2
Yamada Hanako was not as oblivious as the public seemed to think her. She'd noticed the difference around the castle, from the girls vying for her brother's attentions to the strange way her dearest brother was acting lately. He had always been reserved, but this was completely out-of-the-norm for him. The princess sighed, troubled.
I took his arm this morning, and he wrenched it away from me. He has never treated me so… and he barely apologized. Something is going on with my brother, and I am going to find out what it is. A flash of orange caught her eye, and she smiled slightly, the cogs of her mind turning. "Osana-chan!" Running to her brother's dear friend, she skidded to a halt at the sight of the girl's face. "What has happened to you?! You're so pale! Are you ill?" Worry saturated the princess's tone, her hands fluttering about helplessly. Osana snorted weakly.
"I'm fine, Hanako." The dark-haired girl blinked, her hands falling to her sides. "I just haven't been sleeping very well. I'll get a sleeping draught from the apothecary - I'm sure she has some excess to spare. Now, if you'll excuse me, I must attend to my duties." Osana turned on her heel, sweeping away from the confounded princess. Tears had started in the girl's eyes, confusion spiraling out of control.
Osana had been like an older sister all her life, always tagging along with her older brother, Taro. And like the ideal older sister, she had always been kind to Hanako, even going so far as calling her 'Hanako-chan'. It had been refreshing, as opposed to the oppressive '-sama' many of those in the court insisted upon. But even as close as she had become, Osana had never been able to entirely drop the honorifics from Hanako's name. For her to forget… something must really be wrong.
The longer she walked, the more certain she became that something was amiss in the castle. All of the girls she visited had ashen countenances and somber attitudes. Even sweet Odayaka Amai was silent, icing cakes with black frosting. Shidesu Osoro was, thus far, the only exception, already a solemn individual. Her mood was even more foul than usual, though, and Hanako could only stomach three minutes in her presence, already feeling the sting of her sharp tongue.
Visiting her tutor was surprising. Mida Rana, a governess with questionable tastes and rather loose ethics, was quite upbeat, the most positive that the princess had ever seen her. "Ah! Hana-hime. Have you come for today's lessons?" Despite the fond exasperation that stirred at the moniker, the princess nodded. Mida grinned with all the subtlety of a cat eyeing the cream. "I'm afraid that I'll have to postpone today's lessons. I suddenly find myself rather ill, you see, and I must pay Muja a visit. I'm not sure what is wrong quite yet, but we'll plan on resuming lessons in three days."
Hanako rolled her eyes. It was no secret that her tutor had set her attentions on their dear healer; Muja Kina was rather oblivious to it all, but Mida Rana was not easily discouraged from her flights of fancy. The sultry voice of the woman in question brought her back to reality. "Now, I believe that there is a young man here to see you. He expressed quite a desire to speak to you… for him to jump through so many hoops to get to you, I suggest you grant him his audience. Perhaps this will be the beginning of a potential suitor, my dear. And in our own court, no less."
To say that Hanako's interest was piqued would be an understatement. Despite the impending promise of an arranged marriage in the future, she had yet to receive an offer from their own court, let alone other kingdoms. The idea of a man in their own kingdom, potentially part of the inner circle, to make a bid for her hand was exciting. "Do you know where he is, sensei?" Realizing how breathless she sounded, Hanako blushed, breathing in and smoothing her facial expression to partial disinterest. Mida Rana chuckled, eyes darting over the girl's shoulder.
"…I believe you are looking for me?" A soft, sweet voice interjected timidly from behind the princess. Hanako jumped, startled, and spun abruptly. The world tilted on its axis, and Hanako fell, right into the waiting arms of her apparent suitor. The breath left her lungs in an exhale of surprise, and she peeled open her eyes, closed from fear.
He looked rather like her brother. This detail immediately put her more at ease. There was a kindness in his eyes, though Hanako could not see all the way through him like she could some of the Court. Instead of apprehension at the sight of a mysterious front, Hanako was intrigued. She felt briefly unsettled at her eager reaction, but pushed the discomfort away. She was entitled to excitement; after all, this was the first potential Suitor that had shown enough interest in her hand to not only meet with her father, but to find her in the labyrinthine castle, as well. Surely it was acceptable for even one of her station to indulge briefly?
Her Suitor had black hair, longer than Taro's, but not long enough to be held in a tail. It was messy, but in a deliberate way that spoke of an active life and strength. A bandage circled his forehead, holding his bangs from his forehead. His hakama was primarily white, black and red accents highlighting his muscular figure. He was strong, she noted distantly, feeling his arms tight around her waist and back. With little effort, he lifted her back to her feet, bowing in respect to Mida Rana before turning back to the dazed princess.
"I am sorry for frightening you, my Lady. It was not my intention." The note of apology in his voice, as well as a bashful undertone, warmed her to him immediately. He continued to speak, glancing to her tutor, giving Hanako the chance to further study him.
She had the oddest feeling that she'd seen him before, but she couldn't quite place when or where. Looking at him with a critical eye, he was rather ordinary. He didn't carry himself like some Prince of a foreign land, puffed up with arrogance and of a condescending nature. No, this man held himself like a soldier, a dignitary, a diplomat to warring nations. There was a confidence in his stance, as though he could take on the toughest of opponents and defeat them, which drew her to him further. Although Hanako loved her brother dearly, she knew that if violence were to erupt, he would be of little use. Taro's talents laid in diplomacy and absorbing information. It was a large part of why their father had bought so completely into Oka Ruto's words, desperate to believe that she held some power over the future and knowing the unknown. He wanted to know that his children, his heirs would be safe.
"My Lady?" Hanako blinked, refocusing on her Suitor's face. He had a concerned expression, but a small blush on his cheeks. Quickly looking at her tutor's amused smirk had Hanako's face coloring rapidly. He had caught her staring at him! Was he offended? Had he decided such impropriety was not to be borne, and rescinded his offer for her hand? "…My Lady?" She felt her heart flutter wildly behind her ribs, and pressed a hand to her chest. This could potentially be her last offer, she knew, and her vision filled with spots. The last she saw was the room spinning as she fainted.
A/N - And here we have the second installment. I apologize for the long wait. Things have been difficult lately at home, and school is suffering as a result. I hope that you will look forward to the next chapter, as it will be coaxing its way onto paper within two weeks, I hope. Feel free to comment any theories you have about the "strange happenings" and the relationships between the characters. Thank you for reading, and I will see you next time!