Chapter 34

It was only a couple of weeks before the tournament. Kyoko, Kanae, Chiori, and Maria had been so busy they didn't have time to think of anything else. Their schedules were pared down to the barest modeling jobs, and CM shoots. Kuon was just as busy, as were the other contestants. Kyoko's dragon friend, Bladetooth was in the final fittings for his parade armor, as was Kuon's horse, Zeus. It was a tradition for all of the contestants to participate in the parade, with their mounts and armor. It had been done that way for centuries. The procession would parade to the arena in the morning of the day of the tournament, prepare for the exhibitions, the entertainment and then finally the tournament. After the tournament, if all went well, the future king and queen would then be presented to the public, and finally the Royal Wedding and two months of the Honeymoon.

Kyoko was a bundle of raw nerves. She, nor Kuon had the time to see each other before the entire month of the event and both were warned that it would show a preference if they did see each other. So, it had been two weeks since they'd even spoken on the phone. Kuon was in the same condition, but both knew that they needed to keep up their façades; Kyoko due to the fact that she was the Crown Princess, and Kuon, in order to keep his identity a secret until the revelation after the wedding. He would need to reveal himself before the first match in order to participate legitimately. He had to go as himself, and the tension caused by that fact was causing more than one sleepless night, regardless of the comfort and reassurances that Yuki, his parents, and Lory were tossing his way. He still didn't feel worthy of her, but he needed her, and he was not about to give up and walk away.

"Sho-kun, are you sure you don't mind going?" Minami asked a little hesitantly. She was fully aware of his relationship to the Princess and his past behavior. Certainly it had been months since he'd even mentioned Kyoko, but she wondered if anything was still there, even if he had mellowed a little and was "eating out of the palm of her hand" as his mother had commented.

He chuckled a little and kissed her cheek, handing her the envelope that contained the tickets for the upcoming events. "Why would I mind? Didn't you want to go?"

"I... Well yes, of course. I just thought..." She said a little quietly.

He smiled softly. "I honestly don't mind. If it's something you want to do, we'll do it." He told her as he gathered his things from his dressing room so they could go to their next meeting.

She nodded happily. "Great! We should hurry or you'll be late to your next interview and I promised Aki that you would be on time for each of your engagements."

He smirked sexily at her and snaked an arm around her waist. "Well, we can't have that, now can we?" He told her as they walked out of the room and the door shut quietly behind them.

"Mo, this is exhausting." Kanae groaned as the trio hovered at the railing of the balcony, looking down at the floor of the vast arena.

Chiori shrugged her shoulders, barely noticeably, and shook out her shimmering black butterfly wings. "I don't know. It's not like were even standing. We get to use our wings and you your magic, so it's not like our legs will be tired from standing for so long."

Kyoko had been a bit more upbeat lately, due to the fact that she had a plan and was now in her own little world. "Isn't our parade armor so elegant and comfortable though?" She breathed out, flew a little higher than her friends and twirled around.

Maria giggled and did her own little twirl in the spot close by where she, Lory, Magus Tanaka, and her father would be sitting. She was his Star Pupil and her place as the future Court Magus was all but officially announced. The only reason it hadn't been, was due to the fact that she needed to be at least 10 years old to make the final declaration. He had informed Lory and Kouki that she would easily be ready to take over the position when she was in her teen years.

In less than two weeks, one would enter the massive stadium, see that arena floor in the center covered in soil and sawdust. They would look up across from the center to see the most beautiful creature, their princess, flanked by her two handmaidens/honor-guards. To the left of her family would be the Takarada family and Magus Tanaka. To the right would be the Priest that would officiate the final ceremony the next day and other various cabinet members. Behind her and the Royal family, would sit the 12 families of the contestants, the rest of the stadium would be filled with various nobles and commoners, separated by status in the stands of the different sections. Further behind the Royal family, a large screen would project the images of the entirety of the coming events. In less than two weeks, she would take charge of her fate, if necessary and she could already feel the gravity of that decision.

Miroku was perplexed. Since that day that he'd gone to the monks, Reino had basically kept to himself. Not another word was mentioned regarding anything that had taken place, and try as he might, he just couldn't find the small vial of poison that Reino had concocted from the strange collection of common ingredients. It was almost as if it had never happened, and Reino had never spoken those words to him. However, the monks weren't convinced. They were of the firm belief that Reino was not himself, regardless of his "normal" behavior for the past few months.

"You know you can't stay there forever. Someone will suspect sooner or later." Reino commented casually, sitting in the seat across from his invader.

He snorted. "Exactly how do you believe that will happen. Do you actually think that simpering idiot of a friend suspects something?"

Reino raised a brow at the vile creature inhabiting his body. "He may not know for certain, but he knows me well enough. He knows that anything that comes out of your mouth is contradictory to my nature."

The invader laughed. "You're naive. If he suspected, he would have done something sooner."

"Perhaps..." Reino pondered. It's a pity I'm forced to remain at this creature's side. He sighed and shivered when Miroku entered the room and sat in the seat his living ghost was occupying. I truly wish that you could hear me Miroku. I really could use your help right now.

Miroku felt a chill as he glanced across at the possessed body of his long-time friend. "...hear me. ...help me.". Miroku glanced up at his friend. "Hmm? Did you say something, Reino?"

"Can't say that I did. Is there a special reason you're here?" The invader leaned back on the sofa casually and gave him a poignant look.

"No, just checking to see if you're ready for next week." He told him, hoping that he would mention something about the tournament or the little vial that he was obviously keeping on him.

"Been ready for awhile. You don't need to worry about me." He smirked. He had an idea of what this pest was up to, and he wasn't about to fall into what was clearly a trap.

Miroku nodded with a look of suspicion. "Well then... I suppose I should wish you good luck." He told him, rising from his seat.

The invader laughed. "Thanks, but don't need it." He stated to the friend's back.

Miroku stopped briefly, and shook his head. "I suppose you don't." He then left quietly to tell the monks what he'd experienced.