Father and I decided to go to the Imperial Palace earlier than we were expected. Before we left, I asked Mei to deliver the medicine I concocted last night to Muichiro. She nodded her head and proceeded to take the medicine. In the carriage, Father kept staring at me. I knew he wanted to ask something and I couldn’t help but ask.
It was difficult to find the ingredients for the antidote but with a stroke of luck, I managed to find most of it in just a few days. Based on my observation, the Emperor has been poisoned for some time now so I need to administer the antidote as quickly as possible. It’ll take a few days or maybe even weeks but it’s something I have to do for the sake of this Empire. Whoever is poisoning the Emperor is out there and I bet he’s planning something diabolical.
The antidote was finally made and I made sure that it was enough, if not, more than enough to cure the Emperor. I made sure to incorporate the antidote in something the Emperor wouldn’t find weird or out of the ordinary. And there’s nothing weird about an alien blue tea. I prepared everything and I called for Mei.
For the next few days, I made sure to come by the Imperial Palace for tea with the Emperor. So far, he hasn’t been suspicious of my intentions. However, ever since I told Prince Shiro about trust, he won’t leave me alone whenever I’m in the Palace. He would follow me around but he doesn’t speak to me. It gets bothersome for me but I have to learn to deal with it if I’m going to save the Emperor.
“Is there a problem father? You look worried.” I asked him the moment we were left alone. He paced the room, looking more worried than before. I felt guilty, maybe my father found out about the reason why I visit the Emperor almost everyday. Maybe Prince Shiro and I have been found out. But that’s impossible. We were very careful about our secret. The more my father kept silent, the more scared I got.
The rain hasn't stopped and it looks like it won't be stopping anytime soon. I looked over at Prince Shiro who was busy tending the fire. He's not showing it but I know the poison must be hurting him. We took our time running from those bandits that the poison had enough time to get into his system. I moved closer towards him and examined his wound.
After the Emperor spoke to me about my loyalty to Prince Shiro, he and the Empress left. It was also getting late so I needed to get back home as well."Do you really mean what you said?" Prince Shiro asked all of a sudden. I turned to him and sighed.
As we agreed on, Prince Shiro and I only met when it was time to have tea with the Emperor. We made sure that we weren't being too close to each other to fool the First Prince. Pretty soon, the bait was working. The First Prince came to the pavilion when both the Emperor and Prince Shiro had left. I was busy sorting out the pouch of tea that I brought and I didn't notice him."Hell Lady Himawari. It's a surprise to see you here alone." He said. I t
It's been almost 2 weeks since Prince Shiro and I had talked without the Emperor to accompany us. I couldn't let the First Prince's trust towards me falter so I had to resort to avoiding Prince Shiro at all cost. I don't know how many men are following my every move but I can't let anyone be in danger."The Royal Hunt will be in a few days, you used to enjoy coming to the hunting ground along with the other ladies, do you want to do that again?" Father asked me while we were having breakfast. From what I can remember from Himawari's memories, she hated meeting with the other ladies in the hunting grounds. She was always the subject of ridicule because of how quiet she is and more so because she's in love with Prince Shiro. Apparently, Prince Shiro is one of the most sought out bachelors in the Empire. The fact that he's engaged to Lady Himawari makes all the other ladies angry. I don't know if I have the strength and energy to go on cat fights."Am I allowed
“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.