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Chapter 11: Duchess
Misaki woke up in an unfamiliar place feeling stiffness in her body. She rubbed her eyes sleepily and looked around. She couldn't actually see the room because gauzy curtains covered all three sides of the bed. The curtain had a glowing hue to it meaning it was probably bright out in the rest of the room. Misaki glanced around at the large bed she had slept on. There was a faint outline on the pillow next to her. Usui was already gone.
Misaki rolled onto her back and stared at the ceiling.
Last night was the strangest night in her life. The way Usui touched her...Misaki hadn't even been aware her body could feel this way. The pain she was told about was nothing compared to the pleasure.
Her cheeks flamed as she thought about seeing Usui again. What was she suppose to say to him? She hadn't even composed herself when she heard the door open. She saw the outline of a woman approach the bed and curtsy.
"My lady" she said. "Are you up?"
"Um...yes" Misaki said sitting up and pulling the blanket around her naked body.
The woman didn't respond.
"You may rise" Misaki said, feeling a bit like her mother.
"Thank you, my lady" the woman said straightening up. She walked over and parted the curtains. Misaki winced as the bright afternoon light shined in her face.
"The Duke had matters this morning and decided to let my lady rest" the maid explained. "He sends his deepest apologies."
Misaki lifted her chin. "What he does is not my concern." she said, ignoring her flushed cheeks.
The maid smirked just the slightest. "My name is Honoka and I will specifically be serving my lady" Honoka said.
"Hello Honoka," Misaki greeted.
"My lady needs to wash and robe," she said clapping her hands a few times. Several maids, carrying bowels and stacks of fabric, came in. A maid dropped to her knees in front of the bed and presented Misaki a robe while another offered her water to wash her mouth.
Misaki rinsed her mouth and spit it into another bowl. Usually in the mornings, she did such things on her own without assistance.
A maid held a water bowl out to Misaki and and waited patiently as Misaki washed her face. Another maid was ready with a towel.
The pampering made Misaki uncomfortable. She got out of bed and almost collapsed not aware just how stiff her body was.
"My lady" Honoka said helping her up. "Tis something you will become accustomed to," she reassured her.
Misaki blushed when a few maids stifled laughs. A glare from Honoka sent the room in silence. "This is the bedchamber of the grand duke and duchess" she said gravely. "Those in here better remember who they are...You may depart" she said waving off the girls who let out a breath of relief.
A burden eased of Misaki's shoulders. She was to be respected in this household. Honoka guided Misaki over to the table where clothes were laid out.
"Do not mind them" Honoka said. "The Duke specifically gave orders today. Those who displease you...will be displeasing him."
Misaki nodded and began brushed her hair as Honoka smoothed out the clothes, helping her dress. Usui had made good to his word about caring for her.
Misaki was only in her petticoats when there was a brisk knock on the door. Honoka draped Misaki's cape around her before going to get the door. Her mother and Uncle Ren were there.
"Mother!" Misaki greeted. She watched in horror as her mother and uncle both dropped to their knees in front of her.
"Hail the Duchess" they greeted in unison.
"What are you doing?!" Misaki exclaimed trying to help her mother up. "How can you kneel to me? I am your daughter!"
Minako shook her head. "You are the royal duchess now, Misaki" she reminded her. "Never forget that."
"I thought you returned home yesterday," Misaki said.
Minako nodded. "We are here this morning to check your union"
"Excuse our intrusion, Duchess" Uncle Ren said. "I ask of your maid to assist"
Honoka nodded. She briskly walked over to the bed and peeled away the blanket. The white bed sheet underneath was splotched with red.
Misaki cringed as her new maid stripped off the soiled sheets.
"Is he good to you?" Minako asked taking one of Misaki's hands.
Misaki tore her eyes from the sheets, staining with the loss of her virginity and nodded. "He treats me well"
Minako nodded. "I'm pleased to hear that"
"Thank you for your compliance" Ren said bowing. "We shall leave you in peace." Ren and Minako dropped a deep bow and left. Misaki watched sadly as the door closed.
Honoka cleared her throat. "You will see them again. Time to finish dressing" she reminded Misaki. Misaki wore a violet dress with pleats in the skirt. The sleeves were three quarters of her arm and the back had a long row of pearl buttons. Gold brooches held the cape at her shoulders. Misaki did not recognize these clothes and believed that they were made recently for her.
Honoka added plenty of jewelry despite Misaki's annoyance. "One must dress as they are ranked" she told Misaki as she clasped the strand of pearls around her neck. Misaki wore her hair up with silk flowers pinned to the side.
"The duke wishes for you to learn your duties for you are now mistress of this household" Honoka explained as they walked down the giant staircase. "But first you must have breakfast"
They came into the large dining hall where a single person's meal was laid out.
"Eat and I will be back shortly" Honoka said briskly walking away. Misaki sat down and studied the food. She hardly eaten anything yesterday and was famished. She quickly ate the bread and fruit. Misaki nibbled on cakes and drank tea until Honoka returned with a long piece of parchment in her hands.
"Duchess" Honoka greeted dipping into a curtsy.
Misaki carefully set her teacup down and followed her. They quickly toured the mansion again and stopped in a study. Honoka promptly pulled out stacks of parchment and log books.
"Your duties will include taking inventory" Honoka explained. "You must record all that is used and all that is needed in the household..."
They quickly visited every room. "My lady is expected to spend her free time here" Honoka said showing her the sewing room. Misaki raised an eyebrow.
"I don't do such things" Misaki admitted.
Honoka turned and studied Misaki. "My lady will have to learn now won't she?"
Misaki gulped and followed Honoka outside. She showed her the gardens. Misaki gazed at the tall stone walls wondering if she would ever be leaving.
Misaki found herself in the stables. "Arrow!" she cried running up to a stall. She rested her face against his and stroked his long nose. It was good to see a familiar face, even if it was a horse.
"They brought you here to be with me" she murmured. Arrow nuzzled her face and Misaki laughed. "I'd love to go for a ride" Misaki said patting the stallion's thick neck.
"Absolutely not" Honoka exclaimed. "This most improper. Why does my lady even have a battle horse?"
Misaki blinked. Her mind flitted back to the tame mares that noble women would usually ride and stifled a yawn. A battle horse had the speed she loved.
"A horse is meant to be fast" Misaki said.
"The Duke will be most displeased with this behavior-"
"I would do no such thing" a voice said cutting off the maid. Misaki glanced up. Usui strolled in the stable. Honoka dropped to her knees with her head bowed.
"My lord..." she greeted.
Misaki dropped into a curtsy too. Her heart started beating uncontrollably again. Usui took her hand and pulled her up.
"No need for such formalities" he said.
Misaki nodded, not raising her head.
"Return to your tasks" he told Honoka. "You have done enough for today"
"Thank you, Duke Usui" Honoka said leaving quickly.
Usui returned his attention back to his wife. "Misaki?" he said lifting her chin she he could see her eyes.
Misaki blushed and looked away. "Yes, my lord?" she asked.
"Hmmm" Usui said studying her face. She was clearly nervous about seeing him and reverted back to a formal address.
"Did you sleep well?" Usui asked.
Misaki nodded.
"Were the maids respectful?"
Misaki nodded again.
Usui stroked Misaki's cheek. "Did you not want to go riding? We can go now"
Misaki looked up and Usui saw a light return to her eyes. "Let's go" she said immediately beginning to saddle her own horse.
Usui walked over and wrapped her arms around her waist. Misaki jumped. "You are no ordinary woman..." he whispered into her ear. Misaki felt her face flush again and cursed her fragile complexion.
"Of course not" she said keeping her chin high. "Now saddle your own steed or else you shall be left in the dust"
Usui laughed. "We'll see who gets left in the dust" he challenged. They rode out into open valley where they raced. Misaki kicked Arrow into a sprint and let her hands drop from the reign. She lifted her hands above her head and felt the wind rushing through her fingers.
"Thats dangerous!" Usui called from his own steed.
"Tis thrilling!" Misaki yelled back.
Usui shook his head but couldn't help smiling. "Be careful!"
They rode their horses to the edge of a wide lake. Misaki slid off her horse and gazed at the beautiful landscape in awe. The lake was clear and sparkled under the sun. Vegetation crowned the edges.
Misaki plucked a flower from the grass and tossed it into the water. The petals unfolded and slowly drifted away.
"Do you like it here?" Usui asked, coming up behind her. Misaki turned.
"I do" she said, telling the truth for once. "Nature at its finest" she announced.
Usui casually took her hand in his. Their fingers intertwined as they ventured closer to the lake edge.
"The water is so clear" Misaki marveled. She bent down and touched the cool water with her hands.
"You can go in" Usui suggested.
"And ruin my garments?" Misaki asked.
Usui smirked. "Take them off"
Misaki blushed. "Someone might see..."
Usui shook his head. "Tis a place only you and I know of"
Misaki was still hesitant. As young children, her mother sometimes let Suzana and her swim the shallow lake but her mother forbade it as they grew up.
Usui unbuttoned his jacket and and cloak and tossed them under a tree. He proceeded to take his boots and socks off and then rolled up his pants.
"You'll be missing out..." he warned.
Misaki sighed giving in. The water looked so tempting. She nodded at Usui. Usui smiled at her and slid his hand up her back, undoing the buttons. Misaki unpinned her hair and shook it out. She kept her petticoats on, not brave enough to be bare naked in front of Usui.
Misaki stepped into the cool water. The water lapped at her ankles. Usui waded out, encouraging her to come deeper.
"Can you swim?" he asked.
"A bit" Misaki told him. "My mother never allowed us to though"
"What a shame..." Usui said. He paused and examined the water. "Misaki..." he whispered.
Misaki raised her eyebrows. "What?" she asked.
Usui motioned for her to come over. Misaki carefully waded her way to Usui's side.
"What?" she asked again.
"Look at that" Usui said pointing. Misaki looked down. She couldn't see anything in particular.
"Look closer" Usui told her. Misaki leaned down, her nose almost touching the waters surface.
"I still don't-" Misaki felt herself being pushed headfirst into the water. Misaki scrambled to stand back up. Her feet found the bottom of the lake and she stood back up, spitting out water. She was soaked to the skin.
"Usui!" she spluttered. Her petticoats clung to her skin and her hair was dripping wet. Usui snickered like a young boy playing a prank.
"Usui!" Misaki yelled angrily. She glared at him when Usui laughed harder. "What a mean trick!" she exclaimed.
"My apologies" Usui said between laughs. "Twas too tempting..."
Misaki ignored him and crossed her arms.
"Are you angry with me?" Usui asked trying to get a look at her face. Misaki turned away.
"I sincerely ask for forgiveness" Usui said. Misaki could still hear the smile in his voice.
"You fool!" she yelled pushing him away.
Usui slipped and fell backwards into the water, sending Misaki crashing back into the water also.
"Are you alright?" Usui asked, pulling Misaki onto her feet. Misaki spit out more water.
"Quite fine. Thank you" she said tersely.
Both of them were dripping wet when they returned to the shore. Misaki wrung out her petticoats and Usui wrung out his shirt.
"Fun?" he asked. Misaki ignored him and continued squeezing water out of her garments.
Misaki felt a warm hand on the side of her face turning her head.
"Misaki..." Usui said. "The more I know you...the more I like you" he told her.
Misaki tried turning her head but Usui wouldn't let her. "U-usi..." she said whispered as Usui leaned in very close.
"Shhh..." Usui said. "Some things can not be said with words..." he whispered capturing her lips with his.