Chapter 20
The woman who entered wore a well-tailored red dress, adorned with gemstones of varying sizes that clinked together as she walked, as vibrant as a fiery sunset.
She was strikingly beautiful, with meticulously drawn eyebrows and rouged lips, clearly having taken great care with her appearance.
Wakako found her somewhat familiar.
But she wasn’t Miki.
Of course not. The Saint should be in the Eagle Kingdom’s royal city, so how could she have traveled such a long distance to be here?
Wakako couldn’t tell if she felt relieved or disappointed. She politely stood up and cast a questioning glance toward the Second Daughter.
“This is Lady Miki,” the Second Daughter explained softly. “Miki, as in ‘future’ and ‘chronicle’.”
Mios and the Eagle Kingdom shared the same official language, and in that language, “Miki” and “Miki” were pronounced the same. It was indeed easy to confuse the two by ear.
So it was just a coincidence.
The woman named Miki stepped into the hall. She had a slender figure, taller than the average Omega, and her walk revealed signs of martial training.
Wakako’s gaze fell on the token hanging from Miki’s waist. She quickly recognized the pattern on it. “You are…”
Miki smiled gracefully and performed the mercenary salute. “I am Miki from the Omega squad. It’s an honor to meet you, Senior Wakako.”
Within the mercenary group, different squads rarely interacted. Wakako had only met the Omega squad leader before and knew nothing about the other members.
Since Miki addressed her as “Senior,” it meant that she had joined the ranks after Wakako.
Wakako returned the salute, and as she lowered her head, the silver necklace around her neck slipped slightly.
Miki noticed this and shyly pursed her lips.
Miki noticed this and, with a slight blush, bit her lip bashfully. She reached for her own neck and pulled out an identical necklace, her cheeks tinged with a subtle pink. “So Senior also wears it close to her heart every day.”
What?
“Oh my,” the Second Daughter clapped her hands and exclaimed, “You two haven’t even met, yet you’re already so in sync. How wonderful.”
Wakako finally understood where the sense of familiarity came from.
Previously, the Queen had suddenly decided to show care for the mercenaries by arranging marriages using portraits. All eligible and unmarried mercenaries were included, Wakako being no exception.
She had never considered marriage and wanted to refuse on the spot, but her master had stopped her, signaling that it would be disrespectful to publicly refuse the Queen’s offer.
The mercenaries were the Queen’s personal soldiers, and their priority was to obey her commands. Now that the Queen and the Queen Consort were deeply in love, offending the Queen Consort would be unwise.
Moreover, the Queen Consort was known for her capricious nature, often acting on impulse and losing interest quickly.
Therefore, Hua Yumu had advised Wakako to wait, accept the offer for now, and then find an excuse to decline later.
Wakako had never met her so-called “fiancée” but had seen her portrait.
And that beautiful woman with bright eyes and a gentle smile was none other than the Omega standing before her, Miki.
Miki had naturally misunderstood, seeing the engagement necklace around Wakako’s neck as a sign of commitment.
However, the truth was that Wakako often visited the palace to teach the Crown Princess and wore the necklace simply to find an opportunity to explain her intentions to the Queen Consort and return the royal gift.
Looking at Miki’s hopeful eyes, and with the Second Daughter present, Wakako couldn’t bring herself to disappoint her “fiancée” and chose not to explain.
The three of them had lunch in the main hall of the Kitagawa household.
During the meal, Wakako and Miki weren’t familiar with each other, so they didn’t have much to talk about. The Second Daughter led the conversation throughout.
As they finished, Miki mentioned that the snow scenery in the outskirts of the city was currently at its best and that she would love to see it during her free time.
The Second Daughter quickly seized the opportunity. “Why wait for another day? Today is a perfect day for a stroll.”
She glanced at Wakako. “But the snow is thick now, and it would be more convenient to ride horses. I don’t know how to ride, so I’m afraid I’ll spoil the fun. Why don’t you go with Lady Miki…”
Her intentions to matchmake them were crystal clear.
Wakako didn’t refuse. It just so happened that she had some things she wanted to discuss with Miki privately. Since they had met today, it was better to address the issue directly and get it over with.
As they were about to leave, the Second Daughter generously offered to let them ride the Kitagawa clan’s horses to enjoy the snow. Miki, who had some knowledge of horses, went to the stable with a servant to choose their mounts.
This left Wakako and the Second Daughter sitting alone in the hall for a brief moment.
“Second Daughter, how many favors have you received for being so enthusiastic about this?” Wakako glanced at her, her tone neither cold nor warm.
Despite being called out so directly, the Second Daughter didn’t even blink, her tone remaining affectionate.
“Wakako,” she said, “according to the family registry, we are of the same generation. Why do you still call me Second Daughter? I’ve told you many times, just call me by my name.”
Wakako knew that, of course.
It wasn’t that she did it intentionally, but she just couldn’t seem to break the habit.
Even though she was now a distinguished mercenary, she often had the inexplicable feeling that she was still that penniless thirteen-year-old from ten years ago.
The Second Daughter lowered her voice. “Normally, I wouldn’t bother you, but this time Lady Miki personally sought me out and asked me to invite you to meet her. I couldn’t refuse her request.”
She made it sound generous, but as a merchant, she wouldn’t have gone through the trouble if there wasn’t something to gain. In reality, she was simply using Wakako to build a favor with Miki, who was also a mercenary.
“Now that you’ve met Lady Miki, what do you think?” The Second Daughter didn’t forget to probe Wakako’s thoughts. “What are your feelings?”
Wakako only said three words. “I have none.”
The Second Daughter paused for a moment, her eyes narrowing into slits, as if calculating something.
Then, her voice dropped to barely a whisper. “You’re still thinking about the Saint, aren’t you?”
Besides her fellow mercenaries and the Queen, the only other person who knew about her past with the Saint was the Second Daughter standing before her.
In fact, it could be said that she knew more than anyone, after all, she had personally witnessed Miki bringing Wakako home all those years ago.
“I know you’re loyal and devoted, but the Saint is gone…” The Second Daughter sighed. “Now that a new Saint has appeared, you should be looking forward, shouldn’t you?”
She was just a merchant and wasn’t as well-informed about political matters. She still didn’t know that the new Saint of the Eagle Kingdom was the “dead” Miki.
“Lady Miki is so beautiful, and like you, she’s a mercenary. You’re a perfect match, and the Queen Consort has arranged your marriage. What’s wrong with that? You even have similar names. Why don’t you try to see her as…”
Just then, Miki and the servant arrived with the horses. The Second Daughter stopped mid-sentence and immediately put on a perfect smile on her face and cheerfully saw them off at the door.
She didn’t forget to wave goodbye. “Enjoy the snow, you two.”
***
There was a long river in the outskirts of the city, which had already frozen over with thick ice before winter even arrived. Many people had made walking sticks out of wood and were having fun sliding on the ice.
Wakako and Miki put away their mercenary tokens and tied their horses to the side.
“Senior,” Miki’s eyes kept glancing towards the ice, clearly wanting to try it out. She smiled and asked, “Shall we make some walking sticks together?”
Thinking about what she had to say to Miki later, Wakako didn’t refuse the request.
Both of them being mercenaries, their skills far surpassing those of ordinary people. Using only the small blades they carried, they swiftly cut down the wood they needed.
Previous visitors had left behind a few tree stumps. Miki sat on one, her red dress and matching red cloak contrasting beautifully against the pure white snow behind her.
“Senior,” she seemed a little shy, not daring to meet Wakako’s eyes directly. “Actually, I wasn’t willing to be engaged to you at first, after all, we hadn’t even met. I even considered asking the Queen Consort to cancel the arrangement…”
Wakako’s hand paused as she was whittling the wood.
Miki slowly raised her head, her eyes filled with admiration and reverence. “But then I learned that you were the one who charged into enemy lines three times during the Rose War.”
As she spoke, her whole body trembled slightly. It wasn’t from the cold, but from the uncontainable excitement in her heart.
“Ever since I joined the squad, I’ve always heard stories about your exploits, and I’ve always admired you.”
Miki expressed her feelings openly, though the blush had spread to her ears, and her voice had become softer.
“I’m so glad I didn’t act impulsively back then. I never would’ve imagined that I would be lucky enough to be engaged to you…”
She was undoubtedly a charming Omega, not only beautiful but also well-spoken and with a graceful demeanor that made it easy to like her.
Wakako caught a glimpse of her reflection in the ice.
For the convenience of teaching Crown Princess Tsukiyo archery, she was dressed simply, wearing a plain dark gray cloak over her belted tunic and trousers.
Her long hair was tied back in a high ponytail, and while her face wasn’t breathtakingly beautiful, it was pleasant and refined, enhanced by the dimples that appeared when she smiled.
A strange and twisted thought suddenly crossed Wakako’s mind, fleeting as it was. If she were to marry Miki, wouldn’t it be a good match?
The words of the Second Daughter echoed in her ears. “Why don’t you try to see her as the Saint Miki?”
Wakako stared fixedly at Miki.
In that moment, she realized she couldn’t do that.
Although their names were pronounced the same, they were completely different people.
Miki was like a flower blooming freely in a garden, with a rich fragrance and vibrant colors, easily approachable and within reach.
Miki, the Saint, was like a towering mountain, covered in pristine white snow, rustling softly in the wind, a distant and hazy figure. She was cold and untouchable, a pristine beauty that made you want to protect her yet fear she might melt away if you got too close.
That person had disappeared from Wakako’s life for five years, only to return by choosing to abandon her.
She didn’t know what she was hesitating about.
Clearly, the woman before her was the fiancée bestowed by the Queen Consort, and she was clearly interested in Wakako.
Wakako could almost see a bright new future laid out before her. As long as she nodded and responded to Miki now, she could finally move on and forget about the past.
Forget about Miki, a faint voice whispered in her ear. To her, you’ll always be just a lowly servant.
Yes. She and Miki were both mercenaries, and in front of each other, their status was completely equal, with neither superior to the other.
She wouldn’t have to spend all her energy caring for that delicate and troublesome Saint anymore.
She wouldn’t need to feed her, test the temperature of her water, guard her while she slept, or hold her hand to her chest whenever she felt anxious, telling Wakako to feel her heartbeat. If Wakako refused, her eyes would slowly redden, and she’d look as if she had been wronged.
That person would even punish her. With those slender arms, she would pick up a willow branch and whip her, enjoying watching Wakako lose her composure and dignity, asking if she would listen to her master from now on.
And then she would gently stroke her head and softly say, “Good girl, Little Waka.”
All of this was wrong and should have ended long ago.
She shouldn’t yearn for Miki anymore, shouldn’t lose her reason for her. What she needed to do was to erase that person from her memory and take a new step forward.
Wakako thought quietly to herself.
Then, she heard herself say with an unusual calmness:
“I’m sorry, but I also intend to ask the Queen Consort to cancel the engagement, and I haven’t changed my mind.”
The unguarded expression on Miki’s face caught her off guard.
She hadn’t expected that after mustering the courage to confess her feelings, she would be met with such a firm rejection. The young Omega girl was clearly hurt.
“Why?” After a long silence, Miki asked in a daze. “I’m not asking you to marry me now. I just want to get to know you slowly, to become familiar with you…”
Wakako couldn’t explain why.
After a while, she simply lowered her gaze and apologized again. “I’m sorry.”
Miki looked embarrassed. “Is it that you don’t like me? Am I not good enough?”
“No, you’re wonderful.”
“Then…” Miki stared at her intently. “Is it because there’s someone else in your heart?”
For a brief moment, Wakako was lost in thought.
Miki must have seen the answer in her silence.
Though disappointed, Miki quickly gathered herself. After all, this was only their first meeting, and there wasn’t much emotional attachment between them yet. She soon adjusted her mood and, half curious, half resigned, asked, “What kind of Omega is she?”
Wakako suddenly remembered the Saint asking her the same question in the Eagle Kingdom’s royal palace not long ago.
“She’s a very stubborn girl,” she said.
Stubborn enough to hold Wakako on a leash, step on her, and demand to know who was more beautiful. After hearing the answer, she wouldn’t believe it, her eyes red with jealousy, demanding Wakako to confess her love while being humiliated.
Stubborn enough to elope with Wakako, yet already prepared to leave alone, not caring about how difficult the past five years had been for Wakako.
Miki thought she was lying. “Stubborn?” she murmured, unconvinced. ” How could someone like you fall for someone stubborn? You’re not lying to me, are you?”
Wakako just smiled.
They sat in silence for a while, Miki twirling the smoothed wooden stick in her hand, her expression showing a hint of bitter amusement.
“Fine, I respect your decision. But since we’re here, let’s at least enjoy the day together, okay?”
“Of course.”
Many people had already gathered on the ice, playing and having fun. They joined the crowd and slid smoothly along the surface.
Both of them were skilled, and after getting the hang of it, they didn’t even need the walking sticks.
“Senior Wakako.”
Miki called out to her from behind, her voice carried by the wind.
“I’m close with the Queen Consort. I’ll talk to her about canceling the engagement. She won’t blame you.”
How considerate.
Why couldn’t she bring herself to like such an Omega?
Wakako felt a chill in the wind as her mind drifted.
She had selfishly tried to forget Miki many times, but it seemed that ever since she was thirteen, she hadn’t been able to.
Even if their names sounded the same, she couldn’t see anyone else as a substitute. Because from the moment she drank the Saint’s blood, her master’s name had been etched into her very soul.
She was destined to only have eyes for one person.
That person’s name was Miki, the sacred wine offered to God.
Translation note:
Miki(神酒) – Name of the Saint. It is the sacred wine of God in Shinto. https://www.japanesewiki.com/culture/Miki%20(Sacred%20Wine%20or%20Miki).html
Miki(未纪) – Name of the Omega who Wakako was engaged to, means Future Chronicle.
