Romance Fan Fiction ❯ Love Brings Betrayal ❯ Chapter 2 ( Chapter 2 )

DISCLAIMER: All Main Characters In This Story Belong To Koei Games. All Characters In This Story Are From The Game Samurai Warriors By Koei Games.

 

 

Chapter 2

 

Nohime walked through the castle behind her father. She kept her head down. Most would think it was out of fear or just that she simply knew her “place”. But it was neither. She kept her head down solely in anger and sadness.

 

Soon she would meet her future husband. Even if they ended up hating each other, they would still be married. It was set and arranged. Unfortunately.

 

The walk through the palace hallways ended too soon. Before she knew it they were in Nobunaga's throne room facing the “Demon King” himself. And on his right side was his loyal retainer Mitsuhide Akechi. Though Nohime had never seen Mitsuhide in person until now, his reputation preceded him. He was known far and wide for his swordsman skills.

 

Nobunaga walked over to Nohime's father and together they walked to another sitting area to discuss arrangements. He hadn't even tried to acknowledge her.

 

Nohime took this moment to look at Nobunaga. He had dark black hair pulled up onto his head by a red tie. A traditional warrior's hairstyle. Black facial hair covered his chin and above his lips. He had a strong jaw. Black armor covered his body; curved golden flames decorated the armor. A long cape flowed behind him held onto the armor by black feathers. Black feathers covered the neck of his body armor. A golden boarder framed the cape and entrapped the other colors of purple and red. An overlapping flap came down off the feathers and sown into the back was the Oda symbol. A five-pedaled flower ensnaring another five-pedaled flower. The cape parted into two halves at his lower back.

 

He had cold dark eyes. The eyes of a beast that would strike at any given moment. Dangerous. Predator. King.

 

And… he didn't appeal to her in the least. Not that it would matter. It didn't matter if a woman, a princess even, didn't find her betrothed attractive. Only the man's opinion mattered.

 

She looked over to Lord Mitsuhide. His long black hair was tied with a light blue ribbon. His hair fell to his lower back. Light and dark purple armor covered his body. Dark purple cloth body armor, dark purple samurai shoulder armor with gold boarders. Holding the armor together by dark purple strings was a pendant, it was a single five petal flower. The Akechi symbol. Dark purple gloves and light purple wrist armor covered his arms. His pants where a light purple, lavender, silk. The bottoms where wide. Black boots covered his feet.

 

He had kind eyes. Soft but very masculine features. A strong jaw, wide upper body. Male. He was a man and he was handsome. The most handsome Nohime had ever seen.

 

A tear finally escaped from her down-turned eyes. It hit the wooden floor softly and un-noticed. Or so she thought.

 

***

Mitsuhide's face showed concern. He had seen the lonely tear fall from Nohime's blue eye. He thought sadly, “She does not wish to be here. Or to marry Lord Nobunaga it seems. She will not be a happy bride”.

 

Nobunaga's voice echoed through the room on a laugh, “Ah, Yorshikaga, you amuse me greatly. I am honored that you would give me your only daughter.”

 

Nohime stiffened. // `I am honored that you would give me your only daughter?' What does he think I am? A possession? Something he can put on display and look at or use whenever he wishes? I do not think so. But he'll learn that another time. //

 

“She is my only child as well Lord Nobunaga.”

 

“Yes, and a wonderful job with her you did. She will be a good wife and an even better match for me.”

 

Yorshikaga looked over at Nohime, “I can only hope so my Lord.”

 

“I'm sure she will be,” Nobunaga turned to Nohime, “Nohime... my bride.” He put a finger under her chin and lifted her head up, “You don't have to look down at my feet. I've seen you in battle. You are my equal and will be treated as such.”

 

Nohime inclined her head. Nobunaga smirked. He looked back over his shoulder at his throne, “Mitsuhide, please escort my bride to her chambers. And tell the servants to bring in the other throne I commissioned for Nohime.”

 

Mitsuhide bowed at the waist, “Yes Lord Nobunaga.” Mitsuhide walked over to Nohime as Nobunaga and Yorshikaga turned away again.

 

Mitsuhide offered his armored arm to Nohime. She took it delicately and together they walked out of the throne room and back down the opposite hallway to the chambers. Nohime silently wished she had her weapons in her sleeves. She could easily escape then. She would not hurt Lord Mitsuhide unless he stood in her way. The guards would be hurt. But as long as she got away, she didn't care who she ran down. But sadly, she would not be able to escape. Not yet anyway.

 

Nohime decided to break the silence, “So Lord Mitsuhide, your reputation precedes you.”

 

“Thank you Lady Nohime. It is a great honor to be complimented by one such as yourself. One of such high stature and battle prowess.”

Nohime laughed softly and it sent shivers down Mitsuhide's spine. Shivers that he hoped that he hid well. “Lord Mitsuhide, you're quite the flatterer. I hope that you and I can become friends one day.”

 

“I would like that my Lady.”

 

“Lord Mitsuhide, I have never seen you perform in battle. Perhaps we could rendezvous later to the training field so that I may watch you practice?”

 

“That would be enjoyable my Lady. I have never seen you in battle either. Perhaps you would allow me to watch you as well?”

 

“Of course Lord Mitsuhide.”

 

Together the two walked to the West Wing of the castle. Mitsuhide stopped at an elaborate gold double door. Nohime's chambers.

 

Mitsuhide opened the doors, “Here you are Lady Nohime. This is where you will reside until you and Lord Nobunaga are married,” Mitsuhide smiled softly and kindly.

 

Nohime looked up at him, extreme sadness evident in her eyes, “Has the marriage date been set as of yet?”

 

“Yes my Lady. You and Lord Nobunaga will be married in one month from today.”

 

“Oh, I see. Thank you for escorting me to my chambers. I may also need help finding my way around the castle at first. I would be honored if you would help me.”

 

“I am here to serve you my Lady. I will gladly give you a tour of the castle tomorrow. And whenever you are settled in your chambers and ready for `battle' send a servant after me and I will escort you to the field.”

 

Nohime bowed her head, “Thank you Lord Mitsuhide.”

 

Mitsuhide bowed in return at the waist, “I am here to serve my Lord's lady at any cost. I will protect you as I protect him. With my life.”

“Lord Mitsuhide, you do not have to bow to me. And I would like it very much if you just called me Nohime. Or Noh. It is a name I only let special people call me. I believe you and I will be wonderful friends in the years to come.”

 

Mitsuhide smiled, “I would like that Lady Noh— Nohime.”

 

Nohime smiled, “I shall see you in a few hours Lord Mitsuhide.”

 

Mitsuhide bowed once again despite what Nohime had said. Habit. “I shall be waiting for your call Nohime.”

 

Nohime closed her door after one more sweet smile to Mitsuhide that sent more shivers through his body and down to his groin. Mitsuhide raised up when her door was firmly closed. He let out a breath he hadn't realized he was holding. What was wrong with him? He hadn't reacted this way to woman since his late wife, and even then his reaction to Nohime was stronger than it ever was to his wife. And he loved her to the very core of his soul.

 

They had one beautiful daughter together. Gracia. She had her mother's dark red hair and even her personality. She had run away once. And she had met up with Magoichi Saika, leader of a band of musketeers called the Saika Renegades. They were still good friends. And Mitsuhide owed him for keeping his daughter safe when she had run away.

 

But he hadn't felt attraction to another woman since his wife died. To feel it now, unexpectedly was unacceptable. And not only was it unexpected, it was to a woman that was going to wed his Lord. And that was a true problem. But luckily he was a man of self-control. He could control his attraction for as long as the gods allowed him to.

 

With determination set firmly in his mind, he strode back to his chambers. Chambers that he quickly realized where not only in the same wing as Nohime's but his chambers where only three hallways over. At the very least a five-minute walk. Close quarters, literally. But he would be in control of his feelings. He was a warrior, not a man looking for love or lust anymore.