Chapter Text
It was the most glamourous event of the social Season. Everyone who was anyone in polite Edo society was at the ball following the Season’s Presentation of debutantes to the imperial Court. The champagne was flowing, the guests glittered in their best jewels, and the sounds of the orchestra could barely be heard above the chattering of the throngs of partygoers. Debutantes shyly glanced at the handsomest young men present, while their mamas and chaperones dutifully shepherded them away from the most notorious rakes and fortune hunters and towards the more eligible gentlemen present.
In short, it was loud, it was stifling, and Sesshoumaru, Inu no Taisho, Emperor of the West, and henceforth the most eligible bachelor present, despite certain dissipated tendencies was wishing heartily that he were anywhere else. Nursing a glass of champagne and a pressing headache from the noise and stuffiness of the overheated room, he wondered if he could manage to slip away quietly without being noticed or considered lacking in manners.
This hope was in vain, as not only was he was seated on a dais in full view of the crowd, but he was also seated next to his mother. The Dowager Empress was the acknowledged head of polite Society, usually acting as her son’s hostess. Had it not been for her efforts, Society would have scarcely seen their Emperor beyond the scope of his official activities, nor forgiven him his withdrawn demeanour and blunt way of speaking. She would not, he felt, allow him to withdraw until everyone present had paid their respects.
He leaned over towards her.
“Is this really necessary, Mother?”
She turned towards him, raising one perfectly shaped eyebrow.
“My son, Society depends upon us. Our favour. They would take it amiss if the highest-ranking gentleman were to cause the festivities to end prematurely.”
“I care little for society.”
She shot a steely glare at him.
“That, my dear is obvious.”
“Didn’t you handle the Court Presentations yourself last year? Without my help?”
“Pshaw! You were away on one of your interminable military exercises last year. No, I wanted you here specifically because it is high time you picked a bride, my son!”
“I have no interest in schoolroom misses and their matchmaking mamas! Most of them won’t even look me in the eyes.” He sneered.
“Perhaps if you were not such an ogre to anyone respectable, they might not be afraid of you. Your set-downs are well-known, believe me!”
Sesshoumaru raised an elegant eyebrow of his own.
“The succession must be secured!” His mother glanced over towards the figures of his half brother and his wife waltzing across the room. The fact that the former Emperor had seen fit to legitimize his half human son, placing him in the succession behind his pure blood heir had caused her no end of bitter frustration. Adding to her anxiety was Inuyasha’s recent marriage to a human noble, Lady Kagome Higurashi, a young woman of wit and high birth, brave enough to attempt to socialize on occasion with her taciturn brother-in-law. Sesshoumaru had initially shared her feelings, but after having served on campaign with his younger half-brother, he had come to respect Inuyasha’s courage and sense of justice, if not his good sense. Even though he had accepted Inuyasha as his most likely heir, he was aware that a half-demon heir born out of wedlock was not necessarily popular among the demon nobility, even though he was championed by the human nobility thrilled at the prospect of one of their own upon the Imperial throne.
More to see his mother uncomfortable than anything else, Sesshoumaru nodded in Inuyasha and Kagome’s direction.
“I’d be willing to marry, but I’m afraid Inuyasha stole a march on me.”
She gasped. “Sesshoumaru! You cannot mean-“
“Indeed, I do not. My sister-in-law is rather too combative for my tastes. She is merely one of the few women I have met who does not bore me to tears.”
“She is supposed to have a young relative who was presented tonight. If your interests lie in that line. Rie, or Rika or something of that nature”
“I don’t recall anyone by that name.”
“My son, you never do.”
He moved to stand. “Give the guests my regrets, Mother.”
“Where are you off to? Lady Kagura and your gaming-hell, I presume?”
Sesshoumaru sketched an ironic bow.
“Precisely, Mother!”
As he strode towards the exit, he was conscious of the crowd’s parting to allow him through. No one wanted to offend the Emperor by bumping or jostling him, risking a sharp set-down. It was then, quite the surprise to find himself colliding with a small woman, who had bent to pick up a handkerchief and was completely unaware of his presence. Her sudden intake of breath was all he registered before she tumbled towards the floor. Being gentleman enough to not want to knock a lady to the ground, he reached out from instinct and caught the lady’s upper arms in his large hands. He held on to her long enough for her regain her footing, and long enough for the ballroom to descend into appalled silence.
He let go of her, feeling an odd sense of loss, and she turned to face him. It was clear from her youth and white gown that she was one of this season’s debutantes. She was pretty in a fresh-faced sort of way rather than beautiful, with dark brown hair and eyes.
“Oh! I am so sorry!” She gasped out. “Thank you for being so good as to catch me,” she added, with an admittedly lovely, genuine smile and a blush that crept up her cheeks.
Sesshoumaru was non-plussed. Most young women, respectable ones anyway, refused to meet his eyes and the only smiles he was able to catch from them were rather forced and directed rather towards the jewels and position of an Empress, than his own charms.
This girl though was smiling at him as if she hadn’t a care in the world. As if she had not nearly proved an obstacle in the path of her Emperor. This was a new experience.
The question tumbled out of his mouth, before he could think better of it.
“Why are you smiling?”
Her smile faded slightly as she realized that she had bumped into her Emperor, who was regarding her with his intimidating stare. She dropped into a curtsey, perhaps more to compose herself than to acknowledge his rank, but when she straightened, her smile had returned in full force.
“Your Imperial Majesty, I am smiling because you were kind to me.”
She could not have said anything designed to discomfit him more.
“You mistake me. I am not known for my kindness.”
She shook her head, a stubborn curl working its way loose from her elaborate coiffeure. “You did not need to save me from falling. I was in the wrong place at the wrong time, and you chose to catch me rather than let me fall.”
“I only did what a gentleman must. Or do you not think me a gentleman?” His tone was sharp, his eyebrows narrowed. Wonder upon wonders, the girl was not intimidated.
“Be that as it may, you still chose to act in such a way that proves you a gentleman. For that I am grateful.”
“What did you say your name was again?”
She coloured prettily, “I am Rin Takahashi, Your Imperial Majesty.”
He turned away from her.
“Miss Takahashi?”
“Yes?”
His tone was far gentler than he’d intended.
“Be more aware of your surroundings.”
He did not see her nod, nor his brother and sister-in-law rush towards her as he swept towards the doors. He was only aware of a sense of embarrassment. It was not often anyone, let alone some chit fresh from the schoolroom managed to get the better of him.