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Chapter 9
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The bedroom was simply exquisite; there was no other way to explain it. To the left, midway between them and the far wall, was a huge bed with a delicate mesh material hung over it from the four posts. It's sheets looked as though they were all made of silk, as
well as the many pillows that covered it. There were small tables on either side of it, which each boasted there own gold candle holders which had intricate designs of trees and animals on them. There was a grand chandelier that hung from the ceiling holding countless candles. It too was made of gold, along with the better portion of the ornaments and accents in the room. At the far end of the room lay a large bay window, silk cushions lining the seating area. The
drapes were made of thick velvet the color of the sky, which matched the light color and atmosphere of the room. The wall on the right had a large fireplace and mantle, surrounded by lovely chairs and seaties. Further down the wall, and closer to t!he door, were three armoires.
Awe struck by the extravagance that lay before them, Nanako and Nokaru simply stood in the doorway with a look of shook strewn across their faces for a few moments.
"Ahem... This will be your room for the time being. If you are in need of anything further, please do not hesitate to ring the bell located on the bedside table. Someone will come as soon as possible to see to your needs. Will there be anything further?" The handsome gentleman silently stood there, awaiting a response.
"Um... No that will be fine for now. And thank you." Nokaru was still in a slight daze, and didn't turn his attention away from the room while answering.
With a small bow, the servant quickly left them alone, closing the door as he left.
"This place is spectacular! Oh, I could only picture something like this in my dreams, and it would still not be so opulent. And look out the window!" Nanako quickly crossed the immense room to sit on the windowsill. "You can see the gardens and half the city from here! They're gorgeous Nokaru. They even have roses!" Looking down at her own bouquet, a fleeting frown crossed her face as she noticed that they had not faired the journey as well as she had. They were still beautiful, but the arrangement was
disheveled to say the least.
Noticing what Nanako was looking at, Nokaru scanned the room to see if there was anything to put her flowers in. "Don't worry about them. I'm sure you can arrange them so they are even more beautiful then they once were. Here," he said kindly as he passed her a crystal vase he found on the fireplace mantle. "I'm sure no one would mind you using this for the time being."
She looked up into his dark blue eyes and could feel the love that poured out of them just for her. Jumping up, she ran into his arms, nearly causing him to loose his grasp on the vase.
"Careful there. We don't want to break this now. It's probably worth more then I make in a month." A deep laugh escaped from him, causing a rumble to vibrate his chest. Nanako nestled into the low sound and muscular chest, allowing it to slightly tickle her cheek, as he rapped his arms around her.
"I still say you're too good for me," her voice only a slight whisper as she allowed herself to get completely lost in the moment. *I just wish things could stay like this forever*
Lowering his voice to match hers, he bent his head so his mouth touched her ear. "Now, we've been through this already. I'm the one lucky to have you." She laughed as first his breath tickled her ear, then as his lips did the same.
"Still. I am glad you're here with me." She couldn't keep the sad note out of her voice. *This is all too much* was her only thought.
"I know. Don't worry about it. It will all work out in the end. If it is not meant to happen, then it shan't. If it was, then it shall. There is nothing either of us can do to change our destiny's Nanako. So you see, everything will unfold as it is meant to, and all will work out in the end." He caressed her long wavy brown hair, and breathed deeply of the fruity scent that was released as he did so. He loved the touch of her hair, so soft and silky, as
well as its scent.
"I wish I could believe as you do. But alas, I do not. We have to make our own destiny's, and I want one where I have a choice in what is to happen to me, to us both." She could never accept that everything was already preordained, and that, regardless of what you do, the outcome would be the same. It just didn't seem right, and didn't make sense to her, although it was how Nokaru lived his life.
"You don't have a choice in this one Nana," affection and caring evident in his tone of voice. "It would just be simpler to accept it this time."
Nanako went to push herself away, but was stopped by his embrace. He looked into her eyes, and could tell that it would be easy for him to get lost there once again. Pressing a finger to her lips, he added, "but I know it's not your way. Just know that either way, I'll stay by your side."
Kissing his fingers, she blushed in spite of herself. "You always know just what to say, don't you? I thank you for that my love. I know that you will always be there for me. I will go through with this union, if for no other reason then to not run away from something that is my duty. I just wish that there was a choice here is all, and that everything wasn't happening so fast. It is a lot to take in only a few hours."
"True, but you can handle it. If you can handle your mother and me, you can handle any obstacle in your way." A devilish smirk crossed his face. As Nanako smiled at his little joke, he leaned in and kissed her deeply, accidentally adding a little more mess to the roses she still held.
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After finding some water for her flowers and rearranging them, both Nanako and Nokaru freshened up and started to roam around the palace itself. Once they found an exit however, they decided that it would be a better idea to walk around the gardens outside.
Nanako loved the gardens, which held many flowers from all over the universe, all of them rare and exquisite. There were roses of every variety and color, as well as orchids, lilies, and some, which neither of them could ever recall seeing before.
In the middle of one of the clearings that they came across, they found a small pond that had numerous waterfowl swimming in it. Here they sat, Nokaru rapped around Nanako, watching the ducks,
geese, swans and loons. A pair of trumpeter swans came right up to the couple, even allowing them to touch their soft white feathers.
"It is beautiful here." Nokaru's voice was low and rich as he said this. Helping Nanako to her feet, he wrapped an arm around her as they walked back towards the castle.
Nanako had reluctantly suggested that they return to the palace to get ready for dinner. She was both listless and excited to meet these newly found relatives, and was quite anxious when it came to her having to make a good first impression. She feared what these royals would think of her, especially with all the training they had gone through. True, she was raised as a lady, but didn't feel that she would fit into anyone's idea of what a princess should be, nor
how one should act.
"It is. I wish we could stay here, but we mustn't break the promise we made to the king." With a hasty laugh, she added, "I guess I should say my grandfather. I hope I live up to their expectations. I'd hate to make a fool of myself in front of them tonight."
"You're worrying needlessly Nanako. You'll do fine, and if you don't reach their expectations, no one will." Nokaru pulled her a little closer to him. "I just hope I don't embarrass you is all."
"Don't be ridiculous. You could never do that."
"Oh no." The devilish smirk crossed his face again, and crept into his tone. "What if I arrived without a piece of clothing on? What then?"
Nanako gave him a good nudge in the side. "I'm sure you'd love that." The two looked at each other, and burst into a fit of laughter. "I can just picture it now. But I don't think I'd be the one who was embarrassed!"
"Hey, what does that mean?" Nokaru put a hurt expression on his face.
"Exactly what it sounds like." Running ahead of him a bit, Nanako turn around and stuck her tongue out at him. "What are you going to do about it?"
"When I get you, you'll be sorry!" Running full out, Nokaru almost caught up to Nanako when he noticed something up ahead of her. "Hey. Look out...."
It was too late. She had been looking behind her to see how close Nokaru was, and didn't notice the person who appeared from around one of bends in the path, which were completely lined with bushes. Nanako had ploughed right into the poor girl, and now they
both lay on the ground.
"I'm so sorry. I really should have been watching where I was going."
"That's ok, though I would appreciate it if you would be so kind as to get off me. It is a tad uncomfortable."
The girl before them had long blonde hair that was tied back by pretty ribbon that matched her yellow gown.
The group watching this scene identified her immediately as Minako.
"Sorry. I hope I didn't hurt you."
"Are you two alright? I certainly hope it looked worse then it was." Nokaru helped the two girls to their feet.
"Don't worry. I'm fine. Just a little dusty is all." The girl had a soft voice and a cheerful disposition, especially considering what just happened. "My name is Sakura by the way."
"My name is Nokaru, and this oh so clumsy lady here is Nanako." He said with a smile upon his face that was a little too big. He loved to tease her, and it was so easy to do.
Giving Nokaru a look that could kill, Nanako decided it would be best to turn her attentions to the one she ran into, rather then one she'd have to get even with later. "I am sorry. I'm not normally so clumsy. Only when someone is chasing after me, do I not watch where I'm going."
"Well it's your own fault that I was chasing you. And that is no reason to not keep an eye on what's ahead of you."
"It is too. I can't focus on two things at the same time."
"Well maybe you should have focused on what was ahead of you, instead of what was behind."
"Now if I did that, I wouldn't know whether or not you were gaining on me."
Their bickering was stopped by the sound of laughter coming from their company. Turning meekly towards her, their faces turn ascarlet red.
"Oh I am sorry. But you two make such a cute couple. I can see why you were chosen."
"How do you know that, if you don't mind my asking?"
"Oh, grandfather has already informed the rest of the family on who has been chosen. Oh I'm sorry... I'm your cousin. Eldest daughter of the eldest Princess of the ruling monarchy." Sakura
could scarcely hold back her laughter at the looked on their faces.
Nokaru was dumbfounded, and Nanako mortified that they had met one of the princesses in such a manner.
"I am sorry that we met this way." Nanako offered, still quite red faced. "Do know that I don't normally run around like this."
"Oh it is quite all-right cousin. It is nice to see someone have some fun around here for a change. I'm not permitted to do such activities myself."
"Still. I am quite sorry that I ran into." In her mind, Nanako was gaining a better understanding of her mother's decision. She would have hated to be so controlled, and to have to be in such control of yourself at all times. As it stood, she hated being such at any of the gatherings she attended, and would much rather be exploring the forest or just being out side to enjoy the fresh airand sunshine.
"Consider the incident forgotten."
Although she was the older of the two, Nanako felt as though she was still a child compared to her cousin. Perhaps it was the way she conducted herself, or the glint of wisdom behind those blue eyes that portrayed an age far beyond that of her appearance. She hoped that she would get to know this girl better before she left, as well as the rest of her family.
"Thank you. I am sorry, but we were just on our way to get ready for the dinner tonight. Will you be there as well?"
"Oh yes, as well as the rest of the family. They will enjoy meeting you. We've heard so much about you over the years, and it is nice to finally put a face to the name." "You have? Really?"
"Oh yes. Grandfather thought it prudent to keep us all up to date on both you and your mother, seeing as you could not be here with us."
"Then it is my honor to finally meet all of you, and I look forward on getting to know you all."
"You can say that now, but may think otherwise when you meet some of your other cousins, Hitomi in particular. She has a quick temper, though they are all very sweet once they let down their defenses. You may have to give them time to warm up to you."
Although speaking to Nanako, Sakura's eyes were drawn to tall, muscular and very handsome man beside her, and she blush in spite of her best attempts not to. *They are all going to be after him* she thought a little dismally to herself. She wouldn't mind taking a
chance as well, though she knew that these two would be inseparable, for they wouldn't have been chosen for this task otherwise.
"I will keep that in mind. Thank you." Although aware of what her cousin was doing, Nanako decided it would be best to ignore it. It didn't matter, for she trusted Nokaru completely, and knew
that the trust between them would never be broken.
"I should be off now as well. I'll see you soon cousin, and you too Nokaru." She smiled at them both, and with a final lingering glance at Nokaru, turned and quickly left them.
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