APs are killing me... hope you enjoy the chap~~~~ Could there really be war... hmmmmm
Chapter 28: Battle
The room was utterly silent until Kanou burst in through the door.
"My lord, the Marquess is advancing!" he announced.
Misaki grabbed the table for support. Was she wrong? How could it be?!
"Misaki!" Usui exclaimed. He helped her sit down. "Deep breaths," he coached as Misaki blankly stared at the floor.
"This can't be happening..." she whispered. There wasn't actually going to be a war... Why was Tora fighting this war? What was going on?
"Looks like there was a plan after all..." Usui said.
"There can't be..." was all Misaki could say.
"My lord, we must prepare for war"
Usui nodded. "My troops have already been readied"
Misaki grabbed Usui's hand. "Takumi..." she whispered. Usui gave her a quick peck on the cheek.
"I have to prepare myself..." he told her gently. He turned to Kanou. "Fetch my armor," he ordered.
Misaki watched as Usui quickly dressed. The night was dark and stormy. Rain pelted against the window and thunder boomed in the distance.
"Don't cry," Usui said wiping a tear off her cheek. Misaki touched a hand to her wet cheeks. She hadn't even realized she was crying.
"Just be safe" she said, trying to sound brave.
"For you...always"
Misaki nodded and helped Kanou buckle and tie the armor together. Usui tied some of his hair back and slid his sword into his belt. Sakura, Shizuko, Erika and Honoka all were rushing around.
"My lord" Honoka said. "Your horse is ready"
Usui nodded. He headed out with Misaki trailing behind him. "Stay inside" he told her when they reached the main entrance.
"Will you not let me send you off?" Misaki asked. This could be the last time she ever saw him. That thought alone made her legs weak and her heart burn in agony.
"It's raining"
"I do not care!" Misaki cried. Usui walked over wrapped an arm around her waist. He bent over and kissed her. Misaki rested her hand against his jawbone as their lips touched, their breaths mingled. She did not care who was watching. All she could think about was Usui Takumi, the man she couldn't live without.
Usui kissed her eyelids, her nose and her cheeks. "This parting will not be forever" he promised.
"Take care of the Duchess" he instructed everyone. "There will be horrid consequences if something happens to her in my leave"
"Yes Duke Usui," they said dropping to their knees.
Misaki watched the grand doors swing open and close as Usui disappeared into the freezing night.
"Takumi!" Misaki called after him. She ignored the protests as she rushed out the door. It was impossible to see through the rain and the dark. Raindrops pelted onto her skin causing her teeth to chatter.
"Please don't let anything happen to him..." she prayed.
"Misaki!" Shizuko yelled. She threw a cloak over Misaki's shoulders. "Have you gone mad?!" she scolded. "The Duke will have our heads for this" she reminded Misaki and pulled her back indoors.
"My lady..." Honoka said curtsying. "From now on you must remain in your room" she said.
"You can't lock me in!" Misaki exclaimed.
"Tis not locked" Honoka said. "It is a strong suggestion that you refrain from any sort of movement"
"Honoka is right" Sakura said. "You are in your ninth month with child"
"I have been fine until now. If you are all afraid of the Dukes wrath. I assure you it will not come upon you" Misaki said.
"My lady" Erika said changing the subject. "Let's get you into dry clothes first" she suggested.
Misaki quickly changed and went to bed. She could not sleep though. This was the first time since her marriage that she had slept alone. The bed felt oddly cold though a fire blazed in the room. Misaki reached out to touch Usui's pillow which remained empty.
The wind screamed and lightning flashed through the sky. Misaki closed her eyes and became lost in her thoughts. Her mind counted the inventory slots over and over again. According to the Marquess's purchases, this war should be over in a few weeks.
Misaki had been so positive that Tora was only pretending to start a war. He wanted to stir up trouble for some more important reason. How could starting a fake war bring him wealth and power?
Morning came yet Misaki hardly slept. She stared at her tired reflection as Sakura quietly brushed her hair. Her fingers nimbly braiding the long locks and pinned them up.
"Tis only been a single night" Sakura whispered. "You have to straighten up, Misaki..."
Misaki nodded. "I will be strong" she promised. War could go on for years. Misaki felt sad knowing that Usui was going to miss the birth of their children. He was probably going to miss the first few years of their lives.
Shizuko carried in a breakfast tray. "Look its your favorite raisin bread" she said setting it down on the table.
"Am I not even allowed to venture downstairs?" Misaki asked.
"Misaki, the Duke is not here" Shizuko said cautiously. "How will you get down the large staircase?"
Misaki sighed. Shizuko was right. Usui wasn't here anymore. She sat down at the table and looked down at her breakfast. She absentmindedly tore at the bread as she watched Sakura and Shizuko sew.
A light blue cotton quilt lay on their laps as they sewed bright orange lilies onto the fabric. The silk thread looked beautiful.
"How many have you made?" Misaki asked.
"This will be the fifth quilt for the daughter" Sakura said cheerfully.
"How do you know if they will be boys or girls?"
Shizuko smiled. "We are making four sets of everything" she told Misaki. "So that no matter which gender the two children are there will be proper clothes and blankets"
"Thank you..." Misaki whispered. Her friends squeezed her hand.
"Why thank us?" Sakura said. "We're your friends. We enjoy making clothes for our future godchildren"
Misaki laughed. "I'm so glad you two are here" she said. "I don't know how I would have passed the time"
That night Usui sent a message home. It was on a small square of paper. Usui wrote:
Misaki,
I am well and I hope you are too. Till we meet again. I love you.
Takumi
The handwriting was sloppy but it was reassuring to know that Usui was alright. It was only the first day and Misaki already was worried. Fighting hadn't broken out yet but Misaki still felt strange. Something wasn't right...
"Misaki" Erika said coming into the bedchamber one morning.
Misaki looked up from her book. "Is it Takumi?" she asked, hoping there wasn't any bad news.
Erika shook her head. "Someone is requesting a council with you"
Misaki felt rather confused. Who wanted to see her?
"Who is it?" she asked.
Erika wrung her hands. "Its..." There was a long pause. Misaki felt her hands beginning to sweat a little.
"Its Kira" Erika finally said.
Misaki blinked a few times. "Kira...?" she asked. What did this girl want?
"I can send her away if you'd like-"
"No" Misaki said. "Send her in"
Erika nodded and departed. Sakura and Shizuko pulled out a chair for Misaki to sit in. Shortly Erika came back with a young woman. The woman had a single braid going down her back with one hand supporting her large stomach.
"Duchess Usui" Kira greeted, sinking to her knees.
Misaki stared at her. "You kept the child!" she said.
"Yes, my lady" Kira answered.
"Rise" Misaki said. "Seat her" Misaki told Erika. Erika pulled out a chair and set it down for Kira. Erika's eyes were narrowed. She wasn't going to tolerate any funny business from this girl.
"I thought you traveled to the shores" Misaki said.
"I did"
"Why have you returned?"
"To pay back a debt" Kira told Misaki.
"A debt?"
"You spared my life once and I shall spare your's" Kira said.
"How dare you!" Sakura exclaimed.
Misaki held up a hand. "And how are you going to spare my life...?" she asked.
"This household has fallen into a trap" Kira stated. "War was a wrong move"
Misaki felt her heart almost stop. "A trap..." she gasped.
"Just a moment!" Erika interrupted. "Do you think you can try to make the Duchess miscarriage again with your lies"
"I am not lying" Kira told them. "The shores was where the Marquess started importing weapons. I took the liberty of looking around in case I could get anything out of it" Kira said with a shrug. Knowing things was the best protection anyone could ever have. Secrets paid well.
"Was there not any supply imports?!" Misaki blurted out.
Kira smiled. "You are not a fool after all..." she said. "But did you know the weaponry is being turned over to the Duke?" she asked.
Misaki froze. "Impossible..." she whispered. The pieces started falling into place. Tora was indeed faking a rebellion but he wanted to make Usui look like the rebel. All the rumors he stirred up were going to be supported. Tora had kept blaming Usui for being disloyal to the crown in court and now the King was going to find Usui leading a massive army. Everything was being framed beautifully.
"How can we trust you?" Misaki asked.
Kira smiled. "You don't have to," she said. "I only came to bring the news. What you do with it is none of my concern" Kira slowly stood up. "I bid you farewell" she said and left.
Misaki sat there without a word. Her head was pounding. She hadn't slept well in such a long time and this was stressing her.
"Do you believe her?" Erika asked, finally breaking the silence.
"I do not know..." Misaki said. "Send Kanou to investigate into this" she told Erika. "If we are playing into a trap this could end badly for everyone of us. Treason is not taken lightly."
Erika quickly rushed out of the room to find Kanou.
"Shizuko" Misaki ordered. "Fetch me pen and paper. I must write word to Takumi"
Everyone began rushing around. Shizuko smoothed out a sheet of parchment onto the table while Sakura opened the ink bottle. Misaki sat down and began writing.
Takumi... She wrote.
Even though Tora makes war I still believe in my theory.
Tora is planning on framing you in front of the king. I have another witness.
Be careful.
Misaki scrawled her name down at the bottom and sealed it.
"Send this immediately" she said handing the envelope to Shizuko.
"I understand"
"What are we to do now?" Sakura asked.
Misaki shook her head. "We must wait..." she whispered.
