Imprisoned to Love You [Edited]

♦⊱ Chapter 11 - Awkward ⊰♦

The picture just looks so...kyaahh!!! >w<

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Ruka pov:

I sighed deeply while looking at my reflection in the mirror. I wore a fancy kimono-dress, one of the more expensive ones I had been provided with, and Kyo chan was doing my hair. I was to join Kichiro sama for lunch today along with a merchant he was meeting with to discuss business – apparently, Kichiro sama was going to order weapons, poisons, and healing elixirs from the merchant to aid his men fighting in the war.

Knowing that was a little unsettling but being in close proximity of Kichiro sama had me even more anxious. I hadn't been able to bring myself to see him for a whole day after witnessing him killing the man who had broken into the palace two days ago. He was an assassin and it was expected that he would be killed for trying to assassinate Kichiro sama but watching him snap the man's neck and crush it until everything was bloody had made me fear him more than ever before.

My refusal had consequences, obviously. I had gone the whole day without food and water as punishment and had summoned every bit of courage I could summon to join him for meals and company yesterday. The tension in the air around us had only increased because of all that had happened over a span of two days, so much so that I couldn't bring myself to even look at him for a second.

"I'm done, My Lady. You look beautiful," said Kyo chan, having tied up half my hair and adorned it with a simple ornament.

"Thank you, Kyo chan," I responded, my voice soft and my smile halfhearted.

I stood blinking several times to help my eyes lubricate – with nightmares keeping me up for most of the past two nights, I was tired. I felt insecure, I couldn't relax, and I just wanted to curl up in a place where I would never be found. But, obviously, I couldn't do that.

"His Majesty, Lord Kurai summons you," a soldier who had just entered the room said whilst looking at me.

I clenched my fists and inhaled deeply in an attempt to ease the clenching in my chest. I nodded and was escorted out of my room by him and two other soldiers. The closer we got to the dining hall, the faster and harder my heart beat. I remained silent and obedient though and looked up from my lashes when we entered the dining hall.

Unexpectedly, I saw a middle aged man sitting in the seat I usually sat in when dining with Kichiro sama – I figured that he was the merchant. The seat on Kichiro sama's left was occupied by his minister Kijima san. Seeing how things had been set up, I assumed that I either had to just stand with them for company or I would be sitting far away from them for the meal.

"Come here." Kichiro sama's voice jolted me out of my thoughts. Nervousness yet again began to bubble in the pit of my stomach but I inhaled deeply before walking up to him.

Just as I reached him, he grabbed my wrist. I didn't get the chance to flinch for I was tugged forward roughly and swiveled to land in Kichiro sama's lap. I sat between his legs, my back pressed up against his chest. Not only did I feel terrified, I also felt immensely embarrassed. A hot blush rose to my cheeks and I felt dizzy from the multiple reactions my body was having to this unexpected situation.

"K-Kichiro sama?!" I stuttered.

"SILENCE!" he bellowed immediately, making me flinch and shudder.

I didn't move after that, or even breathe, and all I could hear was the loud pounding of my heart. My eyes stung and watered but I blinked rapidly to stop the tears from falling. The attendants brought out food soon, placing two servings in front of me and Kichiro sama. I eyed the food hungrily but didn't make a move to start eating before anyone else began.