Author's blabbering: Woot for me! An update! Actually, it's my Christmas gift for all of you, although I'm pretty sure you want The Testament to be the one updated. Promise. I'll update it. Soon enough. For now, just enjoy this chapter, a little shorter than others and a cliffhanger, but yeah. You know get to meet Darien, the guy who resembles Gilgamesh from FSN. Yeah. And thank you to everyone who reveiwed, although just a handful. Reviews always make my day.

Happy Christmas to all!

Disclaimer: I don't own CCS. They belong to CLAMP.

CHAPTER 8: SCENT OF PLUM BLOSSOMS

Tomoyo swallowed hard and folded her silk-covered hands on her lap after being softly chided by Eriol for moving her fingers too much. He couldn't exactly blame her. She was as nervous as hell. Well, plus that incident earlier on, she was really just holding onto the remnants of her frayed nerves tightly. She didn't know what to expect from this Darien person although she was already given a background of him, courtesy of Eriol and his books. Still, she was pretty sure that books wouldn't be able to give an exact description of the young king.

"Nervous?" the Queen asked with a kind smile from her right side, lightly patting her hands. Eriol, who stood at her left hand, glanced at her warily and Yukito, in his formal robes, smiled at her warmly from his position at the right hand of the King.

She let out an awkward laughter, forcing a pleasant smile that must've looked like a crooked one. "A little," she replied, not wanting to open her mouth again in case something else aside from words came out. Yeah, right, 'little' being the understatement of the century.

"Sit with your back straight and your chin held up and tucked in slightly," Eriol instructed in a quiet voice, his cool gaze trained in front. "Remember that you're Cleira de Ravenlaen, the younger sister of the King of Rubidia."

"I know… I know…"

Tomoyo fought the urge to sigh heavily, sitting straight as Eriol had instructed her. She could feel his hand on the small of her back, supporting and maintaining the alignment of her posture. And although she had been practicing and training for seven straight days, with Eriol and Yukito as her tutors, why the heck did her seat not have a back at the least?

"You don't need to say anything. All you need is to sit down and smile. No, not smile. Just sit down properly."

"Right. I understand. But could I ask for a favor?"

"What is it?"

"Could you at least loosen these bonds? My back's hurting already."

"No. Until you perfect that posture, you will sit there."

"Eh? This is really cruel, Your Highness."

Eriol had been patiently teaching her everything he knew, from the way a princess should walk to the way she should sit and eat dinner. Several times, she had been tied to chair, asked to balance thick tomes on her head and slapped on her legs when her curtsey wasn't graceful enough. And of course, her training wouldn't have been complete without her dance lessons.

"We'll repeat it from the start."

"But I don't remember doing anything wrong!"

"Stop anticipating the steps. That way, you won't perform a step earlier or later than your brother."

"But I really didn't make a mistake."

"That's what you think. Let's start again."

"Eh? But—"

"You have to make sure that your steps are simultaneous. And don't lean heavily on my arms. Imagine that you're stepping on glass shards."

"Okay, fine. I understand."

"I don't think you do but let's move on, shall we?"

"Yes, Your Highness."

How many times had she been carried back to her bedroom by Eriol because she couldn't walk properly anymore without tripping every inch of the way? She was actually right about her first thought. If she got through the entire week without being killed by Eriol's sadism, well, she'd probably just be crippled.

"Stop sighing like you have the burden of the world on your shoulders," Eriol's quiet voice stopped her train of thoughts and she met his dark glare. "The entire court is watching your every movement."

Tomoyo rolled her eyes inwardly, her gaze skimming over the heads of the courtiers and noblemen gathered inside the throne room, awaiting the arrival of the King of Rubidia as well. They sat on straight-backed chairs along the sides of the plush red-and-gold carpet, chatting incessantly like there's no tomorrow.

Watching me? Yeah, right. They're more like puffing themselves up than even paying attention to me.

Just like on Earth, people dress up to show off to others. Women clothed in silk and satin and velvet and lace, even feathers and fur, and draped their necks, wrists and arms with thick chains of gold, silver and platinum encrusted with large gemstones. Men weren't different from them. They too were dressed so lavishly to show off how rich they were. No matter where she went, people were the same.

"You don't have to worry. Just trust in yourself and in me. I did teach you everything I know so you need not worry."

Tomoyo closed her eyes peacefully and nodded. Somehow, deep down inside her, his soft voice comforted and calmed her soul and heart down. It was just like his words a few nights ago when she was about to give up.

Pain shot up her right leg and Tomoyo collapsed on the marble floor, shaking her head. She had just sprained her ankle from too much practice and she still hadn't got the last complicated step. Even though she knew that Yukito could immediately heal her injury, she still couldn't help think that might not make it.

What if she had make a mistake? What is she had made a wrong step? What if Darien had found out about her? That she wasn't his sister? Would he have her imprisoned? Or would he have her killed?

"Stand up. We're not done with practice."

Tomoyo looked up at Eriol and shook her head once more, feeling drained. There was just no way they could fool the King of Rubidia. No way. "I can't… I can't do it… I won't be able to do it."

Eriol scowled at her then knelt in front of her, taking her chin gently. "What are you saying? We've been practicing for days now and—"

"I just can't do it, okay!" she retorted, slapping his hand away. Tears fell down her porcelain cheeks and she started shaking, her arms wrapping around her shoulders. "I—I don't want to be killed, Eriol… I can't be killed… My mother, my family—I can't just die. And in another world—"

"You're not going to die—"

"And what if I did? What if Darien found out about me? What if he found out that I'm not his sister, that I'm just—"

The young prince sighed and pulled the hysterical girl in his arms, resting his chin on top of her head. He could understand why she was acting like that. She was just tired and perhaps he had been too harsh on her for the past few days.

"This kind of thinking would really get you killed, you know. You have to calm down," he told her soothingly, stroking her hair. "You won't die. No one's going to die…"

Tomoyo shut her eyes tight, her hands clenching around Eriol's cape as if holding for her dear life. She wouldn't let go of him. No. She wouldn't. "But what if—"

"I told you, don't worry," Eriol cut her off, pulling her closer until her cries were muffled by his clothes. "If Darien finds out, I'll tell him that I made you act like Cleira. I'll take all the blame. So please, stop crying.

"Don't worry. I'll protect you. I won't let any harm come upon you. I promise that, on my word as a prince."

Tomoyo blushed as she remembered Eriol not letting her go until she had fallen silent. She didn't know what had happened after that but she found herself the next day in her bed, dressed in a nightgown, with a single blue rose and a letter of apology on her bedside table. Sakura then had told her that the Prince had carried her that evening to her room and didn't leave until it was nearly dawn.

He had watched over her that evening, as if expecting her to have nightmares about it, and she appreciated that. It was one of those rare instances where she could see another side of Eriol. His human side.

But she wondered again why he was doing all those things for her. Perhaps she was right. He might still be seeing Cleira in her. Which was not exactly what she wanted to happen—

"He's here," Eriol suddenly whispered to her, standing even straighter if it was possible, clasping his hands behind his back. "Keep in mind what I had taught you."

Tomoyo looked at him, startled out of her thoughts and puzzled, but believed him anyways. After all, the other noblemen, even the King and Queen seemed to have realized it as well as they all had fallen silent, a formal aura settling inside the chamber. The air was so thick with tension that anyone could've sliced it with a knife. Then, the large double doors slowly opened outward.

"When the door opens, sit straight and keep your face blank and your eyes focused on the doorway. You need not stand. You're a princess, always remember that."

Tomoyo closed her eyes for a moment, waiting patiently. Eriol had told her that, before the King, his entourage would enter first in a procession: the imperial militia, the courtiers, the royal advisers, the other important members of the royal family, the Queen (if there was one) and then the King himself. It would probably take a few minutes before the entire Rubidian court had finally entered and settled inside the throne room.

"Princess—"

Tomoyo quickly opened her eyes and blinked confusedly, looking up at Eriol. She noticed that his jaw was clenched and his face pale and expressionless while looking straight in front of him. Not knowing what was happening, she then followed the direction of his gaze and nearly faltered.

A young handsome man, barely older than Eriol, was standing in front of the raised dais, dressed in a stately attire befitting a king, from his blood red cape to his silver breastplate with a lion crest down to his polished black shoes. With his chin held high, back straight, face impassive and hands clasped behind him, his stance commanded respect and reverence and held an aura of authority, as if everyone should fall silent at the sight of him. Just like Eriol. Everything about him clearly spoke 'King'.

But what truly caught Tomoyo's breath were his silvery-blue eyes, partly hidden behind his long dark bangs. They almost seemed like a pair of frozen mercury: cold, harsh and unforgiving. The eyes of a King who had ruled with an iron fist for 15 years. Was that the reason why Eriol seemed to have been rooted to his spot? Because King Darien's cold eyes were trained on the young prince so intently?

"No matter what happens, do not go near him unless I am with you."

The young King bowed in front of them, his hand on his chest. "You must forgive me for arriving so sudden and on such short notice, Your Majesties." Even his voice was cold and laced with perfectly-concealed venom. A cold shiver ran down Tomoyo's spine. "The moment I had heard that Cleira had returned, I wished to see her at once."

Queen Eirene smiled at the young man warmly, waving her hand dismissively. "Of course not, Darien. Cleira is your sister, after all. We understand perfectly well."

"In that case…" Darien straightened to his full height and turned to Tomoyo, his hand held out to her. "Aren't you going to give your big brother a hug, Cleira? It's been a while, hasn't it?"

"…Do not go near him unless I am with you…"

Tomoyo glanced apprehensively at Eriol, waiting for a sign from the young prince. She couldn't just stay there forever, staring back at her supposed brother, ignoring his proffered hand. It'd look pretty suspicious if that happened. She obviously didn't expect a situation like that. After all, Eriol had told her that Darien was pretty much an ice cube when it came to his little sister. What the hell was she supposed to do now?

Then, to her horror, Eriol nodded faintly, his gaze trained on the tapestry on the opposite wall of the room.

What happened to his 'don't go near him unless I'm with you' plan?

He must've run out of ideas already and she cursed him mentally for that. For the first time, Eriol had let her down! And of all the times he could've let her down, it just had to be when her 'brother' had come.

The entire court was silent as well and Tomoyo swore that she might've heard a pin if it fell on the marble floor. They were all waiting for what would happen next. It was as if they were not expecting something like this to happen. At least, not in that lifetime.

She pushed herself to her feet, her arms feeling weak and shaky, and slowly walked towards Darien, her lavender muslin gown rustling quietly. Although her face looked serene and calm, she was slowly crumbling inside with every step she took. Her mind was telling her so many things at the same time that it was a miracle she could still function well.

"He's capable of anything, even putting you to death, so always be careful."

Tomoyo stopped for a moment as those words echoed inside her mind, her hand frozen with the action of reaching out to him. Why did she think of those words suddenly? Was it a warning?

Capable… of putting me to death?

She quickly withdrew her hand as if she just touched something hot, holding it against her chest. She bit her lower lip, averting her gaze from the outstretched hand of the King to the marble floor. What was she going to do now? If she hesitated now, they would surely be suspicious. But what if Darien found out as soon as she placed her hand in his?

"Is there something wrong, Cleira?" Darien's cool and calm voice startled her and Tomoyo glanced at him, a worried expression on her face. He wore a smirk. "Perhaps you don't recognize me anymore?"

"No," she murmured quietly, shaking her head. "It's not that—"

"Perhaps, Cleira is quite nervous to meet you, Darien."

Tomoyo looked up at the voice of the Queen and mentally thanked her for that. She glanced once more at Darien who seemed puzzled at the words then at Eriol who still maintained an impassive expression.

"There's no reason for her to be nervous," Darien's voice cut off her chain of thoughts and once more, she moved her gaze to him. "After all, I won't hurt her. So come now, little Cleira. You need not be afraid of me."

Tomoyo nodded at him and stretched out her hand once more. This time, she told herself, there would be no more hesitations or it might result to her losing her neck.

She placed her shaking hand in Darien's surprisingly warm hand and curtseyed gracefully. Tomoyo mentally noted to thank Sakura for teaching her a technique in doing so. But even before the young woman could open her mouth to say something, Darien suddenly jerked her hand, pulling her into a hug.

For a snowman, he sure is warm—Wait a minute!

Tomoyo looked over to Eriol for help, feeling panicked. He sure forgot to mention that Darien was fond of brother-sister hugs! But to her disbelief, Eriol looked stunned at the action, just as the entire assembly of aristocrats and courtiers. Does that mean…?

"You smell like plum blossoms, Cleira."

Tomoyo looked up wordlessly at Darien's face and met his smiling pale blue eyes. What did he mean by that statement? "I…"

Darien brushed her bangs away from her eyes, his fingers lightly touching her pink-stained cheeks. "It's almost as if…" His voice was soft, warm and gentle that it took her a full minute before she had realized what he had said next.

"As if you're not my little Cleira at all."