The Red Thread

Chapter 5: What are these feelings?

I'm sorry for taking a long time to update! ><
But here it is, so please enjoy! <3

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It's been a month since Kou and I came to live at the Imperial Palace to serve the new King and his General. Everything here is like a dream, since very early in the morning everyone is busy –going from one place to another– but at night, the place is silent and peaceful.

After Akira-sama's arrival everyone here seemed to cheer up; all the maids, workers and soldiers came to receive him with a genuine smile. It seems like he's very appreciated and loved.

It wasn't difficult for Kou and me to become friends with most of the people that work here; everyone welcomed us and were nice to us, except for a few of them that were against our position. Arguing that it wasn't fair to them that just because we were "near" to Akira-sama and the General we received a special treatment and certain benefits that weren't given to the other workers.

For example: we were given new, expensive clothes to wear and a personal house for each one to live in on the surroundings of the palace; the houses are painted in a plain, simple white, yet the small details over it make them look very elegant. Nothing compared to what we had been used to see at our village.

My duties aren't complicated at all, I just have to stay besides Akira-sama at all times –unless he asks me to go away– and take care of the small tasks he asks me to do.  

Akira-sama has been very patient and thoughtful of me. 

In his free time he gives me a tour of the place and asks me if I'm comfortable or need anything, we also go to my house to drink tea and have a small dessert. Every time I look at his face or he smiles at me, my heart beats faster and I feel nervous. I've tried to control it, but no matter how hard I try, it doesn't stop.

After the second week Akira-sama asked us both, Kou and me, to have breakfast, meal and dinner with him and the General. At first we opposed, saying that we didn't felt the right to eat with them, but he insisted and excused himself saying that it was in case they came to need anything. 

When we entered the dinning room, we seated where we were told to, besides our masters. The musicians bowed before playing a soft tune; the maids brought the food and placed it over the table. Kouyou and I couldn't stop drooling over the food; if the food we had eaten with the other workers at the kitchen was delicious, this was 100 times better; the smell it gave off was exquisite and unique. 

"Itadakimasu." We said in unison and clapped our hands together. A few minutes after we began eating, the doors opened and a loud voice interrupted the beautiful sound of the shamisens and the koto.

"Ahhah~! You began eating without me!" Ruki-sama complained and entered the room making an over-exaggerated pout. "Akiraaa! You won't believe what I just saw at the market! There was this gorgeous red hair accessory that-" he stopped talking abruptly and looked at Kou and me with a confused look. 

"Umm, what are you peasants doing here? And why are you seated besides Akira?" He pointed a finger at me. 

Akira-sama let out a tired sigh and spoke. "From now on they'll eat with us Ruki." The dark blonde haired opened his mouth to protest but was cut off before he could mutter a single word. "I was the one who decided it and I don't plan on changing my mind. Also, what do you care if Yuu seats besides me or at the very end of the table? Just seat on your place and eat." Desperation clear on his voice, Ruki-sama closed his mouth and sat down with resignation.

"I thought that only people with culture and good manners could eat here!"

"If that's the case then, what are you doing here?" Kou muttered under his breath, but it was loud enough for everyone to hear. Making Akira-sama and the General smile at his comment.