The Fake Legend of Princess Mei Mei - Episode 4.8

The voice belonged to Seishin Aoken.

While helping tend to the funeral pyre, he had been listening to Keigetsu and the others the entire time.

“What the hell is that supposed to mean?”

His voice, slightly trembling and strained, repeated the same question.

“You wouldn’t marry me, but you’ll become the wife of some complete stranger?”

“Hey, Aoken!”

Issei, who was standing beside him, sensed the tension and grabbed Aoken’s shoulder to stop him, but Aoken violently shook him off.

“Keigetsu!”

Hearing him shout, Keigetsu instinctively flinched.

The previous night, during the festival, Aoken had proposed to her. But the way he did it had left her feeling deeply uncomfortable, and she had immediately rejected him.

When he gave her the ceremonial hairpin—a token of his proposal—he had confessed, “I’ve always wanted you as my wife, not Gekka.” He admitted that he had initially pursued Gekka only because his parents favored her.

Finding his confession insincere, Keigetsu had been unable to accept it. She had firmly refused him, but before the matter could be completely settled, they had all noticed flames rising from the village and rushed back in a panic. As a result, her rejection had been left somewhat ambiguous.

She was used to men with imposing presences—her father, after all, always wore a stern expression with sharp eyes—but being shouted at like this was frightening. She shrank back, wrapping her arms around herself as if to shield her body.

“Stop it, Aoken!”

Noticing Keigetsu’s fear, Issei tried again to restrain him, but Aoken wouldn’t be stopped. He shrugged off Issei’s grip once more and stepped toward Keigetsu.

Before he could reach her, Enshou moved to block his path. Aoken scowled, clearly irritated by the interference.

“Who the hell are you?”

He asked in an openly displeased tone, causing Enshou to furrow his brows slightly.

“Just like you, I have proposed to Keigetsu.”

“An outsider?”

His voice was dripping with hostility. The guards, sensing the tension, subtly readied themselves.

Since Shugetsu was Keigetsu’s father, they had been ordered to tolerate a certain level of disrespect from him. But Aoken was different. If he overstepped, they had no reason to hesitate—they could cut him down for his insolence at any moment.

Clicking his tongue in frustration, Aoken turned on his heel.

“Who knows where you found a man like this.”

His words were spat out like venom. Keigetsu’s eyes widened in shock.

“After everything I did for you.”

His lips twisted into a bitter smirk as he glared at her, his anger unmistakable. Keigetsu involuntarily recoiled.

“I didn’t think you were so easy, Keigetsu.”

With a heavy sigh, he turned and walked back toward the village. Issei quickly bowed apologetically to Keigetsu and the others before following after him.

“What the hell was that about?”

One of the guards muttered, breaking the silence. The others agreed, casting concerned glances at Keigetsu.

She stood frozen, as if turned to stone.

She had never expected to be spoken to like that.

She had never imagined Aoken would say such things.

People aren’t always who they seem to be, she thought bitterly, exhaling a sigh of disbelief. As the tension in her body unraveled, exhaustion came crashing down on her.

She staggered slightly, and Enshou reached out to steady her—but before he could, Shugetsu caught her in his arms.

“Who exactly was that man?”

Retracting his hand, Enshou gave a wry smile as he asked.

“The village chief’s eldest son,” Shugetsu replied, his expression more severe than usual.

“This has become troublesome.”

Was he angry because his daughter had been insulted? As Keigetsu tried to decipher his meaning, he muttered under his breath, causing her to stiffen once more.

If the chief’s family turned against her, she could be ostracized.

In a small village like this, being shunned would be a death sentence.

Keigetsu’s face went pale. She hadn’t thought rejecting Aoken’s sudden proposal would escalate into something like this.

If she were the only one affected, she could endure it. But what if her father suffered for it? What if Gekka, when she eventually returned, became a target as well? The mere thought filled her with guilt.

Noticing her distress, Shugetsu placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder before turning to Enshou.

“I have a question for you.”

Enshou nodded. “Ask me anything.”

“What is your standing within the Sai family? If I entrust Keigetsu to you, can you protect her?”

Keigetsu gasped.

She called out, her voice trembling, but Shugetsu ignored her.

Enshou took a moment to consider his words before answering carefully.

“Within the Sai family, I hold a fairly high position. As for whether I can protect Keigetsu—yes, I will do everything in my power.”

Shugetsu studied his expression. There were things he wasn’t saying, but he didn’t seem to be lying.

Letting out a deep breath, Shugetsu looked down at Keigetsu.

“You will go to the capital with him.”

“Father?”

“You saw Aoken’s reaction. It’s only going to get worse if you stay.”

Leaving the village was the best option. But Keigetsu shook her head.

“What if Gekka comes back?”

Her missing sister was her greatest concern. If Gekka returned only to find no one left, how devastated would she be?

She had already missed their mother’s final moments. If she lost the rest of her family too, she might never recover.

Keigetsu refused to let that happen.

Her voice trembled as she protested, but Shugetsu pulled her close.

“Gekka is likely in the capital.”

Keigetsu’s breath caught. “What?”

“I don’t know her exact whereabouts yet, but I was planning to go to Rokken to search for her. I was worried about leaving you alone, but… if he’s with you, I can be at ease.”

He shot a sharp glare at Enshou, who widened his eyes slightly before nodding silently.

“We need to talk. Come with me.”

Shugetsu jerked his chin, signaling Enshou to follow. Enshou gestured for his guards to stay by Keigetsu’s side before leaving with Shugetsu.

As Keigetsu watched them walk away, still processing her father’s words, a voice called out hesitantly.

“Excuse me…”

Turning around, she saw a soldier with a gentle expression bow slightly.

“Shall I tend to the fire?”

The reminder jolted her. She had completely neglected the funeral pyre.

Earlier, the villagers had been watching over it, but now, they were gone.

Had Aoken said something to them? The thought made her stomach sink.

“Thank you.”

She expressed her gratitude and checked the fire—it would still take time.

Exhaling slowly, she realized her head was throbbing.

So much had happened since last night.

Her mind and heart couldn’t keep up. Everything felt tangled, swirling into a murky mess that refused to settle.

She let out another sigh, lowering her gaze.

“Take your time.”

Startled, she turned to find the same soldier standing beside her.

“You don’t have to rush to sort everything out. Take the time you need to come to terms with your mother’s passing… and with Lord Enshou’s proposal.”

His words struck deep.

“Um…”

Who was he?

“Ah, sorry for not introducing myself. You may call me Junkei. I serve as Lord Enshou’s guard.”

“Oh… I’m Keigetsu.”

They exchanged bows, and, somehow, both smiled.

Junkei had a warm, approachable presence.

While waiting for her father and Enshou to return, she spoke with him.

He told her about his recently deceased grandfather, his childhood friendship with Enshou, and the efforts Enshou had made to take Keigetsu as his bride.

Talking with him calmed her in an inexplicable way.

So, when her father and Enshou finally returned—
“I will go to the capital with Lord Enshou.”

She declared her decision.

At the time, she had no idea of the turmoil that awaited her.