44 [Vol. 2] Chapter 43

When the bride came, the crowd became quiet. The bride wore a white kosode kimono and uchikake outer-robe matched with a white floss silk headdress to cover her face.

Brother Hachiko and his bride went to the stage made for the couple as they sat on it, facing us. The crowd cheered them as the bride shyly smiled while covering her face and Brother Hachiko only sat there with a small smile lingering on his face.

My eyes moved in the crowd, searching for Arashi but I couldn't find him as Hayami and Chinami came to me.

"Where is brother Arashi?" They asked.

"He went with Prince Takashi," I said as they looked at each other and nodded.

"Did father know that brother Arashi served in the war?" Hayami asked.

"I don't know." I said because father never mentioned this before. Maybe he knew that was why he chose Arashi as my husband? I still wanted to ask Arashi why he married me.