Chapter Text
It was a dark, cloudy night. The clouds rumbled, and it was raining heavily. A dog howled in the distance, it almost sounded like an ominous warning...
My life had been planned even before I was born. I was born on the night of a full moon, hence, they named me Tsukiko. I was born to nobility. I sometimes wonder, what had I done in my past life to deserve this... Life has never been cruel to me, or so people insist. In these turbulent times, nobody knows what fate has in hold for them.
My mother is a strange woman. She sent me to live with some distant relatives once I was "old enough" to understand the world. Believe me, I barely knew what was going on, how could I know much of the world outside the castle gates?
She said that I would have to learn to be a proper lady, and could no longer be under my father's protection.
Azuchi felt nothing like home. The crowded streets, busy markets and grand buildings were nothing like what I was used to in Shinano. My new family never treated me unfairly, but I still missed my parents, sisters and brother.
Once I came of age, they wed me to a man, whom I barely knew.
...
It has been nearly a month since then, I was lying on the floor, beside my husband, carefully trying to listen to his steady breaths. He was sleeping, I was certain of it.
I quietly pushed myself up into a sitting position, and reached for the dagger hidden under the few layers of silk that I was wearing. I took it in my hands, looking at the ornate floral patterns on its handle and sheath...
My elder sister had given it to me on my wedding day, and she had asked me to keep it with myself for self-defense. But my mother's words rang in my ears... I would hate to admit those words to anyone...
I unsheathed the blade. It glistened in the faint silver glow of the moon. As I positioned it at the man's throat, I could hear the dog whining again.
Something felt strange. I could not smell the salty stench of death, for some reason.
I was ready to strike, when, abruptly, a larger hand caught my arm. He had woken up.
"What do you think you are doing?" Ise-dono asked, in a strangely calm voice.
I felt at a loss for words.
"I know you hate me, but give it up. Would you be able to live with the guilt of taking a life?"
"..."
He pushed me away, gently, and took the dagger from my hand.
"There are peaceful ways, you know. You could have told me anything that was troubling you." He spoke in a calm, monotone voice. It was terrifying, considering that I had just tried to murder him in cold blood.
"My mother says that I must protect my dignity."
"This is about me being born a simple farmer, isn't it?"
"Yes." It felt shameful to admit it, now that I think about it.
"I understand why you would want to take my life, but is this the only way out?"
"No."
"Moreover, it could put you in grave trouble. I do not want you to waste your life by doing such a foolish thing."
"But I just tried to-"
"Did you think of the consequences?"
I did not have to reply.
"Well, you see, violence is not the answer to everything."
"Says the one who fights in battles."
"I never said I like it, did I?"
"Oh..."
"Why do you weep?" I had not realised that I was weeping. Ise-dono pulled me into a tight embrace.
He was different... different from how I thought he was... At that moment, I had accepted him for who he was, and he had accepted me. Our flaws and differences were forgotten.