The following days Kaoru spent at the new household was uneventful, fortunately. She lent from the maids that the old house had burned down with the last young master in it, everyone else were able to get out of the house but he was somehow stuck in it. They could only listen to him scream helpless, the fire was too wild to be put out. As for the new house, the Kaneko were wealthy, they could afford a new house.
That being said, she still wondered why they insisted she come back. Lady Kaneko's threat worried her deeply and Kohana surprisingly kept her distance, she thought they had bonded when they were at the temple.
Despite being recognised as a bona fide daughter of the family the maids still treated her with contempt, especially Ayame. She wouldn't how that b*tch was still alive. Anyway, she kept to herself so she rarely had conflicts with those maids. Today, a luxurious cart accompanied by some soldiers wearing strange uniforms arrived at the mansion, it was decorated with gold and precious and was pulled by the finest horses she had ever seen. A finely dressed young man came out the cart first and gave his arm for an older lady equally dressed to come out too, lord Kaneko and his wife were out there to receive them. That was the first time she had seen lady Kaneko treat someone with fear and reverence.
Ignoring them Kaoru went back to her room, soon lady Kaneko was fling to start talking about her marriage. Knowing her bone deep hatred for her she would probably marry her off to one vagabond or marry her to an old man for some benefits. Neither option was palatable for her, anything she thought about her marriage her mind involuntarily went to Susumu. She caught herself thinking about him more than necessary. Considering it she found a messenger to deliver a message to the temple for her however the messenger couldn't find him so he came back empty handed. He had left a message at the temple so if Susumu ever came back he would know to come find her.
Feeling depressed Kaoru walked to the small hall lord Kaneko used to receive important guests, there was nothing like delicious gossip to elevate the mood. She joined the maids sitting outside the hall, these ones were at the very least cordial with her and knew how to mind their businesses. She leaned closer to the doors than necessary so she could get something, she heard a muffled voice that sounded like Kohana's. They exchanged pleasantries and went straight to the matters at hand, they had come for a marriage alliance with the first young last which technically, was Kohana. Thinking it not worth her attention she returned to her room.
By evening time, Kaoru was sent for by lord Kaneko to join the family for dinner which was the first time. An imp in her head was waving a red flag in but she couldn't disobey, she dressed in the kimono first young master Yuuko had given her and covered her face with a veil before joining them for dinner. She didn't want to give them a reason to realise their plans.