A/N I don't own Vampire Knight nor do I make any profit from it
Chapter 28 - Hanaka's Return
"Are you ready, Hikari," Kaname asked as he straightened his cravat. Hikari smoothed her sleeveless dark blue gown and pulled her white evening gloves on to protect her gown.
"I am, my lord," Hikari said as she picked up the little Haruka and cradled her in her arms. Haruka was dressed in a silk white gown and wrapped in a crocheted cashmere shawl, "Everyone will love her won't they?"
"Of course," Kaname said with a small smile, "She is a beautiful child."
"That's not what I mean," Hikari said, "Was everyone expecting a boy? Were you expecting a boy? A son and heir to call your own… kings have been known to divorce their queens if they could not bear them a male child."
"We have plenty of time to produce a male child," Kaname replied, "After all, we have only just ascended the throne and we have an eternity with one another. Even if we do not produce a son, Haruka could quite easily be queen in her own right as I have the right to change the Act of Succession, a piece of legislation which determines how the throne is succeeded."
"I see," Hikari said with a small smile, "I am sure Haruka will be a great queen. But what would happen if you didn't change the Act of Succession?"
"It would pass over to a male relative… namely my uncle Rido if he survives another couple of thousand years… you haven't met him yet. He will be at the gathering," Kaname said as he shuddered. Hikari giggled as she cradled her little child.
"I cannot wait to meet him," she said as she kissed the top of her child's head delicately. Kaname glanced at her briefly.
"Trust me, he isn't a person you will want to meet a second time. I don't want you to go anywhere near him. He is not to be trusted," Kaname said as he took Haruka into his arms so that Hikari could place her silver tiara in her hair. Hikari took her child back and gently rocked her into a light sleep. Kaname eyed her for a moment before speaking, "I didn't hurt you before did I?"
"Hurt me," Hikari asked, confused, "What do you mean?"
"I mean when we were intimate a few hours ago," Kaname said awkwardly, "Did I hurt you? You seemed to be enjoying yourself but please assure me that you're not hurt?"
"You did not hurt me, Lord Kaname," Hikari said kindly, "You made it very enjoyable for me and for that I am grateful. It hurt at first but your gentleness made all the pain go away. You really did help me to feel wonderful and for that I am grateful. I am your wife and I should behave in that manner because you have waited so patiently over the last six months whilst I carried your child. The least I can do is to give you some relief."
Kaname caressed her cheeks tenderly and before kissing her tenderly, "I am glad but I do not wish to hurt my precious little Hikari. You are my wife and it is my job to take care of you."
Hikari nodded and nuzzled him gently. They walked towards the door and opened it. Walking out towards the ballroom, Kaname shuddered a he caught the scent of the uncle he hated. However, he also caught the scent of his parents and his sister. This comforted him.
When they approached the ballroom, Haruka began to fuss and cry, "Haruka, my dearest, what is wrong," Hikari asked tenderly. Kaname caressed Haruka's head in an attempt to calm her down. Kaname's touch seemed to do the trick as she calmed down and began making noises, obviously liking the sound of her own voice.
"I wonder why she started crying," Hikari wondered.
"Perhaps she senses someone she doesn't like," Kaname said through gritted teeth, "It is said that vampire children are more sensitive to things like that than adults are."
"Kaname, is your uncle a danger to us," Hikari asked but Kaname didn't answer, "Well, is he? You don't seem very happy to know that he is here."
Kaname eyed her for a moment, "He is no danger to us. However, I still do not like nor do I trust him. We have never had the best relationship."
"Oh, I see," Hikari said a she tightened a grip on her little daughter. Kaname nodded towards a waiting servant who opened the door. Hanabusa, who was standing next to the door, turned to see the Royal Family standing in the large doorway. His heart ached. It had been just over six months since he had seen her last. He hadn't believed the rumours that Hikari was pregnant with Kaname's child.
"Lord Kaname and Lady Hikari Kuran have arrived, the beloved King and Queen of our race," the servant announced, "And presenting, Princess Haruka Kuran, the precious princess of our race."
The aristocrats in the room all bowed deeply before turning to each other to gossip and speculate. Hikari spotted her in laws, her father, Sara and Takuma standing in one corner of the room. This comforted her to no end. However, there was a face she didn't recognise amongst the ones she did.
"It seems that Lord and Lady Kuran have stepped up to their responsibilities," one noble said proudly.
"Pity that it wasn't a son," another said.
"If she can bear a healthy daughter, she can bear a healthy son," another said.
"Don't say that in front of them," another said.
"Princess Haruka is a treasure we must live to protect."
"Yes, we must be vigilant!"
Hikari grimaced slightly, "We must thank you for your support on this matter," she said uneasily. She turned her head to see Hanabusa staring at her with saddened eyes. He knew that Hikari had rejected him and that she had wanted to work on her relationship with Kaname. However, he didn't think that they would have a child.
"Thank you for attending our get together tonight," Kaname said with ease, "Here, you have bore witness to the heiress of our race. With her, a new age will be established. We must embrace change and not be bogged down with unnecessary tradition. Therefore, if we do not bear a son, Princess Haruka will be our heiress and the throne will not be given to a male relative."
There was a small scoff coming from the corner where their friends and family were standing. Kaname turned his head to see Rido, his uncle, with a large smirk on his face.
"What is so funny, dear uncle," Kaname asked with mock familiarity.
"Forgive me, dear nephew, it is just that a female has never been a queen in her own right before. Why should we change now," Rido asked, sauntering towards them slowly. Silence rang within the room and Rido's footsteps seemed even louder.
"Why shouldn't Haruka rule," Kaname asked, "She is a pureblood vampire and Kuran blood runs though her veins."
"Well, for the simple fact that she is girl," Rido replied, "If she chooses not to provide an heir, the Kuran line will die out."
"Rest assured, Uncle Rido, we will bear more children so that will not happen," Kaname replied.
"Rido," Juuri cooed playfully but not without warning, "Don't be such a stuck in the mud. It doesn't suit you!"
"I am sure that our granddaughter will make an excellent queen," Haruka added. Rido growled slightly in response.
"That isn't the point we are discussing," Rido said brusquely, "She is a girl and girls cannot have children without a men."
"But neither can men without girls," Hikari said, "I understand that there is a different attitude towards girls than boys; we cannot just mate someone unless they are our husband. We are looked down upon as whores or as loose women. This unfortunate attitude can ruin a woman's reputation, even more so if she is the queen. Yet a man can get away with it with no questions asked… the only blessing is that any illegitimate children do not inherit the throne."
Everyone stared at the young queen wordlessly, dumbfounded by her words. Kaname hold on Hikari's waist tightened, almost protectively, "She's quite correct," Sara said as she sipped her faux blood, "Why shouldn't a female inherit the throne? Personally, I wouldn't want the throne. However, Princess Haruka is a Kuran princess and deserves our loyalty. I propose a toast to Princess Haruka and her parents and hope that, if she does indeed reign, her reign will be prosperous and peaceful. To Princess Haruka and her parents… long may they live!"
Sara raised her glass and it took a few moments before everyone raised their glasses, "To Princess Haruka and her parents!"
Sara smiled at Hikari, who smiled bright back, "Thank you," Hikari mouthed. Sara nodded in response. Hikari turned back to her uncle in law, "You see, Haruka, your great-niece, has all the support in the world."
Rido growled again before turning his back on the young family and walking away. Hikari breathed a sigh of relief, "I am glad bit is over."
"You spoke well," Kaname said with a small smile, "Having another powerful pureblood like Sara on supporting Haruka is a blessing."
"I understand what you mean," Hikari said as they walked over to Sara and Takuma, "Thank you for that, Sara."
"It is of no matter to me," Sara said kindly, "I will reserve judgement on the young princess until it is time for her ascend the throne. She is a baby and we cannot judge her character yet. However, if she is anything like her mother, I am sure she will make a wonderful queen."
"You are very kind, Sara," Kaname said. Sara sighed.
"Well, we haven't told anyone yet but I am with child as well," Sara said, "We have been taking a special herb as a contraceptive and one day, I forgot to take it. Not that it matters because, of course, we can support the child and he or she will want for nothing. We were just a little unprepared. We have been married for six months… we didn't think we would be having a child so quickly."
"We are very happy though," Takuma said, "I am personally excited."
"Congratulations, Sara," Hikari cried, "I wish you all the best. I would hug you but I have Haruka in my arms."
"As do I," Kaname said blandly.
"How come you're not in any pain though," Hikari asked.
"I am not carrying a pureblood child," Sara answered, "I have suffered a little bit of pain but not much. The reason for the pain is because the pureblood foetus demands nearly half of what you consume. Luckily, the child isn't a pureblood and I am not rendered bedridden."
"The child will be powerful though. You, Takuma, are from the most powerful aristocratic family, almost pureblooded, and Sara's family is on par with the Kuran family," Kaname said.
"Please do not worry, Kaname," Sara said, "The child will not be a threat to your Act of Succession."
"I didn't say that they would," Kaname replied. Before he could say anything else, Juuri walked over to them with a big grin on her youthful face, "Mother, what is it?"
"Kaname, why do you have to be so stoic," she whined but then turned to Hikari and baby Haruka, "May I hold my granddaughter?"
"Yes, of course," Hikari said as she handed the child to her grandmother.
"Oh, she is the image of her mother," Juuri cooed, "I assume that her name means "fragrant springtime"?"
"Yes, Mother," Kaname replied.
"That makes it easier to tell granddaughter from grandfather apart," Juuri said as her husband approached them, "Haruka, here is little Haruka! Isn't she beautiful?"
"Very," Haruka replied, "I honoured be her name's sake… sort of."
Suddenly, a servant came bounding in and ran towards his master, causing a stair with the guests, "Lord Kaname, Lady Hanaka has returned! She is quite tattered and injured and has travelled all the way from the Ikeda manor. She says that she has been attacked."
Kaname glanced at Hikari, whose eyes had widened at the mention of her name, "Why did she come here," Hikari hissed.
"Take her to the drawing room," Kaname said to the servant, "Give her something to eat. My wife and I will be up as soon as we can excuse ourselves."
The servant nodded and ran out. Juuri scoffed, "This will cause a stair within this happy household."
"Are you staying here tonight, Mother," Hikari asked. Juuri nodded.
"Yes, big Haruka is staying here and so is Rido," Juuri said, "I assure you, all eyes will be watching her, my dear Hikari," she said as she handed the child back.
"Would you like me to hold Princess Haruka whilst you go and sort this out with Hanaka," Sara asked and Hikari shook her head.
"No, that will not be necessary. I want to take Haruka up with us. It will be a clear reminder of how I am alpha female in this household not her," Hikari said with a smirk and Sara nodded with an equally wide smirk.
"Go on then," Sara said but Juuri shook her head.
"Do not take the child up there. We will look after her here. I understand that your goal is to show her who is boss but she doesn't even need to see the child to know that she is here."
Hikari hesitated before nodding handing the child to Sara. Kaname turned to his guests.
"Please excuse my wife and I. Please continue to enjoy yourselves," Kaname announced before they quickly exited the ballroom. Hikari tugged on Kaname's wrist.
"I hope she doesn't think she's getting back with you," Hikari said.
"I have made it clear who I want," Kaname said before they entered the drawing room. They opened the door to see a bedraggled and injured Hanaka standing in the middle of the room, cuts marring her beautiful face.
"Lord Kaname, Lady Hikari, you're the only ones I could turn to," she cried, gripping Kaname's shoulders desperately, "I was attacked by enemies of the Ikeda family. My parents are dead."
Hikari and Kaname glanced at each other, "Dead?"
"Yes," Hanaka replied, "I cannot return to the Ikeda manor until a proper investigation has been carried out. I seek refuge here."
Hikari stared at her, "How do we know you're telling us the truth? How do we know you're not just here for something else?"
"Like what," Hanaka asked innocently.
"Oh, I think you know," Hikari replied.
"See, Lord Kaname, she is bullying me! How do I know it wasn't you who sent those assassins, Lady Hikari?"
"Hikari couldn't have done that. She has been bedridden for six months due to pregnancy," Kaname interjected, "I hear that you know about this."
Hanaka held back a snarl, "Yes, Lord Kaname… forgive me, Lady Hikari, I am just in shock."
"As a lady of court, we will provide you with clean clothes and a bed for a few nights whilst we conduct a formal investigation," Kaname said, "Please do not expect anything more."
Hanaka clenched her fists underneath her cape, "As you wish and thank you."
Kaname turned on his heel and walked out. Hikari smirked at her, "You heard what he said, Hanaka. He's mine now and there's not a thing you can do about it. I do not believe your cock and bull story."
"Believe what you wish," Hanaka sneered, "He's never been yours. He's always been mine."
"He sees it differently apparently," Hikari replied, "I have bore his child. Granted, it is not a son but she is a pureblood princess nonetheless. My position as Kaname's queen is now secure."
Hanaka glared at her as Hikari left the room without another word.
As Hanaka was led to her room by a servant, she spotted Rido casually leaning against the wall. She stared at him for a moment before speaking, "Lord Rido, what a surprise."
"I see you have finally wormed your way back in," he sneered.
"I will have what I want, Lord Rido," Hanaka replied.
"What is it that you want, Lady Hanaka?"
"I want to have Lord Kaname," Hanaka replied, "I also want Lady Hikari and her little brat dead."
Rido shooed the servant away and sauntered towards the beautiful red haired woman, "I can help you with that."
"How and what would you want in return, Lord Rido," Hanaka replied.
"Ah, so you understand that I want payment… or rather… something in return…"
She saw the predatory look in his dual coloured eyes.
"Oh, I know… I think I will like this little arrangement. I give you what you want and you give me what I want."
She threw her arms around his neck and pulled him into a hungry kiss, "I'm glad you understand," Rido whispered against her lips. Rido backed Hanaka into her room and kicked the door shut with a slam. They tore at each other's clothes, devouring each other with carnal lust.
A/N So Hanaka has returned with a bang. So it raises questions… are her parents really dead or is it a rouse to get Kaname back? She arrived at the manor injured…. Hmmm… well, you will have to wait and see.
PS Happy (belated) Christmas!
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