During our dinner, the men were sitting as the small table laid in front of them. 

I saw my sister's husband, Mr.Bushida was present there too and he was exaggerating about his position. He kept saying he got a promotion in the military. He was already well known for his family as he was going to take the lead of his family.

The first lady, the third lady, my sister and I were serving while the men chatted among themselves. 

"When will big sister come?" Hayami, my middle sister asked while pouring barley tea into her husband's pot.

"Probably, by tomorrow." The first lady said. She and the third lady, both sat on both sides of father. The women weren't allowed until the men finished their meals so we served.

"I heard Mr Dateko had promoted to be a samurai." Mr Bushida remarked as he sipped on the tea.

My father nodded with a smile playing on his face. "He certainly has been promoted, thus he couldn't able to join us soon."

"I could see why he couldn't. Being a samurai seems like a lot of work. I will become our family head soon yet I am already showered with a lot of work." Mr Bushida said and his eyes moved toward Arashi. He whispered, "But it seems not a lot of us have that privilege."

My palms clenched as I was sitting beside Arashi while he was eating at a slow pace. Hayami's lips curled up in a smirk, careful not to be seen by father as she gave me an eye.

My brows furrowed as they clearly were targeting Arashi. But father couldn't hear Mr Bushida's last sentences as he whispered in a low voice enough for us to hear.

Arashi must have sensed my agitated self as his palm reached to me under the table and placed it on my hands, giving a slight squish. I looked at him as he shook his head. 

I remained quiet as I wanted to say something but Arashi was right. I shouldn't have to say anything.

While I was glad that father didn't treat Arashi based on his status, his other son in laws might not do the same. Did he want to show Arashi that they were higher ups? What was the gain?

I felt really horrible and disgusted at the same time. I would never let Arashi come here for any insults. Arashi had treated many and saved lives. Wasn't that a good profession as well?

But the whole time Arashi was silent. He only talked when my father would talk or some other topics regarding history and development came up. A few times Arashi was forced to join in their political matters. Though all this time, Arashi didn't give his opinion. Was he feeling insulted?

My belly tumbled in guilt. If only we stayed at the inn...

"I know it must be a really selfish request from my side, but since we all have some time left, why don't we play shogi?" My father offered as he really loved playing shogi. Often his companions came to play shogi with him too. They even formed a small group of old men where they would play shogi all day. It was almost as if a competition was being held in the house. 

Since the marriage ceremony would take time to arrive, it was a good suggestion. But I had never seen Arashi playing Shogi before. What if he couldn't? 

I looked at Arashi and saw his eyes glinted as a small smile played in his lips. "Of course, that would be an honor to play against a worthy opponent." Arashi said, nodding.

At that my father felt excited as his smile was replaced with a grin. "Then I shall call my other companions tomorrow." 

Mr Bushida didn't move a muscle as he blinked at both of them with a frown. 

"What are your thoughts, Mr Bushida? Wouldn't you like to join us?" My father urged him to join as he gave a nervous chuckle.

"O—of course, I'd be happy to." He said but I could see sweat forming on his forehead. I raised a suspicious brow. 

As the men finished their dinner, they all went back when we sat. Two of the maids came to serve us when Hayami asked, "And why are we eating in the same place with Bianka? Wasn't she the one who should serve us and eat at the maid quarters?"

The first lady said with an angry voice, "Hayami! Behave yourself. She is someone's wife now and the way you treat others will define your husband's reputation."

At that Hayami got a bit taken aback as she asked, "Why both of you and father are suddenly taking Bianka's side?"

"Nobody is taking anyone's side. You know how your father dislikes anyone who talks bad about his son in laws. He treasures each one of your husbands. He wouldn't like it if you were treated badly as much as Bianka since you all now belonged to someone else." 

Hayami didn't like it as she twisted her nose at me but ate with us at last. I didn't say much while I ate but my mind went to Arashi. Was he feeling bad? 

After our dinner, I came back to the room and saw Arashi had already set the futons.

I apologized as he had to take Mr Bushida's harsh remarks, "I am sorry."

He looked surprised and asked, "Why?"

"They were insul..." 

He gave a gentle smile. "I didn't mind. Don't apologize."

"But they were so rude..."

His smile turned to a smirk as he said, "Do you really think a sheep can agitate a lion?" 

It took me a moment to get his words as I chuckled and his lips curled up as well. "So, you are a lion now?" I teased.

I raised a brow as I took my seat beside him, preparing to lay down.

His smirk grew big as his dark eyes looked at me intensely. He shrugged his chin. "Depends on the situation."

I nodded. "What kind of situation?"

"Situation that demands me to become a person who can pay no attention to what others are saying." He said as he sat beside me. "To be honest, I have heard worse."

A gap formed in my lips. "I am so sorry." I mumbled. He must have had a lot to become like this. 

He shook his head as he patted on my head. "You don't have to be sorry for anyone else."

"But I don't like how they are treating you." I said as my head slumped down. I had failed to keep my promise to protect him. 

"Bianka, it takes a lot of time and sacrifices to get accepted by everyone and not everyone will accept you as you are. They will judge you and throw rocks of insults at you no matter how much you do for them." He said, "So, cherish those who have accepted you as you are." His voice was so gentle that my heart melted. His answer was to the point and the unsettling feelings I had been feeling perished.

 I looked up at him. He was right. Arashi didn't need Mr Bushida's acceptance. I smiled. 

Then I asked, "What if they exceed their limits? Should I still take all the rocks of insults?"

He shook his head. "Not always. Never let anyone walk over you. The way you don't need anyone's opinions, the same way, you won't let anyone hurt you."

My heart fluttered at his words and a new kind of feeling took birth in me which I failed to decipher. No one had ever taught me that. No one had ever told me to fight for myself as it was hard to believe, let alone doing something like that in this society. 

Suddenly, I felt my cheeks warming up as I found our faces were close. We both were looking at each other's eyes bathing in the depth of them. My heart fluttered and I didn't know why my body started to act strangely. 

His eyes fell on my lips as my breath hitched but he backed away and said in a breathy voice, "Let us sleep. We have to wake up early." 

I looked down in shyness. The air felt thick around us as I lied down. My heart pumped loudly and to avoid his smoldering eyes, I turned around. 

We were given two futons but they were joined together and I felt his weight on it as I bit my lips. 

I almost forgot our conversation as my mind felt foggy. With a breathy voice, I said, "I was just worried you'd be displeased with their treatment."

"I am not. I don't even pay attention to them because they are not important to me." 

I turned toward him and saw he was laying as well but his eyes were closed. He added, "Your father is important so if he had said something, I'd be displeased."

I nodded. "I am so shocked at how he is treating you. I had expected him to be hostile yet he isn't."

"He is a good person."

I didn't know. He had never looked at me or praised me. It was as if he wanted to avoid me yet he was acting strange.

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6th June, 22
1560
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A/n:

Sorry, I couldn't upload as my mom and I, we both fell ill. The thing is, we both are allergic to AC and we had a small get together with our family on 2nd June. We stayed over night and the AC was on the whole day.

Now, till today, we both have fever which is coming and going, accompanied by coughing and sneezing.

My head still hurt and I can't keep my eyes open for more than a few minutes. It was a good thing that I had managed to write down 8 chapters. All I have t do is edit and post but even that seems like a torture because of the headache.

Anyways, I hope you guys are healthy. Those who have allergies to ACs, please stay away. It is just so horrible since my mom and I live alone so there is practically no one to look after us.

C'yall!

Love you... :)