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emperor Hanba sakurai a lad of of 16 had taken the throne following his father passing from illness. Hanba's carriage rode with his famous bodyguards the blackguards as well as soldiers known as the executioners. he had some regulars troops as well it almost looked like a small army but such security was deemed necessary considering hanba's older half brother, hanzaimon an illegitimate heir was causing trouble with his aoto oni crew.
the leader of the blackguards known only as nanashi or nameless warrior in the common tongue sat next to hanba as they slowly pulled up to hanba's future wife's home. "everything alright my lord?" nanashi asked. hanba sighed "yes just thinking on my father and my brother." nanashi nodded but before he could utter reassurance a knock came. "ah we have arrived my lord." nanashi stepped out as hanba's men formed two lines and bowed. seeing the king and queen coming to greet them nanashi announced his lord. "i present my master, his highness emperor sakurai lord of the land of the rising sun and home of the sacred cherry blossoms. hanba stepped out and his vassals bowed again much deeper. they rose once more as hanba bowed to his future in laws. "it is an honor to finally meet my future in laws. i am hanba sakurai my father has passed recently from illness. we do hope to strengthen our ties with you still."
Princess Alani
A young woman sat her face covered with a thick veil that seemed impenetrable to the outside world. Yet she could see practically clearly through the other side. She was in the main hall room with her mother and father awaiting the arrival of her future husband. She was both terrified and excited about how this was happening. She had been taking lessons for so long on how to help her impress her Fiancee and his family even though she had never once met the other. She heard he wasn't her age but never was told if he was older or younger then herself.
"Mother Father please tell me his name or even his age Please I am so very curious about him." Both parents just shook their head grinning at their daughter's eagerness. She was about twenty now herself but she still acted rather young. She had plenty of lessons to help her be a proper lady but she also had a little combat training she since was the only child. Her brother had died shortly after birth and she hadn't been able to bond with him enough to feel heartache at his passing.
She giggled and did a small happy dance as she see movement coming up the long path towards their home. She giggled before forcing herself to calm down. Her mother and father walked out as they told her to head back to the throne room and wait there. She simply nodded before running off and waiting for their return. And the arrival of her soon to be husband. She moved sitting in a small chair as she waited. It had been a rather bad idea since now her nervousness took over. She started to think of all the worst possible things that could happen about this. "Oh no please nervousness go away." She muttered clasping her hands together.
It didn't take to long before Alani was able to hear voiced coming down towards the Throne room. It was her father speaking and then her mother; which meant that her Fiancee was with them and heading this way. She gulped as now was so very nervous she just wanted to run and hide from them. "Oh god please let him be kind and handsome and just all around wonderful." She muttered to herself before the doors to the throne room opened as her father grinned. "And Here is Alani our daughter and Princess to this kingdom, and most importantly of all, Your Fiancee."
Hanba smiled the king and queen talked and led him his fiancee. while most where busy taking and storing the carriage and horses. nanashi and three guard follwed hanba one a black guard like nanashi, an executioner and the other a simple Yari Ashigaru or spear peasant solider. who seemed to be all smiles despite the seriouseness of his companions. the ashigaru also carried a sword a rare thing for ashigaru's to have two weapons most had daggers but very few had actual swords in addition to their standard issue weapon. as they arrived in the throne room and the king and queen introduced alani all three marveled at her despite her face being covered nanashi and hanba kept their cool and bowed to alani. "my lady it is an honor to meet you at last. i am emperor Hanba sakurai your future husband." Hanba bowed again his face blushing lightly. nanashi fidgeted with the charm hanging from his sword muttering a small prayer before speaking. "sorry to interrupt my lord but we should probably unload your bags and get washed. it is almost time for dinner" hanba nodded "Ah yes." he then turned to alani "my dear lady alani i do hope im a disappointment to you. hideyoshi find out were i will be sleeping and then send up my bags." the ashigaru stood attention and smiled "right away my lord." he bowed quickly raced off. nanashi looked at his fellow black guard and with but a nod the blackguard bowed and followed hideyoshi. the executioner with his great sword over his back and his cold piercing eyes. then spoke "my lord i shall go and make sure the others aren't fooling around." hanba nodded "dont be to harsh on them Nobunashi." nobunashi chuckled "its you who is too soft on them my lord. but that why we follow you. your kind and just. the greatest in all the land." nobunashi bowed and then left leaving hanba and nanashi with alani and the king and queen. hanba turned back to alani "my lady id very much like a tour of your castle i rather enjoy the the architecture ive witnessed so far." he smiled
The young princess watched them before smiling and bowed in return rather than a curtsy. "A pleasure Lord Sakurai." She said as she couldn't help grinning behind the veil. "I apologize about the veil It is customary for the lady to be wed to not be revealed until her intended is comfortable." She said with grace as she watched the interactions of the guards. " I can see you are at one with your people A most fortunate quality to have." She said before hearing him and grinned. " Of course your highness." She said before turning to her parents who nodded.
"Please come with me. I made a couple rooms up for you and your guards. I tried to make them traditionally like your homelands but I am sure I might have done something incorrect." She said with a small laugh. "You will find that I am one of few ladies in this castle having the kingdom be very male dominate, though I suppose being an only child does have it's pros and cons. I do hope you will not be upset with them. " Though with that statement the doors to the grand halls were opened and she started the tour a deep red carpet runner went the entire expanse of the halls in every way. the stone work seemed flawless in most places while the stain glass windows gave a unique lighting in some of the causeways.
"And here is the dinging hall. The normal table there is being replaced for the time you are here as to have something you are more comfortable with. I had requested it that way trying to make you feel as comfortable as possible." She said turned to head down the hall. "Finally I have your room and across from it a room for your footman and guards." She said as she indicated with each hand. His on the right and the others on the left. The doors were still the normal wooden doors as she moved pulling it open to show something much more like his own home would normally be. " I do hope it is to your liking." She said as she opened the other door as well to find that belonging for the prince seemed to be in both rooms and giggled. " it seems your men may have been slightly confused if not worried for space." She said with a small laugh.
Hanba smiled as he followed alani. Taking notes of the difference between the two cultures. When they arrived in the room hanba was staying and the room his men were to stay in, nanashi looked almost horrified behind his full helmet. His Lord belongings where everywhere in both rooms. Hanba giggled tho "it seems so. My lady call me hanba we are to become husband and wife no need for formalities." He smiled "nanashi get everyone up here we need to my things organized." Just as nanashi bowed and was about to leave hideyoshi and everyone else appeared hideyoshi looking embarrassed."I'm sorry my lord." Hanba smiled "it fine hideyoshi let get my stuff in my room. And then we can eat i believe yes?"