Chapter 9

Seiya closed the door to Kenji's office behind him. He had the signatures he needed and was already halfway out when he stopped abruptly. The images from the previous evening, Taiki entering the hall with Usagi, kept replaying in his mind. He couldn't leave without talking to her one more time. He turned around and realized he was alone. He hurriedly ascended the stairs, contemplating which room Kenji might have assigned to her.

Minako's room was the first on the right, but he doubted that Kenji would give Usagi that room, considering the wounds Minako's death had left. Seiya hesitated for a moment, considering. Knowing the rooms from his childhood, he quickly concluded that Kenji had likely given her the middle room on the left side. After Minako's, it was the largest and best-equipped on the floor.

He entered the room almost soundlessly and stopped by the door. His gut feeling hadn't deceived him. Usagi lay on the bed, eyes closed, holding a pillow tightly. Seiya observed her attentively, trying to understand what was happening. Why had she pretended to be a beggar when her father obviously had unlimited wealth? Was she just after information from him? Questions swirled in his head, but he found no answers. His eyes remained fixed on the blonde. It was as if he were searching for clues that could explain the puzzle of her motives.

Initially, Usagi didn't notice Seiya's presence, so lost was she in her own thoughts. The longing for her siblings made her feel lonely and vulnerable. Only when she sat up did she realize Seiya was standing in her room. A sudden shock ran through her, and her voice trembled as she asked, "You? What are you doing here?"

Seiya leaned against the door with crossed arms, looking at her skeptically, a cool expression in his gaze. "You're a damn good actress; I almost bought the whole act of being a street girl. The only thing I don't understand is why you pulled off this drama. But I'll find out."

Startled, Usagi jumped up and took a few steps toward him. "No, it's not like that. Really, Seiya."

Seiya snorted in annoyance, looking down at her disdainfully. "Oh, and how was it then? A few days ago, you told me you live on the streets with your siblings, and the next moment, you stand before me as the heir of the Tsukinos. So tell me now what your intentions are. I'm not foolish, Usagi, or should I say Serena?" he snapped angrily, taking a step closer. He had to control his emotions; he couldn't afford to raise his voice, or security guards would be in this room soon.

Usagi's stomach tightened painfully, and her heart seemed to skip a beat. "Seiya, please, you have to believe me. What I told you in the café was the truth. I only learned that Kenji is my biological father the day after you left me at the café."

Seiya continued to look at her disdainfully. "Oh, and as soon as the wealthy father shows up, you agree to marry a total stranger," he hissed, taking another step closer. It was challenging for him to control his escalating emotions, but he couldn't afford to be too loud; otherwise, security would be in this room soon.

Usagi wiped away tears with the back of her hand and began to speak with a trembling voice, "Seiya, I had no other choice. You have to believe me," she said finally, sitting down with her head bowed.

Seiya's initial harshness slowly began to soften as he saw Usagi like this. Her sad expression reminded him of their first encounter, and he started to ease up. "What do you mean? You had no choice? Everyone has a choice," he asked, still skeptical but now curious about her explanation.

Usagi wiped her tears and spoke with a quivering voice, "Kenji promised me that if I agreed to the wedding, he would ensure Shingo and Chibiusa a carefree life. I just couldn't refuse, Seiya. Winter is approaching, and I don't know if we would have survived it again. Even in the warm months, it was challenging to survive on the streets. In winter, there's even less to eat, and the cold gnaws at you. Have you ever been so hungry that you had to survive on potato peels and rotten leftovers just to stay alive? I doubt it. Have you ever sat by the bed of your sick siblings, just praying for the fever to go away simply because there was no money for medicine or a doctor's visit? I would have done anything to spare them that fate again... I did everything to spare them that. And if you want to continue blaming me, then I ask you to leave. I'm doing more than enough. After all, they're gone now, and I don't know."

Seiya continued to observe Usagi as she struggled with her desperation. Her tears and heartfelt plea touched his heart, and he began to realize that there was more to this situation than he had initially assumed. Something in her eyes and voice told him that she was telling the truth.

Slowly, he approached her, and when he knelt before her, gently placing his hand on her shoulder, his gaze was no longer cold but showed understanding. "Darling, I can imagine you only want the best for your siblings, but... do you really think this is the right way? Do you truly believe it can work between you and Taiki? Is this really what you want?" Seiya's voice sounded concerned and empathetic now.

Usagi looked up at him upon hearing her nickname. "I don't know, but I have to try. I don't see any other way," she whispered softly. Her gaze appeared uncertain, and her heart pounded heavily with excitement.

Seiya stood up slowly, disappointment evident on his face. He knew that after Kenji's announcement yesterday, preventing the upcoming engagement was nearly impossible. This planned marriage was the pinnacle to unite both families, and it also concerned his brother, whom he couldn't betray. Discord between the brothers would only attract enemies. "I hope you know what you're doing," he said quietly, heading toward the door.

But before he could leave the room, Usagi's hand shot forward, and her delicate fingers grasped his. She wasn't ready to let him go just yet, wanting to hold onto this moment a bit longer. In her eyes, there was a plea for him to stay.

"Seiya, if I had known who you really are, I would never have agreed to marry your brother. You should know that. I wanted to thank you. You were the only one in two years who was kind to me despite my miserable circumstances. Believe me, I'll never forget that," Usagi whispered, and Seiya could see delicate tears in her eyes.

Gently, Seiya lifted her chin, forcing her to meet his gaze. "You're so different from the others, has anyone ever told you that? Even when I saw you sitting on the roadside, you caught my attention." As he spoke, he tucked a stray strand of hair behind her ear.

Finally, unable to resist, he leaned in and planted a brief kiss on her lips. But before Usagi could grasp what was happening, he had pulled away and had the doorknob in his hand. "This will be damn hard for us. Don't let me weaken again, darling," he said with a smile, winked at her once more, and disappeared.

Usagi still stood there, staring at the door through which he had suddenly vanished. Her fingers moved up to her lips, exactly where he had just touched her. She felt torn between the expectations and obligations that awaited her and the unexpectedly beautiful feelings that Seiya had just triggered in her. It was as if her heart was fighting against her mind, and she didn't know which one to follow.

The memory of Seiya's kiss still lingered on her lips, and thoughts of the impending engagement with his brother slowly crept to the forefront. Doubts gnawed at her. Had it been a mistake to accept Kenji's offer? Would her father maybe arrange a marriage with Seiya as well? After all, he was also a Kou. But would Seiya and her father agree to such a plan? After all, they had only known each other for a few days.

In this moment, there was a knock on her door. Usagi startled and looked toward the door, which slowly opened. She fervently hoped it was Seiya returning, but it was only Mimete, entering with her smile as radiant as ever.

"Serena, it's time. Your father is expecting you for your meeting in the salon," Mimete announced, holding the door open for her.

Usagi straightened her shoulders as she stood up. She couldn't let anything show.

Kenji stood in front of the fireplace, holding a picture of Minako in his hand as Usagi entered the salon. "You wanted to talk to me?" she asked, and he placed the picture back on the mantelpiece.

"Yes, sit down, Serena. How did you find the celebrations yesterday?" he asked, taking a seat across from her.

The festivities had extended late into the night, and Taiki hadn't left her alone for a moment. When others tried to find out more about Usagi, he skillfully redirected the topics. He had been very courteous, and his presence wasn't unpleasant, but he didn't evoke the same feelings in her as Seiya did.

"It was all very new to me," she replied evasively, trying to hide her feelings and thoughts.

"You'll surely get used to it quickly. For a first appearance, you handled it well. You two make a lovely couple. Oh, before I forget, starting tomorrow, you'll spend several hours daily practicing with Mimete-etiquette, behavior, dance, and the most important individuals and their relationships. You should master the basics by the engagement ceremony. Also, I'd like you to address me as 'Father' in public. That avoids unnecessary explanations," he instructed.

Usagi nodded. "Okay."

Kenji scrutinized his daughter. "Serena, before your wedding takes place, I need to know something from you. Are you still untouched?"

Usagi looked at him, her cheeks reddening. She understood what he meant, of course, but the question was unexpected and uncomfortable. She felt overwhelmed and wasn't sure how to react.

"Are you still a virgin? This is an important clause in your marriage contract; Kakashi insisted on it. If not, I need to know to set some things in motion," he asked more insistently.

Slightly intimidated, Usagi nodded. "Yes, I am."

And suddenly, it dawned on her what awaited her. She had just received her first kiss from Seiya, and her heart raced when she thought of him. But her wedding night would be spent with another, with Taiki, his brother.

Relief spread across Kenji's face. "That's good. Then nothing should stand in the way of your marriage. The medical examination in a few days is just a formality," he explained further and then laughed when he noticed Usagi's expression. "You don't need to worry. Taiki will know what to do; I'm sure of it."

"I... I thought we had to enter the marriage as virgins," Usagi blurted out, causing Kenji to laugh a bit louder. "Dear child, that naturally only applies to the woman. It would be irresponsible if neither of you knew what to do."

Reflective and embarrassed, she lowered her head. She knew it was now time to speak openly with her father. "I know this might come as a surprise, but... does it have to be Taiki that I marry? I mean, he also has two brothers. What if one of the other two is a better match for me?"

Kenji furrowed his brow. "Why are you asking something like that? Yesterday, you gave your consent. Taiki is the heir, and you seem to get along well... apart from that, his brothers are clearly not suitable candidates for husbands. I wouldn't even entrust a cactus to Yaten, and Seiya is not a settled man... Well, I'd better spare you further explanations. You will surely form your own opinion of your brothers-in-law. Is there anything else you want to talk about?"

Somewhat intimidated, Usagi glanced down after expressing her wish. But Kenji's response was clear. It was really only Taiki who was considered as a son-in-law.

"Yes, there is one more thing, actually. Would it be possible for Chibiusa and Shingo to come to the wedding? They are all I have left of a family, and I would like to have them by my side on such an important day," she said, and as she spoke, Kenji began shaking his head. "As much as it pains me to say it, that won't be possible. You need to focus on settling into your new life now, and they into theirs. After the wedding and the holidays are behind us, we can talk about it again. Before that, I view the whole thing rather critically."

Sadness filled Usagi's gaze as she stared into the fire. Obviously, she had to yield to her father's will; there seemed to be no other choice. After all, she didn't even know where her siblings were. Her only information was the name of a boarding school.

There was a knock, and one of the staff members entered. "I'm sorry to disturb you, Sir, but Mr. Kou has arrived." Kenji raised an eyebrow. "Which one? Did Seiya forget to sign something again?"

Usagi's heartbeat quickened as she heard that Seiya was nearby. Her stomach tightened at the thought of encountering him. The staff member stepped aside, revealing Taiki. Usagi felt a mix of relief and sadness. She forced a smile, hoping no one would notice her disappointment. Her feelings and thoughts were more than complicated at that moment.

"Taiki, nice to see you. What can I do for you?" greeted Kenji his guest, extending a friendly hand.

"I actually wanted to see Serena. I thought it would be nice for her to accompany me to a business dinner. Since the engagement will be official in a few days anyway, it would be appropriate to gradually introduce her to society. Or is there any objection?" Taiki explained.

Usagi felt all eyes on her, making her nervous. Kenji nodded encouragingly, and she understood what he expected from her.

"Hello, Taiki. Of course, I'll be happy to accompany you."

Usagi still felt nervous as she stood up to follow Taiki. He offered her his arm, just as he did yesterday, and she linked her arm with his. The two left the salon and headed towards the parking lot. Taiki led her to an elegant black sports car and opened the door for her to get in.

She knew, after her conversation with her father, that the engagement was inevitable, and she had to get used to becoming a part of this world. She had to get used to him because he would be her husband.

Taiki took the driver's seat and glanced over at her. "And where shall we go?" Usagi's features tensed. Why was he asking her something like that? He had just mentioned a business appointment. "Uh... didn't you say something about a business dinner?" "Call it an excuse to get to know my fiancée better, but I already have an idea."