There was a lot of wind today but I had to stretch the laundry anyway. Battling with the sheets, i soon found myself blinded by them, unable to free my head. I was mumbling to myself when i heard a voice calling out to me from behind. I immediately recognized the man’s gentle laugh. Lord Yoshichi…
I felt awfully embarassed but i let him help me, with many thanks and apologies. When my face was finally unveiled, the first thing i saw was Yoshichi’s kind smile. It was so contagious i forgot my annoyance right away and smiled as well.
His hair was all ruffled by the wind and i realized mine couldn’t fare better after all that… I tried to fix it with my hands but it was hopeless. It made Yoshichi smile even more, his eyes closed by mirth. I bowed deeply several times, which prevented me from staring too much at that adorable face of his.
‘Can i help you?’ he asked joyfully.
Lord Yoshichi was often around to talk to me and even help me with my daily tasks. At first, i thought he was only being kind but, after he attempted to flirt with me on several occasions, I figured he had a little crush on me. He was younger than me by several years, he was a samurai and i a maid… I didn’t even imagine something could happen between us, so i never responded with anything else than politeness.
‘You look very pretty even with your hair like this, you know !’ he said with a wink. ‘I can’t believe a girl like you is single…something should be done about that, don’t you think ?’
I bowed and thanked him for his compliment, hiding my smile. He’s so bad at this… but it’s cute
With his help the laundry was stretched in no time. We both walked towards the mansion, chatting lighly. But a strong gush of wind made me drop the wooden basket and i stumbled on it, falling hard on my knees and hands. Ouch…
‘Oh ! i’m sorry ! i should have carried it ! i should have caught you ! it’s my fault !’
In his panic, Yoshichi scooped me from the ground and started to carry me in his arms like a child. Despite my protests and reassurances that i was alright he wouldn’t let go of me. He jumped on the veranda and opened a door without letting me down.
He’s stronger than he looks… I looked at him with a renewed interest. He wasn’t moving and seemed quite confused as to what to do next. So I looked around and…
’Lord Yoshichi…this is your bedroom…’
‘Oh !’
When the realization hit him, he almost dropped me and i put my arms around his neck by reflex. Our faces were now very close and… he’s really cute.
‘Yoshichi !’ A booming voice startled us both and, again, he almost dropped me, so i held on tighter to him.
We looked behind us at… Lord Kanetsugu watching us with utter surprise. Silence settled in the room for a long moment. I was perfectly aware of what this - Lord Yoshichi and me disheveled in a tight embrace - looked like…
‘Brother…It’s not…she’s hurt…’
‘I don’t have time for this,’ sighed Lord Kanetsugu eventually. ‘Lord Kenshin is gone who knows where, and now you... Is everyone in this castle keen on making me go mad ?! Put her down ! And come with me !’
He gave me a kind look as my feet reached the ground.
‘Are you alright miss?’
‘Yes, I’m fine’ i bowed.
Lord Kanetsugu left the chamber with a big sigh of annoyance. I lifted my gaze to meet Lord Yoshichi’s concerned look.
‘I’ll ask Umeko to take care of me, don’t worry.’
He nodded, and let go of a big sigh as well, but of relief. Then he quickly left the room, with one last smile. Well, that was akward. I stayed a while with a silly grin on my face, my cheeks growing hotter by the minute. Yoshichi’s crush on me was not unrequited after all… not at all.
