Sorry for a bit of confusion in the last chapter. So when Usui muttered something under his breath, he was swearing and since the other girls weren't use to the crude language they felt uncomfortable. Keep reviewing!

Cheers xoxo

Chapter 20: Tournament

"A tournament!" Misaki cheered. "Oh this is exciting!"

Usui didn't look excited and remained lying in bed.

"Why aren't you getting ready?!" Misaki demanded. "Tis the most interesting thing in a long time!" she told him.

Usui sighed and sat up. "I don't want to participate..." he muttered.

Misaki raised an eyebrow. "Why not?" she asked. "Not any good at jousting?" she asked. Misaki couldn't image Usui not being good at anything. Even Hinata took part in the tournaments though he was never very good. Misaki had always gone with her family to each one to cheer on the knights and nobles.

"Its cold out" Usui said, flatly.

Misaki snorted. "Tis hardly anything!" she exclaimed. Her excitement could hardly be contained. If they allowed women, she would have joined... but she was content with cheering on Usui.

"Its only snowed a few times" Misaki continued. "The snow isn't even sticking. Takumi, I thought you could take this mild weather."

Usui smirked. "I'm not afraid of the cold..." he said. "Its someone else who shouldn't be out in the wind and snow..." he said.

Misaki frowned. "Me...?" she asked quietly.

Usui's smirk deepened. "Beautiful" he said.

Misaki sat down next to him on the bed. "You wouldn't leave me here?" Misaki asked.

"...I might" Usui said keeping a poker face.

Misaki's mouth dropped open. There was finally something entertaining happening and Usui was not going to take her.

"That's not fair!" she exclaimed. "I want to go see the tournament"

Usui patted Misaki's hand. "You really should stay home and rest"

"I don't need to rest!" Misaki argued. "I got a good night's sleep and it would make me feel better if I went to the tournament..."

Usui sighed.

"Please?" Misaki asked. She took Usui's hand with hers and smiled as genuinely as she could.

Usui smiled. "What am I going to do with you?" he asked.

"Take me to the tournament?"

"Fine...but if it starts blizzarding, we're going home"

"Deal," Misaki said getting up. "Now where do you keep your armor?"

"Uh uh" Usui said, shaking his head. "You are absolutely NOT picking up any heavy metal objects."

Misaki rolled her eyes. "Fine fine" she said, rummaging through the room anyways.

Usui got up and pulled out a large chest, inside was his armor. Misaki helped Usui get dressed. He had his regular clothes on first and then began layering heavy metal plates and chainmail. Misaki buckled and tied the complicated belts and leather straps. Whenever Usui moved, the armor would clink and flash in the light.

"Tis so exciting" Misaki said happily.

There was a knock on the door.

"Come in" Usui called. Misaki's friends were already dressed warmly.

"Misaki!" Sakura exclaimed. "You're not even dressed!"

Misaki looked down at her nightgown. She completely forgot about getting dressed.

Erika laughed and the girls quickly helped Misaki get ready. The cold weather meant velvet dresses and fur trimmed cloaks. Erika pinned a veil to Misaki's hat. The hat was purely decorative and served no other purpose. Misaki thought it was rather silly but apparently all noble women wore them. To keep warm Misaki also wore soft gloves as well as a fur muff. On her feet were fur lined boots.

"I'm going to see if Kanou has everything ready" Usui told Misaki. Misaki nodded.

"I'll be done soon," she said.

"Take your time," Usui called back.

After Usui left, Misaki flipped through a basket until she found when she was looking for. She tucked a handkerchief in her sleeve. The corner of the handkerchief had a sparrow embroidered on it. Sakura and Shizuko spent many days trying to teach Misaki the art of the needle. In the end Misaki only sewed a tiny bird on a handkerchief. She never had much patience with needle work anyways.

She was bringing this handkerchief because it was a custom that the duelist's lady would present a token of luck to the duelist. When Usui was to start his first round, she needed to give him something. It wasn't like Usui needed luck but tradition was tradition.

Sakura and Shizuko walked on either side of Misaki as they traveled outside. The wind wasn't too bad and it wasn't snowing. Misaki hoped it was going to stay that way.

The three women got into the carriage while Usui rode on his horse. They rode down the paths and streets.

"Misaki's favorite is tournaments..." Sakura said.

Misaki laughed. "Of course, tis the most exciting"

"I wonder of the Duke is good..." Shizuko pondered.

Misaki smiled. "The Duke is good at everything..." she said with a sigh. "It is though he can do no wrong..."

"Tis romantic," Sakura said dreamily. "Misaki is so lucky to have someone like him dote on you so."

"Hardly doting..." Misaki muttered. "More like overprotective and always worried"

Sakura giggled. "Oh Misaki, you know quite well the Duke adores you. He lets you do all sorts of things that the Countess never let you do."

"Like swimming," Shizuko said.

"And eating all the sweets you want," Sakura added.

"Teaching you swordplay."

"Dismissing sewing lessons."

"Taking you everywhere-"

"Yes yes yes," Misaki said interrupting her friends. "Perhaps the Duke is not too horrid with me"

Misaki knew Usui spoiled her. He rarely forced her to act proper and before she was with child, Usui took her everywhere. Misaki had gone on hikes, boats, and all sorts of things.

"He's so romantic" Sakura sighed. "And handsome..."

Misaki laughed. "Sakura, could it be you are in love with the Duke?" she teased.

Sakura made a face. "Tis hardly love" she said. "Tis only an adoration from afar. When I fall in love that man will be even better than the Duke,"

"Oh hush" Shizuko chided. "I think we're here" she added. Everyone poked their head out of the window. Misaki had never been to the palace before. The tournaments that she had gone to were typically hosted at some wealthy noble's estate. The palace grounds were huge. The tournament field was also the largest Misaki had ever seen.

The carriage doors opened. Usui held out his hand to help Misaki step down.

"I'll see you soon" he promised.

Misaki smiled. "You better win" she warned. Usui gave her a quick kiss.

"For you, I will try my hardest"

"I'll be cheering you on"

"I know..."

Misaki dropped Usui's hand and waved him to him as he left with Kanou. He blew her a kiss which got squeals from the other noblewomen.

"Tis the Duke..." they whispered. "Oh I wish my husband was like him..."

Sakura and Shizuko giggled.

"I told you..." was all Sakura said as they walked over to the spectator stands. Because Misaki was the high ranking Duchess, she got her own section. She sat down with Shizuko on her left and Sakura on her right.

The air was filled with excitement as everyone waited for the events to start. Misaki looked up when there was the sound of trumpets.

"The King..." she whispered. Everyone rose from their seats and dropped to their knees.

"Long live his majesty the King," everyone chanted in unison. "Long live her highness the Queen,"

"Rise!" the King beckoned. "Welcome all to this fine tournament! As we can see that winter will be upon us shortly...so why not take this time and have the last bit of fun!"

"All hail the King" the nobles said, bowing again.

Sakura and Shizuko quickly helped Misaki up.

"Should you be doing this?" Sakura hissed.

"Tis would be a sign of disrespect," Misaki replied.

"This year the prize will consist of a purse of gold!" the King announced. Everyone clapped in response. "Now let the tournament begin!"

Misaki cheered and clapped. The knights and nobles were ready to begin. The first event was jousting. This was an individual event that competed two at a time.

The girls cheered on the knights who rode around to collect their tokens. Misaki could hardly sit still in her seat when the duel began. The knights rode at each other.

"Foul!" Misaki yelled when one knight hit the other's leg. "Duel like a man!" she yelled. The crowd booed as the knights lined back on either side of the field again.

"Misaki, you are the duchess right now" Shizuko reminded Misaki. "Remember not to yell foul things..."

Misaki laughed. "Tis only the beginning, Shizuko. I can hardly wait for Takumi's turn."

One joust would finish but be quickly followed by another. Soon a familiar man rode out onto the field.

"Takumi!" Misaki cheered. She quickly got up and rushed to the edge of the seats. Usui rode over to her. He took off his helmet. His blonde hair was slightly mussed up but his eyes were shining.

"My lady" he greeted, flashing a smile at her.

Misaki pulled out the handkerchief from her sleeve and tied it onto Usui's arm. Usui examined the stitching.

"Misaki never fails to surprise me..." he said.

"Don't fail me either then; be my champion" Misaki said.

"Always" Usui said kissing her hand. The people all cheered very loudly.

"I love you" Misaki added.

"Love you with all my heart" Usui said, slipping his helmet back on. He mock saluted her and rode out into the field.

Misaki waved to him and returned to her seat. She couldn't stop smiling for some strange reason. Sakura looked like she was going to burst.

"Misaki!" she squealed. "I'm going to faint from all this romance" she said swooning.

Misaki laughed. "Stop it" she scolded. "Tis a tradition for me to present him with a token"

"It's starting!" Shizuko announced. Everyone directed their attention back onto the field. Usui was clearly a crowd favorite. He easily won the first duel. He got off his horse and helped his opponent up though.

"Such a gentleman" Shizuko observed.

After jousting there were melee competitions. Some battles were fought on horseback while others were on foot.

As the hours past, Misaki just got more excited. Usually Hinata would have been knocked out of the bracket in the middle but Usui was slowly making it to the finals.

Misaki was keeping her fingers crossed that Usui was going to be the champion. She heard that Usui rarely took part in tournaments but when he did, he wouldn't stay to the end. Usui had told her that he wasn't interested in the prizes or the pride.

It was hard for Misaki to believe that Usui hated dueling when he was so good. His moves were always effortless yet flawless.

Usui locked swords with a fellow noble and jerked his arm back. His opponent lost his weapon and tried to defend himself with his shield. Usui hit his blunt sword against the shield and knocked the man over. The duel finished and Usui was once again the victor.

"Are you not tired yet?" Sakura asked as they were taking a break.

"Not even the slightest" Misaki told them.

Everyone was gathering under dozens of tents. Servants were serving food to the spectators as well as the duelists.

"Takumi!" Misaki yelled when she saw him. Usui smiled and rushed over to her.

"How are you feeling?" he asked. "Tired? Cold? Sakura get Misaki something hot to drink"

"Yes, my lord" Sakura said.

"This is so much fun," Misaki told him. "You're moving onto the final rounds later!"

Usui's hair was damp and his face was flushed. He had taken off some of his armor and was letting the breeze cool him off.

"If you're happy then its worth it" Usui said, smoothing her hair.

Misaki dabbed at his forehead with her handkerchief. "You're really sweaty" she noted.

"Physical labor..." Usui joked, running his hand through his hair. "So sweetheart, what do I get if I win?"

Misaki blushed. "We're out in public" she whispered.

Usui smirked. "Because you always act proper out here"

Misaki rolled her eyes. "You better win though" she warned.

"Misaki, your drink" Sakura said handing Misaki a steaming mug.

"Drink up" Usui told her. "You must be freezing" he said, pulling her hood up and wrapping her cloak tighter around her.

Misaki was about to object when trumpets sounded.

"Announcing the King!"

Everyone dropped to their knees.

"I am very pleased with all of the events" the King marveled. "I look forward to seeing who the champion this year will be. Rise and enjoy this humble meal I have prepared for everyone."

"Long live the King" everyone said.

Usui quickly helped Misaki up. "You really shouldn't be kneeling so" he said. He smoothed a hand over Misaki's stomach. "My wonderful child," he whispered.

"Duke Usui!" someone called.

"Your majesty" Usui greeted, bowing. Misaki and her friends followed suite.

"Rise" the King said. "I must say I am very impressed with your skills. I wonder why I've never seen you duel before..."

"I don't usually attend" Usui answered.

"What's new this year?" the King asked.

Usui gestured to Misaki. "My wife" he introduced them.

Misaki curtsied. "Your majesty" she murmured.

"Ah...the Duchess. You getting the Duke out?"

"Yes, your majesty" Misaki replied. "Usui agreed to participate when I asked him to"

"I'm glad you value your lady's opinion very much" the King said nodding.

"Thank you, your majesty"

"Well enjoy the festivities..."

"Long live the King" Usui and Misaki said together.

"Let's go eat" Usui said, taking Misaki's arm. "I am famished."

"I am too" Misaki noted, rubbing her belly. "I wish I could joust," she stated.

Usui smiled. "Misaki is such a man..." he said shaking his head.