Malachi's POV
A dozen men forced Mitsuhide down to his knees with arms pinned to his back. "...Such a warm welcome home." was all he said in response to these sudden developments. "What the FUCK are you doing?!" I shouted in surprise. But the soldiers ignored me, "Mitsuhide Akechi, we're arresting you for conspiracy against Lord Nobunaga!" All I could do was stare in shock.. "The agent you captured earlier confessed. He said 'Mitsuhide Akechi was working with us the whole time.'" "Did he now?"
Wait- This isn't adding up. The guy who confessed before- Kennyo's agent- confessed.. AGAIN? It all felt so incredibly ridiculous and I wanted to say as much. ..But I couldn't. I myself knew damn well that Mitsuhide had been talking with someone. I just didn't know who.
"I thank you for graciously accepting my sudden visit. It seems you are just the man my lord took you for." "..Together, let us put an end to the reign of the Devil King of the Sixth Heaven."
At the time, I had considered the possibility that the messenger he talked to may have been working for Kennyo. Technically, all the pieces could easily fall together. Including keeping me under close observation to ensure I didn't speak. There was evidence for Mitsuhide's treachery everywhere you looked, clear as day. But the evidence depended on one thing- ..Not knowing Mitsuhide.
"Stop right there! As chatelaine, I say to stop!" I shouted without thinking. "My lady, this is a case of treason! H..Hey, where are you-?!" I pushed past the soldiers and walked towards Mitsuhide. "Mitsuhide, this isn't true, is it? Tell them! Tell them this is all a lie. You haven't plotted against anyone." "Malachi.." I placed a hand on his shoulder and crouched down, never breaking my gaze away from his.
Just as his hand reached towards me.. Moments before his fingers could brush against my face as they'd done so many times before.. "All right, step away from him!" One soldier shouted as several pulled me away. Mitsuhide's pale golden eyes flashed wide. "Why are you doing this?! What's so dangerous about simply talking to him?! Let go of me!"
One of the soldiers met my gaze, glaring harshly. "And why exactly are you so desperate to talk to him? Unless.. You're not his accomplice, are you?" Suddenly, angry eyes all turned on me. But I didn't have time to argue- "..My accomplice? You insult me!" Mitsuhide's voice came, as sharp as the crack of a whip. Everyone grew silent at his words. "..You think I would take an ignorant and clumsy little boy into my confidence?" He spoke lowly, then smiled a scimitar smile. "No wonder it was so easy to fool all of you."
The confused soldiers all exchanged glances, and the one holding me let go and turned away. "Now that you've found me out, I've no reason to fight. Boil me, skewer me, or whatever you find most fitting." Mitsuhide, are you fucking kidding me?! Now is NOT the time to be acting! "To the dungeon with him!" One soldier commanded.
They bound him with rope before dragging him to his feet. Mitsuhide looked neither guilty nor repentant. Even with this horridly disgraceful treatment, he was dignified and without fear. I couldn't believe he was letting them do this. But all I could do was watch as he was dragged away to the dungeons. I couldn't find any words to shout to him, and yet- As if he heard me anyway, Mitsuhide turned his head.
He looked at me, with those beautiful, pale golden eyes of his, as if he were trying to burn my image into his memory.
