Chapter 19 Contrasting Actions

Kajima was surprised by Shizu's declaration of suggesting Azi into becoming her potential fiancé. The last 4 who Shizu gave a chance had failed to even pass her standards, let alone her first trial. When the 4 attempted to show how "worthy" they were, each of the 4 men pestered Shizu until she allowed them to take the first trial even though she told them that they were not ready.

But their persistence was truly admirable but was short lived. The 4 potential candidates were able to get Shizu to begrudgingly allow them to attempt the first trial. Originally, Shizu would keep the details of the trials a secret, but wanted to get it over with quickly so she revealed what the first trial was.

Hearing that they only needed to survive a strike from her and to then land a flow up strike, each fiance believed they could succeed as they were experienced fighters. But things didn't turn out well.

The 1st candidate had his arm broken by Shizu's first umbrella strike and he surrendered after noticing that he could no longer grip his sword.

The 2nd could only cower in fear at the aura she emitted at the start of the trial.

The 3rd survived Shizu's first strike but was knocked unconscious and fell into a coma. The man did live but resigned from his position as fiancé candidate as he developed a fear for women.

Finally, the 4th was the worst as he attempted to poison Shizu with an aphrodisiac. This got the 4th candidate stripped of his titles and he now lived as a peasant.

The rumors of Shizu's 4 failed candidates spread like wildfire and everyone in the nation of Kujyuri was informed of the unfortunate fates of the 4 broken men.

These rumors started to be exaggerated and recently, Shizu was unofficially given the alias of Man Killer due to the candidate's family members purposefully spinning and spreading a nasty rumor to scorn her.

"Tell me Shizu, why do you think he is worthy of you? You are a knight and he is a peasant." With his understanding of Shizu's criteria and her later goals in life, Kajima could already see the disparity in merit and position between the two and wondered what Shizu saw in him.

"I don't. When I first met him, I thought he was a rude little boy, so I struck him with all my might by accident. I thought I had made a blunder but to my surprise he survived and he had enough resolve to stand up to me and berate me for my actions."

"He actually survived!!"

"How do you think I felt at the time, Uncle Kajima? I was so surprised he even got up, but after recent events he has shown great potential. He survived a serious punch from me, showed great passion in learning, had great strength when he fought three gengiri on his own, and good character as he rushed without hesitation to protect me. While these are considerable feats, they are not up to par with my requirements."

"So, you believe he will overcome your trials if you and I teach him?"

"Yes, but what is more important is my role to keep him here in Kujyuri. On that note, I should let you know that if Azi does go traveling outside of Shisayama I must accompany him. We can't leave such an interesting person alone. So let's see just what this young man can do."

Seeing the smile of anticipation on Shizu, Kajima was slightly annoyed by what Shizu's had said. Her agenda was to groom Azi as a tool for the benefit of Kujyuri and to be her husband, while he would have words to rebut this he had enough sense to understand where he stood in the hierarchy. Kajima was just a peasant who did have connections and merit, but he also knew that the agenda of those in higher positions could not be defied without a price.

He worried that if Azi found out about Shizu's and Ozen's agendas, Azi would feel disgusted by the idea of being used. He thought that Azi would be emotionally hurt and see it as them only treating him kindly so that they could use him for their own gains.

With a grumbling tone Kajima ruminated as he gripped his hands into fist. "While I can't go against you or your father's agenda, I will make my stance clear."

With a stern expression on his face Kajima faced Shizu and looked into her eyes with a sharp glare that glinted like a sword.

"Shizu. Do not try to control the boy. I know you and your father care for the people of Kujyuri, but your over protectiveness is also a detriment. The boy already has no family to fall back on due to his amnesia and he seems naive to how this world works. He is like a fragile piece of raw glass that you are trying to form into a sturdy sword. So! Guide! Him! But do not tug on his hand to force him to follow. Am! I! Clear!?"

His gaze intensifying on her, Shizu could feel the weight of Kajima's warning that was filled with his heavy life experience.

"Yes, I understand." Shizu said, somewhat troubled. "I know that our family member's personalities are overprotective as this is evident of how even my younger sister is unable to leave Kujyuri due to my father."

"Rulu has yet to take a single step out of Kujyuri?" Asked Kajima.

"Unfortunately, yes, but this may change in the future as father has begun taking risks that I do not agree with. One of these risks is to potentially send Rulu to Yamato so that she can act as a representative during the upcoming coming of age ceremony for the princess of the royal family."

"Do you fear for Rulu's safety?"

"Of course!" Standing up from her seat, she slammed her hands on the table and glared at Kajima.

"I worry for her health everyday! I would rush to her aid should she ever be in danger. She is such a small child and she isn't like me or Yashimu who have been trained to protect ourselves since childhood!"

Seeing how much passion she had in her eyes, Kajima softened his gaze and he leveled a questioning look on Shizu.

"Interesting. Do you remember how you felt when Azi jumped in to protect you?"

"Yes? What is your point?"

"I wonder how Rulu would feel seeing you take a heavy blow for her sake. Would she feel the same way as you did when Azi took one for you?"

Her eyes widening as she realized that this was a warning, She contemplated on what he said and kept coming to a conclusion that she feared to ever come true. It was that if she continues to be overprotective with Rulu, then there may come a time when her protection backfires and Shizu unintentionally hurts Rulu in an emotional way through the sacrificing of her own life.

The thought of her actions inadvertently hurting Rulu played out in her mind and she wished to never let Rulu feel such sadness.

Reorganizing her thoughts, she stowed them away for now as she felt her duty to the nation take over. "Thank you for your advice, I'll have to think on this but in any case you should go see Azi. I'll handle today's cleanup, as it's only fair since I'll be living here. I will endeavor to do my share of the housework."

"Alright I'll leave it to you but one last question. Do you love Azi?"

Shizu was stunned silent as her hand stopped from approaching the stack of plates on the table. Her face turned red and she looked away from Kajima.

"No comment."

"I see." Kajima gave a deadpan look as Shizu began clearing the table in a hurry.

"Ah, to be young again."

Over hearing Kajima's words, steam began to rise from her head.

"Hurry up and go give Azi his lesson!"

After yelling at him, Shizu moved away from Kajima who only continued to laugh at Shizu's attempt to change the subject but complied as he did get up from his chair after letting himself settle down. Making his way to the workshop he opened the door and the first thing he saw was Azi examining one of the gengiri carapaces that were left in the corner of the workshop.

He was examining the scale as he poked, flexed, and knocked on different parts of the carapace with a focused attention on its surface and texture.

"Azi over here!" Kajima called. "I'll first teach you how to handle a carving knife."

Walking over by the forge, he opened a large metal chest that contained numerous tools he used for his work. He took out a carving knife in its sheath and walked to hand it to the now attentive Azi who began examining the sheathed knife in his hand.

"From now on this knife is yours. Think of it as my recognition of you as my apprentice. It is also a congratulatory present for a successful first hunt in the forest. Now! let's first get you familiar with the anatomy of some of the animals and monsters you'll be dismantling."

Kajima grabbed a large book that was on a nearby table that he used for sketching. He then opened it to show Azi its contents as he flipped to a page with the drawn image of a gengiri.

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While Kajima was giving his lesson to Azi, Shizu was finishing up the breakfast clean up at the sink and pondered about Kajima's question.

'Love? What is Love? I don't think I have ever loved anyone besides family. I felt no physical or emotional attraction to my last 4 fiancés, so are these attractions that I am missing love? Hmmmmmm?'

Shizu then recalled the time she spent with Azi when he was unconscious and after he woke up. She felt worried for Azi and wished for him to awaken so she could hear his voice again. When she thought of his voice she described it as annoying since he sounded smug or cheeky at times.

Somewhat irked, Shizu almost crushed the plates in her hands but she recalled that his voice was also enjoyable as it was caring and full of energy when he was talking with Kajima. Shizu was somewhat annoyed that he didn't talk to her like he did with Shizu but moved on as the unsettling feeling she got from remembering made her want to confront Azi.

She then went on to recall when Azi woke up, she felt relieved that he was going to be ok and remembered how warm his body felt when she hugged him.

This caused Shizu's expression to morph into a dumb smile but changed back to her usual dignified and proud expression as she shook her head side to side to dash the memory away.

"No, no I should not be distracted by such soft thoughts. I am a knight of Kujyuri and I must endeavor to support our nation and care for my family. While Azi is impressive and interesting, he will have to earn his place in my heart!"

Turning red at the last part of her statement she was glad that no one was nearby to hear her embarrassing words.

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