Keeping Secrets *Mitsuhide x OC*(COMPLETE)

Relax

 Reila abandoned her quest to learn to fight after I shut Obi's offer down definitively. He'd gotten distracted by Shirayuki's appearance and went off after her shortly afterward. I chuckle as I hear Reila mumble under her breath that he's rather strange. That's an understatement. She shakes her head and starts to walk again so I match her stride and follow beside her. Her gaze is trained on the sky since it's warm and sunny, her eyes tracking the clouds as they pass. She smiles softly as a breeze cuts through the grounds sending her golden hair up around her. I stop walking as I find myself entranced by the sun shining off her locks. Reila turns to face me when she realizes I'd stopped and asks if I'm okay. I shake my head to clear my thoughts and tell her that I'd simply gotten distracted. She giggles softly before she suddenly straightens and her expression falls into her usual cool indifference. I think I finally get it now.

"Miss Reila, can I say something?"

"Of course."

"You don't have to be so formal and serious around any of us, even Prince Zen. We enjoy talking and having fun. We certainly won't hit you for enjoying yourself."

"I'm sorry, Mitsuhide. My parents really want for this to go well... It would mean a lot to our family."

Her family must have put a lot of pressure on her to not mess it up. I'm glad I don't have to deal with that but I feel bad for her.

"Trust me, Miss, I don't think you can mess things up by relaxing."

"I'll try harder." She nods seriously and I sigh.

"I don't think you're supposed to try to relax, you just do it." I chuckle. "You'll get there eventually."

I stand beside Reila as she sits beneath a tree while reading a book. She'd told me repeatedly that I didn't have to hang around if I had other things I wanted or needed to do. I have nothing else to do and it's rather peaceful to just be outside. I hear her speak up as she turns the page and grabs an apple slice from the plate beside her.

"Mitsuhide, with you lingering above me like that, it feels a bit predatory. If you'd like to sit down, I won't tell anyone."

I apologize and sit but make sure to keep distance between us.

"Thank you." She chuckles, then offers me a piece of fruit.

"Thank you Miss."

"You're calling me Miss again. Please, just Reila or Rei will be fine."

"Sorry Miss Reila."

"The Miss is still there." She chides with a smile.

"I-I don't know if I can call you anything but that."

"You'll get there eventually." She casts me a look, smirking as she repeats my earlier words.

I find myself smiling back as I get yet another glimpse at the real Reila.

My eyes widen as I feel something touch my shoulder. I slowly look over and tense when I'm met with the top of Reila's head resting on me. We'd been under the tree for a while as she read and we talked lightly. I'd gotten her to smile and laugh a few times which made me feel slightly accomplished at getting her to slowly open up. I guess she's fallen asleep. What should I do though? If I move I'll wake her up and I don't want to disturb her. This feels inappropriate though. I need help.

"I always feel as if I'm interrupting something, Mitsuhide."

I look up to find Obi hanging upside down from the limb in front of us, a crooked grin on his face.

"Shut up Obi. What do I do?"

"Well, you have a few options. You could enjoy your intimate moment with Miss Reila... You could wake her up... You could move her closer..." He wiggles his eyebrows suggestively and I wish I could throw something without disturbing her. "Or you could let me take her off your hands. I'd take good care of her."

"Just help me move her without waking her up, then I'll take her back to her room."

"I could take her back-"

"I don't trust you as far as I could throw you, Obi." I cut in.

"Rude. For that, I'm not going to help you. Perhaps I should find Master and tell him that you're getting cozy with his special guest?"

"I'm going to strangle you."

Obi lands on his feet in front of us and leans down, stealing the last apple slice from her plate and takes a bite. He wishes me luck and tells me not to do anything that he wouldn't do as he walks off, leaving me helpless again. I'm going to kill him. I sigh and let my head rest against the trunk of the tree. I guess staying here for a little longer won't be too bad... The breeze moves her hair into her face so I gently brush it back behind her ear. She looks calm and relaxed rather than tense and slightly fearful like usual. She looks... beautiful. I'm sure she'd make a lovely bride for some nobleman since this trip will be in vain. Two months will go by and she'll be sent home with a rejection from Prince Zen and will disappoint her family. With how spiteful that Nedia lady was, I worry for how her parents will react as well. She doesn't deserve to be punished for the interview failing. It's not her fault that the prince is in love with Shirayuki. I tense as Reila shifts in her sleep and one of her hands rests on my forearm. I look away and try to ignore the warmth on my face at her contact. Why couldn't Obi have stayed and saved me?