Imprisoned to Love You [Edited]

♦⊱ Chapter 15 - Warmth ⊰♦

This chapter has a POV changes a bit often. Please excuse me for that - I didn't want to alter it too much from the original ^^'

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Ruka pov:

I took a deep breath while standing outside the dining hall, the tightness in my chest still lingering. Despite feeling glad that I had heard the reason for Kichiro sama's stern personality and decided to try and care for him, I was uncomfortable. I felt like I had delved too deep into his past, into his secrets, as if I had invaded his privacy.

Kichiro sama was already in the dining hall when I entered. As usual, there were no chairs besides the one he was seated in and I was to sit in his lap like during every other meal.

"Why aren't you coming here?" he asked and I realized that I was still at the doors staring at him.

Taking another deep inhale, I stepped to him and took a seat in his lap. Food was placed in front of us and we reached out to it to eat. I barely tasted the food I ate, though ate at the speed I usually did. I was always slower than Kichiro sama but he always waited patiently until I was done before he got up. It was courteous of him and it was a gesture that I had found to be kind even before I heard of his past.

I shook my head slightly to snap out of my thoughts and concentrate on the present. I reached out for the last piece of sushi though resisted from flinching when my chopsticks met with Kichiro sama's.

"I'm sorry," I apologized and retracted my chopsticks so he could have the last piece.

"Have it," he responded, reaching for a bit of the side dish instead. I smiled at that and picked up the sushi and ate it. Once again, Kichiro sama had been kind and considerate in his own way.

I recalled another things that Kijima san had told me when we had had tea earlier. He had been with Kichiro sama for more than fifteen years, the only person to have been close to Kichiro sama for so long. He had been a soldier in the imperial army but suffered an injury that forced him to quit the army. He then worked in the palace, merely Kichiro sama's caretaker and an errand boy for ten years.

Kichiro sama was always shunned, treated as a problematic child. Kijima san had not been able to do anything about the opinions peoples had or the abuse they subjected Kichiro sama to because he had no power and lacked status. All he could do was watch Kichiro sama suffer while being used as a tool by every single person in the palace. It was many against one, or two perhaps since Kijima san cared for Kichiro sama – it was an unfair fight that could not be won easily.

No matter what they were subjected to though, Kijima san was always by Kichiro sama's side, offering him all the moral support he could. As such, Kichiro sama trusted him very much. I was glad that Kichiro sama had at least one person who he could trust.

I smiled as I chewed on a bite of rice. After hearing of Kichiro sama's past and being more aware of his kind side, I didn't feel as uncomfortable around him anymore or even uncomfortable being here in the palace. In fact, something about being special to Kichiro sama was heartwarming.

As usual, I took my time to finish my meal and Kichiro sama waited patiently. When I was done, I put down my chopsticks and bowl and said, "Thank you for the food. It was delicious."

I blushed when Kichiro sama put an arm around my waist and lifted me as he stood. He did this after every meal but I was yet to get used to it. When he let go of me, I put a little distance between us and kept my eyes on the floor while shyly moving some strands of hair behind my ears. I could feel his gaze on me – I was sure he was curious as to why I had said thanks for the food because I had never said something like that before. He said nothing though and walked away after a moment.