𝓓𝓮𝓪𝓻 𝓟𝓻𝓲𝓷𝓬𝓮𝓼𝓼

𝟎𝟐𝟏

Akaza

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        The evening wore on much too slowly for my liking. It was disappointing, actually, because I really wanted to like it. Maybe it was because I felt suffocated. Not just from Kibutsuji's presence, but also from my suitors, and even Yorrichi.

When I couldn't bear it anymore, I excused myself from the group and decided to catch my breath in the garden. I sat next to the pond, watching the koi silently as they swam without a care in the world. That made me wonder what it would be like to be a fish. No responsibilities, no expectations... All I had to do was eat and swim. That sounds nice.

"Excuse me."

That unexpected voice caused me to flinch a little. I turned to look behind me, and I saw the man with the pink hair standing there. I quickly stood and backed away, but I forgot that I was right in front of the pond and nearly fell in. The man, quick to react, grabbed me by my wrist and pulled me forward, preventing me from falling.

"Sorry, I didn't mean to frighten you," he apologized, making sure I was stable before taking a step back.

I blinked and looked into his eyes, which were a pretty powder blue and bordered with notably long eyelashes.

"It's alright..." I murmured, still a bit wary around him.

Seeming to pick up on my unease, he put a bit more space between us and bowed.

"My name is Hakuji, but everyone calls me Akaza. I'm one of Emperor Kibutsuji's head soldiers. It's a pleasure to meet you, Princess."

I never expected someone from Kibutsuji's side to be so... respectful. Slowly, I nodded.

"It's nice to meet you too, Akaza. Um... What are you doing here? In the garden, I mean."

"I got overwhelmed by the crowd. I'm not too used to being around a lot of people."

"Really? Me too."

Akaza hummed in response and glanced down at the pond. Judging from the way he was looking at it, he was very interested in the koi.

"Do you like them? You can get a closer look if you'd like."

He shifted his gaze to me, and his eyes widened, as if he was surprised.

"I... Okay."

He walked past me and kneeled down. He just looked at the koi for a few moments before dipping a finger in. The koi, probably thinking his finger was food, immediately went over to it, their mouths wide open. No matter how many times someone feeds them, they'll just keep eating like they're starved. Akaza let out a quiet chuckle and pulled his finger out.

"... Why are you showing me kindness?" He asked out of the blue.

"Huh?"

"I mean... I work for the man who's essentially your father's rival. Enemy, even. So why are you being so kind to me?"

"Well... You don't seem very mean. I mean, you prevented me from falling in the pond, you gave me space... You're not anything like Kibutsuji."

I offered him a kind smile, and he looked at me with wide eyes. After a few moments, he nodded and bowed.

"Thank you... I'll be returning to the party now."

"Alright, then. It was nice meeting you, Akaza!"

"You, as well, Princess."

With that, he walked away, leaving me back in silence.

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        Akaza made sure he was a good distance away from the garden before stopping. He took a deep breath, attempting to calm his racing heart, but no matter how hard he tried, it wouldn't stop beating.

'No, Akaza... Don't forget about Koyuki...' He thought, reaching into one of his pockets and pulling out a locket.

Inside of the locket was a small, intricate painting of his late fiancé. His sweet Koyuki... What would she think of him chasing after another woman?

But... Maybe... Maybe she would've wanted him to move on... He couldn't let go of his love for Koyuki, but on the other hand, even though he just met her, something about the princess made him feel butterflies in his stomach. The same way he did whenever he was with Koyuki.

He pressed a kiss to the locket before putting it back into his pocket. As he made his way back to the party, he made up his mind.

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✿Sengoku-Era Secrets✿

❥ Akaza made a vow that he would never fall in love with another woman after Koyuki's death, and he feels incredibly guilty for breaking that vow.

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