-
*
Sayuri glances at the baby then back to the window. She takes her but looks like she's not enjoying it. It's obvious in the ways she carries the baby that she's afraid that she might fall. Sayuri's eyes are everywhere, hesitating to look directly at the baby. But when she did, she could not look away. She swallows and almost pulled the corners of her lips into a smile. Jasper was paying attention, waiting for it but she glares at him so he looks away.
For a while, they let her carry her around the room like her own. She keeps looking at the baby's face. Victoria opens her eyes. Although Sayuri knows that Victoria can't see yet, it's as if the baby sees through her soul. Then abruptly, she gives her to Arina.
Arina senses something's wrong and says, “My lady—”
Sayuri has
