The Nightingale
Chapter 31: Maranni
Soujun had sent a message to warn Byakuya and Koga that the Kingdom Commander was with them on the journey, and he prayed to the Deities that Koga had taken the precaution of leaving there; there were so many things that could go wrong, so many lives that could be in danger, and those of his family were the ones that worried him the most.
He had spent years planning it, years talking to the King of Jetaiya, years thinking of the best time to attack because Jetaiya already had the soldiers ready. Soujun didn't know how the King of Jetaiya had managed to get so many soldiers, but he definitely had them; and only the birth of Byakuya's son delayed everything, because Hisana couldn't travel yet and they weren't going to risk the princess of Jetaiya and her son being in the middle of the battlefield.
But that delay would only be a gap in time, something that would not prevent scheduled events from taking place; Soujun was aware that Rukia was going to marry the Commander, she would become the People's Princess, and she would become a hostage to the king. His only chance to get his daughter out was that, force her to stay in Maranni somehow and then send her with Hisana and the baby to Jetaiya, but he was not counting on the Commander's presence.
The Commander's excuse about going to Neikel for some bandits was hardly credible; Soujun was aware that the Commander was there for something other than going to Neikel, and he certainly doubted it was because of Rukia; but facing him there, in the middle of the trip, was something that he was not going to do, because even though they outnumbered the Commander, he knew that Rukia would do something, maybe something very stupid for being in love, and she would go with Ichigo.
The best way to face the Commander was in the Great House, where he could not run away with Rukia because they would be surrounded, and the Commander would be a hostage, something to pressure the king with. The independence of Maranni, the surrounding lands, and the return of the Queen's Crown, in exchange for a son, seemed a fair deal because Soujun knew that the Queen loved her son and she would do everything possible to have him back to her side.
Throughout the trip he had seen Rukia being with the Commander, they did not separate, they even rode together and advanced to the next towns, and when the caravan reached them, they were sitting on the side of the road talking about anything; that seemed uncomfortable to him, especially after the talk he had with the Commander when he found him leaving Rukia's bedroom.
— If you want assurance about your daughter's honor, then I will marry her at Maranni. I would have married her since I saw her, but my position forces me to wait. — The Commander had told him before going to his own room.
But the last thing Soujun wanted was for Rukia to marry the Commander. Soujun wanted his daughter away from the kingdom, not at the center of all the trouble.
The last night of the trip, the one before the day of arrival in Maranni, he saw them arguing. It was something he didn't expect to see but he certainly liked, a broken heart was easier to convince; a way to get her away from Adelaar and send her to Jetaiya.
— You told me you weren't talking to her anymore! You swore you would never see her again! — Rukia claimed the Commander. Soujun could only watch as the Commander fell silent, enduring Rukia's demands. — And now I find you writing a note to see her on Neikel.
— Kia, it's not what you think. — The Commander defended himself but said no more, he tried to get closer to Rukia but she moved away.
— Isn't it what I think? It's not what I think! I warn you, if you go to Neikel to see her, this is over. I don't give a damn about the marriage arrangement, this is over.
— I'll go to Neikel whether you like it or not, and you'll be my wife whether you like it or not. — The Commander took Rukia by the arm and threatened her, then a loud blow was heard.
Rukia released herself from the Commander's grasp after hitting him and entered the carriage slamming the door shut. That was all Soujun needed to make sure he could get Rukia out of the kingdom without any problem. Soujun knew it was mean to rejoice over her daughter's sadness, but it was all for her safety, and he hoped she would understand as time went by. Soujun approached the Commander, who was still standing in the same place where he had argued with Rukia, and noticed the angry expression on his face.
— I told you once, and I will repeat it to you again, I will not force my daughter to do something she does not want. — Soujun expected the Commander to say something to him, but the Commander just looked at him silently and left.
The rest of the night was quiet, as much as his concern for Rukia allowed him. Soujun knew that threatening the prince was not a good idea, perhaps the prince was really traveling to Neikel to see his mistress, and it was better not to move anything and wait for things to take their course. Soujun tried to approach Rukia and talk to her but Rukia prevented him, she did not let him enter the carriage and did not go out to dinner.
He really wanted to hit the Commander, but he preferred that the misunderstanding between the Commander and Rukia continue, and if that prevented the Commander from reaching Maranni, it was much better. He needed Rukia away from the Commander, and that discussion had made things easier for him.
—
Ichigo was a good liar and Rukia noticed when he approached her to say goodbye that morning. She had to continue being upset but it was something difficult to do, she could see the mark of the blow she had given him, she had exceeded it and she knew it; yet she mustered all of her self-control to stay away from him and not apologize for hitting him so hard. Rukia felt terrible for hitting Ichigo and cheating on her father, but it was the only way to get Ichigo to get to Maranni before them.
— My dear…
— Don't tell me "my dear". — She responded by gathering all the anger she could into her; it was hard to do because Ichigo's gaze kept making her legs shake.
— Kia… I'll go to Neikel, I have to, but I assure you it's not because of what you think. — Ichigo was looking at her without any emotion in his eyes and it scared her a little. — And when I come back, we'll clear this up and get married.
— If the soldier has to go on his mission, I can't stop him. In Maranni I have many things to do, and many people to see. — Ichigo's eyes reacted to those words and Rukia smiled. She could almost see Ichigo's warning in his gaze. She held out her hand for him because she wanted to feel his touch again. — Don't be in a hurry to get back, soldier, I'm not in a hurry to get married; not anymore.
Ichigo's eyes could lie as well as his mouth, but his hands couldn't; when Ichigo took her by the hand, Rukia could feel the urge to have her with him; she could also feel in him the fear of what was going to happen when they reached the Great House. It was the first time that she felt Ichigo's emotions so clearly, perhaps because they were both anxious; perhaps because they were both afraid.
Rukia knew that Ichigo had to get to the Great House before them and he had to see with his own eyes what was really going on in Maranni; they both knew that if he arrived with the caravan he might not have the result he expected and Rukia had told him that she would prove to him that those rumors were false.
The rumors had to be false. Rukia had started to doubt her father, but she forced herself to believe that he wouldn't do that, not without telling her what was really going on.
Ichigo said goodbye to Rukia's father, and Rukia noticed that her father was still upset. She knew that her father did not trust Ichigo, and she didn't find it strange that her father sent two soldiers after Ichigo and Uryu; all under the guise of being an escort for Ichigo in part of his way and that, when the soldiers arrived at the Great House, the soldiers would notify to everyone of their arrival and have things ready for their reception.
Rukia knew she still had a lot to learn, but she had seen the mistrust in her father's eyes, and she knew she could use it to her advantage; she was scared, but it was scared of what might happen to Ichigo. Rukia berated herself for that, because she had to worry about her family; she should be afraid of what Ichigo and the king could do to her family, but her anger at her own family made her question many things.
If her family was planning something big and they hadn't considered her brave or smart enough, it meant they didn't trust her; and when Rukia came to that conclusion, she felt a pain in her chest that she couldn't explain. She was not stupid, she was not naive; Ichigo trusted her, the queen trusted her, but her family seemed not to trust her.
And that new thought was painful.
— Rukia, you don't have to go back to Adelaar if you don't want to. I could send you with some friends in Jetaiya, even with Hisanna's family. — Her father had told her before they packed everything up before continuing the journey to Maranni. That puzzled her a bit, but she tried to keep her composure by promising her father that she would think about it.
They didn't stop the caravan once they started on the journey, Rukia had been thinking about what her father told her, about not going back to Adelaar and about sending her to Jetaiya with Hisana's family. Hisana was an exile, she was supposed to be, but that sentence kept spinning in Rukia's head and, the more she thought about it, the more she believed that they had lied to her about her brother's wife. What else had her family kept from her?
Rukia knew that they had reached Maranni even before seeing the city, the air there was different, purer than in Adelaar because it was in the mountains. She didn't want to look out the window, she was getting more and more nervous and she was afraid that her father would notice it; hopefully her father would think she was like this because of her argument with Ichigo, but she didn't want to risk it, so she could only see what her position by the carriage window allowed.
The first thing Rukia saw upon reaching the Great House and getting off the carriage were Jetaiya's banners that fluttered in the afternoon wind on a carriage that she knew very well, it was the carriage of Koga, Hisana's brother. Koga never traveled alone, so surely his escort must have been divided between the city and the Great House.
The second thing Rukia saw was her father getting off his horse too hastily, as if he were afraid of something; Rukia sensed that her father did not expect Koga to be there. She knew that her father had sent a message for someone to leave the Great House, and the only foreigner there was Koga.
The third thing Rukia saw there was the presence of four strange men, who were grouped together, playing with daggers that they threw at the trunk of a tree trying to hit the mark that they had painted on the wood. She had never seen them, they had tattoos, their skin was tanned by the sun, and it looked like they were wearing armor, although she wasn't sure about that because it was just a metal plate that covered their chest over their heart.
— Rukia! You came back! — Yuki's voice made her stop seeing those strange men. — You have missed a lot! I have to tell you everything that has happened since you went to the Capital.
Rukia let herself be carried away by Yuki, who was talking non-stop, and they entered the house, but not before giving one last look at those men who were having fun throwing knives at a tree.
— Yuki, who are these men? They look like bandits. — Rukia said interrupting her friend's monologue about how beautiful Hisana's son was.
— They are mercenaries. — Yuki said that in a whisper, as if she was afraid someone would hear her. — I heard Prince Koga say that they were mercenaries. They call themselves "Tirnoq's company", but there are not many, they are only those four men. They all claim to be the leader, and they have been here since Prince Koga arrived, they came with him.
Rukia just said a little "ah" and kept walking with Yuki heading towards the place where her mother was. There were mercenaries in the Great House and they had arrived with Prince Koga, that gave her a bad feeling, and all she could think about was Ichigo, wishing he was okay doing whatever he was doing.
Rukia was not used to the presence of soldiers in the Great House, especially since they were Jetaiya soldiers; She knew that the Great House, before the Fall, was called the Jade Palace, and it was where the kings of yesteryear lived, therefore the presence of soldiers in those old days was not a problem, but at that time it seemed uncomfortable.
Hisana lived in a really big room, in the eastern part of the Great House, a place that had been set up for Byakuya and Hisana to live; the Great House was as big as Adelaar Castle, and in a way the presence of the soldiers reminded him of the castle.
— I would like to see Lady Kuchiki. — Rukia politely said to the soldiers who were guarding the main door at the entrance to Hisana's room. It was ridiculous; she was in her own home, but she understood that she should respect her brother's wife.
The guards moved and let her into the room; Hisana was bent over a crib. Rukia had seen the baby the day she arrived and it was identical to Byakuya, it was like seeing her brother in a small, only the shape of the baby's eyes reminded her that Hisana was present in that child.
Five days had passed since they had arrived at the Great House, and that left only ten days to do what she and Ichigo had to do; her father still did not know that the king wanted her in Adelaar or they were going to attack and, with each passing day, she felt her anxiety grow bigger; Rukia still didn't know anything about Ichigo but she saw Kholtan fly over the Great House in the afternoons, which meant Ichigo was there. Rukia had seen the eagle since she arrived, and although she knew how to send a message with the eagle, she did not dare to do so.
What she had managed to hear and see, always in secret, was that they talked a lot about the kingdom, about soldiers and about Hisana and the baby; she even one afternoon she overheard Koga talking to the mercenaries, who were being hosted in the Great House, telling them that their services would be well rewarded.
Rukia does not like what she was hearing, it scared her because she was more and more afraid of what might happen, but her father seemed calm knowing that Ichigo was not there. Rukia knew that Ichigo was not going to leave her alone, she trusted him, and she knew that if necessary she would call the eagle so that Ichigo would take her out of there and they would go to Adelaar.
— Can I hold the baby? — Rukia asked approaching Hisana with a nervous smile. What she was going to do might not turn out quite right and still she had to do it.
Hisana smiled and carefully handed Rukia the baby; the baby really did look like Byakuya and that made her feel happy. Rukia walked carefully, holding the baby in her arms as he reached out with his small hands trying to grab her hair; Byakuya's son was a little over a month old, he only slept and ate, but he did not cry. Rukia thought the baby looked too much like Byakuya.
The first time Rukia held Hisana's baby, Rukia remembered that dream where she had killed Kaien's child, and she immediately returned the baby to Hisana. Rukia had to repeat to herself many times that it had been a dream, but Hisana's baby felt like that baby from the nightmare. Rukia should learn to calm down, or she couldn't live in peace every time she held a baby; and she knew it.
— A little prince, is that so, Hisana? — Rukia asked with a smile without seeing her sister-in-law.
— That's right, a little prince. — Hisana confirmed. Rukia didn't look at Hisana, Rukia just looked at the baby and made little caresses. The baby was just trying to grab Rukia's hair with his little hands.
— Is that why the guards are here? To protect him, isn't it? — Rukia asked again but didn't wait for Hisana's answer. — You are a little prince, one who must be protected, right?
The baby was too young to laugh, but he was smiling in a lovely way. Rukia glanced at Hisana walking towards her and the baby so she walked away from Hisana starting to walk the baby across the room.
— Will you be a king? — Rukia asked the baby with a smile. — You will be a very powerful king, but will you be the king of Jetaiya, Avanta or Maranni?
— Maranni is not a kingdom. — Hisana's voice sounded nervous.
And at that moment Rukia stopped and looked at Hisana with a smile on her lips. Rukia saw the surprise in Hisana's eyes, but Hisana did not answer Rukia's questions, but instead approached her with outstretched arms for Rukia to return the baby to her. Rukia pulled away from her a bit and saw terror in Hisana's eyes, but it was only for a second that Rukia handed the baby to Hisana.
— Why are you asking those questions? — Hisana said hugging her son, as if she was afraid that Rukia would take him away. Rukia was not aware of the image she was projecting, she was not the girl who had left there at the beginning of the year.
— Curiosity. When that little boy grows up he will be the lord of Maranni, Byakuya will be the Peace Councilor, and your next child will be sent to the capital to fulfill the Accords of the Fall, just as I will. — Rukia leaned against a window frame looking at the distant landscape, the silence in the room was heavy. — I know what they are planning, I know they are going to attack, but I don't know why; I even know that you are not an exiled princess, as everyone says. So you'd better tell me what's going on, I'm bored of spying on everyone to find out what's going on.
Rukia was lying, she was using the information Ichigo gave her and twisting it along with what she had seen in the Great House; Rukia had planned that meeting with Hisana carefully, knowing that her mother would be out of the house that day and she would be able to spend time alone with Hisana.
— When did you find out? — Hisana sat on the bed after putting the baby in the crib.
Rukia thanked the Deities and the Queen that her hands no longer sweated when she got nervous, but she couldn't stop her heart from racing to the point of making it difficult to control her breathing.
— You told me now. — She said calmly, still standing by the window. Rukia saw the surprised expression in Hisana's eyes; Hisana looked away in embarrassment and Rukia leaned closer to her. — Now tell me what's going on and why my father wants to send me Jetaiya with you and the baby.
Rukia didn't want to give up hope that the rumors were false, but what Hisana told her was all she needed to know that she was wrong. The rumors weren't false, it was much worse.
The Great House was in front of him, it could be seen even from the road that led to the village, it was really big and Ichigo knew that this had been the home of kings and queens of yesteryear, and of which he was sure, they intended to make the home of kings and queens in the future.
Uryu was by his side, on his own horse, both men were silent because they knew that when they entered there they might not leave. Ichigo was aware that his father had sent him because he was the Commander, but he was also aware that he could become a hostage of the Councilor if they found out why he was there, and that was exactly what was going to happen.
Rukia hadn't lied to him, there were Jetaiya soldiers in Maranni. Ichigo had seen them in their yellow and black armor in the city; they were few and he found that the majority were in the Great House.
— His Royal Highness, Prince Ichigo. — Uryu spoke making the proper introduction when Ichigo got off the horse. Soldiers from both Maranni and Jetaiya had surrounded them upon their arrival.
Ichigo could see the surprise in the soldiers in front of him, they were Councilor Kuchiki's soldiers, because the Jetaiya soldiers did not relax their posture. It was easy to recognize the Jetaiya soldiers, their yellow and black armor made them easy to distinguish; Maranni soldiers wore the classic blue and black armor of Avanta, but with an addition in green, an engraving of a tree on the chest of the armor recalling the ancient kingdom to which they belonged.
— I want to speak to Councilor Kuchiki. — He asked calmly as the Jetaiya soldiers looked at him without lowering their weapons and the Maranni soldiers did not know what to do. — Now.
— Yes, yes, your highness. — One of Maranni's young soldiers ran out of there to the entrance of the Great House, and Ichigo just stood there, with the foreign soldiers pointing short swords at him. It was obvious they didn't want him there.
Ichigo knew that the commotion of his arrival would not go unnoticed, he was not supposed to be there but there was no more time, it had to be that day if he wanted to get to Adelaar on time, if he wanted to save Rukia. He could have simply returned to the castle alone when he had all the certainties in hand, but he didn't mean to leave Rukia there, he wasn't going to have the luxury of losing her.
— Your Highness, follow me. — Said the same soldier who had gone to deliver the message a few moments before, the boy looked scared. — But without weapons.
— Very well. — Ichigo didn't even resist doing what the boy asked; Uryu followed suit and they handed their weapons to the soldiers who were waiting for them. Ichigo knew that his absence in Adelaar would also be a message, one to attack.
Ichigo walked behind the soldier, next to Uryu who was observing everything, looking for the exits of the place and the way to move around if they had to leave in a hurry. The soldier stopped in front of a door, which was also guarded by a couple of soldiers, one from each kingdom, and Ichigo knew that the Councilor would not be alone in that office. The soldiers opened the door but did not let Uryu pass, and Ichigo only nodded to his friend, as a way of telling him that everything was going to be fine and that he should follow the plan they had outlined; Ichigo knew that his friend wouldn't die that easy, and neither would he.
Inside the private office of the Lord of Maranni was the Councilor, standing to the right and leaning on his desk; there was a man with an overly serious look standing by a fireplace in front of Ichigo; and another man who seemed indifferent but who had denied with a sneaky smile, that one was leaning against the wall next to a window to Ichigo's left. The silence in that place was so dense that he could cut it with a knife.
— Your mission in Neikel, was it successful? — The Councilor asked without taking his eyes off Ichigo. The man's voice broke the silence but not the tension in the place.
— Yes, my mission was successful; that is why I am here. — Ichigo spoke looking at the three men in that room. — It seems your mission was successful too, Councilor.
— That is why you are here, Your Highness, and not in prison. — The situation was too tense, but Ichigo knew that he had been in worse situations and had survived. The Councilor spoke again. — I have been thinking a lot about events lately, and I must be honest with you, Your Highness, I will not consent to your marriage to my daughter.
— I will assume it is because you have promised her to Koga, isn't it? Your two children married to the heirs of Jetaiya, a good move that the king will surely congratulate. — Ichigo saw the surprise in the Councilor's eyes, but nothing else, the man had a stony expression. Ichigo relaxed his posture, that spark of surprise in the Councilor's eyes was what he needed to know that he had the correct information. — I will also assume that they will attack the kingdom when the princess of Jetaiya can travel back to her home, so as not to have to endanger her life and that of her son, isn't it?
Ichigo looked at the men as he spoke, the man with a serious face, who looked like the councilor, clenched his fists; that man should be Rukia's brother, therefore, the man who smiled should be Koga.
— I see that you are well informed, Your Highness, but unfortunately your information is of no use; we will not allow you to leave the Great House or notify the king of this.
— Will I be your guest? — Ichigo asked raising an eyebrow curiously as he asked that question.
— You will be our prisoner. — The Councilor corrected what Ichigo said without taking his eyes off him.
Ichigo grimaced in surprise but hiding a very faint smile; that seemed entertaining to him. The danger of imminent death he liked, he liked the sensation of adrenaline that ran in his veins at that moment. Ichigo used to complain about the abyss that he was trapped in, but he couldn't stay in the dark that long without learning to enjoy it.
Ichigo knew that if he wanted to, he could kill the three men there and maybe no one would notice; maybe facing Koga would be a bit difficult, both had been with the mercenaries and had an equal fighting technique.
— What makes you think that I have not warned the king of this? I have been in Maranni long before you arrived, I have seen, I have heard, and I have verified that the rumors are true. What makes you think that I didn't warn the king before coming here?
— We know that you have not notified the king, because your escort is still with you.
Ichigo nodded slowly and took a step towards the Councilor; that simple movement made Byakuya and Koga move a step too, as if they were afraid that he would do something to the Councilor. There was a noise outside, but it was too soft for the other men, who were far from the door, to hear.
— Does Rukia know what's going to happen? — He asked calmly, still looking the Councilor in the eye, ignoring the others in that office. — Or will you just tell her that she is marrying someone else because you are going to attack Avanta?
— My sister has been clear about their relationship, she asked to go to Jetaiya herself. — Byakuya's voice sounded behind him.
— Really? — Ichigo looked amused but didn't say anything else, he just looked at Byakuya. Ichigo kept hiding his smile from them.
— Have you ever been told that you're a manipulator, Ichigo? — Koga asked looking at Ichigo with a slight smile.
— A couple of times, but nothing that has been declared true yet. — Ichigo made a nonchalant gesture with his shoulders.
— What's going on here? — The Councilor's confused voice caught the attention of Koga and Ichigo.
— Naive Rukia set you up, and you didn't realize it. That girl is good at lying; she said what you wanted to hear. She knew about the rumors, isn't it? — Koga looked at the Councilor and then at Ichigo who just nodded. — You have been here since before the Councilor arrived, but the only ones who arrived were a couple of soldiers, I know because I was there when they arrived and they warned that the Councilor was arriving in the afternoon. Were those men yours?
— She knew it. She told me that she would prove to me that the rumors were not true and she devised a plan so that I could come and verify that it was all a lie, because she trusted the innocence of her family. — Ichigo looked at the Councilor. — She believed that it was a lie, that they were just rumors, but evidently it was not. We replaced the Councilor's soldiers with a couple of guys who wanted to earn a few extra coins before reaching Maranni. Your soldiers were good at fighting but it wasn't difficult to get rid of them. This is how we have obtained the necessary information, as well as from the mercenaries.
— You! You dared to bring my daughter into all of this! — The Councilor's anger was so great that he closed the distance between him and Ichigo and grabbed him by the collar of his shirt. Ichigo just looked at him without showing any emotion; a visceral attitude could spoil everything, although he wanted to hit the Councilor for daring to do that.
— Someone had to do it, because apparently no one here has the common sense to warn one of those involved. — Ichigo got rid of the Councilor's grip and pushed him a bit; Koga didn't come near and Byakuya was just waiting for an order from his father to call the guards. — Rukia is no longer a little girl, she is perfectly capable of deciding what is good and bad, what is right and what is wrong. Rukia is not an object that you could trade with, not without first telling her what's going on and giving her the option to take or not what you offer her. Councilor, you don't know your own daughter.
— My daughter is no longer your problem, you will be imprisoned and the attack on Avanta is a fact.
The Councilor was about to call for the guards, but Ichigo clicked his tongue, drawing everyone's attention. Ichigo had a smirk on his face, and the Councilor just looked at him without understanding that gesture.
— How many days is it from Adelaar to Maranni? How many days are from Maranni to Verihan? Can they go back and forth in less than two weeks to defend Maranni and attack Adelaar? If they can do that, I'll let them do what they want with the kingdom, destroy it, burn it to the ground; just let my mother and sisters get out of Avanta.
— What do you mean two weeks? — Byakuya asked incredulously at that revelation. — And why would you "let" us conquer the kingdom?
— I have to be in Adelaar in 6 days, if I am not there in that time, the king will send an attack because he will assume that I have been kidnapped and that the rumors that Maranni wants to become independent are true. — Ichigo paused. — The kingdom should be mine, so if I can't have it, I'm not interested in having it. You want to destroy it, and I'd like to know a man's reason for bringing down a kingdom.
Ichigo had said everything he intended to say at the moment, it seemed that the Councilor and his son were still understanding what had happened, and Ichigo would not tell them unless they asked; however, Ichigo really wanted to know why they wanted to attack the kingdom.
— Your father murdered my sister, she was pregnant and he killed her so that his throne would not be in danger; that's why I want him to pay for what he did. — Ichigo raised an eyebrow at the confession. Ichigo knew that if he said something then it would be cruel, because everyone knew what the punishment was for princes who defied the rules, so he just waited for the Councilor to say something else. — I also want to free my family from the pressure of the kingdom, from the cursed Accords of the Fall, and from having to send a child hostage with the promise of being a prince or princess.
— Rukia also wants the same, she doesn't want there to be any marriage agreements, but she doesn't want to kill my father; furthermore, killing the king or conquering the kingdom will not bring her sister back.
— But I'll make sure he suffers the same!
— Do you want to see the king suffer? Kill Kaien. — Ichigo stayed in place looking at the Councilor who hadn't expected such an answer. — If Kaien dies, you will kill the king in pain because the king loves Kaien more than he loves any of his other children. If you kill Kaien, I assure you independence, freedom and the breaking of the Accords of the Fall, with no more bloodshed than Kaien's.
— What? How dare you! — Byakuya said angrily at that suggestion. Ichigo ignored him.
— Accept my offer, or endanger your entire family for a foolish attack. You have until the night to think about it, but I'll leave tomorrow and I'll do it with Rukia; she is my wife, I won't let her stay here if she doesn't want to.
— Do you think I'll allow that? — The Councilor asked and tried to grab Ichigo by the shirt but Ichigo dodged the grab attempt.
— She must return to Adelaar with me, but remember one thing, if I don't return to Adelaar with Rukia in the next 6 days, Maranni is going to finish falling, and I will personally lead the attack. — Ichigo went to the door and opened it; there was Rukia, her expression so neutral that she looked like a stone statue.
— Rukia… — Byakuya whispered.
Rukia stepped into the room and Ichigo stepped aside to let her fully enter; outside the guards were lying on the floor, probably unconscious, and Uryu was in charge of closing the door to give them privacy.
— Father. — It was the first thing Rukia said and Ichigo felt anger flow into that word. — I will only ask one question. Why?
Ichigo was behind Rukia, supporting her but not touching her, he had the impression that she would hit him if he touched her. Byakuya and Koga were there, completely serious; the Councilor wore an expression of utter bewilderment. Rukia had overheard the conversation behind the door, Ichigo had made sure of that.
— You would not understand. — The Councilor managed to say and approached Rukia taking her hands. — I wanted to protect you, you are my only daughter. I didn't want you to have the same fate as my sister, I wanted you to be free and happy.
— But you still sent me to the Queen's Court without telling me what was really going on, what was really going to happen. You engaged me to someone I've only met once in my life without telling me and you let me believe I had a chance elsewhere. Don't you care how I feel? Don't you trust me? — Rukia spoke with difficulty, with a slight tremor in her voice, it was that tone of voice impregnated with disappointment.
— Rukia, this is all so that you can...
— So that I can what, father? So that I can be happy? So that I can live what my aunt, whom I do not know, could not live? So that I can what, father? Because I don't think it's all really about me. — She said releasing her father's hands. — When Ichigo told me what was going on, I said "my father can't do that, my father is an honorable man", but my father kept me in ignorance. Did you think I was going to tell someone what was going to happen?
— Rukia, don't talk to our father like that. — Byakuya put his hand on Rukia's shoulder but she immediately removed it.
— I'll be young, but I'm not stupid. — Byakuya's eyes widened at the way Rukia spoke.
— Do what you want, attack if you want, have your revenge if you want, but tomorrow I'll go with Ichigo.
— You'll be a hostage to the king. — The Councilor couldn't believe what his daughter was saying.
— I will be what I have to be, because upstairs there is an innocent child who does not know about revenge, or conspiracies, or lies.
— Rukia, you are disrespecting me. Measure your words. — The Councilor was upset and Ichigo knew it was time to speak.
— Councilor, I ask you to moderate your words. — Ichigo spoke with a smile, putting a hand on Rukia's shoulder. — After all, Rukia is a princess, and you owe her the respect that the title grants her.
—
The rumors were true, her father intended to attack the kingdom, and now she understood why; it was the sum of all the offenses that the kingdom had done to her family. Rukia understood as well as she could, she knew that the king was not going to let go of Maranni so easily and rebellion was imminent.
Rukia kept thinking about how different everything would have been if her father had trusted her; maybe she would have more actively supported her father's plan or maybe she would have learned many things in the castle that could serve her father and maybe she would not have fallen in love with Ichigo. That last thought made her miserable, because she couldn't imagine her life without him.
Rukia gazed out at the forest from her window, darkness was gradually spreading over the mountains, and night would be imminent at any moment. She knew that she should not lament over things that were done; it was best to wait for her father's response, because the king was going to attack Maranni if she was not in Adelaar in six days, and because she knew that Ichigo would be forced to lead the army to victory.
Running away was not an option, she could not leave her family; betraying them was not an option either, she could not sacrifice their lives for her own happiness. The anger she felt was matched by the fear that ran through her every time she thought about the future so terrifying that could happen.
She stopped thinking about all that when someone knocked on the door, at that moment Rukia was aware that her room was almost dark; she got up, lit a couple of candles while someone knocked on the door again, and when she felt ready to face the world, she opened the door.
— Rukia, we must talk. — Her father was standing in front of her, and Rukia stepped aside to let him pass.
— Is there anything else I should know, father? — She asked in a neutral tone, almost resigned. Rukia no longer knew what else to expect from her father.
— Is there any chance that you will break off your engagement to the Commander and travel to Jetaiya with Hisana, the baby, and your mother? — Rukia closed her eyes hearing her father ask that question.
— Will you endanger the life of a newborn baby? — Rukia answered with a question. That wasn't going to get them anywhere and she knew it, but her father's question had bothered her. — There is no engagement to break, because Ichigo and I are not engaged. We were married in the temple in Orlen, when we were ahead of the caravan. So the answer to your question, father, is no.
— How dare you? Did he forced you, isn't it? He manipulated you into marrying him in secret, isn't it? — Her father was furious. Rukia was looking at him, and her father's reactions hurt.
— He did not manipulate me, he proposed it to me and I accepted; you said it would be my decision, remember? — Her voice cracked a bit but she wasn't going to cry even though at that moment she felt small; Rukia realized that it would never really be her decision.
— You will divorce, and you will go to Jetaiya. Everything is ready, you will leave in the morning with your mother and Prince Koga. — Her father ordered. Rukia took a step back.
— No father, I won't. — Rukia felt her hands tremble from nerves, helplessness, anger and fear.
— You will, you will now. — Her father took her tightly by the arm and led her like this through the corridors.
The people who saw them did nothing, they just stood in silence watching Rukia try to get away from her father. Rukia didn't understand it, nothing made sense, why her? Why was her father treating her like this? At that moment, Rukia felt like she was one more pawn in the war that had not started yet.
Her father led her through the corridors to the underground prisons of the Great House; recognizing the place where they were going, Rukia felt a knot in her stomach and she could not prevent the tears from running down her cheeks. Rukia begged her father to release her, he was hurting her arm, but her father was not listening. Rukia was afraid, a fear that up to that moment she had not felt in her life because her father had never treated her like that.
They stopped in front of a dungeon that was dark, completely dark, and the first thing Rukia saw when one of the soldiers lit a nearby torch, were a pair of yellow eyes that shone from the torch light. It was something very fast, but she definitely knew what she had seen, those eyes weren't human, they were like Ichigo's eagle eyes; those were Kholtan's eyes.
— Rukia… — Ichigo's voice sounded passive, but it wasn't. Rukia could notice a very soft growl coming from Ichigo's throat.
— Say the words, free yourself from a dead man. — Her father said without taking his eyes off Ichigo.
— You can have me here, you can prevent me from leading the attack and you can send Rukia to Jetaiya, but I assure you Soujun Kuchiki, that if you continue with your stupid idea, Maranni will fall. You better than anyone know that Vayalat is going to join the battle and you don't know the game you are playing. — Ichigo said holding on to a couple of bars on the door of the dungeon where he was locked.
Rukia looked at Ichigo, who appeared to have been beaten up and whose clothes were stained with blood.
— Shut the fuck up, or say the words yourself! — Soujun demanded in a firm voice.
Rukia looked at Ichigo fearfully, but he was just looking at her father, as if he wanted to jump on top of him and beat him to death. Ichigo softened his gaze and stuck a hand between the bars palm up, waiting for Rukia's hand. Rukia refused, because she didn't want to do it but her father made her put her hand on Ichigo's hand violently.
— Ichigo, don't do it. I don't want to do it. — Rukia's voice was cracking, and her tears were running down her cheeks. Ichigo was just looking at her with infinite tenderness despite.
— You know that my will is yours, my love. It will only be momentary, we will get married in Adelaar, in a great party, I swear to you by the Shadow; but now we must do this. You're not going to get rid of me so easily. — Rukia felt the grip of Ichigo's hand, but unlike last time, this time she felt calm, security and strength; so Rukia nodded and waited for Ichigo to speak again. — I divorce you, I divorce you, I divorce you.
Ichigo said that phrase three times, once for each Deity, and Rukia couldn't resist anymore; from one moment to another she fell unconscious and was being held by the arms of her father.
Thank you for reading.