Reina of Hanneau (English)

GROWING WEARY

Reina told Kayomi about Mitsue’s letter. She narrated the contents but purposely missed out on some details. 

Details that may worsen the child’s fears. 

Unfortunately, Mitsuei’s delegation encountered trouble early on the journey. Halfway to Satar, they met a group of resistance on the road. They had camp set somewhere near the river when they were ambushed by the said group. 

They demanded that the delegation surrender their valuables. Even without Mitsuei stating it, she knows that their lives would be at stake if none of them gives what the resistance demanded. 

Mitsuei said they got out of the ordeal unscathed, but her concern still could not be appeased. Especially when Mitsuei hasn’t responded to her letter. She only received a reply on the fifth day since she responded to Mitsuei’s first letter. 

For the first time since they arrived in Satar, the minister had established communication with the resistance leader, according to his second letter. They've been in Satar for a total of twelve days, and the leader has purposefully avoided meeting with the government delegation.

Mitsuei is hopeful in his letter. He thinks it is a sign of an incoming reconciliation. 

Reina, on the other hand, disagrees. She did not believe the opposition would be willing to submit to the administration. As far as she knows, a sizable portion of Satar has been vocal in its criticism of the government.

May it be because the nation naturally welcomed the westerners. Or how the government suddenly succumbs to the exploits of the foreign people. 

The opposition leader in Satar, Meishu, also said that the westerners have the populace entranced. He also claimed that westerners are capable of employing sorcery. They use it to persuade others to do what they want. As a result, the nation unexpectedly changed its views about protesting against outsiders, despite years of struggle.

“Mrs. Sou. Aren’t you going to eat, yet?”

Reina blinks her eyes profusely, trying to return to the present time. As her vision finally clears, she sees Rio staring at her, baffled. 

She must have looked too disoriented because Rio seems concerned for her. 

“The food is already cold. Do you want me to reheat it for you?” Rio inquires again. 

Reina stares at her food. The egg drop soup from Akari's menu, which was meant to be her favorite, is now lukewarm. Even the tempura appears to be soft. How long has she been staring blankly at nothing?

“I am so sorry, Rio. I forgot to eat. I -- I know you brought this in earlier, and I meant to eat it, but somehow… I -uh- failed to remember my intentions to eat.”

To her surprise, Rio’s face twists into dismay. It is the first time Rio openly displays her emotions with her face. 

Reina only sees Rio react violently if it is something to do with Sora. But otherwise, she always seems casual with the people around her. 

Through her exposure to her job in Hanneau, Rio eventually got over her timid person. 

Under Kiyoko’s tutelage, she blossomed into a decent young woman who can seem to handle things with a clear mind. Therefore, one would never notice any signs of negative emotions on her face. 

 A sharp contrast to her current demeanor.

Rio takes the tray to the kitchen and reheats the said food while Reina dwells on her mistake. 

It did not take long for Rio to return with the same meal. In addition, she also brewed tea enough for the two of them. 

“Please. Eat your food this time,” Rio puts down the tray with a seemingly annoyed tone. 

Reina droops her brows. She is reprimanded by a younger person. And she may be the one who is making a mistake here.

“Yes, I will do that.”

“Please understand, Mrs. Sou. We are all concerned about the owner being away for who knows how long. But I hope you see that neglecting your health won’t make his return any faster. I apologize for being straightforward, and I completely understand how you feel. However, focus on yourself and your children. I am sure this would bring joy to the owner if he knows all of you are in good health.”

Reina bites her lower lip, fighting the temptation to cry. She recognizes the horrible mistake she made after being chastised by an adolescent.

She is acting selfishly. 

Mitsuei will be concerned if her health or that of anyone in their family deteriorates. He'd be conflicted because he wouldn't be able to return unless the chaos in Satar is resolved. To the extent where it would interfere with his duties, he would be unable to protect others and himself in the event of a threat.

Reina takes a deep breath. She has to gather herself up. It would be scary if she reached a point where she started to neglect their children. 

Yes, her and Mitsuei’s children. 

Together. 

“Thank you, Rio.” 

Reina immediately grabs her utensils, taking a bite from her now warm meal. She wishes to respond to Mitsuei’s letters with good news. May it be small things. 

As long as that news can bring him joy. 

The afternoon came, and Kayomi finally returned from school.

She instinctively looks for Ritsu and Reina around the house as soon as she arrives. 

Neither of them is in the bedroom. Nor are they outdoors. 

“Reina?” Kayomi calls out, welcomed by stillness in the house. 

“Here!”

Kayomi walks further down the hallway and turns left. 

She had not anticipated the sunroom being open. They rarely use the room without her father because he only uses it when there are visitors or when Mitsuei demands it.

And to the little girl’s amazement, she is greeted by a confounding situation. 

The sheets for their bedroom are spread on the wooden floor while Ritsu rolls over it. As if he relishes the feel of the linen against his skin. He has a slew of his toys around him, but he isn't paying attention to them since he is sucking on the edge of the linen.

Meanwhile, Reina is seated in the middle of the room with a blank paper and pen in her hand. She looks incredibly dumbfounded while staring at the white sheet of paper.

“What is happening here?” Kayomi asks in confusion. 

She approaches Ritsu and extends an arm to her younger sibling. Reina, on the other hand, immediately calls her out.

“Kayomi, please wash your hands and change first.”

The young girl’s hands halt midway. She bites her lips as she slowly walks away towards the bathroom. 

She doesn’t exactly know what is going on. Reina seems pretty busy. And Ritsu seems engrossed in something, too. 

‘Yes, like eating the entire linen.’

Kayomi chuckles at the remembrance of her brother biting the corners of the soft fabric. 

After changing and washing up, she walks back to the sunroom, and even from afar, she can hear Reina talking. She is unsure whether it is to herself or Ritsu. Either way, it sounds weird to her. 

“Maybe I should start about the weather? Perhaps how the lodge progress while he is gone?”

“No. Not this one. It sounds outlandish for some reasons.”

“My goodness. What do you think, Ritsu?”

Reina is mostly talking to herself, which makes Kayomi laugh. Ritsu looks at his distraught mother, as though he recognizes his name.

“Are you writing another letter for father?” Kayomi decides to confront Reina. 

“Oh, Kayomi. Yes, I am actually. I just do not know how to start the letter,” Reina answers, scratching her head with the pen. 

“Why? Did you receive another letter today?”

“Umm, no. I just realized I don’t want Mitsuei to worry. Thus, I wish to make a letter informing him of everyone’s progress here.”

“Oh, really? That seems like a wonderful idea.”

Kayomi takes a seat next to Reina, removing the crumpled papers from the area. She cradles Ritsu on her lap while she confers with Reina about what should be included in the letter.

She spreads some papers on the table, hoping to glean some inspiration from Reina's first attempts.

However, as she read through it, she realizes one thing.

The tone on the letters. 

They don't sound like casual greets or information exchanges. While reviewing Reina's previous sample letters, Kayomi can envision Reina from a different perspective for some reason.

Dear Mitsuei,

How have you been? The children and I are fairing well here in Hanneau. All of us here are waiting for your return.

This part alone speaks volumes. Reina sounds like a wife desperately waiting for her husband’s return to their home. 

The moon shone brightly in the past few days. Looking at the sky somehow gives me relief, for it reminds me that even with the distance, we are staring in the same direction. 

‘Didn’t know Reina could be this poetic,’ Kayomi murmurs to herself as she places the paper on the wooden table. 

“I'm not sure what to say in this situation. I merely want to inform Mitsuei of our recent activities in the hopes of cheering him up. You understand how depressing it must be for him to be with his current circumstances.”

“Hmm, that is what I also thought.”

Kayomi unconsciously answers, though her thoughts are somewhere else. Particularly, on Reina. 

Her stepmother is exceptionally eager with her purpose. Despite having a confused expression, she seems to glow. And not just her eyes, but her entire face. 

“You seem very dedicated to writing this letter,” Kayomi comments teasingly. 

Reina closely resembles a peach after hearing Kayomi’s remarks. She must have become highly conscious of her acts and behavior all of a sudden. 

She can feel her cheeks getting warmer while she looks away, trying to hide her embarrassment. 

“Well, you see. I only wanted to cheer him up. I have you and Ritsu here while he only has himself in a distant place,” Reina explains, trying her best to justify her current actions without giving too much away.

“Oh, believe me, I understand.” Kayomi giggles, knowing full well that Reina is omitting some details to her. “So how about we start with some information on how Ritsu loves to chew on things now?”