"If either Byakuya or Rukia objects to this marriage, then it won't be too late for us to adopt Rukia as our daughter."
"Either way, Rukia must bear the Kuchiki name for the rest of her life. What do you think?"
Ailin had meant those final words sincerely.
If Rukia did not bear the Kuchiki name, could she still be called Kuchiki Rukia?
The only difference was whether that "Kuchiki" belonged to Byakuya Kuchiki or Haruko Kuchiki.
"Sigh..."
Haruko Kuchiki let out a sigh.
Although arranging Byakuya Kuchiki's future marriage while Hisana Kuchiki was still alive seemed somewhat inappropriate, considering Byakuya's temperament, if she truly adopted Rukia as her daughter, then Rukia would become Byakuya's sister.
If that happened, there was a strong possibility that Byakuya's future would become exactly as Ailin had described.
Either he would cling to his love for Hisana and live out his life alone, bearing the guilt of ending the Kuchiki Clan's lineage and being too ashamed to face its ancestors.
Or he would compromise with the Kuchiki Clan, betray his love for Hisana, and marry a woman he did not love solely to continue the family line.
But would that Byakuya Kuchiki still be Byakuya?
"Don't worry, Haruko."
"None of us can say what the future holds."
"But I will do my best to clear away the thorns in the road ahead, so Byakuya's future will not be so bleak and dark."
"Mm, I know."
Haruko Kuchiki leaned against Ailin's chest, her gaze distant. "Ailin, meeting you has been the greatest blessing of my life."
"Mm, mine too."
Hisana Kuchiki ultimately did not make it through that night.
However, she left this world smiling in Byakuya Kuchiki's arms.
After Hisana died, her body dissolved into reishi, leaving behind only a set of white