'I have to destroy it. I have to bury that spell away.'
If he does this, then Sumire will not get hurt. At least that is what he intended. However, he looked at the words written on the stone. Soujiro clenched his fist. That girl has no luck whatsoever. It seems Makihara does not understand the words on this stone; otherwise, he would know that one must use her blood to use this.
"I wish to be alone. I cannot focus with so many people around."
Makihara nodded. "Very well, I shall be waiting in the entrance."
The moment the man left, Soujiro extended his hand out, and the stone started to glow.
It seems this thing will recognize him as the master. But there is somebody else who can use this. However, if she does then, it will cause negative side effects on her.
He clenched his fist tightly. Why is it like this? No matter what he does, there is no way to save her from living a cruel fate. Even if she did not have these powers and lived on as a normal member of the elite, she would still suffer due to the weight of her duties.
Due to her family perishing, she does not have to worry about such things. But that was only because she was young; now that she has come off age, those people will enforce those responsibilities onto her. With the current situation of her powers, the elites cannot do anything. But if she did not have those powers right about now, they would put pressure on her.
When his brother Shiki first dropped the hint that Sumire was alive, he tried to maintain a calm composure. Even though he didn't see her dead body and held onto the foolish hope that she was alive. After so many years, his hope slowly faded. So when his brother said that and invited him to that concur, he went. It was her; it was truly her.
'I was glad; she seemed happy and appeared to be living a normal life.'
That was the main reason why he didn't approach her sooner despite knowing she was alive. But with the recent move of the elite circle and that organization, Soujiro knew he had no choice but to lure her out. He could have personally gone to her but decided it would be better if she came to him.
It seems he will have to find another way to save her. But since he has already infiltrated their ranks, it should be easier. No, that man is not that simple. He cannot allow him to catch on.
....
It was already late when he returned to the mansion when he saw the guards drifting off. Soujiro used the other entrance. 'Normally, I would lecture them for being incompetent, but now is not the time for that.
Soujiro blinked when he saw the figure fast asleep on the couch. A deep sigh escaped his lips. 'What is she doing all the way out here?' Even though they are engaged, he has not forced her to remain in his chambers. Although this has lead to the servants talking, it did not bother him. He does not want to take advantage of her. There is still a large age difference between them, even if she is of age now.
Right now, she is the only member of the Ibuki family. She is not obliged to carry out this engagement. She is a normal individual right now. She doesn't have to associate with this world.
Allen ran his fingers through her hair and brought a strand to his lips. 'As long as she carried out her duties as my wife, I won't mind if she had a lover or two.'
Or rather, in her household, there were a lot of male guards. She noticed how fond she was of her cousin and her head guard Senbi Nao. It would not surprise him if she was in a relationship or had a crush on them.
If she performed her duties as his wife, as his betrothed. It wouldn't matter if she had another man; initially, he thought that way. But after he learned of her feelings for Terashima Yuhi, he changed his mind.
'Unknowingly, I found myself wanting to compete with that man.'
Sumire stirred awake, and he quickly drew his hand back. She sat up half dazed. "Soujiro?"
"You should head back to your chambers; it's late."
"I'll stay here."
A troubled look appeared on his face when he heard her say those words. This woman should know better than to stay in the room of someone of the opposite gender.
Sumire walks over to the divider, and he hears rustling. Is she changing her clothes? It didn't take long before she re-emerged wearing her nightgown. She crawled over to the bed and laid down. Soujiro, who stood on the other side, just stared at him dumbfounded.
"There is a terrible leak in my room, not affecting all the guest rooms in the west wing."
"Then use the guest rooms in the south."
"But there are seldom any guards there, so your servants advised me to come here."
'This is troubling; what type of challenge is this?' Moreover, she has no idea, does she? Recently he is starting to lose control. The self-control and resistance he built towards her are gradually vanishing. He thought it was a good thing that she was too busy to meet for a while.
The next time they meet, hopefully, things return to normal. But sadly, it was not like that. For the last few days, it has been difficult for him to keep his composure around her.
Soujiro laid at the furthest corner of the bed and turned his back so he wouldn't have to face her.
"You have gotten quite cheeky."
"Mmm, isn't it better to be bolder than to shy away?"
"That would depend on the situation."
'In situations like this, being bold is far too dangerous.'
"Do you want me to leave?" Sumire asked softly. "You know, I don't want to put you under an awkward position. But I figured that if I don't stay over in your room for at least one night, the servants may think we do not get along."
"My reputation does not matter." Soujiro trailed off. "But yours does."
She already has a bad enough reputation in the entertainment industry, let alone the elite world. Indeed, this is the correct decision.
Soujiro turned around and extended his hand out to touch her long hair once again. "Your hair, you grew it out for him, correct?"
"Mmm, but I also think this makes me look more feminine. Mother often said with my behavior; this is the only way for others to see me as a female." Sumire laughed. "Thinking about it now, though, when we first met, my hair was shorter."
"I almost mistook you for a knight."