Author's Corner
This ficlet was written for SessKagu Week 2022. The prompt for Day 2 was 'Arranged Marriage'. Cover art by Tumblr user alum131.
SWITCHED
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"The western lord's palanquin has arrived, my lady."
Kagura removes the lit kiseru pipe from her mouth and expels a cloud of silver smoke. "Good," she purrs. "Have them escorted to me at once."
Bowing his head, the retainer hurries out of the ornate dining room to greet their guests. She remains seated as the congregation arrives promptly and waits to be acknowledged. Her crimson eyes rake across the small crowd of people, searching for her spouse-to-be.
"What is the meaning of this?" she asks sharply, scowling at the gathering of nobodies. "Where is the western lord?"
"Greetings, Lady Kagura," replies a representative of the foreign court. "Unfortunately, Lord Touga was unable to accompany us on this particular journey. There was an urgent matter back home that required his full attention, you see. He requested that I apologise on his behalf."
Kagura's temper flares. "Why did he not simply postpone the date of this visit?" she snaps. "It could have been rearranged to better suit him."
"He did not wish to inconvenience you."
She laughs in disbelief. "Well, he has failed miserably, for I am both inconvenienced and offended by his lack of manners. If he doesn't wish to marry me, he need only say so."
She leaves out the fact that backing out of their agreement would result in an all-out war between their peoples. The western lord was once a rather deadly opponent, but his rule had taken a hit when Kagura's father had used an artefact known as the Shikon no Tama to seize control of the country's resources.
In order to keep his title, Lord Touga had no choice but to strike up a deal with them, or face extinction just as the rest of his kind had.
"Actually," the representative begins anxiously. "Our lord does have a proposition for you, Lady Kagura. He thought you might prefer to hear it in person as opposed to via letter."
She arches an eyebrow. "Is that so?"
Dropping to one knee, the representative lowers his head and says, "In light of recent events, Lord Touga has taken it upon himself to make you a new offer. Would you like to hear it?"
Wariness paints her features. "Go on."
The crowd behind him parts and a group of bodyguards march through the gap, accompanying a young man who bears a striking resemblance to the western lord. He has the same gold eyes and silver hair, but his skin is pale – like the inside of a peach – and he has a soft yet slender face. Lord Touga, on the other hand, is all hard lines and muscle.
Kagura frowns. "Explain yourself," she hisses at the representative.
"My lady, allow me to introduce you to Lord Touga's eldest son, Prince Sesshoumaru. He is next in line to inherit the Western Lands, and has served in his father's army as a renowned war general from a very young age. My lord hopes that you will consider the prince as a potential suitor in his stead—"
The representative chokes on his words as the air is sucked out of his lungs through a vacuum. Kagura keeps her hand raised as he claws at his throat, gasping for breath, but it is no use. The wind only answers to her.
"He intends to go back on his word with zero explanation?" she growls, rising from her seat. "And not only that, but he also expects me to be satisfied with this exchange? Has he finally gone mad?"
"My lady," the representative croaks. "Please . . ."
"I was promised a warlord. Not a prince who likes to play soldier."
"And a warlord you will have."
The room falls silent as all eyes snap to the prince. Kagura stops blocking the representative's airways and meets his determined gaze. In the meantime, the representative coughs and splutters, but refrains from using his voice. She glides past him until she is standing no less than a foot away from the prince.
"What was that?" she whispers huskily.
He clenches his jaw; no doubt in an effort to resist her naturally seductive mannerisms. "My father is not fit to rule the Western Lands. He is self-absorbed and weak, and not to mention pathetic. I, however, am none of those things."
She chuckles. "I beg to differ. You're just annoyed because he sent you here in his place."
"You're right," he agrees, surprising her with his honesty. "I am utterly enraged."
Intrigued, she circles him as if she is a leopard toying with its prey. "Then why have you come here? If you're as powerful as you claim, why not take the Western Lands from him by force?"
"Because I would dishonour myself in the process," he replies candidly.
"And? Does honour truly mean so much to you?"
"It does, yes."
"Interesting," she muses aloud. "I suppose you'll be wanting my help in order to achieve your goals?"
"That is correct."
"Why would I agree to that?"
He leans forwards and whispers in an indisputably sultry voice, "I would make it worth your while."
The spectators mumble amongst themselves scandalously. Kagura, on the other hand, can't help but feel amused by his boldness. No one has ever dared to make a pass at her in public before, and certainly not in the presence of all her courtiers. It is strangely thrilling.
"You're Megumi's son, aren't you?" she asks.
"I am," he confirms.
She smirks. The woman is one of Lord Touga's most esteemed concubines. Kagura remembers her from her past visits to Moon Country. "I figured as much. You have her wit."
His brow furrows slightly. "I did not come here to jest."
"No? That is disappointing. It's probably for the best, though." She lowers her voice and adds cheekily, "You wouldn't survive a night with me, anyway."
Another representative of the western lord clears his throat awkwardly. "Well?" he stammers. "What will it be, my lady?"
She studies Prince Sesshoumaru carefully. Sure, he is handsome enough, but can she trust him to uphold his end of the bargain? Does he actually have what it takes to overthrow his father, or is he merely a spoiled brat lashing out at the nearest figure of authority? There is only one way to find out.
"Tell Lord Touga that I accept his proposition," she declares in front of the congregation. "But be sure to inform him that if he ever humiliates me like this again, I will sever his son's head from his shoulders and have it delivered to his doorstep. Is that clear?"
"Crystal," the representative squeaks. "We are grateful for your clemency."
"As you should be. Now, leave us. My attendants will show you to your rooms."
"Thank you, my lady. Goodnight."
The prince moves to leave with them, but Kagura catches him by the arm, preventing him from advancing any farther. He turns and shoots her a questioning look.
"Not you," she clarifies with a smile that doesn't quite reach her eyes. "You're coming with me. We have much to discuss, do we not?"
Humming in response, he follows.
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Author's Corner
Might make a continuation of this at some point. Let me know if you'd be interested in finding out what happens next!