Author's Note: Wai!! Reviews!! I'm dizzy with happiness! Good thing I'm sitting down. Thank you VERY much (bows). Actually, this story is finished and I intend to update every Wednesday, which means it'll be up on Thursday (?). That's my day off. I actually wrote this story last year and am now typing and editing, so uploading is the easy part (now that I've figured out how). Thank you again! Please, enjoy chapter two!
Disclaimer: I don't own Weiss. They belong to Takehito Koyasu and Project Weiss.
Tell Him That it Wasn't Love
Chapter Two
Ran stared down into the largest brown eyes he'd ever seen, and they stared unabashedly up at him. The boy was absolutely covered in soot. So much so that the features on his face, not to mention the color of his hair, were completely undistinguishable. Ran didn't think he'd ever seen anyone quite that dirty. He blinked.
"Ran!" Yohji had already dismounted and was waiting impatiently.
Ran climbed out of the saddle, handed the boy his reigns, and moved over to his cousin. They faced the small gathering of family and servants.
The group was fronted by possibly the tallest man Ran had ever seen. He must've been at least six foot five. Even Yohji had to look up at him. He wore a pleasant smile but his eyes were severe. Ran found himself consciously trying to keep his hand from his sword.
Yohji bowed at the waist and made a grand sweeping gesture with his arm.
"Sir. Allow me to introduce myself and my companion. I am Prince Yohji Kuduo, nephew to the King, and this is my cousin, Lord Ran Fujimiya."
Ran also bowed low.
"We have come here seeking my Aunt, but have been informed by local villagers that she is dead these past nine years." Yohji paused for some reaction from the family. The man seemed to pale momentarily, but recovered and bowed to them.
"Indeed, Sir, this was the home of your Aunt, my dearly departed wife, Mei. She was, I believe, very close to your mother and died not long after her. I am Sir Henry Sneller, and I have continued with the management of her estate."
"A pleasure, indeed, Sir Sneller," Yohji said with a bright smile. "So it was your wedding I remember attending here as a lad?"
"Yes, a fine affair. I believe that was the final meeting between your dear mother, and my dear wife. A happy time for them as I recall."
The man turned abruptly and motioned to the three young women standing behind him. Two resembled their father. They were quite tall with luscious black hair and dark eyes. The third was petite with plainer features, her eyes and hair of a mousy brown. The three curtsied daintily.
"These are my daughters from my first marriage. Justine, April, and Caroline. And our servants."
"A pleasure." Yohji and Ran bowed to the daughters. The servants bowed and curtsied to them in turn. Yohji inclined his head to them while Ran bowed again.
"We were about to serve tea, Sirs. Would you be good enough to join us? I see my boy has already seen to your horses."
Ran turned to find their horses and the boy gone from the yard, presumably into the stables. Yohji smiled brightly at Sir Sneller.
"We'd be honored, Sir."
* * *
Tea was served in the garden by the two serving women. They looked very much alike and Ran suspected they were related. he wondered at the size of the staff for such a large home. The front view of the house was deceptive, they'd discovered, as they came round the back to the gardens. The land on either side of the manor sloped away from the house making it three full stories plus the attic in the back.
While they were being served Yohji smiled at the elder of the two servants, and jumped when she fixed him with a look. He shook his head in disbelief.
"Wait, I know you. Hudson?!" he asked.
"Indeed, Sir, it is!"
Yohji let out a laugh, scooped the woman up and spun her around, much to everyone's dismay.
"Why, Hudson, look at you! You look exactly the same," he cried happily.
"Oh, and you're still as charming as the devil," she smiled from ear to ear. "I remember you stealing Cook's fresh cookies."
"Is Cook still here as well?"
"No. No, she died seven years ago now. But will you look at my Molly?" Mrs. Hudson put an arm around her daughter who blushed. "She was no more'n a tot when you were here last."
The Prince smiled and bowed to Molly who curtsied back before pulling away to serve the three sisters. Yohji winked at them. Two of the three twittered while the third rolled her eyes. Ran smirked into his tea. There was at least one woman in the land that was resistant to his cousin's charms.
Ran took a moment to gaze appreciatively at the gardens. A lawn stretched from the back of the house, surrounded by neat rows of what he took to be flower beds. Although it was too early for anything to be in bloom he recognized the foliage of a row of roses, and the other beds were full of bright green leaves which would soon be full of blossoms. There were cutting beds further on. These looked slightly wilder than the formal flower beds. A neat hedge separated the flower beds from the vegetable gardens which seemed to back onto a taller hedgerow at the bottom of the yard. In the distance he could see the elderly servant they'd met earlier, working with a hoe.
"Sir, I notice you admire our gardens."
Ran looked up at the tall man beside him.
"Indeed, Sir Sneller. They appear tidy and well tended," he said.
"We benefit from good soil here, Sir. And Shoop is very skilled. He's been gardener here since before my wife passed."
They both fixed their eyes on the figure in the distance. Ran arched an eyebrow.
"You seem to have a very small staff here for the size of your house and grounds," Ran stated turning his cold amethyst gaze on the taller man.
"Yes, but we get by. Mrs. Hudson and Molly manage the family rooms marvelously well, while Shoop handles the gardens, and Molly also works the dairy. And the boy, of course. He comes in from the village to help with whatever needs doing. If we expect company we take on extra staff."
"Hn," Ran grunted noncommittaly.
Sir Sneller turned abruptly from Ran to Yohji, who was flirting with all the women at once, and quite successfully too.
"I regret, your Highness, that we can not offer you a room for this evening. We were not expecting company and none of the guest rooms are prepared," he stated loudly.
All the women blinked in surprise as Yohji simply shrugged.
"We've already taken rooms at an inn not seven miles from here. We've actually been in the area for quite sometime already, enjoying your excellent hunting and fishing," he smiled.
"Could you recommend somewhere we might try?" Ran asked softly, joining the seated group at the little table.
"There is a lake at the end of the valley with excellent specimens of trout."
"The one we saw as we were riding up?" the Prince asked.
"Yes, just continue to follow the road."
There was a break in the conversation as more tea was distributed and consumed.
"So, its just you and your father here?" Ran asked the sisters.
"Yes," the two dark haired women answered.
"Funny, I just remembered, I meant to enquire about my cousin. Is he about?" Yohji's question caused a stillness to descend over the little group.
Sir Sneller cleared his throat. "Unfortunately not," he said. There was a pause before he continued, he seemed to be gathering his thoughts. "Your cousin John, I'm sorry to say, is away at school. He's an extremely bright boy, but unwell. He was very ill after his mother's death and has never quite recovered. So, for the sake of his health he has been sent south to a gentler climate," with that he took a deep drink of his tea, almost as if it were something stronger.
Caroline set down her tea cup with a loud thump, stood, and marched away from the party and into the house without excusing herself. Molly looked from the door Caroline had disappeared through to Sir Sneller and back again. She set down the tea tray with a loud clang and followed her youngest mistress. Yohji and Ran looked on in amazement and wonder.
"They are very fond of him," said Sir Sneller calmly. "They miss him terribly."
"I'm sorry I couldn't see him," the Prince said.
"I shall inform him that you were here and asking after him when next I write."
"Thank you, Sir Sneller."
The rest of the tea passed more solemnly than it had begun. When they were done Yohji asked permission to visit the family cemetery to convey flowers to his Aunt's grave from himself and his mother. Sir Sneller agreed, but declined to accompany them saying he'd been that morning, and instead gave them directions.
* * *
Ken set the daisies on his mother's grave and sighed down at them. They were always the first thing to bloom behind the barn where they got sun all day, and he always picked the first batch for his mother. He barely remembered her and it bothered him. In his mind's eye he could see skirts swirling. He remembered kind eyes, the touch of finger tips against his cheek, the scent of delicate perfume. And daisies. He remembered seeing daisies. Although he couldn't be sure whether or not they had anything to do with her, he always associated daisies with his mother.
He sighed again and ran a hand over the intricate iron cross that marked her grave. His hand was still filthy with soot. He realized he should try to get clean before his "discussion" with his stepfather. No need to make matters worse. Quietly he stood and moved through the surrounding shrubs to take a trail down the hillside to the pond. As he exited the grave yard the Prince and his cousin entered through the little gate.
The two paused just inside the gate to glance around and get their bearings. The tiny grave yard was located away from the house, up a small hill on the side of the valley. From the hilltop there was another lovely view of the valley floor and, this time, the back of the manor.
"Its nice up here," the Prince whispered. "Quiet."
"Aa."
"Which one do you suppose it is?" the Prince asked.
They looked around and noticed a small, intricate iron cross with a fresh bouquet of daisies placed before it. Yohji added his bunch of early blooming wild flowers he'd collected.
"I guess that's the one," he said. "A delicate cross for a delicate lady. Aunt Mei, I know you and mother are enjoying one of your chatty teas and gossiping about the rest of the family." He blew her a kiss and turned to Ran. "Shall we go?"
"Aa."
As they moved along the path back toward the house Ran glanced down the hillside to a small pond just visible below. He watched as a figure emerged from the trees and dove fully clothed into the water. Behind him he left a layer of soot floating on the surface of the pond.
* * *
Caroline paced her room while Molly watched. The young woman wrung her hands in worry and frustration.
"Molly, I'm afraid I can't let this pass," she said at last turning to her maid. "It just isn't right that Pa-pa would send him away, Ken's own cousin, without letting Ken meet him properly."
Molly nodded in agreement.
"I've always trusted Pa-pa when he's made excuses for the stories we tell others, but the Prince is his cousin! There maybe nothing that he can do, but they at least deserve the chance to know each other."
Molly nodded again.
"Yes, we must intervene! We can not let this opportunity for Ken be missed. Fate has sent Prince Yohji to us, but perhaps fate needs a bit of help."
Molly grinned. "What d'ya want me to do, Miss?"
* * *
Sir Sneller met the young noblemen as they returned from the grave yard and showed them around the exterior of the house, and the gardens.
"I would gladly show you the inside, as we have made several improvements to the property, but we had a mishap this morning," he said.
"Ah, that would explain the soot covered boy," Yohji reasoned.
"Yes. He tries hard, but suffers from a dim wit and clumsy feet."
Yohji laughed easily as Sir Sneller smiled. Ran remained impassively quiet. A vision of large curious brown eyes flitting through his mind.
"Are you staying much longer?" Sir Sneller enquired suddenly.
"Probably not," the Prince admitted. "My cousin is anxious to return to Court, and I confess I've put several things off to extend our stay already."
"A shame. There are several well stocked ponds and some excellent shooting to be found on the far side of the estate. Perhaps we can persuade you to make a return visit?"
"Yes," Yohji smiled. "Next year perhaps."
"Excellent."
They rounded the side of the house and approached the stables. Shoop stood there with their horses in hand. Yohji and Ran turned to Sir Sneller and bowed deeply. He bowed in return.
"A pleasure to make your acquaintance, Sir," said the Prince. "Please remember to give my regards to my cousin, though I'm sure he wouldn't remember me."
"Indeed, I will, your Highness. Pray, shall I be seeing you and your cousin at Court this season?"
"Ah, I'm afraid not. I'm not allowed at Court in season at the present time," Yohji's cheeks pinked slightly and Sir Sneller bowed again in apology.
"Then I shall look for you in a year's time," he said.
Yohji and Ran mounted and the Prince turned back to the tall man.
"In a year, Sir," he nodded from his seat in the saddle. They turned their horses and he waved. "Farewell, Sir Sneller. To you and your lovely daughters!"
With that he spurred his horse and galloped off through the gate. Ran nodded once to the tall man and followed his cousin. Sir Sneller smiled coldly at their retreating backs. That had gone far better than he could have anticipated. Even Ken's being covered in soot had been fortuitous, ensuring that the Prince would not recognize him. Not that he'd expected him to. That had been an unpleasant surprise. The Prince had been young, and Ken a small child. They'd been separated after an incident of bullying and he hadn't expected Yohji to remember Ken at all. Still, everything had worked out. He'd just need to ensure the boy's absence during their next visit.
Sir Sneller looked up at the sound of approaching footsteps. Ken, soaked to the skin, but quite a bit cleaner was crossing the court yard.
"Are the visitors departed then, Sir?" he asked.
"Yes, Ken, they are."
"A brief visit, Sir."
"Yes, they were slight acquaintances from Town who just happened to be in the area, but are leaving within the next few days. They didn't want to depart without paying me their compliments." Sir Sneller watched the two horsemen disappear into the trees at the roadway and smiled again. He glanced down at Ken.
"Sir, I am truly sorry about the sunroom. I was being careful, but...well...I know it won't change anything." Ken stared hard at his bare feet.
His stepfather looked down at him for a moment. At length he nodded.
"I've decided that discussing this particular incident would be pointless," he paused when Ken's head shot up. "It was an accident, after all. Molly has admitted it was her fault, and no real harm was done."
"Th-thank you, Sir."
"You will clean up after our guests' horses, and help Mrs. Hudson and Molly clean the sunroom tomorrow."
"Y-yes, Sir."
"Good. And do try harder next time, Ken."
"Yes, Sir. I will, Sir."
"Good," Sir Sneller nodded. Yes, he was satisfied. A near disaster had been averted, and he actually had the boy's clumsiness to thank for it. He strolled back toward the house. Behind him he heard Ken begin to clean the court yard, and again he smiled.
* * *
The Prince and Ran turned up onto the roadway and instantly slowed their horses. They continued up the rising hill at a leisurely walk.
"Well, Cousin, I can honestly say that that was one of the oddest afternoons I've ever spent."
"Aa."
"I expect you've fallen in love with the air here," Yohji looked cheekily at Ran, who quirked a crimson brow
at him in question. "It seems to breed great independence in the serving class."
Ran snorted.
As they reached the break in the trees that afforded the view of the house they slowed further with the intention of admiring it again. Suddenly, the bushes on the side of the road parted. In a flurry of skirts and curls a young woman dashed into the road, and planted herself directly in their path. The two noblemen quickly reined in their horses before they could shy, and stared dumbfounded. In the road before them stood the young serving maid. Her feet planted wide with her hands on her hips, and a very determined expression on her face. Yohji and Ran exchanged glances.
"Gods, girl!" the prince exclaimed. "We could've run you down!"
"But you didn't," she replied with a smile.
"What is it we can do for you?" Ran asked quietly, trying to hide a sudden smile.
"You're Molly, aren't you?" Yohji demanded.
"I am. And there's nothing you can do for me, your Highness. But I can do something for you."
"You can, can you? And what would that be?" the Prince asked also fighting a smile.
"Provide you with a guide for your fishing trip to the lake," she nodded with confidence.
Yohji chuckled and shook his head. "Unfortunately we-"
"Why?"
The Prince's head whipped around to stare at his cousin in surprise, but Ran's mask was firmly in place.
"Its true that the fishing at the lake is good, but only if you know the right fishin' holes. Sir Sneller, he wouldn't be pleased if you didn't have good luck for lack of a guide. What you being family and all."
Yohji's eyebrows shot up as he refocused his attention on the young woman. This was getting more interesting by the moment. "So, he suggested a guide, did he?"
"No, Sir, majesty, Sir. My mistress, Miss Caroline did."
"Ah, I see," Yohji smiled. It wasn't the first time a young woman had tried to keep him within the sphere of her influence. He looked to Ran again and shrugged with a smirk. Ran's eyes, however, had narrowed in suspicion. The stoic red-head recalled Caroline's reaction to Yohji and he frowned.
"She knows a good guide?" Ran asked.
The young woman nodded down the hill toward the house. They looked to see the now soot-free youth cleaning up after their horses in the court yard.
"Ken. He knows all the best fishin' holes. Not just in the lake neither, but all over the estate. He can take 'ya."
Yohji and Ran watched the boy work for a moment before redirecting their attention back to Molly. Yohji smiled good naturedly.
"That's very impressive," he quirked his smile at his cousin. "What say you? One more lake?"
Ran seemed to consider for a moment before nodding in agreement.
"A few more days won't matter. I'd like to get Omi out of the inn."
"Yes, he needs to relax. Can your boy...Ken, meet us tomorrow just after first light?" Yohji asked.
"Tomorrow, right here," Molly stated, her voice filled with satisfaction. She beamed a bright smile at them, then skipped back through the bushes and headed down the hill.
"As I was saying, great independence."
"Aa," Ran answered absently. He was watching Molly run down the hill, then he glanced again at the boy working in the court yard. The boy with large brown eyes.
* * *
Author's Note Again: Okay, I know I changed Ken's name slightly. I had to! Please R & R, and thank you for reading.
Disclaimer: I don't own Weiss. They belong to Takehito Koyasu and Project Weiss.
Tell Him That it Wasn't Love
Chapter Two
Ran stared down into the largest brown eyes he'd ever seen, and they stared unabashedly up at him. The boy was absolutely covered in soot. So much so that the features on his face, not to mention the color of his hair, were completely undistinguishable. Ran didn't think he'd ever seen anyone quite that dirty. He blinked.
"Ran!" Yohji had already dismounted and was waiting impatiently.
Ran climbed out of the saddle, handed the boy his reigns, and moved over to his cousin. They faced the small gathering of family and servants.
The group was fronted by possibly the tallest man Ran had ever seen. He must've been at least six foot five. Even Yohji had to look up at him. He wore a pleasant smile but his eyes were severe. Ran found himself consciously trying to keep his hand from his sword.
Yohji bowed at the waist and made a grand sweeping gesture with his arm.
"Sir. Allow me to introduce myself and my companion. I am Prince Yohji Kuduo, nephew to the King, and this is my cousin, Lord Ran Fujimiya."
Ran also bowed low.
"We have come here seeking my Aunt, but have been informed by local villagers that she is dead these past nine years." Yohji paused for some reaction from the family. The man seemed to pale momentarily, but recovered and bowed to them.
"Indeed, Sir, this was the home of your Aunt, my dearly departed wife, Mei. She was, I believe, very close to your mother and died not long after her. I am Sir Henry Sneller, and I have continued with the management of her estate."
"A pleasure, indeed, Sir Sneller," Yohji said with a bright smile. "So it was your wedding I remember attending here as a lad?"
"Yes, a fine affair. I believe that was the final meeting between your dear mother, and my dear wife. A happy time for them as I recall."
The man turned abruptly and motioned to the three young women standing behind him. Two resembled their father. They were quite tall with luscious black hair and dark eyes. The third was petite with plainer features, her eyes and hair of a mousy brown. The three curtsied daintily.
"These are my daughters from my first marriage. Justine, April, and Caroline. And our servants."
"A pleasure." Yohji and Ran bowed to the daughters. The servants bowed and curtsied to them in turn. Yohji inclined his head to them while Ran bowed again.
"We were about to serve tea, Sirs. Would you be good enough to join us? I see my boy has already seen to your horses."
Ran turned to find their horses and the boy gone from the yard, presumably into the stables. Yohji smiled brightly at Sir Sneller.
"We'd be honored, Sir."
* * *
Tea was served in the garden by the two serving women. They looked very much alike and Ran suspected they were related. he wondered at the size of the staff for such a large home. The front view of the house was deceptive, they'd discovered, as they came round the back to the gardens. The land on either side of the manor sloped away from the house making it three full stories plus the attic in the back.
While they were being served Yohji smiled at the elder of the two servants, and jumped when she fixed him with a look. He shook his head in disbelief.
"Wait, I know you. Hudson?!" he asked.
"Indeed, Sir, it is!"
Yohji let out a laugh, scooped the woman up and spun her around, much to everyone's dismay.
"Why, Hudson, look at you! You look exactly the same," he cried happily.
"Oh, and you're still as charming as the devil," she smiled from ear to ear. "I remember you stealing Cook's fresh cookies."
"Is Cook still here as well?"
"No. No, she died seven years ago now. But will you look at my Molly?" Mrs. Hudson put an arm around her daughter who blushed. "She was no more'n a tot when you were here last."
The Prince smiled and bowed to Molly who curtsied back before pulling away to serve the three sisters. Yohji winked at them. Two of the three twittered while the third rolled her eyes. Ran smirked into his tea. There was at least one woman in the land that was resistant to his cousin's charms.
Ran took a moment to gaze appreciatively at the gardens. A lawn stretched from the back of the house, surrounded by neat rows of what he took to be flower beds. Although it was too early for anything to be in bloom he recognized the foliage of a row of roses, and the other beds were full of bright green leaves which would soon be full of blossoms. There were cutting beds further on. These looked slightly wilder than the formal flower beds. A neat hedge separated the flower beds from the vegetable gardens which seemed to back onto a taller hedgerow at the bottom of the yard. In the distance he could see the elderly servant they'd met earlier, working with a hoe.
"Sir, I notice you admire our gardens."
Ran looked up at the tall man beside him.
"Indeed, Sir Sneller. They appear tidy and well tended," he said.
"We benefit from good soil here, Sir. And Shoop is very skilled. He's been gardener here since before my wife passed."
They both fixed their eyes on the figure in the distance. Ran arched an eyebrow.
"You seem to have a very small staff here for the size of your house and grounds," Ran stated turning his cold amethyst gaze on the taller man.
"Yes, but we get by. Mrs. Hudson and Molly manage the family rooms marvelously well, while Shoop handles the gardens, and Molly also works the dairy. And the boy, of course. He comes in from the village to help with whatever needs doing. If we expect company we take on extra staff."
"Hn," Ran grunted noncommittaly.
Sir Sneller turned abruptly from Ran to Yohji, who was flirting with all the women at once, and quite successfully too.
"I regret, your Highness, that we can not offer you a room for this evening. We were not expecting company and none of the guest rooms are prepared," he stated loudly.
All the women blinked in surprise as Yohji simply shrugged.
"We've already taken rooms at an inn not seven miles from here. We've actually been in the area for quite sometime already, enjoying your excellent hunting and fishing," he smiled.
"Could you recommend somewhere we might try?" Ran asked softly, joining the seated group at the little table.
"There is a lake at the end of the valley with excellent specimens of trout."
"The one we saw as we were riding up?" the Prince asked.
"Yes, just continue to follow the road."
There was a break in the conversation as more tea was distributed and consumed.
"So, its just you and your father here?" Ran asked the sisters.
"Yes," the two dark haired women answered.
"Funny, I just remembered, I meant to enquire about my cousin. Is he about?" Yohji's question caused a stillness to descend over the little group.
Sir Sneller cleared his throat. "Unfortunately not," he said. There was a pause before he continued, he seemed to be gathering his thoughts. "Your cousin John, I'm sorry to say, is away at school. He's an extremely bright boy, but unwell. He was very ill after his mother's death and has never quite recovered. So, for the sake of his health he has been sent south to a gentler climate," with that he took a deep drink of his tea, almost as if it were something stronger.
Caroline set down her tea cup with a loud thump, stood, and marched away from the party and into the house without excusing herself. Molly looked from the door Caroline had disappeared through to Sir Sneller and back again. She set down the tea tray with a loud clang and followed her youngest mistress. Yohji and Ran looked on in amazement and wonder.
"They are very fond of him," said Sir Sneller calmly. "They miss him terribly."
"I'm sorry I couldn't see him," the Prince said.
"I shall inform him that you were here and asking after him when next I write."
"Thank you, Sir Sneller."
The rest of the tea passed more solemnly than it had begun. When they were done Yohji asked permission to visit the family cemetery to convey flowers to his Aunt's grave from himself and his mother. Sir Sneller agreed, but declined to accompany them saying he'd been that morning, and instead gave them directions.
* * *
Ken set the daisies on his mother's grave and sighed down at them. They were always the first thing to bloom behind the barn where they got sun all day, and he always picked the first batch for his mother. He barely remembered her and it bothered him. In his mind's eye he could see skirts swirling. He remembered kind eyes, the touch of finger tips against his cheek, the scent of delicate perfume. And daisies. He remembered seeing daisies. Although he couldn't be sure whether or not they had anything to do with her, he always associated daisies with his mother.
He sighed again and ran a hand over the intricate iron cross that marked her grave. His hand was still filthy with soot. He realized he should try to get clean before his "discussion" with his stepfather. No need to make matters worse. Quietly he stood and moved through the surrounding shrubs to take a trail down the hillside to the pond. As he exited the grave yard the Prince and his cousin entered through the little gate.
The two paused just inside the gate to glance around and get their bearings. The tiny grave yard was located away from the house, up a small hill on the side of the valley. From the hilltop there was another lovely view of the valley floor and, this time, the back of the manor.
"Its nice up here," the Prince whispered. "Quiet."
"Aa."
"Which one do you suppose it is?" the Prince asked.
They looked around and noticed a small, intricate iron cross with a fresh bouquet of daisies placed before it. Yohji added his bunch of early blooming wild flowers he'd collected.
"I guess that's the one," he said. "A delicate cross for a delicate lady. Aunt Mei, I know you and mother are enjoying one of your chatty teas and gossiping about the rest of the family." He blew her a kiss and turned to Ran. "Shall we go?"
"Aa."
As they moved along the path back toward the house Ran glanced down the hillside to a small pond just visible below. He watched as a figure emerged from the trees and dove fully clothed into the water. Behind him he left a layer of soot floating on the surface of the pond.
* * *
Caroline paced her room while Molly watched. The young woman wrung her hands in worry and frustration.
"Molly, I'm afraid I can't let this pass," she said at last turning to her maid. "It just isn't right that Pa-pa would send him away, Ken's own cousin, without letting Ken meet him properly."
Molly nodded in agreement.
"I've always trusted Pa-pa when he's made excuses for the stories we tell others, but the Prince is his cousin! There maybe nothing that he can do, but they at least deserve the chance to know each other."
Molly nodded again.
"Yes, we must intervene! We can not let this opportunity for Ken be missed. Fate has sent Prince Yohji to us, but perhaps fate needs a bit of help."
Molly grinned. "What d'ya want me to do, Miss?"
* * *
Sir Sneller met the young noblemen as they returned from the grave yard and showed them around the exterior of the house, and the gardens.
"I would gladly show you the inside, as we have made several improvements to the property, but we had a mishap this morning," he said.
"Ah, that would explain the soot covered boy," Yohji reasoned.
"Yes. He tries hard, but suffers from a dim wit and clumsy feet."
Yohji laughed easily as Sir Sneller smiled. Ran remained impassively quiet. A vision of large curious brown eyes flitting through his mind.
"Are you staying much longer?" Sir Sneller enquired suddenly.
"Probably not," the Prince admitted. "My cousin is anxious to return to Court, and I confess I've put several things off to extend our stay already."
"A shame. There are several well stocked ponds and some excellent shooting to be found on the far side of the estate. Perhaps we can persuade you to make a return visit?"
"Yes," Yohji smiled. "Next year perhaps."
"Excellent."
They rounded the side of the house and approached the stables. Shoop stood there with their horses in hand. Yohji and Ran turned to Sir Sneller and bowed deeply. He bowed in return.
"A pleasure to make your acquaintance, Sir," said the Prince. "Please remember to give my regards to my cousin, though I'm sure he wouldn't remember me."
"Indeed, I will, your Highness. Pray, shall I be seeing you and your cousin at Court this season?"
"Ah, I'm afraid not. I'm not allowed at Court in season at the present time," Yohji's cheeks pinked slightly and Sir Sneller bowed again in apology.
"Then I shall look for you in a year's time," he said.
Yohji and Ran mounted and the Prince turned back to the tall man.
"In a year, Sir," he nodded from his seat in the saddle. They turned their horses and he waved. "Farewell, Sir Sneller. To you and your lovely daughters!"
With that he spurred his horse and galloped off through the gate. Ran nodded once to the tall man and followed his cousin. Sir Sneller smiled coldly at their retreating backs. That had gone far better than he could have anticipated. Even Ken's being covered in soot had been fortuitous, ensuring that the Prince would not recognize him. Not that he'd expected him to. That had been an unpleasant surprise. The Prince had been young, and Ken a small child. They'd been separated after an incident of bullying and he hadn't expected Yohji to remember Ken at all. Still, everything had worked out. He'd just need to ensure the boy's absence during their next visit.
Sir Sneller looked up at the sound of approaching footsteps. Ken, soaked to the skin, but quite a bit cleaner was crossing the court yard.
"Are the visitors departed then, Sir?" he asked.
"Yes, Ken, they are."
"A brief visit, Sir."
"Yes, they were slight acquaintances from Town who just happened to be in the area, but are leaving within the next few days. They didn't want to depart without paying me their compliments." Sir Sneller watched the two horsemen disappear into the trees at the roadway and smiled again. He glanced down at Ken.
"Sir, I am truly sorry about the sunroom. I was being careful, but...well...I know it won't change anything." Ken stared hard at his bare feet.
His stepfather looked down at him for a moment. At length he nodded.
"I've decided that discussing this particular incident would be pointless," he paused when Ken's head shot up. "It was an accident, after all. Molly has admitted it was her fault, and no real harm was done."
"Th-thank you, Sir."
"You will clean up after our guests' horses, and help Mrs. Hudson and Molly clean the sunroom tomorrow."
"Y-yes, Sir."
"Good. And do try harder next time, Ken."
"Yes, Sir. I will, Sir."
"Good," Sir Sneller nodded. Yes, he was satisfied. A near disaster had been averted, and he actually had the boy's clumsiness to thank for it. He strolled back toward the house. Behind him he heard Ken begin to clean the court yard, and again he smiled.
* * *
The Prince and Ran turned up onto the roadway and instantly slowed their horses. They continued up the rising hill at a leisurely walk.
"Well, Cousin, I can honestly say that that was one of the oddest afternoons I've ever spent."
"Aa."
"I expect you've fallen in love with the air here," Yohji looked cheekily at Ran, who quirked a crimson brow
at him in question. "It seems to breed great independence in the serving class."
Ran snorted.
As they reached the break in the trees that afforded the view of the house they slowed further with the intention of admiring it again. Suddenly, the bushes on the side of the road parted. In a flurry of skirts and curls a young woman dashed into the road, and planted herself directly in their path. The two noblemen quickly reined in their horses before they could shy, and stared dumbfounded. In the road before them stood the young serving maid. Her feet planted wide with her hands on her hips, and a very determined expression on her face. Yohji and Ran exchanged glances.
"Gods, girl!" the prince exclaimed. "We could've run you down!"
"But you didn't," she replied with a smile.
"What is it we can do for you?" Ran asked quietly, trying to hide a sudden smile.
"You're Molly, aren't you?" Yohji demanded.
"I am. And there's nothing you can do for me, your Highness. But I can do something for you."
"You can, can you? And what would that be?" the Prince asked also fighting a smile.
"Provide you with a guide for your fishing trip to the lake," she nodded with confidence.
Yohji chuckled and shook his head. "Unfortunately we-"
"Why?"
The Prince's head whipped around to stare at his cousin in surprise, but Ran's mask was firmly in place.
"Its true that the fishing at the lake is good, but only if you know the right fishin' holes. Sir Sneller, he wouldn't be pleased if you didn't have good luck for lack of a guide. What you being family and all."
Yohji's eyebrows shot up as he refocused his attention on the young woman. This was getting more interesting by the moment. "So, he suggested a guide, did he?"
"No, Sir, majesty, Sir. My mistress, Miss Caroline did."
"Ah, I see," Yohji smiled. It wasn't the first time a young woman had tried to keep him within the sphere of her influence. He looked to Ran again and shrugged with a smirk. Ran's eyes, however, had narrowed in suspicion. The stoic red-head recalled Caroline's reaction to Yohji and he frowned.
"She knows a good guide?" Ran asked.
The young woman nodded down the hill toward the house. They looked to see the now soot-free youth cleaning up after their horses in the court yard.
"Ken. He knows all the best fishin' holes. Not just in the lake neither, but all over the estate. He can take 'ya."
Yohji and Ran watched the boy work for a moment before redirecting their attention back to Molly. Yohji smiled good naturedly.
"That's very impressive," he quirked his smile at his cousin. "What say you? One more lake?"
Ran seemed to consider for a moment before nodding in agreement.
"A few more days won't matter. I'd like to get Omi out of the inn."
"Yes, he needs to relax. Can your boy...Ken, meet us tomorrow just after first light?" Yohji asked.
"Tomorrow, right here," Molly stated, her voice filled with satisfaction. She beamed a bright smile at them, then skipped back through the bushes and headed down the hill.
"As I was saying, great independence."
"Aa," Ran answered absently. He was watching Molly run down the hill, then he glanced again at the boy working in the court yard. The boy with large brown eyes.
* * *
Author's Note Again: Okay, I know I changed Ken's name slightly. I had to! Please R & R, and thank you for reading.