Chapter 13 - Tea

Fujimura Miyu grumbles as she feels the carriage bump over another stone and shakes her whole body. She really wants to yell at the guards that are riding to watch out for the rocks but Toshiko doesn't want to ruin her shy image, so she has to deal with the abrupt shake every so often. After around a half hour of a excruciating carriage ride, they finally arrive at her mother's grave. Her grave is in a small temple in the forest, away from any watching eyes. It's next to a small pond with various types of lilies floating around. The grave has a small epitaph on the stone that reads, "Here lies Fujimura Megumi. She was the most beautiful in the land, and she will always stay in her hearts. May she rest in absolute peace."

The words are a little worn out from the years but Miyu could still read it. She can also say it by heart, knowing every single word on the stone. Miyu loved her mother and it hit her hard when she died. She didn't speak for weeks but soon was able to get over her grief so she can scheme and plan for her future.

Miyu lays a single white tulip from her garden in front of the grave and asks for forgiveness, "Mother, if you're listening, please forgive me for not being powerful enough to protect you from Kokoro. Rest in peace mother and I hope to meet you in our next life."

Miyu whispers this so none of the guards hear, who are waiting patiently outside the temple. She walks out and orders them, "Send me to the square. I want some tea."

One of the guards crinkles his face before saying, "Sorry, my lady, but we cannot allow you to do that."

Miyu shrugs her shoulder, "No one would mind me enough to hurt me. And if they did, no one would care anyways, so it does no problem to anyone."

The guard turns silent before raising an arm to escort her back to her carriage. She nods and lowers her head before taking his hand and stepping into the carriage. Miyu goes through another horrible carriage ride before arriving to the entrance of the square. She walks out and leaves her guards behind, heading to the popular tea restaurant with a pouch of money in her pocket. What she doesn't know is that Ryota is frantically chasing her around, trying to get her to his father.

*****

Ryota brushes his sweaty hair back before continuing his run. He's already checked her room but she wasn't there. He checked the rest of the manor and was able to overhear some of the maids gossiping about Miyu and how sad it is for Miyu to miss her mother so much. Ryota knew Miyu went to her mother's grave but he arrived only to see some footsteps and a white tulip. Ryota searched the area and was able to find some carriage tracks and he followed it. He feels a lot of anxiety, this is the first time Miyu and his father will meet so he wants to be decent. He followed the carriage to the square, where the carriage was left but with no Miyu inside. He lifted his hood up to cover his features and he went into the crowd. He walked, everywhere trying to think where she would be. He walked to every store but found no beauty inside. He was walking towards the end of the square where he was losing hope when he saw the tea resutaurant. This tea place was very popular for the Lord's and lady's and was a place for much gossip. Ryota smiled, happy he's finally found her. He walked in and glanced around. A lot of people inside looked up to him, surprised. They didn't recognize him, it was just because of Ryota's attire. Ryota had a very dirty coat on and there was mud smeared all over his boots. He didn't care what the Lord's and lady's thought, he has finally found the beauty. She was sitting in the corner of the room with a soft light pink kimono on that made her flushed cheeks even Pinker. She had her hair tied up in a perfect bun and she looked perfectly elegant. He walked over to her and sat down across from her. She cowered in front of him, but he already knew her act.

Ryota leaned in and said, "You don't know how long I've been looking for you."

She lifts her head and looks at him, waiting for him to continue.

"My father wants to meet you, you have to come with me. I already have your hood and cloth from your room. I can't believe you his it in the exact same place as last time."

She blushes, acting even more shy, but lifts herself from the table and walks out with Ryota. They go to the back alley and Miyu lofts the hood over her kimono and hair and ties the cloth around her face. She looks at Ryota and nods, she's ready. Miyu runs away from him and towards the palace, and Ryota follows right behind her.