The Ice Princess

Chapter 3

*** In the past ***

It had been a while since (Y/N) and her husband Tadakatsu had been present in a social event. Since the news that the woman couldn't bear any children, they needed some time to order their thoughts, especially Tadakatsu. But he loved his wife too much to annul their wedding, and he still had his younger brother to carry on the lineage, so against his father's wish, he stayed with her.

This event they were at, was nothing less than the wedding of the heir of the emperor. Every important person was there to give the new couple their congratulations, to see who else was there, and of course to gossip. The most powerful sorcerers' families were all there. Although the jujutsu society functioned in secret, they had great esteem amongst the empire.

Among all the guests was when she first had seen him. His long shining silver hair was the first thing to get her attention. This tall man held himself high, the way he walked conveyed confidence and power. He was walking next to a woman that looked to be with child, probably his wife. The way he guided her with his hand on the small of her back gave her a small stab of envy.

Next to her, her own husband followed her gaze. Seeing who (Y/N) was staring at, he clarified.

"Ha. The Gojo heir has arrived. That is Van and his wife Hitomi. It looks like they are expecting their first child."

Zenin observed the features of his love. He thought she was looking at the woman with longing because she couldn't get pregnant. It pained him to see her like that, but he couldn't comfort her right now, not with so many people watching. He just wasn't the type of man to show his affection in public.

"Gojo, hum. I thought he was overseas?"

"Yes, he was for a long time. That's why he only married last year hastily. I have heard that he didn't even have time to get to know his wife before the wedding."

"If that is so, then their parents made a good match. They look happy and in love."

With a bitter-sweet smile Tadakatsu slightly brushed his wife's cheek. Contrary to what she believed, he thought the happy couple was just a charade and he wanted to show it to her.

"Come, let's talk to them."

Following her husband, (Y/N) soon stood in front of the Gojo's. She saw Katsu and Van hug like two old friends.

"Zenin is that you? You look old my friend."

"Old? Have you seen yourself in the mirror? Your hair is all gray."

They laughed and shared some more words until Gojo introduced his wife. Tadakatsu did the same and as (Y/N)'s (e/c) eyes met Gojo's sapphire blue ones, she felt as if the man was looking into her soul. Her hairs stood up covering her arms in goosebumps, while her heart missed a beat.

"It's an honor to meet you Zenin-san."

He gave her a stunning smile that forced her to look to the ground so she could breathe again.

"Thank you... Likewise Gojo-san." She managed to get the words out somehow.

The two men kept talking cheerfully, remembering their time they had spent together as kids. That left (Y/N) to talk to Hitomi Gojo.

"So... How far are you?" She pointed to the woman's bump.

*

Sometime later, (Y/N) was taking some air alone in a corner of the ample well-kept garden. As she was breading in the fresh air while enjoying the solitude, she felt a presence behind her. It was well hidden, but the ominous pressure from cursed energy was unmistakable. She turned around to find Van Gojo observing her. As their eyes met, he approached.