CHAPTER ONE
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LORD KAITO YUMAMOTO'S VOICE ECHOED THROUGH THE TRAINING GROUNDS, his orders sharp and relentless as he pushed his youngest daughter, Jeon Yumamoto, to her limits. Despite her best efforts, Jeon stumbled and fell to the ground with a sharp cry, clutching her wounded knee. Lady Seraphina Yumamoto's gaze hardened as she walked over, eyes meeting her husband's with a hard glare.
As the white haired women crouched beside Jeon's injured knee, her gaze shifted to her other daughter, Onjo, "Kaito, enough! You've pushed her too far this time."
Lord Kaito's stern voice retorts, "She needs to toughen up if she's to be a warrior, not some weak princess," Jeon's voice trembled as she pleaded, "I'm trying, Father. Please, just give me a chance."
Onjo strode forward, her sword gleaming in the sunlight as she assumed a formidable fighting stance. Their father's proud gaze met hers, "You fight with the grace of a true warrior, Onjo." he remarked, his voice filled with pride. "Your skill surpasses even that of your sister, Jeon."
Onjo shot her sister a smug look, Lady Seraphina intervened, clapping her hands to signal the end of their training session. "Time for dinner, girls." she announced, her voice firm yet warm. She directed them to their room to freshen up, a subtle way of diffusing the brewing conflict.
Jeon gazed down upon the townsfolk of Kyoto from her window, a wistful longing in her eyes. She yearned to walk among them, to experience their simple joys and struggles firsthand. The weight of her noble status felt suffocating, and she'd trade it all for just a day of freedom among the common folk. In stark contrast, Onjo's heart swelled with pride at the royalty attached to her name, reveling in the privileges and power it held.
"Onjo, why do you always enjoy the attention so much? It's not like we're better than them just because of our family name," Jeon remarked softly, her words carrying a hint of frustration. Onjo turned to her with a smirk, "Jeon, you just don't understand the power and respect that comes with our position. It's a privilege to be admired and respected by the townsfolk." Onjo ushered the maids out the room.
"I understand that, Onjo, but sometimes I feel suffocated by the expectations that come with our name." The younger sister said "Jeon, sometimes I wish you could see things from my point of view. The admiration they have for us, it's like a dream come true," Onjo expressed.
"Onjo, look at them," the older sister gestured towards the joyful scene outside the window, children playing, parents sharing laughter. "Don't you ever wish for that kind of simple happiness, away from all this?" she inquired softly. Onjo shut the curtains with a heavy sigh, "Jeon, you just don't understand."
Onjo strode towards the door, her hand poised to reopen it, when Jeon uttered words that struck Onjo to her core, words she never expected to hear from her sister.
"Onjo, I want to be a warrior," she declared, "I dream of exploring the world beyond these walls, of forging my own path," she expressed earnestly. Onjo let out a mocking laugh, dismissing Jeon's dreams. "A warrior? Please, Jeon. Father could defeat you with one hand tied behind his back. You'd be better off tending to wounded knees than facing the dangers beyond our walls," Onjo taunted.
Jeon's arms remained tightly crossed as she challenged her sister, "Do you doubt my abilities?" Onjo, meeting her gaze with a nod, advised, "Yes. Yes I do." Onjo said with no hesitation. The room filled with an uneasy silence.
Their mother appeared at the doorway, observing her daughters with a concerned expression. "Is everything alright here?" she inquired, her gaze shifting between Onjo and Jeon. The youngest sister explained, "Jeon wishes to join the townsfolk and live as a peasant." As she left the room, a proud smile graced her face, Jeon who stood by the bedside, head hung low.
Jeon opened up to her mother, "Mom, I've been thinking a lot about our family. Remember when we used to laugh together, share stories? It feels like those moments are fading away. Do you feel it too, that distance between us?" The room seemed to hold its breath.
Lady Seraphina, her voice tinged with sadness, responded to her daughter, "Jeon, dear, I understand what you're feeling. The distance between your father and me. It's about protecting you and your sister, keeping you safe from the darkness that Kiato harbors. You see, it's not just about us staying together for appearances; it's to shield you from the evil he's capable of."
As dinner passed and the town fell silent, enveloped in the deep embrace of sleep, Jeon found herself on her balcony, gazing out at the breathtaking view. Her mind wandered to the adventures that awaited her beyond the walls, dreaming of a future where she would roam among the townsfolk, forging deep connections with steadfast travel companions who would stand by her side through every obstacle, unwavering in their loyalty no matter what challenges came their way.
