Sorry I didn't update yesterday! Fridays are like my lazy days...also my friends came over so I couldn't write. But anyways I also decided to add more chaps to my drafts so there was much redrafting and screaming to be done. JK about the screaming part. Keep on reviewing. Thanks to all those who reviewed. You guys are my support group! Love you
Cheers xoxo
Chapter 19: Snowfall
"Misaki! Put on a cloak!" Erika called after Misaki. Misaki was running outside. She threw open the large double doors and burst outside. Small white snowflakes were falling over the ground.
Misaki laughed. "Its snowing!" she exclaimed. She held her arms out and felt the tiny icy drops touch her arms and then quickly melt.
"Yes, my lady" Erika said. "Now please put on your cloak" she scolded, wrapping the thick fabric around her lady's shoulders.
Misaki quickly tied the thick velvet string around her neck.
"This isn't mine..." Misaki muttered. This cloak was made out of thick velvet and wool. The collar had a thick fur trim. Misaki had never worn anything with fur trim before.
"The Duke had it made recently. The cold is settling in and you must keep warm" Erika told her.
Misaki petted the soft fur. "Tis beautiful" she said.
"Please can we return inside?" Erika asked, rubbing her hands together.
"You go back" Misaki told her. "I have this cloak. I won't be cold"
Erika shook her head. "I wouldn't dare leave my lady here by herself"
"Tis only at the door" Misaki said, rolling her eyes. Everyone liked to act very protectively toward her. Misaki doubted that she needed protection. No one was going to hurt her while being a few feet from her home.
"I'll send Sakura and Shizuko!" Erika called, running inside. Misaki sighed and wandered off to the gardens. The snow all melted at the touch of the ground. The mud clung onto the bottom of Misaki's shoes.
Misaki looked at the withering flowers. The few ones left were now glazed in fluffy white. The wind blew and Misaki could see her breath. The white cloud blew from her mouth and faded into the air.
As Misaki walked, her mind flashed back to the things she had done in the winter. Suzana and her ice skated, drank cocoa and had many fun parties. There were sleigh rides, long cozy winter nights, feasts, late night talks with father.
This was the first time Misaki had ever spent a winter away from home. During the warm season, everyone always had places to go but during the winter...there were hardly any activities. Misaki relived her evenings with her family. Father joked and talked politics with her. Suzana played beautiful music and their mother hand sewn hundreds of quilts. During Christmas, they family would travel out and bring the peasants gifts.
Brush cracked underfoot. Misaki snapped out of her daydreaming. She had wandered into the nearby woods.
Her hand drifted to the hilt of her sword as her eyes darted around. It was probably an animal?
There was another crack.
Misaki whirled around. Someone else was here...
She silently drew her sword and leaned against a tree. The branches hid her well. There was definitely the sound of footsteps.
Misaki's mind ran through anyone who could be in the woods at this time. The servants had no need to be in here. Usui surely didn't spend his time wandering the woods.
"Who got through the wall?" Misaki wondered. She craned her neck to look. She saw a shadow and quickly hid herself again. A man dressed in earthly tones was approaching. His nose and mouth were covered by fabric, making Misaki unable to tell who it was.
He was definitely a suspicious character. Simply the way he walked showed he was up to no good. He carefully treaded around the forest floor, trying to remain silent. He got closer and closer to Misaki's hiding place. Misaki moved back slightly.
Crack...
Misaki winced as she stepped on a branch. She silently cursed and prayed the man didn't notice. He did. His head whipped side to side, tracing the sound. His eyes landed on Misaki's hiding place.
"Best to strike first" Misaki thought. She darted out, making the first move. The man quickly ducked and rolled over to avoid Misaki's blade.
"Who are you?" Misaki demanded. "What are you doing here?"
The man drew his own sword. He said nothing.
Iron clashed with iron. Misaki scanned his face as their swords were locked. She didn't know this man.
"Who are you?" she demanded again.
The man simply narrowed his eyes and swung his blade. Misaki matched each stroke with a block. They dueled deeper into the woods. The man was slowly trying to retreat.
"Speak!" Misaki ordered.
She was again met by silence. Misaki decided that he was not going to speak to her and so she began analyzing him. The clothing he wore was simple. He could move very easily in them. Perhaps he was a spy. Why would there be a spy on the Usui property?
The man's sword skills were good meaning a background in sword play. Misaki recognized the moves he used. They were fast and mostly defensive. This man was fighting simply to escape but Misaki wasn't going to allow that.
Her mind filled with Usui's lessons. Her eyes searched for a mistake her opponent would make. She saw herself as the man. Misaki felt as though she was watching herself. A common mistake she'd always make...the man committed to a blow leaving no room for rebound. Misaki felt her arms move themselves. Her sword shoved his down and she jerked her wrist to the left, sending his blade flying. The sharp end buried itself into the mud.
Misaki pressed the edge of the blade on the man's neck.
"Who. Are. You." Misaki said, emphasizing each word. Misaki pressed the blade slightly and the man opened his mouth. No sound came out of his mouth though.
"Can you not utter a single sound?" Misaki asked.
The man shook his head.
"I order you to nod yes or no then" Misaki said. "Are you a spy?"
The man didn't answer.
"Answer me!" Misaki snapped.
The man nodded slowly.
"Do you report back to a noble?"
The man nodded again.
"Have you been lurking around more than once?" Misaki demanded. The thought of enemies hiding in her own home sent chills up her spine.
The man shook his head.
"Are you trying to harm us?" Misaki continued drilling the man.
The man shook his head.
"Tell me the truth!"
The man shook his head again.
"You're going to have to come with me..." Misaki said, pointing toward the mansion. She kept her eyes on him as they slowly walked. Her blade never left his neck though her arm felt heavy now. Misaki felt tired from all the excursion. She, however, refused to show any weakness to her enemy. She mustn't let him have any advantage.
"Keep moving" she snapped when the man paused. The man dropped to the ground and swiped a fallen branch.
"I can duel all day" Misaki bluffed. "The Duke is returning soon anyways, though you already know that," Misaki added.
The snow was falling heavy now. The ground had a fine layer of snow. The cloak kept Misaki warm but she couldn't feel her nose or cheeks anymore.
The man sized her up and threw a dagger from his sleeve. He wasn't aiming for her though. The dagger missed Misaki by a good few inches but close enough to force her to jerk away.
"Halt!" she ordered after the running figure. She hitched up her skirt and sprinted after him. The man was a fast runner and disappeared before Misaki could catch up. Misaki stopped running. She was panting and exhausted. She had also lost her opponent. Misaki cursed loudly and trudged her way out of the woods.
"Misaki!" Sakura cried when Misaki came in through the door. "How could you just wander off again?!" she demanded.
"My apologies" Misaki replied. "Where is Kanou?" she asked. "Did Usui take him to court today?"
Shizuko burst through the door. "I sent for the Du- Misaki!" Shizuko exclaimed. "You're back"
"Of course," Misaki replied. "I didn't even leave the estate. Now where is Kanou?!"
"I'm sorry, Misaki," Shizuko said looking down. "We were so worried about you that we sent for the Duke..."
Misaki slapped her forehead with her palm. Usui was not going to be happy with her.
Erika then came into the room. "Dear heavens!" she yelled. "You must be freezing from being outside for so long!" Without hesitation, Erika dragged Misaki to the fireplace and had her change into new clothes.
"Sit," Erika coaxed. Misaki settled into the long couch and Erika wrapped a blanket around her. "Shizuko, fetch Misaki something to drink"
Shizuko nodded and left.
"I can't believe you told the Duke!" Misaki grumbled. "He is much too overprotective on such things"
"I'm so sorry," Sakura whimpered. "I was just worried for you Misaki. Why didn't you wait for us to join you?"
"Sorry tis my fault" Misaki said. "Summon Kanou" she told Erika.
"Yes my lady"
Kanou was guided into the room.
"My lady?" he asked. Kanou was always respectful to her but Misaki could tell Kanou didn't enjoy being around women. He preferred to keep to himself.
"Kanou, you need to post guards along the wall" Misaki ordered.
"To keep yourself in?" Usui asked, coming into the room. His hair was slightly damp from the snow. Water droplets hung from the tips of his golden hair.
Misaki jerked up. "T-takumi" she stammered.
"Misaki" Usui responded with a solemn face. Erika quickly rushed over to take Usui's cloak.
"My lord" Erika greeted. "I shall go fetch you your things"
"Tis no need" Kira said coming into the room. In her hands were folded clothes and towels. A maid behind her had a tray of hot soup. "My lord, I have prepared such things for your return. Allow me to help you"
"Later" Usui said. He walked over to Misaki. "Are you alright?" he asked, his eyes softening immediately.
Misaki sighed. "I am fine" she told him.
"Your cheeks are still ice cold" Usui said cupping her face in his hands. "Do you not remember that you are with child? You can't go running around like this,"
"There was a spy on our grounds" Misaki told him.
Usui's hands dropped. "Pardon me?" he asked.
"I caught a man lurking around the woods. He was mute" Misaki said again.
Usui muttered a word that made the rest of the women blush. Misaki remained impassive.
"And what did you do...?" Usui asked slowly.
"I tried to catch him- and I almost did!" Misaki exclaimed. "I perfected the sword throwing movement," Misaki added. "I remembered your lesson and knocked his own weapon from his hand"
Usui put his face in his hands for a moment. "You could have been killed and all you can think about is sword tricks?"
"Hardly" Misaki scoffed. "His skills were no match for mine"
Usui let out a breath. "You need a doctor. Erika? Send for the doctor"
"I'm fine!" Misaki argued, getting up. She stood up too fast and felt lightheaded. Usui grabbed her arm to steady her.
"I'm quite fine..." Usui mimicked her. He nonchalantly swept her up and carried her out of the room.
"Put me down!" Misaki exclaimed. She hated it when Usui did this in front of everyone.
"Looks like I'm going to have to tie you to the bed when I leave..." Usui muttered. He carefully carried her upstairs and set her on the bed.
"You wouldn't dare!" Misaki said.
Usui raised an eyebrow. "Watch me, sweetheart" he warned. Misaki crossed her arms and watched as Usui changed into more comfortable clothes and rubbed his hair with a towel. He then sat on the edge of the bed.
"Your hair is wet" he said holding out a towel to her.
Misaki didn't answer.
"You're going to catch a cold" Usui reminded her. When Misaki still didn't answer him, he sighed and scooted up next to her. He gently patted her hair with the towel.
"Shouldn't I be the one who's upset?" he teased. He wrapped his arms around Misaki. "I love you so much" he said. "Which is why I am always worrying about you"
"Would you have preferred a more proper woman?" Misaki asked. Usui smiled.
"Never" he promised her.
There was a knock on the door. Usui got up and answered it. The Doctor and Erika came in. Misaki was subjected to prodding and examining just so the doctor could tell Usui she was fine.
"Has she had her daily broth?" the doctor asked.
Usui shook his head. He looked over at Erika who nodded and left to go get it. Usui proceeded to thank the doctor and to see him out.
Erika returned with the bowl. Misaki picked up the bowl and quickly drained the medicine.
"Thank you" she said, setting the empty bowl back on the tray.
"My pleasure" Erika said, leaving her an Usui alone.
"Perhaps you should get some sleep" Usui encouraged.
Misaki shook her head. "I'm not tired" she said.
Usui smiled. "I'll play you something" he offered.
Misaki's eyes lit up. "What instrument?" she asked curiously.
"Violin"
No one in her family played violin. Misaki heard it was much harder than piano but the music it played was worth it.
Usui retrieved a case and removed a beautiful violin and bow. The wood was smooth and shiny. Usui winked at her and cradled the instrument under his neck.
Misaki listened as Usui moved the bow back and forth creating beautiful music. The notes were dramatic yet lulling. Misaki watched Usui sway to the music as Suzana did when she played her favorite song.
One song finished but was quickly followed up by the next. Misaki felt her eyelids feel heavy but fought to stay awake for the song.
"Just close your eyes and listen" Usui whispered.
The violin hummed and sang until Misaki felt her eyes close. The enchanting music was so peaceful. Misaki could still hear the beautiful melody ring in her head even as someone pulled the blanket up for her.