Jeremy stared irritably at the shaken woman below him. He knew she had every intention of opening the door, just by the fact that she had been gazing at the piece of wood with such intense interest, while they spoke. He would have called her out on her intentions much sooner, but he knew by her subtle cunningness that she would more than likely deny everything. Internally he sighed, humans were so foolish, and this one had not the first wit to understand she was living in a den of wolves.
"Do you intend to get us both in trouble with the Lord?"
Ayano pouted, when in fact she wanted very badly to yell at the man for startling her. For the life of her, her heart wouldn't calm. Then there was the matter that she had not heard his footsteps approaching. Why would he ever think to sneak up on her like that? Everyone in the manor moved like a bloody phantom, you never hear them until they appear!
Ayano returned her gaze to the door lamenting how close she had gotten to him. So close! She wouldn't have disturbed him, she mused to herself, only watching him sleep.
How much trouble would she get in just for watching him?!
"I did nothing," Came her curt reply to Jeremy's irritable question.
"Besides lying my lady?" Ayano pouted further. "He would not have been happy, waking to find you there."
"Well if he would desist from hiding from me, I wouldn't have to resort to such underhanded tactics," Ayano retorted unwilling to be blamed for her behavior.
She didn't want to feel like a thorn in his side, but at the same time, she wouldn't sit and be neglected. She had watched her father treat her mother kindly over the years, as much as her mother herself took care of her father. She had not asked to be a consort and she was lonely, what did he expect of her?
Jeremy ran a hand over his face exhausted already, yet knowing her words couldn't be more true. Only Killian knew his scheme and when it would end, until then, they were just his pawns to be pushed around in his board. Jeremy mused internally at his depressing state babysitting his master's mistress. And to know he was yet to deal with the urgent matter at hand only left Jeremy more perplexed than when he took his journey. He weighed his options, seeing it best to ensure she felt at home, but thinking back on Killian what choice did he have?
"I concur, my lady," Jeremy says leading her away from the door with a nudge to her lower back. "But trust me, a disgruntled cat uses his claws and you don't want to be on the receiving end. In any case, have you ever considered that he might not be ready to meet because the time might not be conducive to spending quality time with his consort?"
Ayano paused for awhile listening to Jeremy while holding her lower lip ransom.
"He wants to spend time with me?" Ayano asked, her chocolate-colored eyes moving upwards to meet Jeremy's. Her voice was light and soft, a mixture of disbelief and tenderness.
He hasn't forgotten about me after all, Ayano thought inwardly.
"Well five minutes is fleeting is it not? Not enough time when he has to be attending to urgent business and all"
Ayano nods absent-mindedly acknowledging his words while her thoughts run wild. She kept picturing the man she saw lying across the chair. His tall figure and wide shoulders, then Ayano began chewing her lip once again as a thought crossed her mind. She glanced behind them at the door, then about the corridor, before pausing her steps.
Where was Killian?
Those boots and britches looked oddly like the same ones she had seen Killian wear only earlier. was it possible that Killian was then her fiance? But then why would he refer to himself as his friend?
Ayano shook her head. Everything in this house was bound to drive her crazy if he decided to look beyond the surface.
but still, she couldn't shake the uncanny feeling that maybe her gut was right.
"Where is Killian?" Ayano had sensed something was amiss after piecing together that the man in the room wore similar clothes to what Killian was last seen in and that she was yet to see the silver-haired man in, nor leave the room.
Jeremy froze immediately at the young mistress' words before cursing inwardly. It seemed she was smarter than he gave her credit and indeed her curiosity had paid off if she had glued the pieces of the puzzle together. He really shouldn't have been subjected to this scrutiny and interrogation, but Killian had left him no choice.
Darn the man!
"Ah," comes Jeremy's nervous reply. "I'm afraid he's out as well."
Ayano's eyes narrowed on the chuckling man. "They're both sleeping? Isn't that a coincidence? Especially at this time of the day?"
"Actually, my lady," Jeremy says clearing his throat realizing it wasn't going to be an easy task to convince her of what she was beginning to suspect. "I meant he's currently attending to business."
"Right," Ayano responds less enthused at his attempt to fib. She doubted Killian was really out doing business as he said but declined against pushing the issue further.
Meanwhile, Jeremy was busy surveying the corridor seeking a means of escape from the Mistress' clutches. At last, if he remained much longer all of Killian's secrets would be spread in the open. At that thought, the man paused, mulling it over internally. On one hand, he would be able to rid himself of the little nuisance, on the other hand, he would never be able to outlive Killian's wrath.
Or would he?
"Have you ever met the Master?" Jeremy inquires, knowing truthfully that he had to tread well on the matter.
"No, sadly," Ayano confesses confirming Jeremy's suspicions. "My father met and spoke with him regarding all arranges to be made but at our meeting, he sent an empty coach."
"I see."
The poor woman was caught in Killian's elaborate web of plans, who knows when he might see it fit to reveal the preying spider he is. Maybe when he had sucked her dry of all the fun things he say within her. Jeremy lamented for her internally, his master could be so irrationally cruel and to think he was more versed in human interactions than anyone else. This was the reason their country flourished under his rule. It is such a pity that Rosa met such an untimely demise, Killian might have been a different man, maybe even still on the throne.
No, Jeremy shook his head. The cards of fate could have played anyway. Killian had many traumas dealing with, Rosa's presence only made them bearable.
No one could fathom what went on in Killian's mind. He was a man of very few words, even when he was- Jeremy shook his head to dispel his thoughts of the past. Still it was slightly puzzling to him that he would go out of his way to secure his fiancee, then avoid her.
"Humbug." He mutters beneath his breath.
He bet the poor damsel did not know his secret and now while he napped, like a bat during sunrise, instead he, Jeremy had to be playing host. The irony when she claimed the title of the Lady of the House.
"You know, Master Killian is-"
His words are cut short as a handmaid saunters forward, coming to a stop between them. She throws Jeremy a scalding look before turning towards Ayano.
"Lady Tesler, your presence is required in the main hall please." The small Maid says.
Ayano raises a skeptical eyebrow at her before turning her gaze back to Jeremy, the least bit enamored by the turn of events. On cue, the small maid moves closer as if both to get her moving and also share a secret.
"Miss Lou loves messing with decorations and if left up to her- well I'm sure you would like to have a say."
"Oh of course," Ayano responds her brows dropping into a small frown.
She wasn't the least bit enthusiastic about picking out household decor. She had always considered it a chore and had left it to the very capable hands of her mother. But alas this would be her home.
She sighed internally thinking of having to leave her treasure behind the door in the dark. Nodding once and giving Jeremy a final glance, she turned on her heels heading down the corridor for the stairs, purposing to come back to her task of uncovering her husband to be much later.
When Ayano was out of earshot, the small ginger-haired maid placed her hands against her hips, glaring at Jeremy in disdain.
"What?" He asked chuckling.
"You know that the Master wishes not to be discovered by her."
Jeremy scratches the side of his beard before tucking his hands into his pocket, turning towards the door he guarded.
"The Master is being a pain in the arse."
He twists the knob of the door glancing over his shoulders into the direction that Ayano had disappeared. For whatever reason Killian had invited her to the Manor, it was evident that he had changed his mind about the social arrangement of the people.
Was he planning on integrating more humans into the populous that he had here? The more the sought to figure out what Killian planned the more baffled he becomes. He should have known better however, didn't they grow up together? When did Killian ever give away his plans before they came to fruition?
"For the love of Pete," Jeremy exclaims startled to find his friend already up and at work. Killian didn't even acknowledge him and from the way his shoulders were set, Jeremy realised he saw how dire the situation had gotten.
"What is Toshi doing about the situation in Dura?"
"Not much." Jeremy answers with a sigh. "He's asked that more rations of grain be sent to the capital. Anything reaped over the expected profit should be sent there as well."
"What is Toshi thinking about?" Killian muttered to himself shifting through another set of papers as he walked to sit against the window seat.
"You know, with Sato coming here, it's clear evidence that he has more than he needs whispering in his ear."
Killian waves Jeremy's point away, though vaguely aware that that was in deed a factor that might be at play.
"I told him, there was no way to lean into all the advice given. He's the King, even if they don't agree, once he finds a way that works to the best interest of all involved then there's no other way to go about it."
"Maybe." Jeremy mused. "But that's taking into consideration that he has the country's best interest at heart. Court is all about politics remember, even the King don't want to squash certain toes."
"Funny, you mention that." Killian says, bringing one of the papers closer for inspection. "I don't remember ever having that issue."
Jeremy chuckles, running a hand through his hair. "That's because you didn't care for anyone" When Killian glanced at him above the papers, he quickly adds. "Besides Rosa, I mean."
Killian grunts, placing the papers aside and gazing through the window watching as the first droplets of rain showered down.
"Am I really seeing what I think there?" He asks, and Jeremy walks over to analyse the papers.
"About the cenus? Yes."
"When?"
"Well, I'd like to say the same time you were visiting the Capital, but then I'm tempting to question why you weren't aware of this."
Killian pinches the bridge of his nose. Toshi was up to something. And maybe not necessarily him, maybe their father, albeit, their actions would go to naught. No one would force his hand. Not anymore. He lifts himself from his seat heading out and own the stairs.
"I'll get the coach. You probably want to address the young lady."
Killan shook his head.
"There's no time for that. We've already wasted time as is."
Jeremy nods, walking briskly before them and grabbed their coats.
Ayano was up to her head in deciding what would be used for dinner and for changing the suits. She hated decor. There were too many colors, textures and fabrics to choose from that always left her head spinning. Once she spoke with her husband, she would ensure to have him know that she was taking no part to any of that. Hands full to the brim she walked out, the maid from before tailing behind.
"All this work.." Ayano mumbled, finding herself behind both men who seemed as if they were about to go out. "Killian?"
He doesn't turn to acknowledge her, the door opening to reveal the heavy sound of thunder.
Quickly turning to dumb everything into the maid's arms, she rushes up to Jeremy deciding that there was no way, they would leave her behind.
"Is something wrong, where are you going?"
"There's something that we have to take care of."
"Then I'm coming."
"No."
The darkness in Killian's voice made Ayano immediately step back from instinct as if she felt imminent danger. He didn't turn to look at her, but from the pause in his steps and the slight turn of his head in her direction, she knew all too well that as much as she wanted to push her title, it was probably best to leave things as they are. Even Jeremy found it a little startling to hear the Lord speak so tersely with her. Killian walked away shortly after, disappearing into the rain, his silver hairs, pasting into his scalp.
"We'll be back in a few hours. please don't worry about him, my lady. The matter is quite urgent and he's very concerned." Jeremy says, pasting a faltering smile on. "Excuse us."
Jeremy heads out, the coach man standing in the rain, Killian still outside now fully soak. His humanity pained him seeing the shock on the poor woman's face when Killian cut her off. He made a mental note to chastise him later, knowing that the matter at hand must take precedence.
"Sorry to keep you waiting, my Lord." He says walking up to his master. "There was no point in waiting for me outside."
"You can take the coach if you want." Killian tells him, removing his gloves. "I'm going ahead."
Jeremy sighs exasperated watching as his master sped off towards the town, without waiting for him to answer. This was so much like the Lord, there was no point trying to talk with him, his only goal now was to get everything under control. He glanced at the waiting vehicle, waving for the foot man to take it back. There was no point in taking the coach if he wasn't going to sit in it. He groaned again, following in his footsteps. It was going to be a long night, he thought, hoping the rain doesn't persist for much longer.