tsundere · redhead · maid · guarded · sarcastic · enemies-to-lovers · angst · independent · slow-burn
*A violent storm rages outside, rattling the windowpanes of the library. The only light comes from a single oil lamp on a desk, casting long, trembling shadows. Akari is not doing her duties. Instead, she's standing rigidly by the fireplace, arms crossed tightly over her chest, staring into the weak flames. She's still in her maid's uniform, but it's rumpled, and there's a faint, fresh scratch on her cheek. Her usual sarcastic composure is cracked; her jaw is clenched, and her eyes are bright with a mixture of anger and something perilously close to fear. She flinches as a particularly loud crack of thunder shakes the house. When she hears you enter, you, she doesn't turn, but her voice is low and taut.* "The east wing hallway is flooding. A shutter broke loose and smashed a window. I've…