Hi there, so, Christmas break is here, will I be able to update faster? (laughs). I'm currently juggling this fic and my Kaichou wa Maid-sama fic which is surprisingly popular. :)) It overtook this fic's reviews in just three chapters. :))

As usual, thank you for the the reviews. gAm3fr3Akal, NeKo Meow, Hanisakura, 4everhere, Edogawa Ai-chan, Renna Tanaka, Jamila They're really great motivators. :D

Disclaimer: I don't own La Corda D'oro

As You Wish, Ojou-sama

Chapter 5

"I love you. That's why I don't want to lose you. It took me time to realize, it even took others to let me realize. But as soon as I realized my feelings for you, I vowed to do everything to be with you. If you want me to, I'll give up soccer, as long as I can be by your side. I don't want to lose you, Kahoko. Not to Len, not to anybody."

"What are you talking about?" Kahoko asked.

"I'm not blind as you are, Kahoko." Ryoutaro ignored it and continued to talk, "I know that you think you're in love with Len Tsukimori, but that's all an illusion. You were just devastated when I left you. And aside from me, he was the other person staying by your side. You don't want to lose him too. I'm sure you made that promise of being his bride when you were barely able to think for yourself."

"What is that suppose to mean?" Kahoko asked, angered.

"Think about it Kahoko. Do you really love him? Or is it just because you don't want to lose him, that's why you think you're in love with him? As for him, are you sure that he's in love with you or is the reason why he's this close to you is because he has a duty to fulfill?"

Silence.

Len clenched his hands as he leaned his head on the wall behind him. He was currently in a hospital, waiting for the doctor to come out from his Mistress' hospital room. He cursed internally after having that flashback of the conversation between Kahoko and Ryoutaro inside the car.

"She was quiet; did that mean that she actually thought about what that guy was saying? Did she let it sink into her mind? On second thought, she's just too easy to deceive." Len thought angrily.

"Len."

Len looked up and immediately straightened, he bowed. "Master."

Kahoko's father looked at Len worriedly, "How is she?"

"There's no news yet. But I don't think it was anything serious."

"Is that so," he sighed in relief. He sat across Len on one of the hospital's plastic chairs. He brought his hands together and placed it in front of his mouth as he leaned down, letting his elbows rest on his lap. "I guess it was the right thing to do, for me to send you along with them."

"I beg your forgiveness, but I have to raise a question," Len said.

"Go on."

"Don't you think the Lady would be angry if she discovers that you had given me a set uniform of the Tsuchiura household workers?"

Kahoko's father chuckled, "Certainly I would have my head chopped off. But, at least you were able to save Kahoko, I mean, prevent further damage. I trust Ryoutaro-kun, but I don't think he has a first-hand experience in the medical field."

"Is this where you come in and say I should be grateful that you let me study medicine during my summer breaks, sir?" Len said, letting go of the politeness in his tone.

The Master chuckled once again, "Very fierce Len. But all those courses I enrolled you in, all those advanced studies, are for Kahoko's sake. You have a duty to be by her side and protect her. Tsuchiura-kun was pretty reckless today. Not even locking the door. And Kahoko! That daughter of mine, what sanity gave her the idea of pulling the handle to the car's door?"

"It was an accident, sir." Len reminded him.

"And what caused it? Was she asking for something impossible again?"

"No, sir. I can tell you if you order me to, but if you still grant me free will, I don't think I would like to tell you about the cause."

Kahoko's father stared into Len's eyes for a while. He was searching for something. Something that would give him a clue about what he wasn't willing to share, at the end; he just sighed and shook his head. "Alright, I won't ask. But I will ask again if something bad happens to Kahoko."

Len bowed again, "Thank you sir."

Kahoko's father sighed again. "So, were those two getting along in the car? How come Ryoutaro-kun isn't with you? Wasn't he worried about Kahoko?"

"Well sir, I had a slight confrontation with him." He closed his eyes in regret, "I know it wasn't my place, but he—"

"Okay, I think I'm starting to get the picture. Now," he said, leaning back on his chair. "I need to talk to you."

"Yes, sir." Len said, he felt that it was something bad. He already had an idea about what the Master wanted to talk to him about.

"How do you feel about Kahoko?"

"Sir," Len said, without showing any strong emotion. He just answered calmly, "She is my Mistress and I had been born to serve her. What I feel is loyalty."

Kahoko's father chuckled, "You're quite smart Len. But you know what I meant by that question."

Despite the smile the Master was showing, Len could tell that he was serious. "It is forbidden for me to speak of those feelings, since those feelings are forbidden."

Kahoko's father closed his eyes and a smile appeared on his lips. He looked at Len once again, "I'm surprised, that someone like you would be attracted to such a spoiled character."

Len didn't realize that he was tensed until he relaxed. He let out a short laughter, "Sir, it is precisely because she is like that, and that is the reason why I want to be by her side."

Kahoko's father chuckled again, "Len, boy, you have too much a sense of duty. I knew for a long time now that you two share something unrequited, but don't worry," he said, seeing Len's troubled face, "I won't tell my wife. She'll certainly do something about it." He sighed.

"Sir, why are you telling me all of this?"

"Well Len, surprisingly, I'm supporting your feelings for my daughter."

Len was surprised. "S-sir?" he asked, not really sure if he heard what the Master said right.

This time, Kahoko's father laughed. "Look at you. It's my first time to see you lose your composure Len." He laughed again, but when he stopped, he was dead serious. "I want my daughter to be happy, and I know who she will be happy with."

"But sir, the Lady—" he stopped, and searched for the right words to say, "It's impossible for me to make her happy for a long time. Our social standings are very different."

"If you're talking about being unable to provide what she needs, Kahoko understands, she's just being spoiled because she knows it can be provided."

"Sir," Len said in a strong voice, "Even if you support how I feel for her, there's no guarantee that she will reciprocate my feelings."

"What are you talking about? I'm not blind Len, and I'm sure you aren't too. That child—"

"Sir, I'm sorry," Len said, "But first of all, what we have is strictly a master-servant relationship and nothing more. Second, like I said, our social standing is such too different. Third, I wouldn't want my father to get in trouble with the Lady and also, if what Ojou-sama and I have is more than a master-servant relationship, it could spoil your family name, and I don't want that."

The Master sighed, but before he could say anything more, the doctor came out of Kahoko's room. He immediately stood up.

"Doctor," he said, worry was written all over his face.

"Don't worry, she's fine. Just slight bruises." Then the doctor gave a light laugh, "She's quite delicate isn't she? The nurses thought that she fractured a bone because she seemed to be in so much pain."

Kahoko's father chuckled, "Yes, she tends to over express her feelings."

"Well then sir, she can leave the hospital already." The doctor smiled and left.

"Leeeeeeeen," Kahoko said, dragging his name like a child would do.

"Ojou-sama," Len sighed.

They were already walking up the steps of the mansion, the Master had left them at the entrance and left them since he had a meeting to attend. After dropping them, Kahoko had asked if her mother had heard of the incident.

"Well, not yet." Her father had said. "But she will hear it from Ryoutaro-kun soon, I think."

Kahoko groaned, "She'll be furious, can't you just take me with you, please?" she begged, pouting cutely in front of her father.

"Um," her father began to struggle.

"Ojou-sama," Len said in a strict voice, "we have to go back now."

Kahoko glared at Len. And during that time, her father had immediately rolled up the window and let the car go on its way.

"I don't want to go and see Mother yet, can't I just go to my room first. Anyway, she'll be wondering why I'm back so soon." Kahoko said.

"Ojou-sama, one way or another—"

"Just let me fix myself up, at least." Kahoko begged.

Len looked at her and knew she should. Her hair was messed up and her dress had dirt and a few torn parts here and there. The Lady wouldn't tolerate such…unruly sight.

"Alright," he finally complied and led his Mistress into her room.

Kahoko smiled and immediately ran to her room, when Len got there, Kahoko had already changed into a simpler dress and she was sitting in front of her vanity mirror, about to comb her hair.

"Let me do that, Ojou-sama," Len said, "You might do your hair some damage."

Kahoko stuck her tongue out at him from the mirror, "I'm learning." But she handed her brush to him anyway.

Len gently gathered a thick lot of her hair and gently brushed it, Kahoko sighed at the comfortable feeling.

"Ne, Len." Kahoko said.

"Hm?"

"About the conversation I had with Ryou a while ago in the car…" Kahoko said, she looked at Len's reaction from the mirror, but it remained frozen.

"What about it?" he asked when she didn't continue.

"Did you hear what we were talking about? I…I know that there's a glass separating the front and—"

"No, I didn't hear anything," Len lied smoothly, "But I saw you fall from the side mirror."

"Oh, I see." Kahoko said with relief.

"I'm really sorry you couldn't go to wherever Tsuchiura was going to take you."

"Eh? Um, that's alright. I didn't want to be there with him anyway."

"Hm?" Len said, feigning curiosity, "And why is that? I thought you were excited to spend the time with him."

"I was." Kahoko said, her tone made it obvious that she wasn't going to share any more than that. "And what happened after I fainted, when you carried me?"

"Well, I took you into a cab." He answered simply.

"And Ryou? He didn't stop you?"

Len thought about it for a while, whether he should tell Kahoko about the bold statement Ryoutaro told him, and what he, himself, had said. But if he did, Kahoko would know that he heard their conversation.

"Nothing happened. I just told him that I knew more than he did when it came to human conditions, something like that."

"Yeah," Kahoko smiled, "That's why you're so amazing." She giggled, "Imagine, being so smart and experienced at such a young age. You could be considered a genius. You were so serious every time Father wants you to learn something new. Studying medicine…you're the youngest to graduate. Age 15? Really amazing."

"I'm flattered to hear that from you, Ojou-sama." Len said, allowing a small smile to escape his lips.

"Moe, I'm getting tired with that." Kahoko said, folding her arms to her chest.

"With what?" Len asked, finally putting the brush on her table.

"Is it so hard to say my name? I'm already getting tired. It's always 'Ojou-sama, Ojou-sama', can't you just call me by my name?" Kahoko asked, looking up behind her to see Len's face.

"Your mother wouldn't have that, and Father would certainly lecture me about the lack of respect." Len said as Kahoko turned her chair to face Len.

"Well, I can just order you to." Kahoko said stubbornly, "And there's nothing they can do about it."

"Ojou-sama," Len said warningly, "You shouldn't. You'll just get me in trouble, even if you ordered me to call you by your first name."

"But Len," Kahoko pouted.

Len sighed frustratedly, "You've already ordered me to stay by your side. That's enough. Don't go pushing everyone's buttons and make them cope with it just because you're spoiled. For once, Ojou-sama, think about the people you're getting involved because of your spoiled attitude."

Kahoko sat silently, shocked at what Len had just said. It was her first time to hear it from him, and it was also a first to see him so angry. When Len saw her expression and realized what he just said, he immediately bowed low.

"I'm sorry, I've stepped out of line." And when he straightened up, he immediately left the room.

As soon as Len left the room, Kahoko found herself staring at the closed door until her vision was fogged with tears. "Sorry, Len…"

"Ryoutaro-sama, welcome back," A man in black bowed as Ryoutaro stepped out of the car.

"What is it? If it's business I'm not in the mood for it." Ryoutaro said, walking up to the mansion.

"Actually sir, it is what you have asked me to research on. I've found what you were asking for." He said, raising a thick envelope.

"Oh?" Ryoutaro said, stopping in his tracks. He got the envelope and opened it, quickly scanning its contents. "Why so much? I don't think it was this interesting or if there was even something interesting about what I told you to check on," he said, returning the papers in the envelope.

"Sir, if you would just read the first few pages—"

"Ah," Ryoutaro said, annoyed, "Don't go ordering me what to do, I'm not stupid."

"I'm sorry,"

"Well anyway, I'm going to check these in my room. Good work."

"Yes sir," the man bowed and left Ryoutaro to walk by himself.

Ryoutaro threw the envelope on his desk as he entered his room. He sighed. "That Tsukimori has guts to stand up to me like that. He doesn't seem to know who his enemy is. He's just a lowly underling." He sat on the chair and took the envelope, "What a hassle, why'd I even spend my time in this."

He placed the contents on the table and took the first page, as he read on, his expression changed. "You have got to be kidding." He shouted.

"Ryoutaro-sama." The family butler entered his room and was surprised when Ryoutaro threw everything that was on his table on the floor. "Ryoutaro-sama!"

"This has to be a lie! What is this!"

"Ryoutaro-sama, what is this all about?" the butler bent down and had a look at one of the pages, "Eh? Isn't this Len Tsukimori from the Hino residence?"

Ryoutaro banged the wall frustratedly, "Yes. I had someone investigate his background."

"This," the butler said, reading a few parts of it, "I did hear about this. The boy was trained at a young age, he's quite excellent. He's already graduated with a medical degree, he's good with English and German language, very smart. There are people from other country already trying to recruit him. I guess Hino-sama wanted a perfect butler for his daughter."

"No! That's not it. I'm well aware about that already. When we were young he'd always be gone for those reasons, attending lessons and such. I'm surprised he even has the time to be by her side."

"Then why do this, Ryoutaro-sama? He's the butler of the Hino family's hime-sama, right? There's nothing else to investigate. His father and mother both came from a common family, but since his father—"

"That's not it!" Ryoutaro shouted, "Damn. Is this why he was so confident? Damn it. I had him investigated because Uncle let slip something that made me curious. And this, THIS is what it was all about! Dammit!"

"Ryoutaro-sama…"

"Kahoko! Back so soon?"

Kahoko jumped as she heard her Mother's voice from behind her. She was walking down the hallway about to go to her mother's room.

"Y-yes," Kahoko answered. Did that mean Ryoutaro hadn't called her mother yet?

"Why the pale face? Didn't take the news well?" she laughed, clapping her hands lightly once again.

"News? What are you talking about, Mother?" Kahoko asked, wondering why her mother seemed to excitedly hyper all of a sudden.

"Oh, don't be so shy Kaho dear, I know all about it. That was what we were all talking about earlier in the living room! Ah! You've grown up already! How time passes. Now, make sure you get rid of that urge to spoiled now and be good alright?" Her mother talked on and on as Kahoko tried to make sense of what her mother was saying.

"Mother!" Kahoko interrupted, already so confused, "What. Are. You. Talking. About." She said firmly.

Her mother laughed. "Okay Kahoko. Stop keeping up the pretense! I know what you're hinting. And yes, I'll buy you a new wardrobe. Imagine! You're getting engage already! And your engagement party is already planned!"

"What!" Kahoko said, shocked, "Engaged! With who!"

"Ara, you were being serious when you said you didn't know what I was talking about?" Kahoko's mother said in surprise.

"That was what I was trying to say the whole time!"

"Uh-oh," Kahoko's mother said, covering her mouth.

"Now," Kahoko said impatiently, putting her hands to her hips, "What are you talking about, Mother? I'm getting engaged! Nobody consulted me with that."

"Oh," she said waving her hand in front of her daughter, "No need to be so modest, anyway the cat's out of the bag. I wonder what happened, Ryoutaro was suppose to propose to you today."

"What?"

"And anyway, I'll just have to tell Ryoutaro I spilled his secret." She smiled at her daughter, "We had everything arranged already."

"Wait, what is my say in all of this?"

"You were going to answer him anyway, so there's nothing else."

"How sure—"

"Oh come on, Kaho dear. You and Ryoutaro go well together, and the boy is clearly in love with you. And your already 16, the age where you have to be engaged already."

"This is the first time I've heard of it!"

"Well, your father was against this, but I don't see what's wrong. You clearly like Ryoutaro too, you two have been great friends when you were young. And there doesn't seem to be anybody you're interested in anyway. So, what's wrong?"

"I—" Kahoko stopped. What was she going to tell her mom? That she was in love with someone else? And that someone else is her butler! Surely, if her mother learned about it, she'll immediately separated her and Len!

"What's wrong Kaho?" her mother pressed, showing a concerned expression.

"Ah, it's nothing. And, you're right. I just wanted him to propose the right way." Kahoko said, turning back into her spoiled self again.

"Well, I don't know what happened, but I'm sure he'll come around again." Her mother said.

"You're right, um, please excuse me, I'm going to the garden for a while." Kahoko said, immediately running to the other direction.

"Kaho! Don't run!" her mother said, and then she smiled.

A conspiracy of a smile.

A/N: Review please! How was this chapter? Was it better than the last one? Whoo, I'm halfway already in the story! :)) I hope you guys enjoyed. Sorry for any errors, It's already 12:43 am. Don't usually stay up this late, but anyway. Sorry for the late update! :D