The Princess and the Paige

By: The Dreaming Fangirl

Chapter 8: Two Hens and a Crow

"Hey, Misa, have you heard the news? Turns out the princess is going to the capital after all."

"Really, Rena? So, is she going to be staying there permanently?"

"No, from what I've heard, she's just going to enjoy the Floral Festival with Empress Yukariko."

"Lucky! I wish I could go. All of the flowers, the shops,-"

"And the fireworks! Don't forget the fireworks!"

"Of course, the fireworks. So, how many servants do you think are going to be allowed to go?"

"Well, the festival is in two weeks, so I doubt there will be any official notices until next week, but, if I had to guess," Misa looked down as she thought the question over, "I'm going to say somewhere between ten to fifteen."

"That sounds like quite the large party. Do you think Wamiya will be going?"

"I doubt it. He rarely leaves the castle, so I don't think any amount of convincing will get Wamiya to leave the mountain of his own volition. Besides, his duty is to maintain this castle, not attend to the royal family themselves. He'll stay here like the rest of us."

"Hmm."

"What is it, Rena?"

"Haven't you noticed that Wamiya doesn't really eat all that much? I mean I eat so little because I'm trying to lose weight, but he eats less than me."

"Yeah, now that you mention it, that is odd. One time, I caught him talking to a whole group of crows."

"Isn't a group of crows called a 'murder'?"

"You're missing the point, Rena. The point is that, when he approached the crows, they didn't move. They didn't try to fly out of his way. They just sat there listening to him."

"Did you hear what he was saying to them?"

"I don't know. The words were complete gibberish to me, and I didn't stay long enough to attempt to decipher them either."

"Do you think Wamiya might be possessed?"

"Maybe. Besides, even if he were possessed, we would need some proof or no one will believe us."

"Proof of what?"

The girls' faces blanched as they turned around to see Wamiya standing in the entrance to the hallway. They turned to each other, their eyes wide as they scanned the other for some sort of body language that could help them out of their current mess.

After a few seconds, Misa took charge and said, "Proof that Yohei has a major crush on Ayumi. Have you seen the way he acts around her? Whenever she's around, he acts like a dork, and whenever she's gone, he gets all angry and depressed. Clearly, he must be lovesick. Don't you think so, Rena?"

"Absolutely."

Wamiya's eyebrows scrunched as he thought over what the girls had said. His gaze loosened as he said, "Very interesting. So, what are you two ladies doing out here?"

"We're just mopping the floors here. What are you up to, Wamiya?"

"Oh, I was just on my way to deal with some errands. Say, what do you ladies think of our new guests?"

"Those two? They're just the same as many other people that come to visit Tamakura Castle, though, if I had to pick between the two of them, I prefer the squire personally. He's so dreamy."

"Yeah. He's smart, funny, athletic, and quite good-looking to boot. It's a wonder that he's still single. His father is not that hard on the eyes as well. Why do you ask, Wamiya?"

"I believe our guests introduced themselves to us last night before dinner, but, I just couldn't place their names for the life of me."

"How could you not know Ser Sagara? He's the best knight in the land. Surely, you must've heard of him."

"Oh, so that's why the other servants were making such a fuss, but what was the name of the boy that was accompanying him? The squire?"

"I believe his name was Miyuki. It was Miyuki, right Rena?"

Rena nodded her head in response.

"Well, he certainly is making use of the archery range."

"Really?!"

The two girls turned towards the windows. Sure enough, there was Miyuki practicing with his bow and arrow. He got himself into the proper stance and in no time at all, the arrow flew out towards it target.

"Dreamy." The girls were about to turn around and head back to work when both girls felt a sharp pain on their necks much like the prick of a needle.

They turned around to see Wamiya. His mouth was shaped into a twisted smile and, in his right hand, he was carrying two crow feathers, each tip gleaming with blood. The girls' hands went to their necks and found a small hole where blood was slowly starting to ooze out. Wamiya licked the blood from the feathers, a small blue ring now forming in his eyes. The girls looked at each other for a moment, but as they turned back to face Wamiya, their vision went black.

The girls fell towards the floor, and had Wamiya not caught them, they likely would've had a nasty bruise from the ordeal.

The girls now in his arms, he whispered, "There is no need to worry, ladies. Everything is fine. Just leave all of the thinking to me."

The girls each stood up, their eyes foggy as they repeated, "Everything is fine."

Chapter Nine: The Departure

Time passed, and the days leading to the Floral Festival numbered down so low that they could be counted on the palm of a single hand. Those servants selected to come to the Floral Festival lined up before the carriage in the courtyard.

At the front of the line was the former emperor Takaeyomi. Standing at his side was Nonomura, one among the former emperor's most trusted personal attendants and bodyguards.

He was dressed in full armor and his body stood at attention.

Nonomura took in a deep breath of air before projecting his voice, "All right, ladies and gentlemen. We are to be travelling in two palanquins. When I call your names, please step forward. Haruna."

"Yes sir."

"Ayumi."

"Right here sir."

"Yohei."

"I'm here, Teach."

"Yohei, why must I keep telling you to mind propriety? You are to address me as Mister Nonomura or sir. While we are in the capital, I expect you on your best behavior. Is that clear?"

"Yes sir."

"Sawa."

"I'm here, sir."

"Good. The four of you are to ride with the royal family in their palanquin. The rest of you will be riding in the palanquin behind them. Does anyone have any questions?"

It was Tomoya who raised his hand and asked, "I don't see Ser Sagara or Miyuki among us. Are they travelling with us in the palanquins?"

"No, Tomoya. They will be travelling by horseback and will be riding alongside the royal family."

"But I thought travelling by horseback was strictly reserved for military use only. We aren't in a war right now."

"They are to assist in serving as escorts for the royal family. While we may not be in a war right now, there are plenty of people that wouldn't hesitate to further their own political agendas with an assassination attempt. You need only speak with the royal poison checker to confirm this. Now then, are there any more questions?"

Content with the silence that followed, Nonomura spoke again, "All right. Get your things into your designated palanquins. We leave in fifteen minutes."

The servants were quick to load their bags into the palanquins, which was far more than what could be said for the royal family.

"Grandfather, do we have to take this much luggage with us? I doubt we are going to be needing half of what we are taking with us" The princess gasped as she tried placing a rather heavy trunk onto the royal palanquin.

"But, of course, Izumiko. When we arrive, we will need to make in a grand entrance. In addition, most of these are gifts for your mother, as thanks for her hospitality."

"I see. I just wish those unfortunate souls who are having to carry us don't break their backs on the way to the capital." She then proceeded to lift another heavy trunk when she felt the trunk being lifted behind her.

"Need a hand, princess?"

"Wamiya?!"

The cottar smiled at her in response before saying, "You seemed to be having some trouble with the trunks, so I thought I would lend you a hand."

"Thank you so much, Wamiya."

They continued to load the trunks into the palanquin as Izumiko spoke up again, "It's a shame you aren't able to come with us to the capital."

"It's alright. I'm needed here at the castle. Anyway, I don't really care for the capital. The air is foul there. I prefer the mountains. The air is clear and it's much easier to think clearly, especially in the forests. Don't you agree, princess?"

"Absolutely. I get what you mean."

"I wish you didn't have to go to the capital. That place is a cesspool for shady characters."

"The capital can't be that bad. Besides, this is going to be one of the rare times that I'm going to be able to visit my mother. I can't pass this up."

"Just be careful, princess."

"I will be."

The last of the trunks were loaded into the palanquins. The princess reached for her handkerchief, wiping away the beginnings of sweat off her face. By the time that they both had managed to catch their breath, a set of horse trots walked their way towards them.

"So, are you going to stand around or can we get moving? We don't have all day here."

It was at this point that a faster set of horse trots approached. "Now, Miyuki, don't speak to the princess like that," Ser Sagara's eyes flickered with rage as he stood his horse between the princess and his unruly son, "You want me to start treating you like a squire? Start by showing some respect."

Miyuki let out a huff as he rode his horse to the other side of the palanquin. As soon as Miyuki was out of ear-shot, Yukimasa turned to Izumiko and said, "Please forgive my son. We are ready to leave whenever you are, your grace."

"Thank you, Mister Sagara. I was just taking a moment to catch my breath. I will be ready to leave soon."

"I will leave you to it, princess." With those words, Yukimasa rode back to his post as quickly as he had come.

"Well, he certainly is a charmer." Wamiya stood in the same spot as she had last seen him, completely unfazed.

"Which one, Mister Sagara or Miyuki?"

"I was referring to the paige, but, now that I think about it, they both have their fair share of flaws."

"Oh? What's wrong with Mister Sagara?"

"Let's just say that I have lived in the mountains long enough to recognize a snake when I see one. Watch yourself with him."

She nodded her head, though she was uncertain that she completely followed what he was saying.

"Princess, does Miyuki always act like that with you?"

"Unfortunately, yes. But I can't really blame him, after all, it's because of me that he's stuck here." She thought back to the first week of Miyuki's arrival, and how mad he was when Yukimasa had told him that he was to stay by the princess's side indefinitely. He had stormed out of the castle and he ran so fast that he fell, severely injuring himself. Luckily, Yukimasa had run off after him, or he could've suffered worse.

"Do you hate him?"

"No, I don't hate him. It's just a terrible situation all around."

"Well, I don't like him myself. He shouldn't be treating you that way. You are a princess after all."

"Yes, I suppose that is true."

Izumiko turned towards the palanquin and headed up inside. She turned towards Wamiya and smiled before she said, "I'll be back soon, Wamiya."

"Take care of yourself, princess."

The princess closed the door to the palanquin, and the orders were made to move out. Their destination: the capital.