Despite the extension of the wounds caused by the giant lizard’s bite, Kumari’s fortitude saved him. Still, it took him days until he woke up, and during this whole time Sazume was forbidden of going out of the castle, as a punishment for her disobedience. Yume convinced Sesshomaru to impose her the obligation of personally taking care of the young noble’s injuries, but Sazume considered it unnecessary, as she assumed that task spontaneously. She felt guilty for having knocked him accidentally over the chasm, and even more for letting him risk his own life to protect her.
Only on the fourth day, he woke up, and found Sazume asleep on the floor at his side. He waved his head slightly; maybe he still was in fever, because she looked even prettier than he was used to notice. She opened her eyes slowly, and yelled in happiness when she saw him awake.
- I knew you would resist! You had too much fever, but yesterday you were already looking much better.
- You have been taking care of me? – he got surprised. – Thank you very much, my lady.
- Sazume. – she insisted. – Didn’t you learn to call me by my name yet?
- I’m sorry, Sazume-sama.
The door was suddenly opened, and Sesshomaru walked in, followed by the rest of his family. Sazume looked down, still afraid of her father’s wrath.
- My lord… - started Kumari, but the noble interrupted him.
- How do you feel?
- Fine, sir. Much better, now.
- Excellent. – Sesshomaru just observed him in silence, thinking, until Yume discreetly pinched his right arm, making him speak. – I came to thank you for saving my daughter’s life.
- My lord? I’m sorry, but that must be a misunderstanding. I didn’t save your daughter.
- Excuse me?
- It was lord Ichimaru who did it! – he explained, looking to the boy. – I tried to deal personally with the lizard-demon, but I wasn’t strong enough. It defeated me, and it was your son who arrived in time and killed it, before it finished me and your daughter. In fact, he saved me!
- But you did hold him off long enough before I and my group arrived. – Ichimaru intervened. – Hadn’t you been there… Maybe we would have arrived too late. – he admitted.
- Do you confirm it, Sazume? – Sesshomaru asked.
She raised her face, finally smiling at her father.
- Yes! Kumari was very brave.
Sesshomaru thought for an instant, and then was pinched again by his wife, who stared him innocently when he gazed her, angry with the interventions.
- In my view of the events, it is quite simple. – Sesshomaru announced his verdict. – Kumari was sent at my orders to keep Sazume out of trouble, but she dragged him into it. He was there by my orders, so I can’t charge him with another life debt, even though Ichimaru and his men did save him. On the other hand, if he wasn’t there, Sazume probably wouldn’t have been rescued in time by her brother. Given that, Kumari, I hereby consider you free from your grandfather’s oath. By protecting my daughter until my son’s arrival, you repaid your family’s debt to mine.
Flooded with emotion, Kumari rose from the bed in an instant, despite the pain, and bowed before Sesshomaru.
- Thank you, my lord! Thank you very much!
- I am not your lord. – Sesshomaru corrected him, making he raise his face. – You are a free noble, now. You are not my vassal anymore. Don’t bow down, unless you’re trying to mock at me.
Kumari understood, and got up with great effort, not only physical, but especially mental. It was hard for him to look at Sesshomaru as equal men would. Still, he faced him firmly, and didn’t bow down anymore.
- Thank you, lord Sesshomaru. – he said, formally.
- I wish you recover soon from your wounds, lord Kumari. – Sesshomaru replied, and walked out.
Kumari smiled. For the first time, he was a free man.
