Chapter Nine
The castle was breathtaking. Chikako grinned as she stepped out of the car and onto the pebbled pathway. The driver was balancing all of their bags on his shoulders while the couple glided up to the front. The host was smiling at them in front of the doors, his eyes narrowing in slight confusion when he saw how far apart they were from each other. Kyoya reached out to hold Chikako's hand to prevent further suspicion or detection of any unhappiness, and, since she was still in awe of her gorgeous surroundings, her fingers curled around his, slowly and instinctively. Still clasping his palm, she pointed up at the rolling hills behind the servants' quarters.
"Look at the clouds!" she exclaimed. "Have you ever seen anything more beautiful?" They overshadowed the green pastures as they rolled across a sea of endless blue. It was so peaceful, so silent, and not a plane in sight. She took a deep breath, sighing out, "This place is wonderful. Let's move here."
"We haven't even been here for two minutes, and you're already decidedly Scottish?" Kyoya teased, his right hand still holding hers and the other in his left pocket.
"Yes!" she laughed, feeling uncontrollably giddy. The light-hearted air reflected in her heart.
Kyoya pulled her toward the front, trying to keep her from stopping to gawk at the scenery. She scurried to match his pace, and as they walked up to the front steps, she suddenly noticed they were holding hands. She took a deep breath and dropped his grasp. He glanced over at her quickly before the massive doors creaked open to reveal the decorative foyer, the grandiose staircase covered in flower petals.
Chikako went rigid as she was reminded where she was (her honeymoon), especially when the host greeted them with a cheerful, "Welcome, newlyweds!"
The well-bred manners were unsheathed like silent weapons, and the couple grinned as charmingly as they had been taught to. They laced their fingers through the other's, robotically, perfectly rehearsed for the show. Kyoya spoke first. "Good afternoon. My name is Kyoya Ootori-Akiyoshi, and this is my wife, Chikako."
The host was a massive man in a dark suit and navy tie. Chikako would have guessed his age to be late forties, but his eyes were full of youth, like a child readying for an adventure in his own backyard. She couldn't help but sustain an honest smirk in his presence, jealous of his effortless joy. He smacked his hands together, gleefully. "Yes, yes, welcome Mr. and Mrs. Ootori-Akiyoshi! I sincerely hope you enjoy your stay here at Duns Castle. Your room is the honeymoon suite, naturally, and you will find your itinerary there."
Kyoya bowed. "Thank you, and I hope we enjoy our stay, as well."
The host smiled and directed them toward the inner lobby. Near the front desk stood a slender, brown-headed girl with golden eyes. She wore a thin smile. Behind the desk stood a plump, happy old woman with a nametag that read, Winnie Winslow. "Miss Winslow will supply you with your room key and will be able to assist you with anything else you may need during your stay here."
Chikako held out her hand to the host, graciously. "Thank you so much for your magnificent hospitality," she purred, her English rolling off her tongue like music.
He kissed her knuckles, politely. "It's my pleasure, miss." He winked at Kyoya, adding, "Better hold on to her 'fore she's stolen, laddie!"
Kyoya and Chikako gave each other ironic, wary smiles. "Yes sir," Kyoya answered, stiffly.
They wandered away from the bubby host who turned back toward his office, the golden eyed girl following close behind. She glanced over her shoulder at Chikako, and the two stared at the other before Kyoya pulled his wife away. He leaned toward her and murmured, "Do you know that woman?"
Chikako could remember a vague expression, conversation, toss of vindictive hair, but she couldn't place a name to the face. She shook her head. "No. She was just… very pretty."
Kyoya nodded. "Yes, I suppose she was." Their conversation ended there as they picked up their room keys (vintage metal mechanisms) and headed to the third floor via a quaint cage elevator. Chikako smirked at the buttons, each shaped like a fleur-de-lis. "I love this place," she breathed.
Kyoya chuckled. "Yes, I think I've heard this before."
Chikako hesitated before blurting out, "Good job."
Kyoya's eyes flitted her way, but he remained silent. She could feel his smug pride, though, and she let out a loud sigh as they arrived at their floor. "Just, don't let the praise go to your big head, Glasses."
They walked out and into the royally decorated hallway as Kyoya murmured, "Glasses? That's a new one."
Chikako ignored him as she scrutinized each portrait of the castle's previous owners. Nostalgia surrounded her like perfume, and she breathed it in, slowly, deeply, jealous of all of the history in these halls. The mustiness of Duns Castle swirled with the warmth of fires passed. She took another moment to embrace her surroundings before following Kyoya to their room.
It was a luxuriously red chamber, walls plastered in symbols and swirls. Their bags were already by the door, and the bed was made up with fresh sheets. A pair of square double doors opened up to a stone balcony lined with orange pansies. Kyoya glanced over at her, but she was already heading to the doors to get a better view. "How long are we staying?" she asked, briefly.
"Depends," Kyoya answered. He knew his father would jump at the chance to control the new company. He didn't want the sly man to get too comfortable.
Chikako turned, scrunching up her face. "Why don't we take it day by day?"
He shook his head. "We'll start with three days."
She scoffed, but let it go as she faced the rolling Scottish hills once more. "Fine," she murmured. "I suppose I could put up with you for three days."
Not even three hours later, though, the two were in another fight, or as Kyoya kept referring to it as, "a spirited debate". This infuriated Chikako even more, and she threw up her hands in frustration. "Why can't you ever admit that you are participating in a confrontational and semi-chaotic activity? Like a fight?"
"A fight is a physical act, Chikako," Kyoya retorted. "We are not hitting, biting, nor kicking each other in any sort of abusive way."
"Yet," Chikako growled.
Kyoya sighed. "I just thought that it would be easier for the club to function without us if we continued the organization of its clients and its financial issues over the internet each night. We could have the days to ourselves-"
"Do you even know the definition of a 'vacation'?" she snapped.
You didn't even want to go on this vacation! I practically had to twist your arm," Kyoya argued.
Chikako groaned. "I just wanted to go home after it all! This is going to be the worst three days of my life!"
"Why can't you just be grateful-?!"
"G-Grateful-? Oh, yes, you are so right, dear, sweet, Kyo-chan," Chikako began, her voice oozing with bitter sarcasm. "I should be kissing your feet and basking in the rays of my good fortune. Who need psychological well-being, which was stolen by kidnappers and thieves who threw me into a darkened closet from which I had to escape on my own—who needs security like that when I have an apathetic, rich husband who flies me to Scotland to play with numbers and yell at me? You're right, Kyoya, I don't have any reason to be upset at all! I'm just a silly, ignorant, spoiled little brat!"
There was a lingering silence. Within this moment, Kyoya quietly inched his way over to his upset wife. "You're crying again," he murmured after the silence had peaked.
She coughed out one good sob, momentarily abandoning her previous reservation. "I hate this. This isn't me at all."
Kyoya pressed his lips together. "Would you like help when we get back home?" he asked, very carefully.
Chikako's breath quivered as she shook her head. "No," she exhaled. "No, I just… I need time. Besides, that wouldn't be the best publicity for the Ootori-Akiyoshi corporation, you know?"
"Hm," Kyoya agreed. "So, this is how we plan to end every fight, I take it? With tears?" he teased.
Chikako winked. "You said 'fight'."
He rolled his eyes. "You're a child."
She shrugged. "You're a bad loser. So what if I used a few tears to win?"
He pursed his lips, which was his polite equivalent of sticking out his tongue. Trying not to flaunt her victory, Chikako cleared her throat and changed the subject. "Could we order room service tonight instead of going down to their kitchen? I took a look at the menu and the food looks divine, but I'm more in the mood for dinner in bed."
A little confused about how the chain of events had just unfolded, Kyoya nodded and walked toward the end table where the menu and phone lay. "What would you like?"
Chikako pursed her lips together and looked over, unconsciously resting her chin on his shoulder. "How about something spicy?"
He pulled back and turned to face her, a slightly surprised look on his face. "What would you suggest? I doubt they have any Indian food." He paused. "Well, I mean, whatever you consider real Indian food to be."
Chikako smirked and rolled her eyes. "Ha, ha," she mocked. "I suggested that because it's your favorite taste. Right?"
He cocked an eyebrow.
She continued, "I've upset you more times today than I can count on one hand, or even twenty hands, and, while you have done the same to me, I feel this trip has made up for it."
He scoffed. "So, you're going to bribe me with food to even the score?"
Chikako leaned back into her heels, one leg locked and the other set in front of her. She crossed her arms and raised her eyebrows, skeptically. "Is this not a good plan? Are boys really deeper than their stomachs? Have I been lied to all these years when hundreds if not thousands of traditional old women have been telling me to learn how to cook right for that 'perfect man' because if he loves my dumplings, he's bound to love me?"
"With that logic, you would be doomed."
"I can cook!" Chikako yelled.
Kyoya nodded, chuckling. "I'm sure you can, but, just to be safe…" He pursed his lips and a soft smile tugged at his mouth before he reached for the phone and dialed room service. "Yes, I'll have a large plate of clootie dumplings-"
Chikako stuck out her tongue, playfully.
Kyoya continued his order with, "…and a serving of burnt cream for dessert, please."
"Burnt cream?" Chikako asked when he had hung up. "What's that?"
He put the menu back on the end table and turned to face her, while explaining, "It's a lot like crème brulée."
"Why did you order that?" Chikako demanded. "That's not spicy."
He looked down into her eyes and, although he was no longer smirking, she could see a slight smile in his gaze. "No, but it is sweet."
A/N: Spring Break's coming up and I was going to post this on my birthday (which was Monday) but I never got the time. Just turned 18! So excited to go out into the world and do adult things! Like vote and buy snuggies off of infomercials. Haha, so I'm probably not going to get to posting the next chapter because of break, or who knows, maybe it will rain a lot and I'll have time to write. (Have I ever thank you guys for your awesome patience with my lunatic writing schedule? If not, THANK YOU.) Anyways, let me know what you thought of this chapter in a LOVELY BEAUTIFUL review! ;) Let me know what you think of my style, too, and my writing choices with diction and such. I would love to hear y'all's opinions on things like that too! Thanks so much, and I'll see you next time I update :) 3
~Kit Koko