Dangerous Games
Chapter Two
A Spirited Challenge
What a bore these social occasions were. Yes, some of the company was interesting enough but it seemed to Hiroko that the main topic of conversation was about themselves or others around them. Personally she was glad to get away from it all and indulge in the somber tune as the bows ran smoothly over the instrumental strings.
Setting her glass down, she fiddled with the ring adorning her right finger and sighed gently. Her eyes shut as she absorbed the music, her breaths small and a little irregular as she moved her body slightly in an attempt to ease the pressure of her bodice against her chest. As if such an action would help, she knew that from experience. Why she had to have the bodice strings tightened so was beyond her. Well no, that wasn't entirely true. As she gazed down she had ample view of the reason, or should she say reasons; most likely by orders of her father, his attempt at making her as obviously available as possible with the subtlest of hints. Yes, dress her up as a doll and flaunt her in front of the crowd like some menial animal at a market.
Again she sighed, once more raising her glass to her lips to take a small sip of her wine, smiling at the small imprint of her lips against the finely cut crystal rim. But in all honesty her father only strove for her best interests. She just wasn't sure if she wanted to live like her mother had. She still wanted to live her life and enjoy the moment, like in Asturia; riding unwatched wherever she wished, with no chaperones keeping a constant eye on her. Feeling the wind on her face, taking in the smells, sights and tastes on offer. Here in Zaibach she could do so little; she was so restricted. No doubt a social event such as this would be the highlight of her time here, and it was a prospect she did not look forward to. Then again, maybe the night wouldn't be as dull as she thought.
Guimel turned back to look at the girl, a little surprised; she was still alone. Must be a sign, he thought with an inward grin, then absently handed his glass to Kenneth, who took it with a smirk. He made his way slowly through the throng, his mind going through the possible approaches to her. How to take advantage of the damage Masuo had wrought? She seemed to be enjoying the piece the strings were playing... let's see, he thought as he stopped by the orchestra, just as they were finishing up. He was close to her, within hearing distance but not obviously next to her. How about the sensitive approach? he thought with an inward smile. He graciously requested a piece, similar to the one just played but a little more sentimental, confident that she could hear his voice over the hum of conversation.
Her eyes opened softly, the glass lowering from her lips as the tune ended; the rouged flesh curving into an appreciative smile at the quality of the music, only slightly aware of the goings on around her. This solitude was well welcome, without the prospect of being introduced to another pompous lord or lady. They were her class but they seemed so interested in their own place in the social order of things that it made Hiroko feel uncommonly uncomfortable at the fact that they were willing to step on anyone to increase their status. She could as easily become a victim as any other person present. So much for them being the higher class.
The tune ended all too soon and she sighed a little disappointedly as the noise of the people congregated escalated. Yet over the din she noticed the sound of someone close and turned to see a young man who seemed to be requesting a specific piece. She regarded him for a moment, eyes glancing over his form before turning away, now staring out towards the moving forms on the dance floor and the still forms on the borders of the vast room.
Her eyes caught a glimpse of a familiar face and a flash of shining dark hair and she smiled brightly. Once again her brother had found himself a fine lady to woo that night and she in turn seemed quite happy to submit to his advances. Hiroko shook her head softly: surely they had some sense of principles? Nobility such as herself should never flirt so obviously with a prospective suitor. It just wasn't proper. Then again, who was she to be so presumptuous; she was as bad as the gossips. Well, at least Naolin was enjoying himself. No doubt he would be in a fine mood for the next few days, as long as he and her father did not get into another argument. He had reached that rebellious age and her father was having problems in disciplining him. She chuckled gently, raising the glass to her lips once again: at least one of them could still keep their parents on their toes.
A new tune had begun, not so very different from the previous but just as pleasurable to listen to. The maudlin style made her mind wander and secretly she smiled to herself, eyes drawing away from the crowd and back out to the still darkening night sky. The last glints of the sun were causing the horizon to glow.
Guimel glanced over to the girl: she was lost in some inner world, gazing out one of the large windows, at the twilight. He felt a flush of pleasure: a real challenge! It had been so long since he really had been challenged: the last girl almost pounced on him. He inwardly frowned as he looked over the well-dressed crowd: God, if she should be here! No, wait, her family had gone to the Eastern Sea for a holiday; he quelled a sigh of relief. Women were the prey, not the predators; all the worthy ones knew that. He took a moment to admire her clean profile before drawing a little closer to her.
"Beautiful, isn't it?" he said softly, gazing out of the window.
Her head turned quite promptly, her thoughts vanishing as she registered the voice beside her. She stifled a small gasp of surprise before nodding her head at the youth beside her, a brief smile on her lips, before turning away again, eyes returning to the scene before her.
"Natural beauty is always breathtaking!" she murmured softly, lacing her gloved hands together.
"Very much so," he replied, continuing to look out the window. He sighed softly. "There's so little of it inside the city; it would be wonderful to escape, just for a little while!"
"True," she responded gently. "Sometimes such 'escape' is necessary. But still there is other beauty on offer. There are other forms available: music and laughter are prime examples. Really, there is a great deal of it; you merely have to look carefully to find it." She sighed. Asturia had been full of beauty. The sea, sounds and smells. Everything was so alive: the land, its people. Yet this was her home and no matter how she thought of it, it was where she belonged.
Regrettably she tore her eyes from the scene, gaze returning to the room and finally taking in properly the young man before her, a polite, well-practiced smile gracing her lips.
He smiled a little and looked at her for a moment before turning back to the window.
"You sound like you speak from experience," he said, just a touch sadly. Don't overdo it.
Her smile faded slightly, eyeing him cautiously
"Perhaps, but it is of no concern." She straightened her form slightly, taking in his profile before turning back to the others gathered, the flashes of coloured, rich fabrics and styled hair; taking some comfort as once again she caught sight of Naolin, now no longer dancing but talking to the young woman he seemed to have taken an avid interest in.
"Finding natural beauty is always of concern," he said earnestly, turning and looking at her, not turning away this time. "Forgive me," he said, "Do I embarrass you with my forwardness?"
Casting him a casual glance out of the corner of her eyes. She merely shook her head, a few loose strands of hair falling over her face, once again her lips curving slightly.
"No, you do not, sir. Besides it is not my place to say so even if it were so. You may speak however you like to me... It is your right! Though I would like to know to whom I am addressing. Manners and introductions are everything, after all."
Marvelous, he thought as he continued to gaze seriously at her. Breeding triumphing over sentiment!
"Forgive me," he said quietly and made a short bow. "I am Guimel Guilliame, second in line of Baron Robert Guilliame, Minimoto Province." He really hated admitting his station in the heir-ship: it gave a clue as to how skilled he was in court dealings. But perhaps she wouldn't know that, as she seemed deliberately unschooled in the more "cultured" aspects of the capital city noble caste.
"It's nice to make your acquaintance." she responded, lightly curtsying before him, eyes never leaving his. She would have accentuated the movement a little more had her gown not prevented the movement. It pinched enough as it was. No wonder she had heard of women having fainting spells. Fashion overcoming common sense. "Let me introduce myself. I am Hiroko Madeious, daughter to Duke Corin Madeious."
"The honor is mine, Lady Madeious," he replied. "I am not well acquainted with your father, unfortunately, but I do see him at these parties now and then, as well as his son. Forgive me for my boldness, but I haven't ever seen you before." He smiled softly. "My stars are truly smiling upon me tonight, to have this fortune bestowed to me!" He held out his hand, although he wasn't sure if she would lay hers in it, since she hadn't offered it. Asturia, he thought with an inward sneer, his features absolutely guileless, don't they have any sense of manners?
"That is kind of you to say, sir. But my appearance here is nothing special. I tend not to enjoy venturing to such occasions as this. Unfortunately, I was given no say in the matter. And I was not going to question my father's orders," she spoke calmly, finally placing her hand in his. There was no chance she would have done so without a proper introduction; once again her etiquette causing her to act properly, unlike so many women she had already seen that night.
Hai, very spirited, he thought as he raised her hand to his lips, formally brushing the white silk of her glove before releasing her hand. He would have to be careful with this one, although she already felt comfortable enough with him to speak so plainly about her father. What a curious mixture of manners and boldness! Kenneth wouldn't have stood a chance, he thought smugly as he straightened and smiled at her. "I hope I'm providing some entertainment for you, my lady," he said.
"Entertainment?" She raised an eyebrow slightly; smile still remaining, her tone growing louder with amusement. "Your company is welcome, of course, but I see nothing entertaining!" She bit her lower lip gently the moment the words passed her lips, realizing her impertinence and looked away. Sometime that loose tongue of hers would get her into trouble, if it had not already.
Guimel let that pass.
"May I be so bold as to ask you question, my lady?" he asked softly.
Head still turned away she nodded in affirmation, hands once again linked together against the front of her gown.
"Of course, what do you wish to know, Lord Guilliame? I shall try and answer to the best of my ability!"
Guimel glanced about the ballroom, noticing Kenneth grinning at him from one of the tables on the other side of the dance floor. He ignored him, searching for and finding Naolin, who seemed immersed in conversation with Isabelle DuPless. Wait until he finds out she won't go down on him, he thought with an inward grin. Unless, of course, he's very, very persuasive. His own conquest still had her head turned away, showing a lovely length of neck captured with that necklace. He thought a moment about her, realizing that he would really have to get into this part to win her. It wasn't something he liked to do for extended periods of time, but she was presenting such a challenge! That boldness - would it extend to her lovemaking? So intriguing... He forced himself to come back to the situation at hand.
"What would you rather be doing?" he asked with a friendly smile.
"I really couldn't tell you. It's more the principle ready," she responded timidly. "There is always a great deal to occupy my time. I suppose if it were a smaller party of people I were already familiar with I would feel more comfortable but here, where all eyes look to see who will be the first to make a mistake…" she finally turned back to the young lord and ran her eyes over him again. "In such a place like this, people are not what they seem. I learnt that in Asturia."
"Asturia? I've never been there. What is it like?"
"Very beautiful, and despite the bustling ongoing activities outside, it is a very calming place, what with the sea so nearby and all. But one must be very careful for whom you lay your trust in. They are quick to pick faults! It was interesting to see their ways of life but I am glad to be in my homeland once again. There is something comforting about it."
He smiled gently.
"Home always calls to the heart." He frowned a little. "But I'm being unforgivably thoughtless - we've been standing here, in front of this cold window, for so long! Would you like to sit down?"
She nodded her head; his words making her realize the light cold sensation at the tips of her fingers. She smiled at him.
"That does seem like a good idea, Sir. It would be silly to catch a chill, wouldn't it; all for the sake of watching the sun set."
As he tucked her arm into his to lead her away, his other coming to rest lightly over her knuckles, her own on top of his, Hiroko finally allowed herself time to take this youth's form in. He seemed about her age, yet the suggestion of toned and sculpted muscles beneath his jacket made it a little hard to place. Perhaps 15 but she couldn't be sure; he could be slightly older or younger. He was quite attractive too, not amazingly beautiful but he had a look of his own which most certainly caught your eye. Very finally trimmed indeed, and his choice of clothing that night only added to the appeal. His eyes too, endless orbs of colour; showing just the slightest insight into his experiences, despite his age. Smooth skin, fine cheekbones and well defined lips; all coming together and for a moment she found she could do nothing more than stare. An uneasy stirring in her stomach made Hiroko swallow a little more forcefully than usual as she looked up over his brow, to the crop of seemingly soft blond hair there. An almost dreamy smile crossed her lips at the thought of finding out what it might feel like.
It was a gentle cough which snapped her from her revere and she blushed madly when she realized how long she had been staring, taking in the charismatic smile now crossing the lord's own face and the sparkle in his eyes. 'How utterly embarrassing!' she thought, aghast, her head promptly turning away in a futile attempt to hide her embarrassment. Her only real relief was that he had not seemed to take offence at her uncouth actions. She could only hope!
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