First of all, thanks to everybody that read and reviewed these two first chapters. Thanks for the patience with the time between updates and my typos. As you will see this chapter is a little different than the previous chapter 2, shorter for a start. It was unnecessary long and it was having too many errors. I want to thank Azn-anime for doing the beta for this chapter and for all the patience working with me.
There are some concepts or ideas that may not necessary have to be included as part of the story and I will put them as notes at the begining when is really necessary.
The whole story is rated M starting this chapter and will keep this way until the end. Just sex for this chapter but it will get more intense about violence, language or some disturbing scenes on the upcoming chapters. So, as I said at the previous chapter… if you are under 18 (or whatever is the legal age) or if you don't like mature content between two females, please do not keep reading. This story will have a lot of it.
Disclaimer:Sunrise owns Mai Otome and Mai Hime as well as their respective characters. Dune and all the related belong to Frank's Herbert's legal heirs.
Litany Against Fear: In the context of this story, is taught as part of the Otome training. Saeko Kruger, disobeying the very rules of Garderobe's, taught it to her daugther as well as several other training, reserved for Otomes only.
Garderobe: (Otome Sisterhood): The name Garderobe was originally referred to the only institution on Earl planet (after the Dark Ages, renamed Ealdgyth) that held the ancient technology from Earth. At that time, Garderobe was the institution on charge to train and form the Otome Warriors as well as keep and protect the ancient knowledge and databases. After the Rebellion that ended the Dark Ages Empire, Garderobe demand and gained independence, thanks to all the secret research done during these 500 years, freedom came with the cancellation of all contract. Garderobe became a truly and acknowledged player in the Empire politics, technological development and war strategist training. With the 2nd empire, the Otomewarriors are compromised with the whole human kind and not with the selfish whim and arbitrariness of one single master. 1519 A.M was the official year Garderobe gains independence, became a Sisterhood and the Foundation of Wallach IX as Chapter House. At the present, 3120 A.M., Garderobe Sisterhood rules over the Chapter House as well as other 12 school and scientific development planets.
A.M. (After Migration): The first pioneers arrive to Earl from Earth and that's the origin of the time counting. After the 12 Kings War several damage is done to the early civilization and a lot of key information is lost. There is no exact certainty about the time zero or exactly how long the 12 Kings War last. The time zero is set when F.H. founded the Garderobe institution and set it has the keeper of the Earth ancient technology.
Tears of Warriors
by GaladanChapter 2. Between the Fear and the Beast
"Fear is the mind killer. Fear is the little death that brings total obliteration. I will face my fear. I will permit it to pass over me and through me. And when it has gone past me, I will turn to see fear's path. Where the fear has gone there will be nothing. Only I will remain."
Litany Against Fear. Bene Gesserit. (Frank Herbert's Dune)
Skáneland, Castle Skanien.
Natsuki was sitting at her mother's private studio meeting table with Uma Shamrock, Shizuru Viola, and her mother. As soon as they arrived from the spaceport, quick orders were delivered to all the Otomes from Garderobe and the Kruger House, while the two leaders of both sides met.
"Thanks for meeting with us, Kruger-san," Uma Shamrock started warily, measuring the young woman in front of her while thinking"Too much alike Haakon and Kyler Kruger, I have to be careful."
"Please have my condolences on your father's death..." Uma didn't have chance to keep talking.
"Headmistress, I could say I appreciate your words, but I really don't. I suggest to move ahead of the formalities. What is it exactly that you want from me? Why are you so interested in meeting with me?" Natsuki was looking steadily at the Headmistress, not a single hesitation in her voice.
"Natsuki!" was her mother's comment, but Shizuru decided it was too much from this young and reckless beautiful girl. It was time for her to learn some manners.
"Ara, Kruger-san, that's kind of rude from you, if I may say; sometimes it's advisable to measure the contestant before beating her down, don't you think?" Shizuru intervened, making Natsuki blush at the comment and think "There she is again, stopping me again and trying to control me! Damn woman."
Taking advantage of Natsuki's hesitation, Shizuru continued "We are truly concerned about your father's assassination," and seeing Natsuki's surprise, she added "Yes, Kruger-san, we know it wasn't an accident. I think we can be allies..."
"You are assuming too much, too fast... if I may say, Archmeister Viola." Natsuki said coldly, her face was red now andher jaw tense, not only because she was surprised by Shizuru's comment, but also because she couldn't stand as firmly in front of her as she did with the Headmistress. This woman was disconcerting for her, with her calm and elegant manners, that soft voice with a strange accent, and striking red eyes. This woman drove her out of balance.
Uma Shamrock and Saeko Kruger seemed to have vanished, Natsuki and Shizuru were only looking at each other on a gazes duel after Natsuki's last comment. Uma thought it was time to take the lead in the conversation now that Natsuki was at least talking and certainly, listening.
"Kruger-san, Garderobe has had an alliance with most of the Noble Houses but definitely the most important ones in the past were those with the Viola House and the Kruger House. We think it is time to renew this alliance since a menace is showing up. You are very young, but I am sure you can see it as well." Uma was counting on it.
"I will ask you again, Headmistress...What do you want?" Natsuki was relieved she was talking again with Uma and not under the direct and intense gaze of Shizuru. She could feel the red eyes alit on her.
"I want you to know Garderobe closer, and I would like to make an alliance with you. I would also like to help you figure out who killed your father and why." She stated just as outright as she could.
"Maybe we can also teach you some politics too, Kruger-san." Shizuru said smiling slightly. "You have an interesting way to do... negotiations." Uma and Saeko only glared at Shizuru. Provoking Natsuki right now may not be the wisest thing to do, however a surprise for both of them, Natsuki answered huskily but proudly.
"I can teach you my ways anytime you need, Archmeister. I don't care if it is interesting or not, I only care about its effectiveness." She was frowning with her green eyes flashing. She wasn't flinching against this woman.
"Saeko," Uma said looking a priceless opportunity for her plans, "How much does Kruger-san knows about Garderobe?"
"We have done the basics, Headmistress." Saeko was not getting the point. What Uma was asking her was senseless. Only Otomes could have a deep knowledge about Garderobe. As much as she disobeyed Garderobe because her love for Kyler, she couldn't break that rule, and Uma knew that, so she wondered what were the Headmistress' intentions.
"Great. I would like to suggest that Shizurucould spend some time with Kruger-san and give her more details about us."
Now both Shizuru and Natsuki were surprised, looking back at the Headmistress. Before, any of them could say a word, Uma finished with a straight gaze at Natsuki.
"I really want to earn the right of an alliance with your House, Kruger-san. You can't trust what you don't know. Shizuru is one of our best senseis at Wallach IX." Noting since the beginning Natsuki's uneasiness with Shizuru, she added "I am sure, you will enjoy it, trust me."
Empire Chapter House at Aasgard, Imperial Hazakura House Palace.
Imperial Counselor Jin Hazakura walked into the luxurious room to meet with one of the most influential ambassadors at the Empire... and one of the most dangerous too. He never liked to meet with her but this time he was sure to have the advantage.
"Good morning, Ambassador Marguerite," he greeted her like the perfect politician he was. "I am very happy you were able to come with such a short notice." He made himself comfortable as well at the couches waiting to serve.
"Good morning, counselor. A request from the Emperor is always the most important, is it not?" After that she just smiled, waiting. She was not going to make it easier for him.
"Our beloved emperor wants to make sure the Imperial Hazakura House will be properly represented during the ceremony of designation of the Countess Kruger, and he thought that's a role suitable for the best, Ambassador Marguerite". He said smiling hypocritically.
Tomoe remained silent, drinking wine while looking deeply at him. Jinstarted to feel restless under her gaze. It was like been watched by a poisonous cobra. Finally, she spoke with innocent voice, "I was sure the Emperor wanted you to attend the ceremony... as the Imperial Counselor and a member of Hazakura family."
Almost stammering Jin answered, "The Emperor decided against it; it wasn't a final decision Ambassador. ..and since there are a lot of political issues to attend here, he decided that you were the best option." Feeling he was starting to sweat anytime soon, he harshly asked for more wine from the servants.
With a slight sardonic smile Tomoe said, "What the Emperor wants, the Emperor gets, dear Counselor. I will be honored to represent the Imperial House." It took less than a minute to break him. He planned all this, and she let him. She really wanted to go to Skáneland to meet the new Countess. She also heard that Garderobe was attending. "Hopefully I will see the charming Archmeister Viola again…hopefully not only see her."Their plans needed her to attend to Skáneland and now everyone will be sure her visit there was someone else'sdesire. Nobody will suspect of her since she was ordered to do it. She found all of this really amusing.
"Who can I take with me for the trip Counselor?" She asked softly
"The Emperor ordered that you designate your escort at your wish, Ambassador. All the resources will be assigned at your request." He offered, feeling relieved.
"Very well, I will give you a detailed list. May I see the Emperor now?" She requested as a soft and innocent question but her gaze didn't allow a "no" for an answer. "Maybe I won't have another chance to properly say farewell his highness." she said while thinking "and I want to make sure you will wait for my return anxiously, dear Anri."
Skáneland, Castle Skanien.
After their meeting, Natsuki was left alone with the Headmistress. Her mother told her that an important test was needed. Saeko looked confident, but Natsuki knew her better, and she could see the concern in her eyes.
"Archmeister Viola thinks I am rude, but the way you asked them to leave wasn't an example of kindness, Headmistress." Natsuki said glaring at Uma. She didn't like the way this woman spoke to her mother and to Shizuru. "Hell, I don't care about that damn annoying woman, but nobody should speak to her that way."Her angriness was beyond her understanding.
Uma was standing in the middle of the room and called Natsuki to join her there. As Natsuki approached her, Uma lifted her right handin front of the young woman asking "Have you sifted sand before Kruger-san?"
Natsukilooked back at the Headmistress wondering what trap was lying behind that weird question, but she ran speechless when a small green box materialized in front of her seconds after Uma's question.
"At Garderobe, we sift people Kruger-san, because what we hold and know can be only given to humans," Uma was looking in deeply into Natsuki's eyes with all her senses. Before Natsuki could breathe, she felt a cold metal against her throat that held her breath. Uma had moved so fast that Natsuki didn't even see her coming. Now her life was threatened at her own abode! "Don't move Kruger-san, if you want to live, do exactly as I say."
"What the hell...Don't expect me to...Shamrock... I..."
"Silence," was Uma's only command. "Move before you are told and you will die. Put your hand into the box and don't remove it from there. If you move before time, I will kill you. Trust me Kruger-san, you have no chance against my element."
Hearing truth in Uma's words, Natsuki obeyed. When she introduced her hand into the box, she asked "What's in the box?"
"Pain...and what you fear the most." It was the only answer she got.
After a while she felt her right hand itching, but it didn't last long. After a while her hand was burning.
"It... burns." Natsuki said almost panting.
"Don't move," was again the only answer.
The burning sensation on her hand was almost unbearable now. She was breathing heavily and her arm was trembling in her effort to keep it inside the box. Uma Shamrock put more pressure on Natsuki's throat. After few seconds, she was sweating and gasping in pain. Never in her life had she felt something like this, her hand was now on fire. All her senses were screaming to end with the torture. Struggling with her mind, Natsuki forced herself to pray the Litany Against Fear as her mother taught her. Whatever this test was, she had to live.
As Natsuki let the pain cross over her like a evil wind, the pain stopped suddenly. Now, she was falling into the darkness to face her inner beast.
There, she was drowned by darkest of her fears andher weaknesses. In the very same way she had to accept the pain to overcome it, she had to find the courage to face herself. In the middle of her desperation, the only light that guided her out of the darkness, were her memories about her father. As sudden as it started, Natsuki open her eyes and breathed deeply for air.
"Welcome, human." Uma Shamrock told her while dematerializing her weapon and asking Natsuki to bring out her hand of the box.
Still breathing brokenly Natsuki removed her hand fearing what she will see. With her eyes wide open she saw her hand intact.
Answering Natsuki's unspoken question, Uma said "Pain caused by Nerve Induction, Kruger-san. Very efficient without the collateral damages. I can't mutilate potential humans."
Natsuki felt angry at the comment but didn't say a word, still recovering of the experience. Her eyes were brilliant with tears.
"Only humans can survive this test Kruger-san. An animal will react against the immediate danger. A human will stand looking for the best way to fight against the greater danger or threat. A human won't be controlled by the instinct."
Uma knew that the box was implacable with Natsuki. The last time she saw so much pain during a test was during Shizuru's test and she could not avoid a shiver at the fact. It wasn't a coincidence. She had to prepare herself to support both of them. She needed Natsuki's trust.
"You may be upset with me Kruger-san but now you have learned something priceless. We all have a dark side inside us, denying it is the first step to be defeated by it. You have gone through the ultimate Otome test." Uma made a pause giving Natsukitime to understand.
"Only when an Otome have face her inner darkness, they can take the step of linking with the GEM. Do you know what is this Kruger-san?" Uma asked gently.
"No, Shamrock-san." Natsuki spoke for the first time and her voiced sounded weird even for her own ears. She decided that after this test,she had the rigth to call the Headmistress like that from now on; Uma noticed but seeing Natsuki's temper decided that the girl earned the rigth, as a human.
"That's why the Otomes exist without a master, Kruger-san. They become their own masters when they link with the GEM and with the memories of all Otomes that were linked to the same GEM before. It is a very tough initiation and only those who have done this very same test may have some chance to survive." Uma ended showing Natsuki her ear GEM and master ring.
"May have a chance?" Natsuki asked surprised.
"Not all the candidates succeed with the test or the linking. What you have faced it and survived Kruger-san, not only the bests humans but the bests Otomes can survive it." Uma said somberly. Many candidates have failed under her hands during the long years she had been Garderobe's Headmistress. Her only relief was that Natsuki and Shizuru survived where many others didn't.
Horus, Scientific Guild Chapter House
Feeling someone approaching from behind, Chief Technology President Yohko Helene kept working at her terminal, her big desk was crowded with crystal papers, digital devices, and models of different kinds. There were five terminals interconnected to each one showing different images, mathematical equations, DNA models, and hell knows what else. Midori knew quite well it could be a recipe of a cake or the most important discovery of the century. Yohko was careless whenever something caught her mind or her desires.
Since Midori didn't say a word and was just steadily looking at her, Yohko finally gave up and looked at Midori raising a questioning brow. "What? Do you need something before our travel?" She asked gently but a little irked.
"Wow, it speaks!" Midori said frowning with her face serious, but she wasn't able to keep it too long. Letting her smile show, she closed their distance, giving Yohko a half hug with her right arm and turning her monitors off with the other hand. "Time for bed. You will have a little more time tomorrow before the trip."
"Midori! I am the President; you cannot treat me like this."
"Ok. Mrs. President Helene, will you be so kind to join me in your bed? I will assure you won't be disappointed." Midori asked playfully bowing deeply and extending her hand formally to Yohko.
Yohko sighed. "Please Midori; I really need to finish this. I will need it for the travel. Shamrock-san is waiting for this anxiously."
"Fuck that damn woman. I don't like you giving more attention to her requests than mine." Midori insisted even when she knew it was a lost battle; Yohko was an obstinate woman, but she just can't give up that easily. It was bad for her reputation.
"Midori, I am being serious with this. This is really important, and you know it. I am putting the results of the Project Archangel together and improving some issues."
"Ok, at least tell me about it then. I have to have some superior rights against that woman."
"You are mean to Uma, Midori. She respects you." Knowing it was a lost battle she decided to move ahead. "I am amazed at the results. I never expected it working so well. Our test subjects are developing everything normally and the…"
Suddenly realizing something, she looked intensely at Midori saying "By the way, we will meet them at Skáneland, Midori. Please, be discrete. This project is strictly confidential and there is a lot of risk if someone, anybody strange, knows about this. Even a little bit of suspicion can put everything and everyone in danger. I am begging you Midori, please take it seriously." Yohko was deadly serious. It was not frequent for Midori to see her like this.
After a minute of staring at each other Midori conceded, "Ok, but there is a price for you to pay."
Yohko sighed again waiting for the price.
"Come with me to bed."
Skáneland, Castle Skanien.
Natsuki was standing with Ray in front of their grandfather's studio. This was a weird day, and she only wanted it to finish as soon as possible and have some rest. Announcing them, she waited for the door to open and when she walked into the room, she had to use all her self-control to keep her jaw from hitting the floor.
Haakon Kruger, the tough and unapproachable old Count was sitting at the couch talking gently and smiling at Shizuru Viola!
Taking Shizuru's handbetween his big ones, he said gently "Please, let's have some more time together before you leave." Then looking at Ray who was standing in the room slightly behind Natsuki, he called "Ray, Lady Saeko has told me you are taking care of Garderobe's group. I have instructed Sakomizu accordingly. This request is from me: I want to ask you to personallytake care of Shizuru-san, anything and I mean anything she needs, provide it or let me know immediately if you can't."
"Yes Sir. I will do so, and I will keep you informed." Ray assured him with confidence. Haakon looked back at her with approving eyes.
Natsuki was more and more surprised. She never had seen Haakon being this thoughtful and respectful with anyone. He was almost endearing with Shizuru, andshe was looking at him with brilliant eyes as if they shared a strong bond. Natsuki was close to start feeling jealous.
Shizuru and Saeko gave her farewells to Haakon and started making their way out with Ray.
"Thanks, Count Kruger." UmaShamrock said respectfully not wanting to tempt her luck going beyond that. "Good night, Kruger-san." Before she left, her eyes and Haakon's had their own personal duel. After all these years, maybe they were the only ones alive knowing why Haakon loathed Garderobe that much.
"Good night… Headmistress." He said seriously cold and distant. She wasn't Shizuru. While they were staring at each other both of them were thinking "This is not ending here."
Shizuru then looked back to Natsuki smiling brightly saying "Have a good night, Kruger-san."
To her surprise, Natsuki only inclined her head without looking back at her with a cold "Good night, Archmeister."
At the upper level, Ray was making her way to her room, she loved to walk into her room, smell the ocean and feel the sea breeze. But this time, her smile froze at her first step into her room, knowing she was not alone.
"What's up, are you afraid of the darkness, Jagger?" a teasing voice reached her from the back of the room.
"Nao... What's she doing here now?" Ray thought, surprised by Nao's presence in herroom. They hadn't met or been in contact during the two years since they graduated and Nao was chosen as a column. They never were close. Their friends were sure they hated each other. However, Ray caught herself staring at Nao several times during the meetings of the day.
Cautiously walking in but leaving the door open, she asked very formally "May I do something for you, Zhang-san?"
Nao just looked back at her without answering. She loved to tease the serious girl since they were teenagers. As they grew older, Nao found Ray more andmore attractive but she will never admit that in front of anybody. She had too many fans begging for her to waste her time running behind the tall and indifferent Ray. No one, ever, had ignored her as Ray did.
"Always so formal and proper Jagger… Umm, possibly… but not with that door open, you know?"
Breathing to calm herself, Ray tried another approach "Please, Nao-san, comments like that may be misunderstood..."
"You guys must like misunderstandings so much! Are you taking private lessons together with your cousin Jagger? I can give you all the private lessons you need."
It was rare for Ray to lose patience and composure, but Nao always had a special touch in driving her mad quickly with her attitude. "She keeps playing with me like back then. Now she is in MY territory, maybe I should give her what she has been asking for…during those years". Thinking that, Ray closed the door but kept standing where she was.
"Wow, the wolf has guts. Are you sure you are not afraid of me?" Nao kept teasing Ray but felt her heart skip a beat when she saw Ray closing the door. "Are you finally taking the risk Jagger?"
"I mean it, Nao. Is there something you need? I have specific instructions from the Countess about take care of the Garderobe's visitors," Ray was dead serious yet she spoke formally cold.
"Mmm, Jagger, I am very jealous, I thought I was having you just for me," Nao stood up and walked towards Ray, who always kept her windows opened and with no curtains. The moon was lighting the room with silver light and under it, Ray's blue eyes were paler and cooler. Nao felt like she was under the gaze of a dangerous animal.
On the other side, Ray couldn't take her eyes away of Nao's swinging hips in her approach. All the alerts were triggering in her brain but her body was ignoring them...all.
"You can't take anything seriously, right?" Ray asked, now having a very clear image of Nao's striking eyes once she walked out of the shadows. The tall Otome could swear the room was feeling warmer despite the open windows.
"I am not so formal and proper like you Jagger, being serious all the time is boring." Nao answered softly while slowly walking closer and closer. Ice was crushing under Ray's surface at the sight of Nao approaching her.
"So, what are you doing wasting your time here?" The words left her mouth more harshly than she wanted, but she couldn't stop them. "You haven't told me what you want yet. If there is nothing else than to bother me, please do it another time. I really have to get some rest now."
That finally did stop Nao. "What if what I want is you?" She also spoke before she could stop. Ray indifference was really bothersome, mainly when she was now feeling a knot tighten her stomach and her heartbeat was increasing.
"I..I mean, it's not… This is too much, Zhang. I don't understand why you keep doing this. All those years at Garderobe weren't enough for you?" Ray fists were tightened trying to control herself.
"What? Do you need to ask the new Countess Kruger permission to fuck?" Now Nao was pissed. After two years, seeing Ray again untied her old attraction into something more...lusting; to the point to make her look for Ray in her own room.Angered with herself Nao tried to walk out of the room but when she had barely opened the sliding door, a strong push closed it again. Otomes could move ten times faster than any other human, but Ray had always been faster.
Nao furiously turned to look at her "What!? I am leaving you with your damn privacy, that's what you wanted isn't it?" Her eyes were flashing with fury and yes, desire.
Ray was too close. She could feel the warmth of Ray's body and tried to move away again but it was too late. She went too far with the game and the ice was broken. Ray's left arm raised up touching and cherishing Nao's jaw line and neck. She forced Nao to meet her eyes. Both of them were breathing deeply and finding the same need in Nao's eyes Ray went down to catch Nao's mouth, kissing her passionately and clasping her as closely as she possibly could by her slender waist.
Nao was responding back before her brain registered what she was doing. She found her hands interlaced with Ray's hair, pulling Ray's head down, her mouth opening when Ray deepened the kiss, her body arching to maximize contact and her right leg rubbing against Ray's strong thigh. She was in heat feeling Ray's need.
It didn't take them long to make it to Ray's bed and to throw away their clothes in the way. Nao was moaning andsquirming under Ray with her legs tightened around the taller woman's waist. Ray was rocking against her slowly and steadily while Nao was urging her for more. It was too late to take it slower now. She was in pure need; Ray's arms were holding her so strong while rocking her harder that Nao could barely breathe.
With one last deep kiss, Ray broke the close contact and moved to straddle Nao's right leg while raising the left one onto her right shoulder, her hands firmly at Nao's full hips to pull her and make their soaking and heating cores to rub more intimately with every lunge of her hips. Nao was the first one to come almost crying Ray's name and squeezing the sheets. Ray climax followed her a bit after but she kept her rocking movement slowing down a while before finally stopping, releasing Nao's leg to a more comfortable and less exposed position. Doing an effort to sustain her weight steady with trembling arms, Ray moved very slowly to lie down gently on Nao's warm body.
Trying to catch her breath and feeling several parts of her body still throbbing Nao started to realize what she had done. "Oh, shit, shit, shit, SHIT. I did it. I just jumped at her bed desperately, damn it! She didn't even have to ask me!"
The troubled redhead turned, trying to avoid the other's blue eyes, while Ray was trying to recover, then she felt Ray's hand on her face making her turn back again for a wet, soft kiss. Ray lips and tongue were moving very slowly caressing her lips and almost against her will, Nao's nipples responded erecting. It was no hurry this time. They made it slowly, taking the time to explore and taste, to kiss and touch, to bite, suck, and lick every hidden corner at the other's body. Near the end Nao felt like if her universe exploded several times with Ray's fingers finding precisely, the most sensitive spot inside her.
Now they really needed time to recover. After a while having Ray breathing, laying by her side resting her dark head on her chest, she had to say something to ease all the previous intensity.
"If I would have known this was so good I would have insisted more before, Jagger."
"You insisted quite a bit, trust me" Ray said raising and leaning on her right elbow and for the first time in her life she teased at Nao while looking her seriously, "What will happen to your reputation of a conqueror playgirl when Garderobe knows that a Kruger took you five times in just one night?"
"Don't you…dare …They don't have to know!" Nao shouted and feeling embarrassed. Trying to minimize Ray asseveration, she said, "And it wasn't five, we only did it twice!
Still looking seriously at Nao, Ray asked with deep sensual voice "Are you already leaving?" moving a possessive arm to grab Nao's waist pulling her closely to her body again.
When Ray kissed her, Nao's mouth was still open trying to find something to say. "Finally, I found the way to shut your mouth,"Ray thought while kissing Nao deeply, feeling the need rising again. After a while the only word Nao was whispering brokenly between moans was "Ray."
In other part of the Castle, Natsukiwasn't having a night as pleasant as her cousin Ray was. She was still with her grandfather trying to understand why he treated Shizuru as he did. After a general talk about the upcoming ceremony and visitor, Haakon's visage darkened.
"I want you to see something, Natsuki." Natsuki could see the shadows in her grandfather eye's and got worry about what she was going to see.
At Haakon's terminal an old movie started to play. The first seconds was static but the image got clearer showing the sight of a planet. Huge and big explosions could be seen at the surface, and she considered the movie was recorded from outer space. She didn't want to imagine how the mess was at terrain level. As the space ship recording was getting into the planet's atmosphere the sight got worst. "This is terrible, how can someone do something like this?" Natsuki thought holding her breath.
But it got worst, after some aerial views showing some equally devastated areas, the recording got to the terrain level. It was the rest of a city, Natsuki could not tell by the image if it was beautiful or not. It was ravaged. Not one single building was in piece. Not even close. There were debris everywhere, dust, smoke, and fires still burning, and the sound of thunders could be heard at the distance. Suddenly, the image went off.
Haakon walked away of the terminal and then looked back to face Natsuki. She was too shocked after the images she saw to move.
"That was recorded 20 years ago. When Kansai, the Viola's native planet was almost destroyed. When the support team arrived it was too late. Shizuru, that woman you treated that bad a while ago, was rescued from one of those buildings you saw. All of her family died that day. She was five years old."
Natsuki lowered her head feeling pain in her chest. She could not imagine Shizuru, the woman she had been cursing the whole day, at that age lost in the scenario she just saw. "How did she survive that?"
"Your father was furious and sorrowful, AylenViola was his best friend. He wanted to take care of Shizuru but the Noble Council didn't allow it."
Raising her head to meet her grandfather eyes she asked almost angrily "Didn't allow it? Why?"
"Because Kruger House was under investigation for treason." Haakon said sadness still in his hearth after so many years.
"WHAT!?" Natsuki literally shouted the word.
"Natsuki, if you want to become an honorable Countess you have to control yourself. Even if you are talking with me." With almost twenty years, she was still too young but they didn't have time.
"Due to the friendship between the two families, the committee investigating the attack determined that the Kruger House could not be considered to take care of Viola's heiress. Your father was the only one who knew exactly like Aylen about Kansai's security measures. Duke Aylen as well, was very aware of Skáneland security. They decided that when they raised their noble ranges. They were like brothers. Kyler was devastated. Andafter the committee didn't find the attackers, he decided to investigate by his own."
Taking a deep breath, knowing the hard part was coming Haakon continued "Recently, your father found that some noble houses, were involved in that attack. His leaving three weeks ago was because he found that something similar could happen here and leaving before it happened was the only way to fight against it."
"My father said he was going to Aasgard to meet the Noble Council," Natsuki said surprised.
"Yes, he said that because he had no other choice. The truth is that he went to Kansai"
"Kansai? The Viola House planet? That one we saw on the recording?"
"The same people who attacked Shizuru's family twenty years ago are the same that killed you father. They are our enemies and we have to be ready to fight to protect what we care most, Natsuki."
That's it for now. Thanks for reading and reviewing. I really hope you enjoyed this chapter.
More enemies showing in the next chapter. And more Natsuki and Shizuru interaction, not "that" one yet...