Preparations

Yoshiro was anxiously overseeing every last detail that there was for the preparation. The Northern Kingdom, being the empire that won Yeochun’s hand, they were also tasked to arrange the ‘matrimonial ceremonies’ and Yoshiro, being the Crown Prince, naturally had a large share of this assignment on his hands whether he liked it or not. He was rushing their servants around, ordering them to move the tables, dividers, flowers, and vases to where his liking was. Zhang, being the Crown Prince’s closest cousin, oversaw their defenses and military advantages in case a war breaks out in the Shrine. The Shrine may be where Daiki’s holy temple is located but bloodshed is allowed inside its’ borders.

By three in the afternoon, the Northerners were finished in their preparations. Yoshiro and Zhang sat opposite each other. They were sipping tea in the left guesthouse’s main room. All the doors were open, allowing them to see the happenings in the temple and towards the South Gates. By five, the newly-wedded part of the Northern Kingdom, the inhabitants of Yeochun has arrived. It was a little group comprised of their governor, his councilors, his wife, his children, a few of their most notable persons, and their little army. They settled in the lower guesthouses and it was only a little while when the Governor of Yeochun asked for an audience with the prince.

Yoshiro smiled and granted him. The Governor curtsied, took off his sandals, curtsied once more, and raised his foot then the other upon the elevated floors[5]. He smiled as he curtsied to Zhang. Zhang, being a stoic, simply nodded and continued sipping his tea. Despite being far from the man, Zhang’s presence made the Governor quite anxious. Perhaps, it was the man’s armor and sword and hardened expression but upon looking towards Yoshiro and his warm, lovely smile, he felt welcomed again. He bowed and sited himself on the floor, a few meters away from the table.

He bowed once more before speaking, his head reaching the wooden floors this time, “Your Royal Highness, Crown Prince Yoshiro,” he paused and bowed towards Zhang, but his head did not reach the floors, “Honorable General Zhang.”

Yoshiro laughed, “Haven’t you been bowing too many times already, Governor Cha?”

Zhang sighed, “Your Royal Highness, it is the standard—“

“And have you not seen the stone slab? You could have used that than spend effort in climbing over,” he chuckled upon seeing the old man blush. He motioned his hands, “Please come closer, Governor.”

Before Zhang could question his conduct, he glared at him and Zhang knew it was useless to bother anymore. He continued sipping tea.

The Governor anxiously chuckled, “As you wish, Your Royal Highness.”

He stood up and walked himself to the table, where Yoshiro poured him tea. To that, the Governor was surprised but it was too late to stop Yoshiro. Zhang simply observed, too exhausted to even bother.

Yoshiro handed out the cup to the Governor, “Welcome to the Northern Kingdom[6], Governor Cha. Thank you for choosing us.”

Cha blushed as he stared at the Prince’s hand. He glanced at Zhang to see if it was okay to be poured tea by the Prince and to accept it. Zhang pretended not to see. Cha figured it was more impolite to make the Prince waiting. He quickly curtsied, bowed, and received the cup with both his hands. He smiled at Yoshiro and bowed his head again before tasting the tea but all he could taste was its’ heat. Perhaps, if he wasn’t anxious and wasn’t sharing tea with royalty, he would be enjoying his tea.

He smiled, “Your Royal Highness, the tea was a pleasure. Its’ taste was exquisite and the smell was refreshing…and ah, your Royal Highness, it was easy choosing to side with the North than the South.” And he was lying.

The unclaimed regions have a hard time deciding which to side especially when each time they would decide the other will hate them and would try to burn their cities down. This is one of the why’s that they remain unclaimed. They only saw siding with either state as last resort. Still, now that they were on their side, he figured a little sucking up would not do any harm.

He examined the Prince for any compliment that he could invent and found a peculiar flower ornament on his hair. He wondered—he deeply wondered if it was alright to comment about it. He was about to open his mouth when Zhang noticed him staring at the ornament.

He glared at the Governor. Governor Cha jolted like a cat and before Yoshiro could notice their exchange, he gulped, tried to calm himself, and furtively wiped the sweat from his brows. Yoshiro sensed the change in the atmosphere. He observed Zhang, who was calmly sipping tea, and Cha, who was smiling with sweat dripping from his forehead. There is something wrong, he thought but he presumed it was best to deal with his personal issues later and finish orienting the Governor.

…

By afternoon, the Southern Army arrived and had started their preparations. Yoshiro watched from the banquet hall. He leaned onto the railings, his cheek on the palm of his hand, and observed the synchronization of the South’s troops---from marching to drills. He took note of how fast their response time and how organized the message would be passed. His stomach curled the moment he heard the Southern Prince Nobu’s voice and as if by instinct, his wounds began to hurt. He groaned and frowned and straightened himself.

Zhang noticed his cousin’s reactions and softly whispered, “There won’t be a war, Yoshiro. No one would ever risk damaging the god Daiki’s temple.” then their eyes darted back to the Southerners.

The next in a line repeated Nobu’s commands. Yoshiro heard the same comforting voice now shout in a powerful, commanding one. It was Kazuki. He raised his eyebrow; Kazuki seemed to be standing in where the legislative officer would be standing.

Zhang muttered, “Why there?”

“He’s a doctor.”

“The same one you were talking about?”

Yoshiro nodded.

Zhang scoffed, “Surprised he’s still alive after helping you out.”

He glanced at Zhang and was about to ask why then he realized it was treason to. He kept his mouth shut for a while instead.

“Perhaps, he didn’t brag about it.”

“I wouldn’t if I was him. The Southerners, despite their unruly behaviors, are harsh about treason.”

“But he is a doctor. Surely, there’d be—“

“No exemptions.”

“Ah,” Yoshiro let out a heavy breathe, “Do you know their punishment for treason?”

“Just like ours.”

It took long for Yoshiro to respond, “I’m glad he’s still alive.”

Zhang turned, “Guilt?”

“…guilt.”