Akali took Anette's advice with significant consideration. What the girl had said was intriguing, as it would, more-or-less, fit the overall opinion she had been forming since her arrival. It would not have been far-fetched to assume that amongst the Du Couteau family, lying had long become a normality, something so common yet painfully artificial.
Looking at her mirror's reflection, the Ionian, not for the first time, felt trapped. The unfortunate comparison the maid had made was oh-so-fitting. Like an insect, Akali was thrown into a sticky web, waiting for her host to show up and decide her fate. Even though the head of the house played his cards well, leaving a positive impression on their first meeting, it would not suffice for long. Despite all his efforts, it was crystal clear that Marcus Du Couteau was the proverbial spider who had weaved this net. However, the question remained: why? What had happened? Why is there so much hostility between the man and his daughter?
Shaking her head, Akali decided to drop the topic. After all, if she had a reliable way of getting the answers she sought, it would no longer be a problem. Yet, here she was, conflicted and unsure of her next move. No … she knew exactly what needed to be done. For the foreseeable future, her fate was intertwined with this of Katarina. Even though keeping her promise meant being separated from her home and loved ones, it was a gamble worth taking. Even if, at the bitter end, she would have been bound to this realm forever, forbidden from returning to Ionia, her duty would have been fulfilled. For she would bring a long-sought and dreamt peace for her kin.
The dark-haired woman sighed heavily, suddenly exhausted with everything fate had thrown her way, feeling as if the world's weight was placed on her shoulders. Immediately after heeding gentle knocking, she stirred away from her thoughts, deeming them too complicated to deal with at the moment. Partially thankful for the interruption, Akali approached the door, not trusting her voice. With slightly trembling hands, she pulled them open, revealing a short, brown-haired maid.
"Good morning, Miss Akali," Anette cheerfully greeted the ninja as if what she had told her the previous night was all but a fabrication of her imagination.
"Please, do not call me `Miss`, Anette," Akali replied instantaneously, a tad embarrassed. "Good morning," she added, stepping aside.
"If that is what you wish, Akali," the maid commented, flashing a small smile.
"Do you want to come in?" the dark-haired woman asked. "I take someone requires my presence?"
"Yes, that is a correct assumption."
"Who, then?"
"Master."
Author's notes section:
Please, note that the dialogues written in italic are thoughts.
As always, I would like to thank you for everything. See you soon :)
Changelog:
[2024-01-08]: A preview has been released.
References:
- Prisoner of your eyes - Judas Priest
- Fake it - Seether
End of the author's notes section.
