Empty Eyes: Book 1

Chapter 3

The next few days flew by in a blur and I felt uncomfortable for almost all of it. Mikoto barely let me out of her sight and when she did one of the other Uchihas would be present, Madara being the most often.

The only time I had alone was at night when I would sit by the window and stare out at all of Konoha. The town looked so small from way up there. It was no wonder the Uchihas paid no mind to it.

I'd been given the grand tour of the palace once lunch was finished, minus a few rooms of course. My bedroom was the only one located on the third floor, not to mention the only room on the entire floor that was occupied.

Every one of the Uchihas were on the long and winding second floor: the two younger brothers on one side of the castle, Madara located in the middle, and the King and Queen at the far end. The stairwell was located right next to Madara's room. There was another room near his, but Mikoto had skipped over it and I was too nervous to ask her about it. I suspected it belonged to the sixth family member that was in the giant portrait above the fireplace. Would I meet him during my residency?

The twin princes were to be my main focus, which was odd because I never saw any other maids or butlers. Did the royal family really clean after themselves or was there someone I wasn't aware of?

Sai and Sasuke were just as different as Ino and I. Sai was bland, or pretended to be, but at least he was polite when he addressed me. He often attempted to converse with me while I cleaned his room. I replied to him when obligated, but ultimately felt awkward around him. He always asked questions about me, yet never offered any information on himself. I suppose that's to be expected since he's a prince and I'm a servant. I should feel privileged to even be in his presence, even if in reality I feel quite the opposite.

Sasuke wasn't as cruel as I'd initially thought, but everytime I met his gaze a shock of fear ran down my spine. Regardless of that fact, I preferred his presence above anyone else's because he left me alone. Even if the air was tense when I cleaned his room, he didn't force me to talk so I didn't have to try as hard to pretend to be someone I'm not.

The thing that I longed for the most wasn't to see my family, even though I missed Ino dearly. No, the thing I wished for was simply to be alone.

Mikoto was a generous host who showed me only kindness, but the woman never stopped talking. She must've been telling the truth when she'd mentioned wanting feminine companionship. It was as though she had years of pent up stories to share. I'd learned more things about her children from her than from them.

Both were apparent playboys, but kept their sexual practices very private to the point that I hadn't even noticed a single woman come in or out of the palace despite Mikoto's promise that there had been a couple in the few days I'd been here. This also didn't surprise me. They were royalty, and attractive royalty at that. Ino would definitely jump at the chance to bed either of them.

It had taken me a full day before I'd come to the realization that guards didn't come inside the palace unless one of the Uchihas sent for them. I could see them patrolling the courtyard from my window, but none entered the building. It almost seemed as though they wanted to be sure the Uchiha's didn't leave, but I was sure that wasn't the case. Each of the royals, except maybe Mikoto, disappeared for hours at a time so they had to be leaving the castle at some point.

The light from the candle on my bedside table suddenly went out when a strong gust of wind blew in from the window. I wrapped my arms around my knees and stared up at the dark sky. The castle seemed more alive during the night than day. I was always the first to retire to my room.

Mikoto told me that tomorrow would be my first day without her there to guide me. With nothing to do except garden once my orders for the day were finished, I often just sat here in the window and looked outside, not allowed outside alone.