In one elegant sweep, Luka had Miku on her knees. Miku barely had time to register what play she used, or indeed, who she even killed. Miku blinked at the scattered chess pieces on the side of the board, then back at Luka's general threatening her own. A smile danced on Luka's lips.
"Checkmate, Miku."
Miku flushed, unable to meet her twinkling blue eyes. Casting her gaze to a bemused Kaito, who only smiled and nodded in confirmation of her loss, Miku let out a small grumble.
"I concede."
"If my liege has completed the game, we may proceed to other matters."
Luka chuckled at Miku's dejected response.
"You are doing very well for someone who had no prior knowledge of the game, Miku."
"Do not haste to take vulnerable pieces. It may be a trap-"
Miku recalled the speed with which Luka cleared her attack formation and her own moves before the inevitable end.
Miku pouted, "Like you did."
Luka admitted with a smile, "Like I did."
"Remember to always watch the whole board: the bigger picture, so to speak."
Miku nodded, committed it to memory.
In an attempt to at least seem educated to Luka's people, Miku was eager to learn a select set of skills every respectable member of society should have, namely music, chess, calligraphy and art. Luka had been taught this all growing up, along with historical texts to make her more attractive to high-end society. Luka in turn tried to teach Miku this now, though it played second fiddle to all of Miku's other lessons.
On their days out, Kaito taught her to pay attention to those that played chess in public, the ones that were able to draw a crowd. Every city they passed through had them. They might not be the elite but they were the educated, the ones who held sway, the heart of Luka's people. Their banter between games was also worth listening to – it, more often than not, contained their views on current matters.
As the weeks passed, Luka had even participated in these, all the while holding a light discussion with her opponents. Miku's cheeks reddened as she recalled it. This wasn't even about Luka's sheer beauty, it was the way she held herself, straight and relaxed, her elbows propped on the table, arms loosely crossed as she thought. She always seemed to carry a perpetual hint of a smile as she played; one that maddened more aggressive people and affirmed her good temperament when she lost. Luka's low husky voice while debating melted Miku's brain into a puddle. Miku was fairly sure she was relegated to staring at Luka and nothing else. Luka genuinely had a good time.
"Shall we head off then, my liege?"
Miku nodded.
"Kaito, may I join you and Miku later?"
Kaito looked up from organizing his sheaf of papers. Miku directed a curious glance at her. Luka rarely missed a trip with Kaito and her since leaving the Imperial City. At times, Miku found Luka more enthusiastic to meet with Kaito than she was.
"My apologies, I was not aware of other plans today. Join my liege and I at your convenience, Empress."
"It is unimportant, Kaito. I only wish to spend time with Gumi today."
There was an apologetic gleam in Luka's eyes. Come to think of it, Miku realized Gumi rarely left her room, nor did she accompany Luka out as her assigned duty. Kaito did not comment on her decision.
"I understand, Empress. Let us take our leave now, my liege."
"Of course, Kaito."
A select few local officials knowing of their travels was beneficial. Correspondence in letters with their seals granted access to every part of the city. Influential families would open their doors to them, without knowledge of who they were. Their opinions, unfiltered by the court at the top, needed to be heard as well. One of those was the young head of the Kano clan.
A bright crimson-haired young man, with similarly coloured eyes met them. He appeared to be a jovial person, welcoming Kaito, Miku and Lily in the front room designated for guests.
"Hello friends, it is a pleasure to have you here. My name is Kano Aris. Please, call me Aris."
Aris paused expectantly, waited for their response.
"My name is Kaito."
"I am Miku."
Miku let out a silent sigh of relief. She was becoming more adept in the language, at least enough to understand a simple question like that and form a response. Kaito gave her a small smile.
"Lily."
Lily purely went off on intuition. A single short answer was befitting of the gruff guard.
Aris nodded, pouring out cups of tea, offering them one each. He scrutinized the three of them, asked a throwaway question, "You travelled together?"
A hidden, silent request for the nature of their relationship, for single men and women did not journey together.
Kaito's answer was swift and definite.
"We are family friends."
It halted any further questions about them. Aris didn't push.
"I understand you were recommended to come see my collection, at the suggestion of some friends of mine. Tell me, have you travelled far?"
Kaito smiled placidly, "It can be considered so, though distance does not matter for the avid learner."
"Ah. In any case, rest before I take you on a full tour. You must be tired from your travels."
Several maids and servants entered, carrying trays of dim sum, a wide array of refreshments. They must have waited at the threshold of the room for his order.
Being waited on hand and foot was nothing new to Miku. Yet, there was something unnerving about this. His attention was on them. The head of house speaking to them directly, food prepared for their arrival, Aris personally leading them around. They weren't simply another guest. The friendly questions were probing, not too much to arouse suspicion, but a clear attempt to lock down who they were. That was just as well, Miku supposed, as few people of their rank would be largely unknown. What he wished to do with that information though, worried her.
A young upstart from an old family was nothing to fret over. As the thought crossed her mind, Miku suppressed a grin. She herself could be considered that. Better not underestimate him then. Though, there was no advantage to overestimating an opponent either. The little information they divulged would have little chance of being traced back.
Kaito was not eager to converse with Aris just yet. There would be time during the tour and it would call less attention to the relatively reserved Miku and Lily. Miku left it to Kaito to discern Aris' position on recent events. She remembered what Kaito taught, to latch on people's words, and guide the conversation away. She couldn't very well try it here – Miku thought of her strained accent and limited vocabulary with a wry smile – but it was a valuable experience.
Aris led the way to a vast cavern of a room. Long scrolls were the room's tapestries, bearing calligraphy or intricate paintings in black ink. Shelves of books lined the walls. A small desk at the back showed that this was the owner's study.
Kaito gestured to an old painting.
"Was this created before the war?"
"Not quite. It was close to the beginning, I believe. You can see the artist's seal there."
"Hm, the ink strokes of the mountain are quite harsh."
Miku was lost after that. Aris probably mentioned more about the work, not that Miku really had to feign any understanding of it. Not many women would have known such, certainly not enough to hold a discussion.
Kaito peered at the scrolls, "Most of the work here is from the wartime, isn't it?"
Aris laughed easily, "The war has gone for quite a while. Anything before that is hard to find – and preserve. I personally cannot imagine a time without it."
"All the same, it is good that the war finally came to an end."
The tension in the air was palpable. Miku turned her head away, focused on the languid writings of some poet.
"Indeed."
And that was that.
Out of all of them, it was Lily who was most familiar with the city. Meiko and Lily somehow engaged in a long-term drinking game, with both women keeping score even as they travelled to a new area. Meiko knew all the best restaurants – which honestly acted more as pubs – by heart and was more than happy to fight a worthy adversary. Kaito did not try to reason with them. Instead, he taught Miku and Luka to appraise the customers at these places.
Drinking was a common leisurely activity regardless of social status. Friends gathered around a table, sharing a pitcher of wine, be it scholars, officials, or farmers. Even lone drunkards sat at the steps and ledges of restaurant doors, shaky hands grasping a pale golden bowl of wine. The further along their journey, the more of them there were. Bandaged, weary people left over from the war, shrinking into shadows whenever Miku's party passed. Simply listening in on conversations there provided valuable insight.
After settling down in a seat by the window, their presence masked by the barrage of people yelling over each other, Miku could safely switch back to her native tongue. There was ample time to discuss, dissect what had been said. That was not what Miku wanted to linger on, though. Her mind went back to Kaito and Luka's interactions earlier in the day, the uncharacteristically muted response from the man before her.
"What happened with you and Luka back there?"
"Ah, my liege…" Kaito swirled his cup of tea. Scant, small shreds of leaf bobbed up from the mixture, slowly settling back down again, "I was not troubled with the Empress."
That response simultaneously concerned and relieved Miku. Kaito was a man of his word. Luka was a dependable leader in his eyes. And yet, why did she immediately think that something went wrong between them?
Miku twitched, unwilling to ride that train of thought.
Its implications dawned faster than she could wrench her mind away.
A seed of doubt was borne within her, either of Kaito or Luka. A dark trickle of distrust seeping within her veins. She knew Kaito would never backtrack from his promise to help Luka. She knew Luka had more than enough potential to rule which Kaito appreciated. The worry that hung over her should not have existed in the first place.
Miku banished them to the recesses of her mind. She would figure this out later.
"Then…" Miku switched her thoughts to its intended tracks, to the subject of their conversation, "you have an issue with Gumi."
Kaito's ice cold eyes met her teal.
"Precisely, my liege."
"What about her?"
"My liege, does her history come to mind at the moment?"
Miku bit her lip, sifting through the few months she knew her. All that she remembered was their first conversation.
"She was a native of our country, I think?"
Lily reacted first. A long string of curses tumbled from the blonde's lips. Miku froze, unsure what warranted her wrath like that. Kaito nodded in her direction. Similar icy chips of blue formed in the woman's eyes. Not bothering to wait for Meiko anymore, Lily downed a cup of wine. Licking her lips in a predatory grin, those cold eyes now smouldering with a cool intensity, Miku was reminded why her guard was so feared among her people.
"Miku, I oversee all new recruits within the castle. I would never let just anyone near you, let alone the people we fucking conquered."
"Whoever authorised that wanted Luka dead or I dunno, kept on a tight leash."
Miku felt like she was freezing from the inside out. Like a fish gasping for air, she could only gape at them in silence. Miku struggled to make her vocal chords work, get a single word out. Gumi wouldn't…hurt Luka. Gumi asked for her help to get Luka out of there, for god's sake!
"Did Gumi ask my liege for anything?"
Miku shook her head.
"Nothing for herself. And Gumi – she's loyal to Luka! She only asked me to protect her."
Kaito frowned.
"My liege, what exactly did she say?"
"She wanted Luka to leave the palace. But Luka needed it! You both know Luka couldn't stay there any longer!"
Kaito and Lily exchanged a glance. Neither refuted nor agreed. They sat in place, eyeing each other and not telling her a single thing. Miku scowled at them, her heart racing. Lily laid her hand on Miku's shoulder. Torn between shaking it off or letting it remain there, Miku let Lily talk first.
"Miku, you ever consider that Luka would be fine in the palace? I mean, it's only a couple more months. And with Luka out of the way-"
A low venomous hiss escaped Miku's lips.
"The Empress Dowager insulted Luka throughout our entire stay there. She had the gall to publicly demean her to her servants, on the first day of our visit, to show us that she held power over Luka. When I met the Empress Dowager in person, she didn't even bother hiding it, continuously overriding Luka's words and my own. If she is so arrogant in our presence, I don't even know what she'd do to Luka in private."
Lily patted Miku's shoulder, removed her hand.
Miku recognized Kaito's quiet disapproval of her outburst. He said nothing, eyes evenly on hers. He was only reluctant to anger Miku further; even now, he was withholding something from her. They were both trying to placate her like a child. That infuriated her even more.
"Very well, my liege. I worry for the Empress's safety too. Perhaps, my liege may ask the Empress about Gumi for our peace of mind."
Miku bit her lip.
"I will decide that."
"Thank you, my liege."
Miku stared down into her tea, her glum face reflected back up at her. Miku's hands tightened around the cup, so that the white of her knuckles was visible. As quickly as her rage overwhelmed her, it subsided just as fast. Miku supposed, it made logical sense to be wary of Gumi. Her recent disregard of her own duties rightfully was a cause of concern. But Gumi never meant Luka any harm. And Luka trusted her. Miku faintly heard Kaito speak with Lily, the words out of earshot. Doubt wormed its way back.
Asking…clarifying wouldn't hurt. Besides, Miku didn't have to tell Kaito or Lily what she learnt. They'd trust her judgement. They did.
A hint of a familiar floral scent jolted Miku out of her suffocating thoughts. Miku's teal eyes darted to her right, riveted on her. Luka was looking over Miku's shoulder. She was so close. Her soft lips, the curve of her cheek, the defined line of her chin and ocean blue, so beautifully blue eyes had Miku caught up in their depths. Loose strands of pink hair fell over Miku's shoulder. If Miku turned fully to her right, her lips would have brushed against Luka's warm cheek. Miku went from suffocating to drowning in an instant.
"Miku? You seem troubled."
That soothing voice sent a shiver down her spine. Miku unconsciously leaned close, pressing up against Luka. After Kaito and Lily, Miku wanted nothing more than to sink into this warmth.
"A bit," Miku confessed.
Luka fully slipped into the seat next to Miku. Miku entwined her arm with Luka's, rested her head on Luka's shoulder. Miku did often doze off in that position while they travelled. A low rumble of laughter, vibrating through Luka's body made Miku smile as well.
"Oh dear, perhaps I should have waited for you to return after all."
"No."
Miku hid the grin, burying into her shoulder.
"I'll be fine in a bit."
"Thank you for joining us."
Kaito's voice was faraway, a wisp on the wind. Miku huffed, more than happy to delve into Luka's warmth.
"My apologies, but I have matters that require my immediate attention. I am unable to continue today."
Luka shook her head, strands of hair tickling Miku's face. A weight dropped in her stomach. Did it have to do with their conversation? Kaito wouldn't do anything she didn't approve of, but why leave, especially now?
"That is no problem, Kaito."
"Thank you. Let me take my leave now."
Miku peeked up. Meiko dragged Lily off to another table, already placing an order with a waiter. Gumi was nowhere to be seen. Throughout the throng of customers, Miku found the back of Kaito's head, watched as he merged into one with the crowd outside. Miku shut her eyes again, pressed her face into the crook of Luka's neck.
A hand played with her long teal locks, combing through them. Miku adored her gentle touch.
Sighing in bliss, Miku allowed herself this at least.
A lump in her throat rose as she thought of the topic she was about to bridge upon, unsure how Luka would take it. Luka was already so wary of everyone she knew. There had to be a reason Luka trusted Gumi, no matter where she was from, her experiences, how well she completed her duties. Not to mention, questioning Gumi, a servant of Luka's, was akin to questioning Luka herself.
"Luka?"
"Yes?"
"What did you do with Gumi?"
Luka hummed, very much in a good mood. She didn't stop her ministrations, loosely braiding Miku's hair.
"We chatted for the entirety of the morning."
"You're happy."
Luka laughed again, Miku practically purring at the low rumble.
"That I am."
Miku gulped. A cold sliver of guilt lodged in her throat. She didn't move from her position, too afraid Luka would notice.
"What did you talk about?"
"Nothing much, really. I am afraid I cannot pinpoint a specific topic."
"Oh."
Where to go from here? How did Kaito do it? Did Miku even want to continue this - bait answers out of an unknowing Luka, or ask her directly?
"Why-" No, that was too obvious, too strange, too rude. Miku's throat dried, drawing a blank.
The tantalizing prospect of giving up here was almost enough to make Miku's body give out from pure relief. Why not bask in Luka's touch, let herself sleep right then and there?
"Miku?"
"Hm?" Miku found it hard to churn out more than one-note answers.
Luka's fingers ghosted over her forehead and cheek as she swept Miku's hair away from her face, tucked it behind her ear. Miku heard her heart thump in her chest. An inexplicable glow spread through her body. The need for answers paled, another nameless thought flitting across her mind.
"You were tense," Luka squeezed Miku's hand. Luka paused, pushed through her uncertainty, "At least, I felt that you were."
Miku's face burned. She completely forgot that she was leaning into Luka. Of course, Luka could tell something was wrong with her. Miku stammered. How could she explain? That she needed to know Gumi wasn't betraying them? That she didn't have faith in Luka's judgement? That she almost tried to trick answers out of her, treated her like some threat? Useless syllables formed in her throat and were then promptly discarded. The glow morphed into a searing blaze of shame. Tears pricked her eyes. Disentangling herself from Luka, Miku made to move away – and found their joined hands stopping her. Why?
Miku limply raised her head. Those mesmerizing ocean blue eyes, those waves of warmth sucking her in. Miku barely registered the hand that came up to cup her cheek.
"Oh no."
Luka's fingers came away wet. Her thumb grazed her cheek, on the swell of her cheekbone. Miku was left breathless from their close proximity. Why? Luka held nothing but affection and worry in her blue pools called eyes.
"What has been bothering you?"
Miku swallowed painfully, her own teal eyes shifting away.
"Miku."
It was more than concern. A well-hidden hint of desperation masked by her even tone. Luka's grip on her hand tightened. A few moments passed before she seemed to realize what she was doing and loosened her hold.
"Please tell me."
A soft, resigned question. Luka wouldn't push beyond that.
Luka had been so open with her all this time. That favour should be returned, right? But she just- Miku was beyond disgusted with herself.
"I-" Miku croaked out, "Can…I ask you something?"
"Anything."
"It's about Gumi," the last word wasn't even above a whisper.
Luka blinked.
"Gumi?"
Miku nodded, head bowed, her gaze on the floor.
Luka tentatively asked, "What do you wish to know about her?"
Miku snapped her head up. There was no way Luka didn't catch the implications of her question. It was far too obvious. The small tug of Luka's lips upward didn't quite reach her eyes. The mask she shed was back on. Miku's gut twisted. It was all her fault.
Blinking back tears, Miku forced out a sentence between her teeth, "You don't have to answer if you don't want to, Luka."
"Miku, I do not wish to fracture the trust between our parties."
Her tone softened, "As such, do ask anything you deem important."
Luka's neutral expression returned, a necessity to cleave her feelings away from her decision. Luka was willing to put aside that insult to her intelligence, her judgement and her closest friend, to protect this agreement of theirs. It was more than should be asked of any person, let alone a leader. Somehow, Miku had underestimated her. Miku's chest swelled with pride and gratitude.
Latching onto Luka fully, Miku choked out, "You are absolutely wonderful."
As expected, Luka hadn't been the one to bring Gumi into the palace. The person who chose Gumi for her though, came completely out of the blue.
"Your brother brought Gumi back?!"
Luka chuckled at the reaction, "Yes. After one of his expeditions with the Emperor, Luki introduced me to my new personal handmaid, Gumi. I believed he wanted Gumi to take his place at my side when he was busy."
Miku's teal eyes were stretched so comically wide that they were ready to pop out. It was a gamble with Luka's life on the line. Someone of the enemy, freshly ripped from war, being the mute, complacent servant to one of the ruling class. To poison, or even kill Luka in her sleep was child's play, that is, if Gumi didn't mind dying afterward.
"I…of course knew where Gumi was from, what Luki's 'expeditions' meant. But, ah…Luki…"
Luka trailed off. Miku didn't need to ask for an explanation.
"Luki never did tell me why he chose Gumi in particular; I never pressed Gumi either."
Luka sighed, "In a way, I believe I owe Gumi far too much."
"When I was paraded around the Empire, they – Gackupo and the officials – never let me go out. Gumi was the only one that stayed with me through all that time. Before, I thought she was only doing it for my sake," Luka had on a rueful smile, "Now though, it seems that Gumi cannot bear the normalcy of life in my Empire. I believe she does not like being reminded of her past life - it could just as well have been her on these streets. Instead, she is trapped alongside myself."
Turbulent, melancholy waves flooded those ocean blue eyes. Miku wanted to reassure her, remind her it wasn't her at fault. But it was their responsibility now to pick up the pieces and reassemble them, no matter how they tore their own hands to bloody shreds, or if the weight of this burden wore down the skin and flesh of their shoulders.
Miku grabbed Luka's hands in her own. They were cool like that of a spring, tasked with revitalizing her Empire. Luka produced a faint smile.
"Do you trust us now, Miku?"
"I do, Luka."
As they left the restaurant, a thick swarm of people gathered in the city square, gawking at someone at the centre of it all. Miku tightened her and Luka's linked arms, an uneasy notion settling in her stomach. The hairs on the back of her neck stood up. Never mind Aris from this morning, there was something here bubbling beneath the calm surface of the city. Their footsteps slowed, constricted by the maze of citizens. Luka stiffened beside Miku. Lily's hand rested at her waist, on the cloaked hilt of her sword. Meiko eyed Lily warily.
Around them, some laughed, traded hushed whispers, while others shook their heads in disapproval. Pushed forward by the tides of people, Miku lost sight of their guards. Panic swamped her. Her loose teal hair whipped around as she craned her neck to find them again. Luka tapped Miku's shoulder, switched to her language, "There."
Miku's brain deciphered the foreign word, followed Luka's gaze. Washed far away at the other end of the street were Meiko and Lily, fighting upstream back to them. A man started yelling over the crowd but the words were too distorted for her to make sense of. Luka's expression darkened.
A stray whisper made its way to Miku's ears, "Blasphemy."
Luka traded a glance with Meiko, who was still too far away for comfort. Her amber eyes blazed, her lips drawn in a tight frown. More yelling. Luka flinched. Luka pulled Miku close to herself, almost like she was attempting to hide her from the crowd with her taller stature. More incomprehensible words. Luka tilted her head to the man in the middle, the action meant for Meiko's eyes only. Meiko didn't respond, the warning evident. Luka held her gaze. The barest hint of a nod from Meiko.
Luka's voice was low, strained, "Hold my hand. Do not let go."
"Luka," Miku tugged on her hand as they threaded through the crowd, going deeper to the heart of it. Between the shoulders and heads of the people up front, Miku could just catch the shadow of the man. His voice though, was all too clear. What he said brought chills down her spine.
"They are the enemy! Our fathers and our fathers' fathers fought to keep them away from our land!"
Murmurs among the crowd. Miku swallowed. The words buzzed around in her head, too much, too confusing, too absolutely terrifying. Luka pulled Miku into herself, her dark blue eyes becoming murky waters. Miku was practically shielded in Luka's embrace by this point.
"A woman as the Emperor, marrying another woman of the enemy! A disgrace!"
The chattering of the crowd ballooned.
"When the fan and sword are uncovered, we will rise and reclaim our rightful place!"
Had Miku misheard? What did that first part even mean? Luka's brows furrowed.
Soldiers hollering broke the crowd apart. On the arrival of the cavalry, the man forced his way between stunned bystanders. Led by Meiko herself, the guard reached them first. Meiko gave them both a once-over. Seeing that they were unharmed, the woman took off with a growl, intent on hunting the man down. Lily was nowhere to be seen.
Someone tapped Luka on the shoulder. Luka spun around, bringing Miku with her.
A well-off man, maybe a scholar with the book tucked under his arm, spoke, "Ladies shouldn't listen to that."
Miku missed a word or two but she got the gist of it.
Luka thanked him for his concern, made to walk away.
The man muttered to himself, "I can't believe he'd show up here."
Luka's footsteps quickened, Miku in tow.
Author's note: A bit of a role reversal here. And yep, the tension is only going to ramp up from here. Sorry to anyone who wanted more slice of life moments, and to anyone wanting frequent updates. Thank you for reading and feel free to give me any feedback!