The Snow Angel by SunsetMiko

The Reassignment

Chapter 183 - The Reassignment

*Concurrent* (Stella's Soundtrack Challenge)

Once the children were settled into bed, Kagome and Sesshoumaru headed to his study. The miko was working with Atsushi, the scribe, writing about the available nanny position. She hadn't wanted to write it herself, because she knew she often used phrases that made little sense to the people of the Feudal Era, and she didn't want to make a mistake and confuse everyone that received a copy of the scroll. She spoke and he wrote, inquiring from time to time what exactly she meant. Atsushi was thrilled to be able to work closely with the new Lady of the Western Lands, because it showed that Lord Sesshoumaru trusted him.

Kyou arrived a few minutes after being summoned, and the miko shot her a glare as she arranged herself in front of Sesshoumaru's desk. She was still livid with the demoness for the way she had spoken to the children. It was inexcusable behavior, and she was glad that the female would never be in contact with the children again. It wasn't safe to have someone who resented them caring for them.

The miko listened in on the conversation between the taiyoukai and the ex-nanny, enjoying the tongue-lashing she was receiving. Once Sesshoumaru was finished tearing the demoness a new one for her behavior, he told her of her new assignment.

"You will continue to be a nanny," Sesshoumaru started, seeing the hope in the woman's eyes. "But you will have a new charge. You will now be responsible for caring for Lucky."

The demoness's shoulders fell in defeat. There was no worse punishment in her mind than having to deal with the former Lady of the West. She had heard all about the mess she made, both in her room and more recently in the entire guest wing, and she had no desire to clean up after her.

"You will ensure that she has water available at all times. You will bring Lucky her meals and walk her so that she may relieve herself, cleaning up any mess she leaves behind. You will also clean her chambers. Remove all the broken items and sweep up the loose feathers. The bedding and curtains, along with anything else she destroys are not to be replaced. Do you understand?"

*Protected by You* (Stella's Soundtrack Challenge)

"Yes, My Lord," she whispered. "I... I am sorry."

"Sorry does not excuse the way you spoke to my children. Be them inu or not, they are heirs to these lands and deserve to be treated with respect. You were meant to protect and care for them, not insult them. You are fortunate that you are still employed here at the palace. I would have dismissed you completely, but your new Lady chose to keep you on. It could be worse."

And indeed, it could have been. The palace was the best place of employment in the entire West and perhaps all of Japan. Not only were they paid a higher wage than they would have been anywhere else, but the servants’ quarters were considered luxurious compared to those in other palaces. They were well cared for and for the most part not overworked. The previous Lady hadn't approved of her son's treatment of the servants, believing them to be spoiled, and so she did her best to work their fingers to the bone, but even then, they were still well off. If she were fired and sent away, Kyou would have been homeless in the middle of a snowstorm, so she was, indeed, thankful for her new position, as distasteful as it may be.