Under the dark sky and on the one direction road illuminated by the street light, they were walking together, not close yet side by side. There was no talk, only the sound of their footsteps walking toward a destination. Both of them decided to keep this silent atmosphere and enjoyed it. So peaceful and relaxing, one could find themselves lost in thought in this silence, which the girl did before she realized that the house was right at that corner. She approached the gate at a slow pace like she didn't want to go. She wondered whether her date partner had returned and how the proud mother would react to hear such event. It reminded her of the old lifestyle and the old home, where she constantly wondering and fearing what ruckus would happen when she entered home. Some points, she had imagined herself running away from home many times, yet couldn't find herself a courage to do it because to run away from the family was the same as to abandon her mother. Mother, are you watching me right now? She questioned in her heart and never got an answer. Her heart ached so much that her feet stopped walking and her hand was clenched on the chest area near her heart. Suddenly, it felt empty and cold.
The house was only away from a few steps, so the same as before, she tucked away all her emotional feeling and kept it inside, ready to enter the house.
After arriving at Tei residence, they headed back to their room to get some rest and went together to the dining room for dinner. The seats were placed the same as the breakfast, including Tarou who was giving his glances toward the girl. Calmly ignoring the eyes, Shiki, who had changed to her morning kimono, sit down on her face and looked forward, not to avert her eyes to her side. The dinner was carried in peace until aunt Sumire decided to approach them eager to hear about the date.
"The date was alright. Tarou showed me around town and stuff." Shiki answered calmly, she was clearly trying to avoid what happened near the end so it wouldn't stir any troubles.
"Sound like you two were getting along."
No, they did not, saying they are acquaintances was far from the truth.
Aunt Sumire came close to Shiki and whispered to her ears.
"Shiki, you are becoming 18 next birthday right. How about ...."
The next part was meant for only Shiki hear.
"No." she replied immediately like a reflex.
Just one word, the whole room, which was full of chit chat and laughter, came to a silence.
"Aunt Sumire. I really appreciate your offer and your generousity. However, this is one thing that I would not accept." Whatever aunt Sumire said, Shiki was strongly against it. "I am only here to get the things I need. Whether I get it or not, I will not stay here."
She declared with a stoic voice, it wasn't loud but enough for everyone to hear her words.
"If you don't mind, can I see uncle Yoichi?"
Aunt Sumire lost her words and said with a stumbling voice.
"He ... uhm .. is working on .... that thing you said. He is... very busy right now, i will tell him tomorrow that you want to see him."
The woman decided to go back to her place, but Vincent saw she sending some signals to her son before moving.
Ignore all the whispers and gossips on her back, Shiki resumed to her dinner and kept her face high. These words floating around the room were nothing compared to what used to be at Mikado house, especially now that grandfather was gone, nothing could make her waver.
After dinner, everyone mostly went back to their room, but the girl decided to go to his room instead of her. She sat on a side of the wall with her arms wrap around her knee. Looking at her face, she seemed annoyed, the negative one.
YOU ARE READING
The Emperor's Daughter
AventureSet in a fantasy modern world. Mikado family, one of the oldest existing family were disconnected and to make sure their on-going agreement was still valid, the organization sent Vincent to check on them. Upon his arrival and saw their house was in...
