A/N: here we are at Chapter 3, and today we have lots of moments between Yui and Suboshi! Enjoy, my dear readers.
Chapter 3: A Strange Attraction
Early the next morning, Yui awoke to the familiar bustle of the others going about their morning routine. As she joined Soi to assist with breakfast, she noticed a look on her friend's face that seemed odd. "What's wrong, Soi?" she asked.
"Something's come up… I need to go away for a day or two. One of Amiboshi's friends needs a delivery of firewood at once; his father is ill and they need to keep him warm until he gets better. We just got a messenger bird from him this morning. I'll be leaving soon, once everyone sets out. Suboshi's going to stay with you today in case your stepmother comes to make sure she finished the job."
Yui nodded. Much as she knew it was important that she not be alone, she wasn't comfortable with the idea one of her friends had to miss work because of her. They did need all the money they could earn, especially with an extra person living with them now. Besides, who was to say that her stepmother even knew her attempt at killing Yui had failed?
There wasn't much around the cottage that needed to be done that day aside from washing a few dishes and some sweeping, so Yui spent most of the day tending the garden beside the house. It was actually funny to see Suboshi trying to help her- he could barely tell the vegetables from the weeds, so Yui eventually had him work on keeping the small group of sheep they raised out of the garden.
"That should do. These will go very nice with some chickens or rabbit, I think, if you'll catch us some for dinner later," Yui said as she gathered up the carrots, onions, and potatoes she'd harvested.
"Of course, Princess; although, I think I'd rather worry about lunch right now," Suboshi laughed as his stomach growled loudly.
Yui giggled. "Okay; let me put these inside and then we'll go to the river and catch some fish for lunch," she replied.
Ten minutes later they stood by the bank of the nearby river, throwing in nets to catch fish. Now it was Suboshi's turn to laugh- Yui had never caught fish before, and at first had no idea of what to do, and the way she reacted to the coldness of the water was comical.
"Oh, you think that's funny, do you?" she asked with a grin before grabbing a handful of mud and throwing it at him. He retaliated in kind and soon both were splattered in mud.
"Alright, that's enough fun and games. Let's get our fish and eat," Suboshi declared, seeing the nets had caught fish. They gathered up their catch and turned to head back to the cottage.
Suboshi flung the nets over his shoulder and began climbing up the embankment, Yui following. As they neared the top, some loose, muddy earth beneath Yui's feet gave way, causing her to fall into the river. Dropping the nets, he followed after her and fished her out of the river.
It took a few moments for him to locate her, and when he got her onto dry land, she was pale and unconscious. "Damn it! She's not breathing… now what do I do?" he cried. Then he remembered what one of his brother's friends, a doctor by profession, had told him about how to revive a person after pulling them out of water.
Laying Yui on the ground, he knelt beside her and began following his instructions. He alternated pressing down on Yui's chest with his hands and covering her mouth with his and trying to breathe air into her lungs. After a few seconds, she revived, and began coughing up water.
"Princess, are you alright?" he asked frantically. She smiled.
"I am now, thanks to you. That's three times I owe my life to you, and your friends," she told him. "Now, let's try going home again." Grabbing their catch, they left to return to the cottage, Suboshi taking care to assist Yui so she didn't fall into the river again.
They returned to the cottage, and Suboshi sent Yui upstairs to change into dry clothing while he started a fire and cleaned the fish.
An hour later, they were sitting in front of a warm fire eating bowls of fish stew. While they ate, Suboshi entertained her with various jokes and stories about his and Amiboshi's childhood adventures.
"Y'know, I just realized, I never asked… how'd you all end up living here?" Yui asked as she put aside her empty bowl.
"This cottage and the area where we cut wood in belonged to Nakago's parents. They died in an epidemic when he was young. Soi lived in the nearby village and moved in when she and Nakago got engaged last year," Suboshi explained. "As for the rest of us, I guess you could say Nakago took us in over the years. He rescued Ashitare from the travelling circus he was with after he saw how badly they were treating him; Tomo used to be a theatre performer until the theatre troupe owner's wife accused him of attacking her when he rejected her and he was thrown out into the streets. Nakago was looking to take on additional help at the time and offered him a job and a place to stay. He did the same thing for my brother and I when we came here looking for work after our parents died. As for Miboshi, he used to work with Soi in her parents' bakery until it caught fire and burned down. They were the only survivors. She and Nakago got engaged not too long after the fire, and she and Miboshi came here."
Yui nodded. "You all were lucky, to have such a kind friend," she said softly. How horrible that such good people had been through so much… it made her even more grateful for all their kindnesses to her. She'd have to make sure her father did something for them to repay them for their help. Perhaps he could find them jobs at court, she mused.
Soon it was time to start dinner before the others returned. While Yui baked the bread she'd put together that morning, and began stewing some vegetables, she sent Suboshi to get a couple of chickens. In next to no time the chickens were plucked and roasting over the fire.
While they waited for the food to finish, Yui couldn't help but notice Suboshi staring at her. Fighting back a blush, she tried to keep her attention on the food. Just when it seemed he was about to say something, the door to the cottage burst open and Nakago and the others arrived home.
Everyone seemed in good spirits as they ate, but Nakago seemed particularly quiet. He always seemed to withdraw from the others when Soi was away.
"Aw, come on, Nakago, Soi'll be home by morning. Don't be so down in the dumps," Ashitare grunted, noticing how quiet Nakago had been.
"Princess Yui, I was wondering … you've never said much about life at court. What's it like at the palace?" asked Miboshi, swallowing a mouthful of bread. Though the youngest, he was serious and tended to speak very rarely.
Yui laughed. "It's very… grand, I think would be the word I'm looking for; especially with my stepmother in charge. She'd throw these fancy parties for all the courtiers and everyone would get dressed up and dance until late into the night. The kitchens would put out the best food that the palace could offer. My stepmother demands only the very best," she said, a bitter edge creeping in to her voice as she spoke of the queen.
"Sounds like you miss some of it," Suboshi said, noticing how sad Yui sounded as she described the parties at court.
"Not the parts where I had to clean up before and after. Don't forget, I was forced to be a scullery maid after my father left. But I do miss it, what I remember from when I didn't have to help clean the palace from top to bottom all the time. My father used to love showing me off to the court; I'd dance and sing in front of everyone to show how accomplished and graceful I was," she said with a slight laugh as she spoke of her father.
"Will you show us?" Tomo asked. Everyone agreed, saying it'd be a nice amusement, especially as it'd begun to storm outside.
"I could, if we had some music… Amiboshi, will you play something?" Yui asked. Amiboshi nodded and went to fetch his flute.
"Now don't laugh… it's been ages since I've done this," Yui said before Amiboshi began playing. But however long it had been, it was clear once she began that she had lost none of her agility and grace from lack of practice.
"Now then, a waltz, if you please, maestro. Tomo, will you partner me?" Yui asked, holding out her hand to him after Amiboshi had finished the song.
"I'd be honored, milady," he said with great ceremony, making a formal bow before taking her hand. Everyone laughed as they waltzed around the room before Yui let go and then proceeded to dance first with Miboshi, then Ashitare, and then Nakago. This lighthearted merriment seemed just the thing to lift Nakago's spirits, Yui noted, seeing how he seemed to cheer up.
"Okay, Suboshi, your turn," Tomo teased as Nakago and Yui parted.
Suboshi blushed. "I can't… you know I don't know how to dance," he grumbled.
"It's okay, I'll lead; you won't have to do a thing," Yui said gently. Suboshi still protested; it was only when Ashitare and Amiboshi goaded him that he agreed.
Smirking slightly at his brother's discomfort, Amiboshi put the flute to his mouth and began to play. Everyone watched as Yui and Suboshi waltzed around the room, Yui leading just as she'd promised.
The attraction between the two was obvious to the others. Indeed, it'd been evident to them for some time that Suboshi had come to care deeply for the young princess. But it was only now that they saw signs that perhaps she was beginning to reciprocate.
As she looked into Suboshi's eyes, Yui felt as if she was dancing on air. She was so completely lost in him that she was more or less oblivious to the presence of the others watching them. How was it she'd never noticed before today how truly handsome Suboshi was?
Finally, much too soon for Yui and Suboshi, Amiboshi finished playing. As the song drew to a close, the pair leaned in and it seemed to the others that they were about to kiss. But just before they did, a loud clap of thunder sounded and snapped them out of the trance they had seemed to be in. Gasping softly, Yui turned and ran upstairs, to where the sleeping quarters were. The loud slam of a door and a soft click signaled that Yui had locked herself in her room.
Meanwhile, in her palace, Taiitsukun raged. That cursed girl… somehow she had survived! "Will I never be rid of the little wretch?!" she growled as she saw Yui and the cottagers in the mirror. "There's no way they'd leave her alone now, not after my first attempt on the brat's life. At least one of them is bound to be with her at all times. Wait… one of them! That's it!" she cried excitedly. "They'd never be wary of one of their own."
So saying, she quickly hurried to prepare her next plan.
* End Chapter *
