THE PRICE OF WAR [Taka x Reader]

XXIII. Welcome Back

The village was beautiful, just as Taka had always described it to you. It was located on the banks of the lake, on a slope on which the houses were located on another. They were made of wood and slate, and unlike the houses in your kingdom, the doors slid open to one side. Each house housed up to two families and were connected by a series of stone paths that led to a large central square. This square functioned as a market and was located at the top of the hillside. Being located on a lake, the vast majority of the inhabitants were engaged in fishing, and therefore the village had a small port where each fisherman moored his barge. It was a very lively hamlet, where despite being located hundreds of miles from yours, one could breath an environment very similar to Hayltel.

That night the village wanted to organize a welcome party to celebrate the return of its soldiers. Each inhabitant tried to collaborate with what they could, from preparing and serving dinner to decorating the streets or even dressing for the occasion. The men's festive costume consisted of a long blood-colored dress crossed to the chest, while the women's one was much more attractive and complicated, since help was even required to put it on. However, it had been concluded that you and Kyria, being army soldiers, would wear the men's suit. Finally, the night fell and the party began. Several musicians started playing music and everyone started eating, drinking, and dancing. The square was adorned with multiple colored lanterns and the children played and scampered everywhere. An unknown woman served you and Kyria a strange liquor in a small glass. You thanked her for the gesture and drank it while Kyria sniffed at it curiously. Your throat burned and Kyria soon felt the same.

"It tastes like crap!" she exclaimed.

Several women laughed at your reaction as Kyria stared at them.

"What?" she screamed at them in a menacing voice.

"Attention please!" you heard Yusuke-senzo call in the distance.

The hamlet was silent as he climbed one of the outer steps of what appeared to be a cult temple.

"Dear citizens... How good it feels to be home!" he smiled.

The entire hamlet applauded happily.

"I propose a toast" he exclaimed raising his glass "For our soldiers, not only those of Mizumura, but also the brave soldiers of the West who have helped us to be here with you tonight. I also toast to Aalyn, the wielder of the Great Power, whose courage I must emphasize especially. Cheers! "

The village toasted and applauded as your cheeks flushed and the music played again. Tomoya and Ryota were applauding with their families. Toru rolled his eyes, mocking Yusuke-senzo's words and then giving you a friendly smile. Taka, however, wasn't with him. You thought that he must be with Hatsumi, when in fact he was standing behind your back and next to his mother.

"Who is she?"

"The wielder, mother"

"You know very well what I mean"

Taka turned, startled.

"You think I haven't seen how you look at her? You've been staring at her since we arrived"

Taka looked away, embarrassed.

"So it's true..."

"Mother, she doesn't..."

"It's not me to whom you owe explanations, Takahiro" she harshly said as she looked at Hatsumi "What are you going to do? Tell her that you love another woman and that you plan to marry her? And that she's also the wielder of the Great Power? Not to mention that she comes from another kingdom, with another culture, another language... " she looked at her son and gently grabbed him by the shoulders "Son... You don't know how happy your father and I are to have you back... But this is your home. You have things pending here and she's not one of them... "

Taka looked up and looked at his mother with contempt.

"Mother, I'm not a child anymore. Father and you can no longer decide for me"

"Then prove that you are a man and finish with this now... Or would you rather discuss this with your father?"

While all this was going on, you were having dinner kneeled down on the floor next to Kyria when you heard a throat clearing behind you. It was Hatsumi.

"Excuse me, I've heard that you understand our language..."

She wore a red and white suit and her hair was tied up in a braid. She was looking absolutely beautiful.

"That's right..." you answered.

"May I have a moment alone?"

You translated her words to Kyria, and when she got up and left, Hatsumi gently knelt beside you. Her manners seemed like that of a princess.

"Excuse me..." she softly smiled "But is what they say true? Are you the wielder of the Great Power?"

Her eyes were dark and big, filled with great curiosity.

"Yes, it is..."

"God!" she laughed again "I never thought that ..."

Her face turned pale as her eyes landed on your chest. Specifically, in the pendant with the gem that Taka gave you.

"It's..." she said with her eyes still fixed on the necklace.

Suddenly, her face changed again and she laughed as she tried to distract herself.

"Excuse me, I just wanted to say that it's an honor to meet the wielder of such power in person..."

It was more than obvious that she had recognized the gem. She knew perfectly well that it belonged to Taka and that hadn't been funny to her at all. She stared at the ground avoiding your gaze as she gripped the skirt of her dress tightly.

"I..." you tried to say.

"I don't want to disturb you anymore. It has been a pleasure to greet you. I hope you enjoy the party"

She leaned in slightly and walked away, leaving you alone and feeling like the worst person in the world. You had just broken her heart without even having to open your mouth. And that was only the beginning of the party.