by Kate Grove
“I saw her with my own eyes! She’s with Katsuo-sama!”
“Already? Why didn’t the guards tell us sooner? Everyone, three meals to Katsuo-sama’s room. Now,” she instructed, and the room came into life again.
If Ciara previously thought it was a flurry of activity, that was nothing compared to what ensued after the head chef made her orders known.
“Who is Lady Yuki?” Ciara asked.
“The woman we saw with Katsuo-sama,” Yura replied as she turned to her.
“Yes, but that doesn’t explain—”
“Hurry up, girl. Either help us or get out of the way, but don’t hold us up!” The woman in charge said as she reached them. Then she took another look at Ciara and her brows furrowed. “Who are you?”
Yura paled even more if that was possible.
“This is Ciara-sama, betrothed to Katsuo-sama.”
The head chef paled, too, and bowed deeply.
“I’m very sorry, my lady!”
“No worries,” Ciara said. “Don’t waste your time apologizing. Aren’t you in a hurry?”
“R-right.” She looked around for a moment, trying to gather her thoughts, then ran off toward the stove, shouting, “Get that off the fire, now! No, don’t put it there!”
Ciara saw it better to silently withdraw and be on her way. She would be underfoot if she stayed there. Her new mission was to discover who this Lady Yuki was. She seemed close to Katsuo, as she was hugging his arm and smiling at him. They seemed to be close in age, too, although her silver her tricked her for a moment, but once she got a clearer look at her face...
Ciara shook her head. What ridiculous thoughts! She’d be better off doing her own things rather than worrying about some random woman. It’s not like she was truly engaged to Katsuo or had feelings for him. Who would have feelings for such a dangerous and arrogant person? She still hadn’t gotten over how easily his sword cut people down on the battlefield. She shivered just remembering it.
Ciara wanted to talk to Yura a bit more, but now that she was preoccupied with the sudden guest, she wasn’t sure what to do. Eventually, she decided she’d like to go see the town. She wandered around the castle courtyard until she made it to the gates. But when she reached them, guards had stepped in front of her.
She took a step back, confused.
“Are you saying I’m not allowed outside? Why?” she asked in vain. The soldiers didn’t reply. She tried to sidestep them, but the one closest to her positioned the spear in his hand so it would act as a barrier. Ciara crossed her arms.
“I’m not a prisoner. Why can’t I go outside?” Her anger stirred as they refused to answer. “Are you deaf?”
For a moment, no one moved. Then Ciara huffed and turned around to stalk back to the other end of the courtyard. She was still fuming when she noticed the roof of the pagoda nestled among the nearby buildings. Her curiosity piqued again, she headed towards it. In a few minutes, she finally stood at the beginning of a path paved with big, flat stones leading to the pagoda. There was a guard patrolling nearby, just as Yura said there would be, but Ciara walked on with determined steps.
Her confidence lasted only a moment.
“Halt!” the guard shouted, and she stopped. She could hear his quick footsteps. Ciara looked down at her kimono. If only she wore the pants she had on the day before, then she could have had a chance at outrunning him. No way this attire would get her far.
“The pagoda is off-limits,” the guard told her as soon as he arrived.
“Great.” Sarcasm was dripping from Ciara’s voice. “I can’t get to town; I can’t even get to a goddamn pagoda! I’d hate to hear how your prisoners feel if this is how you treat guests. Or the lord’s bride.”
She was either getting to see the pagoda or town, or she was going crazy.
“I’m sorry, Milady, but rules are rules,” he said. He actually did sound sorry.
“Whose rules are they?”
“Milord Kitayama-sama’s.”
“And do you happen to know why it is I can’t visit town?”
“You need an escort, Milady.”
“I’m a grown woman, I don’t need one,” she protested.
“That is not for me to decide,” the guard said. Seeing her eyes glinting in a dangerous light, he quickly took a step back.
Ciara turned her back to him and strode away with heavy steps. Hopefully, she could make it to the orchard today. That is, if she was allowed to go there. Staying here felt suffocating. Sure, she agreed to be Katsuo’s fake bride for a month, but she did not agree to be his prisoner!
A frustrated cry escaped her lips, and someone chuckled nearby. Ciara froze. Shit. I know that voice. She turned to the source of the chuckle. It was Orihime. She’s the last person I want to see me like this, Ciara thought. She didn’t know when she started thinking of the other woman as the enemy, but her instincts screamed in warning whenever she was in the vicinity.
“It is a relief to see you, too, get ruffled sometimes, my lady,” Orihime said with a fake smile. Ciara returned the gesture and felt a grimace forming on her face.
“You’re still here? What a surprise. I thought you’d gone back to your household where everything goes according to your wishes,” Ciara couldn’t help making that comment.
Orihime’s smile was like poison. She reminded Ciara of a snake as she sashayed closer. For some reason, she didn’t have an entourage shadowing her every move this day.
“Don’t be so confident in your ability to keep Katsuo-dono,” she said icily as she leaned closer to Ciara. She grabbed Ciara’s arm in a tight grip.
“Hey!”
“Sooner than you think”—Orihime shook Ciara’s arm to silence her protests—“you will be begging me to let you serve me as lady of this castle. You won’t last a week, you outsider.”
“Excuse you!” Ciara yanked her arm out of Orihime’s vice-like grip. It tingled where she had held it, but Ciara refused to show more weakness before her. “Outsider? Out of the two of us, you’re the one who’s less welcome here.” Even though she said it, Ciara herself wasn’t sure what to think. But she’d die sooner than let Orihime see her insecurities.
“Hmph, you Westerners are so barbaric. You wouldn’t comprehend the fine nuances of Japanese lifestyle,” Orihime mocked in a shrill voice. She opened her fan in one smooth movement and hid the lower half of her face. She glared at Ciara over the rim. “Shoo, shoo! Go back to your country!”
“You have no idea—” Ciara stopped herself before she said too much. Her voice quivered with rage as she made a fist with her hands.
“No idea about what? Finish what you started,” Orihime prodded as she cocked her head to the side curiously. “I’m listening.”
“You have no idea where you stand with Katsuo, isn’t that right? At least I’m aware of my own situation,” Ciara shot back. She nodded at Orihime before storming off. When she rounded a corner and was sure the woman could no longer see her, she massaged her abused arm and muttered a curse.
Orihime might have seemed like a fragile flower, but she had poisonous thorns. And for some reason, she somehow always managed to get under Ciara’s skin with her arrogance and remarks. They had only met a handful of times and Ciara was already fed up with her behavior.
“Ugh!”
Ciara decided she had had enough for today. She made her way back to her room and collapsed in a heap on the floor pillows. She didn’t want to fume more on Orihime or about the feeling she was trapped here, not free to come and go as she pleased. She quickly changed and then settled down on the pillow. Focusing on her breathing, she shoved away her thoughts. It was harder than usual, but eventually, she managed to meditate without interruptions.
19
“Yuki!” Takeru’s face brightened as soon as he saw the unexpected guest. He hugged her tightly. “It’s been so long!”
“And you’ve grown into a fine young man.”
“Are you staying for long?”
“You know
me,” Yuki smiled. “I can’t stay in one place for long.”
“Let’s discuss this over breakfast,” Katsuo said from the background. He was already sitting at the spread table. “I’m hungry.”
“Oh, I’d better not make you wait!” Yuki said as she sat down at the narrow end of the low table. Takeru occupied his usual seat opposite his brother.
Finally, they began eating.
“Tell me about her,” Yuki suddenly said. Katsuo coughed as a bite went down the wrong way. Takeru looked back and forth between them.
“Who? Orihime? Ayaka? Or Ciara?”
“I see you’ve been busy, young man.”
“It’s not like that,” Katsuo sighed. He loved Yuki, but her teasing always got the better of him.
“Well then, clear it up for me!” Yuki asked.
“First of all, Ayaka is my daughter.”
“Not from that person, I presume?” Yuki asked, tense.
“Of course not! I adopted her a few years ago. She’s ten.”
“She’s adorable!” Takeru added with a grin. Yuki’s eyes glinted with excitement.
“I’d like to meet her.”
“You will,” Katsuo reassured her.
“Good. And tell me how you found her. But first, I want to know about your bride.”
“You told her?” Takeru asked.
“She knows Ciara is my betrothed, yes,” Katsuo said, sending a meaningful look to Takeru.
“What was that?” There was hardly anything that escaped Yuki’s sharp eyes. “I know that look meant something. Tell me!”
Katsuo glared at Takeru who narrowed his eyes, not backing down.
“Boys!” Both men gave a start at the admonishing voice of Yuki. “What is going on? We have enough secrets as it is.”
Finally, Katsuo gave in. He sighed.
“You sigh an awful lot since I’ve arrived.”
“So you noticed. It’s not you, it’s this entire situation here.”
Katsuo told Yuki about Orihime’s sudden appearance and demands and then how they found Ciara on a battlefield and how she helped finding the kidnapped Ayaka. Then Takeru’s masterplan to fool Orihime and everyone else along with her, which led to Ciara being fake-engaged to Katsuo.
“But you do like her, don’t you?”
Katsuo opened his mouth to protest. Yuki held up a finger to stop him.
“I’ve seen the way you look at her. Don’t try to deny it.”
“How do I look at her?” Katsuo seemed taken aback at the discovery.
“You look at her fondly. I’ve only seen this expression once in your face, before your wedding,” Yuki replied. Katsuo tensed at the reminder of his ex-wife. “That is to say, this Ciara is different. I don’t have bad feelings about her. On second thought…”
Yuki fell silent, trying to work out what her instincts were telling her. She shook her head.
“Nevermind.”
“What is it?” Katsuo asked. “I need to know how much she can be trusted.”
“I’m not your hound, boy,” Yuki replied. “Danger encompasses her, but not the kind that did that other woman. It’s hard to explain.”
“Yuki, where have you been travelling?” Takeru asked with sparkly eyes. He had forced himself to be calm so far but couldn’t contain his excitement any longer.
“Oh, here and there. I’ve been back and forth on the Silk Road!”
“The Silk Road?” Takeru’s eyes widened. “But no one uses the Silk Road nowadays!”
“Oh, is that so?” Yuki feigned surprise. “I must be a nobody, then.”
“Th-that’s not what I meant, Granny!”
“I’ve told you not to call me that!”
“Yuki”—Katsuo put a hand on the woman’s arm—“you must be tired from your journey. Would you like to have a nap?”
“Not you, too, Katsuo,” Yuki sighed. “Stop treating me like an old lady!”
“We didn’t mean to—” Takeru and Katsuo both started at the same time, but Yuki held up her hands.
“Indeed, I must be old if I get offended over such small matters,” she said. “Let’s forget it. I have some presents for you!”
“Oh?” Takeru’s eyes shined with excitement. “From the Silk Road?”
“Yes, from that road nobody uses nowadays,” Yuki grumbled as she rummaged in her furoshiki bag. She brought out a bundle and gave it to Takeru. He accepted with both hands. “This is for you.”
“It’s so light,” he said, surprised as he unrolled it. It was an overcoat made of a strange material. “What’s this made of? Look, brother, what an odd fabric!”
Katsuo touched the corner of the cloth presented to him. He looked surprised, too.
“It’s soft and light but feels thick.”
“It’s called wool. Brilliant in winter weather!” Yuki said. “I have acquired one for myself as well.”
“Thank you!” Takeru said, immediately putting it around his shoulders. Yuki smiled at him before turning to Katsuo.
“As for you…” She brought out another item. Recognition flared in Katsuo’s eyes.
“A pistol.”
“Exactly. Have you seen one before?”
Katsuo shook his head.
“I’ve heard about them and seen the drawings,” he admitted. “But how did you manage to sneak it here?”
Yuki winked.
“Take it. I heard it’s useful for winning battles.”
Katsuo took the pistol with both hands as he admired the craftsmanship.
“There are plenty of these in Europe. Here, it comes with a cleaning kit. I’ll show you later how to load it,” Yuki explained.
“Thank you!” Katsuo said.
“Have you used one of these, Yuki?” Takeru asked, eyeing the strange weapon.
“I have, once or twice.”
“Do you have one, too?”
“I don’t need one, boy,” Yuki laughed. Her fangs became prominent at that moment. She flexed her claws for good measure. “But I wanted to see what it can do. It causes more damage than an arrow in the hand of an expert.”
“No wonder Nobunaga makes use of them.” Katsuo mumbled.
“Now when can I see my great-granddaughter?” Yuki asked, changing the subject.
“She has classes in the morning, but…” Takeru looked at his brother for confirmation. “We can have lunch together, if you aren’t too busy, Katsuo?”
“I have tons of paperwork, but you three go ahead,” Katsuo sighed and got up. “Which reminds me, I need to get back to work. See you all at dinner.”
He squeezed Yuki’s shoulder fondly and exited the room.
They both looked after him.
“When do you think he realizes this is his office?” Yuki asked in the following silence.
Takeru had the nerve to laugh at that.
Katsuo made his way to his personal armory. It was located inside the castle, unlike the one for his troops. Only he, Takeru, and Taiki had a key to it. Carefully, he placed Yuki’s gift on a small table inside the room. He stroked the weapon, marveling at the detailed carvings that broke the smooth surface of the pistol. He wondered if he’d ever use it.
Using a sword was in his veins. Using an arrow came just as naturally to him. But a gun? It was such a foreign idea! Nonetheless, he cherished it because it came from Yuki.
After he made sure it was secure, he strolled out of the armory. He locked up the door and headed back to his study. As he crossed the inner courtyard, he remembered the scene from earlier when Ciara rushed to the aid of his servant. He noted he’d never seen Orihime look so angry and nasty. His gut feeling was right when he decided not to trust her. Or women in general.
For a second, he entertained the idea what if the betrothal were real? Would Ciara do everything in her power to stay in his good graces and seize power through him? Would she use him? Try to manipulate him? He shook his head. It was futile to think of it since this arrangement was only for a month, no longer. And it was only a fake engag
ement, nothing more, nothing less.
20
A knock sounded at the door, making Ciara stir. She opened her eyes and blinked the sleep away. She was lying on the tatami floor, with her lower body on the floor pillow. Ciara moaned as she sat up.
Damn, I fell asleep. She rubbed her eyes.
“Yes?” she asked when there was another knock.
“Ciara-sama, dinner will be served in an hour,” Yura said from the other side of the door. “Do you need help getting prepared?”
Ciara stretched, but lying down in an awkward position put a strain on her back muscles. Oh, what she’d do for a hot bath right about now! She sighed, longing for modern conveniences. Then she froze as she remembered Japan had plenty of hot springs and bath houses built in her time. Maybe… just maybe…
“Yura, is there a hot spring nearby?”
She waited with belated breath.
“An onsen? We have one at the bathhouse.”
“Yes!” Ciara jumped up, excited, and pulled a muscle in her leg, making her curse.
“Is everything all right, Ciara-sama?” Yura sounded worried. She had a surprised expression on her face when Ciara swung open the door with a grin on her face.
“Let me get my stuff and then you can show me the way to the bathhouse!”
“As you wish, Ciara-sama.”
They walked back to the closet in her room, and Yura helped her pick out a yukata and some other essentials before they made their way to the bathhouse. Ciara concentrated hard on mapping out their route from her room. She wanted to be able to visit the bath whenever she wished. She couldn’t drag Yura here to show her the way every time she wanted to use the bathhouse.
It was on a lower floor, in the back of the castle. Ciara realized it was on the same side as her room and overlooked the orchard below.
“You will find the towels over there. Please undress here, then you can clean yourself in the next room,” Yura explained the rules for her. “After that, you can proceed to the pool. It is very important you enter the pool only after you have cleaned yourself.”
