Seal of Love. Book 2

By Olga Kryuchkova

Chapter 6. Loss of Illusions. Two weeks later, a marriage ceremony took place at Fujiwara no Tametoki's estate: Murasaki and Keiko became spouses. As is customary in such cases, they spent three nights together, after which, following the capital’s fashion, a specially invited Buddhist monk officially declared them husband and wife.
Murasaki, as expected by the courtesan Hitoromi, who was experienced in love affairs, did not open up fully to Keiko. Murasaki expected something more from the three wedding nights... However, she herself did not know what exactly she wanted. In vain did Keiko, trained by a specially hired courtesan, strive to prove himself as a gentle and sensitive lover. He found himself disappointed by his wife's indifference and coldness.
Murasaki kept her promise and became an obedient wife for Keiko. He could well be proud of her beauty and education, but the young man lacked the main thing: satisfying his ardent passion. Murasaki couldn’t give him this, and maybe she didn’t want to.
Ayako, whose wedding took place almost immediately after Murasaki’s, showed herself completely differently. On the very first night spent with Michisada, Ayako brought down so much passion on him that the young man ‘ascended to the paradise gardens’ several times in a row. However, Michisada himself was a passionate lover.
At the end of the wedding celebrations, Keiko and Murasaki moved to Heian, to a house on the Second Line, bought for the newlyweds jointly by the Fujiwara family, and then Tametoki, with a sense of accomplishment, set off to take the position of governor of Awaji Province.
No sooner had Ayako and Murasaki exchanged a couple of letters than Michisada received an appointment to Izumi Province as governor. Ayako’s father contributed to this, especially since the Masamune clan owned a fair part of Izumi Province. In short, shortly after her wedding, Ayako went to Murasaki on a farewell visit.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Olga Kryuchkova
• Release date: Jan 28, 2024
• ISBN: 9798215910276

Olga Kryuchkova

Olga Kryuchkova began her creative career in 2006. During this time, the author had more than 100 publications and reprints (historical novels, historical adventures, esotericism, art therapy, fantasy). A number of novels were co-written with Elena Kryuchkova.

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Olga Kryuchkova

Seal of Love

Book 2

Cover Design: Cover Generated by AI (NightCafe)

Short description

Murasaki finds herself in a cycle of palace intrigue, learns love, the bitterness of loss and disappointment. Eventually, Murasaki becomes the Empress' lady-in-waiting...

This story is fiction and any similarity to real people or events are coincidental.

In story there are names of real people who lived in the past. But their characters, relationships and family ties, the description of their life in this story are fiction.

This story is completely fiction.

Chapter 6. Loss of Illusions

Two weeks later, a marriage ceremony took place at Fujiwara no Tametoki's estate: Murasaki and Keiko became spouses. As is customary in such cases, they spent three nights together, after which, following the capital’s fashion, a specially invited Buddhist monk officially declared them husband and wife.

Murasaki, as expected by the courtesan Hitoromi, who was experienced in love affairs, did not open up fully to Keiko. Murasaki expected something more from the three wedding nights... However, she herself did not know what exactly she wanted. In vain did Keiko, trained by a specially hired courtesan, strive to prove himself as a gentle and sensitive lover. He found himself disappointed by his wife's indifference and coldness.

Murasaki kept her promise and became an obedient wife for Keiko. He could well be proud of her beauty and education, but the young man lacked the main thing: satisfying his ardent passion. Murasaki couldn’t give him this, and maybe she didn’t want to.

Ayako, whose wedding took place almost immediately after Murasaki’s, showed herself completely differently. On the very first night spent with Michisada, Ayako brought down so much passion on him that the young man ‘ascended to the paradise gardens’ several times in a row. However, Michisada himself was a passionate lover.

At the end of the wedding celebrations, Keiko and Murasaki moved to Heian, to a house on the Second Line, bought for the newlyweds jointly by the Fujiwara family, and then Tametoki, with a sense of accomplishment, set off to take the position of governor of Awaji Province.

No sooner had Ayako and Murasaki exchanged a couple of letters than Michisada received an appointment to Izumi Province as governor. Ayako’s father contributed to this, especially since the Masamune clan owned a fair part of Izumi Province. In short, shortly after her wedding, Ayako went to Murasaki on a farewell visit.

This time the meeting of the cousins went differently than some time ago at Tametoki's house. The girls bowed to each other modestly, like grown ladies. At the same time, Murasaki immediately noticed that Ayako had blossomed wonderfully and become very attractive. Ayako, in turn, drew attention to her sister’s unnatural pallor and bruises under her eyes, which even the special powder used in such cases could not hide.

The sisters walked around the garden, and Murasaki was silent, not wanting to be the first to start a conversation. It seemed like something was weighing on her...

Then Ayako, remembering the old times and forgetting about formalities, asked a direct question:

What happened, sister? I see you don't sleep much at night. I would think your marriage was a success, but you seem sad... and even depressed.

Murasaki tried to smile.

It seems to me, Ayako, that family life is not for me.

Ayako raised her eyebrows in surprise.

Then what is it for you? A remote mountain monastery where you will bury your youth and write melancholy poems? By the way, no one will read them there. Unless the nuns...

Murasaki sighed heavily.

No, I don’t want to go to a monastery. Monastic life is not for me either. I got used to comfort and to my father's estate. And this new house... Everything in it is foreign.

Ayako was surprised:

What’s stopping you from moving back to your father’s estate? You can still live there, because your father left, and it’s still empty! Tell your husband that you need to improve your health, and let him come to you. The small obstacles that a man has to overcome in order to meet his beloved usually serve to strengthen love, she said admonishingly, as if in the short time of her adult life she had managed to become no less experienced than the courtesan Hitoromi.

It would be something to strengthen, Murasaki answered barely audibly and added bitterly. I didn’t think it would turn out like this.

Ayako stopped, grabbed her sister’s hands and said demandingly:

Tell me what happened. Has he disappointed you in bed?

Murasaki looked down.

No... Rather, I him... And he... that's why... a sudden attack of tears did not allow her to finish.

Great deities! Ayako exclaimed, hugged her sister and stroked her head, calming her down, but Murasaki only cried harder. Don’t be so sad, please...

I... I... I’m cold with him... Do you understand?! Murasaki admitted.

But why?

Murasaki sobbed, pulled away from her sister and wiped her tears with the sleeve of her kimono:

I don't like Keiko. I feel indifferent to him. I just do what he wants.

Ayako was confused because she could not understand: Keiko is handsome and shows himself with dignity in the marriage bed. What else does she need to love her husband? At the same time, it was obvious that the coldness shown by Murasaki was having its consequences.

Admit it, Keiko has begun to leave home often? Ayako asked.

Yes...

Undoubtedly, Keiko spent time in the arms of the capital's courtesans.

You will lose your husband, sister, Ayako remarked and again looked as if she had managed to get to know a lot of men, although no knowledge at all was required to predict Murasaki’s fate.

I think that I lost my husband on the very first night we spent together... was the sad answer.

Perhaps we should call Hitoromi? Ayako suggested, who still did not have the life experience of a courtesan, and therefore did not know at all how to help in such cases.

Murasaki shook her head.

No I do not want. Let it be as it is.

But your husband will have another wife! Ayako exclaimed indignantly. Right after the wedding! Your reputation will be irreparably damaged.

I know.

But... Ayako tried to object, but immediately couldn’t find the right words to be convincing.

Do not say anything. Please, Murasaki begged. Better tell me about yourself. I heard that you are leaving Heian.

Yes. My husband and I are going to Izumi. My mother has a huge estate there. Michisada received the appointment of governor.

Murasaki smiled sadly. Looking at the satisfied Ayako, she did not dare to express her thoughts to her: Michisada is too young for such a position. Will he be able to bear the burden of power with dignity?

Ayako, meanwhile, was about to leave Murasaki’s house when she suddenly stopped, slightly opened her kimono on her chest and took out from under her clothes a small silver amulet with Chinese characters engraved on it.

Look... remembering about the amulet, Ayako made a last attempt to help her sister in some way.

What is this? Murasaki asked without any interest.

This is the seal of love. Chinese magic, Ayako explained. I visited Ōtomo no Kuronushi. Do you remember he was present at your coming of age? He still serves in the Bureau of Onmyō. Lord Ōtomo made the amulet for me... and another one for my husband.

Murasaki shrugged. She perfectly remembered lord Ōtomo no Kuronushi and the fortune scroll that she had received. If what was written in it was correct, then there was no hope for the beneficial power of amulets — they still wouldn’t help. Still, out of politeness, she should have asked Ayako in more detail:

And why do you need magic?

Amulets protect my and Michisada’s love.

Murasaki smiled.

You are so in love with each other that you don’t need magic.

But... Ayako tried to object. Ōtomo no Kuronushi can make such a seal of love that your husband will forget the way to the courtesans.

Murasaki smiled bitterly.

"No, Ayako. No one can escape