An Arranged Marriage

Meeting with Koutoku

A/N: Honestly, I'm really enjoying how many people are commenting about how much they love this story. Thank you all so much, this story has barely even started and you all have given so much support. Thank you and I hope you will all support me no matter what decision I make with this!

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You wave goodbye as the maids called you over and began to escort you away. You wished you could stay longer but Koutoku was waiting and you were sure he was impatient. You were frowning and pouting but Kazue smiled a little as you already had a friend.

Kougyoku waved back at you with a bright smile still etched on her face even when Kakoubun came running in to scold her for wandering off. In response to his scolding, she said this, "Do you think I can be like her one day, Kakoubun?" She asked.

Kakoubun only shifted his gaze to see your back, he had to admit with the yukata coat you almost resembled an angel. He turned back to Kougyoku, "let's go. We have studies for you to catch up on, Princess," he said, escorting Kougyoku back to her room.

Kougyoku gave your back one last glance and soon followed him with her head held high.

•~•~•

Kouen had started this day off as another other, training. Today he had decided to sharpen his skills with a bow, his aim had been lacking. Unfortunately, he didn't take into account on how him not having a shirt on would affect the maids.

He shook it off and settled himself atop his horse with arrows strapped his back. A bow was clutched tightly in his hand with the same apathetic expression on his face.

He felt eyes on his back as he pulled an arrow out of his quiver, the maids were obviously the culprits. No one blamed them as he was lacking a shirt and had an impressive physique. It was, although, quite a hindrance to feel those eyes on him as he trained.

He signed and focused on the target in front of him as he pulled back the bow. He let out a breath he had been holding and let it fly.

Shit.

He had missed the target, the arrow had landed in one of the middle rings. He sighed and wiped the sweat from his brow, getting ready to try again. He was about to shoot it until he caught something from the corner of his eye.

A woman with a white yukata coat over her head being rushed somewhere by maids. He had to admit, the way she carried herself emitted that of grace and elegance. His eyes then widened at the sight of h/c hair peeking out from under it, it was such a beautiful color.

Kouen would've had to guess that was his future bride. He soon had his gaze directed back to the targets, he shouldn't even be seeing you in the first place. It was Koutoku's orders after all.

He pulled his back his bow, getting ready to let his arrow fly once more.

"Aniue!"

He flinched and accidentally shot the arrow, letting it land in the dirt next to one of the targets. Kouen frowned and turned to whoever had called out to him.

It was the eight princess of Kou. Kougyoku, right? You couldn't really blame the poor man for not remembering names, he did have seven other sisters after all.

"Kougyoku," he started, "be careful I could've accidentally shot you," he said as he took out another arrow.

Kougyoku panted as she was running before and looked up to Kouen as she began to speak, "I met her...!" She panted, "your betrothed!"

Kouen's eyes widened and he placed the arrow back in his quiver. He let his thoughts wander with questions he could ask her. What did she look like? What was she like? Was she elegant? Compassionate? Charming? A fighter?

He stopped his thoughts from spinning out of control when he remembered Kougyoku was still standing there staring at him. She was looking at him with confusion as he was staring into space.

He coughed and asked her one thing, "what was she like?"

Kougyoku smiled, "she was like an angel."

•~•~•

You took in deep breaths as Koutoku was on the other side of that door. You hadn't heard much about him but from the scared looks on the maids, he wasn't much a pleasant man let alone Emperor.

You breathed once more and removed the yukata coat from your head, "thank you for escorting me," you said with a small bow, you turned to Kazue, "please wait here for me."

He nodded and the other maids bowed their head to you then left. You turned back to the door and walked in to see a small room with a table, Koutoku was sitting on the other side.

Before anything, you got on your hands and knees, bowing to him. "Please excuse me for being so late. My carriage ran into bandits and I had run into one of your daughters. Please do not blame your servants, it was my shortcomings that caused them to be so late," you explained, not even looking up as your forehead was pressed against the cold floor.

You heard him grunt in response, "stand up and do not waste any more of my time," he said gruffly with the wave of his hand.

You nodded and quickly stood, "of course," you said. You took a seat across from him and placed your arms in your sleeves.

Koutoku gazed at you for a few moments before speaking, "I heard from your father that your power rivaled that of his entire military," he explained with a small stroke of his beard.

You nodded, "yes, if you'd like to test my strength I don't mind."

He shook his head, "we'll see. I'm going to be honest with you, your father's rumored military strength doesn't rival ours one bit. He begged for his kingdom to be spared and in the end, he offered you. After seeing your strength with a military, I agreed."

Your eyes widened at the information. So it was true, your father really did sell you off like that. You didn't let him see your expression, "I see," you said softly.

"Well, I hope you produce a strong heir with my eldest son," he said before standing, "the wedding will happen in a few weeks, until then, you two mustn't see each other."

You nodded and stood to bow to him as he left, "of course..." You stayed in the same position as he walked out.

Before leaving he gave you one last glance, "I will be expecting to see you prove your strength tomorrow in the training yard."

Your eyes widened and you almost lifted yourself from your bow, "O-of course," you said, trying to suppress your hesitation.

"You will be fighting against Entai."

You nodded once more and waited until till he left the room. One thing was on your mind as he left, who was Entai?

•~•~•

You sighed and swirled the steaming tea in your cup, that name had been bothering you ever since Koutoku mentioned it. You had no idea who that was, you sighed once more.

Things were slowly getting more and more complicated as the days passed.

•~•~•

He took off his helmet and placed it on a nearby table. He ran a hand through his purple hair to tidy it and soon felt his face flush as arms wrapped around his waist.

"I see your back earlier than expected."

He smiled and turned back to her, he ran a hand through her dark magenta colored hair. He pressed a kiss to her forehead, "yes, I am."

She smiled and snuggled her head into his chest, she let out a deep breath. A smile couldn't help but creep onto his face once more, the smile soon faded as he remembered something.

"I saw her."

Her eyes widened, "really? What is she facing tomorrow?"

"Apparently, she's being tested against Entai in terms of strength."

Her grip on his shirt tightened, "I'm a little scared... But I have faith in her. she'll be just fine."