[YUZUKI]
She had walked these roads before.
The roads that always felt like a road home rather than a walk to just a river that met nothing. And yet now, as she walked those same roads, a cos sort walking beside her like it was her place, Yuzuki couldn't help but feel nauseated.
This wasn't how it was supposed to be, or even how she had wanted to come back here. Especially not with a stranger who would look into what their moment had been.
She had wanted it to be special, but what was special when she had now revealed her face to the people of Kurayami as their queen?
What was special when she knew there would always be eyes on her all the damn time? Be it the eyes of the spies in the court or the eyes of the people who were simply fascinated by the queen who had just bested their enemies.
It was the kind of attention that she knew wasn't good for her or her relationship with Ayami Araki.
Oh, Yuzuki.
"I don't understand why you would come to these sides. I thought it was for people like Rinko to deal with whatever is happening beyond the palace," Amaya said as she covered her nose like this was the one place she didn't want to be a part of.
Then again, she had the choice to stay behind, to not come along with Yuzuki.
Yet she had made it her mission to follow the woman like a moth to a flame. It was disappointing on so many scales, but there wasn't much that Yuzuki could do about her this time.
At least not until she was sure of how to get to Kazuya without bringing Ayami Araki. That enforcer was her way through the man who had ripped them of their past lives.
"Maybe because she is the queen and she loves her job instead of wallowing and opening her legs as you do for every Tom, Dick, and Harry, the kingdom and the brothels perhaps?" Rinko said pointedly.
It took everything in Yuzuki not to snicker at the comment. It was so low, and Amaya's reaction was golden. She stared at Yuzuki as if to tell the woman to defend her.
But why the hell would Yuzuki defend a stranger who didn't mean shit to her?
This was their problem, and she was making it obvious in the way that she was letting Rinko talk to Amaya.
Perhaps it was not how things were supposed to be, but then Yuzuki had just realized her mate was alive and reborn and a part of the stupid king Kazuya's court.
She had no time to work through whatever this was between these two women.
But Amanya clearly didn't get the hint.
"Zura... your enforcer, Rinko, is being mean to me again," Amaya whined.
Yuzuki felt like someone was scraping metal right next to her ears. The woman had a screeching, annoying sound, and fuck if Yuzuki endured this for the next few months.
This was not what she had wanted for herself, but then, she didn't have much of a choice, especially with a moon goddess who was not giving her the information she needed to work things through.
Perhaps she just needed to endure this, but fuck if she didn't go deaf when this woman eventually shut her darn mouth.
"Then be mean to her. Besides, is she telling the truth? Is that what you have been up to? Whoring around?" Yuzuki asked passively, and this time, Rinko didn't hold back her laughter.
Maybe Amaya just needed to earn her place and not interfere with what was set for them, right?
"Why do you ask that?" Amaya screeched, and Yuzuki sighed tiredly.
"If it is not the truth, then stop making excuses and keep walking. If it is the truth, you do you, I couldn't give a shit about it," Yuzuki said dismissively.
Amaya staggered.
Hell, even the people who were walking with the queen to the borders felt that to their guts. They had always known that Queen Kuramitsu was cruel and no-nonsense, but this right here was quite the sight.
What the hell were they even supposed to make of that anyway?
Well, Yuzuki didn't care if they wanted to give their opinions or pretend that they were not even here at the moment.
The only thing she cared about was getting to the border as soon as possible. Especially since she was already regretting wearing the darn long pink gown to the borders.
This walk was hectic.
Maybe she should have accepted the carriage offer when Rinko had the servants bring her the carriage. But of course, stubborn Yuzuki wanted to do whatever she wanted.
"We are here already, your majesty," Rinko said before Amaya could keep whining, and instinctively, Yuzuki's eyes drifted off to where Ayami and Kujo always were whenever they were at the riverside.
Today, they were not here.
Or at least that was what anyone could see.
But the scent of peaches that had Yuzuki addicted was something that Yuzuki could sniff out from anywhere. And right now, even with all these men and women in her service here, she could smell it.
Her Matsui's peach scent.
Fuck, she smelled good.
"Alright, you do your job, I want to feel the water on my feet. Take Hirano with you," Yuzuki commanded, surprising everyone. A queen who no one had seen was going to be alone in a dangerous place.
The border lands were usually the main targets of any attacks, and if anyone attacked Kurayami right now, they would obviously start with the borders. Yet Yuzuki's voice didn't leave any room for any opinions or challenges.
"Yes, your majesty," Rinko said before she grabbed Amaya by her arms with her.
"Where are you talking to me?" Amaya whined, and Rinko paused for a second to see her face.
"Are you stupid, or does your brain function in reverse?" Rinko asked sincerely, and Amaya had never been that offended. She was about to whine again and call Yuzuki for help, but when she turned, Yuzuki was gone.
"Where did she go?" Amaya asked suddenly.
"She is the queen, dipshit. She knows what she is doing. The woman doesn't have her memories, but at this rate, her only memory will be of your screeching, connoting voice.
"Maybe learn to shut up, and perhaps you will get more than just a touch, hmm?" Rinko said, rolling her eyes at the woman. This woman was going through the ultimate test of patience.
"You are cruel," Amaya sighed.
"No shit, Sherlock. Get on board and walk fast. We are here for patrol, not for you to stay walking in pretty heels," Rinko added.
Anyone could think that Rinko despised the woman, and maybe she did. Or maybe she just hated that Yuzuki had disappeared again right at the edge of the water.
The last time that had happened, the woman had not gotten any of her memories back. It had been over a year now, and still, there were blank memories. Rinko could only hope that this wouldn't be another case of the past they had struggled to get rid of.
"Hurry up, woman," Rinko sighed, and Amaya knew that there was no going to be any solace at that moment. So defeatedly she followed the queen's enforcer.
And Yuzuki was still gone.
Did they need to be worried?