ᴄɪɴɢᴜʟᴏᴍᴀɴɪᴀ | ꜱᴇꜱꜱʜᴏᴍᴀʀᴜ

ᴏɴᴇ

Notes: What I don't know I'll make up or substitute so don't come at me if something's inaccurate. Corrections are appreciated ✨.  The pace is a little wonky - maybe a lot wonky (first chapters are the bane of my existence).

[- - - ° •-❆-• ° - - -]

Frigid did not seem a strong enough word to describe just how cold it was at the bottom of the well. Ikuye had long lost feeling in her hands and feet still, she hugged her knees closer to her chest trying to get just a little warmer as she struggled to breathe; each inhale burned as it passed through her nose and down her throat.

Earlier she had hoped that at the very least they would be merciful enough to put a few blankets in the well, alas the dingy space was bare save for the numerous yellow faded strips of paper that threatened to cover the entirety of the walls. Thankfully inside the well was much warmer than outside. Her one comfort was that the well was closed and she was spared from the snow.

The well was not a place she was unfamiliar with.

Someone was coming over, or she walked too quickly, Gina was upset, or she was too loud, or she didn't finish her meal, she was sentenced to the well. However, she was always spared this punishment in winter. Always.

Today however the estate would be hosting an extremely important guest. A guest so important they had Gina, Ikuye's stepmother, running around like a headless chicken ensuring that everything was as it should be.  And instead of confining Ikuye to her room and leaving it at that, Gina went the extra mile and had her sent to the well.

She wouldn't die so it was fine.

It had been roughly two and a half centuries since Gina had taken the position of main wife in the prime minister's estate, and hardly anyone was spared of her tyranny. The few exceptions were the prime minister, Noritaka, and Seira, his oldest daughter. Seira had adapted quickly to Gina being their new mother figure but Ikuye (being only three hundred at the time - six in appearance) was unable to accept her as such despite her best efforts. Unfortunately, the prideful woman didn't care for effort, only actions that gave praiseworthy results and Seira was eager to please.


"...we sent him there a while ago, so he should be returning soon."

"The issue isn't with whether or not he was successful but rather how he goes about executing the task."

Voices from somewhere in the garden drifted over to the well, as more people entered it, gathering into groups and chatting about whatever it was that adults talked about at parties.

Inside the manor, Seira settled into a thick orange furisode with golden plum blossoms and red sparrows decorating its hem and sleeves before stepping from behind the shoji blinds. 

"Mother says that the prince is coming today," She sang as she admired herself in the bronze mirror on her dresser, taking a moment to adjust the red ribbon at the end of her single braid. Her attendants remained quiet but that was fine, she'd keep talking anyway.

"I wonder how he looks. I heard he has a face that makes even women jealous," she said while idly twirling away from the mirror, "He's a little younger than me so if he can make a grown woman jealous...I'm quite curious."

She beckoned to one of the maids who pulled the fusuma open before sauntering through it and making her way toward the main hall.

The main hall (located in a courtyard that housed several buildings specifically for receiving guests and holding celebrations) had almost fifty people in it; there were government officials who came alone and others were accompanied by their wives, a concubine or two, and their children. Seira wrinkled her nose at the sight, she despised all who would demean themselves (or chase power) and become a concubine. It was unbecoming. Her disdain melted from her face as she made her way into the room, greeting her guests with a bright smile.

She looked around trying to see if there was anyone she didn't know and was simultaneously pleased and disappointed that she recognized everyone; the prince had yet to arrive. That was fine though, the day was still young. She greeted a few more people and made idle conversation but despite her best efforts she couldn't help glancing out into the garden toward the well.

'It's really cold out there...'

"Miss Seira, it's a pleasure seeing you again."