Intoxicated

AU/ET Pairing

Part I

……………………………………

"It is in the royal protocol that the prince should marry in order to get the title of the king." The royal scribe announced in a monotonous voice. He was standing in front of the man sitting on the throne.

His rasp voice echoed inside the throne room.

"Perhaps, we should amend the royal constitution." Prince Eriol suggested. He was sitting on the throne, fitted for a prince. His young face was calm and serene. His azure eyes exude a certain kind of charisma as it reflects the luminosity of the ceiling lights. "I'm not yet ready to get married."

"Then, you're not ready to become a king, your highness." The other scribe beside the old man answered. "Besides, your sire, one cannot amend the royal constitution unless he's the king."

Prince Eriol frowned.

"That's the problem." He thought.

He took a deep sigh and closed his azure eyes. His face returned to calmness. The scribes, on the other hand, remained silent. They watched the prince and looked at each other worriedly, waiting for Eriol's order.

"Is that really urgent?" The prince asked, with his eyes still closed.

"Aye, my lord." One of the scribes answered. "As a prince, you only have limited power to control."

"It would be chaotic if you will remain as a prince and rule over the kingdom." The other scribe added. "It is also in the protocol that one cannot oversee the entire kingdom not unless he has the position of the king."

"I see." He muttered. He opened his eyes. "I'll think about it."

"Prince Eriol, you have to find a suitable wife as soon as possible." The royal scribe added. "Without a king and without a leader, Hernnguard will soon crumble into pieces."

"It is my obligation to lead this kingdom to prosperity." The prince answered seriously.

Prince Eriol's father died on a battle a month ago. Though the kingdom triumphantly defeated the invaders, the whole kingdom of Hernnguard mourned the death of the king. It was Prince Eriol who witnessed the death of his father in the hands of the enemies. After the death of his father, Prince Eriol took over what his father has started, led the royal army of the Hernnguard, and defeated the invaders.

The prince's mother on the other hand, died when she gave birth to Eriol due to excessive blood loss.

"That's why we've sent a message to the townspeople about this matter."

"What?" Prince Eriol's eyes widened. He stood up from his seat as one of the elder scribes discussed the plan that they have generated. His left hand curled up into a fist.

"We are helping you find a suitable wife." Another scribe said.

He took a deep breath and regained his calmness. If there is one thing he is proud of – it's his strong self-control and discipline. He sat down on his chair. The leader of the scribes stood up and said, "The royal scribes agreed that you shall be married as soon as possible."

"And since when did you have the power to decide upon a matter like this?" Eriol asked as he looked displeased with the idea of the advisers.

"Since your father died, m'lord." The leader answered in his rasp yet calm voice. "It is stated in the royal protocol that -"

"Enough!"

The prince's voice was strong and firm. The leader of the scribe stopped and sat on his armchair.

"Enough, Ceryx." He muttered. "Enough of the laws and canons of the Hernnguard. I am completely aware and knowledgeable about our constitution."

"Very well."

The prince looked at the gentleman, standing beside him.

"I can't believe you persuaded me to attend this boring assemblage." He whispered to Syaoran. "You know, I despise these things."

He stood up and left the room in a dashing manner. A young gentleman standing beside his throne followed him rapidly. The guards instantly opened the door for the prince and the follower.

"Eriol." The follower called as he continued to follow behind the prince. They were walking fast.

"I'm not pleased with this, Syaoran." Eriol said roughly. "They're rushing things and I don't like rushed things."

"You have to." Syaoran answered. He has a set of deep brown eyes that matched his rich brown hair. He is a childhood friend of the prince, born from a well-off family. His father, a duke, is a very dear friend of the royal family. Ever since, they were children, they're always together. They study together – language, literature, ethics, warfare strategies, horseback riding, swordsmanship, and etc. He was handpicked by the king to become Eriol's companion so that the prince would never be bored inside the palace. "It is in the protocol."

"Why does it have to be this way?" He muttered under his breath, low enough to be heard by his companion.

"So, what am I suppose to do?" Eriol asked. "Pick the first lady that I'll see and marry her?"

Syaoran remained silent.

"I don't believe that marriage is a necessity, Syaoran." Eriol muttered as he walked at the hallway of the palace. "I'm not going to push myself into an eternity of doom."

They went straight to the door at the end of the hallway. Two guards bowed down to him and opened the door. It was Prince Eriol's room. Everything is organized. The whole room was illuminated by the daylight passing through the large glassed windows. A grand piano was settled near the window.

The two gentlemen entered the room.

"What do you mean by eternity of doom?" Syaoran asked as he sat on a nearby couch while Eriol sat on the piano chair.

"Do you see me in a marriage formed out of necessity?" He gently touched the cover of the piano keys.

"No." Syaoran answered.

""I'm already a prisoner of this castle, Syaoran." Eriol stood up and looked at the window. The scene is breathtaking. "And I don't want to be a prisoner of an arranged marriage too."

………………………………………………..

At the center of the plaza, a royal carriage arrived, followed by a loud sound of horn indicating that there is a message for the townspeople sent by the royal palace. The herald stood on a platform near the fountain with a statue of a naked man. People started to form a crowd around the fountain.

"What's happening?" A raven-haired lady wondered. She was a tall and slender young woman with a pair of natural amethyst eyes. Her face was angelic and youthful. She was holding a basketful of vegetables from their garden. Her long black hair shone under the sun. She watched a crowd formed around the plaza fountain. "What could it be?"

She approached the outer circle of the townspeople. A lady in short auburn hair caught her attention. Her face lightened up. She sneaked in between people to approach the young lady.

"Sakura!" She called the attention of the young lady of her same age.

Sakura looked around and saw the one who called her name. She immediately waved at her.

"Tomoyo!" She yelled because the noise is starting to build up. People are anxious of what the message could be. "Come here!"

She went to Sakura and asked, "What's happening?"

"The royal palace has something to say to the townspeople." Sakura whispered to her ears. "It seems to be important."

"I hope it's not another war." Tomoyo whispered softly as she clutched the skirt of her blue satin dress.

"I hope so too." Sakura replied.

The page pulled out a roll of parchment from his back and opened it. The commoners are anxious of what the content of the message is. The noise started to become louder and louder.

"Attention, people of Hernnguard!" He said in a bold and loud voice. The noise disappeared.

"The royal palace of Hernnguard invites all the single women in this kingdom to stay in the royal palace for two months as a preparation for the candidacy of becoming Prince Eriol's wife and the future queen of Hernnguard. Tomorrow night, the main door of the palace shall be open for the single young ladies. The ladies shall spend a one whole month in the palace for the prince to get to know them better."

There were different reactions. Single women rejoice as they now have a chance to impress themselves to Prince Eriol. Married women whined as they were not allowed to stay. Men remained silent. Some chattered as they talk about the prince's plan of finding a wife.

Tomoyo listened to the women near her.

"Oh my-" A fat lady giggled. "Prince Eriol is in need of a wife!"

"I shall make sure that I'll be his choice." Another one bragged.

"This is delightful!" Sakura said cheerfully. "I may have a chance to become the next queen of Hernnguard!"

Tomoyo smiled weakly.

"Aren't you glad Tomoyo?" Sakura asked as she took her best friend's hand and held it up to her chest. "We have a chance to get to know the prince!"

Soon, the crowd dispersed and the royal carriage left.

"No." She answered seriously as they walk toward the market, still clutching the basket of vegetables from their garden, which her mother shall sell in the market. "I'm not going."

"Why?"

"I'm not interested." Tomoyo beamed at her.

"Not interested?" Sakura said in disbelief. "This is every woman's fantasy – to become a queen."

"Not mine, I think." Tomoyo replied sweetly. "I'm just going to waste my time. Besides, I'm already having fun in helping Firea sell the vegetables."

"You're different, Tomoyo." Sakura sighed. "You have a bigger chance of marrying Prince Eriol because you're a daughter of a countess and instead, you're opting to become a vendor here in the market."

"I'm not going." She answered firmly. "I don't believe that marriage has to be about power and financial stability. I would love to get married out of true love."

"Then, I'm not going, if you're not going." Sakura pouted. They've arrived at the plaza market.

"You should go." Tomoyo insisted as she looked for their housekeeper around. "I'm not really interested in joining, Sakura."

"Are you really sure about that?" Sakura hesitated.

"Yes." She answered firmly. She found their housekeeper arranging vegetables in one of the stalls. They approached her.

"Countess Tomoyo." The helper greeted the raven-haired lady. "Mistress Sakura."

"Good morning Firea!" The two ladies exclaimed.

Firea has long caramel-colored hair that matches her copper eyes. She has been a helper of the Countess Sonomi's county since her childhood. She has a ten-year age gap with Tomoyo and Sakura.

"Why are you here, Countess?" She asked. "You're supposed to be studying your piano lessons."

"It's alright, Firea." Tomoyo flashed her radiant smile. "I need some fresh air.'

"Oooh." Firea whispered as she arranged the cucumbers on the side of the stall. "You're giving your mother a headache."

"Firea, have you heard about the announcement a while ago?" Sakura was thrilled as she clasped her both hands. "The prince is in need of a wife."

"Oh, really?" Firea exclaimed. "I'm sure that the prince will be lured by the beauty of the two of you."

Tomoyo's smile weakened as she helped Firea arranging the vegetables.

………………………………………………..

"Let me not to the marriage of true minds…" A tutor quoted a passage from his book. His hoarse voice echoed the entire room in a dull and uninteresting voice. His eyes were glued at the compilation of sonnets composed by William Shakespeare (1).

Syaoran yawned at his seat while Prince Eriol was staring blankly at the window as he tapped his finger on his wooden desk.

"Tomorrow night." He thought. "All single women shall be here tonight."

He was hesitant about the decision of the scribes.

"How could I possibly find a wife in a short span of time?" He continued. "I'm not yet ready."

"Lord Syaoran." The tutor approached the sleeping gentleman and woke him up by banging a stick on his desk. "Sleeping is not allowed in the class."

Prince Eriol watched the scenery outside the palace from his window. "It would be nice if I don't have these responsibilities."

"Prince Eriol, what does the sonnet all about?" The tutor asked as he looked at the prince and brushed his rich moustache.

The prince smiled weakly. He knew the sonnet all along – reading books as a pastime always save him in his literature class.

"The sonnet is all about love in its purest and ideal form." He answered calmly, never letting go of his sight on the scenery behind the glassed window. "It can never be broken by any impediment."

"It was an excellent answer, your majesty." The tutor continued as he proceeded on quoting the sonnet and giving his insights about William Shakespeare.

"This is boring, Eriol." Syaoran whispered to him.

"I know." Eriol answered. "Wouldn't it be nice if I can have freedom for a day? Just to taste what it's like to be free."

Syaoran was hesitant. "I don't like the sound of your plan."

"Just help me."

"Fine." Syaoran surrendered. "Just don't let me get into trouble."

"I won't."

………………………………………………..

Her delicate white fingers transposed from a white key to another in a graceful and flawless manner. The soft music coming from the piano lingers across the salon of the house. Her eyes are closed in a calm manner, engrossed in every note she produce. Her hair was tied in a neat braid.

She abruptly stopped playing at the middle of the song and looked at her mother, who was watching her play the pianoforte at a chair near the window. Her amethyst eyes were subtle and serene.

"Carry on, my child." Sonomi responded. "You produce such a lovely music but there are few off keys. Try to practice more."

She continued to play the song from where she left it.

"Aren't you thrilled for tomorrow night?" Her mother asked softly. She stood up from her chair and approached her daughter. "If you want, we can go to the town tomorrow morning for you to buy new dresses."

"No." Tomoyo answered with composure. "I decided not to go."

"Why, my beautiful child?" Countess Sonomi laid her hands gently on her daughter's tender shoulder. "With your beauty and your voice, you will surely captivate the prince's heart."

"Mother, I'm not going to push myself to the extent that I would like to marry a prince because of his stature." She replied politely. Her fingers hovered elegantly over the black and white keys. "Marriage doesn't have to be that way, isn't it?"

"I shall respect your decision-making, my daughter." Sonomi brushed Tomoyo's locks of hair with her fingers. "For I revere on your wisdom."

Tomoyo stopped. She stood up and faced her mother. She gave her an alluring smile and hugged her tightly. "Thank you, mother."

She released her mother and went to the main door of their house to open it.

"But I hope you finish your piano lessons before you go outside." Her mother frowned a little.

"I'll finish it later." Tomoyo smiled mischievously as she went outside the house. "I promise."

………………………………………………..

"Syaoran sure has a decent taste for a commoner's wardrobe." Eriol looked at his clothes. He was wearing a knee breeches complimented with a knee-length brown boots. His plain white tunic is covered a nut-brown sleeveless vest. "Commoners shall never unveil my identity with this facade."

The plaza fountain on the center of the town caught his attention as he walked through the streets. He ruffled his hair as he walked towards it. A statue of a naked man with a pair of angel's wing stood in the center of the fountain. It was a statue of Eros, the Greek god of love and lust. Below the statue, an inscription was written in granite block.

Amor Vincit Omnia (2)

It was a gift from his father for his mother a few months before she gave birth to a healthy young boy. It symbolizes the eternal and untainted love of the king to his wife. A promise of a never-ending devotion and ardor for her. A symbol of his endless passion for his queen.

He shifted his eyes to the reflection of the water. He looked at his dismantled hair and his pair of cerulean eyes, hidden from the rays of the afternoon sunlight. It shifts its color in coordination with the amount of exposure to the sunlight. His eyes were serene, just like the pristine water of the fountain. His face was flawless and pure. He gently touched the water. It was cold. From where he touched the water, ripples took place around it.

He heard a mellifluous utterance. The high pitch of the voice made him follow the sound. It was coming from the other side of the fountain. He followed the voice using his eyes. He peeked behind the statue of Eros and found a lady, reading a book in a melodious sing-song voice.

Nor yet content, he from his quiver drew,

Sharpened with skill divine, a shining dart:

No need had he for bow, since thus too true

His hand might wound her all-exposed heart;

Yet her fair side he touched with gentlest art,

And half relenting on her beauties gazed;

Just then awaking with a sudden start

Her opening eye in humid lustre blazed,

Unseen he still remained, enchanted and amazed.

The dart which in his hand now trembling stood,

As o'er the couch he bent with ravished eye,

Drew with its daring point celestial blood

From his smooth neck's unblemished ivory:

Heedless of this, but with a pitying sigh

The evil done now anxious to repair,

He shed in haste the balmy drops of joy

O'er all the silky ringlets of her hair;

Then stretched his plumes divine, and breathed celestial air. (3)

She was sitting on the verge of the fountain border. Her long lustrous ebony hair was tied on a braid. Her slender body exudes a poise stance. She was reading aloud the book. The piece was familiar to him. He tried recalled the passage. A few while, he smiled faintly and thought, "Cupid and Psyche."

He turned around to see a better view of the lady. She was now wearing a scarlet cotton dress with a brown bodice. Her pale white complexion is flawless yet fragile. Her perfect unblemished face has a hint of rose in the cheeks. Her light coral lips are faultless. He gazed at her as she continues to utter the words of the poem. Her entire immaculate entity dazzled the prince.

He slowly paced near her and remarked in a bass tone, "Cupid and Psyche."

The lady was caught off-guard. She swiftly lifted her bright amethyst eyes from the book. Her amethyst eyes met his cerulean eyes. She closed her book without further ado and stood up and ignored him.

"Hey." He called as he watched the lady walk away from him. He followed her.

"I'm not supposed to talk to strangers so just leave me be."

"Why?" He asked, oblivious to her answer.

"Because my mother said so." She immediately answered fluently.

"Do you like books?" He opened a relevant topic as he followed her through the narrow streets of the town.

"Not talking to you." She muttered softly. Her voice was melodic yet anxious at the same time. She clutched her book tighter and walked in faster pace.

He followed her behind. "Reading is also my favorite pastime."

She turned her back and faced the prince. "Kindly please stop following me."

"I just want to talk to you."

"Go find someone else to talk to." She said in an uneasy tone on her soprano voice and turned her back against him.

He shrugged off and continued to follow the lady.

"You must be getting ready for tomorrow night, just like the other girls." He noted, sulking.

"I'm not going."

"Isn't that a dream come true for women?" The prince inquired His eyes widened with pure amazement. "To marry a prince?"

"Well, not mine." She immediately answered calmly as she turned to the first left.

Prince Eriol followed her and was amazed by her answer. "Really?"

"I'm not going to marry someone because of his stature in this kingdom." She liberally added. "Besides, I don't think that the prince and I compliment each other."

"You must tell me your name." He jerked as he overran and faced her. She stopped with his sudden movement. Her face was worried and uncomfortable. "Any name."

She ignored his question. "You are an unfamiliar face. What's your name?"

"Eri-" He stopped. "Eli."

"Eli, can I excuse myself in this conversation so I can leave?" She asked. She addressed him as an inferior class. No nobility title attached to his name – just Eli. The prince noticed it.

"Syaoran, my millions of gratitude for the ensemble you have provided." He thought as he took a quick glance on his guise. "I am believable as a commoner."

"Would you mind if you give me a trip around?" Eriol asked. He felt stupid for asking that query. "I'm rather new here."

"Foolish of you to ask such question. Of course, she'll decline." He said to himself as he beheld on her troubled face.

"No." She answered with a radiant smile. He was mesmerized by her beauty and her beautiful innocent smile. "I'm not supposed to mingle with strangers."

"You've already disobey your rule." He smiled mischievously. "You're already talking to me."

She sighed and answered, "Alright then. You seemed to be a nice gentleman."

"What was I thinking?" She thought to herself. "Talking to a stranger and worse, offering him a tour around the town square! Are you insane, Tomoyo?"

………………………………………………..

"Who is she?"

His hands moved with such grace as he blithely run his fingers to the white and black keys of the grand piano inside his room. It was dusk. At the sky, the sun daylight with the darkness – radiating a scheme of inflamed shades of red, orange, and yellow.

He reminisce the last scenario before they parted their goodbyes. The beautiful maiden disappeared among the tall trees of a small forest near the plaza. "She didn't even reveal her name."

The soothing sound of his music lingers across the room. It was his newest composition, written just a few hours ago. It was a hopeful music.

The door of his room opened. Syaoran went in and noticed the difference to his friend. "You seemed to be in a good mood since you came back from your little trip."

The prince continued playing his composition, which he displayed a huge amount of virtuosity, ignoring the dictum of his friend. He closed his eyes - now a mixture of azure and cerulean. It was like the lightness and the darkness fused in a gemstone.

"And you've been playing that music since yesterday night." Syaoran added as he took a pew on a nearby chair. "Though that song is really amusing."

"A new composition of mine, inspired by my little expedition to the town." Eriol remained his eyes closed as he displayed an impish smile. "I am grateful with the guise you've provided. Thank you very much."

"Your gratitude is highly received, your majesty." He replied as he watched the prince gracefully play his piano. "But may I remind you that it will be your last expedition because tonight will be the night you'll meet your future wife – the future queen of Hernnguard."

Prince Eriol remained silent.

"I'm hopeful that I'll see her again."

………………………………………………..

The great hall of the kingdom was filled with various types of women – all of them single and hopeful that the prince will choose them in this little competition. All of them wore splendid dresses and lavish ornaments. Each and every one of them was wearing a masquerade.

Hors d'oeuvres were served by the corteges of the palace followed by glasses of wine provided for everybody in the hall. Women were chatting to their prospected rivals in the competition for the prince's heart.

Sakura looked around for familiar faces. With every single woman in the kingdom, it was hard to find a familiar one. The masquerades made it more difficult to spot an acquaintance. She was a burgundy ball gown which matches her pixie auburn hair and copper eyes.

An attendant offered her a glass of wine and she accepted it without hesitation as her eyes wander off in the whole room. "Thank you."

Someone cleared his throat and it echoed in the whole room. The attention of the crowd was redirected to that person who was standing at the balcony of the hall. It was the royal herald.

"Good evening, young ladies."

Prince Eriol was standing behind the curtain of the balcony, arms crossed. His forehead creased.

"What am I going to say?" He thought. "It's not like I really have choose someone from these candidates."

"You seemed to be contemplating about something, Eriol." Syaoran whispered to his friend. "You might want to confide to me."

"What am I going to say to these people?" He repeated the question in his mind. "We're not even sure if I'm going to choose someone from them."

"Well, you should." Syaoran answered with a smile. "Because we're going to choose the finest of them all."

"Finest." Prince Eriol thought as he peeked through the curtains to see the ladies. "It's as if he's talking about wine, not ladies."

"Are you ready to give a little speech?" Syaoran asked as he also peeked through the curtains. The whole hall was filled with young women of all shape and size. He's estimating the number of women in the room. "Two hundred? Probably more than that."

"And now presenting, the royal prince of Hernnguard – Prince Eriol!" The herald said in a powerful timbre. Some ladies chattered with the other women. Others shrieked.

Syaoran pushed Eriol behind the curtain. The prince was off-guard to his friend's deed. His eyes were bewildered as he casts his eyes all over. He took a deep breath. His eyes returned calm.

"Good evening my fair ladies." He greeted in an overwhelming deep-toned voice. The ladies were engrossed with him though they hardly distinguish his face because of the masquerade. He was wearing white tunic and white knee breeches with black boots. His knee-length blue cape covers his broad shoulders. "You've invited hither tonight with a possible chance to become my wife – to become the future queen of Hernnguard."

He thought to himself, "This is awkward."

"And now, allow my friend – Lord Syaoran, the eldest son of the duke of Furenberg. – to discuss furthermore the tasks that will be given to you." He concluded as he looked at Syaoran.

Syaoran nodded as the prince went behind the curtains.

"Tomorrow shall be the start of the competition. Ladies shall now stay inside the palace as candidates for the whole two months. The royal palace shall provide your accommodation for your entire stay. Your luggage has already been sent to the quarters. In the span of a month, the royal palace shall give you various tasks to test your skills. Some of you will be eliminated along the way. Ladies were not allowed to go outside the boundary of the palace not unless she is eliminated." He proclaimed in an enthusiastic manner of voice.

Sakura watched the son of the duke after relishing the rich and warm feeling of Chardonnay on her silver chalice. "So, every lady in this hall is my competitor."

A tap on her shoulder caught her attention. She looked back and her eyes widen as a small 'o' was formed by her red lips.

"Tomoyo!" She exclaimed as she hugged her best friend. "I thought-"

"I changed my mind." She interrupted. "I assume this would be more fun rather than my poetry and piano lessons."

She was wearing an emerald ball gown with gold linings and embroidery, matched with a sparkling green mask. Her black hair was neatly tied to a bun.

"How did you recognize me?" Sakura inquired.

"Well, I helped you design your ball gown." Tomoyo chuckled. Her dimples appeared as she smiled. Sakura chuckled too.

"Have you heard what the Lord Syaoran said?" Sakura whispered. "There will be tasks for us."

Tomoyo nodded. "I'm just here to have fun."

"Oh!" Sakura squealed. "I'm so glad that you've changed your mind."

"I hope I did the right choice." Tomoyo thought as her eyes wandered across the room.

………………………………………………..

"The ladies are already asleep, your highness." Syaoran reported as he watched the prince staring blankly at the moonlight. "Tomorrow, we shall give them the first task and-"

Syaoran stopped as he continued to watch the prince. He sat down on a chair and sighed, "You seemed to be thinking of something else."

Eriol ignored him. It was a full moon and he was mesmerized by its natural beauty. He closed his eyes for a moment and opened it.

Syaoran noticed a music sheet on the table beside his chair. He grabbed the piano sheets with imminence and read each note with understanding. It was the same composition he was playing ever since yesterday. The musical notes were impeccably handwritten by the prince.

"You seemed to be intoxicated by your little composition, Eriol" Syaoran observed as he put down the music sheets back to where he saw it.

A flash of the lady's face ran through the prince's memory one more time.

"Intoxicated by my inspiration." Eriol thought.

End of Part I

………………………………………………..

Thanks for reading my fiction. It has been a while since I wrote a non-academic and non-research text so pardon me. This AU fiction gave me a chance to free myself from the academic workloads. Intoxicated was supposed to be a one shot fiction but it turns out cramming the whole story in just one shot won't be easy.

I would also like to disclaim several ideas I put in this fiction:

(1) This is from William Shakespeare's Sonnet 116, which is about his concept of ideal love.

(2) The scripture written in the fiction's fountain is actually the title of a painting by Michelangelo Merisi da Carravagio. Amor Vincit Omnia means "Love Conquers All".

(3) The poem recited by Tomoyo is Mary Tighe's Cupid and Psyche.