Chapter 11 - An overloading challenge

'This must be a joke!' was my very first proper reaction after my mind played the words of Inutaisho over and over again, trying to distinguish if I got the message right or if my ears were simply tricking me. 'Me being her lady-in-waiting?! That's ridiculous! She doesn't like me, so why on earth would she want to have me around?' Then it hits me. That is exactly the reason why… By having me in that position she will be undoubtedly someone I have to obey. 'Oh no, I'm doomed…!'

I bit my lips when I notice a hint of amusement in Inutaisho's eyes, which makes me realise that once again I failed to keep my emotions to myself, and that my expression must have given it all away. 'Just where did all my control go…?'

I try to think hard of a way how to get myself out of this mess. 'How was the wording… did he say that Akemi 'requested' it to be me? In that case…' I put on a forced smile: "The offer of young lady Akemi is generous-" However, before I can finish the sentence I am interrupted: "Yet, you are trying to turn it down…?"

I decide to play a what-if game: "And what if I am…?" He gives me a dangerous-like smile: "You don't want to know that."

'Of course, I want to know that! What if I happen to like the alternative better? I guess I'd probably take even spending some time in prison…?'

I collect my courage and ask a daring question: "And if I, hypothetically, still refused?" Pressing the matter probably isn't the best decision, but I really don't want to do this.

The atmosphere around the dog general changed to an icy one: "If you hypothetically refused to accept the offer willingly, I would make you accept it by force whatever method I would have to use." I stare at him, being momentarily speechless.

"Simply because you have just proven to be more than sufficient to do that job," he adds, and I suppress the urge to groan. If I had chosen a subtler approach – maybe claiming that I was no good enough for that job, I could have higher possibility to get myself out of this. 'Stupid me! I fell right into a trap by acting like that…'

I clench my fist in annoyance. 'Why couldn't I have figured it out sooner! Now I will really have to do that unwanted job…!' I complain mentally. 'Calm down!' another voice in my mind speaks, and I remember something my mother used to say: 'Nothing is ever as bad as it seems.'

I close my eyes to compose myself. Of course, the job is going to be hellish, but maybe I could also make some use out of it. 'Well, hopefully…' If I play it nicely, I could still survive this somehow. After all my last interaction with Akemi wasn't as bad...

Having calmed myself a bit, I slowly open my eyes and see the Lord watching me with mild interest. I let out an almost inaudible sigh: "I guess I haven't got any other choice then…"

"I wise decision, I must say," comes the reply, and I really want to frown but manage to resist it. After all, I have already showed quite a lot of my emotions today. I simply avert my gaze in resignation. 'I still can't help but worry that this job is going to kill me…' "You will start your new duty today. The servant will show you to way to young lady Akemi's quarters." I merely nod, and Lord Inutaisho leaves the room with a teasingly sounding: "Have a pleasant day, Natsuki."

...

Having recollect my determination to face this new challenge that has been placed on me, I have a quick breakfast during which I try to come up with some strategy. It's highly probable that Akemi will try to push me to see what I can take based on what I've learned about that. So, I'll have to make sure I won't let it bother me. 'That is of course easier said than done, but I could claim that I have already got enough chances to practise in this certain skill, so I should be able to manage it somehow...' Keeping calm is going to be a key point of everything.

After the breakfast I follow the servant through the halls to meet the young demoness. This challenge is going to be rather overloading, but if I face it with a bit of wit… then even spending my time with Akemi could end up not being such a drag.

Subsequently, we reach our destination, and the servant knocks on the door presumably leading to Akemi's room. "You may come in," speaks an already familiar voice. My escort opens the door an kneels down in the doorway: "Your new lady-in-waiting is here, my lady."

"Send her in and go," Akemi replies, and the servant stands up, takes a stet back and motions me to go inside. I take a deep breath and enter the room. The door closes behind me, and I am left alone with Akemi, who is sitting on a comfortable chair.

A/N: Merry Christmas! I hope you are all having a wonderful time. I'd love to thank the fourth reviewer of this story, PharaohsLuver, without whom this chapter probably would still be only floating somewhere in my head on not "on the paper". I'm afraid I really need some feedback in order to carry on writing this, so if you want me to continue this story, you know what to do~ (wink) Anyway, I hope that you will enjoy this chapter. Until next time!

Published: December 24, 2018