Alinea

In one of the outer buildings of the Cedar Palace, a special place was dedicated to the Makura of the Homura House. In this area, it was obvious that everything was taken good care of. The decors were delicate and teeming of priceless treasures, where even a simple vase displayed could be worth more than an average luxury car. It was needless to say that the position of the Makura in the clan was extremely important.

The Makura was the female from the clan who was raised to be the "woman" of the family head. When the heir of the house was born, a newborn girl would be selected from the same year to five years later to be the Makura.

The family of the chosen Makura would be compensated well, and the infant would be brought to this house to be taken good cared of by the best nannies appointed before the heir's birth. She would be raised as a princess, learning all there was to know about the clan and all the delicate arts of the country that there was to know, as well as running the huge household. Of course, her education also included methods on how to "please" her future husband in every meaning of the word. In short, raising the Makura was like raising the next lady of the household.

However, although this was mostly the case, there were instances that the Makura couldn't be the master's wife. In case the son of the Homura House was born without a prophesied fated partner, the Makura would automatically be the lady of the house, bearing the head's children. But, in the event that a fated one was prophesied, the Makura would just become a concubine or a spare wife in case something happened to the destined partner. Regardless of the end, the Makura would still be the master's woman.

In the five centuries of history of the Homura House, there was only one instance when the Makura did not become the lady of the house. Nonetheless, the said Makura was still hailed as a figure of value only a little bit less compared to the master's real wife.

Thus, being the Makura was a coveted position in the clan.

When Homura Ryuu was born, a girl from the branch family was selected as the Makura five months later. Her name was Emi, which meant "smile that is beautiful and picturesque." Just like her name, the current Makura was a rare beauty to behold.

Emi was a petite young woman with long black hair that naturally curled at the end and a pair of huge doe eyes the color of chocolate. She had a small, elfin face that had permanent natural blushes on her cheeks. Because she was taken good care of since birth, her skin was in a very beautiful supple condition, the shade of alabaster. In all history of the Makuras, she was no doubt the most beautiful of them all.

Sadly, Koutaishidenka was born with a prophesied partner. This made Emi's position a bit awkward and pitiful. Since they had known since birth that she would never be the lady of the house, despite being the Makura, she grew up being labeled as the "other woman."

"It's alright. Emi-sama would still bear the master's children," some of her nannies had assured her.

"You grew up together with Koutaishidenkasama so you have the advantage over his wife," said another.

"I'm sure the young master would prefer to be with you, than his wife. Haven't you heard? The Young Master didn't even want to announce his engagement to her," said another.

These words were told to her before Koutaishidenka met with Suzuki Aki of course. But now, things were different. Emi's caretakers were anxious as the news seemed to say that the Young Master was rather pleased with his fiancée. In fact, he was so satisfied with her that the Young Master himself chose to arrange his life to suit his future wife's schedule and comfort.

Homura Ryuu left the Cedar Palace and started staying at his place in Gaienmae, because it was closer to Suzuki Ara's school. Since the prince couldn't travel far, he had arranged it so that his fiancée's class trip would be here at the Cedar Palace.

It was obvious that the Koutaishidenka pampered his partner – something that made the Makura's attendants feel threatened. They were already upset that the Makura wouldn't be the head lady. If the prince preferred his wife over the Makura, the influence in the clan between Emi and Suzuki Ara would not be almost equal.

However, to Emi, it didn't matter. In fact, Homura Ryuu preferring his wife would be wonderful.

Why? Because she never cared about being the Makura since the beginning. What was important to her was just being able to stay in the Cedar Palace, and nothing more.

Power, influence, those things were trivial to her. Honestly, her attendants plotting against Suzuki Ara upset her greatly. Her enmity towards the ambitious people who raised her was getting bigger as the time for the Koutaishidenka's wedding approached. They were getting out of hand with their gossiping, it was stressing her out.

"Emi-sama, the young master has called for you," one of her attendants announced excitedly one morning.

The lady's face was flushed with happiness, and Emi felt dread spread in her stomach.

"Really? What could be the reason?" another attendant asked in equal excitement.

"What else?" the first one countered in a semi-hushed manner, her eyes dancing in anticipation.

"What other reason could there be? If the Young Master will get married soon, then he must want to sleep with Emi-sama now and plant his seed."

Emi's breath hitched, her dread spreading wider, making her nauseous.

It was not a secret that in noble households such as the Homura House that the master would i.m.p.r.e.g.n.a.t.e his lover before marriage, so he'd have spare children in case his wife was the jealous type. After all, it was the wife's duty to accept everything of her husband including illegitimate children. If they were born before marriage, Suzuki Ara could not say that her husband had cheated on their wedding vows.

"Then you should hurry up and dress into your finest kimono," they said as they rushed her towards the changing screen and helped her with her clothes.

"Don't forget what we taught you. You should make sure to please the young master as many times as he wants. It will only hurt the first time, but after that, it will feel so good."

"It's your ovulation period this week right?" another inquired as she checked the calendar, and Emi flinched at the vulgarity of their words.

Another thing she despised about being the master's concubine was that she had no privacy at all. Each month her own body's being monitored like livestock to make sure she remained prime quality good. It was very shameful.

"Ah yes, it is. Do not stand up and wash immediately after doing it with the Young Master so you can get pregnant faster. Bear him a healthy baby – a son would be great. Giving him a son would make your influence over the clan bigger than that woman."

As they said this, the resentment Emi felt in her c.h.e.s.t grew, but she remained quiet. Despite her privileges, it was a fact that there was nothing she could do if the prince wanted to take her body. She was after all raised to be his woman.

Emi wanted to cry. The day she had been dreading for so long had come.

Soon, she had finished dressing. She wore a beautiful kimono, the shade of the palest petals of the imperial sakura. She looked so elegant and beautiful as a doll.

"Come along child, the prince is waiting," the attendants said as they gazed at their masterpiece which was her with pride and they escorted her to the main building.

However, all of them were confused when the servants brought them to the young master's receiving room for guests, and not his bedroom. They were met there by the head housekeeper whose warm, gentle eyes made Emi feel more like weeping.

"Young Master, Emi-sama is here," Yayoi called out behind the shoji when they arrived.

"Enter," a baritone called from behind the screen, and Emi and her attendants were ushered inside.

As she had been trained, Emi sat in seiza, a formal way of sitting over her folded knees, and then performed a senrei, a thirty-degree polite bow towards him. Her attendants who sat at least three feet behind her did the same.

"Young Master."

They all remained bowed until given the consent to raise their heads. When they did, Emi's eyes flickered as the Young Master's visage welcomed her, his cold piercing blue gaze fixed on her face. Homura Ryuu sat in front, his stance as domineering as she'd remembered. This man, although so beautiful had never bestowed a smile at her.

"Emi, Makura of the Homura House, "Koutaishidenka began, and all attention was on him.

Emi's hands however clutched at her l.a.p in anxiety. Although all her life, she knew the day she would have to give herself to this man would happen, her heart could never accept her fate.

"From here onwards, you are free," the young master announced, and Emi sat up straighter in surprise as gasps filled the room.

Huh? I'm…what?