Chapter the Second
A/N: Thanks to Marshmallow Ninja, The Chosen One, Unyielding Wish, TheSilverWisp and Silkoena for reviewing. I apologize for the super-delayed update.
A soggy, damp man with a friendly grin on his face had come to the woman's doorstep in the middle of a storm and told her that he was a prince.
This was probably the weirdest thing anyone had told her in her entire life, including the man that had told her the world was going to end due to rampaging cabbages.
After a long pause, Luka spoke.
"So, you're saying that you're a prince," the farmer said cautiously.
"Indeed," replied the purple-haired stranger. He seemed confident and sincere, and his breath hitched not even once.
"And you're here for...?"
"I wish to stay in an agricultural natured environment to experience that of my citizens." Luka took a while to realize what the man was saying. Eventually, she was able to translate his jargon and respond.
"You're a prince who wants to stay on a farm for experience," Luka finally stated. The strange man nodded promptly. "And you just came here without a public announcement or anything?"
The stranger began to sweat. He wiped away the droplets on his forehead and scratched his temple. "Err... Yes."
With one swift movement, she slapped the so-called prince and whipped out her knife. It glistened as she brandished it, restraining herself from attacking his neck. The stranger's eyes widened, his mouth agape and face pale.
"Tell the truth," she snarled. She jabbed the knife at his neck, but made sure to make no contact. "Do you want my money? My food? I want the truth and nothing but the truth, or I'll murder you on the spot."
"Wha- But this is most rude and disrespectful behavior, especially to the prince of this country!" he still continued on, even though Luka could have run the knife straight through him, "I am telling the utter truth. Those of royal blood never lie."
"Exactly, so go back to where you're really from. Your clothes are dirty and stained; how am I to believe that you are a prince?" Luka's jaw tightened as she continued to threaten the stranger with her weapon. His tone grew paler and paler.
"Please believe me. As you can see, I have the signature violet Kamui family hair..." he cradled a lock of purple hair between his thumb and index finger. The lady raised a brow. "And the Kamui family crest, plated gold." He indicated a badge on the left side of his chest that was made of two crossing katanas and a dragon's face. Luka seemed to be much more impressed by this. However, her satisfaction began to dwindle.
"You could've put pigments into your hair, and stolen the crest from the real Prince Kamui." She readied herself to attack the visitor.
But then he got down onto his knees.
"No, no... Please... Believe me... You seem fair and wise... Allow me to enter your humblr abode." His eyes were full of pleading and concern. Luka's glare faltered as the man took her hand. Suddenly, Luka saw it in him; truth.
"Fine." Luka helped Gakupo Kamui up and allowed him to come inside. She shut the door on the pouring rain as Gakupo made himself at home. He sat down onto the couch, sinking his back into its cushions. He looked like he hadn't been inside for weeks, judging from his expression of sheer relief. Water dripped onto the sofa, dampening it.
"You can sleep there." Luka pointed at the wet couch. Gakupo frowned in disapproval.
"You do not possess a guest room?" he asked. She noticed a tone of superiority and arrogance that threaded through his voice.
"No, I don't," Luka said, urging not to yell, "So, that'll have to do." Gakupo's eyebrows furrowed, and Luka felt a pang of annoyance. What did he expect from her?
"Are you not going to offer me your bed?" he demanded, "I am a prince!" At this point, Luka felt like ushering him into the pouring rain and locking the door, but she wasn't going to be weak and give in to his foolish notions.
"I'm the queen here, and my bed is reserved for me and mittens," Luka insisted as a smirk played up her face. Gakupo grimaced.
"Very well. Since I am a humble and generous prince—"
"I'm sure you are."
"—I will accept this couch as my sleeping quarters." He made himself comfortable, avoiding the wet stain that he looked ever so distastefully at. Luka smiled, acknowledging her success, and then put both hands on her hips.
"Okay then. I'm cooking, so—"
"Oh!" The youthful Kamui's eyes sparkled in anticipation. "I am famished. I request for a large turkey topped with Matsutake mushrooms and accompanied by Wagyu steak, carefully seasoned with an assortment of spices. Also, I would like it if you'd take the largest pumpkin you have and create a rich, creamy pumpkin soup with it. For dessert, I'd love a crème brûlée made with Jersey milk. Can you do that? Oh, and red wine."
The pink-haired woman knitted her eyebrows at her guest who was lazily lounging on the couch.
"This is a… how do you say it… 'agricultural natured environment', so you eat what I'm eating. No Wagyone—"
"Wagyu."
"—Wagyu steak for you." The prince's look of excitement turned into one of shock and disappointment.
"B-but… b-but…" he uttered in protest, "You live on a farm! With livestock and vegetables and everything!"
"Most of that goes to the merchants so that I can stay alive. Unlike you, my prissy friend, I have to ration. So salad and soup for you." Luka's stomach growled, causing her to pull a face. "I haven't eaten the whole day."
"Salad and soup! No wonder I thought you were anorexic."
"What was that?"
"Nothing."
"Good. Let's keep it that way."
Drops of rain pelted the windows and caused ripples of sound to travel throughout the house. Luka, who was cooking, didn't seem to mind, but her guest did.
"Can you stop that infernal tapping?" he demanded as the rain continued to drum upon the little house, covering his ears in irritation.
"Great idea! I can just tell the storm clouds to shoo because the most spoiled prince in the world wants to laze around in peace. My goodness, deal with it. It's not like your palace is soundproof or anything," she snapped.
"Actually—"
"Deal with it."
Gakupo frowned; he wasn't used to being retorted to.
"So, why are you really here?" the farmer asked as she tossed around the vegetables for the salad and tended to the soup. She raised a brow at the baffled prince.
"I told you, it was for an inside look on my loyal citizens!" Gakupo insisted.
"I doubt you came here without a little push," Luka said, ignoring Gakupo's pleas.
"I find that highly—My father told me to do it." The farmer laughed at the royal prince. Instead of giving a look of anger or shame, he smiled; but it was a weak smile.
A ginger cat scurried into the living room and hopped onto the couch. It began to dig its claws into the leather sofa cushions. However, to Luka's surprise, Gakupo began to stroke it gently.
"So, this is the 'Mittens' you were talking about?" he asked curiously as the small, furry creature mewled in content.
"Mmmhmm," Luka hummed.
"You have no spouse? You are, in a manner of speaking, a bachelorette?" Luka paused and then laughed at her guest's question. After her laughter died, she answered.
"I was too busy to eat. What makes you think I can get married?"
Gakupo paused. "You are correct. Deepest apologies."
"No offense taken." Once Luka had finished her soup and salad, she set them onto the dining table and took a portion for herself. Gakupo waited, staying on the couch and eyeing the kind soul who agreed to take him in.
"Well?" Luka beckoned the waiting man.
"Aren't you going to serve me?" Gakupo asked innocently. Luka sighed.
"You know you've only been here for half an house and you've already complained… let's see… four times. Mostly about my lifestyle."
"Your point?"
"…You are the laziest bum that I have ever had the misfortune to meet."
"Pleasure."
Eventually, the prince, now slightly dry, trudged to the dining table. He frowned at the small portion that was left for him, and then at the larger amount Luka had gotten.
"This is it?"
"You came on short notice," Luka explained. With a groan, Gakupo poured all the soup he could into his bowl and made sure that every lead was in his salad. He smiled at his meal, though disappointedly, and began to eat.
"So, what will I be doing tomorrow? Is there a lake nearby? Preferably a secluded one?" He only spoke after he had fully swallowed his mouthful.
"No lakes for you," said Luka, "You're going to be working."
Gakupo nearly sprayed his soup all over the table.
"What?" he yelled in protest.
"I'm letting you stay here, remember? You can't just mooch off of me; you need to do some of the work. Unless, of course, you can find another farm willing to take you in."
"But… but… fine."
"'Night." Luka put her finished dinner in the sink. "It's an early day tomorrow." She saluted her guest goodbye and approached her bedroom door.
"Good luck."
"Thanks, but I think you're going to need it."
And, with that, she entered her bedroom, Mittens scampering behind her.