"Come on, Saito. We've been over this! You start with the salad fork, then the dinner fork!" Louise sighed. "I'm trying to remember, this is a lot to take in at once!" Saito complained. The mage had spent the better part of the next day teaching Saito about the various social etiquettes of Tristain. Fortunately, not many were different from Japan's. But some of the more complex ones were going to take some time getting the hang of.
"Look, you've got a good base to work off of, but my family won't overlook the smallest of details," Louise continued. "If you want them to leave us alone, then you're going to have to practice every day until they arrive!" "Yeah, yeah, I know! Jeez, I feel like I'm back in boot camp," said the boy. "I thought I already made a good impression with your parents, didn't I?" "That was when you were simply a Familiar with a penchant for speaking his mind," Louise said. "But now you've been made a Noble with a title. And if they think you're seeking my hand, and they'll be even more critical of your every word and action!"
"Can't we just explain to them that it's not like that between us?" Saito asked. "Do you honestly think they would believe that?" Louise retorted. "And besides, my parents would never allow me to live alone with an unwed man, Big Sis was right about that much." "Well, what about Julio?" Saito continued. "Can't he just come down and talk to them?" "I'm still not speaking to him," she pouted. "He may have apologized already, but I still have my pride! I'll acknowledge him when I'm good and ready!"
Saito sighed, as usual, she wasn't making things easy. "Regardless of your new status, if they suspect you are the slightest bit unworthy, they will take me away! And I... I don't want that..." Louise trailed off. Saito noticed a sad look in her eyes. "Look, I'm trying. I really am," Saito replied. "But I can't learn everything about this Nobility stuff in a matter of days! It's gonna take some time! And besides, it's not like they're coming to live with me."
"I just can't stand to see you mocked," Louise said. "You've done so much already, but higher Nobility is extremely critical." "I've got my own back," Saito reassured. "I can deal with your miserable sister, she's nothing! The only reason I'm doing all this is for your peace of mind." "Really?" Louise asked.
"Yeah, I told you before, I could care less what other people think about me," Saito said. "But I know how important your family's approval is to you. So I'll learn what I can, but don't expect me to memorize every little custom. It's not as easy as it looks!" "But what if it's not enough?" Louise questioned worriedly. "Then it's a bridge we'll cross if it gets to that point," Saito replied, looking at the grandfather clock next to the wall. "It's getting late. We should probably go to bed soon."
"I suppose," Louise acquiesced. "I'll go and get ready. You clean up down here." "Hey, you brought all this stuff out!" Saito complained. "It's your house, the upkeep is your responsibility!" She teased, skipping upstairs. "Lazy girl," Saito sighed, picking up the fancy place settings and gathering them in a box. He brought them down to the cellar for storage, setting them on an old chaise lounge. However, the wooden legs were brittle and the weight of the box brought it down to the ground. The sudden slamming against the floor surprised the boy, who tripped in surprise. He stood up, bracing himself against the wall.
But suddenly, the part his hand was on sunk into the wall. The cabinets swung away revealing a doorway. A secret passage? He thought, peering inside. It was a short but dark tunnel with a set of doors at the end. Taking his candle for light, Saito opened the doors and walked in. There was a bedroom, old but well furnished. The furniture was beautiful, the bed spacious, and the colors bright. There was also a mirror against the wall that Saito looked into. Wow, why would this place have a secret bedroom? He wondered, placing his hand on the mirror absentmindedly.
The mirror began to glow, catching the boy by surprise. It was so bright, he had to shield his eyes. As the light dimmed, a familiar face was looking back at him, one which Saito did not explain to see. "Henrietta?" "Saito?" She blinked in surprise, looking back at him. After another burst of light, the Queen was now standing directly in front of him, wearing light clothes to sleep in.
"What's going on?" Saito asked, confused. "I'm not sure," she replied. "When I opened my closet, you were standing in the mirror. I said your name, and now here I am!" Henrietta looked the mirror over, "There must have been a spell cast upon this mirror as well as my own." She turned back to Saito, who nervously looked away, "Um, could you put on your nightgown?" The negligee Henrietta wore didn't leave much to the imagination.
Blushing, she put her gown on quickly, "S-still, this is surprising. I had no idea your mansion and the castle were connected." "Yeah, this is a nice room," Saito pondered. "I wonder what it was for?" "More than likely, judging my the furnishings, it was a concubine's house," Henrietta replied. "You think so?" Asked the boy. She nodded, "The previous Lord must've kept his consort upstairs, while hosting secret rendezvous in here."
Henrietta looked around, "My grandfather was known for being a very strict king. I'm surprised he had this side to him! It seems he must have been pressed into marriage as well..." Saito looked at her questioningly. "My mother has been pressing me to be wed too," she explained, a little sadly. "I wonder how many times it's been now?" "Marriage, huh?" Saito suspected this wasn't an ideal prospect for Henrietta.
"I had long long ago resigned myself to not being married to a man I loved," she went on. "But when I have to face the fact, it's difficult to settle my heart. Getting married for the sake of my country..." "I'm sorry, I'm not sure what I should say at a time like this," Saito looked away slightly. "I mean, I could say something, but I don't want to make things worse for you."
Henrietta looked over at him, "I would still hear your thoughts. Please..." Saito hesitated, "I know how important the protection of your people is to you, but if you go through life without something that makes you happy, then you're not really living." "You don't think I should marry?" she queried. Saito shook his head, "I think you deserve happiness, if you don't want to get married, then don't!"
Henrietta's eyes began to tear up, "You're not saying that out of pity?" She walked closer to the boy, who was now at a loss for words, "I'm..." The two were standing right in front of one another, gazing into each other's eyes. Their heads tilted forward slightly, eyes closed, lips finally meeting. Henrietta's hands went to Saito's head while the boy wrapped his arms around the Queen's waist.
The kiss was tender, the two finding a long-sought comfort with one another. Presently, they separated and looked into each other's eyes again. "Wow..." "Even if it's only once in a while, will you see me like this?" The Queen asked softly. The boy looked at her, "You mean down here? In secret?" "I wish to visit you without the prying eyes of my Royal Guard, she said."
Saito understood, he leaned in as their foreheads touched, Henrietta's eyes closed at the sensation. "This could get complicated..." he said softly. "Maybe... But at the risk of being selfish, I want to pursue something for myself for a change," Henrietta replied, gazing into his eyes. Her hand came up and lightly touched his cheek. "I don't expect you to answer tonight, but please consider it. You said I deserve happiness, and after all you've been through, I believe you do too."
As if on cue, the mirror began to glow again. "I should go," she said, turning towards it. "I've burdened you enough for one night." "Henrietta," said Saito, making her look back. "Come back tomorrow night. We can talk some more." "Are you sure?" Henrietta asked, hesitantly. Saito nodded, "Yeah, I want to see you again. But don't be afraid to come during the day sometime, I know Louise would love to see you too." Henrietta smiled, "Alright. Tomorrow night then."
Saito smiled back, "Goodnight, Henrietta." Henrietta kissed the boy on his cheek. "Goodnight, Saito, and thank you." And she steps into the mirror, with a flash of light, it stops glowing and the Queen is gone. Just then, Saito heard what sounded like a door creak. He spun around, but nobody was there. Chalking it up to the age of the home, he walked back upstairs to his bedroom.