Sorry everyone, a bit of writers block today. I had this plot planned out but then I wanted to add something now I think i have too many characters. Hopefully I won't have to kill anyone off... T.T Please give me some feedback on the chap

Chapter 15: Threat

Guests at the Duke's mansion rarely came uninvited. Even if they do it was only for a short time...unless it was the Duke's grandfather...then everyone was running around.

Misaki quickly slipped on her shoes while Erika and Honoka fixed her sapphire blue silk dress. There were many ribbons on it that required lots of hand tying. Misaki quickly stumbled out her bedchamber and almost ran into Usui who was securing his cape on.

"Sorry to spring this on you, darling" Usui said. "I wasn't expecting grandfather just to show up"

"Its alright..." Misaki replied, straightening and centering her circlet. They rushed down the stairs together and paused outside the door of the study.

Usui sucked in a deep breath and held his arm out to Misaki. Misaki took his arm and they slowly and regally walked in together.

"Grand Duke..." they greeted. Usui bowed and Misaki sunk into a deep curtsey.

"Rise" the elderly man said gruffly.

"Thank you..." they murmured in unison.

"Is something the matter, Grandfather?" Usui asked.

The man shook his head. "I am not at peace..." he said. "I could not make it to your wedding for I was taken to bed with illness"

"I understand perfectly" Usui reassured him. "Your health should come first"

"And so I decided to come visit you today...to give my blessings."

"Thank you, Grandfather"

"Come here" Grandfather said waving Misaki over. Misaki slowly walked over and dropped to her knees next to where Grandfather was sitting.

"My...how fair" he complimented.

"Thank you, my lord" Misaki replied.

"I will be expecting beautiful great grandchildren."

Misaki hid her shock behind her smile. Why was everyone going on about children? She didn't want to have a child. She was married for only a few months. She wasn't ready to be a mother.

"Have you gotten along with the married life?" Grandfather asked. Usui came and helped Misaki up.

"Beautifully" Usui told him. "Can't image how I ever lived without Misaki"

Misaki blushed. "Stop it..." she whispered.

Grandfather nodded and cleared his throat. "Now to be frank, the Duchess doesn't personally serve you correct?"

Usui blinked a few times. "Excuse me?" he asked. "I don't quite understand"

"Who helps you get dressed in the morning? Who takes care of your baths?" Grandfather explain.

Usui cleared his throat. "I'm quite able to get dress myself but if I ever need to be dressed by someone else, Misaki is quite able..." Usui said, not sure where this conversation was leading.

"You're a noble" Grandfather said shaking his head. "There is no need for you to do such petty things yourself"

Misaki bit her lip. "My apologies" she said bowing her head. "I overlooked such details"

"Indeed you have..." Grandfather said. "But tis natural for you are a new wife though I don't mean this as any disrespect to you, my dear. I personally don't want you to be plagued by such petty details since you have childbearing to worry about"

...There one goes again about children. Misaki wondered if in the eyes of men, women were only kept around to have children.

"I don't understand, my lord" Misaki said, feeling puzzled. The Grand Duke seemed to be contradicting himself.

"I came here to present the both of you my gift..." Grandfather said. "Kira!" he called. A young girl with long blonde locks and ice blue eyes stepped forward.

"My lord..." she greeted, in a silvery tone.

Misaki stared at the girl. She was much too well dress for a maid but not quite dressed as a lady in waiting.

"This is Kira" Grandfather told Usui. "I am going to give her to serve you."

"That is quite unnecessary," Usui said, not liking the idea very much.

"Kira has grown up by my side. She will see to all your needs in the best of manner"

"My lord" Kira said bowing to Usui. "I will do my best to serve you..."

"Grandfather..." Usui began. "I have plenty of servants and wouldn't you rather Kira remain by your side to serve you?"

Grandfather shook his head. "I'd feel at peace if I knew you had an able bodied servant by your side..."

"But-"

"No buts Takumi. I have your best interests at heart and it would please me that you accept my gift"

"Of course..." Usui said not daring to talk back to his grandfather.

After Grandfather left, everyone felt strange around the new girl. Erika came in with tea hoping calm everyone down after the surprise visit.

"What will my lord have me do?" Kira asked, bowing.

"You can clean if you'd like" Usui said. "We always need to do that"

"...but my lord..." Kira said. "I am to serve only you"

There was a crash. Everyone turned to the commotion.

"I'm sorry, my lord" Erika said picking up the shattered cups immediately. "The tray slipped"

"There's no harm done" Misaki said. "Be careful, don't cut yourself on the shards"

"Thank you Duchess..." Erika said. "You are most kind and I hope no one would ever take advantage of that..." she said. She cleaned up the mess and departed for a second tray.

"Just get settled in" Usui told Kira. "Dismissed" he said to all the servants.

Misaki returned to her bedchamber to change.

"Misaki!" Erika hissed, rushing in. "How could you let that happen?"

Misaki looked up from brushing her hair. "Let what happen?" she asked, confused.

"Let the Grand Duke leave a woman in your household"

"Tis a maid..." Misaki said.

"Tis a maid until the she demon gets her claws into the Duke" Erika whispered.

"But I'm Usui's wife" Misaki said, feeling confused. Would Takumi really be interested in a servant?

"Has my lady never heard of a mistress?" Erika asked.

Misaki dropped her brush. "Right under my nose?" she asked, horrified.

"I suggest you get rid of her," Erika said, nodding. "It will be far too late once you caught them together"

"But she's a servant" Misaki said, feeling panicked. What if Usui didn't love her? Maybe he would grow bored of her...

"My lady" Erika said in frustration. "Does she look like a servant to you? Have you seen her hands? Not a callous or mark on them."

Misaki's heart felt like it was going to burst. "What am I to do then, Erika?" she whispered.

Erika thought about it. "Best not mention it to the Duke yet or else he might find you too controlling. I promise my lady that I will keep a close eye on her but for now keep a close eye on the Duke..."

Misaki felt sick again. Every time she saw Kira, despair would fill her. Why did the Grand Duke have to play such an awful trick on her? Why does one even care if she allowed Usui to button up his own shirt in the morning...he took it off himself fine.

Misaki wandered into the garden and practiced archery. She shot arrow after arrow into the target. The light workout even wore her out.

"What is wrong with me..." Misaki wondered. She went to go find Usui who would usually cheer her up. Usui was in his study...with Kira patiently standing in the corner.

"Takumi" she greeted. Usui looked up from his work.

"Shoot some pigeons?" Usui asked taking Misaki's hand.

"Just some targets" she told him.

"Do you need something?" Usui asked.

"Are you busy?" Misaki asked.

"Never for you..."

Misaki smiled and pulled Usui up. They walked out together and Misaki wanted to curse when she hear Kira walk behind them.

"You can go" she told Kira.

"I am to serve the Duke if he needs me..." Kira whispered.

"Its alright now" Misaki said a bit more firmly. "I can take care of him"

"You're dismissed" Usui said.

Kira reluctantly left.

"Now that you have me all to yourself..." Usui whispered. "What would you like to do?"

Misaki laughed.

They wandered back into the garden and Misaki showed Usui her shots.

"Can you hit that blossom up there?" Usui challenged, pointing up into the tree. Misaki smiled and pulled back her bow. The arrow flew up but missed the flower by an entire foot.

Misaki frowned at her shot.

"Let me show you how its done" Usui teased. He grabbed at arrow and loaded it onto the bow. He carefully took aim and released. The blossom drifted down onto the grass. Usui calmly picked it up and tucked it in Misaki's hair.

"The flower was so beautiful in the tree" Usui said stroking Misaki's face. "But when its next to you...it cannot compare"

Misaki swatted his hand away. "Tis foolish words you are spouting again" Misaki said, blushing.

Misaki's stomach grumbled.

"Its almost evening" Usui said laughing. "Let's go eat"

Usui grabbed Misaki's hand as they walked back inside. Misaki leaned her head against Usui's arm, feeling warm inside.

They sat down for dinner which was carried by Kira. She clumsily set the bowls and plates down. Erika came up behind moving at a much quicker pace and serving the food.

"I had wanted to serve the Duke...and the Duchess their meals..." Kira complained.

"If that had been so...the food would have grown cold" Erika snapped. Kira didn't respond.

"Is there anything else I can do?" Kira asked, smiling at Usui.

"No, you can go rest" Usui replied, hardly looking up from his food. "Here, darling" he said placing a roll of Misaki's plate. "Its still warm"

"Thank you" Misaki said, biting into the buttery roll. "Mmmm..." she breathed. Usui sipped his soup and smiled to himself. The way Misaki ate always amused him. He was glad she wasn't a petty eater.

"These potatoes are amazing" Misaki said shoveling them into her mouth.

Usui laughed. "They were the same ones on our wedding night" he told her.

"Really?" Misaki asked with a mouthful of food. "Doesn't taste the same..."

Usui nodded. "Yes, they're the same dish."

"Tastes good" Misaki said while eating another one.

"Make sure you chew..." Usui reminded her. "Don't choke"

"I won't..." came the muffled reply.

Erika watched Kira closely as she looked around. Kira stopped by a mirror and smiled to herself. She casually straightened her hair and practiced her smiles which seemed sweet. Kira then smirked to herself and walked off.

Erika raised an eyebrow but didn't say anything. She didn't know who Kira really was but there was no way she was going to let anything befall Misaki.