Chapter Text
The wind was blowing gently against your face, feet planted at the edge of the boat, the view of your homeland coming into view. It’s been a while since you’ve been to Inazuma. It was always a different feeling every time you came back, as it didn’t happen often for a few years. You sigh in comfort, now you can come home for good. It has been a few weeks since word has reached you that the Vision Hunt Decree has ended thanks to the infamous traveler. Some might call it fate or destiny but for you it was luck. Meeting the traveler in Liyue after your trip from Sumeru was pure coincidence. A bump on the shoulders in the busy dock made you drop your stuff. Clothes that you knew weren’t from Liyue nor Mondstat catch your eye, you instantly knew that this person wasn’t from here. And this person looked like she had the same idea, seeing that your blue kimono resembled the nation that they wanted to go to next, the traveler chatted you up for information which you willingly gave.
Inazuma, the land of eternity, has been on strict lockdown for years. Only a few imports and exports were allowed to leave the said country. You, the middle child of the Kamisato clan, had to propose to the shogun herself that you explore the other nations to screen important people who could come into the country. Ayato and Ayaka didn’t like the idea of you going to talk to the Shogun alone but it was the best way to present the idea. Proposing to her that even if the great shogun wanted eternity, progress still has to be made. The separated islands of Inazuma had different problems. The shogun might have been stoic but it was still her best interest that Inazuma would be a dignified country. After much talk, the shogun and tri-commission has agreed to let you do what you asked. People like Lan who helped with imports from Mondstat process faster, Xavier from Fontaine who helped maintain a machine to help keep energy concentrated in Tataratsuna a down low for villagers to be safer were people that you have personally invited to help progression in Inazuma.
But now, you’re coming home as there was no need for special invitations, people were now free to enter and leave Inazuma as they wish. Smuggling the traveler in Beidou’s ship was your idea. Sure it made you owe the loud captain a few rounds of liquor but that was nothing compared to your beloved country finally settling down again. It was risky, the traveler told you she had no interest in helping but you trusted Ayaka that she would be able to convince the traveler. She always had a way with people, a unique talent of knowing who to trust and how to bring the best in them. Oh how much you have missed your little sister, it will only be a few minutes as you see her once again.
When the boat finally stops by the dock, the crew slowly dispatches the cargo, you and your team prepare to step down. Seeing a familiar mop of blond hair made you smile. He was the only one you knew with that hair color. Hailing from a foreign land made him stand out like a sore thumb. He smiled gently and had a welcoming aura around him.
“Welcome home, Mistress Y/N” Thoma bows formally.
“Mistress?!” Your teammate, Hans, laughs out loudly.
“Hans!” You shush him and blush a bright red color. Oh right, here in your homeland, you were practically the female head of the dignified Kamisato Clan. “Thoma, please, don’t be so formal.”
“I’m afraid I cannot do that, Mistress” Thoma answers with his posture still in a bow.
“He’s right, Miss” Rika, your retainer and companion that Ayato assigned from the Shuumatsuban stands beside Thoma and bow as well. You see the Inazuman people around the dock who make eye contact with you and also bow in greeting as they see the same silver blue hair and Kamisato brooch hanging to your waist. Flustered and shy, you bow back to everyone in greeting.
“L-let’s just go home” You wave off Thoma’s formalness and ask your team to go quietly with you. The trip back to the Kamisato estate was quite long but your teammates, as usual, didn’t allow for your trip to be boring.
Hans was still quite having the fun poke at you as you were basically being treated like royalty. Even Rika, your retainer that took about a year of convincing to just call you by your own name, was trying hard not to tease you. She knew you didn’t like formalities. When you were introducing yourself in different nations, you urged people to only call you by your first name even if you were from the renowned Kamisato clan. Akash, your shy teammate from Sumeru, kept apologizing about him treating you so informally when you were basically a princess in your homeland.
The moment you arrive at the gates of the estate, you finally see your siblings standing there ready to welcome you. Formalities be damned, you ran to hug both Ayato and Ayaka in your arms.
“It’s nice to see you too, dear sister” Ayato smiles at you warmly
“Onee-san!” Ayaka shouts in joy and hugs you back “Welcome home”
Your family has always been the most important to you. That’s why it was so hard for you when you had to leave them but you did what you had to. Remembering the day you and Ayato had a fight about you leaving felt only like days ago.
“No. I won’t allow it”
“Ayato!”
“I said no. I’m the clan head now, you shall follow my orders”
“And I am your sister! I’m doing this for us and the whole of Inazuma!”
A silence dropped between the two of you. Ayato never looked so conflicted before. After your parents died nearly 2 years ago, Ayato became the clan head abruptly at such a young age. He was only 23 then and now he was barely 25, to let his sister out into the world, placing a big responsibility on her shoulders.
He was so protective of you and Ayaka but you and him were more protective of your youngest sibling. She is only starting her 20s. You had to do everything to protect her from this cruel world. Discussions of Inazuma having a lock down and a vision hunt decree was going around the tri-commission as it was what the Shogun willed. Both of you knew that all three of you and all vision holders were in danger. You know Ayato would do his best to stop it or at least delay it for the longest time as clan head but as the second heir, you needed to step up and do something.
“I need to go. I need you to trust me, Ayato.” You speak in a calmer voice and approach him “I trust that you will take care of the clan and I trust that Ayaka will take care of the people. But I need you to trust me that I can take care of myself to find help out there. It’s not the most safe idea but it’s a fighting chance”
The Yashiro Commission has always been for the people and by the people. While the Kanjou and Tenryou Commission has already expressed their support for the Shogun’s orders while Ayato has smartly proposed to stop it, or at least he tried to.
It took several minutes before Ayato made up his mind and agreed but only if you are to be accompanied by a person he trusted in the Shuumatsuban.
Fast forward to the present, a feast at the Kamisato estate was prepared for your homecoming and to welcome your esteemed guest. Everyone was happy to see you. Even the old Furata had a very wide smile on her face as she sees her once little troublesome girl grow mature from all her adventures. Your teammates, Hans and Akash, enjoyed telling stories about your adventures in different nations while Rika only had to add side remarks from time to time. Going around the world has made you appreciate a lot of different cultures and food but nothing beats a meal from your childhood.
“This is so good!” you exclaim as you take a bite of the katsudon “Furuta your cooking skills are unmatched!”
“I am flattered Young Mistress but I’m afraid I wasn’t the one who cooked the feast tonight” The old lady laughs
“Huh? Then who cooked this? It tastes a lot like what you cooked when we were kids!”
“Onee-san, it was Thoma who cooked it” Ayaka giggles as she sips her tea
“Thoma?!” You look around for the said blond and spot him eating beside Ayato “I had no idea you cook for the estate now”
Ayato laughs at your surprise “Oh dear sister, Thoma is now our chief retainer. He takes care most of the things inside the estate and outside the city”
Thoma blushes at your compliment and Ayato’s explanation. A cute boyish smile spreads on his face as he bows slightly to thank you for your words.
Whoa. That kid you knew who used to get himself cut from chopping onions was now the estate's chef. This made you realize that you didn’t know a lot of things that have changed in your home, making you feel a little bit out of place.
The night finally quiets down as your team and staff of the estate resign themselves to sleep. Furuta accompanied you to your room and you smiled softly to yourself. It looks exactly like you left it. Training swords propped up on the wall, a kimono you have received from your mother up on display, and a framed family photo on top of your drawer. Smiles painted on the 5 faces of the people in the photo looking back at you. You were all so young and happy, it made you miss your parents much more.
Sleep seems to escape you as you lie awake and stare at the ceiling of your room. Normally you’d be exhausted by exploring or mingling with common folk or nobles of the nation you were in but today, it seems curiosity keeps you awake. You get up and softly open the doors of your room, not wanting to wake up Ayaka whose room was near to yours. Your feet bring you to familiar places around the estate, some guards on duty have greeted you and asked what’s wrong. Waving them off shyly, saying that you just wanted a glass of water as an excuse made you go to the kitchen. That might help you sleep, you think.
As you slide the kitchen door open, a broad back with long blond hair greets you. The kitchen was quite dim as not all the lights were on but you knew who this person was.
“Thoma?”
He jumps a little at your voice, turning around to greet you with a sheepish smile. “Mistress, what are you still doing awake?”
You pout and sigh “Thoma, please stop calling me that. You act as if we aren’t friends”
Was that too bold to say? Even if you have spent a greater part of your childhood with him, a lot of years have gone by without you being in this estate. Maybe he has grown distant and you wouldn’t blame him for that.
“I’m sorry. It’s just that.. Even I call Ayato “my lord” and Ayaka “my lady”. We aren’t just kids anymore, you are all distinguished people of Inazuma now” Thoma explains as he hands you a glass of water at just the right temperature. He still remembers…
“Well.. Can you at least just call me by my name if it’s just the two of us? I’m not used to this whole title thing anymore.. Even my team just calls me plainly”
He scratches the back of his head and nods slightly “Okay.. Y/N. Couldn’t sleep?”
You shake your head no and take the glass of water in your hands. “It might be weird to say it but I feel like.. I’m new at home? I’ve been used to sleeping in the forest, cabins, hotels and such for the past years that it feels weird to be in the house I grew up in. So many things have changed, I feel like I’m out of place.”
“I know what you mean” Thoma smiles “But you will always be welcomed here. No matter how many years it has been”
You don’t know why but you blush at his words. They somehow comfort you but his genuine smile makes your heart skip a beat. Only now do you get a proper look at Thoma. Although he has dressed down in a regular kimono for sleeping, you can see how much he has changed. His shoulders were broader, he was also definitely taller, face more defined and mature since you last saw him. Hair that was in a ponytail earlier on was loose and spread around his shoulders. The dim light in the kitchen made a soft glow around him.
Pretty you thought.
But you quickly shook those thoughts away and drank your water. “Thanks Thoma. That means a lot to me… I shouldn’t keep you awake any longer. Goodnight”
“Goodnight Mis-” Before he could continue, you give him a pointed look and he stutters to correct himself “G-goodnight, Y/N”
Normally, you would sleep in, you have never been a morning person but it seems it will take some time again for you to feel comfortable sleeping in your own room. Plus, you still have lots of responsibilities. Coming back to Inazuma and the vision hunt decree ending doesn’t mean you are done with your job. As the second eldest of the Kamisato clan, you still had a lot of things to do as part of the Yashiro Commission.
Wearing your regular adventuring clothes with your electro vision hanging by the cord to your obi, you prepare for the day you walk outside to see Ayato was already half way through his breakfast and was talking to Thoma.
“Brother dear, if you shall eat then eat. Save your paperwork for later” You slightly scold your older brother who had his eyes concentrated on the papers in his hand.
“Well good morning to you too, dear sister” he gives you a sarcastic smile in which you reply with one of your own but he places down the paper as you said.
“Thank you Mistress, I have been telling him that for quite a long time” Thoma sighs thankfully.
You and Ayato were only a year and 2 months apart. The difference wasn’t so big, that’s why you grew up close in age. Some staff at the estate were surprised at the Yashiro Commission head being scolded so early in the morning. Most of the staff were of course, scared but admired him at the same time but you weren’t. You knew you had to keep Ayato level headed the moment your father and mother died. The young lord always got carried away with his work and would hardly rest. The first year of him being clan head was hard, You and Ayaka had grown concerned of how much he would push himself. Most of the time, it took both of you to convince him to slow things down.
“Y/N, you have the day off today. I would like you to rest a bit more before going into details” Ayato said while pointing to Thoma “Thoma will show you around for today. I want you to familiarize yourself around the city more so that you can plan ahead for the committee”
When you received the letter about the vision hunt decree ending, Ayato has already informed you via letter of what your responsibilities will be when you return home. Since Inazuma was now open again, people from different nations would enter but that also meant a proper system was still to be made. People would still need to sign up, have their things cleared, have their details documented. It wasn’t going to be as strict before but the tri-commission has agreed that the system would be less strict and have some changes. That’s where you come in, as a person who traveled to different nations, they will need your help in organizing things with other countries since most of the people who you have invited to do business already trust you.
“Will Rika and the others be coming?” Ayato asks for your team
“No” You shake your head “I think Akash and Hans will be sleeping in today and I told Rika she can have the rest of the week off. I owe at least that much to her”
“Very well. It will just be you and Thoma today” Ayato nods as he finishes his breakfast and proceeds to go to his office.
“I hope you don’t mind, Mistress” Thoma sheepishly smiles at you.
Being alone with Thoma was not really a bother at all. What is bothering you is the stares and whispers of the people around you. Of course, most of them have not seen you in years. Truth be told, you already thought of this happening. Most of these people do not know the whole truth, some of them even thought you ran away from Inazuma and have abandoned the clan. You want to say it doesn’t affect you, it really doesn’t personally but you carry your family name and baseless rumors like this tend to get other people involved. The last thing you want to happen is to tarnish the Kamisato name.
“Mistress?” Thoma calls for your attention, it seems that your mind has drifted too far.
“Oh sorry, what was that?”
“I said Karpilla wants to give you these” Thoma gestures to a small bag filled with Dandelion seeds.
“Miss Kamisato Y/N, these might not be much but I want to express my gratitude for all your help. Without you I will not be as successful in Inazuma today” Karpilla hands you the small bag
“Oh you really don’t have to!” You shyly refuse “I was only doing my job”
“But I insist!” Karpilla pushes the bag towards you again
“But-”
“Mistress, it would be rude to deny gifts that have good intentions” Thoma laughs at you acting shy
You sigh and smile at Karpilla “Thank you. I shall cherish these and plant them in the garden. You don’t owe any of your success to me, everything you have now is because of your hard work.”
Karpilla almost tears up at your kind words. She expressively thanks you once again before you leave to go around the other stalls. You smile as you reminisce on how you have met and worked with these people. It’s been years but their gratitude hasn’t lessened one bit. It reminds you how much your work has come to fruition. Even if the common folk spread baseless rumors about you, at least the people that matter knew what you did to help.
Before leaving Ritou, a familiar face greets you with a smile.
“Miss Y/N” Kurisu bows slightly “It has been a while. I’m glad to see you in Inazuma once again. And this time, for good I suppose?”
“Yes. It has been a long time” You bow back at him “I hope everything has been going well?”
“Everything is a lot better and easier! But I still can’t thank you enough for your efforts to aid us when the decree was implemented. It was hard but we survived. Thanks to Thoma’s efforts as well.”
You turn to Thoma with a surprised expression “Thoma as well?”
“Yes! He is an absolute help to all of us in fact. All of us here in Ritou and Inazuma city are indebted to him to an extent. He’s known as a “fixer”! To fix and help any kind of problem” Kurisu excitedly explains to you.
“Ah! It’s not that big of a deal at all! You exaggerate” Thoma laughs the praise off but you can see the tip of his ears are red. “Well we would love to stay and chat but I still have to take the Mistress to the main city”
“Well I will see you soon Miss Y/N. We will have frequent meetings anyways. Please don’t let me hold you both up”
“It was nice seeing you again, Kurisu. We shall chat on another occasion.”
You leave with Thoma to take a peek at the current committee that takes notes of newcomers in Inazuma. You have experienced this first hand when you arrived yesterday. They stuck to their old practices even if the decree has been discontinued. Taking note of their procedures, what should be added and removed, what changes should be made. The intention is to make Inazuma a welcoming city once again and hopefully improve relations with other nations.
“I didn’t know I was getting a tour from the esteemed “Fixer” of Inazuma” You smirk at Thoma while taking a bite of your lunch. He insisted that you eat at Uyuu restaurant before proceeding with the whole Inazuma city.
“Please don’t tease me, Mistress” Thoma sighs “The Young Lord asks me to do all kinds of tasks. That’s why I know some people in the city. It’s not much… but I try to do what I can for the clan”
“Well I think you have come far and do an amazing job at it. Also congratulations on becoming Chief Retainer!” You smile warmly at him as you remember when you have first met the blond.
It was a bright day just after the storm. You were in the courtyard practicing your sword skills with Ayato. Ayaka was still doing basic training with her sword alone as she was still a child. Sparring was always fun between you two. Ayato being swift and calculated, while you were strong and courageous, sparring was always an enjoyable activity even if your father was strict with training.
“Children!” You hear your mothers voice calling for all of you, momentarily pausing your session.
A child with blond hair and bright green eyes stares at you. The sun seems to love him because those eyes just glimmer in wonder. Even though his eyes were bright, by the way he stood timidly with his hands together in a fist in front of him, you knew that he wasn’t as confident as his clear emerald eyes.
“This is Thoma. From here on out, he will be one of our staff”
A child as a staff? He looked about the same age as Ayato. Ever since you were young, you haven’t seen a kid working in the estate. It also has dawned on you that he wasn’t Inazuman. You were so lost deep in your thoughts before you saw Ayato walking in front of you, walking closer to Thoma and bowing slightly.
“Welcome to the Kamisato estate, Thoma. I’m Kamisato Ayato”
“A-ah yes! Thank you!” Thoma bows low in an almost 90 degree angle “It would be a pleasure to work here!”
His voice was shaky but you could sense it was full of determination as well. Not even a full minute after, you introduce yourself as well. And ever since then, whenever you all had free time, you three would spend it together.
When you were younger, you frequented the city more often. Your parents have always told you that it was important to know the people who you serve. The adults and children of the town would always greet you and Ayato politely as they see you are noble children of the esteemed Kamisato clan but you could see clear as day that they didn’t do the same for Thoma. In fact, they would eye him head to toe and you could feel the judging stares they would give him.
“Thoma, are you okay?” You stop to turn at the blond boy who had his head down the whole time you were walking.
“Y-yes. I’m fine. Please don’t worry about me” He sends you a smile that doesn’t quite reach his eyes.
You sigh and continue walking until you see a stall selling sweets. Grabbing Ayato and Thoma’s hand, you rush to the stall to take a seat and order your flavor of taiyaki while Ayato orders his boba tea. Thoma on the other hand, kept his hands to himself and didn’t dare do anything. Your older brother seemed to notice and proceeded to order every kind of dessert they offered. Getting a gist of what your brother was trying to do, you place some of the food closer to Thoma.
“Thoma, you have to try these! Me and Ayato can’t finish them all so you have to help us” You grin as you point to the various desserts.
“I need to help?” The blond blinks in confusion
“Yes Thoma. Me and Y/N couldn’t possibly eat all of this” Ayato replies
“O-okay. If it helps you both..”
The boy who had been all too shy around you and had judging stares from the Inazuman people were now well loved by them. It made your chest be filled with warmth to see Thoma laugh as he chats with the owner of the restaurant. You begin to wonder what other things have changed around the city since you’ve been away.
Inazuma city had a lot to offer, from Amemano smith to Ogura Clothing and the Naganohara fireworks, it was much livelier than you expected. The most interesting place you have been brought to though, was a little tea house on the outskirts of town. A cute shiba inu dressed up with a haori and headband greeted you as you opened the door.
“Hi there baby!! What a cutie you are~” You couldn’t help but coo at the dog who seemed to already love your petting and lied down on his stomach.
“His name is Taromarou. He is the manager of this teahouse” Thoma can’t help but giggle seeing a side of you that was too cute to ignore.
“Oh he is? Well then you are such a good boy indeed Taromarou. I’m Satsuki. I’m that guy’s friend over there” You point to Thoma and Taromarou barks as if he approves of your introduction. Thoma explains that the Komore Teahouse has been managed by your clan for the past years and sometimes use it to welcome guest or talk about negotiations.
The day ends with you and Thoma going to the Tenryou Commission to greet them as a gesture of good will. Though Thoma has already explained to you things that transpire, being a part of the Yashiro Commission meant you still have to be civil with them.
But you being you, being courageous or in Ayato’s words “an idiot”, give them a cold smile after saying that you yourself will be more involved in the tri-commission once again. It was no surprise that the people from the Kanjou and Tenryou commission think of you as a nuisance. You recklessly faced the Shogun and asked to be let out of Inazuma and do what you wanted to do. The elders knew what your underlying goal was but they couldn’t do anything when the Shogun gave you her approval. Ever since you were young, you knew you weren’t as... obedient as your siblings. Ayato may be polite and cunning, Ayaka was graceful as ever but you, you were straightforward and didn’t like letting things be.
Once you were back at the estate, Akash comes running from the gates to greet you outside. He was holding a letter and he panted as if he ran a marathon.
“What’s wrong?” You eye your teammate curiously
“A letter.. From Natlan came, for you” He stands up and hands you the letter with a worried look on his face.
Taking the letter from his hands, you instantly recognize the seal on the envelope. Your brain already hurts and you haven’t even read the letter yet. Once you do read the contents of the letter, you pinch your nose as the headache settles in.
“Mistress, is everything alright?” Thoma looks at you worriedly but you wave it off.
“Everything is fine” You crumple the letter in your hand and Thoma flinches “Can you please direct me to Ayato’s office? I need to talk to him”
The blond nods and leads the way to Ayato’s office in the estate. The whole walk there he could see a pissed expression on your face. It gave him the chills because he could sense how angry you were without the need to say any word.
“My Lord, the Mistress wishes to speak-” Thoma knocked slightly on the shoji door but you didn’t have the patience for it and immediately opened it. The blond seems to panic because not even Ayaka barges into his office. He knows how much Ayato hates being disturbed when he was working.
“Ayato we need to talk” You step into the room and throw the crumpled letter on top of his desk “Now!”
Ayato doesn’t flinch at all and looks at you with a sarcastic smile “Thoma can you please leave us be. My dear sister and I shall discuss something important”
The chief retainer wordlessly nods and steps out of the room. You and Ayato would fight frequently when you were kids but those were only petty fights. The room’s atmosphere was heavy even if he only stood there for a second. He grew increasingly worried about the both of you.
When Thoma was stressed, he would clean or cook. Good thing he was tasked to do dinner tonight. Maybe cooking your favorite food would calm you down. He suddenly remembered how your mother would cook Sukiyaki for everyone to share when she knew you and ayato had fought. Sharing a good pot of hot soup always calmed things between you two. Thoma loses himself into cooking a feast once more, having your team over means that there is a need for more portions. And he doesn’t mind it one bit, the more the merrier. It wasn’t often that the Kamisato estate would have guests on their own but your teammates was definitely a- how do they call it? Lively? Addition to the once quiet estate.
Hearing footsteps hurriedly approaching outside, Thoma slides the door open to see you making your way down the hallway and even before he could call you, you were already turning to the corner. He sighs and goes back to making dinner.
You were still visibly upset at dinner. Hans, your teammate who was so loud last night seemed so nervous to even say a word now. Thoma and the other servers brought the food to your table and you were pleasantly surprised at the meal. You look over the other end of the table to see Ayato was being served some Sukiyaki, it looks like the one your mother used to make. A sigh escaped your lips before you loudly clap your hands together.
“Thank you for the food!” You exclaim as you proceed to eat your food with a smile on your face. Everyone else visibly relaxes as they feel both of you and Ayato calm down. Ayaka sports a knowing smile before she also starts eating. Your parents have always taught you that it was bad to bring negative energy at the dinner table, that’s why Ayaka relaxes her shoulders as she feels both you and Ayato ease up.
Everyone enjoys the meal and Thoma starts the conversation with asking your teammates about themselves. Hans was surprised to know that Thoma was also from Mondstat and even asked him to go out drinking with him.
“I’m sorry I have to disappoint you, I am not good with alcohol..” Thoma shyly declines with a laugh
“But! You are a Mondstater!” Hans chuckles in disbelief
“Thoma you still can’t handle your liquor?” You thought he would at least build his tolerance after all these years but it seems that there are things that don’t change.
“Onee-san, even I have a higher tolerance than Thoma now” Ayaka chimes in
“Look at you, my little sister has grown up so much!” You approach to hug her “Don’t grow up too fast Ayaka, you’re still our baby!”
Ayato smiles at how things are now. You and him were just screaming at each other’s throat a while ago and now both of you are doting on your little sister. He has greatly missed your presence in the household and he immensely appreciates that you have finally come back.
It was only the second night, so sleeping immediately wasn’t something you can accomplish. The letter that you read earlier plagues your mind once again. Maybe Ayato was right, that you were overreacting and were assuming things too far ahead. But you know yourself and the ideals you uphold. You know the things you aren’t allowed to do.
You make your way once again to the kitchen, sliding the shoji doors to see Thoma there once again.
“Do you live in the kitchen?”
“Mis- Y/N” Thoma greets you with gloved hands grasping a sponge “I’m just thoroughly cleaning this pot we used for dinner”
“Couldn’t you just do that tomorrow?”
“And leave this mess until morning? No, that would be a disgrace. Everything has to be clean before I sleep” Thoma pauses and removes his gloves to wash his hands. He gets a cup to fill it with half warm water and half cold water before placing it in front of you.
“You still remember huh?” You rest your chin on your palm, staring at the cup of water in front of you “You even cooked Sukiyaki for dinner”
“Of course I remember” He puts on back his gloves and resumes scrubbing his pan meticulously “I will always remember things about you Y/N. It doesn’t matter if you haven’t been home for years, I won't forget”
You thank the archons that his back was turned and he couldn’t see the growing blush you were sporting on your cheeks. Thoma was always a person of comfort. You didn’t know if it’s because of his loyalty to the clan or that’s just how his parents raised him but he has always been a person who you can voice your thoughts to without judgement.
“But do tell me if some things have changed. I would gladly take note of it” He said in a singsang voice.
You couldn’t help but giggle at his words “Okay. I will let you know. Thank you, Thoma and I’m sorry, with the way I acted earlier”
Thoma shakes his head “I know there are some things that.. I’m not allowed to know but.. I’ll do my best to help you, the young lord and lady ayaka”
Before you could stop yourself, your feet bring you to his side and tug his sleeve. Bright green emerald eyes stare at you in surprise.
“Thank you Thoma, I mean it..”
The smile you gave Thoma made his heart stop for a second. He shakes his head back to reality and says “Y-you’re most welcome, Mistress. You should go to sleep with the busy day you’ll have tomorrow!”
“Ah!” You internally scold yourself “You’re right, it’s back to work tomorrow.. Oh Archons I shall retire now. Goodnight!”
The blond watches you run out of the kitchen to go back to your room. How is it that simple words from you have so much effect on him? Maybe it’s just because he hasn’t talked to you for years that everything feels new once again. Yeah, that’s it. Thoma pushes the thought at the back of his mind, aiming to finish washing the pot for tonight.
The next day was more hectic than you thought. A lot of people are sitting in a room waiting for you to talk. There are representatives from the Tenryou and Kanjou commission to discuss your proposal for foreign guests / business to enter the nation. Normally you would be confident with your team but today you only had Akash with you as Hans went off to explore Inazuma. You had given your team the freedom to do whatever they wanted when you arrived. They were your team when you traveled to different nations, now that you have settled and taken a new role in the tri-commission, you have explained to them that they aren’t obligated to continue working with you. Akash had expressed his willingness to help. After all, being a scholar himself, he loved studying and helping with systematic structures. He wouldn’t dare miss such an important mark in the history of Inazuma. He was also one of your main consultants with the changes you wanted to be made as a foreigner himself, his insight was quite important for your role.
After hours of discussion among the tri-commission, everyone has come upon an agreement on how the system should be restructured. It would take lots of efforts of the parties involved for it to be implemented smoothly. You told Akash that he is free to go as for the afternoon you will need to check over the building which will be your new office.
Your stomach grumbles out loudly as you remember it was time to eat. Skipping meals wasn’t really a habit of yours but without Rika to remind you about food, it seems to pass your mind. When you were about to go out of your office room, the door slides open to reveal Thoma panting with his hand stuck out, holding a small bag of what seems to be a bento.
“Mistress- huff” Thoma looked like he ran a marathon “I- Your lunch!”
“Thoma did you run from the estate?!” You tell him to take a seat at a vacant chair
“I was so busy cleaning the estate and forgot that your office was far from the estate. I’m sorry I am late but please enjoy your lunch”
“You didn’t have to! I could’ve bought some snacks from the stall-”
“No can do. You have to eat proper meals. My Lady got worried and thought you would skip your meal like you do when you get busy. Thankfully I arrived on time!”
You sit in your chair once again and open the bento that Thoma made for you. The aroma of freshly cooked food greets you. It was still warm and even had complete side dishes. Your chopsticks pick up a sausage that’s been cut into cute octopus shapes.
“You said you rushed this and it still looks like this?! Thoma you’re amazing!!” You heartily eat the delicious meal offered to you. Now you understand why Ayato always prefers to eat at home whenever he can. Thoma’s cooking is just immaculate. “This tastes so good!”
“Should I pick you up later after work?”
“No” You shake your head “I can go home by myself. It’s fine. I won’t be that late anyways. Besides I don’t want to trouble Inazuma’s great fixer~”
“Please stop teasing me.. You’re almost as bad as the young lord”
You couldn’t help but laugh at him “Oh please I am not even close enough to Ayato’s teasing remarks. But anyways thank you for this food, I shall go back to work now”
Thoma couldn’t help but smile softly everytime you laugh. It’s something he hasn’t seen in years and yet it felt so familiar and welcoming to him. Dare he say that he missed it? But as a mere retainer, he wouldn’t dare say it out loud.
It was nearing 8 PM when you suddenly burst through the entrance loudly asking Ayato and Ayaka a question that almost made them lose their minds.
“What do I do after I beat up the Fatuis?” You sounded all too casual about it too.
Ayato sighed and Ayaka rushed to your side to check for injuries while Thoma stood there with a pale face, immediately dropping to his knees to ask for forgiveness.
“I apologize, Mistress! I should’ve picked you up from work to escort you back to the estate”
“Eh? No no- I’m fine. Thoma stand up” You grab his arm to make him stand up
“No. I am truly ashamed for my lack of-”
“No no no no. It’s fine, I swear. I wasn’t hurt one bit. Back to my question please?” You look back to Ayato “I haven’t even settled here for a week and a Fatui agent has already tailed me in the Chinju forest. Luckily, I didn’t… harm him too badly and he managed to run away but what do I do next time? Is there some kind of detention area for them?”
“Onee-san! You should have one of the attendants with you as you go home. It’s not safe for you to walk back in the late night alone” Ayaka turns to her brother who was still sipping his tea calmly “Onii-san, you should assign Thoma to attend to Onee-san for the meantime”
“Ayaka, I’ve been in much more dangerous situations” You laugh at her panic “It’s fine. I can go home alone, alright? No need to bother Thoma with such a menial task”
“M-much more dangerous situation?” Ayaka’s face became pale
“I-I mean it’s not the first time to be tailed! I’m used to it to be honest-” You try and explain to your sister to make her worry less but it seems it did the opposite
“That’s it. I’m assigning Thoma to pick you up from Ritou” Ayaka says firmly
“Yes, my lady. I shall start tomorrow” Thoma bows in acknowledgement
“Can she do that?” You ask Ayato and he gives you nothing but a knowing smile.
“Thoma, you really don’t have to do this” You sigh as you walk back to the estate “Look it’s not even that dark out yet. I’ll be fine on my own starting tomorrow, okay?”
The housekeeper shakes his head a firm no “It is a direct order from Lady Ayaka”
“I won’t tell Ayaka, I promise?” You try to bargain with him but the blond doesn’t take any of it.
In fact, he takes it upon himself to stop you from overworking. He would remind you that everyone else in the office has gone home but you. It looks like he was used to asking your brother and sister the same thing. Overworking was in the Kamisato blood so it seems. But it looks like it was in his blood too now. Whenever you would arrive somewhat early to the estate, Thoma would go to the kitchen immediately to help cook dinner then after that he would serve some tea and even wash the dishes. You knew being Chief Retainer and one of your siblings most trusted attendants warrant a lot of his time. He always had a smile on his face like he wasn’t even tired at all. You simply wonder how he does it.
“I’m sure you’re already so busy attending both Ayaka and Ayato. I’m sorry to even add myself on your plate” You look down at the pavement as you both walk home, it was quite late this time as more papers came to your desk for more checking. Work piling up was nothing new, you’ve grown used to it, but having someone wait for you and for you to take up their time makes you feel like a burden.
“Hmm but you are also a part of the Kamisato clan, right? Remember I swore my loyalty to you as well” Thoma smiles at you brightly even if you can see the growing bags under his eyes, you still know his smile is genuine.
You grab Thoma’s hand so suddenly that it almost made him lost footing “Thoma, I want you to be more selfish. I want you to learn how to say no, okay?”
“S-selfish?”
“I fear that- You give and give until there will be nothing left of you. Your number one priority should be you. Not me, not the clan, not the people of Inazuma. I'm positive Ayato and Ayaka have told you the same thing by now. I want you to think of yourself first, okay?”
“O-okay” Thoma was thankful that it was only the moonlight that was serving as your light on your way home. Maybe, just maybe, you can’t see the blush on his face.
“Promise?”
“I- Promise”
You reposition your hands so that you can shake his hand properly. Thoma laughed at your antics and you couldn’t help but laugh too. His hand was warm, it might be the doing of his pyro vision but it was a very stark contrast from your usual cold hands. Nonetheless, you try to relish it before you let go and walk back to the estate.
“Oh Thoma, me and the rest of the office staff are going for drinks tonight. Can you reserve a table for 30 people at Uyuu Restaurant?” You say as you munch on your meal that Thoma has brought for you once again.
“Yes, Mistress” He was about to leave the office when he heard you talk again
“Ah! and you don’t need to pick me up later since I don’t know what time we will end. I’ll just ask some guards to escort me home”
“O-oh.. Okay”
Dinner was done. Ayaka, Ayato and Thoma were having their usual tea by the courtyard to look at the view of the sea near the estate. The breeze was cool and the soft ocean waves crash against the shore. But Thoma couldn’t help but feel.. Fidgety. So he stands up and proceeds to walk to the courtyard and grab his broom.
“Thoma, isn’t it a bit too late to sweep the yard? Can you even see anything?” Ayaka looks over curiously at him
“Ahaha. You’re right, my lady.. Maybe I should just mop the floors instead” Thoma drops the broom and goes to the closet to get his mop.
“That’s not what I meant…” Ayaka turns to his brother who only chuckles at the sight
“Our dear housekeeper is stress cleaning” Ayato stands up and bids his sister a goodnight while Ayaka just sits there all confused watching Thoma clean the hallway he already mopped this morning.
“Cheers!” You shout in glee as your colleagues shout in reply. It’s been 3 weeks of just polishing the system. With trial and error, a lot of overtime work and various complaints, you and your team work hard to finally complete it. You were thankful to each and everyone of them and you were incredibly proud to accomplish a task that will help Inazuma grow even further.
“Miss Kamisato. Thank you for your hard work!” One of the officers propose a cheer to you and couldn’t help but be shy because of the praise.
“Oh please. I didn’t do it alone. Everyone here did their part and did their best. Without all of you, we wouldn’t be here today. Also please just call me Y/N”
“But without you Miss, a lot of people in Inazuma wouldn’t have the new jobs they have now. The way you were so brave with your proposal with the tri-comission.. We’re so thankful for all your efforts Miss!” A woman you recognized who was mostly meek during meetings spoke up at the end of the table. She was mostly shy and a bit clumsy but at the end of the day her work was finished and it was done well.
“Yah.. Don’t praise me too much. Our work has just begun. So let’s keep doing our best, right?”
“Yesss!!” Cheers from everyone across the table was shouted in glee as everyone kept eating and drinking.
All of you didn’t notice how late it is until you realize you were the only people in the restaurant. You wonder why the owner hasn’t told you to leave but you reckon Thoma reserved it under the Kamisato name so the owner most likely extended their working hours.
“Is everyone alright to go home?” You check up on your colleagues, some of them clearly had a bit too much alcohol. You instructed the guards to make sure to escort the women home while the men carry their drunk friends to their houses.
“How about you, Mistress?” All of the guards were hesitant to leave knowing that you would have to walk alone
“I’m fine! I promise you. If you get repercussions from the commissioner I shall take responsibility. Now go! It’s too late for these ladies to be out at this hour” You shoo them away and your colleagues bid you a goodnight. You wait until all of them are of safe distance before turning to your own path back to the estate.
“Mistress!” A familiar voice calls you and just as you suspect, a familiar mop of blond hair greets you. His tall stature panting with his hands on his knees once again.
“T-Thoma? What are you doing here?”
“I knew you were going to walk alone back to the estate since you would most likely order the guards to escort the ladies home” He stands with his arms crossed with a pout on his face. Truth be told, he was already on his bed, staring at the clock, watching the minutes go by, wondering if you were already home. When he asks the guards if you have arrived and they shake their heads no, he runs off to his room to get dressed the fastest he can. He hurriedly runs from the estate to Uyuu restaurant. Luckily he sees you right before you leave.
“You really didn’t have to come all the way here. I would have been fine on my own. I told you not to pick me up” You match his stance and stare at him with your arms crossed as well
“W-well I- it was late and-” he gives up the whole tough guy act and sighs “I was worried. And I knew you had some drinks! So I-” He finally stops rambling as he feels your touch on his head. You were so close. He prays to the archons you can’t hear his heart almost jump out of his chest.
“Your headband is crooked and your hair is kinda messy” You try to fix his headband and hair the best you can before stepping back to inspect it before nodding in satisfaction “Alright. Let’s just go home, Thoma~”
Thankfully it was the weekend and you didn’t have to go all the way to Ritou to work. You figured that Thoma let you sleep in as you both managed to go back to the estate quite late last night. When you get up and eat your breakfast, you see Ayaka and Ayato having a practice match by the courtyard. That certainly brings back memories. You can still remember the days where Ayaka would struggle but now you watch her as she glides through her steps as if she’s skating on ice with her elegant sword strikes. Clapping as they finished their match, you stand and get a practice sword as well.
“Can I have a try?” You smile at your siblings who eagerly nod.
Ayaka was the first one to step up. You both bow and get into position. Taking a defensive stance, you wait for Ayaka to strike first. Your younger sister striked 3 consecutive times that you easily block and stepped back. As soon as she retreats, you knew it was time for you to strike. You angle yourself lower and strike her sword upwards, making it fly out of her hands.
You point your sword to her face and she puts her hands up in defeat. Stepping back once again you bow to each other and giggle.
“Ayaka, I knew you were holding back on me” You scold your little sister
“That’s not true! I was just nervous. We haven’t sparred for so long” Ayaka sits by the floor to watch your next match with Ayato. “I’ll be sure to be more confident next time”
Ayato gives you a smirk. A smirk that you knew was up to something.
“Practicing with you, dear sister is something I truly missed but I would rather for this one to be fun”
“Fun?”
“How about a wager?” Ayato tilts his head. He was really provoking you now.
“Oh? What do I get if I win?” You return a provoking smirk back.
“Hmm.. How about I let you have an extra day off next week?”
“A day off? That doesn’t sound much, Ayato” You roll your eyes in amusement “How about if I win.. You let me speak first to the elders at the next family meeting?”
A flash of panic passes by Ayato quickly but he dismisses it immediately. Your smirk only gets wider as he coughs to put himself back in composure. Even Ayaka was getting nervous in her seat.
“And if I win, you will go meet with a potential suitor”
Now it was your time to panic. Your eyebrows furrow and eyes glare daggers at your brother. The wager was at an all time high now. It was up to you whether to accept it or not. One thing about Ayato is he really knew how to scheme things. You should’ve just accepted that extra day off while you had the chance but now you had fallen into his trap.
“Deal” You held your head up high and agreed. What’s the worst thing that could happen? This suitor might smell bad or have terrible manners or is after your family name and wealth. Well there are a lot of bad things that could happen but you’ll cross the bridge when you get there. Right now, what you needed to concentrate on was defeating Ayato.
“Oh Thoma, Ayaka.. Please do act as our referee” He turns to the two who stand idly at the sides to observe “Remember the rules sister? No visions”
“No foul play” You add on to seal the deal. Both of you walk a safe distance apart and bow, placing yourselves into a stance.
For a moment, it was dead silent. Both of you didn’t move. Only the sound of the leaves swaying in the trees could be heard. You were sharpening all your senses, hyperfocusing on Ayato’s movements. And in an instant, both of you charge to strike. Ayato has always been fast so he had the first strike but your journey outside Inazuma has taught you various things. You easily block him and strike back. For what seems like minutes, both of you just strike and block each other’s swings. Sporting a smile on your face, you knew you can only win by taking a risk. A risk that Ayato would predict your moves wrong, that you still had the same attack pattern before you left. It was a low probability that you could predict his next move but you knew it was a way to end this match.
Stepping back and standing up straight, you take a deep breath as your mind goes over your plan. Not wasting any more time, you charge at Ayato with what seems to be an overhead strike to his left but you quickly fake it and strike forward instead, making Ayato switch his sword last minute to block you but you were already one step ahead and spun around him to poke at his back. Your sword just stops a bit shy of his back, chest heaving with a triumphant smile on your face.
“I win”
Ayato raises his hand to admit defeat and spins around to bow to you. Both Thoma and Ayaka had their mouths open in shock at the results. Ayaka was the first one to clap and hug you to congratulate you for your win.
“Onee-san you did amazing! Did you learn that while traveling? That means you won the wager to-” Ayaka stops mid sentence as she remembers what exactly you won.
You laugh at her scared face and pat her head “Don’t worry Ayaka. I won’t be too harsh, I promise to be as behaved as I can”
The older male just sighs and rubs his temples. He would have to probably draft a plan already on how to save yourselves after the troublesome little speech he knows you will be saying at the meeting with the elders. “A deal is a deal. Well done Y/N”
“Lord Ayato, you have to be at a meeting by noon!” One of the retainers reminds Ayato of his duties and he bids the three of you a farewell.
“There he goes again” Being the head commissioner was a tough job, it didn’t have fixed days off and there was hardly a moment for rest. That’s why both of you and Ayaka are thankful for every moment that you can spend with Ayato.
“Mistress, you have a visitor!” One of the guards at front announce
You turn around to meet a familiar pair of gold eyes that you missed seeing. “Rika! What are you doing here? What about the Shuumatsuban?”
“I made my decision.. I told Lord Ayato I want to be your retainer”
“Rika…” You hold her dainty hand in yours. Most of the time, Rika appeared to be emotionless but your journey together have both made you closer so you knew that she was happy to choose this on her own. “Thank you. I will take care of you”
Thoma and Ayaka felt like they were intruding in such an intimate moment. The young lady even caught herself blushing at the situation.
Rika bows to the ground with one of her knees bent, right hand on her chest as she hangs her head low “Thank you, Mistress. Please take care of me”
“Ah-ah! Now now please no need to be so formal, Rika we’ve talked about this” You scold her jokingly and it puts a smile on her stoic face. “Ayaka, Thoma, come and meet my now, personal retainer”
The new retainer presents herself and bows a perfect 90 degree. “I am honored to serve the Kamisato clan and Miss Y/N. Please if you have anything you need assistance, I would gladly help”
“Rika is one of the people I trust the most. She worked with the Shuumatsuban before going out of Inazuma with me. She is very reliable”
Ayaka bows back and acknowledges her, saying it would be her pleasure to have a new addition to the staff. “Also thank you for taking of my sister, I know she can be a lot”
“Ayaka!” You pout “I am a very responsible adult”
“It’s nice to meet you. I’m Thoma. I’m the chief retainer here so it’s my duty to show you around” he bows as well and gives Rika his signature beaming smile. “Why don’t we get started now as we fetch some tea for the mistress and my lady?”
Both of them were off to the kitchen to do so while you and Ayaka cool down after your sparring session. It brings you great ease that Rika was now back by your side. Rika might be a bit stoic and seemed to be uncaring but you were sure you could trust Thoma to show her the ropes. At least, in this way, Thoma won’t have to bother fetching you nor bring you lunch at Ritou.
But as things went smoothly for the meantime, it still rains on some days. And the rain on your parade just happened to be the meeting with elders of the Kamisato clan. The dreaded day has finally come. Once in a while, the elders from other branches of the clan and the main family (which now consists of you, Ayato and Ayaka) would hold a meeting about important matters in the clan. Mainly, the one thing that you absolutely hated.
“Kamisato Y/N, you should be looking for a husband. You should be married. Even have a child or two” One of the snarky old men commented “It is important for the Kamisato bloodline to continue and flourish”
“Pardon me but I’m afraid I have no intentions of finding a husband. Nor getting married. Nor having children” You sit up straight and voice out your truth. You feel Ayaka and Ayato stiffen beside you. A deal was a deal, you side eye Ayato before continuing. “I have just returned from my journey after 4 years to Inazuma. Helped various foreigners build their business even during the Vision Hunt Decree. Risked my life to travel to different nations and sought to find the very traveler that helped end that decree.”
“And what does that have to do with marriage and children? As a woman from the Kamisato clan, it is your duty to birth heirs. You are lucky to be born in the main family, it is the only thing you are meant to be doing.” Another old woman snides at your remark.
“I do not want to” You try your best to keep a composed face but your fist were shaking in your lap with how mad you are.
“Excuse me? How dare you-”
“Being a woman of my clan does not obligate me in any way to give birth to an heir. I am more than just a womb to produce children. I refuse to succumb to this.. To let this stupid curse carry on much longer”
The room was dead silent until one of the elders shouted how rude and incompetent you are. All of them shouted at once all their bad comments at you. It was nothing new, it was like this before you left as well. At that time, when you were younger, you used excuses of being too young or you were already in the process of meeting people even though you weren’t but now you’ve grown tired of running away so you decided to tell the truth. You figured there wouldn’t be any other way to explain it now.
The meeting ended up with the elders having to be calmed down by their respective retainers for health reasons and you have sincerely apologized as well but made it clear that you aren’t changing your mind. You opened the door harshly and walked out fast, Rika and Thoma were sitting by the door in case there was a need for more assistance but they only saw you stomp out of the room with a sour mood on your face.
Thoma immediately stood up and wanted to ask you what’s wrong but Rika grabbed his shoulder and shook her head no.
“She needs time alone” She says in her monotone voice but Thoma trusts that if anyone knew you best for the past few years, it would be Rika that was there by your side.
Ayato and Ayaka soon also came out of the room looking even more tired than usual. They can only shake their head and sigh as well. Thoma couldn’t help but be more worried. The siblings often shared how these meetings with the elders were draining but it seems like today it was extra tiring.
On the same night, the words of the elders plagued your mind again, making it difficult for you to sleep. Tossing and turning on your bed didn’t help. Maybe a stroll around the estate would help. You walk out of your room quietly as you can and when you pass by the kitchen you momentarily stop and wonder if Thoma was inside but you can see no light was on. But what does it matter? You can get a glass of water yourself. Opening the cupboards and getting a glass of water, filling it half cold and half warm, you sit by the window that lets a slight breeze in. Staring at the moon, you wonder if you will ever be enough for this family.
Ever since you were young, it was apparent that you were the black sheep. Yes, your father and mother adored you but you felt the stares that the other elders and their family gave. The whispers and hushed insults you would hear when they thought you were out of vicinity. You’ve grown to learn to ignore them but after hearing them today, straight to your face, you found yourself swimming in dark thoughts once again. Thoughts that would worry and hurt your siblings. You wouldn't dare act upon these dark thoughts but they seem to flood your brain as of the moment.
“Mistress?” You turn to a soft voice calling you. It was him. Of course it was him. “Are you hurt?”
Thoma walks up to you quickly and inspects your hands and face, panic flashing through his eyes as he scans your face. “Huh?”
A warm hand palms your cheeks as his thumbs swipe away your tears. Only then do you realize that you were crying. You suddenly step back and drop the glass in shock, causing it to shatter on the floor.
“Shit. I’m so sorry Thoma, let me clean this” You try to pick up the glass shards but Thoma’s hands hold your wrist tightly to stop you.
“Y/N” He says firmly “Please sit down. You’re overwhelmed right now. I’ll clean it up, okay?”
The warmth of his hands were gone as soon as you nodded and stood up. Sitting at a different chair farther away from your mess, you observe Thoma cleaning up the glass and sweeping it all into a trash bin. You feel embarrassed with how clumsy you are. You feel embarrassed at how you let those elders into your head. You feel embarrassed at how vulnerable Thoma saw you.
“Are you hurt anywhere?” Thoma grabs your hands to inspect it once again and breathes a sigh of relief when he sees you’re fine.
An angel. You think that’s what they call it in Mondstat. A being that is sent from the archons above with a bright halo or aura surrounding them. Maybe they were real and maybe Thoma was one of them.
“I’m sorry” you whisper low but it was enough for Thoma to hear.
“I should be the one apologizing. I was the one who startled you” He knew he had to apologize for touching you so suddenly but at the same time he didn’t want to, if he could do it once again he would.
“Thoma… Do you ever regret.. Coming to Inazuma?”
His past wasn’t something new or hidden to you. The story of how he came to Inazuma was explained by your father a few days after he was introduced to you and the staff. You never thought of asking him this question before even if you have really wanted to but now your growing curiosity needs to be satisfied to find any kind of comfort.
“I mean.. I have been to Mondstat. It’s lovely. Don’t get me wrong- I love Inazuma. I love my family but when I was traveling. I felt so- so free”
Thoma takes a seat beside you and hums “I miss Mondstat of course. I still remember all the memories I had before going here but I don’t ever regret coming here. Even if I didn’t get to find my father.”
His eyes looked so sad and you felt a sudden guilt pang in your chest. How stupid of you to find comfort in a person who had things worse ever since he was a child.
“It was a whole different world to me. When I came here, I had nothing but a dream. Your mother found me washed up on a shore after the ship I rode got swept up in a terrible storm. Maybe I shouldn’t even be alive” He chuckles at the thought. It seems so long ago but he could still remember the feeling of the sand rough against his cheek. “But that day was also the day I met you”
“You and the young lord and the young lady were practicing hard that day. I was no one. Your family wasn’t obligated to do anything and yet you all welcomed me with open arms. And I thought, I’m not going to let anything take that away from me.” He smiles at you brightly. It was clearly night time but Thoma’s smile shone like the sun on the brightest day of summer. “But enough of me, do you regret it Y/N? Coming back here after having a taste of the world out there?”
“Out there I was just- Me, you know? I didn’t have to worry about suitors, or marriage or bearing children. Yes, I still had a job to help the people of Inazuma and I wanted to do that. I wanted to serve and protect the people of this nation. I sacrificed and went through a lot in those years and yet the elders just see me as someone who is obligated to give birth. They make me feel like I’m- some sort of mistake because I don’t conform to their traditions… Ah! Don’t get me wrong, there is nothing wrong with people who dream of becoming a mother or having their own family but- I- for me, it’s not just something I want.. I can't..” By the end of your rambling, your voice softens as you realize you were letting your emotions flow out once again. You bit your lip to stop yourself from saying more.
“Well I’m glad you’re here. And I’m thankful for all you’ve done. I’m sure the young lord and young lady feel the same” Thoma stands up and gets you another glass of water once again “And if the elders don’t see that. That’s their loss. You’re a strong person who can decide what they want for themselves. It doesn’t make you broken for wanting different things. You’re already more than enough as you are.”
There he is, probably the most heart-warming and understanding person to ever walk on this earth. You don’t know how he does it but Thoma always found the right words to tell you.
“Thank you” You want to say more but you don’t know what to say. It feels like it’s never enough for what Thoma has done for you. Your parents made the right decision to bring him here to the estate. Silently thanking them in your mind for it. “What are you doing here in the kitchen anyways? Were you looking for something?”
“Ah- I was supposed to look if there was anything I need to restock tomorrow morning when I go shop at the market” He lies. He was worried that you couldn’t sleep, he knew it was a long shot for you to be here so it came to a surprise that he was right. The crying caught him off guard though, he knew it was a rough day but it’s been so long since he saw you cried. The last you cried was when your parents passed away. It was the last time since he has seen the 3 of you cry and ever since then he made a promise to protect you all as best he can.
“Thank you Thoma. I know I just said that but you took care of my siblings when I was gone. Every time I got worried on how they have been, I would be comforted by the thought that I knew you were by their side.. I owe you a lot.”
“I was only doing my duty” Thoma tries to hide his blush by turning his head to check the cabinets for the “things” he needs to restock for his market trip tomorrow.
“Maybe I can treat you to a meal?”
You say it so suddenly that Thoma jumps in surprise, making him bump his head to one of the cupboards. He hisses and rubs the sore spot. Walking and going up to him, your hands try to rub his head to check for injuries.
“Does it hurt here? Did it get bruised?”
You were so close, you could feel Thoma’s breath on your neck. If anyone came in, they would think otherwise of your innocent gesture. But for now, there was only the two of you. And you think yourself, you aren’t repulsed at the thought of being this close to him. Heat practically radiates off from him and it brings you a sense of comfort. A little voice in the back of your head wonders if it’s warmer when you’re held in his arms.
But you step back and clear your throat with an awkward cough. “It looks like it didn’t bruise. Uhm- I shall retire for tonight. You should too! Goodnight Thoma” You say it mumbling so fast to yourself as you walk out of the kitchen in a rush, leaving Thoma just dumbfounded in the kitchen.
As if the meeting with the elders didn’t give you enough of a headache, the wretched day has come. You were at the docks of Inazuma together with Rika and some guards. Spotting a familiar crest of the tribe on the sails of the boat, you try your best to put on a neutral face.
“Y/N!!!!!!” A man you knew waved his hands excitedly from the boat. He kept calling your name as you refused to acknowledge his shouting. He repeats shouting and jumping on the ship that people around the docks got curious at the voice too. The people looked incredibly confused as they see a tall, dark and handsome man calling the name of one of Inazuma’s prominent nobles so casually.
When the ship has finally docked the said man smiles brightly. You bow deeply as a sign of respect. “Welcome to Inazuma, Prince Hugo”
“Oh come on Y/N, why are you so formal? Didn’t you miss me?” Hugo, the prince of the leading tribes in Natlan, laughs at you.
“Yah!” You want to scold him badly but Rika reminds you to keep calm. Sighing in defeat you try to put on your best but annoyed smile “Prince Hugo, may I remind you that you are here on official business”
He straightens up and puts his right hand to his chest, now bowing formally as a prince should in their tribe. “It’s nice to see you again, Miss Y/N” He greets you as if now a different person but you knew the gleam of mischief in his eye. Using his left hand, he holds one of yours and kisses the back of it.
Gasps of surprise can be heard from the people and even your guards. Rika could only shake her head in annoyance. You quickly pull back your hand beside you and try not to appear flustered.
“Hehe Did I surprise you? I learned that one in Fontaine. That’s how they greet the beautiful ladies there” Prince Hugo turns into his loud self once again.
“I appreciate the gesture but do that again without permission and I’ll feed you to the foxes here”
“Oohooo~ Feisty as ever. I missed this attitude of yours, Y/N”
Archons you wish this day would end already. The headache you got from this 10 minute interaction was enough to tire you out for the entire week. When Hugo and his tribe have fully registered and put down their bags in their accommodations, you see to it yourself to introduce him to the people of the tri-commission that he would be talking to.
The letter that came a few weeks ago was from him, expressing that he would visit Inazuma on official business matters. After hearing that Inazuma was open once again for foreign visitors, the tribes of Natlan wanted to nourish their relationship with your nation (as you have done lots to help them). So you see to it yourself that the prince would be taken care of properly in your nation.
What you didn’t expect to read in the letter though was him saying that he has already expressed to your brother, Ayato, the head of your family, his intention to formally court you. And that Ayato has already approved it beforehand. You didn’t know that they have been in touch with writing letters and your brother knew how you had no intention of finding a suitor so to see that he already approved without you asking made you feel irritated. Prince Hugo has flirted with you a lot back in his nation but you always thought it was harmless fun for him. You always just brushed it off and never took it seriously so the whole courting thing didn’t make sense to you. Maybe, just maybe, he was just joking or he’ll forget it with how busy he will be.
But it seems like the world was against you this time because it hasn’t been a full week and Hugo has come knocking at your estate’s door. Of course Ayaka extended an invitation for them to have dinner at the estate as they are esteemed guests from Natlan. You really didn’t mind because it was the normal thing to do. Everyone was having a good time, chit-chatting each other during the meal. Not talking about business helped you loosen up as Hugo and his friends share some memories of the adventures you had with him. The tribe even brought alcohol to the said occasion to be shared in good spirits. Everything was going well until Hugo got serious and turned to you.
“That’s why we are very eager to give thanks to what Y/N has done” Hugo smiles at you handsomely.
“But you already helped me a lot when my team and I were there too” You pat his shoulder as you chuckle at his remark.
He grabs your hand once again to place a kiss on the back of it “But I want to formally court you. You’d make a wonderful princess for my tribe”
Everyone around the table had their mouths open in shock except Hugo’s tribesmen who were cheering at how cool their prince was. Ayaka almost jumped out of her seat in shock, she quickly took out her fan to cover her blushing face. All the while Ayato was quietly laughing at you.
“Yah!” You smack his face away once again. Not caring anymore if you did something uncouth towards the prince “I don’t approve of it”
“But your brother has already given me permission” Hugo pouts like a kicked puppy “Unless I am too late and you already have a suitor?”
“N-no. But I still object!” You ruffle your hair in annoyance. Feeling daring because of the consumed alcohol, you carelessly proposed “You know what, let’s just settle it with a fight. Isn’t it like that when there is conflict?”
“A fight? Between me and your suitor?” Hugo huffs his chest “I gladly accept”
“No. I’ll represent myself. Let’s do it right now. If I win, you shall not court me at all”
“I’m sorry, Y/N. but if I have to fight for your hand, I cannot fight you . Some other person would have to represent, after all, that is the tradition in Natlan.”
“Ayato” You turn to him but he only laughs at you
“Oh dear sister” the ever sly man smirks at you “I’m the one who approved of it. I cannot be the same person to fight against it”
Damn it. If Hans or Akash was here you KNOW they would step up without hesitation to represent you but Hans was still at Yashiori island having the time of his life exploring and Akash’s head is buried in the books in the Narukami Grand Shrine. Think Y/N! Think-
“I would be honored to represent the Mistress” Thoma stands up with a determined face