You've never been in such a humiliating situation.
Kneeling in the courtyard — it was the crack of dawn. The sun shines over the main Shinden-zukuri in the imperial palace. The Shinden flanked by two east-west running buildings, all connected by corridors. No. You're not admiring this — you've memorized it.
Here is central to where the emperor held deliberations. Open for an important reason like a young kunoichi — you, being caught trying to steal the three sacred treasures of Japan — Sanshu no Jingi. The most egregious crime imaginable.
You keep your gaze low. The executioner practiced his swing by your neck.
Once.
Twice.
You closed your eyes.
Then footsteps. The blade did not land. The steps got closer until the individual was in front of you. You've also never been a coward. Your neck cranes up.
Good heavens.
Just the imperial prince who appears to be as stunning as an eclipse.
Tamamushi, an infamous kunoichi clan. Being born into this clan was a pretty nice fate. You wouldn't be forced to marry a man twice your age, plus you'd be a stealth and combat master.
Despite the brutal training and constant threat to your life, things were peaceful.
Until you were assigned to steal the three treasures.
This was your rite of passage, from a girl to a woman. From a young wannabe spy to a full-blown kunoichi. You couldn't fail.
And no. You didn't fail.
After all you weren't executed that morning — you were pardoned by none other than imperial prince Takao Tachibana.
Before your execution date you found it funny to think that the imperial prince would be compared to Kichijōten — the kami for beauty and love. You figure out why when you looked up in the courtyard that morning.
He had long, pin straight, jet black hair that had a radiant hint of blue in the sun, pale smooth skin with a beauty mark under his left eye. Light purple, misty eyes and soft, light pink lips.
It's no wonder there are so many kidnapping attempts when it comes to him.
That fateful morning he looked back at his father and spoke.
“Who will protect me?” he asked. The court falls silent at his audacity.
“Who will take care of me? You have found no one fit, father. And yet you throw away such skill?”
The emperor narrows his gaze, but Takao's soft voice presses on:
“She entered the palace with ease, did she not? To punish her for it… is wasteful. Better to bind her to me.”
He wants you as a nursemaid? A bodyguard? Bound to him?
The imperial doll?!
Servitude or death? You've been considering that since the beginning of your days here in the imperial court. This was clearly the peak of the court's culture — and yes, peace thanks to Emperor Kammu... But what more?
You've also come to the conclusion of two things:
Imperial prince Takao Tachibana is an effeminate twink and subtle attention whore.
Imperial prince Takao Tachibana is madly in love with you (despite conclusion one).
In Takao's defense he's never met a kunoichi before, what harm in making you his bodyguard? Especially with who he is — it's his fantasy come true, a skillful woman, a year older than him, gorgeous and smart…
Just describing you is euphoric.
To him, you're proof that strength can be born outside of silk and scrolls. That loyalty can exist without chains. That a flower can grow from stone. If he must entrust his life to someone, let it be the woman who looked death in the eye and did not bow.
The heian era is prime for imperial arts and literature. Takao is the epitome of it. You finally find him, east compound's outside palace's engawa. When your shadow over-casted him he looked up and batted his long eyelashes over mauve eyes with false-innocence.
"Ah, you found me," he said lightly as if he was merely waiting for tea to arrive. here he was — sitting prettily, writing poetry like some drifting court lady. You had half a mind to throw him into the koi pond. Not that Takao would mind that. His sacred protector can do anything she wants — he wants you to hold his life in your hands.