Feathers of Love

Chapitre Two: The Ball


Days passed by quickly but for Sakura, Nadeshiko and the other slaves and servants, days passed by too quickly, with the day ending when they slept and the next day when the bell rang to order all the slaves and servants to wake up.

As for Sakura, she went to Princess's Nova's room and sang for her whenever she was summoned to sing for her. Sakura was always afraid that the people would harm her in every way but so far, it did not seem to happen. In fact, they ignored her like she was piece of dirt. Nadeshiko, however, was not so fortunate for most of the time, Sakura was away at Princess Nova's room to sing for her instead of helping her mother. Thus, Nadeshiko received more beatings from the Cook than ever for washing the dishes so slowly that there were not enough dishes to use. If Nadeshiko could, she would have used her magic to help her as she was one of the few with magic. However, if Nadeshiko were to use magic, she would suffer more as what had happened in the past when she first tried to use it.

On the day of a very important ball that was to happen, with important people arriving, Sakura was, once again, at Nova's room, singing for her as Nova was bathing. Nova, as usual, was ordering the people in her room to do her bidding. When Sakura arrived through the servants' and slaves' door, the whole room was hectic, for there seemed to be a very important guest arriving that day. There were gowns, jewellery, and hats thrown about as Princess Nova was searching for the most suitable dress to wear for the occasion. The servants in charge of her wardrobe could not decide what let Princess Nova to wear, for everything seemed not to be very suitable for Princess Nova now.

Timidly, Sakura went to the impatient tapping feet of Princess Nova and knelt down, greeting her at the same time, "Good evening, Your Highness. What song would you like your slave to sing today?"

"Forget about singing! Help me look for a dress that is suitable for a ball tonight! To think that I have ordered new dresses made and they are not good enough! Argh!" Nova was almost screaming now.

"Yes, Your Highness." Sakura answered as she tried to wipe her hands clean on the very dirty dress she was wearing. Then, she went towards the wardrobe and looked at the variety of dresses, jewellery and headdresses. Quietly, Sakura went to the servants in charge of Nova's wardrobe and asked, "Can I get one of the dresses from the wardrobe? Princess Nova asked me to look for a suitable dress for her too."

The already white-faced with fear servants nodded her head dumbly but then suddenly remembered, "You are not supposed to touch the dresses and other things. I'll take for you. Which one?"

Sakura whispered, "Don't worry, I think Princess Nova would love this dress. I know servants and slaves usually do not talk to each other but as this a matter of importance, I guess we have no choice." The servant nodded her head. "Things are changing now. Even this princess, who is probably from Clow, is talking gently to me. I guess everything will change, hopefully for the better." She thought.

Sakura pointed out a dress in the deep end of the wardrobe. The servant went and took it out, shaking out the wrinkles. "What else? I still need jewellery and a headdress." The servant looked back fearfully. "You better be quick, Princess Nova is getting angry and you would also be punished if we do not hurry." Sakura nodded her head. Then she pointed out some pieces of jewellery, and also a small headdress. The servant took them all and both of them gingerly walked quickly to Princess Nova, the servant in front and Sakura behind.

"Please, do not let Princess Nova know that I had selected this outfit. You take the honours to tell her." Sakura murmured as she knelt down while the servant held up the outfit, with the help of other servants.

"Your Highness, is this outfit suitable?" Sakura murmured while the servants held the outfit. Nova turned her critical eyes and scanned at everything that was held in the servants' hands. She nodded with approval.

"Beautiful, a dark blue dress with white designs and amethysts as jewellery. What is the theme?" Nova asked as she looked at the fearful servants. Their faces became whiter.

Sakura murmured, "A kingfisher."

Nova looked down at Sakura. "Why a kingfisher?"

"Your Highness, kingfishers have a beautiful blue colour that is around this shade. It is possible that the colour may be lighter but your slave feels that...it is very suitable for Your Highness..."

"Hmm...I think that this is the kind of dress mother would want me to wear tonight. I'll wear this then! Bathe me!" Nova ordered at the slaves who had brought the heated water up and hurriedly poured them into the bathtub, for the water was beginning to cool down.

"Sakura! Sing me a song!" Nova said as she went into the bathtub.

"What song would you like your slave to sing?"

"Anything! Sing now!" Sakura flinched, as though she was being slapped.

"Yes, Your Highness. Your slave would be singing this song: Kingfisher Girl."

Nova nodded her head.

Sakura ended the song while Princess Nova sat in the bathtub mesmerized by the song.

"You are to sing at the feast tonight! Go and wash up now! Ask the cook to spare you some water! By the way, what is your full name again?"

"Your Highness, your slave's name is Sakura Kinomoto."

"Is your mother still washing dishes? Tell her that she is to stop washing the dishes and to start washing herself too! She will be with you singing songs at the feast! Now go! Take this with you to show the Cook that I have ordered both of you to have water to bathe! After bathing, go to the servants' quarters and ask for some new clothes!"

"Yes, Your Highness. Your slave would be ready...if it is not too much, can your slave have a lowly harp to accompany my mother and your slave when your slave sings?"

"All right, all right! Go get one too!" Princess Nova was getting frustrated.

"Thank you, Your Highness." Sakura murmured as she went to do as Princess Nova had requested. Nadeshiko and Sakura went for a bath, got some new clothes, and also a very simple wooden harp. However, Nadeshiko was worried, for there was no such thing as a slave singing for important people. Something must be wrong.

"Sakura," Nadeshiko asked. "Did something happen when you were at Princess Nova's room?"

"Nothing, mother. I was just doing as she had ordered me to and nothing else."

"Something must be wrong. Be on your lookout. Remember to hide the bracelet. It is very important and I do not want people to see it."

"Yes, mother." Sakura said as she hid the bracelet. Then, they waited for the ball to begin at the slaves' and servants' door. Waiting for their turn to be ordered by Princess Nova to enter and sing for the people present. It was very peculiar, until they sensed something very powerful entering the palace...


Disclaimer: I do not own anything to do with Clamp or any other people!

End of Chapitre Two! Yeah! I forgot to mention in the previous Chapitre that Ningyo Hime is the second ending of Chobits, sung by Rie Takana. As for the song Kingfisher Girl, it is sung by Maaya Sakamoto. :D Happy reading! Review too, please?