Ch. 1: Disturbance
Soga Country, Month of Fragrance…-.
Having arrived in Soga, I was currently in the middle of an extravagant audience chamber.
Before me sat Azuma, whom I had just woken the other day from the Dream Eater’s sleep, as well as the king.
Azuma: “Take this, Princess of Traumere. There is no need to restrain yourself.”
King: “This is my thanks for saving my son. It would please me if you would accept it.”
Azuma was looking directly at me with his sharp gaze.
(I thought this when he woke too, but his eyes are so strong and beautiful…)
I couldn’t take my eyes off him, and for some reason it made my chest ache.
OO: “Ah, um, but… I couldn’t possibly take something so valuable.”
Spread out before me were beautiful goods made of cotton, and a truly expensive-looking tea set.
Different types of gems had been meticulously woven into the embroidery of the cloth, and it seemed like such a waste for me to have it.
Azuma: “You woke me, did you not? Then I must thank you.”
Azuma did not take his gaze from me, and he spoke with such finality.
(What should I do…?)
Then…-.
Retainer: “Pardon the intrusion.”
A person who appeared to be a retainer entered then and whispered something to both the king and Azuma.
King: “!?”
Azuma: “What…?”
Suddenly, they both grew pale.
Azuma: “We had intended to bestow upon you these gifts of thanks and have you depart immediately but…apologies. We’ve received news of an enemy in the town. It’s dangerous to leave the castle right now. We’ll have you stay here for a short time.”
OO: “Eh…? U-um.”
Azuma: “We’ll have a room prepared immediately. Don’t fret.”
Azuma told me all this, then left in a hurry with the king.
The rest of the people who had gathered also began to stir, leaving to follow after the two who had just left.
Right after, someone came to guide me, but my chest tightened as I felt something bad was happening.
Ch. 2: Invasion
I had come to Soga at Azuma’s invitation, but with the appearance of an enemy, I was now staying in the castle…-.
Having been shown to a guestroom I was to use during my stay, I found myself alone and lonely within that spacious and extravagant tatami-style room.
(I wonder what’s going on in the town. It would be good if Azuma and the others didn’t have to get involved but…)
Azuma had gone out, and there was an air of panic about the castle as well.
Curious about what was going on outside, I opened the sliding screen and went out into the hallway when…
OO: “…!?”
Something cold and sharp was suddenly pushed against the back of my neck.
??: “Like I thought. You’re Azuma’s woman, yeah?”
In an instant someone had grabbed me from behind.
(Wh-what’s going on…!?)
Spy: “You’re coming with me.”
OO: “No…!”
As it seemed I was about to be forcefully taken away…
Azuma: “Who are you?”
(Azuma!?)
At the same time as I heard Azuma’s voice, he was pressing a sword to the neck of the man who had been about to take me.
Spy: “Wh-when did you-?”
Azuma: “For a spy, you are foolish. You thought you had found your chance to sneak into my castle?”
Spy: “Hee…”
Azuma pinned the man down with his gaze, eyes sharp as steel and powerfully fierce.
His voice was deep, resonating from deep within his body, so much so that it made my spine stiffen.
Azuma: “Drop your sword. I won’t allow any more violence in my castle. If you value your life…”
The blade edge at my neck was trembling.
Azuma: “Leave. Otherwise…”
Spy: “I-I got it so please don’t kill me!”
His voice pitched high, almost like a shriek, the man let me go and stepped back.
Then…
Azuma: “Go.”
The man tripped over himself as he ran away at full speed.
Azuma: “Shinobi. Follow him.”
Azuma glanced upwards to the ceiling and spoke his command.
Azuma: “Are you alright?”
Azuma was now looking towards me.
There was still a hint of those eyes that could pin a man down, lit with a sharpness like that of a predator homed in on its prey.
I…
OO: “I’m fine. U-um, thank you.”
I spoke my thanks even as my voice trembled…
Azuma: “I’d be in trouble if you were kidnapped within my own castle.”
He let out a sigh and smiled slightly.
OO: “Yes. Now we have to catch him Azuma…!”
Azuma: “You’re a pretty courageous woman.”
At my words, Azuma looked at me in amusement.
Azuma: “Not to worry.”
Azuma once again looked in the direction the man had fled and kept his cool.
Azuma: “…”
Suddenly, without any kind of warning, Azuma touched my neck.
At the sudden close distance and the sensation of his fingers, I felt my cheeks heat up.
(Wh-what is he…?)
Azuma: “You are slightly injured.”
OO: “Eh…?”
(I hadn’t even noticed…)
His brow crinkled as he spoke, his voice a murmur.
Azuma: “You’ll want to get it treated. I’m sorry.”
OO: “Ah…”
Slowly, Azuma removed his large hand.
Not only my cheeks, but also the place where he touched me felt like they were burning.
Azuma: “Seems like I’ll need to strengthen the guards within the castle. That man from earlier will be captured before long.”
Seeing Azuma’s face in profile as he spoke to himself, he seemed so very brave and dependable.
Ch. 3: Escort
Azuma had saved me after I was attacked by a spy.
After that, a maid was called to come treat my injury.
(The injury itself was just a small cut…)
Azuma: “To think I allowed a woman to get injured… and my savior at that.”
Azuma looked at the cut at the base of my neck as it was being treated, his brow furrowed.
OO: “This wasn’t really anything that bad though.”
Azuma: “From now on, I’ll be more vigilant so something like this doesn’t happen again. I apologize that you had to experience something like this just after you were invited here.”
OO: “It’s alright, I… you saved me.”
Azuma: “I didn’t think that man’s influence stretched into my own castle…”
(That man…?)
His expression was full of sorrow as he looked down at the floor.
I saw a shadow fall over his strong, dignified face, and it made my heart ache.
OO: “…what do you have on your mind?”
Azuma: “Right…since you’ve already gotten mixed up in all this, I’ll give you a brief explanation. Some time ago, it wasn’t an enemy who had appeared in town. Sorry for that. I said that because I can’t be speaking carelessly about this country’s internal affairs.”
OO: “I see…so then…-“
Azuma: “…”
There was a beat, then Azuma continued his explanation with a serious expression.
Azuma: “My country is made of several territories, each controlled by its own feudal lord. One of the lords and their vassals have concocted a scheme and are attempting to insight a rebellion.”
OO: “…rebellion?”
Azuma: “Yes. They want to make themselves independent and found a new kingdom. For the sake of his own greed, that man is now threatening the safety of my people. And today a man has snuck in here with the intent to hold you hostage. Most likely, they think you are my weakness. Laying a hand on a woman in the first place… I can never forgive that kind of thing.”
Azuma balled his hand into a fist atop his knee.
The feelings he couldn’t put to words and his anger seemed to be held tightly in that fist…
(If I can lighten his burden just a little bit…)
Holding onto that desire, I smiled at Azuma.
Azuma: “OO…?”
OO: “Azuma…you’re very direct when dealing with things, aren’t you.”
His eyes opened wide, and he looked at me with curiosity, but…
Azuma: “I’ve been told I can be rather stubborn.”
He said it with a smile, and I could see some of the tension leave him.
(I’m glad…)
OO: “I agree…to think they chose such a cowardly route.”
I spoke, hoping to lift his spirits even if just a little.
Azuma: “…you really are quite a strong-willed woman.”
OO: “Eh…”
Azuma stared at me is if with great interest.
Azuma: “However…I had thought you would be safe in the castle. I’m sorry.”
OO: “I-it’s fine. You don’t have to apologize about it.”
(It’s not been that long since we met, yet he’s this worried about me… I had originally thought he was scary, but he’s actually very sincere.)
His honest words and actions had swayed my heart.
Azuma: “At any rate, we now know that you’re in danger even if you’re in the castle. It won’t be until tomorrow, but then I’ll gather a large contingency of guards to escort you out of the country. I invited you here and then said for you to leave, but now everything is flipped around. And on top of that… because of me, you were put in a dangerous situation.”
OO: “You don’t have to worry, I’m alright. More importantly, are you alright Azuma?”
(I don’t think this is really the time for him to be worrying about me…)
Azuma: “What do you mean?”
OO: “Now that I know what’s going on, I’m a little worried…”
Azuma: “A woman like you is worried about me…?”
His eyes went wide as he looked at me strangely.
It was the first time I’d seen his face like that, completely open and vulnerable.
OO: “W-was that too forward of me…?”
Azuma: “Ah, no.”
Azuma shook his head, then let out a short laugh.
(Ah, I’ve not seen him laugh like this before…)
Azuma: “To think I made a woman worry about me.”
OO: “U-um…”
I stood there bewildered, not knowing how to respond to that.
Azuma: “Why are you acting anxious? It’s not like I’m angry.”
OO: “A-ah, sorry.”
Azuma: “Why are you apologizing? You haven’t made me angry or anything.”
I felt a sense of relief.
Azuma: “It’s just that I’ve never been treated like this by a woman. It’s interesting. You’re a bit of a strange one.”
Azuma’s expression relaxed.
That smile, full of kindness, made my heart beat slightly louder.
(He can make…this kind of gentle expression too.)
Azuma: “Alright, then until tomorrow morning I’ll be your guard. Until the dawn, I’ll protect you here.”
OO: “Until morning?!”
Azuma: “That’s right. Until the dawn.”
Leaving his smile behind, Azuma declared as much with an earnest expression.
(Wh-what do I do? Until morning means…)
OO: “U-um, I couldn’t possibly ask you to do that.”
Azuma: “It’s nothing. You’re my benefactor after all.”
Saying as much, Azuma sat down heavily.
I hadn’t realized it, but the fear from having been attacked was almost completely gone.
(It’s thanks… to Azuma.)
Afterwards, bit by bit, we started to talk, and in the meantime the evening wore onward.
Ch. 4: Raid
All through the night, Azuma stayed by my side and kept watch.
(…I was kind of nervous and couldn’t sleep.)
Azuma: “Are you awake?”
There was a rustle as I sat up from the futon bed, and Azuma looked over at me.
In the morning light, there was no trace of fatigue on his face even though he hadn’t slept.
OO: “Yes, thank you for staying.”
Azuma: “What’s this? Did you not sleep well?”
Azuma cocked an eyebrow as he beheld me first thing in the morning.
(This is embarrassing…)
Azuma: “Well…it’s understandable given what happened to you yesterday.”
OO: “But you didn’t sleep either Azuma.”
Azuma: “I did.”
OO: “Eh…-“
Azuma: “Just a few minutes. But don’t worry about it. I’ve trained myself to be able to wake up at a moment’s notice whenever I sense something’s off, so it’s habit.”
(H-he trained himself like that…?)
OO: “…”
Azuma: “What? You look stiff.”
OO: “S-sorry. I’m just surprised. That’s amazing.”
Azuma: “It’s only reasonable.”
OO: “But if you do that, you won’t be able to get a good rest…”
Azuma: “There’s no need for getting a good night’s sleep.”
Azuma: “You never know when something’s going to happen. …however.”
Suddenly, Azuma’s face turned bright red and he averted his eyes.
Azuma: “…your chest is exposed. You should probably fix that.”
OO: “…!?”
(M-my…!)
I frantically adjusted my top, overcome with embarrassment.
Azuma: “…”
OO: “…”
The room fell into an awkward silence…-.
(I’m so embarrassed…)
Azuma: “You’re troubled…”
Azuma looked at a loss as he scratched his head.
OO: “I-I’m sorry…”
Azuma: “No, I’m the one who should apologize. You’re a woman after all.”
We faltered then as we tried to change the subject but…
Before long, things became a little amusing… and when our eyes met, the two of us laughed.
Azuma: “Right, I’ll leave and arrange a change of clothes for you.”
OO: “Alright.”
Seeing Azuma’s cheerful expression made my heart feel brighter.
(It would be nice if this country was a place where he can always smile like that.)
…
……
Then the time came for me to leave…-.
I walked down the middle of the road after I left the castle, enclosed on all sides by Azuma and the guards.
(Even Azuma came to guard me.)
He walked close beside me, keeping an eye on our surroundings.
——————
Azuma: “Alright, then until tomorrow morning I’ll be your guard. Until the dawn, I’ll protect you here.”
—————–
(He’s still protecting me…)
Unconsciously, I found myself watching him when our gazes suddenly met.
Azuma: “…”
OO: “…”
I didn’t know what I should say, and as we looked at each other…-.
Azuma: “…!”
(Eh!?)
Suddenly, a great number of armed men attacked.
Armed Soldier: “People of Soga huh… We’ll take your heads from your necks!!”
Azuma: “OO! Get behind me!!”
OO: “Ah…I-I…”
I panicked at the abruptness of everything, then Azuma reached out his hand and forcefully pulled me against him.
Azuma: “Stay close!”
There was the metallic clang of sword meeting sword, the shouts of many people, and the pounding of footsteps.
For several hours, the spectacle was like a battlefield, and I stood trembling within Azuma’s arms…
(Is it…over…?)
Azuma still tightly gripped my shoulder, his breath coming out heavy and ragged.
Azuma: “…there’s several injured.”
His sharp gaze took in our surroundings, and his voice was low as he spoke.
Azuma: “…I hadn’t wanted to cause a scene. Sorry about this, but would you come back to the castle for a while?”
Azuma looked down at me, his grip still on my shoulder.
I felt as if I could see both fury and sorrow flickering in his eyes…
OO: “…yes.”
With a deep bow of his head, Azuma looked into my eyes, his now full of vigor.
Azuma: “Let’s go.”
Though my feet felt as if they were about to give out on me, I was encouraged to keep moving and Azuma supported me as we returned to the castle.
Ch. 5: Report
Having been attacked on my way out of the country, we returned once more to the castle.
(What exactly is going on…?)
As soon as we’d arrived, Azuma had rushed out again with the news that another of the feudal lords was being attacked by the rebels.
(I wonder if Azuma will be alright.)
I prayed that he would be safe and waited for his return…-.
…
……
It was several days after that when Azuma returned to the castle.
Azuma: “…”
OO: “Azuma!”
I rushed over as soon as I saw him.
Azuma: “Seems like nothing happened here while I was out.”
OO: “No, and I’m so glad to see you’re alright.”
I stared at Azuma, overcome with emotion.
Azuma: “…”
Azuma’s expression morphed into a gentle kindness.
OO: “Azuma…?”
As I peered into his face…
OO: “!”
Azuma placed his hand at the back of my head and pulled me into an embrace.
(Azuma…?)
My face was pressed into his broad chest.
I didn’t know what I should do…so I relaxed into the embrace.
Azuma: “OO…”
His hand felt incredibly hot.
I was confused, but I timidly wrapped my arms around his back.
Azuma: “You were waiting for me?”
His voice was husky but it trembled and I could hear the pain there.
I could smell the tang of blood and metal coming off him.
I had no idea what kind of events he had been pulled into out there, but it made my heart ache.
OO: “Are you alright Azuma?”
Azuma: “…yeah. It’s strange. As soon as I saw your face, I felt exhausted and relieved. I’ve never…had feelings like this for a woman.”
His voice was low and husky, whispered into my ear before he slowly let me go.
As if bringing things to an end, his blurred eyes regained a modicum of strength.
Azuma: “The feudal lord sustained serious wounds, but he’s alive. However now it seems I have another territory I need to protect immediately. It was to reinforce our strength, even if just a little… but now the conflicts will continue. Did I… make a mistake after all?”
He stopped speaking and loosely shook his head.
(Azuma? What does that mean…?)
I felt a pressure tightening around my chest as I was unable to understand what was truly on his mind.
(If only there was something I could do…)
Azuma: “I truly can’t apologize enough for having called you here when something so dangerous was going on. I will send you back immediately.”
The slight smile he gave grated on my heart.
(He’s smiling but… it’s completely different from before. I…)
OO: “…isn’t there anything I can do?”
Azuma: “…you?”
OO: “Yes.”
Without saying anything more, I looked straight into Azuma’s eyes.
Azuma: “…you truly are a strange woman. This has nothing to do with you.”
OO: “You were the one who said you would show thanks to your benefactor.”
I smiled, and eventually Azuma’s shocked expression turned into a wry smile.
Azuma: “Then… can I ask you to be my benefactor for just a little longer?”
OO: “Yes.”
And so the two of us started to devise a plan to break down the current situation.
On a day when we were doing just that…
Retainer: “Lord Azuma! I have important news.”
Azuma: “What!? Tell me.”
Retainer: “Yessir. The man responsible for the current rebellion is at present suffering from a serious illness.”
Azuma: “An… illness?”
Afterwards, Azuma listened as the details of the illness’ name and symptoms were explained, and his expression became unusually grim.