(16 years and 7 months after reincarnation.)
[Takina's POV]
At noon, 50 people gathered in a hall called the Seiryo-den, an audience chamber for meetings and other diplomatic related incidents.
This time it's used for neither of those.... Instead, it is for a ceremonious jurisdiction of criminals who have committed a capital offense - Attempt at taking the life of the Emperor!
"-Their ambitious attempt at Tenno-sama's life has caused tremendous property damage, countless traumatised, 50 injured, and 18 deaths amongst the guest who attended the Grand Hall. Such actions are intolerable even in the kindness and generosity of Tenno-sama!"
In the middle of the hall are 30 people kneeling with their hands tied. They are the criminals, the wanted people, the very assassins that tried to kill us all last night.
The right hand minister stood near the throne and spoke out of a scroll. His voice filled with resentment and anger, as if he's yelling at the criminals kneeling before him.
"It is only with the help of Lady Fujiwara-no-Takina that Tenno-sama is able to survive that night.... We must make sure her achievements was heard amongst all of us here."
"(Applause...)"
From the sides of the hall along with countless other guests, I bowed my head gently.
"Now, back onto the topic at hand.... What says you in your defense, Sanada Masanari, brother of Sanada Masanaga, co-criminal of the villainous scheme last night?!"
"....I have nothing to say against a Tyrant."
The man kneeling at the forefront of them all said, in a cold voice devoid of all emotions.
"Heresy! How dare you accuse Tenno-sama as a tyrant?!"
Hearing the minister's words, the other assassins shouted out in anger whilst Sanada Masanari kept his mouth shut.
"It is no heresy, the emperor is a evil bastard in his own right! If it wasn't for his blasphemous betrayal, we would never have lost to the Odas!"
The Sanada Clan.... They were the clan that lied in the middle of Japan, and serve as a road block to most of Japan.
Still, it took the combined effort of Uesugi Kenshin and Takeda Shingen to fully take down them.... Of course, this would also mean that they'd harbor some sort of grudge against Kenshim-sama and Takeda Shingen.....
What took me by surprise was that they directed their hatred towards the Emperor, Go-Nara instead. I didn't know what happened to them, but they must have been betrayed by the emperor for them to lose?
"Lies, all of it! I shall have to cut you down where you kneel for this disrespect to the emperor-"
"Stop it, Minister Fujiwara. There is no need to quarrel with the likes of these traitors." Said the emperor to the left hand minister.
"...Yes, Tenno-sama. By decree of his heavenly highness, and under the laws of the unestablished Shogunate, I will bring justice onto these fools emboldened by their ambitions to make an attempt at the life of the Emperor. Their sentence will be death by beheading! The execution will be held next week, make your death wishes before then!"
"(Mumbling...)" (?x)
"You imperial bastards!"
"Death to the traitors!"
"Silence, let there be order!" Upon the minister's shouting, the hall returned to its previous calmness.
"Ahem.... Thus this conlcudes the jurisdiction of the assassins from Sanada Clan. Guards, take the prisoners to their cells."
"Yes, Minister!" (?x)
The assassins were taken away, and this should be the end of this courtroom.... Or so I thought, until I heard what the right hand minister have to say.
"Up next, we have a small ceremony from the emperor himself, to grant a reward worthy of the feats performed by Lady Fujiwara-no-Takina last night. I welcome her forward, to the front of the throne."
Uhh, what?!
"(Applause)!"
I-I see, so this is why the emperor told me to wear these clothes and attend this.... Well I hope I don't embarrass myself. I should've put on my makeups as well.....
With the training that I got out of my visit in Bostnia Continent, I walked out of the crowd to the middle of the hall in a way that is befit of a lady.... or so I thought.
"Bahaha, what is this lady doing?!"
"The way she's walking, it's so weird!"
Well, excuse me for being a foreigner who don't know the etiquette of japanese royalties, you dumbasses-
"Is this how you treat the emperor's savior?!"
"...?!" (?x) Even I was surprised when the minister yelled out to the hall.
"I'd not allow anyone to disrespect the audience of his highness, let alone one who saved him! As a lady who hails from the west, it is only natural for her to walk exactly like nobles from her homeland! I'd not tolerate any disrespect to an honored guests from beyond the seas, understand?!"
"...." (?x)
"I'll that that as a yes."
"....Thank you, Fujiwara-sama." I said to him as I bowed my head down while standing in the middle of the hall.
"Naturally, ojou-dono. Now then, let the ceremomy continue. Tenno-sama, it's time."
"Right. By my right as the Emperor of Japan, I shall grant onto thee, Lady Fujiwara-no-Takina, the honor of receiving a personal title as reward for saving my life."
"(Applause)!"
"Rejoice, as I shall bestow upon thee the title of the Crimson Weaving Blade, a title will be known by many as the title of a renowned swordswoman, and a dancer that has impressed even the emperor - myself."
The Crimson Weaving Blade huh.... It sounds incredibly chuunibyou (edgy) that's for sure.... Well, not like I can refuse it.
"Thank you, Tenno-sama. Rest assured that I will carry this name with great honor wherever I go, and may this title never be tarnished by any disrespect."
"Indeed, Lady Fujuwara. You may raise your head and return to your place."
"Thank you, Tenno-sama." With his words, I stood up and headed back towards where I came from....
"You can handle the rest, Minister. I'll take my leave first."
"Yes, tenno-sama...."
After the Emperor walked out of the hall, the minister finally concluded the ceremony.
"With this, the ceremony of today will be finished.... All of you are dismissed."
And upon the minister finishing....
"Now then.... I was granted a title by the emperor...." I said out loud, to the people who stood besides me.
"...?" (?x)
"Which means I must defend myself from the disrespect that the few of you gave me right before that, as it is what I swore to the emperor - to defend my honor of holding this title."
"!" (?x)
"Hehehe.... Don't think the few of you who insulted me can hide amongst the crowds, I still remember who said that I looked stupid!"
"Ahh! Someone get the guards, this woman is crazy!"
With the entire crowd panicking, I laughed out loud.
"Hahaha! Please consider it a joke, I'd never want to cut someone down over mere slandering remarks...."
"Phew...." (?x)
"But remember, I am still the personal bodyguard of Uesugi Kenshin and Uesugi Genji.... As people who are born in the samurai class, the few of you'd know what it means to insult a warrior right...?"
"Gulp...." (?x)
"Now then, I shall take my leave as well.... Minister Fujiwara-sama, apologies for my behavior, and thank you again for defending me just now."
"Very well."
_________________
(4:08 p.m.)
With the end of the court, we were free once more. Without anything to do, I decided to laze around the room getting more sleep because I haven't been able to rest well lately....
Well guess what? 'Knock knock!'
"Zzz.... Grr...."
Who the fuck is it...?! Why can't anyone just let me sleep in peace after an all nighter...?!
I got up and went to open the door, still annoyed at the person who disturbed my sleep. 'Goo!'
"Crimson Blade Ojou.... It is me again." It was the same maid who came at this morning.
"Please don't ever call me that again.... What do you need this time?"
"I realized I may have came at a terrible timing.... But the emperor has once again sent me as a messenger."
"He did huh.... Well, I'm listening."
"He requested you to go to the palace's sakura garden during the dining time.... There will be maids here to escort you."
"Dining time? Does he intent to dine with me?"
"Indeed he does.... As a way to thank you personally, as well as to learn more about you."
"I see.... Thank you for your words, if you have no more business here, then I suggest you to leave."
"Understood, ojou-sama. Excuse me for bothering you."
"It's fine." I shut the door on her after replying that.
God dammit.... This emperor is a real pain in the ass. I mean I'm thankful to him for giving me those clothes and my new title, but I don't want to waste my time entertaining a 30 year-old man with 5 wives just because I saved his life.
Besides, I'm not even interested in dating in the first place! If God forbids it, I'll have to just desert my post and reunite with Sora-sama outside....
_____________
(Later....)
The sun had started to set, the day draws near it's end. Two maids stood in front of my room, waiting for me to get prepared.
"Well then, Genji-sama I'm off to dine with the emperor...."
"Right. By the way...."
Genji walked up to me to whisper silently.
"I have some birth control medicines if you need it-"
"I don't need it!"
"Fine fine, just don't complain about the consequences...."
"It's not like I'll be sucking the emperor tonight...! And keep your voice down, what happens if those two hear us...?!"
"It's fine, it's just a joke."
"A joke that'll get us both killed.... Well, see you later young man."
"I'm older than you you know?"
After our banter, I headed out of my room and followed the two maids deeper into the palace, to the Sakura garden that rests in one of the corner within the palace's walls.
"This is the place, ojou-dono."
"Oh...."
Sadly, Sakura trees don't bloom at autumn. Most of the leaves are turning yellow on these trees, matching in tone with the yellowish sky of a setting sun. Amidst all the tiny ponds and rivers is a small open space roof with tables inside - a gazebo, meant to be used as a resting place inside a garden.
Sitting inside the Gazebo is the emperor dressed in casual clothes compared to his usual Imperial Robe. A few more maids stood inside, and 2 royal guards stood at the entrance to the gazebo.
I am of course dressed in the multi-layered kimono that were gifted to me by the emperor, and had properly tied up my hair into a bun.
I handed off my katana to one of the royal guard...
"Take care of my baby here."
"This is an expensive looking sword.... Mind if I tried it out?"
"Just don't chip it." I said as I went into the tent.
"So you came, and you are even early by 10 minutes...."
"So are you, Tenno-sama. It's in my disgrace to have shown up after you do."
"It's alright. And there is no need to speak so formally now that we are in privacy, I'll allow you to speak to me as you'd a normal person."
"Oh.... But then, what shall I call you?"
"Nara, my name is Nara. Have a seat, ojou-dono."
"Alright, Nara-sama...."
I sat down in the opposite end of the table, facing Nara. Countless food dishes rest on top of the table, but they look freshly cooked.... and delicious.
"I am starving, shall we talk as we eat?"
"I thought so as well, Nara-sama."
"Then let's dig in. Itadakimasu."
"Itadakimasu..."
________________
Minutes that passed by eventually turns into nearly half an hour as we conversed while sharing a meal.
You may assume that because of his status as the emperor he'd be talking about something serious, or he'd be a dirty man who is only interested in my body.....
But he wasn't like that. He was a person as well.
The things that we talked are mundane and useless. "What's your favorite food?" "What do you think of Kyoto?" "How long have you wielded that sword?"
It was like talking to anyone else.... And before I know it, I found myself having fun just hanging out with this man. Could someone like this really be a womanizer?
Even though I have no intention to love him.... Well, we are still testing each other's waters so I should just keep my guard up in case he's a scumbag playing pretend at a virtuous king.
As we had finished our food and the sky had started to turn into twilight, the scenery becomes profoundly calm.... like a candlelight dinner.
"Did you know, Fujiwara-san? That it is said that during Twilight, ghosts and monsters will come out of their nests to hunt prey - humans."
"I have heard about it from some folklores around here. I doubt there's any truth to that though."
"Oh? Can you elaborate?"
"I have been to countless places, from Bostnia Continent to Centralia Continent.... Ghosts don't show up at twilight or night.... They show up in places where sunlight won't even reach in the first place."
"I see.... I was born and raised in the palace, rarely having a chance to go out. I don't have the fortune of understanding even the simplest logic like this simply because I have never lived a normal life."
"Hmm.... Do you dislike the role that you were given?"
"....No, I do not. For one, I know that I'm far better in state of being than most others out there.... I don't have to worry about war, about bandits, about getting food and water."
"Right...."
"You know, sometimes I really admire warriors like you. People who can live and fight for what they believe in without a hint of hesitation.... people like you and your Lord, Uesugi Kenshin. I don't have the strength to fight by myself...."
"But you don't need this much power.... I wished I never needed to wield a sword anyway."
"What do you mean?"
"People like me.... Like Kenshin-sama.... When we first wielded our blade it was likely when we were forced to protect ourselves."
"Haha, you are a bad liar, Fujiwara-san...."
"What...?"
"It's nothing you should be concerned about.... But you are lying not to me, but to yourself."
"What do you mean?"
"It is impossible for someone being forced to wield a blade to be this good at it.... I know this as a fact because countless villagers and citizens alike are forced to fight, and yet they don't get good at it."
"I... I see...."
"From what I can tell on my side, maybe you truly have a passion for swordsmanship.... Well, take that advice with a grain of salt because I'm not a warrior myself...."
"Haha, I guess so!"
But still.... Do I like to learn swordsmanship?
....I don't. It is only for the simple reason of self-defense that I can't help but keep getting better at it.
"...I think it's about time that I talked to you about the main reason I invited you over tonight."
"...?"
"I will get straight to the point.... Lady Fujiwara,-"
The emperor grabbed my hands, and looked me in the eye....
"-will you join me in soul and in body, and become my wife?"
"Eh...? Ehhh?!"
Did this guy just proposed to a lady that he barely knew?!
(Chapter end)