Unmei sat in her solo quarters, hands folded neatly in her lap as she kept her gaze down cast.

Everyone has been sorted. They all had found their husbands and wives. She was to return after Yotogi had sent a letter back home. The response laid open next her.

Dear Unmei Uranai

It has come to our attention that you feel unwell. It is required for you to return home until you are well enough to possibly continue our cause.

Regards

The Council

Unmei knew when that meant. She was never going to set foot off those isle ever again. Her eyes held no emotion to them, void of anything. They may as well have been made of glass and she a doll with how she looked. What had she expected?

She was not a perfect wife.

She was a walking joke…

She should have spoken about it all those years ago when she started her lessons at the academy. She should have asked her mother. Maybe if they had seen the difference in her then maybe something could have been done.

Nothing would have been done.

That's right. Every day she was reminded how the council will not stand for anything that causes a disturbance in the order. She reminded herself of one girl that had spoken up during a class. Questioning that what if they did not feel a connection with their husband. The following day Unmei never saw the girl again and a few white Lilies were hung around the house she lived in with the mother and father both wearing, dark toned clothing. The teacher informed them that the girl will no longer be attending those classes and they were advised to simply forget about her.

Another girl filled that spot but Unmei simply could not forget. Every day or so some people have lilies and dark toned clothes. Unmei had thought that it was a following trend and soon her family would do the same. But it never happened and Unmei simply overlooked it. She was focusing on her studies.

"Become a perfect wife like Kaa-saan."

Her mother told her every night just before bed. She thought it was her mother encouraging her. Until she was taught to say the same thing to her own children.

Her children.

Not 'if' she had children.

She will have children. She will pass on their teachings and continue their legacy.

But with this new revelation, they will tell her not never have children.

Children born from unwell parents are destined to be unwell themselves. She and her brother would be the last generation of her family.

On her mouth her smile shrank a fraction.


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Unmei wasn't sure how long she stood there, on the deck of the ship, the breeze blowing through her loose hair. Her navy blue mid-thigh dress swaying with it. On her feet simple black pumps and a single silver plain necklace around her neck. She stared out at the waters. Staring perfectly calm, the air around her seeming to form a bubble around her according to the marines that were chatting among themselves. She watched each ripple in the ocean. She could feel the large ship beneath her feet give the slightest of trembles as it moved through the waters.

The marine captain has informed her that they will soon reach her home in 4 days.

4 days of this.

If there was anything she would ask for. Would be for her to simple stay here. Watching the ocean, feeling the wind cool her near feverish skin. Her eyes slipped closed and she tiled her head, wanting to think that the winds were gently caressing her, wanting to think that the winds were holding her in comfort. Ask for the winds to be her husband.

The wind would make a perfect husband she summarized. A husband that all she needed to do was follow. That he would always be there. Telling clear signs of distress and displeasure when it picked up and whipped around her sharply. Telling her that she was okay, that she was a perfect wife. Holding her in the cool of night, making her feverish hot skin cool and easing her to a pleasant sleep.

Eyes slipped open as a particularly large wave hit the side of the ship she stood on. The ocean would make an interesting husband as well. She would picture the ocean as a possessive husband. Always pulling her close, keeping her near to him. Making sure she was away from those he deemed as unworthy to look at her. His wave like arms would swallow her up, pulling her down and closer into his 'chest'. At the very bottom of the ocean, where his heart was, trusting her with everything in doing so. Where the hot underwater volcanoes would keep her warm as she listened to the stead rhythm of the oceans heart. A mute sigh passed her parted lips as she placed a gently hand on the railing of the ship.

Or perhaps a ship would be a possible husband option. Able to carry her to all corners of the world. Sturdy enough to survive any obstacle. Able to care for her, provide her shelter. Allowing her to work at maintaining him, making sure he was at peak conditions. It would be the very least she could do after he has done so much for her.

Life would have been so simple if they were her possible husband choices.

Unmei wasn't sure when it started, but knew she had tears slipping and streaming from her eyes. Her face went unchanged as the salty tears fell, dripping onto the wooden deck, dark spots appearing where they fell and slowly growing into a tiny puddle. The tears fell more as she noticed them and her smile twitched again.

She shouldn't be crying.

These tears were only meant to be had with her husband. As a perfect wife she would cry only with him and for him.

She had no husband.

The winds picked up.

She was no perfect wife

A rough wave with the side of the ship, most of the crew tipping slightly but she did not sway.

She was Unwell.

The ship gave a noticeable groan that got some of the crew wondering what was happening.

She was Unmei.

And with that the storm descended upon then with no warning.