31 Beginning IV

|one week later|

Sunlight peeked into the room as the maids pulled open the curtains. Thoroughly disoriented, Hina rubbed the sleep from her eyes as she wondered aloud why she was being roused so early.

"It's almost noon, lady Hina. Please have some breakfast" Suki said, setting down the plates and cutlery for breakfast.

Hina yawned in reply, wrapping a robe around her body as she reluctantly climbed out of the warm bed and settled on the couch.

"What about the merchant and Tanaka?" Hina asked, wondering why she was having breakfast in bed today rather than the usual.

"The merchant had an early breakfast before leaving" Suki reached for a note beside the tray, "He asked that this be given to you, my lady" Suki handed the paper to her with a blank look, as if to say she was uninterested in his matters. Since discovering that the merchant had several lovers around the city, Suki had lost every atom of respect she previously had for him.

Hina read through the short note which stated:

'My dear Hina,

I didn't want to wake you up so early in the morning so I'm leaving this note instead. Due to some impromptu work reasons, I'll be travelling to the east for a few weeks. I'll be back once my work is done. Take care.'

Hina sighed as she folded the note back and placed it on the table. As usual, the merchant never personally told her about his travel plans or schedules. He would either inform the head maid to pass on the news to her or he would leave a note with one of her maids, just like he did this time.

"I see, thank you"

"Of course, lady Hina"

"Also, what will you like to wear to the parade?" Suki inquired eagerly.

"Hmm?" Hina asked, focusing on her meal.

"Have you forgotten, lady Hina? Today is the day that the grand parade will be held in the city square to welcome the victorious soldiers returning from war! You had been anticipating this day as young master Kai would be amongst the returning soldiers!" Suki reminded her, motioning the other maids to get to work.

"Ah!" Hina exclaimed, almost dropping her cutlery. She had remembered up until a few days ago.

Rather than a 'war' as most people referred to it, it had been more like a one-sided conquest with the obvious triumphant side being the Asahi soldiers. With the surging infiltration of enemy soldiers in the far north, eventually snowballing into a clashing battle to protect the territory, led to the outbreak of the war.

This was the war that brought 'the Empire's favoured soldier' into the limelight. With his said enormous military strength and tactics, he made significant contributions to the war, signalling an obvious defeat of their enemies on the battlefields. Word about his feat had already spread throughout the entire Empire.

The war had called for the presence of young men who volunteered to join the battle. Among them was Kai, who had up and suddenly decided to join in the battle. It was a shock to Hina and the rest of the family when the news of his decision came to them in the form of a letter. Much like his father's way of communicating, Kai had already departed to the frontier when the word got around the estate.

He had left a personal letter to Hina, explaining that he couldn't bear to tell her in person because he feared he would lose his resolve.

The two had exchanged letters once or twice since then but it soon became difficult to get a reply from him and just like that, one year had gone by and he was due to return today.

"You forgot, didn't you?" Suki asked with judging eyes.

"Is it that obvious?"

"Yes it is, lady Hina" she replied casually as she repaired the sheets on the bed, "I assume the army would be arriving in the late afternoon so we ought to make haste and get you ready"

"Okay okay, let me just finish my breakfast first"

"What about Tanaka?" Hina asked

"Lady Tanaka must be almost ready by now. I hear that she woke up early filled with excitement" Suki's eyes seemed to judge Hina who slept in on such an important day.

_____

After a warm bath and what felt like hours of trying on every single dress in her closet, Hina's dress was given a certified thumbs up by the maids and she was finally ready to depart for the town square with Tanaka.

The carriage dropped them off at a safe area and they walked the remaining distance, squeezing through the increasing crowd that gathered the opened space to watch the glorious arrival of the soldiers. The parade had just begun when they arrived and they found a good spot beside a group of other noble ladies, who came to catch a glimpse of the war heroes and hopefully more.

At the sight of the towering horses and marching soldiers, there was a smattering of applause and cheers from the excited audience, followed by praises and the scattering of flower petals into the air. Sure enough, the smell of horses and leather permeated the spring air and the crowd was in awe.

The soldiers rode as a retinue through the streets, all wearing a tired but proud look on their faces as the cheers of the crowd grew louder. In the centre rows of the entourage were two white horses that stood out from the black and brown ones, mounted by who she assumed were the stars of the show.

"Isn't the crown prince so handsome?!" One girl shouted beside Hina.

"That is one lucky horse he is riding" another whispered and they all giggled.

"His highness beautiful golden hair stands out in any crowd" one went on as their whispers floated across the space.

Unable to block out their chatter, Hina eyed the supposed crown prince. He had shiny golden blonde hair and emerald green eyes, traits that existed only among the royal family according to the chatterboxes beside her. He was indeed a handsome man but Hina had seen better. Uninterested, she turned away, watching the rest of the soldiers in search of Kai.

Despite years of being forced to wear heeled shoes, she could never get used to it and she could feel her heeled slippers were setting her feet to ache, a complete contrast to Tanaka who stood completely comfortable beside her. She ignored the pain, roving her gaze through the marching soldiers as she soon felt someone's gaze on her.