9 CHAPTER SEVEN

"Your Highness." Sakae called as she knocked Toyomike's door.

"Do not disturb her Highness." Sina shouted from the inside.

"I am afraid that there is news that I need to deliver to her in person and it is per the demands of the Empress." Sakae said.

"Her Highness is unwilling to see anyone at this moment." Sina said.

"What if I heard it from her in person?" Sakae asked.

Sina was immediately frightened at the thought of that.

"If she knows that the Princess isn't in the palace then I'll be in very big trouble." She thought to herself.

Outside, after a while without receiving an answer from inside, Sakae naturally became curious as well.

"Is Her Highness alright?" Sakae asked. " Is she even inside her Chambers?" She added.

"Yes." Sina replied.

"Very well then, I'll take my leave." Sakae said as she turned around with a ghastly smile on her face and then walked away.

"Your Highness." Saio Shinaga told the Empress.

"What is it?" The Empress asked.

"There is something that I find appropriate to let you know." The High Priestess replied.

"Proceed." The Empress accepted.

"I really don't know very well but I have a very bad feeling about the Crown Prince's return to the capital." The High Priestess said.

"Don't let your feelings get the best of you, after all, it has been nearly fifteen years since the Crown Prince had deserted the Capital in the name of going around the Empire.

It is natural that if he returns he still has so much to do and not to mention opposition is bound to rise against him considering that he is the Emperor's successor." The Empress said.

"It's more than that Your Highness, for all that we know, I barely understand whose side he'll be on." The High Priestess said.

"Mine of course, since young the Crown Prince knew that perhaps listening to me was good enough for him as the future Emperor, in addition, his return and allegiance to me could make us more powerful in the inner and Imperial courts.

It is that amount of immense power that we'd have to make us able to prevail against Iname, after all his pillar who is the Emperor can not live that long anymore." The Empress said.

"Aren't you afraid that Iname already knows about this Your Highness?" The High Priestess asked.

"I am certain of Iname's thoughts and he thinks that I'd think he'd try to win the Crown Prince's favour yet even he knows that against me he stands no chance and possibility of doing so." The Empress said.

"What do you think Iname would do Your Highness?" The High Priestess asked.

"There's two things that Iname can do as the position of Crown Prince can be stripped and given off to someone else.

His last resort is to have the Emperor elevate one of his sons through his daughters so that he could Master the rule of the Empire behind the curtain." The Empress replied.

"Your Highness, are you saying.....?" The High Priestess asked.

"Yes." The Empress replied. " At this point in time, Katashishime and Ōane no Kimi are bound to act as one of their sons is bound to compete with the Crown Prince for the Chrysanthemum throne." The Empress added.

"Your Highness." Sakae said as she walked in and bowed her head.

"Saio." She said as she also bowed to the High Priestess.

"What is it?" The Empress asked.

"Her Highness the Imperial Princess." Sakae replied.

"What is wrong with her?" The Empress asked.

"I wanted to see her in person and convey to her your message." Sakae replied. " She doesn't want to see anyone but it is awkward that she can not speak up and Sina keeps on replying on her behalf." Sakae said.

"Really?" The High Priestess asked.

"Yes." Sakae replied.

"So you are implying that she is not in the Palace?" The Empress asked.

"Most certainly." Sakae said.

The High Priestess and the Empress became suspicious.

"Sina refuses to open the door to me but I think that if Your Highness would go there herself then she'd forcefully comply and let you in.

Besides, if the Imperial Princess is not inside the palace then it is something that we could use to our advantage very well." Sakae said.

The High Priestess and the Empress looked at each other curiously.

The two women got up themselves and then they walked into the Imperial Princess' courtyard and positioned themselves right in front of the door where they were greeted by the Royal guards.

"Your Highness, Saio." They said while bowing their heads.

"Step aside." The Empress said.

"Your Highness, the Princess....." One of the guards was still saying but the Empress slapped him.

"How dare you talk back, I am the Empress and I am not asking." The Empress said.

"Yes, Your Highness, forgive me." The Royal guard said as he moved to the side and let the three women along with a few palace maids to walk past him.

Sakae stood up and called out to Sina again.

"Your Highness, the Empress wishes to talk to you." Sakae asked.

"Her Highness is asleep and she doesn't wish to be interrupted, you can tell me and I'll pass on the news directly to her." Sina replied.

"I told you I must deliver the News in person." Sakae said.

"Sort Yourself." Sina said.

"Imperial Princess Toyomike." The Empress called herself in person and Sina on the other side kept quiet at once.

"Shall I speak to you in person?" The Empress added when Katashishime and her maids walked into the vicinity and the Emperor came too from another side.

"What are you doing here Your Highness?" Katashishime asked.

"Can I not pay the Imperial Princess a visit?" The Empress asked.

"What's going on here?" The Emperor asked.

"Your Majesty, it seems like the Imperial Princess doesn't wish to see anyone according to Sina's words but the question at hand is why won't she even at least be kind enough to tell us in person?" The Empress asked.

"Toyomike is a very solitary person and you know her very well, she could have been angered by someone and she's chosen not to see anyone, I propose that we let her be." Katashishime replied.

"What if something bad has happened to her, what if she isn't even in the palace, what shall you do about that Consort Katashishime?" The Empress asked.

"What are you implying your Highness?" Katashishime asked.

"What is family for if not to offer comfort and consolation, if the Imperial Princess is in her Chambers as everyone claims then why not call her here in the open for everyone to see.

For all we know, she could be ill and she's only pretending not to see us or she has eloped from the palace." The Empress replied.

"Your Majesty." Katashishime said.

"I suppose that her Highness is right." The Emperor said.

Hardly had he spoken when the doors to Princess Toyomike's private quarters were opened.

The Imperial Princess Toyomike walked out of her room in all her Royal splendor and was followed by Sina who walked closely behind her while keeping her head down.

"Your Majesty." The Princess said as she bowed her head.

"Your Highness." The Emperor honoured his daughter.

"Forgive me for my impertinance Your Majesty and I did not mean to impose on any of you that are gathered here.

Sina here was merely reacting according to my orders and I did not wish to talk to anyone in the time being as I was conducting my own personal prayers." The Princess said.

"Your Highness then, would you please be very kind to tell us the reason as to why Sina said that you were sleeping instead of praying?" The Empress asked.

The Princess gently descended from the height and came close to the Empress staring at her face to face.

"Mother." The Princess said whole facing her.

"You are in deed very wise and it was you who taught me that we needn't make an issue of it each time that we pray.

Heaven and the gods can only accept a heart that is humble and then and only then, even in our utmost secrecy can our every kind and humble request of prayer be granted." The Princess replied.

"But it was still me who taught you that lying isn't something virtuous for a woman and something honourable for a Princess." The Empress said.

"We could have taken it as a white lie after all above all men is the will of the gods and that very will rests with us to be fulfilled.

I admit to be in the wrong but I'd rather concur with heaven than with men who like me are born of nothing but frail flesh." The Princess replied as she bowed her head.

"Is that not it Your Highness, I suppose the Princess has proven her innocence and additionally met our absolute satisfaction." Consort Katashishime said with a smile on her face as she bowed her head.

"She certainly has." The Empress said.

"Considering the fact that Sakae was making quite a scene and demanding to have an audience with me at my doorstep mother to convey a message from you directly, now that you are here and so am I, it is alright if you pass on the vital news that you had for me here and now." The Princess said.

"Yes, you might have not been aware but the Crown Prince is coming back to the capital after nearly fifteen years when he'd been away, I personally wished to invite you to the feast where we were going to receive him as a family but now that I have learnt what a religious devotee you are I have changed my mind.

Not most of us are humble and kind and pure as you are so your offering of prayer on our behalf for the Crown Prince's wellbeing could excuse you from attending the feast." The Empress said.

"As you have said it mother, I initially had the same thought, rest assured, for as long as I pray, certainly no harm shall come to befall the Crown Prince." The Princess said with a smile as she bowed her head.

"Sure." The Empress said as she also bowed her head with a smile on her face as well.

"I suppose that settles it." The Emperor Kinmei said.

"Yes Your Majesty." Everyone said in unison as they bowed their heads.

The Princess and Sina entered the room.

"Your Highness, this is what I had feared in the first place, I hope you now find reason in what I was trying to imply.

"Relax, they didn't catch us and they never would have even if they had a chance." The Princess said.

"How did you manage to get past all those watchful eyes which make it totally very difficult to get in and out of the palace Your Highness." Sina asked.

The Princess then recalled how she'd made her way in in time.

Toyomike had arrived at the palace and there she sneaked through the back again.

She was cautious in her every movement not to make a single sound because she was well aware that even if it was just a Royal guard or a palace maid who saw her, she'd be in big trouble.

She tiptoed behind a series of hedges as she made it past some guards on duty.

She'd made it up to the back of her quarters where she'd called to Sina who threw a rope down for her and pulled her in.

"Hadn't it been for me Your Highness, you would have been in very big trouble." Sina said.

"I appreciate the fact that you helped me and now we need to be more careful though as I am very certain that the Empress could have become more and more curious about me now." Toyomike said.

"Yes Your Highness." Sina replied as she bowed her head.

The Empress walked into her own Chambers and there she sat down at her table.

"Your Highness." Sakae said. "I am sorry." she added.

"There is no need for you to apologise." The Empress said.

"No Your Highness, I made a mistake and because of that I need to be punished." Sakae insisted.

"We are all human and we all make mistakes in life, however, for the first time in my life, it surely feels as though this was an orchestrated move." The Empress said.

"Why Your Highness?" Sakae asked.

"Even I dj not know that as well but I can't ignore the fact that the Princess has become quite an unpredictable contender.

I wouldn't say that she has matured this fast even in her thoughts but should that even be the case then I must have underestimated her." The Empress said.

"But if she wasn't in her room, don't you think that it's a possibility that she came afterwards or May be by luck she happened to be in the right place at the right time." Sakae said.

"Or perhaps she was probably trying to scheme a way of unpopularising me." The Empress said.

"Maybe." Sakae said.

"But no, how vital is the Princess in Iname's game?" The Empress asked.

"Probably his Royal spy, may be he does put his hope in her given that she is smart and she has been mentored by both you and himself since childhood." Sakae replied.

"What if she is a distraction?" The Empress asked.

"I don't know." Sakae replied.

The Empress thought.

"One thing is certain though that whatever role the princess is playing whether independently or dependently, I can guarantee that it is contrary to our cause." The Empress said.

"It is necessary that we keep a close eye on the Princess Your Highness, I shall personally arrange for that." Sakae said.

"There is no need for that." The Empress halted Sakae.

"Why is it so Your Highness?" Sakae asked.

"Now is not yet the time for us to act, if we respond out of haste then we are certainly bound to fail. Besides, the Princess is equally smart so she is aware that we are now suspicious of her." The Empress replied.

"Then what should I do Your Highness?" Sakae asked.

"Convince her otherwise, Let's stay reserved and pretend as though we didn't really take it to be that much of a deal." The Empress replied. "Eventually, if she is well convinced and she lowers her guard down, then we'll cease that opportunity and act accordingly." She added as she smiled ghastly.

"Yes, Your Highness." Sakae agreed and she smiled as well.

"Father?" Umako called Iname.

"What is it?" Iname asked.

"The Empress." Umako replied.

"What happened to her?" Iname asked.

"Apparently, there was a showdown between the Empress and the Princess." Umako replied.

Iname who was very busy practicing some calligraphy ceased for a moment.

"She really is that strong willed, huh." Iname said as he resumed what he had been doing.

"I respect her two, she is merely sixteen years of age yet she is filled with such vigour towards the Empress." Umako said.

"I couldn't be more convinced in her ability to wreck havoc for herself knowing exactly how to play the game to extinguish it." Iname said.

"Father, sometimes I don't understand how you think." Umako said.

"No one does, not even the Empress, that is the only difference between me and her, we are all smart and wise thinkers, it's just that she is very predictable and I am not." Iname replied.

"I hold nothing against your wisdom father, you were gifted." Umako said.

"And I wish that you learn from me my son, because time shall come when I am no longer with you and your very aid for a shield and weapon for a sword is the Imperial Princess Toyomike.

She will rise at a certain time and become a very powerful woman in this country and it is necessary that you aid her and side with her before anyone else does because if she in one way or another becomes your foe, if you do not kill her first then she'll lead you to your grave." Iname replied.

Dusk loomed over the entire land and the Shikishima no Kanazashi palace was lively with lanterns and music.

A convoy that belonged to the Crown Prince and his family made its way through the streets and eventually halted at the entrance of the palace where the women of the inner court had gathered led by Ōane no Kimi.

The Crown Prince's palanquin was lowered and upon opening it, the Crown Prince walked out being followed by the Crown Princess and his firstborn son as they halted in their footsteps.

"Your Royal Highness." The ladies of the inner court said in unison as they bowed their heads.

The Crown Prince and Princess bowed theirs in return as well.

"This way please." Ōane no Kimi said as she led the way into the palace while the Crown Prince Nunakakura and his family followed.

The Crown Prince made it to the front of the already filled courtyard and the Chrysanthemum throne had been carried and brought to the exterior.

The Emperor sat on his throne regally dressed in red and golden robes.

The Empress Consort Ishi Hime sat by his right side on her throne and the Consort Katashishime graced his left with another small throne.

When the Emperor beheld the advent of his son, he stood up at the sound of drums being struck.

A troupe of dancers flooded the place and then positioned themselves between the Emperor and his son.

The officials that had been gathered started to murmur amongst themselves.

The women who danced in a way appeared to be a little bit more muscular than normal but were without a doubt very beautiful.

Their fingers and fans swung around with grace, softer than the calm of the ocean waves.

Altogether they formed a circle and joined their fans together as they veiled their faces.

Everyone was awed.

All of a sudden, petals started to rain from the sky and along with them came the peach tree leaves in large numbers.

Everyone turned their attention from the dancers and then looked up as the Empress Consort herself along with everyone else was utterly confused.

The Empress had initially planned the entire welcoming ceremony but everything that was going on wasn't even in her deepest consideration.

"I must say that when it comes to grandiose feasting, Your Highness does have the perfect classic taste." The Emperor said.

"I might sound a little bit out of line Your Majesty but none of this was planned by me Your Majesty." The Empress said.

The Consort Katashishime and the Emperor looked surprised.

"If it wasn't you Empress then who's doing is this?" The Emperor asked.

"I don't know." The Empress replied and looked a little bit curious herself as well.

At that very moment, when the dancers pulled apart from their circle, they unsheathed a series of katanas from their kimonos and they cut them to make them lighter.

"Assassins." One of the Royal guards shouted and was struck by an arrow as the tender looking and vulnerable women had turned out to be male assassins in the palace.

Turmoil broke in the palace.

"Defend the Emperor." Moriya shouted as a large group of Royal guards from around the palace gathered in front of the Chrysanthemum throne.

"Defend the Crown Prince." Soga no Iname shouted as himself along with some of his private guards and Royal guards surrounded the Crown Prince.

The Assassins who were caught in the middle positioned themselves in to the structure of a serpentine.

They launched a full-scale attack immediately and the palace that had once been a joyful abode had turned into a bloody battlefield.

Iname and his men unsheathed their swords but their attackers only swarmed them like bees.

"Your Highness, Your Highness." Sina cried out as she approached Princess Toyomike who was praying to a small Buddha that was set in her personal Chambers.

The Princess stood up at once and then looked at Sina who was sweating profusely and gasping for air.

"What is it?" The Princess asked.

"The, the, the....." Sina stuttered.

"Speak up." The Princess yelled.

"The palace is in tumult, assassins everywhere." Sina replied.

"Father." The Princess said as she hurried out of her private quarters while Sina ran after her.

"Your Highness, Your Highness." Sina kept crying out.

The Crown Prince Nunakakura was stationed in the midst of the Sogas when a stray arrow flew from nowhere and then struck him in his right chest.

"Your Highness?" Iname called when Umako beheld another arrow coming for the Crown Prince and then he threw himself onto the Crown Prince and the two landed on the ground.

The Princess Toyomike arrived at the scene and the first thing that she saw was the Empress who cried out to her fallen son.

She didn't see the face of the Crown Prince as her uncle shielded him from view.

The Princess had to look around and it was to see that the Emperor's guards were entirely reducing in number.

She went next to the Crown Prince who though fallen had still tightened his grip on his sword.

Ceasing his hand, he ceased the bracelet on hers, the Princess ignoring it Just pulled the sword from him as she left her bracelet hanging in his palm in return.

He opened. his eyes to see who it was but all that he beheld was a blurry vision of a young woman vanishing from his sight, it had come like a dream perhaps he'd lost his mind.

The Princess went and put herself in front of the Emperor with Sina as she faced the assassins.

"Your Highness." Katashishime shouted at her daughter.

"You men without shame and honour disguise yourself to rob the Innocents of their lives, now that your attempt is to annihilate this family, your fight is now against me." The Princess yelled.

"The Emperor looked at his daughter stationed right before him and for the first time in his existence something utterly perturbing came to his mind.

"Was it not his Princes that he taught to be brave in the face of war to become conquerers, there in their midst as they had cowered as little children, a princess emerged very brave to challenge them."

The Emperor was surprised.

The gates of the courtyard were opened and the roofs mounted by more Royal guards.

In the shortest time possible with a bloody shower for a humble reception of the Crown Prince, the assassins were to pay deary for their attempt on the imperial family.

"Withdraw." One of them shouted and the eighteen assassins fell back as they took hold of Consort Ōane no Kimi and placed a knife at her neck.

"Halt." The Emperor gave his order and the Royal guards stood down at once.

"What is this Your Majesty?" The Empress asked. "Look what they have done to my son, even immediate death is too humble a punishment for this crime." She added.

"Let them go." The Emperor yelled on top of his voice and those persistent softened before him as he looked at the assassins.

"Make your Swift escape but ensure you leave no bruise on my wife's body, should I even find the slightest cut on her body, you shall pay with the lives of your loved ones tenfold and I'll bestow upon you the most painful death." The Emperor added.

The assassins seemed to comply as they took hold of Consort Ōane no Kimi and then made it past all the Royal guards to the gates of the palace.

Once outside, the assassins got into a carriage and then rode off leaving the palace and everyone who had gathered there so puzzled.

The Princess watching at a distance next to her father had already sweltered by the flames of rage.

She threw down the sword in her possession that it was loud enough to attract the attention of the Emperor.

"Father, are you alright?" Toyomike asked.

"Princess, I should be the one to ask you that question." The Emperor replied.

"The life of a Princess compared to that of an Emperor are two distinct things, my death is nothing as yours is an invitation for suffering into Nippon." The Princess replied.

"To survive depending on fitness has always been the law of nature, I was most proud having taught my daughter to stand up for her virtue." The Emperor said.

"My family?" Princess Toyomike asked.

"No." The Emperor replied.

"My people?" She asked once again.

"Yes." The Emperor affirmed.

"Your Majesty." Moriya said as he bowed his head to the Emperor.

"What is it?" The Emperor asked.

"The assassins have penetrated our external confinements." Moriya replied.

"Where is the Crown Princess?" The Empress suddenly barged in the conversation with absolute anger.

"He's already been taken away." Moriya replied.

"Was it not your duty to ensure that the security during the ceremony is tight, the Crown Prince's life is at stake as life and death strike a perfect equilibrium wrestling for his custody.

Should any harm come upon the Crown Prince because of your such carelessness my satisfaction shall come in your skin as a trade of the everlasting agony you would have caused him." The Empress warned.

"My apologies Your Highness." Moriya said but a furious Empress turned around and returned to her palace.

"This was a well orchestrated assassination attempt, I do not hold you entirely impossible because we were equally fooled as well." The Emperor said.

"Thank you Your Majesty." Moriya said.

"It is alright." The Emperor replied.

Iname and Umako made their way inside their study and closing the doors behind themselves the father and son sat down at their usual table.

"How is it?" Iname asked as he looked at the red patch on Umako's clothes.

"Painless, father." Umako said as he opened his upper shoulder to reveal nothing but his perfect bruiseless skin, there wasn't a single wound or scratch and the arrow meant to hit him was entirely wooden and had gone straight for the red dye Umako had tied to himself.

"Hahahaha." The two laughed altogether.

"You did well son." Iname said.

"Your plan was very remarkable father." Umako said.

"Don't flatter me." Iname said.

"If I don't then who will, was it not you who hired those assassins, orchestrated this entire plot to give the Empress a wonderful gift as she celebrated the great advent of her son?" Umako asked.

"But you are the one who saved him from the face of death, who but you deserves the greatest praise?" Iname asked.

"I still have a lot to learn from you father." Umako said.

"The game is not yet over." Iname suddenly said.

"Why is that father?" Umako asked.

"After today, we must still do something to ensure that the Crown Prince's faith in us is firm.

In saving his life it has become a clear indicator of our sworn fealty to him and this situation shall only make it easier for us to win his support and grow closer to him in the near future." Iname replied.

"How so?" Umako asked.

"At the expense of others." Iname replied.

"It won't be as easy father." Umako said.

"While others defended their lives and the Emperor's, it was only us who put our own on the stake for the Crown Prince's, additionally, it must be known that whoever it was that initiated the idea had the intent of murdering the Crown Prince and they were from a privileged clan in the Imperial court.

Should the Crown Prince even develop the slightest flame of doubt and mistrust towards the other clans and political factions within the Imperial court, it shall be the beginning of our rise and I assure you that from today, every political game planned ahead has been put in our favour." Iname replied.

"But we have lost so much people in a night father." Umako said.

"They were the inevitable sacrifice my son, by now you should have already known for yourself that as a politician, shedding blood shall come to you as natural as breathing with time, after all if your enemies resort to wicked means to suppress you, ensure that you too become more cruel in suppressing them." Iname replied.

"Your Highness, I heard you called for me." Hinote said as he bowed his head upon entering the Empress' private Chambers.

"You must clearly be aware of the reason as to why I have summoned you here at this very late hour." The Empress said.

"No Your Highness." Hinote replied.

"Then I shall get straight to the point." The Empress said.

"Your humble servant is listening Your Highness." Hinote replied as he bowed his head.

"I won't narrate to you what happened in the palace to night as I trust that your sight was very clear and you witnessed the entire scenario yourself." The Empress said.

"Yes Your Highness." Hinote replied.

"I am not content with the efforts of the defense ministry or any other organizations, rather, I am only confident in the skills of my own talents and individual people, those whose loyalty knows no boundaries and men whom I've nurtured and prepared myself." The Empress said.

"Your Highness, please give the order, mine shall be to comply." Hinote said.

"And I won't ask for much beyond your capabilities, just investigate and find out the real culprit of this attempted assassination and bring them to me alive, it shall be at my mercy to slay them and give them a quick death, my benevolence to ensure their remnants are recognizable for burial, my heartlessness to give them the most miserable life they'd curse so much and wish they were never born." The Empress said with a ghastly smile on her face.