Chapter 14
"Of all things, why must I get THAT THING NOW NOW NOW? It hurts even worse than a blow to the stomach. Stupid thing, why must women get this dreaded thing?" Mikan clutched her abdomen and cursed silently at her cramps. (If you're a girl, you'll empathize.)
"Mikan? Are you all right? You're breaking out in cold sweat and you look a bit pale?" Misaki-sempai asked in concern.
"It's that time of the month. Cramps." Croaked Mikan.
Misaki-sempai started laughing, "I see, I used to get very bad cramps as well. So much so that I would puke every 2 hours. Then I met Misaki-sensei and his strange plants and herbs. I'll go make a tonic for you. You can get dressed yourself? I've already loosen your corset a bit, so the pain wouldn't be so bad."
Mikan feebly nodded and Misaki-senpai left the room. Looking at the light brown dress with a bright orange sash around the waist, Mikan carefully picked it up from the bed and slipped into it. Wearing her skin coloured tights, the satin dress fell into place over her petite body frame. She pulled the strings at the front of the dress to tighten it and tied a simple bow. Crossing the orange sash at her back into a nice big bow, she twirled around in front of the mirror, happy with the dress. This dress was one of the few that she designed and was proud to see it on her own body. She took a white ribbon on the dressing table and began to braid it into her hair. Wearing her signature boots, she twisted her classy afternoon tea look with a hint of rebellion.
For obvious reasons, she wore boots, in case she had to do some climbing and running to get into Luna's rooms. She closed her eyes and pictured the blue print which Misaki-sensei had shown her in the morning. As the party was taking place in the gardens, Mikan had to climb 3 stories to get to her old room. Luna had the cheek to stay in her old room. Despite 6 years of not staying there, the pathways and rooms remained about the same, with little changes.
Someone knocked on the door as Mikan was wearing the crimson pendent. "Mikan are you done dressing? I'm coming in." Tsubasa-senpai opened the door slowly and closed it behind him. "Wow, you look great in your own designs."
Mikan slipped the sapphire silver hair pins into her partial bun and allowed the rest of the braid to hang loose. "Of course, I'm good, my mother made a few of her own dresses."
"Yes yes, well, I made a small bag for you to carry your breeches in. It won't be conspicuous, but I hope it matches your outfit." Tsubasa showed her a small sling pouch made of leather.
Taking it into her hands, she ran her hands over the smooth material and looked at it. Standing on tippy toes, she gave Tsubasa a hug. "I love it! Now I wouldn't have to worry about where I hid those breeches."
Misaki-senpai came in at this moment, "I've got your tea. You can let go of Tsubasa, considering that he hasn't bathed in 3 days."
"EW! TSUBASA!" Mikan jumped far away from him.
"What? Doesn't my manly smell attract you ladies?" He then proceeded to flex whatever muscles he could find on his body.
Mikan took a deep sniff around Tsubasa and realized that Misaki wasn't kidding. She wondered how she didn't smell anything when he entered the room. She brushed it off and sipped the tea Misaki-senpai had brought. Within minutes, she could feel its effects and her cramps subsided immediately.
"Woah Misaki-senpai. This tea is miraculous. What's in it?" Asked Mikan.
"Mint leaves with chrysanthemum flowers."Misaki-senpai stated.
"THAT'S ALL?"
"Yup. Misaki-sensei is good with plants. Thank him for his plants… and his weird plant growing habits." Mumbling the last part.
"! YOU READY YET? WE'RE GOING TO BE LATE!" Sang Narumi-sensei.
"All right you better head off before the windows of this inn start to break." Tsubasa moaned while covering his ears.
Mikan made sure that her hairpins were in place, her boots firmly strapped on and her breeches in her new leather bag. She smoothen the creases on her satin dress and said goodbye to her senpais. Then opening the door, she ran down to the carriage Narumi-sensei had driven.
Narumi-sensei helped Mikan into the carriage and proceeded to direct the horses in the direction of her palace.
Slipping pass the guards and the bushes, Mikan was finally in the party. With no official invitation, her position could be easily compromised if she was not wary of any guards on patrol or if she were to act suspiciously. Luna was easy to point out since she was accompanied by 4 ladies-in-waiting wherever she went. She ensured that she was using her nullification alice in case someone decided to use their alice on her. When she saw that Luna was beginning to give her speech, she stayed close to the hedges and finally entered the castle.
If she remembered correctly, the secret pathway which she used to escape the castle was behind a portrait. Walking quickly to where she last remembered, she saw a huge portrait of Luna, wearing a light blue gown. Mikan went beside the portrait and pulled it forward and saw that the unique crack on the wall was still present, meaning that Luna was not aware of the secret passages that ran through the palace. Using her butt to keep the portrait out of the way, she used her body weight to open the door. Once inside, she used the fire alice which she had stolen from an assassin in Catum. She wore her breeches and took off the dress, leaving the white silk shirt which was under the dress. Folding it, she placed it in the leather bag and started walking towards the door nearest to her room.
Feeling as though she was near her room, Mikan pushed the wall slightly and realized that she was inside her old room. Luna did a bit of redecoration, painting the entire room pink and having a grand poster bed. The dressing table was filled with jewelry and the walk-in wardrobe was filled to the brim with gowns and dresses made from the most expensive material. Leaving the leather bag on the inside of the passage way, she left it slightly ajar and stepped into the bright pink room.
Mikan began her search for the letters, searching under the bed and in any drawers she could find. Whatever she moved, she made sure it was placed back in its original position. However, after searching the whole room she could not find a single piece of parchment. Frustrated that she could not find the letters and desperate because she was running out of time, she hit her fist against the marble pillar near her. Suddenly, a portion of the pillar started to move back, revealing a small platform and a wooden box sitting on it.
"Hm, this wasn't here the last time. Whatever it is, I think I hit the jackpot."
Carefully opening the box, she found about 10 letters being addressed to Luna. She noted that most of them ended with the same signature and abbreviations. Picking up the most recent one she began reading.
Dearest Luna-hime,
Preparations for the selection test are almost ready. There are 3 stages which you must pass through. However, the queen has made sure that no one knows what these 3 stages are. Those that I have interrogated or placed under my Alice have been rather tight lipped about it. I think the queen is wary of foul play and have hired a potion maker to keep them quiet. That technical ability girl, Hotaru-hime from techno, has also been hired to create her inventions which are to be used for the selection. I suspect that they are being used for surveillance.
As you have requested, I have prepared a potion which will be complete by the time of the ball. I'm sure you would find it to your liking. I have tested the first batch on a few servants, and the results were outstanding. I'm sure you've felt their soul being attached to yours despite the great distance, and hence resulting in your Alice becoming stronger as their life source is absorbed into yours. Do not worry, their deaths were not noticed.
Natsume is doing fine, throwing his usual tantrums and asking for ridiculous request. I'm sure you'll be able to tame that wild child. No one has suspected me of any foul play yet as I carry out my experiments. However, Natsume's sister, Aoi-hime, has been wary of my presence. She has probably warned Natsume of her feelings and I'm not able to get close to him, as you wanted. I'm sorry for failing you in this aspect.
I wish you all the best for the selection test, and I will be ready to serve you as you arrive in Firenze. Should you need any further assistance, send word through the homing pigeon.
Pledging my undying allegiance,
R.M
Upon finishing the letter, Mikan heard someone coming in through the door. Luckily there were two portions to her room. One was the living room where she was able to greet guest, and the other is her bedroom door. She quickly placed the letter back in its enveloped and closed the wooden box. Then pressing the same button which opened the portion of the pillar, it slab of marble went back into position. Mikan ran towards the doorway to the secret passage way and left a small gap so that she could see who entered the room.
"I hate these parties! Why must I associate myself with these useless and disgusting people? They're beneath me." Exclaimed Luna.
"It's only temporary Luna-hime. The selection test is in 6 days' time and we'll be leaving at dawn tomorrow." Replied a man in a white mask.
"UGH, I don't want to go through this ridiculous test. Why can't his mother see that I'm the PERFECT bride for him. Why must she go through all this hassel."
"I suspect this test was created by Natsume-ouji, to avoid an arranged marriage."
"Well, I'm sure I'll get through all those test and marry him. I must."
Then a third voice was heard. "Of course you must Luna, after all that I've done for you, the least you could do is marry this boy." A small boy, the age of 11 walked in. "Besides, Natsume is rumored to be the most sort after prince. Don't fail me."
"Yes Kuonji-sama. I will control him once he's near me."
"Good. Persona, make sure everything is ready by tonight, we're leaving early. We don't want to make our future ruler late now, do we?"
The masked man bowed and exited the room. Seeing the sun starting to set, Mikan closed the door and ran back to her original starting place. Just as she was about to walk away from the painting, someone shouted.
"HEY YOU, STOP RIGHT THERE! YOU'RE NOT ALLOWED TO BE HERE! I SAID STOP!" Turning around, she saw the masked man running towards her. Mikan digged her heals in the ground and started to run. Pulling out her mask, she pulled it over her face while running. She had to get to the palace wall in order to be safe. However she didn't get far when she felt a sharp pain at her side and heard a loud clang on the ground. The masked man, Persona, threw a dagger at her and though it didn't pierce any part of her skin, it did cut a rather deep wound. Clutching her wound she tried to run, however, every step she took made the pain excruciating. Stopping in her tracks, she faced Persona, with the knowledge that the wall was a 100 metres away from where she was standing.
"That dagger is poisoned. You have an hour to live, so even if you get away from here, you'll be dead. There's no known cure for it, little spy. Tell me who are you working for."
Mikan kept silent and clutched her ribs. Breathing slowly, she knew that any sudden movements would pump the poison round her body even faster.
"I asked you a question. Who are you working for?" Persona was obviously getting impatient.
"Someone. You should know who."
"I wouldn't ask you if I knew."
"Then think hard. I'm not any spy."
"Looking at the sloppy job you did, you're obviously not the famous Shadowfox. He's a phantom. He's undetectable. He does his work well. GUARDS!"
"I don't think calling them will work, you see, we're in the most deserted part of the palace."
"How would you know that?"
"How would you know if Shadowfox was a man? Have you seen any of the killings? Have you paid close attention to the killings?"
"Answering a question with a question huh. I'm getting annoyed. How about I shut that mouth of yours?"
"I see you're in awe of how I stay out of trouble and detection, Persona."
"How do you know me?" Persona replied suspiciously.
"I've superior spying skills, just as you said. Thanks for the compliment by the way."
Enraged by the spy's comments and realizing that the spy could be Shadowfow, Persona decided to catch this spy and interrogate him. Rushing forward with a dagger in his hands, Mikan merely stepped aside in the last minute to avoid being pierced. Trying again, he rushed forward but Mikan pulled out one of her hairpins and threw it with so much force that it hit his chest with a loud thud. Persona fell to the ground and the dagger flew far away from his hands.
"Dang, I missed your heart by a few inches. I COULD HAVE hit your heart. I could also destroy your control devices and your alice would do the job in killing you. But killing you would be a pity. You should be serving under another person, not Luna. I know what you are, I know who you really are." Mikan yanked the hairpin from his chest and wiped the blood on his shirt. Persona was too weak to speak as he tried to limit the amount of blood being lost. Mikan walked slowly away, climbed the wall and escape.
"So Shadowfox is a girl, seeing that I was impaled by a hairpin and that spy has a braid. Too bad she'll be dead soon."
"I've completed my mission."
"Well done Mikan! You overcame your fear! What did you find out?" Narumi-sensei chirped as he drove the carriage.
"Can I tell you the de…details… to…tomor…tomorrow…" slurred Mikan.
"Mikan? Mikan are you all right?" Stopping the carriage, he looked behind to see Mikan bleeding profusely and the wound turning green. Having a little knowledge of poisons, he knew that the wound was cut by a poisoned knife and Mikan's life was ticking away. "Misaki-sensei would know what to do!"
Urging the horses the run faster than they ever did run, he reached the inn in half the time they usually took. Narumi-sensei jumped down from the driver's seat and carried Mikan from the carriage. Misaki-senpai seeing the carriage return, rushed down to help, but noticed an unconscious Mikan in Narumi's hands. She took Mikan's leather bag and paid the stable boy a few coins for the carriage and the horses.
"Misaki-sensei, save her! She's been poisoned!" Shouted Narumi-sensei. He placed Mikan on her bed and made space for Misaki-sensei to examine the wound.
"The poison is a rare one, but luckily I have the herb for it. Tsubasa, run to my room and get a herb with a white flower which looks like a bell and a clean cloth from my bag." Tsubasa ran out of the room and returned as quickly as he left.
"Chop the flower up please, finely. Misaki, go get a bowl with warm water and salt in it and another with one quarter filled with milk. We need to clean the wound."
"SALT? It'll sting and make the pain excruciating!" Exclaimed Misaki-senpai.
"Hurry! She has no time, the salt would disinfect the wound."
Within minutes, Misaki-senpai was back with the two bowls. Mikan was tossing and turning, breaking out into cold sweat and suffering from extreme pain in that time span.
"I'm sorry Mikan, but please bear with the pain." Misaki-sensei said. Dipping the cloth in the salt water, he wringed it and placed it on Mikan's wound and held it there.
Mikan screamed out in pain and tears started streaming down her face. She wriggled and tried to get the cloth out but was held down by Narumi-sensei.
"Please Mikan, don't struggle!" Shouted Narumi-sensei. However, Mikan's body suddenly went limp and Misaki-sensei's hand immediately went straight for her neck to feel her pulse.
"Her pulse is irregular and very weak. Quick, mix the chopped flower and the milk together and bring the bowl here." Instructed Misaki-sensei hastily. Taking a handful of the flower and milk mixture, he squeezed it together to release the flower's essence. Then he placed the all the white pulp on the wound and made sure it was covered entirely. "Make her drink the 3 spoons of the liquid. It would neutralize any poison already in her system. Her alice is aiding in slowing down the progress of the poison."
Taking a spoon, Misaki-senpai slowly fed Mikan the liquid while Tsubasa-senpai held the bowl and wipped the perspiration that formed on both Mikan and Misaki-senpai's forehead. Narumi-sensei held Mikan's body up while Misaki-sensei bandaged the wound and the white pulp together.
After a while, Mikan stopped breaking out in cold sweat and her breathing became regular. Feeling Mikan's pulse, Misaki-sensei informed the rest that Mikan's life was out of danger. The four of them let out a loud sigh and made sure Mikan was comfortable before leaving the room. Each of them took turns to accompany Mikan through the night and Misaki-sensei made regular checks on her. Each time there was a change in shift, that person would feed Mikan another dose of the white liquid. The wound stopped bleeding and turned pink after a few hours. Misaki-senpai changed Mikan's dressing every 3 hours to prevent an infection and applied Misaki-sensei's specially made salve to it.
Mikan finally awoke from her coma on the morning of the second day into her coma and her four companions started to cry tears of relief and immediately went to hug her. However, they were left with 4 days to travel to Firenze for the selection test.
"We'll reach, don't worry. I know a short-cut." Narumi-exclaimed.
The rest moaned and groaned. "NO more short-cuts, we'll be late for sure!" Remarked Misaki-sensei.
"I promise this one is REALLY a short-cut, come Tsubasa, I'll show it to you and we'll leave by noon."
Whatever Narumi was planning to do, the 4 of them were glad and relieved that Mikan was still alive, despite her close brush with death.
Hey ya'll! I'm back! I hope you've liked the past two chapters. For those who are waiting earnestly, the selection tests will begin in the next chapter! And Mikan would finally meet Natsume! Thanks to all those who have fervently reviewed!
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