Chapter 6

"May I ask you a question, Tomohiro-sama? Are you in love with your own cousin? "

The brows of the annoyed prince furrowed as he looked at the samurai intensely. Meanwhile the latter eagerly stood still in front of Tomohiro while waiting for his reply. A little silence dominated the atmosphere until Tomohiro spoke.

"Why can't I? Afterall we are not related."

Nozomu began to be confused. Not related by blood? Was he just bluffing that he is the cousin of Rin? He had so many questions in his mind.

"Are you trying to question the personal life of a member of the royal clan?" He added emphasizing each word that he said due to feeling so annoyed for not seeing Rin.

Tomohiro sighed. "Fine I'll be seeing her first thing in the morning. Good night Rin's good samurai."


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Tomohiro's POV


After realizing that I don't have a chance to see Rin tonight after the marriage meeting, I gave up and went to my room. That new samurai can't understand what I am to Rin. Of course he can't 'cause he is new in this business.

I sat down at the in front of my table, folding my knees against the warm tatami flooring. An unfamiliar aroma of the candle roamed around the room and the dim glimpse of light from the corner of the room catched my attention. This isn't my usual room but I am still glad that I am with Rin in this castle.

Nozomu's question resounded in my thoughts. Am I in love with Rin?

When I was a kid, I used play around our manor alone. Since I am the youngest in the entire royal clan I don't have someone to talk and play with. My older cousins are all busy making themselves as a respectable members of the clan. They are doing a lot of lessons and it made me feel alone and sad.

When Rin came, everyday started to be really fun. I was 8 years old that time and Rin was 6. We were always left alone in our own manors but our attendants let us meet everyday to play around.

We grew up together. We never lied nor leave each other. We are like a true siblings. We even promised with each other that we will be together forever.

But of course that is just a kid's promise and this is reality. Rin is going to be married with my own samurai.

Suddenly, I small knock from my door occured. I looked at the direction of the sound and remained silent. It is not good to answer to those suspicious actions since I am a member of the royal clan. I stayed there, silent and ready to anything that might happen. I reached for my sword ready to take down anyone suspicious that will show outside the door. Ryusei should be outside guarding my room but he might be taken down by the attacking enemies if this is true.

"It's me Tomo-chan." A sweet soft voice was heard from the outside. I sighed in relief to remove the tension from my body and replied.

"Rin?"

Rin opened the door and I saw her smile shining in the dim-lit room of mine. Ryusei was standing behind her.

"Rin-Rin! Don't scare me like that!" I pouted. " You too Ryusei, mind your lessons about this."

Rin chuckled. "I asked him to be quiet to surprise you but it seems that you are very surprised with tensions."

She sat apart from me and fixed her evening haori on her shoulders.  Meanwhile Ryusei went out of the room and stayed outside to guard. "I found out that you were swept by Nozomu earlier. Don't be mean to him, he still don't know about us. I'll tell him tomorrow to let you walk inside of my room anytime."

"He was actually right to let you rest for the night. This marriage meeting sucks."

I looked at her wearing such a sad expression on my face. " Are you really going to marry Ryusei?". She remained silent for few seconds and then she smiled at me. A worrisome smile.

"It is an order from the Shogun afterall."

May I ask you a question, Tomohiro-sama? Are you in love with your own cousin?

Aaah ~ It's resounding once again in my mind. If I am going to answer this question, I would say that I love Rin. She is the most important person in my life. But this is not romantically I should say. Even though we are not related by blood, she is still my cousin. We grew up as cousins. I should take this role forever.

Therefore I need her to be happy. I am going to do everything for her to be happy.

"Don't marry Ryusei, Rin. You don't even love that idiot."