Something about the way she said that didn't settle well with Kagome. It wasn't as if she had insulted her, but that there was an underlying message within her words. The world between humans and demons differed. As common knowledge as that was, especially in the feudal era she was familiar with, perhaps there was more to this world than she first realized.
"I suppose you're right," Kagome said, watching in the reflection as Mei-Ling braided the front ends of her hair. "I'm curious. How much do you know about humans?" She asked, hoping to divulge some information.
"Oh, what isn't there to know, my lady? Just thinking about it leaves me unsettled. I feel just awful for those creatures, but you are quite fortunate, my lady. I would hate to think what would have happened to you had you remained outside the borders…"
Again, this left Kagome unsettled. "You're right. It's not easy living a life as merchants and farmers. Just the other day, I was chased by bandits and then a demon who wanted to marry me. Had I not run into Sesshomaru, I'd hate to think what might have happened…"
Mei-Ling gasped. "Oh my! You are certainly lucky, my lady! But that demon should have known better than to take you away from his lordship! Why, it's treason!"
"Treason? Isn't that… going too far? It's not like he and Sesshomaru knew each other…"
"No, my lady. It's because he's shown you favor. You're his fiancée after all," She said, proudly. "As far as anyone else is concerned, you're no longer on the market to be sold or handed off to as a bride! That's what makes you special from other humans, my lady."
F-fiancée?! Since when?!
"E-excuse me? I am not his fiancée! Where on earth did you hear that?" Kagome asked, suddenly standing up from the stool to face the servant girl.
Mei-Ling staggered back and stared at her with wide eyes. "W-where? From his lordship, my lady… When he brought you back, it was learned that you were his fiancée. Could it be… you were not aware?"
What? What? No, this was all news to her! "Of course not!"
The servant girl gasped and dropped onto her knees, her face planted onto the marble flooring at her feet as her entire body trembled. "F-forgive me! I did not mean to upset you, my lady! I deserve death! Please punish me!"
At the sight, it was Kagome's turn to stagger back. Punish her? For what? For telling her the truth? A heavy sigh escaped her, and she touched her forehead. God, it was as if she were the main-character in a historical drama. "I won't punish you… Mei-Ling… I'm sorry. I didn't mean to frighten you," She said, kneeling down to touch her arm.
"There's nothing for you to apologize for, my lady! It was my loose tongue that caused this! By law, I deserve to die!"
Ψ
Author Notice:
Kagome is no longer on the "market to be sold or handed off to as a bride", unlike other humans. That's the fate of humans in this world I've created. Humans and Demons live separately. Survival of the fittest out here. I'll go into more detail on this later. Mei-Ling still has more information to share with Kagome.
See you all Monday with the next update! :)
I hope you enjoyed this chapter!