The Hidden Rose

The Curse

A soldier approaches the King before him, sitting on his throne. 

"Your Highness, I have news from the spy. Your granddaughter Yui and her husband are now King and Queen of their village. And it appears they have a daughter named Azumi."

The King quickly sat up straight, the soldier's announcement got his attention. His granddaughter finally has a child. In hoping that the child could also carry the power that Yui has.

"Did the spy noticed anything strange coming from the child?"

"No your Highness, however the spy mentioned that the Queen was gathering people with different abilities. It appears that she is gathering a army." 

"Interesting, I should've known. Soon enough the plan will succeed. If my granddaughter doesn't want to give me the power, then I will just have to wait for the curse to be awakened. I then will have the child in my hands." 

"Tell the spy to keep a look out for the child, and to report if anything strange happens."

"Yes Your Highness."

...

I wash my daughter's hair with a scented shampoo of cherry blossoms. Azumi plays with her rubber duck, and keeps splashing the water. I pour water on her hair, and continue massaging her head. I stand up my daughter from the tub, and wrapped a towel around her body. I carried her out of the tub, setting her down on the floor. Azumi dresses herself in a yellow dress that I bought for her in the village, and I hanged up the towel for it to dry.

For some reason I can't get over the fact that there is something going on...like something bad might happen. It's just a strange feeling that I have, and I can't get over it. 

"Mom," I snap out of my thoughts, and my head spun to look at Azumi. She was in front of the sink, holding her hairbrush. I go over to her, taking the hair brush, and start to brush her hair. 

"Mom, what's wrong? I know there's something going on." Azumi asks.

"Nothing's wrong Azumi. I'm just thinking about work." I clip a yellow bow on the back of Azumi's head. 

"I know you're afraid mommy, I  can tell. Is it because of my great grandfather? Is he going to take me away?" Azumi asks, hearing a hurt crack in her voice.

Yes Azumi grew up into knowing her great grandfather's plans. She even cried and hugged me and Ayato. I know she became afraid of him, and became aware that the powers are dangerous. Seeing my daughter cry and plead for her great grandfather not to take her away from us, it hurts me. 

Azumi turns around and hugs me, and I hug her back.

I sometimes wish that my daughter could live in a peaceful life, where she could go see more to the outside world, make friends in kids of her age, and have a ordinary life. But ever since then, I hid her away from all the dangers in the world, I hid her from my grandfather. She's not the only one who's scared. I am also afraid, that one day her curse will be awakened and when it does, my grandfather will declare war. He will kill everyone, including the brothers, and Ayato. Then he take me and my daughter to use our powers.

Azumi and I pull back gently from the hug. 

"Azumi, I won't let him take you away from me and daddy I promise." I make a cross on my chest with my finger, as a promise. Azumi smiled and let out a sigh of relief. "Now come on, I'm sure your tutors are waiting for you." I take Azumi's hand and led her out the bathroom. We walk down the hall, and pass by several rooms, before reaching the library. I open the doors, Azumi and I enter, Ruki and Reiji were sitting down.