ᴄɪɴɢᴜʟᴏᴍᴀɴɪᴀ | ꜱᴇꜱꜱʜᴏᴍᴀʀᴜ

ᴛᴡᴏ

Notes: It's short but it's done! The pacing is still shit so apologies in advance (It'll get better- think). I fell off the face of the earth for a bit there but it's all good, college was being a pain. I reread the last chapter and hated it but any changes will have to wait. editing is way harder than writing ≡(▔﹏▔)≡

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The journey to the palace passed by in a dizzying blur. Too soon were the outer gates looming above the young prince and his companions and Ikuye couldn't help the trepidation that bubbled in her chest, regretting her actions earlier.  Shortly after passing through said gates and entering a large courtyard, with a few words from Osamu she was whisked off by a wolf-kin, bathed, and had her wounds tended to.

"Young miss, I've brought you something to eat."

Now sat quietly on a futon so soft and strangely warm that she mindlessly fondled it, Ikuye watched while a servant brought two bowls of pleasant-smelling soup and rice with varying side dishes in on a tray. Shortly after her another person entered the room; an ebony-haired woman, clearly of high-standing,  glided into the room and settled at the only table. While the servant busied herself with emptying the tray, the woman stared Ikuye down with calculative eyes that seemed as if they would devour her. 

After what seemed like a lifetime (but was hardly any time at all) the table was set and the servant quietly removed herself. 

'I suppose it would be best to start speaking first? But I'm not familiar with imperial etiquette... Maybe she won't mind? But what if she does? Then i-'

"Are you hungry little one? Come sit with me," she gestured to the empty cushion across from her in invitation.

She spoke so suddenly that Ikuye choked mid-swallow and fell victim to a fit of coughs that persisted even as she stiffly shuffled from the futon to sit at the table. What a voice the woman had; stern in a way that made one want to stand straighter in an effort to earn her praise but was also aloof enough to warn against trying too hard lest you earn her disdain. Even after sitting down, it took an uncomfortable amount of time for the girl to regain her composure, "...Thank you, lady...?"

"Ayasei. Eat with me, you're so thin for an official's daughter."

Ikuye's ears burned with embarrassment and shame, 'If all you're going to do is mock me you should've left me in the well!'  Did they only save her to have leverage over her? If that was the case they really shouldn't have wasted her time by bringing her here. It's not like she begged them to ta-

Oh. She kinda did.

She carefully looked over the dishes in front of her. The rice looked so puffy and the fish seemed to be cooked just so, that they were sure to taste perfect together... The steam rising from the soup seemed so inviting...

Surely just a bite wouldn't hurt...

No. What if it's poisoned?

Lady Ayasei might finish all the side dishes on her own though...

...Just a little.

Her stomach gurgled miserably (but thankfully quietly) as she watched Ayasei eat. It took a while but she begrudgingly shook off her worrisome thoughts and paid heed to her hunger, all but inhaling her meal (taking care to only take from the dishes that the lady had eaten from). Too caught up in eating, Ikuye failed to notice Ayasei deliberately taking a little food from each plate. Soon enough all the food was gone.

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"Do you not wish to come with me? You are free to stay if you wish, but I believe a walk would do you well."