An Aide /Kamisato Ayato/

4~ Little Miss Inquiries

The comfort of silence outside offering tranquility to the people within the infirmary room as one focused on dressing the wound while the other's mind was elsewhere. "What questions would you like to ask, Milady?"

Ayaka stopped patching up the wound, tying the bandage and gave it a last touch. The sense of serenity offered in her frost eyes didn't give up its tenderness. "I've heard about the history between both of our families, Miss. You and my brother were promised to one another for the sake of the family's prosperity."

"..." (Name) fell silent. It was such an old memory, one she'd committed her memories to be engraved in her dreams. "Is there anything you'd like to point out, Milady?"

Ayaka let out a chuckle, sounding polite and humble with the voice ringing so soothingly like a whisper of the snow. "My forgiveness for drawing out for too long. What I was saying was, when you came back, my brother seemed to be a little bit... different."

'Different?' She pondered, undoubtedly unsure with the words Ayaka spewed. Might he have experienced regrets? With questions and possibilities running through her mind back and forth, she preferred to remain silent. "Back then, I was only informed about the past when you arrived at our estate. May I ask what brought you two to break off the marriage?"

Hearing the question, (Name) fell silent, mulling over the answers on what she should give to the lady of the house. What kind of reason must she provide? She sighed quietly, replying to her question, "The elders seemed to have made a mistake, we're simply not meant to be. Our clan requires something else the Kamisato Clan could not provide."

A lie to ease the heart, after all.

She could not bring herself to look and tell the truth at the childlike curiosity beaming in Ayaka's gaze when she looked at her so expectantly. "But have you ever met my brother? Or talked to him?"

(Name) nodded her head. "I have, we conversed for a few while. Perhaps we've conversed for a day or two. The day after that, I had to return to my estate."

"I see..." Ayaka muttered, before coming in with another question. "I may be young back then, but curiosity is enough to take me out. I remembered the staff in my house spoke about... compensation for your clan. What might it be about, if I may ask?"

(Name) fell silent, her lips were tight shut as her e/c eyes glanced down to the the bandage wrapped around her shoulder. "It was gold. Incidents happened, one that might not be too pleasant to talk about," (Name) replied, before turning her eyes and locked them with Ayaka's own lilac ones. "Milady," she called carefully yet with a assertiveness dripping in her tone. "Yes, Miss?"

"Thank you for helping me dress a new bandage to my wound, I'm deeply honored. However, it seems like it's getting late outside. You must return to your chamber soon and wait for your servants to call for dinner," (Name) reminded, subtly changing the conversation whilst she gained a nod from Ayaka. "Oh, right. My apologies for taking too much of your time, you are right, the sun has indeed settled down." Ayaka went down from the bed, standing on the floor and gave a bow in which (Name) returned it with her own. "For all of the questions you asked, please heed nothing about my answers. It's a personal matters between me and the head of the family, the rest of the family is not involved. I appreciate your concern, however."

Ayaka nodded her head in response, giving in an understanding smile before she took long strides towards the door. Before her hand reached the doorknob, she turned one last glance towards the nonchalant maiden, a chuckle rang towards her ears. "My apologies for being such a nosy person, that's very unsightly of me. My brother actually asked me to come here and send you a warning."

'A warning?' The word echoed in (Name)'s head. "And what might it be?"

"Please be on guard during midnight. I'm not sure about the context, but it seems like someone's chasing after you."