Keeping Secrets *Mitsuhide x OC*(COMPLETE)

Goodbyes

Today is the day... The day that Reila Canswen is going to leave Wistal Castle. I'm dreading it, begging every passing minute for time to stop, even if just for a little while. I'm not ready for her to leave my life yet. I never did tell her how I felt about her, even after I kissed her in the library... Twice. I left my reasoning as making up for her disappointing first kiss. She looked so sad about wanting to fix her first kiss but ended up doing it drunk instead. I kicked myself repeatedly afterward for doing it, but she seemed happy that she got what she called a 'proper kiss' before she gets pushed into a random marriage, and thanked me for it. The first hour or so afterward was spent in a very strange silence as I think we both just tried to process what had happened. After that, things seemed to be okay between us. We spent yesterday evening together talking about what she hopes will happen when she returns home, but we both knew that things won't turn out that way for her. I worry still what will happen to her. I can't protect or comfort her anymore after today.

I knock on the door to Reila's room and hear her hesitantly call for me to enter. As I close the door behind me, I find her standing in the middle of the room staring at everything sadly. She turns toward me and I instantly want to hug her and tell her that it will all be alright. Her departure will be one of the hardest things I will ever have to deal with but I can't even imagine how it is for her.

"Are you alright, Miss Reila?"

"Not really..." She mumbles as her eyes meet mine. "Can I hug you please?"

A small smile crosses my face as I step further into the room. "You don't have to ask for things like that, Miss."

"It's only polite." She grumbles as she buries her face in my chest.

Once she's settled, I wrap my arms around her and let one hand run through her hair.

"I'm going to miss you." Her voice drifts up as she shifts her head so she can breathe. "I'm going to miss all of you... Even Obi. I'm going to miss the castle and all the fun and laughter here. When this first started, I didn't want to come here but now I don't want to leave."

"I-I'm going to miss you as well. I'm aware that you don't really know what will happen when this is all over, but Prince Zen himself said that you were always welcome to come visit when you can."

"I hope that no matter what happens, I'll get a chance to see you again." She sighs before pulling away.

I watch her cross the room to the bed and picks up a folded piece of paper before bringing it back to me.

"This is for you, but you can't read it right now. Wait until after I leave at least."

"Yes Miss, thank you."

"Will you call me Reila, just one last time?"

"Why do you do this to me?" I sigh.

"Why do you do this to me, what?"

"...Reila, I hate this." I whine. "It feels so strange."

"Thank you Mitsuhide." She smiles and it makes me feel a little better at least.

I walk with Reila to the entrance of the castle where the carriage to take her home has just arrived at the outer gates. Zen, Kiki, Shirayuki, and Obi are waiting so they can say their goodbyes to her as well. I notice Reila's stride slowing the closer we get and I quietly reassure her that everything will be alright, and if she wanted to, she could always keep in contact with letters. She thanks me and takes a deep calming breath as we reach the others. Obi immediately pulls her into a hug and tells her that he will greatly miss her and her witty humor. As she helplessly flails from her head being pressed into his chest, he gives me a pointed look. I glare at him and gently free her so she can breathe. I'd rather her not die just yet.

"I-I'll miss you too Obi, but smothering me may not be the best idea as much as I'd rather not leave, I don't want to die either. If I get to see you again, I'd like to fight you one last time, just to see if I can beat you still. Thank you for everything Obi." I glare at him as he takes her hand but kisses her cheek instead.

He shoots me a catlike grin and winks when she isn't looking. "It's been a pleasure to know you, Miss. I hope our paths will cross again."

Shirayuki and Kiki approach her next and the redhead starts to cry as they hug each other. Reila didn't get the chance to really know Kiki but the small amounts of time they did spend together they got along nicely. Shirayuki however immediately took a liking to her and they'd spent some evenings together talking after I'd left her for the night. Reila sniffles and wipes at her eyes while apologizing to Shirayuki for crying on her. She pulls away and turns to Zen before hugging him. They've definitely come a long way since her arrival when he barely wanted to even look at her.

"It was wonderful to have you here in the castle, despite the circumstances. You're welcome to come back at any time, no special permissions needed. I enjoy having you as a friend, and I wish nothing but the best for you. I am sorry that things didn't go as your family expects, but thank you for understanding."

"Thank you Prince Zen. I have loved my time here and I will miss it terribly. I'm sorry that you were forced into this as well, but I think a lot of good came from it. I do, however, expect an invitation to your wedding with Miss Shirayuki since I did keep our secret." She grins as his face turns red. "As prince, I expect you to keep everyone in line while I'm gone, especially those two." Obi and I turn from our whispered argument to smile innocently at them. "Honestly, can't you two wait for me to leave before you start fighting?"

"Sorry Miss." Obi mumbles as he jabs me with his elbow.

"Sorry Miss Reila." I mumble and jab him in return.

We all turn to face the carriage as it comes to a stop in front of us and the driver takes her bag before opening the carriage door. The same brunette lady that came with Reila, Miss Nedia, steps out of the carriage and sets her eyes on Reila. Reila whispers a goodbye to all of us and gives me a sad look before heading toward the woman. My heart sinks with every step she takes. I want to call out for her, to stop her, but all I can do is watch her leave.

"Did you behave yourself?"

"Yes Miss Nedia."

"Did you accomplish what you were sent here to do?"

"I am unsure as the answer has not been given."

"You better hope for your sake that you succeeded." The woman hisses.

"It's not exactly for my sake though, is it?" Reila responds evenly.

She flinches as the woman brings her hand up to strike her, but Obi and I both end up standing between them.

"Please do not raise your hand to Miss Reila."

The woman shoots us both harsh looks before turning back to her. "Let's go."

Reila is pulled into the carriage after Miss Nedia climbs in and her eyes meet mine before the door closes.