————————————————————

Your first meeting with the older Itoshi was for quite a useful task. You perceived him a foreigner since his hair was so outrageous. Your chin raised a little as your eyes sharpened, though your mouth remained pleasant as you spoke. You greeted him and introduced yourself in Spanish, having seen the ship fly a flag you’d seen before.

“My name is Itoshi Sae, formerly Lord Itoshi.”

He explained in Japanese, making your face heat up in embarrassment as you corrected your etiquette.

“A-ah… apologies, Itoshi-San. I was under the impression we shared unfamiliarity with this land. How embarrassing of me,”

Sae simply waved it off, your eyes quickly recognizing the blasé behavior as something the current Lord Itoshi had. Their eyes, though slightly different, both looked incredibly dangerous.

The Shogun had you sit in on the meeting with Sae and his trading partners, having learned one needs an interpreter that’s theirs to ensure what they’re hearing is untwisted by foreign hand.

You listened intently, nodding along when the Shogun’s eyes landed upon you for confirmation, correcting what needed correction, much to Sae’s irritation as you actively caught his mistakes. There was no denying it. You were invaluable. By now, you’ve been seen as a child of the Shogun rather than a consort with the way he enriched your skills through books as gifts. As Lord Tokugawa watched the two of you, he found himself quite amused, a small chuckle leaving him when you’d correct the older Itoshi. An idea was beginning to form for him, one that might prove a bit strenuous on the both of you.

Over the duration of a week, you continued like this, the Shogun finally giving you time to yourself again after at least four days of confirming the right words and annotating mistakes on paper eventually to avoid Sae’s undeniably intense gaze. All the while, you’d noticed that those brothers…really didn’t know how to talk to each other, or anybody else.

As you walked the gardens with your entourage, Tabito in tow as a regular guard and companion for you, your discussions about this and that were interrupted by what appeared to be screaming matches in the new guest wing. It was often in other languages—Spanish being the most common. It wouldn’t go on for too long, however, with a longstanding tradition of a peaceful home being a serious matter in Japan. The subject of it was always Sae, about his tactics being too subtle or other things the Spaniards didn’t understand.

“Being only multilingual in European languages must be challenging,”

You’d mused to Tabito, spectacled eyes trained on a beautiful lotus in the pond you’d grown fond of. What Tabito found was that you could be a bit arrogant now and again, the favor you’d struck with the Shogun spoiling you. This only made him more fond, however, his responses always inflating your ego coyly.

“Ah right, because you know everythin’ eh?”

He’d teased, making you smack him with your sleeve playfully. You’d have become more of an envy in the court if it wasn’t clear how platonic you saw him, your drive to continue learning far exceeding any interest you’d have in anyone besides whatever the Shogun wants. Unfortunately, that tendency had caught up with you as the spring cherry blossoms fell gracefully outside the open door.

////

Rin sat beside his brother with agitation, his skin paler and eyes sticking out even more under heavy bags as if he’d yet to sleep. Sae had his own lowered, a tick in his brow as if deep in thought.

As you entered, you wore Ming fashions, per Lord Tokugawa’s request. Your Aoqun was a precious violet with hand-embroidered songbirds on the bottom of the skirt, the richer purple accentuating your height. You wore a Bijia over to keep yourself from being too cold, the jade color concealing much of your form. Your confusion was evident, wondering why the men you’d watched silently squabbling during the last meeting a few hours before looked as if they were scolded children before him now. Also—why were you being included in it?

As you sat in a proper Seiza near Sae, you bowed respectfully to the Shogun who had a wry smile on his face. As he looked between the three of you, his eyes grew fond.

“Y/N, child. I’ve decided that rather than have you waste away here running childish errands for me, you’d be much happier fulfilling the wishes of any maiden… to be a true wife.”

You raised your head a bit quickly, quirking a brow with all of your confusion sitting plainly on your face.

A…wife?

“Ah-yes. But…aren’t I a consort to you, my lord?”

You inquired slowly, eyes drifting slightly over to the men beside you, their eyes both snapped to attention on the Shogun.

“I cannot bring myself to sully you in such a way, though try that I might. Your purity belongs in a place free from such politics. The love I have for my wife is a fortune in which I believe you, too, should experience with another.”

His gaze is warm and thoughtful, something you felt sorry to leave. Your eyes grow saddened at the change that would befall you, but you knew that your maids would at least keep you company.

“In six months’ time, you shall be betrothed and married into the Itoshi clan. I trust they will care for you as I have, yes?”

He spoke to the brothers as well as yourself, tone firm and final.

The men nodded, Rin albeit reluctantly, unsure of who it was that the Shogun was suggesting, given both their presences here.

“Sae-san, stay. The both of you may take your leave.”

You both bowed and thanked him in unison before exiting on either side of the doorways, one out onto the engawa, where you tread lightly, a cherry blossom falling in your hair as you rejoined your entourage. Tabito plucked the petal off of you as if it was second nature, and a part of you wondered what warmth like this could come from a home like that.

Rin’s opinion was the same, at least self-aware enough to know that much. He was often away, fighting enemies… Neither he nor Sae could possibly be a suitable husband for someone like you- a clear bibliophile with no shred of tactics or ambition in you. He grit his teeth a little, trudging past others in the hallway, irritation lining his stomach.

————————————————————

Sae finally visited Itoshi castle that very evening, donning a kimono and haori to dine amongst his family, the fairly frigid night quiet and somber as he and his brother watched the night scenery. Given Rin’s attitude as of late, Sae was somewhat surprised as he joined him on the stair, the garden’s silence as pensive as the one between them.

His eyes were lost in thought, a strained feeling weighing him down like metal boots in a river. All that flickered in his eyes were the images of the conversation he’d had with the Shogun, his voice lingering in Sae’s ears.

“Sae… are you certain about your decision? She would be of great help to you.”

He’d said, to which Sae replied with great certainty,

“My brother is the more stable choice, my Lord. He is far more worthy of such an honor than I, I’ll promise that.”

He’d bowed low to the floor then, eyes low as his thoughts drifted to the boy he’d left on the cliff that day. He’d much rather make this sacrifice, he reasoned, than the sacrifice of returning here more than necessary on a guilty conscience. At least then, both of them would be taken care of… and Rin wouldn’t have to take on the whole of Japan, as it changed into a melting pot, alone.

“Very well… though, if this is your choice to remain without a consort, you know you cannot stand in Rin’s way as Lord Itoshi. You would no longer make any decisions on the Itoshi clan’s behalf.”

Sae nodded easily.

He knew he would be long gone by then.

He said nothing to his brother for the duration in which he’d been next to him, crickets singing in what felt like a somber tune.

Rin glanced in his brother’s direction, praying for something, anything to escape his lips. Yet, nothing befell Rin’s keen ears. His mind swam with so many questions his throat was too tight to ask. Sae was unrelenting and focused, severe and punishing—all, in his brother’s eyes, to be ahead of him. Rin wondered just how strong this secret hatred had been all these years. He found himself silently desperately asking just why Sae would choose to be different from the tradition in which their clan had always kept— their father had always kept.

A few days later, he’d find out just how much Sae must have wanted to leave him, and their kin, behind.

The ship bobbed along the waves as if rearing to take off back to its homeland in the Spanish docks. Sae had a rucksack thrown over one shoulder, western clothes on as if he felt more at home in them than anything he’d ever worn. His crew bustled around him, his own eyes trained on his brother, whom he looked up at with a bored expression.

“I’ll only give you one more order.”

He said, the first thing Rin had heard in what felt like eons.

“Why should I listen to you?”

Rin spat, eyes darkening at the new “instructions” he’d be given.

“…because this will be the last thing I say as the commanding Lord Itoshi.”

Sae uttered, crossing his arms at his chest.

Rin bristled at that, a scowl making its home on its face, only to deepen as Sae commanded,

“I’ve chosen you to take the Shogun’s Chinese bookworm as your wife. An official wife, not a consort.”

Rin’s eyes widened slightly, Pausing in disbelief,

“What?”

He snapped, grimacing with his hands balled into fists.

“That’s it? You’re not coming back?!”

“No. I’m not.”

Sae answered,

“If you can’t understand why I’ve given you this honor you’re just as half-baked about tactics as you were before I sought better in trade. Regardless, this mantle is yours now.”

He tilted his head pointedly, eyes seeming to search for understanding. What he was met with was nothing but confusion and resentment in Rin’s eyes.

As if to emphasize it, he raised his eyebrows slightly, motioning to him in a sweeping fashion.

“Do as you wish with it… little brother.”

Sae walked away, turning his back to Rin as he was called by the ship captain to board.

Rin’s eyes widened like saucers,

“Wait, hold on-”

Sae sent him a wave over his shoulder before he started speaking with the captain, leaving Rin in stunned silence. His breath was short, hands clenched into fists and eyes wide with shock. His heart hammered in his chest as he watched the boat leave the port, and lingered long after it had gone.

————————————————————-

The warmth of the spring sun shone in through the opened door, rousing you from your troubled sleep. Had you not been tossing and turning all evening, you might have thought the light was inviting, peaceful. And yet… the week after you’d been betrothed to someone in the Itoshi clan, you found yourself unable to be distracted by the things you love so much.

In the morning, you dressed in a lighter kimono, your servants styling your hair in its loose, 3 strand bun with pins gifted to you on your arrival here.

“Agh- I should have known…”

You whined, hand over your face as your servants finished tidying up. Mui smiled with a pitying expression as she straightened out your obi.

“Now-now, my lady, it is not the time for self-pity. Just think, your mother and father will be arriving soon! It’s been quite a while, wouldn’t you agree?”

You huffed a little but nodded.

“I suppose… though, I don’t see what the occasion could possibly be—how is it any different than being a noble’s consort? And besides, the Itoshis will just send me back anyway, that’s what all the court ladies have been saying. Something about tradition?”

You rambled, pulling your spectacles from the drawer nearby to begin reading a textbook on marriage etiquette, Gong-Gong meowing for food pitifully by the door.

As you sat down to get comfortable, there was a soft call of your name on the other side of the sliding door.

“Enter,”

You say absently, flipping through the pages to where you’d marked your spot with an orange leaf.

You were greeted by a servant, one you’d seen assisting the councilmen here and there. He looked relatively ordinary, middle-aged according to the shaved crown of his head. He bowed respectfully before entering, his demeanor polite as he called once again,

“Y/N-sama… I’ve been instructed to inform you that the palace will be holding a banquet soon, after the arrival of the Lady’s parents. It would be held in their honor.”

You nodded slightly, eyes meeting him.

“I understand. Will the cooks need help?”

You asked intuitively, predicting that the Shogun would want a Chinese-style banquet for his favorite liaison.

“No, my lady. After your astute guidance, we’ve had no further issues.”

You chuckled a little, nodding.

“Alright…I understand. Please express my gratitude to our Lord.”

The man nodded, bowing before his exit.

When you heard his footsteps shuffle down the hallway, you let out a frustrated sigh, your eyes low as you tried your best to get back to learning. After skimming a few pages, though, You found yourself completely at the mercy of distressed thoughts you oh so wanted to not belong to you. Your eyes darken at the thought of the two brooding brothers, the thought of marrying either of them-or worse, bearing their children-was not as pleasant as one would expect you to feel, given your current circumstances. Both of them were young, high-ranking, busy men, which meant if you couldn’t remain neutral to them, you’d have to suffer in their clan for as long as you lived.

What’s more-they’re both war-hardened, with only tactics on how to destroy embedded in their bones… or, so you’d heard. Regardless of what your friends had said, you truly had no desire to translate for either of them. It wasn’t a matter of understanding, nay, you were far more confident than you should be in that regard. More so, with the way they were viewed by others, it would set you at a disadvantage.

You didn’t like how wiley the older brother seemed, arid like a gull with no sense of duty to any other but himself. That was no secret, but his younger brother in comparison was darker, deeper than the recesses of a polluted lagoon. It made you shiver just thinking about it.

You shook your head rapidly, willing away your troubles and opening the sliding door toward the ornamental gardens outside. The sun shone brightly. Mui, having anticipated that you’d skip breakfast and choose to walk your cares away, was awaiting with your sandals outside. She bowed with her hands folded inside her kimono, almost as if to cheer you up, the motion something you’d not seen since arriving here. You smiled a little, sliding your feet into the sandals and treading onto the path.

The blossoms of almonds and cherries painted the trees in white and pink, many flowers coming into bloom. You sat on a bench near the pond, spectacles perched low on your nose as you looked at your reflection in the water. You sighed, crossing your arms in a resigned sort of way. Mui stood adjacent behind you, eyes pitying once again.

All you could do now is wait.

———————————————————

Rin hadn’t returned to the palace or court for several days, holed up in his chambers to contain his brooding. He’d recieved the invitation (order) to attend the upcoming banquet and finally resigned himself to the reality that it was officially his responsibility to take on everything his brother blithely left behind.

He grunted, deep in thought in his mess of a study, papers strewn this way and that despite the servants’ best attempts to keep it tidy.

“…what the hell is so honorable about this?”

He muttered, rubbing a hand down his face. The open door to the garden brought in a wind that captured his attention, the wetland they’d built the castle around bringing with it beautiful flora, but to Rin’s irritation, standing in the middle of the reeds was a large heron. It gazed upon him almost teasingly before stretching its silvery blue and black wings out for him to see, tucking them back behind it and stalking idly. Rin glared at it, recalling Yoichi’s words and scoffing before rising and slamming the door, your fair features ghosting his thoughts.

“Water bird my ass…”

He grumbled.

He moved to sit back in his position of self-pity only to stop himself.

If Sae chose this, there had to be a greater purpose. It had to be a game or a hint. Or… even a challenge. Did his brother think of him as incapable of being clan head? Yes! That had to be right, it was a challenge… one that Sae set him up to fail at; to make him grovel!

Rin let a small bitter chuckle escape his lips, a new spark of determination in his eye.

Oh, he’d lead it alright… and he’ll do it using capital, better than his brother ever could.

Outside, the heron settled its legs on the marshy base of a willow tree, remaining despite the sudden noise.

————————————————————————————

Thanks for reading! Writing the brother dynamics for them has been in my head rent free! I think Karasu will also be reoccurring. Next chapter, Act I Part III: Passing Faces, Betrothal of Strangers is up next!

Requested Tag List:

@rroxii @rinrinnnie

but the longer you stare, at him, at the house you shared, the harder it is to find that very glasshouse.

at times, you feel like the center of everyone's attention, compliments were thrown from all directions, a paragon of a picture perfect couple that could withstand even the deadliest of calamity.

and naively, you believe them. you believe that in every argument, a little comfort could mend it. in every misunderstanding, an apology could fix it. and in every agonizing word, swallowing it would be the best possible solution.

there were moments you couldn't forget, times where rin would show you just how much he loves you. greets you when he gets home, places a loving kiss on your lips as he bids you goodbye, whispers sweet words of confession as he drifts off to sleep—but it all crumbles, lost within the pits of the past.

as the relationship gradually reaches its ending, you could feel the change in his aura.

his usual affectionate demeanor was nowhere to be seen, morphed into something aching to an uncaring stranger. the warmth in his embrace disappeared, it feels like the gush of wind during the winter season, cold, frigid.

the sparks in his eyes that used to be blooming with love and delight were gone, no matter how long you search for it, it's futile—he's already gone, the rin you used to love is gone.

the delicate glasshouse you used to cherish becomes old, rundown, filled with pests and withering plants—a sign that it's insoluble. still, you hold on to its entrance, you hold on to rin’s heart despite seeing the obvious look on his face.

your heart pounds; in anger, sorrow, desperation, eyes fixated on his figure. you watched with glassy eyes as his jaw clenched, one hand massaging his temples—it's a look that he's about to lose every single fiber of his patience, with this relationship, with you. at this point you should've been quiet.

“what happened? why did you change rin?”

but the words just easily slipped out of your lips, wanting to break free and be answered. the question lingers in the air, and with every passing second it makes you regret even asking him, it becomes much worse the moment you search for his reaction, his response.

“i fell out of love” it stings, like acid permeating your skin. “I just- I don't know, it's just one day I realized that I'm not in love with you like I used to.” it becomes more unbearable with every syllable he speaks.

it's difficult to remain standing at this point, like your knees would give up any second, but it's even harder to look at the face of the man you love with all of your heart. you turned your back, swallowing the excruciating lump in your throat before you spoke up one last time.

“let’s break up” rin freezes in his spot, lets you leave the apartment, lets you leave the glasshouse that was once your relationship, it was the last thing you saw, a lukewarm expression–something that didn't surprise you.

you would've told him a lot of things, cursed him to satiate your anger, asked him for explanations but you couldn't, you don't want to. it's not like asking him would change anything; it's not like his answers could fix your already broken relationship.

escaping from this heartbreaking situation is the only option you have.

the outdoor breeze didn't faze you, not when the only thing you could register is the shattering of your heart, the moments during the breakup replaying in your mind and the tears that cascaded in your cheeks as you trudge your feet further away from the house you both shared.

you were wrong to think that the love he has for you would remain for the longest of time, to think that your relationship is as resilient as they make it out to be.

because now, like how the glasshouse you used to treasure crumbles, your relationship with rin, has finally reached its ending.