An Aide /Kamisato Ayato/

16~Hearty Conversations

There wasn't much to be said.

After all, what could she say about it? To be considered as a betrayal wasn't entirely true, it was her fault for putting in her trust—especially when she knew he's still an outsider of her family. He's still a suspect in her father's murder.

To be considered it was a crime—well, it was. But she couldn't bring herself to turn him in, even her hands which were now holding onto the bottle of pills felt heavy.

"I trusted you." She cringed at her own words once whispered, wishing she'd never said those three words—it was foolish to admit she'd trusted him. It'd only occurred to her she'd been nothing but naïve, that the child within her still sought for protection in an old friend. She wasn't as smart as people praised her to be, nor was she even as strong as how she thought herself to be.

As she spoke those words, she couldn't care less about what's going on on that face she hoped for. The man only stood still, stunned—and she couldn't see past that calm demeanor lilac eyes. (Name) loathed the fact he showed nothing—no remorse, no regret. Just a plain face of a politician.

Only then, did she decide it didn't matter. No matter what she said, she'd never get to see what she yearned to see on his face.

"My apologies for having to be this... swayed by the situation." Her voice alone asserted its dominance once more, the quiver remained  nonetheless, just less noticeable.

She stood up from the bed—and oh dear Archons, did her head spin a few blocks. Ayato was quick to prepare his stance in any case she fell—extending his arm just right in front of her should she fall face first. "Are you alright?"

"I'm alright," she dismissed, though her words felt a blur—the word slipped off her lips naturally. She straightened her posture, clearing her throat to compose once more. "I'm alright," this time she spoke with more assertiveness.

Even if she couldn't discern what's behind that carefully intricate face of his, there was concern in his tone, a will to pester more into her health. "Miss (Name), if you're in need of rest, I can give you a day off—"

"I'm alright, Milord." (Name) didn't need to be probed for this, she didn't need someone to tell her she needed some rest; in fact, she knew very well what she needed and she wanted it now. However, it was a reminder that this man—no one in the Kamisato estate could be trusted. The poison started to pool on her arm once more, the injury of the arrow still stung her and only spread the pain further to her chest.

She made no effort to showcase the pain, only a single short wince and nothing else. "We should hurry and work. I've prepared a few things you might need to interview the upcoming people for the event."

***

Ayato knew this was bound to happen.

Sooner or later, she'd be bound to know the notes exchanged between accomplices. And soon, she'd know the deal he made with her aunt—one with a selfish desire of his own. The man stood under the shades of the rooftop of a small shop, hand molded the boba tea as he took a few sips of it. The sweet taste which used to entertain him, now felt bland.

The Irodori Festival was about to come after this long awaited time. He'd get to spend the Irodori Festival for the first time with her, even in the midst of being busy, he specially took a day off at that time. With his lilac eyes peered towards (Name), observing how she conversed with the people on how the festival should go, there was a hint of pride glinting his irises.

"You seem to be tensed." A voice deep, but light and friendly spoke out to him, earning his full attention. He turned to look at his retainer who beamed a smile at him, as he wiped off the trickling sweat from his forehead. The boxes on his arms blocked Thoma's face, which he ended up setting aside to take a rest for a while.