3.

Toshiko sighed as she walked out. Upon reaching her residence, she saw her mother, and a few books on the table. "Mother, what are these?"

The Empress smiled, "You will make a good Wife to Prince Haneul." She showed Toshiko the books, "These are some books I want you to read."

Toshiko sat down and read the title, "Instructions for Women." Toshiko looked at them with a disgusted look, "Mother, why do I need these?"

The Empress's face turned serious, "Don't look at them like that. You'll study up on these books. I don't want you acting willful around your husband."

Toshiko had an awkward smile on her face. "Yes.. Mother.."

The Empress smiled, "Great. Study well."

Upon Her Mother's departure Toshiko quickly took a candle, "Emiko, get some water."

Shortly after, Emiko came back with water to see the book burned on the ground. She quickly poured the water on it. "Your Highness!"

Toshiko held her head, as if she had a headache. "Father and Mother both want me to get married.. What do I do.."

Emiko got Toshiko a cup of water, "Your Highness, perhaps they will change their minds?"

Toshiko's hopes were up that they may change their minds until a maid came to relay a message. "Princess Toshiko, Korean officials have accepted the intermarriage and will send an envoy tomorrow to deliver you to the manor, where you will be married to Prince Haneul."

Toshiko and Emiko both were surprised by this information, "So soon?"

The Maid replied, "Of course. The Koreans have also agreed to stop the attacks. The sooner the better!"

Toshiko nearly went crazy, smashing porcelain vases left and right, "Why must they come so soon!" She smashed another vase, "Why!" She picked up another vase and was on the verge of throwing it.

Emiko quickly stopped her, "Your Highness! No! That was given to us by the Late Emperor! You musn't smash it!"

Toshiko quickly put the vase down and walked outside to the imperial garden. "Emiko. What is this Prince Haneul like?"

Emiko shrugged her shoulders.

Toshiko quickly started pulling all of the flowers from the bushes and throwing them down.

"Your Highness, do you want to rest early today?" Emiko tried to get her to calm down.

"Rest? How can I rest." Toshiko started to stomp the flowers on the ground, "Father and Mother can just marry me off on a whim!"

Emiko sighed, "Your Highness, I think we should just accept it..."

Toshiko turned around and gave Emiko a dirty look, "So you agree with them?"

Emiko looked down, "Yeah..."

Toshiko huffed and quickly circled the imperial garden multiple times, "Why aren't there any other princesses?"

Emiko quickly replied, "Your Highness, Princesses Misato and Miu have gotten engaged a while ago.... And Princess Akiko is too young to marry.."

"I thought Princess Akiko was 13 now! Why can't she marry?" Toshiko Sighed.

Emiko giggled, "Princess Akiko is 13, but that's too young to marry far off.. They also requested a Legitimate Princess."

Toshiko stomped her feet, "It's not funny." She continued circling the garden before running into Her Father.

The Emperor walked up to her, "Have you been preparing?"

Toshiko held back her tears, "The maids are doing it."

The Emperor sighed, "The envoy will be here tomorrow in the early morning. You'll leave soon." He looked up at the night sky.

Toshiko clenched her fists. "I'd bet this prince is more stuck up than Mother."

The Emperor laughed, "The Empress is stuck up?"

Toshiko stomped her foot. "Of course she is! She only cares about my marriage!"

The Emperor put his hand on Toshiko's shoulder. "She means well." She could see him on the brink of crying, "Toshiko. You know I don't want to marry you off. But.."

Toshiko stayed silent for a second, "But what?"

The Emperor sighed, "But.. It's for the best." The Emperor took his hand off of Toshiko's shoulder. "Rest well. It'll be your big day tomorrow."

Toshiko nodded her head and went back to her palace. "Emiko, isn't something off to you?"

Emiko shook her head, "No, everything seems to be normal to me."

Toshiko sighed, "Father never stutters like that. Something is wrong."

Emiko nodded her head in understanding, "Well, His Majesty is always busy with state affairs.. Perhaps he's exhausted?"

Toshiko quickly went out of her palace and straight to Her Fathers palace, "If he was tired, he wouldn't find the time to visit me."

Emiko followed behind, "Your Highness, what are you doing?"

Toshiko didn't reply and just ran. Upon reaching the palace she was halted by guards. "What are you doing? Let me through!"

The guards held their spears sharply, "By decree of The Empress, Princess Toshiko is not to be allowed inside the main palace to beg His Majesty to stop the intermarriage."

Emiko quickly huffed, "How dare you! You're disrespectful! Your Highness, we should punish them!"

Toshiko quickly pointed to a nearby wall, "If you don't let me through, i'll die by banging my head on that wall!"

The guards kept their spears up for a second before lowering them, allowing Toshiko and Emiko through.

Toshiko quickly ran through, "Father? Father!" She looked around before going into his quarters, seeing him fast asleep.

Emiko looked in disappointment, "Your Highness, he's fine.."

Toshiko quickly walked out, "Emiko! I swear! Something was off!"

Emiko and Toshiko exited the palace. "Your Highness, you should rest. You'll have a very exhausting day tomorrow."

Toshiko entered her residence, and quickly sat on his bed. "Emiko, will you be going with me?"

Emiko smiled, "Of course!"

Toshiko's face relaxed, "Good. Good."

Emiko smiled as Toshiko fell asleep.

The next day, Toshiko was awoken by Emiko and Her Mother, "Toshiko, wake up!"