*A Love Divided: The Lieutenant's Heart*
Cavin, the butler, knocked twice on the large oak door before hearing a gruff "Enter!" from the other side. He opened the door and bowed slightly as he addressed Lieutenant Waylen.
"Sir, you requested my presence?"
Lieutenant Waylen looked up from the maps spread out on his desk, his eyes narrowing slightly.
"Ah, Cavin. Yes. I need you to summon Sir Robert. We have a situation that requires his... particular set of skills."
Cavin nodded, his expression neutral.
"Very good, sir. I shall fetch him immediately."
With a slight bow, Cavin turned and exited the room, closing the door behind him. He made his way through the phone room, his footsteps quiet on the stone floors.
"Sir Robert, Lieutenant Waylen requests your presence," Cavin said, his voice low and even.
Sir Robert looked up, his eyes gleaming with interest.
"Ah, thank you, Cavin. I'll be right there."
As Akamine unpacked her belongings, she heard a knock at the door. "Enter," she called out, expecting it to be one of the servants with fresh linens or a hot meal.
Instead, Cavin stood in the doorway, a friendly smile on his face.
"Akamine, I hope I'm not interrupting. I thought I'd give you a tour of the house, show you around."
Akamine's curiosity was piqued. She had been wondering about the layout of the estate and its history.
"That would be lovely, Cavin. Thank you."
As they walked through the winding corridors, Cavin pointed out various rooms and features. Akamine listened intently, asking questions and marveling at the opulence.
When they reached the living room, Akamine's eyes landed on a large portrait above the fireplace. The woman in the painting was stunning, with piercing blue eyes and raven-black hair.
"Who is that?" Akamine asked, her curiosity getting the better of her.
Cavin's expression turned somber.
"That is Rebecca, the Lieutenant's late wife. She passed away a few years ago, during childbirth."
Akamine's eyes widened in surprise. "I'm so sorry," she said, her voice barely above a whisper.
Just then, a figure emerged from the shadows. Akamine's instincts immediately went on high alert as she sized up the stranger. He was tall, with piercing green eyes and a charming smile.
"Ah, Sir Robert," Cavin said, his voice neutral.
"I was just telling Akamine about Rebecca."
Sir Robert's gaze locked onto Akamine's, his smile growing wider. "Enchanted, Akamine," he said, his voice low and smooth.
"I see you're already acquainted with our beloved Rebecca."
Akamine's guard immediately went up. There was something about Sir Robert that didn't feel right. She nodded politely, trying to hide her unease.
"Yes, Cavin was just telling me about her."
Sir Robert's smile grew wider, and he took another step closer, his eyes locked on Akamine's.
"Rebecca was a remarkable woman. Her beauty and grace are still deeply missed in Lieutenant's and us".
Akamine's instincts screamed at her to be cautious, to keep her distance from this charming stranger . She could sense a hidden intensity behind his smile, a sense of purpose that made her wary. Cavin , too , seemed to sense the tension , his eyes flicking between them with a mixture of curiosity and concern
Sir Robert strode purposefully towards the Lieutenant's office room, his long legs eating up the distance. He knocked once on the door before entering.
As Sir Robert entered Lieutenant Waylen's room, Waylen greeted him warmly.
"Sir Robert, welcome. Please, have a seat."
Sir Robert sat down, his eyes narrowing slightly.
"Thank you, Lieutenant. I was wondering, why did you request to see me?"
Waylen's expression turned serious.
"Actually, Sir Robert, I wanted to ask you something. I need your help with an investigation."
Sir Robert's curiosity was piqued.
"An investigation? What kind of investigation?"
Waylen's gaze locked onto Sir Robert's.
"I want you to investigate Akamine's past."
Sir Robert's eyes widened slightly, his mind racing back to his own encounter with Akamine. He had met her briefly, and his instincts had told him something was off. A Japanese girl, taking care of an American officer's daughter...it didn't sit right with him.
"I see," Sir Robert said, his tone thoughtful.
"I must admit, Lieutenant, I didn't trust her either. There's something about her that doesn't seem quite right."
Sir Robert's expression softened, understanding the Lieutenant's concern.
"I see. Well, Lieutenant, I'll do my best to uncover the truth about Akamine's past. But I must warn you, the truth may be more complicated than you expect."
Waylen nodded, his eyes clouded with worry.
"I'm prepared for that, Sir Robert. I just need to know the truth, no matter what it may be."
Sir Robert stood up, determination in his eyes.
"Very well, Lieutenant. I'll start the investigation immediately. And I'll make sure to keep you informed of any developments."
As Sir Robert left the room, Waylen couldn't help but feel a sense of unease but still stay calm. What secrets was Akamine hiding? And would he be able to handle the truth when it finally came to light?
Meanwhile, Akamine was unaware of the investigation that had just been set in motion. She continued her daily routine, taking care of Emily.
Just as Sir Robert was about to leave, the door to the study creaked open and a tiny figure slipped inside, her eyes fixed on the Lieutenant. Emily, the Lieutenant's 4-year-old daughter, looked up at her father with a shy expression, her blonde curls bobbing as she nodded.
"Daddy?" she said, her voice barely above a whisper.
The Lieutenant's face softened, and he smiled warmly at his daughter.
"Ah, Emily! Come here."
Emily's face lit up, and she ran to her father, throwing her arms around his leg. "Daddy, play with me!" she exclaimed, looking up at him with big brown eyes.
The Lieutenant chuckled and scooped up his daughter, settling her onto his lap.
"Of course. What game would you like to play?"
Emily thought for a moment before responding,
"I wanna play hide-and-seek!"
Sir Robert smiled, watching the tender moment between the Lieutenant and his daughter. He remembered when the Lieutenant's wife, Rebecca, what if she's alive, Lieutenant adored his daughter, and she brought a sense of joy to the estate that had been lacking since Rebecca's passing.
As the Lieutenant began to play hide-and-seek with Emily, Sir Robert quietly slipped out of the study, leaving the pair to their fun. He couldn't help but feel a sense of warmth at the scene he had just witnessed, and he made a mental note to ensure that Emily's safety was always a top priority.
As Sir Robert stepped out into the corridor, he was met with a familiar sight: Akamine's piercing gaze. Their eyes locked, and the air seemed to vibrate with tension.
Akamine's stance was rigid, her weight evenly distributed between both feet. Her hand rested on the hilt of her dagger, her fingers drumming a slow rhythm on the handle. Her eyes narrowed, her gaze darting back and forth as she sized him up.
Sir Robert's instincts told him to proceed with caution. Akamine was clearly on high alert, her guard up and ready for a fight. He slowed his pace, his hands visible and palms up in a calming gesture.
"Akamine," he said, his voice low and even.
"What's wrong? You seem... tense."
Akamine's gaze never wavered, her eyes flashing with a hint of warning.
"I'm just being cautious."
Sir Robert's eyes locked onto hers, his expression neutral.
"I mean you no harm, Akamine. Perhaps we can... discuss whatever is troubling you?"
Akamine ignored him till the end
As the evening sun dipped below the horizon, the group gathered in the dining hall for dinner. The table was filled with laughter and conversation, but one person was noticeably absent - Akamine.
Waylen's eyes scanned the room, his brow furrowed in concern.
"Cavin, where's Akamine?" he asked the butler, who was pouring wine into his glass.
Cavin's expression turned neutral.
"Miss Akamine declined dinner, sir. She requested to eat in her room."
Waylen's eyes narrowed.
"Is everything alright? She seemed... curious about Rebecca earlier."
Cavin's gaze flicked to Sir Robert, who was engaged in conversation with the Lieutenant.
"I believe she's just tired, sir. The journey here was long, and she's still adjusting to her new surroundings."
Waylen's eyes lingered on Cavin's face, sensing there was more to the story. But the butler's expression remained impassive, revealing nothing.
As dinner continued, Waylen's mind wandered to Akamine, wondering what secrets she was hiding, and why she was so fascinated by Rebecca's story. He made a mental note to speak with her later, to uncover the truth behind her mysterious presence.
Akamine sat in her room, a simple meal of bread and water before her. She had declined dinner with the others, unsure of her place in this new household. In her mind, she was still a slave, purchased by the American Officer, Waylen. She didn't know the customs of this new land, but she knew that slaves didn't eat with their owners.
As she ate, her thoughts wandered back to her homeland, her family, and her life before being sold. She wondered if she would ever be free again, or if she would be trapped in this new world forever.
Akamine's eyes dropped to her hands, her fingers tracing the scars on her wrists. She had tried to escape once, but was caught and punished. She knew better now, knew to keep her head down and obey.
But as she thought of Rebecca, the Lieutenant's late wife, Akamine felt a spark of curiosity ignite within her. She wanted to know more about this woman, who had been loved and lost.
Akamine's gaze drifted to the door, wondering if she would ever be brave enough to ask questions, to seek out the truth. For now, she remained in her room, a slave in her own mind, unsure of her place in this new world.
Zorinpuii Renthlei
(zawrpuii)