The Nightingale

Chapter 42: Les faits

Summer — x492 / September 5

— Here comes the Kuchiki girl. — Senna scoffed at Yuki upon seeing her enter the room. — And today she is wearing dress # 7 from the Fortunate Princess collection. Tell us, Miss Yuki, how did you manage to get a dress identical to the one Princess Rukia wore? Who did you pay to make a copy of that dress? Because me, and everyone in the castle, we want to know.

Yuki rolled her eyes and tried to ignore Senna, who was holding back the urge to laugh, as she went to her bed to put down a couple of books that she was carrying. Unfortunately Yuki had realized, too late, that Rukia had lied to her about "having no ulterior motives" when they discussed her entry into the queen's court.

The Queen's Court was a rather hostile and unpleasant place.

When the Kahya had introduced her to the other members of the queen's court, the first look she received from them was hostile; they looked her up and down in silence, evaluating her clothes and everything she was wearing, and did not speak until Kahya left the room.

Yuki had approached them with a smile on her lips, ignoring that first hostile look, but it wasn't enough; Senna, Loly and Riruka, just looked at her and despised her. Yuki had tried getting closer to them a couple more times, but it hadn't worked; it seemed they were predisposed to hate her from the first time they saw her.

From that moment on Yuki decided that they were not worth it as friends, she did not need them and they did not serve her to complete her goals. Senna and her friends might have more time at the queen's court, but Yuki used to spend more time with the queen; and the queen seemed to have a preference for her.

All Yuki needed was for the queen to love her.

— Miss Yuki can't answer. Could it be that she didn't buy it? — Senna said again, fighting back the urge to laugh. — Could it be that Miss Yuki stole Princess Rukia's dress?

Yuki closed her eyes and tried to take a deep breath, ignoring Senna's teasing. It was only the two of them in the room, and Yuki didn't want to get into trouble with the Kahya again. Yuki still didn't know how she had tried to make friends with a person like Senna; she was completely unpleasant and lately her attitude was worse, as if she was really someone important within the castle.

— Silence always grants reason. Are you a little thief, Miss Yuki? — Senna asked again, who hadn't moved from her place on her own bed.

— Leave me alone! — Yuki, who was really fed up with Senna's teasing, walked over to her and took her arm tightly. Senna only complained, but she seemed really funny in that situation. — Or I swear to you that you will regret having made fun of me.

— What will you do? Accuse me with the queen, with your uncle or with the princess? — Senna asked with absolute confidence in her voice. — You don't know who you're messing with. — Yuki just stared at her, knowing that she was just bluffing.

— No! You don't know who you're messing with. I'm not as stupid as Rukia, I can put you in your place and make you respect me, whether you want it or not. — Yuki threatened, squeezing Senna's arm tightly.

— Miss Yuki! — The Kahya's voice sounded from the entrance of the room; Yuki released Senna's arm in that instant.

Yuki turned to see the Kahya, who had an expression of utter anger. Behind the Kahya were Loly and Riruka, who ran into the room to comfort Senna, who was apparently crying. Yuki didn't know when Senna started crying, but she cursed the fact that the Kahya entered the room at that moment.

The Kahya entered the room until she was facing Yuki.

— Mrs. Retsu. — Yuki greeted, still annoyed by what Senna had said.

— This is unheard of! How dare you treat the daughter of one of the 13 Great Lords of the Kingdom like that! — The Kahya exclaimed, annoyed and indignant. Yuki had the impression that the Kahya had a certain favoritism for Senna.

— Senna is not more important than me; I'm a Kuchiki, and I also belong to one of the 13 main families of the kingdom. — Yuki replied, completely tired of all Senna's teasing and staying at the Queen's Court. — And I'm treating her the same way she has treated me, just that.

— Enough! — The Kahya raised her hand so that Yuki didn't keep talking. — I'm not going to tolerate this type of behavior anymore. From today, Miss Senna, you will be transferred to a new room, a private one. — The Kahya spoke looking at Senna and then at Yuki. — And you, Miss Yuki, will not be able to visit the queen until further notice.

— But why? — Yuki asked without even looking at Senna; she had never expected that resolution. It almost seemed ridiculous that Senna was being rewarded for being unpleasant, and they will punish her for defending herself against her.

— And still ask why? — The Kahya stared at Yuki. — Visiting and serving the queen is a privilege. Since you arrive here you are taught and instructed to be a refined lady; the behavior I just witnessed is totally different from what we teach.

Yuki couldn't believe what he was hearing. Senna didn't even act ladylike when she wasn't seen.

— And will I be punished for that? I will talk to Rukia, she was in the queen's court, she knows the kind of person Senna is, and she will know that I was just defending myself. — Yuki threatened, trying to use the privileged position that Rukia had since she married the prince.

— Do it; that will not prevent your punishment. You will also have extra classes until you can catch up with the classes you are missing. — The Kahya didn't seem concerned about that threat. — Now get out of here, I have to speak to Miss Senna. The teacher is waiting for you, you have writing classes.

Yuki wanted to say so many things to the Kahya, but decided to keep quiet; she didn't want to make her angrier. When Rukia came back, Yuki would talk to her. It had to be of some use to her that Rukia was a princess.

She left the room and went to the classroom, she was so upset that she did not realize someone was approaching her until she collided with that someone. The next thing she knew was that strong hands were holding her around her waist preventing her from ending up on the floor, and that she was holding on tightly to someone's arms.

Yuki immediately broke away from those hands that held her, and looked up thinking that maybe she had collided with a guard, but who she saw was not a guard. Prince Kaien was there, looking at her with a concerned expression and asking if she was okay. Yuki didn't know what to do or what to say; her face felt completely hot from her shame, and that made the prince ask again if she was okay.

— Yeah, yeah, your highness; I'm ok. Just a little distracted; don't cut my head off for bumping into you, please. — Yuki pleaded in a tone of joking and fear, looking down so as not to see the prince's face, as the rules dictated. — The Kahya is already annoyed enough with me, if she finds out that I have disrespected the heir prince, she will kill me.

Yuki was scared, but Prince Kaien's soft laugh made her look up for a second. Prince Kaien was smiling in such a graceful way, if it could be described that way, and Yuki couldn't help but blush again.

— Don't worry Miss Kuchiki, I won't cut your head off for bumping into me. — The prince added, still with that funny tone of voice. Yuki felt more and more embarrassed. — Better tell me, why weren't you seeing the road? You could have fallen down the stairs and hurt yourself. The queen is answerable for her ladies, but each must take care of herself.

— Your Highness, I apologize again. I was heading to my classes, I wasn't careful enough. — Yuki spoke without looking up.

— Oh! The teacher is very strict with punctuality. So let me accompany you, Miss Kuchiki, so that you can tell me where you got the idea that the Kahya can kill you. She is the most patient person in the world. — Prince Kaien's offer made her blush, but the prince's next words made her feel somewhat foolish.

— Your Highness, it will be an honor for me. — Yuki bowed as he said that.

Yuki knew that refusing an offer from one of the princes was not up for discussion, so she nodded to what he said and began to think about the words she would say to the prince. Yuki could not tell lies about the Kahya, so while walking in the company of the prince to the classroom, Yuki decided that she would tell him the truth, but in her own way; always trying to make all the blame fall on herself.

Summer — x492 / September 6

Orihime spent the whole morning in town with Ulquiorra, going from store to store, searching from pastry to pastry, until she found the pecan cookies that Nelliel liked. Orihime had decided that those were the cookies she wanted to give Nelliel that day for afternoon tea.

Ulquiorra had suggested to her that it was easier for her to ask Nelliel's cook to make the cookies, but Orihime had refused. Kaien had gotten Nelliel her own cook, under the excuse that she had to eat well, but Orihime felt that this was not right because it would be doubting the queen, and she disliked that a bit.

Orihime knew that loyalties in the castle were beginning to split, and that was terrifying because it meant that there would eventually be a direct confrontation between Kaien and Ichigo. What Rukia had done with Nelliel was only the beginning and perhaps in a short time, all the inhabitants of Adelaar would become puppets in the hands of the princes and their princesses.

Orihime didn't want that, because if she had to choose a side, she would always choose Ulquiorra; although that meant being on the side of Nelliel and Kaien.

She had said that castle cookies didn't taste as good as the ones sold in bakeries, and Ulquiorra had no choice but to follow his wife around town until she found them. Orihime was quite persistent and Ulquiorra seldom pleased her like that; he was always busy in the mornings, so those moments with her husband, doing such common activities, were really enjoyed by her.

They returned to the castle before lunch, with enough time to eat together before Ulquiorra left to do his pending work. Orihime knew that Ulquiorra was busy because they were training the soldiers, they had planned to attack Kuvar for the spring and end once and for all those territorial disputes that the kingdoms had had for all those years.

The reports of Ichigo that reached the king, although Ulquiorra did not show them or did not speak directly about them, Orihime knew them; not with all the details, but she knew that the militia in the cities were in good condition to withstand attack and defense.

She didn't like the idea that Ulquiorra had to go to war, she didn't like the possibility of being a widow after they both did everything they had to do to be together; but she, too, could not tell Ulquiorra not to do his job.

Ulquiorra was proud of everything he had achieved in his life, and Orihime didn't want him to lose everything he had fought for.

They lived in the castle because of the privileged position they had because Ulquiorra and Nelliel were protected from the queen. The house that Ichigo had given her was on the outskirts of town, it was a little smaller than a farm and it was the place where they would go to live when Ulquiorra retired.

That was the agreement she had reached with Ulquiorra regarding that house; because that house was a gift that had cost too much.

That house and everything that came from royalty, according to Ulquiorra, was a poisoned gift; and when Orihime asked him if Nelliel's gifts had that quality, Ulquiorra said no more. Orihime knew it, she was aware that nobody gave something away just for being a good person; that house and their wedding had been possible thanks to the lie of the Inamorata.

Sora owed Ichigo a favor, and Ichigo and her uncle Kyoraku had made sure that it was. Her brother had the resources to go to war and rise up against the kingdom in a civil war, if he wanted to. That's why his uncle Kyoraku belonged to the king's council, that's why his uncle and the king were such good friends; because the king knows that it is not convenient for him to have them as enemies.

The support of the Orihime family in a rebellion was something that had been requested many times, and because of their loyalty to the kingdom, none of those rebellions had been carried out; Orihime's family always made sure to get the information to the capital, and there was always a culprit who diverted attention from them.

Orihime was Eikaran's heir, everyone knew that her brother had neither a wife nor children; and he would never have them. Orihime was going to inherit everything, and her brother had raised her to be the next head of the family.

However, there was one truth that was undeniable: Orihime would not be a puppet, she would be a piece on a game board that everyone was going to wish they had, and she knew it.

In her hands, she had the possibility of ending that game that was being formed inside the castle and that would affect the lives of many there, but she did not stop it; she didn't do it because she wanted to help Rukia and because every time she saw her own mother, she remembered how horrible it was to be the Inamorata of princes when they were forced.

Orihime arrived at Nelliel's room, where she was waiting for her for afternoon tea, with the box of pecan cookies she had bought in the morning. They talked, laughed and commented on everything they had been preparing for the Night of Souls; Orihime had been Nelliel's companion at those lunches with the queen and at those meetings at the City Committee.

In recent days, Orihime had accompanied Nelliel without object, always with a smile and trying to be kind and polite. It was no secret to anyone that Nelliel did not want Orihime, neither as her companion nor as Ulquiorra's wife, but they both had that cordial treatment that allowed them to share those pleasant moments.

Nelliel's friendship, that cordial treatment, was the real poisoned gift; not the house that Ichigo gifted Orihime and deed in her name. Orihime suspected that Nelliel's intentions to get closer to her had more to do with the fight for the throne than a desire for a good family relationship.

Orihime was just waiting for that hint that Nelliel was up to something.

— I'm waiting for someone, and I would like you to be present. — Nelliel stated after half the cookies in the box had been eaten.

Orihime nodded at Nelliel's request, and was a bit surprised to see Nelliel's smile before having them set up an extra cup and pour some milk tea, which Orihime knew very well.

— I know you know what that tea does, but you need to keep this secret. Our guest will be declared the Queen's Favorite in the next few days, and I need the girl to believe that everything will be as she expects it. — Nelliel explained, still looking at Orihime, as if expecting some reaction from her.

— Why? — Orihime asked looking at the tea and then at Nelliel. — She will be the Queen's Favorite, why cheat on her? Why make her drink that tea?

Orihime wasn't getting Nelliel's twisted idea.

— It is easy. The queen does not have a good tolerance for the king's mistresses; however she lets him have them, enjoy them and even feel affection for them. The game ends when the king's mistress gets pregnant, that's when the queen takes care of the girl and gets rid of her. — Nelliel drank from the rose tea from her own cup. — The king's mistresses are simple women who have been lucky enough to sleep with the king, none with a name to back her up and therefore none who can be missed if she disappears; but this girl has a name and a family that supports her, she will only be the king's mistress if the "official appointment" is made and the contracts are signed.

— If this is legal, then why make her drink the tea? — Orihime asked still not understanding.

— Because the longer the girl gets pregnant, the longer the queen will have to tolerate her. The queen cannot get rid of the girl so easily, because someone from the family will come to take care of the girl. — Nelliel looked happy. — When I become queen, I will disappear the Inamoratas and possibly the king's mistresses; but as long as the castle rules remain as they are, I will use them for my own benefit. The queen owes me and Kaien a debt, which I will collect from her in a slow and tortuous manner.

Orihime fell silent when she heard that and didn't want to ask what Nelliel was referring to, because Ulquiorra had told her; Nelliel still believed that the queen had caused her to lose her pregnancy. She also didn't want to know if Rukia had measured the consequences of sending Yuki with those cookies.

— Who is the girl? — Orihime asked, not hiding the surprise that Nelliel's revelation had caused in her.

— You'll see her in a moment. — Nelliel answered and beckoned to the maid who was guarding the door.

Moments later Senna entered the room, wearing a new dress, with a big smile on her face, and wearing an obsidian necklace that sparkled in the afternoon light. Orihime couldn't believe that Senna would be the Queen's Favorite, the king's mistress, and immediately turned to see Nelliel, who was calm and smiling; as if everything was normal.

Nelliel didn't have to tell Orihime that what they had discussed prior to Senna's arrival would stay in that room; Orihime knew it, knew that she should keep quiet for the good of everyone there.

The puppet game had started earlier than Orihime had thought, and she was in the middle of it all; keeping everyone's secrets there.

Summer — x492 / September 8

Rukia slept on his chest, with that calm expression that she used to have between dreams, breathing calmly and peacefully. Since that day the doctor told her that she might be pregnant, Rukia was always sad. She pretended very well in front of everyone and that was something that surprised Ichigo, but when they were alone, she just wanted to be quietly hugging him.

Ichigo didn't refuse to hug her and stay that way as long as Rukia wanted; he wanted to be with her and support her as much as she allowed him to. He knew that decision was theirs, but she would be the one who would always bear the consequences.

Ichigo could be a merciless killer, he could be capable of the worst things in the world; but seeing Rukia like this, sad and lost in thought of her, trying to find a solution to what they were facing, was unbearable. He felt like he couldn't do more, he didn't know how to help her make a decision without feeling like he was pushing her in a specific direction.

He loved her, he loved his Rukia who laughed and dreamed of dominating the world at his side, but at that moment he did not know how to bring her back.

Ichigo felt useless.

He did not lie to her when he told her that he would be able to leave everything for her, leave together and live the quiet life that she ever wanted to live; because the idea of having a child made him imagine a little girl, with eyes and hair just like Rukia, running through the gardens of some house between laughter and games.

He imagined himself as a father, he imagined that life with Rukia, and that future pleased him.

For having such a future, he could return to Adelaar, take his things and leave with Rukia, or simply no longer return and go into exile to Vayalat.

His grandfather would be angry about that, Ichigo was not stupid, his grandfather wanted Avanta without having to shed more blood than necessary, a conquest as peaceful as possible; if he went into exile, his grandfather's plans would go to hell.

Ichigo was a weapon, he could become his grandfather's sword, a Karanq or whatever his grandfather wanted; all in order to have a life with Rukia, and with what possibly grew inside her.

Still, even though he could sacrifice everything for her, it was Rukia who must want him to make that sacrifice. What he loved about Rukia was her freedom, he didn't want to be the one responsible for cutting off her wings, for relegating her to being just a wife when he had promised her the world.

It all seemed so easy and it was so difficult at the same time.

— My Rukia, my light in the darkness. — Ichigo whispered as he gently stroked Rukia's face. — Tell me how I help you, my love, because I feel lost without you.

Ichigo watched Rukia sleep for a moment, before closing his eyes and trying to sleep ignoring the candlelight that was lighting up the bedroom. He hadn't slept well since they left Kirasam, and he hoped that spending a couple of nights at that inn in Zhilen might help him get some sleep before starting the journey to Visnia.

In Visnia he would find another doctor to check on Rukia, ask that Rukia take a pregnancy test or whatever would help them know if she was really pregnant.

Rukia shifted a bit in his arms, and Ichigo immediately opened his eyes. Rukia used to talk in her sleep, and in recent days she had been having nightmares that made her wake up agitated. Thanks to the light of that candle, Ichigo could see the expression of pain that Rukia had on her face and that immediately worried him; all Ichigo wanted right now was to get that expression off Rukia's face.

— It's just a bad dream, my love; I'm with you, I protect you. — He whispered caressing her forehead gently before hugging her with a little more force.

The pained expression on Rukia's face didn't go away, on the contrary, Rukia complained again and woke up suddenly, her eyes wide. Ichigo could see the fear in Rukia's eyes, an irrational and primal fear; and he too was afraid.

— Rukia, what is wrong with you? — Ichigo asked, and he could feel his voice tremble from the fear that Rukia had conveyed to him just with that look.

Rukia didn't speak for a moment, closed her eyes and again made a pained face that alarmed Ichigo to the point of panic.

— Have the maid come into the room, please. — Rukia whispered in something Ichigo could almost name a gasp. The panic was more and more real. — Ichigo, call her!

Ichigo didn't want to leave her alone, whatever was happening to her, he didn't want to leave her alone; however he got up from the bed and went in search of Rukia's maid as fast as he could when he saw her wince again.

When Ichigo returned to the room with Rukia's maid, Rukia was sitting on the bed, one hand on her belly and breathing slowly, as if trying not to panic. The maid seeing that, immediately pulled Ichigo out of the room, apologizing to him for doing so.

— These are women's things, Your Highness. — The maid added and closed the door.

Ichigo stayed outside the room, tried to enter but realized that the maid had put the lock so that he did not enter; that was frustrating. He wanted to know what was happening to Rukia, even though he could imagine it and didn't even want to say it in thoughts.

He walked to the door and put his ear to the wood, trying to hear what was going on inside the room. He could only hear murmurs that were difficult for him to tell apart, but there were short sentences that he could identify; and what he heard he didn't like.

— Everything will be fine, Your Highness. It's normal. It's natural. Do not be afraid. — Most of them were the maiden's words, Ichigo couldn't make out Rukia's voice within the room. — It's okay, it's okay; everything is going to be okay.

Ichigo wanted to enter the room, and at the same time he was afraid to do so; he was afraid to find something to confirm the idea that had been formed in his mind. Everything was a possibility, and for the first time, he hated the possibilities.

Ichigo heard silence in the room, and a few moments later heard how the door lock was unlocked; he immediately walked away from the door and Rukia's maid came out of the room holding Rukia's bed sheets and nightwear.

— You still can't get in, Your Highness. — The maid clarified, as if knowing that he was eager to enter the room. — The princess is not yet presentable.

Rukia didn't want him to enter.

She was his wife, he knew her completely, every part of her skin had been kissed by him; every aspect of her skin, he knew it, and that she would not allow him to enter, was something that puzzled him and made him feel that he was not enough for her.

He felt useless to her, and he knew that everything that was happening to Rukia was his fault. Everything would always be his fault, and if he lost her to his own stupidity, then his life would be meaningless; the kingdom could go to hell, he only wanted Rukia.

The maid came back holding clean sheets and a jug of water, and went back into the room. This time Ichigo didn't go to the door to try to hear something; he just leaned his back against the wall and slid down until he was sitting on the floor, his legs bent, his arms resting on his knees and his head resting on his arms; he felt that somehow, his personal abyss had grown a little bigger.

The wait was eternal.

The door to the room was opened again, and Ichigo heard the maiden's footsteps approach where he was; he looked up and the maid was giving him a little bow.

— Your Highness, you can enter the room now. — The maiden announced, her voice calm and serene. — The princess is fine, there is nothing to fear.

Ichigo got up off the floor, as fast as he could, and entered the room. Rukia was sitting against the back of the bed, covered in clean sheets and a new nightwear. Ichigo quickly approached her and hugged her, it was the only thing he wanted to do at that moment; he wanted to hold her in his arms and know that she was okay.

— A part of me, a very small part, hoped that I was really pregnant; that's why I didn't drink the tea. — Rukia whispered hugging him; resting her head on Ichigo's chest. — You were right, I was not pregnant. It was just a delay.

Ichigo heard the sadness in Rukia's voice, and the abyss where he was submerged grew a little bigger. He could only hug her tightly, not knowing exactly what to say at the time; because a part of him, a very small part, also expected Rukia to be pregnant.

Special greetings to jobananasan, diah77 and Gman [Thank you for your comments and for continuing to read this story.]

Next chapter: Thursday

Author: Do you know who is responsible for all the bad things that happen in the castle?