His Servant[Book 1]

Deep down

A/N: I am not going to keep saying sorry for late updates. Just assume I'm sorry for eternity for all the late updates on all my books. Ok?XD

Two days later, Kira felt she was in a good enough condition to present herself to the court again. It was a part of her duties to be there at all times only exception being the time she was on battlefield. She quickly readied herself, greeted her family and set out towards the royal castle on her horse.

This was her favorite part of her daily routine because she greatly enjoyed the scenic beauty she encountered along the way. There were trees on both side of the narrow dirt road that had formed by the trampling of countless two and four legged creatures over time. These trees seemed no less than a gift of God for the travelers as they passed through on a hot summer afternoon. However, this comfort was not provided all the way and after a while, Kira reached a group of fields. She noticed that the farmers had already started working. She smiled and waved at some of them who knew her and saw her pass through that way every day. 

After about ten minutes, she finally reached the castle. She had always admired the beauty of its high, stone battlements, beautiful, stained glass windows with colors she didn't know was possible to color a glass in, and the overall area it spread in. She sometimes thought what it was like to own a castle like that but didn't dwell on it for long since she thought it was silly for someone like her to think that.

She got off her horse after she entered the castle and quickly made her way to the court. She reached there just in time for the emperor to arrive. Everyone stood up to show respect and regained their places after he took his position on the throne. Kira's place was not very far from the throne. She eagerly looked at Gouenji who seemed to have noticed her too. He seemed happy to see her.

"Are you alright now, Riye?" He inquired.

"Yes I am better now, Your Majesty. You are kind to ask." She replied politely.

Gouenji just smiled faintly in response. The response was technically very polite and appropriate way to answer the emperor but it did not please him at all. He was never fond of artificial courtesies that didn't hold any significance specially when it came to Kira. He wanted her to be true to him but rules were rules and there was nothing he could do about it. Feeling defeated, he sighed and let his focus shift to other things.

The day went by as usual and nothing noteworthy happened. When the court ended, Kira returned to her home the same way. A while later, someone knocked at the door.

"I wonder who is it at this hour." Kira thought and opened the door. She found out that it was a messenger of the emperor and he had brought an invitation. She thanked him and after he was gone, brought the envelope to her room. She opened its seal and took out the letter which was beautifully decorated with golden details of flowers and swirls.

Inside the area surrounded by the design, written in expertly made calligraphy was the message saying that she was invited to attend the Royal Ball which was being held two days from then, in honor of their recent victory in the battlefield. Kira was delighted to receive this news. She thought it would be a nice way to break out of the monotony her life had become.

The next two days were uneventful, nothing out of ordinary happened. Then came the evening of the Royal Ball. Kira dressed herself in a dark purple ball gown with considerable flare and a black bodice with purple long sleeves that were one-fourth puffy and the rest of it was tight. She let her shoulder length hair open tying a little of it with a silver hair clip studded with purple stones and wore black shoes with it which weren't really visible because of the length of the dress. She looked at herself in the mirror one last time to make sure she looked alright before heading out where a carriage was waiting for her.

When she reached the castle, she noticed that it was lighted more than it usually was at that hour. People were constantly arriving in their carriages and some were entering the castle. They all were dressed in elegant robes while the women wore beautiful and expensive-looking gowns. In comparison to those women, Kira was rather simply dressed although she looked beautiful in her own way. 

She followed the way everyone else was going and reached a large hall where the celebration was being held. She was awestruck with how extravagant the decorations were. Even at night, she felt the shining lights reflecting from crystal chandeliers and gold-lined walls could blind her.

She was just adjusting herself to this grand scene present in front of her when some of her subordinates walked up to her to exchange some polite greetings. She was busy having a conversation with them when suddenly everyone turned to look in a specific direction. Kira, along with the people circling her, followed everyone's gaze and found out they were looking at Gouenji who had just entered the hall. 

He was dressed in even fancier clothes than his usual ones and his bejeweled crown glinted elegantly in the bright light. He was welcomed by the most senior viceroy. He was then asked to officially start the celebration by having the first dance. He acknowledged it by a slight smile and a nod and looked around as if searching for someone. He stopped when his eyes fell on Kira who was standing at the other side of the hall. He walked up to her while everyone looked puzzled at his action and extended his hand to her,

"May I have this dance?" he politely asked, smiling.

"M-Me?" Kira stuttered, surprised why of all the girls, some of which were princesses and hence a better choice, he asked her.

"It's all because of you that we won the battle. You are the most special person here today." He answered.

"It is my duty to protect this kingdom..." She then said taking his hand, "...and it is an honor to dance with you."

He took her to the centre of the hall as people gathered around them eagerly anticipating their next move. Musicians started to play their instruments as he held her delicately by her waist while holding her other hand in his. She shyly put her other hand on his shoulder and they began to sway around to the rhythm while everyone looked at them with awe and admiration.

Kira had never danced with someone, let alone the emperor of Inazuma Kingdom which was making her the centre of everyone's attention. All of this was making her blush furiously, giving her cheeks a tint of pink.

"Are you blushing?" Gouenji spoke in a voice just audible enough for Kira, visibly amused at her condition.

"I-it's just..." Kira looked up at him for the first time since they started dancing and found him chuckling a little.

"...n-no I'm not." She denied, looking away.

"Now this is a side of you we don't get to see every day." He said, ignoring her denial. "Reminds me of old times... don't you remember?" He added after a pause.

Kira's eyes immediately darted back at him. She wasn't expecting him to say that. She didn't know what to answer. She looked at him with a shocked and confused face while he looked as if pleading her to remember. Just then the music stopped because the song had ended. They parted and Kira almost ran to hide herself in the crowd leaving a disappointed Gouenji behind her. She avoided him the rest of the evening which wasn't difficult since he was busy with talking to a lot of people. He occasionally tried to find her but every time he was distracted by one of the guests.

Kira left a little early than she had planned. As soon as she reached home, she shut herself in her room. What happened at the ball repeated itself over and over in her head, his words echoing in her ears,

"Don't you remember?"

"Why? Why now? Why now when I had succeeded in changing myself completely? Why doesn't he understand I can't be who I was?" a storm of thoughts went on in Kira's mind. For the first time in years, she felt like she was breaking apart. She fell on her knees, tears rolling down her cheeks.

"I wish you would stop expecting so much from me. You don't know how much it hurts me to leave you disappointed every time." She whispered quietly.    

A/N: Don't forget to vote and comment. :)