Chapter 2

The Hohengoldlinden estate was in full uproar. The employees were rushing around, adjusting the final details for the arrival of the long awaited guests.

Benedikt was calm, spectating the hustle and bustle silently. He wore his ceremonial naval uniform while holding his peaked cap in his arm. 

His fianceé and he weren't supposed to meet until dinner where they would be officially introduced to each other. But he hoped for a brief glance at his future wife.

Now that the day had come he felt strangely nervous. His arrangements for Kleingoldlinden were finished and he thought that he was prepared enough. Inside the garden the first flowers began to bloom and it already felt warmer. The wind wasn't as sharp as before and carried a mild floral scent mixed with the usual saltiness from the ocean.

Benedikt felt like everyone and everything else were ready to welcome the Kirishima family except for him. For the first time in his life he felt truly unsure and helpless. He didn't know which expression his face reflected or how the others perceived him. 

It was like a tingle in his fingertips.

"Your Royal Highness," Hagen stepped beside him with his arms loaded with books. Benedikt briefly looked over, turned around again and stared at the other employees. He didn't want Hagen to see his nervousness. 

"What are you doing with those books?" His voice came out just fine and he felt relieved.

"I'm on my way to the library, would you accompany me?" Hagen carefully made the suggestion. He probably sensed that the Archduke was feeling a little off.

Benedikt glanced at his friend again and nodded. "I shall accompany you."

"It doesn't matter how early you might start, there will always be too many things to do when the time has come." Hagen spoke in a casual tone, wanting to ease the mood.

Benedikt knew about his intentions, but his nervousness would stick to him like glue. Pestering his thoughts and making his heart beat faster. It felt like the day he had his final exam in the naval academy, a moment his future would depend on. However, today was way worse. 

What if Yumiko had a negative first impression of him? He didn't want to start his marriage on a sour foundation and since he wasn't sure on how he currently looked he felt even more pressured. The burden of being the first couple from two different cultures to be married finally caught on and he felt overwhelmed.

The future of the Hohengoldlinden's reputation was on the line. 

He had studied the native language of Yashima very intensively, but he was worried that he would still mess up the phrases that he internalised since he was lacking practice.

His grip on his cap tightened as his thoughts rushed inside of his head.

"Your Royal Highness." Hagen now spoke in his stricter tone.

Benedikt looked at him. Helplessness in his eyes.

"You will be fine," Hagen smiled at him confidently. "Everyone here knows that you won't be able to mess up."

It was his friend that now spoke to him and not his royal aid.

"I should have prepared some more." Benedikt's voice now came out more stifled. 

"No, you are perfectly fine. There is nothing to worry about." 

"You should have forced me to study more." 

"You wouldn't have listened to me anyways." Hagen laughed.

Benedikt smiled back at him. He was right. 

"Let's bring those books back and head down to the port." 

The Archduke nodded again, most of the Hohengoldlinden employees were already lining up at the port to welcome the Kirishima family in the most honourable way. 

His parents were also there to supervise the final adjustments. 

Outside of the estate several horse carriages were waiting to transport the remaining participants of the reception.

Archduke Leopold was standing beside one of the more elegantly adorned ones speaking with an employee. "Your Royal Highness Archduke Leopold." Hagen bowed his head before the heir of the duchy. The tall blonde man turned around and smiled brightly upon seeing them.

"Hagen, it's nice to see you! Benni! The groom to be!" Leopold patted his younger brother on the back enthusiastically.

It was rare for Leopold to break his usually calm and serious demeanour, only before his brother he would be more easygoing and casual.

"How are you feeling?" Leopold's voice was deep and clear even within the turmoil outside.

Benedikt felt more assured with his big brother beside him, he gave him a feeling of confidence and reassurance that no one else could give him. He was able to entrust everything to Leopold, knowing from the bottom of his heart that he would always have his back. 

"Honestly, I'm really nervous right now." 

Leopold grinned and looked at his brother adoringly. He knew exactly which thoughts went inside of him right now. Just a few years prior he was in his exact position. Though, the stakes weren't as high. Batavia and Allemania didn't have a tremendously different culture like Yashima did. 

Leopold knew that he wouldn't be able to fully empathise with his younger brother's feelings, but he wanted to take some worries away from him.

Benedikt was playful and Leopold was fond of the cheeky side of him. He wanted him to enjoy that unbothered behaviour for as long as possible. Life as an Archduke will already be serious and strict for the rest of their lives, so it wouldn't be so bad to have him savour the remaining liberty that he had. Benedikt already handled the administration of the duchy very well. He was a great second hand to support Leopold in his duties as the heir. Though, Leopold wasn't so sure on how he would be as a husband. Benedikt could only learn from their own father and himself as to how a loving husband should be, but since he was full of surprises it could turn out every other possible way. He took a closer look at his brother and he saw a hint of unease and doubt in his blue eyes. Leopold had never seen those emotions from Benedikt ever before. 

His curly hair was combed strictly to the back of his head, but a few of his wavy strands fell out of the fixated hairdo. When he was younger his curls were stronger and he looked like an angel with his bright blue eyes. Only his rebellious behaviour would hint towards the opposite. Now that he reached his adolescence his hair got more wavy, but sometimes the tip of his strands were curly. 

"You have an entire lifetime to make it right."

Benedikt looked at him.

"I don't want to make any mistakes that need to be fixed."

"That's not how I meant it. You will get used to each other, relationships take time and you will go at your own pace, don't worry about it."

Maybe Benedikt was impatient and rather wanted to skip the whole getting to know each other stage, but Leopold knew that he wouldn't mess up. Sometimes his younger brother seemed nonchalant, almost uninterested, but deep down inside he would care immensely.

He was more considerate and self-reflective than most others his age.

"You also had the best examples to learn from, so what exactly could go wrong?" Leopold smirked at him. Their father indeed set a high standard as a husband and responsible Archduke. Leopold and Benedikt couldn't stray away from that and would therefore follow in his footsteps.

Benedikt sighed and nodded. 

"We should leave, we can't afford to be late." Leopold patted his brother on his back again and they entered into the horse carriage that would take them down to the port.

Benedikt's heart began beating really fast and the nervousness welled up inside of him and it felt like something in his throat was stuck. He sat upright, his hat in his right arm and he stared outside the small window frame. The familiar scenery changed and followed along a path that he could have walked blindly. Usually going down to the port meant either travelling over to the mainland part of the duchy or over to his own little island. Delightful anticipation and excitement would accompany him, since he would be able to take his boat and enjoy the ocean waves for a short while, escaping from the duties and responsibilities connected to the dry land. Rocking back and forth on the waves, feeling the salty air and the breeze upon his face were something that gave him a feeling of complete freedom. 

Yet, following the path towards the port gave him none of the usual feelings. Right now, somewhere close to their duchy a ship from Yashima would approach, carrying his future wife alongside their new stage of life.

The carriage arrived at the port and lined up perfectly beside the other carriages.

"Your Highnesses." The employees bowed down as the brothers walked by.

Hagen followed them a few steps behind.

"My dear sons!" Archduchess Ann-Sophie greeted them happily and took her youngest son into her arms.

"Mother." Leopold slightly bowed down as well and nodded towards their father.

"How are you?" His mother looked at him trying to figure out his expression.

Benedikt nervously smiled. "I'm fine, I hope you are well."

She caressed his cheek, his nervousness was obvious. "You will be fine."

Benedikt didn't want to hear those words again as no one could be so sure of it. 

"Their ship is visible in the distance." Their father's voice echoed through the entire port. Benedikt looked up from behind his mother and saw the grandiose ship approaching in the horizon. From afar the ship wasn't all that different from the ones here in the west. Though, the flags were different and it gave off an unfamiliar impression.

His heart started beating even faster.

"Let us go." Richard nodded towards the pier. 

Benedikt put his peaked hat on and straightened his back. Worrying about it now wouldn't help, so he wanted to approach the situation as the Archduke von Hohengoldlinden. Since he was not only the future husband for Yumiko, but also the primary representative for their duchy and possibly Allemania itself, if not for the entire western continent. 

He wanted to believe that there was no point in worrying, as there was no other option than succeeding. 

The feeling of nervousness didn't subside, but he felt more confident and followed his father to the designated spot to welcome the Kirishima family.

He would do it the same way they have rehearsed it weeks before. 

The ship came closer and he searched for her on top of the deck, hoping for a brief glimpse before seeing her before him. But there were only the sailors on the ship, getting ready for the docking process. Though the size of the ship was definitely larger than the ones that he was used to, the Kirishima sailors did a great job on navigating it smoothly to the pier. Considering that these were unknown waters to them the ship was approaching without any difficulties. It was obvious that skilled hands were behind it. 

The passionate sailor within Benedikt himself felt respect for the men.

The ship docked with a soft rumble and the Yashima sailors prepared for the disembarkment.

Benedikt straightened his uniform and hat one more time to make sure that everything was in its proper place. His father, the current Archduke, was on his right side, Leopold on his left. Their mother was on the other side of her husband and Benedikt felt encouraged by their proximity. He didn't want to disappoint them.

His family and all the attending employees were ready to welcome the long awaited guests. 

The weather was almost perfect, it was sunny with a few clouds. The sea was calm but the wind would be a little bit too cool for the current season. 

The anchor dropped down into the water with a splash and the sailors prepared routinely for the gangway on their dock. For their arrival it was planned to briefly welcome them here and let them rest until dinner at the estate. If Benedikt was able to see his betrothed wasn't even something that he was sure of. Even then, more than a brief glance would be all there was for now.

He was told that the Yashimian culture was in a way more stricter and demure than what he was used to. 

"They are coming." Archduke Richard said it out loud and everyone at the pier turned towards the deck where the gangway was placed. A few sailors already left the ship to properly fix the ship onto the dock and then stepped politely to the sides of the gangway. Benedikt had seen people from the eastern continent before but seeing them now at their island was something new. 

The sailors' stature was seemingly smaller, however in no way any weaker since that was proven by their way of working with the ship. Their hair was dark, almost black and straight.

The first one to disembark the ship beside the sailors was the head of the Kirishima family; His future father-in-law, Koshaku Kirishima Saigo. He stood on the top of the gangway, overlooking the pier calmly. Benedikt felt his strong presence even from a distance, that was a man equal in charisma and authority like his own father. He wore the traditional attire, everything about him seemed impressive. He then began walking down the wooden gangway, followed by his wife Koshaku Kirishima Akiko. Her presence was rather reticent, however her elegance was unmistakable.

Finally, behind both heads of the Kirishima family two women disembarked from the ship.

One of them wore a more plain traditional attire, the other however was dressed in beautiful colours and expensive fabrics. She wore a headpiece that covered her upper body with a shimmering veil. That was Yumiko.

Benedikt drew in a sharp breath. She was led by the woman beside her, keeping her head slightly tilted down. Her elegance was also distinct and by not seeing her face properly the mystery behind her made it even more mesmerising. 

The entire entourage of the Kirishima family gathered in a calm and proper order on the pier.

Yumiko's senses were sharpened, she had never felt this tense before. It was as if she could hear everything and everyone on the pier, her family, the entirety of all members from the clan and all these unfamiliar people from the Hohengoldlinden family. Her fingertips were prickling and she could feel every gust of wind. The island here smelled differently, the way the sun was shining down on them and even the ground felt foreign.

Her heart was thumping strongly in her chest and she tried to maintain a soft expressionless face. It was important to not appear stern or irritated. Yumiko kept her head slightly lowered and she could feel the veil around her. She was led by Takane-san, subtly and skilled, so that it wouldn't be noticeable at first sight.

They stopped and she knew that they stood before the members of the Hohengoldlinden family - Her own future family.

She felt the curious gazes on her and would have loved to take a peek as well.

"A warm welcome to our humble island of the Hohengoldlinden duchy! I hope your journey went well and without any troubles! Thank you for taking upon the long journey." The deep and loud voice of a man seemed to echo through the crowd. It must be the current Archduke Richard von Hohengoldlinden, her soon to be father-in-law. He spoke in perfectly meticulous britan, the universally known language for any international exchange.

"We are most honoured to be welcomed here so warmly. You have our greatest of gratitude for the reception and preparation of this noble occasion." Her father spoke britan as well, almost as equally flawless. Yumiko knew that as soon as the marriage was completed, she had to adapt to alleman since the native language here wasn't britan, a language that she learned since she was younger. The Hohengoldlindens spoke in britan out of courtesy and respect in front of her parents since they didn't know alleman fluently enough for any more complicated conversations. However, it was her duty to fit into this new foreign country by the time her parents left to return to Yashima.

Yumiko wondered whose gaze was from Archduke Benedikt. She really wanted to know the expression he had and how he looked. It was confirmed to her that he looked like most other people from Allemania; Blonde, fair skin and blue eyed. 

Usually the people from the western continent were taller than from the eastern continent. She speculated how far up she had to tilt her head to be able to look up to him.

As she could feel the presence of Takana-san's palm close to her own, she imagined that his hands must be bigger and probably rougher. Would he be able to hold the entirety of her hand inside his palm? She wanted to know more about him, her future husband and it was almost agonising that he actually stood just in front of her, but she had to hold back and endure the important first formal greetings.

Her father calmly introduced all members of her family in order of age.

"And this is our youngest, Kirishima Yumiko." Within his proud tone was a mixture of worry and sadness. 

Yumiko bowed down politely and tried to estimate the approximate height of the Hohengoldlindens faces while looking up again. She had memorised the angle that her father's head had when he spoke before while also focusing on the direction of the Archduke's voice.

"Ich fühle mich überaus geehrt über diesen großartigen Empfang. Ich werde in Eurer Obhut sein." Yumiko spoke the line in perfect alleman. I feel most honoured by this great reception. I will be in your care. Those two sentences were memorised and she practiced them ever since starting to learn their language.

Impressed and surprised gaps were to be heard and both a woman and the Archduke Richard started to laugh out loud. 

"Welch Überraschung! Ich wünschte ich könnte nur so gut yashimin sprechen." Archduke Richard sounded delighted but also sorry. Such a surprise, I wished I could speak yashimin as fluently. It was a compliment and Yumiko felt proud for being able to make a good first impression right off the bat.

"Wir hoffen du wirst dich hier wohl fühlen." It was the voice of the woman who had laughed before, it must have been the Archduchess Ann-Sophie. Her tone was soft and had a motherly feeling. We hope that you will feel comfortable here.

Yumiko bowed again. "Vielen Dank. Mit solch einem warmen Empfang wird dies sicherlich keine Schwierigkeit darstellen. Ich fühle mich jetzt schon wohl." Yumiko responded politely although her tone was friendlier and less distant. Thank you very much. With such a warm welcome it will certainly be no difficulty at all. I already feel comfortable here. Usually Takane-san would scold her for that familiarity at the first exchange of words, but it was the general understanding that the western continent was more companionable and affable from the start. In Yashima a respectful distance was more proper, displaying the courteous consideration towards the other.

As Yumiko spoke she could feel the gazes on her and she wondered which pairs of blue eyes made her cheeks tingle that much. 

"That is wonderful indeed. Let me also introduce to you my family. This is my lovely wife, Ann-Sophie." The Archduke spoke happily with a proud tone. Admiration and affection swung with his words. 

"It is a pleasure to welcome you all here. Please feel at home." The Archduchess' voice sounded warm and friendly. Yumiko felt at ease that her parents-in-law seemed to be genuinely kind and warm-hearted.

"And this is my youngest son, Benedikt." Archduke Richard spoke firmly while introducing her future husband and she could feel her cheeks blushing. She was really nervous.

Rustling noises were to be heard as he seemed to have bowed down. 

"I give you my warmest welcome to our duchy. It is truly an honour to stand before you and I hope that you will feel truly comfortable here. I am equally in your care," his voice was deep but felt lighter, younger and even more playful than that of his father. Yumiko felt goosebumps on her skin as he spoke and she smiled at his words that were an indirect response to what she had said before. It showed her that he paid close attention to her words and it made her happy that his first impression was also positive. 

Archduke Richard then continued to introduce his oldest son, the heir of the duchy, Leopold von Hohengoldlinden, whose voice was slightly deeper than Benedikt's and had a more refined tone.

Afterwards, his wife, Linda was introduced and she sounded very friendly and approachable. 

It felt like a huge worry was lifted off Yumiko's shoulders. Her soon to be family and the people who will be with her for the remainder of her life were kind and sincere.

The hope of being able to build up a genuine lovable home rose within her, but she wanted to stay cautious until all of her worries were gone. 

The Hohengoldlinden duchy might really become a new home for her and the few members of her clan that will stay here with her.

After the formal introduction they all proceeded to move towards the estate on top of the island. Several horse carriages were prepared and Yumiko got inside one of them along with both of her parents and her oldest brother Ichinobe.

"I don't want to get too optimistic, but they are really putting in a lot of effort to accommodate us." Her brother spoke calmly and Yumiko liked it that he was able to put off his previous reservation towards her arrangement for a little bit. He was the one who protested the most against it and even now he never really accepted it. She knew that in his eyes she was still his only sister, someone he had the duty to protect. Naturally, her marriage into a foreign far away family was unacceptable for him, but he had to respect their parents' decision and knew about the economic and political benefit that came along with this marriage.

"That's why we should feel even more grateful and honour their efforts," Their mother's voice sounded also a bit relieved about his rather positive comment. 

"There is still plenty of time ahead of us to get a proper impression." Ichinobe snorted as if he had accepted a challenge.

Yumiko placed her hand on his knee. "They made a very friendly and honest impression on me so far."

She knew that he turned his head and looked at her, so she also matched the direction of her face to his familiar height beside her.

"I just want to make sure that you are in good hands." Ichinobe sounded worried and he softly placed his hand on hers. Yumiko knew that he'd preferred for her to stay unmarried, tied to their home and close by his side where he could keep an eye on her. The only environment where she could move around mostly independently, the only place where she was truly safe. Although she appreciated his care and good intention, it at times also felt rather stifling, almost suffocating. She loved him and everyone else dearly, but she disliked their imposed fears and worries on her.

She smiled at him, which had the same effect on him as on Takane-san. Heart softenting.

"For that I'm grateful, but don't be too harsh."

Yumiko heard him snort before answering. "That depends fully on him."

He patted her hand placatingly, indicating the end of this conversation. There was no point in discussing any further.

Everything else was now decided by the following month before the wedding.

As the carriage softly shook while going up the slight hill, Yumiko had the firm belief that the Hohengoldlinden family was going to be good to her and that her hopes for a life on equal footing was possible.