Ch 3. A Glimpse

AN: Just so things make sense, let's pretend the Mankin cast is all Japanese unless said otherwise.

Ren spent the rest of his week glowering at the sky. When called into court by the king, he found relief in having work to distract him. It was then that he heard about her. Sitting at his desk, stamping official documents, he overheard the servants gossiping. They were wiping down the furniture from across the room. In vain they tried to speak using hushed voices, but the words still carried through the enormous room.

"I heard she originated from Dutch blood. She speaks and behaves like a Japanese woman, though."

"That's because she was raised here."

"She's still a foreigner. I don't see why the queen had taken such a liking towards her. She even granted that woman a large section of the palace."

"It's understandable. Anna-sama is well mannered, greatly versed in Chinese literature and talented with various musical instruments."

"But she's a woman. Why is it important for her to be literate in Chinese? It should be left to the men."

"Rare traits make a woman fascinating. And although Anna-sama is a foreigner, beauty is still beauty. A new sight to the eyes, I would say."

"Anna-sama this, Anna-sama that. Sounds like you favor her too."

The other one didn't reply after noticing Ren's eyes on them. Immediately both women recoiled from his stare and rushed to finish their clean up. The servants' gossip had peaked his interest. Just who was this Anna-sama, he wondered. He definitely had to find out.

In the late afternoon, Ren personally brought his finished paperwork to the king's station. It was a chance to pass by the queen's quarters and perhaps test his luck. His heart wished for a glimpse of this Anna-sama.

It didn't take long for his wish to be granted. The first thing he saw were the honey locks gliding in the air. Once the breeze passed, the golden tresses rested against the maiden's back, the ends falling past her small waist.

It really was an unfamiliar sight, like an exotic feast for his eyes. Right away he identified her as Anna. Multiple layers of violet silk patterned in floral designs adorned her thin frame. She stood beneath the large magnolia tree, unrolling a scroll with both hands. Ren slowly lifted his feet, stepping a few paces to his right. There he got a view of her profile. Dark eyes contrasted with a creamy complexion and light hair. She had long lashes that casted shadows on her soft cheeks.

He was lost in the sight and loosened his grasp on the papers, causing them to scatter to the ground. This roused the woman from her reverie and she whirled around, giving Ren a full look at her face. She was beautiful in a way that intimidated him.

Her icy command broke the silence. "You should pick them up."

"Wha-what?" Ren stammered, surprised by her abruptness. Wasn't she supposed to be well mannered?

"The papers. You're littering the courtyard." Ren averted his eyes from her piercing look. True, the papers were now strewn all over the grounds. He moved to collect them. Out of the corner of his eyes, he dared to catch another glimpse of the woman. Her delicate hands quickly rolled the scroll back in before she turned to leave.

Her place in the scheme of things could not been above his, but she dared to treat him with insolence! It annoyed yet amused him at the same time. He rushed to stand in her way.

"Hey!"

An eyebrow shot up on her delicate face. "You are blocking the way."

"Your name please."

"My name? Why do I need to give you my name?"

"How 'bout I start with mine? Tao------"

"Not interested."

"You should be."

"Doesn't change the fact that not interested means not interested." Anna maneuvered around the all important Tao Ren and strutted off.

He was puzzled, but he couldn't let it go. He couldn't let her go. "My name's Tao Ren," he declared to her back.

"Goodbye, Tao Ren. Be sure to pick up the papers," she called over her shoulders.

Ren snickered. "She's not well-mannered at all," he said under his breath.

"You're leaving already, Hao-sama?"

The handsome man adjusted the belt against his waist. "Ah." He didn't find it important to form his response using complete words. He didn't find it necessary to look at her while giving his answer. Kanna knew this well, but her anger was never directed at Hao. Instead, she directed it towards his wife, Jeanne, or any other woman whom she suspected was stealing any share of his attention.

"Who are you leaving me for this time?" Her nakedness was barely covered by the sheer blanket held against her breasts. Halfway sitting on the mattress, Kanna looked at the figure standing before her. He faced her with his back. His cold back.

"You're being silly." He rarely bothered to address her by name.

"Can't you stay a little longer?"

"I have work to do. I can't play all day."

"Yet you find the time to play all night with another?"

"As I said earlier, don't be silly."

"It's because you see me as old and ugly, isn't it?"

"Of course not." His voice softened considerably. He finally turned to look at her and was now crouched down to cup her chin in his palms. "I do have work that needs finishing. I will come see you again as soon as my schedule permits. I promise."

She wanted to believe him. She really did.

Before she could say another word, he got back on his feet again. She watched as he ran his fingers through his tangled hair, making her recall their recent tryst. Hao had stormed into her chamber in the middle of the night. Without saying anything to her, without letting her ask him any questions, he kissed her roughly and tugged off all her clothes. It was often like that. No matter how many days or months may pass without a single word from him, he always showed up without explanation and took her whenever he pleased. Then he would leave the next morning. Always.

AN: My fiancé wishes I was perverted, so that I could write hentai-ish . Told him sorry, just not my kind of thing. I am making Hao into a sort of sex fiend though. LoL, at least I won't kill him off...

---July 16, 2005