I continued to talk to myself out loud, with every word I spoke I became increasingly astounded with myself. I don"t remember the number of times I uttered the word "amazing" and exclaimed "whoa," all I know was that these two words best described the way I felt during that moment. I was still lost in astonishment when I heard Kaname clear his throat."Are you done?" he asked pointedly. I immediately felt my cheeks redden. I nodded. He got back on the horse and we continued our journey.
After what seemed like two hours, I was ready to cry and surrender. I realized horseback riding was not easy and was extremely uncomfortable. My b.u.m and back hurt, my arms started to ache from trying to steady myself as I was riding aside rather than astride. I once again regretted wearing a skirt, it also didn"t help that I"m currently missing one of my (broken) sandals as it got caught in the current when we were crossing the river earlier. Tiis ganda[1] was probably going to be the death of me.
Finally, after another hour, we reached the town. A quick glance at my watch told me that it was almost eleven in the evening. The streets were quiet and the shops, closed. My stomach started to grumble. I haven"t eaten since lunch, I suddenly remembered. I was futilely trying to m.u.f.fle the protests of my stomach when Kaname suddenly said something.
"We have arrived."
I looked up to see that we were in front of an imposing wooden gate that was framed with wrought iron, its undulating bargeboard screamed of elegance and n.o.bility. The entrance, as with the establishments we pa.s.sed by earlier, were lit by traditional torches. A horse neighed, alerting me that little Yuki, who was sleeping soundly, and her brother were waiting outside as well. Suddenly, the heavy gates opened and a dozen or so people rushed to greet Kaname.
"My lord," a man with a slightly protruding belly greeted and bowed down before him. The rest followed suit.
Kaname gave them an acknowledging nod. "I am tired. I wish to retire as soon as possible."
"Yes, my lord." The man said. He, along with a few others, then escorted us to what I could only describe as a palace. I couldn"t stop my jaw from dropping.
On our way there, we pa.s.sed a moat and another ornate gate. Describing the property as huge was an understatement. We stopped at a castle. Yes, a castle! Kaname got off his stallion and handed the reins to the big bellied man who then curiously looked at me.
Before he disappeared inside the castle, I heard him instruct the man, "Bring her to The Great Interior. a.s.sign her her own people. Make sure she is given a proper room and meal. She is to become my newest lady-in-waiting."
The man couldn"t hide the shock on his face in time. I heard Shouta try to protest but Kaname glared at him, silencing him completely.
Lady-in-waiting!? My jaw dropped even further. I was to become a lady-in-waiting!? What in the frickity frack is going on!? I was about to say something when he dropped another bomb.
"Also, make sure to give her proper clothing. I detest seeing my women being ogled by other men." And with that, he entered his quarters, leaving me and everyone around us beyond shocked.
The man, who I later on learned was Taneyuki-san, endorsed me to a female in her fifties. I was surprised to see that she was the spitting image of the woman I befriended at the inn, Ryuko-san. More surprising still, she was also addressed as Ryuko-san! As they talked, I noticed them throwing curious glances at me. I couldn"t take the discomfort anymore so I carefully got off the stallion. My whole body ached and I was so hungry I could most likely eat a horse.. Not Kaname"s, though, as he would probably skin me alive.
After their talk, Ryuko-san led me to The Women"s Palace were five attendants bathed me (a humiliating experience), tended to my knee wound, and prepared me a sumptuous meal.
I peeked at Ryuko-san who was sitting opposite me through my cup. The tea was delicious and made me feel light after I wolfed down two cups of rice and three plates of fish and sides. My voracious appet.i.te seemed to have surprised them but at that moment, I didn"t care. I was hungry and filling my stomach was my ultimate goal.
"Young miss, forgive me for asking, but may I ask for your name so I may address you properly?" were the first words Ryuko-san told me.
"My name is Hinata Yang," I placed the porcelain cup gingerly on the low table. I suddenly felt nervous, the way she worded her question made me worry about how I answered her. I felt like my words lacked respect and was too direct.
Ryuko-san nodded. "Miss Hinata, the shogun has personally instructed Taneyuki-san to put you in my care. I will see to it that you are well attended to and your every whim, followed. You must be tired, Tsubasa and Nanami have prepared your futon. Please take your rest."
"Thank you, Ryuko-san," I bended my body slightly, showing my gratefulness. "Sorry for troubling you."
Ryuko-san"s eyes widened. "Young miss, there is no need for you to bow! We are honored to serve you! As shogun Kirishima"s beloved, you are our top priority!"
She then whisked me into the bedroom and helped me to the futon. All the while, I moved mechanically.
"Shogun Kirishima"s beloved.. Shogun Kirishima"s beloved.." I kept repeating. Suddenly, the room was engulfed in darkness and I heard the sliding doors close.
"Newest lady-in-waiting.." I shifted to mumbling Kaname"s words earlier. "My woman.."
Like a jolt of lightning, my current situation instantly dawned on me! "Impossible! This is impossible!" I looked for my bag but couldn"t find it. "The lack of electricity, the clothing, the swordfight, the absence of cars, this palace.. Oh my G.o.d! Don"t tell me I"ve traveled back in time!"
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[1] Tiis : lit. Endure/suffer. Ganda : lit. Beauty/beautiful. In Filipino, when you say tiis ganda, it means you"re willing to suffer/endure pain just to look beautiful. E.g. when a woman wears sky high heels (despite the discomfort) for fashion"s sake, it"s called tiis ganda.