Chapter 11:
Faraco was in a dilemma... to tell or not to tell ... The incident in the temple made it clear that Lee was indeed the miko of the legends. She was the Suzaku no miko ...and he was a Suzaku seishi. It was his duty to protect the miko. He would not give a damn if the miko were any other person but.this was Lee and something inside him made him wants to protect her! Besides this way he could also redeem the lost honor of his family! But the real question was whether he should reveal the fact he was a seishi?
He considered his options. Hotohori had already decided to give him a second chance even before they actually met. He could reveal his secret to Lord Hotohori and ask for the chance to serve the miko. That way he could protect Lee. Lord Hotohori was known to be a just and kind king. Surely Lord Hotohori would grant him the chance to show where his loyalties lay. Lee was the first person to be kind to him ...she trusted him when nobody would... She worried for him and even decided to face Menesku just to help him, though secretly Faraco wondered how wise that was ...Perhaps it was because Lee had never heard of Menesku ...Still, there was no way he would ever betray Lee! Or let anybody hurt her in any way!
Yes, Hotohori would grant him a chance ...but he was not so sure about Menesku. Menesku was the person who had the first hand experience of his brother's betrayal. Faraco flinched. Suzaku only knows how many lives were lost because of his brother..Still it was not right to hound their entire family for a crime they were totally innocent of. Faraco's brown eyes flashed a little angrily. He would reveal his secret and beg for a chance to protect Lee and to hell with everybody else!
There was knock on the door.
" Faraco I hope you are ready!" He heard Menesku's voice.
" I am " Faraco went to the door and slid it open.
Menesku was standing outside looking implacable in a linen brown tunic, his katana secured at his waist with a gray sash. Faraco doubted that he ever took the sword off.
Menesku ran a critical eye over Faraco's appearance.
" You look presentable enough. " He informed Faraco in a quiet voice.
'Presentable enough? So I never wore such fine clothes..But even I know when I am looking good! ' Faraco fumed.
Menesku continued, " However, you are invited to dine with the prince. So, I expect you to be on your best behavior."
He did not add ' or else ' still the unsaid warning was pretty clear.
Faraco gulped " I will try General Menesku."
"You can call me Menesku." Menesku turned abruptly " After all we intend to be comrades."
" Co.morades !" Faraco stared confused .Then realization came like a bolt from the blue " You ..know ..You know that I am a seishi ?"
" I only just found that out ! " Menesku admitted .
" How ?" Faraco gaped , then his eyes narrowed " Is ..Is that why you are being so nice to me ?"
" That is why I am being nice to you " Menesku said with that brutal frankness that earned him so many enemies in the royal court " However ,Lord Hotohori does not know that you are a seishi . His kindness comes from his heart ."
Menesku paused a while before continuing " He trusts too easily ."
" You don't trust me .." Faraco's voice was bitter .
" No." Menesku shrugged " But don't take it personally Faraco . I don't trust anybody ! "
"Oh ." Somehow this confidence did little to lighten Faraco's dark mood .
"Come we have already spent enough time in this idle chit chat ." Menesku turned and walked down the hall.
Faraco followed him a little dispirited.
They walked down the long corridor towards the summer room where Hotohori usually partook his dinner . After a while Faraco began to feel uncomfortable with the silence between him and his stoic faced companion .He could not be blamed really . After all during the last month he had little human contact. Nervously Faraco made an attempt at conversation .
"Menesku you said that we are going to be comrades ..Are you a seishi as well ?" He looked at Menesku.
Menesku kept on walking and answered skeptically " You will know soon enough ."
" Oh ." Faraco said in a small voice .Then he spoke up angrily " What is it with you Menesku ? Can't you give a straight answer to such a simple question ? Granted you don't trust me ..."
He never got to finish the rest of his tirade because Menesku turned his gray eyes at him . Faraco gulped , quailing a little under those sharp gray eyes .Perhaps it was not such a good idea to shout at Menesku .
" Faraco let me tell you something ." Menesku said quietly " This is the royal court of Konon.It is not much different from the jungle with which you are so familiar . Except that the animals which reside here are much more dangerous ...They wear masks . Underneath the veils and the elegant dresses lies beasts with teeth and claws sharper than any animal you have ever seen ! Wear you emotions up your sleeve and they will rip you to pieces ! "
' What is he trying to say ? ' Faraco's face held a clueless expression.
Menesku rolled his eyes "Forget I said anything ! "
Faraco shrugged .He promptly launched into next question"So..why exactly don't you trust me ?Is it because of my ..brother ?"
" No Faraco .I believe I already told you that I trust nobody ! Your brother has nothing to do with this !" Menesku said calmly "And besides I really admire something about your brother . Your brother was very loyal ! Granted he was loyal to the wrong person ...Such loyalty .. " Menesku paused a while " If you have one percent of your brother's loyalty towards the right person ...Then I believe ..I could come to trust you ...someday ..."
Faraco's face brightened a bit "Really ?"
Menesku turned and started to walk in a brisk pace " Just don't get your hopes too high ! "
Faraco could not help but let a small grin tug at the corners of his mouth as he followed Menesku down the narrow corridor.
They soon entered a garden .It was already dark and tiny paper lanterns had been lit to light the garden giving it an almost ethereal fairytale look .A narrow winding pathway through the exotic flowerbeds and lily ponds led to the prince's inner most quarters .Very few people were allowed in that section of the royal palace of Konon and Menesku was one of those select few .
It was then that Faraco heard a lovely melody . His eyes automatically searched for the source of the enchanting music and fell on a vision of lovely beauty beside a lily pond . Her position on the low seat beside the lily pond brought out her beauty to perfection .She wore an elegant silk kimono carefully embroidered with golden butterflies that pooled around her feet . Her glorious gray-black hair was carefully braided sprinkled with ribbons and flowers .
She was immersed in her own world ,her head a little tilted as her long slender fingers moved over her flute, and the melody that flowed from her finger tips seemed to have enchanted everything around her .
Faraco's legs automatically stilled as he was lost in the web of the music...
Then the music stopped . The spell was broken .The lady put down her flute and slowly opened her eyes as if she was reluctantly returning to reality . The dancing light fell on her bemused face giving it an other worldly look .It was sometime before she realized that she was no longer alone .Startled she turned her lovely dusky gray eyes towards them .
"General Menesku " Her voice was smooth and of a pleasing tenor " I hope you are well ."
"I am well my Lady Mydozori "Menesku executed a prim and graceful bow " But you really should not be out of your quarters without proper attendants ,especially after dusk ."
"General I stay inside one of the most well guarded places in entire Konon ! " Mydozori smiled "Who will dare attack me here ?"
"Forgive me my Lady ."Menesku continued smoothly "Perhaps you are safe from the dangers from outside, but sometimes the danger comes from within . I am only asking you to be cautious ."
"I understand ."Mydozori looked at her feet , a little red dusting her cheeks "You are only trying to do your duty .But I was ..I didn't realize that so much time had passed . I will return to my quarters immediately ."
"That will not be necessary ."Menesku said calmly " If you wish to take a walk in the garden for a little while longer I will arrange for escorts for you immediately ."
" No! No !" Mydozori gave an embarrassed smile "The only reason I came here was to be alone if ..if only for a little while. I will return to my quarters now ."
" If you wish so Lady Mydozori ."Menesku nodded in acceptance of her wishes .
Mydozori turned to go ,but stopped as if on an afterthought "Pardon me for asking General ,but today there was a rumor circulating in the inner palace .Has the maiden indeed arrived ?"
Menesku's shoulders stiffened a little ,but his face remained as stoic as ever " If the Suzaku no miko has indeed arrived then all of Konon would know it ."
"Yes ,I suppose that is true ." Mydozori smiled a little "I will take my leave now ."
Menesku bowed "As you wish my Lady ."
Mydozori turned and walked away slowly disappearing behind the bend .
"Who is she ?"Faraco asked turning towards Menesku.
"Lady Mydozori Kirichio ." Menesku had already started to walk towards Lord Hotohori's chambers. "She is the daughter of the former shogun Lord Kirichio ."
"Is ..she .?"Faraco hesitated to ask ,but Menesku guessed the question that was left unsaid .
"Yes , she is here as a candidate for the honor of being the future Empress of Konon ."Menesku said quietly
"She is very beautiful !" Faraco said .
"Beauty is not everything ."Menesku answered quietly .
Faraco stopped ,surprised "You do not like her ! Why ? She seemed pleasant enough !"
"Appearances can be deceiving . Remember that Faraco ."Menesku said calmly .
They walked in silence till they reached the summer house .An attendant was waiting there .She bowed deeply before ushering them inside .
"Please be seated ." She said politely "I will inform Lord Hotohori of your arrival ."
They sat down on the cushions and waited for Lee and Hotohori to arrive .
Lee felt strange ..and uncomfortable. It was weird to be waited upon hand and foot .She had only to say the word and her whim was satisfied ! It was good for a while but after sometime it got ..tiring .But the thing that her worried the most was the elegant robe she was wearing .
It was a cheerful red in color pooling in a whirl of lace and silk around her legs with delicate golden embroidery that sparkled on her sleeves and neck. Shimmering diamond jewels shone around her neck and sparkled like dewdrops on her ears .Her glossy copper hair had been brushed till it shone and then carefully piled up into an elegant bun atop her head held there by ivory combs and ribbons .
She felt like a princess ..more like Cinderella .But she was very uncomfortable as well. Granted the dress was beyond beautiful she had a nagging and somewhat depressing feeling that she would trip over the hem of her very beautiful dress and bite the dust in all her finery . How terrible ! And what a depressing thought !
"Lady Lee "
Lee turned at the attendant and gave her a cheery smile "Yes "
The attendant bowed "Lord Hotohori is awaiting your presence in the outer chambers my Lady "
Lee nodded gracefully " Kindly inform Lord Hotohori that I will be out presently ."
The attendant bowed and retreated from her chambers .
Lee took a few deep breaths "This is it Lee " She gave herself a prep talk "Embarrass yourself today and you will never live it down !"
She held up her head and with a graceful step that she feverently hoped was dignified moved to meet Hotohori in the outer chambers of the quarters she gad been assigned .
She saw Hotohori standing beside the window of her outer quarters staring absentmindedly at the light of the waning moon .He was dressed quite simply in a simple red tunic with a touch of gold around his neck .His arms rested casually on the hilt of his elegant sword that was held in place by a creamy white sash .
Lee's eyes wandered with a will of their own on his handsome profile when he suddenly turned at looked directly into her eyes .
' Oh really brilliant Lee ,I think he saw you gaping at him like an idiot ! A hormone driven idiot at that !" The irritating voice in her head spoke up.
Lee colored up ...a fluorescent pink in mortification .What ever would Hotohori think of her ?
' Come to think of it ..I don't really blame you for staring at him ' The voice in her head spoke up ,its tone brooding ' I mean look at him..It is a sin to look so ..so ..'
"Don't even say it !" Lee crushed her inner voice mercilessly.
But in this struggle to crush her inner ..irritating voice she had become unmindful of her steps . Startled she felt herself tripping over the hem of her flowing robe .For a spilt second she flayed her hands in the air ...
And then she went down like the Titanic ...
" Goodbye dignity ...I will miss you !"
But the impact never came. Instead she found her self in the comforting embrace of two powerful arms .
" Now isn't this better !" The irritating voice in her head spoke up in a sly manner .
Apparently Hotohori had intercepted her fall . Lee could feel her cheeks burn .But whether it was from embarrassment ..or from the close proximity with Hotohori she could not tell . His face was but an inch from hers and when she shyly looked up at him she saw his black eyes smiling mischievously at her.
For some reason Lee felt the her heart beat increase abnormally and her cheeks burn .
"Sorry "She said in a small voice .
Hotohori gave a small chuckle as he delicately put her on her feet as if she were made of the finest glass .
"What are you sorry for Lady Lee ?"His voice was like honey, rich and smooth "I would never let you fall !"
Lee stared at Hotohori trying to understand the cryptic emotion in his sharp hawk like eyes. Her cheeks were hotter than before .
"Still ..Thank you for ...breaking my fall !" She found it difficult to meet Hotohori's eyes
Hotohori smiled " That's all right .Let us head down to the summer room .Menesku and Faraco have already arrived , It would not be right to keep them waiting for us ."
He held out an hand to her . Shyly Lee put her hand into his warm calloused palms and allowed her to be escorted to the summer room .
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