Chapter 4

The court

Haruka felt relieved when they finally arrived at the palace. But she didn't know the worse was coming. They made a rather noticed entrance at the court that morning… Everyone stared at them… Michiru was graceful as ever, grabbed to Haruka's arm. They formed a marvellous couple. So Haruka passed the day talking with the men, Michiru with the women. Haruka kept watching Michiru, she seemed to enjoy herself, and she was probably having small talk with the others women and the subject surely was the wedding day.

« You found yourself a real lady, Lord Tenoh. We all thought you would never marry. »

« I changed my mind. And I'm twenty-one, I had all my time. »

« But with this life you lead… you're lucky that her father accepted this. A lady like her could have married the King himself. »

« What are you implying? That I am not good enough for her? So listen, her father came to me, he is the one who gave his daughter, I just had to accept. And what is this story with the King? »

« I didn't imply anything… just that this Lord Kaioh must be senile. Besides, I'm glad you asked about the King, look at him… well… look who he is looking… »

Haruka looked at her King; he seemed to stare at someone with great interest. She didn't need to follow his glance to know who the victim was.

« No… »

« Don't worry, it won't change anything, he is already married, remember, but I think he'll borrow her after your wedding. »

Haruka clenched her fists firmly. She wanted to punch this awful courtier. But she had to behave, no physic violence at the court. And after all, she wasn't in love… Why should she defend Michiru's honour in front of those men… well… because they were engaged, so the remark was not really on Michiru, but on her, those guys implied she would be cheated on, and no man had the right to bear this shame openly without react. Besides her mother had always told her that it was important to defend the one you are engaged or married, and that a gentleman had to defend women.

« I think the King is too busy with your wife to care about my fiancée. » replied Haruka calmly, but in fact she was boiling with anger.

« I think we should solve this outside tonight Lord Tenoh. »

« I will wait for you. »

Haruka still didn't know why the remark had made her feel that angry… After the entire King had all the rights, he could sleep with the wives of everyone. If he wanted Michiru at the court at full time she would have no reason to refuse. They all belonged to that man supposed to stand for god. Haruka wasn't convinced by this theory, and the idea of being possessed by someone else, the idea of being a subject didn't please her at all.

When the man went away to annoy someone else, Haruka joined Michiru. They weren't the happy couple kind, but she wanted them to look like it, glancing with fierce at the men that looked at her fiancée a little too much. When they would be married, she wouldn't let Michiru let her room with a dress like this one.

« Pleased to see you, my ladies. I hope you aren't annoying my young beloved fiancée. »

Michiru felt like vomiting. He acted as a perfect fiancé in front of everyone; he wanted them to look as a perfectly happy couple. But she knew he was right, they had to look good. Besides she felt better having him with her, she couldn't bear all those men staring. Haruka's presence seemed to make them loose confidence. But one glance didn't fail, even when Haruka joined her. The King kept staring at her, and she knew Haruka could do nothing about it. But his glance was making her uneasy, more than she had ever felt in her life.

Haruka took advantage of the afternoon walking to talk to Michiru more freely.

« I don't want you to wear this dress here anymore; you'll wear it home if you want to. »

« I understand. Thanks for coming to my rescue… I couldn't bear all those perverts. »

« Beware; I am the worst of them. Don't try to seduce me like you did today anymore or I think you'll regret it. »

« We're getting married; it will be your right I suppose. »

« Maybe I won't. I never said you were my type. »

« What? Let me remember you that you tried to seduce me in the first place, you even kissed me without any reason. »

« You seemed to enjoy it if I remember well. But still, what I done didn't mean I found you particularly cute. Didn't anyone tell you? My principle interest in life is to destroy women's reputations and social lives… You were the ideal target, beautiful, educated… and so young. »

« And your reaction this morning wasn't at all the reaction of someone who is attracted. At a moment I thought you were about to undress me and… doing me… what married people usually do. »

Haruka laughed, Michiru's cheeks were red.

« Why don't you say the real word 'make love', 'sleep with me'… in this case the verb would be more 'rape'… you're too innocent and educated for doing so I think, a little shy girl afraid of words. But don't worry about this I never raped anyone, and I don't think I would need to do such a thing to you considering that you will give yourself to me freely in less than a week. »

« So you actually were attracted… »

« No, I just wanted you to believe it. You are a child, I'm not a paedophile. It has never been in my intentions. Being caught with you alone would have been enough to ruin your life in Paris society. »

« I'm not a child! I'm a woman, soon a wife, your wife. And let me tell you that you're cruel. Does ruining people's life makes you feel better in your own skin? Yes I saw it… You're not very happy with who you are. »

« Why shouldn't I? »

« I don't know yet… But there is something strange about you… I didn't loose my time since our last argument. Your reputation isn't what it seems, you don't sleep with women as much as you say you do. The question is why. »

« Once more you show your damn smartness. But all this isn't your business. I only sleep with women I trust, I just destroy the others, and why I did it so far has nothing to do with you so never ask it again… No… Never ask me anything about me again. »

Haruka was getting angry. Definitely, Michiru was not like the other women, she really was smarter than all the ones she met before. She hated that… This feeling that Michiru was little by little learning to know her… No one had the right to see her heart. Especially not her silly fiancée.

« we're getting married this week end. I think I have the right to know you… After all we're going to spend a lifetime together. »

« Don't worry about this. I'll send you in Toscana for the rest of your life and you'll come back for important events… Like this you won't be able to read me as an open book! »

« May I borrow this charming young lady? » asked a man.

Haruka looked behind. He was the one she would fight the same night. Haruka's glanced at Michiru, then at the man. Her blood boiled into her veins. What was she supposed to do. If she let go Michiru, she would sound weak, but why would she refuse? They weren't married, so Haruka couldn't openly take decision for her, and at the court, women were freer than in public life, so Michiru hadn't any excuse to refuse company, besides, the man wasn't alone, two women that were with Michiru the previous day were present. Haruka had to surrender, after all she couldn't keep Michiru from having a social life…

« Those ladies want to talk about the wedding. » added the man.

Haruka looked at him with a high expression.

« Miss Kaioh? Do you want to join these persons? »

« I… » Michiru hesitated. She knew she had to go, but she wasn't finished with her blonde fiancé.

« Don't hesitate, go. My fiancée is so shy… May I borrow your wife my Lord? »

Haruka smiled as the man's face turned red with anger. She knew he couldn't refuse. He nodded and his own wife took Haruka's arm.

« Melinda… It is nice to see you… »

« Troubles with your young fiancée? »

« She has temper. »

« So finally you're getting married… I presume it's not a personal choice. »

« You guessed right. This girl is smart, a little too smart if you want my opinion…I underestimated her… When I came home after I left you the last time, I found myself engaged. »

« So quick… »

« She is evil, she had planned everything. When I passed the afternoon with her I didn't know her father was already discussing the conditions of the marriage with mine. »

« Your point of view about her changed… You seemed to respect her a little back then. »

« I don't respect women. »

« You respect me. »

« Because you are smart and discreet. »

« She is smart too, you said it yourself. »

« Don't play this game with me. »

« You seemed… to like her in fact. I didn't tell it before but now that you are to marry her… It felt like you were seeing her as different… Remember, you even felt guilt, you. »

« I remember, but it was before seeing how evil she is… force a man into marriage… and she's not seventeen… She'll make me live the hell in a few years. I think she began. By the way, do you want to be a widow tonight? »

« What? »

« Your husband planned a duel with me tonight. Do I kill him? »

« As you wish… I don't care since you don't get killed yourself. »

« Me? You sincerely think he could beat me? I'm unbeatable. »

« I know, but don't get hurt for your wedding day. »

« I will let him live. I want him to be ashamed. »

Not far, Michiru was having a nice chat with Lord Longley. The other women had finally left.

« So… How does it feels to marry such a man. I think there is no need to tell you more about him. Everyone must have told you about his reputation. »

« Yes. It's interesting… you see… he is trapped now. He won't be able to promise marriage to any nice young lady… Everyone will know he is already married. He'll pay for all what he done. I won't be nice on him. »

« You talk like someone who has been disappointed… Let me guess, he tried to fool you… I quite understand why… You are wonderful. »

« He said I am not. I'm not his type. »

« It is not true, I think he even likes you… You should have seen his face when I provoked him… Everyone was staring at you, and believe me, he was jealous. He even provoked me in a duel. »

« A duel? »

« Yes. I accepted… I have many reasons. You already know my wife? She's the one with him… They sleep together… I guess we are both cheated on. So I have a deal for you… Let's take our revenge. When married sleep with me and make sure he discovers it. »

« I… »

« Don't answer now, we'll see that later. »

« But you die tonight… »

« Die? So you think I'll loose? No, he can't beat me… Besides I'll let him live, just to make him ashamed. »

Michiru wasn't at ease… This Lord Longley was about nearly fifty at least… She didn't want to sleep with someone like that… Besides, the simple idea of cheating on Haruka sounded bad to her ears… But now she was sending killing looks to the woman who was holding her fiancé's arm.