The Imperial Priestess of the Lake Visited the Local Land Deity Part 1

MIKOTO

"Listen well Mikoto, don't you dare to mess up. Our guest is Numeno Himemiko-sama, the controller of all the spirits in the region of the lake. When Mikage was still around, he has a friendly relationship with her but now that Nanami is the new land deity, I won't let that relationship be ruined", Tomoe explained to Mikoto in a low voice just after they finished preparing everything the shrine needs for this auspicious night.

The young lady returned to her sense and realized her own foolishness. Why did she just obediently follow every word of this familiar fox?

Sigh~

Mikoto was disciplined by her mother to be responsible that's why when the familiar fox said about her "duties", the shrine maiden didn't argue back and immediately followed him. And in which she regretted right now the most. Honestly, she can only experience the excitement of being free and openly show her rebellious side in this world.

She sighed once more before scolding her inner self. This is another reason why I dislike myself for being too obedient.

"Himemiko-sama is coming to meet the Land deity, so I also think you should let Nanami personally welcome our guests", Mikoto tried to convince Tomoe reasonably not wanting to ruin the night.

His handsome face darkened and glared at her, losing his calm image. "No! She will stay in the room. It's the safest thing to do", Tomoe sharply said.

Mikoto wasn't shaken and just scoffed. The answer is just what she actually expected. This yokai really doesn't know how to be polite towards her.

"Fine then, if you won't agree with me then I will just also lock myself with Nanami (▔▔︿▔▔) ".

She didn't give him the chance to stop him and hurriedly left the room. Besides, she thought that there's actually no need for her to stay there. He's a familiar yokai. He can do everything easily just like in the anime.

"Speaking about the anime...", Mikoto paused to her feet as she realized something.

"It's decided! I should make sure everything will go smoothly"

Clenching firmly her fists, she walks fast-paced towards Nanami's chamber with a plan in her mind.

Tomoe has this urge of wanting to call the shrine maiden back but he didn't dare to do so. Why would he? He has confidence in himself to accommodate singlehandedly the guests. Why does he still want Mikoto's presence with him?

Not long enough, the fish-yokai servants started lining themselves in front of the shrine.

"Welcome, please come in", Tomoe greeted the company with his best vibrant smile, hiding completely his displeasure towards the familiar yokai, Aotake.

The two familiars have already met each other a few times in the past. Tomoe is fully aware of the other familiar's bad temperance, the main reason why he didn't want Nanami to reveal herself to the important visitors.

      ﾉ\_ﾉ\ "（⌒_⌒） We humbly welcome you to our abode, Imperial Priestess of the Lake."

Himemiko clacked her teeth as her response to the hospitability of the Mikage shrine's familiar.

Tomoe continued with his formal introduction. "We are honored that you grace us with your presence tonight. But I am extremely sorry that you had come all the way here."

"Unfortunately, our deity has fallen ill and will not be able to welcome you and greet you properly."

"What?! (°ㅂ°╬) " Aotake sarcastic smile immediately fade, which the fox didn't like well.

He thought of Nanami and Mikoto and his eyes secretly twitched. "As long as the two won't do anything reckless, I can easily pull this through."

Tomoe immediately leads the Lake Princess and her servants inside the hall where the welcome reception is prepared.

"We've prepared seats for you. To show our apology, I have prepared some wine. Please put up with me as I serve you for toni-", he didn't manage to finish his words from the shock he saw inside the reception hall.

Nanami with Mikoto attending her is both sitting inside, waiting for him and their grand visitors.

He can't let a single failure, nothing should go amiss. The relationship between the Mikage shrine and Tatara Numa(25) depends on it. And yet.... these two dares to disobey me.

"Were terribly sorry", Mikoto talked for Nanami's stead with a deep bow. "Our deity isn't feeling well earlier but thanks to Tomoe-dono, she's feeling better now to reciprocate and personally greet you".

Nanami feels too self-conscious. She's afraid. Totally afraid. But she trusts Mikoto's alertness to watch her back.

Even though Nanami feel like agreeing with Mikoto was her grave mistake, she still stood up as gracefully as she can and bravely faced the auspicious visitors. She honestly can't blame her since she herself wants to come here after she heard from the two shrine spirits that Tomoe might be in danger facing Himemiko of Tatara Numa by himself.

"Please excuse me for being late. I am the land deity, Momozono Nanami", she gave her best warm smile despite the pressure. She can feel Tomoe's rage right now. It is understandable since she and Mikoto came even though he'd said not to.

"Ha! We decided to visit her, so it is an insult if the new deity can't even bother to welcome us and her face to Himemiko-sama!"

Like what the brilliant familiar is expecting, the other yokai familiar didn't waste time to lash out his bad attitude towards Nanami. But his cheerful smile which looks so genuine totally covered up his disgruntled feelings.

"I apologize for being rude. I am well now just like what our high priestess had mentioned earlier. My familiar is just too worried for me", the deity added then immediately motioned to her friend asking for help.

Mikoto understood and nudge Nanami to sit down while she took over the active part. "Please, this way, Himemiko-sama", she guided the mistress to her sit on the dais.

"Keep the safe distance away from the other's attendant",

"Be careful and graceful with your every movement",

"Most importantly, don't screw up!".

These are words Mikoto keeps repeating inside her head. "Ahh, I'm so DAMN nervous! Why do I need to be here though? T__T "

But both the girls are most afraid of Tomoe than in their current situation.

"Idiot", Tomoe spoke softly as soon as he approached Nanami, kneeling on one knee and held her hand.

"Why did you come out?" he muttered in a very low voice that's only audible enough for both of them which took the human deity aback.

"It's obvious that he's angry just a second ago. Why does he sound so gentle right now?" Her heart aches with her own thought.

"With you here... it puts me in a position where I am forced to protect you..", Tomoe spoke once more but his cold words and warm actions didn't match. His captivating eyes locked on hers and gave her the most reassuring security she'd ever felt.

"Contrary to his words.... the tight grip Tomoe has on me shows incredible kindness"

Aotake observed the two. Since he felt like the sly fox tried to insult his lady and mistress, his lips curved up into a mocking smirk.

Once everyone is seated, Mikoto served the sake with the help of the onibi children.

"So you are the land deity", the fish yokai once more called Nanami's attention. "A shabby little girl just like the rumors said. (눈͜͜ʖ눈) I thought you won't come out and would probably cower in fear somewhere"

The yokai's comment left a bitter taste inside Nanami's mouth. She sat stiffly but immediately relaxed when she heard her familiar's voice.

        ﾉ\_ﾉ\ " ～('▽^人) Ahahaha", Tomoe let out a friendly wholehearted laugh after finishing a sip from his cup of wine. "Oh, stop that. Remember, she was anointed by the previous Land deity. Mikage chose her himself. Although she is a human, she is special. She is by no means inferior to us."

Nanami looked at Tomoe in surprise. Tomoe is giving her good compliments. But she wonders if it's just because there are visitors in front of them.

"Hm? And yet I heard something strange. She was attacked by monsters and she ran away panicking." The other said with his laughing eyes, full of conceit.

Tomoe didn't like it well but he quietly took another sip without giving a hint of annoyance on his face.

"Don't you think this temple lost its former glory?"(≖ ͜ʖ≖)

"No, no. I beg to differ", the fox chuckled.

Unaware, he started remembering their first meeting and how Nanami courageously risks dying because of her persistence even though it scares her to death. Tomoe spoke earnestly, "Nanami may appear weak but she's a strong-willed girl."

"One day, she'll definitely be able to make even flowers bloom", he said with a kind smile while playing the image of the young girl who accidentally drained her energy recklessly from training her divine powers flashed back in his mind.

"And I wish I can just freely say these words without her here", he secretly thought, looking at Nanami's direction,  who is currently feeling touched by his words. He immediately regretted his words for he's afraid it might make her haughty.

Blushing, Nanami looked on the other side, hiding her face away from her familiar's eyes. "Tomoe... thinks that way towards me...?", she thought which made my heart skip a beat.

The feeling of warmth and thoughtfulness from his words makes her cheeks redder and found her smiling. "It seems like Mikoto is right"

"Ah! Shoot!" (＠ᗣ＠)

She looked at the said devil beside her. Mikoto's bright smile is obviously a sign that enjoying watching her blushing expression.

The Miko gently hold her deity friend's hand "Nanami, be ready. Remember what I told you earlier", she softly reminded her.

Nanami cleared her throat. "Tomoe, that's enough!" she commanded as firmly as she can.

"The more powerful an order is, the stronger the force is. So I should make my conviction strong", she didn't fail to remind herself.

Since the words that a deity speaks become a powerful spell casts upon shrine familiars, Tomoe didn't have a choice but to sit down quietly against his will.

"We are here to be acquainted with each other and not to fight. I'm sure if you talk together, you'll understand each other", Nanami tried her best to lighten up the mood but the atmosphere just grew heavier with the yokai fox's dark aura.

"Please, Himemiko-sama, May I kindly request your attendant to put his sword away? Mikoto deeply bowed my head towards the princess of the swamp. Her alertness saved the situation once more.

Himemiko's clear round eyes looked at her familiar. "You heard the Miko".

"Ehh?! She talked!?" Nanami couldn't believe her eyes.

Aotake didn't have a choice himself but to follow her orders. He took off his hand on his blade's handle.

"Yes, I didn't come here to quarrel. I apologize to Mr. familiar. Aotake is still inexperienced, so will you forgive him? I apologize for his rudeness". Himemiko replied.

Tomoe can't obviously forgive the sharp tongue of the fish yokai but still pretended to accept the apology for Nanami's sake.

" I recognize the curse that haunts shrine familiars. The ability to force actions through the power of words. It seems that you are indeed the land deity", the imperial priestess added as she laid her eyes on Nanami.

"Land deity-sama, I specifically came to ask you to grant my bond-tying prayer"

"Bond-tying prayer?", Nanami repeated. "So it's a love story?"