Chapter 1: Prologue/ Sold
A beautiful courtyard caged by castle walls. The smell of flowers, hydrangeas, filled the air. Everyone with noble standing gathered in their best dress, awaiting the announcement of the new member of the queens court. Whispers of excitement and rumored names floated on the air. Every thought was silenced by the sound of trumpets. A tall dark haired man stepped forth to address the crowd and with a commanding voice he spoke;
"I present to you, the next new court member, Miss Kagome Higurashi."
(Whoa, I'm getting ahead of myself now aren't I? Let's rewind shall we?)
...
The sound of hurried footsteps filled the hall. A man in purple and black robes hastily made his way to the king's chamber. His unceremonious entrance was due to the news he was tasked with delivering. News everyone in the kingdom was awaiting. The news bearer stopped at the doors for a breath before flinging them open. Eyes fixed on the ground he strode up to the throne and knelt before his king.
"My lord, we have the answer you seek, the doctor has confirmed it. The Queen, she can no longer bear a child." He spoke plainly, his gaze still locked on the ground. The temptation to get a peek at his majesty's reaction was great but so was his loyalty to the order of the kingdom.
The silver haired king glanced down at the man at his feet. His facial expression remained rigid as he spoke with indifference;
"That will be all, Miroku. You may go."
Miroku bowed his head slightly before standing to leave the room. Without ever making eye contact he turned and fled as quickly as he came. When the doors finally closed the hanyou king let a sigh escape his lips. With a clawed hand he scratched his head under his heavy crown.
"You know what this means my lord?"
A gray hair man with a round belly stood beside him. His ornate attire giving away his high position as adviser to the king.
"Yes" the king sighed again. He only paused for a moment before speaking again.
"Assemble the queen's court."
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The castle's garden was a frequent hangout and gossip spot for the woman in the kingdom. The cherry blossom trees were on the cusp of blooming and the spring breeze was in full swing. Laughing and carrying on at one of the tables along the fence, were three women.
Sango, a brunette beauty, was the eldest in the bunch. She was a member of the court, given to the queen shortly after her tenth birthday. To the dismay of her mother, Sango's grandfather owed a great deal to his majesty and the only thing he had was his granddaughter.To her left sat a young woman with long red locks and the youngest of the bunch, Ayame. Unlike many of her fellow court members, Ayame volunteered for her position in the court. Born into a wealthy high status family, it was quite the gossip topic around the kingdom upon her announcement. On the far right sat Kagome, the only lady at the table who was not sworn into the court. Young and beautiful but without a family title, Kagome remained an unwed maiden. With her eighteenth birthday closing in, it was expected that she would marry and bring some status to her family. That was the topic of today's conversation between the girl friends.
"Oh come on now Kagome, Hojo has been chasing you since you were six. You could at least consider him. It's not like you are going to get any younger." Teased Sango poking at her friend's shoulder.
"He is only interested because he does not know any better. I am sure I am the only woman he has ever spoken to for more than a moment." Kagome sighed and shrugged. She did not feel a romantic connection with her childhood sweetheart.
"He is more like my brother to me, not a suitor. If you think he is so charming, I can ask him to court you." She teased poking back at Sango.
"Or is there already someone who has your eye?" Kagome continued with a sly smirk. Sango scoffed and waved her hand as if to clear away the question. She had no intention of addressing the subject, besides everyone knew a member of the court must be approved before accepting a possible suitor. The approval of the queen was not something one received easily and it was almost unheard of for a lady to leave the queen's court of her own accord. If a court member could not fulfill their duties they were banished or beheaded. The only other way out was to grow old or be dismissed, this seemed to never happen.
As if to save her from further question, a young man with black hair pulled back interrupted them with a bow.
"Pardon me my ladies." He said politely, waiting for a response before rising. Ayame reached out her hand and tapped his shoulder.
"It is quite alright. You may rise." She replied sweetly. The man stood straight, eyes staring past the women.
"The queen's court has been called. We assemble in the main hall." The gentleman bowed, turned and started away towards the castle.
"It would seem that is all we have time for today. Well shall we Ayame?" Sango asked, almost relieved. She stood and reached her arm out to Ayame. The raven haired Kagome said her goodbyes and watched her friends' figures retreat towards the castle walls. Kagome couldn't help the feeling of isolation she felt when her friends were called to their duties. It wasn't like she wanted to be in service to the queen but she often wondered what they did once they disappeared into the stone walls.
The queen's court was a group of young women who were tasked with assisting the kingdom's everyday chores. The longer you were in, the better job you received. Some women cleaned chamber pots while others helped prepare meals. If you were one of the lucky ones, all you did was follow the Queen around like puppies, doing whatever she asked. There was one other task that the women of the court were tasked with, pleasing the king. That could mean drawing his bath or warming his bed. One thing was for certain, you didn't refuse the king.
Most of the members of the court were sold or given as gifts to the throne. Though some willingly gave themselves, it was very uncommon.
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Sango and Ayame arrived at the doors of the main hall. There all the rest of the court stood waiting to be invited in. The young man who fetched them stood at the door and upon their arrival he bowed and spoke;
"You may enter my ladies."
Sang raised a questioning eyebrow. "Are we not to wait for her majesty the Queen?"
"My apologies, but the Queen is already inside. Please this way." He stated as he straightened his posture and opened the doors. Following orders the women filed into the main hall and stood in a line before the throne of their king, courtesied.
"Rise." Stated the king in a strong commanding voice.
"You must be wondering why you have been called here" the queen's voice rang out like a melody and her court of women rose to meet her gaze. She stood beside the king's throne, hands neatly folded in front of her. The Queen, Kikyo, was a tall dark haired woman with pale skin and piercing eyes. She was known to have a great influence over the king and therefore over the kingdom. With a deep inhale she began towards the line of women.
"Today one of you will be tasked with the most important undertaking of your time here in my court. The most important role of your very lives." She walked from one end of the line to the other, using her hand to brush the chins of each lady she pasted. Then she turned and walked back down the line, stopping at Ayame and smiling.
"What do you prefer? Youth?" Asked the Queen, looking over her shoulder at her king.
"Strength?" She moved onto Sango, holding her face in her delicate hand.
"If it is beauty you seek, you need not look further than my girls. Each one more beautiful than the next. All well versed in the-" Kikyo trailed until she was abruptly interrupted.
"Purity." The king said plainly. His golden eyes fixed in the back of his queen's head. "I need someone fresh, new. I have grown tired of the same old company."
Kikyo turned slowly but her gaze could burn holes in the thickest stone. Her jaw clenched and she released her ladies face. With all the anger and malice welling up inside her, the Queen simply swallowed and gave a nod.
"Very well." She replied and clapped her hands to single her court to file out. When they had all gone she looked once more at the silver haired king and followed them out. Inuyasha tilted his head to his advisor.
"Myoga, ensure the fresh court maiden is untouched. I do not trust Kikyo alone with this task."
The old advisor bowed and shuffled off to safeguard the king's wishes, leaving the king alone with his thoughts. Inuyasha hand grasped his crown and lifted it off his brow. He let out an exacerbated sigh and stood up from his throne.
"So this is what it has come to?" He asked himself before also making his exit.
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Earlier that evening, Kagome arrived home. She and her family lived in a small farm house outside of the kingdom. Although agriculture was important to the economic standing of the kingdom, farm families were often the poorest folk. After her father's passing due to illness, Kagome's mother and grandfather shouldered most of the burden. With her brother, Sota, still being so young, there wasn't much he could do aside from harvesting crops in the fall. Kagome knew she would need to find a wealthy suitor to ensure her family's lot in life was elevated.
"Kagome, come inside. Your supper will get cold." Called her mother. Kagome came inside straight away, she was never one to keep her mother waiting. Everyone in the Higarashi family gathered around the small wooden table. This evening was like any other, except the eerie silence.
"So grandfather, were you able to plant the tomatoes like we wanted?" Kagome questioned breaking the silence. The only response was a slight nod from the elderly man. What was so different about tonight? Why was everyone so quiet? Kagome couldn't figure it out so she attempted to shatter the awkward tension once more.
"Sota, have you been practicing your riding?"
Her small brother gave a shake of the head but never looked up to meet her gaze. Dinner went on in quiet rigidity, Kagome did not try again.
After dinner, Kagome gathered the dishware and headed outside to the wash bin. She hadn't finished the first dish before her mother joined her.
"My darling daughter." Her mother began, placing a hand on Kagome's shoulder.
"Yes mother?" She replied with a soft smile, turning to meet her mother's gentle gaze.
"You have always been obedient and selfless. I could not ask for more, but…" her mother began.
"But I am afraid there is one thing I must ask of you." Kagome took her mother's soft hands into her own.
"Of course mother. Anything." She smiled sweetly but her smile faded as her mother's gaze fell to their hands and did not rise to meet her own.
"Kagome, you mustn't fight them. Go peacefully and please do as you are told. I love you very much, dear." Her mother looked up with teary eyes. Kagome shook her head slightly at this request.
"I do not know what you mean, mother?" She asked, confused. Kagome's hands began to tremble with her mother's. The heartbreaking feeling welling up inside of her was just about to overflow into so many questions when she heard horses approaching. Kagome stood and turned to the gate of their small farm land to see a carriage approaching. She looked back at her mother's grief stricken face.
"Mother? What's happening? Mother?" All of her questions had gone unanswered. Her mother began to cry softly as she stood and reached out to touch her daughter's face.
"It is for the best." Was all she offered before retreating to the log house and closing the door. Kagome could see her brother's face in the window but only for a moment as he was pulled away and the curtains drawn. The raven haired girl started towards the door.
"Miss Kagome Higurashi?" Questioned a voice from behind her. Fear stopped her from turning to face the man.
"Please come with me." The voice asked.
'Go peacefully and do as you are told.'
Her mother's words played in her head. She clenched her fist and knocked on the door to her home. Her other hand pulled at the handle of the locked door.
"Please, let me inside. Mother? Grandfather? Sota? Someone please." She begged continuing to pull on the door. She froze at the touch of the strange man here to collect her. He placed his hand in her shoulder firmly and asked again.
"Please come with me. Your presence has been requested at the castle. By order of her majesty the Queen ."
The Queen? Why? What would the Queen want with her? She was only a farm girl. Kagome's hands fell to her sides and turned to the gentleman behind her.
"May I ask why I have been called upon?" She asked, holding back her tears.
"I am afraid I do not have the authority to answer that inquiry, my lady. Now please." He answered, taking her hand and walking to the carriage. Reluctantly, Kagome stepped in and took a seat in the carriage sent for her. She watched as her small farmhouse faded into the distance.
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After arriving at the castle gates, a pair of male escorts met Kagome and led her to the east wing of the castle. This wing was reserved for members of the court and special guests who came to visit the kingdom. She was taken to what would be her room and told her things would be arriving later. Once she was alone Kagome let her tears roll. Confusion and sorrow overwhelmed her, filling her heart and overflowing as salty tears and shivers. What was she doing here? If they were sending for her things then that would mean she was to stay in the castle. But for how long? So many unanswered questions were interrupted by a knock at the door. Kagome didn't respond at first, instead she tried to wipe away all evidence of her melancholy.
"Kagome?" Accompanied the second knock. The voice was familiar. Kagome rose from her knees.
"Sango?" She asked, moving to open the door. Before her hand could reach it the door cracked and the familiar face of her friend popped in.
"Oh Sango!" Kagome cried, throwing her arms around her friends shoulders. Sango placed her hand on Kagome's raven head of hair.
"It will be alright, stop your weeping." Sango implored patting her friends back. Kagome slowed her sobbing but the tears would not cease. She buried her head into Sango's chest, holding her friend tight.
"I guess you heard, huh? It is not all bad, truly it can be quite enjoyable at times, and at least we will all be together again." Sango offered her friend some form of comfort. It seemed enough when Kagome's face pulled back from her chest.
"What do you mean? No one has given me a reason for my being here." Kagome looked up at her friend in confusion and Sango raised her eyebrow, equally confused.
"The court Kagome, you are to be one of the new additions. You have not heard about the Queen?"
Kagome stared at Sango's face trying to make sense of all she said. The court? One of? There were more? What about the Queen? Her brain's processing speed slowed with every word Sango spoke.
"One of…..the Queen? What?" She managed to get out in her bewildered state. Sango sighed and led Kagome through a wooden door in her room. There was a bath, hot and ready for her, along with clothing later gently on a divider beside the basin. Sango explained the queen's position and the reason for new members.
"Every unwed maiden of age has been summoned to the court. The Queen has yet to provide an heir to the throne and now that seems to be an impossible task. So it is the duty of the new members to attempt to bear a child, a male child." Kagome sat with her knees to her chest in the ever cooling water. Sango's explanation slowly began to make sense. Kagome's reaction was first that of anger. She was infuriated that her freedom had been stripped from her but her frustration cooled into a somber melancholy. Her mother's words began to make sense.
"I shall try, mother. If only for you" Kagome mumbled. Sango questioned but Kagome waved the statement away as nothing but a loose thought. After the bath, which even Kagome couldn't complain about, Sango helped her get dressed. Left for her was a pure white dress with emerald green trim around the bottom and ruffles that trailed her bosom. Sango informed her friend of the meeting spot and left to get herself easy for the ceremony. The next knock on the door was a tall black haired gentleman, there to escort her to the courtyard where the presentation of the members was to take place. Kagome felt like she held her breath the whole way to the courtyard. The gentleman placed his hand on hers.
"You look lovely. It will be quite the event." He smiled down at her and pushed open the doors. Kagome joined the line of women in front of her. They were all dressed in extraordinary gowns and looked even younger than her. As the elderly man read off names, Kagome focused on her breath. In and out and in out.
"...Kagome Higurashi."
The sound of her name snapped her out of her trance. She looked out at the crowd and took a step forward.
'Here we go' she thought to herself, forcing a smile on her face.