★ Enchanted - GiyuShino ★

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Shinobu

"Princess, the Queen has asked for your presence at the meeting. She awaits your arrival." Aoi speaks after softly knocking at Shinobu's door. Walking inside,
Aoi shuts the door,

"Do not tell your mother but I've heard from one of the soldiers stationed near the kitchens, you know the one with the boar mask, that this is about you specifically. Not sure what, he was very vague." Aoi whispered

Shinobu had an inkling to what the meeting may be about. She was dreading this moment but it was about time. Last time something similar happened, it was with her sister, Kanae, when she was told that she was to be wed with Shinobu's now brother-in-law, Sanemi Shinazugawa, however many times they came to visit, Shinobu could never remember if he was a prince or an army general-- maybe both. It didn't matter now.

Aoi helped her slip out of her nightgown and into her kimono.
Smoothing down the cloth, she gazed into the mirror, the dawning sun lighting up her face, casting a golden glow on her pale skin. Kiyo, Naho and Sumi had finished fiddling with her hair and placed a butterfly pin on her head.

-§-

Walking down the long hallways and toward the meeting room, guards and soldiers bowed seeing her pass by.

"Mornin' Princess, how are you doing today?" A familiar voice called out to her. Turning, her gaze fell upon a boy no younger than 15, with a burgundy shade donning his hair and eyes.

"Ara Ara, Tanjiro-kun, it's seems like just yesterday I was helping to treat your accidents with training in the infirmary. It's been a while since I last saw you, and judging by the dashing uniform, you have passed the final selection?" She asked, her voice like a melody.

"Yes, I was so excited that I had forgotten to inform you about it. It's not every day you pass a test so important, however I mustn't keep you long, I heard from Zenitsu you had a meeting with the Queen, good luck princess! Oh, and can you please tell Princess Kanao to meet me in the gardens, I heard the moon was lovely." And with that, Tanjiro smiled and walked toward the side door.

Shinobu wondered sometimes how it would be to be a normal civilian, going about your day without a standard to withhold and ridiculous rules to abide by. She dreamed of running into the nearby forest and feeling the cool wind hit her face, grass and clovers tickling her feet. What a wonder it was to be free, wasn't it? Shinobu longed to see wonders of far away worlds, like oceans which were said to be thousands of times bigger than the nearby lakes. But she didn't have that choice. She longed for someone to seize the opportunity and take her to see all the wonders of the world, however, those were simply dreams, she didn't have the luxury of dreaming.

Snapping out of her thoughts, Shinobu realised she had reached her destination. Come on Shinobu, it cannot possibly be that bad, what's the worst that can happen other than being told that you have to marry some random man you've never even met just because of strengthening alliances?

Pushing on the giant, gilded double doors, all eyes were on her as she silently glided in and sat in the only remaining empty seat. Kanae and Sanemi are here, must be to let me down easy, convince me its going to be fine. It won't work, she was just lucky the one chosen for her was already her boyfriend or something like that.

The Queen cleared her throat, "Shinobu, dear, I think you're aware of why you have been summoned here. It's time to discuss a husband for you. We will give you a choice of 3 men and you will make your pick. You will not meet him until your wedding day, you will not know his name, his residence and you will not know his face. Your choice is one of the following: Prince of N*_*_*_*o, Prince of S*_*_i or Prince of T*_*_*_*_*a." She slid a piece of parchment toward her.

Shinobu stared the parchment. In calligraphied letters, the 3 names inked on the sheet. Taking the brush in hand, she contemplated her decision. What's the point in even picking if I won't even know the difference?

"Come on, Shinobu-chan, we don't have all day. All you have to do is pick one, what's the worst that could happen?" Kanae smiled at her encouragingly.

He could be a serial killer or a wife beater. How could I know?

Taking a deep breath, Shinobu made a swooping line of ink on the paper.

Prince of S*_*_i.

Only Kami knows what I just picked here.

Out of the corner of her eye, Shinobu saw Sanemi and Kanae share a look, seemingly of relief
They know something I don't. I swear on your husband Kanae, I will get it out of you. I have to know, this is my marriage we are discussing anyway.

"Well, Shinobu my dear, was that so hard? A fine choice too, rumours aplenty of the fine Prince and his apparent handsomeness. But I must warn you know, people speak Shinobu."

The Queen clapped her hands,

"We have to start preparations immediately! Today we pick the venue, decor and colour scheme. Tomorrow we pick a beautiful Shiromuku and tsunokakushi, no need for a wataboshi, your husband needs to see your beauty immediately. He will also need to pick out a montsuki hakama. Ah, there's so much to do! Go now, you're dismissed, let us handle it." She said, waving Shinobu off.

There goes my whole involvement with my own wedding.

That day, Shinobu found herself daydreaming about the mystery man. In her fantasies, he was this tall, dark haired man, with a messy, spike-like hairstyle. She imagined how he would act and his mannerisms but nothing would come up, his face a blur. It was like a mental barrier. Even if that won't be her husband, the moment Shinobu will see him, she will recognise him in a flutter.

That night, she dreamed of what could possibly be her life ahead. The man with the fuzzy, blurred features was always there, radiating a different kind of warmth. She longed to meet him