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Chapter 2: Sacrifice

Countess Ayuzawa Minako got out of a carriage in front of a beautiful villa. She approached the large gate guarded by two men.

"Countess," the gate guards greeted, dropping on one knee.

"I must see Lord Ayuzawa," Minako said. She had an air of regalness to her.

"Of course," the guard said. "Our lord summons you to his great hall."

Minako walked in front, not needing to be shown where the main hall was. She had spent many days here when her husband was still around. Misaki and Suzana were still very young back then but had loved the beautiful gardens.

"My dearest sister," Ren said, kissing her hand. "Welcome to my humble home."

"No need to be so formal," Minako said gently. She waved off the guards. "You and I are family and now that my husband is gone, we need to become even closer."

Ren nodded. "Time is very precious right now," he agreed. "What are your plans, Minako?"

The two of them went into Ren's study. The maid rushed in with tea and departed after serving.

"I am troubled," Minako said after a sip of tea. "My advisors wish for Misaki to wed."

Ren nodded. "That would be a most wise decision. What is troubling you? Misaki should be marrying soon anyways." Ren asked, curiously.

Minako shook her head. "You do not understand..." she said. "They wish for her to wed the Duke of Iusu."

Ren's eyes widened. "That is very ambitious," he told Minako.

Minako sighed. "I am more concerned for Misaki's happiness. She is such a naive child that this marriage would break her. To make it worst, she would be wed to a complete stranger and become duchess!"

Ren set his tea cup down. "Minako, you know I love Misaki as a daughter of my own but we must face reality. It is not our culture to marry for love AND you have people you must take care of first. Being a noble means sacrificing for the greater good."

"That is why I am troubled," Minako said. "It must be done..."

"My brother chose well for his advisors," Ren told her. "They are right about Misaki and the Duke bringing prosperity to the land of Seika."

"There is no other way?" Minako asked.

"I'm afraid not," Ren said apologetically. "But first I will accompany you to propose to the Duke. This plan won't work unless he chooses Misaki for his bride."

Minako nodded gravely. "I will tell Misaki and have her prepare herself. Shall we send a letter for a week later?"

Ren nodded. "Bring ink and parchment!" he yelled.

Meanwhile back at the Seika estate, Misaki and her friends finished a long ride. They were all exhausted as they slumped on the floor inelegantly.

"My lady!" Satsuki called. She rushed around looking for Misaki. She checked room after room.

"In here!" Misaki called. She was sitting in the tub within her room, taking a bath. Misaki loved taking a warm bath after exercise. The nurse came prancing in.

"Oh good, you are bathing," she said. "The Countess needs you to prepare for a royal event. We must begin dress fittings and hair."

The words royal and event made Misaki cringe. "Do I have to go?" she asked. "What about Suzana?" she asked, hopefully.

Satsuki shook her head. "Lady Suzana wasn't asked to come"

"Where am I going then?" Misaki asked, slightly confused. Usually if only one sister was invited, it was always the elegant and proper Suzana.

Satsuki helped Misaki dry off and helped her into a simple linen dress. Misaki sat in her chair in front of the mirror as Satsuki dressed her hair.

"I don't understand," Misaki said. "What is happening?"

Satsuki shook her head. "I don't know. I am only following the orders of the Countess."

Misaki's hair was pulled half up with small curls framing her face. Her head felt heavier as Satsuki added a circlet, jewels and shiny pins and combs. She winced as Satsuki rearranged the pins over and over in her hair.

"Such a formal event!" Misaki exclaimed. "My neck is going to snap from this weight."

"Don't be silly," her nurse chided. "You're a grown woman and should be dressing your hair like this regularly."

Misaki stood up. "I must see Mother right now," she said. Sakura and Shizuko came in with lots of boxes.

"What's the royal event?" Sakura asked, excitedly. "You are going to have many beautiful gowns made just for this event"

Misaki just shook her head. "We are all clueless. Sakura, go get my Mother."

Just then the door opened. The Countess walked in.

"Mother!" Misaki exclaimed. "What's going on?"

"Lady Ayuzawa Misaki," she said, solemnly. "You are going to your marriage proposal."

Everyone in the room gasped. Misaki's heart skipped a beat. Was she finally going to marry Hinata?

"Oh Misaki!" Sakura cheered, hugging her. "Congratulations!"

Misaki couldn't help smiling but her smile faltered when she saw her mother's sad eyes. There was no joy but a cloudiness and silence.

"Are you not happy for me?" Misaki asked, concerned. She assumed her mother would be happy that her daughter was being married. When her father was around and the topic of Misaki's marriage came up, Mother was always the first to smile.

Minako took a deep breath. "It is not Lord Hinata."

The room was silent. The hand mirror slipped from Misaki's hand and clattered to the floor. No one spoke for a long time.

"What?" she demanded. "Who else would I be marrying?" Misaki's heart raced. How could this be happening? This had to be a mistake.

"You are marrying the Duke of Iusu" Minako said.

"Duke Usui!?" Sakura exclaimed but quickly covered her mouth because she had spoken out of line. She bowed her head apologetically.

Minako nodded. "Correct."

"No," Misaki said. "This can't be right!" she yelled. "I don't want to marry a stranger! Mother please don't do this to me..." Misaki pleaded.

Minako blinked back tears. "I wish for you to marry out of love too, Misaki," she said softly.

"But why!?" Misaki demanded.

"As a daughter of nobility, your people must come first. Misaki. We don't have an heir."

"I know we don't," Misaki said. "That's why I wanted to marry Hinata so our family would have a male leader."

Minako shook her head. "Could we talk in private?" she asked.

Everyone quickly filed out though they looked back with concern. The door closed, leaving Misaki and Minako alone.

"Father approved of Hinata," Misaki said.

"As did I but he isn't high ranking enough."

"You said ranking and wealth didn't matter!" Misaki said, angrily.

"I didn't think it did until today!" Minako told her daughter. "The King has been eyeing our land for some time now and the only way to ensure the ownership of our land is for you to marry well."

"How did you not know before then?" Misaki asked.

"Your father never spoke politics with me," Minako explained. "It was only after his passing did his advisors and Uncle Ren tell me how important your marriage was."

Misaki felt a little numb. Had her father all along planned for her to marry for power? Was her fate really sealed to live a lonely life with a man she would never meet until her wedding day? This couldn't be right. Father always spoke politics with her yet he didn't tell her this part?

"How could Father do this to me?" Misaki said.

"Don't think poorly of your father," Minako ordered. "He was originally going to pass the title to your uncle but time ran out. He thought about you, Misaki. The way he spoils you and Suzana, how could he not think about your futures?"

Misaki nodded understanding yet she couldn't swallow her pride or her anger. She ran out of the room ignoring her mother's callings. She burst through the large double doors and ran for the woods. Misaki could hear her heart pounding in her ears and the sound of underbrush cracking as she ran. She tripped over a branch and was sent sprawling onto the ground. She wore no shoes or cloak but she didn't care. She leaned against a boulder and closed her eyes.

Her father always spoke of the way nobles play with power. She heard the stories of women marrying for money and status and had always sworn she would not be one. She would marry for love though she would be willing to wed a friend. She didn't love Hinata but he was her best friend. She would be a hundred times willing to be his wife and to raise his children...not a stranger who saw her as a trophy.

"This is so unfair," she muttered, throwing rocks into the creek. The large stones splashed into the water and sent ripples everywhere. Misaki saw herself in the water. She saw herself as a lady, a noble but not herself. She reached up and pulled a gold pin loose. A strand of wavy black hair fell free. Misaki tugged free several combs and sent more hair cascading down. She undid the braids and removed the circlet.

Misaki ran her fingers through her loose hair. "This is me," she whispered. "But this me has no use..."

Misaki knew deep down it was the right thing to do. She grew up understanding that the true reason of nobles was to help people. A ruler should be selfless and she was being selfish right now. Misaki pitied herself for another moment and got up. She marched back into her Mother's study.

"I accept," she told her mother. "I wish to help our people."

Minako let out a sigh of relief. She knew Misaki would agree but she had been afraid at what cost it would take. "Thank you Misaki" she said. Minako squeezed her hand. "You will be blessed for your good deeds."

Misaki doubted she would have a blessed life but nodded anyways. Father would have expected her to help the family and the people in their estate. She was the leader of the house when he wasn't around. If someone had to suffer...it would be her.

"You have dress fittings now," Minako told Misaki. "You will need a dress for the proposal, the engagement banquet as well as your wedding gown."

Misaki dipped a courtesy and left the room with Sakura and Shizuko who were waiting at the door.

Misaki," Shizuko said gently. "Perhaps this won't be so bad. The duke could be a gentleman."

Sakura cringed.

"What is it?" Misaki asked. Sakura just shook her head and hurried Misaki onto the stand.

"What was that face for?" Misaki asked again, ignoring the maid who was taking her measurements.

"I heard the maid gossiping this morning," Sakura said softly. "They said some awful things about the Duke."

"Sakura!" Shizuko exclaimed. "You know maids just like to gossip and spread rumors. I bet they are jealous that they are just servants and find joy in making others feel bad."

Sakura nodded. "Perhaps, but I am afraid for Misaki," she said, her bottom lip quivering.

Misaki smiled at her friends. "Don't worry about me," she reassured them. "I know how to defend myself with a sword and with my words," she reminded them. "But I am curious to hear what these rumors are..."

Shizuko glared at Sakura and folded her hands across her chest. Sakura shifted nervously from one foot to the other and wiped her hands on her hazel gown trimmed in white lace.

"They say he has no emotions," Sakura said. "The Duke has no fears and doesn't tolerate any disobedience. His maids and guards shake with fear every time he approaches. He isn't afraid to punish anyone..."

Misaki rolled her eyes. "I am not afraid," she said. "I might even best him at swords."

"Our Misaki is no ordinary lady," Sakura said nodding. "In a sense, it was good it wasn't Lady Suzana who is to wed him or else I'd be even more worried."

Misaki finished her long fittings and stepped down. The maids curtsied as she departed.

"Exactly," she said. "I will not let this Duke best me. I will smile and live just as I always have" Misaki's face dropped a little. "But I will have to break the news to Hinata..." she said, softly.