Ryou almost never got asked to do guard duty. It wasn’t really in his job description as one of Kurou’s top Generals. Not that he was opposed to it, as he greatly respected the guards around the palace. Most of them were fine soldiers, and he counted Shian as one of his best personal friends - woefully inexperienced as he may be in some areas of…. Social Recreation.

So it wasn’t that he thought he was too good to serve as a personal guard, simply that it was practically unheard of for anyone to even consider asking him. That’s why it took him completely by surprise when She asked him to escort an ambassador's daughter back to her family’s country home - a trip of at least three days. Apparently her father had insisted that it be Ryou, and wouldn't take no for an answer.

It didn’t take a genius to figure out that the Ambassador was hoping Ryou would… engage in those acts of Social Recreation. He had a reputation, after all, and this wasn’t the first time someone’s father had tried to force him into an obligation with a daughter who proved otherwise disagreeable, in some way. In short, if the woman became with child, Ryou would have to do the honorable thing and marry the young lady. Too bad for this particularly disagreeable young lady - and her father - Ryou had been very, very careful ever since finding out about his sweet little Kaoru. His beloved daughter would not be gaining any siblings unless he lost his mind altogether and decided to settle down and marry.

Thankfully, Shun had seen fit to send another guard along with him. A Female guard, and one Ryou was quite interested in. She was beautiful, sure, but what fascinated him was that she seemed completely immune to his charms. He was looking forward to getting to know her on their trip back to the palace, once their task was complete. He knew Hisoka was from Nyosei Island, and that could explain some of it, but he’d seduced women from the female-centric colony before. She really was something unusual.

At present, he was seated in a little reading room outside their two private rooms at the inn they were staying in for the night. It was their last night of travel before dropping the lady off, and so far he had avoided much alone time with her, insisting that Hisoka should sleep in her room, as it was “only proper”. But now she had sandwiched him in on a small sofa, snuggled up to him so tightly that the arm of the sofa dug into his ribs on the other side. She batted her eyes and murmured soft nothings, and he really thought it was all way too overdone.

“My lady…” He said at last, giving her a charming smile. “It has grown quite late, Are you sure you would not like to turn in?”

“But I heard the innkeeper talk of bandits! Could you not join me tonight, just so I can feel more safe?” She batted her eyes, and he glanced at Hisoka, trying to think of a good excuse to decline, and fast.

But Hisoka-san will stay with you, and I will just be in the next room. You will be perfectly safe, my dear…“

The lady scoffed. “What could a woman do against bandits? I’d really feel much better with you…”

Hisoka had resented the Emperor for sending her on an errand of this nature. Not only because she was not the average guard, she was a Princess. On top of that he sent her alongside the one man she could not stand due to how much of a flirt he was. He even had a poor little daughter to test to his Casanova reputation. Besides, she disliked other nobles especially those like this lady where they expected her to have a liaison during the trip in order to tie the General down as he was a prospect that, Hisoka admitted, anyone would want to pursue for not only was he a man of good fortune but he also held a respectable place in the Empire. And the fact that his weakness was women, well, surely he would have proposals thrown at him morning and night. She did not pity the man, however, she knew what men could be like.

She knew that not all men were like Taimo. But Ryou was similar to that man in the way that he flirted and she could not stop herself from noticing the similarities. Whenever that happened she remembered the pain, the embarrassment and the regret and she found it difficult to control. But that was not everything that went through her mind and she hated admitting it. She was curious about this General, particularly how despite how rude she was with him at times he still treated her with kindness and a touch of tenderness.

It was true that she had been unlucky with Taimo but he had never behaved that way with her. Not even when he fooled her into falling in love with him. No, she had to admit that there was something about Ryou that made her curious, attracted her even. But like with most things, she was rather blunt and of a rather explosive nature and that only meant that she did not allow herself the chance to analyse these feelings, to get to know him and make up her mind… Because she was scared. After what happened to her in the past and how it had hurt her pride, she decided to need let her heart make the same mistake.

However, the more time she spent with Ryou the harder she found it to control her emotions. They were all over the place as if he had activated her dormant heart with a single smile. This was one of those moments, she needed to catch her breath so she had gone for a walk to ensure the parameters were safe and she did not sense anything out of the ordinary. In reality she wanted to breathe some fresh air, get away from that woman and think carefully. During this whole trip Ryou had not given in to the woman’s advances. Some of them were truly embarrassing and Hisoka was glad she was as immovable as a mountain because she had to restrain her so many times in the middle of the night from running into the poor man’s bedroom. It was disgusting.

So he was not being as bad as she thought he would be. But that was not all, she was happy that he did not grant that woman exactly what she wanted and it scared her. It scared her because that was indication that she found him agreeable at the least. And she had promised herself she would not lean toward another man after what happened but, she sighed, she could not help it. “Maybe I am a lost cause.” She spoke to the moon as she watched it for a brief moment before she decided to return and save the man from any more embarrassment.

“My lady… It has grown quite late, Are you sure you would not like to turn in?”

“But I heard the innkeeper talk of bandits! Could you not join me tonight, just so I can feel more safe?”

“But Hisoka-san will stay with you, and I will just be in the next room. You will be perfectly safe, my dear…“

“What could a woman do against bandits? I’d really feel much better with you…”

Nothing could prepare her for what she was about to find as she joined the two of them. The thoughts she had just had about cutting him some slack were nearly thrown out of the window and watching that woman get so cosy next to Ryou did not help to make things better. On top of that she was questioning his fighting skills? Her? A cry-baby? Her eye twitched as she did her best to remain calm but counting little piggies did not work at this point. Watching her lean against Ryou and constantly insist on spending the night with him had made something in her rebel against the Hisoka that did not give an inkling about what Ryou did in his spare time. Something a tad possessive in her forced her hand.

She had a war fan in her hand for extra measure in case she needed it in the event of an ambush, without thinking it twice she tossed the fan at Ryou with all the frustration she felt due to her concealed emotions and seeing him there with this woman. Maybe even if she had allowed her emotions to be amorous she would be unhappy for what woman would want to see her beloved in another woman’s arms? Surely he would never change.

“I go patrol the area and you decide to have some couch-alone time with the lady we are supposed to be escorting?! How can you honour your position as a man the Emperor trusts if you simply stand there?” She then turned to glare at the woman and she towered her her and said, “I could easily fight anything that stood in my way, cannot say the same of you, if you encountered so much as a wasp you would be doomed.” Something inside of her wanted her to walk away form what she had just seen, she felt hurt and she did not know why the heck she was feeling that way.

Ryou was just debating how best to remove himself from his current situation when he heard the door to the room open. He was just looking up, hoping that he could get Hisoka to help him come up with some excuse to put some distance between himself and the persistent lady. That hope evaporated when he saw the barely restrained anger in her eyes, upon seeing them. There was more than anger there, however, though he couldn’t really make it out. Was it… Disappointment? Hurt? He couldn’t be sure. Before he could analyze it closely, he saw her throw something at him, and his faster-than-normal reflexes ensured he caught the object by the handle. The fan fell open in his hand, but he barely had time to notice before she started in on the biggest scolding he’d gotten since he was old enough to shave.

“I go patrol the area and you decide to have some couch-alone time with the lady we are supposed to be escorting?! How can you honour your position as a man the Emperor trusts if you simply stand there?”

Ryou’s eyes were wide. “Hisoka-san, it’s not what you think. I-” He wasn’t able to say more before she turned her ire on the woman beside him, and he felt his jaw drop open at the telling off she subjected the Ambassador's daughter to.

“I could easily fight anything that stood in my way, cannot say the same of you, if you encountered so much as a wasp you would be doomed.”

The woman flushed darkly. looking scandalized. “Just who do you think you are? Being so bold, and dragging the poor General into your petty jealousy! How dare you talk to me like that and then make such a bold proposal when he is too kind and polite to refuse!”

Ryou was confused for a moment. What was the lady talking about? What bold proposal was she talking about? All hisoka had done was scold the pair of them and throw…

He looked at the object in his hand. A fan. A fan that he was sure had been closed when she'd thrown it, but which must have come open when he caught it.

Well, this complicated things greatly.

Ryou snapped the fan closed, and quickly extracted himself from his seat, squished between the lady and the side of the sofa. “Hisoka-san is not from Kutou, my lady. I suspect that she is not aware of many of our customs. If you would like to retire for the evening, I will speak to her and see if we cannot smooth everything out.”

“But Ryou! Surely you can't-!” The woman protested.

“Yes, time to retire, I believe. Sleep well, my lady. I will wake you for breakfast in the morning.0” With that said, he gently but firmly pushed the lady toward her room, pulling the door closed before she could turn and say another word. That done, he turned and walked back to Hisoka, offering her the fan, as it belonged to her. “We need to talk, Hisoka-san. First I would like to insist that I am not the crass fool you seem to think I am. I thought the lady had already retired, and I seated myself here to keep watch until your return. She quite surprised me and sandwiched me in just a few moments before you returned. I was trying to think how best to refuse her this evening - without creating scandal with her father, the Ambassador - when you returned. I apologize if you feel that I was not taking my duties or my respect for you seriously, but I have you my vow upon the head of my blessed little Kaoru that I have no more interest in pursuing an intimate encounter with that woman than you do.”

All of that was said in a low tone to keep the lady from overhearing. He let out a long sigh and ran one hand through his hair. “Now, as for the more difficult situation…I presume you are noy aware of any customs in Kutou involving fans?” He was sure this vague question would irritate her, but he needed to buy a few more moments to think of how to explain it without making it sound like he was lying to try and seduce her, or having a good laugh at her expense.

Hisoka examined Ryou’s face in order to gauge his reaction to her words and she was slightly surprised at what she saw. He was shocked that was certain and that made her hesitate in her condemnation of the scene she had just seen. If he had been encouraging the young lady then he would have felt embarrassed, he would have blushed or looked down to the floor. Instead he was looking into her eyes without flinching taking her harsh words at face value. A soft pink tone touched her cheeks as she realised that maybe she should have addressed the situation differently. She was not an impulsive woman all the time, but she knew that there was another reason she had reacted that way and she was too stubborn to admit it or even think about what had just happened. Still, she had to.

She knew that ever since she had met Ryou she had felt as if he inspired the worst in her to come out and whenever he addressed her… she was snappy and not a nice person to talk to. And yet, that never dissuaded him from attempting to get to know her better. She was not sure why he was so interested in someone like her, she was tainted, broken. She struggled to put herself together all these years and the person she was now, well, was certainly not the person she used to be. She did feel drawn to him from the moment they met but his reputation made her keep herself at a distance from him. He was an admirable father, that she knew, but who could guarantee he was a man a woman could trust for life? In any case, why was she having such thoughts? She gasped silently for a moment feeling the blush intensify. She had some feelings for him, but she would not admit that. He would most likely turn away and feel at the first opportunity.

She would not blame him, no one looked at her with that kind of interest. She had hardened through the years, the trauma till too great and now she was a beautiful Princess but a cold one. She was proud and ruthless in battle and that earned her the respect of many but also the fear or the thought of considering her one of the guys. Taking that into consideration, the possibility that anyone would look at her as a potential love interest was quite slim. And that had been her objective back then, for it rendered her protection from men like Taimo who only sought to bring pain and grief. Selfish people like that only took what they could form others and left them empty shells.

Looking back at Ryou though, she came to realise perhaps too late that she wanted him to climb through her walls and fortifications and to look at her as a man would to a woman and to reciprocate the feelings she was developing for him. She felt so stupid if anyone told her that, against her better judgement, she would develop feelings for a Casanova like Ryou she would have laughed at their faces. And yet, here she was. She realised she was probably going Ryou an intense stare and decided to turn to look at the spoiled lady. Her eyes sparkled then and she smiled softly for a brief moment, perhaps it was never too late to try.

“Hisoka-san, it’s not what you think. I-”

That was more proof that he had not been encouraging the lady. If he had been he would not care about what Hisoka thought, and yet, he was trying to explain himself panicking, fearing she might walk away with an even poorer opinion of him. She nearly laughed softly at the ridiculous situation but she did not grant him an ounce of emotion. She analysed his words and knew he spoke the truth. Then that meant this lady had to be taught a lesson, not because she cared about her feelings but rather she did not want her to lose everything her a tarnished honour for the sake of sitting next to Ryou. She nearly laughed at how shocked Ryou was that Hisoka had no fear in telling off anyone, she did not truly, after all she experienced… no one could be that surprised really…

“Just who do you think you are? Being so bold, and dragging the poor General into your petty jealousy! How dare you talk to me like that and then make such a bold proposal when he is too kind and polite to refuse!”


She had to teach this spoiled brat a bit of reality so that she were careful with the things she did or said. He stared down at her unflinching at the raise of her voice and the words she uttered, she then waited for her to finished whatever she wished to spout. Something did surprise her, but she did not show, she had called her “jealous”. She thought for a moment was that where that slight hint of possessiveness came from? She took a deep breath, she truly had feelings for the General. She looked into her eyes fora moment and then spoke softly, like the Princess that she was, “I am the Princess of Nyosei Island, do not speak to me so freely and listen to what I’m about to tell you. From one woman to another if you want a happy and comfortable life you will stop such behaviour. If a man tarnishes his honour he has many ways to recover from it and still lie a happy life, but a woman, a woman has to be careful, if anyone suspected unduly behaviour between you and the General that would harm you in more ways than that. I cannot stand idle and allow an innocent woman fall into such darkness. I may not like you, but I cannot blame your behaviour for you have the pressure of your family who wish you to marry advantageously.” She looked gently into her eyes and taking both of her hands in her she said, “Do not let your family pressure you, you are very young, the daughter of an Ambassador, you are a very skilled young woman and you will always have suitors. Now, it will be up to you to choose wisely and pick the man who will make you happy and bring the most honour to your family.”

She released her hands, she did not pay much attention to the last bit of the conversation for she did not recall making any proposals to Ryou, even though she knew she had some feelings for him she was not desperate, she would need force anyone to be with her if it was not in their hearts to do so. And she had suffered far too much to care about her reputation and honour to be honest. Not that she would do anything foolish for the sake of it.

She noticed the confusion in Ryou’s eyes, so he was as confused as she was? Not that she was showing any of it. She watched him as he examined the object in his hand, had it been too rude of her to throw a weapon at him? Was that the reason the lady was so upset? She looked at her hands for a moment, compared to the lady’s soft hands here’s were a little bit coarse from her years as a guard and trailing the land. Besides lie in Nyosei Island was nothing like in these other kingdoms where women looked after their skin so much. She wondered if Ryou preferred hands as soft as the lady’s or if he would mind slightly rougher hands like Hisoka’s.

Hisoka-san is not from Kutou, my lady. I suspect that she is not aware of many of our customs. If you would like to retire for the evening, I will speak to her and see if we cannot smooth everything out.”

“But Ryou! Surely you can't-!”

“Yes, time to retire, I believe. Sleep well, my lady. I will wake you for breakfast in the morning.”

This confused Hisoka greatly. Although she was glad when he extracted himself from that tight space with that lady. Her heart skipped a beat when she looked at his golden eyes that shed determination and his long dark blue hair that shook with the breeze coming from the window. He stood tall like the General that he was and he wished to ensure he could seek privately with her. She wondered why that would be the case. Did she do something terribly offensive considering Kutou’s rules? She tried to think of all the rules Shun had told her about but she could not think of anything she could have done wrong. She silently watched Ryou as he sent the lady to her quarters to turn in for the night and wondered just how serious her offence would be.

“We need to talk, Hisoka-san. First I would like to insist that I am not the crass fool you seem to think I am. I thought the lady had already retired, and I seated myself here to keep watch until your return. She quite surprised me and sandwiched me in just a few moments before you returned. I was trying to think how best to refuse her this evening - without creating scandal with her father, the Ambassador - when you returned. I apologize if you feel that I was not taking my duties or my respect for you seriously, but I have you my vow upon the head of my blessed little Kaoru that I have no more interest in pursuing an intimate encounter with that woman than you do.”

She caught her breath when he started speaking, the first sentence did not feel great as it was a line you were always told when someone would turn sour. Had she truly done something that offensive? She blinked and then looked into his eyes and nodded silently not wishing to say or do anything that might make things worse. As he spoke her eyes softened slightly and her cheeks had a hint of vermilion. She knew he had been telling her the truth and this only confirmed it, if it were a made up story he would not have spoken so freely. She received her fan back from him and said, “I…” She ran a hand through her long dark hair trying to think of the best way to explain herself without sounding like a jealous woman. But she found she could not, “I… apologise for misinterpreting the scene. Maybe I should have taken the first watch and allowed you to go on patrol but, there is a chance she might have followed you out of the Inn.” She spoke as quietly as he did, for she did not want the girl to hear them.

“Now, as for the more difficult situation…I presume you are not aware of any customs in Kutou involving fans?”

She thought for a moment but she could not think of anything of the sort in fact it felt a bit silly to be honest. “No, why?” It felt like he was dragging the issue and she honestly had no patience left after berating herself mentally for having done water it was that she did, which was so grave he needed the lady removed form the room. “Ryou-san, just tell me what it is that I have done that has been so offensive.” She took a few steps closer to him, she would take water punishment she had to. "Albeit, unconsciously done, I shall take full responsibility."

“I… I… apologise for misinterpreting the scene. Maybe I should have taken the first watch and allowed you to go on patrol but, there is a chance she might have followed you out of the Inn.”

Ryou’s expression softened as he listened to her apology. His voice was more gentle when he spoke again, as it had never been that he was angry with Hisoka, only annoyed with the situation “You are right, unfortunately. That woman has a one track mind, and she would’ve simply snuck out to accost me in private. For what it is worth, I feel you made the best possible choice by taking the first patrol, and I regret only that I gave you the wrong impression when you returned. This entire trip has been made tolerable only by the fact that I must endure it with you. It is quite refreshing to see someone put a lady like that in their place.”

“No, why? Ryou-san, just tell me what it is that I have done that has been so offensive. Albeit, unconsciously done, I shall take full responsibility."

Ryou shook his head. “I must ask that, as I wxplain this, you ignore my reputation with the fairer sex, and instead trust my honor and loyalty to my nation, and all those who help me protect it…yourself included very highly among them.” She moved a few steps closer, and without realizing it, he did as well, so that they both stood very close. “There is a custom within Kutou of presenting a closed fan to the one that you hold dear as a means of…proposing marriage.” He moved a hand through his hair. “If the proposal is accepted, the person will open the fan. Technically, by this custom, you asked for my hand in marriage when you threw the fan at me, and I accepted when it came open upon my catching it. Traditionally, the man buys a brand new, ornate fan that is somehow representative of the lady and their relationship, and presents it to her in front of her father as a means of formal proposal, though it has been known that the woman can propose as well, and it can happen privately instead.”

He mentally prepared himself for outrage, or a slap to his face, or accusations of any sort. To the best of his knowledge, Hisoka could only barely tolerate being in the same room with him, and although he found the woman stunningly beautiful and endlessly interesting, he had never been the type to force his attention on another. Still, as the one familiar with the custom, it was upon his shoulders to deal with the aftermath. “If the lady had not witnessed it, I could have simply explained the custom to you so that you would not make the mistake again, but as she was present, even if we insist that it was a misunderstanding, I fear that rumors will still circulate.” He noticed a stray lock of hair had fallen beside Hisoka’s face and he moved to brush it behind her ear without even taking the time to notice the action. “Once we return to the capital, you may reject me properly, and then any rumors will be considered unfounded.” He felt a twinge in his heart at his next words, though he refused to admit why that might be. “After all, a beautiful warrior princess like you would want nothing to do with a womanizing, shallow man like me. Your reputation would be unharmed , and that is the most important thing to me.”

Hisoka was a bit surprised when she noticed the way he was looking at her. She had seen him with other women, his eyes would sparkle playfully then and he would grin in a way that it granted him the appreciation of the ladies and that was how he conduct himself with anyone who wasn’t his closes friends or his family. She had noticed he smiled at his friends and the Emperor differently as well, he would tease them with no demure and he would laugh with his whole heart but he still reserved a more affectionate glance, tone of voice and smile toward his beloved daughter. And yet, what she was seeing right now was unlike any of these things. His honey eyes softened and glimmered in a way she had never seen before. It was true that despite her treating him with callousness he was never impolite or inconsiderate when he spoke to her, he was rather polite and gentle, he was never picaresque as he was with the ladies he usually flirted with, nor did he tease her as he did his friends. But right at this exact moment something about the way he looked at her felt different and she felt her cheeks turn a hint of vermilion. Her deep purple eyes sparkled as if to symbolise the shock inside her. She did not expect him to have this side of him that she had never seen before, especially when addressing her. Was she dreaming? Did she hit her head during her patrol? No, she would have noticed, she was not an airhead and she was not one of those persons in a habit of accidentally hitting themselves. So she might as well admit that at this very moment she could not show her usual arrogant dislike for him because he was being far too considerate, too gentle, too kind.

”You are right, unfortunately. That woman has a one track mind, and she would’ve simply snuck out to accost me in private. For what it is worth, I feel you made the best possible choice by taking the first patrol, and I regret only that I gave you the wrong impression when you returned. This entire trip has been made tolerable only by the fact that I must endure it with you. It is quite refreshing to see someone put a lady like that in their place.”

Hisoka’s surprise increased greatly and her cheeks reddened even more when she realised how softly he was speaking to her. He was not upset at her misinterpreting everything and rather he was grateful for her company? She could not think of a single person that would say something of the sort. She was a Princess and a great warrior but she was not that popular in the four kingdoms because she was not as lady-like as people seemed to culturally like. And since she usually stuck out like a sore thumb she gave up on trying to fit in after a while, her friends seemed to like her enough as she was she figured there was no need to force herself to be anything more than the person she was. After what happened in her past she assumed no one would be interested in getting to know her, no one would look at her as if she were a beautiful woman worthy of fighting for and then she did not meet many men who could challenge her in a fight. But then, her eyes looked into his own, yes she had met Ryou. Not only was he a man of a great mind but he was her equal in battle as well and that with time had laughed her attention even if she did not wish to admit it in fear of her emotions coming out. Part of her was afraid because she had seen the kind of man he portrayed in the eyes of the world and she had deep scars from a man who pretended to love her. The last thing she wanted was to be with a man who would not take her seriously, who expected her to share him with others. Hisoka was not a woman who would share the man she loved, she simply could not, it would be the last straw after her traumatic experience and she also could not force a person to change if it was not in their nature to be with one person only. Albeit her mind spoke to her with reason something inside of her stirred with his words.

He found her company more enjoyable than that of the lady they were escorting? She could not believe her ears, “I have been nothing but fury unleashed on you, I’m fully aware of how snappy I have behaved whenever in your company and yet you find my presence soothing? I never understood why you were interested in pursuing a conversation with me nor why you would think me interesting…” She blushed slightly but she did not back down, “I judged you for your reputation alone for such a long time, I avoided spending time with you. I have not done you any good and yet you still speak with me with such gentleness and worry about my feelings?” It was so confusing, she would expect the opposite from him actually, anyone with self-respect would avoid her company by now and yet he wanted to reassure her and tell her that things were not as she mistook them. Why would he be so gentle with her? She took yet another step toward him, “Please make me understand.” There was a small beacon of hope in her words, and a softness as she spoke she did not know was there. If she was about to walk forth on these feelings she was experiencing, she needed to know exactly why he approached her, she had to know the depths of his heart in earnest. She would not be able to handle a heartbreak once more, not this time. The comment about it being refreshing how she had handled the other lady, she could not stop herself from smirking. The way he spoke of the other lady, he made it clear that he was no longer the man that earned the reputation of Casanova and that brought her to hope, if a little bit, that maybe… she and Ryou…

“I must ask that, as I explain this, you ignore my reputation with the fairer sex, and instead trust my honor and loyalty to my nation, and all those who help me protect it…yourself included very highly among them.”

There was something about what he was telling her that made her slightly alarmed. She wondered why he would go through the trouble of making sure she remained calm and would take his words with an open mind. Did her offence go beyond repair? Was he afraid of how she would react to what he was about to tell her next? Everyone must think her a monster with how she had been treating Ryou and only now did she realise that even if she did not wish to be with him back then, she did not have to be so rough on him, he was after all a man of a high station, as the General of Kutou. And here she was, a Princess, berating him at every opportunity. Still, when he looked at her she did not see any negative emotion, quite the contrary. Despite his past, he was a man worthy of respect and admiration.

“There is a custom within Kutou of presenting a closed fan to the one that you hold dear as a means of…proposing marriage.”

Hisoka was beginning to wonder why he was speaking of marriage proposal traditions and raised an eyebrow, how did this have anything to do with what she had done? “But…” She was about to say something when she watched him run a hand through his long dark blue hair and she caught her breath watching it as it shook gently with the wind entering through the window. She had to admit, he was a very handsome man and his hair was breathtaking. Blushing she looked away hoping he had not thought she was staring. But he seemed to be thinking hard on what to say next and she released the breath slowly and ever so gently in an attempt to regain composure and settle her heart. Whatever it was that he would tell her, she was determined to accept the responsibility. After all, if she had not acted in such an uncouth manner she would not have made a fool of herself.

“If the proposal is accepted, the person will open the fan. Technically, by this custom, you asked for my hand in marriage when you threw the fan at me, and I accepted when it came open upon my catching it. Traditionally, the man buys a brand new, ornate fan that is somehow representative of the lady and their relationship, and presents it to her in front of her father as a means of formal proposal, though it has been known that the woman can propose as well, and it can happen privately instead.”

“What?!” This was the last thing she expected to hear, she thought she had done something she could fix and repair the damage the way she knew best, through a bout or a challenge of a duel. But now, Ryou had rendered her speechless and she was not sure how to react. She took another step toward him and her hands took hold of the folds of his cloak as everything spiralled in her mind and tried to put it together piece by piece. But she was struggling with the information, she had proposed to Ryou and he had accepted? “I…” She blushed the deepest red colour and looked down for a moment as she tried to soothe her nerves, “I am so sorry.” She imagined he would feel terrible at being engaged to someone by accident, especially when that someone was the very woman who had always been rude and conceited. “I can fix it, you do not want to be engaged to someone like me…” Despite her words, her hands did not move away from the piece of his clothing she was holding on to, for she feared that if she let go she would lose her balance and come to the realisation that actually she only felt guilt toward this action but she was beginning to consider that marrying Ryou… would not be such a bad idea after all, he was a man with his own values, he adored his daughter and was loyal to his responsibilities. But then again, he had just told her that he had accepted the proposal by accident, she could not force him to marry her when there were lovelier and more powerful women out there and also women more worthy of looking after his daughter. She could not be this selfish.

“If the lady had not witnessed it, I could have simply explained the custom to you so that you would not make the mistake again, but as she was present, even if we insist that it was a misunderstanding, I fear that rumors will still circulate.”

She wondered as she looked deeply into his honey eyes that sparkled like the stars in the night sky, if he was worried about what others might say, if he would feel disgusted at being connected to her on a more personal level. He could just say these words out of thoughtfulness, of course, but she was aware of how she had behaved with him time and time again. Anyone else would have walked away a long time ago, so why did Ryou tolerate her and her antiques? Was it because she was nobility? Was it because she was a friend of Shun’s? Was it because he was expected to do so due to his position? It nearly drove her crazy being unable to find the answer to this predicament because it would hep her understand what was happening, what she was feeling and figure out the decision she had to make. As rude as she had been to him, she did not want to cause him any type of harm and she was about to suggest he shun her if that would keep his reputation and name in one piece but then she silently gasped as his eyes softened and he moved a lock of hair from her face. It was a very familiar sensation and not one she had experienced much. Usually she would have moved his hand away before she could reach her hair, so why had she simply looked into his eyes in shock, confusion and a hint of affection due to the very gesture he had just done? She felt her heart rate increase and was not sue why she was experiencing all these feelings for a man she used to abhor. It was almost as if… she had liked the touch and leaned into it.

“Once we return to the capital, you may reject me properly, and then any rumors will be considered unfounded.”

Her eyes opened wide for a moment and then she looked down, he would put himself through something so horrible just to clear her name and break a bond she had accidentally created? She felt something tug at her heartstrings and could not simply agree to his words, as reasonable as they sounded. Her hands grasped at his clothes hoping that they would give her the answer she longed for, the answer that would break this cycle of constantly thinking of the hidden meaning behind his words and actions. She thought about the times she had seen him in the company of women lately and now that she opened her eyes to see the truth, she would not see the behaviour he used to portray back when they first met. Could it be he was a different man now? Would she allow herself to believe in a man once more? She remembered Taimo and for a brief moment she hesitated, he had seemed so sincere, loving and gentle. And then when the time of truth came, all he wanted was another trophy to add to his stand of conquests and to top things up he had been anything but loving, she still remembered the pain and frustration, the way he handled her and she nearly shivered at that very moment but her eyes snapped closed for a moment as she took in a deep breath, would she be able to overcome this? Would this haunt her for the rest of her life? Even normal contact with others reminded her of him. The night he had his way with her marked her and she was beginning to wonder if she would ever find a way to recover, to let go of this tormenting past.

“After all, a beautiful warrior princess like you would want nothing to do with a womanizing, shallow man like me. Your reputation would be unharmed, and that is the most important thing to me.”

And then, he spoke again and something snapped inside of her. He only cared about her reputation? He spoke of himself in such a deprecating manner almost as if he regretted that part of his past and her purple eyes looked into his own searchingly. Her cheeks tainted a slight tone of pink, he thought her beautiful? She gasped unable to believe her ears, how was she beautiful? She was unlike all other women who wore beautiful dresses, spent hours having their hair combed and wore make up, they were elegant and delicate and learned all the chores entrusted to the fairer sex and Ryou thought Hisoka-who was nothing like this-beautiful? “Beautiful?” She could not believe her ears and she felt as if tears were forming in her eyes at the words. “You think I’m beautiful?” She did not sense a hint of the tone he usually used to flirt with women, no, he was speaking gently to her. And then he wanted her to publicly reject him so that she could go about her life? His honour would be affected by this though. She could not look away, she found herself in a trance looking into his eyes, her hands grasped his clothes even tighter, why was he being so gentle so understanding and a tad protective of her? “Why Ryou?” Why was he doing all this just for her sake?

“I figured you would be keen to convince the lady that this was not a real proposal and go about your own duties and life, you have people waiting for you to come home, you have a position of respect. I have nothing to lose, so why?” Her teary eyes sparkled like purple moon gems as she looked into his eyes with great intensity. Besides anyone else would have felt so offended at her slip with the fan, the fan… She then looked down, if she was going to propose why did she not get a proper and meaningful fan? What kind of pathetic proposal was this? “I should have owned a better fan.” Her fan was old and had seen better days, it was mainly a weapon to her, just like her katana was. She could scarcely believe she was pouting now, what had happened with that stubborn and proud woman who did not have proper conversations with others unless they were her friends or family? She was tough and at times her attitude bordered on crass and her she was now with tears in her eyes trying to understand what these feelings of hers were, why this man who had been a Casanova a great part of his life would evoke all these sensations in her and part of her bought to give in but the fear was still there and it made her hesitate. And in the middle of that internal battle she realised that her voice came out almost a whisper, “If it's you… if it’s you, I would not mind.” The tears finally made their way down her cheeks and the trance was broken when she realised all she had been saying. She finally released his clothing and blushed deeply turning her back to him, “I… forget anything I said…” She sobbed lightly before she decided to just leave the Inn and Ryou in charge of looking after the lady, she could not spend any more time with him, for she feared she might… Her eyes opened widely and she made to run for the door, she would leave Kutou and go somewhere else and dedicate her life to be a bodyguard or something, she could not stay in this kingdom any longer, because she now knew that there was no hope for her, her heart had spoken and she did not wish to hear what it had to say. Not now, not when she had fought to survive the darkness that assailed her for so many years. It was true that it felt different with Ryou, but could it be mainly her heart speaking rather than her gut? No, she simply could not stay and find out, she could not put up with any more pain. Not anymore…