THE PRINCESS AND THE POET
1012 Words
Ryoichi's eyes opened in a strange room, and he winced as a wave of pain hit his shoulders.
Struggling to sit up, he felt his head spin.
A faint scent of medicine, herbs, and even blood lingered in the air, and it made his stomach feel bad. He felt a cool breeze pass through his hair slightly above him.
Turning to face the windows above , he saw the setting sun cast a warm orange glow into the room.
A soft feminine voice calmly interrupted his thoughts. "Welcome back, Ryoichi-san." A very young woman stood beside him with a gentle smile. She had blue eyes and was short in stature.
"You've been asleep for four days." Paying very little attention to the woman, his gaze shifted slowly across the room.
Two other injured men lay nearby; they had less severe injuries than his own. His wounds had been covered with bandages, and his head hurt.
He slowly untied the one on his head as it made him uncomfortable.
The windows above him made creaking noises as the breeze entered the room, and he heard the voices of the servants around.
He touched his beard, surprised by its length. The woman handed him a tray with water and food. "Eat something; you must be starving." Not realizing how hungry he was, he devoured the food.
As he ate, the young lady sat beside him on a stool. "My name is Hana Katsuragi," she said. Continuing almost in a childlike manner, she spoke again. "You are very brave." Ryoichi felt a shiver run through his spine as he remembered his battle with the Haganaki.
"Where am I?" he said, dropping the tray as he wiped his lips.
"You are at the palace of the Owari; you saved us from the beast. It's the least we could do to repay you," she replied. Ryoichi's eyes narrowed as he muttered under his breath, "I didn't do it for repayment." Hana picked up the tray and smiled at him once more before leaving.
After resting for a bit, he came out of the healing chamber to get some fresh air; the scent in the room was really starting to hurt his stomach.
As he walked towards the courtyard, slightly limping, he saw a regally adorned woman walking around with the same girl he met earlier. Hana Katsuragi, he thought.
Kaede saw him from across the courtyard and gestured for him to come over, which he did. Moving towards her, he continued limping, his foot still throbbing with pain from his injuries.
He remembered the princess and her carriage although he couldn't quite remember how he got to the palace.
"Thank you, Princess, for your hospitality," he told her as they finally met. "You saved us, after all," she replied as they walked.
They remained silent, then Kaede finally looked at him. "I read your poem... the first 10 pages were really nice," she said, handing his little book back to him. "Hana tells me you were once a—."
"I'm sorry, Princess, but I do not talk about my past," Ryoichi replied in a low tone, his expression turning slightly somber.
They stopped for a bit as they walked past a water fountain. It had statues surrounding it and was magnificent to behold.
"Come, I want to show you something," she told him. She walked to her painting chamber, and he followed at her back, still looking at the strange statues.
Hana had returned to her duties.
Looking around, he saw some gardeners stop and stare. He removed his gaze from theirs and entered the room. "What is this place?" Ryoichi asked as his gaze swept through the chamber. "It is my sanctuary," she said, turning to face a painting.
"I really believe they are breathtaking," he replied, sitting on a small stool at the door.
Kaede's smile was soft. "Thank you. I've really come to find solace in painting." "What drives you to create, Princess?" Ryoichi asked, his curiosity genuine.
She sat down on a chair close to her paintings. "I suppose it's just a way for me to express myself... to be more." He nodded as he admired them more. "I guess your poetry is how you express yourself too," Kaede said. "That is indeed true, Princess... at a time when men would prefer to chase whores or drink to stupor, I prefer to write," he replied, his gaze meeting hers.
Kaede's eyes never left his. "I think I understand, and I truly admire that."
"You call me Princess... My name is Kaede," she continued.
"Princess Kaede," he responded, bowing respectfully, standing up. "And you are 'Brave Warrior Ryoichi,' I presume?" she said, smiling sarcastically.
"Ryoichi is just fine," he said in a soft tone. "I should probably get back; it was good meeting you," he said again, not wanting to stay too long with the princess.
"I'll see you around, Ryoichi-san," Kaede replied. Ryoichi nodded as he made his way out of the painting chamber, with the door closing behind him.
As he departed, Kaede's gaze followed his retreating figure, her eyes narrowing in quiet thought.
As Ryoichi walked to the healing chamber, his thoughts became consumed by future decisions.
He certainly didn't want to overstay his welcome in the palace, but his injuries wouldn't let him.
I'll be on my way to Akakawa-mura as soon as I get my strength, he thought.
The evening was growing darker and the stars shone their light amidst the lit fire torches surrounding the outer palace walls.
Reaching the doors of the healing chamber, Ryoichi began to smell the familiar scent which made him leave the room earlier.
Then he saw Hana once again.
"How are you feeling, "Ryoichi-san?" she asked as she leaned forward in his direction.
"Im fine." Ryoichi replied almost abruptly but in a polite tone.
Hana nodded sympathetically as she looked away, possibly wanting to return to her quarters.
"Your body needs time to—"
Hana's voice trailed off, stopping before she could finish her thought for Ryoichi had already left.
- Writer
