The day after Loki’s visit, I found myself stepping through the gates of the Domeki residence. Of course, both my hands were full, one carrying Karen’s luggage and the other my own. I hadn’t slept at all the night before, having spent it arranging everything with my teachers so I could still advance to the next grade. I owed them more than I could ever repay for helping me so late at night. Maybe that, too, was thanks to the influence of the oni’s bride.
Most of all, though, I was grateful for Nao. She had listened to my frantic phone call and offered her usual steady reassurance. “Call me every day if you need to, okay?” she’d said. I already felt like taking her up on that starting tonight.
The Domeki residence was a vast traditional Japanese mansion, surrounded by many trees. From the gate to the front entrance stretched a path of immaculate white sand, untouched by even a single footprint. A cold wind swept in from the woods, sharp and biting.
“We have been expecting you, Lady Bride.”
An oni was waiting at the entrance. I recognized him immediately, the same one who had come to fetch me from the child welfare center before. He still wore those same glasses and that same insincere, dubious smile.
“My name is Domeki Saiichi,” he said with exaggerated politeness. “a retainer serving Lord Loki. I have been entrusted with the honor of guarding you, Lady Bride.”
“Oh my, how kind. I’ve never had a bodyguard before,” Karen replied cheerfully.
“It is only natural, Lady Bride. You are of noble status. If anything were to happen to you, it would be a great calamity.”
Saiichi spoke with such courteous deference that Karen seemed delighted. Her face bloomed with a smile, and she cupped her cheeks with both hands, her eyes glistening as if lost in a dream.
“My, my! I’ve never been treated so dearly before! Loki truly loves me, doesn’t he!”
I bit my lip hard to keep from scoffing. This girl… After being spoiled so much by our parents, how could she say that? Everyone adored her, she was constantly surrounded by affection. Even now, she had multiple boys pining for her and she indulged them all.
When I gave her a withering look, my gaze happened to meet Saiichi’s. His polite smile remained perfectly in place, but in his eyes was unmistakable scorn, not directed at me, but at my little sister.
He was mocking Karen, the very bride of his master whom he had just called “noble.”
“Say, Saiichi, I’m feeling a bit tired,” Karen said in a soft, spoiled voice. “Would you show me to my room?”
“My deepest apologies for not noticing sooner. This way, please.”
Saiichi led us down the corridor. The polished wooden floors gleamed, and along the walls stood expensive-looking vases and paintings. Every so often, a beautiful oni would pass us and bow respectfully to the bride. Each time, Karen waved back in delight.
The room assigned to her faced the garden and was spacious and elegant. In the center sat a heavy low table with floor chairs, and in the corner was a vase of white narcissus. Beyond the open paper doors stretched a perfectly manicured garden and it looked very pleasing to the eyes.
“Wonderful! It’s large and so beautiful, what a lovely place! I can’t believe this will be my room from now on!”
She stepped into the room, practically dancing with joy. Saiichi, watching her with a faintly cold expression, bowed deeply before saying, “The attendant’s room is right next door. Please make yourself comfortable,” and quietly took his leave.
I placed Karen’s luggage neatly in the corner of her room, then went to check my own. It was, of course, much smaller than hers, but clean, orderly, and well-kept. Compared to home, where I didn’t even have a proper room of my own, it was certainly much better.
After unpacking my things, I returned to Karen’s room. As expected, she hadn’t unpacked a single item. She was reclining lazily in the chair, gazing out at the garden with a faint smile on her lips. At a glance, she looked like a flawless, gentle young lady.
Then perhaps sensing my presence, her small face turned toward me.
“Arrange my things for me, won’t you, onee-chan?”
Of course. The moment she opened her mouth, it had to be that. I sighed quietly and got to work.
