inimical

six

CHAPTER 6: DO YOU UNDERSTAND?

Someone knocks on your door. The taps were light and careless, it could not be Charlotte.

"Lady [f/n], the Captain is asking for you." A Blue Rose member says.

You step away from your desk while smoothing out the wrinkles on your sleeves and dusting your boots. For the kingdom's standards, appearances link to reputation— you have no choice but follow them. However you don't go overboard to the point where the battlefield is a fashion show. Like your sister, you prefer to wear whatever is comfortable and works best.

Whoever was at your door appeared to have left immediately, you didn't find them as you walked out. When you passed the lounge, a few members were relaxing with tea and pastries on the table; they chat away in loud and condescending tones. You wonder how they're not busy at this time.

It's just past lunch and yet they are feasting on savories..?!

You arrive at the captain's large mahogany door and quickly went inside. You knew she would hate it if you knocked; she was already expecting you and you didn't want her to wait. Her personality was what you grew used to, and came to respect.

From a single, respectful glance, her brows are slightly furrowed, indicating urgency and setting up a tense atmosphere. This makes you straighten your posture, bracing for what you have to hear, and perhaps carry. You hope it's not as serious as you think.

"You called, Captain?" You stood, giving your full attention.

"Yes. I know this is sudden but," she pulls out a piece of parchment, "I'm assigning you a mission."

You take the delicate sheet and skimmed through its contents. You recognize the dark and neat handwriting belonging to an advisor, it was no ordinary mission. "'Protecting a village'? This could be taken by Junior Magic Knight... Am I wrong..?"

She hummed. "The objective, yes, but the anticipated events that chain with it are not. This mission was arranged by the Wizard King himself, and I deemed it best for a Senior Magic Knight to go. In this case, you are the only one available..."

That got your attention. "May I ask for details?"

She sighed. "There is too much to say... To put it simply, there are large-scale rebellions growing on the outskirts. There's suspicion that they'll invade towards the capital, starting with innocent villages."

You clenched your fists. "That's cruel."

Her hands weave together. "Indeed."

"I promise that it doesn't happen." As you rolled up the paper in your hands, you turned to the door. You wanted to prepare as soon as possible.

"Ah..! [f/n], before you go..."

You stopped in your tracks. "Hm..?"

"You have a partner to work alongside with— do you know Yami Sukehiro? I heard you're good friends with him."

Dropping dead never sounded so much better to do than now. You felt your legs stiffen and certain pain form in your chest, as if someone had squeezed your heart out of nowhere— or perhaps you are overdramatic. Your hand went to your chest, the vibrations from your heartbeats reassured that you aren't dead. Still, haunting visions of that peculiar night flash in your mind...

"I think I love you."

(  . . .  )

"[f/n]? Is everything alright?"

You stood up straight again. "Y-Yes Captain. Thank you for the information."

The door closes with a satisfying click. Once you were out of sight of your Captain, a gloomy air grew. You did not expect to be paired with someone so troublesome, the one man you've been adjusting your schedule to avoid. The one man who you'd have to hide around corners for is now someone you have to work with.

Argh... I feel like falling into a deep sleep...

As you walked back to your quarters, Charlotte appears. Your eyes widen in surprise, you didn't expect her to return so quickly, you heard that she was assigned to an important mission so you expected her to be back around next week. Yet she is here... She is impressive as always.

You smile, "Sister."

She glances at the rolled parchment in your hand, her aquamarine eyes narrow. "A mission?"

A sweat starts to form on your forehead. "Yes. Don't worry, it's a minor one."

Her eyes meet yours, they hint concern for a specific subject... You reassure her with your joyous [e/c] ones. 

━━━━━━

The day of the mission... 

The heels of your leather boots clicked as they repeatedly hit the stone floor. It was the result of your trembling form, plus your unstable mind; you were dreading each passing second that brings you to closer to meeting... him... Even thinking of him left a sour taste.

It's true that he would pop up in the strangest places, and now that you think about it, most of those moments were not in your favor. Sometimes you wonder if your luck was just that bad, it was better than saying it was fate— you refused to think more of that.

The citizens would have greeted you if it weren't for your stressed state. Your ponytail was loose and untidy from the times you've ran your hair over them. Your clothes had visible wrinkles due to all the times you've paced around anxiously. Overall, you aren't doing so well. Even the children playing noticed it; they pass quietly, politely giving you room to breathe.

Time goes by fast when you're not aware of it.

"Oi!" A voice calls.

Heavy steps came closer, each thud slowly destroying your spirit. No..!

He happily waved at you from afar, with his dark cloak wavering from the street breeze, and his cigar smoke gently escaping from the side of his mouth.

"[f/n]!" His voice was loud enough to catch a few looks.

"Yami," you say through gritted teeth.

His smile looks so genuine that it makes you sick. "It's been a while! I've been looking for you."

You pursed your lips. And I've been avoiding you...

He's quick to talk, "How about we catch some dinner after—"

You cut him off. "Let's get this mission started. I assume you've read the conditions..?"

He silently puts a hand behind his head and looks to the side.

"So you didn't..." You sigh. "We were told to enter the villages discreetly, so we'd have to change our appearances. Do you understand?"

"Hai hai..." He lazily dragged.

You have a feeling that this mission won't go well... 

CHAPTER 6 END