"Stop…. Stop it….already…" a faint voice resonated in the room, a raven woman with a delightful smile on her face was reading a book as there was a faint green light on her other hand.
"Mmmm?" Mikoto looked down, certainly, her hand moved from his chest to his head without her realizing it. Now Kamui was laying with his head again on her lap, and her fingers were passing through his hair, she rolled her eyes before resuming her book.
It has been three days since he woke up, three days that felt like an eternity, more than a year since he left the solitary room in Nohr. In a way, it felt like a lifetime, yet, so short in comparison with what happened in the real world. He would say that they grew in the "20 years" of the war, but knowing that he was the only one who went through that, maybe that was the whole reason why even if he was near his forties, being pampered by his mother again in such tender way, made it difficult to break the perfect wall the late queen constructed around him.
It was strange to "hate-love" his mother in the three days she monopolized his time. Kana and little Mikoto were still sleeping and recovering, so Mikoto called the best apothecary in the army. She was surprised and pleased to meet Midoriko, as one of her granddaughter's "besties", and being the principal physician of the albino when he was troubled by the curse, the little girl was delighted to see how Mikoto made a potion that Kamui thought would be pointless for him. The first time Midoriko offered her help and medicine to fight the fatigue, it was simply ineffective, more when they were in Valla. Now with the help of the queen, just 30 minutes to brew something, put the faint potion near his nose, and the next thing he remembered was that it was already noon, Midoriko was taking notes with gleaming eyes as his mother was explaining that since he was a dragon, she needed to think in different ingredients and a bigger "scale" of body complexion, he couldn't believe that his mother used that thing, went to the girls, used the same potion and healed their wounds, and returned to his side to happily explain medicine. Midoriko took the pointers and promised to improve her skills, she really wanted to pay back what she "owed" to him, and now, it looked like with her help, it would be possible. Mikoto just caressed his head and before he could react, she used her deadly skill, using her fingers on the back his ears to daze him, as he could hear how the girl was impressed with a "ooh, please teach me to do that" before falling asleep again.
The second day was worse.
Instead of asking permission, she took out all his clothes, except his small clothes, and with Sakura taking notes (and a really red, timid face), she explained how to use the staff on him, Mikoto was ruthless when it was about teaching, especially when it was something to do with him, and even if it was for his own good, he couldn't help but feel like a guinea pig.
Normally, one priestess would use the staves on wounds, and of course, even if it was magic, it wouldn't heal a broken bone or singed injury right away, being a dragon there was a way to improve his recovery though, and for some kind of cosmic luck, it was Sakura of all people who would learn how to do it.
Certainly, Mikoto's way to heal somebody was more personal, not using only the staff, she imbued some of her magic on it. It was complicated, but if the healer and the patient were close enough, she could use the imbued magic on the staff to heal it faster, of course, it meant that the patient would be out of energy, but wounds could be healed in weeks instead of months, and that closeness meant a strong bond, for example, the bond between a mother and her child.
Mikoto had a great sense of humor, and a really unique kind of awareness, she would gladly and on purpose push people's buttons just to cheer them up or throw them off balance, and Sakura knew it firsthand when she asked how to improve the bond to make it possible to use that kind of healing method.
"Well, sweetheart, you already have everything in check, after all, the only thing closer than a mother and her baby, is the same act of baby making," with those words and her teasing smile, Sakura fell from her posture when she continued. "Of course, if you don't think you´re doing it correctly, I can have you some pointers dear~"
It was a good thing that Sakura fell on the bed, otherwise, she would have a bump on her head.
It was already an ordeal to convince her to make out time with Camilla, not even her or Kamui were nearly close to approve his mother to witness them making out, fortunately, after some minutes of Hana screaming when Beruka and Selena fell from the ceiling after hearing such claiming's, Mikoto said it was just a jest, and of course, use that to kick out any prying ears in the room.
She assured Sakura over the next fifteen minutes that it was a jest, Sakura, of all people, was about to ground the late queen.
"Please, if you´re going to make…. Such…. Statements, maybe I should move our family meetings with Miko and Kana…."
Mikoto paled at the idea and begged to forgive her.
Such absurd and unbalanced control of power: Mikoto controlled him, Xander and Ryoma, but Sakura controlled Mikoto, as Sakura was controlled by Camilla, and she was controlled by their daughters, for a moment, Kamui saw a grim future if they found out that they would be pampered by these girls, fortunately, Sakura knew when to stop.
Anyway, returning to the topic, there were two reasons to come up with the topic, first of all, if they applied that kind of healing process, Kamui would be good to go in a few months, of course, in a few weeks he would be able to walk if he didn't push himself, but the damage on his body was too big, maybe he was numbed from the pain, but that didn't mean that there wouldn't be consequences if he pushed his luck further.
So, in order to teach her, first of all, they discussed a few things away from him. He couldn't believe that his mother had such ace´s under her sleeve.
"It´s quite simple" his mother stated, caressing Sakura´s hair. "She´ll use one of our staves to heal you in the next days, for now, lets strengthen your bond further~"
"How do we do that?" he asked as Sakura nervously played with her fingers, looking away as Mikoto giggled, she slightly shoved her, she shyly approached and took off slightly part of her yukata, exposing more of her neck and shoulders. "Wh-What the? Sak-" then, as she placed her hand on his cheek, and blushing harder, she sighed placing tenderly her head on his chest, and a faint, warm feeling soothed him, a familiar light around them, much fainter that his own version, but enough to feel it.
"I…. wanted to use it…. With you…." Sakura whispered. "But…. I'm not…. Strong like you…."
"You´re… way stronger than me…. Sakura….." he caressed her head, letting her soak him in her magic "way….. stronger…"
"….Not fair, young man, you haven't been this sweet with me since a long time ago…. And you´re this cute together?" Mikoto puffed her cheeks seeing the couple. "You can't cuddle like this in front of your mother, just go to sleep already" and with a soft push of her index finger on his nose, he felt his body fall into some kind of abyss, strangely, with a delightful scent of sakura flowers around him.
So now, he was there, waiting for an opening, seeing her humming and giggling with the sunray passing through the curtains, even if he screamed or asked for help, Mikoto would shoo them away, Camilla was missing and Sakura wasn't an option, perhaps Hinoka? Rhajat? Even if he knew that she was doing the best for him, it was weird, it was…
"Unsettling?" She commented.
"Wait… what?" he asked as she sighed, looking troubled.
"Dear, I love you, and even if you are a little older than last time, you´re quite…. Naive~"
"What´d you mean?" he struggled again, but with her fingers massaging his head and the softness combined of her lap and hand, it was impossible, she closed her book and covered his eyes.
"You´re naïve, even if you trained to be an excellent strategist, you still underestimated your mother knowledge, that and that you ignore the most basic thing about this…"
"…and that would be?"
"You´re ignoring your own wellbeing," she sighed. "It´s not a bad thing to do if you forget about taking care of yourself when you´re worried about the others, but it´s bad to deliberately neglect you like this, not only your body but your mind."
"What? That´s not true, I do e-"
"Oh? Then why´re you feeling uneasy in your mother's arms?" still covering his eyes with right hand, she stopped grooming his head to use her left to place it on his chest. "You´re still stressing yourself, I know this is a result of your lifestyle….but that doesn't mean that you should carry your burdens alone…"
"…I …. I don't d-"
"Yes, you do," her left hand returned to his head "Maybe your 'human' side doesn't see it, but the fact that your 'dragon' side welcome this grooming without any resistance, is a clear sign that you have burdened yourself beyond your duty…."
"I… that is not…. You don't ….." pushing her hand away, he managed to sit, his vision was still blurry but still, he scratched his head. "I…this is something that I have to do, it´s not something you should worry about, I-" he stopped feeling the sudden pain on his wounds, even if most of his body was bandaged, there were still stitches under his bandages, and feeling it returned part of his vision, seeing a sad girl in front of him made his heart to stop.
"You´re right, as your mother, the most I can do is guide you, not force you, that job is your wife's responsibility," she curled her lips. "My job is to make it easier for her."
"Kamui…." Sakura tried to contain herself, placing her staff near his torso, she started to heal his wounds again. They remained silent for the next few minutes.
"Sakura… I…"
"No," she shook her head. "I won't let you keep going like this," she looked away for a moment. "I… even supported your isolation… if that meant protecting our daughters, but now…. You don't have to keep pushing yourself like this," she embraced him, with his head on her shoulder and her hands supporting him, unfortunately for him, that feeling was sweetly intoxicating. "You have to understand that is over."
"Yes!" Mikoto whispered, placing her hand on her cheek. "Well, just a quick advice, you´re half dragon, meaning that you can't be held in solitude any longer, otherwise, it will be unhealthy for your mind, so from now on, after healing your wounds, you will put in hold all your responsibility's with the army, instead, you´ll focus in taking care of yourself and your family~"
Kamui managed to look at her, even if he was really comfortable in Sakura´s arms, he grunted, "….. You just want another baby around….."
"…"
"…"
"…"
"…No" she rolled her eyes, playing with her bangs nervously. "I'm worried about your health, sweetie."
"Mother…." Sakura blushed hardly as she tried to contain her voice. "That´s the reason you were talking with a tailor last night?"
"Well, no! I was wondering if I could make an order of a small ro-"
"So, that´s the reason you asked for Miko and Kana first clothes?" Sakura giggled, making the albino groan.
"…Mother!"
"Well, look at the time!" she walked to the door. "I leave you in her care, my son, I´ll be back in a while~" she replied "I´ll fetch some ingredients, please watch over him, ok sweetie?" waving her hand, she left the room in such way that it was clear that he hit the nail with that comment.
"If I knew that talking about this….. would make her like this….I should have said it sooner….."
"That´s a little rude," Sakura sighed, somewhat pleased. "But, I must confess, that she was really reluctant to leave anyone near you."
"…." He remained silent for a moment, enjoying the fragrance and tenderness of her touch, sinking for a moment before he lowly groaned "… What happened to the others?"
"…." She started to caress his head, humming a familiar tune "Everyone….. all of them wish for your full recovery."
"W-Wait, Sakura? What a-?" he couldn't formulate his question as his mind clouded for some moments, feeling a dizziness way stronger than his mother provoked on him. "…Wh-what? Sa…ku….ra?"
"You… have sacrificed so much for us….." she sighed as with care, made him laid down on the bed, still with her right hand supporting his head and her left, caressing the exact spot Mikoto taught her to touch.
"…."
"So now, we need to talk, you need to rest, at least for a few weeks….."
"I…. I can't… I have t-"
"We´re going to be fine now," she sighed again "you made it possible, but now, you have to rest."
"…I…. I just can´t," he groaned weakly, "….. Rule….number fifth teen….. Be sure that…. Your enemy is crushed….." he tried to stood, but Sakura placed her hand on his chest.
"…..the scrolls of Tsu also say´s 'Even the sharpest blade may break if left submerged in salt water', " With this, Kamui stopped struggling.
"….why…why do y-"
"Of course I know those phrases," she laid down, aside of him, with her hand of his cheek, looking each other, she continued "Every time we finished a battle, Caeldori and Sophie always tried to remember every thing you mumbled in the war room after a meeting," her eyes were wet. "I knew that I you were really concerned for us, that you wouldn't let anyone fall in battle, even if it meant that you would break in silence."
"…..Sakura.. I…."
"…..Why did you….do that?" she sounded pained. "Didn't…you trust us?"
"It's not that…."
"Then?"
"I was….scared…." now his voice was broken, it was odd for her to see him like that. "When it…..broke my arm…. I couldn't help but feel…ashamed of myself…and scared…." She stayed quiet as he vented his thoughts, "….I thought 'I was not strong enough to protect what is dear to me', I could feel….Kana´s and Mikoto´s fear…..for the dragons….I showed what I vowed never to show her or the others…..I showed them…I showed you despair…the same thing I told myself over and over again that I would never made any of your feel…"
"…And? After that? What about you? Us? Everyone?"
"I don't know….." he trembled under her touch. "I…. I don't know, I was supposed to have different strategies, plans, backup plans, I was supposed to know every scenario….and yet….. I never expected to fight against that… thing…..I was overwhelmed….. not by its force… but for the feeling that it might not be enough….."
"Not enough?"
"…That it was not enough…. To protect all of you…. I just…..throw away my survival for yours….."
"And you expected we were okay with it?"
"…I'm sorry….. it's not like that….." he pressed his forehead against her chest. "…. It…. Was the second choice…. Hardest choice….. I made as a tactician…. And I hated it….. I hated that I had to chose between my position and Father….."
"….." She felt awful, still mad, angry, depressed, but she could understand his reasoning. Sometimes when they were drinking with Camilla or Rhajat, he always tried to hide everything that was related to his work as a strategist, and she noticed that there were times he referred himself as a 'father', 'husband' or 'Tactician', when they found out that his mother was alive after the incident at the plaza, he said in in private that if it was for him, he would try to go back and find her, but the 'tactician' in him didn't allow that way of thinking. In the end, all the years he took to train, made him discard his wellbeing in favor of an outcome that allowed them to stay alive. "….Kamui..…"
"Uh?"
"I don't want to lose you, nor Kana, Camilla or Mikoto…. Mother, Ryoma, Takumi, Hinoka, anyone…. I know you had such an awful burden on your shoulders…. That you tried your best….no…. you did your best…. So now…." She caressed his head, making him stop trembling "So now… I have a selfish request…. please, trust us…. Let us take care of everything is left, and rest for now….."
"…."
"Kamui?"
"…Fine…..I´ll….slow down…..for…..no…..w…." he couldn't finish his sentences as Sakura was massaging the edge of his ear as the late queen taught her.
"Just rest for now, we´ll worry about the future later…." She giggled, feeling how he relaxed his body, and finally, after so many 'months' of stress, he finally had a pleasant face she never saw in the last weeks.
Chapter 43: After the war. Part 2.
Mikoto remained outside the room until she couldn't hear Sakura or Kamui's voices. She looked around and started to walk through the hallway.
"Milady," A shadow appeared behind her, looking back, she smiled seeing the familiar ninja kneeling, she placed her hand on her shoulder.
"Stand, Kagero, I'm no longer your liege….."
"No, don't say that Queen Mikoto…. I…I´m…"
"Kagero…. I'm not longer a queen…." She caressed her cheek, making her look at her. "… Just, let it go, Kagero….."
"Bu-But….I….."
"Dear, I'm not longer queen not because you failed to protect me that day, but because I decided to protect my dear child. My selfishness had the price of my title as a queen, something that I won't hesitate to do again if I had to. So please, stand up."
"…." She slowly and hesitantly stood up, still ashamed to behave like that in front of her. "Milady… I…" Mikoto frowned, making her stutter. "…L-Lady Mikoto?"
"Drop the 'Lady', just Mikoto."
"….I … I can't."
"Then you must practice~!" she laughed, walking at her side had a feeling of regret and melancholy from her, Mikoto didn't hate her for her own "death", but it looked like it had a toll on the ninja. "One problem at the time" she thought as they arrived to the room, seeing how a somewhat clumsy knight was dusting her armor. "Oh, its only you today?"
"Ah! No, Caeldori is inside, taking care of everything."
"Good, then, lets check on them, shall we?"
As she opened the door, it was a big bedroom, with two big beds, but only in one were two girls, sleeping peacefully with calm faces. Caeldori was sitting at the edge of the bed, cleaning Kana´s forehead with a cloth, noticing the noise of the door, she was about to scold them, but seeing Mikoto, she quickly stood with a blush on her face. "Ahh! I-I thought you were going to be with Kamui," She looked at the knight. "Or did we miss something? Oh geez, we did, didn't we?"
"Hey! I brought everything…..in one piece, mostly," she looked away for a moment.
"Oh, no, I just finished with Kamui, he´s in good hands now, so don't worry about it." She walked to the side of the bed. "No problems with my little sunshines?"
"Th-They have been really quiet" Caeldori nervously replied, moving her bangs behind her ears. "Sh-should we bring something for them?"
"No, everything is good for now," she looked at the nearest desk, which had some of the oils, ointments and some elixirs. She had everything she needed. "Don't worry about it, I´ll be staying here now."
"Ahh…. Sure…." Caeldori played with her bangs, with a faint blush, Mikoto raised her eyebrow seeing the behavior of the girl, she cleared her throat after a pause. "E-Excuse me! H-how is Kamui doing? Can I visit him?"
"Mmmm? Well, he´s a little….. occupied…."
"I… I see…" she looked troubled, giving the girls a serious look, nodded and brought some papers from the nearest nightstand. "Well….I…." seeing at Kagero and Sophie, she coughed. "Well…. Can I …. Have a chat with her?….." they were confused by her demeanor. "…In… private…"
"Aahh… ah! B-but I-"
"Mmm…. Interesting….." Mikoto said before Sophie could reply properly. "….I don't mind to have a small chat…. In fact… I have a task for you, Kagero, dear…." She giggled. "Could you tell ...how did they called him? Lobster?" she muffled a laugh "Ahh, no, im the adult here... tell Ryoma that I'll be with my dears sunshine's and that there´s no excuse for interrupting my time with them?"
"Oh… s-sure," Kagero was about to complain, but seeing Mikoto´s face was enough to take the hint, leaving a confused Sophie behind with a smoke cloud, the knight just looked at them for a few moments, before stumbling to the exit.
"I´ll help myself, l-let me know if you need anything," with a smile and almost hitting her forehead with the door, she closed it slowly, leaving them in silence.
"….So…. tell me dear… wha-" before she could react, Caeldori presented the papers with a gleaming smile, just when she took it, she sat on the floor on her knees. "-t do you want to talk?"
"I'm one of the best pegasi riders of the army, only surpassed by my father, I know how to fight in short-long terms, I can cook Nohrian and Hoshidian meals, Kanna and Mikoto have acknowledge Rhajat, but they said they would love t-"
"Woah! H-Hold on dear, wh-what is this?"
"Uh?... well… I was prepared to…. Make my case in front of Lord Ryoma and Prince Xander…. Just in case they didn't accept Camilla and Sakura's arguments…." She explained, playing with her thumbs and looking away for a few moments. "…Isn't this…. Something common in Hoshido? To press others in this kind of situation?"
"Uuuhhh? Wait, is this 'appaku mensetsu'*?" she thought with a plain face as the girl fidgeted.
"That´s why I want to make a good impression."
"Wait, wait, wait, wait" Mikoto sighed, with her hand on her forehead. "for all the heavens… Kamui, what were you doing in the time I wasn't watching you? One thing is Sakura and Camilla, but now, another one? Even when I thought you were going to end with Hinoka….." She sighed, seeing her with gleaming eyes, she was full of expectation for her answer. "….Well…. she looks like a nice girl….." seeing the papers, it was impressive what she saw "….Mmm….. there are marks and notes from Sakura and Saizo about her training…well…. Lets have a little fun~" She smirked.
"Umm? Is everything in order?"
"Oh? Yes, of course, but… exactly… what do you want?"
"Uh?"
"Well, I'm quite tired right now, so I'm not quite sure what´d you want, maybe be retainer?"
"Ah! W-well…. I'm honored for having that position available, but Kamui already told me that when we had this conversation…. And it was not quite easy… even Camilla was surprised when she…. Eavesdropped our conversation…. But I stayed firm that time… and even now I'd do it again."
"Mmmm, and what was that? What do you stayed firm that time?"
"Umm…." She blushed hard, intertwining her fingers, her lips curled in such way that Mikoto almost broke her serious face. "that I… wanted to be…. His lover….too….." her voice was so low that Mikoto barely listened her, but for the way it looked like, it wasn't just a simple childish rant.
"Oh? His….lover?" With her hand on her cheek, she continued. "Well, then you must have had a conversation about what it means, right? About his situation?"
"…Well… he taught me a lot…I could say… everything," she giggled "I thought…. That I had to be like father, he´s talented, a genius, but….. he follows Kamui´s lead… and after meeting him… I feel that I don't have to be perfect like father, but just…. Me….."
"….well…. I never expected that she would look…. So cute!" she thought at the sight of the red-haired girl, blushing and looking away bashfully. "What about the others? Ha-"
"Sakura knows…..but…" she started to play with her thumbs. "I wanted to know if you would accept me….. and well…. She said…. that she had to think about it with Camilla and Rhajat…."
"I see…."
"B-But…. If is it impossible to be with him… then all what I need is to hear it from you…. A-"
"Well… as long I can have more little girls like these two, is all good for me~" she said, caressing Kana´s head. "Honestly, I don't feel like breaking a maiden heart at all, not after teasing her like that…" she coughed, making her stand. "I won´t meddle in any kind of fight or misunderstanding, but if you think you can be with him and the others, go ahead."
"Really?! I have your blessing then?!"
"Uh?! Bl-Blessing? That´s to much, I…."
"But, you´re okay with me, right? Right?"
"It´s not like I dislike you for some reason, b-"
"But, you wont be against it, right?"
"I guess? I'm really don't see anything wrong or bad with you, s-"
"Thank you! Thank you so much" she covered her mouth after realizing the girl's discomfort for the sudden noise "Sorry… I…. I need to….." she blushed with her hands on her cheeks "Sorry, it doesn't feel real…. I…. I´ll do my best, to keep my promise to maintain us happily."
As Ryoma was walking between the small "rooms" in the tent, he wondered the reason he needed to be there. It was really something, that place, although Kamui had a great dinner hall as a single building, there was a great tent behind, near the fields of rice and wheat.
They said it was a "tent", but it was similar to a big top, big enough to have a small stand in the middle with tables and seats, at the back (where he was), the smell of alcohol was stronger, as one of the waitress guided him, he could see from one of the rooms, the figure he was looking for.
"Here we are, Your Highness," the girl said with a bow. "Although we can handle some… feisty customers, is their third bottle….. please, watch over them…"
"Oh? Finally" Leo commented as Ryoma moved the flap of the "room", Leo with Niles at one side, Hinoka and Azama at the other, strangely, Hinoka looked at him, and without a word, took a sip of a small glass, before refilling it with a small bottle near her.
"Oh? So, you don't care if Lord Ryoma is here? I can say that´s new," Azama said with a chuckle, while Niles was nodding beside his liege.
"Indeed, to think that the good lads… or rather, good gal?" Niles thought as they could see that he had too much ale on his part. "Never mind, that the little sister of that goody two-shoes would take a drink with us, and showing it to her older brother…. Heh….." Niles took a deeper sip from his cup.
"You make it sound like it's a bad thing."
"It is," he remarked. "I mean, unlike your little gal over there, we have the overwhelming presence of Lord Leo, scheming our next move, the excuse of a monk and me, to rotten princess Hinoka," Ryoma raised his brown eye, aside Azama, was Setsuna, laying on the ground with a silly expression.
"Excuse me, but I'm a monk, by definition, I'm supposed to be 'good', aint I?"
"You´re drinking with some Nohrians."
"It's a leap year!" Azama remarked, making Hinoka groan.
"O…K….. Wait, wh-" Before Ryoma could ask, the waitress already left them, he sighed, massaging his temples.
"What does that have to do with anything?" Niles frowned "And it is not."
"Well, it is in one of the Deeprealms, I'm sure," he raised his cup. "So, this is for lord Kamui. Cheers!"
"Cheers!" Niles laughed, following his example, raising his glass and making a face after sipping the ale.
"Drunkards…." Leo sighed. "Anyway, please sit down."
"Thanks… can I ask, what happened to her?" Ryoma looked at Setsuna.
"Proving your partner useless" Niles laughed. "Even a 'trap' drink is not rival for her, 10/10."
Ryoma looked at Leo, who facepalmed. "They had a gamble, and your archer drank the strongest alcohol Niles prepared every time. And gave them randomly."
"Best human shield ever," Amaza laughed.
"…..Well…. I guess it's good to see you getting along….so, what are we celebrating?"
"Nothing in particular," Leo injected before Niles could respond. "They´re just using the same excuse everyone is whispering: the end of the war, the new truce between our halidoms, that maybe we can expect another heir from Kamui, you know, the usual stuff," Leo said with his hand on Brynhildr, that was laying on the table. "…Uh… maybe I'm being a sentimental from the ale…. To think I would share a drink with a Hoshidan…." He chuckled before taking a small sip on his glass.
"Well… I can see that they´re enjoying themselves…" Ryoma looked at Hinoka, who nonchalantly held her glass on the air with a small blush on her face. "but… it is rare to see you like this, Hinoka. Did something happen?"
"Nothing…. Nothing at all," she replied curtly.
"Ah..aahahahaha, lady Hinoka is sad that her plans didn't bear fruit," Azama said. "Oh, Lady Hinoka? You're stepping on my foot again."
"Huh? What does that mean?" Ryoma asked.
"Well, it´s look like Lord Leo's little sister needs help," Niles chuckled
"I said that I would help my family," Leo sighed. "Not that I would voluntary meddle in a quarrel that hasn't even started."
"Wait, what?" Ryoma looked at him, Leo finished his glass of ale and looked at the bottom.
"Niles brought me saying that 'my sister needed my help', I followed him and found Hinoka in this state, I'm not even sure if I should meddle in this," he facepalmed. "It´s bad enough that I have to be the voice of reason in the castle back there in Nohr, but here as well?"
"Well…. I'm not sure what to say, you don't want to help her? Wh-"
"It's not a matter of if I want to help her or not," he started to fill his glass with the bottle Niles gave him. "In fact, I'm glad that even my retainers are including her as my family, unlike Xander, the moment I found out that I had two nieces, I knew I had to protect this family."
"Protect them?"
"Unlike in Hoshido, father… Garon…was known years ago for his charismatic personality," Leo began. "It wasn't weird to see him surrounded by ladies. In the end, when the first queen of Nohr gave birth to Xander, it escalated at such rate, that even Sumeragi visited Nohr to help him," he sighed. "I'm sure that you remember that our fathers weren't at each other's throats in the past….." He was about to take a sip, but stopped after seeing how Ryoma was expecting his response. "Long story short, we weren't four royal children to begin with, we were the ones that survived after King Garon lost control after the first Queen died…."
"I understand… but why you said that you´re not sure if you want to meddle i-"
"Camilla," he sighed. "To be honest, I'm surprised that she agreed to share Kamui when the first thing I remember about those two is that they shared everything back in Nohr."
"Camilla? Wait…." Ryoma looked at Hinoka. "Do y-"
"I have something to say," Hinoka said. "And its important…. Would you listen to me?
appaku mensetsu= Its a way to interview someone who is asking for a new job in japan, is banned since it is considered a form of agression and bully, common in the big companies until 2010.
Holy cow! Its been 3 months! Or more? Im so sorry guys, I had a lot of troubles here, but im glad to let you know that im back for more.
Phew, well, that it is, the new chapter, I hope you enjoy it.
This is going to be short, but let me your review about this work and "forced light", its important since your comments and reviews help me to grow and hone my work.
Without more to say, I hope you have a good day/night and good weekend!
SHIDESU! OUT!
