Chapter 29
It had been a very long day to begin with, and now she had this pampered little kitsune standing before her and Koga-san, happily bragging about a "promise ring" Ren had given to her. Well of course, she knew that was a big crock of garbage. Although, she really couldn't say anything about it without letting the world know that she was Princess Kyoko Misonoi.
She also knew because, nobility just didn't have the choice of going about blithely picking their mates like the rest of the planet. She knew this from personal experience. Not only that, Kuon had given her the betrothal stone long ago, and the only way he would get out of that promise, is if he lost the tournament or, his parents had demanded the dissolution of it. She knew that now. Which, she now highly doubted that he would, not after what she had planned and the fact that he'd had more than enough opportunities to do so over the years, and never did. She wondered if it was because he always had faith that she wasn't dead or, if his trauma with Rick had been that severe. Well, at this point it didn't matter. He'd had plenty of opportunities to walk away after she joined LME, and he still chose not to. Honestly? That in itself, was more than enough of a Return Gift for her. That, and his participation in the tournament, of course. It was more of a commitment than she'd ever expected from anyone. However, she would ask him about that little bauble she was sporting later.
Kimiko Morizumi had intended to distract her with the little pinkie ring when she and her manager had discovered Kyouko's affiliation with Ren-san during their break, and it seemed as though it worked a little bit, but she was completely unaware of the entire situation. The only reason Kyoko had been distracted, was due to the thoughts running through her mind because of her nightmares, the stress of the tournament, her training, and everything else that was jamb-packed into her brain. Thankfully Kanae was there to pull her from her muddled thoughts, and throw her back into the game.
Because of how supportive Kanae had been through all of this, and everything else going on, she did feel quite guilty for not letting her know about the arrangement she'd had with Erika. They had been communicating secretly with each other for a little under a month, regarding Kimiko and the auditions.
Erika knew about Kyoko's situation, due to her having to schedule their meetings around her training, fittings and etiquette training, and the not so small fact that Erika's family would be attending the festivities in a few months. Being from a noble family herself, she understood what Kyoko was going through. Fortunately, her arranged beloved was by her side in all of this. She didn't need to worry about men having to prove themselves to stand by her. Sayou had done that when it was discovered that she wouldn't be able to walk. After all of that, he was still there for her, doting on her, pampering her and caring for her, regardless of her less than favorable condition.
Neither she nor, Erika would have ever guessed that Kimiko would go so far as to drug her, and try to kill her. Thankfully Erika, Sayou, and the others had been following Kimiko, keeping a close watch on her. The fall wouldn't have killed her, like Kimiko and her manager had planned, but it certainly would have given the little beast a big surprise if Kyoko had to rely on her true form and skills to survive. Both Kyoko and Erika knew this, although Erika did roll her eyes and scoff when the disgusting pair had implied that Kimiko had a relationship with Tsuruga-san. One did not hold the status of Kyoko and Erika, and not be well informed.
Erika smirked, and glanced at Kyoko. "I seriously doubt that Tsuruga-san or, Cedric Bennett would be able to tolerate being around something like you. You're behavior is appalling, and your attitude is so unbecoming of someone of their position. The fact that you pretend to be more than you are is offensive to me, and no doubt to others present." She wasn't about to reveal Kyoko's identity to this trash, yet.
Kimiko sputtered in anger. "How dare you question my heritage. Don't you know what my last name means?!"
Erika raised an eyebrow. "If I were speaking to your uncle and not a distantly related little cur, I would. However, the simple fact that you are completely unaware of is, that neither of those men that you think you have claim to, can date or marry without the approval of their families. I could go into extensive detail, but I'm sure your small, narrow mind would not understand the concept of what is required of a noble borne."
Kimiko looked at her in stunned anger. She'd never been referred to as common, and now this crippled Bakeneko was calling her just that, in so many words. "H-How dare you!"
"Tut-tut... I will try to keep all of my recordings of this little show under wraps, but only if you agree not to continue in entertainment or anything that is related to it. If not, I suppose there are quite a few that would find tonight's events very interesting." Erika commented with an air of carelessness, glancing at Kyoko. I'm sure her parents would be very interested in seeing this footage. Kimiko would never see the light of day after that. She giggled inwardly. Maybe I will anyway. She thought, looking back down at the computer screen in her lap.
Although Erika had kept silent on the matter, it was Yashiro that accidentally let slip when he spoke to Kyoko next.
"Princess? Are you going to be okay?" He asked with concern as he watched Kyoko in her muddled state, still recovering from whatever the pair had drugged her with.
Kimiko furrowed her brow in confusion, her manager looked a little shocked, and Erika sighed and rolled her eyes. The cat was out of the bag, she supposed.
"Yashiro-san, I'm sure Lady Kyoko will be just fine." She smirked. Might as well take advantage of the situation to drive home my point.
The two criminals of the group whipped their shocked gaze to the silent female, and watched her nod. Kyoko sighed a little defeatedly. "Erika... That was unnecessary."
"That may be true, but I can't help but wonder what your parents would think if they were to see this." She commented casually.
Kyoko's eyes glinted a little maliciously, and she smiled wolfishly. Erika certainly knows how to play this game.
"Hmmm... I wonder what the punishment is for the attempted assassination of the Crown Princess is? Can't be too lenient, I would suspect." Erika grinned evilly at the pair. "Should we find out by releasing it to the media right now?"
"NO!" Kimiko practically screamed, knowing that she was definitely trapped in a situation that could end in her untimely demise at the hand of an executioner, in front of a very large and possibly televised audience. "I'll do anything! I'll even put it in writing!"
Erika smiled cordially, and shook her head. "There's no need for that. I'll take your word for it." Her expression turned dark. "Now, I would appreciate you leave immediately. You're foul presence is polluting, what would normally be, a rather pleasant evening."
Kimiko left quickly, relieved yet still troubled that Erika had indeed recorded everything that had happened, and the fact that she called Kyoko the Crown Princess and Lady Kyoko. She looked at her still nonplussed manager.
The woman finally recovered when they reached her car, and gave Kimiko a disgusted look. "I quit... I will drive you home, but I'm finished. You are not worth losing my life over. It went too far this time... No, it went too far, long ago... Find someone else to help you in your little plans from now on."
Kimiko looked at her a little stunned, and started to speak.
Her manager held up her hand to stop her. "No... I don't want to hear a word of it. Nothing you could say at this point will fix it. Please do not speak to me again." She told her as she started the car. The whole situation was entirely too much for her to handle. She would be turning in her resignation in the morning with Kimiko's father. For once she would tell the truth, if they asked how the auditions went. She would do it for Kimiko's own good, and her own safety.