
The ornate doors loomed ahead, their golden trim gleaming in the soft light filtering through the hallway. Intricate patterns of flowers and flowing rivers etched into the wood gave the doors an air of both elegance and authority.
“What’s this deal even going to be about?” I muttered under my breath, my unease bubbling to the surface. My gaze darted to Hana and Miko on either side of me. Neither offered an answer, their faces composed and unreadable.
Rael stood a step ahead, his tail flicking once in a way that hinted at confidence—or perhaps impatience. He raised his hand and knocked firmly on the door. The sound echoed softly in the quiet hallway, and my ears twitched as the faint sound of movement stirred on the other side.
“It’s Rael,” he said, his voice steady and formal. Yet, there was a subtle edge to it, a tension I couldn’t quite place.
The door slid open a moment later, revealing a slender attendant clad in muted robes. Their sharp eyes flicked first to Rael, but when they turned to me, recognition flashed across their face. Their posture shifted immediately, the slightest bow accompanying their words.
“Lady Murasakikiba.” Their tone carried the respect due to a noble, though their voice remained soft. Their gaze lingered on me just long enough to acknowledge my status before they stepped aside, bowing lower this time to allow us entry.
“You may enter,” the attendant said, straightening as they addressed us. Their movements were precise, almost unnervingly perfect.
Rael inclined his head, his expression neutral, and stepped through without hesitation. I followed close behind, the attendant's earlier formality bolstering my confidence despite the knot of unease in my stomach. Hana gave me a reassuring smile as she trailed behind, and Miko’s even, measured steps brought up the rear.
The room we entered was spacious, its design in line with the grandeur of the doors—simple, yet undeniably regal. Soft, muted colors dominated the walls, accented by splashes of gold and silver in the intricate patterns of the tapestries that adorned them. The air was thick with the scent of incense, the faintest trace of jasmine and sandalwood.
However, the space wasn’t as serene as it seemed at first glance. Several attendants bustled about the room, their movements quick and purposeful as they adjusted cushions, smoothed the floor, and organized various items on a low table near the center. Their focus, however, kept drifting toward the small figure seated at the far end of the room.
She sat with her back to us, her white hair cascading like a shimmering curtain down to her waist. Her ears, the same pure white as her hair, twitched faintly, while her equally pristine tail lay limp over her lap. She looked young, small, and far too fragile for the quiet chaos around her.
I blinked, caught off guard by her presence. Something about her felt familiar, but the memory danced just out of reach.
Rael stepped forward, his posture calm and deliberate, his voice lowering to a softer, gentler tone. “Lady Yuki,” he said, bowing his head slightly. “We’ve come to speak with you. Please take your time; we’re here when you’re ready.”
Her head tilted just slightly, her white ears twitching at the sound of her name, but she didn’t respond. Her shoulders were hunched, and her small hands gripped the edge of her sleeve tightly, as though bracing herself.
Yuki. The name stirred something in me—a memory of a night not long ago when a pale-haired girl had crept into my room. She’d been so quiet, so ghost-like, that I hadn’t even noticed her at first. When I finally did, I remembered she’d been trying to hide, her wide eyes peeking out with a mixture of fear and desperation.
Now, seeing her here, everything clicked. It was her. The little girl from that night.
I opened my mouth to say something, but before I could, one of the attendants stepped forward, bowing low before her. “Lady Yuki,” they said gently. “Your guests have arrived. Shall we proceed?”
Her head lifted ever so slightly, and she turned just enough for me to catch a glimpse of her face. Her wide eyes were filled with apprehension, her lips trembling as though she wanted to speak but couldn’t quite find the words.
Rael knelt down on one knee, lowering himself closer to her level. “Lady Yuki,” he said softly, his voice warm and steady, the way someone might speak to a frightened child. “This is Lady Murasakikiba.” He gestured toward me with a small, reassuring smile. “She and her companions are here to support you. There’s no need to rush—take your time.”
Her gaze shifted to me for a fleeting moment, and I could feel the weight of her uncertainty. She was scared—so much so that it bled into the very air around her. The ache I’d felt that night when she hid in my room returned, sharper and deeper than before.
I stepped forward, my movements slow and deliberate. “Hello again... Yuki,” I said, my voice as gentle as I could make it. The formality of titles felt like an awkward weight between us. “Do you remember me?”
Her head tilted slightly, her brows furrowing in faint confusion. She didn’t answer, but the way her eyes searched mine made it clear she didn’t recognize me. The thought stung more than I expected, but I pushed it aside.
Rael glanced back at me, his expression unreadable, before turning his attention back to Yuki. “Whenever you’re ready, Lady Yuki,” he repeated softly, his tone encouraging but not forceful.
Yuki’s small shoulders rose as she took a deep breath, her fingers releasing the tight grip they had on her sleeve. Her tail twitched ever so slightly, a subtle sign of the tension running through her.
Rael waited for a moment, giving her the space she seemed to need, then spoke again, his tone still respectful but soft, suited to her young age. “Lady Yuki, Lady Murasakikiba will be attending to you going forward. You’ll be spending time together to ensure your comfort and well-being.”
He turned to me, his expression serious. “Lady Murasakikiba, you must remain with Her Highness at all times.”
I blinked, startled. “Her Highness?” The words left my mouth before I could stop them, my tail flicking behind me in surprise.
Rael nodded, his tone calm but carrying a weight that left no room for doubt. “Lady Yuki is now the youngest princess of the Royal family.” He glanced at her with a respectful bow of his head, his ears twitching slightly in deference.
The revelation sent a jolt through me, though I kept my face composed, masking my unease behind a polite smile. My gaze flicked to Yuki, her wide eyes peeking up at me timidly, as though trying to gauge my reaction.
“Of course,” I said, forcing my voice to remain steady. The knot in my stomach tightened, but I managed to keep my tail from betraying the unease I felt. “It’s an honor, Your Highness.”
At my words, her ears flattened against her head, and her gaze dropped to the floor. Her small hands fidgeted nervously with her sleeves, and a shadow of sadness passed over her face. The sight sent a pang of guilt through me, and I immediately regretted my formal tone.
Rael’s attention returned to Yuki, his voice still gentle. “Lady Yuki, does this arrangement sound acceptable to you?”
She hesitated, her gaze flitting toward me briefly before she looked down at her hands again. Finally, after what felt like an eternity, she gave a small, timid nod.
Rael’s tail swayed once, a subtle sign of satisfaction. “Very well,” he said, straightening to his full height. He turned his attention to me, his expression more pointed now. “As agreed, you are to attend to Her Highness. In return, you will have the freedom to come and go from the embassy as you please. However, there is one additional expectation.”
I tilted my head slightly, my ears twitching in curiosity.
“You and Her Highness will attend a gathering in a few days,” Rael continued. “It will be an important event for both of you.”
The weight of his words settled over me, but despite the new responsibility, I couldn’t help but feel a flicker of excitement. Freedom to leave the embassy. Freedom to see Elias again. The prospect was thrilling, even if it came with strings attached.
Yuki’s gaze lifted slightly, her wide, hesitant eyes flickering between me and Rael. Her white ears twitched before flattening again, and her hands gripped her sleeve tightly once more. After a long pause, she gave a timid nod.
Rael inclined his head, a small, satisfied smile tugging at the corner of his lips. “Very well. For today, I’ll leave you to get better acquainted.”
As he turned to leave, he gestured for several guards and attendants to follow him, though not all. The room began to feel noticeably quieter as they exited, bowing respectfully as they passed.
Just as the ornate doors opened, I caught the low murmur of Rael’s voice as he addressed the remaining attendants outside. “Some items seem to have arrived from our ambassador friend. They will need to be verified immediately.”
His voice faded, along with the soft echo of his footsteps, as the doors closed behind him. Hana stepped closer to me, her hand brushing lightly against my arm in silent encouragement, her warm smile steadying the unease I hadn’t fully shaken. Miko, on the other hand, remained still, her stern expression showing no sign of approval or disapproval.
I stepped forward, keeping my tone light as I tried to bridge the gap between us.
“So, Your Highness, how are you feeling today?” I asked, my voice calm, trying to gauge her mood. “Did you sleep well last night?”
She looked at me for a moment, then quickly averted her eyes, her fingers nervously picking at the sleeve of her robe. No response.
Okay, that's not off-putting at all. I thought back to the night with her huddled up, scared.
I hesitated, unsure of what to say next, before trying again. “I imagine all of this must be a lot to process. How are you adjusting to everything?”
Her tail flicked slightly, but she didn’t reply, her gaze lost somewhere distant. It was like she wasn’t really seeing me at all.
I pushed forward, desperate to keep the conversation going. “Have you had a chance to look around the embassy yet? It’s a bit quieter than most places, I think. I know that’s something some people find soothing.”
Still, no response. It was as though I were speaking to someone who wasn’t there, and my mind scrambled to think of another topic.
I decided to try something from my training, recalling some of the lessons I’d been taught. “I’ve heard some find it calming to listen to music or nature sounds. Do you have a preference? Something to help you relax?”
A flicker of acknowledgment crossed her face, but it was gone in an instant.
I felt a little of my frustration creeping up. Nothing I said was breaking through. Not the usual pleasantries, not the subjects I’d been taught to introduce—nothing. It was like speaking into a void.
And then, I noticed something. It was subtle, but I couldn’t miss it. She kept glancing toward the door, her eyes flicking back every few seconds, like she was waiting for something—or someone—to come through.
Her gaze darted again, and I realized it wasn’t just a passing thought. She was focused on that door, even though she was pretending otherwise.
I hesitated, letting the silence stretch just a moment longer, before something clicked in my mind.
“Would you like to go for a walk outside the embassy?” I suggested, trying to keep my tone as calm as possible. “Some fresh air might help clear your mind.”
There was no immediate response, but her posture shifted slightly. Her tail gave a tiny flick, and her eyes lingered on me for just a moment longer than before, then flicked back to the door.
It wasn’t much, but it was something.
I didn’t get a chance to speak again before one of the attendants—still hovering in the background—stepped forward, her voice sharp. “Lady Yuki is in no condition for a walk, Lady Murasakikiba. She’s not—”
I intentionally let my frustration show just a little, turning to the attendant. Her words stopped short, and she froze at my gaze.
Her eyes widened, and she immediately bowed, stepping back with an apology. “I’m sorry, Lady Murasakikiba. Of course, I didn’t mean to overstep.”
I ignored her for the moment, my attention back on Yuki.
I noticed her staring at the door again, her posture a little more rigid than before, but this time I caught a glimpse of something in her expression—something that told me she wasn’t entirely closed off.
I took a breath. This wasn’t going as smooth as I would have thought but we have to start somewhere. She was closed off and seemed resistant to my current approach. My mind raced thinking about my brief encounter with her and Rael's interaction with her. I furrowed my brow for a moment before something clicked then I felt a smirk cross my face.
I decided to change my approach. “Yuki,” I said softly, dropping the formal title, and just using her name as Rael had.
The change was almost imperceptible, but I saw it. She relaxed just a little but remained stiff, but her eyes flickered to me, and this time there was a subtle shift. It wasn’t much, but there was a little more openness in her expression.
I nodded to myself, recognizing the moment for what it was. “Lady Yuki,” I said again, but this time the words felt more natural. “Let’s go for that walk. Some fresh air might do us both good.”
She didn’t answer right away, but the silence was different this time, as though she was considering it. She stood slowly.
For the first time since I entered the room, I felt like I’d made some progress.
I glanced toward Miko and saw the faintest smile tug at the corner of her lips. Even if Yuki didn’t speak yet, I knew that getting her to respond—getting her to move—was a small victory.
And I would take it.
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Happy Thanksgiving!
Happy Thanksgiving
Tftc
Hopefully she doesn't just run away. Talking with Lira and using her as an emotional support beam would be best.