Disclaimer: I do not own KWMS and P&P... all rights reserved to their owners... I'm just a fan...

Warning: this is going to be a long chapter... for me... :D

Chapter 10


Leaving Usui behind, Misaki entered the grand hall exasperatingly. All the while, she hated herself because she did not think straight first before answering Usui's offer, and now, she had to gather all her willpower to dance with him. But then again, every cloud has a silver lining; she now saw an opportunity to investigate more on Usui.

She walked towards the table of Inspector Norris; the ladies, who left him on his own, were chatting with the other ladies in the next table and as for Tora, he was gone. She sat next to the Inspector, who said, "I trust that you have gained a lot of information."

"Yes, I did. It confirmed my suspicions," Misaki said.

"Suspicions?"

"That Miss Chevalier is afraid of knives and sharp objects," Misaki said.

"And what does that do with the case? I trust that you did not waste your time on such a petty manner," Inspector Norris said.

"All information is valuable, Inspector. And by that, I could confirm that no knife was in the room before the murder occurred. Remember, she is afraid of knives, and that makes the scars in her hands suspicious, that how can a person, who is afraid of sharp objects, was using a knife and had scars in her hands which indicate that she handles knives well."

"But there is that knife which Miss Chevalier was holding which might be used by her for defence. So anyone desperate to live will forget their fears and do whatever they can to survive," he said.

"Well, you have a point in there. Oh, that's right, I also promised Lady Chevalier to search for her daughter," Misaki said.

"What? That is insolence, impossible! You gave yourself a huge trouble! Do you have any idea why Lady Chevalier was really here?"

"For safety?"

"Partly, but it is actually that the Scotland Yard thought of her mad in saying that her daughter's still alive."

"That's a shame, but I never break a promise," Misaki said with a smile.

"Fine, Miss Ayuzawa, I'll let you have your way. But do not blame me if some terrible thing will happen to you, and I will tell you how impossible that you fulfil that fruitless promise," Inspector Norris said.

"Anything is possible."

"Suit yourself... oh look, the dance is about to end," Inspector Norris said.

"I should prepare with the next dance, Mr. Norris," Misaki said.

"Are you planning to slack off on your work? Remember your purpose, Miss Ayuzawa; that you are here to investigate, not to flirt with men. Now, pray tell me your answer," the Inspector said.

"I am investigating and certainly am not flirting."

"With whom are you dancing?"

"Mr. Takumi Usui"

"And him of all men? The nephew of my patroness?"

"Shall I investigate Lady Everglott as well?" said Misaki teasingly.

"That is out of the question! But then again you may have other schemes behind me, and if you do, here's a friendly advice: if you do fall for him and marry him, and if you plan to escape the world you are in, that will not do you good anything at all," Mr. Norris said, "Besides, you ought to be fair and just in your cases; he should take responsibilities if he is the murderer."

"I assure you, sir, that I do not have any intentions of marrying Mr. Usui," Misaki declared.

Then, the last note was played. Everyone was preparing for the next dance. Then Mr. Norris said, "Oh good, there's your partner."

Misaki looked at the direction where the Inspector was looking and saw Usui standing a few feet away, his facing bearing no emotions at all. But then, he smiled, reached out his right hand and said, "Well then, shall we?"

She stood up and went to his side. Then, she placed her left hand on his hand, which he held tightly, and both of them walked towards their place in the dance hall.

-0-

As they walk, Misaki could not stop thinking of Usui. She feared that he heard of her conversation with the Inspector, if he did, then all would be a failure, and she hated herself more of her carelessness. Her worries began as Usui reached out his hand with a smile, but when she saw his eyes, they were full of sorrow, which made her feel uncomfortable.

They finally took their place and stood in front of each other. Almost all eyes with in them, more added when the dancing began. The two held their hands, his left and her right, together, with his other hand on her hips and hers in his shoulder, making them closer to each other, which made her more uncomfortable as they dance. The music played and the waltz began.

Misaki wanted to say something, as seconds pass she was in the state of discomfort. Usui took the hint and said, "My, my, Miss Ayuzawa, you dance pretty well."

'Is he insulting me?' Misaki thought, but said, "Thank you. My mother taught us about this dance."

"I also did not expect for you to accept my invitation to dance"

"I understand that you expect me to turn you down, but I didn't, which forced you to dance with me," Misaki said.

"On the contrary, I was not forced to dance with you," Usui said.

"Why? Is that you found me interesting enough to dance with?" Misaki said sarcastically. Usui only smiled.

"Let me now ask you, what did you hear of my conversation with Mr. Norris?"

Usui knew that Misaki was worried about that and he wanted to ease her pain. "Pardon me, ma'am, but I did not see nor hear anything... Perhaps you would like to tell me?" he teased.

"Why would I tell you?" Misaki said with a heightened tone.

"Shhh... you should speak softly, Miss Ayuzawa. You would more 'stirring' to us, won't you?" Usui said. Misaki was silent after that.

AS they dance, Usui led Misaki away from the watching people, especially the groups of women who would talk about them, knowing that it will injure her. Luckily for him, she never noticed, to the point that she thought he was "challenging" her ability to dance.

Then, after a few minutes of silence, Usui asked, "Do you like it here in Nottingham?"

"Fairly," she said.

"Are you staying here for a long time?"

"Unfortunately, no. I have left a business back in Elmswood where a friend of mine is in need of a companion, a friend defied of his rights over some inheritance by another man," Misaki said. It was turn for Usui to be silent.

"It was a surprise for me, Mr. Usui, that you were acquainted with Mr. Emile Garner," Misaki said.

"It is I who was surprised that you are his friend, yet he did not say anything about his connection with me," Usui replied.

"But then again, it might not have any importance to him, considering he has to hide it from me," Misaki said.

"But a true friend would tell anyway, even if it pains him or makes him happy," Usui replied, and then he added in an agitated manner, "Why bring such a subject?"

"To be able to discover the truth in that subject"

"And are you successful as of now?"

"That I cannot say."

Perhaps these are the last words they had exchanged in the dance, for after this until the dance ended, they never spoke a word to each other, more likely because of "hidden" anger.

At last, the dance ended, and they parted without a word. The ladies expected that Usui would dance with one of them, but it never happened, much to their dismay. Misaki, on the other hand, went back to Mr. Norris' table, where she was greeted by "So, how did it go? Are you successful?" by Mr. Norris himself, yet she did not utter any word. The dance was a bit disappointing for her for she did not extract more information from Usui, yet she felt that she might be nearer to her goal.

Everyone went home, and the Norrises and Misaki were invited for a picnic the day after tomorrow.

-0-

The day came and the three arrived at the palace, where they assembled. They were not only the ones who were invited; there were the other nobles from the ball who were also present. The only people who Misaki recognizes were, apart from the Norrises, Lady Everglott, Usui and Tora. Lady Chevalier remained in the palace. When they were complete, they discussed about the said picnic and afterwards proceeded to the lake which is situated in the southern-west part of the palace.

When they arrive there, they settled first at a pavilion near the lake, afterwards some of the men went fishing while some of the ladies chatted and the others played croquet.

Usui was in the company of his aunt; Misaki wandered along lakefront with Tora. There they talked with vigor, until the subject of his disappearance was brought up by Misaki, which he replied, "I am really sorry that I suddenly went out; while you were away, I was called by someone of great importance, which I had to attend to. By the way, you are acquainted with Kuuga, are you not?"

"Yes, I am."

"I heard that he's going to get married."

"Really? To whom?"

"I do not really know who, but all I know of the lady is that she is a daughter of a marquis some far away land."

Misaki was in a great shock, for she knew that the lady was certainly not her friend. Tora saw a troubled look at Misaki and said, "What is the matter? I thought you would be glad of the news. He is very lucky; he was just saved from his plan of an imprudent marriage of some country girl by someone who has a great concern for him..."

"Who was that someone?" Misaki asked.

"Who else but his friend, Takumi..." By the time she heard the name, the world seemed to stop; she felt a huge commotion within herself which she kept to herself.

They still went about their walk; Tora talked all along while Misaki was silently listening, both unaware of some jealous eyes watching them. They were now pretty far from the party and finally decided to go back, yet as they turn around, they saw a woman about Misaki's age; a pretty woman with a light complexion, a soft brown hair tied in a bun and a bit taller than Misaki. She smiled and said, "Oh, I'm sorry. I did not mean to interrupt your talk. Please continue..."

"Isabella? I thought you went home..." Tora said

"Oh, no of course not. I actually want to go home with you, Mr. Igarashi," Isabella said, then turning to Misaki, "I hope my Tora is behaving well..."

"Oh yes, very much. Your fiancé is a fine fellow. I give you my congratulations," Misaki said with a smile.

"Yes, I know! Aren't we such a lovely couple? What do you think?" Isabella said proudly while grabbing Tora's arm; Tora, on the other hand, was now feeling embarrassed, and Misaki only added his embarrassment when she replied, "Yes you do! Mr. Igarashi is very lucky to have you as his future bride."

"And wife. Do not forget it," Isabella said, "Do you mind if we go ahead?"

"Isabella, Miss Ayuzawa will be..."

"Oh, do not mind me at all. Go along..." Misaki said. After this, the couple went back to the party together to say their goodbyes. Misaki was left on the same spot where she stood for a few minutes until they were out of her sight. But as she walks, she suddenly slipped and was beginning to fall; luckily, a hand held hers which saved her on time.

"As I thought you were following us," Misaki said.

"Is that the gratitude I will be receiving?" teased Usui as he helped Misaki.

"Well then, thank you, Usui. I really appreciate your help and I will be on my way," Misaki replied and walked away, but Usui followed.

"Since you are all alone, may I accompany you, Ayuzawa?" Usui asked.

"You are already accompanying me, Usui," Misaki replied.

Since then, they did not utter any word, until Usui broke the silence.

"Were the two of you talked about me?"

"How can you say that?"

"I have heard my name spoken from one of you," Usui said.

"To be honest, yes, we were talking about you...partly," Misaki said.

"Then, from our tête-à-tête from the ball... have you been successful?" Usui asked.

"As of now, not yet, but it is none of your business," Misaki replied.

"I'm curious. What were you talking about me?" Usui asked.

Misaki said frankly, "We were trying to construct your character, Usui"

"And what did you come up? What do you think of me?"

"That you were too proud in your judgement of others"

"As I thought. You act as if you knew everything."

"That may depend on how I can see them."

Usui then chuckled, which Misaki said, "Is there anything to laugh at? I can join you if there was..."

"It's just that... how great your mind is..."

"So what? Is that supposed to laugh at?"

"No I mean..." then Usui looked at her in a serious manner, "You do have a great mind which I really admire, yet I'm surprised that you can be so simple-minded..."

"What do you mean?"

"I thought you think differently than the others, but then again you failed to see the real me... at some point you also think the same as the others see... but you completely failed to see this very important fact in my life which none knew except of me, of course..."

"And what is it?"

"...That I love you..."

_END_


And that is the end of the chapter (would I put _END_ if it is not?" kidding...)

Yeah... one heck of a cliffhanger... but I thought of it too predictable... as well as the story... :-)

Well, sorry for mistakes, confusions, and if offends you whatsoever, oh yeah, sorry for the delay...

I'm sorry again for those people whom I mention in the previous chapter... I promise I'll make it up to you... I'm really sorry!

If you have questions, corrections, clarifications and/or violent reactions, please don't be shy to include them in your review (if you will review, but please do!) or PM me if you want...

Oh, and thanks to those people who added my story to their list of favourite stories, and/or added it to their story alert...

I really appreciate all your support... oh, and before I forgot, we'll have our 1st examination in the 2nd quarter/grading... so I'm sorry in advance if I will delay again...

Thanks and happy reading!

~ otaku911