Upon his return to the palace, Sesshomaru dismounted from A-Un and tied its lead to the post outside its stable within the inner walls. From there, he turned his golden gaze to the woman lying over its saddle; her face cushioned into the steed's mane in mysterious content.
Still unconscious…
"My liege! My liege!" Jaken's voice cried out. "Where have you been?! The servants said you flew over the walls two hours ago! Where did you go, my liege?"
If ever there was an earful, no surprise his retainer followed. Sesshomaru spared him a glance and lifted the girl into his arms. He stalked past a flabbergasted Jaken, and his steps carried him into the walls of the fortitude.
"My liege! What has happened? Who is that human?" Jaken continued to ask.
As his persistence to follow and inquire about the girl continued every step of the way, it was no surprise it drew stares from those of his guards and servants. Sesshomaru barely glimpsed the heads of said individuals as they peeked behind pillars and staircases, and what followed were whispers. Eventually, he was certain gossip would follow, and no doubt this news would carry to his mother.
"My liege! Won't you slow down and answer me? Who is that—"
"My fiancée."
It slipped out, as though it was the most natural thing to roll off his tongue. And the second it did, Sesshomaru paused. Fiancée? With this human? This suspicious creature who had dared talk back to him? Absurd. And yet, perhaps this lie could benefit him in more ways than one.
"Oh, your fiancée! Well, why didn't you say so from the start—Fiancée?! With a human, my liege?!" Jaken stumbled over his words and nearly lost his footing. "Surely you're joking!"
"When do I ever joke?"