I eat breakfast with Caz on the upper terrace of the castle. The terrace is as wide as my apartment, swathed in vines and embellished with Vanorian blossoms. Caz informed me the blossoms were Della’s idea. They still thrive, almost like a reminder that she’ll forever live on in our hearts.
The terrace is two floors up from his chambers and overlooks the garden. There is another kitchen on this floor that I didn’t know was there, as well as an attic crammed with chairs, tables, and dusty boxes. In its own wing is another armory that isn’t as large as the lower-level armory, but still pretty spacious. More weapons on castle grounds. Can never be too careful, I suppose.
Makoto makes use of the garden, watering plants and picking fruit. I spot him as I sip my tea in a chair at one of the terrace tables. His lean frame weaves through the tiny paths to get where he needs to be. He’s made himself acquainted with the castle and has truly been on top of everything. He’s washed everyone’s clothes, allowed them to air dry outdoors, and then ironed and folded them, and he never confuses them. He delivers baskets of fresh laundry to each of us every day. Around noon, he ventures to everyone’s rooms, knocking politely and making sure we’ve been fed or hydrated. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are served to us on time, along with snacks for us to grab when we pass the main kitchen. He also makes this delicious fruit-infused water that I can’t get enough of. I’d watched once as he prepped the fruit, slicing delicately with a knife as he told Juniper and me stories about his kids (who are adults now), and even his time during battles against Ripple Hills. For a man who has been through so much, he’s amazing. A part of me wants to not trust him. After all, nobody is perfect. But there is something about Makoto. He seems like the kind of person who wants to just live his life after so much hardship. Plus, I’m sure if Caz finds anything out that betrays his status, he’ll have his head, so there’s that. I have no doubt Caz has been doing some digging of his own.
“I have to run off,” Caz says after wiping his mouth with a napkin. “Would love to stay, but I have to get to Vanora. Killian says he’s found a lead on a Kessel connection. Thinks someone there may have information.”
“Okay.” I stand with him and start to clean my area.
“Leave it!” Makoto’s voice shoots up to us. I peer over the thick railing, and he’s standing in the center of the garden with a basket of vegetables tucked beneath his arm. “Don’t mean to interrupt, but I can clean it, Lady Monarch! Stop doing my job!”
I can’t help laughing. “Fine, Makoto! I won’t do your job!”
Caz chuckles, offering me a hand. I take it, and he leads the way inside again, taking two staircases down until we’ve reached the kitchen. Makoto has made it inside with the basket. He sets it on the counter and gives us a wide smile.
“Is there anything I can get you?” he asks.
“Nothing right now, Makoto. Thanks,” Caz says.
Makoto nods, removing various vegetables from the basket.
“I’ll see you in a bit.” Caz plants a kiss on my cheek. “Juniper is around if you need her.”
“’Kay.” He gives me one more kiss—on the lips this time—before leaving the kitchen.
“Young love,” Makoto chuckles, carrying some of the vegetables to the sink. “So beautiful.”
“Are you married?” I ask when he turns in my direction again.
“Was. We split apart. Turns out she favors fighting people in caves more than spending alone time with me.”
“Oh.” I’m not sure what to say to that so I don’t respond at all.
“A good thing, though. No wife, and all my children away creating their own lives gives me time to live my life.” His eyes wander, as if reminiscing about something. But just as quickly, he perks back up and asks, “Would you like something to drink, Lady Monarch? Are you thirsty?”
“No, that’s okay, Makoto. I’m fine.”
When he turns for the vegetables again, I leave the kitchen to find the deck. Outside, the air is humid and thick, the clouds hanging low. No sunshine today, I presume.
I turn my head left, spotting someone sitting in the middle of the field. His legs are crossed as he focuses on the view of the ocean, his brows bunched together, as if deep in thought. Warren.
Not too far away from him near a line of trees is Danica. She has her Katana in hand and whips it in the air with precision. Caz gave it back to her this morning. A truce, I presume. Danica’s eyes shift to Warren every so often before returning to her sword training, her back and arms stiff, lips pinched tight.
I walk inside again and ask Makoto, “Actually, I do need something. You wouldn’t happen to know what a peanut butter and jelly sandwich is, would you?”
