Hey everyone! This is my 2nd maid sama fanfic and I decided to give some variety. I decided not to follow up on where the anime/ manga left off but decided to use to characters and transport them back to the old British era. Hope you like it even though it sounds a little old fashioned. R&R

Cheers xoxo

Chapter 1: Heirless

Everyone was dressed in black and gloomy shades of gray. Even the sky seemed to be aware of the funeral and sent misty fog and rain clouds. Earl Ayuzawa had passed away from a life long illness leaving the widowed Countess and two daughters to provide for themselves.

Countess Ayuzawa Minako dabbed her eyes with a handkerchief as the guards lowered the casket into the ground. Her heart felt shattered and her eyes felt weary.

"Goodbye, my Lord," she sobbed. "May you rest in peace now with no illness," Her elegant hands threw white rose petals over the grave. Everyone around bowed their head in respect for the Earl.

The daughters, Lady Suzana and Lady Misaki, stood on either side of their mother. Both were grieving yet afraid to show it. Their fragile mother needed someone strong around her.

Countess Ayuzawa dropped to her knees not caring that her black silk gown was being ruined. She wiped her tears and bowed her head.

"Give me wisdom," she prayed. "That I may raise our daughters well and that our land will prosper under my care…"

After praying, she took a deep breath and composed herself. She was heartbroken that her husband had died but rejoicing that he would never feel the pain of the illness again. She knew this day was going to come eventually and the two had already had plenty of time to say their goodbyes.

She went to get up and Suzana and Misaki were at her side in an instance. They helped the shaking Countess up and offered soothing words.

"Don't worry, Mother," Misaki said. "I will take care of us," she promised. Her amber eyes glowed with determination and she squeezed her Mother's shoulder.

Her mother sighed and patted Misaki's cheek. "I will be fine, child," she promised. "Your father is better now and I can only be happy for him."

Misaki nodded hoping her Mother truly felt that way. The sweet Countess seemed to be at peace except Misaki wasn't. She had no brother and the Ayuzawa linage had no male heir. Her father had raised her like a boy though. She could ride horses, fight, read and write and understand politics like any male could but it wasn't enough. She couldn't take over the household because she wasn't a male.

The funeral ended and the church bells rang in the dreary weather. Everyone came and comforted the grieving family. Misaki pulled her cloak tighter around herself and wandered away from the crowds of people.

"Misaki!" a voice called. Misaki turned.

"Hinata!" she exclaimed running into the boy's arms. Hinata hugged her close and rubbed her back. Misaki finally felt safe to cry. Hinata and her had grew up together and he was Misaki's best friend. She felt safe and warm when he was around.

"It's going to be okay" he promised. "I'll take care of you"

"Oh Hinata" Misaki cried. "What are we going to do…?"

Hinata just shook his head and sighed. "Everything will work out," he said, hoping that his words were true.

"Lady Ayuzawa, Lord Shintani," a footman said kneeling. "The Countess wishes to depart and summons Lady Ayuzawa"

"Thank you, Jiro" Misaki said gently. Hinata nodded and held out his arm for Misaki. Misaki took his arm and allowed herself to be walked back to the carriage. She ducked her head as she got in.

"May God be with you," Hinata said, solemnly as he helped Misaki into the carriage.

"Thank you, Lord Shintani," Minako said.

Misaki waved to her friend from the window as the carriage began leaving. The ride was in silence except the murmuring of Minako's prayers.

Despite the cold weather, Misaki felt the carriage was stuffy. She wasn't sure if her headache was real or if it was just the heartache for her father. She let out a breath of relief when the carriage stopped. She quickly got out but was careful not to trip over her gown.

"Girls…" Minako said with a sigh. "I thank you for your support and comfort but I would like to be alone in my study," she announced. Misaki and Suzana respectfully dipped a curtsey to see their mother off.

"I'll be in the library," Suzana said, picking up her skirts and running off. Misaki watched her sister's black dress flow behind her as she disappeared. She, herself, sighed and strolled back to the main hall. She pushed open the large adorned door and stepped inside. Her shoes sent echoes as she walked on the smooth marble floor.

"Misaki!" her ladies in waiting called to her. They rushed to her side. Sakura pulled out a chair for Misaki while Shizuko poured her a glass of water. Both of them wore simple black dresses with silver crosses around their necks.

"Thanks," Misaki said and gulped down the water.

"Did you see Lord Hinata?" Sakura asked.

"Sakura!" Shizuko chided. "Can't you see Misaki is still upset? Stop with your dreaming!"

"I didn't mean it like that!" Sakura exclaimed defensively. "I meant if Lord Hinata was there to comfort Misaki," she explained. "Other than us, Misaki likes Lord Hinata the most."

Misaki gave a small smile and she undid her veil and took off her gloves. "Yes he was there" she told them. "He was most comforting…" she said with a smile to herself. Hinata's promise of looking out for her family made her feel stable.

"Perhaps you will finally be wed," Sakura said clapping her hands together.

"After the mourning, of course," Shizuko cut in. She placed her hands on Misaki's shoulders and helped undo the complicated hairstyle on Misaki's head.

Misaki blushed. "Father did mention it while he was still here," she admitted. "He said Hinata had great character."

"See!" Sakura said. "I knew it. You and Lord Hinata would make a perfect match."

Even Shizuko had to nod in agreement. "You've also known him for years."

"Of course. We are childhood friends," she reminded them.

After the small chat the girls returned to Misaki's room where Misaki changed into a plain dark blue dress which was several pounds lighter than her formal funeral gown. Shizuko hung up the dress and smoothed it out.

"To take your mind off things," Sakura began after they had lunch. "Let's go ride our horses," she suggested. The girls quickly changed into their ride outfits and rushed to the stable. The stable hands helped Sakura and Shizuko saddle their horses but Misaki knew how to do it on her own.

Misaki stroked her horse's nose. "Good Arrow," she said, feeding him an apple. The horse swung his silver mane and whinnied softly. Misaki rubbed the gray stallion. His coat felt like velvet. She swung one leg over and settled herself on the saddle.

"Let's go!" Misaki yelled.

Shizuko and Sakura followed as they trotted out of the stable. As soon as they were in the open field, Misaki urged Arrow into a run. Her long black hair whipped around as the three of them raced through the open land.

Minako watched her energetic daughter from the window. Misaki looked so full of life and so young.

"Countess" someone said. Minako tore her eyes away from the window. The Earl's advisors were in the study. They bowed and Minako offered them seats.

One advisor cleared his throat. "I understand my lady is still mourning," he said gently. "But I only bring such news because I care for the Earl and his family."

"Proceed," Minako said.

"The Earl has left without an heir," he said bluntly.

"Yes…" Minako said slowly. "I am aware of that."

"Unless you want your land taken away by the King…you must have an heir."

"What are you trying to say?" Minako asked. "I am unable to bear more children"

The advisor nodded. "I understand that, my lady," he said. "But you do have two daughters. Our suggestion is to wed your oldest daughter."

Minako nodded. "The Earl has spoken of Misaki's marriage" she agreed. "He considered Lord Hinata Shintani as a good match."

"The neighboring Lord?"

"Yes,"

There was a silence in the room. Another advisor cleared his throat. "We all know that the law claims that the male leader of the family has the title to the land, am I correct?"

"Yes," Minako said, a little confused. "But what-"

"Let me finish, my Lady…even if Lady Misaki wed Lord Hinata, the King could still take the land. You need someone with more power. Being a noble isn't enough."

"Really?" Minako asked, skeptical. "But the law…"

"There are always loops."

"What is your suggestion then?" Minako asked.

"Have you heard about Duke Usui searching for a bride?"

Minako covered her mouth. "But my daughter doesn't even know him."

"My lady," the advisor said shaking his head. "It's a sacrifice you will have to make for the people. Duke Usui is wealthy and powerful. He will ensure the protection of your land as well as the protection of its people."

Minako frowned. The idea of having her daughter marry a stranger did not appeal to her. Minako was also aware that Misaki hoped to marry Hinata though she never said anything.

"There must be some other way," Minako said.

The advisors shook their head. "This is our best solution. My Lady, may I be so bold to say that your daughter will not lead a bad life for she would be the duchess."

"I understand that," Minako said. "But I know my daughter and the wealth and comfort is not what she seeks."

"This is the noble class. One can have endless material luxury but luxury of marrying for love is rarely one of them," the advisor said sympathetically.

"I understand," Minako said. "I will think about it and consult the Earl's brother."

"Thank you, my lady," the advisors said in unison and departed.

Minako watched her eldest daughter race back on the fields. Misaki's heart was still young and wild despite the fact that she was sixteen. The Earl had spoiled her too much and wasn't strict with any of his daughters though Suzana turned out to be gentle and quiet. Misaki preferred to fight and ride horses while Suzana was a lover of books and could sew beautiful tapestries. It was a shame Suzana was far too young for marriage because Minako could see her as a duchess.

"What am I to do…?" Minako said, shaking her head. "I should have known this heirless generation would bring trouble…"