Oh dear. She's arguing with the Lord again.
And here I was, prepping a scrumptious dinner for the Beifong family. I was looking forward to savoring the rare fish sourced all the way from the Water Tribe too. Dang, it seemed like dinner was going to be very awkward tonight.
Toph and the Lord were in yet another shouting match. Not exactly what I had expected to keep checking off my bingo list for the year.
Taking a deep breath to compose myself, I steadied myself before knocking gently against the door. The heated argument within the room paused for a second, followed by Toph granting permission for me to enter.
"Excuse me." I stepped inside, revealing the Lord's office, which was filled with the entire Beifong family line, their expressions ranging from concern to frustration.
Toph at 6 years old was nothing like the timid child she had once been. Now standing taller and more confident in herself now that she has started developing her individualism, she turned her head slightly at my entrance, giving me a brief glance before huffing and folding her arms.
"I want to learn how to Bend! I can feel this power inside me, and I can't even use it because you think it's 'too dangerous'? It's in my nature!"
While Madam Beifong had a neutral expression, after years of serving the family, I could see her fingers twisted anxiously in the folds of her sleeve, clearly distraught. But Lord Beifong remained firm, exhaling sharply through his nose with resignation in his tone.
"For the last time, Toph, it is just how it is done. I will not allow you to learn Bending, especially with your disability."
Though Toph could not see him in the conventional sense, her chin remained angled toward Lord Beifong. He met her stare without backing away. The tension between them rose as the deafening silence lingered for a moment longer.
Eventually, it was Toph who broke 'eye contact' as she clicked her tongue.
"... I'll be in my room. Don't bother me."
Without waiting for a response, she turned on her heel and stormed out the door.
"... Clear the wing. No one is to disturb her. Renji will remain." Lord Beifong sighed into his palm. With a look from the Madam, I understood the order and gave the couple a courteous bow before I turned and slipped out of the office after their daughter.
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"My lady, it's Renji. May I come in?"
When Toph said not to bother her, the Beifongs took it seriously—as they always did. The household had already been informed of Toph's decision by the time I reached her wing. As I approached her chamber doors with a certain look, the attendants stationed outside straightened at once.
'So it's like that again?' They would signal silently.
'Yeah.' I gave a quick nod.
They bowed.
Without question, they withdrew.
The maids assigned to the nearby area gathered their things and departed down the corridor. The guards who normally kept a discreet presence nearby were reassigned elsewhere in the estate. Within minutes, the wing grew quiet.
I lifted my hand and rapped my knuckles lightly against the wood again. "My lady?"
I waited for a few more seconds to pass. The doorknob twists, and a gap opens. I took that as my invitation.
Stepping inside, the first thought that crossed my mind, as it always did, was that it was very traditional, but I've been in this room since she was a baby, so I've gotten used to the eccentric and antique design. My eyes scanned the room until they landed on the young lady lying on her bed, frustration bleeding through her expression.
The poor pillow under her arms sure did take the brunt of her anger. I'll have to restuff cotton and sew it once more, it seems.
I got how she felt; being in the estate was stuffy, to say things lightly. Especially the looks—flashes of pity and concern were always something that Toph faced, even if she couldn't see the expressions of the noblemen who visited.
I took a seat at her room's piano bench as we stayed in each other's presence in a quiet moment. Usually it would only take about an hour for her to simmer down, but it seems that something happened prior to my appearance.
She suddenly perked up in her bed as she stared in my direction.
"Renji."
I stood up and got next to her bed. "Yes, my lady?"
She hesitated for a second before determination filled her expression.
"Bring me out of here. Now."
"... You mean—" This time, I hesitated.
"No one must know; I want out of here right this instant."
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... Against my better judgement, here I was, holding her hand as I carefully navigated us through the streets of the lower areas of Gaoling. As a servant who had been serving in the family estate for over half a decade now, I had a good map of where and what time guards patrolled the area.
Carrying her out stealthily with Chi Enhancement was as easy as taking a candy from a baby.
Of course, I wouldn't risk Toph's safety; that's why we stuck to a relatively safe district of Gaoling, a zone the city's major powerhouses regarded as neutral territory. Having some connections in both the underworld and as an honorary member of the Beifong family really helps in particular.
I handed her a skewer of meat from a vendor we passed. She took it eagerly, eyes lighting up, as her taste buds had never experienced such a simple peasant's dish before. Making a mental note to introduce her to more street-stall food, I continued with my narration to make up for her loss of sight.
"This street," I said, drawing on her palm, "leads to anywhere you can think of. While there are a lot of alleyways and spaces around, the main locations are here, here and here. Sort of like a 't'—Yeah, good observation."
As we passed another intersection, Toph suddenly froze, standing still. I slowed, waiting for her to speak, but she remained still, head tilted slightly to the side.
I followed her gaze, scanning in the direction she was looking.
"An alleyway?" I muttered in confusion. It was a typical old alleyway that would have led to the lower parts of Gaoling. Her small face was scrunched in concentration, lips pressed together as if trying to understand what she was feeling. I asked her gently if anything was wrong.
A moment passed before she shook her head slowly. "... It's nothing, Ren. Let's go back home; I'm tired."
"…Very well, my lady. Excuse me." I lifted her gently and cast one last glance down the alleyway that had drawn her attention before disappearing from the spot in a burst of speed.
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NEXT UPDATE: 22 March, Sunday
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