𝓓𝓮𝓪𝓻 𝓟𝓻𝓲𝓷𝓬𝓮𝓼𝓼

𝟎𝟎𝟕

Lord Tomioka

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Yorrichi absolutely refused to let me go anymore, so now I'm stuck in the castle. At least I have a few people to accompany me.

I heard from Makomo that someone new was visiting the palace for my hand. Someone named Tomioka Giyu, another nobleman.

I don't know much about him, but I do recognize his last name. He must be Tsutako's brother. Tsutako and I are friendly acquaintances, but we haven't been able to see each other much since she became engaged.

With so much free time on my hands before he arrived, I decided to go see what Kanae had done with the Blue Spider Lily. I walked over to the medical wing, and I was almost immediately faced with Shinobu.

"Ah, your grace!" She said, her lips curled into her characteristic smile.

"Hi, Shinobu," I greeted, "I was just looking for you."

"Really? Why?" She asked, her grin widening ever so slightly.

"I was wondering what you had done with the Blue Spider Lily."

Her grin faltered a bit, but she quickly covered it up.

"Well, with the help of Tamayo, we planted it in a garden hidden in the palace. There's been significant progress! We already have sprouts."

"Oh, that's a relief! Can I see them?"

She nodded and led me down the hallway.

"You know, your grace, we haven't had much time to talk," she piped up, "We used to hang out all the time when we were young."

I nodded, remembering the times when Shinobu and I would run around in the garden chasing after butterflies. Good times...

"I'm sorry, Shinobu. I'll find some way to squeeze you into my schedule," I replied.

She nodded as we made it to the end of a hallway. It looked like a dead end, but when she pressed her hand against the wall, a small part of it sank in to reveal a door. I wasn't surprised about it, actually. This palace is full of secrets.

We walked in and went down a flight of stairs. Tamayo was in there, looking through a large pane of glass. Behind the glass were rows of planters. In the center was the Blue Spider Lily, and beside it were tiny sprouts. Tamayo glanced over at us and smiled.

"Hello, your grace," she said, "Come to look at the Spider Lilies?"

I nodded, getting closer to the grass. Now, seeing it like this, I realized just how beautiful the flower was. It was almost ethereal. I couldn't stay for too long, though.

"Well, I should get going. I don't want to be late," I hummed, waving them goodbye before going back up the stairs.

I smoothed out my kimono and fixed my hair as I walked back down the hall. I went to the garden, and sure enough, I saw a man with black hair, his back turned to me.

"Excuse me...!" I said, trying to get his attention.

He turned to look at me, and I was struck by how pretty he was. Those beautiful sapphire eyes bore holes into my own, but in a good way.

"... Princess..." He murmured with a bow.

I smiled, waiting for him to stand straight before speaking.

"It's a pleasure to meet you, Lord Tomioka. Shall we walk?"

He nodded, and we stepped through the garden. It was kinda like how it was with Zenitsu, but Lord Tomioka is quieter. It was kinda awkward.

"So... Why did you want to court me?" I asked, trying to make conversation.

"My sister wanted me to," he said simply, not meeting my gaze.

"Tsutako? Is she well?"

He nodded. So he's not a talker. Either that, or he's shy. Or both. I looked away as well, feeling like trying to speak to him would only make things more awkward. So, we walked in silence.

After a few minutes, we reached the cherry blossom tree. I didn't sit, instead looking down at the pond and the koi. I could feel his gaze on me, and it was a bit uncomfortable, but I said nothing. A moment later, I moved away and looked back at him. He looked like he wanted to say something, but he didn't. I get the feeling that he doesn't want to be here.

"Um... It was nice meeting you, Lord Tomioka," I said, trying to make it easier for him.

He perked up and tilted his head.

"Huh? Did I do something wrong?" He asked, seeming genuinely confused.

"Oh, no, no, no...! I just assumed that you didn't want to be here, so... y'know..."

He shook his head.

"No... That's not it... You're just really pretty."

(Ignore if you have darker skin)
My face turned to a soft shade of red, and I smiled shyly, not really sure what to say to that.

"O-Oh...! Um... Thank you...!"

He nodded and sat on the bench, gesturing for me to sit next to him. I did so, and neither of us said anything. This time, however, the silence between us was comfortable.

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✿Sengoku-Era Secrets✿

❥ Shinobu thought that Y/N wanted to see her specifically, so she was disappointed when she found out that Y/N wanted to see the Spider Lilies.
❥ Giyu's always had a small crush on Y/N, and Tsutako's always wanted a sister, so she practically begged Giyu to meet Y/N.

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