Sorry for the delayed chapter everyone! I had weight room training for field hockey today. I can barely lift my arms now which makes typing a pain...no pun intended... PLEASE REVIEW and I hope you enjoyed the peaceful chapters because the trouble is beginning to stir... hahaha
Cheers xoxo
Chapter 21: My Champion
Usui slammed his shield against his opponent's. His opponent stumbled back but quickly regained his footing. He ran toward Usui with his sword held high. Usui dodged the attack and slammed his shield into the man's back. The man collapsed onto the ground.
The crowd went wild. This had been the final round. Misaki rushed to the edge of the seats.
"Takumi!" she cheered. Misaki couldn't even express her excitement right now. Shizuko and Sakura hurried to catch up with her. Both of them were smiling. Usui was the ultimate victor.
Kanou stepped onto the field and took Usui's shield and sword. Usui then pulled off his helmet and shook his hair out. With the helmet under his arm, he approached the King's section. He got on one knee.
"Duke Usui" the King applauded. "Twas a heroic victory" he praised. "I must say I was rooting for you the entire time..."
"Thank you, your majesty" Usui replied.
"I hereby announce you the champion of the tournament!" the King said loudly. Everyone was clapping and cheering again. Everyone then got down on their knees again.
"Long live the King!" they cheered.
"Rise" the King said.
Usui straightened up. The Queen walked over to the edge and placed a garland of flowers around his neck.
"Thank you, your highness" Usui said bowing his head.
"Tis an honor" the Queen replied. The King presented Usui with an entire chest of gold. Usui thanked everyone again.
The people slowly dispersed from the stands. The tents were preparing more food and drink for everyone. Misaki walked as quickly as she could down the wooden stairs to where Usui and Kanou were. A few servants were loading the spoils and equipment onto the carriage.
"Takumi!" Misaki greeted, throwing her arms around him.
Usui laughed and hugged her back. "Pleased with the result?" he asked.
Misaki nodded. "You are quite the champion" she told him.
"All thanks to you, my lady" Usui said, kissing her forehead. "I am beat..." he added, taking a mug of ale from Kanou. He easily drained the mug dry.
"Tis such a thrilling duel" Misaki told everyone. "I knew you would win"
Usui wrapped an arm around her waist. "Yes I just kept thinking, the faster I win, the faster my beautiful wife will get indoors..."
Misaki rolled her eyes as they got ready to leave. Usui helped Misaki into the carriage and they headed home. Inside the carriage, Misaki and her friends discussed their favorite events.
"I loved the final duel" Sakura squealed. "The pressure was so heavy and I couldn't even breath at times!"
"I prefered the jousting," Misaki told them. "I see the combats regularly but one hardly sees jousting. Jousting seems so entertaining."
The carriage slowed to a stop. Misaki quickly got out. She wanted Usui to tell her every detail. She saw the duels but she longed to experience the duels.
Everyone filed into the mansion, eager to escape the cold. Kanou and Misaki helped Usui take off his armor. The metal plates clanked onto the floor.
"I am exhausted" Usui said, stretching his arms out.
"You were amazing" Misaki said. Usui ran his hands through his messy hair.
"Then it was worth it..." he told her.
Kanou picked up the parts of the armor on the floor.
"I'll go get this cleaned" he offered.
"Thank you" Usui said.
Honoka came downstairs. "Welcome back, my lord and my lady," she greeted. "I have a bath prepared in your bedchamber. Do you have a preference who is serving you?" she asked.
"No one please" Usui said. "I want some privacy with Misaki. Make sure no one disturbs us"
Misaki felt a blush heat up her cheeks when Honoka smiled.
"Very well then" Honoka said. "My lady," she said to Misaki. "Take good care of the duke then"
Misaki shyly nodded. Usui took her hand and pulled her upstairs.
"So..." Usui said, casually as he shut the door behind them. "I am your champion. I hope to be rewarded for my bravery and hard work," Usui said winking at Misaki.
Usui pulled off his sweat soaked tunic and dropped it on the floor. Misaki watched Usui toss all his clothes onto the floor and get into the tub which was placed behind a screen.
"This feels good" Usui sighed. The warm water felt good on his muscles. He leaned back and looked over at Misaki who was hanging up her cloak. She then took off her veil and hat. Her long raven hair cascaded down her back when it was released from the pins.
"Come here, Sweetheart" Usui said gesturing for Misaki to come. Misaki walked over.
"What is it?" she asked.
Usui smiled and closed his eyes. "Nothing" he said taking her hand. "I just like it when you are around."
Misaki raised an eyebrow. "You are a strange man" she teased. She pulled up a stool next to the tub. Misaki picked up a wash cloth and rubbed soap on it. She then cautiously wiped Usui's arm with the cloth.
Usui watched as Misaki gently washed his arms and shoulders in slow circular motions. Her eyes didn't look up from her work.
"Misaki?" Usui asked. "Can you look at me?"
Misaki peeked a glance. "What is it?" she asked.
"Did you have a good time?" he asked.
Misaki nodded, a smile touching her soft lips. "Tis wonderful" she told him. "I love tournaments. They are always filled with excitement unlike so many drab balls" she explained. "I wish we had as many tournaments as balls..."
Usui laughed. "I don't think I can handle that many tournaments"
Misaki smirked. "So even Takumi has limits"
"Shocking isn't it?"
Misaki smugly smiled to herself as she poured water over Usui's head. She gently massaged soap into his hair. Misaki had never given anyone a bath before. When Suzana was sick, Misaki had washed her hair for her a few times but that was it. Misaki assumed she was doing it correctly because Usui sighed several times.
"Bathing can be quite sensual" Usui noted, as Misaki rinsed the soap off his shoulders.
"Tis just bathing..." Misaki muttered.
"Hm...anything Misaki does for me is so sensual"
"It is not!" Misaki exclaimed.
Usui chuckled. "Can I have a shoulder rub?" he asked.
"Um...alright..." Misaki said placing her hands on his broad shoulders. She most definitely never gave anyone a shoulder massage before.
"What do I do?" she asked, her hands lingering against his shoulders.
"Just rub," Usui told her. Misaki tried to do what Usui described. The muscles on his shoulders were hard and well defined. Misaki absentmindedly traced the contours of each one.
"I feel as though I have died and gone to paradise," Usui announced.
Misaki rolled her eyes. "Who has ever heard of dying from a little jousting"
Usui patted her hand. "You my lady, have never joined in on a tournament before" he reminded her. "The stamina needed is massive"
"I bet I could do it" Misaki said.
Usui smirked. "I don't think so"
"Can too"
"Nope" Usui teased.
Misaki tapped her chin. "How about next time I will be the Duke and join the tournament?" she asked.
"Absolutely not" Usui replied. "I refuse to be the duchess" he joked.
Misaki laughed. "I want to be a champion too," she said dreamily. "The feeling of victory and accomplishment...the honor"
"Do you wish you were born a male?" Usui asked.
"Often" Misaki admitted. "I think men have it so much easier. Why can women go where they please? Why couldn't I have been named the heir of my family..." Misaki said. "I was the oldest, skilled in all trades...the only blasted thing I was missing was being a male"
"Tis a shame" Usui agreed. "But I must admit I am rather glad you are a woman. Our paths might not have crossed otherwise then."
Usui stood up in the tub. Water dripped down his toned body and left his skin glistening. Misaki spread towels on the floor and Usui stepped out of the tub.
Misaki picked up another towel and wiped the drops of water off his body.
"I can do this" Usui said, taking her hand.
"It's fine" Misaki said. "You did good today...my champion" she whispered.
Usui cupped Misaki's face with his hands. "Praise from Misaki" he said smirking. "Perhaps tournaments aren't so dull after all"
"So can I join in one?" Misaki asked again.
"Absolutely not"
"Afraid I'd best you?"
"Hardly" Usui said, scooping her up. "You still have a long way to go"
"Try me" Misaki challenged. Usui deposited her onto the bed.
"Don't worry sweetheart" Usui said. "I will..." he promised. "But first...I'd like to collect my reward" he said.
"Aren't you tired?" Misaki asked.
"Never tired of you" Usui replied. "Don't think you can handle it?" he teased.
Misaki smirked. "We'll see who can't handle it..."
Usui laid on his side, stroking Misaki's dark hair. She was sleeping soundly. Today was tiring for her. Usui traced her closed eyes and trailed down her cheekbone.
The moonlight made Misaki's skin look striking. Her raven hair contrasted with the paleness of her skin. Her body was curvier now. Usui placed a hand on her stomach. She was carrying this child...his child.
Misaki stirred slightly in her sleep and rolled over. Usui smiled and pulled the blanket up over her bare shoulder. She eventually rolled over again, brushing the blanket off herself again. Usui sighed and carefully got out of bed. He felt around the floor for Misaki's robe. His hands finally found the familiar fabric. He crawled back into bed and carefully wrapped the robe around Misaki. Misaki moved a lot in her sleep and Usui didn't want her to catch a cold. He smoothed out her hair and laid back down.
Misaki felt herself pressed up against Usui the next morning. Her head rested in the crook of his arm and her arm was casually draped over his stomach. Usually Usui went to court really early in the morning and let Misaki slept in. The tournament must have worn everyone out because Usui was apparently staying home today.
Misaki decided she liked it when Usui was still here in the morning when she woke up. His sleeping face was so peaceful.
She noticed the robe she was wearing. Usui must have dressed her again last night. Misaki smiled. Usui was always noticing the smallest of things.
She scooted up and pressed her lips against his. Usui stirred in his sleep. His eyes remained closed but a smile touched his lips. He kissed her back and pulled her on top of him. His arms were wrapped around her waist. Misaki brushed his soft hair back and sighed. They eventually broke apart for air.
"I like this sort of good morning greeting" Usui said, opening his eyes.
Misaki blushed. "Good morning" she said.
"Good morning, beautiful" he said. He had his hands behind his head as he looked up at her.
Misaki felt herself get lost in his emerald eyes. They seemed like an endless sea.
"Can I help you with something?" Usui asked. He looked amused.
"What?" Misaki asked, snapping out of her daydreaming.
"Can I do something for you?" Usui asked again.
"I don't understand..." Misaki asked, feeling confused.
Usui chuckled. "You're sitting on top of me looking at me with those eyes so I assumed you wanted something..."
Misaki looked down. "Oops" she said rolling off him. "Are you going to get up?" Misaki asked.
"Nope" Usui said, snuggling up to her. He rested his cheek against her heart. Misaki stroked his hair. "Let's stay like this the entire day" he suggested.
"You aren't attending court?" Misaki asked.
"Nope" Usui said again. "I'm spending the entire day with you"
Misaki rested her cheek again the top of Usui's head. "I'm glad" she simply said.
The sun rose higher and higher into the sky. Honoka stood at the doorway of the bedchamber. She couldn't decide if she should knock or not. She didn't want to interrupt but then again the two couldn't stay in their room without food for the entire day.
She cleared her throat and knocked on the door. There was no response. Honoka opened the door slightly. Usui and Misaki were still asleep in bed. Usui had this protective arm around the Duchess as if to shield her away from something.
Honoka smiled to herself as she set the food on the table. She left the cover on to keep it warm.
"Tis a strange marriage" Honoka whispered to herself as she closed the door. Very rarely had arranged marriages resulted like the Duke and Duchess's. The Duke seemed to really love the Duchess. Honoka often heard the Duke laughing which was also something rare until the Duchess came along.
"A match made in the heavens" Honoka concluded.
Kira was on her hands and knees. Her hands were digging through the dirt. A smile crept onto her lips as she found what she was looking for. A small white root remained half buried in the dirt. Kira yanked it out.
"I've found it" she said happily. She pulled out a canteen of water and washed the root. After the plant was clean, she tucked it into her pocket.
This was it. Kira could almost taste the victory. This took several months of planning and sacrifice. From this day on she wasn't going to sleep with any more of those servants. From this day on she was going to be a mistress who was served.
Kira staggered. Her hand clenched a branch as she retched into the dirt. Kira coughed and spit.
"Blast you" she hissed. She leaned her head against the rough bark of the tree, panting. She felt off today but she wasn't going to let anything spoil her plans. No one was going to stand in her way anymore...