The day had been a bright and sunny one. The sky was transitioning from its crystal blue tint to a darker plum shade. There was a slight breeze sweeping past but nothing chilly. It was just that time of day when everyone was beginning to clean up for the evening.

"Well you beat me," Lord Inoue announced upon his arrival.

Surprised, Sae looked up from her musings. "What?"

"You beat me," He repeated, making his way up the grass.

From her vantage point on top of the small hill, Sae watched him walk towards her. "What do you mean?" She asked, confused by his words.

"Your first riding experience was certainly and most assuredly more lively than mine," he was grinning as he got closer.

Sae immediately felt chagrin. "Yes well I didn't think I'd have to watch out for both low branches and steep hills," she said with a grimacing smile.

Chuckling, Lord Inoue finally reached the top. Sae was sitting at the base of a large tree, her back against the trunk and legs stretched out in front of her. She'd snuck away only a little while ago to come outside and watch the sunset. Dinner was still underway so she knew she had some time before she had to tuck Rin into bed.

What she hadn't expected was someone else having the same idea.

As if reading her mind, Lord Inoue casually stepped closer to where she sat. "You did not join the others for dinner," he said.

"You didn't either," she returned, eyeing him.

"May I sit?" He gestured to a spot beside her.

"Depends," Sae turned to look up at him.

His dimples made their appearance. "On?"

"Whether or not you are going to tell others about me not being at dinner," she very pointedly stated.

His right hand went up, palm facing forward. "I swear not to tell a soul," he said in a solemn voice, although his eyes were crinkled in amusement.

Sae observed him for another moment. "Alright," she relented, scooting over on the grass a few inches to give him some room.

Very fluidly, the young lord sat on the ground and leaned his back against the tree trunk next to her. He looked into the horizon, the sun still halfway visible over the mountain tops in the distance. His posture was very relaxed and uninhibited, as if he did this all the time.

"You don't seem ill," Lord Inoue started casually, finally looking over at her.

Sae refused to be sheepish about being caught in a lie. "Illnesses are not always visible," her chin lifted. "Besides, there are many who would agree that fresh air is good for those feeling under the weather."

"Yes, I have heard that," Lord Inoue smirked. "However, the ailment Rin disclosed earlier requires bed rest and a substantial amount of herbs to help calm such a painful ordeal."

Now, Sae flushed. "I have a strong stomach," she still retorted, unwilling to admit to any wrong-doing. She had her reasons for lying and she had a right to keep them private. She may be required to be civil and friendly to the lord's guests but that was the extent of it. "Plus it is not really your business, is it?"

He chuckled. "No I suppose not."

Nodding, Sae crossed her arms and looked back towards the glowing horizon. She really had hoped to have a moment to herself. There were so many thoughts racing through her mind as of late she couldn't think straight.

"I was only joking," the nobleman said carefully, sensing her tension.

Sae sighed before looking back at him. She regarded his hesitating smile and felt a twinge of guilt. She gave him a rueful smile. "I'm not feeling like myself today," she told him honestly. She hadn't been feeling like herself for the past couple of days actually.

"Understandable," he said with what seemed like genuine empathy. "What you experienced was no mere incident. Things could had ended very differently and you could have been seriously hurt. Or worse."

Sae bit her lip, easily recalling the events of that day. She could still hear the horses' scream and the stampeding hooves. It was not something she was going to forget anytime soon, that was for certain.

However, that near-death-experience was not the only thing that was causing Sae turmoil.

"It it fortunate that Lord Sesshomaru was so quick to respond," Lord Inoue continued, when Sae said nothing. "I also tried to pursue but alas the great and powerful Lord of the Western Lands has no parallel."

Sae's eyebrows puckered for a second. She thought she heard a hint of bitterness in the young nobleman's voice. She knew Lord Sesshomaru and Lord Inoue did not seem to be on the best of terms, but she did not think that their acquaintance ran that deep. They had only just met a little while ago, hadn't they?

"Not that it matters, of course," Lord Inoue moved on, brushing past it quickly. "What is important was that you were retrieved safely and taken out of harm's way."

Sae nodded, but stayed silent.

"It really is beautiful out here," Lord Inoue commented, gesturing to the landscape in front of them.

Sae's eyes followed his gesture and took a deep inhale. "It is," she admitted, letting out a slow breath. She couldn't help but get lost in the wild beauty of the land. "It's why I like to come here to think. It's quiet. Isolated. Peaceful. Away from all the hustle and bustle of the castle."

"Is that why you are here now?" The young lord's voice was curious. "To think?"

"Yes," she answered automatically, without thinking. But then she remembered. "And to get fresh air since I haven't been feeling all that well."

"Right," amusement colored Lord Inoue's tone. "Other than your ailment, what pray tell has you seeking such solace?"

"Nothing much," Sae shrugged. "Just thoughts."

"Come now Sae," he pressed. "I'd like to think of us as friends. After all the adventures we have shared with Lady Rin, surely we are more than just acquaintances?"

Sae paused. It was a nice sentiment, to be sure. To think of a nobleman of this realm as a friend. To be seen as an equal in the eyes of someone who was above her station. She hadn't encountered many nobility who gave common folk a second glance.

But Lord Inoue seemed to be different. He treated everyone with the same courtesy he showed those of his own rank. She'd caught him thanking a few chamber maids at times and a stable boy here or there. He did not walk around with the same privileged arrogance she was so accustomed to seeing in the nobility.

However, she hardly knew anything about him beyond that. For all the time they had spent together, she knew as much about him as she did the first night she met him. He hardly talked about his life back home or shared much about himself. Their talks usually centered around Rin and Sae's daily lives at the castle. Which Rin was more than happy to oblige.

"Your silence does not bode well," Lord Inoue chuckled dryly.

Sae snapped back to reality. "Oh!" She shook her head. "Sorry, I was just … thinking."

"I suppose that is better than a no," the young lord returned, smiling wryly.

"Can the nobility and servants really be friends?" Sae asked instead. She didn't even know the answer to that. With their positions being so different was there even a possibility for mutual respect and trust? They lived in different worlds, after all.

"I don't see why not," he replied easily.

"But you are a nobleman while I'm …" She just shrugged.

"One of the most fascinating commoners I've ever met," Lord Inoue said.

"What?" Sae was taken aback.

"It's true," his light blue eyes looked into her dark ones. "I've never met anyone quite like you. The way you go about this life is very unique for someone in your position."

"What do you mean?" Sae asked, a little wary of his intense gaze.

"Although you live under his rule you still don't bend to his will," He didn't have to say the lord's name for Sae to know who he was talking about. "You are Rin's caretaker and yet you go about your days almost as her equal. It's truly fascinating."

Sae was suddenly feeling like an insect being scrutinized

He caught her uncomfortable shift. "No don't misunderstand me," He said earnestly. "I mean this with the highest regard. It is so rare to come across a commoner with as much fire as you have."

"Thanks," she replied, unsure how to take his comments. He seemed to mean them as a compliment but they didn't feellike one.

His dimples flashed again. "I have truly enjoyed spending time with you," He nudged her shoulder with his. "I hope you come to feel the same way."

Sae cleared her throat, feeling a small flush burn her cheeks. She never had someone be so frank with her. She didn't really know what to do with it. For the past week, Sae had come to enjoy the young lord's company. He was a happy diversion from his haughty cousin and her courtship with the lord. But this blunt sentiment was unexpected. What exactly was he thinking would come of it?

"You truly know how to bruise a male's ego," Lord Inoue joked drolly. "If I wasn't so obviously handsome and debonair, I'd be questioning my charms right about now."

That prompted a scoff. "You do think very highly of yourself Lord Inoue," But Sae couldn't fight the amusement in her voice.

He answered her smile with a grin. "Someone has too," he said, sniffing. "Apparently my wiles do not work on everyone."

Sae shook her head, chuckling.

A bell suddenly rang in the distance.

"Dinner must be over," Lord Inoue observed, sighing.

"Yes," Sae said with a sigh of her own. Time to get Rin for bed. She shifted, preparing herself to get up-

"Let me help you," Lord Inoue jumped up so fast Sae barely saw him move. He quickly dusted himself off before offering a helping hand.

Sae took it, using his strength to lift herself up. "Thank you," she said with a small smile.

Lord Inoue stood in front of her, looking down at her small frame. "You're welcome," he replied, a seriousness to his voice. He became very still.

Sae looked up from brushing off dust from her clothes, only to be met with a blue gaze that was only a few inches away from her face. "Oh," a small surprised sound escaped her mouth as she instinctively took a step back. "Sorry I didn't realize-"

"No," Lord Inoue reached out, his features focused, and pulled her closer. "It's perfectly fine."

Alarms ringing in her head, Sae tugged from his hold. "What are you-?"

He continued to lean closer. "I just-" He stopped mid-sentence, his frame began to tower over her.

"Woah woah woah!" Sae's sense of panic kicked in and her arms began to flail in front of her. He wasn't trying to-

The back of her hand made contact with his face.

"Ow!"

Lord Inoue stumbled back, holding his nose.

Sae took a few steps back of her own for good measure. "What were you doing?" She demanded.

"You hit me!" Was his muffled response, his pitch hitting a higher octave than she'd ever heard before.

Sae's eyes were narrowed. "By accident," she said. "If you weren't so close it never would have happened."

"I hardly think that matters!" He continued, his muffled voice still very piercing. "I think you broke it."

"I doubt that," Sae fought the urge to roll her eyes. "I barely touched you."

"I beg to differ!" He tone was offended.

What a baby.

Sae crossed her arms over her chest, silently watching as he gingerly began to feel around the bridge of his nose. His eyes were slightly glazed over and watery. There was a small trail of blood coming from his left nostril, were she assumed her hand made impact. He looked like a little boy who got too close to the fire and was now begrudgingly dealing with the consequence.

Overall, he reminded her a little of Youhei in that moment.

"You find this funny, do you?" He asked, catching her smile.

Sae suppressed the urge to grin. "No."

With a side glance that was clearly skeptical, the young lord pulled out a white linen cloth from his pocket and wiped away the blood from his face. "I think it's alright," he announced, using his facial muscles to scrunch his nose up and down and around. "I can still move it."

"Great," Sae nodded before turning towards the castle. "Well I should be off now-"

"Wait just one moment," Lord Inoue protested, blocking her path. "Don't you think you owe me an apology?"

"An apology?" She echoed.

He very purposely pointed at his nose. Which was starting to swell and turn a shade of deep red.

"Oh right," she straightened her back and looked him directly in the eye. "I am sorry that you over-stepped your bounds and hit your nose directly into my hand in the process. I'm sure it won't happen again."

And with that, she pushed passed him and marched straight back towards the castle.

For a moment, he watched her walk away in stunned silence.

"Unbelievable," Lord Inoue half-laughed half-scoffed, shaking his head.

She was truly one of the most fascinating females he'd ever encountered.

Without realizing it, a reluctant smile curled on the side of his mouth.

He wondered what tomorrow would bring.

"Did you hear about the incident the other day?

"Oh my goodness, yes! I heard she almost went over the cliff!"

"Ha! I bet she did it on purpose."

"She does seem to have a knack for getting the lord's attention."

"Right? I wouldn't put it past her."

"But how could someone go that far? I mean to take advantage of a situation like that?"

"It's appalling!"

"It's women like her that give us a bad name."

"Exactly."

"Someone should really teach that girl her place."

"I agree."

"I wouldn't mind giving her a piece of my mind."

"I second that."

Asumi sighed, feeling as if she heard this same conversation a 100 times before. Her friend seemed to be a favorite topic of many of the castle servants, particularly the women. It didn't matter how many times she defended Sae or even questioned their ridiculous line of thinking, the gossip continued like clockwork.

She knew it stemmed from envy, but it didn't make it any easier to listen to over and over again.

"Right Asumi?" Tama called out, from the small huddle of women in the corner.

Asumi's shoulders stiffened. "W-what?" She asked, heedful of the pack mentality her fellow kitchen maids possessed. They could turn on anyone in an instant.

"That girl," Tama continued, while the other women turned to look in her direction. "She sure has some cheek huh?"

Asumi cleared her throat, feeling uncomfortable from the sudden scrutiny. "Y-you mean from almost being thrown to her death?"

"Please," cut in a voice filled with condescension. "She was never at risk. She knew exactly what she was doing."

Exhaling heavily, Asumi didn't bother looking towards the speaker. She recognized that hostile tone anywhere. "Hina-"

"Don't bother asking this one," the curvy girl announced, flipping her hair over her shoulder. "Asumi is her little lap dog. She wouldn't betray her master."

Asumi's cheeks immediately flushed, her anger boiling. "You d-don't-"

"Save your breath," Hina laughed mockingly. "I know you have a limited v-v-vocabulary."

Asumi swallowed, using everything she had to keep in her tears. They would do her no good in this situation. Regardless of how much their word's hurt. "Don't s-speak on things y-you don't understand."

Hina rolled her eyes.

"Leave her be Hina," one of the other maids spoke up. "She's bias. No point in talking about it further."

"Whatever," Hina waved a hand, brushing off the encounter like nothing.

The group eventually dispersed. The consensus ultimately being that Sae was the most audacious opportunist they've ever heard of. Which did not differ much from their usual daily gossip sessions. Many a maid made it their goal to somehow come up with reasons as to why someone like her friend wormed her way into the lord's graces.

Shaking her head, Asumi picked her tray back up and continued with her task.

"They can be rather judgmental huh," a new tinkling voice commented.

Asumi looked up from cleaning her tray. Her stomach made a small twist once she recognized the speaker. "I-I suppose."

Mei, the pixie looking chamber maid, had her head cocked. "You know they are. I mean you heard them, didn't you?"

Asumi cleared her throat, thoroughly uncomfortable. "Y-yes but-"

"They practically hate Sae," the sprite-like girl continued. "And most of them don't even bother to talk to her when they see her. I've only met her a few times but she seems nice. Maybe a little too friendly with the males but—" she shrugged "—who am I to judge?"

"Too friendly?" Asumi repeated, confused.

Nodding, Mei leaned in. "I've seen how she is with the other male servants." She said in a low secretive tone. "I doubt she is even aware of it. But she does seem to have an affinity towards males. I'm really not surprised why the others came to certain conclusions about her character. She doesn't do herself any favors by acting the way she does."

The red-head shifted on the balls of her feet, unsure how to respond. On one hand, Mei was not soundly too far off from what the other kitchen maids were saying a few moments ago. On the other, this particular maid was connected rather closely to a friend of hers. Therefore, she had to tread carefully with how she interacted with her. She didn't want to cause Daichi any trouble.

After a few seconds of silence, Mei jumped back in. "Not to say that I think they're right," She clarified, still in hushed tones. "I just can see how they came to see it that way, you know? I mean when I first saw her with Daichi I was even worried that the rumors might be true. But when he explained to me about her I realized that she didn't mean to do it on purpose. That's just how she was."

"Daichi t-told you that?" Asumi asked, surprised.

Mei nodded eagerly. "Oh yeah. I got really upset this one time I saw them together in the great hall and I didn't waste time telling him how I felt. It took a while but I finally made him tell me everything. Turns outs, I had nothing to worry about. He was just trying to be a good friend to someone who doesn't know how to stop being overly-friendly."

"Oh." Was all Asumi could muster. She was a little loss for words. Sae was the flirt not Daichi? He straight up lied to this girl. And for what?

"He really is such a gentleman, isn't he?" The girl gushed, her eyes taking a small gleam to them. "I sometimes wonder how I got so lucky."

Asumi cleared her throat again. "Lucky," she echoed awkwardly.

"Anyway," Mei was smiling. "Just wanted to let you know that I know how hard it must be being friends with a person like that. She makes it really hard to defend her sometimes, huh? But don't worry, other than Hina, no one looks at you any different."

"I-I don't care what others think of me," Asumi declared, really hating her stuttering ability right then. It didn't always sounds the most convincing when you stumbled through a statement. Even when she meant it with conviction.

Sympathetically, Mei laid a hand on her shoulder. "I'm sure you don't." She said, without an ounce of sincerity. She bade her farewell and left as quickly as she came.

Asumi blew a raspberry. Well this was going to be a story she'd definitely be sharing with her friend. She immediately went back to her task and quickly tried to finish.

It was right at sunset when she cleared off her last tray. By the time Asumi made her way back towards the servants quarters, dinner was finishing up for the lord and his guests. She could hear the small chatter of people moving from the dining hall into the lord's study. It was customary for the lord to take the men into his study for some after dinner drinks while the women went straight to bed. The young Lady Chō required 3 maids to help her with her night time rituals. As opposed to Lady Rin who was usually tucked in by her one caretaker, Sae.

Wanting to talk to her friend, Asumi quietly snuck to her usual spot and waited.

"But I WANT Sae," came a young voice filled with stubbornness.

"Lady Rin," said an exasperated voice. "How about you take a bath and then-"

"No," was the mulish response. "I won't get ready for bed until Sae tucks me in."

"But my lady-"

"No."

"Please-"

"I want Saaaaaaaae."

There was a loud sigh before two figures began to come into view down the corridor. Asumi sunk back deeper into the shadows as to not be seen. She could hear the frustrated maid continue to try and reason with the little girl but Lady Rin's responses stayed resolute. Asumi knew from Sae's first-hand experience that there would be no changing the girl's mind.

The glow of their candle soon dimmed as they past where Asumi hid and up the stairs. She peeked her head out to make sure the coast was clear before stepping out and making her way back downstairs. She wondered where her friend might of gone. It was unusual for Sae not to be by Lady Rin's side.

But if she thought about it, Asumi did remember hearing about a dish being sent back to the kitchens. Apparently one of the lord's guests had not joined the meal. However, she assumed like many of the others, that it was one of the visiting noblemen that didn't make an appearance. It never crossed her mind that perhaps it had been Sae who did not attend. What would keep her from eating dinner? Perhaps she wasn't feeling well?

Asumi's concern began to rise. She knew how much her friend enjoyed food. If she wasn't eating, then there must have been a reason for it. Perhaps she had fallen really really ill. Or maybe she had worse injuries from her accident than initially thought. What if-?

"Asumi?"

The red head stopped in her tracks. "Sae?"

A few steps below her stood the girl-in-question, looking wind-blown and flustered. "What are you doing up here?" She asked, her voice sounding out of breath.

"I came to see you," Asumi replied, inspecting her friend's appearance. "Are you alright?"

"I'm fine," the other girl said, waving it off. "Just a little late."

"You did not attend dinner?"

"No uh-" the raven-haired girl took a much needed breath. "I wasn't feeling well but then it felt stuffy in my room so I went outside for some fresh air."

Asumi felt as if there was more to it than that. However, she knew her friend. She kept much to herself. "Are you feeling better now?"

Sae shrugged, rubbing the back of her neck.

"Did you want to talk about it?" Asumi asked.

"No."

Asumi sighed, unsurprised. "Well if you ever need to ... you know, I'm here."

With a sheepish smile, her friend nodded. "I better get going, I'm sure Rin is giving whichever maid they left in charge of her a run for their money."

Asumi smiled, recalling the conversation she heard earlier. "That she is."

"Tomorrow?"

The red-head nodded. "Tomorrow."

They bid their farewells and either female walked in opposite directions of the corridor stairwell. Seeing as it was getting rather late, Asumi figured it best to get to bed. Most of the other castle servants were no doubt already in the servants quarters. But thanks to Daichi and his notorious abilities to sneak around, she knew a way to get there undetected.

"Where do you think you are going?" Demanded a sharp voice.

Asumi stopped dead in her tracks. Oh no. She knew it was late. There was a curfew. Servants weren't allowed-

"To bed of course," replied another voice. "As you should be dear cousin."

Exhaling, Asumi practically fell to the floor in relief. They hadn't been talking to her. For a second there, she thought she'd been caught.

"And where were you all evening?" Returned a sophisticated female voice.

"Nowhere," the other, male, voice said.

"Don't play coy with me cousin," the women returned, her tone harsher this time.

"I'm not," There was a deep chuckle. "Whatever do you mean?"

Asumi's curiosity was peaked at this point. She carefully made her way closer to the voices, making sure to stay within the shadows of the hidden corridor. She went on her tip-toes so she was eye-level with a small opening that looked out into one of the main staircases. There stood two of the lord's guests, Lady Chō and Lord Inoue, facing one another.

"You know exactly what I mean," Lady Chō looked extremely displeased.

Her cousin, however, appeared rather buoyant. "You'll have to be more specific," his words had an almost sing-like quality to them.

The lady's eyes narrowed. "You were with that-that ... servant, weren't you?"

"Maybe," his grin was wide. "Or maybe not."

"You can't be serious Nao," She made a sound of disgust.

"She is rather fascinating. Certainly like no other caretaker I've ever met."

The lady scowled. "She is nothing but a lowly commoner."

He shrugged. "And what if she is? There is something rather intriguing about her."

"I highly doubt that," there was clear note of contempt in her voice.

"Believe what you will," He yawned. "I'm off to bed. It's getting late."

"Nao," the lady stilled him with a hand on his arm. "This is a good match for me. Me and papa have been waiting for an opportunity just like this one. Don't ruin it with your silly dalliances."

"Don't worry cousin," he bent down and kissed her on the cheek. "You have nothing to worry about. Lord Sesshomaru is as good as yours."

The two make their way back up the grand staircase together, their elegant clothes quietly ruffling as they walked.

Asumi leaned away from the wall, stunned. That's were Sae had been? With Lord Inoue? When she crossed her friend appearing out-of-sorts earlier had been because of him? Is that why she hadn't wanted to talk about it? Was she hiding something? Had something happened?

Asumi's thoughts kept going in all sorts of chaotic directions.

Tomorrow couldn't come soon enough.

"But she was mean." the girl stated stubbornly.

"Rin," Sae said in a firm tone. "No she wasn't."

"Ah-huh," the little girl insisted. "She yanked my hair TWICE when she was combing it."

Sae raised her eyebrows, "I heard you wouldn't sit still."

"She was taking too long," Rin whined. "And she yelled at me."

"Come on Rin," Sae gave her a look. "She didn't yell AT you. She screamed when she fell backwards on the chair."

Rin began to snigger-

"Rin," Sae's voice was disapproving.

Immediately, Rin stopped but her mouth pursed into a pout. "It's not my fault that she thought it was real," she mumbled.

Sae cautiously picked up the hairy and filthy toy in question. "Anyone who hadn't seen this before would think this was real," she said, handing the unfortunate looking creature to her charge.

Rin automatically hugged it to her chest. "You didn't scream when you first saw it," she argued, picking a few pieces of lint from the matted hair.

Sae felt a small flush touch her cheeks. She recalled when she first encounter that ... thing. She'd been too paralyzed to even move a muscle, let alone scream. Not that Rin needed to know that though."Yes well," Sae cleared her throat. "Not everyone has the same experience in the forest as I do."

"She's just awful," Rin continued to insist, not budging an inch.

"She was not awful," Sae sighed, putting down the item of clothing she had been folding. She crossed the room and sat next to her charge on her bed. "You are just a very particular child."

"Am not," Rin protested grumpily.

Sae gave her another look.

Rin huffed. "Fine, I guess," she finally admitted grudgingly. "But I like the way you do it. You know how to do everything that helps me sleep."

Warmth spreading within her chest, Sae couldn't help but smile. "Oh Rin," she gave her small narrow shoulders a small squeeze. "You are such a sweet girl."

Rin looked up at her, her brown eyes huge on her small face. "You'll tuck me in from now on right? Please? Don't leave me with someone else."

Sae chuckled. "I can't promise anything but I swear I will try my hardest to be here every night to tuck you in, okay?"

Reluctantly, Rin agreed.

"Alright lets get you into bed," Sae said, getting up and lifting the covers for her charge. The little girl crawled underneath and laid her on her back, her stuffed animal crammed by her side. Sae carefully tucked the covers around Rin's arms and down her legs, so she'd be wrapped in her blankets.

"There," Sae smiled down at her face. "Nice and cozy, yes?"

Rin nodded.

Sae smoothed some strands away from her face. "Goodnight Rin. Sweet dreams."

"Sweet dreams."

Sae blew out a the candle burning by her bed before making her way towards the door connecting their two rooms. She needed sleep. It been a long day.

"Sae?"

The voice stopped her at the doorway. "Yes?" Sae looked back at her charge, making out her small silhouette in the moonlight streaming through the window.

"Where did you go earlier?" Rin's voice was soft and faint.

"I-" Sae hesitated, remembering her encounter. "I just needed some air."

Rin was silent for a moment. "Lord Sesshomaru was not pleased at dinner," she said timidly.

"Oh?" Sae immediately felt her heart pick-up speed. She had anticipated that he wouldn't like that she missed dinner. For some reason, he expected her presence there every night. But if Rin noticed his displeasure, then he really reallyhadn't liked her absence. "What did he say?"

Rin paused, obviously reluctant to say anything else.

"It's alright Rin," Sae gently tried to reassure her. She'd rather be prepared for what Lord Sesshomaru had planned than be blindsided. "You can tell me. "

"He said that it was unacceptable of you to miss dinner when it was your responsibility to be there. That we have certain obligation to the guests."

Typical. Sae rolled her eyes.

"And that no one was exempt from that, especially my caretaker."

Rin paused.

"Is that it?" Sae prompted, after a moment of silence. All things considered, his words didn't seem that bad. Sure there was all that obligation blah blah blah nonsense but she'd heard that lecture a million times before.

"He said that he'd make sure you would come to understand exactly what he means tomorrow."

"What do you mean tomorrow?" Sae's heart once again began to thump rapidly.

"That's all he said."

"Oh," Sae had to fight the urge to press her charge more but she knew that if she did Rin would sense her panic. And she didn't want to alarm the girl. "Thank you for telling me Rin. Good night."

"Night."

Sae finally closed the door quietly. She turned into her room and immediately made her way towards the bed.

With a grunt, she slumped onto it.

Considering everything going on lately, the last thing she needed was another reason to stress. But how could she not? Apparently Lord Sesshomaru had something specifically planned to teach her a lesson about obligations. Which could be any number of things.

Sae closed her eyes and sighed.

Little by little and day by day.

She supposed she shouldn't borrow trouble by dreading tomorrow.