Imprisoned to Love You [Edited]

♦⊱ Chapter 35 - Festivities ⊰♦

Ruka pov:

"It's time for a break, Kichiro sama! I got us tea," I called, interrupting his kenjutsu practice.

He handed his katanas to Kijima before walking to me. We sat down in the hallway and I reached for the soft towel I had brought along first to dab the sweat that rolled down the sides of Kichiro sama's face. The sight of him shirtless had my mind wandering to flustering memories but I pushed them away so as to not embarrass myself in any way.

I had shifted to sit closer to him and I gently tapped the sides of his face with the towel, letting it absorb the sweat. "You're training as hard as usual."

I pulled away after wiping off most of the sweat and pushing some loose strands of his hair behind his ear. I gazed into his eyes lovingly and smiled as he pulled me forward into a kiss.

I was at first awkward about how openly Kichiro sama expressed his affection for me when in front of Kijima san and soldiers and maids but it wasn't long before I got used to it. I didn't have the heart to refuse him – I was just glad that the kisses we shared in the presence of few audiences were always chaste.

My lips curled up into a smile when Kichiro sama nipped gently at my bottom lip, still hesitant and learning to be more expressive and passionate in kisses. He cupped my face as we parted. I regarded him with another smile before I shifted away a little. I then poured tea into two cups from the kettle on the tray. I handed one to Kichiro sama and picked up one for myself to drink.

"Is it good?" I asked after he had taken a sip. He liked the tea to be made from freshly plucked leaves and I made sure to make it just that way every time.

He nodded and I smiled gleefully before drinking my tea. Post tea, Kichiro sama resumed kenjutsu practice while I remained seated, watching him. He looked so powerful and handsome – I think he had become even more handsome than before since we returned here half a year ago.

Life was perfect and I was happy in every moment of it. I was happy to be with Kichiro sama always. He had become even more possessive and protective of me ever since we became more intimate and I loved every bit of the special treatment I got.

Almost an hour passed with Kichiro sama practicing kenjutsu before he was interrupted by a messenger. The man got down on one knee and held out a roll of parchment to Kichiro sama. The latter took the scroll and read through it before handing it to Kijima san.

"Kijima, get a carriage ready. We are to leave soon to attend the Rice Festival in the neighboring district."

"Are we going to a festival?" I asked smiling wide as I stepped to Kichiro sama. He nodded and I laughed, excited, "It's been so long since I've been to a festival! This is so exciting! There will be food and games and fireworks and we get to wear fancy clothes! Oh, Kichiro sama, may I pick what you'll wear for the festival?"

He nodded to that as well, making me laugh cheerily again. Goodness, he was always so sweet to me!

I took a hold of his hand and hurried to our room so we could get ready. While Kichiro sama showered, I picked out our clothes. Since we were the emperor and empress, we had to wear clothes that screamed of royalty. I picked a kimono dress of blue and red for myself and matching attire for Kichiro sama. I changed into my clothes quickly and handed Kichiro sama his clothes when he stepped out of the shower. He curtly began to take off his bathrobe and I squealed while turning around and covering my face that had already turned several shades of red.

When we were dressed, attendants came in to do our hair and my makeup. I blushed when Kichiro sama and I looked at each other when we were ready. His attire was a snug fit robe with the royal emblem embroidered on his chest in bright gold. He wore his crown over the part of his hair that was tied up while the rest of the strands fluttered loosely. He looked incredibly handsome.