Fate (I)

I noticed that I fell asleep. I stood up and straighten my dress. Anyway, as I said earlier, no one was around and I'm all alone, I won't feel embarrassed.

As I shake my clothes to clear the dust off it, I suddenly noticed a sword leaning beside the mahogany cabinet near the living room.

We don't have a sword. I don't remember mom nor Hajime have one.

When and where did it came from?

I walked towards it and examined it with my eyes first. My fingers are on my chin as I crouched and looked at it.

The cover or the sheath was silver with a few pints of gold, I don't understand the engravings etched on it.

Because of my curiosity, I held it and released it from its sheath.

Unlike other sword, its blade was bluish and silver, the handle was wood in color and the cover was glass. It was not as heavy as it look.

I lifted it up and swayed it... Imagining I was a samurai fighting some bad guys.

I chuckled.

Well, before we cut anything in half, I return it to its sheath when, I heard a voice:

"Empress, we need you. Save us, please."

It echoed, suddenly a blinding white light followed...

I shut my eyes, the light's too overwhelming.

As my eyes adjusted to the light, I heard someone.

"Hello there."

I rubbed my eyes and pinched myself, this isn't a dream. I was in a different place or should I say era.

Shocked, I turned to the owner of the mild male voice.

He is very handsome, wearing this loose white robe. He was sitting, I was in the middle of daydreaming when he spoke, "Are you lost my lady? It seems you're an outsider."

I was in awe, he was too handsome.

I blushed as I stare at him.

What am I going to say?

Come on, think!

"I am not a villager or a neighbor in here, in fact I don't know where I am."

Silence covered up. He stared at me. He chuckled.

"It seems that you are from another world, is it?"

"Y-Yes", though confused I continued conversing with him.

"By the way, I haven't introduced myself to you..." he said smiling.

"I am Hikaru"

My mind is a bit flirty yet, I managed to be modest as I answer him.

"I am Catherine."

"Nice meeting you , my lady" something’s off him.

I think I am melting , help me!

He was about to bow down when a servant or a geisha looking woman arrived and alarmed him. She was panting and droplets of sweat formed on her forehead.

"Your highness, your brother has arrived and was making trouble at the gates"

Highness? So he was a king... or an emperor.

"My lady..." he started.

"Please allow Meimei to assist you and I hope you to be quiet for a moment.”

I just nodded and followed Meimei, the geisha looking servant.

“We’ll hide in our place nearby.” she said as she gently held me and guided me to the cabin she was talking about.

We hid in a safe cabin where only servants knew.

Not far from where we hid, I saw Hikaru, he looks angry. The safe cabin was near the main staircase of the palace.

Suddenly, a blonde approached him. I may not hear them well but I sense bad vibes.

The servant looks scared. I looked at her and asked, "Who was that?"

"Oh, that was Aiomi, the brother of Lord Hikaru."

"Why aren't they together living here?"

"Aiomi should be the king but he doesn’t want to be treated as one, so Hikaru was chosen instead."

Whoa! He doesn't want to be king; out of curiosity I asked her again, "Why?"

"I do not know, my lady.”

I am not satisfied by her answer.

I need to know more about this Aiomi - Hikaru issue.