Disclaimer: I do not own KWMS or P&P... all rights reserved to their owners...
And here I present...
Chapter 27
A lone carriage could be seen travelling on the lonely road that night.
The sounds of the hooves of horses and the wheels of the carriage echoed in the darkness, yet the people in the carriage were silent for hours. A man was seated across a woman; he stared at her, trying to meet her eyes, yet the woman was looking outside through the window.
Breaking the silence, the man said, "Are you going to be silent all throughout the journey?"
The woman finally looked at the man and said, "I don't think I have anything to say to you."
"Then, would you care to explain why you are going to the Chevalier this time of day, Ayuzawa?"
"You really are an idiot. You insisted on going with me despite not knowing why I am going there," Misaki said, "If I told you I am meeting a mafia leader, I'd reckon you'll leave me alone at last."
"On the contrary, Ayuzawa," said Usui, "I will still go with you. If you do not need my presence by your side, expect that I will follow you, whether you're meeting a mafia leader or you're jumping off a bridge..."
"Stop it," Ayuzawa interrupted, "My my, what a reckless person you are."
"I can tell the same thing to you," Usui said, "Now that you're a bit livelier, can you please tell me your reason of coming to the Chevaliers?"
"Make me."
"I'll open the carriage and scream 'I love Miss Misa-'"
"Fine, I'll tell you," Misaki scoffed.
-0-
"So you're implying that the case is not yet closed?" Usui asked.
"I am not implying, Usui, I know it hasn't been fully solved yet," Misaki said.
"But The Society has been handled by the police."
"Yes," Misaki said, "But there is still one more mystery to be solved."
"If your hypothesis is indeed correct and you've completely closed the case, then what are you planning to do next?"
Misaki sighed and then smiled as she answered, "I am planning to move on and continue living. It is pretty obvious, isn't it?"
"Then aren't you planning of something else other than that?"
Misaki was silent, but looked very grave.
Usui shrugged and teased, "Well, it is clear to me that you haven't thoroughly planned..."
"Takumi."
Usui stopped talking and looked at Misaki. Hearing his name spoken by Misaki, he felt great shock, for having known her he reckoned that she wouldn't dare say his given name, yet he also felt great happiness, knowing that it came from the woman dearest to him.
He didn't know the right words to answer, but before he could even to it, Misaki interrupted him.
"You promised me that I'll get a reward if I ever say your name, am I right?" Misaki said.
"W-well yes, so I..."
"Then, I'll take my reward then," Misaki interrupted, "Usui, please keep distance from me."
"What do you mean, Ayuzawa?"
"I meant you to stay away from me after this whole Chevalier case, or, it is much better if you forget about me."
Usui was only silent.
"Or to lessen it a bit, our relationship will remain as friendship..."
"Why would I listen to such request?"
"Because it is for the best for both of us."
"And if I refuse?"
"Still, I may be able to forget this whole affair. Even if you insist that you knew me, I could say that I didn't know you at all."
"Then let me ask you this, Ayuzawa," Usui said, "About what you have said to my aunt, are they all lies?"
Misaki was startled in his question. "How did you know about my conversation with Lady Everglott?"
"It doesn't matter now," Usui agitatedly said as he moved towards Misaki's side of the carriage, "Answer me, Ayuzawa. Have you been deceiving me all along? All those words, that you have no reason to decline my offer, that you wouldn't give your word to my aunt and all of those, were just lies?"
"No," answered Misaki firmly.
"Then, why?"
Misaki smiled, yet it was apparent that she was sad. She then answered, "It's just that the odds weren't in favour of us, Usui."
"Why say something like that, Ayuzawa?" asked Usui.
"If I were to be your wife," said Misaki, "it will only cause pain..."
"I don't think so. It won't cause pain, I assure you..."
"You're missing my point, Usui," Misaki said.
"In what way?"
"You are to be married, aren't you, Usui?" Misaki asked.
"The truth is, I only knew about it today, but I am not yet officially engaged to Ms. Chevalier and I have the right to refuse..."
"Even if you aren't, still, it will only cause pain for you and me," Misaki said, "You'll be laughed at by the people, labelled as the 'husband of a disgraceful woman', or..."
"I wouldn't care less of the people around me," said Usui as he reached for Misaki's hands and held them tightly, "As long as you're by my side, that's enough for me."
"Thank you, Usui, but I don't think I deserved your kindness," Misaki said as she broke free from Usui's grip, "this may sound selfish, but I don't want to be the reason of your shortcomings. I don't want to stain your reputation... you deserved better... and there are some things which you should not know."
"And those things are?"
Misaki didn't say anything.
Convinced that he couldn't convince the stubborn Misaki, Usui said, "Is this something that you really want me to do?"
"Yes," Misaki said then she smiled, "Probably for now we may not be together, but who knows, maybe in a different time, we'll meet again."
Usui reached for Misaki's cheek and began to caress it with his hand. He smiled and said, "Yes, and I'll look for you, I promise."
Misaki closed her eyes and smiled, for she had made Usui agree to her request. As she opened her eyes, she noticed that Usui was approaching to her slowly.
"You may be right, Ayuzawa," he said, "But still, you're fully aware of my true feelings towards you, aren't you?"
"W-well, I guess so..."
"Then, let me do something to you in this time period before I finally bid you farewell..."
"Wha-what are you..."
She couldn't continue her words for she was cornered by Usui. She noticed that he stopped caressing her and gazed at her lovingly. He then leaned forward and slowly closed his eyes. Misaki was even surprised that she did nothing to stop him from doing what he was about to do, but instead, she closed her eyes and waited until she could feel his breath near her. Finally, his lips gently landed on hers. But thoughts of parting her overcame Usui. He then slid his hand on Misaki's waist while the other one held her nape, pulling Misaki closer to him, as if never letting her go away. Misaki held him by his coat very tightly and reciprocated his feelings which were channelled through the kiss and it got deeper and deeper. It was as if time stood still as they were in each other's warmth, but then again even time should meet its end. The two parted; both were panting and their foreheads leaned against each other while catching their breaths.
Misaki was still panting when Usui let out a soft laughed. Since Misaki couldn't ask him yet why he laughed, he already spoke, "My, my. You're actions were contrary to your words, Ayuzawa."
"My...actions?"
"Yes," Usui replied, "But so much of that. Why don't you take a nap, Ayuzawa? You could lean on my shoulder?"
Now that she already caught her breath, she sat up and said, "And why would I do such a thing?"
"You seemed tired already."
"I am not," Misaki insisted.
"Then do me a favour," said Usui slyly, "Just lean on my shoulder. After all, I wouldn't have any opportunity like this after this journey. Or else, I'll not hear your plea..."
But before Usui could even finish, Misaki buried her face on Usui's chest while clutching his coat. Then she said, "With this, would you mind shutting your mouth until we arrive at the manor?"
Usui chuckled, then he wrapped Misaki in his arms and said, "You really are so sly, Ayuzawa."
The sound of the wheels of the carriage clashing the road and the hooves of the horses were the only ones that could be heard as the two savor the moment the spent in each others' company.
-0-
"Words aren't enough to express my gratitude to you, Ms. Ayuzawa," said Angelique, "If it weren't for you, probably I'll still be in hiding until right now."
"That's right," Lady Chevalier said, "Though you're the one who helped us a lot, but it seemed like it was the Inspector who was given the credits; we could have told them what truly happened, had not for your request. That's why I invited you for a tea party, knowing that you like tea."
'A tea party in this late hour?' Usui thought as he sipped his tea.
"No, there's nothing to it," Misaki said after she took a sip of her cup of tea, "It's my duty to unearth the truth and all; it's my way of serving my country, as well as my way of carrying the legacy of my father."
"Was your father a police officer?"
"He wasn't, but he did love mystery stuff," Misaki answered and smiled.
"Is that so?" Angelique said, "I know it is very unusual to invite you at this hour, but I wish that you could at least stay here and have a vacation. I actually want to throw a grand party for your success, but I think you prefer privacy."
"Please do not worry about it, Ms. Chevalier," Misaki said, "And yes, I do enjoy privacy. Sometimes being alone could give you some peace of mind."
"Sometimes." Usui emphasized, and then he took a sip.
"I was surprised that you accepted my invitation, Ms. Ayuzawa," Angelique said, "But I was even more when you endured being with this man throughout your trip."
Misaki let out a small laugh and then she said, "Actually, my one of my reasons of coming here is to give you this."
Then, Misaki placed something on the table. It was a dark blue book with gold outline of a rose on its cover.
"It disappeared after you hired Raven here, am I right?"
"Yes," Lady Chevalier said as she took the book, "I was looking for this, yet I haven't found it until now." Then, looking at Misaki, she said, "Thank you, Ms. Ayuzawa, for returning one of the precious treasures of the house of Chevalier. By the by, where did you find this?"
"I found it in the lodge where Raven was residing under the name of Blanche Simons," Misaki said. "I am sorry because I kept it for a while."
"No, it's alright," Lady Chevalier said, "Why don't we call this a night? We could just continue tomorrow during the second tea party tomorrow, and you must be tired, both of you; Mr. Usui, I would like to thank you for accompanying Ms. Ayuzawa and I'm deeply sorry for my daughter's behavior towards you."
"It's nothing at all," Usui said, then, looking at Misaki, "It's my honor for escorting such a lady."
"Well, then, would you mind escorting my mother to her room, Mr. Usui?" said Angelique.
"Daughter, mind your manners!" said Lady Chevalier.
"Well then, as what Ms. Angelique 'humble' request; Ms. Angelique, Ms. Ayuzawa, I bid you good night," said Usui as he escorted Lady Chevalier out of the dining hall.
Angelique seized the opportunity of them being alone and said to Misaki, "Now that we're alone now, may I ask, what Usui is like as a, you know, as a lover?"
Misaki was a bit startled with the question and replied, "Mr. Usui and I were never lovers. How come you asked me such a question, Ms. Chevalier?"
"Well, I thought you had a past relationship with him, seeing that you two were very close," Angelique replied.
"Well, that's a bit straightforward conclusion, Ms. Angelique," Misaki said and then smiled.
"Oh, and another thing is, well, it's not a secret with you that I am to be engaged to him, and I wanted to at least know him better," Angelique added.
"But you were against this whole engagement thing, am I mistaken?"
"No, you're not; I actually hated the idea, yet I have to do this," Angelique said, "It's like you, actually, Ms. Ayuzawa. Truth be told, our family is in debts right now, and mother thought about me marrying Mr. Usui is the only solution, since a woman couldn't do much in the maintaining the house of Chevalier. I love my family, Ms. Ayuzawa, and I do not mind sacrificing my happiness in order to preserve the glory of the Chevalier."
"I do understand your situation," Misaki said, "Though I do not comprehend as to why nobles sell their children to other nobles for money. Ever read the book I gave to Lady Chevalier?"
"Not at all."
"Ah, then you wouldn't know why your family emblem is a blue rose," Misaki said.
"No, I'm not sure."
"Then, I'll leave it for tomorrow," Misaki said, "I would advise you to have a good night's sleep; it'll be a busy day ahead of us."
"Is there anything we'll do tomorrow?"
"I'll organize my own party."
"What kind of party?"
"A hunting party."
"Oh, so you also like to hunt? Which one we'll hunt tomorrow: rabbits, birds, or some wild animals?" Angelique asked gleefully.
"None of those, Ms. Angelique," Misaki said, "We're hunting for treasure."
_END_
Ahhh... finally... I updated...
It was such a hectic month (which one isn't?), and I'm really sorry for such a late update... so much work to do...
And I am really thankful for you who read, reviewed and added my story to one of their favourites, while for some, added me as their favourite author, especially to those who waited... :)
(Personal thought) wow, I didn't even think that I could reach this number of chapters... XD
Lovelots!
~otaku911
