Disclaimer : I do not own KWMS.
"Ah! This is what I call a paradise." He slurred as he placed his mug of beer on the table with a loud thump. "Execute rebels and law breakers, get showered with gold coins and quench my thirst in the tavern...Aren't I doing the society a favor? Ridding it off the rascals. Bless my selfless soul."
"Well, aren't you cocky as ever Shinzo?"
The said male turned his head to acknowledge the voice that interrupted his musings. Rubbing his eyes to adjust his blurred vision, Shinzo gazed intently at the approaching figure that seemed to address him with such familiarity.
"Now don't tell me, you can't remember me?"
The oversized male scratched his greasy hair in response. Taking another sip of his beer, he burped before slurring, "Quit pestering me, fella... Let me enjoy in peace." His voice died down, his eyelids becoming heavy with every word.
"Ah I see that you have forgotten the reason behind your...pleasure." The voice bit out.
Post his comment, Shinzo's head sprung up in reflex, all his senses bombarding his head at the same time.
"You don't mean?"
"Yes. It's good to see you back to your senses."
"What does he want from me this time? Last time, I was following his orders but then-"
The other figure raised his hand to cut him off. "I have no need for such insignificant details."
Shinzo gulped nervously.
"Tell me where is he?"
"I...I have no clue." Shinzo stuttered.
The sound of metal clinging echoed through the room and Shinzo soon found a sword dangling close to his neck.
'Too close...' his mind screamed as his eyes worriedly glanced at the shiny object that threatened to rid his shoulders off his head.
"Try again." The voice hissed.
The sinister glint in his eyes made the hairs on Shinzo's neck stand on end while his brain reeled to come up with a safer reply…alas the alcohol was doing him no good.
"Sold away…" he mumbled.
The impression that the other person wanted more details became more evident when the sword was pressed further close to his neck, breaking the skin slightly as a stream of blood rolled down its blade.
"He was bought by a woman." Shinzo squeaked and squirmed as his gaze darkened.
"Who is that woman?" The figure sneered.
"I don't know. She didn't seem to be an aristocrat. Her clothing was plain and her appearance didn't radiate royalty. I would say she would be nothing more than a commoner."
Satisfied with the information, he slowly drew his sword back and sheathed it.
"Can you identify her if she comes before your eyes?"
"Yes!" Shinzo croaked and rubbed his neck to ease the pain that was coursing through.
"Very well…" the figure hummed. "Consider your life spared."
Shinzo breathed a sigh of relief as he watched the other person slowly retreat.
"Man that was a close call…but nothing I couldn't handle," he silently huffed.
Before he could raise his mug for another sip, he found a hand resting on his shoulder.
"What the-" Shinzo was silenced when his eyes met the familiar ones of his 'predator'.
"You are coming with me."
"Eh?"
Dragging the drunken man by his collar, the subaltern strode out of the tavern whispering, "You have the gratitude of the Lord."
'Just what was I thinking?'
Running his fingers through his blond bangs, Usui sighed frustratingly.
'I guess I wasn't in my right mind. She is a princess...a royal figure. What are you? A filthy slave who is blamed for merely existing.' he chided himself.
'You know that's not the truth,' a voice in his head replied. 'You are nobody of lesser stature...if not higher,' it defended.
Usui hung his head, his bangs covering by eyes.
Letting out a small bitter laugh, he pondered.
'Look at me, giving myself false hope. Love, passion, why do we get caught up by such troublesome feelings? The mind couldn't ever get things straight, and you lose control to know what is sensible. Deep down, it's all so vexing...What are you doing to me, princess?'
Sighing silently to himself, Usui continued to breeze through the corridor when the sound of heels clicking against the marbled floor reached his ears.
'I am being followed.'
Coming to a sudden stop, he slowly turned his head. He wasn't surprised when his eyes found no one behind him.
Closing his eyes to hide the frustration that reflected in them and masking his face with the usual impassiveness, Usui fully turned around and said, "You can show yourself now."
"Oh you caught me," Suzuna giggled and came out from behind the pillar. "How observant of you."
Usui remained silent as his face revealed utmost boredom.
After receiving no response from the man Suzuna walked gracefully towards him swaying her hips with each step and traced the side of his face with a slender finger.
"Angry young man?" she asked seductively. "Just the type I like."
Waiting patiently for the female to come straight to the business, Usui remained mum while his eyes reflected the irritation that was slowly building up in his mind.
Taking his silence as a positive signal, Suzuna smirked proudly.
"I knew no man can resist my charm," she began. "What say, how about a change of masters?" Suzuna cooed, batting her eyelashes and pouting her lips. "A hunk like you deserves better than a flat chested, butt- ugly, emotionally distressed lost cause."
"Are you done with your little gimmick? I would like to retire for the night." Usui said smoothly before gently grazing past her.
He really needed to control himself before her words could further instigate him from doing anything remorseful.
Shocked by the rejection, Suzuna stood there rooted to her spot for a moment with mouth agape. As humiliation drew on her, Suzuna's face reddened up as she quickly hurled at him and pulled him by the collar.
"Did…did you just turn me down?"
Easily releasing himself from her tight grip, Usui smirked before replying, "How observant of you."
Satisfied with the reaction he received, Usui once again started to walk away from her ridiculous presence when the sound of Suzuna's muffled laughter invaded his ears.
"You love her, don't you?"
Emerald eyes widened while her words stopped him dead on his tracks. Quickly turning around, he was met with the sight of an amused female and a gentle smile plastered on her face.
"Now don't you deny it." Suzuna teased as she lightly nudged him in his ribs. Her eyes softened as she continued, "I have seen the way you look at her…the innocent mischief that lights your eyes when you tease her, the longing gaze when she is not in your range of sight, the jealousy that shades your orbs when she speaks to other men, the raging fires that blazes your eyes when someone hurts her. If this is not love then how else can you explain such reactions?"
"I merely care for her because she saved my life from something…uneventful." Usui defended. "I owe her my life."
"Oh is that so?" Suzuna blinked as she feigned to be in deep thought. "It seems like denial is in the air. But you hurt her…you will regret ever meeting me."
Confused by her sudden change of attitude, Usui retorted back, "You sound quite worried for a sister who possesses such 'noble' thoughts for her sibling."
"Don't get me wrong, mister." Suzuna smiled. "I was merely testing your loyalty toward my sister. Misaki may find me as one of those pompous rich princesses who can turn the world upside down if not given a solitaire everyday but let me tell you I care deeply for my sister. Well, it's a different story that I don't let it show much."
"Do I see a halo on your head now?" Usui teased.
"Better hide it before Misaki gets her eyes on it and changes her impression toward me." Suzuna replied smiling.
"But I have to give you that much, princess…you have got a colorful vocabulary. You looked very natural back there. Your stunt had me fazed for a while."
"Well it wasn't all a lie…" Suzuna defended. "…definitely not the part where you are a handsome angry young man. I would not complain much if you choose me over my worthless sister," she joked.
"I must admit that your offer is quite tempting, princess." Usui played along.
Unbeknownst to the both of them, the corridor was also occupied by a third presence who had decided to join later and eavesdrop.
Deciding to stop invading their privacy, the figure carefully sneaked out from its hiding spot and retreated to its chamber…all along radiating a gloomy aura.
Plopping down on the bed, she sniffled and brushed the single tear roll that broke out.
You are a handsome angry young man. I would not complain much if you choose me over my worthless sister.
I must admit that your offer is quite tempting, princess.
"Is this what you truly want, Usui?" Misaki whispered. "If so, then I will not hold you back." Her voice faded out and she cried herself to sleep that night, dreaming about a certain blond male with striking emerald eyes.
Misunderstandings, misunderstandings…
Is Misaki really going to let him go?
What will Usui do?
What's the case with Shinzo and the Lord?
Find out in the next chapter. Review please.
Until then… Ja ne.