King Ren's Gambit
Later that night, well after dinner time, Hokuto had once again "run off to her room," in Tyris' words. Ren sighed in resignation - he really wished he could read minds like those powerful sorcerers, then he might wonder why Hokuto was so insistent on straying away from the martial path. "Honey, let's go to our quarters - I have something I want to talk to you about." King Ren spoke plainly, wearing a stern and resolute expression that showed he was planning something huge. Tyris didn't know what he had up his sleeves, but simply decided to wait and see what he had in mind. Nodding in acknowledgement, the two of them returned to their royal chambers, presumably to have that 'important discussion.'
Meanwhile, Hokuto didn't actually go to her room - she once again made a trip to the Royal Library, where she was greeted by the Custodian of the Library, Hansel. Hansel looked at Hokuto with an awkward smile. "Are you here to 'borrow' some more books on magic again, Your Highness? Magic isn't an easy feat, and the Royal Family is not predisposed to the use of magic. No matter how hard you try, it simply isn't that easy to be able to use magic. You really should listen to your parents and dedicate yourself to the sword." Hansel blurted out - he was clearly sick of Hokuto constantly coming in to take and return books on magic.
Hokuto stared at Hansel before sticking her tongue out. "Humph, I know I can do it. Just because the ones before me couldn't use magic, doesn't mean I can't either." she scowled. Her childish, cute looks which definitely came from her mother made her look more adorable than threatening. Hansel couldn't help but stifle a rather dry laugh.
"Hey, don't blame me. I am just concerned, if His and Her Majesty were to find out you had come here to get books on magic, they would sentence me to imprisonment. You have to give me some face, Your Highness." Hansel frowned.
"Aiyo, do not fret. They don't suspect a thing. I bet they still think I am in my room. Hehe." Hokuto grinned with pride. However, what she did not know was that Ren was hatching an "insidious" plot to get Hokuto back on the right path. Regardless of Hokuto's own intentions, Ren knew he must have her at least master the <North Star Lily Sword Art> first before pursuing her own interests, since she did not have any siblings.
Ren was talking to Tyris in their chambers. "Fifteen years ago, we gave shelter to a young lady brimming with talent beyond this world. She was only a few years older than Hokuto at the time, yet she displayed tenacity well beyond her years... She would then become the number one swordswoman in the entire land. Do you remember her?"
"What, [Rose Sword Saint] Astraea, that terrifying monster? What about her?"
The [Rose Sword Saint], Astraea, was a legendary figure in recent times. Shrouded in mystery, she was known to be an expert in both external and internal martial arts, perhaps the only one. Nobody except for a handful of people knew whether she was a man or a woman. Fifteen years ago, when Astraea was still in training traveling the world in search of inspiration to perfect her art, she was ambushed by a large group of thugs, numbering in the tens, hired by someone she had rejected in romantic affairs. She was, indeed, barely older than Hokuto at the time.
Therefore, despite being able to somehow escape, she lost all of her supplies and belongings. She was only able to salvage her trusted blade, a very simple and plain, yet battle-worn tachi, a very uncommon weapon for swordsmen, as most swordsmen used simple one-handed longswords or broadswords. Eventually, she was able to get to the North Blossom Kingdom, where she found herself begging for shelter. Who would have known that Ren, newly crowned 36th king at that time, knew about the rumours of an incredibly powerful swordsman with a tachi, and instantly knew this 'beggar' before him was that same renowned figure. It probably also helped that she was but a mere youngster at the end, making King Ren feel pity for her. Thus, Astraea was treated as a royal guest of honor, and in exchange, said King Ren could ask her to do any single thing in return for one favor.
"I will search for her whereabouts. Then, I will ask her to become Hokuto's tutor."
"You WHAT?" Tyris was shocked. Astraea was the number one swordswoman in the land. Ren could have used that favor for her martial skill and godly prowess. Yet, he wanted to use that favor to make her become Hokuto's teacher when she wasn't even interested in sword art? Had he gone mad?
"This is the only way. Hokuto herself might not be interested in the sword for now. But you clearly remember how, merely years ago, she would always ask us to tell her the glorious stories of Queen Yagyu. She definitely has some admiration for the sword. However, some other interest has caused her to push it aside. I am sure someone as legendary as [Rose Sword Saint] Astraea could convince her to go back to practicing the sword. Besides, she is also a woman. And she is not even that old for her skill, merely in her twenties. She could be a great role model." King Ren explained his decision and logic.
When he put that way, it was pretty hard to dispute. Tyris couldn't help but nod in agreement. That was very true. Perhaps all Hokuto needed was someone who could show her and teach her that using the sword could be an intellectual practice as well, and that the most legendary sword user in the land was a woman.
"I will go and talk with my informants and spies in the morning. The [Rose Sword Saint] has been in seclusion for the past couple of years to my recollection, thus it will be hard to find her for now. If possible, we should do our utmost to investigate any other interests Hokuto might have."
Tyris smiled, "Yes. We have to do our best for our daughter."