I know your Future || English-Version

7.

Pov Akina:

Sleepily, I opened my eyes. The balcony door was open, and the half-drawn curtains swayed in the wind.

Douma lay beside me, his arm draped around me. I knew he wasn't really asleep. He never slept.

"I hope you slept well, little spring flower," he said as I turned to face him.

"I did. But I had a strange dream. I dreamt that a stranger was in the room, trying to pull me away from you."

I could have sworn I saw a shadow pass over Douma's face, but he quickly covered it with a smile.

"Good thing it was just a dream," he said encouragingly.

"I have to release some of my followers from their suffering today. I assume you don't want to join me?"

I shook my head.

"Thanks, but I'll pass."

Douma laughed and patted my cheek.

"Alright then. As you wish, little dove. I think it'll take a few hours. I'll come to you as soon as I'm free."

With those words, Douma kissed my cheek and left my room.

I also got up and slipped on my kimono. Then I grabbed my book and settled into my armchair.

I read for quite a while until I heard a strange noise coming from the balcony. I set the book aside and went to investigate. But there was nothing there. I was about to turn back and return to the warmth of my room, but suddenly, I froze, staring from the balcony out into the woods.

A dark presence filled the entire forest. I recognized it. Akaza. He had to be nearby. I calmed myself, knowing Douma would sense it too.

Suddenly, I heard my door click shut. I jumped and hurried back into my room.

"Is someone there?" I asked, but got no response.

Suddenly, someone grabbed me from behind and pressed a cloth over my mouth. The sharp smell of the liquid soaked into the cloth paralyzed me, and everything went black.

Pov Akio:

The lady lay unconscious in my arms. The drug I'd soaked into the cloth and pressed to her face had worked very well.

"She won't wake up anytime soon. We have plenty of time to get her to the master," I said to Haoto.

"Don't you think this was too easy? What if the lord comes back?"

I waved him off and started tying her hands and feet.

"The door is locked, and if you help me, we'll be quick enough to escape over the balcony and be safe by sunrise."

Haoto sighed but helped me drag the unconscious lady to the balcony. I tied a rope around my waist and did the same for her.

"I'll climb down first. Once I'm at the bottom, lower the lady carefully. Make sure the knot is tight. If it slips and she falls, we're as good as dead," I said and climbed over the railing.

Once I reached the ground, I signaled Haoto. He lowered the lady down by the rope.

A short time later, Haoto reached the ground as well, and we hurried toward the nearby forest, where our horses were waiting. I mounted and took the unconscious lady from Haoto.

We galloped through the woods as fast as possible, heading toward the master's house.

As the sun rose, we stopped to let the horses rest. We were safe from demons during the day, but we still needed to hurry. The master was waiting for us.