SUMMARY — Led to become one of the Emperor Soujun's concubines, a man twice her age, Rukia could not expect to find solace within the cages of the imperial palace.
DARK AND MATURE CONTENT. NON-CON, ANGST, HURT, COMFORT.
Please don't read if you're not comfortable with these themes.
I apologize for any grammar or spelling mistakes. Please take into consideration that English is not my first language.
Also bear in mind that I slightly changed some aspects of some characters' appearances (such as Rukia's hair length), in order to fit the setting better.
Disclaimer — I do not own Bleach or its characters.
Torment
II. The Thought of You
A young man sat at his desk while sustaining an indecipherable expression. His straight hair extended just above his shoulders, tinted in a black color that opposed to the pale complexion of his skin. His polished demeanor suggested his aristocratic upbringing and the relaxed muscles of his face ascertained his impeccable composure. The man ran his brush over a sheet of paper while occasionally dipping its tip on ink to keep a neat, uniform stroke. His calligraphy was elegant, and he took swift movements to form the characters. The composition flew exquisitely fine, until he abruptly stopped and smudged the paper with ink. He was thinking about her. Again. The woman whose name he did not even know. He looked unenthusiastically at his ruined work and discarded it as he reached out for a blank sheet of paper. Before he could proceed, he heard someone call his name.
"You may enter," he said as an attendant slid his doors open and and bowed his head in respect.
"His Majesty requests your presence in his chambers."
The man chose to ignore the servant's lack of propper address. The boy looked no older than twelve, he was presumably still getting accostumed to the ways of the palace. Since when had the Emperor started placing children to deliver his messages?, he wondered. "I shall go," he raised from his seat and walked past the attendant, who followed behind him, "…Unaccompanied," he completed in a severe emphasis.
[…]
The morning sunlight intruded Rukia's bedchambers as the bamboo frame of the translucent paper windows cast an exquisite shadow over the reflection on the floor.
Rukia stared at the pile of letters she was sent from home. They were all written by her brother Ichigo. The content of the letters was simple. He would tell her about their mother, and ask her how she was doing. She never replied to him, yet he kept sending her more. In truth, she did write many letters, but she never sent them back. Not ever since that day. Perhaps she was afraid she would feel even more distant, for written words only reminded her of the fact she could never hear their voices again.
Over a month had passed since the Emperor had visited her chambers. Her disconcerted feelings had only caused her to displease him. Rukia had carefully thought through her position. She was an imperial concubine and therefore she was confined within the palace walls. The only way she could ever see her family again was if the Emperor allowed them to visit her. Rukia had been in the palace for long enough to make a decision. She would gain nothing from the Emperor by hiding in her chambers. She could not allow herself to be a victim or to despise him if she wanted to gain his favour. Instead, she would find a way to entertain him. Seduce him. Make him want her. Rukia was determined to triumph over her misfortune, for people write their own paths, and she would not blame her burden on fate.
"Lady Rukia, may I come in?" Fumiko's voice echoed through the door, "I have come to deliver you an invitation. Consort Shihouin wishes to have you for tea this afternoon," there was no response, "My Lady?" the handmaiden stressed her words as she entered the room. Rukia answered, with thoughtful look on her face, "I dare not to refuse."
[…]
"Took you long enough to come, Byakuya." The Emperor said as he raised a brow and took a sip of his tea.
"Father," Byakuya meant it to sound like a greeting, "What reason caused you to bring me here?"
As Soujun stared at his son, it felt like staring at a younger reflection of himself. Still, the prominent traits he had inherited from his mother were the only thing that kept Soujun from forgetting the image of her face over the years.
"I shall not delay in my words, Byakuya." Soujun gestured for his son to sit with him, but Byakuya stood still. "You are almost twenty of age and I have not brought up this subject before because you have never demonstrated any interested in being wed, but you are my only heir, and I expect you to take a formal wife before the winter solstice. "
Byakuya thought to open his mouth to speak, but his father interrupted him before he could let any words out.
"I have been informed that you are not particularly fond of any women, thus I assume that my following words won't cause you distress." Soujun continued his monologue with his son while looking elsewhere, "This Imperial Court will be holding a feast in a month's time and I have personally chosen a few royal ladies from foreign countries to attend." He paused, reckoning his brief statement to be sufficicient, "I am inclined to think you need no further explanation, my son." The Emperor paused and waited for his son's reaction, but as always, his expression was unreadable. "Do you have any objections?"
The idea of getting engaged did not please Byakuya in the slightest. He found it distressing to be tied for life to another, let alone a woman he was yet to meet. But he knew of his duties as crown prince, and he would comply with his father's words regardless of his personal preferences. He had a vow not only to his royal house, but to his country.
"None, father." Byakuya stated formally.
[…]
"There you are, Rukia," Yoruichi said with a characteristic grin on her face, "I was beginning to think you wouldn't come." The dark-skinned woman was sitting on carpet with her legs crossed, wearing loose pants and a crop top according to her country's traditional garments. She had gold bracelets on her exposed arms and several other ornaments on her body, distinctive and much more extravagant than Seireitei's traditional jewelry. Along with the Consort, there were two handmaidens with the same brown colored skin and attire as her, though dressed in much more modesty.
Yoruichi's mannerism never ceased to amaze Rukia. Albeit a highborn lady, she lacked the delicacy of one. It was clear that even after all the years since coming to Seireitei, she still rejected adapting to their culture. Yoruichi was the only child of the deceased king of the great desert of Hajar, bu she took her name after her mother, who was born in Seireitei. After her father died, her male cousins fought her for the crown. She gathered supporters, but the royal counsel deemed male blood to be more fit for the throne. After one of her cousins rose to power, he exiled her to Seireitei to become Emperor Soujun's concubine, for if she remained in Hajar, she would always be a threat. Yoruichi and Soujun never became lovers, but instead good friends. Eventually, she was raised to the rank of Consort, a title the Emperor gave to no one since the Empress' death. Rukia didn't know the extent of their relationship, however, it astounded Rukia that anyone could even be "good friends" with that man.
Genuinity was rare among the palace ladies and it was somehow comforting to Rukia to have someone like Yoruichi as her acquaintance. She had restrained herself since entering the palace and was already beginning to feel sick of all the façades put on by the people at court.
Rukia took a sit among the ladies, and before she could greet any of them, a woman with strawberry blond hair started chattering. "Have all of you heard of the latest new on the palace?" She spoke enthusiastically. "The crown prince is getting engaged. And the Emperor is holding a feast for the potential brides. It appears the prince is not going to wed any of his concubines, but a foreign royal lady."
"I doubt he will be interested in any of them, Rangiku," a red-haired sitting on a corner manifested herself, "Has the prince ever shown interest in anyone at all?" she completed, laughing.
"Anyway, the entire court is invited for the celebration. It has been a long time since we've had such a feast. It will be fun. And I think it's past the time for the prince to be married. His Highness is the most beautiful man in this entire nation, too bad we are the Emperor's concubines." A rush of sarcastic laughter quickly filled the room.
[…]
Byakuya had finished looking into all the scrolls stacked at his table. After his fifteenth birthday, his father had entrusted him with several political affairs, claiming it would prepare him for when he ascended the throne.
Byakuya rose a hand to his temples, brushing it lightly as he glanced at a pile of portraits that had been brought to him by his father's attendant. Those were the paintings of the ladies selected as his potential brides, along with a short note on their upbringing and family history. Byakuya started examining them one by one.
The first girl was the eldest princess of a southern neighbouring country. A small nation, but with strong military power. Making an alliance with them would secure Seireitei's borders from any eventual attackers from the south and also provide them with armies if need be. The princess had long orange hair and a pair of brown eyes. The second girl had gray eyes and black hair like his own. She was niece to a king of a very far land. Initially, her father was king, but he died leaving no male heirs, so the throne was passed down to his younger brother, the princess' uncle. Their nation was very rich but their armies were scarce.
Byakuya continued looking at the portraits for what seemed to him like an eternity. None of the women had particularly interested him. He was tired, but restless. Looking at all those portraits had only brought his thoughts back to the woman he'd met weeks ago in the gardens, and he had to get her out of his mind.
He left his chambers and walked across the palace in a steady pace for a few minutes until he stopped before a door and slid it open, unannounced. The room was dark, but there was enough light to distinguish the silhouette of woman lying in bed. She awoke at once and brushed her sheets aside after noticing his presence.
"My Lord!" The woman said astounded as she rubbed her eyes softly, still getting back from her sleep. She got up and lit a flame to a candle, ceasing the gloom. "I did not expect you to visit me after today's announcements."
Byakuya sat on her bed. "Come," he said as she walked to him and got on her knees, positioning herself between his legs, "Do you mind it?" he asked, rethorically. The woman placed both of her hands to the side of his cheeks and carresed it softly. "Do not take me for a fool. I never expected you to make me your wife." She said with a bitter smile.
"You know I did not come here to talk, Hisana." He said as he led his fingers to the sash of her robes and unleashed it.
A/N: Greetings, again. I hope you still remember this story.
It's been almost two years since I posted the first chapter and I still can't believe how long it took me to finish this second chapter. Actually, it was meant to be longer, but I decided to post what I had written instead of delaying the release any longer. I'm on my 3rd year of high school and I figured this would be my last opportunity to dedicate to writing before going to college.
I would also like to apologize for the slow update. When I initially had the idea of writing this story, I never thought it would be so mentally consuming. I have the whole outline of the story up to the ending point in my head but I find it very difficult to put into words.
And last but not least, I would like to thank everyone who has reviewed, favorited and followed this story. I really appreciate it.
