Reincarnated Into A Dead Woman's Body In Another World-Chapter 187: Arc 4, Act I, - 32: To Bear This Burden Alone, I Shall Not
The blonde shut the door behind her as the guard went back in. Arabella approached the blonde’s gaze, which was fixated on the floor with her brows knitted.
She snapped her fingers before Jotou jolted up, "Sorry."
Arabella furrowed her brows and tilted her head.
Jotou’s eyes darted around the room after a thought... Three guards in the chamber—the one that had warned them, the one at the doors, the other who had just gone back in and Arabella; all the witnesses...
"Arabella, I need you to... not tell anyone of this. That I visited the countess or that she called for me. I, hold a secret now... I’m sorry, but I can’t tell you what it is.
I hope you can just trust me on this. Can you, make a vow to me; to never tell anyone about this? The fate of, well, Cravolta and sort of the world could be riding on this. Please?"
Arabella took a step back, staring at Jotou with a narrowed gaze. Her dark eyes peered left to the floor. An uncertainty revealed itself on her face...
This was not some plot for treason, this was a request from the Thundering Blade; and the weight such a request holds...? She would not do so without reason, her presence during the council meeting can attest to that...
Arabella huffed out a breath through her nose and looked up at Jotou—the suspecting gaze not yet faded. She nodded, closing her eyes.
’I’m sorry I have to use so much authority here... I truly believe we’re friends first and I’m sorry I’m using your conviction to vows against you... Is this a mistake...?’ "Thank you," Jotou’s eyes softened.
Arabella brought her hands up and circled the air with a finger and pointed down. Her eyes went to the guards around before she brought two fingers to her lips and mimicked zipping it shut.
’Everyone who knows is under her command. She’ll make sure everyone keeps quiet.’ "Thank you and I’m sorry."
Arabella put her hand up and shook her head. She glared to Jotou and pointed her finger up the dungeon stairs; before doing it again more aggressively.
"Get out of here quick, got it," Jotou rushed out and looked back, "We’ll spar again tomorrow!"
Arabella held a subtle smile as the blonde left—out of the dungeons, until she got the paths confused and exited the cellar and through the kitchen instead.
She ambled down the hallway back to her room, needing a shower before dinner. The sunset rays beamed through the windows of the hallway she walked, the orange hues caressing her face every so often.
’I want to tell Daiyu, I know she would listen to reason... Or am I just saying that because I want to spite the countess...? I don’t even know anymore...’
Jotou sighed; the beige and creamy-white marble of the floor being her only sight... ’I, think she’s right... Daiyu likes to do things over the table.
I guess, I’m just realizing a difference between us I hadn’t realized before... I would break any rule I felt was stupid out of spite alone first, a good reason second.
Daiyu on the other hand... is not above breaking rules, but she’d only do it if she could justify the rule being stupid and pointless; otherwise, she wouldn’t.
And she’s been walking on eggshells as it is because she thinks what the council thinks—that she’s not the princess and she’s not worthy. I know what that feels like; I’ve come to terms with this being me. But Daiyu lives in a palace serving as a constant reminder that she isn’t.’
Her memories drifted into the past, not so long ago. Daiyu herself, declaring that she was the last person that should be in such a position—a princess.
’Even I can’t convince her if she doesn’t believe it herself. If I tell her about the countess, she would reason that this is beneficial, but can I leave her with that guilt? Of knowing what we’re doing is, to a certain extent, wrong?
We’re manipulating people’s opinions and decisions...’ Jotou sighed again. ’There’s no question. She’d eventually try and release the countess if I told her what the countess told me.
She wouldn’t be able to see it justifiable because she didn’t earn it and imprisoned someone who’s secretly helping her... Then it’s settled... I’m sorry Daiyu.
I’m sorry I have to do this, like this... I hope you’ll forgive me if you ever find out... This isn’t some promise kids pinky swear...
An entire country now runs on this lie I know the truth of. And I need a few more lies to make sure it runs in the same avenue... So I can never let her find out. But hey, I’m just keeping a promise to you Daiyu.’
In a solemn stare to the windows to her right, she made a vow of her own as she made it to her room.
_
"Dinner was delicious; I thought the edges of the duck were burnt, but no, it made the batter crispy and added to the flavour," Hotaru placed her watch on her nightstand while Jotou closed the door behind her.
"So, that’s your favourite food now?" Jotou chuckled.
"That’s not changed, I’m just complementing the food," the redhead rolled her eyes.
"Yeah, things taste better when they’re not poisoned," Jotou unsheathed her blade and set it against her nightstand.
"That they do," Hotaru giggled, "I’m gonna go change first," she turned for the wardrobe.
"Sure," Jotou waited till she walked past... ’I, think I should tell her.’ Jotou looked back to the walk in wardrobe, to which the doors were shut. She could hear the light shuffling of hangers on wooden bars.
’Hotaru... She’s, she’s the answer...’ Jotou knitted her brows for a second. ’I know what to do.’
As Hotaru walked out, wearing a blue nightgown and her hair lightly ruffled, Jotou stood up, "Hotaru, I need to talk."
The red hairs of her brows immediately creased, "What’s the matter?" her ears flickered before she walked to the front of Jotou.
"You know how Feyan’s appointing new people to different positions, right?"
"Yes...?"
"And, I promised Daiyu to help her, with the council and by extension the war."
"Yes."
"I, think you should be the one helping Daiyu with those things, not me."
"Hm?" Hotaru’s eyes widened.
"You’re way better at dealing with these sorts of situations, I’m not. You should be with the Royal Ministry, next to Daiyu."
"J-Jotou, I," Hotaru shook her head. "You, gave an amazing front, I think you’ve more than proven that you’re capable and besides, you’re the Thundering Blade-"
"And you’re Hotaru Kinoshita, the best lawyer I know."
"I’m the only lawyer you know."
"You worked at Kria Estate, with government officials,"
"I was in and out; Jotou, I was a general practice lawyer with barely three years of experience before I quit. I never even went near the embassies or consulates, not even the supreme court.
To be working that closely to those, would’ve taken decades of experience to be even eligible; or a stellar record with hundreds if not thousands of cases."
"And you think I’m any more eligible? I debated in school and I don’t even know what a consulate is! Listen, you’d be better suited in dealing with the diplomatic opinions and council arguments.
You know what to say and you know what to do. What I did, was just one good moment. I might not have the patience to word myself carefully next time.
You can deal with people, getting talked to and making decisions on what opinions to give. I get overwhelmed. I’m prone to argue for the sake of proving people wrong, not for the benefit of everyone.
You can argue for the sake of what’s right. You need to be up there, in front of the council; a representative of our party if you want.
I know I was only up there with a limited official capacity, but if another meeting happens and someone needs to be there...
I can’t change everything alone. We can’t control everything except the things directly around us. And how we do it, matters the most. This can bring some real change. We have a chance to do something; and I know you would do your best."
The blonde’s eyes intertwined with the brilliant blue pools, speaking without wavering one word. Hotaru stared and stared, that naïve child’s dream of hers, not gone yet...
The redhead fluttered her lashes, "We, can’t force everything around us to change... But we can bring change or, try to make things better," her voice was soft, as if, convincing herself? She took a deep breath, "Okay. I can do it."
Jotou smiled, "We can’t force change, but we can do something with the cards we’ve been dealt. Every choice we make changes something after all; I think you just make better ones than me."
"That’s true," she hummed.
"Hey," Jotou glared, "You’re supposed to disagree..." she teased.
"Can’t really disagree on something I agree on, can I?" her tail swayed.
"Hmph," Jotou crossed her arms before rolling her eyes and laughing.
Hotaru laughed lightly at the mere sound of it, "I’ll do my best," she yawned. "Ugh, the fatigue’s coming in. I’m calling it a night."
"Wait... Do you have a few more minutes?"
Hotaru stretched, "All night if I have to; though, my brain’s too fried for a chess match."
"Not that, just something important..." Jotou’s hands closed and smile faded.
"Oh?" Hotaru’s ears pricked, her face subtly going red.
_
"It... was all a ruse?" Hotaru sat on her bed, wide-eyed.
"Yeah and you cannot tell anyone," Jotou shook her head.
"Who else knows?"
"Arabella and some guards know I talked to the countess, but not what we talked about. So as for the details, only you and me," Jotou told her everything. "Arabella and the guards will be quiet."
Hotaru held her knees, taking slow breaths, "This is, a lot of pressure..."
"I know, I’m sorry," Jotou glanced to the carpeted floor.
"No, no, I don’t mean it in a negative way." Hotaru gazed at her, "I’m, glad you told me this, it’s just a lot to take in. This isn’t a burden you need to share alone," she stood up and walked over.
"Thanks," Jotou looked up.
"You’re not planning to tell Daiyu this, are you?"
Jotou shook her head, "I’m not. I’m planning to never tell her."
"I don’t think it was because the countess begged you to." Hotaru looked down at the blonde sitting down; her ears folded down over her head.
"Daiyu wouldn’t do well with this information. This is something we can leverage greatly."
"You told me this..." Hotaru blinked a few times; the words ’before your own best friend’ never left her lips. She took Jotou’s clenched hands and opened them up, taking them into her own.
She held the blonde’s hands tight, "I will never tell a soul."
Jotou’s eyes were once again were entangled up into hers... The blonde’s shoulders slumped and she held Hotaru’s hands tighter, "Is this a verbal contract?" she giggled.
"Maybe~" she giggled before letting go, "I really thought you were going to say something else to me when you said ’important’."
"Like what? Say it to me, I might say it back," Jotou raised a brow.
"Nice try," the redhead smirked.
"I can play this game forever."
"Oh, is that what you’re doing?" Hotaru tilted her head.
"I’m not interested in that game anyway," Jotou retorted, causing Hotaru’s brows to crinkle a smidgen. The redhead gulped suddenly...
"Also," Jotou spoke, snapping Hotaru out of it, "I plan to tell Meko this too. Her figuring out the poison may have been organized, but she’s still a good detective. It’s only a matter of time before she puts it together."
"Hm... right, if-if you have to," Hotaru shrugged one shoulder. "Yes, you should. What about Asobi?"
Jotou grumbled. "I don’t like the idea of keeping her unaware of this... But I think it’s better if we don’t tell her about this specific thing."
"Agreed. You better tell the little brat that too."
"I will," Jotou chuckled. "Aaaauuuugh... alright... I need to sleep," she fell onto her bed, closing her eyes.
"Don’t sleep in your adventuring gear."
"Ngyeh."
"Go change!"
_
The next morning came by as Jotou and Hotaru walked down the main foyer; the blonde spotted a shadow in the corner of her eyes. "Hey, Jotou, pssstt!"
Jotou turned to see a glimpse of the brunette. "Uh, you go to breakfast, I spotted the detective..."
"Alright," Hotaru walked off as Jotou went around one of the pillars Fumeko hid behind.
"Hey, I just thought of something; maybe the fatigue got my head a little wonky yesterday and it never hit me.
But don’t you think it’s suspicious that the countess decided to assassinate Daiyu in front of everyone, after the Thundering Blade was there? She had months to do it before, why not all of those times?
I have a working theory, maybe she wanted more suspects? Cause if it was just a few of them and she poisoned Daiyu, she’d be a main suspect, but this way... I thought I’d run it by you before I buy a new evidence board," she hushed it all out. 𝕗𝗿𝕖𝐞𝐰𝗲𝕓𝐧𝕠𝕧𝗲𝐥.𝚌𝐨𝚖
"Hey detective, good morning," Jotou hushed back in a little grin.
"Yeah, yeah, morning! Who cares? What do you think? I wanted to get to you before breakfast. Everyone could be a suspect, even Count Khalim."
"About that... come along detective, I have something to explain to you; after breakfast."
