The Met [part 1]

The Entry into the Imperial Palace

Suzuki Kyōi and Lady Amari Yui crossed the majestic threshold of the Imperial Palace, and the grandeur of the architecture enveloped them immediately.

The interior was a masterpiece of engineering and art.

The white marble walls were engraved with ancient runes, which glowed faintly, filling the hall with an ethereal light.

Columns of gold and ivory, inlaid with symbols of dragons and phoenixes, supported the immense domed ceiling, decorated with epic scenes of the Empire's glories.

The floor, made up of black and white marble slabs, formed intricate geometric designs that guided the visitors' steps toward the heart of power: the Throne Room.

Along the corridors, silk tapestries depicted scenes of legendary battles and ancient alliances, symbols of the Empire's greatness, which seemed to watch every move of those walking beneath them.

As they moved along the central corridor, Suzuki Kyōi and Lady Amari Yui stopped before two enormous golden doors, decorated with carvings depicting the rising sun and the waning moon, symbols of the balance between light and shadow, between power and wisdom.

The doors opened with a low, majestic hum, and before them, the Throne Room was revealed.

The Emperor and the Imperial Counselor

Seated on a gleaming golden throne, high above a series of marble steps, was the Emperor of the Empire.

His name was Tsukimei Asahi, a name meaning "First Light," and he was considered the beacon of the Empire, guiding the people with wisdom and light.

Suzuki Asahi had long, elegantly tied black hair, contrasting with his penetrating amber eyes, which seemed to see beyond the visible. He wore a golden cloak, embroidered with white and silver silk threads, symbolizing the rising sun illuminating the way.

Beside him stood the Imperial Counselor, Kagemi Kuroi, known as the "First Shadow."

Hatashi Kuroi was the Emperor's shadow, advising his every move and guarding his secrets.

His long silver hair was braided elaborately, and his gray eyes, almost cold, seemed devoid of emotion, yet with a dark depth that inspired fear. His robe was black, trimmed with silver, a cloak that seemed to absorb the surrounding light, rendering him nearly indistinguishable from the shadows of the room.

The two, Emperor and Counselor, together represented the balance of the Empire.

Suzuki Asahi, the light that guided, and Kakashi Kuroi, the shadow that protected.

An unbreakable bond that maintained the Empire's stability, despite political struggles and internal tensions.

The Greeting of Kyōi and Amari Yui

As the doors closed behind them, Suzuki Kyōi and Lady Amari Yui advanced slowly, their footsteps echoing in the solemn silence of the room.

Before the throne, the two stopped and, in perfect synchrony, bowed deeply.

Kyōi, with his forehead almost touching the marble floor, spoke in a firm but respectful voice:

"Your Majesty, I have returned as requested, ready to receive your judgment and orders."

Lady Amari Yui knelt beside him, silent but present, her demeanor showing deference and composure.

The atmosphere in the room seemed still, as if even time waited for the next move of the Emperor.

Suzuki Asahi gazed at Kyōi with an almost unnatural calm, while Kakashi Kuroi, beside him, carefully studied every detail, his gaze sharp like a blade hidden in the darkness.

After a long moment, the Emperor spoke, his voice soft but full of authority:

"Rise, Kyōi," said the Emperor, with a slight wave of his hand. "Rise as well, Amari Yui."

Suzuki Kyōi and Lady Amari Yui slowly rose from their knees, keeping their heads bowed in a sign of respect.

Kyōi's breath deepened as he tried to prepare for what was to come.

"Explain to me what happened during the Ryushin banquet," Tsukimei Asahi continued, his gaze steady and penetrating. "Tell every detail. Nothing must be left out."

Kyōi took a moment to gather his thoughts, well aware that the words he chose would determine his future.

He knew that calm was essential, but the weight of the consequences of what he was about to say loomed over him like a shadow.

The Beginning of the Explanation

"Your Majesty," Kyōi began in a firm voice, "the Ryushin banquet proceeded according to protocol. The 4 Great Families were all present, as well as the other noble delegations and important individuals. The food and entertainment were of the highest standard, as expected for an event of such importance."

He paused for a moment, searching for the right words to continue.

"During the first few hours, I interacted with numerous people. I discussed economic strategies with the representatives of the Great Families and tried to maintain order among the guests, as required by my role."

"However..." his voice began to falter slightly, "everything changed when I met Ryushin Tenkū."

Kyōi tried to maintain control of his emotions, but as he continued, he felt the pressure growing.

The encounter with Ryushin Tenkū had had a much greater impact than he had anticipated, and he knew that it was right there that things had begun to take an unexpected turn.

The Difficult Part of the Explanation

Suzuki Kyōi took a deep breath, preparing to recount the most delicate part of the banquet, the one that had triggered his greatest remorse.

Emperor Suzuki Asahi and Counselor Kakashi Kuroi watched him in silence, unhurried, giving him time to gather his words.

"Your Majesty, as mentioned, everything changed with the encounter with Ryushin Tenkū, the fourth prince," Kyōi began, his voice lower and more measured, as if trying to weigh each word.

"I approached him with the intention of discussing strategic matters... as I did with other members of the Great Families, but I immediately noticed a certain coldness. His words were... provocative."

Kyōi lowered his gaze slightly, feeling the tension building in his chest. He continued:

"He insulted me, Your Majesty. He said that my position as the third prince was nothing more than a farce and that my power was insignificant compared to his. But it wasn't just me he intended to offend. When he spoke, he attacked the entire Imperial Family, insinuating that our prestige had fallen and that the Great Families were ready to take control."

"I could not allow my Family to be insulted in that way, not in front of all those nobles and delegates. I initially tried to maintain control, to respond diplomatically. But Ryushin Tenkū kept pushing, insinuating that I didn't have the courage to face him, that I was weak, a prince in name only."

Kyōi paused, swallowing with difficulty.

The room seemed even quieter, as if even the walls were waiting to hear the rest of the story.

"In the end, Your Majesty, I accepted his challenge. He proposed a duel, a contest of skill and cunning, but it wasn't a simple duel of honor. Ryushin Tenkū wanted to bet... 1 Dragon Heart, access to a gold mine for 2 Origin Cycles, and a duel against Amari Yui."

"He said that if I won, he would recognize the value of my house, my decisions, a Phoenix Heart, and he himself would bow. But if I lost... I would have to give him these resources."

The Emperor remained impassive, but the atmosphere in the room became even heavier.

Kakashi Kuroi crossed his arms, his gaze cold as ice, as he continued to watch Kyōi attentively.

"The duel took place," Kyōi continued, "and, as you know, I lost. In front of all those witnesses, I could not back down. My defeat meant I had to honor the bet, and so I swore to provide the resources demanded by Ryushin Tenkū."

Kyōi's voice broke slightly as he finished speaking, as if the weight of his failure was too heavy to bear.

"At that moment, Your Majesty, I realized I had not only let myself down but the entire Imperial Family. I should never have allowed Ryushin Tenkū's provocation to push me into making such a dangerous wager. Now, I am here to receive your judgment."

Kyōi stopped, the silence in the room becoming deafening, while the air seemed to vibrate with the tension of the moment.

The Emperor did not speak, but his gaze was fixed on Kyōi, and the anticipation of his response weighed like a mountain.

Then, however, he shifted his gaze, no longer directed at Suzuki Kyōi, but toward Lady Amari Yui.

"Is what he said true?"