[Part 6/6]
...
"Yes, well, I said "do your best." But still?"
On the other side of White Egret, the woman murmurs. Her son has truly grown into an unpleasant character. He only inherited the negative aspects from both herself and that man. He's intensely persistent, meddlesome, despicable, and unforgiving. How far does he want to degrade his dignity?
"If he's going to make a fuss, couldn't he at least do it within the family... Does he really want to spread it around so dramatically?"
No, she understands. It's to torment him. Degrading the servant is just the beginning. Just a process. She probably knew what kind of personality he has and created this spectacle. Understanding that child's nature, who can find even a jewel in filth and not just dust, is... she can't help but feel disgusted, even though he's her own son.
It doesn't matter. If that's the case, she also has a hand to play. She won't let him take it. That child, at least, she'll save him from this injustice. It's the only form of atonement she can offer as a member of the wretched Onitsuki bloodline.
This time, she'll save him.
So...
'I'm sorry, okay? I can't really find you cute.'
Grandmother, with a hint of catlike apology, whispered to her granddaughter, whom she intends to discard...
"It seems you've been quite mischievous again, Aoi."
"Mischievous? I merely disciplined the vassals as a member of the main household."
In the dim study, illuminated only by candlelight, Aoi, the daughter who had entered while murmuring, looked calmly at her father as she replied. She did so without a hint of guilt, more as if it were a matter of course.
In truth, it felt entirely logical to her. Of all things, that companion her father had chosen refused to accompany her... and just a mere servant at that! To her, Onitsuki Aoi, it was an act that smeared both her and her father's reputation. In fact, what she did could be seen as merciful, letting him off with such a minor punishment. She had originally intended to tighten the leash just a bit more...
"But more importantly, it's surprising how the news spread so quickly."
"Gossip travels fast, especially when it has fins and scales. It's something you should be well aware of as a direct descendant of the Onitsuki."
"...Yes, Father."
A comment and reprimand emerged from behind the curtain, serving as a caution. Aoi slightly frowned in response. Frowned, but immediately gave a respectful bow and complied.
For her, it was belief in sincerity and affection. Aoi had never held an ounce of trust for her mother, who abandoned her like unwanted goods. The same applied to the subservient group that wore submissive smiles for her.
Aoi had wanted to believe her flesh and blood, her parent, who could reprimand her honestly. She had hoped for that. To be loved, she wanted to think...
"As for that servant, keep an eye on him. He's certainly capable. And it holds political significance as well."
"He served my sister, didn't he?"
"...He caused a scandal. That's why he was punished. He was quite foolish. It was a rather lenient punishment."
Without trying to deceive, her father responded to her inquiry. He revealed that it was due to her sister's capriciousness that he received clemency. Aoi twisted her expression in a mocking manner upon hearing that truth.
"Again with this..."
"There might be something to consider about people like that. However, in your position, there are times when you need to hold reins even on such individuals. Do you understand?"
"...I understand."
Putting down the brush, Aoi straightened her posture as her father looked at her squarely from behind the curtain. Her father nodded slightly.
"Words alone don't earn trust. Shall I see your performance through practice?"
"The forbidden area?"
Fusō-kuni's northern region, third-class forbidden area, "Doku Noroi Fuka Hayashi (黙呪深林 (Silent Curse Deep Forest))"... That's the location of the mission Second Princess will formally undertake.
"No need to fear. Even though it's a forbidden area, it's third-class. Besides, it's not particularly dangerous on the outer fringes. With your talent, you should easily complete the task."
"I don't mind going deeper into the heart of it, though?"
Confidently, Aoi proclaimed in response to her father's explanation. Gathering herbs on the outskirts was far too boring for her. Whether it was medium youkai or great youkai, calamity youkai were equally powerless before her, in her conviction. She could even enter deep into the forest and subdue the ley lines. She was capable, not out of arrogance, but due to fact.
"Don't get conceited. Youkai are cunning. Countless people have been tripped up by arrogance like yours in the past. Focus only on fulfilling your duties."
The response she received was strict, yet Aoi took it in a favorable manner. Gracefully and elegantly.
"...I understand. I will do my duty as father taught me."
Then, she displayed her acceptance with a bow like a lady should.
"...It's quite late now. You should leave."
"Yes. Please take care of yourself, Father."
Thankful for her father's consideration, and also considering his fragile health, Aoi left the room. Her footsteps were notably lighter as she left, compared to when she entered.
"...What truly beautiful parent-child affection. Don't you agree, my lord?"
Sarcastic words resounded from behind. There had been no presence. No, there wasn't until a moment ago.
Suddenly, a person appeared. In their hand was a coat, one of the precious curse-tools owned by the Onitsuki family. The Recognition Inhibiting Coat... the original version of it.
Once, this was housed in the treasure vault of the demon (oni) that had nested in this valley.
The head of Onitsuki family's servant group, a frivolous man belonging to an affiliated branch of the Onitsuki family, Onitsuki Yuusei, glanced coldly at him.
"How did it go?"
"Just as you instructed. All that's left is execution... which is going to be the hardest part. Trying to deal with that monster is a heavy burden, you know?"
Yuusei's words were casual yet earnest. Onitsuki's direct descendant, the princess, the crystallization of the prestigious Onitsuki family's talent... he (the head of servant group) couldn't be sure he could confront her head-on, even with his strategizing. Even a slight gap, a moment of complacency, could lead to ruin. Terrifying.
"In other words?"
"Just one more push. I'm looking for some insurance here."
The figure smirked triumphantly. After a brief exchange of gazes, the lord pulled something as if surrendering.
"I leave it to you. The formal transfer will take some time, but rest assured. No one in the family will oppose me after this plan."
"Well, well... to think you'd entrust me with something like this. I'll have to work extra hard, won't I?"
The servant exclaimed in admiration at the bestowed weapon. Like the Recognition Inhibiting Coat, it was a top-grade curse-tool passed down in the Onitsuki family. A wicked weapon.
For him, it was something that originally shouldn't be granted to someone like him, a member of the family.
"As per our contract, if you succeed, the entire Onitsuki family will be under your control. The other branches won't be able to oppose you. You should strive for that."
The head of the servant group, a position not particularly revered within the Onitsuki family, especially with the current auxiliary role, didn't hold any dissatisfaction about his status. He was not particularly modest.
Ambitious and impulsive, but precisely for that reason, he held value. At least for the man who was the head of the family.
"Heh... Well then, I'll take my leave."
"Yes. Make sure to gather your strength for the main event."
With a polite yet impolite bow, the servant leader donned his coat and disappeared. Silence dominated the room for a while...
"..."
After a while, the sound of a brush scraping paper began to leak out of the room. Relentlessly, endlessly...
Fan art:
Title: Aoi in a Hanfu dress.
URL: [Link]
Please bookmark this series and rate ☆☆☆☆☆ on here!
Donate me
Support Me with USDC
(ERC20)
Support Me with XLM
(Stellar Lumens)