(One year earlier) Chapter 1: Wishful Thinking
"Lady Izayoi? Lady Izayoi, did you not hear me?!"
"Oh, Sachi!" exclaimed Izayoi, clearly startled, "Forgive me, Sachi. I did not hear you."
"I don't know how you couldn't," replied Sachi, "I must have said your name at least three times!"
"I'm sorry, Sachi," Izayoi said apologetically, lowering her head in shame, "I guess I sometimes lose myself when I paint.
"My lady, you don't have to apologize to me like that," said Sachi, her face stunned, "My goodness, with the way you're going on, anyone would think you were the lady-in-waiting instead of me!"
Izayoi laughed amusingly at Sachi's remark, causing Sachi to laugh as well. "Well forgive me for respecting you and thinking of you as family," stated Izayoi in a playfully sarcastic tone.
"All right, all right," chuckled Sachi, "I get your message." Then, as though remembering herself, Sachi cleared her throat and bent down to pick up a tray that carried a beautiful tea setting. Then, her face and demeanor became a little more serious as she said, "But enough of my nonsense. I just came to bring you your tea, my lady. I didn't mean to disturb you."
"Sachi," began Izayoi, "how many times must I tell you that you do not have to address me so formally. Just call me Izayoi, please."
"My lady, um, I mean Izayoi," said Sachi, her heart touched by her mistress's words. "You're too good to me. However, I must insist on maintaining my sense of propriety in the presence of your father or company."
"Very well," replied Izayoi, shaking her head and smiling. "And thank you so much for the tea. Could you just leave it on the table and I will get to it in a moment." With that, Izayoi turned her attention back to her painting while Sachi did as she was asked. After she set the tray on the table, Sachi felt compelled to see what Izayoi had painted this time. So she walked over to where Izayoi sat, watching how gracefully and skillfully she handled the paintbrush. Sachi was always amazed at her mistress's gift for painting and enjoyed seeing what she would paint next. Last time, Izayoi had painted the gardens that stood behind the mansion. This time, Izayoi had painted a lush, beautiful forest with an amazing blue sky reigning above. She had even painted a flock of birds soaring majestically into the sky. Finally, Izayoi put down the paintbrush, indicating that she had completed it. She sat there with a content smile on her face, admiring her work.
"I love this one," stated Sachi, her face and voice amazed and admiring. "I especially love the birds. They look so free, flying like that into the sky."
"Yes, they do, don't they," remarked Izayoi. "They're free. Free to go where they like, to see new places, and meet new people." As she spoke, Izayoi's tone took on a dreamy, yet somewhat sad tone. Her expression also became a little sad, her eyes staring intently at the little birds in the painting. She now seemed to be speaking more to herself than to Sachi. "Free to be themselves and not who they were trained to be."
"Izayoi?" Sachi asked with concern.
Izayoi's face became momentarily worried as she realized that she had revealed a little too much. She then turned away from the painting to face Sachi. She put on a reassuring smile for Sachi and she said, "Don't worry, Sachi. I'm not making any sense right now. Pay it no mind."
"Whatever you say, Izayoi," answered Sachi, her tone still a little worried. Sachi then turned and began to leave the bedroom. She stopped abruptly as she reached the door, remembering that she had one last thing to ask. "Oh, I almost forgot to ask, but do you still wish to go visit town today?"
"Oh absolutely!" exclaimed Izayoi, clearing voicing her enthusiasm. "You know how much I enjoy our visits to the town. When I've finished my tea, we will leave at once."
"As you wish, Izayoi" Sachi said with a smile. She then walked out the door, closing it behind her.
Izayoi went over to the table were Sachi had left the tea prepared for her and knelt down beside it. After she had poured herself a cup of tea, she turned her head towards the window. It was certainly a beautiful day outside and Izayoi couldn't wait to go out into the town and enjoy it. Her father did not approve much of her frequent visits to town, but as long as she had Sachi to escort her, he at least did not complain about it as much as before. Izayoi sighed as she thought glumly, "Father just doesn't understand. I happen to enjoy being around regular people sometimes. Not the arrogant and insufferable nobles that he usually makes me associate with." As she looked down sadly into her cup of tea, she found herself saying out loud, "I sometimes wish that things could change. Lately, I've been feeling empty, as though there is something missing from my life." But then, as she slowly raised her head up and looked over to the window once more, she found herself smiling determinedly as she said, "Whatever is missing from my life, I will find it. And when I do…things will change."
AN: Hello again readers! I hope you're enjoying the story thus far. If I get at least 5 reviews, then I'll post more of the story. Thank you! --Dream Sovereign