Intoxicated

AU/ET Pairing

Thank you for the responses, constructive criticisms and cheers! I must admit that I am overwhelmed by the comments of the people. I would like to thank those patient people who continue to read my works even though it takes me a long span of time before updating a new chapter.

Part IV

"A night with me?" Eriol went berserk as Yue and Syaoran announced the second task. The three gentlemen were at the royal throne room along with the royal scribes of the kingdom. The prince was sitting on his throne as the two gentlemen were sitting in front of the royal prince on the chairs provided with the scribes. Eriol breathed deeply and said calmly, "kindly please elaborate the task. I'm having images of debauchery in my head and I'm not willing to partake on such impropriety."

"Of course your highness, we shall not allow such indecency," Yue agreed with him as he looked at the other scribes with his cat-like alice blue eyes.

"Your evening after supper shall be devoted to a woman, an opportunity where she will try to entertain you," Syaoran explained as he shifted his deep brown eyes from the royal prince to the scribes. "Entertain you in any decent form – may it be singing, reciting a poem, or engaging in a plain conversation."

"As the representative of the royal scribes, we intended to have this task for you to see the compatibility you have with the remaining participants." Yue added as he looked at Eriol. "Since, you are one of the adjudicators who shall decide on choosing your future wife."

Eriol breathed deeply as he looked at the list of the fifty three participants on a parchment paper. He cleared his voice and declared, "I have a question to raise."

"What is it, your highness?" Yue asked politely.

"How is the second task possible if one of the rules of this competition is that I should not see the participants and vice versa?"

"Yes, my lord." Syaoran entertained the question of the prince by explaining the task furthermore. "We had already planned the whole thing. Like what we have done in the first task, there shall be a cloth dividing the room. This will be like having a tea party without knowing who you are having tea with."

"This is insane." Eriol mumbled as he looked away from the scribes.

"Do you have further questions, my lord?" Yue asked again politely.

"I have none. The task is well-planned. I commend all of you." The prince sighed deeply. He had finally given up arguing with them.

"Very well, then!" Syaoran exclaimed as he looked at the royal scribes with satisfaction. "The second task will start tonight."

I am at my best friend's room, chatting with my best friend on her bed. Her room was similar to mine. It has a small bed with thick pink bedding and a wooden closet. Beside the bed is a small wooden commode where a candela is placed on. The very same carved wooden cassone inlaid with gold lining and small gemstones is installed at the foot of the bed.

We were both in our day dresses. The combination of our day dresses' colors is like a meadow full of daisies. I am wearing a pristine white dress and she's wearing a yellow one. I looked at her with a smile on my face as she continuously combs my hair.

"Your hair is really soft, Tomoyo." She muttered as her hands travel from my scalp to the last ends of my hair. I looked at her as my eyes narrowed. "How I wish I could manage a long hair like this."

"You could but I assure you, it is hard to maintain these strands." I answered in a matter-of-factly tone of voice as I sketch some clothes design steadily on her bed using a parchment and a charcoal chalk. Firea taught me how to make dresses though my mother keeps on insisting that I should let our dressmaker do the designing herself. I've been creating dresses for Sakura during my spare time – if I'm not indulged on reading a book or practicing my piano lessons. This is one thing I'm proud of – my knowledge for creating clothes.

"You came face to face with the impostor who trespassed in the castle, right?" Sakura asked out of the blue. Her question made me stop sketching. I dropped my charcoal chalk on the top of the parchment and looked at her.

"Yes." I answered softly, not quite sure why she suddenly brought up the subject.

"If he has bad intentions, he could have hurt you." She said as she continued to comb my hair. Her eyes were intently looking at mine, as if she's reading my mind. "But since you came back unharmed, which I think is rather peculiar for a bad person, I was thinking that he is not as bad as Ruby Moon and the rest of the royal guards think he is."

"I was surprised about Ruby Moon's revelation." I said softly. Sakura's eyes were full of awe and curiosity. "He seemed to be a nice person – accompanying me while I pick some wild berries."

"Tell me. What does he looks like?"

I closed my eyes and recalled the face of him. I tried to open my mouth – to utter the description of the gentleman but I stopped. His disarrayed hair, his pale complexion, his well-built figure and his mysterious yet calm azure eyes – the thought of him made me realize that his features are not that bad. In fact, I have to admit that he is handsome.

"Why are you smiling?" My best friend asked after reading my face. "Is there something funny?"

"Nothing's funny." I answered melodiously as I picked up my charcoal chalk and the parchment and continued scribbling accents on the design. From the corner of my eyes, I could see that she's staring at me with confusion.

"How does he look like?" She repeated her question and patiently waited for me to respond. I took a shallow breath before answering her inquiry.

I answered Sakura's question plainly – describing the gentleman in the most decent and non-biased way.

"Judging by your description, he seemed to be a charming and good-looking man." Sakura replied dreamily after hearing my answer. I looked at her with my widened eyes.

"You have not seen him personally so you cannot really tell." I muttered.

"In your honest opinion, is he a good-looking man?"

I stopped for a while, searching for a proper answer. Inside my head, the thoughts are scattered. He looks good but I am not that interested with good-looking men. I can say that I am more attracted towards intellectual men – someone whom I can talk with for eternity. Someone with a sense.

I looked at my best friend and answered, "Well, yes –"

"So, he is good-looking!" She exclaimed as she stood up on her bed and jumped numerous times.

"But you know which men I am interested with." I continued.

"I know." She sighed as she rolled her eyes. "The mind-stimulating men."

"What is wrong with that?" I asked innocently. I do not find anything wrong with the type of men that I like. I think it is just right to choose someone who has a sense in conversations.

"Fifty three remaining young ladies." Eriol said as he sat on the velvet chair. Syaoran was behind him with a roll of parchment on his hand.

It was the twenty third night of the second task. It has been twenty three straight nights that the prince has been occupying his time in the divided parlor room during evenings in order to mingle with the remaining ladies in the castle. He has also spent twenty three nights with twenty three different young ladies.

"Yes, your sire." Syaoran answered in a delightful tone of voice as he unrolled the parchment on his hand. "You still have thirty more nights to spend in order to assess the ladies."

"This task is insane, Syaoran." Eriol distressed as he looked at his friend. "All those ladies had done nothing but patron themselves to me. They all say their positive side – their strengths and fortes. The thing is that I am fully aware that we are all human beings, capable of committing mistakes and of having flaws."

Syaoran remained silent as he intently listened to the ranting of the young prince. He gave a glance on the parchment.

"Some even use seduction because they thought of it as an advantage for them. One even tried to seduce me by saying that she is not wearing an undergarment." Eriol remarked with a displeased look on his face. "Please, make sure that she does not return here in the palace."

"Yes, your sire." The young duke answered politely. "As of now, twenty out of twenty three young ladies did not pass the second task. Are you sure about your decision?"

"Yes." Prince Eriol firmly answered the question of the young duke.

"Well, then." Syaoran took a deep breath as he rolled the parchment. "Thirty more ladies to go, your sire."

The prince closed his eyes and sighed deeply. "Could I just have a night break?"

"If we want to finish this task immediately, we should not waste time, your sire." Syaoran dictated his answer in a firm voice. "Tomorrow, you will be spending your night with Lady Sakura of Rosacea and then the next after tomorrow will be Lady Tomoyo of Somadiphia."

"The well-opinionated lady?"

"If you're talking of Lady Tomoyo, I say yes." Syaoran said.

"Indeed, I am talking of her." Eriol smiled weakly. "She is someone I'm looking forward to."

Sakura and Ruby Moon were enjoying their teas and cakes, and chatting with each other on a table under a big old tree while Spinel Sun and Cerberus were taking their afternoon naps on the well-trimmed green grasses. The two creatures opened their eyes and turned their heads behind them, getting the attention of the chatting young ladies.

Sakura and Ruby Moon looked behind them and saw the figure of Lord Syaoran. He, on the other hand, walked slowly towards them.

"A pleasant afternoon to the two of you. May I have an audience with Lady Sakura?"

The young lord bowed in front of the two young ladies. Sakura and Ruby Moon stood up and curtsied to the young man. The former smiled widely at him. "Yes, you may. Would you like to have a seat and partake on our afternoon gathering?"

"Thank you for your kind invitation, but I think I shall pass."

The two ladies sat on their chairs. Ruby Moon added, "Why, Lord Syaoran? Lady Sakura made the tea, your sire. It is delightful!"

"It is a sad thing that I have piles of work to finish before this day ends." Syaoran smiled weakly as he looked at the lady from Rosacea. "I have come here to inform you that tonight shall be the time for your second task."

"Tonight?" Sakura was shocked.

"Yes, tonight." Syaoran affirmed. "You shall spend an evening with the majesty. It is like an evening tea gathering but the difference is that there is a partition between you and the prince. You may do whatever you want to entertain him – sing a song, recite a poem, or converse with him about anything under Hernnguard. You will be given only three hours to entertain Prince Eriol. May I remind you that the only person that you have to please in this task is the prince himself. He will be the only one who has the power to eliminate candidates in this task."

"Thank you for informing me, Syaoran." Sakura smiled cheerfully.

"My pleasure to help you, Sakura." Syaoran answered. "Spinel Sun shall accompany you tonight to the parlor room where the second task shall begin. By any chance, have you seen Lady Tomoyo? I've been looking for her everywhere."

"She's probably inside her room, reading a book."

"I have knocked on her door, but it seems like nobody is inside."

"Maybe, she is asleep." Ruby Moon lied.

"Kindly inform her that tomorrow night will be the night of her second task. Spinel Sun shall also accompany her to the parlor room."

Sakura nodded.

"Very well, then." Syaoran bowed down. "Till we meet again, Lady Sakura and Ruby Moon."

The young lord walked out of the garden. The two young ladies looked at each other.

"I wonder where she went to." Sakura whispered to the young guardian.

"Oh no!" Ruby Moon replied. "Probably she went outside the palace."

"She did not even inform us." Sakura sighed.

Ruby Moon looked at Sakura and shook her head in disappointment.

"No one should see me." Eriol thought as he made his way through the hallways of the palace. He was wearing the same outfit he had when he went to the forest and picked berries with the mysterious young lady. "Syaoran will surely lecture me on this, if he ever finds out that I snuck out again."

He went inside the farthest door in the hallway sneakily. It is the nearest getaway there is, from his room. He sneakily hid under the cartful of hay as a maid and a gatherer were engrossed in a conversation.

"It is nice to hear that your daughter is out of danger."

"Thank you. It is a good thing that she managed to escape her illness."

"I'm relieved, Cyron. Well, you'd better be going. Make sure you distribute that cartload of hay to the local farms."

"Yes, I will be going."

The prince heard a heavy thug on the cart, followed by the neighs of the horses. Sooner or later, he felt that the cart was moving.

He peeked out of the dried grasses. The cart was out of the palace and was traveling on the road to the plaza. He carefully jumped out of the cart. He landed exactly on the bushes at the side of the road.

He could see the opening of the central plaza. He walked towards it. Suddenly a beautiful woman in a velvet blue cotton dress caught his attention. It was the same woman he knew from his past two escapades. She was carrying a basket with loaves of bread. He approached her and tapped her shoulder.

Tomoyo was surprised by the man's action and looked back.

"You," Tomoyo whispered. She felt an urge to run. She made one step backwards as she assessed the situation. A few seconds after, she decided not to mingle with the young man. She walked silently away from him.

Eriol was surprised by the woman's reaction. He hastily followed the lady and greeted, "good day, mademoiselle."

Ignoring the young man, she remained silent as she walked briskly along the pavement of the narrow streets of the plaza. The prince continued to follow her.

"I should prevent myself from seeing him," she muttered to herself "He will do no good to me."

"Hey," the prince continued to follow.

She continued to ignore the man. Her pattern of breathing changed as her heart beat faster. Her two hands clutched the basket tighter.

The cerulean-haired man walked faster and blocked her way. Tomoyo stopped. The thugs in her heart were out of control. She felt a knot inside her stomach. She asked, "why did you lie to me?"

It was a straightforward question and she expected a straightforward answer from the young man as well.

Eriol searched his thoughts for an answer. He thought, "I cannot just tell her that I'm a prince."

She squinted while waiting for his answer, "Eli, if that is even your real name, I do not want to be associated with a liar; I am also not comfortable having a friendship with someone who cannot tell the truth."

"So," Eriol chuckled, trying to lighten up the subject, "we are friends then."

"Were," Tomoyo answered, "before you lied to me."

"The question is," Eriol said, "would you still be friends with me if I tell you the truth?"

"If you are not comfortable telling information about yourself, I suggest that you do not confide," Tomoyo replied as her eyes soften, "I would much appreciate silence than a lie."

She smiled at the young man, who stood still in front of her. Eriol's eyes were fixated on the young woman, assessing her face.

"I also do not wish to pry on things other people are not comfortable talking about," Tomoyo added, "as long as it does not compromise other people's welfare."

"I understand," Eriol whispered.

Tomoyo walked past him. She turned to an alley and continued to walk. Eriol followed her and asked, "where are you going?"

As he turned to the alley the lady went to, he looked around. It was like a different world from that certain point. Garbage can be seen everywhere. The walls of the buildings looked defaced – either from dirt or from vandalism. Several eyes glared at them as they both passed by. Eriol looked at his clothes and the lady's clothes – theirs certainly were not appropriate for the setting. Their colorful and majestic clothes outstood the tattered clothes that most people wore in the place.

"Is this a safe place?" He whispered to the lady as he walked closely behind her.

"Yes," she looked back at him and smiled, "this is sector four, a home to a thousand of underserved people of Hernnguard."

"Underserved?" He doubted. Since his existence, he looked at the kingdom with pride. He has never seen this side of the kingdom, nor knew the existence of such. He had viewed the kingdom as a prosperous place, "where are we going, anyway?"

"A special place," she answered. She stopped in front of one of the buildings in the place and knocked. The building was similar to the others. The walls are defaced with dirt and vandalisms. The wooden door looks as if it can be knocked down with a light kick.

The raven-haired lady knocked twice; an old lady wearing a faded blue dress opened the door and greeted the young lady.

Tomoyo greeted, "good day to you, Madam Celine."

"A good day to you too –" the old lady was about to mention her name when Tomoyo intercepted, "I have a friend me. He would also like to help here."

"Any help is much appreciated," Madam Celine curtsied in front of the two. Eriol curtsied as well.

"This is an orphanage," Tomoyo briefly explained to Eriol as she entered the premise of the building. Eriol followed shortly as his eyes wandered around the room. A long dining table was set in the middle of the room. This was accompanied with around twenty or more chairs. Eriol remained silent. Madam Celine closed the door right after the two went in.

"Where are the children?" Tomoyo asked the old lady.

"Oh," Madam Celine chuckled, "they are at the schoolroom, reading books."

Tomoyo placed the basket on the table, "So they enjoy reading my books."

"Madam," Madam Celine blushed slightly as she held the hands of the raven-haired lady, "your help is truly appreciated."

"This orphanage is being run using the donation of some philanthropists," Tomoyo explained to Eriol, "mostly from wealthy families."

"With a lot of children under my care," Madame Celine chuckled, "sometimes, there is a lack of funds."

"Does the royal court know the existence of this orphanage?" Eriol politely asked the old lady.

Madam Celine nodded, "but the request for donation was declined."

"I do not get it," Eriol answered, "why would they deny your request for donation."

"They explained to us that the kingdom cannot augment all charity works," Madame Celine said.

Eriol's eyebrows met.

"This young lady here," Madam Celine referred to Tomoyo, "is kind enough to send us food or clothing every week."

"It is nothing," Tomoyo blushed, "this is nothing compared to what you are doing, Madam."

"What is your name, young gentleman?" Madam Celine asked the young man.

Tomoyo looked intently towards the cerulean-haired man as well. It was something she's looking forward to as well.

"It's Eriol," Eriol honestly answered the old lady.

"Ah," the lady laughed, "the same name with the prince."

"Is it really your name?" Tomoyo doubted and the young man nodded. She thought, "so maybe it's the reason why he doesn't want anyone to know his name."

"I do not wish to be associated with the prince," he muttered. It was real. Being Eli means being free – something he would like to have. Something the prince cannot freedom associated with his alter-ego name, Eli, gave him a feeling he has not felt for his entire existence.

Suddenly, the door opened harshly. Three men entered the room. The three of them were wearing brown tunics with sheepskin coats. One of them shouted, "Celine, where is the food?"

to be continued