Chapter Twenty Six: A Storm Approaches
Flowers never emit so sweet and strong a fragrance as before a storm. When a storm approaches thee, be as fragrant as a sweet-smelling flower.
-Jean Paul Richter
xxXxx
Baron sifted through the most current book, trying to find any clues that would help him. In disgust, he set it onto a growing mountain of books taller than himself, and started looking for a new one.
"My lord?" Richard inquired, gently shaking him by one shoulder. "It's time for bed."
"I'll sleep later," Baron replied tiredly, pulling another book to start perusing it. "I have to leave for the palace tomorrow, so this is my last chance at finding a cure."
"My lord, you won't do Lady Haru any good if you fall off Toto from exhaustion on the way there. Especially since you wouldn't survive it this time."
"… I don't know what to do, Richard," the little kitten whispered, still keeping his eyes to the pages. "Nothing I've found comes even close to what I need, and I've been searching this library for the past eleven years. I don't understand! I should have found something by now!"
"… Perhaps the answer isn't here, Baron."
"Then where? How am I supposed to find it before she weds?" Then he remembered what Lune had said about his father, when he and Haru first came. "On top of that, how will I be able to keep the king from killing me when he realizes what I'm up to?"
"I don't know, my lord. But I don't believe things are cut and dried just yet. After all, you wouldn't have been promised a cure if finding it was hopeless."
Baron looked down, and closed the book tiredly. "Then why do I feel so helpless?" he whispered, setting the book on the mountain of discarded literature. "What am I supposed to do; walk up to Haru while I'm like this and ask if she'd consider eloping with me? Even if I was cured, the king would behead me with a wooden spoon if I tried that."
"Is that even possible?"
"It is if you keep trying," the tawny kitten replied seriously, sinking into a nearby chair. He was exhausted, both physically and spiritually, but he couldn't see how he would be able to rest with his future hanging in the balance. He breathed long and deeply, trying to calm himself down, but nothing worked.
"Baron," Richard said with no small trace of nervousness after a few minutes. "There's something I've decided to tell you, before you leave."
The little kitten looked up, breaking his silent struggle with his own mind. "What is it, Richard? Did something happen while I was fetching Muta?"
"No, nothing like that. It's what happened long before you came."
Baron stood up from his comfortable chair in order to drag his steward into it. "Please, just speak up. What is it you need to tell me?"
Richard took a deep breath. "I… that is, you see…"
Baron nodded for him to continue.
The old steward sighed, and gripped his youthful lord's shoulders for comfort. "If I tell you, will you promise to keep it a secret?"
"I won't even tell Toto. Come now, what has you acting so strangely?"
Richard sighed; a deep, tired sound. "I killed Baron Carouch," he whispered.
Baron's ears flicked in astonishment. "What?"
"I killed Baron Carouch," he repeated with a strange, angry glint in his eyes. "And I would do it again in a heartbeat."
Baron couldn't believe what he was hearing, but he sat down on a nearby footstool. "Why don't you start from the beginning? If you're choosing to trust me with this after all these years, you must have good incentive."
"I do." He looked up, and locked eyes with his master. "You see, my family served the Carouch family ever since the baronetcy fell into their hands. We were caretakers more than anything, and whenever one of Carouch line became a little too… vigorous, in oppressing the people, my family would take steps. My ancestor blew up the cave portal to the Human Kingdom after the current baron killed the servant that brought him the tree seed, since he thought that it was the wrong one. We've also been responsible for… premature demises."
"Murder," Baron said plainly.
"… Yes. Your family had a part of this last one."
"I beg your pardon?"
"Not so loud," Richard hissed, pulling the lad close to keep the conversation between them. "You see, the Baron Carouch was quite fond of your family's mulberry wine. He'd order enough to rival the king, but only allow himself to have any. After he had too much one night, I simply took him to one of the unfinished towers on the ruse of an inspection, and… let him stumble off the side."
Baron could only stare at him at this point.
"But I swear I did nothing to his wife; she died in childbirth to a stillborn naturally. I was rather fond of her, even if she was as timid as a mouse."
"Richard… why are you telling me this after all these years?" Baron asked harshly. "Are you trying to say that if I grow too oppressive, you'll kill me as well?"
"No, no; nothing like that," the steward nearly laughed. Then he looked at his lord with deep respect. "You're cut from a completely different cloth than that family was. I've never seen anyone so devoted to a people he had only just met."
"Well, they're mine now; isn't it only fitting?" the stunted cat defended a little nervously.
"Perhaps, but it's not very common. I wasn't going to tell you any of this, Baron, but… I had to. I don't know why I had to, but you need to understand what you mean to your people. You're a beacon of hope to them. As is Haru."
A small smile lit up Baron's face as he thought of her. "I used to believe that she would have a magical connection to the water, to earn the title of Sea Maiden. Yet, it is more fitting that she was just a reasonably normal girl with a deep love of salt water."
"Indeed. Baron, you have done everything within your power to find a way to be with her. Although the answer doesn't appear to be in your grasp just yet, I strongly believe that it will be, when the time is right."
The stunted feline bit back a laugh. "You are starting to sound like Vulcan."
"Has Vulcan ever been wrong?"
"Never."
The old steward leaned forward, and gave him a big hug. "Then trust me, and take a leap of faith."
ooOoo
Although Baron felt better after his talk with Richard and a good night's rest, he couldn't help but feel a little directionless as Toto soared through the cold winter air towards the palace.
"So, do you know what to do?" Toto asked over one shoulder.
"Not a clue. I'm winging it," Baron couldn't keep himself from adding with a childish grin.
"Oh, that was a bad pun!" the crow scolded him as they began spiraling through the air and down to the castle below them.
Baron kept one hand gripping the crow while the other one kept his hat from flying off his head. He could feel the fierce tugs from the edges of the scarf Haru had wrapped around it, so he knew his fear was justified.
After what felt like an eternity, Baron landed in the courtyard as usual, and the stable hands were coming forward with blankets to rub over Toto's body.
"Just how did you do it?" one of them couldn't restrain from asking Baron as he slid off the crow's back to land on the stones.
"Do what?" the tawny kitten asked.
"Turn the Sea Maiden into a lady?"
Baron grinned at him, and tipped his hat at Toto. "With patience. Thank you for the ride, my friend."
"At least it wasn't in a blizzard again; last year was miserable!" Toto groaned from the mere memory.
Knowing that the stable hands were experienced with making Toto warm and comfortable, he shouldered his small bag over one shoulder, and started walking towards the palace.
"The king will be pleased to see you," one guard told him with a grin as he opened a door.
"Oh? Should I seek him out immediately?" Baron asked, feeling a bit nervous about what his majesty wanted.
"The worst he could say is go away," the guard pointed out, making Baron nod in agreement and start walking down the hallway as usual.
"You're a true miracle worker, Baron," one count said as he passed by; one that normally wouldn't waste any time on him.
An older earl stared at him as he walked past, shaking his head in wonder.
In many small, similar ways, Baron couldn't help but notice that everyone he met in the halls, from the servants to even a duke, were incredibly impressed with his latest feat.
He bit back a smile. Haru must have perfected her façade after all, for everyone to be so…
He couldn't think of the correct word. Impressed with him? Shocked? Amazed?
No, none of those words seemed to quite say everything that was in their eyes. Baron shook his head, decided to ignore them as usual as he began stepping up the long staircase.
As he came over the last step, Natoru could be seen pacing the other side of the long hallway, looking angry and panicked at the same time. The young advisor looked up as Baron approached the king's study, and gave him an incredibly dirty look that spoke volumes.
All Baron answered that with was a satisfied smirk as the servant outside the king's study poked his head through the curtain.
"The Baron von Gikkingen has arrived, your majesty."
"Excellent! Go have lunch, Natori. I have some business to discuss with Baron."
"As you wish, your majesty," the chief advisor seemed to say through his teeth, walking out of the study as Baron entered it. But as he passed, Natori took the trouble to give Baron such a glare, that it would have intimidated the kitten if he weren't so busy worrying over what the king wanted.
Baron looked away from Natori, and bowed before his king. "Your majesty," he said politely, masking his fear.
The king grinned happily, walked around the table he had been sitting at, and actually hugged him!
But compared to Haru's, it was hardly worthy of being called an embrace.
"I've seen you do incredible feats before, babe. But nothing, not even retrieving Vulcan, could compare to what you've done with Lady Haru."
The kitten smiled a little nervously as the king withdrew. "She's been behaving herself, then?"
"A perfect angel," the king replied dreamily as he moved behind his desk again and gestured for Baron to sit down. "Hardly anyone can believe that she is the same girl that put guards in the infirmary her first day in the kingdom."
"In some ways, she isn't." 'And in many more, she is.'
The king grinned at him and pulled a large bag of gold from under his desk.
Baron's heart froze.
"Please take this, with my gratitude," the king grinned as he pushed the bag closer to the kitten.
Baron only stared at it. He could remember clearly the revulsion he had felt at a reward, when Haru's cries were ringing in his ears.
He found it no less repulsive now, especially with what he was planning to do. "I will accept your gratitude, your majesty. But keep the gold."
The monarch stared at him in shock. "But you've earned this, and more!"
The tawny cat shook his head firmly. "I have loved the Sea Maiden's Song since before I remember. It has been a dream come true to assist Lady Haru with her destiny, and is the only reward I need."
The king stared, shaking his head in disbelief. "Wasn't it exhausting for you?"
"Not really. Lady Haru can be quite reasonable, if one knows how to approach her. I appreciate that you wish to reward me, but it is not needed."
The king sighed in defeat, and pushed the bag under his desk once more. "Well, all right. But if you should think of something, babe…"
"I will inform you immediately," Baron promised, although it was a lie. He knew exactly what he wanted, but despite whatever the king believed, Haru was not an acceptable currency.
"Lune had the royal tailors make a new suit for you to wear to the engagement ball tonight. You better see if it fits; it'll be a night to remember!" the king exulted as his large eyes shined madder than ever.
Baron started to bow his way out of the monarch's presence. "I am more than certain it will be, your majesty."
"Hey, Baron?" the king asked suddenly, before the lord could take his leave. "Did you do something to your hat?"
The little kitten stiffened, and touched the scarf Haru gave him with one finger. "I had some alterations done to it."
"It looks good, babe."
Baron smiled at that. "Thank you, your majesty."
ooOoo
As depressing as the thought was, the tailors were grateful that Baron never grew. They had long had his measurements down, so of course the fancy black suit and top hat were a perfect fit.
Not that Baron could tell; he was too busy worrying over how to get to Haru, let alone find the courage to tell her of their intertwined destinies. But she had been completely holed up in her room for hours, preparing for the ball that was now in progress.
"Honestly, Baron, what you did was a miracle!" one aging countess gushed incessantly as she took another sip of wine. "Before she left, she didn't know a salad fork from a dessert one, and now look at her!"
"That was actually one of the easier parts of her education," Baron informed her almost absently, trying to think of a reason to get away from the stench of the wine as soon as possible.
"Then with that bodyguard! How in the Cat Kingdom did you find someone that large?"
"With patience," Baron answered, hoping that shorter answers might encourage her to go away.
"Would you believe that he ate an entire cake, all by himself?"
"I would."
"It wasn't even a little cake-"
"Darling, isn't that the Duchess of Upole coming in?" her husband intervened, pointing up the staircase to where a new fashionable couple was coming into the ballroom as they were announced.
"My, it is! Until next time, Baron," the countess nearly slurred as her husband gently guided her away.
The little kitten gave him a look filled with gratitude, and reattached his eyes to the grand staircase. Almost all of the aristocracy was present, which meant that Haru and Lune would be making their grand entrance soon.
His heart pounded painfully, thinking about the way she had looked at the prince just before they drove off. What if he was already too late? What if she had grown feelings for Lune after all?
How dare he imagine that she would trade out a prince for a mere baron? Was all of this just another fluke of fate? What right did he truly have to be here?
"His highness, Prince Lune Felinus, with his betrothed, Lady Haru!" the royal announcer proclaimed next as the trumpeters gave a joyous peal to salute the couple.
'Am I the only one in the kingdom willing to say her… last… name…?' Baron's jaw literally dropped as he saw Haru emerge from behind the curtain; his line of thought completely forgotten.
She was nothing less than stunning in a gown of flowing silk, the color of lightest sea foam. She had also played with her hair in a way he had never seen before, to make it curl and flow over her shoulders and back in waves of perfect brown.
He barely even noticed Lune at her side in a suitably fancy black military uniform, as they descended down the stairs as one; every movement so smooth that it was almost like she was floating on water instead of walking.
For some reason, he was instantly reminded of all the times he had her do this on his own staircase, with a book on her head and a sarcastic comment on her lips. But her calm expression didn't seem to say that she was thinking of sarcasm at all, as she and Lune finally reached the end of the stairs and became accosted by well-wishers. She smiled charmingly and mouthed familiar phrases of thanks in return.
He could remember all the hours they spent, with him pretending to be a vapid courtier so that she could get used to small talk, and only end up having her laugh until it hurt. He wasn't about to admit it to her, but he loved making her laugh.
She patiently allowed cat after cat to respectfully kiss her hand, until Lune couldn't handle it anymore. He said something that seemed to be short and curt as he took possession of Haru's arm and guided her away from them.
Although Baron knew that it wasn't the appropriate time to worry about it, he couldn't help but feel relief that Lune's feelings were unchanged. But what about Haru's?
For once, he couldn't read her expression as the king was announced, and the music began. It was almost like… she wasn't herself anymore. A mere ornament, content to smile and be seen on Lune's arm.
That was the intention, of course, but it nonetheless chilled his blood to see her acting like…
Like any other aristocrat.
She was as perfect as an angel, as she danced in Lune's arms. There was no connection between them; not the way he remembered between his parents. The dance was almost mechanic, as if they were dolls instead of people.
If the way the king was gloating from his throne was of any indication, it was nothing less than what he had planned.
Every now and again, Haru was passed to a different partner, but she always ended up twirling under the prince's hands.
"Hey, Baron," Muta said casually as he stood by the wall as well, making the little cat almost jump out of his skin.
"Muta! Has anyone ever told you that you have surprisingly silent feet?" he asked as he pounded on his heart to help it regain a normal beat.
"No, actually. This place is noisy enough to cover me. Enjoying the party?"
"… I've seen better," Baron managed to say, unable to take his envious eyes off of Haru and Lune. "Did you encounter any problems when coming here?"
"Nah, not really. Even Natoru got the hint after I offered to gut him the first time he tried approaching her. I thought you said he was a major problem," the giant cat pouted like a kitten.
"He was, before you came along. You do have to admit that you have an intimidating look about you, my friend."
Muta grinned at him evilly, the same way that Haru used to. "It's served me pretty good so far. So… aren't you going to approach her?"
"What?" Baron squeaked in terror. 'Does he know?'
"Haru's been looking forward to seeing you again. It's all she's been talking about since we got here, the few minutes she can let go of her silly mask."
"Really?" Baron asked, unable to keep a tinge of hope from his tone.
Muta grinned even wider at him. "Really. You made a pretty big impression on her, kid."
The revelation made him so deliriously happy, that he couldn't even be angry about being called a child again.
"Are you open to a little bit of advice from an old man-er, cat?" the large white feline asked in a soft tone, softer than he had ever used unless he was talking to or about Haru.
"Certainly, although I hope you've been watching your tongue a bit better around here."
"That's the nice part about being a body guard, I hardly ever have to talk. Okay, Haru's going to drag Lune aside at some point tonight; follow them at all costs. I'll make sure that no one else does, but… make sure you can hear and maybe see them without being seen."
Baron's heart nearly broke, thinking about Haru and Lune being alone together. "Is it important?"
"It just might be the most important conversation of your life. Will you do it?"
Slowly, the little kitten nodded. "Do you know how soon it will happen?"
"Soon. Be ready for it," Muta urged him as he slipped away, still so silent on his feet.
Baron couldn't help but look at him a little longer before switching his gaze back to Haru.
Naturally, it was only when he wasn't looking at her that her attention was on him. One of her more familiar grins lit up her face as their eyes briefly connected, but she had to break it off before anyone had the chance to notice.
Lune seemed to, though. His own expression was very melancholic as his mismatched eyes flickered once to the tawny kitten, and then faded away, as if he was actually alone.
To be on the safe side, Baron started edging his way to the exit that was closest to the couple. If the conversation was truly that important, he owed it to Haru to at least try.
A familiar tune began to echo throughout the ball room, one that every occupant immediately recognized. But unlike every other time Baron heard it, his blood ran cold, and he increased his pace to the exit. Thankfully no one noticed him, but as the first lines were sung by the resident diva, Baron dove for the curtain, and reluctantly ran a small distance to hide behind another curtain.
"Born into another world is she,
"To save the heir, in his hour of need."
Baron irrationally thought about all the times his mother had sun this song. What would she have said, if he had the chance to tell her that she had been singing about her youngest son's destined mate?
"She'll bear him from the waves
"Like a babe in her arms one day."
"She would have accused me of getting into the wine with Harold and Louis," Baron concluded in a resigned whisper, pulling the long fabric aside just enough to keep an eye on the ballroom's exit.
"Sea Maiden, destined to join cat kind,
"Yet always possessing her own mind."
Come now, any time. He knew that Lune hated that song, and would be willing to take any chance to escape it, even if it was with Haru. Baron was also strangely certain that Haru had no love for the ballad, if nothing else than the fact that it brought even more unwanted attention to her.
"As she had borne the young heir from the cold sea,
"She will bear the greatest king, ever been."
As a loud applause echoed down the hallway, Lune and Haru flung aside the curtain. The prince was nearly dragging the girl by the wrist as her other hand covered her face.
"… Did they have to play that song?" Haru asked in complete mortification, actually shaking a bit as her companion almost ran down the hallway with her in tow.
Since neither of them were looking behind him, Baron slipped out from his hiding place, and began following at a discreet distance; careful to stay close to potential hiding spots.
"Unfortunately, Father thinks so. He insists on it being played at every formal occasion," Lune reported with a growl. "I asked him to skip it tonight, but he wouldn't even consider it."
"When does he consider any one else's opinion?" Haru asked as she shook off Lune's hand and gestured with her head for him to follow her into another hallway.
"Almost never, actually. The only advice he gives any attention to is when it leads to him having his way again."
"Do me a favor, discontinue having that song played at every occasion after your coronation; it's embarrassing."
"Trust me, that will be the first thing on the list. The second is firing the current advisors."
"… on second thought, could you get rid of Natoru and Natori first?" Haru asked impishly, keeping the pace fast enough to satisfy Lune but slow enough so that Baron wouldn't start gasping from exhaustion.
He bit back a smile as he struggled to control his breathing anyway. Even when she was pretending that he wasn't around, she was still considerate of him.
"I'll think about it," he promised her as she led him to the library entrance. The dark feline held the dark blue curtain open so that she could enter first, and let it fall behind him. "Now then, what was so important that we had to steal away from the ball? We'll be missed, you know."
Still struggling to keep his breath, Baron approached the curtain, and set his ear against it.
"I know, but don't worry about it. Both of us have bigger concerns than a party." Her voice had faded enough to say that both of them were near the middle of the library, possibly sitting down at the comfortable chairs in the center of all the bookcases.
After taking a few precious seconds to rest, Baron slipped through the curtain, taking care not to have it shift any more than needed. Seeing that the two were indeed at the middle of the room, he slipped on silent feet between one book case after another, until he could watch them from between some books on a shelf facing the two.
Lune and Haru were sitting at one couch, where she was pulling a small card from one of her long evening gloves.
"Tell me, Lune; what does this say?" she asked while giving it to him.
The prince's face was turned just right for Baron to see the prince's expression as he looked at the card. He flinched terribly, and gave Haru a fearful look.
"Go on. What does it say?" she encouraged him with a gentle smile.
"Uh, mmh…" he struggled to say, looking as nervous as he did during his confrontation with Baron. "… Your Chicky is safe, and in good hands?"
Haru grinned even wider than before, and leaned close. Baron fought back another flare of jealousy as she took the card back, and slipped it back into one evening glove.
"Actually, it says that you eat banana sandwiches for breakfast. But nice try; Baron isn't here to ad-lib for you."