Keeping Secrets *Mitsuhide x OC*(COMPLETE)

Standing (Part 2)

Zen and Kiki follow me down to the gardens while Obi went ahead through the window again. I doubt Lord Canswen would really do anything to her in the castle but he could try to force her to come home or back to Lord Gerron's estate for the wedding she fled from. She's too fragile to protect herself right now so I need to be there. We find Reila, Lord Canswen, and Obi a few minutes later near the fountain. Obi is holding her up and even from the distance I can see her whole body trembling, though I'm not sure if it's from straining her body or fear. Lord Canswen is yelling at her, calling her a disgrace and other rude names. He grabs her forearm and jerks her from Obi's grip and says that she's going to marry Lord Gerron's son whether she wants to or not or else he will disown her. Obi looks over at me as I step forward to save her but Reila rips her arm free and a slap rings out through the gardens a second later.

"Father, I'd say with all due respect but you haven't earned that, but I will not marry that horrid man just to preserve your lavish lifestyle. All my life you have controlled me in order to secure your future with no regard for mine. The man you tried to sell me to assaulted me repeatedly and when I fled for my safety, he hired men to kidnap me and I almost died because of that. All I wanted in my life was to make you proud but once I came here, I learned that's not what I want anymore. I want to live my life for myself with who I want, how I want. I'm not going to marry for your sake. If I marry it will be for love and I have found someone that I love dearly. Your approval is not needed and I'm not going with you. Goodbye Father."

"You whore-" He growls, raising his hand toward her.

I step forward and gently pull Reila into my arms as Obi steps between us and grabs Lord Canswen's arm.

"Lord Canswen, you are a guest in this castle and this is an appalling way to act. I suggest you finish your business with my brother rather quickly and take your leave." Zen speaks from behind us.

"I'm not leaving without my daughter."

"Miss Reila, do you want to marry Lord Gerron's son?"

"No Prince Zen." She mumbles as she grips my jacket.

"Then, based off of your own words, Lord Canswen, you will disown her. She is no longer considered your daughter now. Reila doesn't have to go anywhere with you and is my guest in this castle. She will not leave unless she chooses to do so." Go Zen.

Lord Canswen glares at all of us before jerking his arm out of Obi's grip and sends a threat toward Reila before stalking off. Reila takes a shuddering breath before her whole body seems to try to give out, thankfully I'm holding her up so she doesn't fall. Her eyes are focused on me and filled with unshed tears as she whispers my name. It sends a shiver down my spine but I push that aside.

"Are you alright, Miss?"

"Yes, thank you." She looks away and turns toward Zen and Obi. "Thank you Obi, Prince Zen. I'm sorry for the trouble that was caused but I am grateful for your help."

"It's what friends do, Reila. We take care of each other here and you're one of us." Zen tells her with a smile.

"I feel as if I'm more of a burden than anything though right now. I keep almost dying..."

"It happens around here so don't be too concerned."

"Miss, I couldn't help but notice during your very moving speech to your father telling him to shove off, that you said something rather intriguing..." Obi croons as he slinks over to her.

"Oh really? What is it?"

"You said you found someone that you love dearly. Have you been holding out on us? Keeping secrets? Did you find yourself a lover while you were on the run?"

I push Obi away as he gets close to her face, though I'm curious to know her answer as well. She did say back when she was drunk that she liked someone but I never found out who. Now she says that she loves someone. I feel her hands tighten on my jacket and I look down to find her face turning really red.

"I-I did say that... didn't I?" She mumbles.

"Yes you did, so who is the lucky guy? Have you even told him yet?" Obi asks with a smirk.

"I-I haven't told him..."

"Well, if he's here right now, there's no time like the prese-"

I thank Kiki for hitting him in the back of the head, effectively cutting off his statement.

"I believe Reila has been through enough without you harassing her. I'm sure if she chooses to reveal her feelings, she will do so when she is ready and not in front of us. Go be useful somewhere."

"I deeply apologize Miss Reila, I wish you the best of luck." He kisses her hand and gives her a pointed look before grinning at me.