18. The Dead of a servant
Yuiko
reached Yorinaga’s quarter at the East 3rd Avenue that evening.
Yorinaga was away with his office, so instead she was welcomed by his wife
Fujiwara no Sachiko. Sachiko is a sulky looking woman who seems clueless about
smile and happiness. She is eight years older than her husband Yorinaga, in
addition with her upset appearance they made the most mismatch couple in the
court. In real life, due to the large age gap between them, they could not get
along well either.
“Welcome Princess Yuiko, it is an honor to
have you visits our household. However may I ask you the reason to come here?”
asked Sachiko monotonously.
“I am here
to heal your sick servant Kimiharu. Minister of Left Yorinaga told me so.”
“In that
case please follow me.”
Sachiko then
leads Yuiko to the servant quarter at the far end of the household.
Kimiharu was
resting when they enter his room. His wound seems getting better after using
Yuiko’s medicine which Yorinaga brought back the other day.
“Princess
Yuiko…Kimiharu is just a poor servant; I won’t have the honor for the princess
to heal me…”
“Foolish.
Aren’t you forgotten that I also heal the poor at Oxen Street? Don’t worry I’ll
heal you in no time.”
Yuiko took
out a small red medicine packet and instructs Sachiko to prepare them for
Kimiharu. After Sachiko leaves the room, Yuiko handed an arrow to Kimiharu…
“Do you know
what this is?”
“It’s my
arrow…”
“Indeed. But
do you know where I found it?”
“Sorry I
don’t…”
“I found it
at the edge of a cliff at Mount Kiei. The same spot where Satou Norikiyo was
last seen!!”
“……”
“Tell me
what had you done to Norikiyo? Did you kill him? Or push him down the cliff?”
“I…I don’t
understand what you are talking about, my lady.”
“Don’t try
to act innocence!! Who instructed you to do so? Was it Yorinaga?”
“It is none
of my master Yorinaga’s business. If you don’t mind, my lady, I would like to
rest.”
“How DARE
you to speak to me like this?!”
Their
conversation was interrupted when Sachiko brings back the cooked medicine.
“Kimiharu,
your medicine is done. Drink it before it gets cold.” said Sachiko.
After
confirming Kimiharu had fully consumed his medicine, Yuiko leaves the household
quietly…
***
When in the
palace,
Yuiko
received news that Yorinaga’s servant Kimiharu had passed away shortly after
she left…
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