Salute

After Ru had left I casually strolled over to the centre of the room and asked Ki to close the door. She seemed to wear an expression of relief as the door shut with a whispered slam.

Ki was standing near the entrance with her arm still bleeding down her slightly tattered outfit.

[ Well this is awkward]

"Why don't you talk to her Yuki?" Kibbles said as he jumped up on the bed that probably cost more than half of Nova.

[ I guess your right]

I walked up to Ki who was near the door in a slow stride. She stood up straighter than usual with her chest puffed out ready to hear any order I was about to give her. I only the other had was scrambling to come up with anything to say.

My mind had become so filled with thoughts that if I were to speak at this moment it would come out like a soup of unfiltered garbage.

[ I am not good at this]

A bead of sweat dripped down my brow.

As I was trying to decide the best was to approach the maid who had taken a beating for me after my poor behaviour there was a knock on the door.

It was the doctor that the auction house had summoned. They wore a yellow outfit that looked a lot like the uniform I had to wear when I visited the magic academy. I could see a three-star emblem emblazoned proudly on the chest pocket.

I realised that they must have been a magic academy student. I found it amazing that someone who was studying at the magic academy could be invited by such a high-class establishment to heal our wounds.

The light mages were the true doctors of this world.

They pull both Ki and me from the awkward moment that had begun since we had both spent some time alone. I looked over her long blonde hair that was covered in mud and pale skin that was covered in micro scars and sighed in my heart.

[It was really unfair of me... all of this.]

I felt like an idiot.

Although I had suffered I had made matters worse by acting out in such a way where the people I cared about also suffered.

Ren, Ki and even I could have died today.

Maybe, the only reason why Sora didn't kill me in the forest was due to him knowing that Ki and Ren were following me, even if did not.

I watched as Ki's dress was cut at the sleeve to reveal a rather revolting wound. It looked as if she had been stabbed with a toothed weapon. I cringed for her as I watched the doctor apply some medical herbs before they applied light magic to the wound.

Ki had flinched only once before she must have noticed I was watching and kept stone-faced ever since.

Next came in a maid that worse a similar outfit to what Ki normally wore. She carried in some fresh clothes for me as well as a maid's outfit for Ki.

I noticed that both Ki and the maid in question eyed each other off before Ki smiled, the maid had merely huffed and bowed politely in return to me before leaving.

"What was that about?" I said trying to remove the awkward atmosphere that had begun to reappear.

"You sure have been asking a lot of questions since we got here young master" Ki replied with a laugh.

"I won't let you brush me off this time, " I said with a laugh in return.

Although it was a small thing Ki and I laughing together had been the straw that broke the camels back. I couldn't hold back as I ran into Ki's arms and hugged her gently.

"I was a jerk; will you forgive me Ki?" I said as I held her tightly.

"Young Master?!" Ki replied as she gently patted my head.

Ki and I sat in silence for a while enjoy while she played with my head and I found myself a comfortable spot on her shoulder. I wasn't sure if she was going to answer me or not but her warmth and closeness had made my heart feel fuller.

" I will forgive you on one condition," Ki said in a cheeky tone.

" Anything!" I replied as I buried further into her shoulder.

" I want you to try your best to do as your grandfather asked and next time you feel like running talk to your friends first" Ki replied as she patted my head more.

[ My friends huh]

" Friends like you? " I said in a mumble.

" hahah yes, friends like me," Ki said in a loving tone.

" You know Yuki, your grandfather knew this would happen. All of it but he still let you sneak out. He really does love you, I think you should trust him more with your problems. He may be able to help." Ki said after a moment.

[ My problems huh? ]

There was yet another knock on the door the broke the pleasant atmosphere of the room. I looked over at the door and begrudgingly stood up. I looked at Ki who held a bright smile on her face.

It reminded me of the first day I met her.

" Young Master Akiyo, your servant has awoken," Said a maid at the door.

" Understood," I said in my best young master tone.

" You coming to see Ren? " I said as I looked at Ki and gave her a cheeky smile

" Just what sort of relationship do you think him and I have?!" Ki responded embarrassed.

" Just as the sun cannot hide from the horizon forever… love will shine through eventually!" I responded with a teasing tone.

" Young master!!!!" Ki said as she held her cheeks.

" Please do not pick on this mere maid. I am a fragile and delicate beauty. Do you wish for this one's heart to break?" Ki said pitifully in play.

If I had tea in my mouth I probably would have spat it out. If Ki was a " fragile and delicate lady", then I was straight and muscular.

I coughed once and Ki laughed. It seemed she would not only beat me in battle but in shamelessness as well.

" Ren IS a really nice person though, you should at least think about making seeing him as a man," I said as I began to walk out of the room.

" I thought you told Wen that I only saw you as a man," Ki said as she winked like a vixen.

I coughed again, this time with a red face.

The main that was waiting at the door to lead us to Ren has the most dumbfounded look on her face that I had ever seen. I guess it was not usual to see a young aristocrat joke and laugh with their servant as friends.

If this were a comic book I was certain her jaw would be hitting the ground.

" haha shall we head off?" I said to change the subject.

Ki's aura changed from a lovely maiden to a dull maid in an instant. She bowed politely to the other maid before saying to me " After you young master" and gesturing me to follow.

Even though her clothes were still tattered she did not lose one iota to the other maid that had come to fetch us. I could see that she had tried hard to fit the position of a maid fit for my Akiyo family.

I decided that she was going to be my role model from this day forth. Bright, kind, vicious when she needed to be and a hard worker.

I really admired her.

I was told on the journey to Ren's room that the first thing he did when he woke up he called my name. Then he called for Ki and when neither of us replied he went to stand.

[ For a guy who was just poisoned he sure is lively ]

We made our way to a less grandiose room. Before we had even made it to the entrance way we heard Ren arguing with the doctor.

" Sir you have to stay in bed" the doctor from earlier had said.

" I NEED to see Yuki!" Ren said as he tried to stand.

" You just need to lay down he will be here soon!" the doctor said urging Ren to lay down.

" SOLDIER! LAY DOWN! THIS IS AN ORDER!" I said in a commanding tone from the entrance way.

" YES, SIR!" Ren gave a full command salute and laid down obediently in bed before he seemed suddenly bewildered.

Ki tried to stifle a laugh as did I.

[ I CAN'T BELIEVE THAT WORKED!!! ]

" hahah it seems we have excellent soldiers in our army, wouldn't you say Ki?" I said as I laughed.

" YUKI! You.. you!!" Ren said all red-faced.

" Ki bowed down politely and added " Young master Akiyo, you are truly fit to be a generals grandson. Well done"

" Even you want to tease me Ki?" Ren replied sullenly.

The doctor looked at the three of us as if we were crazy and politely removed themselves from the room with the help of the maid that had led us here.

" I am glad you are okay, now what was so urgent" I said as I looked at Ren covered in bandages.

" I have a message from a woman who called her self RinRin" Ren said after he made sure there was no one else around.

[ Cupids friend!? ]

" Did she have purple hair and eyes?" I said trying to confirm my theory.

He nodded quickly.

"What is it?" I said in a serious tone.