Perhaps, She Does

ᴠɪɪ.

She let out a relieved sigh when the young samurai left. She took her seat and the Young Master helped her. She was about to reach her due soon. Higa knelt in front of her and held her hands. She was keeping the golden box full of different kinds of accessories he gave to her, meaning that they are officially engaged. She smiled faintly, feeling like she was being unfair with him. She accepted his gifts despite being in love with the young samurai.

"Suu-kun, you should not stay with someone who is in love with anyone else." She whispered and he shook his head. He kissed the back of her hands. She slowly let go of his hands as she reached for the golden box to give it to him.

"Why are you so obsessed with someone who decided to leave you that night? I never left you, Fuyu. I never left you despite the fact that he is the father of your child." His whisper was too loud for her. She cried silently and she felt guiltier.

"I'm not obsessed with him, Suu-kun. I am in love with him even though I know that he will not see me as a woman. I decided to keep this child because she is the only most important thing he left to me." The older one cupped her cheeks and gently wiped her tears.

Three years had passed and everything seemed to be ordinary. Because of her father, she is one of those people who were getting to try all the new items from other countries. She stood in front of a huge brass mirror while putting on a kimono made with the finest silk. She and her nanny heard tiny footsteps approaching and she smiled sweetly when it was her daughter. She held her hand while looking up at her with such puppy eyes.

"What did you do this time?" She asked softly as they walked out of her bedroom to see what happened. Her long waist-length black hair beautifully flew over her back and it was decorated with tiny silver and golden flower pins.

She stopped from her tracks when she saw the samurai waiting for them in the living room. The most surprising thing was that the Emperor was also there. Her father arrived from the kitchen to serve food for both men and she bowed her head to give respect. She carefully squatted down to carry her little daughter in her arms. She wanted to ask why they were there and what was their business with them but her father asked her to take a seat. Her daughter asked her what was going on but she just said that she should keep quiet for a while.

"We would like to ask your daughter's hand for marriage." The Emperor suddenly said and they were too surprised to move. Her daughter jumped from her lap and took tiny steps towards her real father.

"Papa!" She clenched her fists tightly while looking how picture perfect the two were. She felt like she stole her daughter's right to know her real father. He looked at her, asking permission if he could carry their child. She nodded and then, he smiled widely.

The two elders talked about things while the two younger ones were at the garden with their child. Her nanny prepared food and drinks for them as the little one requested for her favorite fruits. He stared at her while they were having a cup of tea. Their little daughter was busy eating her favorite fruit when she felt his gaze on her. Her cheeks turned crimson while trying to look away.

"My warm winter.." He trailed her endearment he used for her a few years ago and this made her remember how they made their little daughter that time. She cleared her throat and took another sip from her tea cup.

"I prefer to be called by my name, Yamasho-sama." She said formally but then, she looked at him in disbelief when he just let out a soft chuckle. The elders followed them to the garden and announced their decision that they will get married next month. She was worried about it, thinking that her future mother-in-law might not be able to accept her and her daughter.

"What if I don't want to get married, Father?" She suddenly asked her father and they all looked at her. The Emperor asked her what she was worried about and she just smiled faintly. Her little daughter ran towards her and hugged her waist while looking up at her with puppy eyes.

"Isn't it better if he will marry a woman who doesn't have any mistakes from the past? I will give him the rights to be Hanahime's father and it is not necessary for us to get married." She said and then, she carried her little daughter in her arms, proceeding back to her room.

"I'll pack up some of Hanahime's clothes. You don't need to worry. I'll let you spend time with her for three days every week." She carefully placed down Hanahime as she knew that Sho followed them. She packed up Hanahime's clothes and he grabbed her arm to stop her.

"Fuyu, do you think I only want my rights to be Hanahime's father? Can't you see that I want you to be my wife, to be the mother of our future children? Stop being so selfish." She pulled her arm away from his grip, glaring at him.

"Selfish? I just started to be selfish! You were so selfish when I was still in Shinmachi! You left me without giving me a reason! I was so selfless that I already forgot how to give respect to myself! I served you with my body and with my firsts but you just left me! Now, tell me. Am I still selfish for thinking about what I think is the best for myself?" She started crying and at the same time, Hanahime cried loudly. She ran towards her mother, trying to push away Sho.

"I hate you! You're making Mama cry!" She shouted at her father while hitting his thigh with her tiny fists. The elders rushed to them and Fuyu just carried her daughter in her arms once again. He clenched his fists tightly.

"Arrest him. Hasegawa Fuyu, I am giving you a day to decide whether to follow my command to marry me and be my wife or I'll behead your father for not obeying my command as the Crown Prince." He pointed at her father and the shoguns immediately arrested him and then, she started appealing. Little Hanahime continued to cry, holding tightly on her mother.

"You made me choose the worst option I could ever think of. It is either I will use my power and authority against you or you will choose to marry me willingly." He said softly while caressing her cheeks and she felt like fainting because of anger.

"You're not the Sho that I love." She gritted her teeth in anger and his jaw tightened before leaving with the shoguns and the Emperor. Her nanny rushed to her side and she cried more while asking the older one what she should do.

The Crown Prince commanded the shoguns to put the Master of the Hasegawa Household in prison. The Empress welcomed them back but when she learned what happened, she became worried for the young lady and the future Crown Princess. She caressed her son's hair before excusing herself to go to the kitchen. She looked around and then, she asked one of the helpers to do an errand for her.