This time, Mai seemed more comfortable with sitting and eating with me. I decided to let her make her plate before hitting her with a bunch of questions. However, she must have noticed my anticipation.
"Go ahead, ask your questions Lena. Since the master is out for the day, I don't suspect us to be interrupted. Plus I was told to stay with you today in case you needed a break." Said Mai. Break?? The way he treats me makes me completely forget I'm a war prisoner. I shook my head.
"Out? Like he's not even at home??" I asked. She gave a nod in answer to my question. "You said his grandmother was setting up blind dates? Wouldn't he still be in mourning? I mean damn, Yuri is only like a month old???" I asked. Again she nodded.
"Apparently, his grandmother feels that without a wife.. he looks weak to others. Better to have someone by his side." answered Mai. I shook my head.
"That's insane. And how would her family feel? Knowing their inlaws moved on so quickly?? Specially with the mother in law here, right?" I asked feeling a bit appalled. Mai just shrugged.
"I guess, if you can believe servant gossip, she's in agreement. Mainly for the fact..." she quickly stopped her sentence but I needed to know.
"What?? Is it for Yuri's sake?? Cause some women would want her out of the picture rather then.." I began but was quickly cut off.
"You." She blurted out. I stared at her for a bit because I didn't understand what she meant. I'm a war prisoner. Mai seemed very good at reading people because she began to explain. "You, they're worried master will fall in love with you. That's actually why it all began. Since he was caught sneaking out of here, early this morning. They misconstrued everything to the point that they're convinced he's in love with you."
"In love with me??? We've known each other for barely a week! Not to mention, hello! Prisoner of war here!" I answered.
"Their reasoning is he was gone for almost eleven months. So for all they know, he's known you this whole time and brought you here to be a mistress. Only to find out that the young lady had passed. So you wouldn't have to be a mistress but could be the new lady of the house." Mai said as she bit into her toast.
"Wait...he didn't know until we got here that she passed??" I asked. Mai shook her head. I wondered what I would be doing if she hadn't passed. "Ok, so going back to our conversation from yesterday. If the marriage was a loveless one, how did Yuri come about?"
"Well I don't know much, but it seems the lady decided it was her duty and his for that matter. Plus, a child would have meant less lonely nights for her. Master gets shipped out a lot since he's not your typical soldier. He can be gone for months to years at a time. There's no knowing how long he'll be gone sometimes. And due to the nature of his sevice, he's not aloud to talk about it. Which means there's no contact during such times." Mai answered. That also explained why he brought Mai on. The lady of the house was lonely. I could hear Yuri begin to cry.
"Well duty calls for me." I said with a small smile as I went to tend to Yuri. Mai spent most of the day with us even though I told her it was ok if she left but she wasn't having it. Before I knew it, it was dinner time. Again I had Mai dismiss the others so we could talk some more. There was still no sign of the horseman showing up tonight. I stared at his empty chair. I wondered if he was lonely? It had to be hard for him as well.
"He's still not home, miss." Mai stated. It was if she could read my mind.
"I figured...it's weird. I know in my heart I'm supposed to hate him in a way. But I find myself feeling sorry for him...and her." I answered. My dress that I had on was starting to bug me.
"Are you alright? Mai asked watching me as I kept moving around. I nodded.
"Yeah, it's just this damn dress. Obviously, one thing your master doesn't believe in is comfort." I said with a laugh. "I'm gonna go to my room see if I can fix it." I added as I stood up from the table. When I got to my room, I looked through the closet to see if there was at least something a little more breathable. There wasn't really anything better but I settled for one that had a different type of fabric. I began to pull at my zipper but the damn thing got stuck mid way. I was just going to yell for Mai when I heard the door open. "Oh Mai! Perfect timing! This damn zipper is stuck and I can't get it. Will you help me?" I asked still with my back to the door. There was no response but I could feel the zipper release as it was unzipped. "Phew, you're a life saver. I thought I was never gonna.." I began to turn around but was stopped by two strong hands. There was commotion coming from the hall. It was then that I realized it wasn't Mai. My heart jumped to my throat as I turned to see horseman. He smelled of alcohol. It sounded like there was someone coming down the hall. I could tell it was Mai, she was begging for her master to come out since I was changing. Quickly, he moved to the door. Then he closed and locked it. I stood there now turned towards him, holding up my dress. He moved towards me. I stood there, not knowing what to do. There was a knock at the door.
"Master, I know it's been quite a day. Please, just don't take..." Mai begged from behind the door.
"Leave, your services are no longer needed tonight." he answered in a cold tone. His face was now in front of mine. Our noses were barely apart. Mai began to try to talk again. "Silence! I said leave!" He yelled. I glanced at Yuri who was fast asleep in her crib. At least his scream didn't wake her up. He just sat there staring at me. I didn't know what else to do but keep my dress clutched to myself. Then he grabbed at my dress. I closed my eyes and waited for the garment to be ripped from me. But instead I felt warmth on my forehead. I opened my eyes to see that it was his forehead pressed against mine. His hands were still clenched on my dress. Wait, tears? He was crying. All the scared emotions left my body. This man seemed broken. He began rambling off things in his own language.
"I'm sorry, I can't understand your language yet." I whispered. Before I knew it, my intuition kicked in and I had pulled him into a hug. I didn't know why I was hugging him. Perhaps out of relief or pitty? I had no clue. But the moment I did, he dropped down to the floor. The man, who normally stood a foot taller then me, now had his head buried into my stomach right below my breast. I don't believe it was his intention. But when he dropped down, my dress went with him.
"I'm sorry...I can't do it." He choked out. Why was he apologizing for not taking advantage of me? The man could easily out power me ten times over. I didn't respond to him because I didn't know how to. Then he continued, "I had all horrible intentions...to do...to be the monster that they say I am!" I pulled his head back gently so I could see him but he turned it out of shame. I dropped down to his level and turned his head towards me.
"Who? Your grandmother or mother in law?" I asked. He shook his head.
"It's not just them...I well I..." he began as he seemed to realize the situation of my dress. He reached his hand toward my cheek but stopped. "I need to go..before I give in again" he whispered as he tried to stand. However, being as drunk as he was, he ended up falling...on top of me. My skin instantly turned hot. He stared at me with those deep brown eyes. I could see the torment and sadness in them. His hand brushed against my cheek, down my neck, and to right above my left breast. Heat and goosebumps were left in the trail of his hand. "I came here tonight...with the intention of having my way with you. Everyone thinks I'm doing it anyway. They all say the same. That I'm a terrible husband and father that was going to abandon everything for his foreign mistress." he answered.
"But it's not true! You didn't even know me..hell you barely even know me now! Let alone to be your mistress." I began as he sat his head down on my chest. "Don't let someone else's opponion shape your future. You know the truth. That's all that matters. Also, not that it really helps but I also know. " I added. In return there was only silence. Followed by more silence. Oh no. I tried moving my head so I could see his face but before I could get a good look...he began to snore. Whelp...this wasn't good. "Mai?!" I called out but there was no answer. Did she really leave?? I called out one more time but there was still no reply. "Sir?" I asked as I poked at his shoulder. I still didn't even know his name. I tried to slowly lay him down. However, it did not go the way I hoped as his body made a thud as it hit the ground. I quickly leaned over him just to hear him snore. Least he was ok I guess. He'd probably feel it in the morning.
I changed into one of the silk and lace nightgowns. Then I crawled into bed. I glanced over at horseman. There was no way for me to move him by myself. So I just covered him with a blanket and put a pillow under his head. From the sound of his snoring, it didn't sound like it bothered him much. I shook my head as I closed my eyes. The events from the night kept playing through my head till I finally fell asleep. It wasn't long and I was being woke up by Yuri's cries. I tried to get out of bed but something was stopping me. Quickly, I looked at where the horseman was sleeping. He wasn't there! I pulled my blanket down to see an arm around my waist. When I turned to look behind me, there he was! I tried to break free from him. He just pulled me back in closer. I went to pull away again but stopped at the sound of his voice.
"Don't go...if you do then so does the warmth. I'm so cold and tired...so please stay.." he pleaded. Yuri's cries were starting to get louder.
"I can't. I have to get Yuri..." I whispered. He groaned and pulled me tight.
"Just come back to me...promise." he asked. I gave a nod of my head. What else could I say? He released his grip on me. Once Yuri was back to sleep after our nightly routine, I stared at the bed where he was sprawled across it. "Are you going to just stand there or come back to bed.." he mumbled toward me. I began to move back to the bed. "...Yuki." he added. I stopped in my tracks. Yuki?