Chapter 281: Veiled in Love ( 281 )
The morning.
The soft chirping of birds greeted the dawn as light filtered gently through the shōji screens of the Kitayama residence.
A calm breeze passed through the open windows, carrying with it the faint scent of pine and salt from the distant sea.
Inside one of the guest rooms, silence reigned—soft, sacred.
Kyouko sat gracefully before a mirror, her back straight, her eyes downcast in quiet focus. The shiromuku wedding kimono draped over her shoulders like a cloud—pure white, embroidered with cranes and waves, flowing down her arms like silken snow.
Two assistants were carefully adjusting the layers while another prepared the traditional tsunokakushi headpiece, meant to veil the bride’s "horns of jealousy" and show obedience and serenity. But for Kyouko, it was simply a custom, a graceful gesture she had never needed.
Hanako stood by the door, arms folded gently. Her expression was unreadable for a moment... and then she chuckled softly when Kyouko, looking faintly uncomfortable, raised a hand as the makeup artist reached for the full brush set.
"I’m sorry," Kyouko said, her voice barely above a whisper. "Can we just use the light one...?"
Her tone was polite, but hesitant.
Hanako smiled, stepping closer.
"Just lipstick, then," she said warmly, turning to the makeup artist. "She doesn’t need anything else. My daughter is already beautiful."
The makeup artist bowed slightly, understanding the quiet elegance this bride wished to preserve.