WHISPERS OF A BUTTERFLY • Kamisato Ayato

six. 六

You crossed the bridge from Tenshukaku into the city with Thoma in tow. You felt Ayato's eyes on you and turned. He looked particularly annoyed as he watched you leave with his servant. You disappeared into the crowd of the street. Thoma ran after you as you walked underneath the shade of the yumeru trees. Inazuma City was busier than usual today, with people chattering away at the sidelines. Thoma scratched the back of his head, looking guilty. You knew he wasn't sure if you were aware of him bribing his connections to smuggle the Traveler into Inazuma back when they were in Ritou. Water under the bridge.

Your family never raised you to chat with servants, but Thoma was so outlandish from what you were used to that you couldn't help but ask why he was making that face.

"It's just that... Lord Ayato," he said. "Um, I know you have a bit of a history with him."

A frown crossed your face as you fell into step with him. "You do?"

"I know it might be personal between the two of you, and I don't mean to pry, but I don't really understand. You seemed to be really close when you were younger, then you started 'hating' each other, and now you're engaged to be married."

Something about the way he said 'hating' made you pause. Yes, this statement meant that Thoma never knew what transpired between you and Ayato years ago, but it did mean he knew more than he should.

"Yes, we have, and yes, that makes it more difficult, but what's between us is unmistakably animosity," you said, quirking an eyebrow. "Your tone suggests that it's something else entirely."

"Sorry, I know it's not my place," he said. "But I don't know why he claims to loathe you and yet anyone with eyes can see that you're consistently on his mind."

"I mean nothing to him," you insisted, causing Thoma to look at you knowingly. "It is simply an arrangement between the Kanjou and the Yashiro Commissions. Nothing more. He was simply too polite to tell me to leave. He loathes me, and I reciprocate everything he feel."

Even as you said it, it felt dirty and cheap coming from your lips. A hint of nausea passed through you.

Inazuma City was a lot less shiny now that you were older, which was disappointing because it was a reminder that you had to face the real world. When people recognized you, saw you being followed around by a servant of the Yashiro Commission, they whispered behind their hands. When would they understand you were more than your family tree? You lifted your chin. You'd been so consumed with your own worries, you hadn't noticed the strange noise coming from the square. A shout, murmurs, the intake of breath from a crowd.

A sound in the distance made Thoma raise his head. "What's that?"

"Come on," Thoma said. You couldn't even imagine what it was, but it seemed to catch his attention.

When you reached the intersection, it was clear something was happening, and the crowd was too thick to see. Thoma stepped on a crate against the wall of a shop and offered you a hand while he scanned the place. You were halfway up when he suddenly stepped down, his face worried.

"You need to go," he said. "Return to Tenshukaku."

"What?" you asked, trying to force your way back up.

"Go to Ayato! I'll be there in a minute, just leave, I swear!"

Whatever it was, you knew that it was meant for you. You yanked your hand away from Thoma and began to push through the crowd. People saw you, recognized you, and then looked angry. Hands shoved you back. Voices hissed.

"Lady Ayaka, the Yashiro Commission cannot let such a dirty family ruin your name! The Kanjou Commission must be overthrown! Lord Ayato is better off with a commoner than with the murk of aristocratic filth!"