Chapter 125
What if they Successfully Eloped? Part 1
Elopement was a major undertaking that required meticulous planning.
Yet, when Miki handed a map to Wakako, the intricate notes scrawled across it left her quietly astonished.
Saint Miki had always been known for her precise artistry, and this hand-drawn map was no exception. It vividly outlined the mountain ranges and valleys, with detailed annotations by each checkpoint.
—This route is blocked.
—Heavy patrols here, but there might be an opportunity to…
Wakako had always been a slow reader, and it took her quite a while to get through all the text. Looking up, she met Miki’s serious gaze, and knew the other girl had made up her mind with no intention of turning back.
Still, Wakako couldn’t help but ask, “Are you really sure about this?”
“You’re asking me this now?” Miki’s liquid eyes rippled with emotion, misunderstanding the question. “Are you having second thoughts?”
The seventeen-year-old girl’s stubbornness needed no explanation. A thin layer of anger colored her cheeks as she suddenly grabbed Wakako’s wrist.
Waves of emotion threatened to surge in her eyes as she said softly, “You promised we’d always be together…”
Her grip wasn’t strong, but it was enough for Wakako to feel her unwavering determination.
Wakako knew what would happen if she refused Miki now, and she didn’t want to refuse.
But still…
“Are you really sure you want to give up everything from the Saionji clan?” Wakako struggled to voice her concerns. “We can’t take much money or valuables with us. Life afterward might be very difficult.”
“Are you scared?”
“Of course not, I just…”
She had endured hardships when she was young and knew what that felt like. In her heart, someone as noble as Miki deserved to be pampered and spoiled.
Wakako lowered her head. “Once we’re out, I’m strong, so I should be able to find work and earn some money. But I… I probably won’t be able to give you the noble life you’re used to.”
Miki paused for a moment. “That doesn’t matter.”
“It does,” Wakako said slowly. “I can’t bear for you to suffer even a little, and I’m afraid you’ll regret it.”
What would the delicate Saint do then?
Would she regret making a lifelong commitment to a lowly servant, giving up everything for a life that was far from what she was used to?
She couldn’t bear to see contempt appear in Miki’s eyes.
A hand gently tucked the stray hair behind Wakako’s ear.
Miki looked at her calmly, speaking each word deliberately, “You don’t need to worry about that.”
“I’m not some useless person who can’t do anything, Wakako,” she said. “What master in this world relies on their servant to support them? Wouldn’t that be laughable?”
“You just need to look at me and trust me.”
“Now tell me, will you come with me or not?”
Their eyes met, and Wakako studied that familiar face. She had looked at it every day for five years, yet never tired of it.
The scent of cherries enveloped her, so close she could almost taste it.
After a long moment, Wakako said, “Yes.”
Miki didn’t release her wrist, and Wakako held on tightly as well. At that moment, all other emotions were cast aside, and it felt as if a heavy stone had been lifted from her heart.
Just this once, she didn’t care about anything else.
“I will take you away.”
Wakako saw the corners of Miki’s lips curve slightly, as if she wanted to smile, but in the end, she just pressed her lips together, suppressing both laughter and tears.
Then she nodded gently.
***
Wakako never understood exactly how Miki managed to evade the God’s attention. Those were things only the High Priestess understood; even if she asked, she wouldn’t comprehend.
She only knew it must have been exhausting, because for half a year, Miki barely slept at all.
Every night, once the Saint was supposed to rest at a fixed time and the lights inside and outside the courtyard were extinguished, Miki would have Wakako secretly sneak out of the Saionji estate with her.
With Wakako’s skills, carrying Miki out wasn’t difficult. Sometimes they climbed walls; other times, they disguised themselves as going out on errands for the Saint. Occasionally, guards would stop them with questions, but they always managed to avoid serious trouble.
Miki would have Wakako carry her to the temple—sometimes the one in the capital, other times the temple in the royal palace.
The palace guards were, of course, much stricter than those at the Saionji estate. While Wakako might have managed alone, sneaking in while carrying Miki was nearly impossible.
At such times, Miki would bite her finger and use her Saint’s blood to control the palace guards, commanding them to let them pass.
Losing so much blood weakened her greatly. No matter how much she tried to replenish with food or medicine, she could only watch as her complexion grew paler by the day.
Miki would stay inside for most of the night, not coming out until just before dawn.
While Wakako could find a corner to rest briefly, Miki couldn’t.
After returning, there wasn’t much time to rest because the Saint was not allowed to sleep in. She had to rise early to play the koto or study.
Often, Miki would just begin to close her eyes, not even fully asleep, before it was time to wake.
When Wakako couldn’t bear to watch anymore, she would lie to the household that the Saint was ill, allowing Miki a few days of proper rest. But such excuses couldn’t be used too often without arousing suspicion.
Each time she knelt by Miki’s bedside, seeing her exhausted face, Wakako’s heart nearly shattered. Yet Miki would only smile faintly, shaking her head to indicate it was nothing.
“Just wait a little longer; it’ll be soon,” she said. “Very soon, we’ll be able to leave here.”
Wakako would remain silent, only pressing Miki’s cold hand against her cheek.
…
The day they eloped was a summer night when Wakako was eighteen. The family head, Ichirou, happened to be away, and other elders were also out for various reasons, so the security was lax.
No one was ever allowed near the Saint’s courtyard. By simply claiming that she was ill and didn’t want to be disturbed, no one would notice their sudden disappearance for several days.
Following Miki’s carefully planned route, they would first travel by land, then switch to sea travel at Jinxin Port.
The long journey made Miki’s already delicate body even more uncomfortable. Even just sitting in the carriage, she would instinctively feel nauseous.
Wakako wanted to spend money to find a doctor for her, but Miki firmly refused: “No, it would leave a trail.”
“But your health…”
“It will be fine once we board the ship,” Miki said softly. “My instincts are never wrong. Once we’re on that ship at Jinxin Port, we’ll be safe… Tonight…”
She leaned quietly against Wakako’s shoulder, suddenly calling her name: “Wakako.”
“Mm?”
“I’ve dreamed of this day for so long.”
“Me Too.”
“You’ll stay with me forever, won’t you?”
“I will.”
Miki gazed at her. “Will you change your mind later?”
Wakako took Miki’s hand and placed it over her heart.
Strong, steady beats.
“This heart is already yours,” she said earnestly. “If it ever changes, I’ll tear it out myself.”
Miki was momentarily stunned.
Then she smiled, finally at peace.
