Chapter Text
It was a quiet night, the wind howling being the only sound throughout the courtyard. Soft red sheets beneath your skin as you lay staring at the wooden ceiling. Dread pooling in your stomach, knowing morning was soon to come. It had been two months since you were allowed a break, two long months locked in a cage of silk and guards, never once having time alone, always expected to reconstruct all day.
You sighed, rolling over to your side. Your night yukata fell off your shoulder, pooling just above your breasts. You looked over at the bright moon that almost fell beneath the horizon, your sliding door halfway open. You wished you could be as free as that, no expectation, no need to uphold a persona.
"Lady Y/n." A servant stood outside your door, carrying a folded light pink kimono. Simple stitching, letting you know today would be slow.
"Thank you." You smiled politely at the man. He laid the kimono on the edge of your bed, keeping his eyes anywhere but on you. Once he left you sighed again, pulling the covers over your exposed shoulders, letting the smile fall from your face. Today would be less stressful than normal, but it did little to calm your nerves.
You sat up, allowing the blanket to fall off you once more. Your night yukata—a deep red— hung loosely over your frame. The moon shined on your skin as you moved toward the edge of your bed, grabbing the kimono.
"What's with the long face?" A sudden deep alluring voice came from behind you. You turned quickly, your tears you hadn't noticed shimmering in the moonlight. The voice didn't sound like anyone you knew, definitely not one of your guards. "There's no need for a beautiful girl like you to be crying."
"I-" You gulped while quickly wiping the tears. Then you took in the mans appearance. He was tall— lean with muscles. His dark blue haori was slightly opened, along with his yukata, revealing his abs. He wore a smirk across his face. His hair seemed to defy gravity, the shade a blonde and black split. "You can't be here." You managed out.
The man kept that smirk across his face as golden his eyes traveled down your body. "And why is that?" You noticed two ink markings under each eye.
"Y-you'll be cursed! You won't be able to leave." Your voice broke toward the end. Tears once again pooled in your eyes, but you made no effort to stop them. You didn't know this man, nor did you trust him but you knew you were cursed. You knew he would die, and you hated that fact.
He hummed, taking a step closer. "I think I'll risk that." Your eyes widen at his words. Why wouldn't he listen to you? He'd die from your curse! "The rumors were true." He muttered, walking closer.
"What?" Your mouth was agape, looking at the man in front of you. His whole demeanor screamed confident. As if nothing could touch him, as if your warnings meant nothing. You had to admit, he was quite handsome, unique hair, and eyes that seemed to see through every lie. Then you remembered how your father told stories of yokai, and you felt like a man this beautiful couldn't be human.
"Who are you." You managed out, voice shaky as you took a slow step back. If he was a yokai.. did this mean he was here to kill you? Before you could react, the man was behind you, one hand on your chin, the other grabbed your hand, pulling you flush against him.
A sudden thought crossed your mind. This man, probably a yokai, was going to kill you. Or worse. Tears filled in your eyes at the thoughts, and you grabbed a hold of the mans arm, and as if your power had a mind of its own, he started oozing blood, a long gash across his fore-arm.
"What the-" His eyes were wide, smirk long gone as he let you go. You spun around, suddenly aware of what you did, and you felt ann overwhelming amount of guilt. It was as your father said, you really are dangerous.
"I'm sorry!" You rushed out, holding your hands above his arm, you fixed it quickly, the warm light glowing in the otherwise darkened room.
The man stared at you, mouth parted slightly. "What are you?" He murmured.
You realized how close you were, blushing you backed away. "I didn't mean to hurt you." You whispered.
Suddenly a rush of footsteps caught his attention. He jumped past you in a blur before looking back at you with that smirk. "I'll be coming back, princess."
And as if the man were never there, he vanished into the night. No one would have ever known he was there, the only indication being your reddened cheeks. Your doors burst open and guards with long blades pulled out flooded in, ready to protect you.
"Princess Y/n! What happened?" One asked, eyes scanning your room for any threat.
"I sensed yokai energy! I could've swore-"
"It was nothing." You spoke before you could register what you were saying. Your heart thumped in your chest. You didn't know why you lied, you knew they would reinforce the barriers, and have more guards, but a small part of you didn't want that.
"No yokai was here?" Confusion laced his tone.
"No. No one was in here." The lies tasted sweet on your tongue— the opposite of how you thought lying to your guards would be. And for the first time ever, you felt the slightest bit of freedom.