Nothing More
She was the perfect picture of elegance and beauty; daughter of nobility and only heiress to an insurmountably wealth; and he, the mere peasant boy who was adopted by her father, had nothing to offer to her for she had everything, nor had he the right to even vie for her love. All he could do was to watch her from the sidelines and do his best to assist her in every way he can, to be the older brother she never had and always longed for.
"Haji." She called out his name. How he loved it when she says his name. Her voice was always so soft and gentle.
"Yes Saya?" he placed down the books he was carrying onto the table and quickly rushed to her side.
"I can't reach that book, would you mind helping me get it?" she asked, her dainty index finger pointing to a very old and thick leather-bound book with gold patterns on the top-shelf.
"No problem." Being quite tall, he was able to reach the book with ease. "But what is this for?" he asked, eyeing the dusty book. The gold paint had nearly been erased on the cover but he could still make out the title on the cover which read 'The Ancient House of Goldschmidt'.
"Hmm? I just thought I'd read up a bit on the family. Would you care to join me?" she answered with a smile. Gathering the puffy pink skirt she was wearing, she took a seat on of the plush, red velvet cushioned oak chairs.
Having nothing better to do that afternoon, he placed the book down on the table in front of her before he grabbed the nearest chair to hers and plopping himself onto it. "I'll be taking that as a yes then." She giggled, Haji could only smile back meekly.
With each turn of the page a comment or story here and there about each ancestor that posted interest from Saya, being this close to her, watching her smile and made expressions occasionally, he felt the urge to wrap his arms around her and hold her tiny frame in his arms like there's no tomorrow, hold her and never let her go. But he could not bring himself to do it. Because even if he did, his true feelings will never be heard by her, she would only think of it as familial affection, mere sibling love.
A sigh escaped his drying lips.
"Oh, I'm sorry Haji. I must be boring you with all this stuff. You can leave me be if you want." Saya apologized profusely, worry clouding her delicate features.
"No, no, there isn't a need for apologies. I wasn't bored really. Shall we go on?" he assured her and hesitating for a brief moment, he extended his arm slightly and gave her a small pat on the crown of her head. A pat was all he could give. But oh, would he sell his soul to the damned devil just to have even one taste of her sweet, soft lips, one chance to run his fingers through her silky, dark blue locks, one opportunity to lock her in an embrace. But no, neither heaven nor hell would hear his wish.
"Someday soon, I want to become a famous swordsman, traveling the world and having wonderful stories told from generation to generation about my adventures. I'll have my share of honor and glory in this book." She said enthusiastically, her hand softly caressing the still many blank pages of the book. Then she turned up and gazed into his eyes hopefully. "You haven't changed your mind have you? About our promise to someday travel together to new lands with swords and each other by our sides?"
"If I didn't come with you, who would watch over you so you don't stumble or dirty your dress?" he teased.
"Oh, by golly Haji, I'm no child anymore!" she pouted, a frown forming on her brow and her nose crinkling slightly. "I am a young lady!" she said with much pride on the last word.
"Ladies don't pout nor frown do they? It's inappropriate and they'll get wrinkles if they frown." Haji pinched her cheek jokingly. She was right indeed; Saya was no longer a child. She, who was five years younger than him, is now a lady indeed. No longer was her face, hands and dress, smudged and covered with dirt from playing in the garden or by the meadows. Her once flat, childish form was now graced with lush feminine curves in all the right areas. She was a lady who could be taken any day by any man, with one simple approval of her father, Joel Goldschmidt, on the many proposals from the rich and nobles from lands near and far.
This earned him a harrumph and returned pinches on each cheek. "I don't have to go all ladylike when I'm around you. You're just my dear old Haji whom I can be of ease with."
Yes, I'm just your dear old Haji, brother figure, companion, and just a friend to hear out your ups and downs. He thought grimly. "I can't say no, can I?" he forced a smile.
"Yup, you sure can't." her small laughter echoed through the library which was empty of people aside from the two of them.
Haji would've never imagined nor would've Saya that a century and several decades later, they will indeed be and still be traveling different lands throughout the world. With a sword and each other by their sides.
Yuki's Notes:
Just a little play on the actual facts of the story, here Haji was adopted first before Saya was "born". And Saya would've turned him into her first chevalier by the time she's seventeen in human years and not when she's fifty-something. After this little prequel, everything would've run the same things as the original blood+ storyline. Reviews are very much wanted and appreciated. hehe
P.S.
but if the reviews went well, i might reconsider turning this oneshot into a full-story which means the plot will be changed (insert evil laugh here) lol