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Chapter 6
Miyako was distant from her
father. Ever since her second encounter with Takenaga, she had held a
secret grudge against him. But she was being a brat again, and quickly
tried to correct herself. Yet she still couldn’t understand how anyone
wouldn’t see Takenaga’s true nature.
Or was it just maybe that she was
delusional and that she imagined it all? Had she always just fabricated the
malicious glint, and the vicious grin? But how could she and why would she? As
she sat in her room, leaning against one of the thin screen doors that lead
outside to her own personal garden, she began to contemplate on this.
The autumn wind trickled in
through the spaces which the doors missed. Kyohei had been away with her father
all day and so everything had been relitavley quiet. She feared going outside,
for the thought of running into Takenaga was not something she relished.
Soon she began to over contemplate
every conversation she had ever had with Takenaga. But she eventually gave up
and tried to soothe the headache that was throbbing in the back of her head.
In attempt to ease the headache
she sat down upon her bed, leaning against a pillow. A young servant girl came
into the room. The girl handed Miyako a piece of parchment held together with a
wax seal bearing the emblem of a stallion. “I is a letter from Reoh-san.” she
said timidly.
“I see, thank you for bringing it
to me.” Miyako replied with a small smile. It seemed most of the servants were
shy around her, what were they so afraid of? She had often wondered this when
the servant’s children wouldn’t play with her when she was younger.
Before Miyako thought to ask the
girl, she was gone. Miyako shrugged and broke the seal, and began to read.
Dear Miyako,
I am overjoyed to hear you are coming. I wonder how much we have
changed since my last visit? Do you still insist on wearing pants instead of
kimonos? I’m kidding, kidding. I’m regretful to report that I will not be able
to meet you when you arrive. Father insists I go to a conference with him.
Please don’t be angry. Whom is this Kyohei that will be accompanying you? Well
enough questions, I am truly sorry I won’t be able to see you arrive. Until we
see each other again.
Sincerely, Reoh.
‘He writes like a noble of the
city alright.’ she thought. Miyako could already tell Reoh had changed. She
wondered if he had changed so much that the two of them would drift apart? Had
she changed? Once again she was over contemplating, she really needed to stop
doing that.
Kakara and Kyohei arrived home
around sunset, with both looking exhausted. Just where had they been? Miyako
debated on wether to ask or not. That nights dinner were rice balls and ramen.
The cook had a cold and so that had to do with this simple dinner. Miyako had no
qualms with it. She wasn’t picky about anything except for books. The silence at
the table was thick, the girl wondered if you might be able to slice it through
with a dagger. “So my daughter, how was your day?” asked her father simply,
breaking the silence.
“Quiet” was her reply.
“I see, you must forgive me for
taking off with your sparing partner, but I thought it best if you stayed here.
Other wise I would have taken you along.” Kakara explained. At this miyako gave
him a confused look.
“Where did you go if I may be so
bold as to inquire.” She was using noble speech, for some reason that always
worked best to get something out of her father.
“There have been attacks in some
of the smaller villages where some of the larger clans are scattered. As you
know our village cannot contain every member of every clan and so there are
smaller villages near this for the members who do not belong to 1st or 2nd
branches. Kyohei and I went to parole the area, I thought it far too dangerous
for you to go.” At this Miyako slightly scowled. ‘Far too dangerous...pfft I can
certainly take care of myself.’ she said inwardly.
“Why would you think that? I can
defend myself.” she asked a bit peeved. Her father stayed calm used to miyako’s
dislike of being implied to be weak. His face was unreadable as he thought best
to how to word his explanation.
“Ether way daughter, it would no
doubt cause turmoil if were to happen to you.” he said, clearly leaving
something out. With that he made clear that the conversation was over and the
subject closed. The rest of the meal went by without incident. Kyohei hardly
spoke, which was a bit odd. He had grown comfortable with the family and usually
added to conversation and even started it at most meals. Miyako blew it off as
being exhaustion of the day taking its tole upon the boy. But how much more
thought she should have put into that silence. For all through dinner the young
man fretted over their visit with Reoh and the relationship between Reoh and
Miyako.
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