Chapter 2

Pacing around Nodame's room, Chiaki wondered why it always took women such a long time to get ready. He had been already waiting for over half an hour in her room and she was still closeted in the bathroom.

"What's going on in there? Why are you taking so long?" He shouted at the bathroom impatiently.

"If I am going to meet a prince, I need to look presentable." was the answer he got.

Chiaki sighed and resigned himself to another half hour wait. At least she was making the effort. As he tapped on the sofa in the room, he mulled over the day's events. Rehearsals were coming along nicely and he felt more relaxed now that he sensed that the orchestra was gradually becoming more in tune with his objectives. Mostly he was happy that she was finally here with him although he made a show of being unconcerned. The truth was, he couldn't bear the thought of sitting another stint out on his own.

His thoughts flew to where they would live after the wedding. They had talked about returning to Paris or Prague but nothing had been finalized. Still, with her committed to a concert tour in relation to her Tilburn win, he suspected that there would be more traveling ahead of them. He had considered taking a sabbatical… and accompanying her on the concert tour. Then there was the option of picking up guest conductor spots along the way in places that wouldn't take him too far from her. Chiaki was so caught up in pondering over the future that he did not hear her approach.

"So what do you think?" Nodame did a twirl as she stood at the entrance of the room.

Chiaki was rendered speechless. The sight of Nodame in a turquoise, halter style gown clinging to the curves of her slender figure took his breath away. Her pale skin glistened with the intricate beading along the plunging neckline. This dress, somehow, managed to bring out the sensual femininity that had been lurking behind the ingénue façade.

Noda Megumi… you never cease to amaze me.

"Well…" She looked at him expectantly.

"You look…" He was too awestruck to be lucid. "Nice." He turned away lightly to catch his breath. Nice?

"What's wrong, senpai… Don't you like it?" Nodame was puzzled by his reaction.

Like it? There are no words to describe how much I do.

"I do… it's just that you look different." Shinichi, you are acting like a first class idiot because of a dress.

He got up and moved towards her to give her a peck on the cheek. Being that close to her, the scent of violets, lavender and her own familiar scent was a major assault on his senses. He felt strange internal stirrings that were calling for him to take her into his arms and meet those lips with all the passion he could muster. To his own dismay, he chose to ignore the urgings of his heart.

"You look lovely… really…" He tried again after recovering his wits. "Now, let's go see a prince." He added and offered his arm.

However am I going to survive the evening?

Chiaki kept his thoughts to himself the entire journey, fearful of what he might let slip. Nodame could sense that he was preoccupied and for the first time in a long time, she felt shut out.

"Sen… Shinichi, is everything alright?"

"Everything's fine…" He remarked absent-mindedly. "Don't worry."

"How was today's rehearsal?" She probed.

"Fine." He replied before falling back into his pensive mood.

Nodame assumed that Chiaki was in one of his uncommunicative moods but couldn't think what had brought it on. He seemed alright earlier. She knew it was hopeless trying to get him to talk on such occasions and passed the rest of the journey looking out the window.

Chiaki was lost in his thoughts… wondering why an attractive dress would evoke such strong emotions inside of him. There was no denying it, she looked stunning and he was left breathless and trembling. But why was he amazed? He thought he knew every aspect of her and yet…

For the longest time, everyone and himself included, believed it was mostly about the music. Undoubtedly music had brought them together… nothing was more pleasing than to hear her play. She brought the joys of music back into his life, reminding him all those years ago what it was all about. He grown to care for her and accept her curious ways but it struck him at that moment that he'd always underestimated her… time and time again... Now, it finally hit home to him that in spite of all the roles she had played in his life… he never really knew that he was marrying a beautiful, desirable woman. That it should terrify him so, troubled him greatly.

Chiaki didn't know what to think. Right from the beginning, he had always struggled with his feelings for her and to find a place for her in his life. He never doubted that he wanted her close and even more recently, to spend the rest of his life with her. It had never been an ordinary relationship to begin with… but now, to see her as an object of desire as much as anything else was a major paradigm shift in the internal workings of Chiaki Shinichi and it shook him to the core.

In short, he wanted her and he was afraid. Afraid of what he might do and afraid of what he would be capable of. Afraid that he would lose sight of the woman he cared for deeply. It was a part of himself he was not well-acquainted with.

Whether he wanted to or not, he had to come to terms with it. The woman next to him was too precious to him to run away from. Nor did he want to. He had to find a way of dealing with these new found feelings without losing control or pushing her away.

"This place looks spectacular… feels like a palace." Nodame exclaimed as they made their way through stretches of corridor before arriving at their destination. "Better than I imagined."

"I think it was a palace once…" Chiaki said, referring to the embassy.

"It's so exciting… almost like being in a fairy tale."

Walking through a double door entrance, they were led into a large ballroom, furnished with the finest, modern and ancient, that money could buy. Under the glittering chandeliers, the room was populated with local and international dignitaries or other very important persons. Nodame didn't know a soul and it finally sank in that she was about to rub shoulders with people who may or may not determine the future of the world.

"Senpai, I'm dying here... I look at all these elegant women in their gorgeous gowns and fine jewellery and I feel absolutely provincial…" Nodame clutched on to Chiaki as if in deathly fear for her life.

"Don't be silly. It's my first time meeting royalty too. As I said before… you look… fine." Don't you see it, you are the most beautiful woman in this room.

"I just know I'm going to say the wrong thing." She was quaking in her heels.

"It's alright… I'll do the talking." He said, reassuringly. "You'll be fine."

"I don't know how you can be so calm about everything."

"Not everything." He said cryptically. "Nodame, you've performed in front of hundreds and everything depended on you… this is nothing, by comparison."

"It's different because in that situation I'm performing. The music helps me shut everything out. I'm only thinking about the music and how to convey it to the audience."

"Well, it's no different really. Everyone here is performing too. They are all assuming some kind of role in relation to this event. We are all here to pay tribute to the Crown Prince. We use all the right words to make him feel important. On occasions like this, the attention is on the guest-of-honour and how to honour him. That's what's important."

"I'll try to remember…"

"Nodame…" Before he could say another word, they were interrupted by the Japanese ambassador to Rome. He was accompanied by three other men – the first, Nodame recognized as the Crown Prince of Japan, the second, a Caucasian, who was about the same age (in his mid 40s) and the third, also a Caucasian, appeared to be the oldest, which she guessed was around 50.

"Chiaki, let me present you to His Highness, the Crown Prince of the Imperial House of Japan. Your highness, may I present Chiaki Shinichi, who will be the guest conductor at Saturday night's performance."

"Your Highness." Chiaki bowing respectfully.

"I'm looking forward to it, Chiaki." The Crown Prince said enthusiastically. "I've heard so much about you."

Drawing Chiaki's attention to the second member of this distinguished group, the ambassador said,

"This is Maximillian, Prince of Maltovia. He is a good friend of His Highness."

"We were at Cambridge together." The Crown Prince added.

"Mr Chiaki… I had the privilege of seeing you conduct with the London Philharmonic last year. It was a wonderfully energetic performance." The Prince of Maltovia remarked.

"Thank you, Your Highness." Maltovia? It didn't ring any bells with Chiaki.

"Where's Maltovia?" Nodame spoke up with great curiosity, forgetting herself.

The third member of the party, who was looking bored, immediately brightened.

"Now, who is this ravishing creature?" He flashed her a brilliant smile.

Chiaki's protective hackles emerged at once. He eyed the older gentleman warily.

"Your Excellency, Your Highnesses, may I present my fiancée, Miss Megumi Noda."

"The silver medalist at this year's Tilburn Competition? Better and better. You and I have so much to talk about." The same man exclaimed gleefully. "My dear, your performance of La Campanella was riveting."

Prince Maximillian cleared his throat. "I must apologize for my cousin's lack of manners, Miss Noda." He shot his cousin a disapproving look. "He is an amateur musicologist and the Minister for the Arts in my country. May I present to you, Count Boris Steinhausen."

"Your highness, I am sure the Count means well and only means to pay me a compliment." Nodame put on her most feminine poise.

Chiaki was surprised… her English had improved quite a lot.

"What a charming creature and fine figure of a woman too." Count Boris chuckled heartily. "Chiaki, you're a lucky fellow."

Shinichi nodded. Inwardly, he was fuming. Sheesh, another Stresemann. If you weren't a count…

"I'm sure you won't mind then, if I steal her from you for a few minutes. I'd like to discuss one or two things with Miss Noda here." The count winked in Chiaki's direction and whisked Nodame over to the other side of the room. She smiled and nodded to Shinichi assuring him that she would be fine.

The Prince of Maltovia looked very apologetic. "I'm sorry Mr Chiaki… my cousin has only two real passions in life – music and women. But don't let it get to you… at his age, his bark is worse than his bite.

Chiaki nodded and felt sorry too. The thought of that man with his hands on Nodame made his stomach turn several times over. Still, the count was right about one thing, Nodame did look ravishing.

Nodame had a hard time getting away from Count Boris, who lived up to his reputation as a lascivious boor. He had made several attempts to get physically intimate with her… Twice he tried putting his hand on her knee and once even he shamelessly brushed against her breasts. She had seriously considered punching him in the groin and hitting him between the eyes but thought better of it lest it became the cause of a major international incident. In the end, she settled for a white lie about needing to go to the ladies room. She took off as quickly as her heels and dress would let her. After running for a minute or two, she realized that she was completely lost in the labyrinth of corridors. To her great relief, she heard some noises some doors down and followed them. Peering through the door, she saw two boy in the room playing video games.

"Can you boys tell me where the reception area is? I seem to be lost."

One of them pointed to her left. Curious to see what they were doing, she looked over their shoulders and exclaimed delightedly, "Puri Gorota! Can I have a turn?"

Chiaki, with clenched fists by his side, went looking for Nodame.

If that geezer so much as lays a finger on her, I will personally kill him myself. International relations be damned.

To his relief and annoyance, the Count appeared to be half drunk and was chatting up the Spanish ambassador's wife. Nodame, on the other hand, was no where to be seen.

I wonder where she's got to.

Nodame, meanwhile, was doing battle with the Japanese ambassador's two sons on their Playstation.

"I win again!" She cried out jubilantly.

"Aunty, you're really good this."

"Of course. I am an expert on all things Puri Gorota." She declared smugly. "But I'm not that old… just call me Nodame."

Nodame didn't have much time to enjoy her triumph before, Chiaki burst into the room.

"Nodame! Is this where you've been all this time? I have been everywhere looking for you." He chided. "I even commandeered some of the security people to help."

Nodame looked a little sheepish. "I guess I got carried away."

"You're missing dinner, you know. Food…"

"Ack, I can't have that. Well, thank you boys for a great game but Nodame has to got now."

"Come back again, Nodame."

She waved to her new friends and followed Chiaki out of the room.

"I see you got away from the Count." He commented.

"Not too easily, I can tell you. I was tempted several times to hit him."

Chiaki grinned. I needn't have worried.

"What did he want?"

"To talk about touring his country, putting on concerts. He seemed quite genuine about that."

"What did you say?"

"That I'd consider it if he put it into a contract. But only after the wedding. I was adamant about that. That was when he started to come on to me. If he hadn't been some foreign dignitary, I would have put an end to his womanizing for good."

"That's my girl."

"That's what I told him but he didn't seem to think care that I was engaged to be married."

"Men like that don't usually."

"Senpai… you weren't actually worried, were you?"

"Just a little…"

"Only a little?"

"Alright, more than a little." Chiaki reluctantly conceded.

"Hmm…" Nodame looked unconvinced.

"I was very worried about you. Happy now?"

"Very." She flung her arms over his shoulders and kissed him on the right cheek. The sight of her in that dress, the smell of violets and lavender and her tender touch were the coup de grace. Any inhibitions that he had before were cast aside. Before she could pull away, he locked her into an embrace and crushed her lips with his. It was as if the dam broke and the torrents rushed in. Nodame had no idea what was happening but she allowed herself to be swept by the tide.

"Shinichi…" She was shaking with euphoria when he reluctantly released his hold on her.

"I think we'd better get back to the reception." His eyes still lingering over her lips.

"Yes, maybe we'd better…" She was searching his eyes, wondering what spell had been cast over this man.

He was averse to letting her go but he did. He took her hand and she, like a marionette, allowed herself to be led. Senpai had never kissed her like that before. There was something different… something both terrifying and wonderful at the same time. For the first time in her life, Nodame wasn't thinking too much about food.

"Ah, Chiaki and Miss Noda… there you are. There's someone I would like you to meet." Prince Maximillian approached the couple, accompanied by a young woman.

Nodame suppressed a gasp… it was that girl… from the opera and the boutique.

"May I present to you, my daughter, Princess Marina. She's been so looking forward to meeting you, Miss Noda."

"You flatter me, your highnesses. But if we're to be better acquainted, you must call me Nodame."

Chiaki was impressed. Nodame was really taking the whole performance aspect to heart. But where did she learn to say all that?

So this is their Crown Princess. A reputed beauty… I suppose she is…

"So pleased to meet you, Nodame." The princess spoke with ceremonious politeness. "And you too, Mr Chiaki."

"It's our pleasure, your highness." She can't be more than 21, 22, surely.

"I was also in London recently with my father and saw you conduct with the London Philharmonic. I really enjoyed the performance."

"I'm so pleased to hear that, your highness."

"I hear that you're both engaged to be married." She inquired stiffly.

"In the fall, your highness."

"You should both visit Maltovia. Nodame, our cousin says he has spoken to you about touring around the country."

"He has, your highness. It would be my great honour to visit your beautiful country. The count has spoken so much about it."

"I look forward to your coming to us." The princess seemed to thaw slightly.

"It would be our pleasure."

The princess nodded and then strolled away.

When the princess was out of earshot, Nodame sighed.

"Isn't she just the most beautiful woman you have ever seen, senpai?"

"I didn't notice." Chiaki put on his best nonchalant look.

"Really, senpai, you don't have to spare my feelings."

"I'm doing no such thing. A princess cannot compare when you are the queen of my heart." He whispered into her ear.

"Senpai…" She nudged him in the ribs and blushed. "You're sounding more and more like Shakespeare. I think you were in England for too long."

"I'm glad we agree on something." Chiaki winced, rubbing the sore area. "But Nodame, I was really impressed. Where did you learnt to talk like that?"

"While you were busy in England, I watched Pride and Prejudice over ten times during my spare time."

"Ten times?!" Chiaki echoed. "You were supposed to be preparing for the competition." He chided her sternly.

"Yeah, but a girl can't live on music alone."

Chiaki rolled his eyes in mock despair.

"You know, senpai, I saw her at the opera and again at the boutique."

"Who?"

"The princess, silly."

"Oh you mean the one you said that if I saw, I would forget you in an instant." He teased.

"Remember how I said that she had hair like Rapunzel?" She ignored his obvious jibe.

"Maybe. She does have lovely hair."

"She looked very sad about something. Angry almost."

"So did Rapunzel. Maybe she just wants to let her hair down." Chiaki commented thoughtfully, studying the young princess as she mingled with the rest of the guests.

I hate these high-heels. Nodame was sitting in the restroom massaging her weary feet. Over two hours of standing in shoes she wasn't accustomed to wearing had begun to take their toll. Casting her eye surreptitiously around the room to see if anyone else was about and seeing that the coast was clear, Nodame stretched herself on the velvet sofa and closed her eyes. Nice… very comfortable.

As Nodame was about to drift off, she heard foosteps running into the restroom and was startled to consciousness. So much for having a power nap.

Her unwanted visitor made quick steps and headed straight for the sink area.

"Your highness…" Nodame set up suddenly and became alert.

"Nodame!" It was the princess' turn to be startled. "I didn't think anyone would be here."

Nodame saw the unnaturally red eyes and grew concerned. Had the princess been crying?

"Your highness, are you alright?" She asked anxiously.

The princess did not speak for some moments. Tears trickled down her beautiful face. When she finally spoke, all she said was,

"Nodame, I envy you."

Nodame was astounded. She envies me? Why? She hardly knows me?

"Princess…" Nodame reached out to touch the younger woman on the shoulder. "What's wrong?"

Princess Marina turned her head to one side, ashamed of her lack of fortitude. "He said he was tired of waiting… that it was over between us."

"He?" Nodame quizzed.

"The man I love." The penny dropped. On impulse, Nodame allowed the princess to fall into her arms.

Again there was silence, save for the muffled sobs of the princess.

"Is this why you were so sad… at the opera house, I mean? I saw you there last night."

"We were arguing about the usual thing. He wants me to tell my father about us but I can't. I'm afraid to… I'm not free to love just anyone. I'm the Crown Princess and if my father dies, I will rule in his stead."

"Does this man truly love you?"

"I think so."

"It seems to me your highness that if this man really loves you he will wait for you."

"It's easy for you… You have Mr Chiaki and you both seem so happy together."

"Do you know, you highness, that we have been together for over 6 years, waiting for one another?"

"6 years?"

"It wasn't exactly love at first sight for us, your highness. At least not for him. I had to wait for him to love me. He waited for me to finish my studies. I waited for him to establish his career and he has waited for me to establish mine. I waited almost 7 years for him to finally ask me to marry him."

"I had no idea." Princess Marina was intrigued, temporarily forgetting her troubles.

"True love comes at a very high price, even for us commoners. It's not that easy for anyone."

"You seem so happy together… so comfortable in each other's company."

"We are now. Most people, however, think we're are odd couple. They don't understand what he sees in me. Personally, I think he's lucky to have me." Nodame flashed the princess a mischievous smile. "But he's useful to have around… to do the housework, that sort of thing. He's also a fantastic cook… my own personal gourmet chef."

"Sounds wonderful."

"We have our moments. Still, I don't think it's going to get any easier even when we're married. We'll still have to travel a lot, together and separately."

"I see."

"Your highness, may I be so bold as to ask you your age."

"I turned 21 last month."

"I was your age when I first met senpai… It seemed like yesterday when I found him drunk outside my apartment. Those were the days." Nodame giggled.

"Tell me…"

"Oh, your highness, it's a very long story. Too long for a night like this."

"Nodame, I want to thank you for talking to me. It's been driving me crazy not being able to tell anyone about this. I don't have any brothers or sisters and I'm surrounded by people two or three times my age."

"Anytime, your highness…" Nodame could see the difference in the princess. She had cheered up considerably.

"Nodame, you must come to see me at the embassy, before you leave Rome. What about tomorrow?"

"Well, I had no plans beyond sitting in on senpai's rehearsal…"

"Why don't you come for lunch? Father won't mind. And then we can go for gelati. I know a great place."

Nodame was well aware that she was talking to a lonely young woman who was shouldering large responsibilities at a time when most women her age were enjoying new found freedom. Her heart went out to her, remembering that she herself had been a harum scarum at 21. And the offer of gelati was too good to refuse.

"It would be my honour to accept," Nodame said sincerely. "Besides, I can learn more about Maltovia before formally visiting the place later."

"Good, good…" The princess looked almost excited.

Nodame marveled at the transformation and was pleased that she had played a part in it.

"Now, if you would excuse me, your highness, I think I should return to my fiancé who is probably wondering if I've fallen into the toilet and drowned."

"I thought you were only going to the rest room. What exactly have you been doing for the last half hour?" Chiaki looked at the radiant Nodame that was sauntering toward him. "Well, you look like the cat that got the cream." I didn't think she could look more beautiful than she already does.

"I've just been talking to the princess. She's invited me to have lunch with her tomorrow."

"What did you talk about?"

"Nothing much… just girl stuff."

"Really. You've certainly not wasted your time here." Chiaki remarked wondering exactly conspired between those two. "Does that mean you won't be sitting in on rehearsals?"

"Don't worry, senpai, I'll be there in the morning but then it's off to the Maltovian embassy for lunch."

"I'm not worried." He said with practiced indifference.

"Of course not." She shot him a knowing look. "But senpai, I'm very tired, can we go now?"

"I'm ready when you are."

"It seems like there's a change in the itinerary."

"We should just forget the whole thing."

"No… we will go ahead as planned, with some adjustments."

"It's too dangerous."

"How dangerous can two women be?"

"She's an unknown."

"She's a musician… she can't possibly be a threat."

"I don't like it."

"You don't have to."

"Nodame, wake up… we've arrived at the hotel."

"Did I fall asleep?"

"Yes…"

Nodame yawned and stretched like a cat. "It's been a long day." She tumbled out of the taxi and limped into the hotel.

Chiaki caught up to her and grabbed her arm. "Here, hold on to me. You look like you're a little tipsy."

"Senpai, I had a great time… I didn't know these government affairs could be so much fun." She murmured sleepily.

"Not always, trust me."

"You don't have to follow me to my room, I'll be fine."

"Don't be silly, I'm only next door."

He took her to her room and she immediately collapsed into the bed in sheer exhaustion. She was asleep as soon as her head touched the pillow. Shaking his head, he pulled the covers over her shoulders and tucked her in. He stood beside her for some moments and watched her sleep. It was a beautiful dress and she had looked stunning in it. But it wasn't just the dress and he knew it. He sat down and leaned over and gently brushed his lips against hers.

"You are the queen of my heart." He whispered and ran his fingers through her hair.

After some time, he got up, walked to the door and closed the door behind him.

Author's Note: Is this a kissing book? Maybe, maybe not... I apologize for taking so much time to get going. But there are something that are too important to sidestep, methinks. Thanks for reading and please let me know what you think.