Chapter 3: Partings
"Hey Misaki!" Hinata called waving to her. Misaki had asked Hinata to meet her on the outskirts of the woods.
Misaki waved back. She hitched her up skirts and ran over to Hinata who was leaning against the wooden fence.
"Thanks for coming," Misaki said. She swung herself up onto the fence so she was casually sitting on the edge of the wooden planks. She smoothed out her forest green skirt.
"I hate dresses," Misaki complained as she tugged and pulled on the fabric that was riding up.
"This color looks really nice on you though," Hinata said. "How come you didn't come as the stable hand then?"
Misaki often would steal the stable boy's clothes and wear them. She loved the freedom pants offered.
"I didn't have time today," Misaki told him.
"So why did you call me out here today?" Hinata asked. He ran his hand through his chocolate brown hair.
"Hinata, we're friends right?" Misaki asked.
Hinata nodded. "Of course," he said. "Why would you even have to ask?"
Misaki fidgeted. "I bring awful news," she whispered.
"Are you alright?" Hinata asked, looking worried. He grabbed Misaki's wrist. "Is someone hurt?" he asked again.
Misaki shook her head. "Everyone's in good health," she promised.
"Then what is it?"
Misaki took a deep breath. She breathed in the scent of grass and the faint aroma of the wild flowers. Her mouth felt dry and her heart beat like a drum.
"My Mother has arranged a marriage for me," Misaki blurted out.
There was the sound of the tiny breeze whistling through the tall grass. Birds sang softly in the distance. Hinata looked down at his boots for a long time.
"To whom?" he asked softly.
"Duke Usui Takumi..." Misaki said. Her voice shook a little. Her fingernails dug into her palm so she wouldn't cry.
"I see..." Hinata said not meeting her eyes. "Congratulations"
"No!" Misaki yelled. She jumped off the fence. "Don't you understand?!" she screamed. "I'm nothing more than in a chess piece!"
Hinata didn't respond. He traced the scar of the face with his finger. It was a habit he had when he wasn't sure what to say.
"Say something!" Misaki exclaimed. "Don't you care?!"
Hinata looked up. "I do care," he replied. "Which is why I don't know what to say"
"Why?" Misaki asked.
Hinata shook his head and traced his scar again. "I kind of thought...I would be the one to take care of you..." he said averting his gaze again.
Misaki threw her arms around him. "I would have trusted you with my future," she said sadly. Hinata gingerly hugged her back.
"Is it too late now?" Hinata asked. "Must you marry the Duke?"
"I'm afraid so," Misaki said, feeling devastated again. "Mother has ordered it."
Hinata let Misaki go. "I just don't understand," he said scratching his head. "May I be blunt?" he asked.
Misaki snorted. "Hinata, I am no fragile lady." she reminded him. "Curse if you need to..."
Hinata shook his head. "I guess I sort of assumed you would be my future bride" he said. "Your father even mentioned it to me a couple times when he was still here. I am utterly shocked that your mother would just marry you off like that. Are you sure there are no problems?"
Misaki sighed. "The King is eyeing our land," she admitted. "We need power to keep it from being taken back..."
"Power from a status I do not have," Hinata said, understanding.
"It is not my choice," Misaki reminded him.
"I'm not blaming you...just myself..."
"Please don't," Misaki said. "My burden is even heavier if I know I've hurt you."
"What can I do to help with this burden?" Hinata said.
His heart felt weary. Misaki didn't know it but he was in love with her. He had been for years. He hadn't wanted to push her into marrying him but now cursed himself a thousand times over. If he had acted earlier, Misaki wouldn't have to go and marry someone she didn't love, or even know.
"Take care of Suzana and my Mother," Misaki said. "I will be leaving and I worry about them."
"I promise to take care of your family," he swore.
Misaki nodded. "Thank you," she said softly.
"Hey," Hinata said tilting up her chin. "Life's not over," he reminded her. "You have to keep going..."
"I will," Misaki replied. "I just am sad to have to part with everyone." After a pause she spoke again. "I must return home," Misaki announced. "I still have to make plans for everyone's future."
"Who?" Hinata asked.
"Sakura, Shizuko, Satsuki, and Suzana" Misaki told him.
"A lot of people with the letter 's'" Hinata joked, lightening the mood.
"You were in the list too, Shintani," Misaki said, with a small laugh.
"Yes. Yes," he said. "I hope to see you again?" he asked.
Misaki nodded. "Of course," she agreed.
Hinata gave her a quick hug and Misaki left. She ran all the way back home, not because she was in a rush, but because a duchess would never run. In a sense, her upcoming doom pushed her to value everyday life more.
"Send for Sakura and Shizuko," Misaki told a maid.
"Yes, my lady" she said scurrying off.
Misaki paced her room as she waited. Her ladies in waiting quickly came with curious expressions on their face.
"How did the talk with Lord Hinata go?" Sakura asked.
"As good as it could have," Misaki said with a sigh. "He has agreed to look out for the family."
"That's good," Sakura said. "The place will be rather lonely when we all leave"
Misaki bit her lip. "I wish to speak to you about that," she said cautiously.
Usually a bride would bring her personal maids or ladies in waiting with her when she moved into her husband's house. Misaki really wanted to bring her friends but again the odds weren't in her favor.
"I think I will travel alone," Misaki said finally. Sakura and Shizuko stared at her wide eyed.
"What?!" Sakura exclaimed.
Shizuko looked distressed also. "But we are your ladies in waiting!" she argued.
Misaki patted her friends' hands. "Hear me out," she said. "...I still feel very insecure about leaving this house of women behind" she explained. "It would bring me peace to know that there are loyal people here."
Sakura shook her head. "I am loyal to you only."
"Same here. I will follow Misaki always," Shizuko added. "Isn't Lord Ayuzawa moving here with his family?"
"I need someone close to look after Suzana," Misaki said. "My cousins are still nobles. I fear they will have their own interests first."
"But Misaki..." Sakura whined. "We have grown up together. I have never been anywhere without you!"
"I cannot bear the thought of you alone in that Duke's mansion," Shizuko said. "Please let at least one of us come with you," she pleaded. "The maids do not know your habits and might even bully you."
Sakura gasped. "The Duchess bullied by maids?!" she demanded. "Misaki, we must come with you. I cannot allow that to happen."
Misaki smiled. She loved her friends so much. They were filled with love and compassion. Misaki only felt more certain that they had to stay now. She wouldn't worry about Suzana with them by her side.
"Do you really think I would get bullied?" Misaki asked. "It was I who would always beat the noble boys"
The girls laughed. "The scoldings you'd get from the Countess while the Earl would beam with pride that you bested the boys at swords," Sakura recalled sighing at the familiar memory.
Misaki nodded. "Exactly," she said. "I won't be defeated by some maids," she said lifting her chin in confidence.
The girls hugged each other as if Misaki would disappear overnight. Sakura dabbed at her tears with her handkerchief and promised to write Misaki letters every day.
"It's late," Shizuko said. "We should let Misaki rest."
The girls hugged goodnight and Misaki alone. She changed out of her dress and into her light nightgown. She grabbed a candle and traveled down the hall to Suzana's room. She knocked on the door.
"Suzana?" she called quietly.
Misaki gently pushed open the door. Suzana looked up from brushing her hair.
"Oneesan," she greeted. She set the brush onto the table. "I heard you will not bring your ladies in waiting after you wed."
"You heard correctly," Misaki said sitting on Suzana's bed.
"Why, Oneesan?" Suzana asked. She turned so she was facing Misaki. "Tis frightening to be alone in such a big mansion," Suzana told her.
"I fear nothing," Misaki simply said.
Suzana's expression didn't change. "Oneesan, you must remember, no matter how much you hate it, you must be obedient to the Duke."
"I hardly obey anyone..." Misaki said laying on her back. Suzana got up and sat on the other side of the bed.
"He can make your life wonderful or beyond miserable" Suzana whispered. "The servants- they can tell if the Duke respects you. If for some reason the Duke looks down upon you, so will the rest of the estate."
Suzana's face was grave as she spoke. Misaki licked her lips and thought about her sister's words. This was probably what Sakura meant when she said that maids could bully a duchess, the lady of the home.
"I won't let him change me," Misaki whispered. "He does not own me or my heart."
"A husband owns everything about you," Suzana stated.
For young women, there were endless volumes of books on etiquette. There were rules for sitting, speaking, eating, standing and anything else you can think of. A book Misaki and Suzana had been given a year ago talked about being a wife. Minako must have realized her daughters were growing up. Suzana studiously memorized it while Misaki fake read. The parts she did read, made her cringe. No man would EVER own her and no man would EVER be her only dependence.
"Never," Misaki reassured her sister. "I will be brave while you will marry for love," she promised.
"Don't you think it is unfair that I wed a man of my choice while you wed for status?" Suzana asked softly. The sisters were snuggled up in the warm blankets and the candle was growing dim.
"No," Misaki said. "It will work out," she said staring out the window. Only a few stars littered the sky tonight. "He and I will make do, until death do us part..." Misaki recited softly.