by Kate Grove
The other person shrieked as well and quickly backpedaled. They were just as startled to have run into someone as Ciara was.
“He-hello?” Ciara asked the darkness. A person, she could deal with. A monster, not so much. She started to think that these adventures in feudal Japan weren’t very good for her heart. “Are you hurt?”
She heard some shuffling, and as she looked into the abyss, she couldn’t see anyone. But she heard the retreating footsteps.
“Wait!” she took a step into the darkness.
Gold eyes flashed at her, and she stood there as if lightning had struck her. The person growled, which jarred Ciara out of her frozen state.
“I’m lost! Can you help me?”
“Are you not afraid?” The sound was a mixture of a growl and human voice. It wasn’t easy to understand. She couldn’t decide whether it belonged to a woman or a man.
“I just want to get back to the part of the castle I know,” Ciara insisted. “I’m sorry to have disturbed you.”
She heard a strange noise. Were they chuckling?
“I can show you the shortest way,” they said, “But…”
“But what?”
“It’s this way, into the darkness,” they explained. “Are you brave enough for that?”
The person held out their hand, which was just about visible by the faint light coming from the intersection. Ciara looked at it, hesitating. The person had long nails, bordering on claws, and a few strange marks, which looked like scales, dotted their hand.
“No?” The hand retracted.
“Wait!” Ciara held onto the hand and looked into the gold eyes of whoever was there. She only knew two people who had eyes like those. And one of them had already left the castle. “Please help me.”
There was a heartbeat of silence before he replied, “All right. Don’t let go. Your eyes can’t see in this darkness.”
“And yours can?” she asked, genuinely curious.
“My eyesight is better, yes.”
“And—”
“No more questions,” he interrupted her, “or you can find your way out by yourself.”
“Sorry,” she murmured as she let him lead her through the dark corridors. His hands were as cold as the wind sweeping across the place. It took quite a few minutes for them to reach an intersection with a lit corridor. The light was blinding. He let go of her hand and pointed to the intersection.
“Turn to the right and go straight. You’ll end up in the inner courtyard soon.”
“Thank you, Katsuo,” Ciara replied, taking off.
“You’re welcome, but I’m not him,” the mysterious person replied.
Ciara twirled around, eyes wide.
“What?” she asked the darkness, but she didn’t get a response this time. She felt goosebumps on her arms, staring into the abyss and quickly turned around to follow that person’s directions.
If it wasn’t Katsuo, then who was it? No one else was supposed to have gold eyes in this place now that Yuki had left.
She heard a shout.
“Ciara-sama?”
“Yura? Is that you, Yura? Where are you?” Ciara picked up her pace.
“Yokatta1! I’ve found you!”
“I got lost,” Ciara shouted back. She felt she was getting closer to where Yura was. “Keep talking. I’ll follow your voice!”
“I’m here! Did you find someone to come with us?”
“Yes! Taiki said—Oh.” Ciara stopped yelling as she almost bumped into Yura who was just rounding a corner. She switched to her normal voice. “He said we’ll meet our guard at the gates.”
“Brilliant. Let’s go and change then we can—”
“Yura, I’m not going to change. Not this time,” Ciara insisted. “My clothes will be fine.”
“But—”
“Yura. Stop.” She’d used her Voice on the girl accidentally a couple of times before, but this was the first time it was intentional. The change was apparent, and Yura immediately fell silent as she froze on the spot. “Let’s go. I will not change.”
“A-as you wish, Milady.”
“Ciara,” she corrected.
“Ciara-sama. This way,” Yura gestured ahead of them, and in a few steps, they were in the inner courtyard.
“Ah, finally something familiar!”
1 usually translated as ’thank goodness’
47
“Ciara-sama?” a tall woman addressed her while she was talking with Yura. They had almost reached the gates.
“Yes?”
“I’m Shizuru. I’ll be your guard today.”
Ciara took another look at the woman, realizing she was wearing the uniform of the soldiers. Her hair was neatly arranged in a bun on top of her head, and her expression was strict.
“Thank you. Were you waiting long?”
Shizuru blinked, surprise crossing over her face.
“Not at all.”
Ciara sighed in relief and smiled at her and Yura.
“Let’s go then!”
Their guard promptly followed them as they made their way down the castle hill.
“Where do you want to go first, Ciara-sama?” Yura asked.
“It’s been a while since we’ve been to the teahouse. Let’s start there!”
They had a lovely time there. During their idle chat, Ciara snuck a few nibbles under the table to the cat.
“So tell me, Shizuru, how long have you worked at the castle?” Ciara asked, curious.
“Ten years.”
“Ten?” Ciara looked taken aback. “But you look…”
Shizuru and Yura looked at her, expectant.
“Maybe twenty-ish?”
“I was around Ayaka-dono’s age when I arrived at the castle. My family couldn’t afford to raise me.”
Ciara nibbled on some edamame. She wanted to know what happened but didn’t want to bring up painful memories. She sighed. “I’m sorry. It must’ve been really hard for you.”
“It can’t be helped,” Shizuru shrugged, “I’m probably better off here. I have accommodation and meals twice a day. That’s more than what I could’ve achieved had I remained at home.”
“Are there other women working as guards?” Ciara asked. “You’re the first one I’ve met here.”
Shizuru frowned but dutifully replied, “At the moment, I’m the only one, yes.”
“I see.”
“Why do you ask, if I may inquire, Ciara-sama?”
“Oh, no need to be so formal with me,” Ciara waved. “I was just curious. It must be a bit tiring, surrounded by testosterone all day.”
“Tesutosuteron?” Yura and Shizuru asked, butchering the foreign word.
“Oh, I mean men. They can be a bit tiring.”
“Well, I sometimes pop over to the servant quarters to have a chat with the girls,” Shizuru explained before turning to Yura with rapt interest. “Which reminds me. Have you already done the deed?”
Yura paled.
“Chicken.”
“Hey!”
“What? What happened?” Ciara asked, curious.
“Yura and I had a bet. She lost.”
“I did not!” Yura protested. “Well, only a little bit.”
“You either lose or don’t. There’s no ‘little bit’,” Shizuru said. “It’s like being pregnant. Or dead. You can’t be ‘just a little bit’ of either.”
Ciara snorted into her tea at the simile.
“She’s got a point, you know.”
Yura pouted, crunching her nose.
“I’m going to give you a deadline,” Shizuru said.
“Fine,” Yura huffed.
“Today.”
“What?”
“Why is she panicking?” Ciara asked. “Shizuru, what did you bet on?”
“She has to ask out the guy she likes.”
“Stop! It’s so embarrassing just thinking about it!” Yura hid her flaming face behind her hands.
“He’s on pagoda duty in the evening,” Shizuru sha
red.
“Stop it!”
“All night.”
“Shizu!”
Ciara couldn’t help but laugh. Yura was so adorable being embarrassed like that. Oh, youth! She reminded her of Karen.
She frowned, sipping the last of her tea. All her mirth had suddenly vanished as she remembered her little cousin. She was back home, safe, but for how long? If that sadist’s words could be trusted, then Karen would be in danger rather soon. She had to get home. But Katsuo…
Ciara sighed, and the others looked at her, surprised.
“Are you feeling unwell, Ciara-sama?” Yura inquired.
“No, it’s just… I want to have a walk. Are you finished, ladies?”
Soon, they left the teahouse. Ciara didn’t have a particular destination in mind this time. She just wanted to walk around a little bit and clear her head. Maybe discover the town more.
Unexpectedly, Shizuru came up beside her.
“I’d advise you to choose another direction, Ciara-sama.”
“Oh, why is that?”
“This road leads to the most dangerous part of town.”
“I somehow doubt Katsuo would let such a place exist here,” Ciara insisted but stopped walking.
“Milord is adamant in making this town as safe as possible, but shady people are hard to get rid of. Also, we’ll soon reach the entertainment district.”
“Entertainment...?” Ciara questioned, her eyebrows furrowing.
“Brothels,” Shizuru clarified bluntly.
“What?” Ciara paled a little. That was most definitely not the destination she had in mind. She took another glance at the road stretching before them. On one side, there was a big stone building with red lanterns adorning the entrance. Someone was walking up the steps leading to the door.
Ciara could just make out his profile; to her shock, she recognized Katsuo. What the hell is he doing in the red-light district? She saw crimson for a moment as she turned around, her head held high, and marched in the opposite direction. There was no more question in her mind. She chose Karen over Katsuo.
Yura and Shizuru exchanged a glance, not understanding what happened. They failed to notice Katsuo heading into a brothel. The rest of the afternoon was soured, and they quickly made their way back to the castle.
Ciara was fuming inside. She just didn’t understand why he would do something like that. Why would he do that to her? Was she not enough for him? Or was it just that she forgot the lessons life had taught her? She could never count on men; they’d always leave. Starting with her father then all the past boyfriends and suitors.
She thought Katsuo was different.
She thought they shared something.
She thought, just maybe, their fake engagement had changed into something… more.
It’s just a fake. She sighed, fighting her tears. You have no standing in being jealous. You knew what you’ve agreed to when you made the deal, she reminded herself.
Ciara’s fist met the column next to her as she stopped in the middle of the corridor. It hurt, damn it!
If I’d known earlier— She quickly stopped that thought. Would she have done anything differently? It was an undeniable fact that she had fallen for Katsuo. She knew she shouldn’t have but couldn’t control her feelings, and now she was left to face the consequences.
48
Katsuo made his way up to the entrance and stopped for a moment. The last time he had been here, he was running to save Ciara from a gruesome fate. He had almost been too late.
This time, he was going to repay his debts. Collecting his thoughts, he entered the foyer, and immediately, half a dozen girls appeared at his side.
“What can we do for you, Milord?”
“Would you like tea?”
“I can give you a massage.” One girl winked at him. “I’ll even give you a discount.”
“I have business with the Madame. Fetch her.”
The girls fell silent.
“Now.”
“A-as you wish, Milord!” One of them waved to a child servant. “Go get the Madame. Did you not hear?”
The little girl ran off, leaving a stack of clothes on the floor.
“Useless,” the woman mumbled, thinking no one heard her. Her eyes narrowed as her gaze followed the fleeing child. When she turned back to Katsuo, she had a sweet smile plastered on her face. “May I escort you to the meeting room, my lord?”
“You may not.”
The woman gasped, shocked. Tears clouded her eyes, and she ran off, sniffling loudly. Katsuo almost rolled his eyes at the obvious pretense.
“Milord! How good to see you again!”
He heard the Madame and turned in her direction. She was gracefully walking toward him, arms open. She had a long kiseru in one hand. It was an elaborately carved bamboo pipe. “What can I do for you?”
“I prefer to speak somewhere private.”
She took one long look at him before taking a drag from her kiseru.
“Of course. This way.”
She led the way to a nearby meeting room.
“Would you fancy a drink, Milord?”
“No, thank you.”
The Madame nodded at someone behind him, and the door closed quietly. They sat down at the table.
“I’m listening,” she said, puffing out a small smoke ring.
“You remember a few days ago when I came here looking for someone.”
“Yes.”
“One of your girls told me where to find the culprits.”
The Madame tapped her chin with the end of the pipe. Her face brightened after a moment.
“Right! I remember! What about her?”
“I’d like to buy her debt.”
The Madame’s eyes widened so much she looked as if she was a bug.
“Excuse me?”
“You heard me. I do not like to repeat myself.”
“So you… you mean to buy her debt? What will you do with that girl?”
Katsuo smirked and crossed his arms.
“That is none of your concern, is it?”
They stared at each other.
“All right.” The Madame blinked and told him the amount.
“Here.” Katsuo pulled out a pouch full of coins from the sleeve of his kimono. “This should cover it and some more. Now, bring her here.”
The Madame put the kiseru in her mouth and took a drag. She reached for the pouch and opened it. Her jaw slacked, the pipe hitting the table, forgotten.
“Do we have a deal?”
“Very much so, Milord. It was a pleasure doing business with you.”
“The girl. Now.”
“Of course!”
The Madame quickly got up and hurried to the door. She shouted for a servant to fetch the girl.
“But she is with a client—”
“I don’t care! Get her now if you want to eat dinner.”
“Y-yes, Madame!”
“Finally.”
Katsuo didn’t have to wait for long. A slightly disheveled girl showed up soon. The Madame, who had gone back to sitting behind the table, straightened, and a disapproving look was written over her face.
“What do you think you’re doing, presenting yourself like that?!” she shrieked.
Katsuo put up a hand, and she fell silent. His ears were hurting. He looked at the girl, who hastily bowed to him. It was indeed the same girl who had helped him find Ciara.
“Gather your belongings. You’re coming with me.”
“Erm… what?”
“Don’t bring shame on me now,” the Madame grumbled. “You heard what he said. Get your stuff.”
“R-right.” She walked off in a daze.
“Hurry up!” The Madame shouted after her. Katsuo heard the girl’s footsteps pick up.
“Are you sure you want that on your hand? That girl is trouble, I tell you,” the Madame said, tossing the pouch from one hand to another.
“I won’t back out from our deal.”
“Suit
yourself, Milord,” she said, standing up. “Well, I have work to do. Have a pleasant day.”
Katsuo inclined his head as she exited the room. He only had to wait a few minutes before the girl appeared. She only had a small bundle wrapped in furoshiki1.
“I’m finished.”
“Good.”
Katsuo stood and strolled outside. The girl hesitated a moment before following him. They didn’t talk until after they stepped outside the building. She stopped at the threshold, shading her eyes with her hand from the sun’s glaring. It wasn’t even a very bright day.
“What is it?”
“It’s strange to be able to walk out of here,” she admitted before looking at him. “I don’t understand what’s happening.”
1 wrapping cloth
49
“Come.”
She started off slowly but quickly increased her walking speed and caught up to Katsuo. She followed a step behind him. Katsuo led her to the main street and stopped at an intersection.
“You are free.”
“What?”
“I thank you for helping me the other day,” he said. “I have bought your debt from the Madame. You’re free to do as you please.”
She couldn’t seem to comprehend.
“Are you saying I don’t have to work there?”
“Yes.”
“And you don’t want to… use my services?”
“No.”
She shook her head and leaned against a wall.
“Is it that hard to believe?”
“Yes. I mean, it’s been something I’ve dreamt of. I’ve worked hard to get rid of my family’s debt, but… wow… what do I do now? It was the only way to live up till now.”
“Here,” Katsuo held out his hand. A small pouch rested there, full of coins. “This will be enough to get you started. I’m sure there’s something you want to do.”
The girl stared at his open hand but didn’t take the pouch. Katsuo waved it in front of her.
“Take it.”
She shook her head.
“You don’t want to?” Katsuo’s eyebrows furrowed. “Why?”
“If I may be so bold… I’d like to ask for something else,” she said, her voice barely above whisper.
