Weaving a Love Story part 2

"I hope I'm not too late?" Asahi smiled as he approached and gave her the flowers.

"Oh no Your Majesty," Shiori smiled back. "You're just in time. Thank you for this lovely bouquet."

Asahi fluttered his lashes at her. "You're lovelier, Princess."

Shiori bit her lip as her guests gaggled at the sweet display in front of them. To give him credit, Asahi was good at this. Coming from Shiori, it was a high praise.

"Well, you look good yourself Your Majesty." She replied, giving the flowers a light sniff.

"Why, thank you Princess."

"Won't you join us Your Majesty?" Shiori invited.

Asahi shook his head, a dispirited frown on his handsome face. "I must decline due to government matters Princess."

"I understand." She said, sighing softly.

"Excuse me, ladies." Asahi smiled and left.

The ladies wouldn't stop chattering after the Emperor's visit. They were polite but distant to Shiori before and only the young noble daughters spoke to her with interest. Their mothers only observed her from the sidelines. All of that changed after Asahi's appearance. They flock to her, fawning and simpering over Shiori as if she was a star in some circus show.

Shiori swallowed her sigh and quickly lowered her eyes, giving of an illusion of a blushing maiden. She had to endure their false concerns and empty praises from now on. For Shiori would begin to weave an epic love story and she require an audience.

"I heard, it was love at first sight."

"No, the former Empress betrothed His Majesty with the Fox Princess to spite her indifferent husband."

"I think they only got closer when we saw them share a ride a few days ago."

"Actually, there's a rumor at court that His Majesty and the Princess' supporters hated each other but the other lords demanded that the Empress position should no longer be vacant."

Asahi heard the various whispers around him but kept his face neutral. They barely stopped when he walked passed and for him, that was at least a good sign. Looks like their plan was working well.

Asahi and his attendants chose the longer path to his office in order to gage the mood in the palace. That day, he presented a friendlier attitude and spoken to almost everyone who greeted him. Asahi also lingered longer in place where he would just usually pass quickly.

For most people, it was the power of love at work. For Asahi though, it was just gathering information and acting.

"Oh, Princess Shiori is really good." Tatsumi praised.

"She's from the Fox Clan, what do you expect?" said Natsuo.

They had just decided on a plan yesterday but Shiori managed to do a lot. She sent her maid and cousins to discreetly gossip around the palace while she and Asahi display a seemingly romantic scene in front of the ladies. Once those women came home, they would tell their fathers and brothers what happened. Shiori and Asahi would just sit back as other people fuel the rumors.

Tatsumi grinned. "I wish we thought of this sooner. If we had, His Majesty and I wouldn't have to suffer."

"How dramatic." Natsuo scoffed.

"You weren't there," Tatsumi crossed his arms and glared at his friend. "If you had seen the horrors that day, you would probably react like this too."

"No, I wouldn't."

"Yes, you would."

"I wouldn't."

"You would."

"I wouldn't."

"You would."

"Both of you, be quiet!" Asahi snapped at his bickering friends.

His attendants were arguing like children while at court. Even if the minesters were used with their attitude, couldn't give him face just this once? He eyed his office doors, they should at least waited until they were inside before fighting.

"It's this idiot's fault Your Majesty." Tatsumi and Natsuo pointed at each other with a glare.

Asahi was about to snap but seeing the woman waiting for him, he stopped. His friends straighten themselves as well after noticing their unexpected guest.

"Greetings Your Majesty," Shiori's maid bowed. "And My lords."

"You are Shiori's maid, what do you need?" asked Asahi.