Arabian Night : Mubarak
<< Chapter 4 : Words Hidden in Stone 01 >>
Mubarak's fingers crawl over my skin
Yuki : "ah.."
Mubarak : " heh heh heh..."
My body starts trembling, as if his fingers were agitating my cells, one by one..
Mubarak : "this shall do for now"
Mubarak takes his fingers off me. i am relieved, but also a little disappointed
Yuki : "er, by the way, this dress.."
Mubarak : "yes, let us take it. wait a second"
Mubarak makes the decision by himself and calls the shop clerk
Yuki : ( i am supposed to wear this embarrassing dress before such powerful people?! oh no..)
while i fret over my impending embarrassment, the clerk hands something over to mubarak
Mubarak : "wear this"
Yuki : "a shawl?"
Mubarak : "this dress suit you, but others must not see your bare skin. just me"
Yuki : (could he actually care about me?this cold guy? no way. it must just be a whim)
Mubarak : "although a 'yamato nadeshiko' would probably great in a kimono, too.."
Yuki : "at a foreign party?"
Mubarak : "you think you will stand out? if you get embarrassed in the spotlight, that will be nice, too. yes,
i will immediately send for a kimono from japan"
Yuki : "stop!"
Mubarak settles the bill for the dress, and we get into the car to buy jewelery. Apparently, some jewelery has already been ordered. The car we are riding is so luxurious, the jewelery will doubtlessly be horrendously expensive too
Yuki : (as expected, they're all icnredibly classy)
I watch the reactions of people passing the store. Yet again, Mubarak's high status comes to my mind
Mubarak : "what is it?"
Mubarak is gazing out of the windows, but as he notices me looking at him, he turn to me
Yuki : "uh, is it really all right for you to buying me such an expensive dress?"
Mubarak : "if you look shabby when we are out together, i will lose face"
Yuki : "that may be the case, but- (so, it wasn't for my sake. how fittingly cold-blooded for him)
so next we are going to look at jewels?"
Mubarak : "yes, you need accessories with that dress"
I have lots of my own jewelery, due to my job. but the accessories i own are not suitable for this dress
Yuki : (it's not like they were made for celebrities. there's not much i can do about it)
Mubarak : "i don not know that much about accessories. but a good man will choose for me"
Yuki : " a good man?"
mubarak : "an acquaintance of mine. a dependable man"
Yuki : "aha. even an ill-tempered guy like you has friends, then?"
Mubarak: "of course. but not many"
<< Chapter 4 : Words Hidden in Stone 03 >>
His happy smile must been that they're very close to each other. i'm a little envious, somehow. i wonder why. he never shows me his friendly face
Yuki : "what kind of acquaintance?"
mubarak : "from when i was studying in the US"
Yuki : " you've studied in the US?"
Mubarak : "yes, during my university time. it is important to boarden your horizons"
Yuki : "hmm.."
considering mubarak's status, it's not surprising that he has studied abroad. but somehow it's still unexpected
Mubarak : "he is a curious guy. he likes the gems you can find in this country, and he prepares them for sale"
Yuki : "really? that's exactly the reason why i came to this country.."
Mubarak : "because you are a curious woman. then i am sure you will have lots to talk about with Llyod"
Yuki : "his name is Mr. Llyod?"
Mubarak : "yes. he is also on very good terms with the queen, and i will make sure to introduce you. but be
careful"
Yuki : " huh?"
Mubarak : "Llyod is a scoundrel"
<< Chapter 4 : Words Hidden in Stone 04 >>
As we enter the gorgeous building that houses the jewelery store, i notice the red carpet on the floor, and a lot of people waiting on the sides of the corridor. They are not staff, but still appear to be servants of some kind
Yuki : (this is.. a shop?)
Mubarak : "whya re you so nervous?"
Yuki : "is this really a jewelery shop?"
Mubarak : "yes"
servant : "prince mubarak, please let me escort you to the guest room"
Mubarak : "yes. come"
Yuki : "ah, don't pull me!"
Mubarak pulls me by the hand and briskly walks further into the store
Question :
look around
squeeze his hand [+5]
shake his hand off
For some reason, i squeeze mubarak's hand
Mubarak : "are you afraid you will get lost, child?"
Yuki : "i-i won't get lose! and i am not a child!"
Mubarak : "when i first saw you at the palace, i thought you were a stray orphan"
Yuki : (excuse me?!)
<< Chapter 4 : Words Hidden in Stone 05 >>
Yuki : (Amazing!)
As we enter the spacious guest room, a wide array of dazzling jewels has been prepared already. My eyes sparkle with delight, and suddenly a silver-haired man comes in from the back
Mubarak : "i will call for Llyod"
Mubarak makes me sit down and leaves the room. In his stead, a man enters the room
?? : "huh, who are you? i can see you're a foreigner, but.."
Yuki : "er, i'm Mubarak's..(er, Mubarak's what?! what should i say? i can't say i'm the future queen!
Mubarak's.. lover? n-no!)
?? : "oh, i see.. you don't quite know who you are, but a beautiful young lady like you sure is more than welcome here"
he takes my hand and pulls it towards him
Yuki : ?!
??? : "your beauty surpasses all th gems in this store!"
i am inadvertently mesmerized by the gaze of his clear eyes. suddenly..
Mubarak : "what are you doing?"
Mubarak's voice, chilly as ever, echoes through the room
<< Chapter 4 : Words Hidden in Stone 06 >>
Over the man's shoulder, i see Mubarak, it seems like he has returned to the room all of a sudden
Mubarak : "that woman is your attendant, so.."
??? : "it's been a long time Mubarak"
The man interrupts Mubarak, speaking to him over his shoulder. Mubarak instantly turns silent, only displaying a bitter smile
Mubarak : "who do you think you are, Llyod?"
Llyod : "you seem unusually upset. what's up?"
Mubarak : "what?"
Llyod : "is the drama unintentional? ah, well. we haven't met like this in ages. aren't you happy?"
Mubarak : "from the looks of it, you are quite happy yoursefl, Llyod"
Llyod : "all thanks to you. is this the lady you mentioned on the phone?"
Mubarak : "yes"
Llyod : "and now you want to make your woman a present. young lady, would you kindly tell me your
name, perhaps?"
Yuki : "uh..Yuki Masaki"
Llyod : "what a nice name. My name is Llyod, and i am pleased to meet you"
Mubarak : "Yuki, feel free to be frank with him. he is simply a scoundrel, is he not?"
Llyod : "how rude! i won't make you a jewel if you treat me like this.."
the two laugh. it looks like this banter is their regular greeting of choice
Yuki : (looks like mubarak really does have friends. i wish he usually laughed like this)
Llyod : "i've already chosen the jewel you described. where's the dress?"
Mubarak : "the attendant has it. let me see if it goes well with the jeel and then i want you to pick a few
casual things"
Llyod : "for everyday use?"
Mubarak : "yes"
Llyod : "don't you want to chose them yourself?"
Mubarak : "i trust your judgment"
Llyod : "that's an honor. i can hardly stand the pressure!"
Yuki : (i thought we' d just come here to pick up a jewel for the party. but..)
i glance at Llyod, who is busy comparing different jewels in a case to my dress. His earnest eyes remind me of my own passion for jewels
Yuki : (he doesn't look like a scoundrel..)
<< Chapter 4 : Words Hidden in Stone 07 >>
Mubarak : "stop sandering about. sit down"
Yuki : "o-okay"
i follow his beckoning gesture and sit down on the sofa
Mubarak : "you like jewels too, right?"
Yuki : "huh?"
Mubarak : "your eyes are shining"
Yuki : "er, well.. yes. so much that i've made it my job"
Mubarak : "i see.."
Llyod : "have you seen any you particulary like?"
Llyod comes back, as if for the sole purpose of interrupting me.
Yuki : "y-yes.. they're all marvelous!"
Llyod : "Mubarak, nuy whichever you want. she's your future wife, so there's nothing wrong with spoiling
her rotten now"
Yuki : "ah, it's not like that! we're not..."
Llyod : "huh? but you're the maiden of the jewel, aren't you?"
Mubarak : "Llyod, how do you even know this?
<< Chapter 4 : Words Hidden in Stone 08 >>
Llyod : "is it strange that i do?"
Mubarak : "it is, actually. Yuki's arrival has not been made public. so it is strange for an unrelated person like
you to know"
Llyod : "tsk. you're making such a scary face. i went to the palace one day and overheard something and
anyway, why not make it public? what's the worst that can happen?"
He pats Mubarak's shoulder lightly, but Mubarak has fallen into a gloomy silence
Yuki : (is my existence so terrible that no one must know..?)
Mubarak : "Llyod, do not reveal this to anyone"
Llyod : "okay, okay, got you. still, your prudence is unusual"
Mubarak : "her role is just too important. i cannot afford to put her life at risk"
Yuki : (huh? my life?!)
<< Chapter 4 : Words Hidden in Stone 09 >>
Llyod : "that seems laudable. how unusual indeed. but if you're worried about that, shouldn't you stop
parading her around? you never have any interest in women, and now you're ferrying such a
beautiful one around! people are gonna talk, you know. is there any reason she can't stay in the
palace?"
Mubarak : "no particular reason"
Mubarak sounds frustrated as he asnwers Llyod. somehow i have a lump in my throat, but i don't quite know why
Llyod : "by the way, young lady. the jewel has arrived. please come and have a look"
Llyod looks up to the servant with a refreshing smile. There is a purple pedestal. on top of it sits a dazzlingly sparkling big red jewel
Yuki : "whoa!"
Mubarak : "Llyod, this shape.."
Llyod : "yes, it's based on the emblem of royal family. of course i gave it a special shape. Yuki, would you
try it on, please?
<< Chapter 4 : Words Hidden in Stone 10 >>
Llyod : "you get a completely different impression of it when it is worn, rather than just sitting there"
Yuki : "y-yes.."
Llyod guides me towards the mirror with his white gloves
Mubarak : "let me put it on, then"
Mubarak takes the necklace off Llyod
Question :
let mubarak put it on [+5]
put it on yourself
let llyod put it on
Yuki : (i'm a little anxious about Mubarak putting it on, but..well, why not?)
Mubarak : "be still"
The touch of Mubarak's hand on my neck send a sensation akin to an electric shock through me
<< Chapter 4 : Words Hidden in Stone 11 >>
Llyod : "what do you think?"
Yuki : "it's stunning! too beautiful for me!" (but surely, this jewel..)
Mubarak : "well then, let us take it"
Yuki : "ah, Mubarak! hang on a second!"
Mubarak : "why?"
Yuki : "this design is gorgeous and so is the jewel tself, but.. you know with jewel;s there's something
called 'stone words'"
it means that the jewel's energy produces a message. This message can have a good meaning or a bad meaning.. and this jewel's words are ''evil'' and ''sinister''.. its not right for a marriage ceremony
Yuki : "its not something i've been concerned about before,but as wonderful as the stone is, it makes
me anxious"
Mubarak : "do not worry about such nonsense. if you do not like it, then that is that. Llyod, i'm sorry but
maybe a different.."
Yuki : "i'm sorry, Mr Llyod.."
Llyod : "no, don't apologize. I knew about this jewel's words"
Yuki : "huh? but..
Llyod : "but stone words can have a lot of different meanings and there have been lots of people who
don't care about this"
Yuki : "for ure,, i'm sorry for being a pain!"
Llyod : "no,no and anyway, you know a lot about jewel, Yuki"
Yuki : "actually, i'm a jewelery designer myself. i'm just a novice, but i've learnt about this"
Llyod : "oh, i see,. in that case.."
Llyod smiles knowingly
Mubarak : "Llyod, i'm sorry, but do you think you could change the jewel and fix that issue?"
Llyod : "of course or perhaps.."
Llyod call the servant again, and has another necklace with the same design brought in. This one is green
Llyod : "i've prepared one more to be on the safe side"
Mubarak : "heh, as expected"
Llyod : "its color is no match for the previous one, but i think this one ain't bad?"
Mubarak : "mmh. what do you think?"
Yuki : "this one is fine! its word is love"
Mubarak : "love, eh? way too good for you!"
Yuki : "w-what that supposed to mean?!"
Mubarak : "just a slip of the tongue"
Yuki : "you mean, you misspoke?" ( a slip pf the tongue implies he actually does think that!)
Mubarak : "oh, well. we will take this one. thanks for your help, Llyod"
Llyod : "no worries. Anything for an old friend. The royal family are my most valued customers!"
Mubarak : "a rich old friend, then"
As we get back to the palace, noght is falling already
Yuki : "mh. thank you for today, Mubarak. i really enjoyed looking at all the pretty dresses and jewels"
Mubarak : "don't mention it. all part of my work"
Yuki : "well, thank you anyway. i got to see another side of you, too"
Mubarak : "another side of me?"
Yuki : "yes, i saw that you have friend! and i've seen your genuine smile. i wouldn't have had that chance
otherwise"
Mubarak : "genuine smile..do i not smile normally?"
Yuki : "nope, not at all. even if you laugh, its always a bit sinister!"
Mubarak : "really.."
Yuki : "Mr. Llyod must be a very trusted friend of yours and there's something cute about your smile,
somehow"
Mubarak : "cute?" why are you talking to me so arrogantly?"
Mubarak touches my chin with his fingertips and look sat me intently
Mubarak : "do not think too much. if you are with me, just do as i tell you, that is enough"
He says this bluntly, then turns back. i look after him with a strange feeling in my heart. i spend the evening in my room, wearing the clothes that Mubarak has bought for me
Yuki : "i knew it! this one really is embarrassing..." (even though the shawl makes it less revealing, it is completely different to the clothes i normally wear)
suddenly, the doors opens without as much as a knock and in comes Mubarak
Yuki : "aah! w-what is it, Mubarak? to just come in without knocking, at this time of night!"
Mubarak : "heh. do not get this wrong, Yuki. it depends entirely on my mood how i treat you. i am under no
obligation to pay attention to your demands"
Yuki : (he's such a horrible human being!)
Mubarak : "so, you wearing those clotehs, eh? looks like you really like them"
Yuki : "uh-huh..(these feelings are complicated. i'm grateful to him for buying me these clothes, but i hate
having to obey such an ill-tempered ass!)
Mubarak stares at me in silence for a while, and smiles maliciously
Mubarak :"take it off"
Yuki : "huh?"
Mubarak : "did you not hear me? i said take it off"
Yuki : (huh!?) "w-what are you saying, all of a sudden?"
Mubarak : "if you cannot do it, i will"
Mubarak comes close and grabs my hands
Mubarak : "now, you can't escape"
Yuki : "b-but, what, why do you want me to undress so sud-!?"
Mubarak : "did you misunderstand something?i am asking you to take that shawl off"
Yuki : "huh?oh that " (phew.. but without this shawl, i'm half naked anyway! that's embarrassing, as
well..)
But i have long since realized that resisting him is pointless. i reluctantly take the shawl off
Mubarak : "mmh. of course, it is a lot better like this. you can wear he shawl at the party, but when we are
alone, you wear the dress like this"
Yuki : "okay. i got it" ( i genuinely have no idea what's going on in this guy's head. he gives me a shawl,
then doesn't want me to wear it around him. what?)
Mubarak : "this party will have something special to look forward to"
Yuki : "what would that be?"
He looks at me with his sinister smile
Mubarak : "i will teach you to be a real lady
< continued >
Main Story Arabian Dessert : Mubarak
Tidak ada komentar:
Posting Komentar