-Oxford - Thursday: Part 2-
The Press Representative walked over to Lory, "It's time" He said simply before looking towards Kyoko, "I'm really sorry you had that scare again Lady Kyoko" she nodded her head before looking towards her father, all of a sudden she wasn't so sure they were doing the right thing. Fear that this might make things worse for the people here but the Press Representative smiled some at her, "You don't need to worry about us Lady Kyoko, this sort of thing does happen from time to time. I promise the hotel and the people who work here will be just fine." She nodded her head once more.
"I'm really sorry we have to drag you into this." Lory placed a hand on top of her head.
"Kyoko, you need to sometimes focus on the fact you can't protect everyone by trying to keep it out of the media eyes. Sometimes they will get the story no matter what you do." Lory looked towards the man "Thank you for allowing us to do this here."
"Of course ArchDuke Lory," the man said giving a small bow, "I will begin." Kyoko moved towards her family members with Lory at her side as the man made his way to the podium and on the center of the stage. It was then that Kyoko really began to take notice of what was around her. The hotel security guards, the people from not only newspapers and other media sources, the cameramen, all sitting in little fold-out chairs, notepads ready. Laura took her hand in her own and leaned over.
"Don't worry so much, our people here, tend to support the Royal Family." Kyoko looked towards Laura for a moment before looking down. "I know this isn't something you are even supposed to have to deal with until after your 16th birthday." She said with a small nod of her head, "I had to go through the same thing after a bad breakup with the man I was engaged too as a child as well. It happens more so when they are actually older, or in your case a loud mouth." Kyoko smiled at her.
"The big issue I'm seeing is that not all these people are from here," Amanda said in a hush voiced.
"That's likely because of the photo with Kuu," David said simply, "Man's pretty famous in his own right. A King in the world of showbiz." He sighed "He's starting." All of a sudden they all seemed to change she noticed, more into professional way of standing, Laura released her hand and folded her arms in front of her, which for Kyoko was pretty much her default setting. Even Amanda who almost never let go of David did the same thing, but Kyoko noted that they were touching even as he stood at attention. Her eyes fell towards Maria who stood with her hands at her side, Kyoko could not help but think that perhaps this was all very common for her. The only one who seemed to be slightly different was her father, his arms were crossed in front of his chest, and for some reason, that gave her more comfort. She didn't need to look behind her to know that Ruto would be standing as a guard, that General Brown would be at attention or even that Susumu stood in much the same proper way. Her father wasn't and that was all that mattered to her at the moment because that made it feel like everything really would be alright.
The Hotel's Press Representative held out his hand. "Thank you all for coming here today. We here at the Crown Ruby Hotels here in Oxford asked that you please hold in your questions until the end." He smiled "I have been informed that Queen Mary will be making a statement later from the Palace and that the Royal family stand in support of Lady Kyoko Mary-Leiko Takarada as do we here at Crown Ruby Hotels. However, there are some misunderstandings that ArchDuke Lory Ishii Takarada wishes to address as well as another matter that General Kendi Brown who works with Protection Command as a member of the British Armed Forces. I'm also told that Lady Kyoko herself will be addressing you all today but will not be taking questions due to Royalty and Nobility Customs around her age. I ask that once again that you hold your questions until the end. Thank you. I will not turn this over to ArchDuke Lory." He smiled one more as a few cameras went off and Lory stepped forward, they shook hands and he stepped back giving Lory the stage.
Chief Inspector John Tyler glared at the TV screen in his office, he rose from his desk opening his door the moment he noticed that they had brought in General Kendi Brown "as if this is a place for the Armed Forced!" he snapped looking into the room, "Where's Mianju" he said looking directly at one of the other officers.
"He hasn't checked in yet sir, he was here really late working with Patterson." He growled again before turning away.
"When he gets in to tell him I want him in my office" the man nodded as he slammed the door. Turning back to the TV screen as Lory stepped forward "What are you all hiding this time?" he said crossing his arms. Anger washed over him as the tall Japanese man "Not even a real British" he sneered under his breath. While Lory might have been raised in part here within the UK under his Aunt's watchful eyes during the time she was Queen. That was the only real reason he had any title at all. Lory Takarada was nothing more than some Japanese man who's aunt couldn't adopt him apparently due to traditions, so she raised him as her own son. The fact that this man who wasn't British held the ear of the Queen herself as if they were brother and sister irked him to no end. It bothered him just as much as knowing that a General of the Armed forces was leading something, something he didn't know about.
Lory shooked hands with the Hotel's Press Representative a smile on his face as he turned towards the cameras. "First off I want to thank you all for coming here and I know that many of you have questions and concerns when it comes to my daughter, Kyoko." He looked down sighing heavily, "It's easy to question my parently abilities, we all know if my Aunt Leiko, was in charge of my daughter's care last night, none of this would have happened." He lifted his eyes after the chuckling died down. "But well I didn't see the harm in what her cousins had planned for her, in fact, I totally agreed with it. Ren Tsuruga is a trusted member of LME and more importantly, my granddaughter adores him and that is no easy feat for anyone." There were some chuckles in the crowd.
"We have all seen the photos taken last night. There is one that most people are questioning and that is the one where my daughter and he are sitting on a bed with other men around them. That I am in part to blame. Last night while I was out with Maria someone came into our hotel room. They left a message and it spooked my daughter. I told her to stay with Mr. Tsuruga who she was still with at the time due to having been on a date. Kyoko had gotten hurt dancing last night a pulled muscle she is perfectly fine." He smiled some as he looked down sadly, "but we did not know that at the time. So she wanted to dress in something that would not feel so tight around her chest. Thus the outfit she is seen in." He nodded his head, "I began to contact family members to see who were still out or who had come home. As her cousins were on dates of their own." He shook his head sadly, "But Mr. Tsuruga had other plans with a few of his friends. Sadly harm was done due to a misunderstanding about what was going on. There is no romantic love between them and the date was due to the harsh breakup above half a year ago that she went through." He shook his head sadly. "I won't be saying more on that because my daughter personally wanted to address this subject. She felt it was only right." He looked began towards her for a moment.
"Now speaking as the head of LME and Mr. Tsuruga's boss," he said looking at them for a moment, "Ren Tsusuga does not hold any romantic interest in Lady Kyoko. He is a friend of their family and wanted only to help show her a good time while the rest of her cousins were on dates of their own. The two women in the photograph taken of him while dancing did catch his eye. Yet he had no attention whatsoever of taking either of them back to his hotel room and in no way would have taken an Lady Kyoko into his hotel room with his friends for anything other than added protection after a scare that she had while her father was looking for someone in their family to come and get her while was away with his granddaughter and not anywhere near the hotel or within city limits at the time." He closed his eyes for a moment "Mr. Tsuruga understands the mistake he had made after the fact. It did not cross his mind to take into account her age and what it would look like, only that he was protecting the younger sister of his friend Lord Kouki Takarada daughter should he had been asked to watch her for a moment. He is deeply sorry for the way this looks and most of all..." he took a deep breath, "I'm personally sorry that I put him through such a thing. I hope you can forgive me" he said stepping back and bowing his head.
Silence filled the room for a moment before he lifted his head he stepped back to the podium "Now I will turn this over to my daughter." He turned to face her and she stepped forward, she moved as if scared and shy as he kissed the top of her forehead.
Tomi's eyes narrowed as he looked at his computer screen, it had gotten wind of it last night from Reino but this just looked bad. The fact that someone had even gone into her hotel room where she was staying, this was not what he had in mind for her. "Kuon..." he growled under his breath. The fact that there was a real emotion that seemed to leak out took him slightly by surprised but when he thought about it, Kyoko was able to do that. His Hana was able to do that to him, move him in ways that he shouldn't logically be able to be moved because he had shut down all those emotions at such a very young age. He leaned back in his chair looking up towards the ceiling as he pulled out a cigarette from his breast pocket. "Not what I had in mind Kuon when I told you to make sure my little Hana was safe." His eyes turned towards his closed door. His father had been gone the whole night, likely talking to his pet Hude. He tilted his head slightly thinking about the man.
Natasha had a child through him, that child had been raised not by Natasha herself and Vas and Boris had both been pretty young at the time. Instead, it had been raised by dear Grandma Emilia as her youngest child. A family secret so to speak. The boy Makar was sixteen years old and had no real clue what the family did or even who his parents really were. No, as far as Makar knew he was just the last son of Makarios whom he was named after. Part of him wondered what it was that made him special, not that anyone knew his eyes were awakened as Natasha and Reino's eyes were. Yet there had to be something in the DNA, something that made them different that he couldn't find or see. "What is the missing piece?"
"I see you have that garbage on" Tomi's didn't even bother to turn his eyes towards Vas he entered his room without knocking. "Damn British" he growled. It was common knowledge that Vas who took pride in the fact that the Russian's were the most powerful force in the underworld. The truth of the matter was that the British were the most powerful force in the world itself. Tomi stared at the computer screen as if he didn't hear him speak at all. Vas sighed under his breath, "I just came in to tell you that your Aunt Natasha will be here in 45 minutes and I want you in my office." Vas moved back towards the door, pausing as he held it open, "Try to be on time Tomi." Yet they both knew that he likely wouldn't be. Tomi made no notice that he heard him or even really acknowledge that he came in him and with another deep sigh Vas shut the door behind.
"Almost time..." he said pulling his cell phone out, "Kuon's a wildcard even when he's not Kuon" he looked towards the computer screen once more. Shoutaro Fuwa seemed to be trying to make it seem as if his little Hana still wanted him. "Time for a card that I know will listen."
I'm so troubled by the news today Reino. I don't like to be troubled. - Tomi
What do you want me to do about it, Tomi? - Reino
Well for one, you can befriend my sweet little Hana - Tomi
Fine. I have a meeting with her anyways later - Reino
Wonderful, now what's the meeting about? - Tomi
She wants my special talent it seems - Reino
Tomi stared at the screen as someone else appeared. He frowned missing the sound of Kyoko's voice more than he wanted to admit to himself, yet there was no reason he could understand for why this man a General apparently was speaking. Normally this would be the sort of thing the local police took care of. His eyes narrowed slightly, 'What are you up to my Hana?' His eyes turned back to the text message.
Do whatever she asks of you. I also want to know exactly what you two talk about in this meeting of yours. - Tomi
Why do you care so much about this girl? - Reino
Ah, you know better than to ask such a thing like that Reino. Regardless I do have some good news for you. You and your little friends will be joining Blume, playing your pretty songs. - Tomi
Do we have a choice? - Reino
Well, I can get dear Aunt Nikita to help me convince you of how important this is for the family's growth. - Tomi
Just send the paperwork. - Reino
I knew I could trust you, you are after all perhaps my favorite family member - Tomi
Kyoko walked towards her father stopping in front of him, her eyes closed as he kissed her forehead before stepping just a couple steps back. Not rejoining them but almost guarding her. "Hello and as my father said thank you for coming here today. I know you have a lot of important things to do and I will try to make this as quick as possible" she looked down, her hands folded tightly in front of her she took a deep breath before lifting her eyes back up. "Today I was informed that Sho Fuwa did an interview with E!Media, where he states that we are engaged. This was true, at a young age our families came together and made an arrangement for this." She smiled softly, "As many of you know my father title and thus mine and my elder brother's title as Lady and Lord is only because my Great Aunt, Queen Mother Leiko and my Late Great Uncle, King Phillip raised my father as their own after my grandparents died." She said looking down as she, "I'm sure you are wondering why I bring this up. As a child, this was hidden from at the time my future husband. It was thought to be for the best by both our families. To him it is weird now that it's out that I'm the daughter of an ArchDuke, that my Great Aunt is the former Queen of England and my second cousin who is more of an Aunt and mother to me at the same time is the Queen and I know it has to hurt him deeply to be lied to for all these years."
"However I do feel the need to address some of the things he said. I did once love Mr. Fuwa deeply." she looked down, it seemed to anyone who was looking at her that she was trying not to cry "I fell in love with him when my Great Grandfather died. He was so kind to me then, he had never once been so kind to me. I guess you could say that the moment I realized how kind and gentle he could be, my heart just couldn't stop feeling for him. Even now today I'm still very thankful for that kindness and I will always be grateful for that. Yet, I no longer have those feelings for him. We are not as he said imitate, why would he be? To him, I was always plain and boring." She smiled sadly, "He made it clear throughout our time getting to know each that he was not in love with me. I was fine with that, until about a half year ago, when our engagement ended. I was not good enough because to him my family was not powerful, I didn't have the looks he desired, I had nothing to offer him as far as he was concerned. My personality lacked..." she looked down "and when he abandoned me and I ended up being taken away from my family for two months." She paused, looking down struggling as she took several deep breaths, "It's safe to say that I could no longer live in that fantasy world of maybe one day he could love me back. I awoke that day."
Kyoko lifted her head looking at the people who had gathered, "I assure you all that Ren Tsuruga does not scare me. I am most grateful that Mr. Tsuruga is so good to my family, that he is willing to look after me, to try and to take time out of his own schedule to take me out. For me, it was nothing more than kindness being shown upon me where it did not have to be. To go even further and when I was terrified of what I had seen in the hotel room that he was more than willing to let me join him and his friends until someone else could come and gather me." She smiled softly, "I think and hope that Mr. Tsuruga's fans realize what a great role model he can be for young men. As well as the other gentlemen who were there in the hotel room with us. That they cared so much to try and ease my fears last night. I can only hope that his fans do not leave his side because of a misunderstanding that I caused." She looked down sadly, "I don't think I could ever forgive myself if people hated him because I am at the end of the day still just a young girl. One who needed her father or big brother to tell her that it was all going to be alright. I think it speaks highly of Mr. Tsuruga that he and his friends stepped up to be like my cousins are to me every day." She stepped back bowing her head, "Thank you all for being so kind to one very scared and terribly heartbroken little girl. I hope I can earn your forgiveness for all this trouble I've caused you today."
Lory moved forward quickly scooping her into his arms and moving back from the stage. While the Press Representative stepped forward. In the background one could see Lory talking to Ruto who gave a small nod, wrapping his arm around her as Maria grabbed her hand and the three left the room. Laura looked at Lory and he took her hand in his own and gave a small nod, whatever was said between the four remaining family members was not picked up by the mics.
Sho couldn't believe what he was seeing, she had turned everything he was trying to do against him "No, that's not it..." he said watching as she was being pulled away from the whole group. "They forced her to say that didn't they?" He leaned back not carrying about the rest of the news. It was already frustrating that he was having to read subtitles in this shitty little hotel room. "Sexual assault my ass" he muttered under his breath. 'It that was the case then the cops would have been there' he thought as he kicked his feet up on the table. Trying to think, to process what she had said and what had happened last night. 'No cops, she doesn't want to report it to the police' his eyes narrowed slightly 'She didn't even say I sold her, so that means that she doesn't hate me for it, she's just sad, she doesn't hate me at all.' he lowered his eyes. Sho really had to admit he regretted selling her, but it had forced her family to act. "No wait they aren't her family, they own her but why would they want her?"
His eyes looked at the tall black man that stood, he wasn't really paying attention to anything he was saying instead of trying to focus on just the image of Lory Takarada. "Somethings off with that man, and she's trying to protect me" he nodded his head as he leaned his head back staring at the ceiling. "She must still have strong feelings for me, she just can't admit them to anyone not even herself right now."
His eyes trailed to his phone, he could call his parents but they would not be pleased with him. He hadn't said two words to them since he left with Kyoko he wasn't going to start now. 'It's fine. I'll fix everything.'
General Kendi Brown took the Press Representative hand in a single shake of their hands before releasing him. His eyes turned towards the cameras the man stood at full attention. "I know many of you are more interested in the break-in that caused Mr. Tsuruga to have to step in with his friends for Lady Kyoko on her father ArchDuke Lory's request. We have passed out a photo of the woman we believe responsible for the entering of the Takarada room. She does not, however, work here, not now or ever." He shifted on his feet slightly, " What we do believe based on the message found within their hotel room is that this young woman was failed her auditions at LME and due to this upset as happens so often in ArchDuke Lory's profession took it upon herself to let her anger and frustration out about what had happened. We believe this because up to this point Queen Mary's three children, as well as Lady Kyoko, have had no issues dealing with anyone on staff since they began there stay here." He shook his head "It is an awful thing that she walked in and saw it but perhaps it was better than had Miss Maria done so."
He looked down at the people who had gathered, "If you know who this young woman is in the photo, we ask that you please contact the following number 1-800-xxx-xxxx with any information. We do wish to speak with her. We do not know for sure if this is the young woman who did this act but within the time frame, she is the only one seen on cameras. Again I want to thank the staff here at Crown Ruby Hotel for helping us gather the information we need to get this sold in a timely manner. Again we do not believe she meant any harm and she is only wanted for questioning at this point and time. Thank you." He said stepping back to join the others as the hotel Press Representative stepped forward.
"Thank you, General Brown. At this time I will be directing the questions that any of you may have about this matter. If you have any questions for anyone else on this stage with those who have spoken so far today. Minus Lady Kyoko, they too will address as the questions are asked."
Ren sat in his dressing room with his headphones on and his photo broadcasting the live news conference he had been told to watch by Lory last night or rather early this morning. Yashiro kept eyeing him, he had wanted to talk about the news article that had been done by E!Media and some of the things that had been written in the newspapers. Yet, of course, they were very careful about what they had printed in the newspapers and of course that had been for a reason they had been promised the real story today. Thus they didn't want to jump onto anything more than that.
It bothered him more than he wanted to admit, hearing her say the words that she loved Sho Fuwa. How he had broken her heart was likely more damaging then what those men did to her that she had been sold to by his selfishness. To think that she grew up thinking herself as nothing more than plain and boring. 'Why does it bother me so much?' He closed his eyes for a moment listening to just her voice 'and why is she still protecting him like she is?' That bothered him even more than anything else and all he could figure was that she was still in love with him deep down inside. 'Why does he have such a strong hold on her?'
Yet last night he hadn't known the truth either, she had come into his room as if nothing had happened. 'Her acting skills are amazing.' He had no clue that anything had happened, 'maybe I was just too distracted by her.' Kyoko had simply trusted him without question to keep her safe. There was also the fact that the group was being to as his friends, he didn't really like any of them other than perhaps Shizuru. Yet hadn't it been Lory who addressed it as such first? That meant that this was what Lory thought was best for damage control and it had been his idea to take her and her friends to his hotel room. Yet what bothered him most was how Kyoko had spoken, he remembered Lory's words about her not wanting this to fall back on him. So this had been what he had meant, she was basically begging his fans to not lose faith in him and he was pretty damn sure with her words that he was about to gain even more fans. 'Yet not because of my acting' he thought bitterly 'Not that it matters most people only know me as a model here' more bitterness began to claw its way inside of him.
Ren wanted to believe it was because she cared about him, but he knew that was far from the truth. Kyoko even as a child never wanted to trouble anyone, she had troubled Ren last night, made him look bad and was now trying to redirect all the damage all the hate at herself. 'Yet who could hate her for something like that?' No matter what there would be people, his own fans who would hate her for making him look bad without saying something sooner. It didn't matter that it had happened last night, that it was indeed being addressed without such a reasonable time frame and even by her, herself. None of that would matter. He hated it, he hated it as Ren and most of all as Kuon, that she would be hated for his bad choices. 'Keiji is right, I was a moron, we all were and now she's taking the blame for it all.' He sighed heavily as he popped out the earplugs.
"I take it you were watching the news?" He nodded his head towards Yashiro. "They are going to want a statement from you, you know that right?" He nodded his head again. "Shall I arrange one?" He shook his head and Yashiro sighed.
"If they ask me, then I'll say something but there is just no reason. Lory's handled it already." The worse part was he had to play as if this was all known to him already. "The show first, we can deal with this when it happens." He said turning off his phone and handing it to his manager.
"What do you want me to say if they call me?"
Ren looked at him, "Tell them I was just doing what was asked of me. Nothing more and nothing less."
A/N: Blume is German for Flower. Tomi refers to Kyoko as his Hana [which means flower in Japanese].
Maria would not hold a title as Lory's title does not transfer to Kouki unless the Queen states so, however, Lory's children would be referred to as Lord or Lady. Maria, however, would be addressed as Mistress or Miss within the palace and UK media because of her father having the title of Lord.
I have also given Lory the middle name Ishii after his Japanese voice actor Ishii Kouji.