Let’s see, it was right about the time when I finished my job as lady of the court for the emperor, and I was spending my days enjoying the quiet area of Yamashina. I’m not even sure when we first met, but the general from Fukakusa started writing letters to me. I couldn’t believe it, the letters just kept coming in! I tried to shrug it off, telling myself he must be another one of those men who tease me for seducing the heart of the emperor. But I’ll tell you, this one was more stubborn than all the others combined.

I decided it was time to find out if his intentions were true or not. So I responded to his letter, saying “If you come visit me every night for 100 nights without fail, I will be yours.” Before you judge me, just think about it-- 100 days is what, three months give or take? If he was really serious, this would be an easy task.

And just like that, the General started coming night after night, just as I had asked. I wouldn’t let him see me, so he would leave one nutmeg seed at the gate, as proof for every night he visited. One, two… became ten, then twenty… and before I knew it, that turned into sixty, seventy… and just like that, I found myself awaiting the general’s visit every night.

99 nights had come and gone, and I had collected 99 nutmeg seeds. Though the 100th night was heavy snow, I still waited for the General, but he never showed. As I expected all along, my affection must not have been worth going out in the snow...

… It was only later when I heard the news-- the General had left town, as usual, alone in a snowstorm. Eventually, they found his body frozen under the snow, and, iced into his right hand, a nutmeg seed.

Oh no! What have I done? I finally, finally found someone who was truly devoted to me, and I ruined it all. How could this be?

I took the 99 nutmeg seeds from the General and planted each one. Hopefully, our love which was never realized will grow into a beautiful tree one day...