The Mischievous Lady by Maria-Salvatore29

The Ethereal Castle

Chapter 4: The Ethereal Castle

Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha.

-x-X-x-

-Kagome-

It had been a day since we left the Eastern Lands. They put me inside a grand carriage that spoke highly of my status but being used to jumping about and around made me feel suffocated by the closed confines of the carriage. However, as a Lady and Princess, showing up in the Western Lands on foot would be disgraceful on my part. Not that I really care.

The carriage jolted to a stop, and one of the guards accompanying me on the trip announced our arrival. "We are here, my lady."

I peeked from the window to survey the Western Lands for the first time.

Heart stopping!

The view of the West, even from a carriage, looked so surreal. This was certainly the castle of the Great Inuyoukai Clan. No one could deny its grandeur and beauty. There were carvings on the massive wall that surrounded the palace, the blending of colors aptly described the dogs, and the stationed soldiers only added to the magnificence of the palace. They reminded everyone of the strength of the Lord inside. "Wow…" I managed to utter.

My carriage was in front of a huge steel gate that reflected the light of the sun. It looked as if it's shining! 

They helped me out of the carriage and I tried not to trip over my layered kimono. "Let me help you, my lady," one of the female servants said gently.

"Thank you," I said, surprised at her kindness. As far as I know, all the servants and guards sent to accompany me on my journey to the West disdained me as much as everyone else.

"Let me come with you inside, my lady," she offered, her head bowed politely. "If you don't mind," she added after a long silence.

I blinked a few times, frowning at her in confusion before asking, "Why would you?"

"So you may have a company. I'm at your service," she replied with a small smile.

A small smile worked its way into my lips. "What is your name?" I asked the kind servant.

"Sango, my lady. I came from the clan that lives in the northeastern part of the East. I am half-neko and half-wolf youkai," she introduced herself.

"Sango," I repeated before beaming brightly. "Thank you, Sango-chan. Come with me, I really needed someone for support!"

She smiled and her chocolate brown eyes seemed to glitter. If her eyes had been any lighter, it would look the same as Kikyou and Father's eye color.

With an additional support by my side, I dismissed the rest of the party that accompanied me and slowly made my way inside. The steel doors opened for us, and the inside of the Western Palace amazed me even more. I looked around, and tried very hard not to gap. The East might be breathtaking but its style focused more on the beauty of nature. But this—this looked almost ethereal.

My eyes drifted to the large crowd of noble demonesses chatting quietly with each other. As they caught sight of me, their smiles turned sour, and they sneered as I moved towards them. The weight of their disgust made my stomach churn in anger and a pinch of hurt. But I held my head high and walked as confidently as I could.

"Oh my, how could her family send a hanyou in this land?" I heard someone whisper behind me.

"Abominations such as her have no shame," another replied coldly.

"Look at her gown! Her sense of fashion is behind the times," another exclaimed.

At once, I'd become the focus of their attention.

I tried not to listen to their blatant gossiping. I was a walking scandal. Why did I even agree to Miroku? I took a deep breath to preserve my calm and confidence. But then, I had never been good in controlling my temper. If someone provoked me even more, I'd certainly throw a fit.

Sango's head bowed low beside me and I felt bad for bringing her with me. She should not be sharing this with me. With a heavy sigh, I walked to the table where platters of food and glasses of drinks were laid down. I picked a ripe grape and was about to offer it to Sango when I heard a surprised yelp.

I turned just in time to see someone push Sango down before pouring water on her dress. I held the grape in my hand, and watched Sango, a kind servant, as she get degraded. My fingers gripped the grape a little too hard, and I felt its juices trail down my hand.

"Lowly youkai," a demoness with ruby eyes sneered at Sango. "You are letting yourself trail behind that weak hanyou? She's a weakling and you're—! Ugh! Pathetic! You may serve me. I'm Lady Kagura of the North. I always protect my servants, dear."

Everyone was watching them with an amused smile, and a sarcastic one was thrown in my direction. Liking the show? I'll give you a show!

I threw the grape down and gritted my teeth as I seethe in anger. I picked up a glass of wine on the table and stalked towards Lady Kagura's maidservant. She glanced at me haughtily.

I offered a sweet smile and I held the glass for her, "Wine?"

She raised a brow in silent question but lifted her hand to take the glass nonetheless. Before she could reach the glass, I let it fall on the ground with a loud clash. It seemed to echo around the enormous courtyard where the nobles with their servants were gathered.

Silence permeated the air as they watched the drama unfold. Their eyes full of hungry interest on what I would do next. Some of them were even betting on who would come out victorious.

Kagura glanced at her maidservant and nodded, giving her permission to do what she wished. The maidservant slanted her furious eyes on me and started towards me. I waited for her to get close enough before I delivered a slap that contains all my pathetic hanyou strength. She fell on the ground as she cradled her right cheek.

Surprised and indignant gasp came from the bystanders. After the initial shock, Kagura screamed heatedly. "What have you done?"

I lifted my shoulders in an unapologetic shrug. I held out my hand to Sango to pull her up, and handed her a cloth to wipe the water from her clothes.

Kagura knelt beside her maidservant and glared at me, her ruby eyes seemingly screaming of murder.

"Pathetic! You are such a disgrace," I mocked Kagura as I met her glare with one of my own.

"Pardon me?" She asked harshly.

"How could you bring dishonor to yourself this way, Lady Kagura?" I asked with a sneer.

"What are you talking about?"

"Everybody heard what you said earlier. You told Sango that you're always protecting your servants, didn't you? But perhaps, your protectiveness is just a phase…" I purred at her.

"W—what?" She was almost panting in anger.

"My lady, you just let a weakling such as this hanyou hurt one your maidservant right in front of you." I said, enjoying the fact that I managed to shame her in front of everyone. See? It doesn't feel good to be laughed at.

She stared at me as the demonesses chuckle with each other.

"Next time, make sure to honor your words, princess," I drawled before tugging Sango away. But I stopped midway and glanced at her. "Besides, your maidservant was being insolent. How dare she try to fight me? Hanyou or not, I am still a Lady of the East, a second-born princess, and a lowly servant such as her should pay some respect."

I walked away with the stunned crowd behind me. One point, Kagome!

-x-X-x-

-Sesshomaru-

"My lord, the demonesses are already in the courtyard in the Eastern wing. May you join us as we choose the twenty-four Chosen Ones?" An Elder, the annoying one, informed me.

I spared him a glance, contemplating if it would be wise to join them. I held back a sigh. This whole mating competition is not that wise. The inu-youkai clans put such tradition in place just for power play, so that others would fight for the chance of forming alliance with the West. "Let father take care of the Choosing."

He bowed low and murmured, "As you wish."

Once he was gone, I went to mother's former chamber in the Western wing of the palace, the family residence, and stared at the silver brush on the bedside table. She used to favor that brush a long time ago. It was father's mating gift to her. She insisted that it was a very thoughtful gift.

Walking beside the window, I closed my eyes and allowed memories of her wash through me.

Mother had never been one to openly show affection. Coming from a strong bloodline, and a wealthy clan, she was groomed to be the Lady. However, in the confines of this room, she would let her guard down. And when father was away, she would gently brush my hair, singing a soft tune, and tell me tales from the past.

Those were treasured moments. Times when I had been…happy.

Those might also be her treasured times. She had been happy too, until father broke his oath and her heart. Love, he said, drew him away. Before Mother ascended into the Sky Palace, she also voiced an opinion on love with only two words. Love, she said, destroys.

I had never believed in love, considering it an emotion reserved for the weak, so between my father and mother’s opinion, I would side with my mother. There was nothing more pathetic than being brought down and destroyed by love.

-x-X-x-

Prompt: Stella's Word Prompt Game – Phase

Word Count: 1600