Here i come again with these chaps...one day im going to not have time to write a chap per day and there is going to be a riot. :P Spoil my readers so much. Anyways R&R. The more you review the more i feel like writing! 3

Chapter 8: Engagement Banquet

Misaki blissfully slept until noon but because she slept in so late there was rushing. Well Misaki didn't rush, everyone else did. Satsuki was untying her hair and releasing perfect dark ringlets.

"Oh Misaki" Sakura exclaimed. "You look so beautiful"

Misaki picked up a hand mirror and studied herself as Satsuki set a thin wreath of silver wires on her head. The tiny flowers and leaves on the wreath were made of diamonds.

Misaki's hair was left loose and curly to show off her youth but the hairpiece added sophistication.

Everyone awed over Misaki's dress. The ice blue was definitely eye catching and went well with Misaki's complexion. The thin straps were made of braided silver material and the hem was hand embroidered. The silver thread caught the light and reflected off the silk.

"Give us a twirl!" Sakura pressed. Misaki laughed and spun around for everyone. The dress was light much to Misaki's surprise.

Shizuko helped Misaki into her shoes while Satsuki clasped the diamond and sapphire necklace on. Everyone was smoothing the dress out or fixing tiny things on Misaki.

"Absolutely beautiful" Minako said as she walked in. "I can't believe you're grown up" she said with a sigh. Minako had a perfect white rose in her hand which she tucked in Misaki's hair.

Suzana walked in and everyone greeted her. Misaki thought Suzana was the beautiful one though. Suzana's dress was a soft green with bronze ribbon lacing up the back. The cut of the dress was modest but showed off her slender figure. Suzana's hair was in a simple braid with a circlet and veil.

"Oneesan" Suzana greeted giving Misaki a careful hug.

"Are you ready?" Misaki asked.

Suzana laughed. "Shouldn't it be I who asks Oneesan?"

Misaki just smiled and they headed out to the carriage. Throughout the entire ride Misaki was either staring out the window or staring at her ring. The sun made the polished stone shine. Misaki studied it wondering what sort of stone it could be. Her thoughts traveled back to her books of science.

"Announcing the Countess!" a voice yelled as the carriage doors swung open. Minako stepped out first followed by Misaki and then Suzana. Her mother slowly walked down toward the gate. Her head was high and each step was fluid. Misaki followed suit in her mother's footsteps.

There was a pride of being in her family. Others may not know it but the Ayuzawa family wasn't corrupted in the slightest. Misaki was raised with strong virtues.

Misaki saw Usui again. He was dressed in a handsome midnight blue jacket with gold embroidery and lining. The three of them approached the Duke and curtsied.

"Welcome" Usui said gesturing for them to rise. Minako thanked him before straightening up. Usui walked over to Misaki. Misaki's heart started picking up speed again.

"My lady" he greeted, holding out his arm. Misaki swallowed and took his arm. It was a custom that Misaki wasn't seen by all the guests until the announcement. Usui walked her around the rest of the mansion for the guests were all in the grand ballroom.

"Have you been well?" Usui asked casually.

"Um yes" Misaki replied. "And you?"

"Very well" Usui replied smiling to himself. They strolled down large hallways. Misaki studied the lavish paintings.

"Umm...my lord?" Misaki began.

"You can address me as Usui or Takumi," Usui said. "No need to be so formal."

Misaki blushed. She hardly even called Hinata by his first name ever and they had known each other all their life.

"Usui" she said.

"Yes?"

"Why do you want to marry me?" Misaki asked curiously. She still didn't quite understand why such a high ranking noble like him wouldn't pay heed to her reckless actions.

"Because I like you" Usui said.

Misaki bit her bottom lip. "But why...?" she asked.

Usui grinned. "Do you think of yourself as unlikeable?" he teased.

"Well not exactly" Misaki said. "Its just...I thought a Duke would want to marry a girl with more...class."

They stopped walking. "I think you have lots of class" Usui told her. "And I hope you can really get to know me in the future. I am not just a Duke. I'm my own person."

"My own person..." Misaki whispered, liking the sound of that. "That makes sense" she said.

"I'm glad it does"

"Hey Usui"

"Yes?"

"Can I ever challenge you to a rematch?"

They wandered back to the entrance of the ballroom. Usui smiled, his emerald green eyes were gentle.

"I look forward to it" he promised. They waited outside the entrance.

"Announcing Duke Usui and his lovely betrothed, Lady Ayuzawa!"

Usui and Misaki took their cue and walked in together. Those who were of lower class dropped to their knees while others gave a courteous bow or nod.

The music resumed playing and lively chatter filled the air. Misaki remembered to take dainty steps as she weaved her way through the crowd. She had always hated social events. Several noble girls caught up to her fussed over her engagement ring.

"Oh Lady Ayuzawa" one cooed. "Tis a beautiful ring. I envy your good fortune!"

Misaki politely thanked her. She left the group and continued wandering. Almost everyone stopped to congratulate her and to wish her good fortune.

"Hinata!" she called when she saw a familiar face. Hinata smiled and pressed his lips to her hand.

"Misaki" he greeted. "You look stunning today"

"Thank you" Misaki replied with a smile.

"Could I ask for a dance?" Hinata asked.

Misaki laughed. "Of course" she said placing her hand in his. They stepped onto the ballroom floor where many people were already dancing. Misaki placed one hand on Hinata's shoulder.

"Are you happy?" Hinata asked as they slowly danced.

Misaki thought about it. She believed that Usui and her would become friends one day. "I am quite fortunate" Misaki told him. "The Duke is actually a kind man"

"So the rumors aren't true?" Hinata asked skeptically.

"From what I've seen, he is a gentleman" Misaki said. She thought about the duel with him, when Usui came to find her in the woods and just then, when he told her he wanted her to know the real him.

"Just be careful" Hinata whispered. "If he ever hurts you..." he said even quieter. "I'll come take you away" he promised. "We'll run away"

Misaki smiled. "Oh Hinata" she laughed. "I have not met a man I feared"

Hinata shook his head. Misaki was naive and strong headed. She didn't quite understand how dark people could be and assumed she will always overcome it.

The dance ended and everyone eagerly waited for the next.

"Excuse me" a silky voice said and Misaki felt someone wrap their arm around her waist. She jumped a little and glanced up.

"Usui!" she said.

"Can I cut in and have a dance with my betrothed?" he said specifically looking at Hinata.

Misaki swore she saw Hinata roll his eyes. He stepped back and walked away throwing a backward glance.

"Who's he?" Usui asked as they assimilated to the crowds of couples dancing.

"A childhood friend" Misaki told Usui.

"What's his name?" Usui asked.

Misaki raised her eyebrow. "Hinata...why does it matter?"

"No reason. Just curious" Usui said nonchalantly.

"Oh..."

"Who will you be bringing with you after we are wed?" Usui asked, striking up a conversation as they danced.

"No one." Misaki answered.

"Really?" Usui asked. The more he spoke with Misaki, the more intrigued he was about her. He always wanted to know what she was thinking.

"My most loyal friends will stay behind and care for my sister" Misaki told him.

"That is most generous of you"

"Tis hardly anything" Misaki disagreed. "She is my sister. I will do everything in my power to protect her"

Usui smiled. "I'll have servants prepared for you." he promised her. "They will see to your every need"

"I am quite capable of caring for myself" Misaki reminded him. The music faded as the song was drawing to a close. Usui kissed her hand.

"I know" he said. "I also plan on taking care of you...personally"

Misaki jerked her hand away at his strange words. She could feel her cheeks reddening. She quickly turned and walked away, not daring to look back.

Usui smiled to himself. He certainly chose right for his bride.

Misaki hoped not to see Usui again but they were eventually pushed together. Maids passed around goblets of wine for a toast.

"Let us drink" Usui said loudly and wrapped an arm around Misaki's waist. "To my beautiful bride and the soon to be duchess"

"Here here!" came a chorus of responses.

Misaki meekly raised her glass just like the others but she felt rather odd toasting to herself. She took a sip of the wine. The thick liquid tasted sweet yet bitter at the same time.

"Bittersweet..." Misaki thought as she finished her glass and handed it to a maid.