Story Key:
" " = Speech
' ' = Thoughts
* * = Noise/Sounds
italics = Big Scene change/Notations
A/N = Author's Note
A King and a Card mistress >> A Secret Note
Syaoran woke up. It was a nice day, but happened yesterday, he wasn't sure if he could enjoy it; his mind was still swirling with different thoughts of what happened. He climbed out of bed, Wei ready to serve him through the day.
"Master Li, your breakfast is ready." Syaoran nodded.
"Thank-you. You are excused for now." Wei bowed and left.
'Did it really happen? Yesterday? Did I meet her, or was it just luck?' he pondered. 'Will I meet her again? Ever? I wish I will, that was a most wonderful experience. Oh, darn, I have a conference later. Those are so terribly boring and sometimes even useless.'
The sun was shining as Tomi got up, early in the morning. The birds chirped, but Tomi ignored them. 'I have to serve Master Li today... I hate these take-a-turn jobs... One day you're working the dusty halls of the third floor, the next you're serving the big boss.' she sighed. 'It will be quite strange after yesterday night... I hope he doesn't suspect anything about me... or how I did it...' she murmured quietly as she got into her maid outfit.
Syaoran sat in his limo, thinking deep thoughts, completely ignoring Mr. Tankko, once again.
'I just can't stop thinking about her... She looked like Suzuhara, but different. Her hair was shinier, her eyes brighter. Of course, not to offend Suzuhara, but... Anyway, it seemed like the same person. Even the height, but I'm not sure; I was too far away to tell. I just don't know what to do.'
When Syaoran came home, he was tired all over. He couldn't concentrate on his work all that well. So he went straight to the bathroom to take a long, hot bath. On his way, he couldn't help but notice a piece of paper on the floor. He picked it up, seeing that no one was watching him. Carefully, unravelling the message inside, Syaoran decided to take it to his room.
We have sent with this message, a gift that belongs to you. Take good care of it. You have a great power inside of you. Use it well, along the enclosed and great thing will come from you. We will not tell you how to use it; that is up to you, it is your own fate. Farewell.
-Anonymous
Syaoran stared at the note.
'The Powered One? Who is that? What does that mean? What 'gift'? A power? What does this all mean?' Syaoran panicked. He realized that if this note was in the palace, the Card mistress must have passed by and dropped it by accident. He hid the note well, hoping that no one would ever discover it there. His head swirled. First the mysterious girl, then this note. Were they linked together? Syaoran quickly grabbed his towel and clothes and headed for the bathroom.
Tomi noticed that Syaoran went into the bathroom quite quickly. 'He seems stressed. Poor boy. I wish I didn't have to serve him today. Sheesh.' Tomi went up to the bathroom door, looking quite red, standing right outside the bathroom door.
"Master Li, your dinner is getting cold. A King like you should not miss his dinner meals." Syaoran jumped about a mile.
"Aaah! I'll be there right after my bath." Tomi giggled slightly at hearing the "great" King sounding surprised.
"Yes, sir. I will get your dinner heated." Syaoran winced.
'Yuck. I hate re-heated meals. Oh well.' he looked down at his hand, which held the note. He looked back at the door. He bent down into the tub and turned on the tap. He snuck a peek around his luxurious bathroom before re-reading the note. The walls were a light, blue creamy colour. The Jacuzzi he was in was in the middle of the floor, lined in pearl tiles, the gold sink was in the corner. Along the wall was a long hook for hanging clothes. Syaoran went back to the note.
We have sent with this message, a gift that belongs to you. Take good care of it. You have a great power inside of you. Use it well, along the enclosed and great thing will come from you. We will not tell you how to use it; that is up to you, it is your own fate. Farewell.
-Anonymous
Syaoran examined the letter over and over again.
'What does this even mean? This is so confusing. Okay, relax. In training of the King, you had to do a lot of tricky questions like this. Just remember what you were taught. Okay, step #1. This note was found out in the east hall. It was tossed carelessly on the floor. It was a definite accident that it was there and that I found it. Most likely. Step #2. The person who dropped it was in the palace at one time, or it couldn't have gotten there. It could have been a lot of people, we had a ball yesterday. Darn. Maybe not. The maids and butlers who clean the floors must have found it by yesterday, so the person was here today. But. There was a big mess at the ball, they might have been too busy to finish the entire palace yesterday. So Step #3. Anyone and everyone from inside this palace to the people whom were at the party are possible suspects... Suspects, listen to yourself talk! You're not a detective, you know Syaoran.' he thought to himself.
'So Step #4. Narrow down the suspects.' Syaoran cut through almost the whole list of guests that came to the party, thinking of a good reason to excuse them.
'So it comes down to... Really no one. Hm. This isn't right...' Syaoran sighed.
'I guess that everyone is so trustworthy, I'm not sure who to suspect. But I think it's that girl in the garden. Gee, I call her "girl from the garden" so much, I ought to nick-name her "garden girl" ' Syaoran joked to himself.
{End of Chapter 8} So, who do you think that note came from? Hehehe... Oh, and worry, this story is going to end in just a few chapters, all questions hopefully answered. ^^ Enjoy!