Beneath the Red Throne

SOLEMN FATE

Lord Nobuhiro sat on a chair in his private quarters. He held a cup of wine in his hand, surrounded by the regal decorations of his ancestors. The flickering candles cast eerie shadows on the bamboo walls as he sipped his wine, gazing outside the windows.

His eyes seemed dull and tired, possibly weighed down by the burdens of age and responsibility.

Loneliness lingered in his mind from time to time, but it didn't let him "turn into a coward," as he would say to himself.

Sitting in his chair, he couldn't help but think of his twin sons. They were on a distant trip, discussing trade and merchant activities with foreigners in a distant province.

He had trained them from an early age to follow in his footsteps, something his brother never seemed to do with his children. So, how could Kaede expect to rule Owari on her own, he thought? Pouring another cup of rice wine for himself, he relaxed deeply into his chair, further muttering words to himself as he gazed out of his windows.

The servants at his side dared not breathe too heavily, as they stood at attention by his side.

Nobuhiro's thoughts were interrupted by the sound of footsteps outside his door. He recognized the determined stride of his niece Kaede. None of his wives or servants walked as she did - ever so confident, ever so direct. He knew she had come to confront him and even wondered why she hadn't come sooner.

This was the wrong time, however, he thought to himself.

His eyes widened as he watched the doors, expecting her to march in at any moment.

With a heavy sigh, Nobuhiro set his wine cup down on the table and braced himself for the confrontation ahead.

Kaede opened his doors abruptly, facing him, her eyes blazing with determination.

He waved his hands, gesturing for the servants in the room to depart. "Why have you become like this, uncle?" she demanded, her voice firm but controlled. "What have you turned to?."

Nobuhiro raised an eyebrow, feigning confusion. "Like what, Kaede?" he asked, his voice dripping with sarcasm.

Kaede's gaze never shifted as she replied, "You're not the man... the uncle I once knew. You're allowing this ambition of yours to consume you." He stood up, his expression darkening, and placed his look on her, picking up his cup for another sip. "You dare to lecture me... Kaede-hime?" He replied, almost smiling.

"You, who have no interest whatsoever in this kingdom?" He continued. Kaede's face remained calm, but her eyes flashed with anger.

"My actions may not align with yours, but I assure you, my interest in this kingdom's well-being is genuine." Nobuhiro looked up at the ceiling, curling his lips in disgust. "Your father would be ashamed of you, Kaede-hime. Ashamed of the way you're allowing your emotions to cloud your judgment." Her eyes narrowed, fists clenched in anger. "And Father would be ashamed of you, ashamed of the pathetic hermit you've become. You act like you're the only one affected by his death."

Nobuhiro's face twisted with rage, and he hurled his cup across the room, the ceramic shattering against the wooden walls. He had seriously had enough of her. The air was thick with tension as uncle and niece locked eyes, filled with resentment.

"I am the man I need to be!" he bellowed, beating his chest. His tone was loud, and the servants could hear him from outside the room. Kaede took a step back, shocked at his unpredictable display of anger. "I know not the man you are anymore, and as you speak with anger, remember that you are talking to Kaede-hime Minamoto of the Owari."

"And I am Lord Nobuhiro Minamoto of the Owari," he spat, his eyes burning with intensity. He was clearly hurt by the words she spoke about his dead brother. "And I wish not to continue this conversation with you any longer. Do as you wish, Kaede... but know there will be consequences."

This new threat hung in the air, and a new challenge was issued for Kaede. Although her eyes flashed with defiance, she knew better than to push Nobuhiro further. She hated his new decision but still respected him.

Easing up the feeling of resentment on her face, she let off a subtle nod and walked away, the doors sliding shut behind her.

Hana, who had been waiting outside, fell into step behind Kaede, her eyes downward but watchful. "You speak of change to Lord Nobuhiro, but it seems you have changed too, Kaede-hime," she muttered under her breath. Kaede's gaze never wavered, her eyes fixed on the path ahead.

Thinking to herself, she knew she had to be careful, that Nobuhiro would stop at nothing to achieve his ambitions.

But for now, she could only walk away, her heart heavy. Nobuhiro sat back in his chair, his eyes fixed on the shattered remains of the ceramic cup.

He took no pride in displaying such anger to Kaede, but still felt a sense of satisfaction. She had to somehow understand that there would be consequences for not carrying out her duties. And now, he would make sure those consequences came to pass.

He would protect the kingdom of Owari from Kaede herself. Much was at stake if he didn't do so, he thought to himself.

With an emotionless expression, he walked to his writing desk, his movements stiff from sitting too long. He poured himself a cup of wine, his eyes gazing outside the windows as he held a feather pen in hand to write.

The late evening where times when he loved to write and meditate.

As he wrote, the evening grew dark, and the stars became veiled under the thick clouds. But Nobuhiro didn't need to see the stars to know that his fate was aligned with the heavens and his sacred responsibility to Owari.

He would sleep that night; he would also dream that night. His dreams would unfold, and the fates would dare not defy them.