Hi everybody. I am back with the next chapters of the story. Oh, yes. Chapters. This one was an important time of the story but it was getting very long so I decided to work it as a whole but publish it in two chapters. So, it's up to you guys, to read it all at once or take a break in between.
Thanks as always for keep reading and reviewing, all your comments are more than welcomed. BIG THANKS to Azn-Anime for her work betaing this story, being patient and taming this reckless wolf. (Me)
Notes:
1) Find a couple of definitions below about the "Duneverse" I am introducing at this point of the story. Even when I am keeping the general meaning of the Kanly judge as the same, I am making some adjustments for the "imprinting" activity to affect both men and women, for obvious reasons I think!
2) Even when Mai Otome and Mai Hime are part of my favorite anime series, I am not a hard core expert… yet. I want to remind you this story is an AU with the Mai Otome characters but maybe they are not exactly as the cannons.
This story is rated M for mature content between two females, please do not keep reading if you don't like 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.
Imprinter: A full power Otome trained with extensive abilities for seduction, sex and sexual imprinting. Men or women seduced by an imprinter are permanently affected (what is called imprinted) by the sexual experience.
Kanly: A formal and highly ritualized vendetta declared between two Noble Houses. Kanly could be declared only by the acting, titular head of a Noble House and it was necessary to notify the Noble Council and the Imperial Court. If it was no reconciliation, once the Kanly judge was approved, it consisted of a personal combat with knives only, unshielded, to the death.
Tears of Warriors
by GaladanChapter 4. In your labyrinth
"Know yourself; know the enemy and the victory will not be at risk.
Know the terrain, the natural conditions and the victory will be total."
Sun Tzu. The Art of War.
Skáneland, Castle Skánien.
In the years to come, Natsuki will remember the day she became Countess as one of the hardest days in her life. That day, she learned what was really important in life and matured years in a matter of a few hours. The improved security system implemented by Garderobe, Horus, and her own people was obstructed by two stealthy shadows that left the Imperial Cruiser of Ambassador Tomoe Marguerite that night. Nobody noticed the big Krasnikov Cruiser approaching the Skáneland planetary space until it was too late.
The next day, Skáneland had a new Countess. Natsuki felt weird having everybody treat her with complaisance, with the exception of the unpleasant Imperial Ambassador, Tomoe Marguerite and the unbearable Garderobe's 4th Column, Juliet Nao Zhang. After the formal ceremony and the salutations from all the visitors, her first duty as a Countess was to meet with several of those dignitaries. On purpose, she asked Ray Jagger to stay by her side all the time, taking care of her schedule. Originally, it was Reito's task but Natsuki wanted to punish her tall Chief Otome for showing up unbelievable late that morning. If she was going to suffer all of this, Ray will do it with her…twice.
At the main meeting room and as the new leader of the House, Natsuki was sitting at the head of the table with Haakon and Saeko at her sides. By the middle of the day they had covered most of the delegations.
"Archduchess Haruka Armitage accompanied by her counselor and wife Yukino Chrysant from Aries," Chie introduced the first meeting of the afternoon and then, she left out promptly. She was curious to see this meeting at a safe distance; Ray and Lady Saeko were there to handle Natsuki if the things got hard with the foul mouthed Archduchess.
"It was like time, Countess Kruger! You left us wanting the whole day," the Archduchess of Aries stated before anyone else could say a word. That was rather out of the protocol.
"Waiting, Haruka-chan but..." Yukino added promptly trying to fix the situation; she knew that wasn't a respectful way to start a political relationship with the new Countess Kruger.
"That's what I said Yukino!... and don't call me Haruka-chan in public!" Haruka interrupted her as well.
Saeko Kruger knew the robust Archduchess better so she tried to ease things with Haakon and Natsuki. Aries was a powerful ally, and they needed them.
"Meister Armitage, very nice to meet you again now as the leader of Armitage House. Yukino-san, please be welcome." Saeko said standing up, "My daughter, Countess Natsuki Kruger. Count Haakon Kruger."
"Saeko Oneesama!" excited by the warm greeting and regardless everybody's expectations; Haruka didn't sit but walked to the head of the table and shook hands vigorously with Natsuki and Haakon. It was the first time the two Krugers met the Archduchess and despite her lack of formalities, they liked her directness. Haruka may have a lot of flaws but Saeko respected her because she was the first Otome officially leading a major Noble House. She expected Natsuki could also be an Otome and a Countess some day. And secondly, because even when same gender marriages were legal at the Empire since a couple of centuries, very few same gender couples were leading a Noble House. Succession was crucial for all of them; a Noble House had to prevail by direct blood line and no other way. That was one thing that hadn't changed for centuries. The other important issue was political power. That was why some heirs or heiresses kept their lovers, same gender or not, but they never married them. Yukino wasn't noble born and wasn't a man. Haruka was brave enough to officially married her and ignore the idle rumors about the end of Armitage House legacy. Notwithstanding, Saeko was still wondering how the willful Otome will lead with the future of her House.
Suddenly, Saeko realized that Natsuki hadn't showed interest for anyone at all; guy or woman since she had the age for that kind of interests. The only things that seemed to exist for her only daughter were guns, bikes, her beloved Rya wolves, and battle training. It was an amazing realization for an Otome but Saeko had no way to know with certainty about her daughter's sexual orientation. She wasn't concern but now that Natsuki was the Kruger House's leader, she had to start thinking about it…and better sooner than later.
The last two delegations were the ones from Carthagos and Windbloom. Mai and Takumi Tokiha were warmly welcomed by Haakon Kruger; their father was a very close friend to him. Both Tokihas were older than Natsuki and as the conversation developed, Saeko had more and more reasons to put the handsome and charming Takumi into her list of future candidates for Natsuki. However, the sight of her daughter talking affably but distantly with Takumi Tokiha wasn't exactly the best signal of interest. Natsuki in fact, seemed more animated when chatting with Takumi's sister Mai, than with him. But that was maybe because of Mai herself seemed to like Natsuki a lot.
"Why am I thinking about this so suddenly? Natsuki has never looked interested or impressed by anyone. Why I am expecting a reaction from her?" She made a mental note to reflect about it later when she had more time.
Everything was ready for dinner; there was just one delegation left. They were expecting Chie to announce them when the door opened suddenly and a young woman with expressive blue eyes made her entrance.
"The meeting is here? And you are the Countess Kruger, right?" She wore Otome attire and with a wide smile she turned to call, "Mashiro-chan! Bruce-sama, this way, they are here."
"What the hell…" Natsuki murmured but only got two glares from her mother and grandfather.
"Hey, you. Wait!" That was Chie sounding a bit overtook.
"Arika! You shall wait until we are announced! For all Gods, you seem new to this!" A young woman's voice intervened sounding more stressed than Chie's while an arm pulled the young Otome back out.
Finally a handsome man and young woman presented properly at the door and Chie announced, "Bruce and Mashiro Bran Windbloom from Ealdgyth Principality… and the royal Otome, Arika Yumemiya." At the last sentence, Chie send a murderous gaze to the young Otome as she wanted to strangle her.
Saeko sighed. Uma Shamrock told her about the irrepressible young Otome of Windbloom. But Uma didn't tell her about the handsome Prince of Windbloom, Bruce or his little sister, Mashiro.
"I am very glad to meet you, Countess Kruger." Bruce said with a deep and well modulated voice bowing slightly and smiling charmingly, more like a gentleman in front of a lady than as an official reverence during a diplomatic meeting.
"It's very nice to meet you Prince Bruce, Princess Mashiro." Natsuki said inclining her head slightly as well.
Bruce wasn't as young as Takumi Tokiha but he looked very confident and steady. He had been Windbloom House's leader since 5 years ago; on Saeko's eyes Bruce was confident, manly and formal, a lot like her husband when they met more than 20 years ago. Saeko found herself looking slyly at Natsuki during the interview, a bit surprised to find that Natsuki didn't look impressed by him… at all. She was relaxed, talking with him like equals on several political issues and how their Houses could collaborate on some shared interests in a very businesslike way. "I have to sit Bruce close to Natsuki during the dinner."
However, she didn't count on Shizuru's own plans.
By dinner time, Natsuki was starving but not for food. She didn't know how much she wanted to see Shizuru until they met in the dining room. All the invitees were well dressed for the dinner and Garderobe's high ranking Otomes weren't the exception. On that night, all of them were dressed to kill. Shizuru chose a black form fitting low-cut sleeveless long dress; the simplicity of the lines made it the most elegant. Nao chose a similar one with side slit on the thigh level in darken green tone matching her eyes. Internally both Shizuru and Nao were anxious to see their certain someone's face at their selection. Even Uma Shamrock was wearing a breathtaking dark purple dress and the three of them were chatting animatedly with a stunning Saeko Kruger in a satin cobalt blue long dress, completing the circle.
When Natsuki made her way into the reception room sided by her cousins, all of them in the dark blue gala attire of Kruger House, all the conversations stopped. The new Countess and her Otomes looked like dark and wild powerful warrior goddesses. Natsuki's eyes took less than a second to meet Shizuru's, and she felt hammered on the floor at the sight of the Archmeister. Only a discreet nudge from Nina at her left, took her out of her staring, meanwhile Chie did the same favor to an astonished Ray, not as discreetly as Nina. Nao had to suppress a grin looking at Ray's reaction. Mission accomplished.
Not waiting for anyone, Natsuki walked towards Garderobe's group as if pulled by an untamed natural force. She was vaguely conscious of the greetings from the invitees and vaguely responded back. Everything else ceased to exist except those deep red eyes that were fixed at her.
"Shizuru," was Natsuki's greeting with a restrained voice once she reached the group, making Uma Shamrock and Saeko jump almost visibly at the way Natsuki addressed Shizuru.
"Natsuki," Saeko murmured to her daughter, several alarms triggering at her brain.
"Ara…I was looking for a reaction but this one is unexpected." Making a formal reverence, Shizuru decided it wouldn't be good to call Natsuki by her first name in front of everybody but she could give Natsuki a brilliant and warm smile. "Good evening, Countess Kruger… you look great tonight."
Being called Countess by Shizuru made Natsuki react and she could finally greet her mother and Uma.
"Good evening Archmeister, Shamrock-san, mother, all of you look great this night. I am…impressed." She said trying to dissimulate that her whole attention was for Shizuru and nobody else.
"Good evening, Kruger-san. You also look stunning, that was quite an entrance." Uma responded smiling to Natsuki but kept an eye on Saeko's serious face. She knew Natsuki's mother better than anybody and her clear nuisance at Natsuki and Shizuru encounter was a serious concern. "Saeko's reaction is not good for my plans."
At dinner time, Natsuki's only concern was who would be sat by her side at the table. She only wanted to look at Shizuru. Thankfully, with all Shizuru's preparations together with the Kruger House attendants, there she was, sitting by Natsuki's side, as by the blessings of some kind God. Natsuki didn't know, but her good luck was because of a Goddess; a red eyed goddess. In the couple of days they had been at Skáneland, Shizuru had gained the liking of almost everyone at the Kruger House, even Reito liked her after a couple of tea cups despite his loathe for Garderobe. Reito and Armbrust had a lot to do in having Shizuru sitting by Natsuki's side. Bruce Bran was very far away from Natsuki for Saeko's annoyance.
"I want to propose a toast." The old leader of AnNam and Haakon's friend, Nyugen Bao said lifting his cup. "For the new Countess, long life, and happiness."
Everybody imitated his gesture, however not everybody was as happy as Nyugen or had the same good wishes for Natsuki.
"And wisdom, Bao-san. Maybe the new Countess can use a bit of that too." It was the Imperial Ambassador's insidious voice. "It's sad the Countess doesn't have the skills and resources of an Otome." Tomoe ended raising her cup and then taking it seductively to her lips while looking at Shizuru's eyes. She didn't seem sad at all.
Before Tomoe could make another annoying comment, Bruce Bran intervened to say, "Oh, I am sure the Countess will have time to became wise enough but by now, she already has sage and experimented collaborators and for not to mention, a remarkable and enviable Otome army. Cheers for Kruger warriors." Bruce also lifted his cup to greet the Kruger's Otomes at the other side of the table with his gaze alternating between Saeko and Natsuki.
"Something truly remarkable, as you said Prince Bran." The deep voice of Sergay Wang seconded Bruce but with other intentions, "mainly considering that Kruger House hadn't had a close relationship with Garderobe for several years. May we assume that the Kruger House is getting as close to Garderobe as the Countess to Archmeister Viola this night?" Sergay let the comment out innocently and with soft voice but it was as mean as Tomoe's. He didn't miss Natsuki reaction when looking Shizuru, and his master would like to know how deep that relationship was.
Saeko held her breathe at the comment. Shizuru cursed herself for being too focused on Natsuki and getting distracted, forgetting to oversee the dangerous Artai's wolf. Nobody expected that comment from Sergay; he was keeping a very low profile until now. Natsuki felt rage rising in her chest but controlled it before it showed on her features. With cold voice, she sustained Sergay's gaze. Her next words surprised everybody, including Sergay.
"Archmeister Viola is here not only as the high rank Otome she is but also as the representative of a Noble House. I am surprised that you don't know the close relationship between Kruger and Viola Houses since several years ago, Colonel Wang. I will excuse your comment on behalf of your ignorance."
Now everybody held their breath waiting for the Artai representative's reaction. He was famous for its sharp tongue, his cold blood, and his implacable loyalty to Nagi D'Artai. Haakon Kruger felt proud of Natsuki's braveness but that was a dangerous move; however he will have to support her on it.
"The friendship between Noble Houses now includes betrayal, Countess Kruger?" That was what Haakon knew was coming. You can't spank a wolf and hope he won't show his fangs. However, Sergay was forgetting they were wolves too. Reito, Armbrust, Sakomizu, Ray, and all the Kruger Otomes put their alert at the maximum, ready to jump at the first order coming from Haakon or Saeko.
However, it was Natsuki again who took the lead before her mother or her grandfather could do or say anything. While making a gesture in the Kruger House's secret hand language ordering to stop and wait for her command, she faced Sergay.
"Maybe the Artai House would prefer to discuss that topic on the Noble Council, on the frame of a Kanly Judge, Colonel. What you are insinuating could be considered as public defamation against two Noble Houses and subject of Kanly between Baron D'Artai and me."
Natsuki's eyes never left Sergay's while saying it; he never expected the young girl going this far. He wasn't a noble born but he was sent as an Official representative of the Artai House in a diplomatic mission. In the absence of his master, he was the Artai House, but if he screwed up, the responsibility was his master's. In a Kanly Judge, Baron Nagi would have to fight to death with Natsuki and even when Sergay hadn't seen her fight, just by looking at her frame, he could tell she was not the little pup Prince Kazuya thought she was.
"Countess Kruger, I never imagine you would take the defense of Viola House so seriously, mainly considering it no longer exists. The trial for your House was closed with no damage for Kruger family; there is no need to…" He couldn't finish.
Standing up dangerously slow, Natsuki said firmly. "There is a need. Nobody and I mean nobody, will refer to Viola House as inexistence or insult the Kruger House's honor." She said with her eyes fixed at Sergay's but there were a couple of people there that also needed to hear it. "Do you need me to remind you a proper way to apologize to Archmeister Viola, Colonel Wang or do you prefer the other alternative?"
Kanly. Sergay gulped. Natsuki was not letting him go with his ego intact, "Damn woman", he couldn't take the risk. He will have other chances to make her pay for this.
Standing up as well and bowing necessarily, he said looking at Shizuru, "Please have my formal apologies, Archmeister Viola, I was reckless and unconsidered. Countess Kruger, accept my apologies to your House as well. It's clear that I have spoken lightly about a delicate matter."
Natsuki sat down after the apologies, making a gesture to Reito to keep an eye on the Colonel, still with the secret hand language. "The apologies from the Artai House are accepted this time, Colonel Wang." With her formal reply, Natsuki was telling Sergay she will keep an ear on everything he and everybody else at Artai House would say in the future. Sergay flinch his jaw with rage.
"Wow, you definitely know how to entertain you guests, Countess Kruger." The ambassador Tomoe said laughing.
Despite the Ambassador's comment, Saeko and Haakon were too proud to let it to affect them. Her daughter, his granddaughter, was the new Countess and nobody will fool around with her.
During the rest of the dinner, Natsuki saw who she could really count on and who could be dangerous. Bruce and Takumi did their best to ease the ambience with their charm, discussing different topics skillfully. Shizuru divided her attention between Natsuki and the Imperial Ambassador. The Archmeister already knew the Ambassador was poisonous but that night, she realized how dangerous Tomoe was for Natsuki. Unexpectedly, she counted help with Natsuki from Mai Tokiha, which after the afternoon meeting had became fond the young Countess and with Ambassador Erstin Ho. Only a shared sigh was enough for Shizuru to know that Erstin was trying to help her. She will have to speak on detail with the young Otome afterwards.
After the dinner, everybody was more relaxed. The excellent red wine of Skáneland helped a lot as well as the music led by the Master of Assassins, Sakomizu Kaiji with his baliset. For the guests, he seemed happy and maybe a bit drunk, but everybody at Kruger House knew he was far from that. He was carefully measuring and targeting any possible thread for his masters.
During that time everybody took a small breath. It was Ray's first chance to approach Nao but a hand at her arm stopped her before she turned to go.
"What the hell are you doing staring like a moron the whole night at Nao-sempai?" Chie asked demanding all Ray's attention.
Ray was caught off guard. "I didn't know I was doing that. Thanks for pointing that out so clearly."
Chie only sighed, Ray was impossible to deal with sometimes. "And where you were going right now?"
"I…" Ray looked where Nao was standing, speaking with a handsome guy from Windbloom. "I was…" Not knowing what to say to her cousin, Ray just quieted abruptly.
"Ray," Chie told her cousin seriously, "be careful. I have been observing you tonight; you are looking at Nao as if she was the only woman in the whole damn universe. She is dangerous for you."
"What the hell do you mean?" Ray felt surprisingly angry. Chie was holding her back and Nao was still talking and smiling at that man. The redhead Otome didn't smile at her that way.
"Nao is THAT kind of Otome, Ray. I thought you knew that." Since she only got an angry glare from Ray, Chie continued, knowing Ray wasn't in a mood for subtlety. Ray and Natsuki had no patience with that. "For the last two years Nao has been training to become an Imprinter Otome, Ray. She will do seduction missions for Garderobe as well as regular ones. I am just worried about you."
Now it was crystal clear. Ray didn't know what Nao had been doing as a Column since they graduated. Nao and she didn't talk that much since the Garderobe group arrived. After all, they had been too busy…fucking.
"You don't have to worry. An Otome can't imprint another Otome," Ray sentenced darkly.
"Now you are seriously worrying me. Of course I know that you idiot! I fear for something worst."
Ray was getting tired of Chie not getting to the point. "Enlighten me."
"I don't think you are the kind of person who could be involved in a relationship with an Imprinter, Ray. I don't see you sharing your woman with other men or women, mainly if you love her."
Chie threw a heavy weight on Ray's chest. Without saying a word she looked back at Nao talking with Bruce Bran. "Is she on a mission with him? Is that why she is dressed that way tonight?
Ray had to know. Ignoring Chie, who only sighed with concerned for her cousin; Ray walked towards Nao. She greeted Bruce naturally. She was an Otome but was also a member of Kruger House. She didn't have a title but she was noble born and didn't have to reverence him.
"Please excuse the interruption, Prince Bran. I have to discuss some issues with Meister Zhang. I will borrow her from you." She didn't add how long she was borrowing Nao or why and for sure, she wasn't asking for his permission to borrow her.
"Of course, Meister Jagger." Bruce accepted, a bit surprised by her sudden appearance but with understanding. Arika told him and Mashiro that Ray and Nao were the leaders of their Otome groups on charge of security.
Nao raised a brow and inclining her head to Bruce with a charming smile, she gave him a nice goodbye before following Ray.
"What's up, Jagger? What is that urgent? Are we under some kind of attack or what?" Nao felt Ray's uneasiness since she was approaching them and she wondered why.
"What you were doing with him?" Ray asked, directed as usual but in a coarser, unusual way.
"What I was doing with him it's none of your business, Jagger. And you have no right to ask, by the way." Nao got mad with Ray's comment and mainly because Ray no longer had that appreciative and astonished gaze when looking at her. She dressed thinking of Ray but the damned seemed as indifferent as always.
Ray knew Nao was right. "What is happening to me? We haven't even spoken about what had happened between us. I can't expect anything from her."
Controlling herself and looking at Nao's angry gaze, she decided to do what she originally thought of before Chie spoke with her.
"I wanted to ask you to dance with me." Ray said with deep voice lowering her defenses and looking at Nao intensely and openly, "You look spectacular tonight." Ray was devouring Nao with her eyes while asking.
Nao felt a shiver down her back at the change in Ray's eyes and voice. "Damn you Jagger!, when you look at me that way, I can't breathe, why do you have to do that right now?"
"Of course I am not dancing with you in front of everybody, Jagger. You were terrible at in class," Nao said crossing her arms, teasing Ray, her good mood coming back.
Ray smiled saying, "Let's go to some other place then," while letting her eyes travel over Nao's body.
Considering Ray's gaze, Nao warned her, "Only for dancing Jagger. I will beat you painfully if you go too far."
On the of the big side balcony close to the main reception room, Nao's firm decision flattened to almost nothing when Ray pulled her possessively in a slow dance following the sad song Sakomizu was playing, keeping Nao's body as close as possible to her body.
Despite her heels, Ray was still several inches taller and Nao had her hands resting on Ray's shoulders. Feeling overwhelmed by Ray's proximity, Nao tried to tease her, "I am glad nobody sees us, Jagger, your dancing hasn't improved at all."
Ray didn't say a word. Keeping Nao's lower body firmly tightened, one of her hands passed over the dress fabric and stopped at Nao's butt. Ray was lost in the redhead's green eyes.
Nao felt her breath and heart's steadiness falling at the intense gaze and tried to put more physical distance between them but with no success. "Hell Jagger! You will ruin the dress squeezing me like that," she said huskily looking back at Ray with brilliant eyes.
Ray's couldn't hold back anymore, lowering her head to claim Nao's lips passionately. Nao vaguely remembered they were in a public area of the castle where anyone could see them. She whispered between kisses, "Ray…stop, we can't…here," but she was kissing Ray back despite her requests. Nao was also failing miserably to suppress her moans with Ray's mouth drifting down, kissing her neck and a hand making its way under her dress through the slit when Ray's emergency communicator ringed violently.
Ray and Nao weren't the only ones who got interrupted by the ring. After the dinner Shizuru wanted to have some time with Natsuki just for her and she managed to take the Countess out of the reception as discretely as possible and also as fast as she could.
It was so cold outside that nobody was at the big reception room's balcony at that time. Shizuru felt the cold through her thin fabric dress and noticing it, Natsuki took her elegant jacket off and placed it over Shizuru's shoulders.
"Ara, thank you, but Natsuki will get cold if she gives me her coat." Shizuru was thankful for the extra protection mainly because it was warm from the contact with Natsuki's body.
"It's Ok, Shizuru. I like the cold. I used to walk some nights at the cliffs or at the shoreline. It's not winter yet." Natsuki said smiling, looking very different than during the dinner's incident with Sergay Wang.
"I appreciate what Natsuki did during dinner, but what Colonel Wang said was true. The Viola House no longer exists. You don't have to risk your house on behalf of a name." Shizuru said almost sadly. It was strange, but she didn't feel the need to hide her emotions from Natsuki.
"Don't say that." Natsuki replied angrily. "That's like denying that you and your family existed. That you exist, right here, right now."
Shizuru was admired at the vehemence of Natsuki's arguments. "I don't deny my family or my name Natsuki, but during the attack at Kansai, all of my family died, the Viola Seal got lost, the family manor was undertaken by someone else. There is not too much else there, for me, at least."
Natsuki looked the Wolf Ring she got today that had belonged to a long line of Count Krugers during the centuries. She could not imagine losing it and she could understand Shizuru's pain. She really lost everything that night and without the Ring, the Viola House was really just a name.
"Don't be sad Natsuki, I am not. It has been a long time since that. I became an Otome and have a new path and a new life." She still had in her mind the sigh of green as a memory of that terrible night and Natsuki's eyes were so alike that sometimes she felt a shiver when looking at the new Countess' eyes.
Natsuki stared at Shizuru not knowing what else to say. She hated to see the shadow of sadness in her red eyes and she truly wanted to kill Wang for his words but she had to behave. By now. One day she will make him pay.
Shizuru voice got her back to the present. "I have a present for the new Countess Kruger."
"We agreed that you will call me Natsuki," she said frowning but happy to see Shizuru smiling "The woman will tease me, for sure."
"And I will do that… but since you have insisted that much about the Viola House issue and saved my honor tonight, I wanted to offer you the formal present from Viola House to Countess Kruger." Shizuru was finally getting into a better mood by looking at Natsuki blushing, eyes widening and getting speechless.
Shizuru handed her and small wooden box that looked very old. Natsuki's gaze went from the box to Shizuru's eyes saying "You don't have to do this."
"Ara, did Natsuki do what she did during dinner because she had to?" Shizuru asked innocently.
"Of course not! I did it because I wanted to, because that damn man…" Feeling Shizuru's finger at her lips, she froze and the words died in her throat.
"I am not doing this because I have to either."
Their gazes were locked until Natsuki finally surrendered and extended her hand to take the box. Before opening it, she said looking intensely at Shizuru.
"Thank you Shizuru…I…" She wanted to say that the present meant a lot to her coming from Shizuru but didn't find the right words without sounding like an idiot. She was mean with this woman from the beginning and now two days after, a present from her was priceless?
Seeing the Countess struggling with the words, Shizuru giggled and teased her. "I am honored to see it meant that much for you, Natsuki."
Blushing Natsuki cursed and open the box to find a silver buckle with a hydra symbol on relief. It was beautifully carved and looked old, after a few seconds of staring at it; she realized that she was seeing the ancient Viola Seal.
"Shizuru… this is… I can't…"
"Yes, you can. I want you to have it." Shizuru walked closer to Natsuki to see the buckle inside the box. "It will look great on you." Their eyes met and Shizuru explained. "It was my brother's. Of course, as many items in our families, it also belonged to my father and my grandfather. My brother got it when I was born. He was young at that time but my father put him on charge of taking care of me. I loved it when I was a child." Shizuru's voice reminisced and smiled warmly at Natsuki. "I founded the craving beautiful and I spent hours admiring it and imaging how a 'real' hydra would look."
They both smiled at that and then Natsuki said seriously. "Exactly for that reason I can't accepted."
"I had it in my hand when the attack happened and that's why I still have it with me, but when Uma Shamrock told me that we ware coming to Skáneland, some part of me thought that I had to bring it with me. And now I know why."
Natsuki didn't say a word and waited for Shizuru to explain.
"It was the symbol of a Duke. It is destined to belong to a Noble House heir and have a meaning. From now on, it will belong to a Countess. That way, at least the symbol of Viola House will remain with your House when you pass it to your future heirs." Shizuru smile got a bit sad again at that thought but ended warmly, "After how you behaved tonight, I knew I was right when I decided to bring it and give it to you."
Natsuki felt a knot in her throat. She didn't want to take something that precious away to Shizuru but she had no way to reject after Shizuru's explanation. She had only one choice. With a deeply touched voice she thanked Shizuru for the treasure.
"I am honored Shizuru. I haven't ever had a present like this and no other will be more precious than this one. I promise you, I will treasure it and it will live with the Kruger House family as long as we exist."
Neither one of them was aware of how close they got to each other during their talk. They were lost admiring each other. Shizuru was not aware when she stopped feeling cold, and Natsuki was not sure since when she started feeling warmness inside her chest. Their bodies were almost touching, their heartbeats raced, and when Shizuru raised a hand to slowly cherish Natsuki's cheek, a violent ringing brought them back to the reality.
Shizuru and Natsuki were so focused on each other that they never saw Ray and Nao going out into the same balcony for their "dance". Every couple was on the opposite extreme of the big terrace but the noisy ring brought a safe distance between Ray and Nao and maybe hindered Natsuki's first kiss. It was the emergency communicator Miyu gave them for an eventual and very improbable dangerous situation.
"What the hell!?" Ray said a bit frightened while reaching the device at her belt and then noticing Natsuki and Shizuru at the other extreme of the balcony. "Damn, I didn't see them, did they see us…?"
Natsuki jumped away from Shizuru at the sound, blushing deeply at the intimate moment they had. Looking the source of the interruption, she found Ray with that annoying Otome, Nao Zhang; her blush increased thinking that maybe they saw them few seconds before. She knew the sound was the emergency device from Horus. So calming herself, she found Shizuru's eyes and walked to where Ray and Nao were standing.
For Shizuru it was an unexpected and regrettable interruption, but she was calm, even a bit amused to see Ray and Nao's blushing faces wondering "What these two were doing here that they didn't even notice us?"
"That is not possible, Miyu-san." Ray was saying at the device.
"What happened Ray?" Natsuki felt a hole in her stomach. Ray, her controlled and confident cousin was paling with every second, noticeable even under the darkness of the balcony. She never saw Ray pale before.
"Be ready for a remote link shortly Miyu-san. I have to speak with Natsuki and the others." Cutting the communication, Ray met Natsuki's eyes. "Something really bad is happening Natsuki. We better call everybody to the War Room. According to Miyu-san's report, a foreign, heavily armed Cruiser, most probably a hostile one is approaching fast to the Skáneland planetary space. According Miyu's calculations, it shall be in our orbit in about four hours."
"A cruiser? One cruiser? And why are you so worried about one cruiser, Ray?"
"Miyu-san never has seen a cruiser like this one before and according Miyu, the Otomes in Skáneland will not be able to materialize."
"What!? That's not fucking possible Jagger." Nao had recovered from the shock of being caught in Ray's arms but this shock was worse.
"Shizuru-san, Nao-san, please try to materialize or try to use your GEM in any way."
After a while, both Nao and Shizuru looked back at Ray and Natsuki, their eyes telling everything Natsuki needed to know. Something was really wrong. They didn't feel anything strange but their power just wasn't there.
"Ray, get everybody of Kruger House at the main War Room. Be quiet, we don't want to cause alarm between our guests. Have someone to check the security systems. Shizuru, Zhang-san, please get your people as well. I will go get my mother. I will meet you there immediately," were Natsuki prompt orders and everybody left to their missions, all of them feeling the anxiety rushing forth. Shizuru saw Natsuki's back walking away wondering what the young Countess could be feeling.
Why are you reading this? There is another chapter waiting for you!