Chapter 9: Lady Amélie

AN: I apologize for the delayed updates, guys. I've been having some health issues, so I haven't been writing as much as I'd like to.

These past three days, I had been avoiding Sesshomaru. At first, it was in little ways. When we were alone, I pretended not to hear him when he asked me a question or when I chose to eat without him. Then it started to escalate. I would make myself scarce when he returned from scouring the lands and checking in on the villages. I had also slept in Rin's room. I'm sure rumors were floating around the palace because of my behavior. I know it was childish, but I couldn't face him, not yet. I did not hate him. I was not angry. I was embarrassed... embarrassed for even thinking for a moment; hoping I could get something more. I wondered how silly I had looked to him. There's no doubt he could feel how I felt at that moment. I knew the terms of the agreement. I knew what I was signing up for. It was stupid of me to want anything more. To even think it'd be an option. I sighed and pushed it to the back of my mind. I had been lying in bed for hours. The maids had woken me up extra early, bathed, dressed, and fed me breakfast. They had dressed me slightly differently today. It was more formal feudal Japanese wear. I had to be up this early because it was the respectful thing to do. Yet, this woman had me waiting for her for at least two hours. I'm the lady of the West. You'd think that title would mean something to her. Where did Sesshomaru find this woman anyway? There was a soft knock on the door. I quickly sat up. Got off the bed and slid open the door. I stepped back to let her in.

"Come in." I said.

She bowed. "The governess is here my lady."

"Good, it's about time. I was starting to lose it in here." I grumbled.

I was a bit cranky, because of of, because I had to wake up this early. Her being this late was the cherry on top. I mean the least she could have done was send word ahead. To let us know she would be late. That's common courtesy. I followed her to Sesshomaru's study. She slid the door open for me. I stepped in and she shut it behind me. There she was; the governess who was late. Even though she knew I was there. She was facing away from me. I cleared my throat and she turned to me. Her skin was pale. She had icy blue eyes. The few strands of hair that escaped her were salt and pepper. I could tell she was older than me, about twenty years or so older. Deep-set wrinkles decorated her face. Still, she was exceptionally beautiful. She looked like one of those woman. That was in the textbooks I used to read in high school. The dress she wore was low-cut. The kind that pushed her breasts up and outward. The bottom half flared out with a ruched waist. A frilled sheer white material peeked out from underneath it. She even wore one of those pointy hats. The one that had a veil coming out of the point. I could tell she came from money. The Jewelry she wore looked extremely heavy. Everything about her screamed European. What surprised me the most was that she was human. I had assumed she would have been a demon. I thought back to my time in high school. If I remember correctly. The feudal era existed at the same time as the High Middle Ages in Europe. I could see her looking me over, in an up-and-down motion. No particular emotion on her face. What exactly was she looking for? I folded my arms and returned the look.

"A respectable young lady would not behave as you do."

Respectable? What would she know about the word? Respectable would have been being here on time.

"You speak Japanese," I said ignoring her dig at me.

She nodded. "You are the Lady of The West."

I did not like the tone of her voice. Were we just supposed to stand here and continue saying obvious things to each other?

"I am," I stated proudly.

She came over to me and circled me; taking a closer look.

"You are pleasing to the eye; not too skinny. You speak well enough, even though your etiquette is lacking. You are young, that is good. You will be able to have many children. I have been informed that you are a priestess. Your children will be quite special and very powerful. That will strengthen the West. Mmmm. I have not seen Sesshomaru in quite some time. I did not know his tastes had changed."

What did she know about his tastes? Sesshomaru? I did not like the familiarity that she kept insinuating about. Why was she acting like she knew him well? Did they know each other well?

"Lord Sesshomaru." I corrected sternly.

"Lord Sesshomaru and I have known one another for quite some time. We-"

I put my hand up, abruptly stopping her.

"There is no you and him. Even if there was, he is mated now. There is only he and I. You need to show respect to us both. You have kept me waiting for too long. I stepped into the room, and you have yet to bow or address me properly. You cast your judgment on me as if you are above me. That is one too many mistakes you have made, in a short time. So for your sake, do better and stop your insinuations. A governess should know better, shouldn't she?" I said, letting the threat linger in the air between us.

I didn't mean to snap at her that way. Well, I had meant to snap, just not that much. Still, it's what she needed to hear. I was not going to let her walk all over me like that.

She seemed shocked that I had spoken to her that way. I assumed she would be rude to me after what I'd said. Instead, she smiled. Actually, she seemed pleased, and that confused me.

"There is hope for you as Lady of the West yet," she said bowing.

Was all of that a test?

"I do hope that when you come across other vicious women. You cut them down much faster than that. Do not give them any chance to demean you. Not even for a moment. If you do, it makes you look weak. If you look weak, then Lord Sesshomaru looks weak."

She held out her hand to me.

"I am Lady Amélie. It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance Lady Kagome."

I hesitated before taking it, but eventually, I shook her hand, the only way I knew how; strong and stern. She seemed concerned and confused when I had.

She slowly pulled her hand away.

"We have much to discuss indeed, and such a short little time," she said, gesturing to the table. "Please sit with me."

I sat across from her, and she watched me for a while. She was taking mental notes of something. It was probably because of how unladylike I seemed to her. Women now, and women in my time couldn't be any more different.

She shook her head and sighed.

"This will not do at all."

"What won't do?" I asked.

"Is this how you speak in his Lord's presence?" she asked ignoring my question.

"Yes," I said matter of fact.

"You behave this way as well."

"Yes," I repeated.

I could see the utter shock in her eyes. What had I done that was so wrong? I couldn't be that bad, could I?

She put her hand over her heart.

"I see. Alright, I have my work cut out for me. We can begin with the basics I suppose. You can read and write, yes?"

"Yes, very well."

"You've had schooling then. How many years?"

"For about eighteen years I'd say."

"Eighteen years? What in the heavens for?"

I had forgotten education for women at this time was different, even more so in Europe. The girls there received an education based on their socioeconomic status.

"No... I am from a different place. There boys and girls receive the same amount of education. It does not matter if they come from money."

"Hmm, I see."

What exactly was she supposed to be teaching me? How was I supposed to learn about demons' ways, from a human?

"I'm sorry, but what are you supposed to teach me? I'm assuming it will be nothing like the things, you teach other young ladies."

She smiled. "Tis true. You are unlike any other young lady, and as far as what you will be taught. That will depend on the truth."

"The truth?"

"Yes. I will ask my questions. I hope that you will answer me truthfully. That is the only way that we can move forward. I have an impeccable skill for sniffing out dishonesty. Your lessons will be quite... interesting."

I'm not sure I liked the sound of that.