Shizuka Household

Ai Shizuka (Protagonist)

Hakura Shizuka (Ai's Father)

Michiko Shizuka (Ai's Mother)

Saito Shizuka (Ai's older brother and Heir of Shizuka Household)

Kiya (Ai's Handmaiden)

Omaru Household

Jin Omaru (Eldest son and Heir of Omaru Household)

Akiyo Omaru (Second son of Omaru Household/Jin's half-brother)

Kit Koyozoki (Jin's bodyguard/Shunned by his paternal family for being mixed-blood)

Ryo Omaru (Current Head of Omaru Household/Jin's and Akiyo's father)

Hozaka Household

Shion Hozaka (Heir of Hozaka Trading)

Seigen Hozaka (Shion's Father) 

Suji (Craftsman and Shion's servant) 

Yunes Household

Tamaki Yunes (Shion's best friend and heir of Yunes Industry)

Toshiyo and Ayumi Yunes (Tamaki's grandparents)

Neighbouring Country Kukio

Hayama Mizuko (Crown Prince of neighbouring country Kukio)

Tatsuo Mizuko (Hayama's mother and Empress of Kukio) 

Isamu Nakamura (Leader of shadow guards division/Hayama's bodyguard)

Yamato Household

Miko Yamato (Ai's love rival)

Raizo Yamato (Miko's Father) 

Others

Rini Morioka (*****)

Ai Shizuka sat silently in her confined room as she watched the swaying trees in the face of stormy weather. A vast land of vegetations surrounded her accommodation, placing her in a lonely and secluded existence.

One of the trees stood out single-handedly, despite not having any protection from its surroundings. The lone tree remained rooted despite shivering violently from the strong winds.

How admirable, she thought.

Suddenly her door swung open, announcing the arrival of the household's patriarch, Jin Omaru.

Jin Omaru... She remembered the first time she heard his name, she was only 16 by then. Everyone had spoken high praises of him, from his refined appearance to his successful accomplishments. Silly girl she was, she had unknowingly fallen for him even before she met him in person.

Despite Jin's obvious reluctance, Ai had done everything she could to have him by her side. From convincing her father about the marriage to removing any competitions for Jin's affection, she had done everything in the name of love.

To her, Jin only deserved the best and she was the only one who could provide that.

*Ahem*

Someone cleared their throat succinctly, directing her attention back to the present. She was greeted by the usual expressionless face of Jin. His eyes stone-cold and unfeeling as he stared at the ex-mistress of the household, Ai Shizuka.

The ex-mistress sat silently in her worn-out light blue kimono, with her silver hair falling limply past her waist. Despite the shabby clothes and the apparent lack of care in her appearance, Ai remained an unwavering beauty that could make men stop dead in their tracks.

Jin stood staring, still entranced by the beauty of the woman whom he had shared countless intimate nights with.

Suddenly he felt a soft tug on his sleeves, and an innocent-looking pair of round violet eyes gazed back at him, reminding him of why he came to the confined room in the first place.

Miko Yamato, Magistrate's daughter and his current mistress stood beside him, looking at him expectantly as she tugged on his sleeves once more impatiently.

Snapping his attention back, Jin relayed the verdict to Ai stoically.

"Ai Shizuka, you are now stripped of your affiliation to Omaru household and exiled from the Shinto province. This is the result of Shizuka family betraying the Shinto clan and the heads of Shizuka family had been executed."

As immediate as it was, the calm eyes of the ex-mistress flashed with many emotions.

Shock.. grief.. anger... madness.

Suddenly the grief-stricken lady started to laugh humourlessly. Her whole body shook violently with twisted laughter, while tears flowed down her cheeks unrestrained.

Despite her mad appearance, Jin's heart ached. He couldn't do anything to help her family. Like Ai, her family was stubborn and loyal, mindlessly doing everything for their young miss, be it morally right or wrong. After all, this punishment was fair and just. They only received what was coming for them.

"Papa...and brother.... the-they did it for me... now they are gone... it's all my fault...an-and... it's also your fault!", Ai muttered in a disturbed frenzy as her pale golden eyes snapped to Jin and Miko's direction.

Subconsciously, Jin's hands reach out to hold Ai. But he was immediately interrupted when the latter suddenly lunged with a silver concealed weapon.

In a reflex, Jin blocked out the attack and tried to take the weapon away. But Ai was too far gone. In her maddened state and struggle, the weapon ended up logged in her chest as blood started to pool through her clothes.

Jin pulled his hands away from the bloodstained knife as he caught the falling Ai into his arms. For the first time in his life, tears started to gather in the eyes of the cold expressionless lord.

Gone was the fierce lady with many manipulative schemes, gone was the headstrong girl who constantly chased after him. Instead, laying in his arms limply was the pale broken body of a former temptress.

Jin's whole body shook with sobs as Ai shakily reached out to cup the face of her beloved one last time, smearing his handsome face with blood from her bloodstained hands.

With a bittersweet smile, Ai choked out tiredly, "Jin Omaru, if I get to live another life, I promise... I promise that I won't ever fall in love with you again."

With that vow in mind, Ai resolutely closed her eyes and fully embraced the darkness that enveloped her being.

Ai opened her eyes, squinting her eyes slightly to adjust to the brightness of her surrounding.

"Am I dead?", she wondered, "Where am I?"

A familiar wall with light blue lanterns decorated her room.

Wait, isn't this her room in Shizuka household?!

How did she end up here?!

Suddenly her room door opened and her handmaiden Kiya poked her head in. The moment Kiya's eyes landed on Ai, she smiled widely and exclaimed in relief.

"Miss Shizuka! You are awake! Lord Shizuka and young master had been worried sick since you fainted!"

Ai's eyes grew wide at her exclamation. Kiya looked younger than she last remembered. With her bouncy pigtails, Kiya looked to be in her teens, just like how Kiya was before Ai got married into Omaru household.

Wait, Kiya mentioned Papa and brother, does it mean they are alive? I must find them!

A very worried Ai immediately dashed out of her room to the general study, even though she was in the state of undress.

"Papa! Brother!" Ai burst open the study door and rushed forwards, immediately hugging the two figures in the study as tears streamed down her delicate face.

Ai's father and brother stood shocked as their eyes landed on Ai. The young miss of the household was in her pyjamas and was bawling her eyes out as she hugged the two Shizuka men so tightly. It was almost as if she was terrified of losing them into the thin air. Concerned, Hakura leaned down to face his very distressed daughter.

"What happened, little Ai? Did someone bully you?", Hakura asked softly, wiping away the tears of his young daughter.

"Ai, tell me who bullied you, brother will go settle with them!", Saito agreed, his eyes flashing with anger at whoever bullied his baby sister.

Ai shook her head rapidly, her face turned into happiness as she took in the sight of her father and brother alive and well. She didn't know how this was possible but she knew one thing, she will treasure this and prevent any calamity to befall on her family. At all costs.

Hakura and Saito turned to look at each other, if anyone said they were shocked, that would be an understatement.

For a quiet child like Ai, the sight they saw was indeed a rare occasion. Ai, being a headstrong girl, had never once cried out ever since she was a child. What could have made their little Ai be this emotional?

Nevertheless, Ai looked happy now and this was all that mattered to them. Suddenly there was an announcement from their servant: Lord and Young Masters of Omaru household had arrived.

Hearing that, Ai froze as dreads started to fill her veins. She remembered now. Today was the day she met him for the very first time and today was the beginning of all things that went wrong.

Despite that, Ai vaguely understood that she had been reborn and was given a second chance. Only this time, she doesn't want anything to do with him and even if she has to die again, she decided that she will stay as far away from him as possible.

Be free, Jin Omaru. Let this be my redemption and let us never cross paths again.

___________________________________________________

Jin sat still in his seat as his father and Lord Shizuka discussed the possible business merger between the two prominent households.

For some reasons unknown, the young master of Shizuka household had been glaring daggers in his direction throughout. A slight frown formed on Jin's stoic face as he wondered what he had done to gain such irks.

Nevertheless, he wondered where the young miss of Shizuka household was. It was quite a well-known fact among the aristocrats that the young Miss Shizuka has a deep crush on him. So why is the lady not here now? Shouldn't she take the opportunity to come to meet him?

To be honest, it was not that he truly cared for Miss Shizuka. Even though Miss Shizuka is a renowned beauty, his interests were purely invested in the business merger. As much as he detested the idea of being bound to someone, such matrimony could help in strengthening the relationship of the business merger. At least he knew his father would be pleased with the proposal.

Deciding to break the ice, Jin voiced out his thoughts.

"Pardon me for the intrusion, but may I know if young Miss Shizuka will be joining us? I and my younger brother are looking forward to meeting the highly-acclaimed young miss."

Upon hearing the question, Lord Shizuka visibly stiffened and directed his gaze to Saito, the young master of Shizuka household.

Right now, Saito seemed to be in the full glaring mood now as his golden eyes flashed intensely with unspoken fury. He was about to open his mouth to reject when the door opened announcing the arrival of Miss Shizuka.

Jin's breath caught in his throat as his eyes landed on the beauty at the door. Long flowing silver hair that reached past her waist and pale golden eyes on her delicate face, Ai Shizuka is beautiful beyond words. What of renowned beauty? Any words of praise to her beauty would have been insufficient compared to the young woman standing in front of him. Even Akiyo, his usually-uninterested brother seemed to be at a loss for words.

"My apology for the delay, Lord Omaru and Young masters. I had matters to attend to." Ai Shizuka spoke softly as she gently took a seat next to Saito.

Throughout the meeting, Jin stared shamelessly at the marvellous beauty, secretly very pleased with himself that such a beauty was interested in him.

However, despite his very obvious attention, Miss Shizuka paid no mind to him and avoided any sorts of eye contact with him. She even gave some brief glances to his younger brother, who seemed to react by blushing furiously.

Was the news wrong? Is she in love with his brother instead? For some reasons, that thought didn't settle very well in Jin's heart. Why would Ai Shizuka choose my brother over me?

Soon, the meeting had come to an end and Jin stood up abruptly. Bowing respectfully towards Lord Shizuka, he immediately stated his request.

"Lord Shizuka, may I have the permission to escort Miss Shizuka for a walk?", he asked proudly, glancing at Miss Shizuka for her reaction.

What he saw shocked him to his bones. Never in his 22 years, did he expect such reactions directed his way. The young miss stood frozen as her pale golden eyes wide-opened in shock and... Fear?

He frowned slightly. Usually, when females gain his attention, they would react favourably in happiness or flustered shyness. But this…

What the hell?!

Why is she so afraid of me?! I'm not that hideous, am I? This young girl was so frightened, even her hands were shaking so violently.

Concerned by her peculiar reaction, he reached out his hands instinctively, wanting to comfort the distressed girl.

"No! Don't touch me!" she yelled out suddenly. Her frightened eyes darted around like a cornered animal looking for an escape as she stepped back in fear.

Jin's heart ached at the sight painfully and he wanted nothing more than to comfort her and protect her. But protecting her against himself? This is working out in the worst way he couldn't have imagined.

"I.. I..." Ai stuttered out as she tried to compose herself. Right now the room was so silent, even a pin drop could be heard.

Suddenly, a body pushed past him and a silk outer robe lay on her shaking body. Akiyo held the shaking body of Ai in his arms as he comforted the distressed Miss.

A burning rage was brewing in Jin's heart and at that moment, he wanted nothing more than to rip those disgusting arms of his brother off her. But in reality, he could do nothing but watched in dismay as she was escorted out gently from the room. Out of his sight.

Ai Shizuka... I will have you. No matter what it takes.