Fates Entwined (A TodoBaku ff) ✔

XIV

When he woke up the next morning, his body felt stiff and tense. Stretching his arms sent an uncomfortable twinge across his neck and his legs felt numb. It wasn't a new experience but he knew he should probably get a warm bath before the dull ache becomes a constant pain for the rest of the day. He looked up at the ceiling for a moment, eyes looking into the dark shadows hiding from the morning light beginning to seep in through the gap in the curtains. Collecting himself, he put his hands flat on the bed and pushed himself up, wincing at the blood rushing through his head that made his vision blur. 

Water first. Then food if he could stomach it. He felt hollow and empty, but at least today his body and mind were no longer disconnected. He turned to the side and pushed away the covers, his toes touching the thick carpet masking the cold stone underneath. Before getting up, something on the table caught his eye, and his senses acknowledged the warm and spiced scent making its way through the room.

On the table was the incense he chose with Mina at the festival, the scent not overbearing but alluring to smell. Next to it was a wooden box which he grabbed with a pale hand, opening it to find some small fruit tarts wrapped in cloth. He didn't know how long they were there, maybe the person who visited last night brought them if he wasn't imagining it, but they were rich and delicious and satisfied the beginnings of pains of hunger in his stomach.

After eating he got out of bed and opened the curtains, wincing as the bright light strained his hazy eyes. The warmth was welcome, however, so he opened the latch and stood there for a few minutes focusing on the air entering and exiting his lungs before heading over to the dresser and pouring a glass of water. His throat was dry and rough from lack of use, and the water was just as refreshing as morning air. Grabbing some fresh clothes from the wardrobe he exited his room to go to the onsen. 

Considering it was still rather early, and he didn't know how long it took people to recover from the heavy activities and drinking of the winter festival, he didn't see anybody on his short trip, thankful that the baths were empty. The thick steam was gentle against his dry and cold skin, and slipping into the hot water felt wonderful. As his body woke up he grabbed some oil and began to wash his hair, tugging and scraping in hopes of dragging away the remains of the murky haze that lingered at the edge of his sight. It was familiar, methodical, and by the time he was clean he felt awake and grounded. 

Getting into new, clean and soft clothes, he ran a hand through his hair to dry it before setting off back to his room to put his dirty clothes in the washing basket before heading off in search of breakfast. As he left his room he could hear sounds coming from the representative's rooms, so he prepared himself to encounter people on his second task of the day. 

A few decorations remained as he walked down the stairs and hallways to the dining room, deciding to check there before going directly to the kitchen. Considering the amount of people that all gathered in the castle for the celebrations days prior, he didn't know if the empty hallways felt cold or refreshing. One or two people greeted him in passing, eyes drifting down to the clawed necklace that he honestly forget he was wearing, only remembering when the looking eyes seemed to make the jewellery rest heavier on his chest.

The dining room was empty, the echo of the doors opening bouncing off the four walls. But the fires were lit and food was present on an array of plates and trays, so he grabbed a plate and a few different foods before heading over to the fire and sitting on the carpet layed out in front of it. It was weird, eating on the floor, and he found himself constantly looking over to the door, expecting to see his father walk in and shout at him for his terrible manners. It also felt sort of childish, possibly fun, if he could recall the sensation properly. Like he was sneaking some treats from the kitchen and eating them with his siblings behind the stables. Maybe that did happen at some point, maybe it's a passing imaginative thought, but he liked the idea of them possibly being happy before their father's greed consumed them all.