Chapter 12 – Lady-in-waiting

If only I knew how wrong I was when I thought that spending my time with Akemi as her lady-in-waiting could end up not being such a drag… It's only been three days and I already feel like dumping this position handed to me, for the dog demoness decided to pay off and is abusing her rights in this newly established working relations in order to purposely get on my nerves.

Well, I can't say I'm innocent either, for as much I can I try to resist her childishly annoying commands, but at least I'm not the one who insisted on us spending time together. The worst thing is that I cannot freely say whatever comes to my mind due to my superior position in this. Our interactions are mostly made of cyclical attempts as not be the one at the imaginary losing end, which however are packaged in the noble way of talking. It's like an internal war between the two of us, which is rather mentally demanding.

As for how our interactions are viewed by the other inhabitants of the castle… most of them pay them no mind since we tend to make them happen mostly in Akemi's quarters. Those who happened to overhear them were somewhat taken a back from which I deduce that I am no ordinary lady-in-waiting – which couldn't be more true in my opinion.

There is however one person who I would dare to accuse is "having fun" under these circumstances. I wouldn't probably have enough guts to state it openly, but I cannot help thinking that Lord Inutaisho finds it amusing to have us "fight" this battle of pride.

'This is so annoying!' I sigh to myself as I'm sitting on the floor in my room, having finally some free time for myself since "Her Lady" is occupied with something else. For a while I though that living in this castle was rather pleasant, but the recent days make me question that claim.

'I might need a proper day off…' I say in my mind, 'or else I'm going to go wild!' Yet, in spite of my complains, deep inside I know I don't really mean that… It's just a way I deal with those unpleasant feelings that current affairs make me go through. After all, in all honesty… aren't there some situations in which I feel pleased when I come up with a prompt response?

A knock interrupts my thoughts that make a turnover from nearly making it to the safe bank of the "river" back into the stormy waves… 'Great! Just what is it this time?!'

Giving myself a few seconds to calm the tide inside me, I get up to open the door. Outside of the room stands a maid, who I have meet earlier in the palace, or to be more specific at Lord Daiki's quarters.

"The young Lady Akemi expects you to collect her robe from her room and bring it to her to the library," the maid says and, having delivered the command, she turns and starts walking away, leaving me alone to my astonishment. 'She what?!' I blink and replay the message in my head, trying to find any sense in the action I am supposed to do, but failing to find one good reason for it.

A soft groan escapes my lips. The maid, unmistakably having hear it, stops for a little while to add somewhat mockingly: "You should make sure to be careful about this noble robe, hanyou." 'Great, absolutely amazing!' I think to myself sarcastically. Just what's the point of dragging some dress over half of the castle, when the only room where she's going to change into it is her own chamber?! 'None. I believe I've just stated there was no reason to do something so stupid!'

I sigh in defeat. 'Yeah, there is one reason… to get on my nerves… which is working cause there's no way I'd do that voluntarily…' Deciding that giving myself like five minutes won't do any harm since I cannot really go and see Akemi right now with my feeling all over the place. While separately speaking this strange request may not be that harmful to obey, but after those three days it's enough to make me lose my calm… 'I better should think of a way how to get myself out of this mess,' I remind myself. There must be some way how to disobey the order but get away with it…

I close my eyes in order to better concentrate myself, thinking back on all the encounters I had with Akemi in a search for some hint on what could work… and…

I grin. This is definitely worth trying! It will take a lot of effort on my side to pull it out, but if everything goes well… I take a deep breath as to prepare myself for the role I have chosen to play. After a couple of minutes I'm ready with planning and leave my room to give it a try.

...

Soon I'm in front of the library. My nose warns me that Akemi is not alone in there, and the certain someone happens to be no one else but Sesshomaru… however, for my role this detail is of no importance, so I don't let it bother me. I slowly almost uncertainly knock on the door, and enter upon being called in.

As I open the door, I can see Sesshomaru at the back reading some book, however, he is not my concern for now, so I quickly turn to the closer figure, who is not looking in my direction at all.

"My lady Akemi," I say formally and bow. However, before I can continue, I am interrupted by the young demoness: "About time you got here…" Then she finally turns to me and realises that something was missing. "Where are they?" she nearly growls the question.

"Your robes are ready in your chamber, my lady," I reply calmly, making Akemi frown dangerously: "I can see that. My concern it why you failed to bring them to me, you lowly hanyou!"

With this she gives me a perfect opportunity to carry out my plan. "I was uncertain if that was something I could afford," I reply convincingly with a submissive tone to my voice, making Akemi blink: "What?!" "I was told your robe was to be treated with the uttermost care for its worth, and me being of a lower status and still oblivious to high standard of higher classes, I was worried of either damaging or tarnishing such a noble dress."

"Eh...? I-" Akemi stands in front of me, clearly at loss for words. Whatever she was expecting, it clearly wasn't me putting myself down in front of her. In general there were two ways how she could react based on what I already knew about her. Either agree that I'm not suited for such jobs, which would be like questioning her own decision to make me her lady-in-waiting or disagree and thus reverse all her tries to make me feel lower. Fortunately for me, I have the moment of surprise on my side, so she won't have much time to think it all over.

Confirming my theory, Akemi clenched her fists, looking rather uncertain on how to react properly. In the end she opts for annoyed approach, which however ends up sounding somewhat childish: "You're probably right, I'll get someone else to carry out that!" She starts walking away, but then turns back: "But- we will return to this later!" I give her a nod and reply: "Yes, my lady," lowering my head as well. For a while it looks like she wants to add something else, but in the end, she leaves in rather loud manner, forcefully closing the doors.

A small smile appears on my face, letting the victorious feeling of getting things go my way fill me, before I suddenly feel like someone is giving me a stare and realise that I was not alone in the library. 'What was it said about celebrating too early…?'

A/N: Long time no see...? I would like to apologise for yet another gap between chapters, quite a lot happened since then I must say, so I even broke my word that I would update this for reviews... At this point I wouldn't be too surprised if everyone just forgot this story ever existed, lol. Anyway, I'd love to express my thanks to the two users who have reviewed the previous chapter during the blank period, namely to Kris Fury and Blu3b3rryT3a, it makes me happy that you enjoy (enjoyed?) the story. Everyone else who followed or added this fanfic to your favourite, you have my thanks as well! I rather enjoyed writing this chapter, and if it managed to bring at least a hint of smile on your face than it served its purpose. =D See you (hopefully) soon~

Published: August 10, 2019