“ Even if you don’t want to see me, I won’t let you go.”
“ I can’t stand you with other people.”
“ I want to be with you.”
His clear eyes looked at her.
“ I know what I say is selfish, but, I want you to not care about that promise anymore.”
“ I like you.”
Hearing the words, she had an illusion of time stopping. She only quietly looked at his eyes. Her reflection was there, without a word.
“ Snow, I like you.”
Seeing her not talking, he again repeated once more, pulling her back to reality.
“… How about you?” He somewhat asked hesitantly, and she looked a little at a loss.
“ I… I also… like you…” She was shy to continue looking at him. Her hands hugged him, letting her head buried in his arms.
“ Snow.” He could not inhibit his rising lips and hugged her even tighter.
“ Hmm… Sorry… I kept hiding from you…” Her slight voice came from his hug: “ I… I also want to be with you…”
She sincerely said, and he merely dumbly gazed at her.
This silence made her feel trepidation.
“… Can’t I?” She asked nervously, and he only smiled lightly.
“… Of course you can.” He gently cupped her face. The kiss, like a dragonfly skimming the surface of the water, dispelled her crankiness.
At that moment, from a distance came the noise of the crowd.
“ Ta, Takatsukasa, someone’s coming!” She pushed his chest, but he refused to let her go.
“ It doesn’t matter.”
“ No…”
“ Why?” Seeing her try to struggle and get up, he was a little dissatisfied.
“ Hmm… but then you and Sister Iemitsu will get married…”
“ Huh?” Her words made him blank, and then he wanted to check something, seriously looking at her: “ So… Is this why you’re hiding from me?”
“ Hmm…” Her eyes were flickering, like the distress of getting revealed her secrets.
“ You… Sigh.”
“ Hmm!”
She was not reacted yet, he dragged her into a nearby room.
“ Tak… Hmm!” He closed the door, wrapping a hand around her waist, directly sealing her lips.
Different from the kiss before, his naked desire made her hard to bear. She slightly pulled his sleeve, but he put the other hand in her hair, not letting her escape.
After the long kiss, he seemed to not feel enough and nibbled her lower lip, then let her go.
“ Takatsukasa…” She lightly gasped.
“ Still calling me Takatsukasa?” He softly smiled. His gentle voice made her unable to grow any resistance.
“… Taka?”
“ Little stupid…” He again kneaded her hair: “ I only like you. I don’t care what people are thinking, because I only want to be with you, okay?”
“… Um!” She smiled and nodded, again jumping in his arms.
They wished time could stop at this moment forever.
The next morning, for the first time she felt the sun was beautiful, not just a dominator exposing her to the enemy.
“ Miss Yang, sorry for bothering you.” She dressed up with Inaba serving her, going to the morning meeting.
Even when getting ready, her mind would emerge his smile.
She liked the feeling in his arms, even her heart was warm.
Her Taka was the best!
“ You look good today.” Inaba suddenly said, pulling her out of the dream bubble.
“ Hmm? Really?” She took the mask Inaba handed over.
“ You… look happier than before.”
Was it that easy to spot?
“ I’m relieved to see you so cheerful.”
“ Um?” She looked at Inaba with concerned eyes.
“ Although the General is indispensable, we still force Miss Yang too much.”
“ Thank you, but, I also like the life here! Because there are many kind people like Inaba.”
“ Thank you.” They smiled at each other. The atmosphere was relaxed.
She wanted to stay here forever, but, it was better to not think about these right now.
She waved away the light haze in her heart, going to the lobby with Inaba.
The meeting today was handled quite smoothly. It ended a little earlier than usual, even Kasuga praised a few words with satisfaction.
She missed her Taka.
Could she go to him?
When her mind was still hesitating, her feet have already stepped into Ooku without knowing it. He and Eikou were talking in the corridor.
Ah, it was him.
She could smile just seeing his figure.
“ Look, she’s here.” Eikou smiled, and Takatsukasa flashed a hint of surprise.
“ Hmm, why are you here…”
“ Well, I’ll take the leave.” Eikou left after a salute, leaving her with him.
No one else around, but what was she going to say?
“… This.” Before she spoke, he handed her an ornament.
“ This is… jade pendant?” The crystal clear pendant was engraved with a delicate plum blossom pattern.
“ I hurt you. This is to express my apology.”
“ Hurt?” She looked at him doubtfully.
“ Didn’t you say that you’re hiding from me because you didn’t want me to marry Iemitsu?” He explained: “ It’s all because I didn’t follow the agreement and talked to you regardless of other people’s eyes, which made you uncomfortable. I’m sorry.”
It should be a trivial matter, but he took it to heart, making her laugh, and he looked away shyly.
“ Thank you, Taka.” She took the jade pendant, hanging it on her waist: “ I’ll treasure it!”
“ Um.”
His eyes were full of love, sweet and tender, making her unable to look away.
“ Snow.” His hand caressed her hair, bending down, and she closed her eyes as if attracted.
“ Master Iemitsu.” An icy voice shot over like an arrow. Kasuga came over with no expression, and she hurriedly distanced herself from Takatsukasa.
“ I want to talk to you about the business that we have to do tomorrow.” Kasuga ignored the awkward atmosphere between them, saying straightforwardly.
“… Okay.” She glanced at Takatsukasa, leaving with Kasuga.
They walked in silence. Kasuga’s face still could not be read any thoughts.
She was pretty sure Kasuga saw what they were doing just now.
She was afraid Kasuga would not let her go easily.
“ To actually give you a gift, it seems that he is quite obsessed with you.” Kasuga looked at the pendant around her waist.
Kasuga saw at a glance that it was a gift from Takatsukasa, making her start vigilant.
“… You do a great job as a substitute,” Kasuga said softly.
Um?
Kasuga seemed to think… that he still did not know she was a substitute?
Impossible.
“ Lord Iemitsu will be back soon. You better not give up.” She just cast a suspicious look, Kasuga’s words pierced her again.
She was the clearest, that she would leave him eventually.
But she did not want to think about those things now.
She wanted to cherish the last time she spent with him.
Then ended it all with a smile.
After discussing ordinary business, she finally got back to her room.
She took off the pendant he gave her, watching carefully.
They met earlier, but she missed him again.
She smiled at the jade pendant like a fool.
At this time, there was a slight rubbing sound of wooden boards.
Somebody was coming?
She raised her eyes: “ Taka!”
“ Don’t shout, people will find out.” He lowered his volume, hugging her up: “ Let’s go.”
“ Go? Where are you going so late?”
“ Elope.”
“ Ah?”
“ Just kidding.” He smiled mischievously, then used Qinggong.
He slipped out of Edo Castle with her in his arms, into the forest behind, putting her on a flat rock.
“ Taka, what are you bringing me here for?” She asked.
“ Because there must be other people in the castle.” He shrugged, sitting beside her: “ It’s just the two of us here, isn’t it?”
He carefully took off her mask. His serious look made her heart skip a beat. She bowed her head slightly, trying to hide the red glow on her face, and he turned sideways to look at her.
“ Why are you hiding your face, um?” He chuckled, lifting her face: “ Just let me once.”
“ Hmm? Hmm!”
He kissed her immediately, his arm around her waist, holding her tightly.
“ Hmm… Taka…” The moment the lips parted, she reflexively tried to push his chest away, but he grabbed her hand, fingers clasping together.
“ Be quiet.” His lower-than-usual voice made her tremble slightly, losing all resistance.
His fingertips tangled gently in her hair, surrounding her whole body in his coat.
The rustling of trees and the cool night wind had long been isolated from her consciousness.
Only left the light he gave.
Not knowing how long it has been, he finally let her go, but still tightly circling, and she huddled in his arms obediently.
The weather was fine tonight. The stars were clearly visible, peaceful, and sad.
How long has it been since she looked up at the stars like this?
“ Taka, want to leave Edo Castle?” She could not help but ask.
He thought for a while: “… That’s not quite right?”
“ Not quite right?”
“ I just want to decide for myself where to stay.”
To decide… where to stay?
Seeing her thinking about his words, he smiled: “ I remember you shouted at the guys in my family, that I also have my own will.”
Um?
He was talking about… the top families’ visit a while ago, right?
Thinking of the out-of-control at that time, she was a little embarrassed.
“ I’m glad you said that, thank you.” He lowered his eyes with a soft smile: “ Someone rarely cares about me.”
His words reminded her of what his guardians said at the time.
“ You don’t have to care about his opinion. No matter what he said, since he is born in top families, as the first son of the lineage, he should naturally become General’s Principle Husband, serving General.”
She remembered him being used as a prop at that time.
“ They want me to marry someone I don’t love at all, just because her family background is prominent, and saying that’s my responsibility… Even if you tell me, that’s the meaning of my life, only ghosts will accept it.” Although he said it easily, a look of depression flashed in his eyes: “ I don’t want someone else to decide for me the meaning of my life.”
“…” She was silent.
She also understood the life that could not follow her own wishes.
Because she was the same, pushing to the final disaster by blood and shackles of betrayal.
Her days as a substitute would eventually come to an end.
And… when she felt sad, he was always by her side.
Everything about her would come to an end.
But for him…
She felt distressed at the thought of his situation.
“… What’s that look.” He smiled helplessly, pinching her cheek: “ You’re strong, still smiling after so many things.”
“… That’s because you’re here.”
“ ‘Cause you always make people worry, I feel like you’re going to have an accident if I don’t look after you.” He laughed fondly and patted her head again: “ It’s getting cold. Shall we go back?”
“ Um… Hmm, I can walk by myself…”
“ Just let me hug you.”
She thought about what he had just said.
To decide for me where to stay…
What could she do to give him the freedom he wanted?
He sent her to the Room of Sunflower, then he walked to his room with a sad look.
“ What a bitter face.”
“… Natsu.” Perceiving the person in front of him, he stopped, and Natsu seemed to have just returned from the training around, still wearing the warrior attire.
“ You seem to have a good time with that woman.” Natsu sneered.
“ You know again?” He stared back sharply.
“ There’s an expression on your face that you’ve only begun to feel inseparable from now. Why do you want to be with people who are useless to you?”
“ You won’t understand.” He whispered bitterly: “ As long as you have the idea of loving, there is no way out, and you’ll want to take everything from her, but at the same time, you’ll not hesitate to leave everything behind, just for her smile.”
“… You’re right. I can’t understand.” Natsu stepped forward indifferently: “ Keep your promise.”
The next day’s meeting ended as usual. The ministers all walked out of the lobby.
Although she wanted to help him,
She did not know what to do…
“ You seem… to be absent-minded?” Kasuga also saw through her mind as usual: “ I have something to talk to you about. Come to the study.”
“ Okay.” She did not talk more, got up, and left the lobby.
“ Don’t open the door!” The moment she opened the door, Hakage’s voice came, then came an arrow. Even though her strength has not recovered, the killer’s instinct still made her flash-sideways reflexively. The arrow almost rubbed her cheek, straight into the wall of the lobby.
A silver light flashed in the distance. Snipers seemed to have been resolved. At the same time, the sound of a metal crash resounded through the hallway. Hakage was suppressing a man with a sharp blade.
“ They’re finally here.” Kasuga still did not move an eyebrow: “ Hakage, lock him up.”
“ Yes.” Hakage nodded, pressing the man, and left.
“ Even snipers came, is he finally serious this time?” Kasuga looked at Jianxue: “ What I just said, I’ll talk to you another day. Go back to your room today. Don’t step out of the door.”
“ Okay.”
The night, there were several guards on guard even outside her door.
That made sense. It was impossible to send only two people to kill the “ General.”
The atmosphere similar to before made her feel a little familiar.
Although it should be useless, it was better for her to be careful.
After all, it was her who was going to be killed now.
“ Excuse me.”
“… Taka?”
While she was immersed in her thoughts, the sliding door was open.
Why was he here?
“ Kasuga wants me to be your watchman tonight.”
“ Watchman?” What was that?
“ That is, I’m going to watch you all night.”
“ Hmm!” She was so shocked that even the gold needle in her hand fell off.
“ Why are you so surprised.” He sighed, patting her head soothingly: “ Time to sleep. Just call me when you’re done, um?” Finish speaking, he stepped out the door.
She had to change into pajamas silently.
“ Taka… I… You can come in now…”
Hearing her calling, he went into the bedroom again.
“ Hmm… You really have to stay here all night?”
“ How many times do you want me to say it.” Seeing her nervous, he smiled helplessly.
“ After all, there are already so many guards…”
Also, why did Kasuga choose him as the watchman?
“ Just in case? It’s like the style of Kasuga.” He looked like everything was normal.
“ Really…”
Did she think too much?
“ What’s wrong?”
“ Hmm… Nothing…” Seeing him worried, she looked away in panic.
As if to hide her emotions, she sat on the bed, and he sat down leaning against the sliding door.
“ I heard you were attacked by assassins during the day.”
“ Um.”
“ Were you… preparing a weapon?”
“ Um.” She paused: “ After all, I’m just a substitute, thwarting the assassination. Nobody cares if I die…”
“ I care.” He interrupted her, then smiled softly: “ So I’m here. You don’t have to worry about anything, okay?”
“… Um.” His smile always reassured her.
But…
“ What? Is there anything else that worries you?”
“ No, I just think, that I’m always unilaterally helped by you…”
Hearing the words, he blinked in surprise.
“… You are really unaware.” He whispered, and she looked up at him.
“ Um?”
“ You don’t know anything…” He got up, holding her in his arms.
She really did not understand at all.
She was his salvation.
“… Taka?” She cuddled in his arms in confusion.
“… I chose to help you.” He gently covered her with the quilt: “ You don’t need to worry about it. Stop thinking about that and sleep.”
His clumsy but heart-warming words made her smile.
“ Um!”
She fell asleep unconsciously until the morning sun shined.
“ Good morning.”
She rubbed her eyes. He was sitting beside her.
“ Taka… Good morning.” Reminding her of him being the watchman, she sat up quickly.
Her sleeping position… was all seen by him?
“ Your sleeping position is so ugly.”
“ Hmm!”
“ Just kidding. But it would be much more interesting if that was the case.” He teased, seeming happy.
“ Hmm… I’m going to change clothes. Get out of here!”
“ I know.” He patted his clothes, exiting the room.
She looked down, changing her clothes silently. As if feeling embarrassing, the movements of her hands were a bit chaotic.
However, he really stayed up all night, been guarding her.
She felt a little guilty about the tone that sounded like a tantrum.
“ Hey… Taka…” She opened the door.
“ What?” He was smiling and did not take her attitude to heart.
Yes, that was what he was.
“ Watchman… thank you…”
“… Didn’t I say that I chose to come?” He said helplessly, reaching out and touching her head.
“ Um… So, thank you.” She looked back at him, smiling softly.
It was because he was such a person that she wanted to reciprocate.
[ To Be Continued ]
Jianxue
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