Page 17 of The Tainted and the Tamed
Despite the smell of peppermint and herbs in the air, the house still maintained a persistent aroma of decay. The constant rain had done Fusae Castle no favors. Only in Murasaki’s little-used corner of the castle, where she filled her treatment room with sweet commingling scents, did it smell at all pleasant.
She’d swear it smelled of wet earth as she walked down the hall every evening, as if the castle cat had brought in something dead.
As Murasaki creaked her way through the dark halls, she became aware of a lighter set of squeaks. Unsure whether to continue walking as if nothing was amiss or to turn and see who it was, her body made the decision for her when her next step hitched.
A low rumbling made her turn so quickly she nearly tripped on her own slippers.
She knew that laugh.
Yet before her stood the servant Mr. Haruno.
“I was hoping to sneak up on you,” he said, chuckling. “Not an easy thing to do in this place.”
Mr. Haruno was dressed more obviously in servant’s clothing tonight. Unlike during their first meeting, when he was dressed much too finely.
Because he was most definitelynota servant.
A tingling flush crept up Murasaki’s neck, heating the tips of her ears. That laugh—that voice—made it painfully obvious.
She was looking up at Chairman Asami.
He was a younger man, as she had suspected from his voice. Thankfully, her gut warned her to hide her suspicions and offer him a shallow, hurried bow. After all, no one was meant to see a chairman’s face.
“Here,” he said, holding out a cloth bag to a dumbstruck Murasaki. She took it, her eyes flicking from the man only momentarily.
How handsome he is. But why is he so young? He cannot be the original Chairman Asami.But hewasthe chairman. After days of waiting outside his meetings, she would know that voice anywhere.
A weight settled into her chest. Standing this close to him made her palms start to sweat.
What is he about, pretending to be a servant? Am I meant to play along?Is this something he does to amuse himself? Or does it have to do with a chairman’s anonymity?
Either way, Murasaki was at a loss. Certain she couldn’t be more confused by this peculiar man—one who was certainly little older than she was—she untied the cloth bag. Inside was a glass jar of capsules, the lid identical to what the physician used.
“Dr. Setouchi has come up with a new compound for you. He sent me to bring these capsules to you, and to tell you to begin taking them immediately. One at night, every night, before bed.”
“Thank you,” she barely managed, throwing in a bow that was more automatic than anything.
What was she supposed to do? He was Murasaki’s employer, and a chairman besides. Even if knowing his secret wasn’t dangerous, she could not risk angering him by admitting she knew his identity. Whatcouldshe do but play along?
“I-is that why I haven’t seen you since the other night? You work for the physician?”
The chairman smiled warmly. “Indeed I do. I’m surprised you haven’t seen me running errands for him during the day.”
“I’m rather busy inside the house most days, I’m afraid.”
Chairman Asami’s smile faltered. “And your position—how do you find it? Are you adjusting well?”
“I like it well enough,” she answered, careful not to sound too effusive. “The air up here agrees with me, I think, though it has taken some time to adjust.”
“Ah, so it’s air that’s the trouble.” He inclined his head toward the bag. “A common ailment in the city. Don’t worry, your secret is safe with me.” Again, that smile left his eyes. “As are the secrets of all the physician’s patients, of course.”
“Of course.” Murasaki bowed again. How excruciating, to know “Mr. Haruno” was actually a chairman of Kaiden and she still had to bow like she was nearly his equal! Every inch of Murasaki squirmed as she fought what would’ve been an obvious tell. “I thank you for bringing this at such a late hour.”
“No trouble.” He returned her bow at an equal level. As if this was normal.
Nothing about this was normal.
Hastily, Murasaki wished him a good night and scurried away before her face could become well and truly red. Oh, how she wished she could disappear! What a fool she was to dream of meeting the chairman!
