REVISED: 05 February 2019
10. The Tea Time
-;-
Soujiro accompanied Aoshi today.
Their horses' rumbling noise could be heard on the dirty gravel road. Aoshi was really excited to see her again. He was thinking about what will happen today that he barely ate his breakfast. Realising that she never talked about her cousins before, he wondered if they are a good person.
They were now at the front door. They slid it open and they were not surprised to see Akari with her three cousins waiting inside. They greeted them and gave bows in return.
However, Aoshi felt that something was very different in this house. He felt that something is odd. Really odd.
"Your highness, it's an honour to meet you! I am Makoto Shishio and this is my wife, Yumi. I think you have met Kamatari before, haven't you?" the man exclaimed who is trying his very best to sound polite.
"Aa." Aoshi replied and took a quick glance at Kamatari, remembering how she's been too flirtatious and annoying.
The world echoed around Misao; like being under water - she heard them talk, watched through a terrified fog as they went into the dining room for the tea preparations. Aoshi asked her several questions, she nodded as Shishio, and the others was watching every move and words she will say. Shishio has been very specific about her answers and behaviour this afternoon.
Misao felt like an invisible in the room, watching all people around her exchanged conversations though Aoshi does not say much either. She wished she would ask to take a walk with her, to have a moment or anything that would let them be alone - to explain that his tea was poisoned. But she was out of luck.
Aoshi took a quick glance at the woman beside him, he can tell that Akari was very uncomfortable.
"Aoshi-sama, why don't you sip some tea? It's really delicious!" Soujiro said, taking another sip. "I have never tasted anything like this before!"
"Thank you so much, Soujiro-kun! I'm glad that you like it!" Yumi said, smirking at the smiling boy. "Why don't you try it, Aoshi-sama?"
"Aa" he nodded. Suddenly, the girl stood beside him and quickly grabbed the cup from him but it accidentally fell on the floor. He looked at her, confused.
"What is it my sweet cousin?" Yumi said, glaring at Misao.
"Umm…" Misao looked at Aoshi. His face may be stoic but his eyes glint a flare of concern. She wanted to weep in his arms and told him that Shishio planned to murder him today. She almost did but she's aware that Aoshi and Soujiro are both unarmed and the consequence will be worst.
"Oh you poor dear, the headache must have returned." Shishio commented and took her close to him as he looked straight into her eyes.
"Yes, I beg your pardon." She answered.
"I think you need to go to your bedroom." Kamatari commented.
"Shall I help you, Akari-san?" offered Aoshi.
"Oh no, you don't have to. A man going to unmarried woman's chamber can spark so many ideas, Aoshi-sama!" Yumi said giving Shishio and Kamatari another suspicious smirk. He felt very uncomfortable at the way they look at each other.
"Aoshi-sama you need to…" Misao yelled but before her sentence was finished, Shishio held her arm tightly that it almost hurt her and shoved her into the hallway that led to her attic room.
She was trying her best to fight her tears as Shishio slid the shoji door closed. "Now, do not attempt to make a way in our plans and you will meet your death here!" he whispered.
"Please don't hurt him. He never did anything to make you hate him!" Misao answered.
"You don't know anything, Misao. Anyway, why would you care? Now be a good mouse and save your miserable life so I can let you see that damn Aoshi again." He replied and left the room.
The shoji door closed and the despair Misao felt was too much. She sat alone in the darkness and wept as her stepfamily had Aoshi in their clutches. She did not know anymore the exact motives of Shishio. She only knows that she will be a pawn in his game. But he said that she might see him again and that means he will let him live; was he lying about that as well?
He wanted to kill Aoshi, but why? Since the beginning of the balls, she only presumed that they only want Kamatari to marry Aoshi for the fame and riches but something tells her it is more than that.
The torment was horrid and she needed to speak to him alone; she has to tell him the truth and escape for his life. He may not forgive her and all the blame may lay on her feet but at least - he will live.
And if not - if Shishio killed him today along with his bodyguard, Soujiro… she will suffer today and will suffer again – until the end of her lifetime.
Whatever Shishio's plan, she stood and grabbed a knife she hid under her bed the night before; determination stiffened in her resolve. She reached to slide the shoji door open but it did not move. "No!" she said to the darkness around her.
She banged on the door repeatedly so Aoshi may hear and he will come to investigate. But the door remained locked, unmoving and uncaring to her heartache.
-;-
It was almost an hour ago and still, Akari have not come back and so Shishio too.
When she left because of her headache, he wished to go with her. But the courtesy and etiquette demanded that he must remain behind. 'Besides…' he told himself, 'If she is unwell, she must be left in peace.'
"I think we must go now." Aoshi stated. He thought that it was pointless to stay here since the person he really wanted to visit was suddenly ill in bed.
"But Aoshi-sama, would you like to see our garden first before you leave? Besides, Soujiro and Yumi enjoyed each other company." Kamatari requested.
Aoshi looked at Soujiro and Yumi, those two seems to get along.
He nodded at her, hoping that Akari would return soon. They walked together in the garden, Kamatari filling the quiet atmosphere with her chatty voice. From the outside, Aoshi looked at the windows - hoping to catch a glimpse of her but her sweet face was nowhere to see.
Kamatari suddenly held his arm as they walked the path under the few trees, "Do you really enjoy the royal balls, Aoshi-sama?" she asked.
"Aa." He answered.
"Not so much for social affairs, I take it?" Kamatari sighs. "You're so cold."
"There is nothing I detest. I just find dancing and socialising not so enjoyable to play." Aoshi replied in a deep voice.
Kamatari almost laughed. "Play? What an odd term to describe it."
She paused under the shade of one of the larger trees to sit. "So you don't like to interact with many people? Does it mean you wish for the freedom of the world?"
"Aa." Aoshi replied. For so many times he met this lady before, it was odd to think that she would ask him anything that is not flirtatious. His ice blue eyes bored at her for a moment.
"I wished to see the world. I wished to be free." She said, her eyes betrayed the unhappiness in her words.
Despite his lack of feelings toward her, he was curious. "And why have you not done yet?"
Her eyes darted up to him – it was full of unimaginable sorrow. In a moment, Aoshi can see a slight door on her inner soul and feelings. "I have no ability too, if it was for him…"
"And why not?"
She looked at the sunny sky with a faint smile. She was loss of words so she looked around, looking for an answer.
"I only loved the one and only man since eight years ago. Until now, I can only look at him while he loves another. I wish to be free from this pain but I can't. I cannot stand to lose him even though I could not have him… Sometimes you have to deal with unpleasant things for the sake of someone who is dear to you."
Aoshi listened. "But why did you attend the ball and hope to marry me?"
Kamatari sighs and laughs sadly. "Because he wants me to be…"
He did not reply.
"You're so amusing, Aoshi-sama. I have not talked like this since ages ago. Let's return to see Mi… Akari-chan better."
Once inside, they both found Soujiro, Yumi and Shishio drinking another round of tea. Aoshi wanted to say goodbye to Akari but decided not to interrupt her. He and Soujiro bid farewell.
The return from the palace was much slower as he replayed the afternoon in his mind. He could tell that Akari was not truthful at her unease and an instinct tells him that the family wanted something from him. If it is not for Akari, he would never step foot in that home again.
As much as he detested the family, he resolved that he will return. He only wish she'll become well and lively again because sometimes you have to deal with unpleasant things for the sake of someone who is dear to you - just like Kamatari said this afternoon.
The last ball will be held soon and he only hopes that she will attend. If not… well… it will be this time that he will go and bring her himself. If she is still unwell, Aoshi will abandon the ball and will do anything just stay at her side and keep her company through the long hours of the night.
-;-
Shishio opened the door of her room and smiled down at her. With the rings under her eyes and a look of complete hatred on her face, she glared back at him. "Well done my angel Misao, now go to bed and tomorrow, we will discuss our next plans."
"How's Aoshi?" Misao asked, worried and angry at the same time.
"Like I promised, I did not kill him – just be a pawn in my game and I will always keep my promises." Shishio replied and gently stroke her cheeks. Misao shivers at his touch and tried not to say anything.
"And by the way…" he said and stood at her door. "Do not try to escape and run to him or you'll be dead." He laughed as he left and locked her room.
Back downstairs, Kamatari met him at the hallway. "Shishio-sama, it will not work; Aoshi is not interested in me. I thought we're going to kill him and take over the government just like what you really wanted."
"Kamatari… I have a change of plans. Let Misao and Aoshi be with each other for a while, we'll kill both of them in a perfect time."
"Another plans again? Shishio-sama… when are you going to end this madness?" Kamatari yelled. Up until this point, she is willing to follow his plans; with the knowledge that if she did what he wants, he would love her back in the slightest chance…
Shishio looked at Kamatari, "Soon… very soon…" he whispered. "Do not fret Kamatari…"
End of Chapter