4 - Do you like these?

The dining hall was large and bustling when they arrived. Servants hurried under a tall ceiling, carrying trays laden with food or pitchers of drink. The center of the room was covered with plush bamboo mats, and the guests knelt or sat to eat at low, beautifully carved and lacquered wooden tables. The tables were arranged in the same manner throughout all of the empire, with the highest ranking individuals near the center of the room. Conversation abounded, chatter echoing happily off of the walls.

A table near the center caught Saera's attention. She approached, feeling Risa melt away into the background behind her, and courageously slapped a smile on her face. She bowed politely when she reached the table, and Jin, who had been seated, jumped up immediately when he saw her to do the same. He positioned a pillow for Saera to kneel upon, taking his own seat only after she had folded her legs beneath her. Neither spoke, but Saera watched the man with a guarded expression, untrusting.

Glancing around the room, Saera noticed the Mina family's four eldest members seated in the center of the room. They were ringed by older members of the noble family, and she was seated with Jin at a table one step behind Akira and Jin's parents. Akira sat quietly, his hands in his lap, seemingly lost in thought. His shoulders were slumped forward, his face gaunt. Saera wondered at his health, but her thoughts were interrupted by the feeling of eyes upon her. She glanced to the left to find Jin watching her curiously. Jin flushed with embarrassment but smiled, as if unashamed to have been caught, his grin wide and natural on his face.

Haruo arrived then, taking a seat to Saera's right. The man from her childhood wasted no time, immediately bombarding Saera with conversation. He was quick to speak and seemed to have constant good humour. He regaled her with memories of her childhood, reminding her of how small she had been, and how much she had grown. The small woman beside him he introduced as his wife, and she too joined the conversation, gushing about how close she had been with Saera's mother, and how she had cared for Saera as just an infant. This newfound connection to her parents was so riveting to Saera that she nearly forgot about the man next to her, engrossed in conversation.

As dishes began to be carried out from the kitchens, Saera sighed in amazement. The food ranged from simple to intricate, but every dish, containing just a few portions, had the detail of a piece of art. Pickled vegetables, carved into the shapes of flowers and leaves. A rich broth in which simmered round red berries. Small strips of venison and fish marinated in salted paste and herbs. Candied potato slices, ranging from orange to white to purple. Hot barley tea to cleanse the palate, followed by cups of hot rice wine, refilled before you could even raise your hand. Saera watched the girl carrying the hot pitcher of alcohol, tempted to hide her nerves in the drink, but when she noticed Jin refusing alcohol in its entirety, she quickly did the same. It wouldn't do to be outwitted on the first night.

And then came more dishes: a small, steaming clay bowl with a candle underneath, that when lit, transformed the milk above it into a smooth soybean custard. Grilled eel. Cold buckwheat noodles. Sweetened omelet. Spiced jelly with cold fermented beans and fish roe. Beautifully hand folded pork dumplings. Saera laughed with delight as Haruo explained all the dishes to her, and was wonderfully surprised when Haruo's three young daughters came to her table with an offering of battered, intricately carved burdock root and looked at her with shining eyes.

Saera barely had a moment to look at, let alone speak, to the man beside her, and she made no effort to change that. Jin sat tall and straight throughout the meal, a handsome jacket wrapped across his chest and secured with a thick belt. Though the fabric of his clothing was rich and thick, the style was simple and classic. He appeared to be well liked and remained deep in conversation. Every now and then Saera would hear him laugh, a soft, warm sound, but he spoke softly enough that her attention was always pulled away by Haruo's loud and animated storytelling. The food was all delicious, and with the welcoming, friendly atmosphere, Saera found herself beginning to relax. She forgot her resentment towards the man seated beside her, and focused instead on Haruo's stories, clinging to his company to avoid speaking to her husband to be.

In due time dessert began to be served. Saera had always had an appreciation for sweets. Almond cookies pressed into the shapes of leaves left the kitchens, followed by rich green tea whipped into foam, sweet clear jelly with red berries. Saera trained her eyes on her favorite dish, a platter of soft rice cakes carried by a thin serving boy.

"Do you like these?"

Saera started in surprise. This was the first time Jin had spoken directly to her, his voice low and soft in her ear. She hadn't realized he had been watching her, and he was now gazing down at her. He reached to a passing serving boy and plucked two of the rice cakes casually with his chopsticks, depositing them on her plate without another word. He turned back to the conversation to his left, his casual attention bringing a flush to Saera's cheeks. She noticed with interest that he wore an earring, a silver chain that dangled down past his jaw and flashed in the light.

As the night droned on, Saera felt herself tiring. She tired of reciting the same formal greetings and began to turn away the food, her appetite dwindling. Haruo had departed with his young children, and so she sat quietly, nibbling on mint leaves, close enough to Jin that she could feel the heat of his body. It would be disrespectful for her to depart the feast without Jin, and even this frustrated Saera, who had come accustomed to independence. She felt petty resentment rising in her chest; resentment towards the Mina, for making her marry; towards Akira, who made her look a fool; and resentment towards Jin, who acted shy and polite, but who, as her husband, would have more power over her than herself. Without Haruo to distract her, Saera's mood began to worsen. When Jin rose to leave, Saera jumped up, her legs stiff from sitting so long. She hurried through the formalities, politely bidding good night to her hosts and complimenting the food, but then she faltered - she didn't even know how to exit the hall. Anxiety began to rush over her, and she wished desperately to be back home, where every servant and doorway was familiar to her. She suddenly felt a grip on her elbow, expertly hidden in her wide sleeves. Jin guided her out of the great room, leaving the bustle behind, releasing her arm only once the door had slid closed behind them.

It was immediately quieter in the hall. They walked in silence, their footsteps reverberating softly against the flooring. Jin walked slightly in front of Saera, leading the way to a separate wing and up a flight of stairs to a large, secluded room. It was farther than she'd expected, but she followed without a word, unsure of what to say. We didn't even properly introduce ourselves. Jin pushed open a heavy door and waited for her to come inside before closing and latching it behind her.

The room was large, larger than any Saera had occupied before. A small area with seating and a wide, soft rug stood between them and a tall four post bed, made of richly lacquered wood and covered neatly in white sheets. Off to one side of the room stood a large wardrobe and a writing desk, strewn with sheets of parchment. Empty woven baskets had been stacked in front of the wardrobe, having carried Saera's clothing that was now neatly hung in the wardrobe for her. Because the room was set against an outer wall, the walls were thick stone, not thin wooden screens like Saera's home. A rich tapestry of the family crest hung on one wall, the door next to it leading to a conjoined wet room, where one could bathe. The room was simple, but neatly maintained.

Jin cleared his throat quietly, moving forward into the room, and Saera tensed. She steeled herself for what was to come, her hands clenched into fists and hidden in the folds of her skirt.