Beneath the Red Throne

AMIDST THE SOUNDS OF THE DEAFENING CHORUS

KAEDE'S POV.

As I gaze down at Ryoichi's battered and weakened body, my heart racing with every beat, I insist that the carriage rider takes him with us back to the palace. "I hope the healers can save him; it would be a shame to lose someone who's shown such bravery," I think to myself.

Hana and I tear strips from his clothes, using them to press down on his wounds, attempting to reduce the flow of blood. The metallic scent fills my nostrils, making my stomach turn. I've never seen anyone lose so much blood before.

His body is tense, yet fragile, like crackled marble - warm skin beneath my palms, soaked with blood and sweat. "He must be a really crazy man to attempt killing a Haganaki," I say to Hana, trying to keep my hands steady on the unconscious body in front of me. Hana's eyes lock onto Ryoichi's face, her face somewhat unreadable.

After a few moments of silence, she responds, "The man is Ryoichi, of noble blood... from the lands of Musashi." I frowned, confusion etched on my face. "I've never heard of him before. And yet, almost all the princes of the provinces have come for my hand in marriage over the past few weeks."

Hana's gaze still hasn't wavered from Ryoichi's face. "Ryoichi isn't a normal man," she says. I raise an eyebrow, intrigued. "What do you mean exactly?" Is he some kind of hero, stoic, or something else, I say to myself, trying to make sense of what she just said.

The carriage moves forward, I grasp the sides to steady myself. Hana's eyes finally leave his face, and she looks out the window, her voice calm and steady. "Years ago, during the last Kokoro no Sakura celebrations, Ryoichi was part of the group commissioned to secure the Fuji temple. He and his men were stationed to guard and protect the lords at the event..." Her voice trails off, and I sense a hint of sadness emanating from her.

I lean forward with curiosity, "What happened?" Hana's eyes refocus on me.

"No one knows exactly, but they failed to protect the lords. Many nobles died that day, including Ryoichi's father." The carriage falls silent once more, the only sound the creaking of the wooden wheels and the gentle thud of the horses' hooves.

As we approach the palace gates, I instruct Hana to summon the healers. Ryoichi's silky hair is matted with blood, and his silent body rests like that of a child. The healers rush to attend to him, carrying him away to the healing chamber. I step out of the carriage, my eyes scanning the courtyard. My uncle, Nobuhiro, stands near the entrance, engaged in a hushed conversation with an elegantly dressed man and the Roju-shu (elder statesmen).

The man's face is covered in traditional ornaments, and his robes are adorned with white fur, giving him a rabbit-like appearance. Rabbit man, I think to myself. Thinking nothing of this, I go to wash my blood-stained hands at a nearby fountain. I make my way to my painting chamber, lost in thought. As I sit down, I begin to flip through the pages of a small book I found in Ryoichi's waist strap.

The writings within are beautiful, poems speaking of good luck, honor, and love. "He is sweet," I say, letting off a mild smile. As I delve deeper into the book, the tone shifts, and the poems become darker, touching on loneliness, sacrifice, and regret. Thinking of his battle with a Haganaki, I say to myself, "Perhaps he longs for redemption or even death."

The knock on the door breaks my moment of epiphany. "Hana, is that you?" I say. The person at the other end is a servant, and she replies, "No, Kaede-hime.... Lord Nobuhiro and the Roju-shu request your presence in the Kyakuden." Without uttering another word, she departs immediately. I smile subtly; Nobuhiro could only need me for one thing. With a sense of self assurance, I make my way to the guest hall.

As I enter, I see the same elegantly dressed rabbit man from earlier, standing alongside my uncle and the Roju-shu. His eyes capture mine, and I immediately avert my look. Taking my seat, I observe everyone in the room as they bow, except the man. A member of the Roju-shu clears his throat, beginning the formal introduction.

"Your Highness..,this is Prince Takemaru of the Mikawa province, the first son of Lord Matsumoto of Mikawa." As the prince's face is revealed, I'm struck by his piercing gaze; I stare back at him, showing no emotion. He smiles, and I sense a hint of arrogance behind his eyes.

The Roju-shu member continues, "With all due respect, Your Highness, the Roju-shu have carefully selected Prince Takemaru as your suitor. His lineage and character make him an ideal match for securing the future of our province."

My uncle had gone as far as involving the Roju-shu.

A servant hands me a scroll from one of the elders. As I glance down at the scroll handed to me, I see the words "marriage" and "duty" jumping out at me. I know that I'm trapped; I can't delay my marriage any further, and to argue will be at my own defeat.

Nobuhiro's voice interrupts the silence. "Kaede-hime...., bowing to duty is never easy, but know that this union will bring prosperity and strength to our allied provinces." Another member of the Roju-shu speaks, "And we will most definitely ensure a grand wedding for you." He says this and starts clapping.

They all start clapping, without a single emotion shown on their faces. Their applause feel hollow. I return the scroll and mutter under my breath as I look at my uncle. "Well played."

I understand that failure to agree to this marriage will result in the forfeit of my throne to another royal, possibly my uncle. Looking away from him, I see Takemaru. His smile unwavering as he adjusts his fur robe. He stands up, walking a few steps in my direction.

"May we have a walk?" he asks, his voice low and smooth. I hesitate for a moment, unsure of how to respond. But with the eyes of the Roju-shu and my uncle upon me, I feel pressured to accept. I place my hands in his, and he leads me out of the Kyakuden, into the courtyard. If I need to prevent this marriage, I'll need to think fast.

Takemaru's hands are soft and cold, a stark contrast to the rough, warm hands of Ryoichi. I push the thought aside, focusing on the present moment. As we stroll through the courtyard, Prince Takemaru speaks of his family's legacy, and of our future together.

I listen with little interest, however, still trying to gauge his true intentions. My mind keeps wandering back to Ryoichi, to the poems in his book, and to the mystery surrounding his past. As the sun sets below the mountains, Prince Takemaru leads me to a secluded garden, filled with blooming cherry blossoms.

The air is filled with their sweet scent, and the soft chirping of crickets. Prince Takemaru turns to me, his eyes gleaming.

"I promise to make you happy, Kaede," he says, his voice low and husky. "Together, we will bring prosperity and strength to our provinces." I force a smile on my face, trying to appear enthusiastic. But deep inside me, I'm thinking of an escape plan.

I remain silent, torn between duty and desire, between the predictable future with Prince Takemaru and the uncertain. As I look into Prince Takemaru's eyes, I know that I must make a choice.

But for now, I'm trapped in this web of duty and obligation, unsure of how to escape.