiona for having offered to the legacy of Aranwen and Nadeshiko to her stepmother.

Yue did what he could do to placate my anger, even argue that, if we had sacrificed so much to deceive the enemy, we could not so stupidly give her our small advantage. I accept again. When someone is forced to kiss the hand of the killer's of our own mother, to save the family and the skin, the rest lose importance.

Myrna seemed convinced of my subservience. After months of fierce persecution to all my movements and each of my words, the monitoring was neglected. After all, what had she to fear? The family was separated, the forest forbidden and the study room transformed into a temple of embroidery.

I turned in my heels and entered the room. I had to prepare myself to receive Oliver. Lord Fujitaka already warned me that he waited him that night and hoped that I looked stunning. I looked into the mirror to the image that it returned.

I changed much over the past two years. Now I had a female body: the breasts were round and firm making volume below the neckline of the dress, the hips developed but the waist was kept thin. I was still small and slim, but it would be impossible to be mistaken with a boy. I run my fingers through my rebellious curls. Oliver loved my hair and expected that I would give them particular attention.

At least for now, I would have to please him.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

I woke to the morning of my sixteenth birthday.

The sun shone in the firmament, and few clouds covered the blue sky.

The tables were assembled around the big tent, and it was necessary to distribute the food and drink for guests who began to appear. I dressed myself carefully, aware that this would be a crucial day in my life.

The night before, Oliver had made clear that he got the approval of Lord Fujitaka to ask for my hand during the party. The wedding was scheduled for the day of his birthday, the next season. That meant that I should expect for Ryuu's plan. If things go wrong, he would have to intervene in a more extreme way and kidnap me. It would be a very complicated, risky and dangerous plan. The tentacles of the Count went far, and for someone to play with something that he considered as his was a great madness, even for a man like Ryuu.

I hardly believed the turn that my brother's life had gone. Nowadays, Ryuu Fujitaka was a feared and respected name in land and sea. To my eyes, he wasn't a renegade, as Lord Fujitaka and Touya defended.

His story was simple: not all our neighbors had been sold to the crown. There were some valiant resistance, and it was with those outside that Ryuu joined in defense of our ancestral culture and ideals. These brave men had the thankless task of fighting against two intruders. The Nordic's who burst in our Lands and destroyed everything. Of these, we knew what to expect!

The others were more subtle but equally devastating. They dominated by the influence and the fear.I saw the example of Oliver. He came, bought the support of the Allies and was already the most powerful leader in the region. Those who self proclaimed as "major masters of war" did not dare to confront them. Nobody wanted to be the weaker side when the rope burst. Ryuu refused allow the fruits of our labor and wealth of the land being plundered by those who have self declared our protectors. And, therefore, they called him a traitor and a me, Ryuu Kinomoto was a hero!

The light blue dress fit me perfectly. The white butterflies embroidered in delicate fabric seemed shouting: "Please release us!" Like them, I felt trapped in a web of deceit and conspiracy. As I was about to face the biggest challenge of the farce: accept the proposal of the Count of Goldheart with a smile on the lips, as if this is a great honor when, in fact, I wanted to spit him in the face.

Oliver represents everything I loathe.

I blame him for the introduction of Myrna in our life and the subversion of the Grand Island and my people. After all this time, I still did not understand why he waited so long to marry me. No longer had the strength and influence they wanted? He could marry with a noble of his Land and reign in my Land... Why did he need a thin and inexperienced girl like me?

Our relationship was strange. After having started in the worst way, the Count reconsidered his approach. He spent many days in the Big House and often sought my company. He teaches me various board games and provided me a bit of freedom, taking me walking on horse and foot. Unlike the others, he seemed to appreciate my hunger for knowledge, and he brought me books which I devour with avidity, they spoke mainly about his land, culture and religion. Maybe he thought I should be prepared for what waited me, after being married!

It was intriguing how often he asked my opinion, as if he was interested in my suggestion. His conversation was so smart and engaging, I had to force myself to remember that I was dealing with a venomous snake. Oliver was a gentleman and wanted to be the perfect companion. Just his eyes betrayed him, cold and sharp as a deadly blade. That man was an enemy of his own shadow.

Only on that day, I felt the distress experienced by Melody on her engagement party. Lord and Lady Kinomoto were constantly over me, making sure that I properly received the guests and acted as expected of the future wife of a cousin of the King. I never had the time to remember it was my birthday.

The night came too quickly. I wanted to disappear. People were multiplied around me, smiled and felicitated me. All were unanimous in praising my luck. I lost count of the women and girls who told me confidential that they would give everything to be in my place. Well, I would give everything to escape my own skin!

I hardly heard what Lord Kinomoto and the Count had to say about my future. The words could be beautiful, but it did not pass of a verdict of conviction. And in the blink of an eye, I was engaged to Oliver and carried a ring on my finger, as valuable as it was heavy. I lost strength when facing the gray look and realized I was the prisoner of the will of the Count. For some strange and incomprehensible reason, he desired me and could barely wait to have me completely for his own. Even if Ryuu rescued me from my misfortune, Goldheart would follow me to the end of the world and destroy everything that intrudes between us.

His lips took an eternity to separate from my hand. After he led me to the middle of the hall, and the orchestra began playing.

Certainly not the king himself would be ashamed to be present at a party hosted by Lady Myrna.

"You're trembling, Sakura" he said while guiding my steps. "Do not be nervous, honey. By my side, you will be a queen. You will have the world at your feet!"

I did not respond and kept my eyes on the floor. Oliver was not easily deceived. If the Count saw my eyes, he would realize that I was in panic for reasons very different from that thought.

I danced with my father and heard from his lips how proud he was of me and the change that I experienced under the guidance from my stepmother – I had become a woman, very beautiful, intelligent and with a bright future ahead!

It pained me to hear, but I had to convince myself that the man that was in front of me was not the same as the man that generated me and watched me grow. This was an unwilling puppet, manipulated by a tyrant and a witch. It hurt so much to know that my father was proud when I just lied, hidden, evaded, distorted... The real Sakura, who lived hidden beneath the shell that I created to protect me, was cause for embarrassment and disgust.

I sighed of relief when Yue saved me. A dance with my brother was a whiff of fresh air in the suffocating night. Then was the time for Yukito. Touya and he had returned the night before, in the company of Goldheart. We had not the opportunity to talk, but what Yukito had to say was not different from what I heard: I should consider myself a woman of luck...

Definitely, the mental blindness was much worse than physical! I had to wait a bit to dance with Touya. The night before, Touya went directly to his room, the one he previously asked the maids to prepare, not even bothering to visit Melody after his return...

I witnessed the sad sight of my sister, and I couldn't help. She lost the man she loved, the son, and also seemed to have lost her husband. After the birth, Touya didn't search for his wife. Melody told me he blamed her for the death of the child. He had said to her that the child died because the mother did not want her. I knew that was not true. And when I barely had the opportunity, I talked to him about the painful issue. Touya tried to escape my questions. Why not go home, where all we needed him? Why remain away from Melody? He no longer loved his young and beautiful wife?

The eyes of my brother were full of tears. He did not reacted with the anger and violence that I expected. Rather, more like a boy lost and very unhappy.

The Count of Goldheart called again my attention and I was forced to leave Touya, but I felt rewarded when, later, I saw him approach Melody and held her hand, whispering something in her ear. What was said, I do not know, but Melody smiled, and that night, her husband slept in his room.

I held on as long as I could, but the confusion, deceit and moral filth that surrounded me, earlier threatened to wreck my control. I realized that if Ryuu appeared at that moment and took me away, I would not miss anything or anyone. After all, this was no longer my home, and the land that I love so much was raped and corrupted. My roots were wilting. I was eager to undress the skin of the Sakura I hated and return to the indomitable Kura, ready to accompany my brother in the rebel fight against the savage invaders.

The owners of the house and my fiancé were disgusted when I expressed the desire to collect myself in my room. I apologized with the strong emotions of the day, confessed that I felt exhausted and I got my intention.

Quietly, Oliver insisted in escorting me. There was no way to dissuade him without harshness, so I had to tolerate his company. However, I remained strong in the doorway to my room with the door just ajar, not to tempt him into any feat. Oliver realized my intransigence and found it funny.

"You are not afraid of me, are you, Sakura?" I hold my stare with great effort. That night, in addition to the usual charm and sensuality, Goldheart exude the confidence of a winner. As it was concerned, I was his property and nothing could change that. Lord Fujitaka did not dare to condemn any progress, and the Count not only took what he considered his, because in some twisted way, he respected my individuality and felt most excited to conquer my affection instead of get it by force.

"Have I a reason to be afraid, Oliver?" His thin lips almost disappeared, as the extent of his smile. I quivered and wished that he retreated back soon and left me alone.

"You know you do not, my wild Kura!" His hand left my arm and slide subtly to the face. "I know I do not need to import my will. When the time comes, your fire will burn as much as my own. Soon you'll discover that you are a passionate woman, Sakura! I can not wait to teach you all the secrets of love! I can not wait..." His voice becoming husky as he spoke.

His fingers increased the pressure on my neck while he surrounded my waist with the other arm and drew me against his body. I was so surprised that I did not react. The Count took my response as a lack of consent and took over my lips with firmness. For the first time I faced the desire of a man. I was paralyzed with fear, realizing my weakness in front of his assault. If Oliver decides to possess me using force, I could not stop him.

While his hot lips pressed mine, his wet tongue was introduced in my mouth, forcing me to open my teeth; I felt a cold shiver in the bottom of my back and traveling up my body until blowing in the chest. I ran without air as my heart beat wildly on my chest. The dizziness that followed made my legs yield, and I had to support myself against his chest to regain balance. Oliver squeezed me more, and his lips devoured me, until I believe I would die suffocated.

Finally, he moved away slowly as if the distance meant a painful sacrifice. His face denounced opposition by letting me go, his gray eyes were bright as the blade of a sword out at the Sun and his chest raised at the savor of his uneven breathing.

The Count could not hide how much he desired me, or did not bother to manifest it.

"This is a small sample of how good can be, delicious Sakura" he muttered his voice strangely husky. "It is a shame to have to stop, when the will is imperative to continue and I feel that you meet my expectations, a sweet torment. But I took a compromise with Lord Fujitaka and I will accomplish it. Sleep well, my dear! I promise that very soon we no longer need for a goodbye."

I could only react after he disappeared in the corridor. I felt my body trembling, my face on fire and my legs giving in.

How dare he. That man to touch me? How dare he think that I belonged to him? The tremor which traveled on me was no passion! It was terror, nervousness, disgust!

My first kiss was not beautiful and desirable, such as Melody and Ryuu. My first kiss was an imposition, an exercise of will. And now tasting the honey, Oliver will not resist looking for a little more and it would be more difficult to avert. Damn! I wanted to turn my back on everything and disappear on the great ship of Ryuu!

I slid into the room and locked the door. Suddenly, two strong arms embraced my body, while a large hand, but delicate, silenced my lips.

"The wretch is gone?!" Asked the intruder to my ear. I would recognize that voice anywhere in the middle of a crowd. I would recognize it if was a grain of soil in the garden, or a piece of tree in the forest.

End of Chapter Twelve

Thank you guys for your sweet reviews and your support:

EpikWonderBang ; Hikari Miyamoto ;

LunaLuna : Don't worry about your late review! God when i read your review and you told me that you were reading my story through your phone... i thought 'God... is my story that good???' thank you so much for reading my story and reviewing and telling me how much you like it! :D ;

hazer eyes 02 : Can't tell you if there will be a happy ending. But I'll tell you that you'll have to read a little more. And buy my fast updates with reviews! ;) JK ;

cariux5 : I live in... Alaska! that's it! I'm not portuguese... I don't live in Portugal! Don't even know if that's a country near Spain! uh uh! no no! ;) he's not raping her... in this chap. And yes, she is sufering... but there are things for what it's worth some suffering. I want to thank you really much for all your support! I realllllyyyy apreciate your reviews! THANKS!! ;

Kandygurl4 : I hope you're more relaxed now... he hasn't raped her... yet ... ;

FlyFly : Your worst nightmares are happening aren't they? she's engaged to Oliver, he kissed her, Myrna is still alive and healthy, Tomoyo still isn't here... good i really think you're going to write your own story! ;) ;

Suyi : it happened! her first kiss wasn't with Syaoran... ;

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(...) Without any control of the will, I caressed his hot face with the tips of my fingers, surprising myself with his fright.

I knew I was playing with fire, but did not think about stopping. His stubble scraped my skin; however, it was not unpleasant. On the contrary, it provoked chills of heat in me.

I slide my hand over his face, fixing my gaze on his lips ajar, imagining how it would be good to feel his touch and desiring it.

"Kura…" His appeal was a small protest, a warning that the situation was escaping from his domain.

A useless warning, because his eyes have already declared that no force in the world would be able to separate us. (...)

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