Lady Samurai

Chapter 62

"Nabutada, get the horses ready." Lord Takeda looked at his samurai with furrowed brows and a stern expression. The order came soon after the morning meal and was issued in a gruff voice.

Nabutada thought to himself that his master didn't look very pleased. "Yes, My Lord." He just bowed and hastened away to follow the orders.

"Do not be too hard on him." Lottie appeared suddenly at Hikaru's side, as if from thin air.

He flinched, surprised, as he hadn't even registered her approach. "Kazuki taught you well. You are as stealthy as Ninja." He smiled, proud of her new accomplishments.

She thanked him with a bow, but only repeated her request. "Please, my Lord, do not scare him off."

"I will not." He promised and looked towards the returning Nabutada, but when he turned around again, she was gone.

"My Lord, shall I select guards to accompany you?"

"No." Takeda's face was serious. "I must speak to you alone."

Nabutada paled slightly and followed his Lord without a word. He had expected this for a while now. He was sure that Lord Takeda had noticed his unusual behaviour and would not be pleased. The samurai had been dreading this conversation, but was quite powerless to prevent the outcome. He knew well that it was not his place to raise his eyes to the Lord's own sister. But what could he have done to prevent himself from falling in love? She was beautiful, radiant, graceful and kind. The thought of her made him appreciate the gentler and delicate things in life. The image of her face was what made him smile in the morning. She made his heart flit in his chest as if it was a butterfly. Now all that must finally come to an end. Lord Takeda must surely have other plans for her future and Nabutada will be ordered to cease all contact with her. Or, even worse, he would be sent away. Judging from the look on the Lord's face it wasn't going to be a pleasant conversation.

They were riding for a long time in silence; Nabutada not daring to disturb Lord Takeda who was staring straight ahead, seemingly deep in his own thoughts.

Eventually, Takeda decided he had tortured him enough and looked at Nabutada. "It did not escape my attention that you enjoy my sister's company." He started without any preamble. "What will you say to that?"

"My Lord," Nabutada jumped off his horse and fell to his knees. "I would have never dared to offend you or Lady Mariko with my... " He hesitated, searching for the right words. "...my attentions."

"But?"

"But I was unable to prevent myself from admiring her qualities. A man can not control his heart." He added quietly.

Takeda dismounted and stood for a moment over the prostrated man. "Nabutada, I must know the truth about it. Stand and answer like a samurai. Do you love Mariko?"

Nabutada rose and stood as if to attention. "Yes, My Lord. With all my heart." His gaze was unflinching.

"And she?"

Here Nabutada stumbled, because, if he was to be honest, he did not know. "How could she even look at me?!" He managed with anguish.

"Have you not spoken to her?"

"No!" There was indignation in his voice. "I would never dare to trouble her with my... feelings. I endeavoured to conceal my unrequited attentions from everybody. And only you, my Lord, managed to see past my pretence."

Takeda smiled at that. Because the truth was it was not him who had noticed first. "What are your intentions then?" He asked instead.

"I do not have any."

"Surely, you must have been planning to speak to her."

"No! I would have never burdened My Lady with something as trivial. I would have lived happy just to see her from afar."

"But you must realise she must get married."

"That is beyond my control, My Lord." There was a simple acceptance in his tone.

"And what of your own family name? Your duty is to take a wife and have a son to continue your bloodline."

"My Lord, I am the last of a family who served your ancestors for hundreds of years. If it's my destiny, I will die the last." Nabutada hung his head.

Lord Takeda couldn't bring himself to torment him anymore. "Nabutada, would you marry Mariko, if you were able?"

"Marry?!" Nabutada's gaze was unbelieving. "How could I? I am not worthy of that honour. Lady Mariko will marry a noble who will provide her with a position she deserves."

"I would prefer her to marry a man of courage and honour and to be happy. If you could marry her, would you?" The man gave no answer. "Nabutada," Lord Takeda clasped his samurai shoulders and looked into his eyes. He saw there a pain of the knowledge that the woman he loved could never be his, but also the deep feelings he had for her. "I know the torment of loving someone who I thought was forbidden to me. And I know the happiness that came to me with embracing this feeling. I am unable to deny you the same joy. Would you marry her, if she wanted?"

"My Lord," Nabutada couldn't even start to comprehend. "I love Lady Mariko more than life itself. If she was to... share my feelings I would... I would..." He stumbled for words. "...spend my life trying to make her happy."

"I am glad to hear it." Takeda smiled. "I have already spoken to Mariko and know her to be honoured by your devotion. I will allow her to choose her own husband. And I will welcome you as my brother-in-law." Nabutada once more fell to his knees, unable to conceal or control the feelings that overwhelmed him at this moment. Hikaru raised him and continued with kindness. "You have my permission to talk to my sister. You need to get to know each other better."

"Thank you, My Lord... Thank you."