My Fair Lady? Chapter 1

"No."

Akira was never one of many words; sometimes all it would take was one to get his point across. Like now-he glared at the bald man before him who was fidgeting nervously. No matter how much he pushed or pleaded, he would never-EVER-go through with this. There was no way he could make Akira do it.

The other man-known by the name Dorcas-didn't give up that easily. "Please! I'm begging you-our intelligence reports that Toshima may have something to do with the drug cartel Vischio. They may even be hiding them!" His voice was whinning. "The best way to confirm the rumors is to infiltrate the capital and possibly interrogate either the country's advisor Arbitro-who has quite a few shady dealings-or the ruler himself-who's been known to disappear from time to time."

"I still don't see why I have to dress as a woman!" Akira protested.

"Because the lord of Toshima has declared his intent to marry!" Dorcas insisted. "Several ladies have been invited to the capital so he could choose a bride. It's the perfect opportunity for one of our spies-like you-to slip in and look for information!"

"Then ask one of the others! There are plenty of female spies in our ranks, so any of them would work!"

Dorcas shook his head. "No they won't! The only noblewoman from Mikasa who was invited is the late Julianna Wincott-rest her soul-and a portrait of her was sent to Toshima months earlier. Due to her death, her parents have given their permission to let her identity be used as an alias. And while paintings don't always show the subject's true appearance-since embellishment is often used-it would be highly suspicious if a person claiming to be Lady Julianna looked nothing like her image. You bear a strong resembelence to her, so that makes you the perfect candidate."

Hardly anyone in the small country of Mikasa didn't know about the woman named Julianna Wincott. When the Vischio began smuggling drugs into Mikasa, Julianna volunteered to help treat those who had come under the drugs' influence. Her parents-who also wished to put a stop to the smuggling operations-had sent a portrait of her to the lord of Toshima in the hopes that the bargain would push him to stop the Vischio. In the end, not only was the offer refused but also Julianna passed away not too long ago due to overwork.

Besides dressing as the opposite gender, Akira had no wish to take the identity of someone who died. Yet for all his whinning Dorcas had a point; to make the disguise as perfect as possible, it would be best to have someone who looked like the figure in the portrait. "Doesn't the lord of Toshima know about her death?" Akira asked, trying to find one last escape. "It would give away whoever was pretending to be her."

"No-the Wincott family said nothing since they received the invitation before they heard of her fate; they knew that we would use this to our advantage. Anyone who witnessed Lady Julianna's passing were told explicitly to never breathe a word of it on pain of death. The only ones who know outside the Wincott family are us."

So there wasn't any way out of this. Akira was positive that even if he refused, the higher ups would order him to take this mission. He let out a sigh; may as well get this over with.

"Fine."


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Three days later...

"S-Stop...it...it...h-hurts..."

"Hold your breath, Akira! It'll be easier."

"My...my...organs...are coming...out!"

"No they're not; you'll be fine!"

"I'll be fine...if I can't...breathe?"

"...well, that's the point..."

"You're...joking...right?"

Motomi-a middle aged man and one of the information gatherers-walked over to Dorcas and waited outside the room Akira-with the help of two Wincott maids-was getting dressed in. "How is it going in there?" he asked. Wearing the Wincott emblem, Motomi would pose as "Julianna's" escort once at the capital. Dorcas would relay information from the group infiltrating Toshima back to their base in Mikasa. Over the past three days he and the maids taught Akira the basics of acting the part of aristocracy to help his disguise. "Are they done yet?"

Dorcas shook his head. "They're still working on the corset; I don't envy Akira one bit."

"Can't you...loosen this...thing a...little...?"

"Akira has a point; maybe we should let him breathe a little."

"True. If it's only a little tight like this..."

"...HAH!"

"...then it still makes it look like he has curves."

"You're right, that should be enough. Now to get the rest of the dress on. Is your weapon strapped on, Akira?"

"Fu...Yes..."

"Alright, then. Raise your arms a little..."


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After what seemed like hours, the doors to the changing room finally opened. Motomi and Dorcas looked over to see the finished result-

-and stared in stunned silence.

"You outdid yourselves." Dorcas commented to the two proud maids.

Had none of them known better, they would've been convinced that the person in front of them was a female. Thanks to the corset, Akira's waist looked curved while the padding on the top gave the illusion of having breasts. The maids had strategically picked a light blue silk dress with a high collar (to hide the adam's apple), sleeves which puffed out to the wrist (to hide muscles on the arms), and a wide billowy skirt (to hide lack of hips and shoes without heels-since Akira was tall enough already). A wig hid Akira's boyishly short hair and was pulled back into a simple yet elegant bun. The make up was done simple with nothing over the top. While the nails on his hands were mostly left alone, his hands looked slender and feminine thanks to a soaking to soften them. For jewelry, the maids had chosen a simple pair of drop pearl earings (clip ons, since Akira didn't have pierced ears) and a decorated comb for the hair.

"...quit staring." Akira muttered, averting his gaze in embarrassment.

And the illusion was quickly shattered.

"...if Akira speaks even one word, his cover will be blown." One of the maids-Ayane-murmured. "His voice is too deep."

"What should we do?" The other maid-Lona-asked.

Motomi was quiet for a moment, then he replied. "All that anyone in Toshima knows about Lady Julianna is her appearance-thanks to the portrait-and that she is a noblewoman who worked to help drug addicts in Mikasa. Why don't we say she is mute, than? Also, Akira won't have to worry about acting a certain way to fool everyone as long as he shows some eloquence like the aristocracy expects out of a lady."

No one protested to the idea. With everything ready to go, Akira, Motomi, and the maids headed outside where a carriage provided by the Wincott family.

The mission had begun.


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"Welcome, fair ladies, to our fine capital!" Akira stood with the rest of the bachelorettes and their escorts in the entrance hall of Toshima Manor-the home of the country's lord. Before them stood a blonde man wearing a white suit, a boa, and a mask covering the top half of his face. This man was Arbitro, advisor to Toshima's ruler. "Before I introduce you to my lord, I've been asked to explain how things shall proceed.

"First, my lord will be introduced to each of you lovely ladies. Then, each of you will have a chance to formally meet him one-on-one after dinner; with your escorts present, of course. Next, each of you will take turns spending a day with him. Finally-at a ball occuring at the end of the month-he will announce his choice for a bride. Now, unless there are any questions, wait here while I check on my lord and make sure he is ready..." With that, Arbitro left them.

Akira looked around the hall. Besides himself and Motomi, there were nine ladies and their escorts. All of them began murmuring to each other the moment Arbitro left the room.

"Oh? What do we have here?" A woman with dark red hair approached Akira, a smirk adorning her face. Out of all the women here, she was the most extravegantly dressed; a brilliant purple and gold silk dress covered her form while her hair cascaded down to the middle of her back. She wore a lot of gold and amethyst jewelry and held a fan open over the lower part of her face to conceal her obvious smile. "You're from Mikasa, aren't you? I can tell from your simple dress; no better than a commoner."

The woman's comments didn't intimidate Akira, but her haughtiness gained instant dislike from him. He wanted to tell her off, but if he did then his cover would be blown. Luckily, someone else did it for him.

"Lady Verena, do not be so rude." Another lady chastised the first. Her light brown curly hair was pulled back with a pink ribbon and she wore a kind smile when she looked over at Akira. While her dress-deep magenta and made from brocade-wasn't so bold, a closer inspection revealed an intricate pattern on the fabric, indicating high status. Her jewelry consisted of a silver chain with a locket on it and pink sapphire drop earings. "There is no need for this lady to weigh herself down with fabrics and jewels just to impress a lord."

Verena-the woman who had insulted Akira-lowered her head while keeping her gaze on the lady who entered. While the fan still covered her mouth, the position of her head and the way she fanned herself indicated vexation. "Bold words from someone who comes from a disgraced family." she said, words dripping with acid. With a toss of her head, Verena left.

The lady who stood up for Akira let out a sigh. Her hands-which had clenched into fists earlier-relaxed. "I'm sorry for the trouble Lady Verena gave you." she apologized. "Although she is only a Baroness she acts like she's a queen. Don't let her get to you. Ah! I forgot my manners; my full title is Duchess Emeline Weller, but you may call me Emeline. And you are...?" She waited for Akira's answer.

Motomi-who was nearby-stepped in. "Forgive my lady's apparent coldness, but she does not have the ability to speak." he explained. "This is Countess Julianna Wincott."

Emeline raised a hand to her mouth. "Oh! I should be the one to apologize. Had I known about her disability I would not have been so discourteous." She gave a deep curtsy to Akira. "Please forgive me, Lady Julianna."

Akira gave a nod. "Knowing my lady, she takes no offense." Motomi interpreted. "You don't have to worry your head off."

Before Emeline could speak again, Arbitro entered the room. "My lord is ready to see you now. Allow me to introduce Lord Shiki of Toshima."

The doors opened, and the ruler of Toshima stepped out.

Even from a distance, this man carried a strong presence. Black hair and clothing contrasted sharply with skin so pale it was almost white. Any other details Akira couldn't pick out from this far. Once the man-Shiki-climbed down the staircase, Arbitro began naming off the ladies who were present one by one. When called, they walked over to Shiki, curtsied, and returned to their place. When Verena was called, she waltzed right up and gave a dazzling smile as she curtsied. Emeline was a bit slower and seemed a bit shaky; she was biting her bottom lip on her hurried return.

"Countess Julianna Wincott of Mikasa."

Akira took a deep breath, exhaled, and walked up-and halted.

Up close, he could see more of Shiki. He was a slender man, with fine features. Despite the lack of a smile, he had an etheral beauty that made him seem not of this world; like an angel or a statue created by a master sculpter. Along with long, dark lashes, he would have looked more like a porcelain doll than a human had it not been for one thing-his irises looked like they were dyed in blood. Contrasting to his doll-like appearance, there was something in those eyes that both repulsed and drew Akira in.

They were the eyes of a demon.

"Lady Julianna?"

The sound of someone calling his alias snapped Akira out of his thoughts. Face turning red, Akira lifted his skirt slightly, crossed his ankles, and curtsied deeply while keeping his gaze on Shiki. He then got up and quickly returned to his place, but he could still feel those red eyes watching him.

"Intimidating?" Emeline asked sympathetically. "He's like that to anyone and everyone. There's something about him that...makes you want to run away or keeps you frozen in place. I was surprised you kept looking him in the eye, though. I don't know of anyone who could do that; even Arbitro."

Akira nodded in agreement. His heart was still racing from the brief encounter and those eyes were still imprinted in his mind.

He would have to get his act together if he wanted to get through this mission.


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At last, the preliminary introductions were over.

While dinner was being set out in the dining room, Shiki and Arbitro met in the study. "So; did any of them catch your eye?" Arbitro asked. "I believe one of them-the Wincott girl-had proposed to you months earlier."

"None of them." Shiki retorted. "You know very well that things such as courtship and marriage hold no intrest to me, Arbitro."

The blonde man nodded. "I share your feelings for them as well; women don't have the same...beauty, as certain men do. However, you are under an obligation to choose a bride who will bear heirs to the throne. Without a legal heir of your blood, the people of Toshima will revolt and attempt to push one of the other aristocratic families into the position of rulers. So to keep a hold on the throne, you must marry."

Shiki closed his eyes, then reopened them. Red eyes burned with a cold fire, filled with determination and a will to stop at nothing for a specific purpose. "This has nothing to do with keeping my power over the country; I just can't afford to be distracted by a revolt or the aristocrats plottings. A month looking for a woman to marry and bear children is a small price to pay in comparison."

Arbitro said nothing, but a bemused smile was on his face. "Well then, dinner is ready. Best not to keep the guests waiting or stretch this longer than it needs to be."