A generous dinner was served, but Kumari was absent. His voice could be heard throughout the castle, distributing orders to hasty servants, and it was easy to notice the dissatisfaction in his heavy steps. His mood was dark when he finally joined his guests.
“Please forgive my delay. Many subjects demanded my attention.”
“Tomorrow, we’ll be one less concern. We’ll spend the night and return to our lands shortly after”, Sesshomaru announced.
“Dad! You promised!”, Sazume protested, only to meet her father’s cold look. Kumari looked to her, confused, but it was Yume who explained:
“It’ll be Sazume’s birthday in two days. She asked to spend it here.”
The girl blushed. She didn’t her mother to reveal that, but since she already had, she looked to Kumari in search of a reaction. He was confused for a while, and smiled briefly before turning to Seshomaru.
“Please, stay. I assure you those bandits won’t disturb you. They don’t dare venturing near the castle.”
Yume intervened, touching her husband’s arm.
“Lord Kumari seems pretty sure that there’s no problem. Besides, we already walked all the way here, so why don’t we stay for a while?”
Sesshomaru thought for an instant.
“Fine. If that’s the case, then I’d like to have a word with you about your lands’ security”, he said, already standing up. “Ichimaru, come.”
“Do I have to?”
“Now.”
The boy sighed as he dropped his chopsticks, and rose up reluctantly. Kumari went out with them without having even the chance of touching the food.
