The fact that Sakura was to be Nene’s dowry maid and sent to the Suwa family was decided the day after Harunobu returned to Tsutsujigasaki Castle, but Harunobo didn’t seek her out, Sakura was only able to see some tears on Madam Ooi’s face.
Marriages for women of renowned families in Japan’s Sengoku period was always about alliances. Nene, Harunobu’s younger sister, was also a sacrifice in the partnerships and rivalries of neighboring estates. Watching Nene, who was sitting in front of a bronze mirror, Sakura felt sorry for the young woman. She knew Takeda Nene’s fate would be very lonely and filled with suffering, but she wasn’t a hero, she couldn’t rescue this fourteen-year-old girl, she could only accompany her to Shinano.
If she couldn’t be a savior, the least she could do was make Nene’s wedding a happy one. She would protect her as much as she could. Sakura walked next to Nene and told the maid at her side, “let me help the young mistress with makeup.”
“Sakura, you know how to do makeup?” The naive Nene tugged on her sleeve with curiosity.
“Yes, m’am. My hometown is Kawanakajima, part of Shinano. Please allow me to help you.”
Smiling, Nene agreed. Sakura kneeled next to the young woman, watching her reflection in the mirror.
Nene is a natural beauty, with red lips, white teeth, and eyes turning up like crescent moons when she smiled, she was sweet and adorable. Sakura felt indignant for her, the girl was like an ancient version of Honami Suzuki, the famous actress, why did she have to marry Suwa Yorishige, a man a dozen years older than her? He was old enough to be her father in this era. And this is a second marriage for the man too. Not fair.
“You’re coming to the Suwa family with me. Are you going to be alright leaving my older brother?”
Nene’s sudden comment caught Sakura by surprise.
“I...I don’t understand...”
I know ancient people mature faster, but you understand too much. Sakura was shocked, she didn’t think Nene would have time to worry about her on the verge of being married off far away.
“My brother was so happy right before he left with my father for Suruga. He hasn’t been that happy for years. Even I could tell he really liked you. He’s probably sulking if he hasn’t looked for you since he came back. I think if you told him you don’t want to go, and want to stay here as his concubine, he’d be touched and try to protect you.” Nene sounded like she was trying to play matchmaker.
Sakura pursed her lips. “I just want to go to the Suwa family with you. Even if your brother liked me for some reason, he should look for someone else as a concubine. Marriages should be one’s own decision, things decided by your parents and the matchmaker are outdated. Women should be independent and respected. If I got married in this strange place, I’d have to find a man who really matched me. I don’t need forever, I just want him to be my one and only and vice versa. I don’t want my marriage and life to be decided by anyone else, or to be controlled by other people...”
Sakura ranted for a while, then noticed Nene was staring at her. Realizing her uncensored speech, she covered her mouth.
“You’re a strange one, I guess that’s why my older brother treats you --”
“Ah, let me continue with the makeup. If you talked, it wouldn’t look perfect.”
Sakura had to distract Nene and stay busy with makeup. In half an hour, Nene became a stunning vision.
“Wow, is... is this me?”
Nene was flabbergasted by her reflection in the mirror.
“Sakura, you’re so talented, not only do you know weird dances, you can also turn women into goddesses.”
“You flatter me, I’m not that talented.”
Sakura smiled awkwardly. If I really showed off everything I knew, you’d have fainted. But I better be more low-key, I don’t want to invite trouble here.
By afternoon, Nene was about to leave in the bridal palanquin. Sakura bid goodbye to her for now and hoped for a quick nap. When she left Nene’s room, she wanted to get another maid to look after the young mistress. But then she saw a folded fan in the doorway, and Harunobu’s name was on the handle.
Takeda Harunobu? When was he here? Was he eavesdropping outside the room? He even lost his fan, and she would have to return it to him. Sighing, she walked toward the outer court.
“Here’s your fan.”
With this being Sakura’s first words to Harunobu upon his return, it seemed as if she didn’t value their reunion at all. She just tossed the fan in his arms, and was about to walk away to find a place to nap before the trip.
“Sakura, stop!”
Is he yelling at her? Sakura turned to meet his sharp gaze head-on. Did he have to blow up at her like this just for returning his fan? How did she offend him?