Rumours

Mary looks happy but still holds me close and a bit from Ten Ju.

"I came at the order of General Kai to see the situation of the young miss." He looked at me and in his eyes there was an emotion that I couldn't place. "There have been rumors in the capital of the heiress to the Kai family was killed at the age of five after her debut. These had no clear explanation as to how you were supposedly killed but the General wanted to have someone check in."

I was shocked.

General Kai heard of rumors that his only child was killed so he sent a sneaky little fox and it's cub to investigate. My face began to contort so I hid in Mary's neck. I was angry to the point of shaking. This supposed father was too much! This body was a thoughtless child yes but she was just a little girl alone without a mother.

Mary rubbed my back assuming I was upset at the news of someone saying I was dead. Maybe if I was a real child. Instead in this small body was a young adult about to finish college. I had no naivety and I had no ignorance. I knew the man who I would need to call father was just as bad as my own deadbeat father. At least I had my mother when I was this young.

I do not know if I can respect this man.

I don't know what his plans are for me but if need be... I will destroy him before he hurts me.

My days continued on with reading and snacks. I did start getting plump till the maids started pinching my cheeks. When I was allowed to walk around and just be followed I noticed the guards. There were guards along the walls mostly but also at certain buildings. I was not followed by any of the guards, none of them seemed to even consider my existence to have any importance.

I had seen all of the small estate but not inside all the buildings. There was four buildings creating a square around the back courtyard, and other buildings spread over the outer estate. The front building was for guests and meetings, I would sometimes go there to read but aside from the visit from the Tens it was unnecessary. The left was my room and needs with the maids was on the right . The back building was things deemed too important for the young miss to know about, it was also across a river that flows through the property. Maybe it was a creek but as small as I was it wasn't possible for me to reach without the bridge. The bridge was manned by a guard, I only was guards crossing.

I had only been inside the front buildings, it was unneeded for me to cross the bridge so I never got the opportunity to see past the building in front. There was a wall around the area I was allowed in and when in my room I could see over it, there was another ring to the estate before an even higher wall could be seen.

Today I wore a puffy blue dress matching my eyes courtesy of Lena who I suspect just likes using me as a real life dress up doll. Speaking of which there don't seem to be any real toys, most children would probably have friends to talk to but I was not in the same position. I walked to the tree in the back courtyard and sit beneath the shade. Willen tried stopping me but I plopped down without a care and held out my hand for the book she had been holding since the start of our walk.

She sighed and gave me the book sitting on her knees within the grass and just relaxed knowing we would be there for a bit.

In the book it spoke of a noble, a swordsman, and a princess. It was admittedly not very interesting but with my age they refused to give me anything with serious topics. I saw Willen looking around and I knew she was bored, despite being a my maid she was only 14.

I cleared my throat and started to read allowed, I knew most servants couldn't read so I gave her some story time.

Once upon a time,

There was a man who was born with a weak constitution into a small noble's family. His only desire in life was to protect people. Growing up he saw people hurt and killed but could never stop anyone, he was powerless. He threw himself into books studying endlessly in hopes someday his knowledge would help someone.

One day when out on a ride in a carriage he and his guard came across an injured man. They took him home and allowed him safety and rest while he needed it. When the man was healed he swore his loyalty to the weak boy, something even his guards dare not do.

From that day forward the injured man followed the weak noble's son. When they were alone there was a feeling of brotherhood instead of a master and a servant. For hours in the night they would talk about adventures they heard or read about.

During the day the weak man would read in the library which overlooked the training ground, while the other was diligently training his sword skills. They both worked hard each day and ate together repressing smiles in front of others. In front of others it was two men, a master and servant, but when it was just them they were more akin to boys.

A day came when a rumor was being spread, a princess had run away and taken her dowry with her instead of-

BANG

I stopped and looked around for the noise I see Willen doing the same and we stand together. I get close to her side and see a few men coming in over the wall. I hold my skirt with one hand anxiously and hold Willen's hand with the other.

There was trouble today.