It had been three months since Yasu began living in the capital. None of his father’s subordinates have made contact with Yasu. Two weeks passed by since the grand opening of Black Fox Teahouse with no useful information or gossip from their customers.
Yasu stayed in the receiving room of the main house, embroidering while his servants ran the teahouse. Sometimes the customers would walk around the landscaped garden, enjoying the scenery. However they did not travel far from the tea house and turned back around, once they saw that they came close to the main house.
Yasu’s hand stopped what he was doing as he heard soft footsteps make their way towards the main house. The voice of the intruder sounded young and spoiled.
“Why can’t Father and Mother just ask the Emperor to grant me a marriage with Prince Hiraga?” The young woman pouted. “Father and Mother has many merits and has done a lot for this country. Why can’t they just request this union for me?”
“Hisa. It is not that easy to receive a decree in marriage with the royal family. The Emperor and the Empress has to agree to the marriage. Prince Hiraga is someone that the Emperor adores. The Emperor has to find an agreeable family for him.”
“But our family is the best! With father as the Left Prime Minister, why can’t our family be connected to Prince Hiraga?” Hisa pouted once more.
“If the Emperor decrees a marriage between you and Prince Hiraga. It means our family is supporting Prince Hiraga. And at the moment, it is better to stay neutral. There still are too many waves here in the capital. If we don’t plan well and tread carefully, our family will drown.” Ikumi told her daughter. “Be patient. You are still young and beautiful. There is still time for you to get married.”
“But I can’t wait!” Hisa cried out. “I’m afraid that Prince Hiraga will meet someone he likes and I’ll only be his legal wife, who’s only duty is to bare children for him. I want to have his children and have a place in his heart.”
“Prince Hiraga is well mannered and gentlemanly. He won’t mistreat you if you become his wife. Besides, with your beauty, talent, and charm, who wouldn't fall in love with you?” Ikumi said as she held onto Hisa’s hand. “Anyone with a brain can see how special you are. No one is as talented, beautiful nor has the best family background as you. There is no competition for you here in the capital. You’ll surely get what your heart desires, it just takes time. So be patient.”
The footsteps and the voices came and left. They did not take the path that leads them to the main house, but the path back to the teahouse.
Yasu closed his eyes and took a deep breath. He did not want to show himself to anyone yet. Although there would be no one in the capital who will recognize him, he still didn’t want to take any chances. Until he knows who exactly who is his enemy, he will keep his beard and identity unknown.
Every night, the servants would give Yasu a rundown of the news and gossip of what they heard. Recently, the new hot gossip was that Prince Hiraga would become the new Crown Prince. The fight for families to tie their family with Prince Hiraga became fierce.
Little Goddess Tsuki hung around Yasu’s neck with boredom. Ever since they came to the capital, the only spiritual essence she absorbed was when they walked by the medicine halls. She needed to absorb more spiritual essence to become stronger.
“Yasu.” Tsuki cried out. “Yasu! Yasu! Yasu!”
The quiet and brooding man ignored the cries of the little Goddess.
“Yasu! I need to absorb more spiritual essence!” Tsuki told him.
Sighing, Yasu ends the meeting with the servants early and places the embroidery aside.
“That’ll be all for tonight.” Yasu told them. “You can tell me the rest tomorrow morning.”
The group of servants quickly bowed to Yasu and left. The night was cool and dark as they made their way back to the side house.
“Master.” Gin said once he made sure they were alone. “Are you going to make a move tonight?”
Gin had been waiting for this moment since he learned of Yasu’s past and his plan. However since then Yasu hasn’t made any moves.
“No.” Yasu told him truthfully. “Just going out for a walk in town.”
“Let me go with you.” Gin said as he looked at Yasu with eager eyes.
“No. You stay. Listen to what the others are speaking about. Keep an eye on them. If there’s any words of disloyalty, let me know.” Yasu ordered Gin before leaving.
Had Yasu look back at Gin, what he would have seen was Gin’s lower lip protruding out as if he was the one who was wronged.
Yasu left through the back door and made his way to the medicine halls. He would spend 20 minutes buying medicinal plants from each medicine hall to let the little Goddess absorb the spiritual essence of the rare medicinal plants kept in the back of the medicine hall.
By the time Yasu came back home, the little Goddess was glowing with a white light and felt cold against Yasu’s skin. Thankfully he hid the little Goddess under his shirt, otherwise the white light would attract attention.
“You’re back.” Gin happily cried out once he saw that there was light in the main house. “What’s all this?”
The piles and piles of medicinal plants laid out on the table.
“Shopping.”
“I can see that. But what for?”
“In case of an emergency.” Yasu told him.
“Oh.” Gin said as he tried to organize the medicinal plants, but gave up once he saw that they all looked alike to him.
“Anything happen while I was away?” Yasu asked.
“No. Just grumbling about their tired bodies.” Gin reported before turning around to grab the present he brought for Yasu. “Here, this is for you.”
Yasu raised his eyebrow and took the neatly wrapped package that Gin held in his hands.
“It’s not much, so don’t expect a lot.” Gin said as he blushed.
Yasu opened the carefully wrapped present and saw the cerulean blue powder. Immediately he knew that the dye powder must have cost Gin a lot of money.
“I didn’t steal it.” Gin immediately said as his voice quivered. “The other day when I went out to get supplies. I helped a man from getting beaten by thugs. That man gave me the dye powder as a thank you. At first I didn’t know what it was, but the man said that the powder can be used as a dye, for paintings and for dying silk threads. And since you paint and embroider, I thought that you would be the only one who could use it.”
Gin’s words came out all at once, as if he was scared that Yasu would give the gift back. The tips of his ears were red as he looked away.
“Mhmmmm. Thank you.” Yasu said as he closed the package carefully. “I will treasure it.”
Immediately Gin’s cheeks grew bright red before he cleared his throat and quickly said goodnight before leaving to his room. Yasu watched as Gin walked away. It was only when Gin closed the door that Yasu’s smile broke through his frozen features. The light in his eyes quickly disappeared along with his smile.
YOU ARE READING
Fourever Loving Yasu
FantasíaWhen Yasu transmigrated into a different world, he found out that for every 10 males, there are only 3 females. Due to the low birthrate of females, they are more valuable and protected. Because females are more valued and protected, most females...