"Young Miss?" Lena tapped my shoulder nervously. I looked up at her and gave a small smile. I was sitting in a swing planted in the back courtyard. I hopped off the now slowed swing and patted my dress. I held out my hand and she took it softly.
"Young Miss someone came to visit. They wanted to the miss and General Kai" she had a grimace on her face that she tried covering with a smile. "Since the General is not here you must be a good little host, not to worry Mary will be right with you. All the young miss needs to do is greet the visitor and be present."
"Okay!" my voice high and soft. I was confused, everyone should know where the General was. I decided to keep this portrayal of a sweet child until there was a need for me to change. I walked into the front hall to see a man and a child. I looked to Mary and released Lena's hand. I stood beside Mary slightly in front and waited for her to introduce the guests.
"Young Miss, this is Vanguard Ten and his son. The Vanguard works beneath the General." Mary said clearly but in her voice I can feel anxiety. I look at the man and understood this must be one of the immediate subordance of General Kai. This has to mean this was not his own idea to come here.
"Greetings Vanguard Ten" I curtsied politely and nodded to the son. Once I spoke shock passed over the man's face though quite hidden. He looked at Mary and it was clear an explanation was being demanded. She tried avoiding his eyes and led us to one of our greeting rooms. As I walked in Vanguard Ten stopped and turned to Mary.
"Head Maid Mary, would you mind taking Ten Ju to the break room please?"
Mary looks reluctant but as they are guests she could not refuse. She nodded and lifted her skirt bowing to Ten Ju who looked confused but complied nonetheless. I did feel bad but I would rather get this over with. The Vanguard looked at me very suspiciously and I saw him tap his right hip.
"Vanguard, may I ask why you have come here? " I ask seriously, sitting on a bench I look at him. I am clear but with a childish voice it was more like a kid pouting at being caught with her hand in the cookie jar.
"Young Miss Rei, how great that you have grown since I last saw you. It was only a few months ago that I saw you." Master Ten sat opposite myself and a vague glare was in his eyes when looking at me. He studied me for a moment as a fake smile spread across his face. I could nearly see the men my father would play cards with who pretended they didn't mind losing. "You seem to have grown up quite a bit, can you tell me how this happened?"
"You don't remember?" I asked with a tilt of my head. I looked at my hands clasped in my lap and made my shoulders shake as I spoke. "I woke up after the debut with so much new thoughts, the poison... the pain... I guess nobody would know since General Kai..."
He looked at me strangely then leaned back and just watched me silently, I calmed myself by rubbing my arms and messing up my sleeves. I stayed looking down and refusing to see whatever this man was thinking of.
Mary and Ten Ju returned some time later, I continued looking down and Mary let out a worried noise and looked to Vanguard Ten. She clears her throat clearly wanting to say something but with positions of power as they were she could not speak unless given permission.
"Head Maid Mary, would you mind giving the children a moment to talk while we talk about the General?" Ten asked standing and walking to the door, opening it and motioning her to follow him. He was not giving her a choice even with the polite smile on his face. He looked like the cunning butlers I had seen in dramas before.
"As you wish Vanguard Ten, Young Miss would you like this servant to get Lena or Willen?" she asked concerned and tried getting me to agree with her eyes.I shook my head like a rattle drum and she stiffened but followed Ten out, glancing behind her in worry and disappointment. The door closes leaving Ten Jun and I alone. He still stood at the door with his hands pulling at the bottom of his shirt clearly wanting to say something.
"Well, are you gonna say it or not?" I ask him while fixing my sleeves and reverting to my calm appearance I wear throughout the day. He pouted and came to sit across from me, crossing his arms and glaring.
"Aren't you supposed to be dumb? They said you couldn't even talk!" I nearly choke at how blunt this child was but I forced it down and a sneer came to my lips at how confident he was despite the difference in rank. From reading I learned that the positions of class were very important in this world.
"Are you dumb? Maybe not cause you can still talk to me like that!" I let a little temper out and raise my voice as I get upset. He has the audacity to speak to a little girl like this. What if the original girl was still here? Yes she truly was unable to understand most things but I assume she would still feel the negative emotions.
Ten Ju looks shocked and stands up reaching over the table in what looked like an attempt to grab me. I yelp and move away as the door opens. I see Mary and run to her, I hug her skirt and tears fill my eyes. Real tears fall as I think about someone wanting to hurt me while I was in this small and weak body.
Mary becomes worried and picks me up before glaring at Vanguard Ten. "Ten Ye what have you been teaching your child!" I look up at her in confusion at how she can talk to him like that. I see him with a smile still on his face as he goes to his son and holds his shoulder tightly.
"Mary, for goodness sake he's a military son you know he didn't mean it. He's used to playing with Liam and Strom." he looks down at Ten Ju with a sigh and makes him bow. They bow together as Ten Ye apologizes, I had long stopped minding as Mary held me and I nodded my head as an acceptance. I lay my head on Mary's shoulder looking at the Ten father and son wondering what a military son was other than the son of a soldier.