Thank you everyone who reviewed. I am glad that all of you appreciate my work.

I am trying to include some twist and turns in the story to make things more exciting. I hope you will like them. Anyways, the story needs to unfold sooner or later…no point in dragging things unnecessarily, right?

I should stop with my rant and let's get on with the story.

Disclaimer: I do not own KWMS.

Misaki stared out of her balcony as a gentle breeze blew; the wind teased her hair as it played with her raven tresses. Even though her face showed no expression, her eyes told an entirely different story. They reflected a myriad of expressions- confusion, worry, sorrow, affection…longing.

A week had passed since they 'stumbled' upon Kenichi in the woods. His sudden appearance had a major impact in Misaki's life. Since then Usui started to remain distant from her. Long gone was his playfulness, him teasing her and her shouting out something unintelligent in response. A cold façade always masked his face and he radiated an uncharacteristic aura of solemnity whenever Misaki was around. This didn't go unnoticed by the said female. With every passing day, she could see Usui losing himself in an abyss of solitude and much to her surprise, his sudden change in attitude didn't sit well with Misaki.

Over the past few days, unbeknownst to both of them, the two had come quite close to each other. What sort of relationship they had was still a mystery to her, which yet needed to be unraveled. Was it friendship…or something deeper?

Misaki shook her head to quickly disperse the thought.

'Perhaps it's just all in my head,' she tried to reason with herself. She immediately grunted at her ignorance.

What bothered him so much? Was it something that Kenichi had said? Did he do this to Usui? But what could have had such an impact on him that resulted in such a rift between those two?

Hundreds of questions bombarded her mind but she received answers to none. She groaned in frustration, as she rubbed her temples to ease the headache that was quickly building up. Yes, she wanted answers but Misaki refused to confront Usui and demand them from him. She didn't want to probe and hence decided to give him space...time for him to trust her, for him to confide in her.

'Does he not trust me?' she sighed in exasperation. 'Why can't he just come up to me if something is troubling him? Why does he want to face everything on his own?'

Silence greeted her. Not even her mind replied with plausible reasons.

"I want the old Usui back."

Amber eyes widened as soon as those words left her mouth. Suddenly the scene of the kiss they shared replayed before her eyes.

A red hue reflexively tinted her cheeks as she began to feel the familiar butterflies in her stomach every time she thought about the 'gesture'.

Slowly Misaki raised her hand and touched her lips.

"It was my first kiss…and he stole it. But why don't I feel anger? On the contrary, why does my heart skip a beat every time I come across him? Why does my chest tighten each time he acts indifferently?"

Her words swayed at the end and her voice cracked. Bringing a dainty finger up to trace her cheek, she stroked the tear roll and stared at the offending drop.

"What are you doing to me…Usui Takumi?"

As she recalled the past events, Misaki let out a small sigh. It was a big move from her side. She had been planning to do this all along…but why was she hurting so much now?

"Princess," Usui said in a monotone voice to get the attention of Misaki who was talking to Kei, a spokesperson in King Ayuzawa's court. He was in charge of the legal and political aspects of the land and an entrusted man of her father.

"You may leave now. Remember that the king does not need to be enlightened on this matter," Misaki said sternly.

Kei nodded and handed her a scroll before politely excusing himself.

Usui chuckled inwardly at Misaki's attempt to radiate an aura of authority. For all she knew, he could see right through her. Then he eyed the scroll in her hands. It seemed like a legal document but he let it slide for the moment. He had his own matters to worry about.

Now, the two of them stood in the corridor as an awkward silence stretched.

Usui continued to maintain his stoic façade while Misaki inwardly cringed at his cold attitude.

"Usui-"

"May I be excused for a few days?" Usui asked sharply.

Misaki's face faltered for a second before she composed herself again.

"May I know why?"

Usui's silence answered her immediately.

"I-it is fine if y-you don't wish to answer. I guess I was probing," Misaki forced a smile.

Taking a deep breath, she held out the scroll for him to take.

Usui eyed it and then at her questionably.

"What is this?"

"Why don't you take a look yourself?"

Usui sighed impatiently. "Princess, I am in a hurry. Please may I be excused for I have…a few errands to run?"

Tears threatened to leak out of Misaki's eyes. It was taking all her will power to maintain the indifferent act. She gripped the scroll tighter as her hand had now begun to shake.

"I am sure after reading through this, you wouldn't need my permission," she replied solemnly.

Doing as he was told, Usui quickly took the scroll from her hand and unrolled it. Carefully scanning over the words scripted on it, he slowly raised his head with an unreadable expression to look at Misaki who had been gazing at him all along, as if waiting for his reaction.

A look of disappointment marred her features when she didn't receive the reaction she was expecting.

'He seems…discontent?' Misaki pondered. 'B-but why? Doesn't he want this?'

When Usui didn't say a word for a while, Misaki decided to break the silence by voicing her doubt.

"Aren't you happy? I thought you wanted to be free from this curse all your life!? Now you are finally a free man, Usui…free from enslavement!"

Like Misaki had promised, she had finally been able to remove the tag 'slave' from Usui's forehead. Although it was mainly Kei who had played the chords and managed to get the King's stamp as an authorization by sneaking in the releasing document in a pile of other legal papers which also required his confirmation, but it was Misaki who had come up with the plan. How she managed to coax Kei into doing so was an entirely different story. And all her efforts paid off as Usui stood there with the 'authorized' scroll that screamed out his freedom, clutched tightly in his hold. But each time she eyed the grim look on his face, she couldn't help but feel disappointed...perhaps doubtful on whether she truly succeeded in her mission or not.

Suddenly, Usui took a step towards her but came to a sudden halt as if he remembered something. On the other hand, Misaki's heart skipped a beat in anticipation only to experience unfathomable disappointment when she saw him turning back.

Her eyes widened as realization dawned on her.

'Is-is he leaving?'

"I guess you are leaving," she said weakly and let out a small bitter laugh.

Usui stopped in his steps but never did he turn to face her.

Realizing her slight slip, Misaki quickly tried to smoothen it up. "I mean why wont you. You surely do have a home to return to, right?"

"Thank you Princess…for everything," Usui replied curtly with his back turned before going on his way.

Misaki silently sobbed as she whispered to herself, "Will you come back Takumi?"

Unbeknownst to her, the wind carried her message successfully to the ears of the said man.

Misaki quietly watched the retreating back of the man who always used to bring out a completely side of her…who turned her world upside her…who stirred up so many emotions in her heart.

It had been five days since then and Misaki never heard a word about Usui. She didn't know where he went, what he did after he left the castle premises. All she knew is that a gap had now formed in her life which could never be refilled.

Three days ago~

"My Lord," Kenichi croaked as he bowed before his superior. "True to my word, I have brought him at the earliest possible time." He finished his rant with a touch of pride and self satisfaction while he waited for his 'lord' to finally acknowledge his existence and shower him with praises and perhaps a promotion.

But much to his chagrin, all he got was a small nod from the lord who had been observing the other person all along and a wave of his hand which announced his time to exit.

Disbelief and disappointed flooded his features as he nodded hesitatingly before rushing out of the room.

With the 'extra' presence out of the way, Charles Walker, the Lord of the Western Lands fully paid his attention to the person who stood before him with a look of determination and anger.

"So we meet again," Charles spoke smoothly. His baritone voice echoed through the room. It seemed that his deep voice didn't lose its touch of superiority over the long years but little did it faze the other man who continued to stand rooted to his spot.

"What do you want from me?"

"Well, well young man. I see you haven't changed much over the years. Beating around the bush was never your forte…straight down to business," he taunted. "I have always liked that about you."

"Do you honestly believe you are going to fool me with that chirpy act, old man?" the other person smirked.

Charles narrowed his eyes in annoyance and gripped the glass of champagne he was holding tightly.

"Is that how you should talk to your grandfather, Usui Takumi?"

I couldn't find Usui's grandfather's name anywhere so I just made one up.

And don't worry, I'll make sure this story doesn't become a tragedy.

Please review and let me know your thoughts.

I'll try to update sooner next time. :)