Another story of a ball...anyways so for my next project I can't really decide. I think I will start two of my ideas and focus on the one that everyone likes better. But as for now...enjoy MoP!
Chapter 32: The Usui heir
"I don't know..." Misaki said examining herself in the mirror. Her gown was a rosy satin. It exposed her shoulders and hugged her top. The entire gown was embroidered in gold thread. Vines and roses elegantly patterned the fabric. The back had a tiny slit which exposed a sliver of Misaki's back. The slit was edged with lapels that were hand beaded. Tulle peeked from the bottom of the skirt along with Misaki's fancy pink shoes that were lined in pearls.
Misaki touched the gold and amethyst choker on her neck. "This dress is much too fancy..."
"Of course not!" Sakura exclaimed. "You look divine. The pink color really flatters your fair skin"
"The back is showing" Misaki pointed out. "Surely that is improper"
Shizuko laughed. "Misaki, the back slit is this season's favorite" she told Misaki. "I believe many ladies will look upon this dress enviously"
Misaki licked her lips. "Perhaps I should choose a more modest gown"
"Tis a big celebration in your honor" Sakura said pinning up Misaki's ringlets. Her dark hair was loosely swept up leaving many stray curls to frame her face.
"I look horrid" Misaki said turning in front of the mirror.
"I think you look beautiful" A voice disagreed.
"T-Takumi..." Misaki stuttered.
"You look exquisite" Usui told her.
"Don't say such foolish words" Misaki scolded. "Those words are not related to me"
Sakura giggled behind her hand as she pinned pink silk flowers on the side of Misaki's head. A diamond headband was added to finish the hair.
"I feel weighed down by all these jewels" Misaki complained showing Usui her hands. Misaki had her wedding ring on, a diamond ring as well as a small amethyst ring on each of her pinkies.
Usui kissed her hand. "One of the many things of society we must deal with" he agreed.
"This not like you are dripping with jewels" Misaki sighed. Usui was dressed in emerald green that matched his eyes. His tunic was ivory and his breeches were black. He wore a medallion around his neck and a single ring in his hand.
"I want you to stand out" Usui teased, kissing Misaki on the cheek. He held out his arm.
"Shall we venture to the ballroom?" he asked.
Misaki sighed and took his arm. They approached the loud hall. The page boy announced them which quieted things down.
"All hail Duke Usui. All hail Duchess Usui" they greeted.
"Rise my friends!" Usui announced. "Tonight is a night of celebration. My wife has bore me two children. My son Hiro and my daughter Harumi. Come and rejoice with us!"
Everyone clapped and cheered. Usui gently led Misaki over to the crowds of people.
"Misaki!" Suzana called waving.
"Suzana!" Misaki said, hugging her sister. Suzana had a dress made for her. It was Usui's present as a brother in law Misaki supposed. It was a sea foam green silk gown with thick straps embroidered with tiny seashells. The skirt had pickups and fancy pleating. Suzana's long dark hair was braided with silver thread and a pearl circlet decorated her brow.
"Tis a beautiful color" Misaki complemented.
Suzana smiled. "I will never be as beautiful as Misaki" she said.
Misaki laughed. "Beauty matters not. Let us enjoy our remaining time together"
Suzana nodded. A tall brunette tapped Misaki''s shoulder.
"Hinata!" Misaki exclaimed. She hadn't seen her friend in a very long time.
"Duchess Usui" Hinata said with a smile and small bow.
Misaki rolled her eyes. "Very funny, Lord Hinata" she said.
Hinata chuckled and kissed Misaki's hand. "It's wonderful seeing you" he said. "Congratulations on your two children"
"Thank you"
"They are adorable" Suzana told him. "Hiro and Harumi. They are like little Misakis"
"Hiro and Harumi" Hinata repeated. "Very good names"
"Harumi like Takumi" Suzana observed.
"Could I be so bold to as the duchess for a dance?" Hinata asked.
"Only if you dance with Suzana after" Misaki said. Suzana smiled.
"If she is not already claimed by another of course I will" Hinata promised. He held out his hand and Misaki placed her hand in his. They stepped onto the ballroom floor. Misaki hadn't danced in a very long time but Hinata didn't mind. They slowly went through the steps as Misaki tried to remember the steps.
"Have you been happy?" he asked.
"I have" Misaki assured him. "Truly"
Hinata nodded. "Do you love him?" he asked
Misaki blushed. "I do"
"I'm glad then. I would have never imagined you as a duchess though"
Misaki laughed. "Tis not so difficult. The Duke allows me to do as I please. I still do not know the art of the needle" she whispered to Hinata.
"Has he ever hurt you?" Hinata asked, seeming more serious.
"Never" Misaki told him. "He never struck me if that is what you are asking"
"Just want to make sure my closest friend is happy"
"What of you then?" Misaki asked. The song ended and they went to go get some fresh air. Suzana was quite popular among the nobles. Misaki knew her sister was charming and poised but now she had status. She was the sister of the Duchess.
"Does your family expect you to wed soon?" Misaki asked. The night was cool but not cold. The moon was full and lit up the courtyard.
"You know Misaki. You were the girl of my heart" he said clasping his hands behind your back. "I swore if I ever wed a girl, it would to you"
"Hinata..."
"Let me finish" Hinata said. "I admit it. I was in love with you. I love everything about you. Arrogant as I was, I believed only I could give you happiness because I could ensure your freedom and love you right."
"But I am happy now" Misaki said. Such a blunt confession made Misaki a little uneasy. Misaki wasn't quite sure what to say.
Hinata nodded. "I can see that. Which is why you and I will only be good friends and I am satisfied with that. I don't know how I could wed anyone else though"
Misaki smiled. "You have and always will be my closest friend" Misaki promised him. "We'd best return" Misaki finally said. "We will be missed" she stepped forward though the heel of her shoe caught on the crack of the path.
Hinata immediately grabbed her before Misaki could fall.
"Are you alright...?" he asked.
Misaki waved it off. "Just these ridiculous shoes" she muttered.
"Lovely stroll in the moonlight isn't it?"
"Takumi!" Misaki exclaimed as he appeared out of nowhere.
"Greetings darling. Was it too stuffy in there?" he asked.
"Indeed. Hinata and I came out for some fresh air." Misaki explained. Hopefully Usui wasn't going to get the wrong idea.
"You might catch a cold" Usui said, interlacing his fingers with hers. "Come back inside. Pleasant seeing you again too, Lord Hinata" Usui called over his shoulder as he pulled Misaki back inside.
"That wasn't very kind" Misaki noted. "We were only chatting"
"Is that so...?" Usui asked.
Misaki smiled. "You're jealous" she said.
"Why would I be?" Usui asked. "My wife running off with other men in the moonlight doesn't bother me at all"
Misaki swatted his arm. "Don't jest" she said. "Hinata is only a childhood friend. I only love you" Misaki said wrapping her arms around his.
"I'll believe you if you kiss me" Usui said.
Misaki blushed. "There's people around!" she hissed.
Usui chuckled. "You'll be forever in my debt then"
Misaki rolled her eyes. "You're a strange one, Takumi"
Shortly after they arrived, dinner was being served. Usui sat at the head of the table with Misaki at his right.
"Is the Grand Duke coming?" Misaki asked Usui.
Usui shrugged. "Grandfather isn't one to give notice when he arrives" he said. There was no saying if Grandfather would just drop in.
Misaki nodded and returned to her dinner. The Grand Duke always made her so nervous. He seemed to strict and proper.
Plenty of noble women came up to offer their congratulations to Misaki. Misaki did her best to smile sweetly and thank them.
"Duchess Usui" one cooed. "You look just as beautiful as you did before"
"How do you stay so thin?" another inquired.
Misaki gave a nervous laugh. "You're just flattering me" she offered.
"Oh and your dress!" another complemented. "The back slit is just the latest fashion. It is no surprise the beautiful Duchess already has a gown with it"
Misaki offered another smile. She really couldn't stand it when people swarmed around her pretending to be in awe of her. Misaki took a sip from her goblet.
"The Duke had it made for me" Misaki told them. "I hardly know of such fashions"
The women giggled. "So sweet!"
"If only my husband cared for my clothing..." one sighed. "I have yet to have a dress made with a back slit"
"Oh I already have my dress makers making my new gowns!" another squealed. "You must hurry dear or else the fad shall pass right over our heads."
"Why not just cut the back of a gown?" Misaki asked. Thats what this silly back slit looked like to her.
The women laughed at the Duchess's "joke."
The conversation was interrupted by the sounding of horns. "Announcing the Grand Duke!"
Misaki gasped and quickly got up. Usui took her arm as they quickly walked up to the stairs of the main door. The Grand Duke stood regally there.
Usui and Misaki quickly dropped to their knees at the bottom of the staircase while the other guests kneeled behind them.
"All hail the Grand Duke" came the chorus of greetings.
"Rise" the Duke said waving his hand up. No one saw though because everyone's head was bowed in respect.
"Thank you, my lord" they all responded as they straightened up.
"Welcome Grandfather" Usui said. "Thank you for coming to my banquet"
The Grand Duke laughed. His deep voice boomed. "My my" he said. "How could I not come?" he asked. "Today we are celebrating the birth of my GREAT grandchildren. The Usui lineage now has a proper heir!" he said chuckling. His eyes looked merry as the edges of his eyes crinkled up in a smile.
Usui smiled. "Please come sit down" Usui offered.
"When can I see my precious great grandchildren?" the Grand Duke asked.
"Oh" Usui send clearing his throat. "Right now if you wish" he said. "Honoka? Honoka!" he called.
"Yes my lord" Honoka said. "I shall bring them right away"
"Careful with them" the Grand Duke said nodding.
"Of course, my lord"
"How have you been, my dear?" the Grand Duke said loudly, turning to Misaki.
Misaki tried to smile but imagined it probably looked very nervous. "Thank you for your concern" she said, giving a small curtsy. "I have been very well. I hope that my lord's health is well too."
"Of course!" the Grand Duke said chuckling again. "I am too overjoyed to feel anything else"
Honoka returned with Subaru. They slowly walked up to the Grand Duke and showed him the babies.
"Hiro and Harumi" Usui told Grandfather.
Grandfather nodded. "I am very pleased" he said patting Usui on the back. "I have lived to see the fourth generation"
"I am glad you are pleased" Usui said. Grandfather nodded.
"Continue on!" he said. Everyone relaxed and returned to their seats. A cushioned chair was pulled up with the Grand Duke.
The Countess gracefully walked up to them. "My lord" she said curtsying. "I am Countess Ayuzawa. I apologize for not making a formal meeting sooner"
The Grand Duke smiled. "Greetings" he said, helping her up. "We all have things to do" he said gently. "No need to fuss of meetings and such. I am quite sure you must be busy. You have raised a fine daughter. My grandson chose well for a bride"
"Thank you" Minako said. "I have tried my best to be a good mother"
"And it shows" the Grand Duke agreed. "Takumi is in good hands after I pass"
"Grandfather" Usui chided. "Let us not speak of such things"
"You are correct" Grandfather said, taking a sip of his wine. "Tis only a time to celebrate now"
After dinner Usui insisted that Misaki dance with him.
"You danced with Lord Hinata" Usui said with a small pout. Misaki sighed.
"Very well then, my lord" she said taking his hand. "Let us dance"
Just Misaki's luck...the next song was a fast dance. Misaki's head was swirling as she twirled one way and then the other. Usui smirked as they continued dancing. Misaki shot him a glare as she did her best to keep up with the complex steps.
"Right...left...left...right...left" Misaki muttered to herself. Her gown flared as she spun around. The satin look breathtaking under the light but Misaki didn't have time to admire it. Her feet moved one after the other in small fast steps.
Misaki let out a huge breath of relief when the music faded. She curtsied and quickly escaped.
"Tired already?" Usui asked.
"Just these shoes" Misaki complained. "Why must women wear such frivolous heels? It's not as though I am petite. I don't see any short men wearing heels!"
"In France its fashionable for men to wear heels" Usui offered.
Misaki raised an eyebrow. "Maybe we should start a trend here" she suggested. "It will show the men what we women have have subject to"
Usui laughed. "No thank you..."
Misaki couldn't help smiling. Usui was already very tall. Even in heels Misaki was no where near his height. Imagining him in a pair of heels made Misaki giggle though.
"Alright, you goose" Usui said taking her hand. "Let us go entertain some guests"
Misaki nodded. She stood up on her toes and planted a kiss on Usui's mouth. "There" she said raising her chin. "Now I don't owe you anything"
Usui smiled and pulled her toward the crowd. "You owe me your entire existence"
"As do you" Misaki countered.
"Forever and always"