It was surprising to think people who treasured a ceremony so would allow such a reckless oversight. But still...
“Think of it like the tales of humans marrying nonhumans. Another version of a man taking a celestial bride, if you will. At least, carrying on a tradition that embodies those ideals has allowed our families to flourish.”
I understood now why Shinmyou was so obsessive about propriety and tradition. He had been told over and over again since childhood that it was his job to protect those traditions. It was very much like the customs that bound me in my past life as the daughter of a count.
However, it sounded as if all the sacrifices were being pushed on the Tsukuyomi family.
Had Chouko lived as a girl this whole time because of these traditions? Something was boiling over deep within me.
“Hey, what did you mean by ‘return to the moon’? I get that you meant marriage and divorce in name alone, but...,” Shizuku asked, impatiently tugging on Shimozuru’s sleeve. He had been silently listening, but now he turned to her, a resigned look on his face.
“Literally, she will return to her home with the Tsukuyomis. And inherit the family name. The Tsukuyomi family has always been matrilineal, because they rarely bore any sons.”
“But Tsukuyomi...is a boy, isn’t he? So what’s going to happen? Once he returns, everyone will find out he’s a boy, right?”
“Well...” Shimozuru hesitated. Shizuku was about to press him further when Shinmyou stepped in.
“That’s why he’s being sent abroad. And why we said that Chouko Tsukuyomi will never appear before us again.”
“No, I can’t take it! I don’t want Chouko to disappear forever!”
I was so loud, I had surprised even myself. Mikazuki, Shimozuru, and even Shizuku all stared at me, wide-eyed. The only one still remaining composed, Shinmyou, fixed me with a bitter smile.
“How easy it is for a commoner like yourself to say something so selfish. But there is nothing to be done about this. Unless you are secretly a princess or something? You’re nothing next to Mochizuki and Tsukuyomi.”
Of course I wasn’t anyone when compared with their families. Even so, maybe if I told them who I was and got them to accept it, they might actually listen to me.
In that case, I would tell them.
I—
“In my past life, I was the eldest daughter of Count Ortegamo of the kingdom of Lacrofine, Annerosa Ortegamo. I may not look the part, but I was once a member of the nobility and have received a full education in the ways a noblewoman should conduct herself.” I punctuated my introduction with a deep curtsy.
Just as when I had introduced my past life to Shizuku, everyone in the White Lily Room fell silent.
Even though Shizuku, too, had memories of a past life, she had fallen silent at my revelation. But certainly the others here, who had no past life experience, likely also had no idea how to respond to a declaration such as mine. This was to be expected.
As I squeezed both hands tightly, hoarse laughter broke out in the room.
“Pff! Hahaha! That explains a lot. You’re funny,” Shinmyou said, laughing in a mocking tone. “Never did I expect that your ladylike demeanor was the result of such a wild delusion. I must say I am impressed that this has all boiled down to the ramblings of an insane girl.”
“What did you say?! You’re calling Urara’s story a delusion? Don’t be stupid!”
“Who’s ‘being stupid’ here? Who would believe a story like that? Or do you also believe yourself to have a past life as well?” he fired back, his words dripping with disdain. They sent Shizuku into a frenzy.
“Yeah, that’s right! I knew Oboro long before I was born into this world!”
Shizuku...you can’t risk your place here letting it all out, too. I tried to stop her before she got too far, but Shimozuru, overcome with emotions, grabbed both of her hands.
“Shizuku, I had no idea you felt so strongly! I, too, feel like I’ve known you long before I was born.”
“What? Oboro, that’s not what I meant!”
Shimozuru was in rare form tonight, but if that meant he merely misinterpreted Shizuku’s words, then that was fine. I shot her a look, imploring her not to press any further.
I once again turned to face Shinmyou. “I respect you for not accepting the idea of reincarnation so easily. However, this is the secret source of my education as a noble that you were so interested in before. If you want to believe this is all a thin veneer masking a delusional girl, then it is your freedom to do so,” I declared, standing tall.
This was the first time in a long time that the noble behaviors I had once cast aside served me so well.
And if I was sharing the truth with them anyway, there was no reason to hold back any longer. I took a step toward Shinmyou, as if to give one final push.
Since I didn’t have a fan, I used my hand to cover my mouth and averted my gaze a tad before speaking once more. “Let it be said, though, the way you menace and intimidate young ladies is not the way a true gentleman would conduct himself,” I said.
Mikazuki, who had been silent until that moment, clapped as he stepped between myself and a very sour Shinmyou.
“I’m pretty sure you have to take the L for this round, Shinmyou. Accept what she’s saying. All right, Urara, let’s say you were a noblewoman in your past life. It’s honestly more believable than, say, a commoner like you being sent to assassinate Mitsuru and the others.”
“What? I never thought she was an assassin,” Shinmyou fired back, annoyed. “That was all... Well, it doesn’t matter.”
I see. So that was how they thought of me.
I suppose it made sense. I seemed so very out of place. No wonder I was such a thorn in the side for Shinmyou, someone so fixated on protecting the Mochizukis, the Tsukuyomis, and all the traditions that came with them.
“So, what now, Saku? It’s almost time. Do we take them or not?” Mikazuki asked, glancing at the clock on the sideboard.
Shinmyou let out a little sigh. He appeared to be in deep thought.
“Let’s go,” he said and made his way to the interior of the room.
He stopped only once and, without turning back, spoke to us.
“Her Highness will require an escort. I’ll send Shirazu and Oboro back shortly, so they will accompany you both to the banquet.”
Shizuku and I exchanged glances, taken aback at his concession.
“See you later,” Shimozuru said to Shizuku, his face breaking into a full grin. He then quickly trailed after the other two.
Being called “Her Highness” when I had only been the daughter of a poor noble was quite enjoyable, if not a bit embarrassing.
Beside me, Shizuku called after them. “Hey, let me warn you all. Urara wasn’t just the daughter of a noble. She was to be married to a prince!”
What was she saying?! I wasn’t “to be married” to him! I wasn’t even a candidate! I wasn’t even in the running!
My head was pounding.
“Is that so? We’ll keep that in mind,” Shinmyou replied, bemused.
I wanted to shout back that they needn’t keep anything in mind, but the door slammed shut.
Please don’t say pointless things like that, Shizuku.