[Part 1/4]
"Has the letter already arrived?"
This was the straightforward question from the youngest daughter of Ako family as she stepped off the ox cart and reached the gate of the Akō family's villa, which was close to the palace. Inside, Murasaki felt pleased with her own bravery.
However, the laborers and maids who ca to greet her exchanged confused glances.
"...Is sothing wrong?"
When Murasaki asked, puzzled by their unusual behavior, a few of them finally spoke up.
"Um, well..."
"I have no idea what you're talking about, Miss..."
"Huh!?"
Murasaki showed a silly expression at their hesitant and unexpected responses. She quickly shared her thoughts and observations.
...The reaction of her shiki has completely vanished.
"That's impossible..."
What could have happened? This is the Central region──it's unimaginable for youkai to wreak havoc here. The capital's barrier should protect the people. No, the shiki she sent was crafted from court-approved spirit paper; it shouldn't have burned. More importantly, how did she not notice that the shiki was missing until now?
"Miss, what on earth has happened...?"
"The number of people is different from when you left, but... is there a problem, Miss?"
"I heard you were staying with relatives, but... you returned much earlier than expected?"
As the laborers and maids voiced their questions in unison, they looked at their mistress with puzzled expressions. Murasaki beca even more flustered at their inquiries.
In truth, Murasaki had shared little about her overnight stay with anyone except a select few. If she were to reveal that a young unmarried woman was staying under one roof with half-youkai orphans and a scandalous young lady, the elders would surely react strongly.
To the outside world, she claid to be visiting the ho of forr exorcists related to Onitsuki's hidden dormitory. While this wasn't a lie, it was essential to have a good excuse. She felt no guilt; she was simply trying to sidestep unnecessary overprotectiveness and trouble. Still...
"Um, um... that is..."
When flustered or nervous, Ako Murasaki would start speaking quickly or get stuck on her words. Especially since she was shy around outsiders, she usually beca quiet in situations like this.
"Miss Murasaki?"
"Your face is red! Are you feeling unwell?"
Murasaki fell silent, her face red with tension as she hunched over. Her maid and laborers expressed concern, but their questions only made her retreat further, deepening their unease and raising doubts about their lord.
"Oh, I'm sorry. I forgot to pass on a ssage."
...Suddenly, that apologetic voice sounded like a bell ringing.
"Eh!? O-Older cousin!?"
"I'm just here visiting... Didn't I tell you? My intuition is always right?"
Murasaki was taken aback by her cousin's sudden appearance from her own house, acting as if she owned the place. The calm pink princess addressed the maids rushing in after her, likely serving as her cousin's hostess. What had they discussed before she returned ho?
"O-Older cousin, this is..."
"Because it flew by like a fly, I accidentally squished it. I'm really sorry. I didn't an to do it, okay?"
"W-wait, what...?"
Aoi proudly shows off the remains of Shiki, completely squashed into a piece of paper. Murasaki sighs, her face twisted in discomfort. She seems unsure of how to react.
"Princess O-Onitsuki. If the Shiki is here, you could have told ...!"
The frightened old laborer speaks up to Aoi, reacting naturally to the interruption of a ssage from the lord. Given Aoi's status, personality, and power, she could certainly be regarded as a Hero.
"See? I apologized, didn't I? Just let it go. Right, Murasaki?"
"Uh? W-well, I'll tell my cousin later, so you should step back! I understand your loyalty to the house, but you need to realize this is too much for you!"
The pink princess responds coldly, leading Murasaki to order the servant to stand down for support. Onitsuki Aoi is elegant yet fierce, and a laborer could easily be "accidentally" hard by her intensity, which is why Murasaki intervenes.
"...I see."
As the pink princess's gaze fell on the laborer, they broke into a sweat, their spine freezing. After a quick response, they retreated into the group of other maids. Murasaki felt relieved they hadn't collapsed from the shock and turned back to her cousin.
"Um, cousin... what brings you here?"
"Oh, you're so cold. I just wanted to see my cousin's face, okay? Is that a problem?"
"N-no, not at all..."
In the past, her cousin's words would have filled Murasaki with joy. Yet, reflecting on her ti at the Onitsuki mansion, she realized how little they had actually seen each other due to bad timing. Murasaki had never visited her cousin once, leaving her with an odd feeling.
Surely, her cousin must have t the Household mber Coordinator more often than she had. For Ako's youngest daughter, that thought lingered even more.
"...I read the ssage inside the shiki. You need a doctor, right?"
"Uh, um... yes! That's correct!"
Seeing the reaction from Murasaki, Aoi squinted her eyes slightly and then pointed out sothing important, making Murasaki nod as if she just rembered.
That's right. Right now, she doesn't have ti to think about herself. There are young people from Fusō suffering from fever even as we speak.
"That's perfect. We have a doctor with us. ...Isn't he soone who works at my house? So, wouldn't it make sense to use my family's doctor for the treatnt?"
"Well, that's true, but... no, I appreciate your kindness!"
Murasaki hesitated briefly at Aoi's offer but accepted it sincerely. Given the possibility of being treated by soone from another house, using her own family's doctor felt appropriate. More importantly, she felt genuinely happy that her beloved cousin was willing to help her.
Yes. It was purely, purely...
"...Alright. Then let's hurry and go, shall we?"
"Okay?"
Before Murasaki could respond, Aoi swiftly climbed into her ox cart, taking the seat of honor.
"Um... Cousin? Is there an issue with that seat?"
"No, there isn't."
Though Murasaki had many things to say, Aoi's overwhelming presence silenced her. She felt a bad on; voicing any more thoughts might result in her outfit being torn to shreds.
"What are you doing? Hurry up and get on!"
"Yes...!?"
As a chill ran down her spine, Aoi urged her on. Murasaki hurriedly ran over and got onto the ox cart...
"Not you."
"Ouch!?"
Murasaki recoiled from the sudden impact, pressing her forehead as she nearly toppled over. Fortunately, soone behind her provided support, preventing a potentially dangerous fall.
"Are you okay...?"
"Ah, th-thank you. Um, who are you?"
With slightly teary eyes, Murasaki maintained her manners. The girl supporting her bowed deeply.
"I am Dokusawa Yakuko from the Onitsuki family, a branch of the Yakushiji family, part of the dic Group Yun-shoku. ...Please rember my na."
The young girl dic bowed respectfully to Murasaki, in stark contrast to her master.
...While internally cursing the trouble of being caught up in this.
* * *
Reviews
All reviews (0)