Nightwalker Fan Fiction ❯ Arms of drakness ❯ New Beginnings ( Chapter 2 )
[ X - Adult: No readers under 18. Contains Graphic Adult Themes/Extreme violence. ]
By: Haruka-chan 
Anime/Manga: Nightwalker Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Romance / Occult / Horror / Fantasy / Hentai / Drama | Type: Alternate Universe | Uploaded On: 08.07.2003 | Pages: 2 | Words: 6.6K | Visits: 458 | Status: Work In Progress
Anime/Manga: Nightwalker Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Romance / Occult / Horror / Fantasy / Hentai / Drama | Type: Alternate Universe | Uploaded On: 08.07.2003 | Pages: 2 | Words: 6.6K | Visits: 458 | Status: Work In Progress
Arms of Darkness
By: Haruka-chan
An: My second Nightwalker fic. This fic is going to be different from the last one; this one is going to be in between 1300-1600s the times will be mixed. This was about the time Shido was probably made in to a vampire. I read Shido/Cain but for some reason I can't seem to enjoy them much considering that Shido hates this man, but I guess with hate comes some sort of love. Anyway this is going to be another Riho fic, I know a lot of people find her annoying, so do I sometimes but she's all right. In this fic Riho is to be marry to Cain, and she doesn't want to marry just any man, she wants to marry a man she loves, so she runs away, only to be found by Lord who is a painter. She stays at his palace for a while. Just when things were getting good for Riho, Cain shows up to take her back to the life she ran away from. Sorry it has to be this way but my word doc doesn't support special lettering and formatting so please cope with me. *Note that the time, costume and furniture are *not* going to match.*
*....*- Means that it's character thoughts.
*~....~*- Character is thinking about what someone said in the past.
"...."- Means characters are talking.
****.....****- Means dreams of the character.
~~~***...***~~~- Means letters and notes from characters
New Beginning...Chapter 2
I have always wandered what made people get butterflies. What made them more then just another man or woman. What people saw in love...and why it was always paired with hate, just in happiness you have sadness and pain. These things puzzled me, why would one want to bring upon them the pain of loving? So many confusing thoughts and feelings!...but it was that night...that stormy night that I truly found out all the answer to my questions. I found love...
Last Time...
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"Maybe this is the gods way of telling me that I should have been more selfless, and stayed home" she said. "Oh what I wouldn't give to be dry and under the warm silk sheets" she said to herself. *No! I won't give up, I will make it. I have to* she thought. At that moment the heaven gave a thunderous roar making the horse lose it never and dropping Riho off, and running. Riho stared up at the sky and tears formed at the corner of her eyes. "So this is how it will end?" she asked before she saw nothing but black. A carriage was heading in the road where Riho lied unconscious. "My lord there is a maiden lying on the ground" said the woman inside the carriage. "Stop the carriage" he said. "Yes my lord" said the coach. The lord stepped out and walked towards the body. Riho's hair covered her face, and she lied on her stomach. "Is she alright?" asked the woman stepping out also. The lord moved her to her back and moved some of the hair out of her face. A small gasped escaped the lord, but it was covered by the loud gasp that came from the woman. "Oh god she is beautiful, like a fallen angel" she said bringing her hands to her lips. "She is still alive, we shall have to bring her back to the palace, we can not make it back to the Vatican city in this hell of a storm" said the lord. "I agree" said the woman. The lord picked Riho up and brought her in to the carriage. "My lord you are all wet" said the woman giggling. The lord laughed "So I am, but it is worth saving a life" he said staring down at the dirt fill face of Riho. *Such a beautiful face even with the dirt gracing her face. I wonder what she will look after she is cleaned* he thought.
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The Ride to the lords palace was a discomfort on everyone's part considering the rain got heavier, 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. "Yes it was" said the Lord stepping out with Riho. A few servants rushed towards them with umbrellas. "My lord what a beautiful bride you brought back" said a young servant. The lord laughed. "She isn't my bride, she is injured and we found her" he said. "Oh what shall we do?" asked a maid. "prepare the west wing bedroom, and bring some clean clothing for her to wear. and medicine for her aid" he said. "Yes my lord" they said in unison. "Well we can she is like already" said the woman. "Yes" he said. "I shall take her up to her room and leave her at your care" he said. "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. "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. "What about your bath? I have someone preparing it in the second floor" she said. "Thank you" he said and smiled and walked slowly towards his own bedroom. The woman smiled and walked inside. "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.
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. "I didn't die?" she asked. "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. "Where am I?" asked Riho. "Oh thank goodness your not the those maidens who ask to 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 Florence" she said. "Florence!?!" asked Riho. "Yes we found you on the out skirt of the Vatican City" said Guni. "Oh excuse me, its just it's quite far from where I usually travel alone" said Riho. "I completely understand" said Guni. "Thank you Miss Guni" she said. "Please just call me Guni, I'm not good with formalities" she said. Riho smiled "All right, you can call me Riho" said Riho. Guni smiled she liked her already. "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 Vatican city when the storm started and we saw you lying on the road" said Guni. "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" she said.
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?" asked Riho. "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 (puffy) 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?" she asked. "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. "Were you walking?" asked Guni. "No I fall 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" said Guni. Riho nodded as a sad look came over her. "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" said Guni. Riho smiled as she was being led to their waiting lunch. She had to admit she liked this place.
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. "Won't your Lord 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" said Guni laughing. "Oh, I must have hurt him, very much" said Riho. "Don't worry about him, he'll be fine" said Guni. "Are sure?" asked Riho. "I 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 crowded and noisy for him, he likes it in the peaceful surrounding" said Guni. "The Lord has equiste 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 Florence" said Guni.
Riho listen with awe as Guni told her off, more places in Florence, about all the painters, and writers that were drawn to the city of Florence for it's beauty and inspirations. "It sounds so exciting" said Riho. "It is. You never traveled before? I mean out of Vatican city?" asked Guni. "No, I have never been anywhere but Rome, I did travel to England once with my father, but he did most of the traveling" said Riho. "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. "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. 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, 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, and the she kept seeing that face over and over again in her head.
Riho next walked 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 a 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 built 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. "You truly have a wonderful gift" she said. "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" he said. "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" she said. "Oh my gods! 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. "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?* she thought. "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 occupied with looking at Riho. "Lord Shido?" asked Guni. "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 to 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 work so far* she thought. 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. "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?" asked Shido. "Huh?" asked Riho. Shido smiled again. "I am quite relived and thankful that you are alright Lady Riho" said Shido. "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. "You are a Noble Lord's daughter and your presence here could tarnish you" said Shido. *Is he trying to rid of me?* she thought. "Yes, I agree with you, but please you must not tell my father that I was here at all" said Riho. Shido gave her a questioning look. 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" she said. Shido broke in to a small laugh. "Lady Riho am I to assume you were running away?" asked Shido. "I am ashamed to yes, yet I am not. I have my personal matter to why I did" said Riho. "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" he said. "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. Shido smiled. "Because My Lady people feel threatened by the world that isn't theirs" said Shido. "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 world 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?" asked Shido. 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 and 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?" asked Riho. "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 woman 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 slip sometime" he said. "I envy you Lord Shido, to be able to sleep till noon" she said. "Well you are free to do so here, I don't mind at all" he said. "I am afraid 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" said Riho. "Actually my mother was fitting for the role of a man, she taught me everything I know" said Shido with a smile. Riho giggled. "I find it quite funny also" said Shido laughing. "My mother is in England, she's been there for a while now" said Shido. "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 finds these unbearable" she said. "But I am not most men, I live several world Lady Riho" said Shido. Riho smiled "That you do" she said.
Back At Lord Takagi's palace...
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
~~~***End of letter***~~~
"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 stinged 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. [AN: From this point on Lord Takagi and Lady Cathleen won't be mentioned until a few chapters through the story]
At Cain's Castle...
"My Lord the messenger just came back, it seems that Lady Riho has fled" said one of Cain's servants. "So she has finally did 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. [AN: Cain won't be mentioned either, I will focus on Shido and Riho more from this point on]
Back At Shido's Palace...
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 (fluffy skirt) 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" said Riho. 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 your settled" said Guni. "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, 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" he said. "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" he said. "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" he said.
"Lord Shido you talk as a poet would" said Riho. Shido leaned towards her. "A poet needs an inspiration, a muse My Lady" he said. "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 a 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" she said. "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?" asked Riho. Shido smiled at her "No I suppose not" he said. "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 paint brush, ever since she came in to the picture. He never thought he would find someone like her.
"Shall we move on to the gondola?" asked Shido. 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?" asked Riho. 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.
TBC
***************************************************< br> AN: Wow done with chapter 2! I know cliffhanger don't worry I'm working chapter 3 already! Now tell me what you think. It depends on you people. REVIEW!!! And tell me what you think. Sorry about the grammar and spelling. Thanks ^_^
By: Haruka-chan
An: My second Nightwalker fic. This fic is going to be different from the last one; this one is going to be in between 1300-1600s the times will be mixed. This was about the time Shido was probably made in to a vampire. I read Shido/Cain but for some reason I can't seem to enjoy them much considering that Shido hates this man, but I guess with hate comes some sort of love. Anyway this is going to be another Riho fic, I know a lot of people find her annoying, so do I sometimes but she's all right. In this fic Riho is to be marry to Cain, and she doesn't want to marry just any man, she wants to marry a man she loves, so she runs away, only to be found by Lord who is a painter. She stays at his palace for a while. Just when things were getting good for Riho, Cain shows up to take her back to the life she ran away from. Sorry it has to be this way but my word doc doesn't support special lettering and formatting so please cope with me. *Note that the time, costume and furniture are *not* going to match.*
*....*- Means that it's character thoughts.
*~....~*- Character is thinking about what someone said in the past.
"...."- Means characters are talking.
****.....****- Means dreams of the character.
~~~***...***~~~- Means letters and notes from characters
New Beginning...Chapter 2
I have always wandered what made people get butterflies. What made them more then just another man or woman. What people saw in love...and why it was always paired with hate, just in happiness you have sadness and pain. These things puzzled me, why would one want to bring upon them the pain of loving? So many confusing thoughts and feelings!...but it was that night...that stormy night that I truly found out all the answer to my questions. I found love...
Last Time...
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"Maybe this is the gods way of telling me that I should have been more selfless, and stayed home" she said. "Oh what I wouldn't give to be dry and under the warm silk sheets" she said to herself. *No! I won't give up, I will make it. I have to* she thought. At that moment the heaven gave a thunderous roar making the horse lose it never and dropping Riho off, and running. Riho stared up at the sky and tears formed at the corner of her eyes. "So this is how it will end?" she asked before she saw nothing but black. A carriage was heading in the road where Riho lied unconscious. "My lord there is a maiden lying on the ground" said the woman inside the carriage. "Stop the carriage" he said. "Yes my lord" said the coach. The lord stepped out and walked towards the body. Riho's hair covered her face, and she lied on her stomach. "Is she alright?" asked the woman stepping out also. The lord moved her to her back and moved some of the hair out of her face. A small gasped escaped the lord, but it was covered by the loud gasp that came from the woman. "Oh god she is beautiful, like a fallen angel" she said bringing her hands to her lips. "She is still alive, we shall have to bring her back to the palace, we can not make it back to the Vatican city in this hell of a storm" said the lord. "I agree" said the woman. The lord picked Riho up and brought her in to the carriage. "My lord you are all wet" said the woman giggling. The lord laughed "So I am, but it is worth saving a life" he said staring down at the dirt fill face of Riho. *Such a beautiful face even with the dirt gracing her face. I wonder what she will look after she is cleaned* he thought.
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The Ride to the lords palace was a discomfort on everyone's part considering the rain got heavier, 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. "Yes it was" said the Lord stepping out with Riho. A few servants rushed towards them with umbrellas. "My lord what a beautiful bride you brought back" said a young servant. The lord laughed. "She isn't my bride, she is injured and we found her" he said. "Oh what shall we do?" asked a maid. "prepare the west wing bedroom, and bring some clean clothing for her to wear. and medicine for her aid" he said. "Yes my lord" they said in unison. "Well we can she is like already" said the woman. "Yes" he said. "I shall take her up to her room and leave her at your care" he said. "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. "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. "What about your bath? I have someone preparing it in the second floor" she said. "Thank you" he said and smiled and walked slowly towards his own bedroom. The woman smiled and walked inside. "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.
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. "I didn't die?" she asked. "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. "Where am I?" asked Riho. "Oh thank goodness your not the those maidens who ask to 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 Florence" she said. "Florence!?!" asked Riho. "Yes we found you on the out skirt of the Vatican City" said Guni. "Oh excuse me, its just it's quite far from where I usually travel alone" said Riho. "I completely understand" said Guni. "Thank you Miss Guni" she said. "Please just call me Guni, I'm not good with formalities" she said. Riho smiled "All right, you can call me Riho" said Riho. Guni smiled she liked her already. "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 Vatican city when the storm started and we saw you lying on the road" said Guni. "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" she said.
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?" asked Riho. "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 (puffy) 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?" she asked. "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. "Were you walking?" asked Guni. "No I fall 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" said Guni. Riho nodded as a sad look came over her. "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" said Guni. Riho smiled as she was being led to their waiting lunch. She had to admit she liked this place.
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. "Won't your Lord 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" said Guni laughing. "Oh, I must have hurt him, very much" said Riho. "Don't worry about him, he'll be fine" said Guni. "Are sure?" asked Riho. "I 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 crowded and noisy for him, he likes it in the peaceful surrounding" said Guni. "The Lord has equiste 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 Florence" said Guni.
Riho listen with awe as Guni told her off, more places in Florence, about all the painters, and writers that were drawn to the city of Florence for it's beauty and inspirations. "It sounds so exciting" said Riho. "It is. You never traveled before? I mean out of Vatican city?" asked Guni. "No, I have never been anywhere but Rome, I did travel to England once with my father, but he did most of the traveling" said Riho. "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. "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. 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, 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, and the she kept seeing that face over and over again in her head.
Riho next walked 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 a 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 built 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. "You truly have a wonderful gift" she said. "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" he said. "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" she said. "Oh my gods! 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. "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?* she thought. "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 occupied with looking at Riho. "Lord Shido?" asked Guni. "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 to 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 work so far* she thought. 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. "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?" asked Shido. "Huh?" asked Riho. Shido smiled again. "I am quite relived and thankful that you are alright Lady Riho" said Shido. "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. "You are a Noble Lord's daughter and your presence here could tarnish you" said Shido. *Is he trying to rid of me?* she thought. "Yes, I agree with you, but please you must not tell my father that I was here at all" said Riho. Shido gave her a questioning look. 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" she said. Shido broke in to a small laugh. "Lady Riho am I to assume you were running away?" asked Shido. "I am ashamed to yes, yet I am not. I have my personal matter to why I did" said Riho. "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" he said. "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. Shido smiled. "Because My Lady people feel threatened by the world that isn't theirs" said Shido. "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 world 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?" asked Shido. 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 and 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?" asked Riho. "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 woman 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 slip sometime" he said. "I envy you Lord Shido, to be able to sleep till noon" she said. "Well you are free to do so here, I don't mind at all" he said. "I am afraid 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" said Riho. "Actually my mother was fitting for the role of a man, she taught me everything I know" said Shido with a smile. Riho giggled. "I find it quite funny also" said Shido laughing. "My mother is in England, she's been there for a while now" said Shido. "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 finds these unbearable" she said. "But I am not most men, I live several world Lady Riho" said Shido. Riho smiled "That you do" she said.
Back At Lord Takagi's palace...
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
~~~***End of letter***~~~
"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 stinged 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. [AN: From this point on Lord Takagi and Lady Cathleen won't be mentioned until a few chapters through the story]
At Cain's Castle...
"My Lord the messenger just came back, it seems that Lady Riho has fled" said one of Cain's servants. "So she has finally did 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. [AN: Cain won't be mentioned either, I will focus on Shido and Riho more from this point on]
Back At Shido's Palace...
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 (fluffy skirt) 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" said Riho. 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 your settled" said Guni. "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, 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" he said. "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" he said. "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" he said.
"Lord Shido you talk as a poet would" said Riho. Shido leaned towards her. "A poet needs an inspiration, a muse My Lady" he said. "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 a 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" she said. "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?" asked Riho. Shido smiled at her "No I suppose not" he said. "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 paint brush, ever since she came in to the picture. He never thought he would find someone like her.
"Shall we move on to the gondola?" asked Shido. 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?" asked Riho. 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.
TBC
***************************************************< br> AN: Wow done with chapter 2! I know cliffhanger don't worry I'm working chapter 3 already! Now tell me what you think. It depends on you people. REVIEW!!! And tell me what you think. Sorry about the grammar and spelling. Thanks ^_^