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

As You Wish Ojou-sama

Chapter 6

Len rubbed his eyes tiredly as he walked along the hallway of the huge mansion. He has no idea what had gotten into him. He didn't mean to take it out on her but he couldn't keep everything in anymore.

He's happy that he could stay by her side, but he can never have her. Even if her father approves of their feelings for each other, a much greater force is still trying to keep them apart. He stuck his hands into his pocket and suddenly felt something crisp inside it. He suddenly remembered a letter he had placed inside.

What added to his anxiety, aside from the possibility of losing his most beloved to someone else, was this. The letter came from someone he had known in a distant past. He had already forgotten his life before he came to fully serve the Young Lady, but this letter had reminded him of it again.

A secret.

He's been keeping a secret from Kahoko. It was something he was sure that she'll never understand. And it wasn't just some secret, it was something that could change their lives.

He sighed as he opened the door to his room, but was stopped by his father.

"Len," he said.

Len turned to look at his father, "Yes?" he asked in a polite tone.

"I need to talk to you about something, why don't we talk inside your room." he said in a conversational tone.

Len nodded stiffly. He knew that this day would come one way or another. This day which had been hanging over his head ever since he vowed to serve the Young Lady. His father closed the door carefully as Len settled on his bed. His father sighed as he took a seat on one of Len's chairs across him. It was silent for a while.

"The day is coming near." his father said.

"Do they even still remember me," Len said in a cold voice.

"I'm sure it isn't about them. Your reluctance comes from your growing feelings for the Young Lady." his father said, direct to the point.

"Whatever happens in the future is my choice."

"Len," he said in a hard voice, "I know what choice you're going to make in a few months, but that isn't the right choice. Yes, you could stay by her side as her butler, but that will never be enough for you. Soon enough people will judge you and you will just bring her down. She has potentials. She may still be raw but the Young Lady could do a lot of things. You too, you could be so much more."

"My choice is mine alone and I will stand by it."

"Think it through Len."

"I will."

His father sighed as he looked at Len's stubborn face. He already knew he was fighting a losing battle as soon as Len figured out what this talk was all about. He shook his head, "You can't have her."

"You don't know that."

"You can't have her while you're like this." he said again as he stood up, "She's getting engaged to Tsuchiura-sama. The Lady already informed her of that just a while ago and the Young Lady accepted."

Len looked up in surprise, "She accepted?" he repeated, as if he wasn't sure he heard it right.

"I'm telling you." his father said in a tired voice as he left his son's room.

Len stared at the closed door in disbelief. Kahoko accepted the engagement? There has to be a deeper story behind it. Maybe she was forced? Len sighed. What is he thinking. Of course she would accept. His father's right. He can never have her if he remains like this, but being by her side...it completes him.

He threw his back onto his bed. The impact made his bed stand shake a bit, but that was enough to shake the small shelf on top of it. A book fell on top of his face before he could catch it. Len slowly sat up, he was about to bring the book back into its place when something slipped off its pages.

He caught it before it flew away further. It was a photo. A photo from his distant, secretive past. It was taken eleven years ago, he was 6 by then. Behind him was the Eiffel tower in Paris, and beside him was his childhood friend. A little girl with light brown layered hair and a pair of matching emerald eyes.

He brought the once-again-forgotten letter out from his pocket and reread it for the sixth time since he received it.

Len,

I miss you so much. I know that I'm not suppose to see you, and I'm not even suppose to send you this letter. But I want you to know that I am still thinking of you. I know that I have to endure only for a few more months, but I'm scared.

I know you've promised me what choice you will choose when the time comes, but I'm scared that maybe you've changed your mind. I'm scared that you'll choose the same path as your uncle. I'm scared that you won't come back anymore...

Please, please remember that I'm still waiting for you.

-Always, Mori Manami

Len closed his eyes as he let himself remember his past.

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"Why do I have to keep going to that house? I don't like it there." A five year old Len complained. In the age of five, he was already considered a genius, his speech was already flawless, his knowledge seemed to have no limits at all, and his skills with the violin was really great for someone of his age.

"Len," his mother sighed. "I'll tell you when you're a little bit older." She watched as her son looked up at her from his little height.

"Why can't you tell me now? I want to play my violin with Mori, but I have no time anymore because I have to keep going to that house and play with that spoiled kid."

"Len," his mother said in a stern tone, "She's only a year younger than you. Don't talk like that."

"But mother," Little Len whined.

"Let me tell you something. Maybe this will help you understand what you're about to go through in the future." She said, carrying Len to her lap as she sat on one of the comfortable cushions in their library.

"You, do you know who you are?" she asked her son gently.

Len wanted to reply with sarcasm, but seeing his mother's earnest gaze, he answered thoughtfully, "Yes, mother. I am Len Tsukimori. I come from the main family branch of the Tsukimori household. I am the son of the world renowned pianist and of the famous violinist. And one day, I will walk the same path as them."

His mother nodded, "That's right Len. One day. Had your tutor taught you about our family tradition?"

Len shook his head, "She said that it was still too complicated for me to understand. She called me a genius, but why won't she tell me something like that? Isn't a genius someone who can understand—"

"Hush Len," Misa said softly, "I'll tell you about it. But I'll only tell you the shorter version of it."

Len snuggled closer to his mother, sensing a long story ahead. Misa gave her son a sad smile as she began to talk.

"We've had this tradition since the start of our bloodline. The tradition is that, in every generation, the first born son from the main branch of the family will serve the Hino family at a certain time. We've had this tradition because the Head of the Hino clan had saved the heir of our clan in the distant past. The Heir was kidnapped and the Head of the Hino clan sacrificed his life to save him. Ever since then, our family had promised to offer the head of our clan to their family."

"Isn't that a bit unfair? Where's the freedom in that?" Len asked.

Misa shook her head, "A life can never be fully paid back and that is all they could think of. A lifetime servitude." then she smiled a bit, "The Hino are good people. They've altered the tradition a bit. When the Tsukimori servant turns 18, he can choose whether to continue serving the Hino family or return to his family."

"Of course they'd choose to go back to their family." Len said, as if it was stupid of them to think that the person wouldn't want to go back into this luxurious life.

Misa shook her head again, "You're wrong Len. People are different, not all of them are predictable. Your uncle, the eldest son of our family branch, had chosen to serve them forever."

Len was silent for a while as he took it all in. "Is that why Uncle is always there at the Hino mansion, serving them? I always find it odd why he'd follow orders from them like one of our servants."

"Yes. When his choice came, he chose to serve them."

"Then why do I have to be there all the time?" Len asked, not getting what this family tradition stuff had to do with him, unless... He looked at his mother with a frightened expression.

Misa hugged her son tightly. She'll lose him. She won't be able to hold him like this in years anymore. Her son will be growing up without her by his side. A few tears escaped from the corners of her eyes. "Yes, Len. You are the first son born in your generation. You are the first son born in the main family branch."

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"Kahoko?"

Kahoko looked up with her tear streaked face and saw her father's worried expression. "Father," she said, immediately trying to wipe away her tears. But every time she wiped them away, a fresh batch of tears came out next. She couldn't stop her tears from flowing this time. It hurts too much now.

"I'm sorry," her father mumbled, taking a few steps into the gazebo where her daughter was slumped on the floor. He watched her with sad eyes. This is what he couldn't stand, seeing his gentle daughter in tears.

"What are you sorry for?" she asked as she looked away. She didn't want her father to see her like this. So weak. Vulnerable. Breakable.

"I couldn't do anything."

Her father's serious and sad voice made her look at him. She rarely saw her playful and cheerful father like this. Did her situation really mean so much to him? Her mother seemed so ready to give her away already.

"I couldn't do anything at all."

"I know," she murmured. She really understands that. Her mother is the most dominant person in the household. She really understands. Her father wasn't just apologizing about the engagement, she realized that her father knew about her feelings for Len. He's apologizing because he can't do anything about it. Of course he can't. A servant and a Lady can never be together. She understands that. "But I love him." she still said.

"I know that. But everything will be in his hands."

"Len's?"

Her father nodded. "There's something we haven't told you about Len, and I don't think it's even my place to tell it you. Len will tell you if he thinks you have a need to."

Kahoko wiped away her tears and shook her head, "I don't think he'll tell me, I'm sure he doesn't want to talk to me again."

"Does he know about this too?"

Kahoko shook her head, "But I've done something terrible. I've been too selfish that I've forgotten about Len's feelings. About how he might feel every time I order him around. I've...I've never considered it."

"It's alright," he said, bringing his daughter into a half hug, "You'll find ways to patch things up. You two always find ways."

"I hope you're right...I'm scared. Can't I just refuse this engagement? Isn't this suppose to be part of my choice? It's my future."

Her father stroke her hair gently, "In this kind of world, usually our choices are limited. Don't misjudge your mother. She only wants the best for you, you're future is more secure if you're with Tsuchiura-kun."

"But my feelings for him aren't as strong as my feelings for Len," Kahoko half-whined, "Can't you just disown me?"

Her father laughed, "I can't do that Kahoko." he said, pulling away from his daughter, he smiled when he saw that her tears had stopped. "Remember, everything will be in Len's hands. You just have to trust him."

"I..." Kahoko began.

"If he feels just as strongly for you, things will be different." Then he paused, considering his words. Both of Len's choices will be because he feels strongly for her. One will let her stay by her side, the other will let him be separated from her but be with her forever in the future... "It's his choice." he said finally.

"What about my choice?" she asked once again.

Her father gently shook his head, "I'm sorry Kahoko."

Kahoko frowned but sighed in the end. She nodded to herself, "Alright then, I just have to trust Len right?"

"We're here, Young Master. Hino-sama." the chauffeur said as he opened the door for them.

Ryoutaro stepped out of the car first and took in the huge view in front of him. It made his eyes wide with awe. He didn't know that the family was this...wealthy.

"Let's go Ryoutaro," Kahoko's mother said when he saw that the boy hadn't moved an inch from his place.

"This." Ryoutaro said, still in shock, "This is where he lives."

"Yes, this is the main branch." Kahoko's mother said shortly, "Come along. Time isn't stopping for you." she said as she walked up the steps which led into the mansion's entrance. Ryoutaro instantly kept up with her.

"Hino-sama," one of the butlers greeted. "I'm sorry, but the Master and Lady aren't at home. Would you like to wait for a while? I'm sure they won't be long, we've already informed them about your arrival."

"Waiting will be fine." she said. And the butler led her and Ryoutaro into a room. "Thank you." she said as they were left to themselves.

"This is not something I've been expecting," Ryoutaro said, looking around the room and then sitting on the soft couch.

Kahoko's mother took a seat across Ryoutaro with poise. She studied the room, the architecture was perfect, the interior design was made so that people will feel at home immediately. She noticed a picture frame at one of the coffee tables and she reached for it. The background was probably the mansion's court. She immediately recognized the blue haired little boy in the picture. What intrigued her the most was the little girl beside him. They seemed to look so happy together.

"I see," she murmured. She saw that Ryoutaro was looking at her with question in his eyes. She immediately handed the picture frame to him.

"Huh," was all Ryoutaro said as he handed the frame back. "So, a childhood friend, huh. Or maybe a cousin?" As Kahoko's mother took the picture from him, a flash of knowledge came across his eyes.

"She may be of use." Kahoko's mother said, calculating.

Suddenly they both heard clicking of heels, running towards the room. The doors suddenly burst open and both guests had a surprised face on both of their faces at the sudden intrusion. A teenage girl in a white long sleeved button up and dark skinny jeans and high heeled riding boots stood before them. Her light brown hair in a slight mess from the run, and she was slightly breathless. She took in the faces of the people in front of her and she suddenly stood up straight.

"I'm...I'm sorry!" she apologized, her cheeks began to flood with blood. "I...I heard there were guests and I thought...I'm so sorry for the rude entrance."

"Are you the Young Lady of this house?" Kahoko's mother asked, slowly standing up.

"Oh, no." the teenage girl said, still flushed by her mistake. "The Tsukimori is a a family friend." she smiled.

"The person you thought would be here, could it be Len-kun?" she asked.

Her eyes widen in surprise. How could this woman in front of her know? Could she be related to Len? But nonetheless, she nodded.

"Well then," Kahoko's mother said, smiling sweetly at her, "I'm Shuuri Hino. I'm the Lady of the Hino household. This is—"

"Tsuchiura Ryoutaro." she nodded, "He's my classmate during junior high in Vietnam. It's a pleasure to meet you Lady Hino." she said, carefully closing the doors behind her. "Is...is Len doing well?"

When the girl acknowledged Ryoutaro, Kahoko's mother flashed him a brief questioning look before looking back at the girl. "Very well. In fact, you must be aware that in a few months he's coming back here already."

"Yes, I'm aware." she said, but a sad look was on her face, "That is, if Len still wishes to come home."

"Pardon me?" Kahoko's mother asked. Could this girl know something that she doesn't?

"It's just that I had a dream recently. I know it's absurd to believe in dreams, but it was a dream I kept having every time I think of Len before I fall asleep. It's odd to keep having the same dream unless it means something. In the dream, Len and I met at a certain place only the two of us knew about, and in that dream, he told me that he chose to stay in the Hino household and serve the Young Lady of that house." she said, frowning.

Ryoutaro and Kahoko's mother exchanged knowing looks. This time, Ryoutaro spoke up. "Manami-san," he began.

"Mori." she smiled, "We've known each other for a while, no need for the formalities just because we haven't seen each other for a few years."

Ryoutaro returned her smile, "Remember what I told you when we were in Junior High? I've told you about this girl that I've been loving and never forgot." Ryoutaro said. He could feel Kahoko's mother's stare boring onto his back. Well, he didn't volunteer to say that he knew her and that she's practically his best friend. There wasn't a secret he never told her, and vise versa. Just the names were confidential.

Mori nodded, remembering. Ryoutaro had been popular in school, but he rejected all the other girls saying that someone already own his heart back here in Japan.

"Well, that girl is Kahoko Hino."

Mori stared at Ryoutaro for a while. She didn't know how to react at all. Then she looked at Kahoko's mother. The woman gave her a gentle smile. Ryoutaro hadn't given her much clues, but she was smart enough to piece things together.

"No. No. No." she said over and over again, she looked at Ryoutaro in disbelief. "You can't be serious! That's impossible. A servant and a master can never develop feelings for each other!"

Kahoko's mother watched Mouri. She was impressed. The girl instantly caught on with what was going on. Maybe she's really of great use to separate her daughter and Len for good.

"This is why we need your help." Ryoutaro said. "You've told me about this boy you were in love with, and without digging much further, I can tell it's Len Tsukimori. I need your help to keep them apart. You have to help with Len's upcoming decision. You have to convince him to leave her side."

"But if he leaves her side, he'll come back into this household. It just raises his chances to be with her! There's no more chains keeping him from her. He'll be rid of his butler title. There's no more law of master-servant hanging over his head." Mori said.

Ryoutaro paused. Kahoko's mother considered things. They haven't thought of it at all. All they were thinking about was to keep Len away from Kahoko, away from the household. Truly, this girl was smart.

"We haven't considered that." Kahoko's mother said. "But maybe you could convince his parents to take him somewhere far. I have heard Len practice his skills with the violin and it was truly remarkable. His parent's might want to let him polish that further and bring him into the path the same as theirs."

"Europe." Mori considered.

"Yes." She nodded, "This way, everybody will be happy. You will be with the person you love and Ryoutaro will be with my daughter."

"But," Mori hesitated, "Even if I love Len, being with someone you're not really in love with anymore..." she said sadly.

"It's an illusion." Ryoutaro said in a hard voice.

"What?" Mouri said, looking into Ryoutaro's eyes.

"They've been together almost all their life. It's normal to imagine you're in love with that person. They just have to be presented with reality again. Len haven't seen you in a while. And as far as I know, contacting each other wasn't allowed. You must've been cast out of his mind, since I'm sure he has nothing that will remind him of you. Kahoko is naive. Whatever they feel for each other is just an illusion. I've hurt Kahoko and left her. Len was the only person by her side. She must've mistaken her feelings of being scared to be alone for being in love with Len."

Mori considered what Ryoutaro had said. There are some holes in the reason, but it made sense. Slowly she nodded. "Okay. What do you want me to do?" she asked.

Kahoko's mother watched everything with amazement. Maybe she doesn't have to do anything at all. It seems like these two teenagers will be able to handle everything by themselves now. They seem to be more cunning than she is.

A/N: Review please! Uwaaa, another chapter comes to an end.

Please look forward to the next chapter!