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Post by Iweko Yoshinobu on Mar 8, 2018 20:47:53 GMT -5
Yoshinobu closed his eyes; Hinata had seen through him into something there in the small cracks of his on. The Prince wasn't so sure he was as confident as he had just asked her to be, or nearly as much as she thought he was. He didn't want to let her down and prove himself otherwise. Seem so insecure, or weak, or fragile.
"I just... I just wished things were simpler. If they were, then maybe I could have already chosen you to be my Empress." He munched down the rest of his toast, looking away from the Kuni across from him.
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Post by Kuni Hinata on Mar 8, 2018 21:00:47 GMT -5
"Oh..."
Hinata frowned, and looked at her plate for a while. So the choice was up to him? Of course it was, he was the prince. She also knew he had to consider his options; he could not just choose his wife out of love. Hinata herself knew she may not make the best Empress.
She had known that from the beginning, and yet...she had deluded herself into thinking she was the obvious choice. That the only thing that could pull them apart was someone on the outside, someone like Katsumi or the Emperor. She had not even considered that it could be Yoshinobu himself. She knew it was his duty to make the best decision for the Empire, but it still felt like he had just stabbed her in the chest.
"I...I see. ...well, I'm sure you'll make the right decision, whatever it is."
Her voice quavered. Unlike Yoshinobu, she did not have Imperial training on how to hold her On.
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Post by Iweko Yoshinobu on Mar 8, 2018 21:18:59 GMT -5
Yoshinobu heard her quivering voice, looking back up to Hinata. His words had wounded her, that was the thought that had initially crossed his mind. But was it the words though, or was it the truth that caused her pain?
Could he tell her she was the only one he looked at, the only one he wanted to? It might ring hollow, just a platitude meant to reassure her. Reveal the pain that sundered his heart when he saw Priya flirt with her and Hinata not recoil from it? He'd be a hypocrite - it was his duty to go on dates with other women. Hell, he was the reason she had to break up with Kogeki. What right did he have? He didn't deserve to have his feelings considered here.
He wasn't a person. Yoshinobu was a myth. An idea, an object, a symbol. The chrysanthemum on his clothes - nothing more. Someone and something to be kowtowed to and clawed at by those who held ambition in their hearts.
"Do you want to know who the other two I have chosen are?" Yoshinobu found himself asking suddenly, as if that would bring her some sort of comfort. You damn idiot. "No, sorry, that was a stupid suggestion. That wouldn't make you feel any better."
It might help him though. Maybe he'd feel a bit less like a liar - everything he hated.
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Post by Kuni Hinata on Mar 8, 2018 21:28:02 GMT -5
Hinata shook her head.
"No...no, It's your duty to choose. We already talked about that, I just...I never really considered, I thought..."
Hinata trailed off.
"...I thought we'd be together in marriage. It was a stupid thought to be sure of. A childish fantasy."
She winced as she realized how that could be taken the wrong way.
"Not that I'm dating you for the throne...I'm dating you because I love you. I just...I thought we'd be able to marry for love. ...I suppose we still can, but...I don't know. ...if not, we'll just have to enjoy the time we have left."
She shook her head.
"I'm sorry. This is the last thing you need to hear."
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Post by Iweko Yoshinobu on Mar 8, 2018 21:46:35 GMT -5
It wasn't up to him though. Not totally. There were plenty of factors that went into any marriage, whether for love or for politics. Sure, Yoshinobu got to choose but it depended on more. Mostly, it depended on Hinata as this process went along - but it wasn't like he could just tell her all of that, though.
"Maybe this goes back to what I said before, but just believe in yourself, yeah?" Yoshinobu stood up and walked over to Hinata, wrapping his arms around her. He began to massage the back of her head as he held her. Maybe it would give him some courage if she did. Maybe he could follow someone for once. "Do that, and you don't have to worry about anything. It'll all be okay."
He suddenly wondered if his Father had comforted his Doji lover like this once, holding her and patting her head. Telling her everything would be okay, while the Crab were taking the necessary steps to have him choose Ayameko instead.
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Post by Kuni Hinata on Mar 8, 2018 21:53:41 GMT -5
Hinata sighed.
"Okay...you're right. We just need to have faith. We prayed to Benten...hopefully she'll help see us through."
She nuzzled her head into Yoshinobu.
"And even if not...I don't plan on giving you up without a fight."
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Post by Iweko Yoshinobu on Mar 8, 2018 22:31:43 GMT -5
"Yeah, that's right. I wouldn't have it any other way, Hinata."
She was right. Yoshinobu had vaingloriously boasted that he wanted to fight for Hinata earlier, but that wasn't the case. Not right now at least. If she wanted to be with him, she'd be the one who needed to fight for him.
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