[ DISCONTINUED ] Reborn: Runaway Bride

Chapter 01: The Death

Ai Shizuka sat silently in her confined room as she watched the swaying trees in the midst of a stormy weather. A vast land of vegetations surrounded her accommodation, placing her in a lonely and secluded existence.

One of the trees stood out single-handedly, despite not having any protection from its surroundings. The lone tree shivered violently against the merciless brewing winds as it tried desperately to remain rooted on the ground.

How admirable... Ai Shizuka thought sadly as she slowly brought up her thin hand in the direction of the tree, hoping to provide comfort and security despite not having the ability to do so.

Just before her hand could even reach the window frame, her door abruptly swung open.

Ai Shizuka paused, turning her head towards the door slowly yet expectantly, knowing full well of what was about to happen.

Dressed in a crisp, dark military uniform, there stood an extraordinarily handsome man with a cold demeanour. The man had furrowed his brows in obvious displeasure and the corners of his thin lips were slightly pulled down.

Ai Shizuka smiled slightly in self-deprecation despite her unfortunate circumstances. This man... Jin Omaru, is someone whom she devoted her whole heart to and the husband and life partner that she loved deeply and dearly, even more than her own life. Yet the very same man was looking at her in such coldness and unhappiness.

Staring silently at the cold man in front her, Ai was once again reminded of the first time she heard his name.

The youngest regent general of her generation, Jin Omaru. With his successive victories and military achievements, Jin was an unattainable, fearless war god. He was brave, handsome and valiant, the type of man that every young girls dream to have as a lover. Silly girl she was, she had unknowingly fallen for him even before she met him in person.

Despite Jin's obvious reluctance, Ai had done everything she could to have him by her side. From convincing her father about the marriage to removing any competitions in the path towards Jin's affection, she had done everything in the name of love.

To her, Jin only deserved the best and she was the only one who could provide that.

*cough*

Someone cleared their throat succinctly, directing her attention back to the present. She was greeted by the usual expressionless face of Jin. His eyes stone-cold and unfeeling as he stared silently back at her.

Jin stood staring at his wife as she sat weakly on an old broken chair in a desolated room. She was wearing a worn-out light blue kimono that had seen the better days and her luscious silver hair that used to shine brilliantly had now lost its lustre and fell limply past her waist. Despite the shabby clothes and the apparent lack of care in her appearance, Ai remained an unwavering beauty that could make men stop dead in their tracks, including himself.

Jin didn't move and stood rigidly, still vividly entranced by the beauty of the woman whom he had shared numerous intimate nights with.

Jin felt a soft tug on his sleeves and an innocent and bright pair of violet eyes gazed back at him, reminding him of the reason why he had come to the confined room in the first place.

Miko Yamato, Magistrate's daughter and his current wife stood beside him, looking at him expectantly as she tugged on his sleeves once more impatiently.

Snapping his attention back, Jin relayed the verdict to Ai stoically.

"Ai Shizuka, you are now stripped of your affiliation to Omaru household and exiled from the region of Shinto. This is due to the crime of Shizuka family betraying Shinto and heads of Shizuka family had been executed."

As immediate as it was, the calm eyes of the ex-mistress flashed with many emotions.

Shock... grief... anger... madness...

Suddenly the grief-stricken lady started to laugh humourlessly. Her whole body shook violently with twisted laughter, while tears flowed down her cheeks unrestrained.

Despite her mad appearance, Jin's heart ached. He couldn't do anything to help her family. Like Ai, her family was stubborn and loyal, mindlessly doing everything for their young miss, be it right or wrong. After all, this punishment was fair and just. They only received what was coming for them.

"Papa...and brother.... the-they did it for me... now they are gone... it's all my fault...an-and... it's also your fault!", Ai muttered in a disturbed frenzy as her pale golden eyes snapped to Jin and Miko's direction.

Subconsciously, Jin's hands reached out to hold Ai. But he was immediately interrupted when the latter suddenly lunged with a silver concealed weapon.

In a reflex, Jin blocked out the attack and tried to take the weapon away. But Ai was too far gone. In her maddened state and struggle, the weapon ended up logged in her chest as blood started to pool through her clothes.

Jin pulled his hands away from the bloodstained knife as he caught the falling Ai into his arms. For the first time in his life, tears started to gather in the eyes of the cold expressionless general.

Gone was the fierce lady with many manipulative schemes, gone was the headstrong girl who constantly chased after him. Instead, laying in his arms limply was the pale broken body of a former temptress.

Jin's whole body shook with sobs as Ai shakily reached out her hands to cup the face of her beloved one last time, smearing his handsome face with blood from her bloodstained hands.

With a bittersweet smile, Ai choked out tiredly, "Jin Omaru, if I get to live another life, I promise... I promise that I won't ever fall in love with you again."

With that vow in mind, Ai resolutely closed her eyes and fully embraced the darkness that enveloped her.