Chapter 11
Men who do that end with my sword in the heart
On the road to Paris, nine months later…
« Haruka… I'm telling this to you for nine months, but you didn't listen… Do you really think anyone will believe that Hotaru is a newborn? »
Haruka looked at the sky, trying to look innocent.
« Maybe… You know… If we think of it… We found her one month after we married, and I announced you were pregnant another month later… So if we imagine we conceived her on the wedding night we could say she is… »
« two months old? Haruka, she is at least nine-months old, maybe more! »
« But if you look closer… She is very little for a nine-month old… She looks like a little screw… »
« A screw? You're saying our daughter looks like a screw! You're awful! She had a brain, I'm sure she understands this kind of thing, it's an insult! »
« I'm pretty sure she doesn't know what a screw is! Besides I didn't mean it as an insult, a screw… it's cute. »
« A screw is seafood! You said our daughter was seafood Haruka! You're mean, that's all! »
« Hotaru-dear… You don't mind being Haruka-papa's little screw, don't you? But let me tell you that Michiru-mama is a crab… »
« Haruka! You're acting as a child! »
« well in fact she's a siren, and I'm a poor sailor totally under her charm. »
Michiru blushed and finally smiled.
« The problem is still there, it won't be easy to make her pass for our daughter. »
« I know you're right, but if I don't worry about this it's because I've got a plan. What worries me more is another story we didn't talk for long. »
« What is it? »
« I received many letters from my friends in Paris. And I guess you didn't remember your experience at the court, and the way I was defeated in my duel. »
« Yes… »
« Well… My friends heard many things… It seems that the king is still after you… and there are rumours… I knew them before but they got stronger while we were in Italy… They say that I'm not a real man. »
« But how would they have guessed? »
« I'm sure they didn't… But it's on the principle… They think I'm weak because I let you decide too much, that I let you talk too much and there is the fact that we're always together wherever we go. »
« Oh… So you're afraid for your position… I understand… You're supposed to be the one who decide… You are supposed to be the man… »
« Michiru, don't say this… I don't want you to obey me like a pet. You're my wife and I love you. You're a smart person, you are the only woman I admire. I don't want you to loose your personality because of my reputation. Our relation is perfect the way it is, I like the equality we have. I don't want you to become an obedient, common and stupid wife like all the others. »
« Haruka… Thanks. »
« I love you. »
« But it doesn't resolve the matter. I don't want people to critic you because of my behaviour… And there is something else… I know this story with the king could be the end of you… If I don't go he'll be mad at you and he could make you… »
« Stop this! I will never let you go there, do you understand? NO WAY! You won't be his mistress, I will never let him touch you. You're mine, I love you and I won't let you act as a bitch like so many of my friend's wives. »
« But if… »
« No buts, unless you desire him? »
« No… »
« Right. Then you won't go. »
« You're jealousy show again… But Haruka… He might have you killed if you disobey him. A king is like a master, he has a large power upon his subjects. »
« I'm not a slave, I'm a free person. He think he can make whatever he wants because he was sent by god but I don't believe this! He's just a man who tries to sleep with my wife, and men who do that end with my sword in the heart. »
Michiru had a very bad feeling about this… She knew Haruka wasn't joking at all. But the king was powerful, he always had what he wanted. He would be able to kill Haruka just to have her.
When they arrived at their house, Haruka's father welcomed them warmly. Michiru trusted Hotaru to the maid. She was upset and scared. She hadn't said a word since their last conversation… She went to the music room and grabbed her violin, it was the only thing that could cheer her up a bit. She was playing facing the window when she felt two strong hands slowly making their way around her waist and a kiss leaned on her cheek.
« I'm sorry… I lost my temper… it just makes me mad that a man could think he's so superior that he can steal the other's happiness. That's what he will do if I let him… I won't be able to be happy with you knowing you sleep with him. And above all I'm your prince charming… I must protect you, defend you… And I know sleeping with him is not what you want. Don't be sad… Trust me, I won't get killed… everything will be alright… And even if I am it will be accomplishing an important mission: saving my beloved princess's honour. »
Michiru hadn't stop playing. Haruka's words sank in her ear and made her feel loved, but not better… She was worried and nothing could change this.
« You won't say anything, won't you? So I'll adopt your language. »
Haruka pulled her hands off of Michiru's waist and leaned a kiss on her cheek before leaving her… Then she sat and began to play the piano. She played perfectly. Michiru, surprised, stopped playing her violin and returned to look at Haruka. She was playing a beautiful and joyful melody. Michiru approached the piano. Haruka surely was as gifted as she was for music. Her playing was as bewitching as hers. Michiru began to play her violin again, following Haruka's melody in a magical duet.
« I didn't play the piano for years… »
« You play wonderfully. »
« Maybe… In all cases I succeeded in placing a smile on your face. » said Haruka when the duet ended. She got up and embraced Michiru.
« Please Michi, let's not talk about this anymore. Trust me, I'll arrange everything, just don't think of it. Nothing will happen. »
« It's sounds like you will, but sorry I can't just stop myself to worry, I love you. »
« I love you more, and that's why I don't want you to be worried. »
Next morning, Michiru got up very early without awakening her blonde lover. She asked the maid to care of baby Hotaru.
« I want to buy a new dress, tell my husband I went to the sewer. I won't be back before long. »
Michiru finished her breakfast, got up and grabbed a letter on the table left by the butler. The maid helped her to dress in the room next hers since she absolutely didn't want to awake Haruka.
An hour later she revered to the King at the court.
« Lady Tenoh, you didn't come for a long time. I assume your pregnancy must have exhausted you a lot. »
« Yes, my husband and I received many invitations but I was really tired and Lord Tenoh being the best gentleman on earth came with me to my homeland. A lady can't travel without her husband. »
« But he isn't there today? Not that I complain. He must be busy with caring his son. »
Michiru felt the sarcasm in the king's playful tone. He probably was one of those who thought Haruka wasn't a 'real man'. Because men in this society never cared babies. It was the role of the maids most of time, and of the wives when they wanted to, and Michiru loved to look after her baby.
« It's a girl, we have a daughter. And my husband don't spend much time in the house, he barely sees the child, the reason why he doesn't come lately is that he trains his sword skills. »
« Swords skills? I heard he lost of his talent. »
« Not at all, but alcohol and duels don't suit each other. »
« Probably. Tell me… Will you grant us with your presence this night. I invite you to stay for a while. Let's say two or three days. »
« I accept. »
