Chapter 19

The Answer

Guimel dismounted before the Madeious chateaux, quelling a shiver in the cool, early morning air. He must be the Duke's first order of business, today, he thought as he handed the reins to a waiting groomsman. He felt in his breast pocket, his fingers sliding over Hiroko's letter before encountering the summons. He'd put her letter in his pocket this morning; a perhaps foolish good luck charm. But he was willing to do anything to have the Duke say hai! Their time together yesterday - he savoured the memory, a faint flush coming to his cheeks. The passion she possessed! He supposed it would have been wiser to continue along in the park, conversing and admiring the views, but he wasn't going to waste what could very well be their last time together. Their last time together... Guimel crushed a stab of terror. Whatever was to happen, he had to think of her welfare! Either way, she would be taken care of and, despite her own feelings about Terris, he knew that he couldn't break the honor of their families and simply run off if her father said no.

He mounted the staircase to the waiting butler at the doorway, thinking of Lord Mustrum. Now, there was a potential problem, he thought, automatically resting his left hand on the hilt of his katana. Guimel was an excellent swordsman - his whole family was highly skilled in the katana, but Mustrum had worn his weapon yesterday like a fighter, and there were always the rumours of duels that he'd won, against formidable opponents. He grinned faintly - well, bring him on! He was more than ready to put the old goat in his place!

"My lord," the butler said severely and Guimel handed him the summons. "Follow me," the man said then turned and walked into the open hallway. He followed him, glancing once into the drawing room, remembering with mixed emotions the tea party, then cleared his mind. He had to be ready for whatever the Duke had for an answer.

Lord Corin sat before his large, and at that moment overcrowded desk. He had books, documents and parchments covering the wooden surface, though all neatly arranged and he let out a long sigh as he glanced up the clock hanging against the far wall before returning his gaze to the scroll unrolled in front of him, his eyes scanning over the document's formal words before signing his name at the bottom and moving on to the next.

Today seemed like it was going to be another long day and already he felt as if he could do with a break. Then again he had been up since the early hours. Corin chucked to himself at the thought, as he did so every day, that he was getting far too old for all this.

Naolin too was in the room with him that morning, though he had only been present for the last hour or so. He sat against one of the more comfortable chairs available, eyes running over the book in his hand.

He returned his attention to the paper before him, where he had already began to write, the cursive lettering smooth flowing as the nib in his hand glided over the parchment.

It was a gentle knocking which caused him to look up again, his, and Naolin's attention drawn to the main chamber door. His voice boomed throughout the room, and he watched it as the door creaked open to reveal his manservant, impeccably dressed as always.

He made his way over towards Corin and placed a piece of paper in his hand and, after a quick nod, he sent the man back out of the room, the piece of paper placed in on of the desk's draws. His first appointment of the day and most likely the most unwanted one, had arrived, he thought with a sigh as he returned his attention to the letter below him, noting that Naolin too had returned his attention to the book before him.

Guimel shifted from one foot to the other, waiting a seeming eternity outside of the Duke's chamber. Finally the butler came out.

"You may proceed, my lord," the man said.

"Hai," he replied, then walked into the room, noting, with some relief, the presence of Naolin. From their conversation at Lord Sagé's, Guimel hoped he had found an ally, but the noncomittal look on the nobleman's face was not encouraging. He made a bow to the Duke, then a short one to Naolin.

"My lords," he said deferentially.

Corin glanced up and nodded his head at you lord before returning his attention to the paper again, continuing with his writing, out of the corner of his eyes catching Naolin placing his book down and murmuring a greeting to the lord before him.

Guimel suppressed a snarl of annoyance. The old man wasn't going to make this easy. But, then again, the reward was well worth any battle. He waited patiently until the Duke was finished with his writing, then gave another short bow.

"You summoned me, my lord?" he asked respectfully.

"I did," came the cool response, as he set his pen down, and plotted the paper before rolling the document and sealing it, them moved onto the next.

"I am honored."

He said nothing in response, merely carried on with the most recent manuscript.

Fine, Guimel inwardly snarled, suppressing the urge to cross his arms and glare at him. I can wait as long as you want.

"My son seems to have mixed feelings on your request sir, though I am unsure why," Corin finally spoke calmly as he carried on writing. "So I have mixed ideas upon the prospect of you courting my daughter. Naolin seems to be off the opinion that your intent is honourable, yet I still think he favours the other suitor over you. I wonder why that is." He glanced up at the young lord, resting his head on his hand in a thoughtful manor.

Why don't you ask him yourself, then! he thought darkly, his face guileless. "My lord," he said quietly, "My intent is of the highest honor. I admire your daughter exceedingly, and I can give her the lifestyle that she deserves, as well as an alliance that will benefit both our families. I willingly put my credentials up alongside any other suitor - and am confident that they will be the highest."

Corin pushed himself up from behind his desk, his own face devoid of anything that may betray what his response may be. He merely raised his eyebrow to Naolin who had been watching them silently all this time and watched as he stood.

"Your families credentials mean nothing to me!" he replied plainly. "For all your airs and graces they are insignificant! They would mean little more to my decision as your words of intent. I've seen too many cons in my lifetime to be fooled and won over by some simple words."

It took all he had not to growl under his breath - to hear his family so dishonored was a hard thing to bear. He forced himself to relax, remembering that the Duke really had his daughter's well-being in mind, beyond the usual politics. He had come here expecting a hai or no, not this strange interplay of words. What to do?

"How can I convince you then, my lord?" he asked quietly, looking up at him.

"YOU, lord, cannot! However my children can. I do believe is my son and daughter's word. It is them whom I lay my trust in. Hiroko seems quite taken with you, but then again her affections can betray her to the falseness of your words. What do you think, Naolin?" Corin called out smoothly. "Do you believe I should choose this youth over Lord Mustrum?"

"Hiroko certainly seems taken with him…" his son replied. "And he with her but comparing him to Terris?"

Guimel kept his mouth shut with an effort. There was nothing he could do, or say: the matter was out of his hands.

"I've given this a great deal of consideration Lord Guilliame. I have had a great deal to consider it all! Lord Mustrum's suit has been placed far longer than yours; you are lucky that Hiroko's engagement has not been announced yet…" he drew the words off thoughtfully as he moved away from the deck to come round in front of it. "Still it is her words which have finalised my decision. I asked her of you, her feelings, and though in the normal circumstances her opinion would be dismissed I did listen quite intently to her. So before I say any more have you anything to say for yourself. I will be the last chance you have to do so!"

He stared at him for a moment, his mind a complete blank. What could he say? He'd been using women all his adult life and that was well-known; why should the Duke believe that he'd changed? Hiroko! he thought desperately, then inwardly shook himself, the words welling up within him.

"I want what is best for your daughter, my lord. If you believe Lord Mustrum is the better choice, than I can only agree. Lady Madeious deserves nothing less."

"You would not fight for her, you'd simply give in and leave it as that. Would you not defend your claim to her?"

"My lord," he said quietly, "You are much more experienced than I in these matters, and Lady Madeious is your daughter. You have her best interests at heart, and you've already said I can do nothing, say nothing to sway your decision one way or the other." He paused, not wanting to say his next words, but how could he not? "I may not be the best choice for her."

Corin released a long sympathetic sigh as he moved away from the desk to come and stand before the youth, his expression still straight and calm.

"No you are not!" he murmured almost silently, his gaze fixing on Guimel's as he studied his eyes carefully.

Pain lashed through him - he felt himself crying out within and he gasped lightly in reaction, but he kept his back straight and his gaze upon the Duke's.

"Very well, my lord," he said. "I pray, give Lady Madeious my fondest regards, and regret." He waited for the nobleman to give him permission to leave, shaking slightly with the effort not to turn and bolt out of the room, screaming his rage and frustration. His world was gone, shattered; at least he had the military to keep him distracted. It was only a million years away before he would escape there.

"He merely said that you were not the best choice for her," Naolin responded from behind Guimel, his hand coming down to rest on the blond's shoulder, a faint smile curving his lips at his father and Corin returned it, nodding his head.

"My son is right. You many not be the best choice for her but you are the one I choose. Just do not make me regret my decision Lord Guilliame!"

"My lord?" he gasped, suddenly feeling trapped between both of the noblemen, the words not quite sinking in.

"Is that not what you wanted to hear, Lord?" Came Naolin's amused response. "I'm sure my father could change his decision!"

"No! Hai!" he growled suddenly, then caught himself and smiled, a little ruefully. "I am most honored, my lords," he said, feeling the blood rush to his cheeks. "And I will make sure you do not regret your decision, Duke Madeious!" He looked up at the nobleman, then over at Naolin, feeling an odd mix of emotions. Hiroko! he suddenly thought, Hiroko-koi...

"I shall keep you to that, sir!" Corin replied with a small smile. "Now don't you think you should go and find my daughter? She seemed to be quite on edge this morning. Hopefully this news will have a similar effect on her as it has done on you!"

"Hai, my lord!" he replied soundly, snapping to attention. "Where is she?"

"That I do not know!" he replied with a puzzled note to his voice.

"I think she returned to her chamber after the morning meal. You're right, father, she did seem nervous." Naolin moved so he was facing Guimel. "But that was earlier this morning. She could be anywhere by now!"

Guimel felt himself flush. "Perhaps I should wait in the drawing room," he could just see himself, charging about the chateaux, flinging open doors and calling out her name. Well, that's what he wanted to do. But he didn't think that his future father-in-law would approve. He hid a grin.

"She could be with mother!" Naolin continued absently, making his way over towards the door. "She had a habit of doing that when she feels nervous about things. Perhaps I should go and see! If she is I'll send her down to you promptly."

"Domo arigato," he replied, nodding his head to the departing nobleman. "My lord," he said, turning back to the Duke. "I will let my father know of your decision as soon as I get back home. I will take care of your daughter to the best of my ability!"

"But what now, lord. Now that you have succeeded in your task. What now are your intentions?" Corin replied his tone seeming to be that of idol interest.

Guimel drew himself up proudly. "I have the honor of joining the military in a month - next week I take my first tests."

"Such an honour and yet you refrained from telling me such an important fact! You make your intentions to my daughter clear and then you plan to leave?"

"Hai, my lord," he replied, bowing his head. "I was not planning on getting married before leaving, but the fates seemed to have decided otherwise." He lifted his head and gazed into the now-irritated eyes. "I love your daughter very much, and want to take care of her! I will not disgrace her, or yourself, during my tour!"

"THAT goes without saying!" Corin responded soundly. "Very well then I leave it in your hands from here on."

"Arigato, my lord!" Guimel said, then bowed, turned on his heel and headed for the drawing room. There was tea set out, despite the early hour and - he smiled in relief - a coffee carafe. He poured himself a cup of coffee and gulped it down, not caring about scalding his mouth. She was his. HIS! He grinned, anticipating her arrival, too keyed up to sit down.

She trembled gently as she made her way down the stairs, her mind telling her to run but her body causing her to walk with the smallest of steps.

Naolin had spoken very little to her as he had informed her the Guimel was downstairs waiting to speak to her. His face had been straight and he had merely watched her stand with great unsure-ness before taking her place by their mother's side. Her mother, as unknowing as she, had cast her a supportive smile and from there on she had made her way to the drawing room.

How nervous she was, so much so she couldn't stop her hands from trembling. They felt so cold and she was sure the colour had drained from her skin.

It seemed like an eternity had passed when she finally reached her destination. She stood by the nearest wall to the chamber door, her form trembling slightly. Surely Naolin would have given some sign if Guimel's request had been accepted. He wasn't that cruel! A single tear slipped down her cheek as she felt herself moving again, standing in the doorway, her mind a shamble, in nerves and despair.

He heard a light footstep and turned from the fire, setting his coffee cup down on the tray, drinking in the sight of the beautiful face, the anxious eyes. He smiled warmly.

"Hiroko-koi," he said and held out his arms to her.

A small sob passed her lips as she took in his smile, her hand coming up to cover her mouth in shock. They'd said yes? They'd said... she moved quickly, pressing herself against him as her body shook, her mind cried out in relief and the hot tears ran down her face.

"God, Guimel. Say it's true…" she whispered breathlessly. "I had made myself sure that they had said no. That they had decided Terris would…" she choked on the words, her eyes looking up at Guimel's.

"It's true," he replied, enfolding her in his arms. He brushed his lips against her wet cheek. "Why are you crying?"

"I love you…" It was whispered breathlessly, little more than an airy whisper as she stared up at him, her form still trembling in sheer relief.

Guimel looked at her in shock, then he smiled broadly. "I should hope so!" he said, then grew serious. "I love you, too."

Her head rested against the crook of his neck as she released a long sign, her hold on him tightening.

"And what now?" she asked gently, eyes closed and her lips moving against the skin of his neck as she spoke.

"A lot of boring formalities," he replied, fighting the response to her caress. "Our parents will get together and hammer out some sort of trade-off - Robert went through this last year, when he got married. Luckily, we're pretty much out of the loop." He tilted his head to one side before he could stop himself, tightening his hold upon her. "We'll probably have the ceremony in a week - there's so little time!" He suddenly pulled her away from him and looked into the dark blue eyes. "Oh, Hiroko - this military tour - it will last forever, now!"

She shook her head, her smile brightening.

"I'll be here waiting for you when you return. Just you wait and see, it will be over so quickly. You will become so enthralled with your time away you will forget and make the time pass all the quicker"

"I will never," he said seriously, "forget about you, or the time we could be sharing. Never."

"You're right, it leaves us with so little time together!" she whimpered softly. "Only a matter of weeks!" her whimper turned into a soft chuckle as she smiled up at Guimel. "I'm sure you will make them unforgettable ones, though!"

He smiled back at her. "I know so little about you - wouldn't you rather get to know me before I leave?"

"Of course I do!" she replied, her eyes gleaming happily and faint glow to her cheeks. "What a silly thing to say. That was what I meant! Just being with you is so unforgettable. The fact we will have such time to spend together… I simply can't wait!"

"No, you can't back away from what you said, Hiroko!" he teased her, pulling her closer, brushing one hand gently down her front, caressing the curve of her breast and coming to rest lightly upon her stomach. "I will make our time together unforgettable," he whispered, nuzzling her ear. "Then, when this stupid tour is done, I can return and we can be together. Start our own life, and a family." He kissed her neck, tasting the sweet skin, forgetting all about where he was, the time of day. God, he was still uncontrolled around her! The future stretched out brightly before him; he pushed back the nagging thought of his possibly not living through his tour. Damn his father and his brutal realities! He would live and return to her!

She released a purr of pleasure, her head leaning to one side as a small shiver ran through her before she heard the sound of footsteps not to far away and she pulled back from him, her eyes heavy with the pleasure of his touch.

"Haven't we done this before?" he quietly asked, winking at her. "Shhhh."

She stood silent as she heard the footsteps; stood and watched as her father's manservant walked past the drawing room door. Then words were exchanged and she shot Guimel as quick glance as the familiar voice entered her ears.

Guimel scowled: Mustrum. The last person he wanted to see today. Well, hopefully he'd been clued in about the formal proposal. He glanced at the girl: she had that almost panicked look on her face, again, like the last time. He smiled reassuringly at her, then stepped forward and whispered in her ear.

"Perhaps, if we're quiet, he won't come in!"

He was right, she noted with relief as she watched as Terris' form walked straight past the chamber door, not missing the faint smile on his lips.

"Perhaps we shouldn't stay here!" she urged gently. "Father said he was calling him here today to tell him his decision. I don't want to be here when he's told… I don't want you here when he's told!"

Guimel felt anger stiffen his frame. "What can he do about it? I think it's time someone showed him that everything doesn't always go his way."

"He's more skilled than you think, Guimel!" She stressed gently, moving back against him so her form was once again pressed against his. "I don't want a fight! And… and it isn't his fault that he feels so strongly for me. He's lost. Isn't that enough. I'm yours, not his. I never will be. So please!"

He felt a stab of irritation, looking down at her with a scowl, then his heart softened at the look in her eyes. Hiroko-koi, he thought softly, wrapping one arm about her waist, pressing her even closer to him.

"All right," he replied, trying to relax.

She fiddled happily with the hair at the back of his neck, lightly placing a gentle kiss to the side of his cheek, barely grazing the corner of his lip as she did, her smile growing against the flesh.

"Yesterday was so nice. I abhorred the fact that it had to end," came the dreamy murmur against the pale flesh. "I wanted it to go on forever!"

"Nice," he murmured against her hair, his hand sliding down the curve of her hips. "Lady Madeious - how improper you've become!" He was getting aroused, despite everything - he had to cool down! But she felt so good against him, and now she was kissing him, her fingers sliding through his hair. "You are still so very dangerous to me, Hiroko," he said as he broke free from her mouth.

A small sound of disappointment passed her lips as she stared up at him, an innocent, sad little expression on her face. As if his actions had been proper. Everything he had done have been quite the opposite.

"You never seemed to mind before…" she ventured meekly, moistening her lower lip.

"Hiroko!" he softly exclaimed, surprised at the look on her features. "I am only teasing. Your boldness - I wouldn't give that up for anything." He gently drew her hand down to the front of his pants. "See what you've done to me? How am I going to leave, now?"

Her fingers traced the fabric beneath them, running across and down, ever so softly as she released a pleased little sigh.

"But I don't want you to go though!" she murmured sweetly, smile growing. "This way makes it perfect."

He groaned softly, restraining her hand with an effort. "Not here, not now," he said, a little hoarsely, knowing he was losing the battle against himself. "Hiroko..." He bent his head and kissed her neck, biting it gently as he fisted his free hand in her hair.

"Not here, not now..?" her words echoed Guimel's almost mockingly, her voice coming out a little forced to her, her throat suddenly feeling so dry as she gasped out gently. "Then when, where? You know how little control you can have. Could you just pull away now as if nothing has happened?" A small whimper of pleasure passing her lips, her hold on him tightening as her words drew off.

"Hiroko," he whispered, putting his hands about her waist and pulling her tightly up against him, "We're in your father's home; it's early morning! Mustrum's hearing the worst news of his life..." He groaned and twisted against her, kissing her soft lips, sliding his tongue along hers. He couldn't stop himself - she would have to stop him! God, this power she had over him! It was terrifying and exhilarating at the same time...

"You want to stop?" she asked plainly as she broke the kiss, moving her body against his in a smooth action. "Terris may be hearing the worst but I have heard the best. Why not make it all the more better?" She smiled to herself, her own thoughts mirroring Guimel's. Here… now in her home with her Father not far and no doubt Terris about to come their way? But just being pressed against Guimel so snugly, feeling exactly how much she was affecting him. She didn't think she could pull away even if she wanted to.

He groaned, partly in agony: he was lost! "The door's wide open," he managed to gasp as he felt his fingers already pulling at her bodice laces. He kissed her bare shoulder, then moved down to the swelling curve of her breast, all thoughts quickly drowning in his desire. He ached to be in her, already! Her touch was driving him insane!

"Then we'll close it!" she responded, or of course they could just leave it open. That thought was vanquished all too quickly. It wouldn't do to be caught, not now… if ever, despite the thrill which ran through her at the prospect.

She edged back with small tentative steps, Guimel ardently following, her hand reaching out behind her till she felt the door and shut it, still moving back till she could fiddle with the catch to draw the lock, her breath picking up pace as she caught the familiar look in Guimel's eyes.

He pressed up against her, against the door, shivering at the feel of her warm body as he kissed her roughly. Then he pulled her away from the door and set her down on the sofa, kneeling before her as he started undoing her boots.

"Unforgettable..." he murmured.

THE END

AN: We hope you've enjoyed this story, Reader-san! Domo arigato for taking the time to read it. -bows-