Chapter 2
Trapped
That same evening, Haruka was playing poker at the King's table. She was still with her friend, Lord Nephlyte, and surrounded by gorgeous women, in fact, every single man was.
« So… What are you up to with the little Miss? »
« Me? What do you insinuate? Me, the innocent gentleman from Aquitaine, the prince charming on his white horse? »
« She believed it? »
« I think so. This one will be easy… I'm a little disappointed, I thought she would give me troubles, that it would be more difficult… Tomorrow I'll go to her and I'm sure to get what I want… unless I wait a bit… I'd like to be sure she is in love. »
« Whose heart are you going to break this time Haruka? » asked a woman in her thirties in his ear.
« He wants the little Italian. »
« Miss Kaioh? If it is her, you should wait a bit indeed… Why don't you make her your wife? You couldn't imagine having such a bride… if she really is as naïve as you said… I heard that her father brought her here because he wants to marry her. And this family is immensely rich… and you must admit she's of a rare beauty… »
« Do you think her father would choose a man with my reputation? »
« He doesn't know very much Paris society… and more, I heard he wanted to let his daughter choose who she wanted to marry, weird man, isn't he? »
« Well… I don't intend to marry her. I won't marry anyone. I guess you know why… »
« Yes, that's problematic, but I heard your father wanted you to marry someone? I think you'd rather marry a woman… »
« Yes… But he won't find anyone so there is no problem. I don't want to be married, even if the bride is as cute, sexy and… perfect as Michiru Kaioh. »
« Perfect? I thought she was a naïve silly little girl? »
« No, she's only young. » said Haruka seriously « But I'll make her grow up. » she added with an evil smile.
Perfect? Why had he said such a thing? Well… Michiru was the image of perfection for sure, but still… she was just a woman, even a girl, and no woman was perfect, they were only charming, smiling and good at sex… But if Michiru was different? She seemed different… No… it was just because she was young, soon she would be like all the others…
The next day, Michiru stayed at home while her father went to see Lord Tenoh, Haruka's father. Michiru was worried; she hoped everything would be all right. She began to draw a little… she drew the only image she had in mind… an image of her beloved Haruka… In the afternoon, one the maids came to announce her that someone wanted to see her, this person was Haruka. Michiru's heart was filled with joy. She didn't bother to think of the good manners, of the fact that a young lady mustn't receive a man alone… after all they would be married soon if everything went according to plan.
« Lord Tenoh… You here… What is the reason of your visit? »
« I couldn't stay apart from you for long… Miss Kaioh… You stole my heart! »
Michiru smiled unwillingly… So he felt the way she felt… It would be easier…
« You… You mean you love me? »
« Of course… and I am alone in this love? Be sincere, I won't resent you if you don't… »
« I feel the way you do… I'm in love with you. »
« Don't say it if it is not true… You're a nice lady, I love you so don't lie just to make me feel better… I'll understand if you don't… »
Haruka was looking at her with half pleading, half sad eyes while approaching her face from hers. Michiru thought he really was desperate… She wanted so much to kiss him… But they weren't even engaged, it wasn't correct… Oh and to hell the good manners. Haruka approached more, there were only few centimetres betweens them now, Michiru filled the gap by leaning a gentle kiss on his lips. It was short but so sweet… She knew she would never forget it. Haruka felt his heart make a jump; she felt fear, desire, and love at the same time. She felt suddenly uneasy… It wasn't correct what she had done… It was the first time she had regrets in her life about her jerky behaviour… « No… what are you thinking… you've got what you wanted, there is no shame to have, she's only a silly little girl, why do you feel that bad, Haruka! Come on… don't be weak! »
Haruka tried to forget about her weird feeling and kissed Michiru again with more passion, then deepened the kiss. Michiru wondered a second if it wasn't going too far for a first kiss… But she was too lost in the passion she felt to really think about it and the idea of pulling apart didn't even cross her mind.
Haruka left later in the afternoon, after the kiss he had spent the time making silly and meaningless declarations of love to Michiru. He had even asked her to marry, though he wasn't sincere. Michiru accepted with enthusiasm though she didn't tell him that her father was already planning it with his father… She didn't know why, but she wasn't at ease with the way she had chosen… She began to think that Haruka wouldn't like it; it was like a betrayal in a way… But as Michiru was full of joy, dancing on her little cloud, Haruka was feeling bad; she had finally admitted that Michiru was special, different from all the girls he had dealt with before… She didn't deserve what Haruka was making her. She was disgusted by herself more than ever.
In the evening, Longley Mansion, in Lady Longley's bed.
« You didn't seem very enthusiast, Haruka. »
« I have some problem, Melinda. It is her… Miss Kaioh… »
« What's the problem? You'll just ruin her reputation, isn't it? »
« I don't know… »
« You don't intend to sleep with her… You don't know her… She doesn't know you're a woman; she could freak and tell everyone about your little secret, dear. »
« I know… If only I were a real man I could have more fun. It sucks to have to hide… I ruin their reputations too easily; everyone thinks I'm a beast, that I slept with hundreds of women… »
« I thought I gave you enough fun… so your only problem is that you won't be able to have her in your bed? »
« No… You're my best friend so… Well… I feel guilty. »
« The heartless Haruka Tenoh can feel guilt? No my dear, she's a naïve little girl, you can't feel guilt about her, you made things that were worse, do you remember that time when you made the young Lucie Lemercier came without anything left on her in a room where her parents and all the high society in Paris were gathered? »
« It's not the same… She was a little bitch. »
« And your Michi-dear isn't a little bitch? They are the same age and the two of them are quick. But you know… if you feel guilty, you can stop where you are unless…»
« It's too late, I kissed her, and even French kissed her. You know how the maids are, no doubts one of them was looking in the keyhole, everyone must know by now. More… I asked her to marry me. »
« What's the matter, it is not the first time you promise to marry someone and that you don't? But you're right… It's too late; this silly girl reputation is ruined… Unless you marry her, of course. »
« You know I won't… marrying… It's stupid, and women don't marry women. I like to be free. »
« All married men have a sexual life outside their house. »
« Marriage is sacred, I lead the life I lead, but I respect that. »
« I'm married. »
« I mean if I marry, it will be with someone I love and that I won't cheat on. »
« You're serious? »
« Yes, that's why I will never get married. I will never fall in love; you know what I think about women. I'm only interested in sex. »
« If you began to like yourself you would learn to love us. Women are better than men, the ideal you try to reach, your personal aim… You're silly… Men are weak. »
« No, they are strong; they do all what they want while women just shut their mouth. »
« You're the example that it is not true. »
« I'm not really a woman. Well… I have to go. I have to attend a dinner with my father. See you. »
Haruka jumped out of the bed, she picked the bandages on the floor and began to wrap them on her chest to hide it. She dressed and left. At the same time, at the other end of the town, Michiru's father had come back home. Michiru was waiting on the stairs. He looked at her as she walked down with grace, trying to hide her impatience, with amusement.
« His father agreed. We arranged everything, you'll marry Haruka Tenoh! »
Michiru jumped in her father arms. She was relieved. It was the happiest day of her life.
When Haruka came back to the Tenoh manor, a bad surprise awaited her. Her father was waiting for her in the stairs. He walked down in a calm pace, and then began to talk.
« I've got an important thing to tell you, Haruka. »
« What is it; you look in a very good mood… »
« I found you a fiancée. Everything is arranged, her father came this afternoon. »
« NO! Don't tell me you did this? You didn't ask me. »
« I guess I saved the honour of a young lady… I'm fed up with you ruining young girls' reputations… I know what you were up to with Miss Kaioh… it's her you'll marry. I know you respect marriage so maybe you'll begin a new life.»
« Father… No… Not her… »
« What? I saw her yesterday at the court, and I heard many things… She is the perfect bride, beautiful, intelligent, and a gifted person, I heard her skills for violin were incredible. She's a real lady. »
« I can't… I'm a woman, don't you remember? »
« No one knows. »
« That's the point: SHE doesn't know, how do you think she'll react on the wedding night when she'll see who I am? »
« That's your problem. You'll marry her, that's all.»
« Good… she will be glad. Does she know about it? »
« Her father told me it was her idea. Besides he hadn't the choice, you two got too close. This poor girl's reputation was ruined the second she talked to you. »
« So all of you trapped me, even her… She's smarter than I thought. »
