The Nightingale

Chapter 10: Status

It was past noon when they passed through the Great Gate onto the castle grounds. The city had received them as the great victors but he knew perfectly that the victory in the recovered city was thanks to Ichigo and he didn't even go into battle that night.

Ichigo was too cunning.

When the gates of Verasi, the city taken by the Kuvarites, were opened that night, resistance from the enemy soldiers was minimal. That encounter was a massacre because Ichigo had arrived with the head of the enemy General a few moments before the king started the attack.

How had Ichigo done it? Kaien had no fucking idea, but he wasn't going to deny that he enjoyed killing all those kuvaritas soldiers.

Ichigo was supposed to go to battle and he would die there, but no, Ichigo avoided going into battle and won the admiration of the soldiers for having achieved something that no one had done. Kaien had to admit that the idea of sneaking into the city had not occurred to him, he did not reach those levels of ingenuity but that was fine; every time Ichigo demonstrated what he was capable of doing, Kaien knew more about his enemy.

Yes, Ichigo was his enemy, and he was sure Ichigo saw him the same way. The mere existence of Ichigo was a constant danger to the throne that he was going to inherit and he could not even dream of killing his father to ascend to the throne, it was not yet the time to stain his hands with blood.

When the procession reached the main gate of the castle, the soldiers helped him to dismount; his father dismounted first and advanced through the door, he knew that there was the queen waiting to receive them. Ichigo should be there too, the king had allowed him to carry the message of their arrival as a reward for his "feat".

Ridiculous.

Ichigo was starting to win his father's love too quickly.

He adjusted his clothes and entered with that carefree gait, with that false smile that accentuated his attractiveness and, when he saw how Masaki smiled extending her hands to him, he knew that the theater was beginning.

— Mother, every day more beautiful. — He said with that smile before kissing the queen's hands.

— Kaien, I'm so glad you came back safely. A true warrior. The Deities bless you, my son. — Masaki smiled and caressed his cheek with that classic maternal gesture that she always had with her children.

It was a cordial greeting that concealed the sword each wielded against the other. Masaki would be the first to fall when his father died, he was going to enjoy that, but for now, they had to play the roles of devoted son and self-sacrificing mother well.

— I'm still not good enough, mother. I would have loved to bring a ruby for the crown.

— You will, I know you will ... or you will die trying. — Masaki threatened him with a smile on her lips, with that maternal voice that concealed, as he did, the hatred she had for him.

Kaien kissed the queen's hands as goodbye and began to advance down the main hall, there were several young women in line who looked at the floor bowing to him. The Queen's Court was already formed and Ichigo had arrived earlier, surely Masaki had introduced them to her son so that he could choose his favorite first.

However, Ichigo wasn't there. For every step Ichigo took to get closer to his father, he took two steps back.

There were five girls looking at the floor in a bow but the hair of one of them was so familiar that he stopped in front of her and, with a gentle gesture, handed her the handkerchief that he carried in his pocket, before speaking.

— Nell, have breakfast with me tomorrow. — It was impossible not to recognize her, they had grown up together in the palace and he was surprised that she was part of the court, again.

What was Masaki up to having Nell in court? Nell had grown up in the castle practically since she was a child, her education ended too long ago.

— Yes, your Highness. — Nell took the handkerchief but did not look up, she had been educated personally by the queen; she was almost a princess.

Whatever has happened in the days that Ichigo was there, Nell would know.

He ignored the rest of the girls who were there, they were all pretty but they were that kind of beauty that was always in court; the only lady who was interesting and valuable there was Nell but she was like his sister and he did not want to confront Ulquiorra for daring to dishonor her little sister by treating her like his lover.

He came to his room and there was already a bathtub ready for his use, surely his father would spend a long time in his private bathrooms. He had no choice but to undress in his room while the servants brought his things for the bath, he felt that he would spend a lot of time in the water, he urgently needed a bath.

— Call the royal jeweler, I have an order to do. — He ordered one of his servants before relaxing in the bathtub.

Ichigo didn't go near the stables, he knew the stable boys were busy tending the king's horses, so he stopped before arriving and helped Kia get off the horse; she just gave him a sad smile and left without looking back. They did not say goodbye, they did not say anything else or do anything to mark the end of that ephemeral relationship they had had; they just went their own way, as if it were another day.

Ichigo took off the cloth covering his hair and tied it around him like a belt; that cloth was part of the royal clothing that he used to wear in Vayalat when he was not training or in other activities, but he was no longer in Vayalat. He was the prince of Avanta and must behave as such; in the stable, next to the horse, Kon had stayed.

No, Kon had stayed on the beach with Kia.

He entered the castle through the main door, the servants were lighting the torches to light the corridors, and he went to his room with the classic calm that he used when walking, his expression was serious but his mind kept reminding him of Kia's lips.

The servants bowed to him when he passed, he responded with a slight nod of the head until he noticed that a pair of imperial guards were standing at the entrance of his room; the king was waiting for him and internally cursed him for it.

The imperial guards opened the door for him to pass and he could see the king gazing at Kholtan who was resting on his support near the window. The eagle had arrived earlier and made a little noise that was distinguished as a welcome.

— Your Majesty. — Ichigo greeted his father and bowed respectfully.

— You made me wait a long time, Ichigo. Where were you? Why didn't I see you when I arrived? — The king asked in a firm voice.

— My apologies, your majesty, I...

— I hope this is the first and the last time you fail to do your duty as a prince, understood? — The king did not let him give an excuse and he would not know what excuse to give him, he had not had time to think; in his mind there was only Kia.

— Yes, your majesty, it won't happen again.

— Nor do I want you to be seducing the maids, they have seen you near a maid and you know very well that this is not allowed. You are a prince and...

— My marriage and children will be for the good of the kingdom, your majesty; I am aware of it and I understand it.

— I'm glad you understand it. Now go bathe, we will wait for you for dinner.

— Yes, your Majesty.

The king left there, with that slow gait that characterized him, and left him alone in his room. His father always found out about everything, it was tedious. He approached Kholtan and stroked the feathers on his head gently, he didn't want to go to dinner but he had to, his list of fouls seemed to get bigger with each thing he did.

Sometimes he wondered how long his list of faults would have to be before his father decided to cut off the head. Perhaps he should never have returned to Avanta, he should have remained a soldier in Vayalat, his grandfather and his uncle would not have refused to adopt him.

— What do you say, old friend, we kidnap Kia and go back to Vayalat to live as exiles? — He asked his eagle, Kholtan just enjoyed the caresses he gave him. — Okay, we'll stay here.

He whispered with resignation before taking his things and going to the king's bathroom and preparing for dinner, he would be lucky if he did not meet Kaien there; the last thing he wanted was to see his brother and be questioned about not being present at the king's reception.

All she wanted was to get to her bed and lie there, doing nothing, just breathing; she was tired and full of emotions that fluttered like butterflies inside her stomach but when she got to the room she knew it would not be possible.

— Rukia, you've finally arrived. The queen is very upset about your fault, she said that as soon as you arrived you should go to see her so that she could give you a punishment. — This time it was Loly who bothered her, although they all seemed upset in some way, all except Nelliel who was sitting on her bed reading a book.

— Don't lie, Loly. — Orihime came to her defense and took her arm to separate her from the Favorites who wanted to start a verbal fight.

Rukia was carried away by Orihime, who didn't let go of her until they were both in Rukia's bed, and the Favorites stopped paying attention to them to focus on something that she didn't care about.

— I told the queen you were sick, but she didn't bother that you weren't at the king's welcome, she said it was fine, but you should go to the female doctor tomorrow. — Orihime explained in a whisper, hoping only Rukia would hear her.

— With the female doctor? Why?

— I do not know. She also said that after your visit with the female doctor you should go see her, she wants to talk to you.

— I understand. It's okay. — She whispered and flopped onto the bed face down.

All the emotions that she had felt and carried with her were somewhat overshadowed by those words, she couldn't imagine why she had to go to the female doctor; from one moment to another she opened her eyes in surprise, her face was still buried in her pillow and she was grateful that Orihime couldn't see her. The queen surely knew that she had not been to the castle, but she was terrified that the queen would find out who she had left the castle with that day.

If the queen found out that she had gone out with her messenger, Kon might be in trouble, but that didn't explain why she had to go to the doctor, unless the queen suspected something. Something like what?

She quickly began to think about what she had done that day that would merit going to the doctor the next day and her face turned red when she came to that conclusion.

— Shit! — She screamed into the pillow knowing what would happen when she visited the female doctor. The queen wanted to know if she was still a virgin.

— Rukia, are you okay? — Orihime's voice sounded concerned and she had to calm down a bit before turning to look at her.

The queen knew everything, nothing escaped her.

She sat on the bed, next to Orihime, and crossed her legs with a small wince, a pain she hadn't noticed before. Orihime was looking at her curiously and a little worried about her so she calmed down as much as she could.

— Yes, I'm OK. I just think I'm going to get in a lot of trouble. — She said with a guilty smile.

Orihime was waiting for her to tell her what had happened, that had been the deal and she was going to keep it. She made sure that Nelliel was attentive to her book and that the Favorites continue in their affairs; later would investigate why they looked so upset with Nelliel. She began to tell her what had happened since they left the castle, she told her that she had been the first time riding a horse and that her legs and butt ached from her movement; she also told her what she had seen on the beach, how good the water felt on her skin and how salty the water was. She told her about the fight over the apple and then the soldier's confession that he liked her, just that and nothing else.

The other thing they had done she didn't have to tell Orihime, that was just for her.

— And did you kiss him? — Orihime was shocked and excited at the same time.

— Yes, I did it. It was just a kiss. I was so ashamed to see him that I couldn't kiss him again, my cheeks were red and burning. — She lied but knew that the blush on her cheeks confirmed the truth in that lie.

Orihime hugged her tightly and that pang of guilt for not having told her everything else disappeared. Rukia hugged her back and made her promise that she would not tell anything of what she had confided to her.

Orihime knew a lot, she had been the only one who recognized her when she arrived, she knew that she was the daughter of one of the councilors and she knew about the Accords; all because her uncle was also one of the councilors and had told her that she would arrive.

— Now it's my turn to tell you what happened at the king's welcome. — Orihime started to tell her and Rukia nodded because she wanted to know why the Favorites were looking at Nelliel as if she were an enemy and they were more irritable than other days. — The king arrived and the Kahya told us that we should be at the end of the welcome line, the first to greet the king was the queen, the Kahya and the Councilors after...

— The councilors? Was my dad there? — She asked with panic in her voice.

— Yes, but the queen told him you were sick and in bed. — Orihime rushed to say and Rukia felt her soul return to her body.

— Thanks to the Deities.

— We saluted the king, but he did not notice us, he left there with his councilors but Prince Kaien, after greeting the queen, stared at Nelliel and asked her to have breakfast together tomorrow.

— Nelliel?

— Yes, Nelliel. He said "Nell" so I think they already knew each other. Now the Favorites think that Nelliel is Prince Kaien's Inamorata and they hate her because he didn't notice them because of Nelliel's fault.

— And did Prince Ichigo choose someone? — She asked curious because she knew that he and she would eventually end up married if the king decided to make the Agreements valid. She didn't even know him, she had never seen him, but she couldn't help asking about him; after all, at some point they would have to meet.

— He did not arrive and it seems that he will not make it today because after welcoming Prince Kaien we were returned to the room. Nobody knows him but I suppose that when he arrives they will let us know.

— I guess you're right. — She whispered and lay down on the bed with Orihime beside her.

— So ... the soldier kisses well? — Orihime asked in an amused whisper making her laugh.

Thank you all very much for reading!