THE PRICE OF WAR [Taka x Reader]

XVI. Mishap

You decided not to tell Taka anything about what had happened that night. Hatsumi didn't deserve more hatred than she had already received. Ever since Taka had mentioned her name to you that day in front of the bonfire you had imagined her as a heartless lying being on the verge of madness. But which of the two was crazier? Her, who had decided to take revenge on Taka by poisoning her beloved, or you, who had become a soldier to stay with him?

Several days had passed and Mizumura looked as lively as ever. It was noon and the villagers had taken to the streets to enjoy the sun. You were all sitting in the shade of a mulberry tree enjoying a delicious meal, when you saw Hatsumi sitting alone on a bench in the distance. She was also eating.

"What is it, Yumiko?" Taka asked you.

"Excuse me..." you said a moment later.

You poured yourself a little more rice and grabbed a handful of what looked like candy. Then you got up and walked towards Hatsumi.

"What is she doing?" Ryota asked.

"They know each other?" Tomoya asked Taka.

"I have no idea..."

Hatsumi saw you approaching and her body tensed. You sat next to her and offered her the candy. She looked away in shame.

"Please stop humiliating me..." she asked you.

"That was not my intention... I just wanted to keep you company"

She looked back at your hand full of candy.

"I hope these don't have hemlock..." she smiled "It would be a nice revenge"

"No, I think it's just honey" you laughed.

After thinking about it for a few seconds, she took two and brought them to her mouth while the rest of your friends looked at the scene with a frown.

After lunch and saying goodbye to Hatsumi, Taka approached you and looked at you with a clear gesture of annoyance on his face.

"Wow, I didn't know you two were friends"

"Does it bother you?"

"Well yes, it bothers me"

"And why so?"

"Well, because..." he started saying "Because it bothers me!"

"You know that she told me everything, right?"

"Oh, yeah? And what do you think about the fact of me being humiliated because she decided to sleep with another man?"

"Does that mean you would rather have married her instead of meeting me?"

He stood silent as sighed.

"Of course not..."

"Then you should forgive her too, don't you think?"

"Maybe..." he grumbled like a punished child.

You smiled at his face and sat down with the others again.

Hours went by and the sun began to set. The whole hamlet continued with their chores until a black cloud appeared on the horizon.

"What's that?"

"They look like birds..."

The cloud was getting closer and closer and the villagers became restless. It turned out to be a flock of dozens of crows, maybe even more than a hundred. They all flew in the direction of the hamlet while squawking non-stop. The flock landed in the square to the surprise of the villagers.

"Mom, I'm scared..." a boy cried.

"What are all these birds doing here?" Yusuke-senzo yelled "Get out!"

More and more people began to gather in the square to see that unusual show. You all arrived me a little later.

"What a scandal!" Tomoya exclaimed at the roar of the squawks.

But you didn't hear squawking but voices.

"Help, please!" the crows screamed.

"Help...?" you murmured.

"Mrs. Aalyn! Where are you?" one of them yelled.

There was no doubt, the crows were looking for you. You pushed aside several people who blocked your path and jumped into the center of the square.

"It's me! What do you want?" you asked them.

Everyone, both the crows and the villagers fell silent and turned to look at you.

"My lady!" replied a crow as he jumped towards you. His voice was deep and solemn, like that of an older man "My lady, we have traveled hundreds of miles to warn you of terrible danger!"

"What happened?"

The villagers looked puzzled at the scene while some of them even laughed, since when you spoke all they heard was cackling meaningless.

"Your kingdom is in danger, my lady! Days ago we saw a large army crossing the Mount Trydar range in the direction of the Western Kingdom!"

"What?" you screamed in horror.

"My lady, I'm afraid Hayltel is in grave danger! Only you can stop this madness with your power!"

"But... But how?"

"We'll guide you there. But you must hurry!"

The whole village watched you without understanding anything. But as the crow said, there was no time to lose.

"Just a moment, please" you begged the crow after some seconds as you addressed your friends with the intention of saying goodbye.