Disclaimer: Do not own, do not care, wish to have.
Japanese Lesson No. 3
Sensei: sir, teacher
Satoru: a kanji (a Chinese character) meaning understanding by heart
Kaoru: scent
Kiku: chrysanthemum
Tsuki: moon
Chapter Six Undercurrent
While chewing a piece of mint leave, Dryden goes over the news he is about to bring to Van Sama once more. Somehow he got up early today. Perhaps it was because of his excitement. Last night when he handed the invitation to Millerna, he took the opportunity asking her to be his partner at Kari Enkai. That pair of amethyst instantly ignited a flame of curiosity. " Is it true, Dryden? Can I really attend the hunting party? Kami Sama, this is the first time! Would you mind expressing my gratefulness to Van Sama? What kind of clothing shall I wear?..."
"Women..." Dryden touches his forehead and grins, "never stop chirping." And here he is enchanted by this little bird, rather willingly listening to her chitchatting. The dawn of golden autumn has already become irresistibly penetrating. He shivers and fastens his belt. When he is about to knock on Van Sama's study, a faint breathing behind captures his attention.
As Dryden turns around, he faces a gaze sharper than the jade sword pouncing on him. "Hitomi hime, you are here so early for..." Dryden inwardly curses. He has never been nervous in front of any important political figure, yet most strangely, he feels a bit off balance whenever this pale skinny girl appears. Well, just a bit.
"I'd like to see Fanel." The voice is plain without a trace of emotion.
"Van Sama..." Dryden purposely halts at the title, "has not been up yet."
"All royalties wake up exactly at five. I guess Fanel is no exception. I am going to see him."
"Van Sama only listens to political reports and never receives any unnecessary guest in the morning. Please go back."
"Just a moment ago Sensei revealed that Fanel has not risen, but now Sensei talks about not receiving guests. May I ask which statement is of truth? Sincerity is always an important quality of an advisor, don't you think so? After all, I am no unnecessary guest. Otherwise, all the intentions of imprisoning me here are merely wasted." Hitomi displays a snaring smile.
"Toxic!" Dryden aggravatedly bites with his teeth. However more censuring words are only blocked by the cracking sound of the study cedar door.
"Do not send her away, Dryden. Let her in if that is what she wants." Van's rich voice permeates with a tint of hoarseness. His midnight hair is totally messed up by the cooling wind; his agate orbs reflect underlying tiredness and explosive temperament.
"Absolutely insane, another night without sleep." Dryden is frightened by Van's persistence on work, meanwhile secretly worrying about Hitomi's fate-Van Sama can be incomprehensibly aggressive under such condition.
"I am truly sorry, Van Sama." Dryden turns aside while Hitomi quietly steps into the study.
Meek dawn light lingers upon the paper on the padauk desk. To Hitomi, the detailed content is far out of focus. The variety on the bookshelf is blinding, carefully categorized and dustless, a proof of the owner's exquisite reading habit. They are accented by simple relics to define a taste. Different sizes of writing brushes line up neatly on a pen rack. A calligraphy of Satoru soaked with thick black ink proudly hangs on the wall. Dispersed kaoru of kiku and mint fills up the room, paving a sense of relaxation.
It is the closing sound of the door that breaks the trance in which Hitomi is engaged. "Is there anything urgent?" Van's towering figure overshadows around Hitomi, leaving her almost breathless. Dazzled and lost, she unwarily nibbles her pouty lips, only to find the mocking mystery twinkling in his eyes. And this agitates her.
"Is this your decision?" Hitomi throws the invitation that she has kept towards Van.
"What?" Van calmly snatches it, revealing a devilish smile.
"It is imprinted with your personal signet, so I presume it is not a mistake. I refuse to attend any Kari Enkai, especially with you. I've already clarified my point here. I'll take my leave now."
Within a split of a second, Van's powerful left hand grabs Hitomi's wrist, forcing her eyes to clash with his. Haughtiness and detachment, resolution and anger integrate to radiate his distinct aura. "I never take back my command and nobody ever disobeys my order. You are no exception. Is it clear?" His tensed face ignites with killing instinct; his ruby irises darken into a tempest. Unconsciously, he tightens his fist around Hitomi's wrist.
It is not until Hitomi's cheeks turning into red hues and tears oozing out of her eyes that Van discovers his own strenuosity. He swiftly loosens his grip, but her wrist has already swollen up. Without a word, her jade eyes are masked by dauntless hatred.
"I apologize, Hime. I was out of control." Van embarrassedly smoothens his untamable hair, "I shall send a healer to your residence later."
"Barbaric!" Hitomi snorts, walking toward the exit.
"Wait... please! There is something for you to read through." Van stops Hitomi immediately.
"Another party invitation? As I mentioned before, I am not interested in it." She takes in a deep breath and replies wryly.
"It is something concerning the future of Kanza. You'd better have a look. Otherwise I'll make the decision by myself."
Merely three sentences, but the name "Kanza" has a piercing effect on Hitomi, making her instantly pause.
"Please come to my desk." Van wavers at her. Though there are thousands of refusals in Hitomi's mind, Kanza enchants her like a spell, dragging her towards the person who she resents so much.
The paper roll lying on the desk is a watercolour painting of Tsuki Plain. The wiggling Dragon River flows across the lush green area downward to the boundary forest between Fanelia and Austuria. In Hitomi's imagination, Dragon River becomes wider and wider, finally embracing the sea at Palas. "This is..." She looks at Van with puzzle.
"East suburb is going to be the location of Kanza refugee camp." Van's fingers gingerly brush across the map and opens another roll, "This is the rough structure design of bungalows to be constructed. Of course, your people have to build them by themselves. We will supervise the process."
"What did you do to my people? Why did you capture them? Is it for your own slavery pleasure?" Hitomi suddenly feels extremely intimidated.
Van chuckles: "The war has brought quite a damage to Kanza. Many local people have lost their own lands. There are surges of Kanza refugees flooding into Fanelia everyday and this causes much inconvenience to my people. It is obvious that the final political and economical assimilation will occur. Therefore at least we are pleased to accept your people. But under the consideration of maintaining proper social order, we have decided to construct the refugee camp."
"You invaded my country and now you are complaining about the inconvenience?" Hitomi stares at Van with palpable anger.
Van ignores her temper, leisurely continuing the topic: "General Schizar is willing to supervise the whole process, but coincidentally, I am also interested in it. Actually these structure designs are my proposal. I need an assistant who knows about Kanza extremely well, and that means you."
Hitomi grits her teeth and tightens her fists. If the wrist pain and something called etiquette don't exist, she would punch Fanel with all her might. Bitterness and sorrow are quaking her inner world without a release. Her head starts to twitch unbearably. Consequently, she laughs hysterically while tears silently glide down her rosy cheeks.
Van locks up his eyebrow-even though the laughter sounds delicate, it is diluted by sour sarcasm, too sharp for an eighteen-year-old girl anyway. Without a reason, his chest is stuffed with suffocation. He tries his best to look casual, but his callused thumb betrays his mind, wiping across Hitomi's damp cheeks lightly. And as if magic, she gradually terminates the laughter. Kneading her puffy eyes with uncontrollable whimpers, she replies in a surprisingly peaceful manner: "I accept your request if my people can enjoy their life in equity and freedom on your land. I will not expose my identity until the right time comes. You need not to worry about it. And... do not forget to send servants to pick me up in the morning of Kari Enkai. I would love to finally meet King Goau. Keeping me under his nose is quite a task, isn't it? Do you have any other requirements, Fanel?"
Van gulps down hard. This girl is much more intelligent than he has imagined. She not only realizes King Goau's unawareness of the secret hostage, but also knows to take advantage of her position to benefit Kanza. It has cost him tremendous energy to conceal her from the King. If she had refused to cooperate, King Goau would never keep someone useless alive. Fortunately, his burden has finally been relieved and he will be able to mention her name in his report.
"No more requests. And you have my word." Van doesn't even notice the vague gentleness his eyes are now reflecting.
Japanese Lesson No. 3
Sensei: sir, teacher
Satoru: a kanji (a Chinese character) meaning understanding by heart
Kaoru: scent
Kiku: chrysanthemum
Tsuki: moon
Chapter Six Undercurrent
While chewing a piece of mint leave, Dryden goes over the news he is about to bring to Van Sama once more. Somehow he got up early today. Perhaps it was because of his excitement. Last night when he handed the invitation to Millerna, he took the opportunity asking her to be his partner at Kari Enkai. That pair of amethyst instantly ignited a flame of curiosity. " Is it true, Dryden? Can I really attend the hunting party? Kami Sama, this is the first time! Would you mind expressing my gratefulness to Van Sama? What kind of clothing shall I wear?..."
"Women..." Dryden touches his forehead and grins, "never stop chirping." And here he is enchanted by this little bird, rather willingly listening to her chitchatting. The dawn of golden autumn has already become irresistibly penetrating. He shivers and fastens his belt. When he is about to knock on Van Sama's study, a faint breathing behind captures his attention.
As Dryden turns around, he faces a gaze sharper than the jade sword pouncing on him. "Hitomi hime, you are here so early for..." Dryden inwardly curses. He has never been nervous in front of any important political figure, yet most strangely, he feels a bit off balance whenever this pale skinny girl appears. Well, just a bit.
"I'd like to see Fanel." The voice is plain without a trace of emotion.
"Van Sama..." Dryden purposely halts at the title, "has not been up yet."
"All royalties wake up exactly at five. I guess Fanel is no exception. I am going to see him."
"Van Sama only listens to political reports and never receives any unnecessary guest in the morning. Please go back."
"Just a moment ago Sensei revealed that Fanel has not risen, but now Sensei talks about not receiving guests. May I ask which statement is of truth? Sincerity is always an important quality of an advisor, don't you think so? After all, I am no unnecessary guest. Otherwise, all the intentions of imprisoning me here are merely wasted." Hitomi displays a snaring smile.
"Toxic!" Dryden aggravatedly bites with his teeth. However more censuring words are only blocked by the cracking sound of the study cedar door.
"Do not send her away, Dryden. Let her in if that is what she wants." Van's rich voice permeates with a tint of hoarseness. His midnight hair is totally messed up by the cooling wind; his agate orbs reflect underlying tiredness and explosive temperament.
"Absolutely insane, another night without sleep." Dryden is frightened by Van's persistence on work, meanwhile secretly worrying about Hitomi's fate-Van Sama can be incomprehensibly aggressive under such condition.
"I am truly sorry, Van Sama." Dryden turns aside while Hitomi quietly steps into the study.
Meek dawn light lingers upon the paper on the padauk desk. To Hitomi, the detailed content is far out of focus. The variety on the bookshelf is blinding, carefully categorized and dustless, a proof of the owner's exquisite reading habit. They are accented by simple relics to define a taste. Different sizes of writing brushes line up neatly on a pen rack. A calligraphy of Satoru soaked with thick black ink proudly hangs on the wall. Dispersed kaoru of kiku and mint fills up the room, paving a sense of relaxation.
It is the closing sound of the door that breaks the trance in which Hitomi is engaged. "Is there anything urgent?" Van's towering figure overshadows around Hitomi, leaving her almost breathless. Dazzled and lost, she unwarily nibbles her pouty lips, only to find the mocking mystery twinkling in his eyes. And this agitates her.
"Is this your decision?" Hitomi throws the invitation that she has kept towards Van.
"What?" Van calmly snatches it, revealing a devilish smile.
"It is imprinted with your personal signet, so I presume it is not a mistake. I refuse to attend any Kari Enkai, especially with you. I've already clarified my point here. I'll take my leave now."
Within a split of a second, Van's powerful left hand grabs Hitomi's wrist, forcing her eyes to clash with his. Haughtiness and detachment, resolution and anger integrate to radiate his distinct aura. "I never take back my command and nobody ever disobeys my order. You are no exception. Is it clear?" His tensed face ignites with killing instinct; his ruby irises darken into a tempest. Unconsciously, he tightens his fist around Hitomi's wrist.
It is not until Hitomi's cheeks turning into red hues and tears oozing out of her eyes that Van discovers his own strenuosity. He swiftly loosens his grip, but her wrist has already swollen up. Without a word, her jade eyes are masked by dauntless hatred.
"I apologize, Hime. I was out of control." Van embarrassedly smoothens his untamable hair, "I shall send a healer to your residence later."
"Barbaric!" Hitomi snorts, walking toward the exit.
"Wait... please! There is something for you to read through." Van stops Hitomi immediately.
"Another party invitation? As I mentioned before, I am not interested in it." She takes in a deep breath and replies wryly.
"It is something concerning the future of Kanza. You'd better have a look. Otherwise I'll make the decision by myself."
Merely three sentences, but the name "Kanza" has a piercing effect on Hitomi, making her instantly pause.
"Please come to my desk." Van wavers at her. Though there are thousands of refusals in Hitomi's mind, Kanza enchants her like a spell, dragging her towards the person who she resents so much.
The paper roll lying on the desk is a watercolour painting of Tsuki Plain. The wiggling Dragon River flows across the lush green area downward to the boundary forest between Fanelia and Austuria. In Hitomi's imagination, Dragon River becomes wider and wider, finally embracing the sea at Palas. "This is..." She looks at Van with puzzle.
"East suburb is going to be the location of Kanza refugee camp." Van's fingers gingerly brush across the map and opens another roll, "This is the rough structure design of bungalows to be constructed. Of course, your people have to build them by themselves. We will supervise the process."
"What did you do to my people? Why did you capture them? Is it for your own slavery pleasure?" Hitomi suddenly feels extremely intimidated.
Van chuckles: "The war has brought quite a damage to Kanza. Many local people have lost their own lands. There are surges of Kanza refugees flooding into Fanelia everyday and this causes much inconvenience to my people. It is obvious that the final political and economical assimilation will occur. Therefore at least we are pleased to accept your people. But under the consideration of maintaining proper social order, we have decided to construct the refugee camp."
"You invaded my country and now you are complaining about the inconvenience?" Hitomi stares at Van with palpable anger.
Van ignores her temper, leisurely continuing the topic: "General Schizar is willing to supervise the whole process, but coincidentally, I am also interested in it. Actually these structure designs are my proposal. I need an assistant who knows about Kanza extremely well, and that means you."
Hitomi grits her teeth and tightens her fists. If the wrist pain and something called etiquette don't exist, she would punch Fanel with all her might. Bitterness and sorrow are quaking her inner world without a release. Her head starts to twitch unbearably. Consequently, she laughs hysterically while tears silently glide down her rosy cheeks.
Van locks up his eyebrow-even though the laughter sounds delicate, it is diluted by sour sarcasm, too sharp for an eighteen-year-old girl anyway. Without a reason, his chest is stuffed with suffocation. He tries his best to look casual, but his callused thumb betrays his mind, wiping across Hitomi's damp cheeks lightly. And as if magic, she gradually terminates the laughter. Kneading her puffy eyes with uncontrollable whimpers, she replies in a surprisingly peaceful manner: "I accept your request if my people can enjoy their life in equity and freedom on your land. I will not expose my identity until the right time comes. You need not to worry about it. And... do not forget to send servants to pick me up in the morning of Kari Enkai. I would love to finally meet King Goau. Keeping me under his nose is quite a task, isn't it? Do you have any other requirements, Fanel?"
Van gulps down hard. This girl is much more intelligent than he has imagined. She not only realizes King Goau's unawareness of the secret hostage, but also knows to take advantage of her position to benefit Kanza. It has cost him tremendous energy to conceal her from the King. If she had refused to cooperate, King Goau would never keep someone useless alive. Fortunately, his burden has finally been relieved and he will be able to mention her name in his report.
"No more requests. And you have my word." Van doesn't even notice the vague gentleness his eyes are now reflecting.