After picking up his aunt, who was also wearing makeup and her best clothes (even though it they were worn and faded Kiku thought she looked very pretty) and hugged him fiercely, Kiku traveled further down the rabbit hole as the carriage turned into the part of town that Kiku had never been to before.
The town nearest the Honda farm was not big enough to house many nobles, they only have the one, but it was not too small as to have a neighborhood where a few rich families had their homes, or rather estates. They were big, beautiful stone buildings surrounded by paved roads instead of the dirt and simple wood houses of Kiku's village. Kiku looked out the window of the carriage in awe. He had never seen houses such as these, perpetually clean and new looking, locked away behind their gates. There was never any reason for him to come here, and to be honest, he preferred the more modest parts of town. Frivolous splendor was never something Kiku cared for, but when the carriage turned up to a house almost as big as his family's farm, he gasped.
Suddenly it seemed that him, his parents, and his aunt were embarrassingly underdressed.
Kiku tugged nervously at his sleeve, looking around at his family trying to read them for some type of clue as to what was happening and why they were here. The day's heat had waned a bit as the sun sunk lower in the sky and the carriage provided much needed shade but it was still uncomfortably hot inside, and Kiku's nervousness did not help him feel any better. His tongue desperately itched to ask what was going on, he could barely restrain himself. If he was honest with himself what was holding him back was the fear of appearing foolish and being scolded, but as the carriage came to a stop in front of the largest door he had ever seen, he need to know now more than ever.
"Mother, father!" he hissed quietly through his teeth, losing some of his motivation when they looked at him with questioning eyes, "Please, I know…I know I should-I should know this but please, what is happening? Whose house is this?"
Kiku shrunk back a little at the three sets of eyes looking at him in shock.
"Oh son," his mother said quietly lest the driver hear, "How could you not know by now? This the house of Lord of Sevens! You must be presented to him."
"Presented? What does that-" Kiku started but he was interrupted by the sound of bells. The driver had apparently climbed down and rung the lever for the bell in front of the massive entrance, before turning and opening the coach door, helping the women out. His father sent him a look that simultaneously said our conversation is over and be on your best behavior.
One massive door opened and a small man appeared, who judging by his looks was a servant, answered the call with a questioning, "Yes?" as his eyebrows arched in suspicion. His face was a mixture of curiosity and a touch of snobbish distain, sending a jolt of anger through Kiku's body.
To be fair, although the Hondas were dressed in their very best attire, on second inspection they did look rather, well shabby in comparison to the grand, imposing estate they are in. It was unkind to think so, but it was true. Their clothes were nice, but they were barely better quality than the servants, and even though they had taken a carriage instead of walking in the sun, the heat had wiped some of their finery away. Looking around, Kiku saw all their faces gleaming with sweat, his mother's hair lopsided and drooping, his father's out of place, and his aunt's make up was smudged. Kiku could only image how he looked. To the servant, used to the finery of nobles and the wealthy, they probably looked like country fools trying, and failing. to be more than they are. But that does not excuse his attitude, Kiku thought, keeping his face neutral.
"We are here to see the Lord Norman of Sevens." His father said in his most assured voice, like they had a right to be sweating in a noble's entryway.
The servant narrowed his eyes a bit and exhaled harshly, "Unfortunately the Lord isn't seeing anyone today." His voice held a forced politeness that was extremely transparent. He obviously believed himself superior to them, and it was apparent in his voice. Kiku felt his face grow hot with anger. "But there will be a general assembly in two weeks, or I can try to make you a personal appointment for you. That however it might take even longer, as the Lord is very busy-"
"No." his father said with a calm and a confidence that Kiku didn't understand in the situation. "We need him today, right now. It is very important."
"What is this in regards to? Land dispute? Missing cattle? Because I can assure you, he doesn't want to be disturbed today and if you want something resolved in your favor, you should try another day."
"No, nothing like that. We just need to speak with him, it's urgent."
"Whatever the matter is, another day would be more prudent. Come back next week and I'll see what I can-"
"Listen sir," Kiku's mother stepped up, her eyes steely and her voice even more so, "We want to see the Lord, and we want to see them now."
"That is not possible." The servant said, politeness dropping in irritation, "Another day-"
"No" Kiku's aunt said, stepping in line with her sister, "The Lord is our representative, he took a pledge, I saw it with my own eyes. He promised to see anyone 'Day or night!'. He promised and I will never rest if he goes back on it until the new King hears of it!"
The servant paused for a moment, maintaining eye contact with Kiku's aunt. He shifted and let out a heavy sigh, moved to the side to let them in. The Hondas looked at each other, quietly celebrating their small victory and shuffling inside.
If Kiku thought the outside was impressive, the inside was nothing short of amazing. It was cool, impossibly cool in this heat, and large complete with high arched ceilings encrusted with gold paint. All the curtains were closed and only a few candles were lit, so the whole house seemed to be encased in a soft glow. Various painting lined the walls, large and beautiful, just like shiny wooden floors under their feet. Kiku couldn't help looking around, his eyes wide and his mouth slightly open in awe. He felt impossibly small and very out of place. How could anyone live here, he thought.
"Please follow me." The servant said walking past the group, leading them to a massive marble staircase. "But don't say I didn't warn you. He gets in the foulest moods when it's this hot."
The group reached the top of the stairs and turned down an equally grand hallway. The servant stopped in front of another large door and signaled for them to stop. Kiku watched as the servant steeled himself, straightening his clothes and running his fingers through his hair, smoothing it in place, and opened the door and quickly swiped the look of dread on his face and walked inside.
After a moment of silence in the intimidating hall Kiku and his family grew restless. They all looked at each other, shifting from foot to foot, waiting in front of the door for what seemed like hours. Kiku was very tempted to press his ear to the door, but he knew that would be extremely rude. He was just about to suggest that they listen to the servant and come back another day when suddenly they heard shouting from the other side.
"What do you mean townsfolk are here to see me! Send them away!'
There was some barely audible mumbling on through the wall followed by a loud bang and a booming "What do you mean they're already in the hall? Didn't I make myself clear when I said no visitors until this heatwave is over? That means if peasants come to the door you turn them way! What manner of fools come all the way over here in this heat!"
Kiku's face again felt hot with anger. What was it with this house and their disregard of common courtesy? Who were they to feel so superior to him and his family? Sure they lived in this grand house in finery, but Kiku had always been taught in school that everyone in the Kingdom was of equal value, rich or poor.
More muffled words came to Kiku's ears, more calming than the last. There was silence for a while, and then the door opened. The very shaken looking servant motioned the family inside, muttering a quick "Please make it quick" before scurrying out the door behind them.
"Stupid pledge…lucky there's going to be a new king…can't afford complaints…" a man who Kiku assumed was the Lord said under his breath. He was a short, balding, and generally unremarkable man, except he was wearing an all-silk suit which looked like it cost a month's worth of rice sales. It was the gorgeous deep pink of the Kingdom of Hearts, with a large red 7 embroidered just above the breast pocket. He sat in the back of a large, beautiful room, a library or study probably, filled with cases full of books. A table full of delicious looking tea and cookies and sandwiches was seated in front of him, but he looked angry, sweat pooling on his forehead. He looked at the Hondas with beady, irritated eyes as he nodded at them to come closer.
"Hello," he said with the same forced politeness as his servant but he was much worse at hiding his annoyance, "So what you want?"
"My lord," Kiku's father stepped up, "We are the Honda family, owners of this town's most prosperous rice farm. Let me just say what an honor it is to meet you and I hope you forgive us for bothering you this afternoon, but we thought it most important to see you today."
"Yes, yes" the lord said, biting into a cookie, "Well, what is it then? What is so important? Did someone steal a pig of yours or something? Honestly you would think you farm folk" he said like they were some type of pest, his mouth full "could at least deal with your petty issues yourselves, without bothering me! You barely under my jurisdiction."
Kiku bit his lip, trying to maintain a polite face. He did not like this man, not one bit. He felt like saying "Who do you think grows the grain for flower or the cane for sugar?" but he kept silent.
He felt his mother tug and his sleeve, and he turned to look at her. She gestured to his clothes and Kiku understood, stepping up to where his father was and started to undress, exposing his shoulder and turning around so the lord could see. He heard a gasp from behind him, and could imagine the man's eyes going wide. There was the sound of a chair scraping against the floor and footsteps, and then a large, sweaty hand was on his skin, fingers running over his mark.
"Stars above!" the lord whispered, Kiku turning around in time to see him dropping to his knees. "It is a great honor to be in your presence my Queen." Kiku looked down at them man, and flushed embarrassed. The Lord looked up at him expectantly.
"Um…Yes. Thank you." He said, covering himself once more, wishing that the man would rise off the floor.
Fortunately he did, rushing to the entryway and pulling on a long rope. Not a minute passed when the servant that answered the main door came in, red faced and panting.
"Yes my Lord?" he said trying to catch his breath. Kiku realized that he was probably stationed at the main entrance and had run up the massive staircase.
"Send one of the house boys to town and secure a carriage, horses, and driver for the capitol. Something fast, but nothing too flashy. We don't need to draw unnecessary attention." He rushed over to one of the other tables in the room, pulling out a sheet of paper from one of the drawers and grabbing a pen, scribbling something down quickly before shoving it in an envelope. "And have this taken to the post office, rush direct to the capital mailing center as soon as possible, spear no expense." The servant scrambled over to the out held hand taking it carefully.
"And don't forget to seal it!"
"Of course sir. When would you like the carriage to be ready by?"
"By sunrise" the Lord said waving a hand in dismissal. His eyes kept filtting back to Kiku and his family, "And get these fine people here chairs to sit on! Goodness we aren't barbarians!"
"Sunrise? Sunrise tomorrow?" the servant asked, eyes wide.
"Was I not clear?" he said, voice growling with anger, like the servant had hit him. Kiku suppressed a shudder at the tone. It was hard to believe the Lord was at his feet a moment ago. This man was scary, he could go from one extreme to another in seconds. Where all nobles like this?
"No, but my Lord it but ordering a carriage for such a journey on such short notice will be difficult to say the-"
"Did I ask for your opinion? Or whether not it would be difficult? Do you think I care about your thoughts on my wishes?" he replied, voice and eyes steely.
The servant mumbled an ashamed "No sir." and looked at the floor.
"Right. So just do as I say. That is all." He said "And don't forget the chairs!"
"Yes sir." The servant said, walking out quickly. Kiku felt bad for being angry at him before, even though he was rude he obviously had a lot to deal with working under this man.
"Honestly, it is so hard to find good help these days." The lord said once he has gone, brushing his coat with hard hands. He turned back to Kiku, a large smile on his face as if the last two minutes never happened.
"But do not let his incompetence disturb you your majesty! I must say, I am overcome with happiness! To think that someone from all the way out here is a Suit! Under my jurisdiction as well! I can barely believe it!"
"I suppose that's fitting since us farm folk are barely under you jurisdiction." Kiku said, looking into the Lords eyes. Stars above! Where had that come from? That was not what he wanted to say! Well he did want to, but he never intended to say something so rude out loud. He could only imagine his parent's faces.
The Lord blinked, smile falling a bit as he obviously tried to find something else to say. Lucky for him, two new servants came in, chairs in hand, and started to set them out. The Lord broke away from Kiku's gaze and directed the men to the table in the back where he was previously sitting.
"Er, please, please, do sit down all of you. I'll call for some fresh tea but please help yourself to everything else." The group walked over to the table and seated themselves as the Lord waved at the servants to get more tea.
Kiku eyed the food discretely, tempted to take one of the delicious looking sandwiches. He had missed his lunch in all this commotion after all and it had been hours since he last ate. He had a feeling that his parents and aunt had similar thoughts as well but they all didn't feel comfortable taking the food.
The servants entered the room again, interrupting the uncomfortable silence that had settled the party. Kiku's eyebrows almost shot up at the site of them, not only carrying a fresh pot of tea but also assorted plates and cups and silverware, all balanced on a shiny silver platter. One man even had a bowl of fresh fruit and what looked like a plate of cheese and bread. They set the finery down in front of the family and stood idly, clearly unsure what to do. The finally Lord cleared his throat and they jumped into action, quickly filling the Honda's plates with food and pouring the rich, delicious smelling tea into their cups.
Now that the food was directly in front of him, Kiku couldn't resist. He reached for one of his sandwiches and reveled in the way it felt on his lounge and settled in his stomach. The rest of his family followed suit, politely refraining from devouring the mouthwatering display the way they wanted to. The Lord watched their actions, seeming to relax when he saw that Kiku was eating.
"Prepare a room Mr…our guest here." He said when he waved one of the servants standing by over. "Just one night, we will be leaving at dawn. Tell the cook that we will have an extra person tonight at dinner, and that we will need some food for the road. That is all" he added waving them off.
Kiku almost chocked on his slice of banana, coughing as quietly as he could. Dinner here? Staying the night? Leaving at dawn? And only one room? Was he being left here all alone? His head suddenly felt dizzy the questions in his head, he felt his heart pounding and his grip on his composure fading, only to be brought back by the Lord's voice.
"I'm sorry, what did you say?" he asked, still barely calm enough to pay attention to the question the second time.
"I asked for your name, your majesty. Are you alright? You look a bit pale." He said voiced laced with concern and maybe a bit of panic.
"My name is Kiku, Kiku Honda. And…I'm fine…I'm fine but I-I just don't understand. Why am I staying here? I can't! And-and I can't go the capitol tomorrow, I have work back home, the heat will wilt the crops and-" he was stopped by his father's from on his shoulder, his voiced had raised to an uncommon volume. The Lord was looking at him with a confused expression, as if Kiku was the one talking nonsense.
"My Lord," his father began, "might we have a moment alone with our son?"
"Oh, yes. Of course!" the Lord said, jumping up and straightening his suit. "This must be a lot to take in. I'll just be right outside!" he bowed to Kiku and he walked out in a nervous hurry, as if they would run if he took his eyes off of them. Kiku wasn't so sure he wouldn't.
"Kiku what is wrong with you? Talking in such a voice, and about the crops of all things in a time like this?" his mother chided him quietly.
"Mother I-" he started, but he couldn't find the words. He looked around the large, beautiful room filled with expensive things and the small feast set out in front of them and felt so incredibly out of place. How could they not understand this, not feel the same way? "I just-what is happening? I don't-Why must I stay here tonight and go to the capitol at dawn? I know, the mark, but-but it's wrong! We shouldn't have come here. We don't belong here! The mark chose wrong, I can't be Queen! I am a farmer! Can we just please go home and talk about this? We could try to find the Jokers or-or something and-" His mother had walked over from her chair and held a finger to his mouth, effectively silencing him.
"My dear boy." She said in a quiet voice, "You have found your fate. You are Queen. The marks have never made mistakes before, now there is no turning back for you. It's done.."
"You must stay here tonight because the noble representative is responsible for your welfare from the time you are presented until you are delivered to the castle." His aunt said, eyes looking at him with sympathy. "You have to start your training right away, Coordination Day is only two months away and you are the last Suit to be found, you must leave immediately in order to prepare properly in time."
"But-" Kiku started again He couldn't do this, it can be, how could they not see?
"Kiku." His father said in a voice he never heard before. It was soft and gentle, almost meek but with such a commanding strength that Kiku felt small shivers through his spine. "Everyone, every person on this earth, is born with a purpose, their own personal path. I believe mine was to meet your mother, run our farm, and to have you. I have always believed that, known in my bones that this was my fate. But you, Kiku, we always knew you were destined for something more, something special. We needed you on the farm, yes but we knew one day you would leave us for something greater. And now that day has come and you must face it." His father looked him in the eye, and continued, voice cracking a bit. "I am so proud that you are my son. I always have been, you have been the biggest blessing in my life and now you bring us the biggest honor. And you may not see it now, but you do belong there, in the capitol, in the castle. Our Kingdom needs leaders and you are one of them. So you see, you simply must do this. For the Kingdom, for us, and for yourself. To fulfil your fate."
Silence had fallen over the four after Kiku's father had finished, Kiku taking the words in. He looked from his father, to his mother and his aunt, before finally looking to the floor.
My fate? He thought, Can this really be it? Can I really do this? He looked up at his family again, their eyes trained on him, full of love and support and most of all hope. I guess I have to. For them.
So I hope you guys are enjoying the story so far! Please review!