067. Misguided

Sakura strolled into Tomoyo's bedroom, making sure to close the door behind her. "Tomoyo, did you know that there are rumours flying around in court about you and Lord Eriol of a very illicit nature?"

Tomoyo nodded serenely, putting down her needlework to look Sakura in the eye, "Yes, I am aware Sakura. I'm surprised we're calling them rumours." She joined her cousin on her bed, "Did everyone not realise that I actually suggested the very thing in court? In front of dozens of other nobles?"

Sakura tried to put on her most scandalised expression, "You're the King's niece Tomoyo, you can't expect them to come right out and say it."

Tomoyo shrugged, "I suppose. It doesn't bother me. Does Uncle know?'

"Father?" Sakura cocked her head, "oh yes, I think he heard."

Tomoyo blanched, "And?"

"And what?" Sakura replied innocently.

Tomoyo sighed, "Is he mad?"

Sakura giggled, patting Tomoyo's hand, "He was about to fly into a rage and throw those 'rumour mongers' into jail before I told him you were the one who practically announced it in court."

"So now he's mad at me?" Tomoyo asked, frowning.

Sakura shook her head, "Not really, I told him you were just lying to save Lord Eriol. I think now he's just exasperated that you had to resort to such measures."

Tomoyo quickly let out a little laugh, "Oh good, I would hate for Uncle to be mad at me."

"Please," Sakura admonished lightly, "Father could never get mad at you."

Tomoyo smiled, "I know. He's a big softie."

"So..." Sakura shifted closer to Tomoyo on the bed, inclining her head towards her cousin eagerly, "What was Lord Eriol like?"

"He was understanding of my situation, if that's what you mean. He agreed to keep my secret." Tomoyo replied, smoothing down her skirts and avoiding eye contact with Sakura.

Sakura rolled her eyes (their etiquette teacher would have had a heart attack if she had seen), "No, that was not what I meant at all Tomoyo. I meant it in a more, non-boring, 'is he cute' kind of way."

"Oh." Tomoyo bit her lips, "Well, I guess he was rather handsome," recalling Lord Eriol's face, she continued, "Had a rather intellectual air about him. I liked how he stood up to Lord Albert. It was brave, and you know how he is one of the few nobles still loyal to Uncle."

"You like him." Sakura said with a smile.

"What?" Tomoyo raised her voice slightly, "Of course not, don't be silly Sakura. I saw him for maybe 5 minutes in the dungeons. And the next time I was far too busy trying to thwart Lord Albert."

"Exactly!" Sakura exclaimed triumphantly, a finger in the air, "You only spent 5 minutes with him in the dark dingy dungeons and the next thing I know, you were ruining your reputation in court to free him."

If Tomoyo had been the sort of girl to roll her eyes, she probably would have at that moment, but because she wasn't, she settled with patting her cousin lightly on the hand and smiled wanly, "I just did not want his death on my conscience, that's all."

Luckily for Tomoyo, before Sakura could say anything else, they were interrupted by a knock on the door.

"My Lady, Lord Eriol requests a meeting."

Sakura smiled impishly at Tomoyo's expression of shock, "You were saying dear cousin?"

xxx

Eriol stood steadily still in the private gardens of Lady Tomoyo, his sweating palms the only betrayal of his nervousness. Spotting Lady Tomoyo making her way towards him, he turned to face her and bowed deeply, "Thank you for agreeing to meet with me my Lady."

Lady Tomoyo curtsied gracefully, "No thanks necessary. I confess myself quite curious to your coming here." She rose from her curtsey and regarded Eriol curiously, her gaze seemed to only increase his heart rate and he wiped his palms on the back of his pants discreetly.

Eriol cleared his throat, "My Lady, you must know that I keep away from court?"

Lady Tomoyo nodded slowly, "I am aware, that you stay away from politics although your father was an excellent support and help to the King when he was alive."

Eriol wasn't sure if he had detected judgement in her voice.

"Yes, well, even with my distance from court, I have heard whispers of your ruined reputation." Eriol began, glancing at Lady Tomoyo to gauge her expression.

She had raised a delicate eyebrow and eyed him with a rather amused expression, "I'm sure you have."

"Right." Eriol took a deep breath and went down on one knee.

Lady Tomoyo quickly lost her playful expression and paled alarmingly, taking a few steps back, an expression of utter confusion on her face.

"Please Lady Tomoyo," Eriol beseeched, "I know this may not be the most ideal situation, but I assure you my Lady that I would do everything necessary to restore your reputation and good name. I will be able to provide for us comfortably with the income from my estate, and I promise that I would be a good husband to you, if you would do me the honour of giving me your hand in marriage."

There was a pregnant pause after his declaration, in which Lady Tomoyo seemed to gather her wits about her, then with a determined voice she replied, "No Lord Eriol. Perhaps my reputation has been sullied but I assure you, this is a very misguided attempt at fixing whatever it is you deem needs fixing."

Eriol opened his mouth to try to reason with her again but was cut off quickly.

"I will marry for love, or not all all Lord Eriol."

Eriol quickly replied, "We could grow to love each other. I know I could love you."

Lady Tomoyo shook her head quickly, "You hardly know me Lord Eriol."

"I wager I know more about you than most." Eriol shot back.

Tomoyo narrowed her eyes but conceded, "Perhaps you know my secret, but that doesn't mean you know me. If you did know me, then you would know that I could never love someone like you Lord Eriol."

Eriol set his jaw, "Someone like me? Perhaps we are both guilty in thinking we know the other."

"Ah," Lady Tomoyo smiled slightly, "But I am an excellent judge of character Lord Eriol. You are a man who I imagine grew up coasting through life with the protection of his father's wealth and estate, and who isn't interested in discovering his own potential, content with his present life free of worries. I could never love a man like that, one who would rather live detached from the world in his own little bubble."

Her last words hung in the air as Eriol rose slowly from the ground. Taking a step back, his expression unreadable, he bowed, "I see."

Lady Tomoyo curtsied in turn, "Thank you for coming here Lord Eriol. Perhaps it will be best if we do not see each other again. Who knows what else is going to spread around court tomorrow if anyone caught wind of your visit here." Inclining her head towards the exit, she said, "You will see yourself out?"

And with a swish of her skirts, she was gone, leaving Eriol to stand alone in her beautiful gardens, his hands now cold, and heart strangely empty.

xxx

I know, I know. Where have I been? My sincere apologies guys! Honours can be such a bitch sometimes. My thesis is killing me slowly so I thought writing about something other than regional politics and integration would help relax me a bit and prolong the inevitable. Hope you guys enjoyed this instalment of vigilante!Tomoyo and nobleman!Eriol. Don't worry guys, Tomoyo will come around once Eriol decides to make something of his life. Reviews and comments much appreciated! Would love to see just how many of you haven't abandoned ship yet! Hahahahaha.