Okay my own character, Kira annoys the heck out of me- despite the fact I created her... ugh she's so annoying XD Anyways so Kira is keeping low in these few chapters/ I didn't feel like including her. Keep the reviews coming in! Anyways if you want to ask me a question I'd be happy to reply but when your a guest or anonymous its a little hard for me to PM you...sorry!
Chapter 16: Secrets
The nobles were restless. Tora's plans sent ripples through everyone's life. Usui would often return from court with a headache. Apparently there was heavy debates and Tora was very persuasive.
Misaki stood in the kitchen brewing a drink for Usui. She opened the lid to see if it was done but the smell that wafted up was horrible. Misaki slammed the lid back on and grabbed an empty bucket. She retched into the old bucket wondering how something so simple could smell so bad. The usual sweet drink smelled spoiled and sour.
"Takumi certainly isn't going to drink this..." Misaki muttered.
She felt so nauseous. Even the smell of the coals sent her crouching over the bucket. Misaki wiped the sweat off her face and rinsed her mouth out.
After tossing the foul pot of drink, Misaki went for a walk in the garden. The fresh air made her feel better instantly.
Misaki wandered into the grand library. She walked around looking at all the books. Usui said that he read every book in here but Misaki didn't believe him. There were hundreds of books with fine leather covers.
Misaki randomly pulled a book from the vast collection. It was a book of medicine. Misaki smiled to herself. Perhaps this book would hold her attention for the rest of the morning. She sat down on a couch and curled up. She flipped open to the first page. The parchment seemed old but the writing was beautiful.
Hours passed yet Misaki was content on reading this book. Science fascinated her and knowing simple aid might come in handy.
Erika poked her head into the library. "There you are Misaki" she said coming in with a tray. "Have you been this whole time?"
Misaki looked up from her book. "Yes I have"
Erika smiled and set a tray down. "You missed breakfast and lunch. Aren't you hungry?"
Misaki laughed. "I forgot"
"What is so interesting?" Erika said examining the book. "What are these strange words?" she asked.
"Latin" Misaki explained.
"My lady can read such writing?" Erika asked studying the pages.
Misaki smiled. "Most books are written in latin, so yes"
Erika shrugged and handed the book back to Misaki. "I won't disturb you then..." she said leaving.
Misaki sighed and looked over the tray. The tarts looked very good. Misaki picked one up and bit into it. The taste was sweet at first but then curdled to bitter. Misaki spat it out immediately and felt her nausea returning. She covered her mouth to keep from retching all over the carpet.
She leaned against a bookshelf, panting. What was with her this morning? Misaki picked up her book and scanned the table of contents. Perhaps she could make her own remedy from this book.
She flipped through the stiff pages, reading passage after passage. Her eyes stopped on one frightening word...childbearing.
"Oh no..." Misaki breathed. She scanned the article, each symptom matching her own. The sickness, the fatigue, the distaste to her favorite foods...had she missed her monthly flow?
The book dropped onto the ground and Misaki sank back into the seat. It was too much to bear in one morning. Misaki put her face in her hands and stared blankly at the floor. She counted the days since her last flow over and over. She had missed her flow this month as well as last month. How could she not have noticed?!
Too many emotions fought each other. Misaki was overjoyed that she had this child in her but in many ways she still felt like a child herself. How was she suppose to rear this child? The very thought was foreign to her. This wasn't a stranger's child though...it was her's and Takumi's. This was Takumi's child! She loves him and he loves her too, does he not?
"Oh goodness..." Misaki said, feeling faint. Too fast...
"Slow down!" Misaki screamed. "I'm not ready for this!" she cried. Misaki pulled her knees to her chest and sobbed. "I'm not ready..." she kept saying to herself.
"Misaki?" she heard a voice called. She gasped and wiped her eyes with her sleeve.
"Misaki?" Usui asked, walking over to her. "Are you alright?" he asked, tilting his head to look at her.
"Yes I'm fine" Misaki said with a small smile.
"You were crying"
"No I wasn't..." Misaki said.
"Your eyes are red" Usui said, his thumb traced under her eye. "What happened?" Usui asked. "Did someone hurt you?"
Misaki laughed. "Tis nothing" she said. "Just reading...a sad book"
"A sad medicine book?" Usui asked raising an eyebrow. "Tell me the truth, Misaki. If anyone disrespected you, I will not tolerate it."
"Its really nothing" Misaki said, wanting to be off the subject.
"Misaki..." Usui said softly. "It hurts me when I see you upset. Please tell me"
A tear leaked out of Misaki's eye. Misaki wiped it with her sleeve. "I burned your meal" she lied, well she did actually ruin it so it didn't count completely as a lie.
Usui looked confused. "Why are you cooking?" he asked.
"I-I wanted to surprise you..." Misaki explained. "I know you're so tired after court so I thought a special meal would brighten your day...but I can't do anything right" Misaki said crying.
Usui hugged her. "You're so silly" he said holding her tightly. "You don't have to do anything for me. Having you there is enough to brighten the rest of my life"
Misaki sniffed and clung tightly to Usui. She didn't want to part with Usui ever.
Usui quietly rocked her back and forth and stroked her hair. "Don't cry..." he soothed.
"Hey...Takumi" Misaki said pulling away.
"Yes Misaki?" Usui asked. His eyes were so gentle and a small smile touched his lips.
"I love you" Misaki admitted.
The smile grew.
"I love you too" Usui said. "I think this is the first time Misaki has told me directly"
Misaki nodded. "It is," she agreed. Usui always told her he loved her yet she never replied with the same phrase. It was although she had been afraid that one day Usui would take back his "I love you" and she wouldn't be able to. If Usui stopped loving her perhaps she could lie to herself and say she never did either but now it was different. Having the new maid, Kira in the house made Misaki more sure that Usui was to be her's. Sakura would always dream about falling for a man and now Misaki understood. She fell and there was no way she was ever getting back up nor did she want to...
"You are my world" Usui told her. "I would give up anything for you..."
Misaki smiled. "Foolish words..." she muttered, blushing. "Hey Takumi..." she said. "Can I tell you something?"
"Misaki can tell me anything"
Misaki opened her mouth but no words came out. "I uh..." she stammered. What would Usui say to this? Would this make her more vulnerable? Would someone try to hurt this child? Perhaps it was not the right time now...
"My lord and lady" Honoka said knocking on the door.
"What is it?" Usui asked.
"You have received a letter" Honoka replied.
"Come in" Usui called back.
Honoka walked in and curtsied. She held a small silver tray. On the tray was a single envelope and letter opener. She walked over to where Misaki and Usui were sitting and presented them the letter. Usui picked it up and opened it. The parchment was white and stiff with elegant writing.
"Tis from the Marquess" Usui said after scanning the letter.
"What does it say?" Misaki asked. Anything to do with the Marquess usually meant trouble.
"He is hosting a ball that we must all attend." Usui said flatly.
"Must we go?" Misaki asked. She really hated balls.
"I'm afraid so..." Usui said. "The King is making an appearance. It would be a sign of disrespect if we did not attend"
Misaki sighed and slumped back in her seat.
"What did you want to tell me?" Usui asked after Honoka left.
"Tis nothing" Misaki said. "When's the ball?" she asked.
"In a few days" Usui said, pocketing the letter. "Get your dancing shoes, wife. This man, Tora loves everything to be overly lavish." he said with a sigh.