A/N:: So here I am again. Bit of a hiatus, but work and school have been taking up a good deal of my time. I am well on my way through the next chapter of my ItaSasu story as well. I've been trying to seize my inspiration while its there. Anyway, enjoy the latest chapter, it's a new storyline, and hopefully it will be enjoyable.
Disclaimer:: I do not own the rights to the Cain Saga/Godchild series. Those rights belong solely to Kaori Yuki. All original characters, places, ideas, etc. belong to her. In writing this I take absolutely no claims to ownership.
Chapter Eight: Requiem Part I
"But…but why? Why are you doing this?" A finely clothed man choked out. Blood dribbled from his mouth as he crawled along the ground.
A feminine voice chuckled as a shadowed woman in a fine dress stood over the man, clutching a bloody knife. "You really should not have gotten in our way." The woman took the heel of her shoe and dug it into the wound on the man's back, twisting her foot. The man yelped in pain, causing the woman to chuckle harder.
The woman kneeled over, right next to the man's ear and whispered, "The truth is I merely joined Delilah so I could punish you all." The man sneered and the woman stood up.
"I know the truth of you, if I die then they will let the whole world know the truth," the man laughed. He gasped as a knife struck him cleanly in the neck. The woman held a dark look on her face, which curled into a fiendish grin as she stood up, covered in blood with the knife.
"We will see about that Arnold, we will see."
"Brother, would you quit dawdling already, Uncle Neil is here, he has something important to tell you," Mary knocked on the door as she yelled at her brother. Cain quickly jumped back, having previously been in a rather compromising situation with his manservant turned lover. Riff hurriedly dressed himself and then assisted Cain in getting dressed. Getting no response, Mary walked in right as Cain was pulling on his jacket.
Mary scoffed, "the least you could do is get dressed brother, sometimes I honestly wonder what you would do if Riff finally couldn't take any more of your antics."
"That would never happen Miss Mary," Riff smiled in reply.
Mary groaned, "Don't encourage him; I am attempting to teach brother some much needed sense of responsibility."
"Mary, there's no need for young girls to worry about the affairs of adults, besides, don't you have lessons?" Cain smirked.
Mary growled, "don't think you've won brother, I will teach you some regard for things yet!" She stormed off.
"Miss Mary Weather is as lively as ever," Riff smirked.
"Come, let's continue since she's left," Cain snaked one arm around Riff's neck and another around his waist.
"Master Neil is waiting for you milord," Riff replied.
Cain pulled away, "duty as always I see, I'll just have to punish you for this later," Cain smiled.
"And I am sure that I will come to regret my sense of duty," Riff sighed as the two men walked out of the room. They went into the tea room where Cain's uncle Neil was already seated and sipping some tea that another servant had brought for him in their absence. Next to him sat an attractive young woman with honey colored hair carefully curled. She wore a dress of the latest fashion and smiled at Cain upon his entrance.
"It is always a pleasure to see you decide to make an appearance," Neil spoke as they entered the room.
"Terribly sorry Uncle, had you called I would have certainly ensured that I was free," Cain replied fixing his cufflink.
"May I introduce the Countess to be Lady Charlotte Dales," Neil stood and Charlotte followed suit.
Cain kissed the young woman's hand, "it is a pleasure to meet such a beautiful young woman."
"It is good to see that she is agreeable, her parents have asked that the two of you be married and I have graciously accepted," Neil replied.
"And what spurred this marriage? Politics? Money?" Cain asked.
"Noble blood must be preserved, and after the misfortune with your first fiancée and with your building negative reputation I could not refuse a chance to restore honor to the Hargreaves name and yourself as well." Neil replied.
"So I must merely play along as the puppet, I would figure no less," Cain replied. "I have no choice in the matter I am sure."
"I am afraid you do not Cain, the marriage has already been arranged," Neil replied.
"As I expected, I am sorry that you were dragged into this Lady Dales," Cain replied.
"I do not mind," she replied, looking rather taken aback by his words.
"I must retire now, it has truly been a pleasure meeting my bride to be, however the life of an Earl is ever busy," Cain turned to walk out.
"You will not even entertain your future bride? Have you no decency Cain?" Neil called after him.
"Please excuse milord, you know his eccentricities," Riff bowed following Cain out.
"I sincerely apologize for Cain's rudeness Charlotte, perhaps this was not the best idea," Neil replied, grabbing his coat.
"No, Cain will come to love me, I'm sure of it; I take no offense to his actions. However that servant, I do not like him. He's too close to the Earl," Charlotte replied, fanning herself slightly.
"You cannot hope to separate the two of them, any attempt would surely lead to Cain's eternal hatred I can guarantee it," Neil earnestly replied.
"There must be something to be done," Charlotte frowned.
"Come Charlotte, I'll take you home. Perhaps Cain will be in a more agreeable mood another day," Neil replied, leading her out.
"I cannot believe that that man would go as far as to arrange another marriage, I thought that he had finally become like a father and he has betrayed me," Cain angrily spat once he was back in his bedroom.
"Master Cain, I am sure he merely has the best interests at heart," Riff replied, attempting to pacify the angered noble.
"And you, how can you of all people care so little? Do you think that we may continue to be lovers if I must amuse the ever daft Charlotte Dales? I have met her at parties previous and she is the biggest bore that I have ever had the displeasure of encountering. They are no doubt whoring her out because they no longer have a male heir to their title since Lord Charles passed as a boy."
"Milord, as much as I care for you merely being by your side and being able to serve you is enough for me if it means that you will have the proper life you deserve," Riff replied. "I can offer you nothing. But she can offer you a chance at normalcy. If you will only allow me to stay by your side until you tire of me I will be content."
"Leave me, I have no interest in talking to you when you play the role of the obedient servant," Cain spat.
"But milord," Riff started to walk over to the Earl.
"I said go Riff," Cain raised his voice.
"As you wish milord," Riff bowed and left. Riff sighed as he closed the door behind him. Cain was so rash, never realizing that he couldn't always do as he pleased in a society where rules were required. When Neil had first mentioned the engagement Riff had felt his stomach turning as he fought the urge to cry out in protest. A servant is not to go against societal rules however.
Riff walked down the hall and went into his room. He sank into his bed. He sighed. "Master Cain, when will you realize that I exist solely for you, that I would give my life for you. That I would rather stand to the side and be beside you while you were with another woman than lose you forever."
"Cain, you certainly are the charmer," Charlotte laughed as the two of them walked arm in arm around the gardens.
Cain sighed, looking away, but then saw Riff. "Well milady, I must admit I was a bit sour about the proceedings yesterday, but I must say now that we have been acquainted I am completely enamored with you." Riff continued to watch them as he prepared for their afternoon tea, although his face didn't change with any advance Cain made.
Cain sat down and stared at Riff as he poured their tea.
"I hope the tea is to your liking," Riff smiled.
"Yes, yes, fine as always," Cain replied.
"I'm rather partial to my own servant's tea," Charlotte curtly replied after taking a sip. "You simply must try his tea sometime Cain."
"Sorry, but I only drink the tea that Riff makes," Cain took another sip of his tea. The smile fell from Charlotte's face.
"I'm sure that you would feel differently if you tried William's tea," Charlotte sighed.
"I do apologize if I offended you," Cain replied, taking another sip of his tea. "There are just few that I trust as much as Riff."
"I can tell," Charlotte began to fan herself.
"There is no need to pout Lady Dales, after all, we are to be married, not Riff and me. That is surely a laughable idea," Cain pecked her on the cheek and gazed at Riff.
"Excuse me, milord, I believe that there are some things that I must attend to with the house," Riff bowed and left. Cain frowned.
"I must depart for a minute myself Cain. I have some feminine things to take care of and I will be back," Charlotte smiled as she stood up.
"Alright then, I might return to the house as well. I will head to the day room when you finish, simply ask someone if you're unsure of where you're going," Cain stood up and walked beside her into the house.
"The powder room is down that way," Cain pointed and Charlotte headed down the hall. Cain sighed, leaning against the wall. "Damn it uncle, wasn't one attempt enough?" Cain rubbed his forehead as he walked down the hallway.
"What in the?" Cain cried as someone grabbed him and pressed him against the hallway wall. He felt a familiar hand cover his mouth, cutting him off. Cain looked into the familiar blue grey eyes that he had gazed into so many times before.
"Please Master Cain, you cannot shout or she'll surely hear and find us," Riff pleaded, dropping his hand from Cain's mouth. Cain looked away.
"What do you want, Riff?" he practically spat the man's name out. "Sure you aren't too busy with your domestic duties? Wouldn't you hate to be caught with me?"
"Master Cain," Riff whispered, a truly hurt look crossing his face.
"I have no time for games Riff; I must retire to the day ro-." Cain stopped as Riff cupped his chin and forced him to look at him. Riff bent over and began kissing the young noble on the lips, which Cain initially resisted but then he relaxed and began to reciprocate. He sucked on Riff's tongue and they continued to kiss. Cain began to work on the buttons of his servant's dress shirt, but Riff grabbed his hand and pulled back with a rather sad look on his face.
"We can't now milord."
"I told you, it's Cain in private," Cain attempted to free his arm.
"Cain," Riff whispered, "will you please stop taunting me already? It takes all my composure to tolerate it, but when you start pushing things, when you kissed her-." Riff trailed off.
"So you have decided to give yourself to me then?" Cain asked.
"As long as you will have me, I truly hate to risk ruining your reputation, but it seems I can tolerate it more than seeing that woman throwing herself at you," Riff smiled.
"Let me be the one to worry about my reputation."
"So I see Alexis sent you, I didn't figure he would come himself," Charlotte smirked. "However, I never figured he would send his precious little lap dog either, Moon." The two stood at a far off corner of the manor, almost completely blocked from view by thick shrubbery. Moon had donned her gypsy clothing again as a camouflage of sorts on the off chance they were caught.
"Don't converse with me so casually, whore," the gypsy woman spat. "the Cardmaster demands to know what you are intending in so boldly getting engaged to his son."
"If we aren't being friendly then please refrain from calling me whore, only my closest friends may call me that. Just because my other half isn't here, don't presume that you are unable to refer to me as 'The Lover,'" Charlotte smirked.
"Answer the question whore; I have no time for games. I doubt the Cardmaster will miss you if you were to die."
Charlotte frowned, "you wouldn't dare."
"Answer the question," Moon snarled, digging her dagger into Charlotte's neck.
"Alright then," Charlotte gasped. Moon removed the dagger, but continued to hold it at the ready. Blood trickled down Charlotte's neck causing her to sigh in frustration. "Tell the Cardmaster I am merely securing his son for him while having a little fun. Once he is mine Cardmaster can use him for that experiment of his."
"I will let him know, but move no further until the Cardmaster has passed his ruling," Moon replied, preparing to leave.
"One more thing Moon," Charlotte called after her, "I believe it is time that the Cardmaster got rid of his son's favorite pet."
"I will tell him your suggestion," Moon replied and dashed away.
"That stupid inbred slut, this was my best dress," Charlotte sighed, pulling a choker out of her clutch and putting it on to hide the cut. She sighed and began walking back to the Hargreaves manor.
"Cain, we really can't do anything now Lady Charlotte could be here at any minute and I will not actively work to destroy your reputation," Riff attempted to pull away while Cain worked on the buttons on his shirt.
Cain snaked his arm around Riff's neck and looked into his eyes, "perhaps I should let her find us and end this farce of engagement?" Cain raised an eyebrow.
"Cain, are you down here?" Charlotte called down the hallway and the two of them heard the sound of heels tapping against the wood floor.
"Shit, of course now is when she would finish," Cain cursed, pulling away from Riff. "Sorry, we will definitely resume things later." Cain walked off into the day room and moments later Charlotte appeared.
"You there, servant!" Riff turned and sighed, but masked his exacerbation with a smile.
"Yes Lady Dales?" Riff asked.
"Is that the dayroom down the hall? Is my fiancé in there?" she huffed, out of breath.
"Yes, the dayroom is down there, the master has been waiting for you," Riff smiled.
Charlotte scowled, "yes well, a lady must attend to her needs. I would suggest you think very hard as to whether or not you would like to continue serving here. You came from a decently well off family, you could probably marry someone of relative wealth and rise from your proletariat life. Push me and I'll ensure that's exactly what happens."
"I apologize if I did anything to offend. It was never my intention," Riff replied.
Charlotte scoffed and walked down the hall into the day room where Cain was waiting. Riff sighed. Charlotte was not there by chance. She had an agenda and he had to discover it before irreparable damage occurred.
Charlotte walked into the parlor looking slightly irritated, "I don't like that servant of yours in the least. Let me bring in my own steward, he has formal training. He'll far surpass that man you've employed."
"I would rather our engagement end than have someone other than Riff attend to me," Cain replied. He spoke in his normal calm way, but it was clear that the subject was to be broached no further.
Charlotte scowled, "Cain, you were so sweet to me before. Why are you acting so cold?"
Cain ignored her and glanced at her dress. "What happened? You didn't hurt Riff did you?"
Charlotte pouted, "My dress is ruined and your only concern is your stupid servant? I'll have you know this is my blood, I appreciate your concern for your fiancée though."
"Whatever you do is none of my concern, just leave me out of your affairs," Cain sighed; he had now completely lost interest in speaking with Charlotte further.
"You're insufferable!" Charlotte cried and left the parlor, slamming the door behind her.
Cain smirked as she left. He hoped that he had been offensive enough today that she would never return. With these thoughts in mind, Cain prepared to summon Riff for a bit of fun.