Chapter 8: Bittersweet
He knew it. And he wished he hadn't.
That look on his lord's face when he saw them together this morning at the wretched girl's chamber.
Oh yes, he'd seen that look before. Knew it all too well. For his lord's father had that same look when he was with his lady, his second wife, Mistress Izayoi. And once upon a time too, with his lord's mother.
Jaken continued to storm off. The worst part is, the great lord of the west may not even be aware of it. Jaken would bear witness to all of this. Watching at the limelight how these feelings and scenes will unfold in the near future. How bothersome. But not if he could help it.
Rin was looking out the only window there is to her chamber. Gaze set on the magnificent sight of the city before her. Yet her thoughts go far beyond what her sight lay eyes on.
She could jump if she would but she won't. She looked down at her feet and saw her bandaged left ankle. His servants had been so kind to her. He was kind to her.
She'd learned that, Sesshomaru, despite his cold, unapproachable appearance, was capable of kindness. He had his men look for shippo and even had him escorted home to their village with food and other supplies.
"Why don't you jump out the window, run, escape," came the voice owned by non other than the western lord's attendant, Jaken.
He was leaning on the door jamb, arms cross on his chest. "But that would trouble my lord. And If you stayed, you are trouble still."
Rin blinked, looked him in the eye, confusion written on her innocent face.
By saving her, she became a burden to his master. The counsel were not too pleased about it. If she escaped, that too would be an issue. What could his lord be thinking?
"Enjoy it while it lasts. While you still have that pretty head on your neck." He then walked away.
He was blunt. Harshly so. He didn't have to tell her, really. she knew too well the fate that awaits her. She had broken and gone against the rules and every single decree there is set by the palace aristocrats for commoners like her. She stole from the rich, robbed houses, begged the streets, sold items on restricted places, even danced at the center of town to entertain passer bys to collect money.
She went to heists and protests. She threatened counsel members and even attacked a royal guard once. Pile it all up plus her recent encounter with the noble sesshomaru. She knew she'd soon lose her head.
Like, literally.