Original Stories Fan Fiction ❯ Kazemaru and Miharu ❯ Chapter 14

For the next couple of weeks, Miharu became very interested in the workings of the palace guards. She wandered around, asking questions, having no need to feign curiosity. She was particularly interested in the men who guarded the front gate.

 

“What exactly do people have to do to get in?” she asked, her voice innocent and curious, as if she was just bored and looking for a little mental stimulation.

 

The guard shifted, and smiled a little, obviously enjoying the attention. “Well, if someone is invited, they will have papers of introduction, with the lord's seal on them. He sends them to them in advance, you see?”

 

Miharu nodded, fascinated.

 

“Well, we check to see if the seal is correct, and read the papers. If they're someone we know well, and were told was coming, we just let them in. But if they look like fakes or the guard hadn't been notified, we will go and ask the lord what to do.”

 

Miharu tilted her head to one side. “What if they don't have papers?”

 

“Well, if it is a priest or an artist or something of the like asking for a little shelter for his trade, we will go and ask the lord. Likewise if it's someone we don't recognize. But we don't let them in until we have permission from the lord.”

 

“Of course.” Miharu smiled sweetly, and then went on to ask how the door functioned, etc.

 

After her little interview she retreated to the gazebo to think. She would have to get him papers of introduction from her father. There was just no way around it. Unless he were to disguise himself as an artist or something, but then that would work against the reason for his visit. No, he would have to appear in full regalia, as someone coming to ask for her hand would be expected to. But how could she get papers for him? There was just no way. She went back to her room, to write to Kazemaru again. But when she opened the drawer for paper, his letter caught her eye. She read it again, and suddenly an idea came to her. She took out the paper and wrote quickly, before Emi or the other girls could come over and see what she was writing.

 

 

My Dearest,

 

I need you to write me another “secret admirer” letter, asking me to procure you some papers of introduction so that you may visit. This way you may have an audience with my father. Perhaps he will listen to you. If not, I suppose you were right. But it is worth trying, is it not? Please send it as soon as possible. I love you, and I miss you very much. Perhaps you may come and visit me by the gazebo again soon? Wherever it was you hid last time, we could speak without being seen. I wish only to be with you again as soon as possible.

 

With adoration,

Nakamura Miharu no Kurihama

 

 

She blew on the paper to make it dry faster, and even waved it in the air a little. When it was at last dry, she carefully hid it in her hand underneath her sleeve. Pretending to be completely nonchalant, she walked out to a corner of the palace and let it go in the wind. She sighed heavily, and walked slowly back to her room, praying with all her might that this would work.

 

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AN

The plot thickens…. Don't you just love nameless characters that provide vital information?