Would it be possible for my character to have a rival under similar circumstances then.

It would just be a neat sub plot of my character. Even if it's only short.

Roja could be one -[img=http://imgs.tuts.dragoart.com/how-to-draw-a-pretty-anime-girl_1_000000018462_5.png]

Pretty much a foil, the rivalry being that shes a honest aristocratic samuraiesque, and honor means everything to her.