Blades and Feathers: Yokai Treasures, Book 3 by Kate Grove

Author:Kate Grove [Grove, Kate]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: asia, fairy tale, fantasy, feudal Japan, isekai, Japan, magic, medieval Japan, ninja, romance, romantic fantasy, samurai, sengoku jidai, warring states area, witch, youkai
ISBN: 9786150090948
Publisher: Kate Grove
Published: 2020-09-30T22:00:00+00:00

Chapter 36

“Knowing one’s self is important,” Takeru continued, thinking about his own self-discovery. He glanced back at Fuyusaki’s puzzled expression. “Never mind.”

Was that too philosophical?

There was a moment of silence while Fuyusaki waited with an awkward smile on his face. Again, his image overlapped with that of the tengu woman, and Takeru groaned, resting his forehead on his palm.

“Is something the matter, Takeru-dono?”

You, he replied in his mind. His gaze landed on the barely eaten dango, and he realized he had lost his appetite. Why do you keep plaguing my mind, Fuyusaki?

“Betsuni,”22 Takeru replied but didn’t look up. He quickly made up an excuse. “Just thinking about tomorrow.”

“What about it?”

“It will be a very long day without any breaks. Except for lunch. I have to keep my lunchtime free.”

“Understood,” Fuyusaki replied, but Takeru doubted it. There was a reason he ate lunch alone for the past few days.

“Go make sure preparations are done for the banquet and the rooms are ready for the last two arrivals,” Takeru instructed, waving the young man off.

“Yes, sir.”

Fuyusaki bowed and left the office. Takeru pushed the plate of sweet dumplings away and reached for the book he had been reading. A black feather marked the spot where he had been before he was interrupted. As he continued reading, he occasionally bit into the dumplings.

But his thoughts wouldn’t clear.

***

"I thought I might find you here, my lord," a familiar voice greeted him, and Takeru didn't need to turn around and check that it was Rui. He was leaning on the railings on the top floor of the tower, overlooking his domain.

"Why are you looking for me? Did something happen?"

"The last two have arrived. They're in their rooms at the moment," Rui dutifully reported.

"Were they angry I didn't receive them like the others?"

Rui walked over the banister and stood next to him. She faced him, leaning her waist against the railing.

"They looked relieved to be able to rest."

Takeru laughed.

"And they aren't the ones who live the furthest away." His thoughts went to Kawasaki. "Tell Naofumi to check back with me, will you?"

"Or course, my lord."

"What about Riku?"

Rui shook her head, making Takeru sigh in disappointment.

"May I ask...?"

"Go on."

"Why are you so interested in tengus?" she blurted. Rui crossed her arms when Takeru looked at her. He was calculating how much to tell her. It hadn't been long since she had joined the Kitayama household, and it wasn't a smooth road, either. However, she had frequently proved herself dependable.

Despite that, she seemed to withdraw at Takeru's look and glanced away, a flush rising on her cheek, betraying her embarrassment.

"I'm sorry for asking such a—"

"I met one."

"Come again?" she asked, staring at Takeru with wide eyes. "You actually met a tengu?"

Takeru turned away to look at the scenery below. He nodded and, from the corner of his eye, could see Rui fidgeting.

"There's no need to worry."

"He wasn't... hostile?"

"More like... apprehensive."

Rui mulled over his words. "And you're intrigued."

"I believe that's the right word, yes," Takeru replied, then glanced at her.

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