Tiger Kunoichi: The Two Dragons

Chapter 8: Scolded/Forced Marriage

Time skip

Shikari was dropped off to her palace and the carriage drove off, but not before looking at Shituku in worry. She looked down in sadness. She felt like she's about to cry, but she managed to hold her tears in.

Shikari heard the door open and she knew for certain it was her parents. She got ready to be in trouble and be scolded for going out with someone from a faraway kingdom. As she expected, the worst part of her life was about to begin.

"Princess Shirikuka. We need to talk in the throne room now," said Tekuta.

Then, Shikari turned and walked inside to the throne room. There, she looked down in disappointment as tears kept rolling down her cheeks. She was not bothering to look at their parents, especially when she heard words looking down on her and when they suspected that she's crying.

"How could you do this?!" asked Shituku. "I thought you said it was the great idea for you to marry Tokute."

"Yeah. I-I just thought..." she trailed off.

"You thought what?" he asked her sternly.

"W-Well... I thought... I should go... to matchmaker Kimeko... to see... if Tokute is the right guy for me," she answered between sobs. "Turns out... the ally on my journey... is the right person."

"He what?" he reacted in astonishment.

"Where were you, princess? Where were you?!" asked Tekuta.

"Haven't you read my note on my bed?!" Shikari managed to say the whole sentence.

"Yes, but you didn't tell us what specific place you were going," said Tekuta.

"I gave you... a chance... to figure it out yourself," said Shikari.

"A princess named Chimoshifu told me that Shirikuka is in love with Prince Shimututufu, one whom she wanted to marry and the rules of the Kingdoms of the Two Dragons are being broken," Ridochimiri informed them.

Shikari stood there not knowing what to say to her parents to defend herself. Now, both of their faces turned to me sternly and angry with discipline for the very first time. So far, all that came out of her mouth was "I..."

"Shirikuka. For not following the rules of marriage and for not telling us specific things about your journey, I hereby decree that you and Tokute's wedding will start tomorrow," said Shituku.

"What?" she said under her breath, then she started to object in a clear voice anyone could hear,"Dad, that is un—"

"No objections and no exceptions," he cut her off. "You're going to marry him whether you like it or not."

"But—" she tried to object again.

"No buts!" Tekuta cut her off, then she sighed facepalming. "Now, go to your room before anything worse happens." That's when her index finger directed towards her way to her bedroom.

Shikari felt like bursting out tears, so she had no choice, but to rush in her bedroom and began to burst into tears on her bed. What have I done? she thought.

The next day...

In her bedroom, Shikari was wearing her first coronation outfit for her forced wedding with Tokute. She felt guilty for not being honest with her parents and keeping things to herself and she felt like all of this was her fault. Right now, she's looking at her mirror observing her wedding Longpao.

She can hear both of her maids squealing about it.

"Oh, Shirikuka! You're so beautiful! Prince Tokute is gonna love it!" one of them said.

"Ugh," Shikari sighed in annoyance.

"Come on, princess! We're doing this for your kingdom's sake! And besides, it's the law and it cannot be removed! Besides, don't you two just get along really well?" another maid asked her.

"No! I don't like him! He tried to flirt with me but—" Shikari made a disgusted face. "Ugh, eww. Yuck!"
 
Suddenly, they all heard a knock on the door.

"Shirikuka! It's him!" the first maid squealed.

Unexpectedly, a familiar voice speaks up, "It's not him! It's just me! Ridochimiri!"

"Oh, right. I thought it was Tokute. Come in!" said the first maid.

The door opened revealing to be Ridochimiri indeed.

"Princess Shirikuka! Your future empress is waiting for you!" he calls her.

Uh-oh, Shikari thought as the worst thing was about to happen. And so she walked out the door.

Later on, the host was about to make vows on both Shikari and Tokute when someone ran through the crowd and yelled out,"Shaft is attacking the Kingdom of the Golden Dragon!!!!! We have to help innocent people there and defeat him!!!!!"

Gasps of shock bounced off the walls. Even Shikari was terribly shocked about the attack in Shituku's home. Tokute ran forward and told the audience, "Don't worry. I'm sure it's all just fake news."

Shikari looked at him suspiciously. Fake news?! I don't believe you, Tokute! Because I don't, she thought. Then, what he said next made her realize something shocking!

"Let's continue the wedding and let this one slide," he made a sliding hand gesture.

Immediately, someone stepped forward out of nowhere. Everyone turned to see it was Arikate telling Tokute, "If I didn't know better, I think you've been loyal to Shaft from the very beginning. You're only marrying Shikari not because you're obsessive with her, but behind your back, you're helping Shaft continue his primary goal and that he's evil without you even knowing it."

Everyone's reaction was a total immediate shock. Tokute was trying to get himself off the hook, but he's sweat-dropping, which means, he's a liar.

Before anyone could reply, the bandits busted down the door.