Chapter IV : Aristocracy and Other Things
I toss and turn in bed trying hard not to wake up but after five minutes, give up. Opening my eyes slowly, for they seem glued, and then narrowing them to get a better glance at the LDC panel of the stereo system. It reads three in the morning.
I moan in disgust at the hour and cover myself in the duvet to keep the comfortable cocoon of warmness. Though I close my eyes again, I can not drift back to sleep and that irritates me because I know that, if I happen to fall sleep again, it'll be hard to wake up at seven in the morning.
Deciding to do some things in order to get groggy again I get up and turn on the laptop to work on some assignment, but my eyes seem to be as open as saucers even when the work is boring as hell. Dismissing the thought of working until dawn and then be like a zombie the entire day I put in on hibernation and walk towards the now cold bed, tucking myself again in the covers.
I have a black teddy bear named Benji-kun that has two bandanas with the Japanese red sun and some kanji's on it. One is white and the other is black. I take off the black bandana from poor Benji-kun and tie it up in front of my eyes as a makeshift sleeping-mask, hoping agaisnt hope for sleep to overcome me.
Still, it takes some time before I lose consciousness again.
In the background I can hear some melody played by something; the stereo perhaps. I untie the bandana and open my eyes with much effort, refusing the urge to get back to sleep.
As expected, it's hard to wake up.
Gathering a lot of self-control I make it to the bathroom to take a shower and freshen up. Some thirty minutes later I'm done and dressed up in the school uniform. After combing my hair in two braids with some locks of hair fashionably out of its grasp I apply some lip-gloss and head down to have breakfast.
I smell in the air the aroma of hotcakes with honey syrup.
As always, okaa-san is seated at the head of the kitchen table, hiding behind the huge newspaper. "Morning sweetie, had a nice sleep?"
Sitting down and suppressing a yawn I manage to say "Mmmhmm."
"Woke again in the middle of the night?" She asks lowering the newspaper to see me straight in the eye. Her sentence is more a statement than a question. Motherly concern displayed in her royal-purple eyes.
"Hai, though I don't know why," the reason is really beyond me, "God, I hate when that happens!" Taking the plate with three hotcakes pilled up that Marie was handing me and mumbling a thanks in the process.
"Maybe you are anxious or even excited about something..." Venturing to know what the problem is all about.
"I really don't know okaa-san," adding a generous amount of honey flavored syrup to the steaming breakfast. "How is your schedule today?"
"Not too busy, which is unbelievale. Though I need to plan a party to honor our partners and associates," returning her attention to the news, "tell Eriol-kun that he's invited, excuses are not an option. If he dares to refuse, I'll be very mad and he doesn't want to get acquainted to my evil side." An evil-like glow was all around her as if to prove her point.
"Okay," taking the fork and knife to start eating before cools down, "by the way, I'm going to the Buckingham Palace after school so don't be alarmed if you don't find me at Eriol-kun's place," an estrategic pause and I've got all her attention, "of course I'll take my personal bodyguard with me, even if I don't think it's necessary," just the picture of me arriving at a royal residence with a female bodyguard straight out of a James Bond movie in tow makes me shiver, "there must be plenty of security." Placing a bit of the hotcake inside my mouth and chew it carefully, savoring the sweet flavor.
"There might be, but none of them has the duty to protect what I value the most and that's why you'll take Higurashi-san with you." Her tone and overall demeanor held no room for arguments.
I just nod and continue eating.
"Are you really going there Tomoyo-san?" I can hear Eriol-kun ask in the middle of the noisy dining house.
"Yes, I'm going... Want to come with me?" I say as if I were going to Sakura-chan's place instead, placing the tray with the meal on an unoccupied table.
"I can't... You're the only one invited. It's not like you go there and say look, I brought somebody with me, who knows how many arrangements were made just to get you in there." Doing the same and having a seat in front of me.
"You're right," and somehow I find it a bit ridiculous, "okaa-san is throwing a party for her new business associates and partners and she wants you to be there." I inform him while spooning some chicken créme soup.
"I can't find within myself a reason to not obligue mother's wishes. I'll be there, just tell me when." Don't be surprised about him labeling my mother as his. It's a common occurrence for him. Mother was delighted.
"I don't know the date but I'll keep you informed. It's not like you can refuse anyway. She wanted me to make clear that you better be there or else you'll be up close and personal with her evil side. Believe me, you don't want that." I say mimicking kaa-san's voice and attitude early in the morning watching how he swallowed hard.
"Thank you for the advie. I'll take it to heart." Drinking from his iced-tea.
"If you have any doubts, ask Kinomoto-sensei. He knows better than anyone else." Giggling a little at the remembrance of the Tomoeda Elementary School Spring Festival some years ago.
"The thought of doubting you hasn't crossed my mind." And then we proceed to eat in blissful silence, at least between us because the cafeteria was noisy as ever.
"There you are!"
I turn around to see the owner of that powerful voice and making eye-contact with a tall, blonde young man who I recognize as just William.
"Hello darling! I was just gathering my things to look for you." Giving him a bright smile.
If you've walked in Eton's grounds I'm sure you've heard how much of a shameless flirt I am; most specially straight from the mouths of the we love William fanclub. It couldn't be more far to the truth. That's just how he inspires me to react to his aristocratic demeanors.
"Good!... Are you done? Because our ride is already waiting for us outside." He says with an adorable, white smile to then look at his watch and his expression changes to one of pure horror. "Dear Lord! Grandma hates to wait for us at tea time, we better get going dearest." Stuffing an impatient hand in one of his pockets.
"Sorry, I'm done!" Walking by his side "I don't want to be the cause of your disgrace."
We walk side to side (there's no reason for me to be behind) through all the corridors and down Eton High Street, passing some very pissed off groupies of dager-glaring girls. If looks could kill, I'll be six feet under and my mother certainly would not appreciate that.
After some ten minutes walking, a known figure (to me) can be seen. In fact, that's Higurashi-san, my personal bodyguard.
"Your mother personally talked to the Royal Intelligence Service and arrangements were made to put you under the protection of your personal bodyguard." William explained at my bemused expression.
Mother is really someone who knows how to get her way and won't give up until she accomplishes what she wants.
"I told her not to worry about me." I say quietly, smiling softly at kaa-san's over protectiveness.
"But parents are not easily satisfied when referring to their children's safety." He replies, smiling at the bowing servant who opens the car door for us... Or rather him.
A huge and wonderful castle proudly stands in front of me and I'm mentally amazed at the power, elegance, respect, history, tradition and solemnity it commands. The black, iron gates are opened to let the Royal Rolls Royce inside and are quickly closed behind us and The Guard of Honor, with their nice uniforms, make a salute.
"Your Majesty is waiting for Your Highness and the Miss in the tea room." Informs the middle aged sort of butler with a sharp British accent.
"Thank you James, please lead the lady to the Intelligence Service." The Prince commands gently.
"As you wish Your Highness," a curt bow and then, "this way, please." Higurashi-san looks at me and then follows the man.
"You might come this way my dear," William says and I just tag along.
I look at my surroundings, discretely marveled by so much gold and master pieces. We come to a halt and beautifully carved French doors are opened to reveal a magnificent room. I can spot inside the little figure of the Queen and my face turns solemn.
"William dear, you're finally here!" Exclaims the woman in a hushed, sweet voice. "Is this the young lady you've talked to me about?" Her eyes are intent on finding my very soul and I fight the uneasy feeling.
"Good afternoon Your Majesty, I'm honored to meet you," voice calm and collected and to then bow gracefully as my governess taught me when I was little during my proper etiquette classes. "My name is Daidouji Tomoyo. Ah! lovely weather isn't it... Just perfect to go out on a walk."
She stares at me a little longer and then her rather dull expression softens to reveal a small, satisfied smile. "Indeed... That's why we are going to have tea outside, in the terrace." The petite woman announced and rose from her sitting position to walk towards double glass doors.
We follow her in complete silence to then have seat in a beautiful, garden-style, table overflowing with all kind of pastries, a teapot and three cups of delicate chinaware. "Where's Harry?" The one and only man among us asks to no one in particular.
"He's out due to some Polo practice I believe." Answers the calm voice of his grandmother.
"I see." He replies, placing the delicate napkin on his lap while I do the same.
"Do you like London, dear?"
Okay, that was something I wasn't expecting. The Queen bothered enough to talk to me!. Lifting my head to make eye-contact I began, "I find it charming, though it took me a while to get accustomed to the weather... This is the home of so many wonderful legends, myths and stories... Such an enchanting place to live in." I think that William is somewhat startled.
"William told me that you're from Japan, don't you miss your homeland?" Signaling a nearby maid to serve us tea with an almost imperceptive flick of her wrist.
"Yes, very much I'm afraid," I say looking at the tall trees ahead, "especially my friends. However, as human beings and changing creatures we need to learn how to adapt to all kind of situations and circumstances.Change and transition, the forces that reign the nature I believe. If we don't learn to adapt, then we can't evolve." I finish with a smile directed at the maid that was filling my cup of tea at the moment.
"What a clever philosophy!" She cried out taking a canapé from the fountain. "Now I realize that all the things William have told me about you are true... It's rather difficult to find a fine young lady like you these days." Looking at me with mischievous eyes and I can feel my cheeks blush.
"You honor me, Your Majesty." In the most dignified voice I can come up with at the moment.
"She has become second to none in all her schools, tied up only with Sir. Hiiragizawa, and has the most beautiful voice you'd ever heard." Said William to his grandmother making my blush more noticeable.
It's not everyday that a Prince compliments you in front of a member of his family that happens to be the Queen of all the United Kingdom!
"What a talented young homan!" Time for me to smile and take a canapé. "You should sing for us some time. Later, perhaps?"
My hand stops midway from the pastries tray to my mouth and I smile brightly "It would be my pleasure."
Night found us locked in the giant library surrounded by a lot of ancient books that speak of love, death, pain, sorrow, joy, happiness, nature and all the things that human kind finds worth writing about in fine poetry. William's tutor stayed with us during the whole research process and was very helpful and kind with me.
No matter how busy I was... I always found myself wondering what's Eriol-kun doing right then? Trying to coax Spinel to get down from the Louis V chandelier perhaps?
"I think we're done... We have a lot of information from all these books and documents." I say, breaking the peaceful silence in the room.
"I do think so Tomoyo, let's get everything into its right place or else grandma will be furious." The prince says in jest, but there's a bit of panic peeking from underneath.
"We better get started then!... Thank you so much Sir Robert, without your priceless help we still would be with our noses immersed in these books, and now the poetry legacy is better understood by me and thus the English Literature Club Members." Adding a sweet smile for good measure.
"It was my pleasure to help you." He replied without loosing his uptight demeanor but managing a kind, sincere smile which is enough for me.
Some time later, a maid came to inform us that Your Majesty requested our presence in the Music Room.
A big wooden door opens to reveal the biggest music room I'd ever seen (besides theaters). Shining pink marble floor reflexes everything that stands on it with the same fidelity of a polished mirror. Huge masterpieces hang from the walls, filling the environment with their unbelievable geniality and splendor. In the very center of the room stands a wonderful, black grand piano that is so shiny it's almost white.
I spot the queen sitting gracefully in one of the comfortable-looking sofas, signaling us to approach her.
"There's no way you could possibly go home tonight without delightening me with your voice, young lady." A motherly smile forms on her peach colored lips.
"I'll sing with everything all I have just for you."
And then I realize that I dropped the innocent Your Majesty words. I'm so dead!
"Very well dear... Do you need somebody to play for you?" I'm sure a musician is at her very beck and call.
"I hate to decline but it's alright Your Majesty." I do a small courtsy and walk forward to the willing to be touched grand piano.
As I sit there, removing the cloth that hides the ivory beauties from the world, I search frantically for a song to play. The perfect song. Just when I was about to dismay, I smiled inwardly.
I found it.
Tsutsuku
