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Inheritance
The court was abuzz when the Firstborn Son of Lord Nakamoto docked back on the Island of Wa. Amongst his brothers he was the last to return after his voyage. He did not immediately come to see his father. In fact, many servants have heard that Toshiro-sama ordered his retinue to retire to their sleeping quarters and rest. Moreover, his first order to the servants at the estate was to prepare a big, hearty meal with vegetable pickles, soup, and roasted fish for his retinue.
On the third day after his arrival, Toshiro Nakamoto donned his finest hakama overlaid with a fur-trimmed coat, sharpest sword and walked towards his father’s compound. At that point, many female courtiers gossiped about how fresh he looked and how shiny his hair was. Compared to the first time he left the island; he was positively glowing. His gait was sure and purposeful. When the sliding doors opened, Lord Nakamoto looked at his son condescendingly and asked,
“Well, my son, what stories have you brought for me from Faraway Lands?”
Toshiro bowed and took a deep breath. “A kingdom as emerged from underneath the sea. I helped a little when the country was still forming. The girl I fell in love with rejected me.” Whispers were immediately heard around the court. The courage! The bravery! The foolishness for the first-born son to admit his own failure out loud! The other Nakamoto heirs looked at him agog. Lord Nakamoto barked a laugh.
“Well now!” he boomed, “Why don’t you tell us more, Toshiro?”
Toshiro regaled a long and interesting tale that started with a young boy with his little sister running away from their home. How this boy grew into a man who annoyed him to no end. How he fell in love with his sister. The party he joined. The dungeon. The red dragon. How his beloved was cursed to become one with the dragon. The Elves. The Dungeon Demon. How that boy ate the demon and finally, a kingdom emerging from the sea that concluded with his beloved rejecting his proposal. The longer he told the tale, the paler his brothers became. Nobody can beat this story. Mere ogre slaying or princess rescues were clichés at this point. Whispers grew louder into talking. Treasure finding was even becoming commonplace amongst nobles. Once he finished telling his tale, Toshiro directed his gaze at his father.
“I assume I will inherit the estate?” His voice is hesitant but unapologetic.
“How bold!” Lord Nakamoto exclaimed. “This shall be interesting for everyone! Yes Toshiro, you now inherit the Estate along with my title. And what will be the first thing you will do as Lord?”
Toshiro cleared his throat. “Then as my first act as Lord, is to banish you from this place!”
All at once, the talking and murmuring stopped.
The Ogre’s Tales
The thing is, Tade thought, everything is Fine. So, some people murdered her parents and sold her as a slave. She wasn’t even conscious then, a mere babe at best. She was lucky, all things considered, to have ended up in the Nakamoto household. Everyone was nice to her. She got three square meals a day, clothes, and training in self-defense. She was fine. Sure, she had to swear fealty to Lord Nakamoto and maybe sacrifice her life for him but, when will that even happen, right? The Nakamoto clan rarely goes to war with anyone. Izutsumi had loudly protested and disagreed with that outlook in life, but she was Izutsumi, you know?
Then the Young Master had to fall in love with a foreigner. He had lost her, he begged Maizuru, he needed help to rescue her. Okay, that sounds fun, a proper adventure in a foreign land! Let’s go rescue this delicate princess! The way that the Young Master had gone on and on about Lady Falin, Tade thought she would be like his mother, thin, refined, long haired and graceful lady. She was not expecting a top-heavy pink lady with silkworm thread thin hair, much less, a huge, feathered dragon of a lady. This was the woman the Young Master fell in love with? Not to mention, he started punching that golden-haired man into a pulp for…what? To top it all off, the Young Master… apologized?!
This was when Tade began to think, you know, maybe, nothing was fine after all. They lost the battle, the Young master decided to retreat back but, to add insult to injury… they were forced to get back in that dungeon. At some point Ase–no, Izutsumi managed to break Maizuru’s spell, escape from it all like she had said. Had Tade been one of those poets, she might have had composed a poem titled …Things Happen (and Keep Happening) When the golden haired man somehow managed to solve their immediate problems, Tade didn’t know anymore.The Young Master, who was previously very reticent around them started opening up and even joined her in eating that delicious dragon rice bowl. She could see how overjoyed Maizuru was. And Aseb–Izutsumi? She could see her flitting in and out of the festivities, talking to various people. She was never this friendly to anyone in the Nakamoto clan. Are things fine now? Who knows. They stayed a little longer. The New Kingdom needed to settle. The docks needed to be rebuilt. And, Tade heard from Hien’s gossip, the Young Master needed some time to work up the courage to propose to Lady Falin.
They ended up staying on for seven more months. Tade helped with rebuilding the new Kingdom, now named Melini. Tade got to try the Northern-style ale (yuck!). Tade got to fish and try roasting sea serpent (not bad!). Most importantly, Tade got to eat together with Ase- Izutsumi, again. The catgirl had been an infamous picky eater in the Nakamoto household. This time? She notices that the cat girl was not as dismissive of the food served.
Towards the end of their trip, the Young Master was given many exotic things to take home. Northern dragon scales, a hand embroidered top for him and everyone in the retinue, fastened with something called a button, an armor made of tiny metal rings from Lady Namari, hard bread is so unusual, even for a Northern Kingdom (The point was to look at it and realize there surely are better food, Lady Namari told them) and finally, a letter with an official seal from the newly emerging kingdom, proclaiming their allyship with the Nakamoto Household. The Young Master will surely win the race to become the next heir.
“Don’t be a stranger now,” said the golden haired King, (King Laios was it?) who was with them at the docks.
The Young Master chuckled. “I won’t.” He curtseyed to the King’s sister. She beamed at him. “I will come and visit,” she softly said. The Young Master’s face reddened. The moment was ruined with Izutsumi stumbling upon the King’s head. Several people chuckled. The King wasn’t even angry about this, he just patted Izutsumi’s head.
“Asebi,” said the Young Master, “Would you like to come home?” Izutsumi chuckled. At home she would have her hide tanned for being so casual to the Young Master. “Nah,” answered Izutsumi all casually, “Might visit though,” The Young Master gracefully bowed as he replied. “Very well. You will be welcomed as a guest,” Tade noticed how shocked the retinue was. He was not supposed to do that to someone who was below his station?! Tade can see Maizuru, already in the ship, gesticulating wildly towards Izutsumi to bow lower. And in turn, Izutsumi, stubborn as she was, kept her head up high. But the dwarf man who cooked them the nice meals came by and just looked at Izutsumi meaningfully. Izutsumi rolled her eyes and nodded her head down. The Young Master just shook his head before boarding the ship with the rest of them. HUH! Not too long ago the Young Master had to get Maizuru to kick Izutsumi out of his bed. Tade likes this change of things.
That was one year ago.
A lot has happened since. The Young Master took over the Nakamoto clan, banished his father (though he did not banish his brothers), overhauled almost everything about how the clan operated. The servants were given shifts and days off, he also gave them salaries and even though he still kept the rank and seniority he pressured everyone to stop taking advantage of said seniority. He made an effort to start talking to his brothers, making sure that they were included in the Clan business. A lot of the older members of the clan hated this at first but with Maizuru by the Young Master’s side, skirmishes were minor at best. Tade had to admit that this was preferable to the way the Old Master ran things.
Oh. And Lady Falin finally visited in the autumn. Tade had heard that the Young Master’s proposal was rejected by Lady Falin but she was not expecting the Young Master to still keep a cordial relationship with her. Of course the court was abuzz with excitement! The Young Master, uncharacteristically nitpicked everything from the futon provided for Lady Falin to the food the chefs was about to prepare. He commissioned a beautiful golden- colored kimono replete with butterflies in their various stages of life. The obi? Tade has never seen anything more beautiful. It was loomed with silver thread interspersed with red and peach. Was he to propose again?
The Young Master took her to many activities. Promenade around the estate, monster hunting in the forests, traveled with her to various towns and cities, introduced her to the people in the Nakamoto retinue, and on the last day, sat her down in the meticulously manicured gardens. What a lovely time to do so, Tade thought. It was just in the middle of the fall where leaves turned fiery red and some snow had fallen too, giving the place an eerie sort of beauty to it. Naturally everyone found a way to snoop on them. Tade wasn’t sure why everyone beyond the original party wanted in on this. They were going to converse in Northern Common, a language anyone else barely spoke. Young Master Toshiro’s original retinue was able to speak a functional form of it but Tade still got tripped up by its double-barrelled consonants.
“Is everything to your liking, Falin?”
“Yes,” she softly replied. That was another thing no one expected . She was built like a massive castle, yet her mannerisms were as soft as a gentle leaf. “How has the trip been so far?”
“Wonderful, it is all thanks to you and your family, Toshiro,”
Tade can feel The Young Master fidgeting, “Falin, now that you have seen the world,” he paused, “Would you kindly consider being my companion?”
“I apologize, Toshiro,” Lady Falin interrupted, “I have decided to marry Marcille,”
WHAT!! There was a loud thump, Hien and Benichidori falling off from their hiding spot. Everyone did their best to squeeze in their hiding spot. The Young Master has elected to pretend that Hien and Benichidori didn’t just fall off the pine tree behind them.
“Is that allowed?” Tade can hear him whisper. “I mean, I know some people” he said, voice suddenly sounding very pointed, his eyes darting slightly to the aforementioned pine tree, “have engaged in such relations but, marriage?”
Lady Falin looked at him quizzically before finally asking, “Has my brother talked about our past before Melini?” The Young Master shook his head.
“My brother and I,” Lady Falin said, her voice barely a whisper. “The only people we have for a long time was each other.” The Young Master’s face froze. “The village was scared of me because of my magical talent and my brother was always getting the brunt of my father’s very strict parenting. I can’t even imagine what military school was like for him,”
“Was that how you got to exploring the dungeons?”
Lady Falin nodded.
“And Marcille, Marcille you know,” she said, her face turning into a beautiful pink.”She was the first friend I have ever made,” Her smile reached into her eyes. Tade finally understood why the Young Master fell in love with her. “I asked my brother about this and he said he would gladly bless us as the King of Melini. Said that our stories may not have such a happy beginning, but he would be damned if he didn't do his best to make our current one happier.”
The Young Master’s face changed a couple of times until it settled into what Tade would describe as trying to stay calm. “Have you chosen an auspicious date?” He said that with a quiver in his voice. Tade suddenly felt the urge to hug the Young Master very tightly. The rest of the group all looked like they wanted to sweep him into the closest izakaya and get him smashed.
Lady Falin perked up, “Well, not yet, I still want to travel to the Elven lands.”
“You really can’t tie down a dragon, huh,” said The Young Master, bittersweet.
“Also, you know how Marcille is. She said she needed to have the most perfect gown for the wedding,” A moment of understanding passed through The Young Master’s eyes. “Yes,” he said,“I do remember that of her.” The Young Master tilted his head quizzically. “So…?”
“Marcille insisted on weaving her wedding gown and my tunic herself. Said she wanted to engrave our names in the weaving, spells, well wishes, the likes,” Lady Falin laughed, amused. Wow, Tade thought, Lady Falin’s intended was more like the Young Master that she previously thought. She looked absolutely smitten with her bride to be. “I told her she needn’t bother, but she is going to do what she is going to do,” her voice was fond and warm. The Young Master to his credit was bearing this really well. He was unshaken.
“Perhaps you can use some of the kimonos I have given you,” he offered.
“Toshiro, how kind,”
“It’s the least I could do,”
Tade was going to give him the biggest bowl of rice for dinner tonight. He was so brave and strong. So unlike the treacherous tree bearing her, Maizuru, and others. She could feel the trunk breaking. Oh well, better brace for impact.
“Uh Oh.”
Caterpillar
There were so many things wrong with Tsumugi that it was easier not to think of her. Her mother had died when she was born, Tsumugi’s hair was long wisps of silver thread, her eyes dark blue like indigo and her skin was as white as chalk. True, most people in the island of Wa desired a beautiful white skin, but Tsumugi’s bright white skin creeped most people. Father rarely acknowledged her, brothers and sisters always made fun of her. She may have some respect from the servants but even that was pushing.
Her only friend in the compound was her little cat, Shiro. The friend who stayed at home while she was chaperoning for her gorgeous elder sister, Nadeshiko. Now, Nadeshiko, she was exactly how everyone wanted her to be. A spitting image of Okaasama. Her hair is long and black, skin as lively as a recently ripened peach, long, ladylike fingers and lips as vibrant as a blossoming cherry flower. She also often told Tsumugi how lucky she would be if someone even decided to look her in the eye.
“Freak like you, can you even feel anything?” Nadeshiko-Oneesama once said as Tsumugi smiled helplessly, holding back her tears. Nadeshiko-Oneesama had broken a tortoiseshell comb her mother left for her. Nadeshiko-Oneesama had all of the comb Okaasama had. This was the only one Tsumugi had.
It could be much worse. Traitorously, a part of her that still fought back, said otherwise. It could be better. It should be better. Like Father had always desired, things could be so much better. He had gotten the idea that he could move up in life by cosying up to the new Lord of the Nakamoto clan. He would offer Nadeshiko Oneesama to be his wife and if things go according to his plan, the family would finally be respected. No more hawking bowls and other household items. They could be… aristocrats.
Tsumugi had a suspicion that Father was wrong. But Father was surrounded by so many people who agreed with everything that he said. Even if Nadeshiko or any of her other sisters managed to marry Lord Nakamoto, people would still make fun of him, just less openly.
The carriage had stopped. She lined up along with the servants, helping carry Nadeshiko’s twelve layer silk juni-hitoe. Nadeshiko had been fully made up, face powdered into a lighter shade of peach, lips brushed red, her teeth blackened carefully. Nadeshiko’s hair was washed and brushed several times. It was gleaming. Once inside the Nakamoto clan compound the party was greeted by a smart looking woman who efficiently helped them organize and settle down. Eventually, Tsumugi was shooed away and as the rest of the servant retinue started unpacking other items Oneesama brought. Tsumugi decided to stroll to the gardens. She took a deep breath and took it all in. A moment of peace like this is a rare find.
There was rustling near the bushes at the very back of the garden. It might be a cat! She stepped quickly only to find… a man?
He looked at her, frozen in fear.
“Don’t worry! I won’t say I saw you!”
The man looked at her and let out a small guffaw. “Thank you,” he said. Tsumugi crouched down to his level. “What are you looking at?”
“Well,” he started, “I was just trying to avoid the hubbub,”
“Ah that would be us, apologies,”
This man shot back a lovely smile at her. “Not to worry,” He pointed at a leaf, “But I ended up finding this little fellow” He lifted a crawling creature coloured white and green. It wasn’t uncomfortable in his hands.
“Isn’t that a giant silk moth caterpillar?” Tsumugi asked. She touched its soft fuzzy hairs.
The man’s eyes widened in surprise.
“I heard that my deceased mother loved them,”
“Is that right?” He said softly.
Far behind him, Tsumugi could see a blooming sakura tree, its petals falling to the ground gently.
The next two years took Tsumugi by surprise. Nadeshiko Oneesama had somehow insulted the Nakamoto Clan advisor, Miss Maizuru and The Lord Nakamoto himself. The family was swiftly thrown out of the Nakamoto clan house but she was asked to stay as guest of honor. To top it all off, the man she was conversing with was The Lord of the Nakamoto Clan! He ended up asking for her hand after six months of courtship.Her family threw out her kitten after trying to keep it hostage, in the hopes that Lord Nakamoto would change his mind. However, Toshiro-sama remained firm. Somehow, Shiro-chan still managed to find her way to Tsumugi. Toshiro-sama sometimes looked at the cat wistfully. Maybe he had a pet cat once. Some of them notoriously wanted to remain free. A year later they were set to sail to the Golden Kingdom of Melini as husband and wife to be guests at the King’s Sister’s Wedding.
Tsumugi has heard that the King’s Sister was Toshiro-sama’s former paramour. That made her feel wary, but she ended up getting along very well with her and her wife, Lady Marcille. At this point she was starting to understand why Toshiro-sama didn’t think that her physical appearance was abnormal. His former paramour had straw coloured hair. Her Lady Wife, Mistress Marcille had hair as golden as a rice husk. There was also a dark skinned blue eyed man (the King’s advisor), a short and hairy man alongside a short and hairy red haired woman, and a human cat who reminded her of Shiro-chan. Unlike Shiro-chan who loved snuggling up to Toshiro-sama, the cat lady usually tried to avoid their party but she has seen the cat lady act very affectionately to the child-sized man who was supposed to be thirty two years old.
The King and his Sister truly cared for her husband too. So well in fact that they had enlisted her help to do a surprise party in honor of her husband. Which was new. These Northern Barbarians sure have odd customs! Surprise party? She was not sure she liked this turn of events. “He’s coming!” The straw haired King announced. She supposed the King was all right, despite his attempts to ask if she had a wasp for an ancestor(his advisor had pulled him aside and visibly chastised him) . The indignity of a King planning a party for someone below his station! It was really sweet in its own way but this was all a bit much. These Northerners were very open and vulgar with their feelings!
“All right everybody! Positions!” the King announced excitedly
She waited.
The Elephant
Toshiro had thought he was a simple man. He remembered when he was a young child, his grandmother said to him that family is the most important thing. The second most important thing was the clan. So he needed to be A Good Kid. He really took it to heart. That meant obeying what all the adults told him, no matter what. Even when they would do contradictory things, Father cheating on Mother with Maizuru, Father bullying his other brothers, Father yelling and screaming at the servants…
Come to think of it, most of his issues started with his father. He had a semi-regular correspondence with Laios about this. The New King’s father had also been the root of all the problems in Laios and Falin’s life. He sighed. Falin had confided in him that the reason why Laios always stayed clean-shaven was to contrast himself from their Dad. Undoing damages that have been done by their father was a long and hard road, Toshiro knew of it firsthand. Exiling Toshitsugu to was a great splashy start but mending all the damages he has done? Gods above. He had been trying to get closer to his brothers but his youngest was still bitter that he was given the most senior, experienced and beautiful soldier during his journey. The issue was wedged even further when Falin visited. His youngest brother was furious that he met someone so gentle and sweet. At this rate, weeding out officials and his father’s former yes-men, and stacking his household with better people and renewing household policies was a lot easier. He had to establish his authority but he did not want to be his father. He filled his staff with knowledgeable people from both noble and peasant lineage, all under Maizuru’s wings. She was surprisingly the easiest to convince, especially when it came to exiling his father. Toshiro also didn’t want to forget Mother and he had set her up to live in the family’s guesthouse near the beach with a full retinue of servants. It was the least he could do after father’s antics.
Finding a wife he got along with was also surprisingly, a breeze. He did not want to repeat the situation with his father, mother and Maizuru. The Touden siblings had always advised that he showed up as himself. Easier said than done, in a culture where marriage was very formalized. He was surprised to even find Tsumugi and the chance to bond without the pretense of ceremony. He was worried that she might get jealous that he was invited by Falin to her wedding, which was why he took Tsumugi along with him. He was not expecting that Falin and Marcille to completely adore his wife.
Speaking of weddings, he looked around. Why was the castle so quiet? Last time he visited it was abuzz with activities. Servants darting in and out with laundry and food, soldiers training, various nobles and scholars trying to get an audience with Laios, Marcille and Kabru conducting some form of traffic around the throngs of people…
Oh NO! Was this one of his nightmares finally coming true? Before he started spiraling he heard noises from behind the throne room. He double checked his weapons by his side, a wakizashi. Not ideal but it would have to do. Slowly creeping, he carefully opened the door
“Surprise!” was the loud voice that greeted him. A tall figure opened his arms and he punched.
“Laios!!” Falin exclaimed. Behind her was Marcille shaking her head and Kabru commiserating with her.
Oh. Oops. He helped Laios up while apologizing to him.“Are you all right?” he said guiltily. That red mark would sting. Laios smiled, “Yeah, fine,” He turned to the crowd and gave them a signal and everyone started singing Happy Birthday in the Common Tongue.
With everything else that happened, Toshiro finally released an unrestrained smile.