Arms of
Darkness
By:
Haruka-chan
Chapter 2:
New Beginning
The Ride
to the Lord’s palace was a discomfort on everyone's part considering the rain
got heavier as they approached his home, and the coach was completely soaked,
not to mention the Lord both wet and slightly dirty from Riho's dress.
"Well
this was a pleasant ride" said the woman stepping out trying to shake her
hand free of the dirt.
"Yes
it was" said the Lord stepping out with Riho nestled in his arms, she
snuggled moved closer to his body as if seeking warmth.
A few
servants rushed towards them with umbrellas. "My Lord what a beautiful
bride you brought back," said a young maid.
The lord
laughed, "She isn't my bride, she is injured and we found her on the road
on our way back from the
"Oh
what shall we do?" asked another maid.
"Prepare
the west wing bedroom, and bring some clean clothing for her to wear and
medicine for her aid, make sure she is well taken care of." he said.
"Yes
my Lord" they said in unison.
"Well
we can say she is like already" said the woman.
"Yes"
he said still looking down at the beautiful face which rested in his arms.
"I shall take her up to her room and leave her at your care."
"Don't
worry I'll have her fixed in no time" she said with a smirk.
"I am
sure you will" he said.
The woman
watched as he carefully made his way up the stairs. ‘Maybe she is the one’
she thought.
The lord
opened the door to find the bath was already set for her. "My Lord we can
take care of her," said two maids coming towards him.
"I
will leave you to your work" he said as he placed the unconscious Riho on
the beautiful ivory velvet bench.
"She
is so beautiful, maybe she is a fairy" he heard one of them say.
"Or maybe
she is a goddess who came down to see if we were good" said another.
He
chuckled and closed the door behind him.
The woman
smiled at him, how long has it been that he truly smiled from the amusement of
the heart? Too long for most to remember but she recalled everything, she had
only one purpose in this life, and that is to care for him, and she plan to
make him happy in any way possible. She chuckled at herself, she probably
sounded like a maid in love with her master, but what was the harm she did love,
she loved him greatly wanting nothing but his happiness, for his kindness on
her life.
"Don't
tell her who I am, not yet," he said.
"And
why not my Lord?" she asked.
"I
have reasons, I am quite tired I will retire for the night" he said with a
small smile.
"What
about your bath? I have someone preparing it in the second floor" she
said.
"Thank
you" he smiled and walked slowly towards his own bedroom.
The woman
smiled and walked inside; yes anything to make her master happy was her purpose
in life.
"Oh
she is such a pretty color," said one of the maids.
"All
right, let's get her cleaned up, not rip her apart," she said.
"Yes
ma'am" the other maids said and got to work.
II
Riho
opened her eyes to stare up at a beautiful room with paintings of goddess and
angels on the ceiling, the sun made the beautiful chandelier sparkle and glow.
She felt the silk sheets around her body. She looked around the large room. It
was painted a cream color with windows every where, ahead of her she saw a door
that lead to the balcony, the sheer white curtains that covered it flying as
the wind came in. The room was elegant, just like the one back at her own
palace. This also meant that she was rescued; she just hoped that she wasn’t
rescued by anyone known by her father, and then she will have succeeded in
humiliating herself and her father.
"I
didn't die?" she asked almost as if she just now has realized this.
"No
my lady" said another voice.
Riho
slowly sat up to see a woman with blue eyes and blond hair, she was a pale
color, and she was dressed in a gown much like a maid but only fancier, making
clear that she was head of the maids.
"Where
am I?" asked Riho.
"Oh
thank goodness your not the those maidens who ask too many questions to
answer" the woman said.
Riho found
her quite entertaining and funny.
"I am
Guni the head maid of the palace, and you are in
"
"Yes
we found you on the out skirt of the
"Oh
excuse me, its just it's quite far from where I usually travel alone" said
Riho. “I am still being childish I suppose.”
"I
completely understand" said Guni.
"
"Please
just call me Guni, I'm not good with formalities" she said.
Riho
smiled "All right, you can call me Riho."
Guni
smiled she liked her already, so far so good, now to see the reaction of her
master.
"So
tell me Guni, who is 'we' when you found me?" asked Riho.
"The
lord and I of course, we were coming back from the
"Oh...your
lord where is he?" asked Riho.
"I'm
afraid you can't see him,” said Guni.
"Why
not?" asked Riho.
"He
asked not to see you" said Guni. Riho looked down at her hands.
"Is
your lord by any chance Count Cain?" asked Riho.
"Count
who?" asked Guni with questioning look.
Riho's
face brightened "No, nothing."
Guni
laughed "Come let's get you dress" she said.
Riho
noticed for the first time she was nude. Riho blushed and pulled the covers
around her. "How long have I been here?"
"A
day since we brought you last night, it's almost lunch time today" said
Guni.
"I
slept that long?!" asked Riho getting in to the ivory chiffon A-line gown,
it had a full bodice with black rosette trim around the waist, short cuff
sleeve left her shoulders bare, and a modified oval neckline with black lace
around it.
"You
look beautiful, you would probably look beautiful even if you were in
rags" said Guni.
"Please
don't say such things, I am not as beautiful as people say" said Riho.
"Would
that be the reason you ran away from home?" asked Guni.
Riho
gasped "How did you know? Is it that obvious?"
"Come
now Lady Riho, you had a gown of a Lord's daughter, and I'm sure you weren't
just taking a stroll around the woods" said Guni. “It’s common sense
really not many lack it so, I suppose you could have gotten away with it.” She
shrugged and smiled. "Were you walking?" asked Guni.
"No I
fell of my horse" said Riho.
"Well
you lucky that you were only sleeping for a day and didn't break your neck or
anything" said Guni.
"I
suppose your right" said Riho.
Guni
nodded "In these time's women only have rights, if they are beautiful or
wealthy.”
Riho
nodded as a sad look came over her, who knew that better then her? Of course
that’s all that matter, a man would do anything to marry a girl with beauty or
money.
"Come
now, let's do your hair and get you something to eat" said Guni.
Riho
nodded as Guni walked her over to the vanity table and tied her hair in to a
French braid.
"There
come now, we shall dine out today" said Guni.
"Out
side?" asked Riho.
"You
have never dined out side before?" asked Guni.
"Well
no, all of the meals were eaten inside" said Riho.
Guni shook
her head. "Come let's show you to our lunch.”
Riho
smiled as she was being led to their waiting lunch. She had to admit she liked
this place.
II
Guni led
her to a beautiful patio that was over the lake. Overlooking the lake on both
sides and the forest in the front. There was a round table set for two with
food set and ready.
"I
didn't want you to eat alone, so I decided to eat with you" said Guni.
"Will
your Lord not join us?" asked Riho.
"No,
he's also resting, the trip back completely took it out of him" said Guni.
"Oh"
said Riho.
"He
had carried you through the whole ride to the palace" said Guni.
"Oh
my goodness, the poor man! I must have caused him a lot of discomfort"
said Riho.
"Don't
worry he's strong" said Guni.
"Is
he old?" asked Riho.
Guni
laughed "Oh you bet he has gray hair, and tired eyes and everything."
"Oh,
I must have caused him much discomfort, very much" said Riho.
"Don't
worry about him, he'll be fine" said Guni.
"Are
you sure?" asked Riho.
"I’m
sure, now let's worry about you" said Guni.
Riho
nodded and set in one of the chairs. "This is beautiful place" she
said as she looked around the lush green trees surrounding the lake.
"Yes
it is my Lord likes it here, the city is much to crowd and noisy for him, he
likes it in the peaceful surrounding" said Guni.
"The
Lord has exquisite taste, but there doesn't seem to be any other houses around
here" said Riho.
Guni
chewed on a piece of cheese and nodded "That's true, this is the only
palace here, and there isn't any other houses or shelters for at least 100
meters. My lord owns this side of
Riho
listen with awe as Guni told her off, more places in
"It
sounds so exciting" said Riho.
"It
is. You never traveled before? I mean out of
"No,
I have never been anywhere but
"Well
as long as your here, we'll take a gondola and look around the lake this
evening if you like" said Guni.
"Really?"
asked Riho.
"Ok
tell me you have been on a gondola before" said Guni.
"Well
once, when I was young" said Riho with blush.
"Wow
they had you living under a rock, no wonder you wanted to run away" said
Guni.
Riho
looked down at her hands, even the maid was making fun. Was she really that
dull?
"Oh
Lady Riho I am so sorry I didn't" said Guni.
Riho
smiled "Don't worry your right" she said. Guni nodded.
"So
now that we ate, I have things to do so you are left to wonder around, the Lord
is really open, so you can look around" said Guni.
Riho
nodded.
"You
should get to know the place, you might be staying here a while, well until you
decide to tell us who your father is, and if you want him to come and get
you" said Guni.
Riho
nodded.
"Well
I am the head maid someone has to boss the other around" she said smiling
and gave Riho a wink before running of.
II
Riho
sighed and took in the fresh air, and felt herself feel strange inside. Riho
walked slowly down the beautiful palace, not even her father's palace is this
beautiful. ‘This Lord must be very wealthy’ she thought. Riho found herself
adoring everything she saw, from the furniture to the beautiful books that were
on the shelves of the library. Riho stepped out of the library and in to a dark
hall.
"Oh
I'm lost" she whispered as she searched for an away out of the hall, she
saw the stairs at the end of the hall, and that she didn't see before.
Riho
climbed the stair slowly until she reached the next floor of the huge palace.
This floor only had two doors one on each end. Riho walked towards the one
closest to her, she turned the handle to the door and walked inside. The room
was dim with the some what sunlight that was coming in to the room. She saw it
was a bedroom, she figured there was nobody that slept here, but then she saw
something move on the bed.
‘What
could that be?’
she thought as she walked closer to the bed. Riho saw long lavender color hair.
‘Maybe this is the Lord's daughter’ she thought. She was about to
walkway when the body moved, giving her the full view of the face. Riho gasped
at the most handsome and beautiful face she has ever seen, she backed up
against a table from her shock. Riho thought it would be wise to leave. She
quickly ran out the room and closed the door. Her breathing accelerated, she
kept seeing that face over and over again in her head.
Riho
stumbled in to the next room hoping that it didn't hold another person
sleeping. She softly pushed open the door and walked in to the dark room. The
smell of pigments, and oils filled her senses. Riho walked towards the window
and moved the heavy curtains from it. Riho gasped at the beautiful lit room,
the sun blazed threw the huge bay windows making everything visible. Riho's
breath caught in her throat when her eyes landed on the beautiful canvases that
were all displayed around the large room, beautiful paintings that only one
with such a mind of a true painter can create.
"How
beautiful..." she whispered.
"Indeed"
said someone with a deep and gentle voice said.
Riho
turned to find a man standing by the door, she couldn't see his face
considering he was in the shadow, but she had some what of an idea that it
could be the body she just saw on the bed. "I...I am sorry if I was not
suppose to be here" said Riho. She heard him chuckle, and she could hear
his footstep coming closer. Riho turned and just as she guessed she saw a
lavender hair and then blue/green eyes, and then the handsome face once more,
he had on a white shirt unbutton, giving her a great view of his constructed
chest, and a pair of gray trousers. He stood a few feet away from her.
"I
don't usually let anyone look at my paintings except for Guni" said the
man.
Riho
thought she was short on air as she stared at him, his face high lighted by the
sunlight. "I am sorry, I got lost" she said unable to look away.
"Please
do not apologize, I feel honored that you feel my paintings are beautiful"
said the man.
Riho
blushed once more. "They are wonderful, I have never seen such beauty in a
painting" she said turning to face the painting instead of him.
"Thank
you" he said.
"Did
you paint these?" asked Riho. The man nodded and smiled. Riho thought she
was going to melt from the smile, she didn't understand any of the feelings she
was feeling at the moment, were her hormones finally catching up with her? She
couldn’t even think straight. "You truly have a wonderful gift."
"Sometimes
it's curse" he said.
"What
do you mean?" Riho asked.
He walked
towards a painting showing a gate to a beautiful garden. "My paintings
have made me think maybe one day they could come true, to be able to walk in to
such a garden...sometimes it makes your mind wonder to places that it should
not."
"Is
it so bad to let it wonder?" asked Riho.
"No,
maybe not, but what if you cannot return?" he asked.
"I
suppose there you are right...but what if you like what you wondered in
to?" asked Riho.
"I do
not know, I have not wondered in to anything of the sort" he said to her
smiling.
Riho
smiled "Yes, neither have I.”
"Oh
my god! Lord Shido, Lady Riho is missing" yelled Guni running through the
door, only to be staring at Riho and Shido.
"You
are the Lord?" asked Riho almost having a heart attack.
"Yes,
he is Lord Shido" said Guni quietly confused.
Riho
looked down at the floor ‘Oh my god, he must think I have no manners or
formalities’ she thought. "I am sorry for my lack of manners"
said Riho bowing in front of Shido.
Shido
broke out in laughter "Please stop bowing, you make me feel old" said
Shido.
Riho
looked up at him, was he mocking her now? Damn he was supposed to be old, Guni
tricked her.
"I
don't really mind the whole formality thing" he said.
Riho
blushed out of embracement. ‘Great I made a fool out of myself twice in one
day how much more?’
"Guni,
Lady Riho got lost" said Shido.
"I am
sorry Lord Shido" said Guni.
"Please
Miss. Guni do not apologize for my mistake" said Riho.
"Lord
Shido I apologize for invading you private space, please do not be angry with
Miss. Guni" said Riho. Guni looked from Riho to Shido who seem to too occupy
with looking at Riho. "Lord Shido?"
"You
may go" he said.
Guni bowed
and headed toward the door and Riho started to follow.
"Lady
Riho, I asked Guni to leave. Oh Guni if it's not too much trouble can you get
us some tea?" he said.
Guni hid
her smile "Yes Lord Shido" she said as she closed the door behind
her. ‘Yes! My plan has worked so far.’
Riho stood
nervously looking at the ground. ‘Great he's probably going tell me to watch
my mouth. I'm such an idiot!’ she thought over and over again.
"Lady
Riho please take a seat" said Shido.
Riho
wondered towards the red velvet chair that was by the window. Shido stood and
smiled as she went and sat by the window. The light blazing through the window
gave her an angelic feature, and she looked breath taking. Shido walked and sat
across from her.
"So
how do you feel?" asked Shido.
"I
feel pleasant thank you for everything" she said.
Shido
laughed once more. "Are you planning on leaving so soon?"
"Huh?"
asked Riho. “Pardon me?”
Shido
smiled again. "I am quite relived and thankful that you are alright Lady
Riho."
"I
should be the one that is thankful Lord Shido. You saved my life" she
said.
"Lady
Riho you do know, that I must inform your father of your stay here" he
said.
"You
are acquainted with my father?" asked Riho. Shido shook his head.
"No,
but I do know that you are the daughter of Lord Takagi" he said.
Riho
nodded, so her luck was running out, he was going to return her to her father,
it was just so typical.
"You
are a Noble Lord's daughter and your presence here could tarnish you" said
Shido.
‘Is he
trying to rid of me by making me think it’s for my own good? My god the man is
good.’ she
thought. "Yes, I agree with you, but please you must not tell my father
that I was here at all."
Shido gave
her a questioning look, what in the bloody hell was she talking about, hoping
no almost praying that she wasn’t an idiotic girl with a pretty face.
Riho
smiled at how wonderfully handsome he looked. "Lord Shido I am grateful
for you generosity, but please don't inform my father of my stay here, I will
leave here as soon as possible, but I have no wish to go back to my
father."
Shido
broke in to a small laugh. "Lady Riho am I to assume you were running
away?"
"I am
ashamed to yes, yet I am not. I have my personal matter to why I did" said
Riho. ‘He is making fun. I am now the target of mockery! How wonderful.’
"I
don't mind if you stay here, and getting away from here will be some what of
challenge" said Shido. Something about the way he said it made Riho's hair
stand up in a good and weird way. "Lady Riho, I am not afraid of the
remarks that people make, what I am concern for is you."
"Lord
Shido I do not care what they say. If they can create a false world for
themselves then why can I not do the same?" asked Riho, what a surprise
the man was truly worried for her well being.
Shido
smiled, "Because My Lady people feel threatened by the world that isn't
theirs."
"But
Lord Shido how is it that you can live in all world, that does not seem
fair" said Riho.
"Do I
live in all worlds Lady Riho?" asked Shido.
"You
are different from other Lords that I have met; you live in both the world for
common people, and the world of a Lords. If you can live that way...then why
can I not?" said Riho.
Shido
chuckled, "Beauty and brains Lady Riho, what Lord did you run from?"
Riho found
herself blushing at every compliment he threw at her; it was as if she never in
her life had been praised upon. But everything this man says to make her feel
strange and warm.
"I
will not inform you father just yet, but I assure you that your father will
have the army out looking for you" said Shido.
"Army
or no army I will not go back to him...not just yet" she said.
"You
are welcome to stay here as long as you like, as you can see there is plenty of
room here, and my palace out of the sight of people, so you should be safe
here" said Shido.
"Thank
you Lord Shido I do not know how to thank you enough for you kindness"
said Riho.
"Lady
Riho please stop, kindness comes from with in, it does not need to be
thanked" he said.
"You
speak like a poet Lord Shido, and paint like an angel" she said.
Shido
laughed once more. "I do not know if an Angel should be compared with my
lowly work, but thank you" he said getting up and walking towards a
painting.
Riho
looked at his unbutton shirt once more and blushed. ‘Stop! Why do you keep
blushing?’ she asked herself.
"Lord
Shido, Lady Riho tea" said Guni placing it on the table.
"Thank
you Guni" said Shido.
Guni
smiled and nodded.
"I
shall leave you to work then Lord Shido and I am sure you have not had lunch
yet" said Riho.
"Please
Lady Riho stay, I would very much like that" said Shido.
"Speaking
of lunch. Lord Shido I brought you a glass of wine and a small meal that is what
you get for over sleeping" said Guni.
Shido
laughed "Yes, I should apologize for that" he said.
Guni
laughed also, but what they didn't expect was for Riho to join in as well.
"You
should laugh more Lady Riho you sound charming" said Shido.
"Thank
you Lord Shido" said Riho growing to like the man.
"I
shall leave and prepare supper, Lord Shido you are joining us" said Guni.
"Yes,
I am" said Shido looking towards Riho who was pouring herself and him cups
of tea.
"I
will see you at supper then" said Guni and walking out.
"My
father would probably send his maid away for such a thing, yet you laugh, you
surprise me Lord Shido" said Riho.
"Not
as much as you surprise me Lady Riho" said Shido.
"Do
you charm every Lady that you acquaint with?" asked Riho.
"No,
most of them do not fall for simple praises" said Shido.
"Lord
Shido why don't you let anyone but Guni see your paintings?" asked Riho
walking next to him to see his work.
"I
do, I let you see it Lady Riho" he said looking down at her.
Riho
blushed again. "No I mean why don't you let the world see it?"
"Lady
Riho do you truly believe that people are ready for my world yet?" asked
Shido.
"Aren't
we greedy? Not wanting to share your world with others?" asked Riho
touching the canvas.
"Lady
Riho do not tease, for I am letting you in to my world" he whispered, as
he took her hand of the canvas.
Riho
thought her heart had stopped, for the feel of his hand on hers was wonderful.
"I
only let three women see my world Lady Riho. They are my mother, Guni, and
yourself" he said still holding her hand.
"Why
not others?" asked Riho looking up at him.
"Only
those who understand my Lady" he said before bringing her hand to his lips
and kissing the palm.
Riho
thought she would just melt away, she blushed, and his lips were so soft and
perfect. This was the first time that a man kissed her bare hand. Shido savored
the feel of her skin against his lips, it was soft and light just like he
thought it would be. Shido slowly let her hand slip from his. Riho thought she
would die from the loss of air, but she would rather die watching him then just
dieing.
"Shall
we have tea?" he asked.
Riho
nodded as he headed towards the table. "You must excuse me I tend to over
sleep sometime."
"I
envy you Lord Shido, to be able to sleep till
"Well
you are free to do so here, I don't mind at all" he said.
"I am
afraid it is very un-lady like" she said.
Shido
smiled in to his wine glass.
"Lord
Shido where is your mother and father?" asked Riho.
"My father
passed away, while I was young boy" said Shido.
"Oh I
am so sorry" said Riho.
"You
did not know" he said.
Riho
nodded "It must have been hard for you and your mother."
"Actually
my mother was fitting for the role of a man, she taught me everything I
know" said Shido with a smile.
Riho
giggled what a funny man he was, unlike any she met.
"I
find it quite funny also" said Shido laughing. "My mother is in
"You
do not visit her?" asked Riho.
"My
mother and I don't need to see each other to know that everything is
alright" said Shido.
"I
truly envy you now Lord Shido" said Riho.
"I
envy you as well Lady Riho" said Shido.
"I
don't believe there is anything to envy me for" said Riho.
"I
see so many, your bravery, strength, your boldness" he said.
"Most
men would find these unbearable and quite very undesirable in a wife." she
said.
"But
I am not most men, I live several world Lady Riho" said Shido.
Riho
smiled "That you do."
II
Lady
Cathleen reread her daughters note to her as more tears threatened to fall.
"Oh my dear Riho why have you done this?" she asked again as she held
the paper to her chest.
Riho's
letter to family
Dear
Mother and Father,
Please
forgive me, but I cannot marry Count Cain. I cannot live with myself if I did
not find the freedom my heart longs for, please forgive me, I will return when
I feel I am ready, and if you do not want me to return then...I will not. But
please do not look for me. Mother I want to find happiness on my own. I
apologize if I disappointed you and father or ashamed you in anyway. Just
remember that I love you both very much. I do not know where I will go, but I
want to see the world. Forgive me...I love you
Riho
"Oh
my dear girl!" Lady Cathleen's filled with more tears, her young face
filled with tears stains, and worry for her daughter. Lord Takagi walked in to
Riho's room touching her hairbrush as if he picked it up, she will appear in
front of out of now where. Lady Cathleen walked up to her husband and fell in
to his arms. Lord Takagi held on to his wife and tears stung his eyes.
"What
shall we do?" asked Lady Cathleen.
"We
will do nothing" said Lord Takagi.
"Darling?"
she asked looking up at him.
"If
she desires freedom that much then I shall let her have it, and she had said
she will return" said Lord Takagi.
"Oh
darling, I am worried for my little girl" whispered Lady Cathleen in to
his chest.
"She
is a smart girl, I am sure she is all right" he said trying to restore his
wife's faith. ‘Oh Gods look over her, let her be safe’ he thought as he
held his wife.
II
"My
Lord the messenger just came back, it seems that Lady Riho has fled" said
one of Cain's servants.
"So
she has finally done it" said Cain.
"My
lord what of the engagement?" asked servant.
"We
shall hold it of until she returns" said Cain.
"Do
you not wish to wed any other maiden?" asked the servant.
"No,
she will be my bride, she understands the concepts that is needed for her to
understand" said Cain.
"Very
well my Lord I shall leave you" said the servant.
"All
my talk of freedom has finally got her to take a chance. No matter I shall see
to it that she does return" said Cain as he sipped a deep red liquid from
a wine glass.
II
Riho sat
in front of the vanity table brushing her hair; she was getting ready for
supper and the gondola ride promised by Guni. Riho looked at herself at the
mirror. She was dressed in Black georgette over turquoise lining, with a full
bodice. The gown off-the shoulder neckline, set in sleeve sweep train (it's a
designs like ruffles) in black. She tied her hair in to a bun, and decided to
go glove less just in case Lord Shido decided to kiss her hand. She couldn't
explain it, but every time he was close to her it felt as if her belly had
butterflies trying to fly out of her. Riho shook of the feeling and walked
towards the patio. Once she was there once more he breath was taken away the
whole patio had been decorated with candles, the table was set, the glasses
sparkled and glowed, but the table was set for two. Which disappointed her,
naturally she figured that Lord Shido wasn't going to join her and Guni. Riho
walked towards the edge to look down at the lake.
"Beautiful
isn't it?" asked the familiar male voice.
Riho
turned to see Shido stood by the glass door that led to the patio, dressed like
he was heading to a ball [AN: I'm lazy and I don't want to describe how he's
dressed so just imagine him dressed just as in the show]
Riho again
felt strange and breathless, he looked so handsome just standing there smiling.
"Very, I think your whole Palace is very beautiful."
Shido
chuckled and walked towards her. "You are looking exquisite Lady
Riho" he said taking her full image as she surrounded by the candles glow.
"And
Lord Shido you are looking charming as well" she said.
"Thank
you Lady Riho, a mere compliment from you is enough to brighten my
evening" he said.
"Lord
Shido are you teasing me of making false compliments?" asked Riho.
"And
what if I am?" asked Shido looking down at her. Riho's breathing
accelerated once more at his closeness.
"I
suppose you win then, considering I have no proof of my words" she said
looking up at him.
"I
think I failed miserably" he whispered.
"How
so?" she asked.
"There
is enough proof in your eyes to make me a fool" he said.
Riho
blushed once more. How was he doing this to her? How? She had her share of men
kissing and worshiping the ground she walked, yet his words effected in a
strange and different way. Riho would have probably died out of air lose if not
for Guni's interruption.
"Lady
Riho, Lord Shido" she said bowing.
"Guni,
I see the table is set for two. I take it that you will not be joining
us?" asked Shido.
"Yes
Lord Shido, I have to pick up some things from the city, I will be leaving with
David right away" said Guni.
"We
will miss you Miss. Guni" said Riho.
"I'm
sure you will Lady Riho, but I doubt he will" said Guni.
Shido
smiled and shrugged.
"How
ever I will keep my promise or more like Lord Shido will keep it for me"
said Guni.
"Oh
what is that?" asked Shido.
"Lady
Riho wished to take a ride on the gondola" said Guni.
"Oh
don't worry about it Miss Guni, we could take the ride some other time"
said Riho.
"Is
there something wrong if I go?" asked Shido looking at Riho.
"No
nothing at all, I just didn't want to burden you with it..." said Riho.
"I
wouldn't mind taking a gondola ride myself" he said looking at Riho.
Guni
smiled. "Supper will be served as soon as you’re settled."
"Have
a nice time in the city" said Riho waving good-bye.
Shido
pulled Riho's chair for her to sit.
"Thank
you" she said.
"Your
welcome" he said.
This is
the first time he accepted her thanks out of the ten or twenty times she had
said it.
"When
you say a word to much it loses it's meaning" he said to her.
"Not
all words Lord Shido" said Riho.
"Oh?
What word would those be?" he asked.
"Words
of gratitude, words of feeling, and words of love" she said.
Shido
leaned back in his chair as the servants brought their supper. Shido took a sip
of the wine then looked at Riho. "Not all Lady Riho."
"What
do mean?" asked Riho.
Shido took
another sip of his wine, Riho watched as he swallowed the liquid. "Words
are just mere words; it's one's action that proves the words. You can't simply
say 'I love you' and just think that it will fulfils all the things that
is needed."
"Why
Lord Shido you sound as if you were in love before" she said and for some
reason it caused her inside to feel strange that he might love someone. Shido
laughed
"No
Lady Riho, I have never been romantically in love with anyone. I just feel that
is what words are" he said.
“I wish I
could give you my opinion of love, but I have no idea what it is" she
said.
Shido
looked at her and then picked up the wine glass as the candle made the red
liquid play on his face. "You will never know what love is, and when you
do, you will not have knowledge of how it happened."
"Lord
Shido you talk as a poet would" said Riho.
Shido
leaned towards her. "A poet needs an inspiration, a muse My Lady."
"So
what is your?" asked Riho blushing.
"I
have not yet figured that out yet" he said with a smile.
"Really?
I never written anything so I would not know" she said.
"I
think I have an idea where I get some of my inspiration" he said.
"Tell
me about it Lord Shido" said Riho.
"Does
my work interest you that much Lady Riho?" asked Shido.
"My
father was an explorer, but he never told me about them" she said. Riho
looked down at the own wine glass. "I want to know what people really do,
that was one of my reasons for running away."
"It's
strange how we try to escape what we were born in to" he said.
"Those
poor longs to be rich and some who are rich long to be poor" he said
looking at her.
Riho
smiled "Is it all longing Lord Shido?"
Shido
smiled at her "No I suppose not."
"What
about people who have a natural calling for something more then just the one
way life they lead?" asked Riho.
"Lady
Riho you should consider to be a philosopher" said Shido.
"Do not
tease Lord Shido" she said.
Shido
laughed as he heard her laugh as well. For the first time in a long time he
felt happy and content without picking up a paintbrush, ever since she came in
to the picture. He never thought he would find someone like her. "Shall we
move on to the gondola?"
Riho
nodded. Shido gave her his hand. Riho smiled and took his hand feeling the
warmth that came from it. Shido led her down the stairs and in to the waiting
gondola. Shido walked on to first and then held out his hand to Riho.
Riho
looked at the rocking boat. "Um...Will I fall?"
Shido
chuckled and placed both of his hand around her waist and pulled her on to the
gondola. Riho let out a gasp as he pulled her on, Riho held on his shoulder
tight and shut her eyes, and it was when she heard laughter did she slowly open
her eyes…