Posted 07 December 2009 - 12:44 AM
Interesting.
It was not her daiymo’s faults, nor hers, that hindered the unification of her family to his, but rather some pesky soldiers—female soldiers at that! They who did not know their place… A severe case of a lenient lord; was her lord kinder than she? Did he not rule over those beneath him, and did he lack the judgement as to choose workers and so called ‘friends’ with better authority over their own tempers? To those ‘intruders’, it was a strange sight. Both she and her father fell silent, as though rethinking the arrangement. To revoke an offer would be the most awkward of things, and she did want this life of fortune and comfort. She saw her father was about to speak, incensed by the blatant disrespect toward his daughter. “A tool for heirs?” as it was so nicely put by one of the two wenches. Even if it spoke the truth, there was honour in her position; she was to be second only to his wife in such affairs. If simple-minded ninja could not give her respect, what could she expect from the rest of the castle? To keep tempers from rising out of control, she spoke in her cool, lilting tone, but her eyes were ever so sharp.
“I find no chore with you, but my pride has taken a hit. As my lord, as my ‘dana’, an honourable affair would dictate you to protect my well-being. I can ask for no greater honour than to join your noble family, but am I safe from such attacks? Indeed, it is a most troubling decision, as a proud Japanese woman I am to place honour above all else.” She bowed her head, looking ahead of her and forcing her cold expression not to crack and turn to something more offensive. “But… In a house that lacks honour, with vassals who speak without control of temper or tongue, I cannot be expected to serve my purpose.” Dangerous territory, she knew, as the ice was thin with this conversation and to let such an opportunity pass a great gamble for her future.
“As your loyal subject I am proud to offer you sons and daughters, but as a mother I must consider the environment of my children. Yes, I am your concubine, but my children are your future. In which I would expect they receive the same treatment any child of yours would receive. To be born with such vassals ensuring their ‘well being’, and with a mother distracted by attacks, this is no proud future. For these reasons, I must revoke my offer. Please forgive my family, we only act in the best interest.” She bowed, and then rose to her feet. What a waste; the preparation, the money, but she would rather live a life that was second best, over such damage to her pride. Could she, those women’s heads would be mounted on a spike. Her father bowed as well, his expression solemn. “Forgive us, we cannot ignore the injuries our family was given. She is my pride, and to be referred to a mere tool by such underlings… We cannot forget it." He too rose, and together they left the room. Out of sight, she delivered her father a nasty sort of glare.
“I thought you said this castle was respectable.”
“It seems I was mistaken…”