'Till Death Do You Part

Chapter One

The wind slowly breezed across my face, caressing it in a manner only mother nature could. It's as if she was comforting me and reassuring me that my current fears had no reason to cloud my mind. 

I let my eyes close themselves.

"We are approaching the capital" Hirotaro sternly said, then continued, "Please, rest assured that I will keep you safe."

To his words, my eyes slowly opened again and gave him a pitiful look. He knew how to read my emotions like no other, but even he could not affect them at this moment, in this given situation. My heart ached, laced with pain and sorrow. I was to be married off to a man I knew nothing of but his name and his brutal character, of which I've heard many stories about. He was ruthless, heartless, and had no beat to his ice-cold heart.

I found myself chuckling just slightly at my own thoughts while the man in front of me kept his gaze glued on my reaction, closely studying it. I knew he cared for me, that he'd give his life to protect me from any danger lurking about, but once this charade that my husband-to-be has organized is over with, the only thing I'll find hope and solace in is the day I die.

"From what is to come, not even you can protect me, my dear Hirotaro." I exclaimed tenderly and a small smile followed my words. My eyes then travelled to the outside of the carriage and softened at the sight. The raindrops that hit the fresh leaves made a sound so relaxing, I took refuge in it's calmness. I kept looking at the trees we were passing by on our way and wished to hide behind them because the truth was too much for me to bear. 

But I had to. It was not my decision to make, but the consequences were mine to face.

A sigh escaped my lips and I slowly rose up my hand from my lap and out of the carriage to let the rain hug it, and another smile found it's way to my face. I hoped that the Emperor was at least appreciative of the nature that surrounds us, when he already wasn't of other people's lives.

"Is it true that he murders his concubines once they are with child?" I suddenly asked, shocked at my own audacity. Even if he did, his decisions I could not question for I didn't have the right to do so.

But Hirotaro paid the nature of the question no mind, and just slowly shrugged his shoulders as he gave me a short answer. "The Emperor has no concubines. That statement is false."

"Oh." Was the only thing I could muster as a reply, but the answer to one question opened the door to a hundred new ones. Has Hirotaro met him? Has he seen him? How does he know? How doesn't he have concubines? Isn't that how the Emperor insures a successor?

All of those questions bothered my curious nature to another extent, but not only was it disrespectful to ask them but probably even forbidden.

And as I kept thinking to myself about what has been and what is to come, I failed to notice the gates of the capital that were becoming clearer by each passing minute. Once I could actually hear the commotion outside coming from the peasants that were pulling their own carriers or cattle towards the capital, my eyes found their way to the giant gate, held together by an even bigger wall. I tried to keep myself calm and collected as my consciousness had finally begun to realize what is actually happening. I suddenly felt fear wash over me like a bucket of cold water, rushing through my bloodstream and completely engulfing me.

I didn't want to know what lay behind that gate. Or who.