Mysterious

Naoki could sense the familiar tingles he felt when he got close to Haruka.

Not only that, but he could also feel the sound of heartbeats pounding in his head.

These simple changes told him a lot aside from the fact that his senses got heightened, but that she was close.

Soon enough, he was able to see Haruka and Daisuke approaching from afar and unhurriedly crossed his hands behind his back.

With each step taken, drawing them closer to the house, Daisuke could sense a powerful aura and whipped his head in that direction as his shoulders rose in tension.

Every muscle in his body tightened and the hairs, stood on end as he let out a heavy breath.

Something was not right. He could feel it.

Thinking that a Daimyo was close, Daisuke's eyes squinted and his brows drew closer as he got ready for action with an intense gaze ahead.

Oblivious to the change around her and Daisuke's defensive mode, Haruka complained about the lost sheath, while sitting comfortably on the horseback.

"My mother and my brother are going to have a good time scolding the living daylights out of me." Her gaze fell to the katana in her hand, releasing a soft sigh at her inevitable predicament.

She brought this on herself and had no one to blame. If only she had obediently stayed back at home…

"If there was still time, I would have gone to search for the sheath one more time. I am sure I can find it if I look properly," she added, letting out another sigh, this time heavier.

Without waiting for a response, she continued, "Mr. Suke, do you think you could help to search for the sheath?" She probed, with her gaze and figure towering over him.

All this time when Haruka spoke, her mind kept wandering a mile away but when she directed the question at him, that was when she noticed his lack of attention.

Her brows knitted slightly seeing him stare at something ahead so intensely.

Curious as to what got him that way, she narrowed her eyes and followed the line of his sight, ignoring the puzzled look that flashed on her own face while trying to figure things out.

Seconds passed by quickly but nothing changed. It was the same old scenery that had always surrounded where she lived and grew up.

Upon noticing nothing spectacular, the crease on her forehead relaxed and she slouched her shoulders in exhaustion.

'Hmm. I wonder why he became more serious?'

With that thought in mind, she decided to bring his attention back and better still find out from him why he got carried away.

"Mr. Suke?"

Instantly, Daisuke, was pulled away from the trance state he had kept himself subconsciously in.

Moving his head to the side, he lifted his gaze to peer at her face, only to see the hint of worry.

A pang of guilt hit him instantly. He had not meant to trouble his master's destined bride while being on the lookout.

"Is something wrong?" Haruka inquired in doubt.

The more his gaze lingered on her face, the stronger he felt tempted briefly to ask her if she could feel the heavy aura in the atmosphere since she was able to sense Naoki and trespass into his castle.

But on second thought, he kicked that idea from his head, changing his mind at once.

Shaking his head to refute her claims, he affirmed, "Nothing. Pay me no heed. I only recalled something."

Managing a tight-lipped smile at her, in hopes of easing her worry, he returned his gaze to the path ahead and continued pulling the reins of the horse forward.

Haruka shrugged and moved her gaze away from him as well.

Since nothing seemed to be the matter, she didn't dwell on the reason for his distraction any longer.

After all, she was one who had her own problems to worry about, and unlike his, hers was just a few minutes away.

'Sigh'

"Mr. Suke, will you assist me to find my brother's sheath?" She asked again with an anticipating gaze as she clutched hard on the katana.

This time around, Daisuke replied reassuringly. "Sure. I will assist you with anything you request for. You just need to ask, and it will be done."

Being his future mistress, he knew there was no way he could ever refuse her, or else he would be defying his master.

And he wasn't ready to face such consequences.

Besides, relieving her burdens and stress like he had done in the past, was but a simple responsibility. One he gladly took upon himself.

At his assurance, the corners of Haruka's lips curled up immediately as a blooming smile spread across her face like a bolt of lightning.

She was most grateful to use his help. If it wasn't late, she would have implored his help at the time they departed from the castle.

Sadly, with the impending darkness descending, she had to hurry back home first.

Not long after their short but helpful conversation, Daisuke and Haruka took a turn, entering a long street, and were immediately greeted by the dense atmosphere.

Goosebumps instantly appeared on her skin as a certain chill passed by them, prickling her senses that something was wrong.

At first, she had wished to ignore it, thinking it was normal but with each passing second they ventured further, she felt something weigh heavily on her chest.

Finally, she could no longer ignore the discomfort and drew Daisuke's attention to it.

"Mr. Suke, I feel someone's gaze on us, do you feel the same?" She inquired as her gaze glanced around their busy environment.

There were traders, merchants, and stall owners doing business but no one looked disturbed.

Also, there were a good number of people moving about, hence this made it a little difficult for her to identify the particular person that had their gaze locked on them.

'I can feel that too.' Daisuke thought to himself but refused to admit it openly.

Instead, he stated calmly. "There are so many people moving about. It is quite normal to have a few lingering gazes on us. Please do not think too much about it."

Although he assured her, he could not say the same thing to himself.

He had to tread carefully along the street as they drew near the powerful aura, in preparation for anything.

Her protection came as a topmost priority. No mistakes were to be allowed.

Unknown to him, Haruka didn't seem calm like before.

She could feel danger lurking in the corner as she stared ahead with her brows drawing together.

Regardless, she could only his words while her grip on the katana remained as strong as ever.

Soon enough, Daisuke slowed down their pace as they entered the street the Ito family resided.

Just then, he felt the presence of a powerful figure plus the familiar aura of his master and hurriedly looked at the end of the street.

To his amazement, his gaze landed on his master standing there and staring back at them.

'Master,' His voice thundered in his head as he stared at the figure with a look of surprise.

He had already stopped in his tracks without knowing.

Nevertheless, that was not what bothered him.

Just by seeing him there, all the questions troubling Daisuke were answered immediately. Saying his name alone proved no doubt to his confirmed speculation.

On the other hand, Haruka seemed able to feel the presence of the powerful aura and looked ahead.

In a normal situation, she wouldn't have been able to feel such, and she would have questioned Daisuke for stopping.

But on seeing the familiar figure of the man that scared the life out of her, ahead of them, a gasp tore through her dry lips in shock as her finger rose to point toward Naoki's direction instinctively.

"M-Mr. S-Suke, I-Is that n-not your M-Master?" She stuttered in disbelief.

Haruka was shocked and curious to know how Naoki got there before them, and how he knew where she lived.

Several questions reigned in her mind at that moment. She could not pinpoint why he would go there and how.

Was he planning on reporting her for breaking in? Or did he not plan on letting bygones be bygones on her attitude in his home?

Everything about him spelled mysterious and being in his presence alone, confirmed that he was different from the rest.

Suddenly, a thought struck her mind and she immediately asked as Daisuke got over his initial shock and started to pull the horse by the reins to lead it forward.

"Mr. Suke, is your Master like the Daimyos?"

Naoki who heard her question from the other end was a little taken aback by her speculation.

"She knows about the Daimyos?" He muttered under his breath while peering at her figure in curiosity.

'It seems like I have indeed missed out on a lot.' He thought internally.

No matter how hard he tried. Any time he was close to her, he seemed to know more and was left intrigued by the minute.

Daisuke remained unfazed and replied with his firm gaze ahead.

"No, he is very different."

It wasn't surprising that Haruka knew about the Daimyos being powerful as her father and Daisuke had told her some stories about them before.

Other than that, everyone in the country except for the newborns and toddlers, was aware of the Daimyos being supernatural.

With Daisuke's response, she kept her hope alive as she watched him lead the way to what she hoped wouldn't be her impending doom added to her awaited endless scolding.

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