Location: Nakiri Manor, London
Date: 13 January 1574
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Eden
"For the last time, I am not going to marry your daughter! I've told you time and time again," Ryou had been arguing with Lord Nakiri for hours, and through lettered correspondence for the past five years or so.
"But your father was so adamant about it! I don't see why you don't wish to honor the agreement," Lord Nakiri stated for the hundred thousandth time.
"What's so wrong about it? I'm sure your daughter has suitors filling the streets from what you've written to me about her!" Ryou said angrily. He was quickly growing impatient with his father's old friend.
"Please, Ryou, marry her, for your father's sake?" Lord Nakiri asked.
"My answer is 'no.' And that is final," Ryou said quietly. He walked out of the study and down the hall. He took his hat and coat from the maid waiting by the door and stepped out, shutting the door behind him.
Two eyes watched him from the top of the staircase. Two bright violet eyes framed with lovely bright auburn hair with a hint of magenta to it. She sighed heavily as she watched him go, and then she rushed through the doors behind her to the large window in the room beyond. She watched him step into his carriage and drive away. She looked up when she heard footsteps.
"Oh my daughter, could you not pick someone else?" Lord Nakiri asked from the doorway.
"Father, he is the one I love. We are destined to be together, always," The girl replied, still looking out the window.
"But he will not marry you, not even for his father's sake. I have done everything I can do," Lord Nakiri sighed.
"Oh father, surely there is something else you can do?" the girl entreated.
"No, there is nothing. His mind is made up and he is as stubborn as his father. But listen, I have had a very generous offer from Duke Pellinor at the King's Court," Lord Nakiri offered.
"Father! I do not wish to marry him!" The girl cried.
"But why, Eden? Why? He is handsome, rich, only four years older than you, and he is very popular," Lord Nakiri pleaded.
"Because he is not Shirogane," Eden vaguely replied.
"Well Shirogane does not want to marry you. I have decided that you will marry Duke Pellinor. I will write the letter tonight. Hopefully he has not been too offended by all of your rejections," Lord Nakiri informed his daughter.
"No, father! You can't! I won't marry him!" Eden announced adamantly.
"I can and you will! I am your father," Lord Nakiri said firmly.
"Father, give me one month, please! If I can't win Shirogane by then, I will marry the duke without complaint," Eden beseeched. Lord Nakiri was quiet for a moment. It was only a month, and he really didn't have anything to lose. Either way, Eden would be married and she wouldn't put up such a fuss if she couldn't get Shirogane, thus saving him many a migraine.
"Fine. One month, that is all. If Shirogane has not asked for your hand by the end of the month, you will marry Duke Pellinor," Lord Nakiri said. Eden smiled and thanked him and ran out the door to make plans.
Ryou was being taken back to his hotel. He would have been staying at the house he held here in London, but it was being cleaned up so that he could put it up for sale before he left. He was meeting a few potential buyers after dinner.
He stepped out of the carriage upon reaching his destination. The driver took the carriage around to the back, where the horses could be tended to. He would also have to sell the carriage. With nowhere to keep it, well, it would be kind of useless, seeing as how he rarely came to London.
When he walked in, he spotted Berry and Tasuku at the check-in desk in the middle of the lobby. What on Earth were they doing here? Ryou vaguely recalled something about them wanting to move here. Or buy a ship so they could travel the seas or something like that. All he really knew was that Tasuku was going to marry Berry. He could feel it in his bones. Of course, they hadn't said anything about it, Berry could be put to death and Tasuku could be arrested. Ryou took the lift to his room and settled down in a large cushioned chair.
After a while, he found himself missing Ichigo, of all people. She was his pet. But it's normal to miss your pet, right? Eh . . . . sure. Ryou half smiled to himself. Ichigo had such nice soft hair and always smelled so nice, like strawberries and flowers. And she was so pure and innocent. No complicated schemes or plans went on in her mind. She didn't second guess people at all. Nothing like the other girls he'd known. . . . and their fathers.
