Disclaimer: I still don't own Suikoden or any of its characters.
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The next morning, Chris dragged herself out of bed and got dressed. Looking at herself in the mirror, she decided the best way to explain away the dark circles under her eyes was doing paperwork. Most everyone would believe that, she thought.
All throughout her breakfast, she felt like there was someone out there watching her rather closely. She tried to engage in polite conversation with Louis, who was sitting with her, but kept finding herself getting distracted.
Louis had a worried look on his face. "Lady Chris, maybe you should go back to bed. Take the day off and relax. I'll guard your room!"
Chris smiled. "I have work that needs to get done. But…thanks for thinking of me."
After breakfast, Chris took a walk outside, thinking the fresh air would clear her head. She stood on the bridge looking out at the scenery.
"It's rather sunny today, isn't it?"
Chris looked next to her to see Sierra leaning against the wall staring up at the sky. Sierra glanced over to Chris, narrowing her red eyes slightly. "It's sunny but not very warm. I don't like that."
"Good morning to you too." Chris said, a bit curtly. "You're following me."
"Good, you can state the obvious. I said last night that I found you interesting."
"But you don't have to…stalk me."
"It's not stalking, it's following. Quit changing your words!"
Chris quickly turned away and started to head back to the castle. "I have more important things to do than argue with you right now. Good bye." She quickly walked back inside. Glancing over her shoulder, she saw no sign of the pale girl. Chris wondered where the girl had gone off to.
Chris ended up spending the majority of the day reading through paperwork, and continuously wandering throughout Brass Castle. Every time she stayed in a room for more than an hour, she would get a feeling that she was being watched, and would have to leave.
Needless to say, her behavior was getting attention.
"Lady Chris, please wait!" Borus ran up to her, looking rather worried. He had noticed Chris walking around the lower floors in circles for a while now. "I know it is out of my place to ask, and I apologize, but…what's going on?"
"I believe I'm just a bit restless." Chris let Borus walk next to her. "Please don't worry about me."
"You should take a vacation. We'll be able to handle everything here."
"Borus, please…"
"I'm only worried for your health!"
Chris leaned against a wall, and Borus stood in front of her as he continued speaking. "I don't want anything happening to you, so if you must leave the castle, go right ahead."
"I don't believe I'll be leaving anytime soon, so…"
A low voice emerged from the room next to them. "You should, though. This place is stuffy."
Chris jumped, while Borus drew his sword yelling, "What heathen dares to insult the Lady Chris Lightfellow! Show yourself!" Chris thought she heard a low laugh after Borus' outburst.
"Borus, it's all right. You were just hearing things." She tried to add some humor to the situation. "I…I think we're both tired."
Borus sheathed his sword, turned and bowed to Chris. "I shall continue to protect you with my life, though."
"Of course you will, I'm perfectly fine with you and the others doing so."
"I shall guard your room tonight!"
"Y-you don't need to go that far…"
Borus cleared his throat. "Th-then I shall get guards to be posted outside of your room, at least."
"Actually…I think I might take your advice and go on a bit of a vacation." Chris returned to her room, leaving a slightly proud, slightly dumbfounded Borus behind. She changed into her old traveling clothes, packed a few things just in case, and set out from Brass Castle a bit before sunset.
She probably wouldn't have left if she had known she would be followed.
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