Disatisfaction

Naoki's gaze narrowed at Daisuke as he wondered the reason he was acting up and making a fuss over nothing.

But thinking back to his reaction, he believed it had something to do with the period he laid in bed because what did his greeting mean?

"Daisuke?" Naoki called out softly and paused.

Sensing the worry, Daisuke lifted his head slowly to respond as his brows knitted together in concern, "My Lord…"

"How many days have I been asleep?" Naoki inquired in a calm demeanor while still maintaining the same position.

Still, on his knees, Daisuke unhurriedly straightened his back, studying his master's facial expression from his peripheral view.

Without a doubt, he confirmed his master was still oblivious to the things that had transpired in his absence.

Left for Daisuke, he would have preferred to explain things to him gradually, if he wasn't being questioned.

However, his reaction to the time-lapse never occurred to him all this while. His mistake.

Sadly, he knew he could not hide this important piece of information and in time Naoki would figure it out.

Now that he was about to break the ridiculous news to him, Daisuke was a little nervous about his reaction and hesitated.

"M-My Lord…" he began, letting out a deep breath to control the shaking of his voice.

"You have been unconscious for eighteen years," he revealed at last, and almost immediately, time seemed to stop as silence ensued in the room.

'18 years?' Naoki recounted in his mind. 'I have been unconscious for that long?'

As much as he tried to think about it, it sounded unbelievable to Naoki whose sharp glint immediately narrowed at him.

"Daisuke?" His low dangerous tone reverberated in the small space.

"Yes, My Lord," came a nervous reply.

Naoki's gaze trailed him from his head to his knees before his thin lips parted to bring forth words.

"Did you by any chance drink before coming over?"

0_0

<Author: Pfftt…>

<Haruka: Hahhaaha… author nice one.>

<Author: Woman you are supposed to be unconscious. Get back in line. Now, where were we?>

Daisuke was taken aback by the insinuating words of his master.

As though he wasn't even sure of himself, he brought his sleeves close to his nose and drew in his nostrils, sniffing it.

Immediately, his nose scrunched up as his brows furrowed from the stench that assaulted his senses.

He reeked of sweat and dust, having ridden over in a hurry, and definitely not of alcohol.

Certain that no alcohol stench was coming from him, he peeled his gaze back to the man eyeing him.

"My Lord, my tongue did not taste any sake."

Naoki who was still observing closely queried, "At most, I should have been out for a month, how then do you dare to joke with me?"

With the way his brows drew close together, adding to the dark glint in his eyes, Daisuke did not need a second telling to know something was wrong.

Sensing his annoyance, he lowered his body, forcing his forehead to make a mark on the floor, and cried out, "My Lord, I would never joke with…"

He never got the chance to finish his statement when Naoki's rage got kindled.

"Shut it!" Naoki scolded before his gaze turned to the woman stirring in his arms.

The crease on his forehead straightened a bit at the mysterious girl he held.

He had almost forgotten about her because of the distraction from the ridiculous statements and actions Daisuke made since stepping inside the room.

On the other hand, Haruka could feel her back being held in someone's arms, and slowly, her eyes squinted as her lashes fluttered open.

At first, her gaze was hazy and it took her some time to finally capture the image that was looking down at her.

'Huh?'

A deep frown marred her beautiful face as the image became much clearer, revealing to her his true beauty.

She couldn't believe her eyes and immediately rolled out of his arms with a screech escaping her lungs as her face contoured in fright.

Due to her fear, Haruka failed to look carefully and landed with her butt on the floor.

Nevertheless, her brain did not register the pain but focused on whom was before her.

"Ghost!" Her parted lips yelled as her heart hammered in her chest.

She couldn't believe she just found herself in the arms of the same man that threatened her vision and thoughts a few moments ago.

'Again?'

Naoki looked at her in wonder. Never had he come in contact with such an uncivilized woman.

Was she blind? What part of his looks resembled a ghost?

Daisuke, on the other hand, seemed shocked to see the face of the familiar woman that just rolled out of his master's arms. His eyes remained agape as he stared at her in surprise.

One word, one question. Those were all that remained.

'Miss Ito? What is she doing here?' He questioned inwardly.

"Miss Ito."

Haruka didn't seem to notice the other presence in the room as her focus was solely on Naoki who she was scared would make a move on her, but she was finally distracted when she heard Daisuke's voice.

Instantly, her head turned in his direction in utter surprise. "Mr. Suke?" She called out.

The look in her eyes told him she was even more astonished to see him on his knees than the sheer thought of how he was there in the first place.

The more Haruka kept her gaze on him, the quicker her brain got flooded with questions.

'Why is he on his knees, did this bad man punish him?'

'Did he come to save me and perhaps plead for my freedom?'

Since she had known Daisuke, he has always been the one mostly saving her in dire situations, thus, the reason for her deduction.

Currently, Naoki seemed to be the only confused person in the room.

It was obvious he was lost from the way he swept his gaze between them with arched brows.

'Miss Ito? Who is she?'

That last name spoke volumes for there was only one Ito family that sparked his interest.

'They are familiar with each other?' Naoki assumed from the familiarity in their eyes on seeing the other.

Discovering that they were still yet to tear their gazes away from each other, he became impatient and took matters into his hands. Somebody needed to bring their senses back.

Rising to his feet, Naoki instantly attracted their attention, reminding them of his presence as he had hoped.

Again, Haruka moved away from him while still on her butts, thereby creating a good distance between them.

"Coward," Naoki snorted and turned his gaze over to his right-hand man. "Get up."

"Thank you, Milord," Daisuke said gratefully with his head touching the floor before getting to his feet as Haruka watched his actions in astonishment.

Her facial expression already expressed her unspoken words. Now, she was very curious as to who Naoki was for the brave Daisuke to cower before him.

'C-Could this… this man be his M-Master?' She questioned inwardly as her eyeballs widened in shock and fear gripped her heart at that realization.

If he was and she had just offended him, who was going to save her now?

Haruka was still lost in thought when Naoki's voice pulled her back to the present.

"Who is she?" Naoki directed at Daisuke with his brows drawn together.

Although he was curious about her identity, he did not hide his displeasure that she intruded into his castle.

He would have dealt with her since the time he noticed her presence if he had sensed any atom of threat from her.

Knowing his master for centuries and his dislikes, Daisuke bowed slightly not daring to meet his gaze.

"Milord, this young lady is Ito Haruka, the only daughter born to Mr. Ito and lady Ito eighteen years ago."

In one simple statement, Daisuke revealed Haruka's identity as his destined bride without having to spell it out.

He was careful lest he incurred his master's wrath further and also frighten the young lady who remained oblivious to the entire situation.

His eyes widened upon realization and as though wanting to conform, Naoki tilted his head to the side to glance at the young woman.

'Was this the reason I was drawn to her?'

And as their gazes met, she quickly stretched her hand for her katana that has been lying still on the floor and put it in front of her defensively, just in case he had plans against her.

Haruka did not know what to expect after having her identity known to this man and the fact that there was a change in his expression, gave her some slight chills.

Now that the eerie feeling was gone, and her head had cleared, she could feel the powerful aura emitting from the man standing before her.

'Did you wake me?' Naoki thought as he studied her closely while searching for something deep within her, and ignoring her noticeable protective actions.

Daisuke was the only one worried because of the katana. "Miss Ito, why did you bring the katana with you, it could be very dangerous."

The moment those words fell out of his lips, a thought struck her.

His words had startled her into remembrance, and thanks to that, she recalled having something important to do.

With her gaze till locked on him, Haruka sprang to her feet in a frenzied state without warning, rushed to the sliding window ahead, and pushed it open with trembling fingers.

Immediately her eyes met with the darkened sky causing fear to grip her heart. 'Oh no! Father and Mother will surely scold me.'

"…"

'Did I just hear her thoughts?' Naoki thought in surprise as his gaze continued to trail her.

His brows furrowed in slight confusion as he couldn't have mistaken that female voice in his head. Also, he didn't see her lips move just now.

Daisuke sensed Haruka's worry and thought to take her back home.

"Miss Ito, I will send you back immediately," he said, abruptly disturbing their train of thoughts.

Haruka quickly returned to her initial position and bent her waist to reach for the katana she had dropped while rushing to the window.

Straightening her back after, she met Naoki's scrutinizing gaze and panic flashed through her eyes.

Unsure of what to do next, she fidgeted a little before coming to stand five steps away from him. Then without hesitation, she lowered the upper part of her torso.

"Mister, I sincerely apologize for my ignorance."

Then without waiting to hear his response, she straightened her back the next second and brushed past him, making sure to avoid meeting his gaze.

She didn't dare to linger in his presence for fear of him taking out his grudge against her.

Daisuke released a soft sigh as his gaze retreated from her back. "Master, I will send her home first, her family must be worried sick after her disappearance."