Chapter 8: Part I
Emi gulped when she saw the train attendant heading her way. She slouched further into her seat, hoping she resembled the napping old woman beside her enough that the attendant would assume she was with her and pass right by. Unfortunately, the attendant stopped right beside her and knelt down to face her at eye level.
"Little miss, I believe I saw you earlier in a different car. Are you lost?"
Darn, the gig was up, there was no option now except this. Emi put on her most clueless face then said, "I hide n seek then no find big bwather."
"Ah, so you got lost and can't find your big brother?"
Emi nodded.
"Let's go find him together now." The attendant then picked her up and headed to the first car.
Rido was roused from staring blankly at the passing scenery outside the windows by static noise from the intercom above, followed by the sound of someone clearing their throat.
"Attention passengers, we have a lost child. Rido Kuran, please make your way to the conductor car to retrieve your sister."
Rido blinked, not comprehending what was happening. Sister? None of his sisters could possibly be on the train...
"Rido sama, is he referring to you?" Kohei who sat across from him was equally confused.
Rido shook his head. Either they both heard wrong or there was another Rido Kuran on the train...not that it was a common name.
"Wido nii-sama! Emi is here!" A familiar voice interrupted the announcement, causing Rido to choke on his drink. What in tarnation?!
Kohei handed him a handkerchief. "Rido-sama, that was Emi-sama's voice!"
"Once again, Rido Kuran, please come to the conductor car. Thank you!"
Rido groaned. Please, let this just be a nightmare and that he would wake up soon.
It was not a nightmare...or maybe reality itself was just one long nightmare.
Rido glared at the toddler sitting across from him, who was busy stuffing herself on a kids meal. They were now at the train station where he was supposed to transfer to a car after that 9 hour train ride and take a 2 hour drive to Shizuka's residence, but thanks to the little demon, a wrench was thrown into their schedule. Kohei was currently at the phone booth trying to connect to the Kuran manor.
He raked his fingers through his hair and stared down at the floor. This is not real, this cannot be happening. He repeated those words in his mind like a mantra for a few more seconds before looking up, only to find Emi was still there, happily eating her french fries. Before he could scream, Kohei returned and told him his parents were on the line. Rido suppressed his scream and headed to the phone filled with dread.
Emi peered out the window at the passing trees. They were now in a car heading to Shizuka's place deep in the mountains. After Rido's long and animated phone call with their parents, she was now given the official okay to accompany him to visit Shizuka. Not like their parents had any other choice...they had wanted him to return with Emi immediately, but they were already half a day's journey away and the earliest train back was tomorrow. Since Rido was already almost at Shizuka's place, they reluctantly decided he might as well visit for a bit, then return with Emi the next morning on the earliest train. She suppressed a satisfied smirk, all was going to plan. Undoubtedly she had a massive grounding awaiting her when she returned, but she was too excited finally being out of the house to care.
"Kick me one more time and I'll put you on the car roof," Rido growled from beside her.
Emi pouted but sat back down properly. She dangled her legs and pretended to not feel Rido's eyes boring into her skull. No doubt he was trying to figure out how she had tailed him all the way here, but Emi was not going to reveal her secrets. When he had grilled her earlier, she had only acted dumb and said that she heard he was going somewhere fun so she followed to have fun too. Rido and Kohei had already figured out how she made it out of the house and onto the train when they saw that Rido's luggage case was almost empty, but they didn't know how she had remained hidden for almost the whole train ride.
It was quite a bit of work, but she had wandered from car to car, trying to stay out of sight. The majority of the time she hid in empty first class cabins, napping or eating the snacks she had smuggled with her and looking out the window, though towards the later part of the ride she had gotten bored and started wandering out a bit. Only a few passengers had noticed her lurking and inquired where her parents were, but she lied each time, saying mommy was in the next car and ran off before they could say more. She had eventually gotten caught by the attendant but it was a good run overall.
The car finally came to a stop before a set of wooden gates. A pair of servants, a middle-aged looking man and woman in kimono, were standing outside and they hurried over to greet their guests. When they saw Emi stumble out the car after Rido, they exchanged a confused glance before Kohei apologized for the unexpected addition to their party.
The servants then led them into the residence, and as Emi trailed behind Rido, she gawked like a tourist at her surroundings. Shizuka's compound was walled off and built in a traditional Japanese style, something Emi had only seen in books and the internet in her previous life. The Kuran manor was build in a Western style, perhaps Regency or Georgian (not that she knew the architectural nuances), so for the first time Emi felt like she was really in Japan. They were currently passing through a garden covered with a light layer of snow, and she saw three buildings ahead of them. She surmised that the one they were approaching was where guests stayed, and the smaller one was the servant quarters. The largest building, furthest from the gates was probably where Shizuka was.
"Emi-sama, please keep moving," Kohei who was behind her with the luggage urged.
Emi looked ahead and finally noticed that Rido had left her behind, he was almost at the guest quarters already.
"I tired," Emi said and held her arms up to be carried. Surely Kohei could hold her in one arm and the almost empty luggage in the other. In her defense, it had been a long journey even for an adult. Kohei set down the luggage and was about to pick her up when Rido spoke up from the distance.
"Since she likes to wander around so much, let her walk," Rido ordered.
Emi scowled. How petty! Add that to the list of reasons why Juri chose Haruka instead. Kohei could only shoot her an apologetic smile before picking up the luggage again. Emi settled for taking his hand and mustered her remaining energy to hurry over.
After they were shown into their rooms and Kohei finished putting away what was left of Rido's luggage, the servants guided them to Shizuka's quarters. It looked normal from the outside if one ignored the large padlock on the front door, which the male servant opened swiftly. Emi walked a little too fast and bumped into Rido's legs as they entered the dimly lit genkan, earning her an irritated frown from him, but she was too busy staring ahead to care.
Behind wooden bars, a few meters away sat a beautiful girl in a fancy kimono, the ends of her long silvery white hair flowing on the tatami mat along with her silk sleeves. She sat languidly yet gracefully, one arm draped over an armrest and one hand holding a teacup, the very picture of a Japanese princess from a period drama. Seeing them enter, she set down her cup and looked at Rido with an undecipherable expression that seemed too mature for her teenage appearance. The servants unlocked the second padlock so that Rido and Emi could enter the enclosure, then retreated outside to give them privacy.
Rido remained standing, and he and Shizuka faced each other silently for a moment. Emi stood beside Rido, observing the rigid and dry interaction unfolding before her. Whatever fairy tale situation where the two stare at each other and somehow ignite the flames of love was clearly not happening, unfortunately for her parents.
"I didn't think you would actually come," Shizuka finally broke the silence. She was soft spoken, but there was a slight hardness in her tone. Her pale pink eyes then shifted to Emi. "And with such an unexpected guest too."
"As your fiancé, I do have to check in on you occasionally. And this plus one was also unexpected on my part." With his knee, he nudged Emi forward. "Greet Shizuka properly."
You didn't do your greetings either! Emi gave him a quick side eye before doing a little bow and saying, "Hello, I'm Emi."
She looked up at Rido, unsure what to add but he ignored her. Meanwhile, Shizuka just regarded her with a slightly curious look.
Rido then walked over, pulled a tiny, black box wrapped with a silvery ribbon out of his pocket and placed it on the small table before Shizuka. Emi toddled after him and as she got closer, she realized it was the present her mom had chosen a few days ago. Earlier that week, the jeweler had come over with a variety of wares and her mom had selected a gold and pearl brooch with an orchid design while Emi was busy admiring and touching the sapphires and emeralds on display.
"Here is a late present for your birthday."
Shizuka opened her gift and eyed it apathetically for a second. "Tell your parents that I thank them for their gift."
Rido's jaw hardened at her response. This is one of the reasons why he didn't care for her at all. As his mother had predicted, she had indeed grown into a beautiful young woman. But her beauty was a cold, unapproachable type, reflecting her hard personality. She was correct about the brooch, but why couldn't she just play along and act like the present was from him? Even though she was so much younger, there was nothing cute about her at all, unlike Juri or any of his lovers.
Shizuka put down the brooch and returned her attention to Emi. Without looking at Rido, she asked "Do your many duties as the eldest Kuran son also include babysitting?"
Rido also turned to look at Emi, then smiled somewhat maliciously. He picked her up and walked over to Shizuka.
"Since you have so much free time my dear Shizuka, it would be good for you two to bond, as you will be sisters-in-law one day. As you mentioned, I am very busy with my duties, so I'll come back for her later. Don't worry, she is potty trained and not shy at all". With that, he dumped Emi onto Shizuka and walked away without a single glance back.
Wow, he really clocked in and clocked out! Emi glared from Shizuka's awkward hold at his departing back. This man certainly didn't give a damn about their parent's command to look after her carefully. How could he just leave his weak and cute little sister alone with a stranger?
Seconds later, the male servant came in to close the padlock and also left. The sound of the door sliding shut resounded loudly in the silent room. Now it was really just her and Shizuka alone.
Her and the madly blooming princess, locked together in a cage...no one else nearby. The fact finally started sinking in, and Emi sucked her thumb nervously. Sure she had wanted to see Shizuka, but she hadn't expected to be seeing Shizuka from this side of the bars! She probably wasn't in danger, right? Rido couldn't possibly leave her with someone he didn't think was safe...right? Oh who was she kidding, this was Rido!
Emi bit her thumb, suddenly enraged. At the very least, she was comforted by the fact that if something happened to her, Rido wouldn't be off the hook. If she was going down, he was going down with her. If she died again, she would be sure to return as a ghost and utterly destroy him. Sadako's haunting from Ring would be child's play compared to her!
Shizuka readjusted her hold and turned the fuming Emi around to face her.
"Your heartless brother just left you alone with me didn't he? How irresponsible," she said with a faintly bemused look.
Seeing Shizuka up close, Emi's fury at Rido was quickly replaced by anxiety again.
I concur, Emi thought but kept silent, not knowing what to say or do. She pondered if she should just play dead like an opossum in the face of danger but discarded that idea as it clearly wouldn't work. She just continued staring with wide eyes at Shizuka. Shizuka was indeed very beautiful, but that made Emi even more worried when she remembered that beauty evolved in vampires as a method to attract unsuspecting prey.
An awkward silence fell, and Shizuka's bemused smile gradually turned into a slight frown as she regarded the toddler who had frozen in her hold. For a moment she had thought a pureblood child wouldn't be afraid of her, seeing as they were the same species, but it seemed that wasn't the case. After a minute that felt like an eternity, Shizuka placed the obviously nervous Emi down on the tatami mat.
"He said you weren't shy, but I guess he was wrong." Shizuka murmured as she scanned the room. Her eyes settled on the plate of mandarin oranges on the table. She took a mandarin and put it in Emi's hands along with the brooch and stood up. "I suppose you can play here until he returns."
With that, she gathered her silk sleeves and left the reception room, disappearing somewhere deeper into her chambers.
Emi looked down, somewhat perplexed at the fruit and brooch in her hands. She supposed she should be glad that Shizuka left her alone and that she was safe for now. However, a tiny part of her was paradoxically annoyed that Shizuka had really just up and left, like Rido had. It was like she had been abandoned twice in the same hour! Child neglect was in the air!
And what was she supposed to do with the mandarin or the brooch anyway? Emi shook her head at the exemplary babysitting. At least Shizuka didn't hand her the katana on display in the tokonoma to play with…
A lot of time seemed to have passed, even though Emi didn't know exactly how much as there were no clocks here. She would have slept, tired as she was from the journey, but she was too wary in her new surroundings. Thus she had wandered around instead and mused about the contrast between the conspicuous opulence of the Kuran manor and the more subtle affluence at Shizuka's residence.
After admiring the detailing on the katana sheath, confirming that it was a real katana, and examining the rest of the reception room, Emi had cautiously moved onto exploring the adjacent rooms, trying to get a feel of the overall structure. It turned out to be a simple rectangular layout, with a courtyard garden in the center, bordered by a continuous engawa that also served as a corridor connecting all the rooms. As it was currently winter, the sliding glass doors of the engawa were shut against the cold. The garden outside was tiny, small enough only for a stone lantern, a few decorative rocks, and a tree whose bare branches extended to the roof, blocking out most of the visible sky.
Shizuka seemed to be in the furthest room so Emi avoided that room, exploring the other rooms. The overall building was not that big, and a lot more minimalist than the Kuran manor. The rooms were separated from one another by painted sliding doors, and relatively empty except for some dark wood chests and dressers, folding screens, scroll paintings, vases, and flower arrangements. There were few windows, and they were all small, barred, and high above the ground. One of the rooms had various tea pots displayed on the shelves and a small sunken hearth in the middle, probably a tea room. Another room had a low desk with calligraphy instruments, and shelves filled with books along the wall. Yet another room had a loom with a partly finished weaving in place. So far, there were no bloody rooms filled with dead human sacrifices and ashes as Emi had half expected.
Eventually Emi wandered back to the reception room and straight to the small tray table with the teapot and plate of mandarins. She was hungry, thirsty, and tired. She opened the teapot, but was disappointed to find there was barely any tea left. The only food in sight were the mandarins, but Shizuka didn't even peel them for her before she left!
Back home, her mom, Juri, Haruka, or Tae would cuddle and fawn over her, read her stories, feed her, and play with her. Here she had to peel her own fruit, and there no snacks, no drinks, no entertainment, no attention...Emi collapsed dejectedly on the tatami mat. Her stomach grumbled and she wondered when Shizuka was going to eat and when Rido was coming to get her. She reluctantly started peeling her mandarin and ate as she stared up at the wood detailing of the transoms and the ornate ceiling. Each square of the coffered ceiling was painted with plants or birds. There were peonies, bamboo, chrysanthemums, sparrows and cranes among others. It was certainly a beautiful prison…
Just as Emi finished her mandarin, she heard a tune drifting in from the furthest room. It seemed to be played on a stringed instrument. Although Emi couldn't claim to be a music expert, the tune was strange and hard to interpret. It wasn't an uplifting happy tune, but she couldn't tell if it was conveying sadness, fear, loneliness or anger...it just felt empty. Emi approached the room where the music originated, and slid the door open just a crack so she could peer in.
Shizuka sat facing the wall, apparently playing a biwa. If she noticed Emi peeking at her from behind, she made no indication and continued with her music. Feeling emboldened by the lack of response to her presence, Emi slinked into the room, though taking care to stay out of sight and continued observing. She wondered what Shizuka was thinking and feeling.
From what Emi remembered of canon, Shizuka had been locked in confinement her whole life until she decided to run away with her lover. Emi had always wondered about Shizuka's family; in this timeline, it seemed Shizuka's father was still alive, but clearly he didn't care about her seeing as he kept her isolated in some mountain prison and engaged her to Rido. Caged, abandoned by her family, betrothed to a fiancé who resented her, and having the only person she ever loved die...it was not surprising that she went mad in the end.
Rido sipped his sake and relished the blessed silence while looking at the picturesque pine trees outside. Although he resented having to visit Shizuka, he didn't mind the tranquility of the mountains. If he ignored the existence of Shizuka and the goblin, he could even consider it a retreat at a villa. Especially now that Emi was secure behind bars and away from him, he could actually relax. Thinking back to how he had left her with Shizuka, he smirked. Unexpectedly, he had managed to kill 2 birds with 1 stone – he had found the perfect excuse to not deal with either Shizuka or Emi, and after this, his parents couldn't press him about visiting Shizuka for a long while.
There was also something deeply satisfying about having cracked Shizuka's composure for a second when he abruptly dropped Emi on her. It had always annoyed him how seemingly imperturbable and detached Shizuka was. She had never said anything outright against him, but something about her demeanor and the way she looked at him struck him as too proud. If she had more sense and a better grasp of her situation, she would try to get on his good side and be amenable like the many other women vying for his attention. Then again, this haughtiness was only expected of a Hiou...all these centuries, they had never fully ceded to the rule of the Kurans.
He poured himself more sake while recalling the hint of bewilderment in her eyes and felt better. Seeing her flustered, even if only momentarily was worth the trip. He drank and wondered how Shizuka was handling the goblin...she must be having a hard time dealing with that needy and demanding toddler. Emi had a gift for getting under his skin, and by now she must be driving Shizuka mad with all her stalking and running around. Now that would be a sight to see...
Emi awoke, sat up, and rubbed her eyes. The need for sleep had overtaken her despite her wariness. As the grogginess dispelled, she became aware that there was something soft covering her. She looked down and saw a garment of pale violet silk embroidered with plum blossoms. It was the uchikake Shizuka had on earlier, but its owner was no longer in the room. She wondered how long she had been asleep.
Emi stood up, pulled the uchikake over her head like a hood and started down the engawa, the silk rustling as it trailed behind her on the smooth wooden floor. She soon found Shizuka in the room with a lot of books. Shizuka sat at the low desk, chin propped in one hand as the other hand held a book.
Without lifting her gaze from the book, she spoke. "You're finally awake?"
Emi didn't reply but shuffled over until she was right beside Shizuka. She was now calm enough to notice that Shizuka had a nice subtle floral scent. It was cherry blossom, not rose like Juri and her mom was partial to. She tugged Shizuka's sleeve and when Shizuka finally looked at her, she held out the uchikake. Shizuka took the garment, draped it over her shoulders and returned her attention to her book.
Emi remained beside her and glanced at the book in Shizuka's hands. She wasn't sure, but it seemed like a book of poetry. She wondered what sorts of books Shizuka read and what type of education she received. Probably a lot of classic literature and the arts, but Emi didn't think subjects like calculus and physics fit the traditional aesthetic here. Emi got up and went over to the bookshelves, looking for anything that resembled a math workbook or a chemistry textbook. While Emi busied herself being nosy, Shizuka stood up and went into the adjacent room. Noticing that she had been left behind, Emi quickly toddled after her subject of interest.
Shizuka had taken out an embroidery loop from a drawer and was now seated and at work. Once again, Emi settled right beside Shizuka, peering at what she was embroidering. It turned out to be white lotus flowers. Shizuka continued paying her no heed, and Emi noted that Shizuka's ignore game was strong. If it was Rido, he would have kicked her out by now.
There was something soothing and hypnotic about watching Shizuka work, like those ASMR cooking videos. Shizuka worked fast, her fingers deftly moving the needle and thread through the fabric, only pausing occasionally to snip the thread and change colors. She made no mistakes, each stitch perfect and neat. Emi wondered if Shizuka actually enjoyed playing the biwa and embroidery, or if she did these activities simply because they're available and that's what she had been taught.
After Shizuka finished a full lotus flower and leaf, she got up and put away the loop and embroidery tools. She left the room and just like before, Emi followed after her. However this time, when Shizuka was halfway down the corridor, she abruptly turned and stopped. Emi who had been trying to keep up with her short stubby legs failed to stop in time and bumped right into her. Shizuka lifted her up and held her so that they were eye to eye. She tilted her head slightly as she regarded the toddler.
"Are you no longer scared of me?"
Emi hesitantly shook her head.
"Hmm...you aren't worried I'll eat you?" Shizuka asked, then bared her fangs menacingly.
Emi opened her eyes wide when she saw the sharp glistening fangs, but remembered that if Shizuka really intended to harm her, she could have done that easily when she was napping, or anytime really. After a moment she spoke, "Me no tasty, eat Wido instead."
Hearing that, Shizuka surprised Emi by laughing. She had a pretty laugh, and for the first time she looked the young girl she was supposed to be. It was strange seeing Shizuka who had been so detached suddenly show real emotion. Her laughter soon subsided, and she regarded Emi with evident curiosity. In return, Emi smiled her cutest smile, prompting Shizuka to shift her to one arm and playfully pinch her cheek.
"But you look a lot tastier than him."
Emi vigorously shook her head in objection. I'm the cheap cut of beef nearing expiration, on clearance at the supermarket while Rido is the A5 premium Wagyu! She had no qualms throwing Rido under the bus, as he had done to her with the whole Juri parfait though triggered by the talk of eating and food, Emi's stomach suddenly growled.
"Are you hungry?"
Emi nodded enthusiastically. Shizuka then carried her to the reception room and put her down on a cushion. She went over to the display of vases, opened one of the cabinets above, and returned with a glass jar filled with pastel-colored, star-shaped candies.
Is that where she keeps the snacks? Emi pondered as she happily received a handful of candy. She held her other hand out for more.
Shizuka shook her head and explained, "We should be having dinner soon with your brother, and afterwards you two will leave."
Emi pouted but ate her sweets obediently. She wandered over to the wooden bars and poked her head between the bars as she waited for her dear older brother. If there is one thing Rido should know about her, it's that she always made sure to return favors...
Soon after, the pair of servants returned, carrying a low table. They arranged seating cushions around the table and went back out. Shizuka sat at her usual spot, observing the servants as they bustled around and Emi, who was in a corner doing stretches after having finished her candy. Shizuka wondered if Emi was very attached to Rido, as Emi seemed rather excited for his arrival, continuously staring out the bars. The child had followed him all the way here after all...
The servants finished setting up and minutes later, Rido arrived. The moment he set foot onto the tatami mat, Emi launched off and hurled herself at him. She headbutted him right in the gut, knocking him back two steps and almost causing him to bow over. Shizuka watched all that unfold, marveling that someone so tiny could jump with such force. She suppressed a smile upon seeing his usual disdainful and arrogant expression replaced by bewilderment then vexation. Rido recovered from the ambush and grabbed Emi by the scruff of her dress.
"You little shi-" Rido stopped when he remembered where he was.
He turned to Shizuka after he dumped Emi onto the mat, and straightened his clothes.
"Shizuka," he paused. Oddly, she didn't seem fazed or tired after spending all that time with Emi. "I hope you weren't troubled by my sister."
"Not at all."
Rido arched an eyebrow at her reply. He glanced down at Emi who hissed dangerously at him like a feral cat before going to sit at the dinner table. How could Shizuka not be bothered by this nuisance? He had underestimated how apathetic she was...to think his parents want him to marry someone so aberrant.
He frowned and proceeded to take his place at the table, directly across from Shizuka. Emi sat between the two of them, satisfied that she had paid Rido back, even if her head now hurt. Perhaps she should wear a helmet the next time to double the impact...
The servants arrived with the appetizers, warmed sake and tea, then retreated, leaving the purebloods alone. Shizuka turned her head to look past the glass panels of the sliding door to the garden outside. A light snow had started falling, white specks against the dark night sky.
"I know you don't have much visitors, but surely you remember enough etiquette to know to pour me a drink," Rido said, and held his cup out imperiously.
Emi who was struggling to pick up a piece of lotus root with her chopsticks halted her endeavor and turned to look at Rido with wide eyes. Why was he starting dinner with fighting words? It was becoming increasingly clear why Shizuka didn't like him, even before all the shit he pulled in canon. She glanced at Shizuka out the corner of her eyes, awaiting her response to his request.
Shizuka finally looked away from the snow to stare at Rido. Her facial expression was neutral but there was an odd intensity in her eyes. Rido held her stare, challenging her to defy him. In the tense atmosphere, time seemed to have frozen. No wonder the servants left us alone, Emi thought. Perhaps she should go eat with Kohei and the others in the servants' quarters…
Eventually, Shizuka got up from her seat, moved closer to Rido, and picked up the tokkuri. Emi half expected Shizuka to just toss the sake in Rido's face, but she simply poured him a cup and returned to her seat.
Just as Rido took a sip, smirking at her reluctant compliance, Shizuka spoke quietly, "I would have poured you a cup, but I thought you already had enough, seeing as you reek of alcohol."
Emi grinned into her bowl. She then saw Rido narrow his eyes the way he does when he gets irritated, and set his cup down. You're not gonna win this fight, just eat your food and go, Emi thought as Rido opened his mouth to speak again.
"I resort to the company of sake since your attentions seem to lie elsewhere. What is so intriguing outside that causes you to neglect the fiancé you haven't seen in years?"
Shizuka was back to observing the snow. She didn't answer his question, only stated, "You won't be able to leave on the next train."
At that, Rido and Emi both turned to look at the falling snow. It was a light snow falling at a slow and leisurely pace.
Rido turned back to his food and picked up his chopsticks. "That's absurd. The snow isn't even sticking, it'll stop soon."
Emi also returned her attention to her meal. It was hard handling chopsticks with her toddler hands and they've only ever used forks and spoons at the Kuran manor. As she attempted to spear a piece of mushroom, the servants returned, this time with the main courses, exquisitely presented on elegant dishware. The food looked almost too pretty to eat...almost.
The servants left and the meal continued without conversation. Despite the enticing food, only Emi was diligently eating, albeit clumsily. Shizuka didn't each much and mostly looked out at the snow, whereas Rido drank more than he ate, also seemingly deep in thought. His meal was interrupted when Emi used too much force trying to spear a piece of pumpkin and accidentally sent it flying onto his side of the table, landing just centimeters from his hand.
He scowled at her. "Can't you even let me eat in peace?"
Before Emi could argue with him, Shizuka reached over and gently pulled Emi onto her lap. She then took the chopsticks Emi had been fumbling with, picked up another piece of pumpkin and held it to Emi's mouth. Emi glanced up at Shizuka for a second. Well, if you insist, Emi thought and opened her mouth to accept the food.
Rido regarded the scene before him with a mixture of incredulity and irritation. Irritation at Emi, who was now happily being fed by Shizuka, like some pampered cat. Incredulity that Shizuka, who couldn't even be bothered to smile at him, the fiancé that she had been betrothed to since birth– had voluntarily started to feed the toddler she had only known for a few hours.
"It's reassuring to know that you can care for children, even if you don't know how to serve your future husband. At least they taught you that much."
What the hell? Emi nearly choked on her daikon. She gaped at Rido, who was now drinking his soup casually, as if he'd said nothing out of the ordinary. Somebody needs to stop this man!
Did he act like this every time he visited Shizuka? Emi knew Rido was an asshole, a major one in fact, and that he had sexist views, but this level of blatant, unprovoked, assholery was a new low, even for him. Even if he hated this engagement, he should at least act decent. It wasn't as if Shizuka chose to be engaged to him either.
Shizuka was still, but Emi noted her grip on the chopsticks had tightened. There was the same intensity as before in her eyes, and up close, Emi saw it was a scorching, violent intensity, despite how calm and neutral the rest of her face was. It was just the tiniest hint of the madly blooming princess she would eventually become. Emi was concerned yet at the same time impressed with Shizuka's self-control in the face of such disrespect. If she were Shizuka, she would be throwing hands at this point.
Eventually Shizuka placed her chopsticks down and quietly replied, "I wasn't aware a husband is equivalent to a child, and that I would have to feed him like I do a child. Shall I feed you now, my lord?"
Rido's brow twitched as he stared across the table. She was not even a full-fledged adult yet, but she dared to give him such attitude. All the centuries he had been alive, nobody had ever talked back to him, the eldest Kuran prince, with sarcasm. Yes, he liked strong-minded woman like Juri, but Juri was strong-minded in a charming, princess sort of way, used to getting what she wanted. Shizuka was strong minded in a different way – she was hard and unyielding like steel. A man should be like steel, but a woman should be like water, soft and surrendering.
There really was something wrong with Shizuka to continuously aggravate him like this. Emi annoyed him all the time, but that was because she was a stupid toddler, unaware of how he terrifying he could be, and protected from his wrath by their shared bloodline. Shizuka, however, was not an oblivious child. Was she really so sheltered in her cage that she didn't know how much stronger and powerful he was? How fortunate she was to be engaged to him?
Emi observed Rido and was concerned to see that he wore a dark look. It was the same look he occasionally had when he saw Haruka and Juri together or when he argued with their father, a hint of his future deranged and murderous self. The kuruizaki-hime vs the dark vampire prince, it would have been interesting if they had actually fought in canon. But when titans clash, mortals flee, and Emi was quite aware that she was basically a mortal in this situation. She squirmed a little in Shizuka's arms, but neither Shizuka nor Rido paid her any attention.
Thankfully the strained moment was interrupted by the sound of the front door being slid open. Kohei entered, regarded the scene before him, and sensed the tense atmosphere. He also noticed Emi on Shizuka's lap, looking at him with an SOS expression.
Oh Emi-sama, how do you always get yourself into these situations?
Kohei weakly cleared his throat before informing them that due to the snow, the train they had originally planned to take in a few hours was canceled. They would have to stay another night here.
Hearing the news, Emi looked outside and finally noticed that the formerly light snow had turned into a heavy blizzard as Shizuka had predicted earlier.
Rido finally broke off glaring at Shizuka, put down his utensils, and stood up. What little appetite he had was killed. Just his luck that he had to spend another night with his frigid fiancée when he was planning to quickly drop Emi off at home before meeting up with Nanami for one last tryst. He was already anticipating his lover's warm embrace and coquettish smile.
"Well, Shizuka, seeing as you and Emi seem to get along, I'll continue leaving her in your care."
Without another word, he left, with Kohei following behind.
A/N: I was originally planning to make this one chapter but then it got very long so I had to split it into two parts. Anyway, thanks for all the views and comments, I'm still very busy with school so unfortunately I haven't been writing much.
At Guest – Thanks for the review, and yes, on some matters, Emi surprisingly agrees with Rido instead of their other family members. In some ways, she's more similar to Rido than she is Juri and Haruka...
