An Aide /Kamisato Ayato/

3~ A Deal

The coldness mixed in the humid air ceased the oxygen to operate normally in her lungs. Long strides felt like hours.

As the door slid close, she heard the footsteps and the shadows of the guards left their station—soon she came to realization she was all alone with him.

"Ah, Lady (Name)," he called out, standing up from his seats and took careful yet fleeting steps towards her—one she failed to notice of his movements. When she turned her head to meet him, he'd already stood behind her smiling politely. To add she recognized well the smile which politicians brought themselves to use.

"Lord Kamisato," she greeted back, bowing in courtesy. She had to remind herself, no matter how much her grudge seemed to budge her to attack the man right away, she must remain controlled and composed.

"Call me by my name instead of my family's name. We were once acquainted, weren't we?"

"Such thing is in the past, Milord. You can't possibly expect someone to be able to call your name with ease, can you?" she remarked. Instead of any other responses, she was brought with chuckle lightening her ears but heave her chest deeper. His hand carefully caressed her own, bringing it up to his lips—sending a shudder of... displease to the owner of the hand.

"I understand, perhaps my family might've hurt your family's pride. We deeply apologize and have reflected our actions."

"Reflecting one's actions can't be mentioned when the persistence of your family trying to give the compensation."

To anyone who knew nothing of their conversation, such words were only bunch of riddles spouting to each other—either with the sprout of displeasure or just mere formalities.

Ayato, the man dressed like a pure andromeda blooming by the pools of the Chinju Forest, sighed. "I understand your hostility. I assumed your intention wasn't here just to speak our ill past, yes?"

Her eyes never wavered from his own lilac eyes patiently landing on her, covered completely with a thick mist to hinder her to read any content within his eyes. "You are right, Milord. I'm not here to speak our history. In fact, I'm here to demand some answers from you, Lord. I request your cooperation to heed my words in full importance and attention," she demanded, tone stern.

Hearing the words fell from her lips, Ayato nodded his head and returned to his seat. He then gestured to sit before his desk. "Come and take a seat. I've heard the story from my people that you were attacked and poisoned. How is your shoulder doing so far?"

"...My shoulder is feeling much more comfortable as time passed on, thanks to your attention and volunteering kindness, Milord. As much as I'd like to have a small talk, I believe both of our times are too precious to waste. So let us cut the chase," she claimed as she carefully sat down on the seat provided.

"...I see, very well then," the man however, only sighed, relenting to her wish. "What would you like to discuss? The attacker? Motive? Or perhaps anything that might've caught your interest in questioning and bringing up this matter? I believe you don't have any intention in asking for audience for a mere talk like this, yes?"

He was partially mistaken—or rather, tried to corner her.

"I'm here to commission you, your Shuumatsuban," she requested, taking out her last pouch of mora. "I don't need you to find out who's the assassin or if there's anyone else that's willing to take on the job. I just need to gain information regarding my estate's activities, including my aunt."

Ayato's lilac eyes landed on the pouch of mora, not even bothered to touch nor check the content. "I believe this isn't the mora from my family?"

"For what should I keep something as humiliating as those compensation? Take it or leave it," she demanded—gestures remained still, the reflects of the (e/c) irises composed as now she was no longer blazed with anger. Ayato's observation didn't leave her, but he took the pouch of mora and put it to the other side. "I don't need your moras for this information piece you asked for. They may not be easy as we all think, but I assure you your moras won't worth a thing."