Disclaimer: I do not own G Gundam or any of its characters
A.N.: Bonjour! I'm back again!! With the next chapter! ::bows gracefully:: It's a nice, long chapter for all my generous reviewers!!
THANK YOU SO MUCH TO MY AWESOME REVIEWERS!!! You guys totally make my day! ^_^ just keep reviewing! And I would like to specially thank chapter two reviewers such as: Annie Rini Romanov, Fionarox, Sketchess, CrescentFighter, RedLion, Evil Irish Eyes, Zephor, Kitty Luver, Posypanco, Lina567, Miss Queen of the World, and Lil Washu!
WARNING! Allenby bashing!! I hate her...so if you don't agree, too bad because you're not going to change my mind. This is your notice right now, so don't flame me when you review...note the large 'WARNING!' sign I included...Sorry if that sounds a little harsh. ::guiltily smiles and shrugs shoulders:: I just wanted to make a point...but on a lighter note, let's get this story started!!
*~*~*~*
THESE FOOLISH GAMES: Chapter 3
*~*~*~*
IN SAUVILLA
A young woman strode down the dark hallway of the extensive Kasshu family castle, dimly lit by the torches that were burning low, soon to be taken over by the ever-rising sun. She wore a low cut gown, revealing far too much cleavage than was proper, but she didn't care. It was ornately designed, a deep shade of blood red; so dark it was almost black. The details were of rich ebony beads, lined with matching lace imported from Shalie, a country well-know for its expensive and intricate cloth and laces. It had cost a fortune, one that could have easily fed all her serfs for years, but who cared about servants when they were only filthy rats and she was queen.
Well, not quite, but close enough to being one. She was, after all, a duchess: a woman of high nobility only slightly below the prince in rank. Her position gave her the liberty to do as she pleased, and it gave her just the right amount of backing to marry the prince. Everything was perfectly arranged.
She let out a wicked laugh. Power, money, not to mention her drop-dead- gorgeous husband that she would rope in. Now all she had to do was win him over into asking her to be his bride. That was her task, and it would be an easy one due to the lack of competition. Win the prince, become the queen. Well, there was that little issue of him being the second born son. And Kyoji was not a force to be reckoned with, but when that day came, when it came down to the end, only one of them would leave standing, and she would die before she saw Kyoji defeat her.
Her green eyes glinted ferociously, lit by the flames. Nothing and no one would stand in her way. She would be denied nothing.
*~*~*~*
IN MERSENIA
"Come on, Marie-Louise! Hurry up or we shall be too late to get the fresh supplies!"
Marie-Louise grunted as she pulled at her muddy skirts. She was wearing one of Rain's dresses, a simple brown one with long sleeves, made of sturdy, rough material. She had a white (well, more or less...it was pretty stained) apron wrapped around her tiny waist. Her shimmering golden locks were pulled back by a white triangle-shaped scarf, tied securely behind her head.
"Hold on Rain!" The mud seemed to suck her into the ground and she struggled with running to catch up with her companion.
Rain stood waiting for her at the top of the hill, her eyes shining and face flushed from the rigorous exercise. She was also dressed simply, wearing a grey dress with a black apron. She had a long black scarf wrapped around her head and draping onto her shoulders, ending just past her hips. She carried an empty basket with her.
Marie-Louise panted and bent over as she put a hand on Rain's shoulder to support her exhausted body. "I ::huff:: just can't figure out ::huff:: how you made it up there ::huff:: so FAST!! ::huff:: I mean, especially with your ankle ::huff:: and all."
Rain laughed. "The healing powers of the herbs help. Don't you remember what I taught you about them? It was part of your training only yesterday. If you forget everything this quickly, we'll be doomed for sure." Her ankle still hurt terribly when she moved, in spite of the medicinal herbs, but she had quickly learned how to move just right so that she would not put more pressure than necessary on it. Not to mention she was in excellent physical condition with this climb everyday to get to the market.
Marie-Louise straightened up. "Of course I remember! I'm just amazed, that's all. I didn't know it would work so well. Besides, I'm not the only one who forgets her training. Your dancing and horseback riding skills, or more accurately, complete lack thereof, definitely leave room for much improvement."
Rain chuckled. "Yes, I suppose you are correct. We both need to refine our skills before we leave tonight for Sauvilla. And while you are passionate and charming and I love and know you like a sister, you do not behave submissive, or passive enough to appear as a servant. To achieve this, you must never act condescending to anyone, especially those higher than you, and treat commoners as your equal."
Marie-Louise smiled gently at Rain's diffident honesty. "I know. I've never been very docile towards anyone, you know that. That's why father is so flustered right now. I have not yet been married, and I reject all his offers. I have a tendency to speak my mind on what I feel. It's really Raymond's fault for teaching the both of us to read and write, although it did take a while for me to convince him.
As thoughts of Raymond came to mind, she laughed. "But I know you are the same way, Rain. We are very much the same. We possess very unfeminine and therefore 'indecent' characteristics such as intelligence, independence, strength, and honesty. Yet many fail to see that we are also gentle, kindhearted, loyal, and altruistic. We are so similar, although I do tend to be a bit more rebellious and you are quite a bit smarter and more reserved than I."
Rain's eyes widened and she turned towards Marie-Louise, her mouth open in protest as they began walking again, but was cut off.
"Don't even think about arguing. I know that you stay up late at night reading. I see the glow from the candles. Father has noticed that some of his Chaucer works are missing from his library periodically. And just last week you slipped up by quoting his work from THE CANTERBURY TALES. Hm. I wonder who possibly would have borrowed them?"
Rain grinned, turning her guilty eyes away as Marie-Louise continued. "So I promise to work on acting like a maid servant if you will open up and let loose that brilliant mind and wonderfully fascinating character you've been forced to lock away for a lifetime. It's your one chance to explore, to challenge, to expose the real Rain you have suppressed. I know it is in you, Rain. You just have to remain calm, relaxed. Like you are with me."
"I wish I could. But I do not think I could risk anything else. What if I let something slip? We will both be in so much trouble. Especially myself. I am supposed to be your chaperon! And instead I am participating in one of your plots." She shook her head. "I still cannot believe you talked me into doing this."
"Oh, Rain, do not be uneasy! We shall have the best time ever! We leave tonight for Sauvilla. I just cannot wait!"
*~*~*~* IN SAUVILLA
Her crimson dress continued to swish against the floor of the hall, the sound strangely harsh, piercing the quiet stillness of sunrise. She paused momentarily at the sound of voices coming from a room. She carefully listened just outside to the conversation taking place.
"Domon, for the last time, I am not going to change my mind! It is far too late now for me to go back on my invitation, the princess is arriving tomorrow to stay at the castle. Besides, it would be detrimental to diplomatic relations with Mersenia, especially because they are one of the greatest nations in the world. Dozens of countries are dying for an opportunity like this one. A marriage to the Princess of Mersenia would result in an incredible bond. Thousands of men are just waiting to take her hand in marriage."
//Princess? What princess?//
"Father! You keep speaking of this like a business transaction! My life is not to be given away to the highest bidder! I don't want to marry some spoiled brat of a princess."
//Another babbling princess? Well, she should not be much competition for me. I can break her and send her home, crying for her wet nurse within hours, just like the others.// The corners of her mouth turned up to form a malicious grin.
"I know that you do not like having your life arranged for you, but just see how things go. You never know what might happen. She could be the one you love."
Domon laughed bitterly. "Ha! That is easy for you to say. You do not have to endure these stupid girls for an entire month! Girls so passive, they cannot open their mouths to give you an answer or opinion on anything. It's always," he mimicked a high-pitched voice of a young girl " 'Whatever you like, my prince' or 'I don't know, whatever you think, my prince.' Always unable to do anything for themselves! So weak, giggling as a response to EVERYTHING!!"
"Domon, that's enough. I think that you had better excuse yourself from the room before father looses his temper with you and you do something impulsive." Kyoji's wise blue eyes sent Domon a warning message that he was tiring of his younger brother's constant whining.
Domon snorted. "Fine. I'll meet your dim-witted princess, but I won't marry her. I WON'T!" Domon then exited the room, flying right by the girl waiting outside. She saw her opportunity, and took advantage of it as she followed Domon into an empty library.
She eyed him boldly as he placed a hand on a window facing the garden, looking out, obviously trying to pacify his upset temper. "Hello, Prince Domon. Anything I can do?"
Her low, seductive voice turned his head and he faced her. She leaned suggestively in the doorway, a alluring expression on her face. She slinked leisurely into the room with a cat-like manner, her hips swaying in the clinging material. Nothing much was left to the imagination in that outfit.
"Lady Allenby." Domon stated flatly. She was tempting to him, to most every man; the way she glanced at men, the lascivious curve of her lips, the way she entered a room reeked with sexual tension. He was not naïve, he knew that she did not want anything other than the title and all that came with it. But the constant game of cat and mouse was fun, and it was just that. A game and nothing more. He had no idiotic feelings of love for her.
She raked a hand threw his hair, pulling his body closer to her own. "It has been so long, my prince. We never see each other anymore."
"I am afraid he has been busy with other affairs." Both Lady Allenby and Domon turned their heads sharply at the unanticipated entry of Kyoji.
Allenby glared at Kyoji, snarling quietly. She never could stand him. Or any of Domon's companions for that matter. They were the few men who had not only refused her but continuously pushed her away from Domon. It was obvious that they disapproved of her objectives and meant to stop her from marrying him and becoming Queen. //Well, who cares what they think. All that matters is what Domon's body tells him.//
"I wonder if I could steal my brother from your charitable company, Lady Allenby. I have a matter I would care to discuss with him." His pseudo- smile and sardonic words mocked her.
She returned his smile and her words dripped with honey. "Why, but of course Kyoji. I would not mind at all. Just remember that you promised me a ride with you tomorrow, Domon. You could come and join us Kyoji." She deepened her voice and whispered in his ear as she walked by, a finger tracing along his jaw line. "We could have a threesome." She laughed and exited the room.
Kyoji glared at her retreating figure and waited until he heard her footsteps fade away. He would not resurrect his hatred for Allenby to the ongoing list of things he and Domon fought over. Right now, there were more pressing matters.
"So, Kyoji. What have you come to speak of?"
"I came to invite you to the marketplace. To break out of your ignorant little world enclosed by these castle walls and to come and see that there is another world out there. An entire kingdom that you may one day rule if I, for some reason, cannot."
He sighed. "Domon, you are my brother, and I love you, but you do not realize the responsibilities that come with your position. As a prince, you cannot act as you please. The kingdom does not work to serve you. On the contrary, you work to serve it. You need to see the place out there, what it is like, how other people live. They do not all live as luxuriously as you and the people you are acquainted with do. There is an entirely different world out there, one you have never been exposed to, sadly. I hope that by taking you there, you may realize the importance of your position and duty in life."
Domon remained silent for a while. He had unwound since his argument with his father. Kyoji was right, he almost always was. He was wise beyond his years, smart, and responsible. Never rash and impetuous like he was. He was a trustworthy confidant and, in spite of their bickering, they were close and loyal to each other. "All right, Kyoji. I will go."
Kyoji smiled and clapped his brother on the back as they headed for the stables.
*~*~*~* IN MERSENIA
Marie-Louise was struggling to control her excitement as she stuck by Rain's side. Never had she seen so many interesting and foreign things in her life! Necklaces, beads, exotic fruits and other foods. Fish from Mazelo, vegetables from Naftopila, shells from Opivano, silks from Shalie, Oh! It was almost too much!
Rain smiled as she saw Marie-Louise's expression. Her eyes bulged out, trying desperately to look at everything; her hands twitching, dying to feel and hold the tempting gifts; her face turned right, then left, then right, snapping around to take in the full experience; her mouth hung open, then smiled widely, then gasped, reacting dramatically to all she saw.
She had bought almost everything she needed. She turned back around to face the vendor, Han, an old man she knew well and trusted who was accompanied by his two grandchildren, Hoi and Ming. "Well, Han, what do you have for me today?"
"Rain!" Hoi and Ming ran up to hug Rain tightly on both sides. Rain laughed as she attempted to hug them both back at the same time.
"Why hello, Rain. I have your fish for you, I know just what you like." Han went into his tent to fetch the food for her.
"Rain, it has been so long since we last saw you! We missed you!"
"I missed you too! Here, let me introduce you to my friend, Marie-Lou..." Her voice drifted off as she turned to find Marie-Louise missing.
"Oh no! Where did she go! What if she breaks something! Or runs into someone we know! Or gets kidnapped! Or robbed! Or..." Her mind drifted off on endless worst-case scenarios. She grabbed her basket and ran off, leaving behind a very confused Hoi and Ming.
"Marie-Louise! Marie-Louise!" Rain's voice could hardly compete with the loud jumble of the marketplace. She felt fear grip her heart. //Oh, dear Lord, I have lost the princess of Mersenia! The king shall kill me for sure! I have disgraced and shamed my family's name.//
She continued to run, shoving people out of her way, and being shoved back in the massive crowd. Suddenly she was thrown to the ground as a woman knocked her down. She cried out in pain and watched helplessly as the contents of her basket scattered onto the dirt. "No! My basket!" She turned over and, crawling on her hands and knees, desperately attempting to reach her fallen items. "Please, please stop! No! Please don't...That is my..." She cried out to the others who narrowly missed crushing her goods.
"Oh dear, oh dear. What am I to do! All that money, wasted on these tarnished goods. And I still cannot find Marie-Louise!" She felt tears of frustration well up in her eyes.
Then a hand appeared and placed her spilled contents back into her basket. She looked up to face a young man with chocolate colored hair and deep, kind blue eyes. He offered her his hand and pulled her up onto her feet.
"There you are, miss. Are you all right? That was quite a fall you had."
Rain smiled graciously at the man. "Yes, thank you so very much. I am much indebted to you, sir, for the generosity and kindness you have displayed towards me."
"Kyoji. My name is Kyoji." He left his name at that, lest he be recognized.
"Well, thank you so very much Kyoji. I would stay and offer to return your munificence, but I am afraid I have lost my friend and I must find her." She was about to turn to leave before he could ask her for her own name when a third voice called out her name.
"Rain! Rain!" Ming came running towards her, then stopped. "Why, Rain, you have torn your dress." She exclaimed.
"Yes, I am afraid I tore it. What is it, Ming? What has happened?"
"Your friend, Marie-Louise came back, she had just gone to look at some beads at a place just a little ways down from ours, and was wondering where you had gone. I came running after you to bring you back. And you also left your fish with grandfather. I did not think that you could prepare dinner tonight without it. I know that it is your lady's favorite meal to prepare. And since she is leaving with you tonight for Sauvilla, I thought- "
"Yes, well, we had better be going now, Ming. Thank you again, Kyoji. I hope we shall meet soon." She quickly cut off Ming with a blush of embarrassment before she spilled too much information in front of a total stranger. It was better to be safe than sorry. She wrapped her fallen scarf around her head once again, and taking her basket in one hand and Ming's hand in the other, took off. However, while she did not realize the truth in her intrinsic farewell, Kyoji did.
He laughed to himself as he realized who she was. "Sooner than you know, Rain."
"Kyoji? Kyoji, where did you go?" Domon interrupted Kyoji's thoughts as he ran to catch up to his brother. He was dressed simply, as was Kyoji, to blend in with the common people. "I lost you in the crowds back there."
"Sorry, little brother. I guess I just wandered off. I say that we walk down this area now, is that fine with you?" Domon nodded to show he concurred and the pair strolled by the stands, each thinking to himself of two women, yet the same: Domon of princess Marie-Louise, and Kyoji of her serving lady, Rain.
*~*~*~*
A.N.: Well, that concludes chapter 3! Sorry, it's been so long, but I have been gone for most of my spring break, not to mention that term paper I still have to finish, but this was a good, though a little lengthy, break for me.
I apologize if you are an Allenby fan, but I needed a villain for my story. Don't worry, there will be another one coming. And the repetition of the country of Shalie was not just for my personal amusement ^_^ It will come up later, related to this villian.
So, let me know what you think, k? Be sure to review! I live for reviews!!
Preview: Rain and Marie-Louise meet up with Domon and Kyoji (maybe some of the other characters as well...depends on whether you review or not ^_^)
~Raye
A.N.: Bonjour! I'm back again!! With the next chapter! ::bows gracefully:: It's a nice, long chapter for all my generous reviewers!!
THANK YOU SO MUCH TO MY AWESOME REVIEWERS!!! You guys totally make my day! ^_^ just keep reviewing! And I would like to specially thank chapter two reviewers such as: Annie Rini Romanov, Fionarox, Sketchess, CrescentFighter, RedLion, Evil Irish Eyes, Zephor, Kitty Luver, Posypanco, Lina567, Miss Queen of the World, and Lil Washu!
WARNING! Allenby bashing!! I hate her...so if you don't agree, too bad because you're not going to change my mind. This is your notice right now, so don't flame me when you review...note the large 'WARNING!' sign I included...Sorry if that sounds a little harsh. ::guiltily smiles and shrugs shoulders:: I just wanted to make a point...but on a lighter note, let's get this story started!!
*~*~*~*
THESE FOOLISH GAMES: Chapter 3
*~*~*~*
IN SAUVILLA
A young woman strode down the dark hallway of the extensive Kasshu family castle, dimly lit by the torches that were burning low, soon to be taken over by the ever-rising sun. She wore a low cut gown, revealing far too much cleavage than was proper, but she didn't care. It was ornately designed, a deep shade of blood red; so dark it was almost black. The details were of rich ebony beads, lined with matching lace imported from Shalie, a country well-know for its expensive and intricate cloth and laces. It had cost a fortune, one that could have easily fed all her serfs for years, but who cared about servants when they were only filthy rats and she was queen.
Well, not quite, but close enough to being one. She was, after all, a duchess: a woman of high nobility only slightly below the prince in rank. Her position gave her the liberty to do as she pleased, and it gave her just the right amount of backing to marry the prince. Everything was perfectly arranged.
She let out a wicked laugh. Power, money, not to mention her drop-dead- gorgeous husband that she would rope in. Now all she had to do was win him over into asking her to be his bride. That was her task, and it would be an easy one due to the lack of competition. Win the prince, become the queen. Well, there was that little issue of him being the second born son. And Kyoji was not a force to be reckoned with, but when that day came, when it came down to the end, only one of them would leave standing, and she would die before she saw Kyoji defeat her.
Her green eyes glinted ferociously, lit by the flames. Nothing and no one would stand in her way. She would be denied nothing.
*~*~*~*
IN MERSENIA
"Come on, Marie-Louise! Hurry up or we shall be too late to get the fresh supplies!"
Marie-Louise grunted as she pulled at her muddy skirts. She was wearing one of Rain's dresses, a simple brown one with long sleeves, made of sturdy, rough material. She had a white (well, more or less...it was pretty stained) apron wrapped around her tiny waist. Her shimmering golden locks were pulled back by a white triangle-shaped scarf, tied securely behind her head.
"Hold on Rain!" The mud seemed to suck her into the ground and she struggled with running to catch up with her companion.
Rain stood waiting for her at the top of the hill, her eyes shining and face flushed from the rigorous exercise. She was also dressed simply, wearing a grey dress with a black apron. She had a long black scarf wrapped around her head and draping onto her shoulders, ending just past her hips. She carried an empty basket with her.
Marie-Louise panted and bent over as she put a hand on Rain's shoulder to support her exhausted body. "I ::huff:: just can't figure out ::huff:: how you made it up there ::huff:: so FAST!! ::huff:: I mean, especially with your ankle ::huff:: and all."
Rain laughed. "The healing powers of the herbs help. Don't you remember what I taught you about them? It was part of your training only yesterday. If you forget everything this quickly, we'll be doomed for sure." Her ankle still hurt terribly when she moved, in spite of the medicinal herbs, but she had quickly learned how to move just right so that she would not put more pressure than necessary on it. Not to mention she was in excellent physical condition with this climb everyday to get to the market.
Marie-Louise straightened up. "Of course I remember! I'm just amazed, that's all. I didn't know it would work so well. Besides, I'm not the only one who forgets her training. Your dancing and horseback riding skills, or more accurately, complete lack thereof, definitely leave room for much improvement."
Rain chuckled. "Yes, I suppose you are correct. We both need to refine our skills before we leave tonight for Sauvilla. And while you are passionate and charming and I love and know you like a sister, you do not behave submissive, or passive enough to appear as a servant. To achieve this, you must never act condescending to anyone, especially those higher than you, and treat commoners as your equal."
Marie-Louise smiled gently at Rain's diffident honesty. "I know. I've never been very docile towards anyone, you know that. That's why father is so flustered right now. I have not yet been married, and I reject all his offers. I have a tendency to speak my mind on what I feel. It's really Raymond's fault for teaching the both of us to read and write, although it did take a while for me to convince him.
As thoughts of Raymond came to mind, she laughed. "But I know you are the same way, Rain. We are very much the same. We possess very unfeminine and therefore 'indecent' characteristics such as intelligence, independence, strength, and honesty. Yet many fail to see that we are also gentle, kindhearted, loyal, and altruistic. We are so similar, although I do tend to be a bit more rebellious and you are quite a bit smarter and more reserved than I."
Rain's eyes widened and she turned towards Marie-Louise, her mouth open in protest as they began walking again, but was cut off.
"Don't even think about arguing. I know that you stay up late at night reading. I see the glow from the candles. Father has noticed that some of his Chaucer works are missing from his library periodically. And just last week you slipped up by quoting his work from THE CANTERBURY TALES. Hm. I wonder who possibly would have borrowed them?"
Rain grinned, turning her guilty eyes away as Marie-Louise continued. "So I promise to work on acting like a maid servant if you will open up and let loose that brilliant mind and wonderfully fascinating character you've been forced to lock away for a lifetime. It's your one chance to explore, to challenge, to expose the real Rain you have suppressed. I know it is in you, Rain. You just have to remain calm, relaxed. Like you are with me."
"I wish I could. But I do not think I could risk anything else. What if I let something slip? We will both be in so much trouble. Especially myself. I am supposed to be your chaperon! And instead I am participating in one of your plots." She shook her head. "I still cannot believe you talked me into doing this."
"Oh, Rain, do not be uneasy! We shall have the best time ever! We leave tonight for Sauvilla. I just cannot wait!"
*~*~*~* IN SAUVILLA
Her crimson dress continued to swish against the floor of the hall, the sound strangely harsh, piercing the quiet stillness of sunrise. She paused momentarily at the sound of voices coming from a room. She carefully listened just outside to the conversation taking place.
"Domon, for the last time, I am not going to change my mind! It is far too late now for me to go back on my invitation, the princess is arriving tomorrow to stay at the castle. Besides, it would be detrimental to diplomatic relations with Mersenia, especially because they are one of the greatest nations in the world. Dozens of countries are dying for an opportunity like this one. A marriage to the Princess of Mersenia would result in an incredible bond. Thousands of men are just waiting to take her hand in marriage."
//Princess? What princess?//
"Father! You keep speaking of this like a business transaction! My life is not to be given away to the highest bidder! I don't want to marry some spoiled brat of a princess."
//Another babbling princess? Well, she should not be much competition for me. I can break her and send her home, crying for her wet nurse within hours, just like the others.// The corners of her mouth turned up to form a malicious grin.
"I know that you do not like having your life arranged for you, but just see how things go. You never know what might happen. She could be the one you love."
Domon laughed bitterly. "Ha! That is easy for you to say. You do not have to endure these stupid girls for an entire month! Girls so passive, they cannot open their mouths to give you an answer or opinion on anything. It's always," he mimicked a high-pitched voice of a young girl " 'Whatever you like, my prince' or 'I don't know, whatever you think, my prince.' Always unable to do anything for themselves! So weak, giggling as a response to EVERYTHING!!"
"Domon, that's enough. I think that you had better excuse yourself from the room before father looses his temper with you and you do something impulsive." Kyoji's wise blue eyes sent Domon a warning message that he was tiring of his younger brother's constant whining.
Domon snorted. "Fine. I'll meet your dim-witted princess, but I won't marry her. I WON'T!" Domon then exited the room, flying right by the girl waiting outside. She saw her opportunity, and took advantage of it as she followed Domon into an empty library.
She eyed him boldly as he placed a hand on a window facing the garden, looking out, obviously trying to pacify his upset temper. "Hello, Prince Domon. Anything I can do?"
Her low, seductive voice turned his head and he faced her. She leaned suggestively in the doorway, a alluring expression on her face. She slinked leisurely into the room with a cat-like manner, her hips swaying in the clinging material. Nothing much was left to the imagination in that outfit.
"Lady Allenby." Domon stated flatly. She was tempting to him, to most every man; the way she glanced at men, the lascivious curve of her lips, the way she entered a room reeked with sexual tension. He was not naïve, he knew that she did not want anything other than the title and all that came with it. But the constant game of cat and mouse was fun, and it was just that. A game and nothing more. He had no idiotic feelings of love for her.
She raked a hand threw his hair, pulling his body closer to her own. "It has been so long, my prince. We never see each other anymore."
"I am afraid he has been busy with other affairs." Both Lady Allenby and Domon turned their heads sharply at the unanticipated entry of Kyoji.
Allenby glared at Kyoji, snarling quietly. She never could stand him. Or any of Domon's companions for that matter. They were the few men who had not only refused her but continuously pushed her away from Domon. It was obvious that they disapproved of her objectives and meant to stop her from marrying him and becoming Queen. //Well, who cares what they think. All that matters is what Domon's body tells him.//
"I wonder if I could steal my brother from your charitable company, Lady Allenby. I have a matter I would care to discuss with him." His pseudo- smile and sardonic words mocked her.
She returned his smile and her words dripped with honey. "Why, but of course Kyoji. I would not mind at all. Just remember that you promised me a ride with you tomorrow, Domon. You could come and join us Kyoji." She deepened her voice and whispered in his ear as she walked by, a finger tracing along his jaw line. "We could have a threesome." She laughed and exited the room.
Kyoji glared at her retreating figure and waited until he heard her footsteps fade away. He would not resurrect his hatred for Allenby to the ongoing list of things he and Domon fought over. Right now, there were more pressing matters.
"So, Kyoji. What have you come to speak of?"
"I came to invite you to the marketplace. To break out of your ignorant little world enclosed by these castle walls and to come and see that there is another world out there. An entire kingdom that you may one day rule if I, for some reason, cannot."
He sighed. "Domon, you are my brother, and I love you, but you do not realize the responsibilities that come with your position. As a prince, you cannot act as you please. The kingdom does not work to serve you. On the contrary, you work to serve it. You need to see the place out there, what it is like, how other people live. They do not all live as luxuriously as you and the people you are acquainted with do. There is an entirely different world out there, one you have never been exposed to, sadly. I hope that by taking you there, you may realize the importance of your position and duty in life."
Domon remained silent for a while. He had unwound since his argument with his father. Kyoji was right, he almost always was. He was wise beyond his years, smart, and responsible. Never rash and impetuous like he was. He was a trustworthy confidant and, in spite of their bickering, they were close and loyal to each other. "All right, Kyoji. I will go."
Kyoji smiled and clapped his brother on the back as they headed for the stables.
*~*~*~* IN MERSENIA
Marie-Louise was struggling to control her excitement as she stuck by Rain's side. Never had she seen so many interesting and foreign things in her life! Necklaces, beads, exotic fruits and other foods. Fish from Mazelo, vegetables from Naftopila, shells from Opivano, silks from Shalie, Oh! It was almost too much!
Rain smiled as she saw Marie-Louise's expression. Her eyes bulged out, trying desperately to look at everything; her hands twitching, dying to feel and hold the tempting gifts; her face turned right, then left, then right, snapping around to take in the full experience; her mouth hung open, then smiled widely, then gasped, reacting dramatically to all she saw.
She had bought almost everything she needed. She turned back around to face the vendor, Han, an old man she knew well and trusted who was accompanied by his two grandchildren, Hoi and Ming. "Well, Han, what do you have for me today?"
"Rain!" Hoi and Ming ran up to hug Rain tightly on both sides. Rain laughed as she attempted to hug them both back at the same time.
"Why hello, Rain. I have your fish for you, I know just what you like." Han went into his tent to fetch the food for her.
"Rain, it has been so long since we last saw you! We missed you!"
"I missed you too! Here, let me introduce you to my friend, Marie-Lou..." Her voice drifted off as she turned to find Marie-Louise missing.
"Oh no! Where did she go! What if she breaks something! Or runs into someone we know! Or gets kidnapped! Or robbed! Or..." Her mind drifted off on endless worst-case scenarios. She grabbed her basket and ran off, leaving behind a very confused Hoi and Ming.
"Marie-Louise! Marie-Louise!" Rain's voice could hardly compete with the loud jumble of the marketplace. She felt fear grip her heart. //Oh, dear Lord, I have lost the princess of Mersenia! The king shall kill me for sure! I have disgraced and shamed my family's name.//
She continued to run, shoving people out of her way, and being shoved back in the massive crowd. Suddenly she was thrown to the ground as a woman knocked her down. She cried out in pain and watched helplessly as the contents of her basket scattered onto the dirt. "No! My basket!" She turned over and, crawling on her hands and knees, desperately attempting to reach her fallen items. "Please, please stop! No! Please don't...That is my..." She cried out to the others who narrowly missed crushing her goods.
"Oh dear, oh dear. What am I to do! All that money, wasted on these tarnished goods. And I still cannot find Marie-Louise!" She felt tears of frustration well up in her eyes.
Then a hand appeared and placed her spilled contents back into her basket. She looked up to face a young man with chocolate colored hair and deep, kind blue eyes. He offered her his hand and pulled her up onto her feet.
"There you are, miss. Are you all right? That was quite a fall you had."
Rain smiled graciously at the man. "Yes, thank you so very much. I am much indebted to you, sir, for the generosity and kindness you have displayed towards me."
"Kyoji. My name is Kyoji." He left his name at that, lest he be recognized.
"Well, thank you so very much Kyoji. I would stay and offer to return your munificence, but I am afraid I have lost my friend and I must find her." She was about to turn to leave before he could ask her for her own name when a third voice called out her name.
"Rain! Rain!" Ming came running towards her, then stopped. "Why, Rain, you have torn your dress." She exclaimed.
"Yes, I am afraid I tore it. What is it, Ming? What has happened?"
"Your friend, Marie-Louise came back, she had just gone to look at some beads at a place just a little ways down from ours, and was wondering where you had gone. I came running after you to bring you back. And you also left your fish with grandfather. I did not think that you could prepare dinner tonight without it. I know that it is your lady's favorite meal to prepare. And since she is leaving with you tonight for Sauvilla, I thought- "
"Yes, well, we had better be going now, Ming. Thank you again, Kyoji. I hope we shall meet soon." She quickly cut off Ming with a blush of embarrassment before she spilled too much information in front of a total stranger. It was better to be safe than sorry. She wrapped her fallen scarf around her head once again, and taking her basket in one hand and Ming's hand in the other, took off. However, while she did not realize the truth in her intrinsic farewell, Kyoji did.
He laughed to himself as he realized who she was. "Sooner than you know, Rain."
"Kyoji? Kyoji, where did you go?" Domon interrupted Kyoji's thoughts as he ran to catch up to his brother. He was dressed simply, as was Kyoji, to blend in with the common people. "I lost you in the crowds back there."
"Sorry, little brother. I guess I just wandered off. I say that we walk down this area now, is that fine with you?" Domon nodded to show he concurred and the pair strolled by the stands, each thinking to himself of two women, yet the same: Domon of princess Marie-Louise, and Kyoji of her serving lady, Rain.
*~*~*~*
A.N.: Well, that concludes chapter 3! Sorry, it's been so long, but I have been gone for most of my spring break, not to mention that term paper I still have to finish, but this was a good, though a little lengthy, break for me.
I apologize if you are an Allenby fan, but I needed a villain for my story. Don't worry, there will be another one coming. And the repetition of the country of Shalie was not just for my personal amusement ^_^ It will come up later, related to this villian.
So, let me know what you think, k? Be sure to review! I live for reviews!!
Preview: Rain and Marie-Louise meet up with Domon and Kyoji (maybe some of the other characters as well...depends on whether you review or not ^_^)
~Raye