The following morning, we thanked the innkeepers for taking care of us. Prince Shiro paid them a hefty amount, enough for them to close up the place and go on a vacation. If this was back in my world, they would've left to go on a retirement trip. The innkeepers were very thankful to the Prince for the payment. It was more than enough but it was also a warning to the innkeepers. Never to speak to anyone about our stay in the inn. That's what Prince Shiro wanted to happen. We left immediately after we paid them.
"I hope we're near the Capital." I whined as I stretched my arms and legs during our break. We've been traveling for a few hours now and I know I've seen the scenery before but I still wish we were back already. I want to go home and soak in a warm bath. My lower hip is aching so bad from traveling on a hors
The gates of the Capital opened for me and when I stepped inside, I felt at peace. I knew I was finally home and I'll be able to see the people that I've missed. Without waiting for Prince Shiro, I rode my horse once again and ran as fast as we could to my father's residence. It looked the same as it was when I left. The gates were open and I could see some of my father's servants cleaning. When I got to the gate, I dismounted my horse and ran inside. The servants who noticed me quickly greeted me."The young miss is back!" They said. I greeted them as well but I did it in a hurry since I really wanted to go inside and see my father. I opened the main door and I ran up to my father's office. The doors were closed and I could tell that he was inside. Before entering, I knocked on the door. I heard my father's voice telling me to come in. I bet he didn't know it was me. I opened the door and he was busy reading the reports on his desk."Father!" I called out
I told everyone that I would be heading off to the Imperial Palace to greet the Emperor. They all told me that they will be waiting for me and they’ll prepare a big feast for when I get back. I smiled and thanked them for welcoming me back even though I left so abruptly. I mounted my horse and rode towards the Palace. I saw most of Prince Shiro’s men outside of the Palace gates which meant they must have just arrived. “Young miss.” One of the guards recognized me and he bowed down to me. All of the other guards noticed and they all started greeting me. I greeted them back and I asked where Prince Shiro was. One of the men told me that he was already inside. I thanked them and I excused myself so I could go ahead and enter. As I was walking, I noticed the guard that tried to send out a message the other night. He was just standing there along with the others but his eyes were shifty. It seemed to me that h
“Lady Himawari.” One of the guards at the gate recognized me and greeted me politely. I smiled at him and he let me through. When I reached the doors of the palace, I got off my horse and walked inside. One of the servants took my horse and had it put to the stable while I was inside talking to the Emperor. I walked past a few of the servants who seemed to have recognized me. They greeted me and I greeted them back. When I arrived at the door of the audience chamber, one of the servants stopped me before I could enter. “Lady Himawari has arrived.” He announced before I entered. I thanked him for what he did and I walked in where I saw the Emperor and Prince Shiro talking. They both looked at me and I saw the huge smile on the Emperor’s face. He stood up from his chair and he walked all the way to where I was standing. I bowed my head, paying my respect to him but he tapped my shoulder and shook his
“You have contributed a great amount to the Empire, my child. And it makes me happy to know that you do all of this because of your love for the people. If you were to become the Empress, you would be loved by the people.” He said. I didn’t think the Emperor meant that in a negative light but more like he’s giving me the option. I smiled at his words and he knew what I meant with that smile.“If there is anything you wish for, I will grant it for you.” He told me. Just like before, he easily grants me a wish of my choosing. I wonder if the Emperor is hoping for me to wish for an engagement with Prince Shiro. I certainly think that’s what he wants, however, as much as I feel strongly about the prince, I am more worried about the underlying threat that is yet to be addressed. I cleared my throat to get the Emperor’s attention.
"A thorough investigation?" The Emperor asked me. I nodded firmly. Seeing as the Emperor was unsure of what I was talking about, I figured Prince Shiro hasn't told him of what happened. The Emperor looked at Prince Shiro and I and he was clearly waiting for an explanation. Prince Shiro cleared his throat before he spoke."During our stay at the Taiyou Empire, someone sabotaged the medicine that Lady Himawari had created for the people of Taiyou. Before she could admit who she worked for, she was poisoned. We have a reason to believe that the former Empress was behind it." Prince Shiro explained. I nodded and agreed with him on everything he just said. The Emperor was surprised but he quickly asked us the reason why we think it was the former Empress."The woman who sabotaged the medicine was from the Fallen Kingdom." I answered. The Emperor's eyes widened in shock. He probably never thought that the people of the Fallen Kingdom would come back to serve the
“Do you think it's a good idea?” I asked. I could tell Prince Shiro wanted to follow that man. I was also curious about where he would go but I knew that it wasn't the right time. We can't let our enemies know that we are suspicious of their actions. One thing I'm certain of is that the man who delivered that letter wanted to go to the forbidden tower. I would like to believe that the former empress was behind all of this, however this was clearly a path that anyone could walk on. If he were really to report to the former empress he wouldn’t use this path specifically. There was something strange afoot.“Do you think he would go to the former empress just like that? He looks too suspicious and obvious about what he's planning to do. If he was really a spy for the former empress, he wouldn’t just walk in front of us like this.” Prince Shiro said.&n
The following morning, I met up with Prince Shiro and the other investigators to proceed to the Forbidden Tower to question the former Empress. I'm not really expecting a confession from her but I'm curious how she'll react to our questions. It's a given that the Empress is the most likely suspect however, I still have this bad feeling in the pit of my stomach. My gut tells me that we're looking in the wrong place. I shook my head and focused on the investigation. "Are you okay?" Prince Shiro asked me. I nodded and told him that we should go now so we don't waste any time. He agreed and told the other investigators to proceed immediately. We were granted permission to enter the Forbidden Tower. The Empress was locked up in the cell at the very top of the tower. This was to prevent her from trying to escape and for other escape attempts to be futile since all of the floors have their corresponding guards. Even if someone tries to help her, it would prove too difficult.
We left the tower after we questioned the Former Empress. I could tell that Prince Shiro was a bit disappointed with how it went but I knew he'd be excited to hear what I'm about to say. Since I don't trust the other investigators, I told them that Prince Shiro and I have somewhere to be so we will have to leave first. They didn't say anything as we left the area to go to the garden. Prince Shiro was confused why I told the investigators that but he just followed me without asking."It's not the Empress." I told him. It was clear to me that he was still confused about the whole situation."What do you mean?" He asked. I explained and told him that I don't think it was the former Empress. The way she reacted to the question was a sign telling me that it wasn't her. Plus my gut was telling me otherwise so I had to follow it. Of course, I explained it all to Prince Shiro. I know he might find my reasoning a bit questionable but I trust in my gut and I know he
“Miss, here are the papers that need your signature for the finalization of the Spring Collection that will be featured in our fashion show.” My assistant came into my office and handed me a stack of papers. My name is Nagatsuka Akina, I’m the Founder and CEO of Hanazu Couture. Although my company hasn’t been around for as long as the other famous brands out there, we’ve become a household name in the fashion industry. I’ve worked tirelessly for the last 15 years to make this company what it is today.“Miss, I’ve received a call from...your father.” My assistant reluctantly told me. I had instructed her before that any business with regards to my family, I will not accept. I’ve told her that if anyone called saying they were my immediate family, disregard what they say and blacklist their number so they won’t be able to call again. She
I walked towards the shadow guard who called for me. When I was finally in front of him, he slowly lowered his mask, revealing his face. This was considered taboo for a shadow guard. No one, not even their master should see their faces. That was the only secret they were allowed to keep from their masters. I was surprised when he pulled down his mask."What are you doing?" I asked him frantically. I didn't want him to get into trouble. He shook his head and sat down on the windowsill. He was calm and it didn't seem like he was going to cause trouble. I relaxed my shoulders a bit and I took a step back from him."Why did you do that?" I asked. He was looking down on the floor when I asked that question. He turned his head towards me and shrugged."All this time, I believed that the master that I was serving was a good person. I knew of his story yet I couldn't understand the decision he made." He answered. I wasn't able to recall any memories fr
“Miss, here are the papers that need your signature for the finalization of the Spring Collection that will be featured in our fashion show.” My assistant came into my office and handed me a stack of papers. My name is Nagatsuka Akina, I’m the Founder and CEO of Hanazu Couture. Although my company hasn’t been around for as long as the other famous brands out there, we’ve become a household name in the fashion industry. I’ve worked tirelessly for the last 15 years to make this company what it is today.“Miss, I’ve received a call from...your father.” My assistant reluctantly told me. I had instructed her before that any business with regards to my family, I will not accept. I’ve told her that if anyone called saying they were my immediate family, disregard what they say and blacklist their number so they won’t be able to call again. She
We arrived at the Imperial Palace and all of the guards weren't present outside. This was really unusual since guards were supposed to be stationed all over the Palace to ensure the safety of his Majesty. Whatever is happening must be big for all of these changes to happen. Prince Shiro held my hand as we ran towards the audience chamber of the Palace. There were guards sprawled all over the place, thankfully there was no blood which means the guards are only unconscious and not dead. When we arrived at the audience chamber, I was shocked to see the chancellor, on his knees in front of the Emperor. Imperial guards and Shadow guards were scattered all over the whole room, all of them were unconscious. "Father!" I instinctively called out.
"The Emperor knew of the Empress' schemes however he was unable to stop her. The fight for the throne was a battle that your mother shouldn't have been a part of yet she was killed because of it. The Chancellor was blinded by his grief and anger over the loss of your mother. Ever since then, in his heart, he blamed the Emperor for the death of his wife." The shadow guard finished his story. I couldn't believe what I heard. How could something like this happen to Himawari's family? Is this the price the chancellor had to pay by being so close to the Imperial Family? "But it wasn't because the Emperor didn't do anything for the Chancellor, he was unable to do anything for fear of the people's reaction towards the Imperial Family. He had to keep everything in secret and so the crimes of the Empress were never investigated and she was never found guilty for all the people she killed and all the crimes she committed. Until recently, when you exposed her crimes for the whole
I walked towards the shadow guard who called for me. When I was finally in front of him, he slowly lowered his mask, revealing his face. This was considered taboo for a shadow guard. No one, not even their master should see their faces. That was the only secret they were allowed to keep from their masters. I was surprised when he pulled down his mask. "What are you doing?" I asked him frantically. I didn't want him to get into trouble. He shook his head and sat down on the windowsill. He was calm and it didn't seem like he was going to cause trouble. I relaxed my shoulders a bit and I took a step back from him. "Why did you do that?" I asked. He was looking down on the floor when I asked that question. He turned his head towards me and shrugged. "All this time, I believed that the master that I was serving was a good person. I knew of his story yet I couldn't understand the decision he made." He answered. I wasn't able to recall any memories
I didn't know how long I was trapped in my room but it felt like forever. The shadow guards would put water and food down by my door during meal time. I tried talking to them but they were silent as usual. The maids never came around to my room either. Even Mei, who would usually be with me, never came to visit. Did father do something to her? DId she leave or is she just following my father's orders? Either way, I really have to get out of here. All my windows had shadow guards under them. I couldn't even try to escape through them. There was no other way for me to contact the outside world. I was locked up and trapped inside my room. It's been a few days and maybe Prince Shiro will figure something out. Unless my father talked to him about my whereabouts, he would surely try to look for me. "Hima..." I heard father's voice on the other side of the door. I walked closer hoping to hear what he had to say. "I hope you're not putting your fait
I was in front of the door to my father's office. My heart was pounding in my chest and I was unsure of whether or not I should confront him directly or investigate further before I jump to conclusions. I trust my father but it was just too suspicious of him to be in contact with the First Prince all this time. My gut is telling me that I should get to the bottom of it. After all, I know he wouldn't hurt me. If he really wanted to hurt me, he could've done so long ago. I took a deep breath before I knocked on my father's door. I slid it open when I heard his voice calling for me. He was standing by his desk, a cup of tea in his hand. He was looking out the window when I came in. He turned his head towards me and smiled. When I saw my father like that, I felt guilty for concluding that he was a bad guy when I haven't even heard of his side yet. Maybe it was all just my own misunderstanding. "You called for me, father?" I asked. He nodded and pointed towards the
I had to know more. I had to be sure that my father was innocent and that he wasn't involved in any way. There was an unsettling feeling in the pit of my stomach and I didn't like it. I didn't know how to go about with my day knowing that my father could be an accomplice. But I couldn't understand anything. If it was true, why would he do that? Why would he work with the first prince to kill the Emperor? If I was right that the First Prince was the one behind the assassination attempt on me and Prince Shiro, that wouldn't make any sense. He's my father, he wouldn't do anything to hurt me. "Miss? Are you still awake?" Mei knocked on my door. I quickly composed myself as to not seem too suspicious. I told her that I was still awake and she slowly opened the door and peeked her head through. "The master is calling for you." She said. I felt my heart drop to my stomach. This is such a coincidence. My father calling me right when I was being suspicious of him.