𝔘𝔪𝔢𝔪𝔦𝔶𝔞 ℌ𝔞𝔧𝔦𝔪𝔢 𝔵 ℜ𝔢𝔞𝔡𝔢𝔯; 𝔄𝔯𝔯𝔞𝔫𝔤𝔢𝔡

𝔘𝔪𝔢𝔪𝔦𝔶𝔞 ℌ𝔞𝔧𝔦𝔪𝔢 𝔵 ℜ𝔢𝔞𝔡𝔢𝔯; 𝔄𝔯𝔯𝔞𝔫𝔤𝔢𝔡 𝔐𝔞𝔯𝔯𝔦𝔞𝔤𝔢; 𝔓𝔱. 1

Inspired by @vinomino and their Kaji arranged marriage one shot

Word Count: 2,236

It was safe to say that your future had been planned out the moment your mother had learned she was pregnant with you. There had been two outcomes.

The first one, and your father’s preference, was you were born a son, not the eldest, but another heir he would be able to ensure takes over some political aspect he would hand off when he passes, someone to speak with the same ire that he holds, someone to wield his power as harshly as he does.

The second, your mother’s fear, was you were born a daughter, a much less powerful pawn, but a pawn none-the-less, someone to be married off to the highest bidder, so to say.

It appeared that the gods wished to laugh the day you were born, your father leaving the delivery room once he learned you were a daughter, the second, of his five children, and the youngest of all.

Your mother named you, your older sister, though a mere four years older than you, took a shine to your chubby cheeks and quiet giggles.

As you grew the normal childlike curiosity that your older brothers had been allowed was punished out of you, instead lessons regarding lady-like things filled your days.

Your entire life, the mere sixteen years you had lived them, all lead up to today; learning who you were to be wed to.

Your sister had been married four years prior, though the man was quite older, she got lucky; he was respectful, he was powerful and rich, he had concubines, but from the letters you got, all the women were rather kind, treating your sister with respect. You were happy for her, if not a tad bit envious.

You had met many of your father’s business partners, men his age who leered at you for far too long, and you had to fight the urge to take refuge in your mothers arms like you would as a child.

Your name was called, and you lifted your head, hands folded in your lap as your father continued reading whatever letter he had been sent, and you waited, with a level of patience you’d been forced to learn. Your mother looked anxious, face pale and eyebrows pinched.

“I have found a husband for you,” He spoke without looking your way, and your mother lowered her mug of tea, hands trembling ever so slightly; you were the last child in your home.

“He’s from the East hemisphere. He’s recently come into power, but his people seem to follow him almost blindly. He’s got strong connections, many that shall be beneficial regarding trade of resources and weapons.” He finally looked up from the letter, gaze as bored as if he were discussing the weather and not his final child’s future, “He and I have been in contact for a few weeks, you shall sail out at the end of this week. I expect to hear from you the moment your wedding night is over.”

He said nothing more, barely bidding you and your mother a goodbye or a goodnight as he left, handing the papers off to be dropped in his office. Once he was out of earshot you turned to your mother, tears building in your eyes.

“Mother— the East hemisphere?” Your voice shook, and she was quick to move from her seat, hurrying over to you, her own trembling hands caressing your face, smoothing your hair.

“I know darling,” She tried smiling at you, but with her own budding tears it looked rather forced, pained even, “Your father barely spoke to me about it before he told you. If I had known…”

The sentence lay empty because you knew— she could have fought and screamed at your father, but it would have all been for nothing. She took a shaky breath, taking your hands and pulling you to stand, arm in arm as you two walked back to your room.

“I don’t know much about him,” She admitted, “Only the parts your father cares about. He’s powerful and wealthy, he has connections and access to things we do not.”

“It’s transactional to him,” Your voice was quiet but cold, you weren’t his child you were his pawn, “Nothing more.”

She nodded apprehensively, “But some of the servants have told me he reads as a kind man, his words are thoughtful. I shall let you know more as soon as I find it.”

She kissed your forehead, leaving you alone at your bedroom door.

That week flew by, far faster than you could have ever hoped. Your clothes were packed away, any jewelry and makeup you wished to bring as well. Soon your room— your old room— lay bare, sans the bed. You were grateful that you had been allowed to bring your cat, a cuddly girl you found in the garden when you were thirteen, Cherry.

Your send off was a blur; your brain was in a fog as your mother held you, silently sobbing. Your oldest brother, who still lived nearby, his wife and his children had come as well. He was almost a stranger to you, stiffly wishing you a safe voyage, and a happy marriage. Your sister in law, pregnant with her fourth child, kissed your cheeks, telling you she hoped for your health.

Your father merely sent you off with this: “Do not disappoint me.” 

Your days at sea were long, the ocean still. You had witnessed storms destroy the docks in your hometown, and feared the worst, but she allowed you a peaceful voyage.

You spent your time playing with Cherry in your bunker, writing letters you’d send off to your mother the moment you were able, and imagining your life ahead.

All you had learned about your future husband was that he sounded kind, that he spoke of you respectfully and promised your father you’d be safe in his home. Your father hadn’t even asked about that, only caring to learn of what benefits he’d receive. But your future husband had made sure to discuss more about ensuring your safety and wellbeing. 

You had slowly started growing used to the rocking of the sea when you all docked upon land, and you were ushered from your bunker, Cherry purring in your arms as you walked on shaky legs onto the docks.

It was… beautiful there.

So similar yet different than you were used to. The trees there were in bloom, pink petals and flowers floating around in the warm breeze. You stood for a moment, observing the land around you, the workers bustling past with your few boxes of things, mostly crates of gifts from your father to your future husband and his clan.

“Are you alright?”

You jumped, blinking as you turned your attention to the small group of men standing before you. You were always grateful that you had been privileged to learn a multitude of languages throughout your life, and nodded slowly.

“Yes. I apologize it’s… quite beautiful here.”

The man before you smiled softly, bowing slightly as you stepped closer, “I’m Hiragi Toma, I’ll be escorting you to your new home.”

You smiled, swallowing back nerves, “Thank you, Hiragi. It’s a pleasure.”

He held his arm out, indicating you to walk forward, and the leftover group shifted, allowing the pair of you to walk through them.

“I imagine you have questions,” His voice broke you out of the beginning of your thoughts, and you looked down to Cherry, who looked up at you with a slow blink.

“Many,” You admitted shly, “But—”

“Ask away,” The pair of you had gotten to what appeared to be a carriage, but there was no roof, and only two horses appeared to be pulling it.

He helped you in, taking a seat across from you, as two more men piled in, one with light blonde hair, and another with dual colors; a feature you had never seen in person.

“Ask?”

The horses pulled off, and the four of you lurched lightly, Hiragi raised an eyebrow at you, “Yes. We may not be able to answer them all, but we can answer a few I imagine.”

Your lips pursed, petting over Cherry’s fur to calm the spike of nerves you felt.

“What’s wrong?”

You cleared your throat, “Forgive me… My father had taught me not to ask questions.”

The dual-haired man snorted, and your attention turned to him, before your gaze flickered back to Hiragi. 

Hiragi offered you a soft smile, “I find we handle things differently here than most other places, even on this side of the world. If you have questions you are more than welcome to ask.”

“My husband,” You blurted out before you could stop, “What’s… he like?”

The three stared at you, and silence fell, the only sound of the horses walking.

“You… hadn’t read any of his letters?”

“I’m not allowed to read letters my father receives, it’s private information I’m not privileged to witness.”

Hiragi shook his head, and the blonde next to you clicked his tongue, “And here we thought you were so stuck up you weren’t responding to him.”

“Kaji,” Hiragi hissed his name, face pinched, before he sighed, “I suppose that answers some of our questions then. His name is Hajime Umemiya, he’s…”

He trailed off, as if unsure what to say or how to describe him. The other man, who the more you studied the more his hair reminded you of Cherry’s fur, decided to step in.

“He’s strong.” His voice was firm as he spoke, “Took his position like it was absolutely nothing. I aim to pass him one day.”

“And take his wife in the process?” Kaji questioned, and that notion had both of your faces burning red.

“No!” He leaned forward, “I want the spot— not his damn wife!”

Kaji rolled his eyes, “Sure.”

“I have no intention of ever getting married, and if I did!” He pointed a finger in your direction, “I’d want a wife who can hold her own in a battle! Not someone weak!”

As harsh as his words were, and you did your best to hide a wince, he wasn’t wrong. Your brothers had all been trained mentally as well as physically, but you and your sister could only watch in curiosity, never allowed to train with them.

“Sakura!” Hiragi moved, a hand smacking the side of his head, “You don’t insult guests in front of them, and especially a lady!”

He turned to you, forcing the others head down in as much of a bow as he could in the carriage, “I apologize. On behalf of both of them.”

You shook your head, “It’s okay! Really!”

He sat up, letting go of Sakura, who looked annoyed and embarrassed, turning to stare along the scenery. 

“He isn’t wrong though, Umemiya is a very strong man. He rose in power quickly, and he helped clean up our nation more than many before him. We’ve had connections with past rivals, new trades and relationships flourishing under him,” He smiled at you, eyes soft as if he were aiming to calm your racing heartbeat, “But he didn’t get there alone. He’s a man who rules for his people, and everyone loves him, respects him. He’s got a soft heart, and is protective of those he holds close. He’s not cruel in anyway of the word, either.”

You nodded, leaning back into the seat. Hiragi seemed trustworthy, he seemed kind, if not a bit tired.

“He had been writing to you once he and your father finalized your betrothal.”

“I- I never received any of the letters.”

“I imagine your father kept them, though I can’t guess why. Umemiya imagined something like that was the reason, he had faith you weren’t turning your nose up at him when others thought that to be the case.”

Safe to say your father just didn’t care enough to give you the letters, seeing no reason behind them.

“He’s rather excited to meet you,” Hiragi continued, “Been bouncing around this whole week.”

You giggled lightly at that, “It’s hard to imagine a grown man this excited over marriage.”

Kaji scoffed, “He’s still a kid at heart,” Muttering something that sounded like “annoying” under his breath.

Hiragi’s eyebrows furrowed a bit, “He’s freshly eighteen,” Your eyes widened at that fact, “And your sixteenth birthday was a few months ago, correct?”

You nodded, and he smiled, “You don’t have to worry about him, I doubt your father realized he wasn’t as old as he thought at first.”

The carriage stopped moving, and someone rushed to open the door, Sakura and Kaji hoping out, followed by Hiragi, who paused and waited for you, holding your hand to help you down.

His voice was low as the carriage door shut behind you, “You’ll be safe with him,” You turned to look at him, but he was looking forward, “I promise. He’s a good man.”

You followed after the three, the gardens outside of your new home beautiful and breathtaking. Standing at the entrance, clad in a beautiful looking kimono, as you learned on your voyage over, stood a man, tall and smiling. His hair was as white as winter snow, and it almost appeared ethereal against the setting sunlight.

“Welcome!” His voice was loud and booming, and Hiragi sighed from in front of you. 

As you grew closer you realized that this man was Hajime Umemiya; your husband. 

α/ɳ: I started this with no plot in sight, and as I was writing (cause I always have a lot to say) realized... this won't all fit into one one shot. So then I was like-- okay two parts? Three parts? We'll see!

ρα૨ƭ ƭωσ

ρα૨ƭ ƭɦ૨εε