The princess's tears had set off a chain reaction in the manor; first, it was the guards and then it was the maids. Finally, mother and father all sitting there wide-eyed and looked at me like I am a monster. I wouldn't have been surprised if a butcher, a baker, and a candlestick maker also appeared to jeer.
Well, I did give the child princess an existential crisis.
[ What do I do? ]
"Son? What has happened here, why is the princess crying?" My father said with frowned brows.
He stared at the princess first and then me.
The stern look on his face gave me shivers.
I looked around to see everyone with almost the same expression.
I am done for.
[ Please don't frown like that, you will get wrinkles]
" I didn't mean to... " Before I could finish I was cut off by the bawling of the crying girl, her hair now dishevelled, her eyes puffy.
" Are you really gonna die Yuki? You can't die, ...hic...your father promised me that you would looked after me forever.. hic" The princess sniffled out through her tears.
The crowd's stares seemed to bore into my body. I went to touch the princess's shoulder, but I flinched back at the last second.
There is a heavy silence in the air.
[ I am wearing clothes you know please don't try to look under my skin! ]
Cursing quietly to myself I looked at my father and straightened my back a little. This was probably like playing hard mode with just one life left. My chest felt heavy and sweat formed on my back.
It seemed even the insects are against me, they all seemed to have fled.
" Father… Mother...I..." I swallowed the rest of my words.
" Everyone Leave! " said father in a stern voice. The guards and maids all looked at each other and scurried away as if there were spikes on the floor.
[ I wish I could leave too ]
" What exactly did you tell the princess?" Father spoke while he looked at me with complex emotions, He seemed to want to be angry but was struggling. His voice was unbearably quiet. I felt slightly ashamed.
" I told her the truth father, my heart isn't getting any better. How could I marry anyone? Let alone the princess. She should be happy and not stuck with someone who could die at the drop of a hat." I reply unable to looked into anyone's eyes. I dropped my head and stared at the ground. My face flushed red.
[ This is pretty embarrassing, but it may work! Come on father stop the engagement! ]
" This…" Father stated, I could feel his eyes stare at me deeper. I heard the sound of mother grabbing the princess and holding her as she would keep her own daughter. The princess seemed to have gone dead quiet. The smell of the water from the pond enters my nose, and the gentle sway of the flowers seemed to calm me a little.
" For now let us calm down the princess, we can talk about this later" father responded after what seemed like a lifetime. I hold my breath and nod. Mother started carrying the princess away, and father followed behind her.
" I am sorry, princess " I stated to their turned backs. The princess looked at me over mother's shoulder, it seemed her heart is breaking. Her eyes seem almost glazed over. I had really hurt her.
[ She is very young, I am sure she will bounce back once she finds the male lead ]
I sighed, the cool breeze gently caressing my cheeks. The sun shone down, I closed my eyes and faced skyward. The red behind my eyelids kept the throbbing in my ears at bay.
I was worn out.
My body seemed to be unresponsive so I sat down in a daze.
Ki who was standing at a distance rushed to me and grabbed me gently, her arms wrapped against my chest. She felt very warm. I wrap my arms around her too, and we sit in silence for a while.
[ I wish I had a sister like this back home... It would have been nice. ]
We sat like stone statues before a small voice broke the silence. " Young Master, do you wish to go back to your room?" Ki's voice seemed to trigger the sounds from the rest of the world. I heard the maids walking around and the guards tapping their polearms slightly on the floor as they walk around. Even the insects near the pond seemed to come to life.
I nodded, she grabbed my arm and slowly lifted me up, my knees have a slight pain in them from the lack of movement. We stood together, and she walked me across the yard. No one dared look at us any more.
Ki put me down on my bed, I finally felt a little more relaxed, my muscles seemed to cry in ecstasy as they hid under the covers.
Ki looked at me dejectedly, most likely unsure of what to say.
" Ki could you please make me some tea, I want to be alone for a while," I said to her. I am sure that this will be best for the both of us. I have never really been sure what to say in these sorts of situations. Especially since everyone thinks I just bullied a ten-year-old.
[ When our manor doesn't get sold under our feet they will thank me ]
" As you wish," She said and smiles brilliantly. Bowing, Ki left the room.
[ Right that is one problem finished. Now I just need to do something about this weak body. Who could train as a swordsman when they could barely stand ]
I grinned to myself as I rubbed my hands together. I stretched as best as I could, starting from my toes to my legs.
Just as I was about to get to my hips, Ki came back with the tea I asked for. She poured me a cup and placed it next to my bed. Her face seemed to go from blank to smiling. I could feel the determination flowing from her body as she looked at me.
" Young Master, No. Yuki! I don't want you to give up on yourself. You are the only person I have ever served as a maid. You have never scolded me and have always been kind to me. I want you to continue to be brave. I know it's not my place to say, but what you said hurt everyone today. Please don't speak like that in the future. " Ki explained while her fists were shaking, her face was determined yet a small glistening tear stealthily appeared at the corner of her eye. It looked like I was going to make two young maidens cry today.
[ Since when did I become such a tyrant? ]
I thought for a minute before replying. " Ki, thank you." I paused. "Tomorrow I wish for you to get me a wooden training sword. Could you organise this for me? I'd also like any books on magic we may have in the library." I looked at her and smiled.
" Yes, Young Master!" Her usual vibrancy seemed to shine through at this moment. She rubs her eyes with her sleeve and smiles brilliantly.
The stress I felt melts away, it looked as if the "operation stop the waterworks" has been a great success. I may not find women attractive, but I still felt guilty.
After half an hour of chatting about the ins and outs of what I need for my specialised training and sipping the delicious tea she prepared, Ki leaves the room wholly satisfied. When I am sure the coast is clear, I stand up. My legs seemed to be a little stronger compared to a few days ago, so I slowly made a few steps towards my table.
One Step...
Two Steps...
Five steps...
It seemed like a snail's pace, but I finally made it to the table. I felt quite proud of myself. I steadily made myself start doing squats. I managed to get five before I was exhausted. My heart beat erratically. I decided to call it enough for the day and sat at my desk. I looked around to see a few books on various topics.
[ I should probably read, they say that knowledge is the key to victory! ]
Taking the top book, I began to read, the sun slowly made its way across the sky.
Meanwhile...
************************************************
* Ki's point of view *
I had just left the young master's room. I made my way towards my own place. It is a pretty basic room with a small window, minimal furniture comprised of only a bed and a side cabinet. However, there is training gear littered on the side of the walls.
[" Yuki has been acting strange lately. First, he starts talking, then he tells the princess he is going to die. This maid is going to grey early! If he didn't flash such a cute smile, I am sure I would not have been so forgiving!" ]
I took a deep breath and removed most of the maids' attire I was wearing, replacing it with a white training uniform. It's fitted rather loosely on the top half, so I wrapped a sash around my chest.
[ Ahh I wish I wasn't so busty ]
I stared down for a moment as I clenched my fists. I walked to the middle of the room and stretched.
Any outsider would see a highly trained combat veteran. The aura around Ki changed dramatically. Without a sound, a series of punches, kicks and flips are played out with deadly accuracy. With a few beads of sweat wiped off with a sleeve, Ki walked to her bed and reaches under.
A rather small set of intricate daggers are produced. Ki smiled to herself. She walked back to the middle of the room, the air vibrated a little as she intricately moved the blades. At that moment Ki looked like the star of a silent martial arts film, the small amount of sunshine made her look like a holy maiden preparing for battle.
Not even a creak from the wood was heard until a knock at the door broke the quietness.
" It's me," said a gentle voice. Its low timbre sounded like a fresh stream in the midst of a desert.
" Master Aikyo. " Replied Ki. She placed her daggers to the side of the room and opened the door just enough for the red-headed man waiting outside to slip through.
His icy eyes are the type to demand respect and a permanent frown line sat between his eyebrows and gave him a stern look. It didn't remove any of his sex appeal in the slightest.
In every way, he looked like a battle-hardened soldier. His black Yukata with red lining accentuated his broad shoulders and wide back making him look like a painting.
" Ki, have you been training? Your diligence is excellent. Taking you in was the best decision our family made." Tenma Aikyo stated in a matter a fact tone.
" Mmm thank you, master" Ki replied, a brilliant smile formed on her face making her eyes slightly crinkle.
" How is my son? I didn't know he felt like that until today. It must be hard for such a young boy to have so many troubles." Tenma mentioned as his face distorted a little.
" Since a few days ago he seemed to have changed somehow, maturing almost. It must have been the fever he had, but he has also forgotten a lot, I am worried about him. How did it go with the princess?" Ki responded respectfully.
" We calmed her down, and she has returned to her residence. We are not sure what to do about the engagement, it would truly be a great match. However, we must keep our son's wants and needs in mind. We shall wait and see." Tenma stated and fell into thought.
The room became quiet for a while.
" I will be leaving again for a few days with father, I have heard of a herb that could be turned into a potion that may be good for the heart. Please keep Yuki safe. He is the only son I have, and as you know, we are being circled by hungry tigers. Don't tell Yuki, I would hate to get his hopes up." Master Aikyo stated.
Ki kneeled and saluted with her hand over her heart in a fist.
" As you wish Master," Ki stated confidently.
[ I hope this time there is genuinely a cure for him, come back safe Master. ]