Chapter Fourteen: Time to Tell

Yumi and Ulrich sprang apart, but the damage was done. "What are you doing here," Ulrich demanded of Jeremie, rising from his seat. He slapped himself mentally; it wasn't good to be impudent at the moment. Jeremie could probably have him locked up just for looking at him the wrong way.

To Ulrich's shock, the Prince answered. "I came to do some quiet reading, though aparently that's not all libraries are good for these days." The last part was said with a hint of amusement.

Yumi leapt from her seat and fled, pushing Jeremie aside as she ran out the door. The boys gazed after her for a few moments until Jeremie broke the silence.

"Perhaps we should talk," he reasoned, indicating with a wave that Ulrihc should sit back down and taking the seat t that Yumi had vacated for himself.

"What about," Ulrich said tersely through his teeth.

"About a certain Japanese Princess who seems to be driving us both insane in one way or another."

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Yumi had never felt so vulnerable. She had fled to her chambers and proceeded to soak her pillow in tears while ignoring Aelita and Naomi as they tried to coax an explanation out of her. They knew she had gone to the library, but her sudden change in mood had yet to be explained. The maidservants were left to patting her back and cooing that whatever it was was going to be okay.

Ulrich had kissed her. The thought made Yumi happy and angry at the same time. She had developed feelings for Ulrich in the village, but she wasn't sure how deep than ran. Deeper than those she had for Jeremie, but that wasn't much to go on. He obviously returned the feeling, but that wasn't necescarily a good thing. Love wasn't something that could happen between and Princess and a guard, it simply wasn't done.

"I'm going to the library," Aelita whispered to Naomi. "We have to know what's going on." Naomi nodded and Aelita exited the chambers.

Odd waited until the door had clicked shut behind her before speaking. "What's with the Princess? She ran past me bawling her eyes out about something."

Aelita shook her head. "Yumi isn't talking. I'm heading down to the library to try to find out what's happening. Ulrich is still down there I take it?"

"He never came back, so I guess he is," Odd confirmed. Aelita accepted this information with a nod and set off down the corridor towards the library.

Once she was down the vacant staircase, Aelita saw Ulrich coming her way. She rushed foward to meet him. He never stopped to talk or acknowledge her presence.

"Ulrich, what's wrong with Yumi?" She fell into stride behind him as he walked.

"I don't know," he said simply.

"Well, you were with her! What happened?"

"I crossed the line," he said enigmatically without missing a beat.

"What line? You're speaking nonsense!" Aelita was begining to grow annoyed with his nonchalant attitude.

"The line between guard and princess. I kissed Yumi." Aelita froze as Ulrich kept walking, the information seeming to stun her.

"Where are you going," she called after him after a long pause.

"The garden."

Aelita sighed. "Well, he was helpful," she said to herself sarcastcially. "Better check the library, just in case Yumi found any information on those weddings she wants me to bring up to her."

She backtracked down the corridor to the library doors and entered the vast room. It was empty except for Jeremie, who had curled up in a plush chair with his nose buried in a book. He didn't seem to notice her, so Aelita simply move to the table that was covered in books about wedding traditions and started to gather them up.

"Taking the books up to Yumi?" Aelita jumped when Jeremie spoke. He was looking at her now, the book forgotten on his lap. She nodded slowly, on guard. "I suppose you have heard by now? No doubt Yumi is quite upset."

"You saw it," Aelita prodded. Might was well get the full story.

"Yes, I did. I'm afraid I upset her though, with a comment I made." Aelita raised a skeptical eyebrow. Jeremie coughed uncomfortably and moved on. "How is she?"

"In tears," the maidservant said frankly. Jeremie looked sorry for the princess. "So, that was all they were doing...?" She trailed off to let him finish the sentence.

"Kissing? Yes. Don't worry, they had the table between them." He sounded amused.

"It's a pity," Aelita mused. "A marraige between them would have no chance of making it. Her father would simply not allow it to happen."

"Marraige for love is such a simple concept, why is it so hard," Jeremie asked.

"Because there will forever be people trying to control their children's lives," Aelita said. "It's sad but true. However, Yumi must learn to control herself."

"You said before that I should take a stand," Jeremie reminded her. "Would you begrudge Yumi for doing the same?"

Aelita thought for a moment. "No, I suppose not. How could I? All she wants is to be loved for who she is, just like you and I, to be happy."

"To be happy....That's a rather vague goal, don't you think?" (Sorry, I just had to use that line. Fellow Chobits fand can shoot me later.)

"No more vauge thna wanting to be loved," Aelita answered. "Love and happiness seem to go hand-in-hand these days."

"Agreed. But how would I go about taking a stand for my own happiness?"

"Find the one who you love the most. Your number one love." (Whoa, I really gotta stop the CLAMP references in this chapter, don't I?)

"And what if I think I've found her?"

"Then let her know." Aelita piled up the books. "I had better take these to Yumi. I will see you later, your Highness?"

Jeremie smiled. "Of course. Goodbye, Aelita."

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