And I hope that the bloody Microsoft Word works!
Disclaimer: Pokemon belongs to Nintendo and Shogakukan Comics. This non-profit, non-copyright infringing fanfiction belongs to me under international copyright laws and taking it is plagiarism. Thank you. *Phantomness bows*
May contain a bit of Red and May, but only a bit! And a bit of Red and Lorelei too! So Advanceshipping and Primerashipping!
Chapter 19
“You do know that this… woman, Milady, is one of the Cardinal’s agents.” Lance pointed out. “One of his primary agents, for that matter.”
“Yes? But now, I will have a way to reach Whitney.”
Lance shook his head. The boy could be such a fool at times. Red blinked.
“Enjoy dinner. I hope the price you are paying is not too steep.”
Milady had been sweet and charming to Red, and invited him over for dinner several times in succession. And Red, being the fool he was, was falling for her. Well, it was to be expected after all. She was a rich young widow, and well versed in court politics, and yet…
And yet… why shouldn’t Red have fun?
Lance lit a candle, threw in a pinch of dark red powder, and climbed into bed. At the very least, he could worry about it later. He would get nothing down if he were half-asleep. The incense worked its charm almost instantly, sending him into dreamless sleep.
Red felt himself melt under Milady’s smile. And yet, and yet… she had mentioned that Count Gold was one of her close friends!
If she ever found out about what he had done to Count Gold…!
She would hate him for it, and all her friendship would vanish.
He sighed as he exited the sumptuous house. Perhaps Lance could help…
“No.” Lance said firmly. “Your troubles with women are your own. I can offer you no advice.”
Red sighed. It had been worth a try at least… he would have to come up with another plan for now.
Perhaps he could enlist the aid of the pretty maid? What was her name again? Oh yes, May… and she did have a crush on him. He could use that to his advantage.
And so the next day, after Milady bade him farewell, May beckoned him up to her room and he did not resist. He felt bad for her, but she got some pleasure out of it too, and now he had a window into Milady’s life.
Not two days passed before May showed him a letter that was meant to go to Count Gold. It hinted at a romantic rendezvous, and Red could hardly contain his glee. That very night, he entered Milady’s chambers, and she received him well with kind words, asked about his injuries and spoke tenderly to him, and pressed upon him a beautiful sapphire ring.
“You are treading on dangerous ground.” Lance said, when Red proudly showed him the ring. “Of course I’ll keep it for you-.” His voice trailed off as he studied it.
“What’s wrong?” Red asked.
“It’s very odd… I believe I have seen this ring before.”
“Really?” Red edged closer, surprised.
“Yes.” Lance pressed his fingers against the gem, and almost dropped it in surprise when it began to glow blue.
“It-it can’t be… how could Milady have gotten this?”
“What is that?”
Lance looked haunted. “It’s one of my family’s ancestral relics…”
“And how did you lose it? Did you… sell it?”
Lance sighed. “It was stolen years ago.”
“Stolen?”
Lance’s lips quirked up in a wry smile. “I suppose that that term would be too broad. I made a foolish choice.”
“Well, if it’s your ring, I suppose I should give it to you. What does it mean?”
“The glow? Only those of my family’s bloodline or those that we loved can hold it. Otherwise, it kills the wearer.”
Red’s eyes widened.
“Do not worry. You didn’t wear it, did you?”
“No.” Red shivered. “Then your family has practiced… magic for a long time?”
“Yes, Red. We have danced the streams of time for eons.”
“Wow…”
Lance cast his mind back. It couldn’t be possible, but no… he banished the stray thoughts and turned back to Red.
“Would you like me to keep the ring for you, Red?”
“Yes, please.” He gulped.
“As you will.” Lance opened a small rosewood box on his desk and placed the ring within, before locking the box once more.
“I need not give you advice about Milady. I have none to give, save this. Break off this dangerous affair at once!”
“I understand.” Red whispered, though his mind was in turmoil. He felt like a blind man lost in the caves of darkness…
That night, Milady called for him. He had no idea why, but she explained to him, as they began up the winding stairs to her bedroom, how Count Gold had denied any acquaintance from her, and indeed, had been in a terrible temper and had struck her – and here she indicated a bruise spreading over her lovely face. Surely a young man like Red, an honorable musketeer, would be willing to fight for her honor?
Red agreed, and Milady was all smiles and gentleness to him. However, this revelation had given Red the insight he needed. He could not trust Milady. One night she praised a man, the next she sought his death. It was a dangerous game and he knew next to nothing of court politics.
Still, he knew enough not to resist a beautiful woman…
Milady was half-asleep when Red noticed that there was something… on her left shoulder… his eyes widened as he recognized that it was a letter ‘R’, bloody red. What in the world…!
He slid off the bed and into his clothing as fast as he could, belting his sword on as he crawled out of the room. May met him and ushered him downstairs so that the doorkeeper could let him out, and he fled quickly.
It couldn’t be! A branded ‘R’ meant that… it meant…
He had to go find Lance quickly!
End Chapter
Finally completed 5/30/06
This has been on hiatus for a while…