Chapter 1: Funeral.
Kaede Akamatsu couldn't believe her amethyst eyes.
Her father, pale, cold. Blood seeping out from his luxurious, horrifying, noble garments as his body stayed frozen on the floor.
She felt sick. She wanted to throw up right then and there, and scream in agony at what her eyes were telling her, but she refused to. After all, her precious twin was with her, hiding behind her in even more fear than herself.
She knew she was crying out the words, "Mother! Mother come quick! Mother, please!" over and over again in desperation, but she couldn't hear her pained screams.
Salty tears had forever stained the floor.
"Kaede? Kaori? Whatever's the reason for all the ruckus you are making at this hour?"
"I-It's Father, h-he's bleeding heavily!"
"What?"
"Please, Mother I'm begging you, come!"
The thick sound of footsteps echoed.
And an ear-piercing shriek rattled the whole land awake.
The sky was a melancholic shade of grey as rain poured down from above.
"It's almost like the weather predicted today would be a funeral..." Kaede thought in spite. Her amethyst eyes watered, shining back the reflection of the casket before her.
She watched her mother, Countess Akamatsu, press her violet eyes into a fine, lace handkerchief. The muffled cries that were surrounding the coffin were deafening for the young girl. Her hand was firmly grasping onto her sister's.
Kaori's face was dotted with tears.
"Sweet dreams, my Lord," The shaken voice of Countess Akamatsu whimpered, "May you rest in peace now,". Her tender hands gently brushed against the varnished wood of the coffin. Everyone around bowed their head in respect for the Earl.
It was silent as the body of Lord Akamatsu was lowered. Not even the pitter-patter of rain disturbed the hush of noise.
"Give me hope and wisdom," The countess prayed, "That our daughters will be raised well and that our land will forever thrive under my care…"
The prayer ended, Kaede only trembling in response as she saw her mother make her way back to them.
"Mother..." Kaori hesitantly whispered, her grip on Kaede's hand tightening. "We... No, I don't have a brother..."
Kaede thought that her mother's already pale, despairing face couldn't become even more mournful, but she was wrong.
"Yes... You don't..." Kaede heard her mother whisper back. She frowned at how her mother's once soothing voice was now broken and weak.
All of this sparked a flame within Lady Kaede's soul. A flame of hope and determination. She wanted- no, needed to protect her family.
She wiped away at the seeds of tears that stayed in her eyes.
"Worry not Mother, I'll be sure to protect everyone... I'll make sure not to trust anyone too much anymore apart from my own flesh and blood." Kaede vowed, staring into her Mother's oculars with her own fiery pair.
"What foolishness are you spouting dear child? You'll not need to do of any of the sorts." Countess Akamatsu replied with a hint of wit in her vocal tone. "If anything Kaede, I'm worried for you..."
"Eh? M-Mother?" Kaede stuttered in confusion, "Why do you worry?"
"'Tis cruel to tell you now, sweet child of mine... But if you insist, I'll be sure to tell you... Later... Not now, sweetie."
"What?! But mother, you've just brought it up! Why aren't you telling me?"
"Yes... But me telling you now wouldn't be morally right, Kaede."
"Nonsense! Mother, I will be able to handle anything you tell me! Please, I'm begging you." Kaede yelled back, her volume so loud that it began to attract the attention of many attending the funeral.
"Sister, please! You're beginning to attract attention!" Kaori whisper-shouted at her dear sibling, letting go of Kaede's hand to slightly gesture at the many eves-droppers beginning to surround.
Nodding in defeat, Kaede sighed internally before muttering a curt, "I understand." To the woman that had raised and given birth to her.
Church bells rang out in the air to signify the end of the funeral. Noise levels instantly began to rise as the crowd began to chatter about the saddening event.
Kaede found herself sitting at the Grand Piano in the corner of the Church. She had the urge to play but knew that if she did, it would be seen as disrespect for her ever-so loving father and not as something to lighten up the heavy mood.
"Ah, Lady Tsumugi said that you'd be residing here." A familiar voice had spoken.
Kaede's ears perked up at the noise, her amethyst eyes followed, widening.
She turned to face where the voice had come from.
"Rantaro! It's been so long!" Kaede cheerily exclaimed, her eyes gleaming in joy. "Where's Tsumugi?"
Rantaro Amami was a servant that was forever faithful to the Shirogane family, being one of Kaede's friends from his close involvement with the high-status family.
"I believe Lady Tsumugi should be coming soon, she told me to check up on you as you seemed to have an argument with your mother, Countess Akamatsu, earlier," Rantaro replied quietly, closing his fern-tinted eyes as he did so.
Kaede's beaming smile slowly faded after Rantaro's response. She averted eye-contact with the extraordinarily calm boy before beginning to explain her loss of contentment.
"Well... Since Father is now," She paused, inhaling deeply, "no longer with us, our land is now easy to be taken away from us. Without a head of our family that controls our relations... We... We might have to loose all our wealth to the King's Government."
The green-eyed boy "hmm"ed in response, slightly furrowing his eyebrows.
"Hmm... You are in an inescapable conundrum indeed. You have my condolences Lady Kaede."
"Why must you be so formal Rantaro? We're childhood friends."
"Ah, but I am a mear servant whereas you and Lady Tsumugi are noble."
"But Rantaro-"
"I hope I'm not interfering with anything~!" A playful, sing-song voice chirped.
The curves that angled Kaede's mouth twitched and began to smile again. The young, emotional girl then turned from the kind servant boy and leapt into the arms of the person that had spoken.
"Tsumugi!" Dry lips exclaimed, Kaede's arms wrapped around the thin girl firmly. Tsumugi hugged her close and patted her back gently in response. Kaede felt the tears she wanted to cast away slowly come creeping back. How could she not be at her truest form with her childhood friend? Tsumugi and her grew up together and she was Kaede's best and most trustworthy friend. She felt safe and warm when she was around. Their friendship was set in stone from the moment they were born. The Akamatsu bloodline had already been good friends with the Shirogane bloodline before, being long-term trading and business partners, it was well known that they got along.
"Greetings Kaede, it's been long, hasn't it?" Tsumugi giggled, her glasses making no difference to the happiness clearly shown in her eyes.
"Yes, indeed it has..." The blond-haired girl replied quietly, almost at a whisper. "I've missed you. You really should invite me more to your abode."
Tsumugi smiled sadly.
"I would if my parents stayed home more often. They seemed to be in the house for no more than 10 minutes a day. Ah- Tis rather lonely and most boring."
"Oh! That is disheartening... And sad."
"Isn't it? Though, I am glad Rantaro here is always by my side when I request of him."
As if on cue, Rantaro bowed before grinning, his fern eyes glancing at his Lady. He was definitely still listening keenly onto the conversation at hand.
"My Lady, you do truly flatter me." Rantaro declared, his body movements animating himself in an exaggerated way. If it weren't for that fact that both Tsumugi and Kaede knew that the dramatisation of his movements was just a strange habit of his, a passive observer could have seen the happenings as mockery. Specifically, sarcastic mockery.
"Say, Kaede? I... I really am extremely sorry for your loss. Your father was like an uncle to me. It's... It's almost like a nightmare to know he's gone forever." Tsumugi Shirogane slowly mumbled. Her lack of enthusiasm displaying a distinctive sadness for the deceased Earl.
Kaede could only reply with a pathetic, "Yes... I know."
Tsumugi's turquoise oculars flashed and came into contact with green. They trailed from Kaede and back frantically. It was as if they were in a panic.
Rantaro nodded slowly, understanding the questionable body language the blue-eyed girl produced. He cleared his throat, cutting the thick atmosphere, seeping out from Kaede, in half.
"That reminds me, Kaede, how are your studies coming along?"
Tsumugi breathed out an inaudible breath she didn't know she had been holding in. She mentally noted to thank the servant later for his help on changing the subject.
"Hm?" The young noble began, startled by the sudden question but not at all deterred, "Well for my studies on Latin, French and Gaelic, my progress is steady. I am most likely to be fluent in French within a few months time. On Politics and Citizenship, I am still on the basis on learning the advanced and correct format for holding a trial as well as controlling the media bias in our land. Finally, with piano and my own personal studies, I do for leisure, I am climbing up my grades well and have perfected sight reading notes, though I still can't play perfectly just yet. Mother is pushing me to do more womanly, appealing hobbies, however..."
"Oh yes!" Tsumugi breathed, putting a finger delicately onto her chin and looking up, "I remember you being discouraged by your mother and your troubles about them. Are you partaking in needle and thread or parenthood training?"
Kaede seemed to instantly cringe at the sound of the word, "Parenthood".
"Y-Yes, much to my dismay, Mother seems to be stubborn on me learning womanly matters. In my opinion, I find this incredibly vexing and tedious." The purple-eyed lady vented, her eyebrows furrowing as she spoke.
Tsumugi only giggled, removing the finger that was once on her chin. The bespectacled girl replied jokingly, "The expression of pain you just created wasn't very elegant, Kaede."
Said blond-haired girl pulled a face of even more annoyance before sticking her tongue out at her friend and cowering behind Rantaro's back. The servant clearly startled by the quick handling on his body.
Tsumugi smirked before snickering, her spectacles shining. "I'm only teasing you Kaede, don't worry! You can be yourself around me."
Kaede pouted, puffing up her cheek childishly and rather cutely. "I know Tsumugi, I know."
Rantaro breathed outward, sheepishly smiling and slanting his thin eyebrows downward. "Now now girls, let's not get too hasty. Lady Tsumugi, remember Lady Kaede is still rather tender from the impact of Lord Akamatsu's passing. Tis rather cruel to tease her, don't you think..?" The servant asked solemnly. He gently began to pat the blond's head.
"Y-Yes... I suppose so..." Tsumugi squeaked out, her cobalt eyes misty and downcast. Her hands snaked upward to her collar to fiddle with the family brooch the turquoise-eyed girl treasured. It was precious in the sence of emotion and material make up. Gold leaf over bronze plating with the indentation of the most peculiar double edged bear. Tsumugi loved it and developed a habit of playing with the proud heirloom whenever emotional.
"Lady Akamatsu, Lady Shirogane," a footman said kneeling. "The Countess wishes to depart and summons Lady Akamatsu."
"Thank you," Kaede whispered gently. Tsumugi nodded slowly and extended her hand towards Kaede.
It was cold.
Kaede took her hand anyway and indulged herself to be walked back to her quaint, travelling carriage for once. Rantaro followed close behind, observing all the passersby in close proximity with the two girls, protective as he should be.
Kaede ducked her head as she got in. The watchful eye of Countess Akamatsu staring down at the them.
"May God be with you, to guide your way," Tsumugi spoke, hushed tones smoothing her voice.
"Thank you, Lady Shirogane," Countess Akamatsu replied, equally sorrowful.
Kaede didn't bother to wave to her friends from the window of her carriage, instead, she chose to faintly smile to show her appreciation.
Even with the rain bringing a cold chill, Kaede felt the carriage was humid. It felt sticky and gross. She wasn't sure if her inner distaste was real or if it was just the heartache for her father. She let out a breath of relief when the carriage stopped. Taking her time, the blond-locked girl got out of the carriage, thankful for the fresher air entering her lungs.
"Kaede, Kaori…" Countess Akamatsu began with an exhale. Her golden bangs shrouding a pair of teary eyes. "Thank you for your support, I appreciate it greatly, however I would like to be left alone in my study," she proclaimed. "I hope you two understand." Respectfully, both girls dipped a curtsey to see their grieving mother off.
"I'm going to be in my room," Kaori whispered, gulping down a sadness, she ran off. Kaede swore she could see her lip quivering slightly. Frowning, the piano player shook her head gently, mumbling the words, "There she goes..." She exhaled and wandered back to the Main Entrance. It was colder than usual.
Pushing open the larger, decorated door, Kaede stepped inside. The floor no longer was clothed in carpet and felt hard under her shoes.
Kaede had no ladies in waiting. In fact, the biggest thing she had akin to a friend was the centerpiece of the Hall. Her Grand piano. Though, right now, she wanted to go somewhere else away from home. She needed a breath of fresh air to take all of this in.
Taking her homemade, rough, itchy hooded cloak, the pianist found herself swiftly dressing in plain, common clothing and fabrics. She was going to head out into town, preferably to check up on an acquaintance she had. With this cloak on, Kaede was no longer a Countess' daughter, but a lowly, peasant girl who wasn't afraid to speak her mind.
After the small change of clothing, the blond-locked girl found herself so much lighter and faster on her feet.
She stretched, getting comfortable with her shabby clothes and buckled boots. A pair of pink lips smiled shyly, secretly satisfied from the secret rule-breaking.
"Now... What excuse should I use this time... I still need to somehow be able to convince the stable-boy so I can borrow a horse and maybe-" Kaede cut herself off. She gulped and shook her head, opening her mouth again to whisper, "Stop it Kaede... You have to stay strong."
Memories of her father teaching her how to mount and ride a horse flooded her inner mind like a bittersweet symphony. Her heart ached to hear his hearty laugh again, to receive one of his kind pats on the head again or even just to feel the warmth of his hands.
Biting on her lip roughly to escape the tear-jerking thoughts, Kaede began to initiate her plan of going into town.
She needed to focus.
Making her way towards the stable by sneaking around the Mansion walls, the blond's heart raced. She could not afford to get caught. It was alright though, she'd done this plenty of times before, just when the sunset occurred and most nobles began to sleep.
She was near her Mother's chamber now, her body still pushed against the wall so that the floorboards wouldn't creek.
"Countess" someone spoke on the other side of the wall.
Kaede gulped. What was she listening to?
It sounded like one of the voices of her father's advisors. Why would they be in her Mother's room?
The shuffling of chairs indicated that there was more than one advisor on the other side.
A cough. Was he perhaps clearing his throat? "I understand my lady is still mourning, and rather sensitive from his passing," he murmered gently. "But I only bring such this news because I care and worry for the Earl and his family."
"Please, continue." That was her mother's voice.
"The Earl has passed without a sufficient male heir,"
"Yes…" Countess Akamatsu vocalised slowly, dragging out her words as if they would stall for time. "I am aware of that."
"You must have an heir. The King will take your land away if he sees you as one who doesn't deserve such."
"What are you trying to say?" Countess Akamatsu dangerously hissed. "I am unable to bear more children. The King is kind and generous, not to mention I do not forsee why he would bother giving away our position."
"Stop lying to yourself. You know what you wished to tell your eldest daughter at the Funeral..."
A gulp. Kaede pressed her ear against the wall more. She wanted to know.
"Yes... Yes I do... I do not wish to marry her to one of higher nobility for a loveless marriage and security of our land."
Kaede's heart stopped. That's what her mother had planned? Marrying her off.
She had heard enough. With that, she ran away from the outside in an instant, not caring if anyone saw her anymore. Tears would free fall from her eyes has she desperately scrambled towards the stable.
"I want to save my family... I don't want to be married to someone I don't love, but... Why is it the only way?"
The Stable door opened. Kaede Akamatsu saw no Stable boy. Good. He would of just been a thorn in her side anyway.
She grabbed her horse, mounted him, and set off for the local Tavern.
Well! That's all folks! I hope you enjoyed my first chapter of a story I sorta thought up as a silly dream. I know that I've deleted all my other stories, but that's okay! I wanna start fresh with something that has a lot of potential. If you like this story, drop a review! It's alright if you don't though.
Disclaimer: Danganronpa does not belong to me. If it did, I'd be publishing books like no tomorrow.
Thank you for reading! - Dawn