Part One
She watched them from the window of the kitchen, her heart aching.
"They sure do make a great couple, don't they, Ai?" Umeko asked. She softly sighs, like a love struck teenager, "I wonder how their wedding's gonna be." Umeko eyes flutter lightly.
Matsuko took one look at Ai's face and knew that she was hurting. "Come Umeko, the rice still needs to be washed before we ferment it."
"Huh? I thought we already washed the rice." Umeko asked while being dragged away by Matsuko.
Silently thanking Matsuko, Ai took her leave of the kitchens. As she was leaving, she could hear his light laughter mixed with his companion. She turned back, catching a small glimpse of his smile.
————————————
At dinner, Lord Masayuki announced the engagement of Nobuyuki and his bride-to-be, causing Ai to nearly drop the tray she was using. She could feel her heart break in her chest. She took deep calming breaths, just to keep from breaking down right there in front of everyone.
She excused herself from the hall, but a pair of cerulean blue eyes were watching her. He saw the light in her eyes fade from sadness and he wanted to take that pain away and make her happy again.
He silently slipped away from the merriment and followed after her.
"And where are we going little lord?" Asked a very aloof voice.
The man stopped in his tracks, turning and looking at his ninja friend. "Saizo, she's in pain. I need to make sure she's okay."
Saizo sighs, "I think you just want to make your move while she's heartbroken, Yukimura."
Yukimura's cheeks started turning pink, "No, I'm not!" He started. "I can wait for her to feel the way I do about her, but right now, I don't think she needs to be alone." He turned away from the shinobi and ran towards the kitchens.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Ai had just finished part of the cleaning in the kitchen and was heading to her room, when she heard thundering footsteps coming from behind her.
Her heart leapt at the small hope it was Nobuyuki, trying to catch her and explain everything is just a formality.
"Ai, are you okay?" Asked Yukimura.
The hope that came back to life in her, withered. She turned to face the other Sanada brother, with a small smile on her face.
"I'm fine, why do you ask, Lord Yukimura?" She asked with fake cheer in her voice.
"I know you're not fine. I know how close you are to my brother, and I know that this is killing you inside."
Shock came over her, she didn't know anyone else knew how close Nobuyuki and her had become since her arrival to the castle.
"I'm sorry, milord, but I think you need to stay out of my business. Now, excuse me and goodnight, milord."
She gave a small bow to him and resumed her way to her chamber, only to fall to her knees as soon as she has the door closed. Tears streamed down her face, as she cried at the unfairness of love.
——————————————–
The days that followed after the announcement, Ai felt like she was waking in a fog like haze. She went through the motions of going to town for ingredients, laundry, and cooking and serving dinner. She didn't do any other activities after her work was done. She just stayed in her room and slept.
For some reason
One morning while she was hanging laundry to dry in the oncoming afternoon sun, Sasuke came running to her, excitement filled his eyes.
"And what's got you all riled up, Sasuke?" She asked.
"Lord Nobuyuki and his bride are going to her home, to have a ceremony there then they'll have one here!" he said happily.
Her brows furrowed, "That's unusual. Why are they doing that?"
"Her father's weak and can't travel far, so their taking the wedding to them so he can see his last child married."
To Be Continued.
