Manabu was shaking, though it didn't have to do with the rattling of the carriage. The September morning was warm as the horses pulled them towards the Iki Estate. The reason for this visit was that he had turned sixteen just in time to be considered for Miss Hiyori Iki's hand in marriage. The youngest and only daughter of the Iki household, she had turned sixteen in the recent summer and the duke and duchess were already looking for a suitable fiance. Manabu almost didn't make it, rumor was they had started looking for her match before the actual party and he didn't become of age until a month ago. Unfortunately, coming back reminded him there was something he truly feared. But Hiyori was something worth fighting for.
They had known each other since their adolent years, Manabu's own family being of dukedom as well, and even back then Hiyori was as beautiful as she was kind. Of course he insisted on going to her birthday party- something his parents were glad to allow- having not seen her in years and wanting to scope the competition. Seeing Hiyori on the floor above the dance floor in a glittering pink ball gown, her long hair tied up in an elegant bun, sent his heart galloping. She had gotten taller, her face was mature but young with life, and her pink lips were in an easy smile. Still, something had Manabu stalling from taking another step. Someone that had him shaking in his seat just thinking about them. It wasn't another suitor, or her father or older brother, but her bodyguard.
"There's no reason to be nervous," the young man across from Manabu spoke.
"Oh, uh, hmm," Manabu smiled shakily at his own bodyguard. The man across from him was named Kouto. He wore the standard black tail coat and outfit as all butlers, the only difference was the silver spear he carried around with him. There was always a danger being an aristocrat, like for any wealthy person, so bodyguards were a common thing. However, there was a certain type of body guard that tended to be sought out by everyone that could afford them. His own parents, well put off as they were, had to do some hefty refinancing to get their son a bodyguard of that caliber.
"We've arrived," Kouto said in that monotone way all these special bodyguards did. As always, Manabu was impressed he knew that. The carriage hadn't stopped and all the woods looked the same, especially after not being there in years. Kouto had never been to the Iki estate in his life yet the caragide stopped two minutes after his announcement. His servant got out first to check the surrounding area and open the door. The pin on Kouto's jacket gleamed in the sun as he helped Manabu out of the vehicle. These specialized servants, each individual said to be equal in strength to an entire palace army, wore that pin once they were bought from their teacher.
Another aristocrat, someone who has never been seen in the public, named The Crafter. He was a man known to adopt young orphans and turn them into living weapons to be sold to others of wealth. It was rumored the training was excruciating, Manabu had seen the slash marks on Kouto's back, but their strength was unprecedented. That wasn't the only thing, normally a man having a manor full of trained monsters would be cause for alarm. But the servants that are produced by The Crafter are just as known for their wavering obedience to their new masters as they are their skill in protecting them.
The doors to the Iki manor opened and Manabu stepped through with Kouto at his side, silent and unnoticeable as ever. The inside was gorgeous and bright, windows streaming on white marble and colorful flowers. A tall ceiling with intricate detail, large wooden doors shutting behind them by two of the help. Before them was twin staircases curling up to the second floor, a beautiful family photo of the Iki's in the center. It was no wonder such a lovely girl came from such a loving home.
"Manabu!" A cheery voice came from the open second floor. The young man's breath caught in his throat as young lady Iki appeared at the top of a winding staircase. Her dress was ruffled with yellow and white fabric, bunched together with bows. She was so bright, Manabu could only focus on her as she stepped down the steps in a lively way. She almost appeared excited, the thought turned Manabu's entire body red. As she approached, he noticed the jewelry around her neck; a large sapphire the color of the sky. It was distracting for a moment but Manabu's focus was easily re-stolen by her face when she smiled with such pink lips.
"I haven't seen you since the party! I'm so happy you came, I wanted to know your thoughts on that book recommendation," Hiyori said. Her delicate hands clasped together in such an adoring way. Manabu felt his mouth go dry. He gurgled out some sort of reply and Hiyori seemed to perk up like she remembered something. This caught Manabu's attention as she took a large step back and stood side by side with her servants.
"I know you already met my guard, Yato, from the party but this is my new valet, Yukine!" Hiyori spoke smoothly, as if acknowledging one's servants was a common occurrence. The young boy she introduced as her valet looked to be in his early teens and wore a matching outfit to other butlers. He bowed properly to Manabu, equally shocked he was introduced, turning his hazel eyes to the floor. When he bowed the unruly tips of blonde hair that refused to be combed bobbed in a jumpy way.
But Manabu could hardly focus on him, not when his greatest fear was standing just to the right of them. No, it wasn't her father, or her brother Manabu was worried about. It was the bodyguard named Yato. A pin matching Kouto's was secured on his black coat but nothing glowed brighter than his piercing blue eyes that could cut steel. Yato was taller than everyone in the group and his jaw-length black hair was pulled back into a small ponytail. At his hip were two white swords, ready to skewer anyone who looked to harm the Iki family. He looked just as terrifying as he did at the party and it didn't help that Manabu felt he was seconds from death each time he got within arms length of Miss Iki. It didn't help that Hiyori had such a strong liking for the man. But this time the bodyguard wasn't looking at Manabu like he would roast him over a fire the moment his lady turned. Yato was looking at Kouto, and Kouto was looking at Yato, their gazes locked and their expressions unreadable as always.
"The helpers set up a lunch in the garden, please follow me," Hiyori gestured to the back of the house and Manabu could only nod and follow. As they walked Yato and Kouto stood directly behind their masters. Four steps behind, shoulder to shoulder, backs straight, their shoes clicking in time with each other as they kept on hand on their weapon. Yukine walked on Yato's right after the man silently corrected him. The child was clearly still fairly new, walkling a little too close to Yato's side but still managing a straight line.
The Iki garden was covered in trimmed bushes and large bushes of purple flowers. On the back stone patio, servants already surrounded a set table. A round thing with a white tablecloth and padded chairs. It truly was like being on a date. Although- Manabu blushed- this was his chance to woo her. While they sat in the sun and picked at appetisers, the servants stood in a row a couple feet from the table, in the shade of the mansion.
"What happened to the weapon that was issued to you? That dainty thing would break under my chiki," Kouto spoke under his breath, mouth hardly moving.
"For your information it was a gift from my lady. I'm sorry we can't all be treated like air," Yato replied.
"I wouldn't be surprised if you lost it like the disgrace that you are."
"Actually, it's hanging in our room as a back up. Who cares if some old man gave it to him, his white ones are better." Yukine butted in without grace.
"The weapons given to us by The Crafter are sacred. Not that I expect some minor servant from some low rate family to understand." Kouto's gaze shifted over to Yukine.
"Actually he's an orphan I scooped up off the street," Yato said with a grin. Next to him Yukine snorted and Kouto scowled. A tinkling laugh chimed across the balcony and Yato's expression dropped to match Kouto's, who was now smirking.
"This place has made you weak."
"Like your lap of luxury is any different. I do my daily training-"
"Not like that. She has made you weak, your mind and spirit are bending to her and that will be both your downfall." Kouto felt satisfaction as Yato didn't reply, feeling the heavy gaze the man gave the two aristocrats. The young woman, oddly aware, must have sensed it. Miss Iki turned around to look directly at Yato. Like the trained servant he was, Yato stared back with a blank expression, communicating with his eyes that everything was fine. Biting her lip, Hiyori clearly had to force herself to focus her attention back on Manabu.
Kouto almost laughed at it all. The wealth were practically glowing in the sunlight with pale skin and groomed bodies that have never known hardship or work in their entire life. Servants like them, people who worked quietly in the shadows, couldn't think about stepping towards that world. The child must have noticed his mentor's shift in mood, Yukine peaked around Yato to glare.
"Yato doesn't get defeated, he can protect everyone in the estate no problem. And last I checked he soundly beat you at Hiyori's party." Yukine narrowed his eyes when Kouto didn't respond.
"What? You're just gonna ignore-"
"Yukine, I told you not to mouth off around the masters." Yato cut in. Yukine's jaw clicked shut and he quickly straightened back out, arms at his side in attention. Luckily, only the other servants had noticed the sudden raise of voice.
"A failure of a servant and a failure as a teacher." Kouto sneered quietly. On the other side, Yukine's shoulders shook.
"Get it through your head, Yato is a great teacher and a great servant. Better than you'll ever be." Yukine growled.
"That isn't the point, you runt. There's a strict code we must follow. If anyone were to catch wind that he simply toed the line, he would be swapped out for a competent servant and executed."
"What?" Yukine blurted. His outburst caused him to step forward and the other two young men looked at him like he just kicked a puppy. This time Hiyori, Manabu, and the other servants were looking at the small blonde. Yukine felt cowed as Hiyori gave them a concerned look, but he returned to his stoic position as best he could. Standing as still as the other two until everyone's focus left.
From across the patio, Manabu pulled Hiyori's chair out as their plates were cleared. She delicately put her hand in the crook of his arm and the two set off on a romantic walk through the garden. Manabu, the obvious sod, didn't see how forced Hiyori's smile was, how her thoughts and worry were on a man she shouldn't even notice. That was their cue to follow.
"You'll only drag her down you know," Kouto said as he started forward, "better to cut it off now and give the poor girl a chance to thrive in her world."
The large doors to the Iki mansion shut with an echoing bang. Hiyori stopped her waving and gestured to the doormen, who bowed then scurried off. She could sense Yukine on her left, his mood had clearly soured over the course of the visit and she wanted to know what his outburst was about. But they couldn't do it here. She walked towards her room, Yato and Yukine following silently behind her without being told.
Unlike Yukine, Yato was impossible to read, impossible to sense. Hiyori knew he was upset, but to everyone else it was unnoticeable. When Yato first arrived here, an early gift for her fifteenth birthday, he was an empty shell. No emotions, no feeling, just an existence that instantly obeyed any request. Even if they were so insignificant she didn't even notice she said it out loud, he would deliver it quickly and perfectly. But they got closer, Hiyori's honest friendliness wearing down his walls while his subtle consideration and care melted her heart.
It helped when they were walking in town one day and he decided to adopt a starved child he caught trying to mug her mother. Yukine was the first and only request he ever made of her, something that was forbidden, and from then on the three were inseparable. Yato taught Yukine how to be a helpful gentleman all while smoothing out the harsh wrinkles of his past. It was most likely that Yukine was upset on Yato's behalf, as he often was nowadays. She too wished Yato would let himself feel more.
They neared her room, a modest size compared to her parent's, nestled in a corner of the house. With a small nod, Hiyori signaled to Yukine and the blonde returned the action. He opened the door, allowing first Hiyori, then Yato, to walk through. Taking a quick look down the hall, Yukine shut the door and pressed his back to it. While his face remained nonchalant, his curled fist was poised against the wood for if he caught a whiff of another person.
Hiyori's back was turned as Yukine shut the door behind them. One thing she could always feel from Yato, was his gaze on her. Always on her. She waited to hear the click of the door before turning around to face the man who dedicated his entire existence to her and her alone. Taking a sharp breath, Hiyori opened her mouth to say something, anything, but stopped short when she saw Yato's face.
"Yato," was all Hiyori could say. He looked so sad and guilty, like he wronged her in some way he could never make up, and she had a good idea why. Bringing up her silk gloved hand, she let it rest against his cheek. With a sigh, Yato leaned and wrapped his fingers around it to hold her closer. After a moment his eyes slipped shut and he kissed her palm. Hiyori stepped towards him and used her hand to turn his head. She rocked onto her toes to give him a soft kiss on his lips. He pressed back like he was desperate then let her go. Hiyori licked her lips and tried to look into his eyes, but they were pointed down.
"You never kiss me first," Hiyori tried to pout, but Yato's heart wasn't in the short smile he gave her before looking off again.
"Did your childhood rival say something again?" Hiyori spoke against his lips. He kissed her back instead of responding, Hiyori was suddenly pulled by her waist into his arms. Sighing through her nose, Hiyori let him open her mouth and have his way. Her arms reached around his neck and she moaned into the kiss. Breathless and flushed, they separated, Yato gave her a couple pecks around her mouth before relaxing the arms around her waist.
"Hiyori I-"
"Don't you dare," Hiyori narrowed her eyes, "you get in these guilty moods and I always tell you that I love you. I truly love you." She promised. The hands went back to cradling his face and squeezing his cheeks. Yato couldn't help but smile.
"I love you too, my lady," Yato sighed, "I just worry about your future. I worry that our relationship- or me- will ruin that," he sucked in a breath and held it. His heart squeezed at the pained look on her face. Hiyori Iki was smart, smarter than most ladies, it was yet another thing Yato loved about her. Some part of her knew what he was saying was true. Even if they stayed together, their relationship could never come to light. If it did he would be beheaded, if it didn't the Iki family would be shamed by a marriage-less daughter.
"Th-that's not true! I mean maybe now but my brother approves of us and, and maybe," Hiyori bit her lip and looked down. For all her brilliance, wealth also comes with naivete. They've had this conversation before, after their first night together and he stole something precious to her like the monster he was, but that didn't make it any less painful. It was in these times that Yato couldn't decide in which way he was supposed to be strong. But what kind of servant, what kind of lover, would he be if he let a pretty lady cry alone. Yato wrapped his arms around her tighter and let her sniff against his chest, the pin from his father burning a hole through his clothes.
"I was just about to say how much easier this would be if my parents weren't around, or if I were anyone else," she sniffed and looked up, "isn't that terrible?" Tears started to drip down her cheek. With a shake of his head, Yato shushed her and wiped them away.
"I know you don't really mean that, my lady. You love your family very much and they love you. I tend to think this would be easier if I were one of your suitors." Yato smiled when she giggled, lifting her chin and meeting her half way. As they kissed, Hiyori's hands smoothed around his sides and up his chest. In retaliation, Yato picked at the strings of her corset along her spine. She whacked him with a squeal and started giggling as he moved his lips and blew a raspberry on her neck. Laughter building much too fast, Hiyori let out a snort that finally got Yato laughing too. As steadily as he held her waist, she gave him a light shove to separate him from her neck.
"I'm in charge of your makeup anyway," he would always say. This was true, but her parents would be home soon and want to know about Manabu. And poor Yukine was still standing outside the door. Their laughter died down and Hiyori worked to fix his collar back to what it was before she got her hands on it.
"I don't think you'd make a very good suitor." Hiyori said.
"No?" Yato's eyebrows shot up, offended.
"No, you're terrible at first impressions and I can hardly picture you as a true gentleman."
"My lady," Yato pulled her forward and dipped her towards the floor, "I may not make good first impressions but I can sweep you off your feet much better than any of those dainty men." Bringing her back up, they shared a soft smile before leaning in for another heated kiss. Suddenly, Yukine gave two knocks on the door, signaling he heard footsteps. Hiyori and Yato jumped apart and immediately started fixing themselves.
"You didn't mark up my neck did you?" Hiyori narrowed her eyes at her bodyguard as he rummaged around her vanity.
"No my lady, but your tears are obvious," Yato said. He quickly fixed her face and re-applied blush before opening the door for her. Yukine moved aside, not looking at either of them as it would cause a blush. Still, seeing him sparked a memory in Hiyori and she looked at him over her shoulder as they walked.
"Yukine, was Kouto mean to you? Was that why you were upset?" she asked. Yukine immediately soured at the reminder.
"No, not really." Yukine's eye brows furrowed when Hiyori simply hummed. He looked over at Yato who was giving him a curious expression and balled his fists up.
"Hiyori you're not really gonna marry one of those guys right?" Yukine's question turned Yato and Hiyori's eyes wide. The kid looked between them, Hiyori's mouth opening and closing while Yato fell back into his stoic persona.
"I happened to quite like Lord Manabu," Yato stated, surprising the others, "I bet if you ask him to wait until marriage, he'll listen." Yato's words were met with sputtering.
"Please, you only like him because he was the suitor that was most afraid of you," Yukine snorted, "of course he's probably your best choice. He doesn't seem like the type to suspect a thing about your relationship."
"That indeed," Yato mused. Though he noticed Hiyori's shoulders stiffen for a moment, then drooped in thought. The three of them were aware of the biggest problem in that idea, a certain rivalry between the servants, but Yato would put up with much worse for her. Something like sinful hope curled in his chest as they neared the top of the stairs and Yato had to force the feelings away. Lord and Lady Iki were having their coats taken just at the bottom of the stairs, and they were the last people Yato wanted suspecting anything was off with him.
"Hiyori, darling!" Her mother greeted first with open arms, "how did your meeting fair with Lord Manabu?" Lady Iki sweeped up her daughter in her arms and led them to the parlor, Lord Iki following. Yato and Yukine followed next to another bodyguard bought from the crafter for the Lord and Lady, Rabo. They got themselves comfortable in plush red chairs and the family talked. Yato avoided any sort of pitying looks Rabo gave him across the room. Then, another servant entered the room. He gave a letter to the Lord and the man looked at it with a shocked expression.
"What is it, dear?" Hiyori's mother asked.
"It's from The Crafter?" The Lord said with a quirked eyebrow, "How curious, I wonder what he wants." Hiyori's father spoke rather nonchalantly, unaware of the fact that most of the room's occupants stopped breathing. Hiyori and Yukine were barely able to muffle their gasps. They turned to look at Yato, who was already very pale and looking ahead with a thousand yard stare. From behind Lord Iki, Rabo shifted his consoling look from his brother in arms to the paper his master held; his eyes widened.
"Oh my," Hiyori's father said with an open mouth. Yukine started shaking, and if it weren't for his training, Yato would have done the same.
"What is it dear?" Hiyori's mother leaned forward. When they purchased Rabo and Yato, they were made aware of the rules and commands concerning these types of servants; and while the families were free to punish as they saw fit, The Crafter would automatically step in if the product was defective. Though it was clear the Iki's hadn't recalled that part of the contract yet.
"It seems The Crafter wants to place his own son in the running for Hiyori's hand," Hiyori's father said.
"His own son?" Lady Iki asked, "I wasn't aware he had one." Mrs. Iki shared a curious look with her husband while Hiyori was hit with a wave of nausea. From the scars on Yato's body, Hiyori had a pretty good idea what The Crafter was like. She could only imagine what his son must be like. The Iki family was unaware of the grins that grew on Rabo and Yukine's face, while Yato was dizzy with the onslaught of emotions in the past twelve minutes.
"Please forgive the lateness of my declaration, for I know the young Lady Iki has been of age for some time now. Please also forgive that secrecy behind my successor, for you see our family has very strict traditions and upbringings," Lord Iki read aloud, "Knowledge of who the successor is, remains secret lest the child brings disgrace to our teachings. Every son goes through the same training as the other servants and must prove themselves worthy of the family name.
"I hope you would agree, my son has served his purpose well. As such I feel it is in both our family's benefit for our childrens' relationship to take a step forward. Rest assured, I know you wouldn't consider a stranger for your daughter's hand. My son happenes to be someone you trust, you know him as Yato," Lord Iki's words hung in the air as he read the last line over again. His wife, the ever so quick and articulate, spun to face the servant.
"Is this true, Yato?" Hiyori's mother exclaimed. Yato straightened out and faced the Lady.
"It is Lady Iki, I am the first and only son of The Crafter. However, I was not aware of his decision for our families to enter a matrimony. I assure you I came here with the purestest intentions of serving your family until he called me back, as stated in the contract."
"I remember that," Lord Iki's mused, "I thought it was weird though your father said it was because you were special. I assumed he was talking about the fact you were at the top of your class, not that you were his son!"
"You must forgive my father, Lord Iki, he tends to speak in riddles," Yato spoke smoothly. He was having difficulty hiding his smile, his lady was practically vibrating in her chair.
"Oh but dear, wouldn't that mean you will have to go off and train servants? That the heir for our family would have to be in servitude?" Hiyori's mother addressed Yato, who looked a bit meek.
"Yes, well, while I believe in strict training, I assure you my father's methods these past couple decades are strictly his own. I intend to get the same results, if not better, with my own style of teaching, just as my forefathers before him." Yato spoke smoothly and bowed slightly to Lady Iki. Rabo held a funny sort of face, but quickly smoothed it out. From Hiyori's other side, Yukine coughed and asked to speak.
"Due to the Lord's giving nature, Yato was able to adopt me as his own. And as you know, he has already been training me in the ways of servitude. I fully believe that I was able to become the servant I am now because of his excellent teachings." Yukine finished with a deep blush and a bow. Yato and Hiyori brimming with pride.
"I suppose that's true! Yukine has become an excellent young man since he was taken under Yato's wing. Besides, I'm sure Masaomi will produce a fine heir for our family," Lord Iki turned to his wife, "What do you think, dear? Losing Yato and The Crafter to another family would be such a waste, no?"
"I suppose that's true too," Lady Iki turned to Hiyori, "oh, what do you think-?"
"Yes," Hiyori spoke quickly but strongly, spinning in her chair, "yes, I will marry you." Her hands gripped the sides with a great force Yato was familiar with. Her pink lips still parted with surprise as her eyes swam with tears. Even though he wasn't aware of his father's plans, she would surely put him through the ringer for not telling her about his bloodline. Well, it's not as if he was planning on proposing to anyone else.
"Why, my lady, I haven't asked yet. You haven't given me a chance to sweep you off your feet," Yato finally gave a small smile, Yukine snorting next to him. It was too much for his lady. Hiyori leaped out of her chair and rounded it. Yato was already waiting with arms for Hiyori to land safely in them. They couldn't help but laugh and- in their excitement- Yukine broke his position and joined their celebration.
"Well that settles it!" Hiyori's father laughed as well, "Yato will return home and then present himself as a proper suitor."
"Thank you sir, I promise to make my return swift so that I can return to My Lady's side and protect the family." Yato said, setting Hiyori down.
"Ah I'm sure it's fine. Hiyori and Yukine will have to stay with us. I'm sure Rabo will do a fine job protecting the estate."
"I assure you I will work diligently in Yato's stead." Rabo bowed to his master, then nodded to Yato, a silent applaud.
Yato left the very next morning, two bags packed and his black sword at his side. Hiyori's parents, along with most of the servants, were still fast asleep. Hiyori stood by the door in her nightgown with a fully-dressed Yukine at her side. Their day usually started before the sun rose either way, and just because Yato was leaving didn't mean Yukine could slack on his duties. To be safe, Yato left both his white swords in Yukine's care, the instructions to help Rabo as told but stay by Hiyori's side.
"Just stick to the routine, no crazy business, and be sure to keep up with your training," Yato instructed, patting Yukine's head.
"Yes sir," Yukine rolled his eyes. Yato chuckled and moved on to his lady, his soon-to-be-fiance, and smiled. Her eyes were red and squinty, her hair thrown up and a raggy bun and a line of drool on her chin. She was beautiful and Yato was proud that he was the only one to see her so early in the morning.
"Don't forget you promised to bring me another book," Hiyori spoke quietly, "Take care of yourself. Come back soon." She wrapped the three of them in her shawl, hugging them close. Yato closed his eyes, committing her scent and warmth to memory. Lord knows such warmth didn't exist back home.
"I will." Yato looked around, conspicuously. Then leaned forward and pressed his lips to Hiyori's, making the most obnoxious sounds he could.
"Oh ew, gross!" Yukine tried to push away but Hiyori held him tight, kissing Yato back just as ferociously.
"Mmm," Yato hummed, "take care of that one for me, would you kid?"Yato winked at Yukine who gagged but nodded anyway. Hiyori giggled as Yato finally picked up his bags and made his way out the door.
"I expect to be wowed by your proposal!" Hiyori called after him. Turning, Yato flashed her a wide grin and waved.
"I live to serve you, My Lady Hiyori!"
