The Peace Offering

Kouen: Chapter 10

At last the trip across the ocean had ended. It seemed that it had lasted an eternity, but was also over too quickly. The wedding would happen in two weeks, that way there would be enough time for all of the important guests to arrive. The docks were lively with people waiting to greet us. I led the way down to the dock from the ship, behind me was Sindri. She was inside of a palanquin as the bride was customarily seen by the public at the official announcement of the engagement. 

Waiting for me was a royal attendant with enough horses for my brother and I. I climbed onto a white stallion. As we continued to the palace I turned to look at the palanquin that Sindri was in. She had stuck out her hand and was waving to the people we passed by. Her small act of acknowledging my people caused a small murmur in my heart. I turned back and saw Koumei smirking at me, I remained stone-faced, but it seemed as if he knew what was going on.

I kept my face forward for the rest of the trip. Soon we arrived at the palace, there was a small welcoming party to greet us. Most of our group stopped to eat and drink, but I wanted to make sure Sindri was settled down nicely. I followed the palanquin to the inner palace where guests needed special permission to enter. I dismissed the palanquin carriers and waited for Sindri to come out. I could see her faint outline, her body was slender, not full of vulturous curves. Her body type suited my preferences...slowly my thoughts began to become inappropriate.

I was shaken out of my thoughts as Sindri stuck out her foot. She hesitated before stepping out fully. Her face was like stone, but it seemed to harden even more when she saw me. I reached out to her. She pulled back and looked as if I had held a torch of fire to her. I cleared my throat and stepped back.

"Come, I'll take you to your room." I turned and began walking, not giving her a chance to argue. I could hear her footsteps and knew she was following me. Walking down long hallways and turning many times we finally reached the room that Sindri would be staying in, at least until we got married.

"You can go now." Sindri huffed out when she saw that I was still there. I glared at her before out of habit, I didn't mean to, but I knew it affected her.  A trace of fear had flashed in her eyes. Her face once again went cold as stone. She darted into her room and closed the door with a harsh bang. I leaned against the wall with my arms crossed and sighed. I need to find a way to warm her heart. I need ideas, but who could I go to? Then a single name popped into my head:

Kougyoku.