Chapter 4: An Unexpected Invitation
London, England, April 21, 1735.
The Lady Inoue was busy with her studies when a soft knock came at the door and her butler came inside. "My lady," he said.. "Your father, the Duke is here." The butler bowed as Orihime stood up to greet her father. "Hello sweetheart, I am sorry to disturb you in your study time but something was delivered for us to read." "Who is it from?," she asked. Her father turned the envelope over to see the red, "H" seal on the back. "It is from the King of England." Orihime sighed and walked out of her study with her father into the tea room to read the letter. The tea room had a beautiful red carpet floor with a high ceilings, a large chandelier, a relaxing area with two black and white flower patterned sofas, a large window to view the rose garden outside, four matching chairs to complete the sofas, and a small clear glass table to put all the tea on. Orihime and her father sat down in two chairs opposite from each other. The butler filled their teas and put the amount of sugar each of them wanted. When he was finished, he bowed respectfully, headed out the large brown doors, and closed them softly behind him. Her father opened the letter and read it aloud, "The Royal Heiwajima Family invites all of the members of the Royal Family to join us for the London Ball to be held at London Castle, June 1st at seven o'clock sharp. Dress your best for my son, the Prince. He is in need of a Queen, signed the King of England." Orihime took a small sip of her tea and put it on the table. "The Prince needs a Queen he says." He father nodded his head, "It seems so. The Prince is twenty, he should have had a Queen two years ago." "Why must anyone in the Royal Family be married so early?," she asked. "Well sweetheart it has always been this way since I was a child. You could say it is tradition, but I don't think that is the right way to put it," he said. Orihime looked out the window and gazed at the roses in the garden to somehow clear her mind. "Sweetheart you should try to speak to the Prince, after all he may be impressed with you," her father said softly. Orihime turned her attention back to her father and exhaled, "Papa, I do not know if my talents will impress the Prince or if I will even get a chance to dance with him. There will be many other fine young women at the ball and they may have talents that surpass mine greatly. Of course I will do my best because it is for the best." Her father smiled and took a drink of his tea. "I know you will sweetheart, you've always done what is best whether it seems impossible or not." He took another drink of his tea and sighed a little, "Orihime I would like to ask about your relationship with the Lord Orihara." "What is it that you are in question of Papa?" He put down his tea-cup and said, "You too seem to get along very well sweetheart, do you by chance have feelings for the Lord Izaya?" Orihime hesitated a moment, took a quick glance out the window and answered him, "I do not think I have very strong feelings for him at the moment Papa. However I am quite fond of him and he is very kind to me." Her father nodded and said, "I am happy that you two have become such great friends sweetheart. I was just curious because I brought about the assumption that you both had an interest in one another." Orihime smirked, "I guess we do have a mutual interest but it is not one that has been expressed. I like where we are in our relationship right now. I believe that he is a perfectly good friend." Before her father could say anything more, the tea room door opened and the butler stepped inside. "Pardon my interruption your Grace, but you both have a visitor, shall I let him in?" "Of course," he replied. The butler bowed and stepped outside the door. Orihime and her father stood up to greet their guest. The person who walked in was none other than Lord Izaya. "Good afternoon your Grace," Izaya said while bowing. "Good afternoon Lord Orihara," he said. "Please sit with us." Lord Izaya took his seat and was served some tea.
"What brings you here to our Estate?," he asked. "I have come to ask if you have received the King's invitation to the London Ball," Izaya replied. "We have one right here," Orihime said Izaya nodded, got on one knee in front of her father, "Your grace, I would like to ask your permission for me to take the Lady Orihime to the London Ball." Orihime coughed a little in surprise while her father didn't seem the least bit surprised. Her father stood up and motioned Izaya to stand, "Let us talk in the garden please." Izaya followed her father outside while she sat in the tea room alone.
Izaya and Orihime's father walked to the angel fountain so Orihime could not see them. "Izaya, I've heard many things about you and your plots." Izaya looked shocked and replied, "Whatever do you mean your Grace?" "I mean you are trying to overthrow the Prince before he comes into power as King." Izaya grew silent and stared at the fountain, "It seems you've heard right your Grace." He looked at Izaya, cold and hard, "You know that is treason." "Of course I do. I have made it obvious to the Prince and yet he has chosen not to do anything about it because he thinks it is a bad idea." "What do you want with my dear daughter? Do you dare use her to try to succeed in your plan?" Izaya chuckled, "No your Grace, if I were to use her I never would have come forward and asked your permission to take her to the Ball." Then he looked at Izaya in fear and question, "Then why are you asking my permission to take her to the Ball?" Izaya turned to face him completely, "I asked your Grace's permission because I fear that I may love the Lady Orihime." He stared at Izaya in shock and paced for a few moments, "You have my permission but if I hear that you have done something to hurt Orihime I will see to it that you are hanged." Izaya bowed to him, "I would never think to hurt her if I loved her you Grace." He stood back up and looked him in the eyes fiercely to make his point. "She is a gift your Grace and I very well realize that. That is why I will treat her kindly as I have done since I have come to visit her." He nodded, put his arm around Izaya and began walking back to the Estate. "I now put my daughter's life in your hands. Care for her well and ask her permission as well." He removed his arm from Izaya and continued walking leaving Izaya standing alone taking the words he said to mind.
Orihime's father walked into the door and Orihime run up to him, "What was your answer father?" He looked at his daughter and gave her a warm smile, "You'll see when Lord Izaya comes inside." He continued through the tea room and walked through the big brown doors into the hallway and closed the doors behind him. Izaya walked into the tea room, stood in front of her, and then bowed to her. "My Lady, may I ask your permission to go to the London Ball with me?" Orihime stood there and felt her heart stop for a moment. She reached down and touched his face with both of her hands. He stood up and let her cup his face. Izaya looked into her big sparkling brown eyes and really felt the feelings that he was looking for. In that moment, he truly fell in love with her. She removed her hands from his face, "Izaya I would be honored to go with you to the London Ball, you're such a thoughtful friend." Izaya couldn't help but smile a little, "I am happy you accepted my invitation, my Lady," he said taking her hand and kissing it. "May I ask a favor of you Orihime?" "Of course," she replied. "I would like to request a painting of you in your ball gown as soon as it is convenient." Orihime felt surprised at his request, "Why of course, my Lord. I will send it to you as soon as possible. But may I give it to you when you arrive to get me on the Ball date?" He smirked at her, "That would be splendid, thank you my Lady." She giggled a little and then walked to the window of the tea room. He followed her steps and stood next to her, "May I visit you as often as I'd like my Lady?" "Of course you may, come as long as you please," she replied still looking out the window. "Thank you my Lady. I must be going now, I have some business to take care of at home." She turned to face him, "Very well then my Lord, shall I escort you to your carriage?" "Please do," he replied pleadingly. They walked out of the tea room with their arms linked. She got him to his carriage and he climbed inside, "Until tomorrow my Lady," he said. "Until tomorrow!," she replied ecstatically. The driver gave a loud "HYAH!," and the carriage went on. Orihime and Izaya waved goodbye to one another then Orihime went back inside her home and closed the door behind her.
