*A Love Divided: The Lieutenant's Heart*
As Akamine sat in her room, eating her simple meal, she heard a knock at the door. She froze, her heart racing, wondering who it could be. She hadn't expected anyone to visit her, especially not after she had declined dinner.
The knock came again, this time followed by Waylen's voice.
"Akamine, may I enter?"
Akamine's hands trembled slightly as she put down her food. She hadn't expected Waylen to come to her room, especially not after their earlier encounter. She hesitated for a moment before responding,
"Yes, sir."
The door creaked open, and Waylen stepped inside. His eyes scanned the room, taking in the simple furnishings and Akamine's meager meal.
"I saw that you didn't join us for dinner," he said, his voice low and even.
"I wanted to make sure you were alright."
Akamine's gaze dropped, her eyes fixed on her hands. "I'm fine, sir," she replied, her voice barely above a whisper.
Waylen's eyes lingered on her face, his expression unreadable.
"You don't have to eat alone, Akamine," he said, his voice softening.
"You're welcome to join us for meals."
Akamine's heart skipped a beat as she met Waylen's gaze. No one had ever offered her kindness like that before. She didn't know how to respond, unsure of what to make of Waylen's word.
Waylen's eyes held Akamine's for a moment longer, as if searching for something. Then, he nodded and turned to leave.
"If you need anything, feel free to tell me or Cavin at anytime," he said, his voice firm but gentle.
Akamine watched as he closed the door behind him, feeling a mix of emotions swirl inside her. No one had ever offered her such kindness and consideration before. She wasn't sure how to respond, or what to make of Waylen's words.
As she sat there, trying to process her thoughts, Akamine realized that she felt a sense of safety with Waylen. He seemed different from the other men she had encountered, and she found herself wondering if maybe, just maybe, she could trust him.
But as quickly as the thought arose, Akamine pushed it aside. She couldn't afford to trust anyone, not yet. She had to be careful, had to protect herself. Still, she couldn't shake the feeling that Waylen's words had awakened something within her, a glimmer of hope that she thought had long been extinguished.
Akamine stepped away from the door and walked over to the window, pushing aside the curtains to gaze out into the night. The moon cast a silver glow over the gardens, and the trees swayed gently in the breeze.
As she stood there, lost in thought, Akamine's eyes welled up with tears. She felt a deep ache in her heart, a sense of longing and loss. She missed her mother, her family, her old life.
"I wish I didn't exist," she whispered to herself, her voice barely audible.
"Mom, how will I survive in this war without you?"
Akamine's thoughts were a jumble of fear, uncertainty, and grief. She felt like a small boat adrift in a stormy sea, tossed about by waves of circumstance beyond her control.
As she stood there, tears streaming down her face, Akamine felt a sense of despair wash over her. She wondered if she would ever find peace, ever find a place where she belonged.
But even in the midst of her sorrow, a spark of determination flickered to life within her. She would survive, she vowed. She would find a way to make it through this war, no matter what lay ahead. For herself, for her mother, and for the life they had once known.
Butler Cavin's eyes widened slightly as he listened to Akamine's whispered words by the window. He had been passing by her room, intending to check on Emily, when he heard the soft murmur of Akamine's voice.
"...I wish I didn't exist, mom...how will I survive in this war without you?"
Cavin's expression turned grave, his heart heavy with sympathy. He had not meant to eavesdrop, but Akamine's words had reached him nonetheless. He felt a pang of regret for intruding on her private moment, but his duty was to report all matters concerning the household to Waylen.
As Akamine stood at the window, lost in her thoughts, she heard a sudden burst of energy as Emily rushed into her room.
"Akamine, tell me a bedtime story!" Emily exclaimed, her eyes shining with excitement.
Cavin, the butler, followed close behind, his expression apologetic.
"Emily, don't run like that," he scolded gently. "Sorry, Lady Akamine, for Emily's actions. Let's go, Emily, you need to sleep. Akamine is a bit tired too."
But Emily's face fell, her lower lip jutting out in a pitiful pout.
"But bedtime stories, Butler Cavin!" she protested.
Akamine's heart melted at the sight of Emily's pleading face. She smiled, her exhaustion forgotten.
"It's okay, I'll tell you a story," she said, her voice softening.
Emily's face lit up, and she clapped her hands in delight.
"Yay! Akamine, tell me a story about princesses and dragons!"
Cavin smiled, his expression relieved.
"Very well, but just one story, and then off to bed, young lady."
As Cavin guided Emily to sit on the bed, Akamine settled in beside her, a warm smile on her face.
"Once upon a time, in a faraway kingdom..." she began, her voice weaving a magical spell of wonder and enchantment.
.
.
.
.
.
After finishing the bedtime story, Akamine gently tucked Emily into bed, watching as the young girl's eyelids drooped, and she drifted off to sleep, a peaceful smile on her face.
Feeling a sense of contentment wash over her, Akamine decided to take a nap as well, exhausted from the emotional turmoil of the day. She retired to her room, her mind still reeling with thoughts of her past and her uncertain future.
Meanwhile, Butler Cavin made his way to Waylen's office, his expression serious. He knocked softly on the door, and upon hearing Waylen's voice, entered the room.
"Sir, I have a report to make regarding Lady Akamine," Cavin said, his tone formal.
Waylen looked up from the papers on his desk, his eyes narrowing slightly.
"Yes, Cavin? What is it?"
Cavin cleared his throat.
"Lady Akamine declined dinner, sir. She ate in her room. Later, she spoke to herself by the window, expressing a desire not to exist. Emily interrupted her, requesting a bedtime story. Lady Akamine obliged, and afterwards, she retired to her room for a nap."
Waylen's expression turned thoughtful, his eyes gazing into the distance.
"Thank you, Cavin. Your diligence is appreciated."
Cavin bowed slightly.
"Of course, sir. I will continue to monitor Lady Akamine's actions, as per your request,"he left.
As Cavin departed, Waylen's mind turned to Akamine, wondering what secrets she hid, and what had driven her to such despair. He made a mental note to speak with her again, to uncover the truth behind her enigmatic presence.
As Waylen made his way to his room, the flickering candles casting eerie shadows on the walls, he noticed a figure standing in front of Rebecca's portrait. The girl's gaze was transfixed on the painting, her eyes gleaming with a mix of sadness and longing.
Waylen's footsteps were silent on the plush carpet, but as he drew closer, he expected the girl to turn around. However, she remained still, her attention fixed on the portrait. It was only when he was a few feet away that he realized the girl was Akamine.
Her eyes, though open, had a distant, glazed-over quality, and her body seemed relaxed, as if she was still asleep. Waylen's curiosity turned to concern as he realized Akamine was sleepwalking.
He approached her cautiously, not wanting to startle her, and gently scooped her up in his arms. As he lifted her, Akamine's head lolled against his chest, her eyes never leaving the portrait.
Waylen carried her back to her room, his mind racing with questions. What was she doing out here? Why was she so drawn to Rebecca's portrait? And what secrets was she hiding?
As he laid her down on her bed, Waylen's gaze lingered on Akamine's face, his eyes filled with a mix of emotions - curiosity, concern, and a deepening fascination. "Poor kid," he whispered, his voice barely audible.
With a quiet sigh, Waylen turned and left, the darkness of the hallway enveloping him like a shroud. He retired to his room, his mind whirling with thoughts of Akamine and the mysteries surrounding her. Though he tried to sleep, his thoughts kept drifting back to the young girl, wondering what secrets she hid, and what lay behind her haunting eyes.
The next morning, as the household gathered for breakfast, Akamine's absence was notable. Waylen, in particular, seemed to notice her lack of presence, his eyes scanning the room as if searching for her.
After breakfast, Waylen made his way to Akamine's room, his expression a mix of curiosity and concern. He knocked softly on the door, and when Akamine bid him enter, he found her sitting on the bed, her eyes cast downward.
"Akamine, why did you refuse to join us for breakfast?" Waylen asked, his voice gentle but firm.
"Do you hate Americans so much that you cannot bear to share a meal with us?"
Akamine's eyes widened in shock, her mind racing with thoughts of her past. She thought that as a slave, she was not allowed to join her owners at the dining table. The realization dawned on her that she had been treating Waylen's household as she would her former master's.
"I...I thought I wasn't allowed," Akamine stammered, her voice barely above a whisper. "I thought I was a slave, sold to you, sir."
Waylen's expression turned cold, his eyes flashing with anger.
"You are not a slave, Akamine," he said, his voice low and even.
"You are Emily's babysitter, a member of this household. You are free to come and go as you please."
Akamine's eyes widened further, her mind reeling with the implications. She had been living in fear, thinking herself a slave, when in reality, she was a valued member of the household.
Waylen's anger seemed to dissipate, replaced by a deep sadness.
"I see," he said, his voice softening.
"I had no idea. We need to talk more about this, Akamine. But for now, please join us for dinner. You are part of this family."
As Waylen's words wrapped around her like a warm embrace, Akamine felt the icy grip of her past slowly loosen. She thought back to her childhood, to the relatives who had treated her like a ghost, invisible and insignificant. They had never asked about her day, never listened to her dreams, never offered a comforting word.
But her mother had been different. Her mother had been her rock, her confidante, her safe haven. She had loved Akamine with a ferocity that had made her feel seen, heard, and valued.
But her mother was gone now, and Akamine had been left to navigate the treacherous waters of her relatives' indifference. She had built walls around her heart, walls that had kept her safe but also isolated.
Waylen's words, however, were like a gentle rain, softening the earth, making it fertile for growth. Akamine felt her heart, once a barren landscape, begin to stir. She felt the first tender shoots of trust, of hope, of love.
As she looked at Waylen, Akamine saw a man who was different from her relatives. He saw her, truly saw her, and still chose to be kind. He offered her a sense of belonging, of being part of a family that didn't judge or reject her.
And as she looked at Emily, Akamine saw a reflection of her own childhood, a reminder of the joy and laughter she had once known. She saw a young girl who needed her, who loved her for who she was, without condition or expectation.
Akamine's heart, once locked away, began to open, slowly, like a flower blooming in the sun. She felt a sense of homecoming, of finding a place where she belonged. She knew that she still had walls to dismantle, still had fears to confront, but with Waylen and Emily by her side, she felt a sense of courage, of hope.
Just as Akamine was starting to open up, Butler Cavin cleared his throat to announce his presence.
"Excuse me, sir, Lady Akamine, but I need to interrupt. You have a call from the main base in Tokyo, sir."
Waylen's expression turned serious, and he nodded curtly.
"Thank you, Cavin. I'll take it in my study."
Akamine felt a pang of disappointment, but she understood the importance of Waylen's work. She nodded silently, watching as Waylen stood up and followed Cavin out of the room.
As they left, Emily looked up at Akamine with curious eyes.
"What's going on, Akamine? Why did Father get a call from Tokyo?"
Akamine hesitated, unsure how much to reveal. But something about Emily's trusting gaze put her at ease.
"I think it's about your father's work, Emily. He's a very important person, and sometimes he gets calls from far away."
Emily nodded, seeming to accept this explanation.
"Okay, Akamine. But will you tell me more about your family? You were telling me about your mother..."
Akamine smiled, feeling a warmth spread through her chest.
"Yes, Emily. I'd be happy to tell you more about my mother."
As Waylen prepared to leave for the main base in Tokyo, he stood outside the mansion, taking a moment to collect his thoughts. Before opening the gate, he glanced up at the windows, his eyes instinctively searching for Akamine.
Unbeknownst to him, Akamine was indeed watching him from her window, her silhouette barely visible in the darkened room. She had been lost in thought, her mind replaying their earlier conversation, when she saw Waylen's figure below.
Their eyes seemed to meet, but Waylen didn't notice Akamine's gaze. The room was too dark, and his attention was focused on the task ahead.
Butler Cavin and Emily, however, were present to see Waylen off. Cavin stood stiffly, his expression formal, while Emily waved enthusiastically, her eyes shining with excitement.
"Be careful, Father!" Emily called out, her voice carrying across the distance.
Waylen smiled, his eyes crinkling at the corners.
"I will, Emily. Don't worry."
With a final nod, Waylen opened the gate and stepped through, disappearing into the night. Akamine watched him go, her heart feeling a strange sense of longing. She turned away from the window, lost in thought, as Cavin and Emily returned to the mansion.
Zorinpuii Renthlei
(zawrpuii)