Author's Note: Yay! For once I am able to grant the command of "update soon"! XD so proud. :3 but that's only b/c I already finished writing it when I posted the last chap… so kinda cheated… XD Regardless—characters are all coming back one by one for revealing of all our questions… Anyone remember Jelensta? ;) I said on my bio page I'd update on March 10, well, it's march 10th, 12:09 am right now, so technically on the day, right? :P
)Light in the Darkness( - Aww thanks so much! Glad you like you like it so much! :) Haha but I hope did get your hw done later! n.n;
)insanity-ward( - I know! Sakura's digging her own grave at the rate she's going… very soon her past will come back to haunt her… T_T
)witch cheri( - Aww, I know… I don't even know who to pair Lilia up with… There's just no way to make everyone happy… DX
)brownie bunny( - Haha thanks.
Thanks so much for all the reviews!
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Chapter Sixteen
Complications
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The black horse whined loudly as it stood on its hind legs, nearly toppling over from the sheer force the owner applied when pulling the reigns. Unfortunately the rider wasn't so lucky. He fell off the horse as a painful grunt escaped his lips. Despite the pain and bruises on his arm from falling off the horse, he reached forward for the red-headed woman.
"KAHO!" He cried, grabbing her wrist tightly, causing both of them to roll down the hill together.
Kaho's eyes were squeezed tightly shut as they finally came to a stop. Oh no… she thought, feeling someone else's body atop her own, pinning her down. He caught me… he caught me… I'm dead… going to sent back to that hideous King—
"Kaho…" the man said softly, as he brushed a strand of hair aside from her face.
Kaho's eyes snapped open at the voice, and she couldn't believe her eyes.
She had always been a very composed, young woman. Rarely daunted by anything that came her way. But at the sight of this man she couldn't help the tears that fell down her cheek. "Touya…" she whispered, her minding racing. "Touya!" In a burst of joy, she threw her arms tightly around him. She couldn't believe it… he came for her… he went through all this trouble to find her… he came for her! The only man she's ever loved, came for her. Even the thought of being captured by the King couldn't ruin her mood now.
Touya was surprised at her sudden gesture, but after a few seconds he finally relaxed awkwardly as he patted her head gently, unsure what else he should do.
When she finally let him go, the bright smile on her face simply couldn't fade. "You came looking for me…" she said happily. "You came for me…"
"Well… err…" he coughed. "Kaho… why didn't you tell me?"
"Tell you what?"
"That you're a wanted criminal…"
Her smile faded in an instant. "I…" she looked away. "I'm not a criminal… I'm only wanted by the King because I escaped his grasp and disobeyed his order. I told you all of this the first day I met you." She replied softly. So is this why he came? To accuse me of being a liar…?
"Yeah, but you didn't say anything about the huge bounty on your head…"
She turned towards him angrily. "Is that it then? You came to find me so you could turn me in? Are you that short on gold?"
It was Touya's turn to frown. "How could you think so lowly of me? I would never betray friends and family."
"Well I'm not family."
"Are you saying we're not friends either?"
She stayed silently.
"Anyways," he continued, sighing. "What I meant was, why didn't you tell me the situation you were in? Had I known, I would never have let you leave the house in the first place. I'd chain you down if I had to, but no way I'd let you leave, alone, into an unknown world, while in such danger." He scolded gently.
Kaho's eyes widened slightly. She wanted to give a comeback, but all she could bring herself up to say was, "Sorry."
"Don't be sorry. This time you're coming back with me and you will not make the same mistake again, understood?"
"Yes…" she replied, with the barely hint of a smile. "So um… could you possibly get off me now please?"
Touya glanced down and realized he was still lying on top of Kaho. "Oh, I'm so sorry!" He exclaimed, quickly getting up. "OW!"
"Touya! Are you all right?"
He cursed slightly as he stared at his right hand. "Not good… I think I twisted my wrist… and my ankle…" he grumbled. "Well this is some brilliant rescue…"
"Well I think it was very impressive…" She said with a smile as she leaned down and kissed his swollen wrist.
Touya could only stare as she did so. Staring at the way her beautiful, long red hair puddled around her; the way she sat so gracefully with her legs tugged in neatly underneath her; the creamy whiteness of her pale white skin. And from his view, her long eyelashes… her figure… He shook his head quickly. He was surprised at the thoughts that ran through his head. He couldn't remember the last time he studied a woman this closely, and loving every feature. Slowly, with his left hand, he hugged her tightly against his chest, feeling her cheek and her body pressed again him. "I'm sorry I let you suffer so much… I promise I will protect you from this day forth…" He whispered.
Kaho's eyes widened slightly, as a million thoughts raced through her head. Happiness, joy, bliss, delight… Sakura. But she shoved that last thought out of her head as she closed her eyes, wrapping her arms around his waist, listening to his soft, protective whispers.
—
They arrived at Touya's home deep into the night, both of them injured everywhere, supporting one another.
Slowly, they opened the door the closed it behind them, careful not to wake Chiika.
"Listen, Kaho," Touya whispered, as he took her hand slowly. "Soldiers from the King came today—that's how I found out about you—and from the looks of it they're searching for you from house to house, waving that fancy 50,000 gold reward under everyone's nose, tempting them. Which is why…" he sighed. "Well, I guess I can't exactly forbid you to leave the house… but when you do, please, please, please be careful. Make sure to tie your hair up or something and always wear a big hat that would shield part of your face. If you see anyone, anyone at all—even if it's neighbours—looking suspicious, or looking at you too close, go home instantly. Try not to talk to anyone at all, because I know everyone in this area has seen a sketch of you by now, and they would definitely love the handsome amount of gold. Tomorrow first thing in the morning, when Chiika awakes, the three of us will have a talk about where you should hide should anything suspicious happen, and see what would be the most suitable role you would play. I won't let Chiika know the full details but she should at least know some so that she would be prepared to use some of that acting skill should the necessary time come." He sighed in frustration. "The King of our land is prideful and arrogant—despite how simple your crime is, it insulted him, and from the way the soldiers were today, the King is definitely eager to bring you back and see to your suffering."
Kaho was going to laugh at how over cautious and careful he was being, but the look from his eyes told her he was dead serious, and he was worried about her. He cared about her. Just that thought alone drowned out all her complaints. What more could she ask for? This was the impossible dream she prayed for daily for the past few years. It's finally come true. She would be good, she would not disappoint him. "I understand, Touya." She looked away, her eyes slightly sorrowful. "I'm sorry for bringing this trouble upon you and your daughter…" she apologized softly. "Had I only been less stubborn—maybe if I just listened to the King… just stayed by him… none of them would've ever happe—"
He lifted her chin so that she could look at him directly in the eyes. "I don't regret any of this, Kaho." He said sincerely. "So don't you regret your decision. You're a brave and righteous woman, with burning flames of determination—don't let that arrogant King kill that beautiful fire of yours."
Kaho smiled. "Thank you, Touya. I promise I will help wherever I can, and I promise I will not trouble you, nor bring misfortune upon you."
They bid each other goodnight as Touya headed towards his room, and Kaho began heading towards Chiika's, which is where she previously slept—a mattress on the floor next to Chiika's bed—but then thought better of it. Not wanting to wake the dear girl up, she grabbed a blanket and settled on the cramped couch, despite her aching back and injured arms and legs.
The excitement from the day was catching on, and she soon drifted into a deep, happy slumber.
—
A few hours before dawn, Touya woke from his sleep uncomfortably as he headed to the kitchen to find some ice to ease his burning wrist.
On his way there, he was surprised to find Kaho sleeping in what would appear to be a very uncomfortable position on the couch. He walked over and knelt down next to her, staring at her pale face, brushing her contrasting bright red hair back behind her ear. "What are you doing to me…?" he asked softly, his expression calm and slightly melancholy. His wrist was long forgotten.
He sat there for perhaps half an hour when his fatigue began catching on. He yawned and leaned in hesitantly to kiss her on her forehead. When he got up to leave, he paused, thought about it, before he turned back around and picked Kaho up into his arms, and carried her into his room, onto his soft, comfortable bed.
Touya drew the blanket up and tucked it under her chin, before he left the room with a smile on his face, as he tried to find a semi-comfortable position on the hard couch.
—
"What was it like…? You know, growing up, for you." King Syaoran asked, as he stared into the sky. He is currently lying down on a comfortable patch of tall grass in one of his many gardens, his hands behind his head leisurely.
Sakura glanced at his position, lying across the grass, as she drew her knees closer to her chest, and rested her cheek atop her kneecaps. She closed her eyes, smelling the lovely aroma around her, and feeling the calm wind blowing through her hair. Truly, today was a perfect day. "Well, you know, like everyone else's."
He turned his head slightly as he looked at her with a small smile. "I wouldn't bet on that."
She chuckled. "Of course it would seem near nothing compared to yours, majesty."
"I wouldn't bet on that either…" he mumbled, closing his eyes.
"Well," Sakura began, thinking back to the days when the only thing on her mind was playing in the sand and swings… when everyone was still so innocent and naïve, having yet to be corrupted by the deceits and pleasures of life. "I was born into a relative small family… being the only child and all…" she felt tears welling up at the memories of her parents. "My father was a writer, and mother was an entertainer. Father was commissioned from time to time to write articles for newspapers and magazines and such, while mother sang and danced whenever a local pub needed an entertainer. Life was never too stable, and during bad times we could barely feed ourselves…"
Sakura wiped at tear that slipped her right eyes. "But they were good to me, and my childhood was full of joy. I was never forced to work… I was told to go play with friends whenever I can, because they wanted me to be happy… So my childhood was of schooling, learning, and playing in the sandbox with many friends…
"But then when I was 12 my mother got sick… and she soon passed away, leaving father and I… My dad loved mom very, very much, and the tragedy of her death took a huge toll on him. With the pressure of her death and his unstable job and fear of not taking care of me properly, he soon fell ill, too. When that happened, he called up his sister and her husband, and gave me to them. That was the day I met my cousin… who would later become my—" she coughed, choking on her words. "m-my best friend…" she said quickly. God. Touya. At that thought she suddenly felt disgusted at herself. Touya… my Touya… I'm sorry dearest, but I can't help it… everyday that I stay in this castle… next to the King… my memories of you fades little by little… piece by piece… I am trying my best but I can't help it… Oh Touya…
"And then…?" The King urged her to go on.
"And then… well, nothing, really. I grew up with my aunt and uncle… my father passed away soon after I left…" she sighed. "Sometimes I feel it's my fault… I mean how could I have just left my sick father to care for himself? But of course regret is the most useless word in any language. I graduated middle school, high school, and eventually college, majoring in journalism. I guess I'm sort of following in my father's footsteps… and that's how I met… well, Ilonka."
His eyes snapped open. "Ilonka? You know Ilonka?"
She smiled shyly. "Well, yes… I didn't mention it before because I didn't want to cause any problems or unwanted attention…"
"Wow… so tell me your secret."
"What secret?"
"How do you deal with that temper and mood-swing?" Sakura laughed at the sour expression on Syaoran's face. "It's not funny…" he mumbled.
"Oh, she's not bad… I know Ilonka had a bad childhood, which is why she's so tough… but she's a sweetheart."
Syaoran nearly choked at the last word. "A sweetheart? Are you lacking in vocabulary?"
Sakura laughed even harder. "I'm serious! She can be quite a sweetheart… when she's in the mood to be, that is."
"Great…" he mumbled. "I guess that just means I keep catching her on bad days…" He sighed. "Well, do continue…"
"There's nothing more, really. I stayed in the village, living with my… cousin… Ilonka became a publisher and she gave me many jobs to write articles when I needed, my… cousin had a thing for the whole "eat what you grow". So he spent all days at home growing our daily needs and meals. My meager income was often either saved or used for the small treats we would allow ourselves once in a blue moon… then of course the day came when I saw that poster…" she glanced at him. "about the King of our land looking for a wife… and the rest is history."
"Took you long enough though…"
"For what?"
He smiled teasingly at her. "For you to get here. It's been what, nearly a year since this competition started? Because I met you so late I had to go through so much torture from all those women!" he said jokingly.
Sakura blushed prettily as she smiled shyly back him. "Sometimes the anticipation is the best part." She replied, with red hues still bright in her cheeks.
The King laughed. "Too true, too true! But in this case, the real thing is definitely much better."
Sakura giggled, burying her face in arms, hiding her deepened blush. "Stop teasing me…" she mumbled.
"Oh, all right all right…" he replied grumpily, though his eyes were still twinkling.
"Well, I-I think it's only fair you tell me of your childhood now…" Sakura said quickly, before he said anything else.
The smile faded away from his lips quickly. "Well, I suppose it's only fair…" he said softly, staring off into the distance. "If you thought your childhood was bad, I'll guarantee you mine's even more pathetic…
"As you, and everyone else knows, I was born into the royal family, destined to be King since birth, as I was the only son among 4 sisters." He began, an annoyed expression on his face as Sakura tried to stifle her laughter. "I pretty much didn't even have a childhood. All I remember was learn, learn, and more learning. I didn't even go to school—I was home schooled. The only people I saw daily were my teacher, my trainers, and my mother and sisters.
"And I guess I… well, never really had… friends…"
Sakura could only stare at him as she stifled a gasp. "Oh…" was all she managed. Maybe that's why he's lacking so much in social skills…
"I mean seriously… I think the closet person I had to a friend was… well, Eriol…"
At this, Sakura burst out laughing. "I-I'm so sorry!" she apologized quickly seeing the death glare he shot her, but couldn't stop herself. "It's just that, wow, your closest friend is your advisor?"
"It's not that funny…" he said dryly.
"Well I guess not… but it's just rather odd… I mean, you being a Prince and all, people would've loved to be friends with you…"
"I guess they should've… but considering I was never let out of the castle, it really didn't help…"
"What? But that's impossible?"
"You think so?" He asked wearily, glancing at her. "I don't really remember when this happened as I was too young… but… my first memories were of my mother telling me… that my father was dead, and I was destined to take over the Kingdom for him…" he whispered.
Sakura stared at him intently.
"Later on as I grew older, mother told me the whole story… See, my father had a younger brother. And had my father died, he would've been destined to take over. My father… he wasn't exactly a good King…" King Syaoran said darkly. "During the time he ruled, he… well, he killed a lot of people… beheading them, sentencing death of 9 generations… and I guess he was kind of hated. Inevitably on one of his visits to his lands he was assassinated.
"At that time, by tradition, my uncle was to take over. And he did… but about a month or so later, my mother found out she was pregnant… 7 months later I was born, a son, at last, giving us the chance to take our Kingdom back.
"And that's why I was trained so mercilessly… and taught to never trust anyone… because ever since I was a small child I had to watch my back… there were blood-thirty murderers lurking in every corner waiting to finish me off so that my uncle could reclaim—as he called it—what was "rightfully his". When I was 17, my mother passed away… it would seem like the cause was old age, but God knows what really happened… and so I kept a low profile till I turned 18, when I rightfully took over the Kingdom, and banished my uncle and all his advisors and servants and soldiers from this castle forever. And so, that was the kind of conditions I grew up in…" He concluded with a deep, empty sigh.
Sakura stared at him. "Wow…" she mumbled.
He chuckled. "I don't really know why I'm telling you all that. But damn that felt good getting it off my chest. I've had to carry all that around for way too many years. But you understand I wouldn't want this kind of rumour to get out."
"Don't worry about it, I would never tell…" she whispered. Without thinking, she touched her right hand to his forehead as she slowly brushed his long bangs away from his eyes.
He sighed at her touch. All his life, it was filled with suspicions, schemes and betrayals… what he wouldn't do to live in this moment forever… a moment where all he felt was trust and comfort… sometime he really wanted to abandon his position as the King, but he could never let his uncle own this kingdom—he would never be able to swallow that pride of his.
With a slight smile tugging on his, he grasped Sakura's hand as he pulled her towards him. With a small yelp she fell across his chest, her face barely inches from his.
"My Ki—"
But he had reached up and kissed her lips gently. There was a genuinely smile across his face as he stared deeply into her eyes, searching for trust and warmth within them. He knew that Sakura was no ordinary woman—ordinary women, to him, meant nothing but objects of desire; used when needed and abandoned when not—she was special. From her kindness to her honesty, her boldness in dangerous times, and yet her shyness when it comes to… well, this. "Why are you still nervous around me?" He asked softly.
"I-I, I'm, I'm n-not!" She stuttered, her cheeks warmed up as she felt his hand against her waist. "A-And besides, haven't you heard? A man and woman shouldn't be too intimate till they're wedded…" She felt ridiculous at her actions, after all, she was a married woman and had experienced all there is to experience… yet somehow he made her feel like a young girl again, experiencing her first love story.
He paused as he looked her over carefully. "Then let's get married." He said.
Sakura had to blink. But quickly pushed away from him and huffed. "Oh, don't say it so simply like that! You can't expect such a quickly promised marriage to mean anything to me." She glared playfully at him as she stormed away. But deep inside, her heart was pounding rapidly. How his simple words touched her.
"Hey! Come back!" He got up quickly jogging after her. "Hey Sakura, C'mon, don't just—HOLY HELL!"
Sakura spun around in alarm. She watched in horror as an arrow landed right between her and the King. Had they been any closer both of them would've been dead by now. Sakura squealed as she turned around to run.
King Syaoran face was suddenly grave and seriously. "Sakura… Don't. Move."
"What's going on here? We have to get out of here! C'mon! Let's get out of here!"
"SAKURA!" He growled as he grabbed a hold of her flailing arm, preventing her from leaving. "I said don't move!"
"What are you doing? Let go! We gotta get out of here!"
Frustrated, he growled as he picked up a pebble with his other hand. He threw it at the ground near Sakura's feet as a metal spike suddenly rose from the ground. Syaoran's expression darkened as the deadly glare returned. "I knew it… whoever the hell it is trapped this place."
"WELL WE CAN'T JUST STAY HERE!" Sakura cried as another arrow landed next to her. "WHAT IS GOING ON HERE? WHAT DO THEY WANT ME DEAD FOR?"
"They don't… clearly they're aiming for me! You just happen to be with me! GUARDS! GUARDS! ASSASSIN DETECTED! REPORT TO THE RADIANT GARDEN INSTANTLY! GUARDS!"
Within seconds, loud footsteps were heard as soldiers approached the area. Unfortunately the first few who arrived were unaware of the ground condition. As they stepped on the grounds near the King, spikes came out, piecing them through the foot.
"AAAAH!" Screams rose all around from wounded soldiers.
Waves of arrows came raining down around them. Sakura covered her head whimpering slightly, while King Syaoran's expression was as cold as stone. Who the hell could it be?
"SAKURA!" He suddenly cried as he reached forth and shielded her head with his arm. "GAH!" He growled as an arrow pieced his arm.
"My King! Are you okay?" Sakura asked frantically as she looked at the gash across his arm.
"I'm fine, worry about yourself." He glared all around. If there was only someway he could predict where this damned assassin planted all his traps so he could get his soldiers around them… All around him were useless crippled soldiers moaning in pain.
Sakura glanced around in panic and fright. Suddenly something above the thickness of the trees branches glinted. "NO!" She cried throwing her body over King Syaoran nearly knocking him over.
—
The assassin growled as Sakura's body blocked that wicked King's completely. The assassin dropped the arrow they were holding, as they spun around and disappeared from the scene. "I'll get you yet, Li…" was the last thing they whispered.
—
When nothing happened for a few seconds, Sakura slowly released her grip as she glanced behind her nervously. "I think he's gone…" she whispered.
"What makes you say that?"
Sakura stared at the tree, which is where she was sure the assassin was waiting at. "Whoever he is… it seems he's actually quite sensitive… he doesn't want to kill more than necessary… and it seems he only wants you dead."
"Oh well that's just bloody great. He only wants me dead. How sensitive of him." King Syaoran growled with a roll of his eyes.
About 5 soldiers who made it through the booby traps finally came running through, and suddenly Sakura found herself pointed at with 5 spears. "Hey!" She cried, gulping nervously.
"Your Majesty! We've caught the assassin! What should we do with her Your Highness?"
King Syaoran rolled his eyes, shaking his head in disbelief and frustration. "What are you all doing? It's obviously not her! How dare you threaten Sakura like this? Are ya'll asking for death?"
Instantly the weapons were lowers as all the guards dropped to the ground. "We're so terribly sorry Your Majesty! We were only concerned for your safety!"
"Right… Of course you are. I want you—" he pointed at one of the guards. "To escort Sakura back to her room, you two call all the doctors nearby to treat these wounded soldier, you need to accompany me to my study, and you, call Advisor Eriol to go to the throne room as soon as possible." As the last soldier bowed and got ready to do as he was told, King Syaoran stopped him. "Just a hint… he's probably in Lady Tomoyo's room…" he said dryly.
"My King… what's going on?" Sakura asked frightfully.
He shook his head as he forced a smile upon his lips. "Don't worry about it."
Sakura looked at him one last time with a deep frown before walking away with her escort.
—
Meiling sat on Tomoyo's bed, her arms folded, as she glared at Eriol. "Spill, what the hell did you tell the King?"
Eriol blinked. "Whatever do you mean, Lady Meiling?"
"Don't you Lady Meiling me! It's not like anyone in the castle hasn't noticed!" She growled getting up and pacing around furiously. "The King has changed. He's sending girl after girl home, and no new addition has joined! He's always with Sakura, and he rarely asks to see me anymore! What the hell happened between him and Sakura, huh?" She counted her fingers furiously as she mumbled something. "All right, as far as I'm concerned, and if my calculations are correct, from the original, constantly refilled batch of 50 girls, there is now only about 6 left. Me, Tomoyo, Sakura, Ilonka, and two other girls. And if my hunch is right, the other two's gonna be send home soon too."
"Now why would you say that, the King—"
"Oh don't play dumb with me! I know he's keeping Tomoyo because he knows you, Eriol, is in love with her. He's keeping me and Ilonka because I know he likes us. We're both hot-tempered and we bring excitement into his otherwise boring life. Now Sakura on the other hand… logic says she should've been long gone! But she's not, and I have a feeling…" Meiling felt a sting in her eyes. "I think he's truly fallen for her." Her head hung slightly lower, her bangs falling across her eyes. "S-So you tell me dammit, you tell me what the hell are the other two girls doing here."
A deep silence echoed through the room. Slowly, Tomoyo walked over as she hugged Meiling tightly. "Oh, Meiling…" She whispered. "Don't give up, ne? I really do think you might still have a chance…"
"Yeah? How?"
At that moment a knock was heard on the door, and soon the door was opened and Ilonka came walking in boldly, shutting the door a little too quickly and a little too roughly behind her.
Her face was grave and she paid no heed to the fact that Tomoyo was comforting a miserable Meiling.
Ilonka walked straight towards Tomoyo's bed where she sat down on top of it and drew her knees towards her chest. Though her gesture showed that of a little girl's, her eyes were glaring murder.
Eriol took a few steps back unintentionally. Something about her scared him a little. "Tomoyo. How well do you know Sakura?" She asked tightly.
Tomoyo looked up thoughtfully, one arm still around Meiling's shoulder. "Well I only met her here…"
"Well that doesn't answer my question now does it? How well do you know her?"
Tomoyo frowned. Ilonka was an old friend of hers—they've known each other many, many years, and this was the first time she heard her friend speak to her in such a demanding and harsh tone. "I-I, well I guess pretty well."
Ilonka turned her head slowly towards Tomoyo. "Good. Now correct me if I'm wrong—isn't Sakura bloody married?"
Meiling's head snapped up.
Eriol stared at her in shock.
But Ilonka paid no heed to the reaction; she also didn't give a damn that they now all knew. "Well? Isn't she? Or is my memory failing me?"
Tomoyo closed her eyes. How could she forget?
—
"And guess what else I found out about her?"
"Yes?"
"She… she's the one married to… to Touya…"
Tomoyo gasped with round eyes. "It's her? Oh Kaho you must be so miserable to have met her! I'm so sorry, I should've been here to answer the door, oh Kaho, so she's the—"
Kaho put a finger over her lips and shook her head. "Shh. Don't speak so loud, Tomoyo. And no, I am not disappointed and angered to have met her, she's a graceful and friendly girl, I'm glad Touya is married to her…"
"But, how can you be so calm? After all, she's the one Touya married!"
Kaho only shook her head. "It's ok Tomoyo, this situation is helpless either way. After all, it is my fault to have fallen in love with a man already happily wedded."
—
She was supposed to be Kaho's greatest enemy. "Kaho…" she whispered sadly, wiping a tear from her right eye. She looked up slowly. "Yes, it's true." She replied.
"What?" Eriol gasped. "How could anyone have not mentioned anything about that?"
"Yeah! Does King Syaoran know?" Meiling asked.
Ilonka ignored all their comments. "Good, so I'm not hallucinating. Now, if I remember properly, on the day I came, she told me—and you guys too, I'm guessing—that she wasn't here for the competition, she was here, for a much nobler cause. She was here to warn all the women to leave this treacherous castle as the King is nothing but a filthy liar using this competition as an excuse to sleep around with women. Now, I for one, admire her attitude and goals, and have absolutely no problem with it. But," her eyes sparked with hatred as she looked every single one of them over. "It is to my belief that she has lost sight of her original goal."
"What do you mean…?" Tomoyo whispered softly.
"Time heals all wounds, and time fades all memories. I believe our dear Sakura has long forgotten about her husband."
Tomoyo covered her mouth with her hand in shock. "You don't mean to say…"
"Well I suppose it's not bad seeing as the King seems to be rather fond of her…"
"So I was right…" Meiling exclaimed miserable. "I cannot believe it… where did I go wrong? And what the hell did she do?"
Ilonka glanced at Meiling and raised an eyebrow, before shaking her head in disbelief and rolling her eyes. "I just don't get it. What's wrong with you lot? Seriously what the hell do you like about him?"
"Love is blind…" was all Meiling said.
"I still can't believe she's married…" Eriol muttered.
"And why do you seem so angry about this?" Tomoyo asked. "You came in steaming mad…"
Ilonka looked at her with boredom. "Mad? No, why should I be? She's a grown adult, she can handle herself. But I really think someone should warn her—bigamy is a seriously punishment in this land. Depending on the King's mood, the punishment could even be death."
"But… why would the King sentence her to death if she was… I guess technically committing bigamy with him…?"
Ilonka held her hands up defensively. "Hey, I'm not saying anything. Just suggesting maybe someone should give her a little reminder. Besides, anyone think of what's going to happen to her husband? I've met him a few times before when I visited her at her home. He's a wonderful man. Fair, kind, selfless. They were such a happy family…" Ilonka closed her eyes, imagining how things were before… when things were so calm, and peaceful… The time when she didn't know the truth to what happened to her mother… family… "What's happened to her…? She used to be such an honorable woman… with so many dreams and desires… look at her now…" Anger slowly seeped into her features. "That damned King, he's done nothing but ruin women… And now he's ruining Sakura… God, what would her husband say if he found out?"
It might not be so bad…" Tomoyo thought carefully to herself. Maybe if Sakura… then… Kaho could… maybe… this could be for the best…?
"What would Chiika say…?"
"Chiika?" Tomoyo echoed.
Ilonka looked at her, a small smirk forming on her lips. "Ah, I guess you don't know about that then… Chiika… Is her daughter."
"WHAT?" Meiling, Tomoyo and Eriol all gasped at the same time, staring at her in disbelief.
"SHE COULDN'T POSSIBLY ALREADY HAVE A DAUGHTER!" Eriol cried.
"HOW OLD IS SHE?" Meiling said.
"HOW COULD SHE NOT EVEN THINK OF HER DAUGHTER?" Tomoyo cried.
Ilonka shook her head slowly. "Yes, she could possibly have a daughter, she should be 21 now, and she does think about her daughter a lot—just not now when she's suffering from severe brain damage. Everybody happy?"
They stared at one another in disbelief, trying to digest this fact. How many secrets was Sakura hiding exactly? And how could she… be with the King under such conditions?
Someone knocked on the door.
Ilonka looked them all over sternly. "That's probably Sakura…" she placed her finger over her lips. "Not a word about what just happened."
They all nodded slowly, though they were all uncertain how they would act towards Sakura, seeing her now, after knowing so much.
But the person at the door wasn't Sakura, but one of King Syaoran's trusted soldiers.
Eriol groaned inwardly as he pushed his way through to the door. "Don't tell me, I missed another one of the King's callings…" he sighed miserably.
But all the guard said was, with a raised eyebrow, "So his Majesty knows you quite well… he told me I'd most likely find you in Lady Daidouji's residence."
Eriol sighed as he made his way out the door. "All right, all right, what does his majesty want now…" he grumbled.
The soldier put a hand on Eriol's shoulder, getting his attention. With a slight shake of his head, and a deep seriousness within his eyes, he said quietly, "My Lord, I do believe the situation at hand is quite serious."
Eriol became instantly alert. He caught the hint as he nodded curtly. "Have a nice day, ladies." He said with a thin smile as he walked away.
"Something's not right…" Tomoyo said with a frown, clasping her hands together.
"King Syaoran… King Syaoran… Is he okay?" Meiling gasped, worry written clearly across her features.
Ilonka shook her head slightly, glaring at the floor. "This is turning out to be more complicated than I expected…" she mumbled.
—
Sakura lay back on her bed with a deep sigh. Despite the relatively warm weather, she couldn't stop shivering. She drew her blankets up to her chest, but the chill refused to leave. "What is going on here…?" she mumbled. "Why would anyone want to… kill the King?" Somehow that thought chilled her to the bones. Never in her life had she ever known, or thought anyone could be capable of actually… wanting another person… dead.
She buried her head under her blanket. "And what am I ever going to tell Meiling…?" Sakura mumbled, feeling close to tears. Life had gotten a whole lot more complicated, and despite the strong, unbreakable woman she was before, Sakura didn't know if she could take it anymore…
—
Eriol entered a room where two rows of some of the King's most trusted advisors and soldiers knelt on the ground, bowing.
He walked pass them all, and bowed in front of the King, who was seated upon his throne. "Your Majesty."
When King Syaoran didn't say anything, Eriol looked up cautiously. "My King? Is something the matter?"
From behind the throne, a woman all-too-familiar to Eriol came walking out, a fan within her gloved hand. She gave a slight smirk as she leaned against the side of the throne. "Somebody wants him dead."
Eriol's face hardened. "Haven't you got somewhere else to be, Lady Kalira?" He bit out.
"Somebody's in a good mood today…" she drawled out slowly.
Eriol ignored her. "Your Majesty, is it true?"
King Syaoran was still looking miserably to the side. After a long time, he finally replied, "Yeah, somebody wants me dead, Eriol, bloody dead."
"Your Majesty, may I be so bold to suggest something?" An advisor who was kneeling in the front row asked.
"Speak."
He stood up slowly, bowing one more time, before speaking. "My King, it is to my understanding as far as anyone outside the castle, no one should want you dead. Compared to many other Kings in the past, you have been miraculously kind. You haven't sentenced a single person to death of 9 generations, you have provided the poor, needy villages with hefty supplies of food and water. And plus, normal outsiders wouldn't be able to enter this castle so easily. This has been what, the third attempt now? Each time it took place within these walls, where it should be the safest place for Your Majesty to be. This is why I can only conclude that the assassin is either someone within these stonewalls, or someone with a rank high enough to be able to roam these walls without causing suspicion."
"Oh? So who do you propose it might be?"
He bowed once more. "Forgive me for my boldness, but may I suggest these murder attempts be related to your uncle?"
King Syaoran sighed as he wiped his face in frustrations. "I understand my uncle and I haven't been on the best of terms, but I do not believe he would go as far as murder. Plus, I believe him roaming around my castle would definitely be considered suspicious."
Jelensta tilted her head to one side. "What if the assassin has an accomplice…?" she murmured softly.
"Then I'm in really big trouble…" King Syaoran groaned.
"An accomplice…" she said slowly, pacing back and forth, biting the end of her fan lightly. "What about that girl? Sakura? If my memory serves me correct, you've sent her twice to jail for attempted assassination."
"No. It's not Sakura." Syaoran replied without a trace of doubt. "It was my mistake and my mistake alone both those times. She would never do such a thing. Please don't suggest anything that absurd ever again. She has risked her own life twice to save me now."
A slow smiled dawned upon her face. Jelensta stopped pacing as she faced all the kneeling soldiers and advisors. "Shoo. Ya'll can leave now. Go, go!"
"Jelensta what the hell—"
"Shh! Just listen to me. Rest of you, LEAVE NOW."
The advisors and soldiers looked at each other uncertainly, before bowing and retreating from the throne room.
"All right, Lady Kalira, what is it now?" Advisor Eriol asked, irritated. He never understood why the King had a soft spot for her—to him, she was beyond annoying, beyond tolerance.
"I, have an idea. It's also a plan to hit two birds with one stone. This Sakura girl you've grown to be rather fond of… you might trust her, but I know little of her. Besides the fact she was Ryle's date for the grand ball, I know nothing more. So, we'll ask her to play along in a little scheme… that will inevitably reveal the real assassin, as well as her true side…"
"Oh? You're so certain?"
A grin stressed across her lips. "Always am." She replied.
—
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—
Author's Note: I don't remember if I've asked this before… if I did, sorry. Two questions / polls:
1. Do you guys like seeing Lilia better with King Reyn Lin III or Jayx-Ln?
2. Who should end up with Syaoran…? Saku or Mei? And what do you guys think should happen to the one who doesn't get him?
It probably won't change my plan for the story by much, though might alter who I make Syao end up with… but I just want to know what you guys think. :)
7070 Words.