Sorry for the long wait. I was (am) a bit preoccupied with exams.
Thank you for the reviews…they keep me motivated to continue writing.
Here is the next chapter of Breaking the chains.
Disclaimer: I do not own KWMS.
"Who are we looking for again?" Sakura asked as the two females continued to walk through the hustle and bustle of the marketplace.
"I had no idea this place remains so lively even at this hour," Misaki commented absent mindedly while she looked around, mesmerized at the amount of crowd that had gathered at the place. Turning to her female companion, the brunette bent down to whisper in her ear, "He goes by the name Shouichirou Yukimura. The messenger of the Western lands. According to Honoka's sources, he pays regular visits in this area."
Stopping before a handicraft shop, Misaki gently pushed her way through a group of women who were quarrelling about who would get to buy a certain item which was apparently on sale. Ignoring the commotion, she pretended to check out a crystral which was skillfully crafted in the shape of a dove. Even if she had no intention of buying it, Misaki could not help but secretly appreciate the finesse which with it was crafted.
"Do you like it, lady? It's only for twenty gold coins and it is the last piece."
The shopkeeper's husky voice brought the brunette out of the trance.
'Twenty gold coins…' Misaki pondered. 'It is rather cheap but someone with an appearance like mine cannot possibly spend so much on such trinkets. If I buy it, my disguise will probably get blown away.'
"Twenty gold coins!?" She exclaimed with a foreign accent. "This piece of glass surely costs a fortune," she finished with a surprised voice and quickly placed it back to where it was.
"A piece of glass?" the shopkeeper repeated, incredulously. Then quickly taking in the distant look of the female, he continued with an amused tone, "You do not seem to be from here, lady. Our crystals are famous all over the Western Lands! Only a foreigner can not know its true value."
"Yes, so I am." Misaki replied with a curt nod. "I am a traveler with wanderlust. Going to various places, learning about its culture is my hobby."
"Oh, that's lovely!" he exclaimed with mirth. "I say you should buy this beauty to take back home as a souvenir from the Western Lands. It is one of a kind, I tell you for I sell only the best," the man promised as he puffed his chest and gave it a proud thump.
"Really? How can you be so sure?" Misaki pressed which earned her a smirk from the male.
"These products are crafted by only the Lord's most skillful workers and are delivered personally by his men to a selected bunch of shops and mine happen to be one of them. The Lord allows no mistake at his wake for glassware is one of the main attractions and business of the land," he explained and waited for Misaki who appeared to be in deep thought.
'Delivered personally by the Lord's men, he said.' She mused. 'Can Yukimura be one of them? Is that the reason behind his frequent visits to the city?' Misaki rummaged through all the plausibility but her train of thought came to a sudden halt at the sound of the male clearing his throat.
"By the Lord's men making the deliveries, is there a single man who makes all the deliveries or are there more?" Misaki pressed but the man's face twisted in annoyance when she showed no intention of buying the product.
"Listen lady, will you buy the item or not? I have other things to do rather than chit chat with a customer who has no intention of buying and only show up to waste my time."
The raven haired female sighed impatiently. 'I am not going to get any more answers from him until I show him the cash,' she concluded bitterly.
"If I buy the crystal from you, will you tell then?" Misaki asked expectantly.
"My answers will cost five extra coins," he grinned cheekily.
"Fine," she replied gritting her teeth. This pompous man was starting to get on her nerves.
After she handed him the bag of coins, Misaki spoke levelly, "Now I want my answers."
"I will be more than happy to," he replied with delight.
"Answer my previous question."
"Usually a single person makes the deliveries."
"Do you happen to know his name?"
The man gave her a suspicious look before voicing out his doubt, "Aren't you being really curious about our affairs?"
"Oh, sir I might have given you five coins extra!" Misaki exclaimed loudly attracting the attention of the other customers.
Being caught off guard by the sudden reaction, he hurriedly replied with a hushed tone, "Yes I do! I-It's Yukimura."
"When will he pay his next visit?" she asked her last question stoically.
"Tonight. Most probably, in an hour," squawked the man, clutching the bag tightly to his chest.
"Very well." Misaki replied with a curt nod. "I would like to meet this man. My companion and I will be waiting nearby. Signal me whenever he shows up."
The middle aged bald plump male could not help but nod mechanically under her stern gaze.
"Sensei, so recreation for you is walking aimlessly on the busy streets of the city." Usui commented amiably. "Aren't I feeling all relaxed?" he finished sarcastically while stretching his arms above his head.
"Mock me all you want, sonny." Happosai huffed, crossing his arms and continued, "You can thank me later once we reach there."
"Where exactly is there?" Usui asked with a raised brow.
"You will see," Happosai replied with a shrug.
"Prin- err- Zuka, how did it go?" Sakura asked with a worried tone.
"It seems like we are in luck today. Yukimura is going to visit this shop soon." Misaki replied exhaustively.
"You look tired. Are you sure about this? We can head back to th-"
"No!" Misaki promptly cut off Sakura with unwavering determination.
"We have come this far, Sakura. How can you possibly think about going back now?"
"Sorry Misaki," she mumbled and hung her head. "I was just worried about you."
Misaki's face softened at this and she placed a comforting hand on Sakura's shoulder and gave it a light squeeze.
"You know, sometimes I wonder whatever I have done to deserve a friend like you," Misaki stated, her tone laced with honesty.
Sakura's head shot up and stared back at the princess with watery eyes.
"Misaki-"
"Excuse me, lady!"
A sudden hoarse whisper brought their attention to the matter at hand. Immediately turning her head towards the source of the voice, Misaki found the salesman pointing his thumb to a young lad who was slowly approaching the shop, carrying a bag of deliveries.
Upon a closer inspection, Misaki found him to be a few years older than her. Flaunting a lanky physique with a face masking his uncertainty and eyes filled with fear of everything in the world, the man looked like he couldn't even kill a bug.
"He works for the Lord?" Misaki sputtered with wide eyes.
"Believe it or not as rumor has it, he is the lord's most trusted man," the plump male whispered in her ear before snorting at the incredulity of it all. He straightened to his normal height and plastered a fake smile when the man in question approached him with a soft smile.
"I-It seems like I am back with more goodies," Yukimura said with a shaky voice.
"Yes yes welcome!" The salesman welcomed him with a cheerful voice. "What have you got me today?"
"Only the best."
The plump man gave a satisfied nod after inspecting the items and handed him the promised amount.
Misaki watched the entire scene with a dubious look, all the while questioning her mind whether this was the right man or not. She was brought out of her reverie when Yukimura made a move to leave.
"Ano!" She called out to the man who halted immediately and turned to her with a questioning look.
"Y-yes?"
'Think Misaki! This is your only chance!' her mind screamed.
"I am a traveler and I have to say I am quite smitten with this land. I was told that you work for the Lord of the Western Land. If you don't mind, can I have a word with you?" she blurted out in a single breath and after looking at his confused face, Misaki quickly added, "To know more about this place. I will make it really quick, I promise."
Yukimura was about to protest but sighed in defeat after looking at Misaki's expectant eyes.
"Alright."
Misaki's face brightened up and she wasted no time in dragging the man to a quieter place. Sakura followed them hurriedly, not wanting to get lost in the hustle and bustle.
After finding a relatively suitable spot, Misaki looked around and carefully removed her wig, allowing her midnight hair to fall loosely on her back.
Yukimura was caught off guard at her sudden change in her appearance and took a step back in surprise.
"Wh-what?"
"I am Ayuzawa Misaki, princess of the Seika Estates." Misaki replied stoically and didn't miss the wave of fear that flashed in his eyes at her confession.
"What do you want from me, princess?" Yukimura asked politely after quickly masking any expression from his face.
"I want to know the reason behind my mother's demise."
Yukimura's shoulders became stiff and his jaw clenched while Misaki waited patiently for him to reply.
"The Queen was ambushed by a predator," he narrated.
"So I have been told. I wish to learn the truth now."
"What are you talking about? That is the truth!" He defended with a shaky voice.
"Her wound clearly showed that she was stabbed with a sharp object…like a dagger," she retorted with a tight voice.
Yukimura began to shiver under her piercing gaze before his stoic façade crumbled and he quickly turned and made a blind dash to the busier part of the street.
"Wait!" Misaki cried out and sped after him.
"Princess, your wig!" Sakura called out and Misaki quickly replaced the wig while keeping her target in sight.
Uncharacteristic to his appearance, the man seemed to be rather quick on his feet and her gown and heels weren't much helping her case. Eventually, the chase ended abruptly when Misaki found herself stranded in a deserted dark alley.
'I must have taken a wrong turn!'
Checking out every nook and corner, the man seemed to be nowhere in sight.
"Kami! I lost him!" Misaki sobbed silently in her hands and fell on her knees. "Just when I was so close to learn the truth."
"What have we got here?"
Misaki's head snapped up at the intervention and she gasped when she found two men towering over her form.
'Oh, no! They are drunk!' Her mind screamed in alert.
Shakily standing up on her feet, she mumbled, "I will be on my way now", before making a move to leave. But she was immediately stopped when one of them reached out to grab her hand.
"What's the hurry, miss?" he sniggered and the stench of alcohol hit Misaki's nose, making her eyes water.
"Let me go!" Misaki cried and twisted her arm to free herself from his grip.
"Stop struggling and hand over everything you have got!" the other male yelled, taking out a dagger. "Or else, someone will get hurt."
This didn't stop the female who continued to toss and turn in their hold but her cries came out in muffled screams when one of them placed a greasy hand on her mouth.
The trio were so busy in their own business that neither one of them noticed when a fourth presence also occupied the alley.
"You heard the lady."
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Until next time.