Song for chapter: Franz Liszt - Un Sospiro - arranged for harp (I found this on YouTube! Take a second to listen if you can. It is absolutely beautiful.)

"It is said that despite the eldest son of the Duke of Wingside's taciturn demeanor, it would be foolish to believe him ill-mannered.

For his clairvoyance precedes him, and every word he utters enthralls even the audience of the half-wit."

-Lady Whistledown's Society Papers, 10 April 1817

At once I heard the voice of Mrs. Mary-Anne, I froze in my intrusion of the kitchen door that led the way back inside of the Kaneko manor in the Duchy of Ashbourne. Mama had gifted me the eldest of our handmaidens. She was often direct in speech, stern in argument. She had not favored the mischief and frolicsomeness of my prior years, but cared for me nevertheless.

"My Lady," she whispered. "Have you gone out riding again? On such a day?" I let my mouth hang open, voiceless in response. "You are rather sullied and blemished! Come now. The time it shall take to have you perfect." She kneaded me forward with a hand behind my back.

"I bid you my apology Miss Mary-Anne. I only desired some fresh air this morning."

"Yet you have completely missed your breakfast in bed. Come, I have already prepared your bath, water freshly warmed by the fire. You must make haste as the Duchess is soon to call upon you."

"Has she risen so soon?" I asked as she began assisting me in undressing.

"Well of course, she has been most apprehensive as of late. Almost as if it is her debut. You are plainly aware of the Duchess's forward tendencies."

Miss Emily, my governess, had arrived and positioned herself at the head of the steaming bath tub. I could smell the calming scents of lavender and rosemary. I stepped over into the bath, my knee-length hair arriving after me. They began washing me from head to toe, cleansing the natured scent from my body. Once finished, Miss Emily unwrapped the bath towel from my head and looked over at Mrs. Mary-Anne as she spoke, "Whatever should we do with all of it?"

"You enrage the duchess in your refusal you know. To keep a lady's mane at such a wild length, it is far more difficult to remain upright." Mrs. Mary-Anne reminded me.

"I have shared with Mama of this once before and never again shall I repeat it."

I felt Miss Emily flash her mother a defeated glare then inclined her head to me. "As you wish My Lady. We shall prepare it well."

Dressing and grooming was absolutely imperative throughout a lady's day. I am not one to disagree, in fact, I have somewhat learned to enjoy such a clean, polished life. Even though, on the external, it may strike one as some sort of mirage, a pseudo-reality.

I saw Mrs. Mary-Anne tilt her head, contemplatively, over at the tousled disorder that lived atop my head. A small greyed strand of her curly hair fell over the center of her brow and she at once, absentmindedly, whisked it away. "À la chinoise, quickly!"

"Shall I retrieve the curling papers?" Miss Emily asked.

"No time! Get the hot tongs. Each curl must be precise and equal."

"Oh! That shall be most agreeable. Isn't that right, Lady Rin?"

"Must you call me that Miss Emily?" I gifted her with an irksome eye.

"Has a nice ring does it not? Oh dear, do not hold your eyes against me now. It does not add age upon you. Worry not of it." Mrs. Mary-Anne replied with both her hands fixed at the hip. "Come now. Soon enough the Duchess shall arrive at your door."

I acquiesced my response with a gentle nod and both they went straight away in the direction of my tresses.

"Miss Emily, may you be most candid with me?"

"Yes of course!"

"Are you partial to the view that a woman should have a choice when or if she should marry?"

"My Lady," she paused in her curling of my hair and turned to me. "I am well aware of your reservations and apprehension of assuming such a role. But you have been well-prepared in my opinion. You have received the highest quality of education a young lady of higher class may be allowed to obtain."

"You are also quite accomplished in piano forte." Mrs. Mary-Anne remarked.

"And you have become fluent in more than three languages. That is only half of your accomplishments."

"But I do not know what it is like to be wedded. Let alone share a home, or even a bed with a man. Whatever am I to do throughout my day in his home?" I observed Miss Emily glance over at Mrs. Mary-Anne in thought. "I am certain he will not allow me to go as I please or ride out with Nessa."

"You need not worry of such things my Lady." Miss Emily replied.

"It is ill-advised that you contend that frame of reference," Mrs. Mary-Anne informed me while she continued the feat of their elaborate updo. "The Duchess will hear no more of it."

I sighed despondently. I have expressed my hesitancy of agreeing to marry. But of course I have not a choice in the matter. If only I were susceptible to the obsessions of court life, like Lady Kagome-chan. I merely wish to share a mind like hers. In haste to marry, to love. To govern as an angel of the house.

"We are nearly done with your hair."

After setting my hair, Mrs. Mary-Anne began the order of dressing. "We shall begin the dressing. We will don your undergarments, corset—"

"Mrs. Mary-Anne!? Is it your solemn wish to dispose of me at once?"

"I beg your pardon my Lady?"

I expelled a deflating sigh. "Never mind it."

Mrs. Mary-Anne lifted an inquisitive brow up at me than began with donning an ivory cotton chemise up over my hips. Miss Emily slid on a pair of silk stockings, embroidered with a golden floral pattern at the trim. She then tied two golden colored ribbon garters below my knees. They not only hold the silk stockings up but, as I could not forgo her advice, Kagome-chan praises them, quite often, for their ability to smoothly contour the calf and ankles.

I stood to have my corset placed and cording adjusted. "Hold still my Lady, it shall be restrictive but you must breathe through it."

"Miss Emily! That bloody thing shall surely restrict my diaphragm from expanding properly."

She walked over from behind me, eying me remorsefully. "I am much aware this is your least favorite of this process however, the Duchess urgently requests smaller measurements 'round the waist. You are to look most handsomely. It is the way things are." She returned to adjusting the cording behind me. The tightening descended down the whole of my back. I held my breath throughout, until it could be adjusted to a more curved shaping.

Mrs. Mary-Anne went to don a creamy white petticoat over my head and tied it at the waist. For extra lift backward, they added a small three-flounced, ruffled bustle.

I cannot deny the thought that came to mind. Was this all entirely necessary? May I leave it for another day? Impossible is it now to withdraw my mother's request to the Queen?

Supposedly so.

I've prepared for this day, for this time, for many a year. All for the favor of those at court.

"My word! The lady is certainly coming together right before our eyes." Miss Emily exclaimed.

"Certainly she is. Like a little lily in its blossom."

They then donned a pretty pair of gold flat shoes. Over my head came the gown. Miss Emily fastened it behind me. The ivory colored dress was rife with custom-made pieces from personal tailors and designers.

Once they had completed, I peered over myself and could not help but to relish in the vision they had brought together. I was beautiful and certainly, as it was quite difficult to remove my eyes from the looking-glass, I may had been guilty of the sin of vanity.

Soft ringlet curls rested over my forehead. The gown was large, leaving behind a feathered white trail. Miss Emily placed a large white feathered headdress directly behind the curled pieces. Miss Mary-Anne handed me a wooden fan. I opened its' feathery binds and practiced my gentle wave. "I am to be always prepared, always dressed, always amiable."

"That is most true, Lady Rin." Miss Emily agreed, holding her eyes over me through the looking-glass.

There was a knock at the door and I heard the voice of my eldest brother, Daisuke-san. "Is she all together?"

"She is!" Miss Emily replied. "You may come in."

He peered in first and lifted his thick brows at me. "Sister!" He said, leaving the door behind him. Miss Mary-Anne and Miss Emily bowed and made their way outward my bedchamber. "Had you not made yourself all the more beautiful, I would have hardly recognized you."

"Brother," I replied, glaring up toward him with daggers for eyes. "I suppose I appreciate the compliment for once."

He huffed a laugh at me. "Has Mama taken a look on you?"

I shook my head, "Not yet. Is it too late then to cancel the day?"

He released an irritated scoff. "Don't be so foolish sister. You know well mother has been counting down the days. She has already updated the Queen."

"That is even more of a reason to postpone. Why not is it your debut? You are much older than me."

"Such luck for you women," he said, smacking his lips. "Sorry sister, for certainly I am glad it is you and not me."

I growled at him. "It is not fair!"

"It is duty! It is not about fairness." He said, narrowing his eyes down at me. "Do not think as a child."

I crossed my arms to my chest and muttered, "I am not thinking as a child."

"Even now sister. And enough of your extracurricular escapades. 'Tis unbecoming."

"Do not stone me brother! For certainly we cannot forget Lady Whistledown's mention of your incessant avocation —," I chastised; giving him a stern look from top to bottom. "Within the brothel downtown."

He stepped over briskly; gifting me with a pointed look, "And I warn you now, mother will have your head if she knew of your readings from Lady Wh-"

"Leave her be!" Akira-san interjected, making his presence known upon entry into my bedchamber. Akira-san, my non-identical twin, (a rare occurrence as some would prefer it), was far more genteel and courtly than Daisuke-san. Daisuke's sophomoric mind had not developed well as Akira-san. I was never certain if this was due to the fact that he was part imbecile and part rake, however he had obtained the favor of the ton; by their standards at least. Perhaps it had some to do with his esteemed charitable work for the people of Ashbourne. Or maybe even, as I have heard, his distinguished physical appearance that had left many flocking at his every word. He held a good soul, even if he were more so the irritable sort.

Akira-san presented me a genuine smile. "Sister! Indeed you are breathtaking. Brother! Quit your bullying. It is unattractive on you."

I heard Daisuke-san smack his lips together again, "I did not-," he then signed defeatedly. "Sister, my apologies. Akira-san is right. You shall do well with the Queen this day."

"And…," Akira-san added. "What are your thoughts on the dress?"

I observed my eldest brother draw his darkened eyes back over to me. "Hmph. It suits you well." He nodded and rolled his eyes over to the crown of my head. "Well, they have certainly done you up decently. The dress is most becoming."

"Indeed. It is worth over three thousand pound from the finest modiste in all of Pahree!" Akira-san announced excitedly.

I chortled at that. "Thank you brother."

"It is quite lovely sister," he stepped over to me. "And so are you. You shall do wonderfully I'm certain."

My lips quirked in a half smile. "Do you truly believe I can-,"

"Is she yet decent in yonder?" The voice of Mama spoke at the doorway. "Darling!" In she walked, not at all waiting for a response. "You have come together quite decently!"

I bowed and replied, "Thank you Mama."

"I shall not ask if you are now ready as it matters not. We must make haste." She said cannily as she always had done.

"Mama, I shall send for the servants to prepare the carriage." Daisuke-san announced as he and Akira-san went for the door.

Mama nodded at that and turned back around to me, scanning over the whole of my attire with a scrutinized eye. "This is acceptable, indeed. If you continue to do what you are told, you'll be married off well before midseason!"

"Of course mama," I said. "B-But it may also be well if I shall not find a match this season."

"Nonsense!" She asserted. "You may never be a diamond but certainly you shall be wedded this season if not sooner and I will hear nothing more of this talk lest you covet the lone-hood of a spinster."

"B-But mama," She pierced me down with severed eyes, unrelenting.

"-and you shall not spend your time at court prattling about." She said sternly. "Nor will you be disposed to the likings of the wallflower or the bibliophile. Am I well understood?"

"Yes ma'am." I acquiesced, amenable as I held my eyes downcast. She said nothing more of the subject over which I brooded.

And that was the Duchess; xenial with others, terse with me. I supposed it had all relation to the fact that I was her only daughter. The only example of a lady she could have to represent.

To advertise.

My papa, the Duke, was certainly far more appreciative. I was his little angel and I was sure he would hear my plea but no being alive could stand against Mama's insistence.

Even in my acquiescence, I would dubiously embrace the gaieties of court life.

At once we had arrived inward the grand foyer of St. James's Palace, my heart could not cease its racing. Dozens of young women lined the way into the entrance where the presentation was presently occurring. Mama stood directly beside me in her poised, austere manner. She had not uttered a word to me, seemingly fixed on my awaited performance before the Queen.

I stood there quietly and listened in on the whispers of the mamas and their daughters nearby.

"Have you heard that the King himself is in attendance?"

"Is he not mad?"

"I've heard that some of over two hundred debutantes have been presented. None of which have intrigued Their Majesties."

"I've heard the King has been healed in a manner of weeks from his aliment."

"That cannot possibly be true."

"Did you hear of Lady Julian Hamilton?"

"Of whom?"

"Daughter of the 5th Earl of Carlisle?"

"Oh, yes! The one that fainted yesterday?"

"Indeed! Right in front of the Queen. How utterly shameful."

"You are next in line," I heard the Duchess speak for the first time since our arrival. "Prepare your mental faculties at once. You have but only one chance. Do not fail us."

I nodded my reply and turned toward the closed door of the entrance. I quickly ignored the visceral feeling of sudden nausea. The rapid thumping within my chest that left my skin clammy. A war with body and mind yet, mind would be the victor.

I shall carry this day!

At once the doubled doors unclosed. Each and every one of my senses dilated by such grand voluptuousness within my eyes.

This was significant! I have been prepared for this day for so long. A moment I've read of, heard talk of, and, especially as of recent, lay with nocturnal afflictions of its possible failure; would not I best it?

Most certainly!

"Lady Rin Kaneko. Presented by her mother, the Right Honorable, the Duchess Chieko Kaneko of Ashbourne."

The large drawing room was nearly full of many of those of the aristocracy who parted in halves as an opened lane made way, in wait for me. Papa, Akira-san, Daisuke-san, and Kagome-chan were present.

The interior presented a lavish ambience. To my left and right, large windows draped in elegant, rich in color curtains that fell partly open; aiding in the golden light of the morning sun. That same light luminesced the colors of my gown; forming an ivory, gold glow that emitted brightly. It was perhaps even more difficult to not hold attention over towards me.

That in itself was frightening.

I could hear the sound of the beautiful, romanticized melodies of a harp; reflecting the gentle beauty of this moment.

Many of different expressions of emotions reflected from everyone present.

My entry had been an acceptable one!

King George and Queen Charlotte sat several feet down the long, freshly polished, wooden floor. I held within me every ounce of undisciplined emotion that attempted to claw its way out from underneath my practiced façade. This was both exhilarating and terrifying all at once.

It was my time now to walk, (absolutely perfectly), and present my most gracious bow before them. I stood perfectly straight, chin high. To make this appear perfectly natural, it helps to breathe from the nose diaphragmatically, that way the bosom does not expand too far outward. Mama reminded me that I had gained a good habit of holding tight of the abdomen naturally. I stepped forward at once and felt myself began a slight tremble all over. I swallowed quickly and took in the slightly breath. One I've trained to do very subtly - just quite enough to be undetected.

At once, I began my descent.

This was an honor. A privilege that I knew of well. I had prepared myself. Practiced my entry walk, repeated my curtsy until my knees bruised. I have learned to speak. Learned to read and write in several different languages. All of my life I have learned the ways of becoming a lady.

Chaste, graceful, quiet.

I have learned of ballroom etiquette and how to waltz about even as a gentle fluttering butterfly.

Failure here, in fact, would produce an assemblage of whispering nobles. An impression not even the least of us would desire to live with.

I gazed quickly throughout the high-ceiling room but, suddenly, my eyes drew over to the Marquees.

At once I laid my eyes upon him, I was sure I felt my heart stilled. He was absolutely and utterly breathtaking. I quickly recognized the regimental uniform and the honored insignia over his collar.

He was a man now, a soldier. Brawny and cut like one. Ridiculously handsome and neat; valiant and stalwart. Standing there, he was like a giant; in body and in aura.

His eyes in their piercing gold, seemingly unweighted by their involuntary need to blink. They were fixed and sure; unabashed and brazen just as it was his temperament. The morning sun in her brightened glory, diffused translucent rays of golden light over him, gleaming tiny twinkles of a spectrum of colorful lights that, with a close enough eye, one could see its prism refractions.

I could not hold my gasp, for, in fact, he took the breath from me.

In my chest I felt the urgent need to breathe again; as difficult as that was, because, coincidentally, The King and the Queen sat just distal to me.

The way his eyes that settled over the whole of me left me with an odd kind of feeling. Yet, before I could orbitally respond to that, it was gone as if never there. That one look felt as if I had been marked by him. Something somehow I could not forget. A moment now leaving an indelible etch in my mind.

As I continued my descend, I had the split second desire to mouth, "My Lord?", but any break in my phlegmatic and poised disposition would render this day an utter failure and I would hear of such to no end.

I glided with every delicate step towards my end goal: a most gracious, most proper and polished curtsy. My march forward heedful and steady.

And there was Their Majesties. Their splendor luxurious in every sense of the word. The King held an opulence of one only deserving; and this had been only but the second I have saw of him. He did not at all appear mentally withdrawn or even the least bit deranged. Had I known me a madman, even now, I would say he was not in attendance.

And the Queen, a foreigner in her shared Kingdom, alike to myself. A rare beauty that, once before, left the ton, as well as the country, in quite the spin.

I noted the Queen's eyes over toward Lady Danbury. Not less than a thirds way down, the King sprung straight up from his seat. I heard a shared audible gasp from those in attendance. I immediately ceased my stroll and bowed quickly without altering my pose until the King was heard.

"Charlotte! It is her! Do you see her?" His Majesty announced. "Venus! She is here, fancy that!"

I felt the Queen stand briskly. "My King! Might you return to your seat at once."

"Whatever for?" King George said and turned himself towards the stunned crowd of majority of the ton. He removed himself from his shared thrown, making several steps downward onto the main floor. "Is this not a celebration? The time when the tenacious bee finds his delicate flower?" Everyone present, for I was sure, had already positioned themselves at their deepest bows. "And we are to pick a diamond, yes?"

At once I felt the King's presence directly above me my breath caught deep in my throat. I had not moved a single muscle. Mama was directly behind me and all of me wondered what on earth could she be thinking.

We had not prepared at all for this!

I felt, gently, two fingers press to lift my chin upward. I met the eyes of the King and certainly my breathing drew shallow. "Venus! You certainly are the rarest of gems and I have found you amongst the broken stones. Can you not see it?" He effused enthusiastically.

I nodded briskly as warm liquid pooled underneath my eyes. "Yes, Your Majesty!"

"Charlotte my dear!" The King exclaimed. "Is she not our diamond? For her beauty brings light to this very room."

"Of course my King," the Queen replied hastily. "And we are all the more agreeable for your insightfulness."

"I sought you Venus and here you are." His gentle persona was fatherly and kind. "For you are unconventional of the life given you. A resistance, I for one, know all too well. You are a maverick. Certainly that makes you far more rare than a many of your peers."

"My King, your precious words are far more than I deserve but certainly I shall guard them with all of my soul."

He leaned a bit forward and granted me a genuine smile. "You are deserving. I offer you much success this season."

I was certain, those present were riveted by his words. An unforeseen advantage for not only myself, but for every member of Kaneko nobility. I, presently, was uncertain even of what this day alone had produced for my future.

"I am finished here. Charlotte! Might we be off for tea now?"

"Of course, my King."

Once the King turned to vacate the drawing room, all present bowed again. In my lowered state, I felt the presence of the Queen before me. I straightened by back, "If the King holds your approval, then so do I." She leaned forward slightly and placed a light kiss upon the center of my forehead. At once my lips parted in a gasp, overcome with a sudden sense of overwhelming joy. I heard a combined applause from the filled room. I bowed lowly again before the Queen as she turned, following after King George. I felt a slight tug down my gown and I knew then that our servants had lifted the hem of it so that I could exit backward.

I met Mama's gaze in the foyer. She gifted me a widened smile and her shoulders shook with mirth.

This was certainly a rarity to witness. "My darling," she said. "You have done quite well! But this is yet the beginning. Do everything you must to never bring shame upon us. I shall meet you in the carriage."

I nodded curtly and shifted my eyes behind her on toward a familiar face.

There, Lord Sesshōmaru stood. His demeanor temperate and controlled. He was nearly two heads taller than me.

"My Lord," I bowed cordially. "It is certainly good to see of you for a second time today."

"Lady Rin," he spoke lowly and too bowed. "You have gained the favor of the King. Quite an impressive feat, I must say."

I huffed a little humorously. "I had no knowledge that he would be there for my judgement. That was absolutely petrifying, my Lord!"

"Yet you defeated such a giant with ease." There was a peculiar sort of glint within his orbs; one that suddenly left my throat feeling dry and scratchy. "Truly you are more rare than a diamond."

"My Lord," I replied. "From your words, I am indeed grateful."

"I am certain you are all the more thrilled for the season's first ball." He said with a small hint of sarcasm.

"At Lady Trowbridge's?" I observed him nod in response. "Will you be in attendance, My Lord?"

"I shall make an appearance."

"Is it not well that my nerve may be lost? Or that it is my fondest wish to be absent? I know it does not signify."

He shortened his height, lowering down to me at eye level. "You needn't worry Lady Rin," his golden eyes darted back and forth through mines for a moment. One half of his lips quirked in a reassuring smirk. "You shall not be alone."

A sort of magnetism pulled at me from him. I unclosed my lips to reply however, seemingly, I could not form together a simple response. At his upturned lips, a sudden excitable feeling washed over the whole of me. Somehow warming in its ascent and descent. Likely similar to the welcoming heat of the blazing sun upon a neglected field of grass. I was like as the fluttering grass; confounded now, for why had it, in its glorious blessing, leave me so cold and alone to begin with. I shall want for its presence even in the night.

He had not seemed at all fazed by my lack of response as if he had already discerned it somehow. His pensive eyes were rested over mine. An unrelenting gaze that could surely have any prying eyes about, ready to began a newly gossip.

"My Lord," Finally I managed to utter. My gaze now on toward the floor below the both of us. "I thank you."

He straightened then, positioning proudly. When I had met his eyes again, he had not converted his physiognomy any. In fact, it had traveled over up his eyes; leaving me with a subtle visceral sensation of an unknown yearning that ache some. I felt my chest withdraw an involuntary lengthened breath.

"Good day, Lady Rin." He bowed to me then turned to leave the foyer.

I had not given him my farewell as, in some way, he left me without speech; frozen in place as my mind pondered over the feeling he left in me.

A feeling that was perhaps quite highly indelicate.

And now I must ascertain the intricacies of this sensation, as it seemingly held a tighten hold over me.

Leaving me in want.

Thank you for your patience in this awaited update. More to come much sooner :)

Appreciate you all so much your kudos and comments!