DISCLAIMER: I do not own any of the characters of Sainunkoku Monogatari aka Colourcloud Palace. All credit goes to the writer Sai Yukino! Hats-off! ^_^
Debt and Request
Lord Shouka had a lot of questions on his mind but he waited until Shusui had regained strength enough to talk.
"Are you a priestess of the Hyo clan?" was the first question he posed to her.
"In training." She corrected. "Lady Ruka is the head priestess; I am her apprentice." He decided not to broach the subject but he did not miss the wistful look in her eyes as she spoke of it.
"Can you tell me the precise whereabouts of rose princess, little girl?"
Her eyes widened at his request. "Why, I did not think you wished to try your luck too mister?"
He did not bother correcting her assumption and merely waited for her to continue.
"I'm indebted to you and therefore, I shall warn you. Bara-hime is locked in the highest room of the tower. Lady Ruka has warded off the place on Lord Ryo's orders so that anyone who dares enter will die by his hands. So please do not go there if you value your life!"
He nodded in agreement. "I cannot enter unless… I have the help of a priestess?"
She looked at him incredulously as she processed his request.