"A letter came for you, lady Hina"
True to her word, Emi had a letter delivered to the merchant's estate the following day. In it, she explained how saddened she was to have to come to such a decision but that due to some inadequacies of hers, she felt it was only right to empty the position as the lady's etiquette tutor. In an act to butter up Hina, she explained that the young mistress was already well versed in proper etiquette and thus, her services were no longer needed.
Hina smiled as she read through the letter, impressed by Emi's quick response to her demands. With that matter settled, she could now move on with her peaceful day. She comfortably laid down on the chair, pleased by the thought of not having to meet with Emi again. It was on days like this that she craved some Rosatello Rosso wine with some chocolate pairings.
"The lord requests for your presence at breakfast, my lady" Suki announced, breaking Hina's reverie.
"Okay. I'll be right there"
Hina strode to the dining hall, wondering how the merchant would react when he hears that his mistress had quit. Would he get angry and demand to know what happened? Or would he play it safe and act unaware? Although Hina had warned Emi to keep the details of yesterday's brunch to herself, she couldn't trust for sure that the woman had heeded her words.
_____
Hina was the last one to arrive for breakfast. Slightly embarrassed at her tardiness, she mumbled a little apology as she settled down opposite Tanaka.
"Did you sleep in today too, stepmom?" Tanaka asked with a smug look.
"Tanaka.." her father warned, giving her a stern glare telling her to stop.
"It's okay, dear. She's just being playful" Hina told him sweetly, her mocking tone easily deciphered by Tanaka.
"It's good to see that you are very understanding, my dear Hina" the merchant smiled at her.
The dining table was covered with a variety of options for breakfast such as french toast casseroles, steamed sauced potatoes and strawberry pancakes with maple syrup.
Some minutes into breakfast, the doors suddenly flew open with a creak as another person joined in for breakfast.
"Good morning"
Hina looked up from her plate, turning in the direction of the voice, to see Kai strolling into the hall.
"Hmm. I didn't know you were back" the merchant expressed, not even looking in Kai's direction as he went on with his meal ever calmly.
"I didn't know you'd be interested in my return" Kai shot back, taking the seat right next to Hina.
"Why are you sitting there?" The merchant asked him, now looking at Kai. The young man had been known for being mischievous and he didn't trust his attitude around his wives.
"Why can't I?" Kai asked obliviously. He grabbed a spare plate and served himself something to eat.
[Ugh! Why is the atmosphere getting heavier?] Hina thought.
"Anyway, I'm sure you already know who she is so I expect you treat her with respect." the merchant spoke coldly to Kai, warning him not to cause any trouble.
"Sure"
Hearing Kai's reply, the merchant cleared his throat before continuing with his meal.
"Hello, my name is Kai. It's a pleasure to meet you." he said, a beautiful smile on his face as he stretched out his hand to shake hers.
"Hi, I'm Hina. Nice to meet you too.." she replied, surprised by his excellent acting skills.
[Why the heck did you show up and make this meal so awkward?] She yelled at him inwardly.
[I thought you'd be lonely without me] she could hear him saying such silly words, wearing a smirk as he teased her.
The silence was starting to stretch uncomfortably. As unsavory as most of the family meals were, this usually didn't happen on other days. Even the talkative Tanaka was quiet today as if registering the situation. The two men of the house seemed to have a lot of unspoken problems that needed to be solved, but their egos wouldn't let them do that.
As the stifling breakfast came to an end, Hina followed the merchant to his office, telling him that she had something important to inform him about.
_____
"Please take a seat," he told her.
"Thank you" she replied at his words, taking in the fresh scent of lilies that wafted through the opened windows.
It was the second time Hina was allowed to enter the merchant's office. She now noted the hand-painted white cabinets and the traditional Japanese floor lamps.
"So, what did you want to talk to me about?" He asked her, pushing his dark brown hair backwards.
"It's about my etiquette tutor, lady Emi Chiba."
"What happened? What about her?" He asked, almost too curiously.
[Hold your horses, lover boy] she mentally tsked at his reaction.
"Lady Emi sent me a letter earlier today..." Hina handed the letter to him,
"She says she can no longer be my etiquette tutor.." she informed him, watching his expression as he read the letter.
"I see..that's a bit unfortunate" He commented, rubbing his forehead with his hand.
"Yes, it is"
"So, what would you like to do now, my dear Hina?" he asked her, placing the letter on the table.
"I would like to get a new etiquette tutor"
"Hmm.. but the letter says that you're already well-versed in societal manners. Is there still a need for you to continue with the lessons?"
"Yes. Although lady Emi rates me so highly, I would like to still learn a few more things."
"I see. Do you have any tutor in mind?"
"Not yet, but I'll ask the head maid to give me the list of candidates she had"
"Okay, do that. You're allowed to choose whomever you feel will be a good fit. Is that okay with you?"
"Yes, of course. Thank you" she smiled warmly at his decision.
"It's the least I can do after this sudden news..." his gaze rested on the letter, his thoughts drifting somewhere else for a second before he asked,
"What about your history class? I hear you made a good impression on your tutor"
"It's been good. Mr Otake has been very helpful" she informed him.
"Okay. As long as you like it" he nodded,
"Is there any other thing you'd like to talk about?"
"No, nothing else"
As their conversation came to an end, He informed her about the morning meeting he needed to quickly attend. Hina escorted the merchant to his awaiting carriage downstairs before returning to her chambers.
As she laid down on the couch with her arms outstretched, she couldn't help but wonder what would happen if Emi told him about yesterday's brunch. Then again, she doubted the woman would tattletale about it. Unless if she no longer cared about her reputation.
"Lady Hina.." Suki's voice swept through the room as she walked in with a small tray.
"Are you okay?" Suki asked. It seemed to be the only thing she asked these days as she couldn't stop worrying.
"Yes, I'm completely fine" Hina reassured her.
"Would you like me to keep tabs on lady Emi?" Suki asked as she placed the glass water jug on the table.
"No, there's no need to bother yourself with that anymore. It's fine"
"Okay, my lady. Is there any other thing you need?"
"Yes, please. Tell the head maid to come to my chambers immediately"
"Yes, my lady"
A little while later, the head maid entered Hina's chambers with a file in her hand. A prideful look was always on her slightly wrinkly face.
"You asked to see me" she announced.
"Yes"
As Hina looked at the woman, she wondered what went on in her head. She always wore an unreadable look on her face, making it difficult for Hina to decipher her. With the recent developments, Hina doubted that the woman was on her side. The woman had been a part of the merchant's household for years and inevitably knew everything that went on in the mansion. Hina refused to believe that she was unaware of the relationship between the merchant and lady Emi. It was simply impossible. Still, she had hired the merchant's mistress as the new lady's tutor, out of all the available options.
"Good. I see you already know what I called you for"
"Yes I do, young miss," she said, handing over the white file to Hina
"I see."
"Then if that's all, I will take my leave now. Do excuse me, my lady" she bowed quietly, turning to leave.
"Why did you select lady Emi as my etiquette tutor?" Hina asked. She had so many other questions that tickled her curiosity but she swallowed them down, choosing to ask only this one.
"I felt she would serve as an excellent tutor for the young lady" she asserted calmly, staring at Hina with that unreadable look in her eyes.
"Indeed, she was" Hina replied, not believing a word the woman had uttered.
"Please rest easy, lady Hina" she bowed as she left the room.
_____
As nighttime fell, Suki returned to the lady's room to prepare her for bed. She brushed Hina's hair as she applied some new oil she had purchased specially for the lady.
"Suki.."
"Yes, lady Hina?"
"What do you think about the head maid?" Hina asked, her focus on a new book she had just started reading.
"To be honest...I looked into the head maid's background before coming to work here..." she confessed, slightly embarrassed at her actions.
"Really?"
"Yes, my lady"
"And?"
"Nothing stood out to me. She was from a fallen noble family but as things got worse financially, she left to seek greener pastures. She had worked at several places before eventually getting a maid job here. She has been working for the household for over twenty years now, being the oldest servant in this house."
"Over twenty years... that's a long time"
Hina commented in awe.
"I think the only thing that may stand out is her blind devotion towards the merchant. To her, everything he does is right... but then again, such blind loyalty is common practice among many servants and their masters"
"I see. Thank you for letting me know"
"It's no problem, my lady"
"Ah! I promised you a reward for your efforts. Is there anything you'd like?" Hina slid a look at Suki, waiting to hear her answer.
"No-no! I'm okay, lady Hina"
"Are you sure? Not even a new dress? Or a short break?"
"Yes, I'm sure. I just...want to remain by your side and see you happy, lady Hina" Suki announced, her face turning red as she blushed.
[I feel like I just received a love confession]
"Thank you for being by my side, Suki" Hina replied sweetly with a warm smile.