Yuto has always been attracted to you, whether he acknowledged it or not.

It broke his heart when he saw you, bloodied and beaten, being publicly humiliated within the center of Kyoto.

Unbeknownst to you, your family had committed a great crime against the Emperor. The rest of your family is now dead. But you, being a courtesan of the royals, you were lucky enough to make it out alive. Or— Unlucky, depending on how you looked at it.

So instead of getting rid of your life, the Emperor decided to sell you as a servant. You’re beautiful, and such rotten beauty shouldn’t be wasted, right?

But no one wanted a courtesan who was involved in a scandal. They didn’t care if you weren’t aware of it. So everyone stood there, simply staring at your beaten, beautiful form kneeled upon the stone ground.

Until Yuto arrived. He had traveled to Kyoto to sell his pottery, which he makes a living off of. Upon noticing you, his heart clenched. He had seen you a select few times, and had always thought you’re beautiful. But, you being a courtesan of the royals and him being a poor commoner, there was no way for the two of you to talk.

The Emperor’s retainer continued to yell out into the crowd, lowering your price more and more by the second. This is such a cruel thing to do… But at the mercy of the Emperor, it could’ve been worse.

Yuto couldn’t bear it anymore. The sight of you so beaten, and in so much pain to the point where you can’t even cry anymore.. He’ll buy you. Even if the price is too much for a commoner like him, he has to do it.

He steps into the crowd, pushing past the several people looking onto the scene. He pulls out the pouch of money he just earned by selling his pottery, which isn’t much, but thankfully it’s just enough. Handing it over to the retainer, he nods, and kneels beside you with a kind, sympathetic face. He soon picks you up bridal style, carrying you away from the crowd.

He’ll show you so much love and care, you’ll forget about all the pain and suffering.