Around the same time, a visitor came to the Ichise house, one with no prior relation to the family.
The visitor was Yukizasa Sankourou.
Hana’s father had been shocked when he received Yukizasa’s request for an audience.
Since the Ichises were but a humble branch family of the Ichinomiya clan, he could not refuse the Sankourou successor, and even if he could, he would not have.
Hana’s father, ambitious as he was, welcomed Yukizasa with open arms, thinking that this might prove the turning point he had been looking for.
When Yukizasa came calling, the Ichise parents greeted him at the door. “W-welcome to our humble abode!” they exclaimed, unable to hide their excitement.
The servants were visibly nervous as well.
After all, the visitor belonged to the Sankourou clan. A man nominated by the current clan lord as heir. A distinguished individual.
It was hardly every day that someone of such rank dropped by the Ichise house. There was no higher honor.
The Ichise parents bowed and scraped to Yukizasa as they invited him in. The holier-than-thou attitude they took with Hana was nowhere to be seen.
Yukizasa was smiling as he was led through the halls, but anyone looking would have felt a shiver of fear.
They ended up in the sitting room, and the Ichise patriarch ordered everyone else to leave. Yukizasa had demanded that their conversation stay between them.
Hana’s father was so eager to do as he’d been bid that it made it easy to forget that the Ichises were part of the Ichinomiya clan, not the Sankourou.
The Ichise parents sat down across from Yukizasa.
Hana’s father hesitantly asked, “I have cleared the room… May I inquire as to what business brings you to our home?”
“I despise talking in circles, so I’ll get straight to the point,” Yukizasa said. “Haven’t you any desire to take back your daughter? To get revenge?”
“O-our daughter, you say?” Hana’s father asked. He hadn’t expected to hear such a suggestion and did not follow.
“Yes. The elder twin. The talented one. Hazuki, I believe her name is?”
“Yes, Hazuki is her name. How is it that you know of our daughter, Master Sankourou? In addition, what do you mean by ‘revenge’?’”
“You know that the older twin was the top candidate to be the bride of the Ichinomiya clan lord, yes?” Yukizasa said.
“Excuse me?”
Hana’s parents were shocked.
“You didn’t know? She had the endorsement of Mio, Lord Ichinomiya’s mother.”
“We hadn’t…”
“If all had gone accordingly, she would have married Lord Ichinomiya, and the Ichise family would have received great boons from the clan. What a shame,” Yukizasa said. “If only the younger sister hadn’t meddled and stolen the seat.”
The corners of Yukizasa’s lips drew upward in a sharp smile.
Hana’s father didn’t notice. He was trembling with rage. “That wench!” he cursed.
“Yes, her. If it weren’t for her…,” Yukizasa said wistfully.
“Yes. She ruined everything. If only that good-for-nothing hadn’t been born. We should have thrown a pest like her into an orphanage a long time ago!” Hana’s father slammed his fist down on the table.
“She’s now living happily in the Ichinomiya residence, unconcerned about her parents’ struggles.”
“Damn it—…”
Imagining the picture of Hana’s life Yukizasa had painted, Hana’s father clenched his fist in frustration, so tightly it seemed like blood would come gushing out. The enormity of his rage was obvious to anyone watching.
“It’s not too late,” Yukizasa murmured, his words as sweet as honey. The Ichise parents looked at him. “If the older twin, Hazuki, returns to this family, all will be resolved, no?”
That was right. If only they had Hazuki…
Hana’s mother grabbed hold of her husband, her eyes expectant. “Darling, Master Sankourou is correct. Lord Ichinomiya would surely prefer Hazuki to that disappointment.”
“However, would we not incur Lord Ichinomiya’s wrath by following through with this plan?”
A step before the precipice, and Hana’s father was still hesitant.
Yukizasa gave him one last push. “What can you do for the sake of the Ichise name? Who is fit to lead this family? The answers are obvious, right?”
“Y-yes. It is as you say. I am the head of this family. I won’t yield the position to anyone,” Hana’s father said.
“Exactly, darling!” Hana’s mother cried.
“Let’s fetch Hazuki back,” he resolved. “I’m certain that two-bit wench, Hana, will interfere. What should we do…?”
“There’s no need to worry. I will lend you my aid,” Yukizasa said. From his words shined the light of hope.
“Thank you kindly, Master Sankourou!” Hana’s father said.
“We will not forget this debt!” her mother added.
They bowed their heads low as if they were prostrating before him.
Yukizasa chuckled with delight.
The Ichise parents had leaped at the opportunity Yukizasa had presented them without wondering for a second why he was helping them.
They didn’t know they were making a deal with the devil.