The tragedy of Rurikawa Tsubaki was Rurikawa Rinka's decision.
It would also benefit Young Master Natsuyu.
Those two were the main concerns of the Rurikawa Family. Rurikawa Tsubaki had tried to resist, but she couldn't even get past Rurikawa Rinka's hurdle and was taught a harsh lesson by the female bodyguard.
She wasn't even granted the right to speak with Rurikawa Natsuyu, catching at most a distant glimpse of him running with a maid.
"Miss Tsubaki, it is time for you to depart."
Hearing the female bodyguard's voice outside the door, Rurikawa Tsubaki's body trembled as memories of being disciplined during her resistance resurfaced.
"..."
After a moment of silence, Rurikawa Tsubaki said calmly:
"Was it not agreed that we would depart at eight-thirty?"
Even if... even if she could just have one more second of dignity and freedom.
Though she could no longer be described as possessing freedom, and her dignity was being constantly trampled upon, at least she was still a person and not someone else's appendage...
"Miss Tsubaki still needs to be dressed up. We cannot allow the VIP to feel that the Main House is being impolite."
Rurikawa Tsubaki put on her shoes and silently opened the room door.
The tall and sturdy female bodyguard entered the room and pressed Rurikawa Tsubaki down in front of the dressing table. Like handling a piece of cargo, she began to carefully and earnestly refine the cargo's appearance.
An exquisite makeup look soon appeared on Rurikawa Tsubaki's face.
Her foundation was excellent; there was no need for heavy makeup at all. Simply sketching light makeup in the right places to make her slightly youthful face look more mature and charming was enough to achieve the best result. Any further stroke would be redundant.
If Rurikawa Tsubaki's appearance could have been rated a 9 earlier—with a captivating, broken elegance that interlaced youthful cuteness with a cold, world-weary temperament—then now, her appearance undoubtedly reached a 10. Her incomparably beautiful and delicate face caused even the cold-hearted female bodyguard's movements to soften involuntarily.
"Bring Tsubaki over and have her change into the clothes I brought from Paris in the car. We will go a bit early to show our sincerity."
A strong, energetic female voice came from outside the door.
With the help of the mirror, Rurikawa Tsubaki saw the old lady in flamboyant clothes appear at the doorway, and her body trembled with fear.
She was the current person in power of the Rurikawa!
"Yes, Lady Rinka."
"Yes... Grandmother Rinka..."
Rurikawa Tsubaki stood up expressionlessly. The thought of having to change in the car, forced to expose her body to Rinka and the female bodyguard without any dignity, filled her heart with even greater pain.
Rurikawa Tsubaki did not move; this was her resistance.
Noticing this, the female bodyguard simply grabbed Rurikawa Tsubaki's hand. She was then dragged by an irresistible force, following behind the graceful and dignified old woman, Rurikawa Rinka.
Rurikawa Tsubaki's eyes reddened, and tears welled up.
"You are not allowed to cry. It will ruin the makeup, and I would have to paint it again."
The right to cry was stripped away.
"Smile. Act a bit happier."
Even her face was to be branded with a pathetic mask.
"Remember to act more proactive when we get there. Do not lose face for the Rurikawa Family."
Ah... Ahhh...
Rurikawa Tsubaki felt as though she had become a corpse, a marionette on strings.
Controlled by an aristocrat, dressed up like an exquisite toy, and sent as a gift to another noble.
Despair, pain—by now, she had actually become numb.
Sitting in the back seat of the car, looking at the female bodyguard driving in front, Rurikawa Tsubaki's eyes were hollow. Finally, she looked toward the sky and saw a crow landing on a roof. It tilted its head to meet her gaze and then flew high away, toward the unrestrained sky.
"..."
Rurikawa Tsubaki lowered her hollow eyes.
She was utterly in despair and would not indulge in the luxury of hoping to be saved.
Her parents had already abandoned her.
Her teacher was also a member of the Rurikawa Family.
She had no familiar classmates or friends.
In Rurikawa Tsubaki's mind, she could not find a single candidate who could bring her even a shred of hope for salvation.
Truly, there was no hope left.
'No one will come to save me.'
"Ahhh, Young Master, please do not go over there!"
A commotion suddenly broke out ahead of the vehicle's path, quickly turning into screams of pain.
Young Master?
Rurikawa Tsubaki looked up numbly. Could it be that her unfamiliar "brother" was also coming to see her off one last time?
That would truly be... quite an honor...
But what was with those screams, and what was with the change in Rurikawa Rinka's expression?
It didn't matter.
"Natsuyu forced his way through? What are those bodyguards being paid for!"
Rurikawa Rinka's angry expression caused Rurikawa Tsubaki to feel confused.
Why did she not want that Young Master to come here?
Amidst the confusion, Rurikawa Tsubaki saw that noble Young Master once again.
She had seen him from a distance before, a handsome Young Master who dragged a large-breasted maid with a despairing face along for running exercises. He always exuded an air of lazy yet confident composure.
At this moment, he still maintained that composure. Standing among a group of fallen adult bodyguards, his slender and not particularly imposing body blocked the only exit gate. He watched the approaching vehicle.
Why was the Young Master doing this?
And why was he blocking the car?
It couldn't possibly be to save me. How could that be?
Rurikawa Tsubaki's numb eyes watched the events unfold, her heart completely still.
The female bodyguard stepped on the brakes. "Madam, the Young Master is blocking the way ahead. What should we do?"
Rurikawa Rinka said coldly, "Speed up and drive through! I don't believe he would dare block the car!"
"...Yes!"
The female bodyguard didn't believe it either, so she stepped on the accelerator and sped toward the gate.
Rurikawa Tsubaki saw that the Young Master really did not retreat a single step. He watched the approaching, accelerating vehicle with a calm expression.
Under the pressure, the female bodyguard turned the steering wheel at the last moment and slammed on the brakes. The front of the car crashed into the wall.
Because of the female bodyguard's high driving skills, those inside the car did not suffer much impact, though Rurikawa Rinka's forehead hit the window, causing a bump. She opened the car door and stepped out in a fit of rage.
Rurikawa Tsubaki watched the subsequent developments expressionlessly. She did not feel joy at her enemy's pathetic state, and her heart was merely filled with doubt:
Why would that noble-born Young Master risk his life to block the car?
The reason didn't matter.
As long as it could delay things for a few minutes.
Even though she would still be sent away, being a second later was still good.
As Rurikawa Tsubaki thought this, the following events caught her by surprise.
The Young Master actually knocked down the female bodyguard—whom she couldn't resist even with all her might—in an instant. He pushed aside the Rurikawa Rinka, who had lost all her majesty and grace. While the old lady lay on the ground cursing in a rage, he opened the car door and appeared before her.
Rurikawa Tsubaki called out softly, "Young Master, could you please be gentle when you hit me?"
Then, she saw the Young Master who had crazily beaten everyone flash a strange, light smile. With his handsome face framed by the blue sky and white clouds, he reached out a hand toward her:
"I am here to give you freedom."
Sluggish, numb.
For a moment, Rurikawa Tsubaki did not react.
By the time she came to her senses, her hand had already followed instinct and been placed into the handsome Young Master's hand. She was held by his warm palm, and a firm strength pulled her out of the dark, cold prison. Standing once again under the warm sunlight, she felt the world where the breeze blew through her hair.
She had come back to life.