Keeping Secrets *Mitsuhide x OC*(COMPLETE)

Knight in Training

I smile as I move Reila's hands to properly grip the wooden sword again. We had asked which she'd like to try first and she wanted swords, though she was disappointed we wouldn't give her a real one. Zen told her that if she learned how to handle the wooden one, that before she leaves the castle we will let her try with a real one. Once her hands are situated she looks up from our hands toward Zen who shows a movement for her to mimic. I move her hands to copy it then let go for her to try. It's wobbly and definitely not perfect, but it's better than I expected. It continues like that for a while until we have her try the movements herself. Her grip and posture are more confident and she's smiling brightly. I can't help but to smile as I watch her.

"When can I start hitting people?" She asks, making me chuckle.

"I don't think you can start attacking people quite yet. We'll see how you're doing in your movements over the next few days and go from there."

Prince Zen dismisses himself for the evening as he has a meeting with Izana, leaving me alone with Reila again. I turn back to find her brow furrowed in concentration as she tries to remember the different things we'd taught her. She notices me staring after a moment and looks up with a grin.

"Do you think I would've made a great knight?"

"Hard to tell this early, don't you think?" I mumble as she fumbles the sword and drops it.

She huffs in annoyance as she picks it up.

"I'd be the best fighter ever..." Reila whispers softly. "Now I'm just the biggest disappointment."

I arch a brow as I move closer to her and ask what she means.

"Hm? Oh, it's nothing. Don't mind me."

Her words don't make me feel any better but it's not my place.

"Mitsuhide? Who is Miss Shirayuki?"

Why does she want to know about her? "She's a court herbalist. Why?"

"I've heard of her and was curious. That's all." She has a slightly clouded look in her eyes as she returns the sword to the rack behind her.

I think I may have figured out what happened with her and Zen today...

I say goodnight to Reila in front of her room and reassure her that we can practice again tomorrow if there isn't anything else to do, then head through the castle toward Zen's office. His meeting with Izana should definitely be over by now so unless he's with Shirayuki, he should be inside. I knock on the door and hear him call for me to enter. He's leaned back in his chair, absently twirling a pen in his fingers.

"So how was your time spent with Miss Reila?" I ask as I lean against the shelves behind him.

"It was alright. Again, I'm not interested in her though."

"Did you tell her that?" The pen stops moving.

"What do you mean?"

"I mean exactly what I say. Did you tell Miss Reila that you weren't interested?"

"No. We had a normal conversation and left it at that." He's hiding something from me.

"She asked of Shirayuki earlier. How would she know about her?"

"Shirayuki may have been brought up in conversation but I never told her of our relationship."

I sigh and resist the urge to beat my head against the wall. Zen, you're so stupid. I can't say that of course.

"Reila knows you're in love with Shirayuki I'm sure."

His chair legs slam against the floor as he turns to me in shock. "How?"

"Because you get this doe-eyed look on your face every time she is mentioned or you see her. You may have ruined this situation."

"We don't know for sure that she knows, so just don't say anything about it and we'll continue as we have been."

I wander the halls of the castle, unable to sleep or sit still. I passed by a window earlier and saw Obi curled up in one of the trees fast asleep. I jostled the limb until he fell, then continued on my way. He makes it easy to mess with him. I pass by the doors to the library and notice a small light coming from inside. Someone probably left a lamp on. I make my way through the aisles of shelves toward the light and find Reila curled up on one of the couches with a book in her lap. She sighs and closes the book before closing her eyes and tilting her head back.

"I'm in so much trouble when I get home..." She whispers before wiping at her eyes.

She hasn't noticed me yet and I feel like I'm intruding but I can't seem to get myself to leave. She looks down again and takes a calming breath before moving to open the book, then sighs again and leaves it closed.

"I can't even focus on reading." I watch as she starts to absently braid her hair.

"Miss Reila?" I finally speak up once I notice her tears starting to fall again.

Reila jumps slightly as her wide eyes flick over to me.

"Oh, Mitsuhide. I didn't hear you come in." She mumbles, trying and failing to discreetly wipe her eyes. "Why are you still awake? It's rather late."

"I could ask the same, Miss." She shifts slightly on the couch and gestures for me to come join her. "What's wrong? You seem upset."

"No, I'm fine. Really." She attempts a smile as if I can't tell that she's still tearing up. I give her a pointed look and the smile finally fades as she sighs and averts her gaze. "Prince Zen, he's in love with Miss Shirayuki, isn't he? When he spoke of her today, I could tell. That means the marriage interview will fail and I will return home at the end of this to tell my family that I failed."

"Not all interviews work out, otherwise they wouldn't be a thing, Miss. Even if Prince Zen isn't the one you marry, I'm sure you will make a wonderful bride for someone amazing. Any man would be lucky to have you." The words are out before I can stop them. My eyes widen and I can feel my face heating up as I wish that Obi could have interrupted just before that.

"You are so sweet, Mitsuhide. Thank you. Any woman would be lucky to have you for sure." She smiles at me despite the light blush on her cheeks as well.

"I-I should probably go. You should try to get some rest, Miss." I stutter out as I get to my feet.

"Mitsuhide, could you stay with me for just a little while, please?"