The Head Lord and the Rat Thief {Kamisato Ayato FanFiction}

Chapter 32 ~ The Uncle and the Counterfeit Gemstones

Chapter 32 ~  The Uncle and the Counterfeit Gemstones

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       The meeting proceeded quietly, without Caiome exhibiting any inappropriate behavior anymore—especially considering she was supposed to adopt the image of a responsible bodyguard. On the contrary, she had been very attentive, especially when the discussion turned to the gemstone industry, which, since last time, hadn't resolved its issues, and no one knew where the loophole was.

       Caiome had never seen Ayato so thoughtful before he announced his decision, and that he would investigate it himself by asking Tetsuya Shoichiro to stay after the meeting to discuss the details.

       The problem boiled down to profit. It was clear that the workers delivered a certain quantity of verified mined gemstones to their destination, but after processing and putting them on the market, there were many controversies raised by customers who refused to pay the full amount; so the industry had been paused for a few days to discover the cause, but Tetsuya Shoichiro, the head of the Tetsuya clan, hadn't found anything even until now. Nothing was wrong with the merchandise or the final products put on the market. Later, even the jewelers stopped buying gemstones.

       "In that case," Ayato sighed when only the two of them and Tetsuya Shoichiro remained in the Hall, "why did you not come to me earlier?"

       Shoichiro let his silver eyes fall to the ground for a few seconds, and a somewhat sad smile appeared on his lips. He seemed tired, and his shoulders were slumped.

       "It seems that my powers and mind are leaving me at the same time, and wisdom is deserting me," he sighed. "I admit it was a mistake not to come to you, my lord. Probably, I just wanted to prove that I'm still useful to you somehow. I didn't even rely on my son, who knows nothing about all this, although he's supposed to take my place in a few years. It seems that that time will come sooner than I thought."

       Caiome leaned her elbow on Ayato's table, looking at Shoichiro from one side to the other. Something about his figure seemed familiar, very, very familiar, and those eyes... Not to mention how strange it seemed for someone to speak so casually in front of Ayato when until now Caiome had only witnessed how his subordinates either behaved as respectfully as possible or begged and cried for mercy.

       "You know I canot deny your decisions," Ayato responded with perfect calm, almost relaxed. "But if you encountered any problem, you should have reported it to me immediately."

       "I know," Tetsuya Shoichiro said. "I apologize, my lord."

       The way he apologized, with only a half bow, kneeling on the tatami mats, seemed so sincere and effortless at the same time.

       Then it clicked to her.

       Caiome let her hand drop down, lightly hitting the table, and a smile appeared on her lips, feeling very smart inside.

       "Uncle!" she said, and the two men looked at her curiously. "You're Ayato's uncle, his mother's older brother. Of course," she scolded herself as if it were obvious. "One of the ships sent after Father's silver hairpin for his wife was yours. It makes sense, considering you work in this industry and wanted to help your brother-in-law with such a gift for his new wife."

       "Uh..." Shoichiro said, displaying a weak smile. "I'm honored that Miss Caiome recognizes me."

       "Of course I do. See?" she turned to Ayato. "I can learn from a book."

       "The only reason you could remember his name is because he has been involved in violent conflicts a few times," Ayato said with an extraordinary calm, expressionless. "If I were to ask you about a few political events he attended, you wouldn't know anything. Do not mind her," he told his uncle. "She likes to stick her nose into everything."