Romeo and Cinderella: Noncest Version
Chapter 5: Joseph
I woke up to the same old morning with the same old routine and the same old boredom. It was a Monday which meant my private tutor would drop by for a visit to, today, continue my language classes. I did German, English, and French on Mondays and on Thursdays he would visit again to teach me science and math. Tuesdays were for independent study, and Wednesdays were left to the arts, usually singing and theatre. Regardless my overall busy weekly schedule, I found myself constantly locked in boredom. Really. I was an eighteen year old German noble. What use was it to me to learn so many languages when I could simply hire a translator? Not to say that I didn't like the fluidity of French or the versatility of English. Luka said that it was good for the wife of a business owner or political official to be able to understand the visiting guests, but when did I ever say I wanted to marry a business owner or political official?
Of course, since when did my opinion matter, anyway?
I suppose one would be wondering why I mentioned no tutors last week. The answer? My father had requested some special "family bonding time" for a six month period after my birthday. This was the week that I got to go back on schedule. Oh joy.
After my tutor left around two I returned to my room only to be quickly interrupted by Luka.
"I need to get things straightened up in here," she claimed, picking up a skirt that I had discarded on the floor. "Kaito Shion is visiting today. This room of yours needs to be presentable."
"Did you just say Kaito?" I accused. "Did you just say Kaito then imply that he will be visiting my room?" I stood up from where I had been sitting on my bed. "I never said this was okay."
"Well the master did," Luka retorted, seeming unhappy about the situation herself, "and whatever he says goes." Was my father trying to make this harder on me? I'm sure his intentions were good, but still.
"Here, let me help," I offered. "It's my mess, anyway."
Luka's eyes widened a bit as she handed me a blouse to add to the pile of dirty clothing she had started. "Who are you and what have you done with Lady Rin?" she eventually got out.
I gave a little half smile and replied, "I have no idea."
.
With our combined cleaning power, my room was spotless in a little over half an hour. The clock struck three. I heard quick, light footsteps coming down the hall as one of my other maids, Neru, came by to announce the arrival of "Sir Shion". Her long blond hair was tied in a ribbon on her left side. It swished as she stopped at my door.
"Guten Tag, Dame Rin," she said politely. "Sir Shion is here to see you."
"We'll be right down," Luka replied for both of us, giving Neru a small nod.
Neru gave a small curtsey and left to continue her duties. Luka then ushered me out the door, through the hall, and down the stairs into the foyer. There, a familiar and all too unwelcome face stood before me. I tried to keep my expression composed, my back erect, and my tone light.
"Good afternoon, Sir Shion," I managed without gritting my teeth.
"Good afternoon, Lady Rin," Kaito returned. Why I called him by his last name and he called me by his first I did not know. Though, I did personally prefer Lady Rin over Lady Kagamine, just not through the lips of him.
"Ah, Mister Shion," I heard my father from behind me. I turned around to his stern face and pipe. I hated his smoking. It may have been considered a manly thing, but it smelled wretched and made his teeth turn yellow. "I'm so glad you could make it. I'm sure with such a sudden change of pace for the both of you, you and my daughter would need a bit of time to get to know each other. Perhaps find a common interest or two."
"Yes that sounds lovely, Sir Kagamine," Kaito remarked.
"Rin," my father directed, "You have a lovely sitting area in your room, do you not?" Before I could confirm or deny he went on: "How about you two discuss in there. I have an important meeting in the Conference Room and your mother has company in the Lounge."
"Yes, of course," I complied, "but, I do believe that the Library has much more comfortable seating. We could go there instead." I really did not want to let Kaito into my room.
My room, my business. End of story.
"Ah, yes. The Library," my father declared. "That does seem much more comfortable. I can't believe I missed that." He smiled meekly. "Thank you, Rin."
"But of course, father," I answered ever so courteously. "Come," I said, looking to Kaito. "The Library is down the hall this way."
I led Kaito down the Grand Hall and turned left, then went all the way down until I reached the largest doorway of the manor. The Library had the most greatly sized windows of the manor and the tallest walls and ceilings. Thousands of books lined the walls, probably every book that had ever been published, covering all subjects including science, arithmetic, and various fiction novels as well. A large, elaborate chandelier hung above so that even when none of the candles were lit, light would reflect off of it to every corner of the room. There were many desks and chairs placed sporadically about, but there was one area with a sofa and some of the more comfortable pieces of furniture belonging to the manor. That was where I took Kaito to be seated.
"Amazing…" he remarked, "this is quite an impressive collection of books you have."
"My father has been collecting them for a while," I responded. "He reads a lot." I guess I took after him in this. Before all of this drama, I would usually spend all my free time with my face in a book, even more so after the accident.
"Well with all of these books available, you must have a few favorites," Kaito inferred.
This sparked a bit of my curiosity, his concern with my interests. "Actually yes," I replied. I stood and walked over to a desk with an open copy of my favorite book: Romeo and Juliet. "I can't resist a good romance."
Kaito had walked up behind me. He chuckled. "Funny. Neither can I." I turned around to face him. He appeared to be using his strange charm on me again, and somehow it was working. I blushed a bit and a small smile crept across my lips.
He entwined his fingers with mine and slowly leaned in. I didn't even notice. My back was on the desk. Kaito slid his hand up my thigh and hooked my leg around his waist. Before I knew it he was on top of me. My breathing grew heavier as Kaito leaned in and began to kiss me. I kissed him back, not even thinking. I opened my eyes and saw a golden-haired boy. I relaxed for a moment… until I blinked and Kaito's face came back.
I jumped and threw him off of me. I stared at his surprised face for a few seconds before leaping off of the desk and dashing out the library, down the hall, out through the front door, and straight into a girl shopping in the marketplace. We both let out squeals of surprise.
"Oh!" I yipped. "I'm so sorry!" I began helping her picking up all of the fruits and vegetables I had sent astray from her baskets.
She got up and dusted herself off. I looked up at her. Her long, beautiful teal hair was tied up in two ribbons and she wore a luxurious black dress. It was the girl I had seen in the town from my window several times. She looked at me in shock. Then, her face relaxed.
"It's okay," she said, bending over to put a few leeks back into her basket.
"I must apologize again for my rudeness," I said, putting the manners back into my voice. "Is there perhaps something I can do to repay you? I didn't bruise any of your fruits, did I? I would be more than obliged to pay for them."
She smiled. "That won't be necessary," she assured me. "Your apology is more than enough." This was quite odd. Never before had I met a city-goer that did not ask for more than an apology. (Yes, there had been multiple occasions where I had run out of the house straight into someone or their things.)
Who was she?
"My name is Hatsune Miku," she said, answering my question.
"It's nice to meet you, Hatsune," I greeted.
"Oh! My apologies. Hatsune is my last name. My family is from Japan. I must have gotten used to saying things like that." Miku blushed in embarrassment. "I've only been studying German for a couple of years now, and my family moved here only last year. I'm still getting the hang of things, I guess." She beamed up at me.
"No, it's fine. I am Rin Kagamine. It's a pleasure."
"Yes," Miku replied. She looked up at the clock which showed the time as four thirty. The sky was just starting to fade to pale pink. "I should probably be going now. I need to get these home before dinner is prepared."
"Let me help you," I offered. "It's the least I can do after knocking you down."
She sighed, sounding relieved. "Thank you very much."
We began walking as she led me through a maze of streets to the opposite side of town. Miku's manor lay at the edges of the city, right on the border of the East and West sides. It was quite the long walk. There was a bit of woodland around; many bald trees scratched the edges of the land. The scenery seemed very peaceful. The sky glowed red as we entered her house.
The mansion was older. It had most likely been abandoned for a few years before the Hatsune family had moved in and remodeled it. A large, unlit chandelier hung above in the Hatsune Manor's foyer. There was a double staircase crawling up to the second level. A hallway led into darkness below it and two more lay on either side of the foyer. No candles were lit inside, giving it a cold, eerie feel.
"Mikuo?" Miku called out into the darkness. Footsteps sounded. I saw a light wander in from upstairs and a young man appearing to be a few years older than Miku stepped in. He wore lightly colored clothes and his hair was of the same teal color as Miku's except cut short. I assumed him to be Miku's brother.
Mikuo smiled at the sight of his sister then looked questionably at me. He turned back to Miku. "There you are!" he stated. "Everyone is in the lounge. The servants are in the kitchen." He glanced at me again. "Who is this?"
"This is Rin," Miku explained. "We ran into each other at the marketplace. She helped me bring the groceries home."
"So sorry to intrude," I apologized. "I should be going now. It is getting a bit late." I gave Miku her basket and didn't even start turning around before Mikuo stopped me.
"You're leaving so soon? You've only just arrived!" he argued.
"Yes, but I don't wish for my maid to worry about me. She tends to get frantic whenever I'm gone for long periods of time." Especially lately with all of the "excitement" participating in my life, but I didn't add that in fears that Mikuo would ask questions.
Mikuo looked past me through the long windows beside the front doors. The sky had darkened to an inky violet. He sighed, then looked back up with a lighthearted expression. "But of course," he stated. "I shan't keep a lady from returning to her home." Mikuo walked over to beside the door and picked up a lantern. He placed his candle inside and handed it to Miku. "Here, take this. I don't want you stumbling blindly around in the dark."
Miku thanked her brother then coaxed me out the door. We started back the way we had come. After a few twists and turns, however, the roads seemed less and less familiar. This wasn't the side of town I was used to, though. Perhaps Miku knew where we were. The dim flickering of the street lights did no good; if anything it only made matters worse. All of the houses were shut up from the cold. Many of the townsfolk had already gone to sleep, and almost nothing could be heard through the thick walls and wooden shutters. It was nearing six o'clock by the looks of things. We were lost.
Miku pursed her lips. "We must have made a wrong turn," she concluded.
"Yeah," I replied shakily. What were we going to do? This was a huge city. I certainly didn't want to wander around until morning. "What do you think we should do?"
Miku stopped walking and looked around. "I don't recognize anything around here," she admitted. "Maybe we should…" she spotted someone on the end of the street, "ask someone for directions."
He was a shady looking man. He wore a red coat and hat. Leaning against the wall, he didn't look up at our presence. Just then I remembered something that Luka had said. She said not to bring a lantern out at night so that the scum of the city couldn't find you as you passed through the streets. Sure, it was an odd concept, but it did tell me one thing. This was a mistake.
"Excuse me sir!" she called, oblivious.
"Wait, Miku, don't," I hissed. She didn't hear me.
"Could you by any chance direct us toward the town square? It appears we have gotten a bit lost." I had a bad feeling about this. Miku walked toward him and I reluctantly followed. "Sir?"
I saw him smirk under his shaded eyes. We were close enough for me to see that.
"Sure," the man returned. His voice was low and intimidating. He pushed himself off the wall and began to approach us.
"Oh, thank you so much," Miku said, ignorant to our situation. The man continued toward us. "Um, sir?" He pulled something from his back pocket. "Sir?"
The next few seconds were a bit of a blur to me. I must have had my knees locked. My vision and feeling left me for a few moments and when I came back to my senses I was on the ground. My hands were tied around my back with the rope also going around my neck so that if I tried to pull away, I would choke myself. If I tried to run, I would fall, then choke myself.
I looked beside me. Miku was lying on her side, appearing unconscious. The first thing I did was scream at the top of my lungs. Surely someone, anyone, would hear that.
At the sound of my scream Miku's eyes shot open. She looked bewildered. "Wh-wh-where—" was all she could get out. She fell silent at the sight of the man gagging me with a piece of cloth ripped from my own skirt. He then crossed a slow few steps to over where she was. The man pulled out a knife and yanked it through the laces of Miku's corset. I looked away.
He walked back to me. "And just in case you get the idea of running away…" he trailed off, sliding his arm up my skirt then slitting my thigh. I tried to scream through the rag, but no audible noise could be made.
I sat for a long time in silence, shutting my eyes as tight as they would go. My arms were sore from holding them so high behind my back to prevent injuring myself. The slit on my leg had just started to bleed through my dress. A tear ran down my cheek. Miku was quiet, or at least I didn't hear anything I believed to be her. I did my best to tune out any other sounds that I may have heard, though my efforts failed miserably. I wished I could just faint again, so I wouldn't have to bear through anything with a conscious effort.
… There was a pause.
I cautiously opened my eyes. He was sitting over me, eyes thirsting, breathing fast. My heart raced, so hard that it hurt. He pulled his knife again—slowly, sensually, disgustingly—then ripped open the laces on my bodice. I could feel my soul die inside. One last tear drifted down and then, a sound. It was very faint, but getting louder. It was… the sound of a horse at full run. But it couldn't have been. There was no way.
But it was.
The sound got louder and louder. The horse let out a loud neigh as Luka stopped him, her eyes as wide as a clear day. It was my horse—my black stallion. I had known him as long as I could remember. I used to ride him all the time, but lately I didn't have the same initiative, so he'd stayed in his stall a while. His name was Joseph. He had an older sister, Josephine, but she disappeared long ago. We named him in her honor.
I couldn't decide what to feel. It should have been relief, but I seemed to feel ashamed. All of this time I had put on the role of a stronger woman, especially for the level of respect for women in this time period, and here I was, weak and exposed in front of a criminal. Unable to even defend myself against a sick man such as this one. It was utterly repulsive.
Luka got over her shock in a split second. Sitting side saddle, she kicked Joseph onward with a "Kyah!" He cantered forward, barely missing the man in the red coat.
The man stumbled away as fast as he could go. I watched in the horror of my own situation. He vanished into the murky dark.
Luka leaped off of Joseph and ran to my side. Her sides heaved, trying to make up for lost air. "Are you… two okay?" she gasped. I could tell she had run here without stopping. Joseph looked as exhausted as Luka. "Oh my God." Luka started untying both of us.
"I…" I started. "I think I'm okay. But Miku... he attacked her." I turned my head slowly over to where Miku lay. She sat still and silent, looking cold.
"I knew this would come in handy," Luka stated, going over to Joseph and pulling a cloak from behind the saddle. She started toward me but I stopped her.
"Give it to her," I told her.
She nodded and walked over to Miku. Miku shuffled a bit, disoriented and discomforted. "It's okay," Luka crooned. "I'm Rin's maid. The man is gone now. You're totally safe."
Miku nodded slowly. Luka helped her up and covered her with the cloak then she boosted Miku onto Joseph's back.
I didn't know how Joseph would support all of us, but miracles had happened before.
"Here." Luka offered me her cloak. I accepted it graciously. I tried standing, then yelped in pain. My sliced leg throbbed. "You're bleeding!" You think so? I never would have guessed. "Oh, Lord. We need to get back."
I climbed in behind Miku and Luka. Luka coaxed Joseph ahead. We were speeding through town in seconds.
I felt Miku tremor in front of me. She whimpered periodically before she let out a full blown, blood-curdling wail. It stopped even Joseph.
"What is it? What's wrong?" Luka investigated.
I could almost hear her heart racing. "It hurts," Miku whispered. "It hurts so bad."
"It's okay," Luka assured. "We're almost back, just a little bit longer."
Miku nodded. She was crying.
.
Author's Note: NOTICE! Next chapter will be a very, very, very, very, very unnaturally and terribly long update. I'm leaving for the beach in one day then after that I'm home long enough for me to sleep a bit then I get to fly to Japan June 26th. I won't be back in the States until August 6th (muh birfday) and by then I will be suffering from severe jetlag. And school starts the 8th. So I'm thinking don't really expect an update until around the 10th or something.
*dreads looking at inbox when returning home* I think I might just die…
Almost no change whatsoever in this chapter! I personally thought it was great just the way it was and thus I embraced that. Very exciting. In that totally wrong, horrible, evil sort of way. Poor Miku. Rin must just be the bringer of bad luck. Of course, it only started recently. So that must mean IT'S ALL LEN'S FAULT!
This time please someone tell me what to ask next time because I have totally run out of ideas! :DD
Cookies for everyone that read the A/N.