We are here for you

What a boring life....

*Your P.O.V.*

'It's your fault that the household became like this! ' my father shouted at my mother.
' Well, who told you to have an affair with another woman?! ' My mother roared, her face writhing with fury.

It was in the middle of the night, and all of the servants were sleeping at their quarters. The main household was filled with the shrill shouts in the air. My grandmother woke up from her room, and tried to mediate the fight between my father and mother, but they still argued. I often watched them argue over little things, but this time I knew it was something else. I was watching the whole incident happen before my eyes. As for my younger sister
Natsuka, she was a heavy-sleeper, so she didn't wake up during this fight. I couldn't do anything about it. Tears flowed down my cheeks, and stood still behind the sliding door, frozen in the spot, as I quietly listened to the fight that broke out between my parents.

' I can do whatever I want! Besides, I am the head of the Ichijo family, isn't it just normal for me to have another lover?! You never even paid attention to me, ever since we were married, so what's the point of even being married to a useless woman like you?!' Father's voice had anger in it, this was my first time hearing him like this.
' Stop it, both of you! If you keep fighting this way, you will never solve anything! ' My grandmother's voice rang through the room, stopping the fight for a moment.
' If that is the case, then fine, I am leaving. ' Mother started walking towards the other side of the room.

No, no, mother, please don't leave! were the words I wanted to say, but not a single word escaped my lips. I silently watched my mother leave.

' Akiko, wait! ' Father called Mother's name, but she swung a sword towards him.
' Don't touch me, unfaithful man. And don't ever think of finding me again. ' She slid her sword into its seathe and left the household.

"Hahh...haah....hahh.." I jolted up from my sleep, sweat rolling down from my forehead.
"Mmn...." I saw my younger sister by five years, Natsuka, sleeping beside me, shifting her sleeping position.
I covered up her body with her futon cover, as she has a habit of kicking it every time she sleeps.
' So it was just a dream...' I looked up to the ceiling of my room, before convincing myself to go back to sleep.

Morning came before I knew it, and after the dream, I wasn't able to sleep at all. After taking a quick bath (which I insisted the servants not to help me with) and breakfast, Father summoned me to his room.
After that incident that happened when I was eleven years old, my relationship with father became a strained and formal relationship between a daughter and father. Natsuka, who found out that Mother had left the next day, cried for a few days, and as six years passed by, she came to hate her. As for me, I could say I hate her, and couldn't forgive my own mother, who caused all of this pain for me. My life became boring and dull after I became eleven years old.

I took a deep breath before sliding the screen door open.
" You called, father? " I asked while bowing my head.
" Ah, yes, (f/n). I have some news to tell you. " He puts down the book was reading earlier.
" And that news is? " I tried to inquire further.
" You are going to be engaged to the imperial crown prince, Akashi Seijuro. " Father looks at me with serious eyes.
" En...gaged? " The word repeats itself in my mind for countless times as shock flashes itself on my face for a second.
" Yes (f/n), engaged. You are going to be seventeen this year, it's about time that you got engaged to a man. After all, you are a well-known beauty among tha royalty, and apparently, we are a close relative of the imperial family. So this will provide our family a chance to gain power among other families. You will meet the prince in a few months time. " There was a hint of command in his voice.
" I understand. " I bowed my head low. I was already used to these kind of things.
" Good. But, let me warn you, (f/n). Lately, there have been people sighting yokai around the capital, and I am fully aware that you love to stroll around, so be careful. I don't want you to be hurt before the engagement. " My father took a fan out of his kimono sleeve, and fanned hinself.
" Yes, Father. " I replied, and exited the room.

Ichijo (f/n), sixteen years old. I can see supernatural beings such as yokai and spirits, which is a gift I had since I was born. My life as a princess and a priestess of the Ichijo family is really boring me out... I wish I can have some entertainment in it soon....