CHAPTER FOURTEEN

Princess Toyomike was fully dressed in her usual attire and quite certain that she was very much the image of Abe that she had created for herself, she met with Sina before leaving her quarters.

"Your Highness." Sina said as she bowed her head.

"Today the streets are colourful and bound to be filled with so much fun." Princess Toyomike replied.

"It's not safe out there nevertheless." Sina said.

"But this is the perfect opportunity to escape the watchful eye of the Empress." Princess Toyomike said.

"How Your Highness, you had promised your mother that you weren't going out of the palace again." Sina warned.

"I am well prepared and everything has been set in motion I hope." Princess Toyomike said.

"Yes Your Highness." Sina replied hesitantly.

"That alone is good enough as some assurance can certainly not hurt." Princess Toyomike said.

"But what are you going to do outside Your Highness if I may inquire?" Sina asked.

"There are things that I must hear for myself and information that I must gather." Princess Toyomike replied.

"Alright Your Highness." Sina said. "please don't take long out there." She added.

"You don't have to worry." Princess Toyomike said. " I'm well aware what I must do." She added.

The Princess sneaked out of the palace as Sina walked out to the crowd of Royal guards that were stationed outside.

"Guards at attention." Sina shouted and everyone in the courtyard turned to look at her.

"Her Imperial Highness the Princess has ordered free celebration to the entire Southern palace, let it overflow with decorations and be a magnificently lit evening in the honour of the gods and to celebrate the GION MATSURI FESTIVAL."Sina announced.

"Hoorah." The guards shouted amongst themselves as they abandoned their duties and turned to the main gate of the Princess's palace where a group of palace maids walked in with decorations in their hands.

"Your Highness." Sakae said as she walked in on the Empress who was lying in her bed with her eyes covered by lemon slices.

"What is it?" The Empress asked.

"It's an invitation from her Imperial Highness the Princess." Sakae said and at once, the Empress removed the slices from her eyes and she sat up in her bed.

"An invitation?" She asked.

"Yes." Sakae replied.

"What is it about?" The Empress asked.

"Her Imperial Highness cordially invites you to attend the celebrations of the Gion Matsuri festival at her own residence." Sakae replied.

"What?" The Empress said.

"Everyone that's a part of the Imperial family has been invited including all the Princes and Princesses in the capital and those that can make it before the end of the day." Sakae replied.

"Has she been up to anything of late?" The Empress asked as she stood up out of her bed and then walked over towards her dressing mirror.

"Nothing, she has entirely put an effort into training her own private guards that for so long she hasn't set foot outside the palace." Sakae replied.

"That's quite strange." The Empress said. " She wouldn't invite any members of the Imperial family into the palace if she really weren't up to something." she added.

"Even her Grandfather, uncle and General Fujiyaro shall be present." Sakae said.

"Great." The Empress said.

"I'm curious your Highness, isn't she up to something?" Sakae asked.

"At this point it's hard to tell what her true intentions are and since we have been invited by the Princess herself, it would be rude of me as her mother not to turn up." The Empress replied.

"Yes Your Highness." Sakae said.

"Prepare the best dress for me, we need to give thanks to the gods and look like members of the Imperial family itself." The Empress said.

"Yes Your Highness." Sakae replied as she bowed her head and made her exit from her Mistress's Private Chambers.

The Princess was walking through the streets as her eyes lingered from one direction to the other, she seemed to be searching for something or perhaps someone as she loitered about the very place she and Jinsuke had first met before.

The Crown Prince Nunakakura had just walked out of the Office of Finances and he was dressed in his ordinary noble manner it was hard to tell he was the Crown Prince as Miwa no Sakau kept him company but a few feet behind.

Princess Toyomike walking by suddenly witnessed a crowd of people dashing into the opposite direction.

"The Procession is here." She heard the people murmuring among themselves.

Her attention was drawn to the crowd that she followed them and eventually, they were intercepted at the front when the sound of drums and procession music filled the air.

The Princess was eager to see and it happened that the Crown Prince was also passing by and halted at the opposite end of the Street with Miwa no Sakau.

"What is it Your Highness?" Miwa no Sakau asked.

"The Procession." The Crown Prince replied.

"Your Highness, I have known you since young, you do not take interest in these things." Miwa no Sakau said.

"It wouldn't hurt for me to do it just once." The Crown Prince replied.

"Very well your Highness." Miwa no Sakau said as the two walked closer to the Crowd.

The Street was finally lined with hundreds of people on either side and the procession then in view had made its way right between Abe and The Crown Prince.

The sky was filled with colourful flowers and music as dancers and the participants who wore elaborate costumes made their way past.

The villagers started to push one another and the Princess being young and small squeezed about by very many people found herself caught in between and being pushed to the very front.

The Crown Prince at a distance noticed something strange as the crowd appeared to shift that his eyes were drawn to one person in particular whose head he was seeing from the back.

Eventually, in an instant, Abe was standing right in the procession enjoying the flowers that were thrown up and came raining back down onto her.

She looked up at the sky and spread her arms.

At that moment, a troupe of dancers belonging to the same procession joined her as they span around with their dresses.

At that moment the face came familiar to the Crown Prince as he witnessed the grace with which Abe was dancing and his feet certainly smooth and light on the ground.

He was like a goddess in a way and he couldn't help but stare with interest unable to explain what it was that he was feeling, his breath suddenly going calm that it happened in the joy of Abe he looked at him and there and then she halted.

It was Jinsuke.

She felt excited but hid it with a simple but genuine smile.

The Crown Prince then set out towards her as the Procession passed and it was at that moment that the Princess noticed even with himself coming closer to her, she couldn't move.

Eventually, the Crown Prince was in close proximity with her and she looked him in the eyes.

He stretched out his hands and then possessing Abe by his shoulders he dragged him into a hug.

The Princess was startled.

Time and everything around them appeared to slow down and quiet as at once Abe's heart started to race and it felt strange that the world around them appeared to be void with only the two of them in each other's company.

It was a feeling that the Princess had never felt before and on top of that the strangest thing that had ever happened her.

Judging from the Crown Prince's reaction it was very evident in her eyes that he was expressing longing towards her given the fact that it had been weeks since they had last seen each other.

Eventually, after a while of fantasizing the noise of the people overwhelmed their absentia and at once the Princess came to her senses.

"What is he doing?" She asked herself remembering that she was not the Princess at that very moment but Abe who was someone else.

The Crown Prince was also unable to contain his excitement he was still lost in the moment that he had never been calm his reaction to him had come so voluntarily like a reflex.

"Abe." He whispered in her right ear with so much care one would sense the difference in his usual time attached to that one in particular.

"Jinsuke." Abe replied his voice a little bit softer and still partially immersed in the feeling of Jinsuke's unique embrace.

It was way more awkward than usual that the Crown Prince found it a little bit strange and at once the Princess realized her mistake she was quick to decide for herself and cover it up.

"No, I can not be doing this." She reminded herself as she pulled apart from the Crowd Prince's firm grip that he also noticed that he had perhaps crossed the line.

"Young Master." Abe said.

"I'm sorry." The Crown Prince was quick to apologise.

"It's alright." Abe said.

"No it's not." The Crown Prince said instantly.

"Perhaps I have reminder you of someone else." Abe said.

"It's only that it's been long since we last talked to one another." Jinsuke replied.

"You searched for me?" Abe asked a little bit curious.

"Every day it was that I wondered where to find you." Jinsuke replied.

"What for, I am a mere boy that is low to the ground, poor and humble to afford a daily meal, it makes no sense for the son of someone noble to concern themselves with me." Abe said.

"Yet I fervently wished that you'd abide with me." Jinsuke replied.

"For the good cause, the better of Nippon?" Abe asked.

"Yes." Jinsuke replied.

At once Abe turned around to make her departure and the Crown Prince noticing that spoke up much louder than before.

"Ever since you saved my life the last time, to the very moment that you were kind to those children in a similar position as yourself.

I knew that you were someone that I could certainly trust, so compassionate and devoted to your own." The Crown Prince said.

Abe halted in his footsteps.

"And what more could I do for you?" He asked.

"Be around." The Crown Prince replied. "Life is easy with those that you can certainly trust, better with brothers that are devoted and willing to die for one another." he added.

"You overestimate me." Abe said as he turned around and looked at the Crown Prince while Miwa no Sakau while maintaining his distance was quite intrigued by the conversation his master was having with the awkward peasant boy.

"No." Jinsuke replied. "I have no doubts in your loyalty if you were to pledge it to me." He added.

"I'll need time to think about it." Abe said.

"I don't mind that." Jinsuke replied.

"Very well then." Abe replied.

"I'll wait by the same place everyday to hear what your answer is, at the top of Kagu hill next to the peach tree." Jinsuke said.

"Hmm." Abe muttered as he nodded out of approval and continued his way.

Her heart was aching so much with every foot that she set away from Jinsuke.

She had made her way back towards the direction of the palace totally lost in thoughts and deeply immersed, she'd been afraid of her failure to control herself if she had stayed longer right next to him.

As Abe walked down the streets, she halted when she heard a group of people murmuring amongst themselves.

"Have you heard it?" One old man asked another.

"Heard what?" The other asked.

"The Princess has taken charge of the Royal guards in her custody and she is training them." The man replied.

"Impossible." The other objected.

"Rumour has it that the Princess is assuming more political duties than any of her brothers." The Old man said.

"Which Princess is that?" the other asked.

"I don't know." The Old man replied.

"It's probably a rumour." The other said.

"What makes you think so?" The Old man asked.

"That entire statement jeopardizes the fate of the Imperial dynasty and on top of that it makes all Princes of the Imperial family a laughing stock." The Other replied.

"Apparently the courtiers have spoken amongst themselves, it's a popular poem right now that has turned into a song amongst all the girls in Nara." The Old man said

"Where are all the Emperor's sons, the Princess is preparing for the battle field while they have taken over the Royal kitchen." Another one intervened reciting that phrase.

"That's it." The Old man affirmed.

"Impossible, by the time a Princess assumes such duties what shall the wives in our homes do?" The Other asked.

Abe tired of listening turned and faced the opposite direction as she walked away furiously.

Abe also turned around and walked in the opposite direction his mind attached to the very moment that he had embraced Abe that he was quite surprised himself.

All his life he had never felt his desperateness quenched that fast, he had never longed to see someone as much as he had longed to see Abe and he had never embraced anyone as tightly as he had embraced him.

Something was utterly strange and it kept him confused.

Why he was feeling that way, he wasn't aware as well himself.

The Crown Prince entered the Office of Finances and he was greeted by the guards that were stationed there.

"Welcome back your Highness." They said.

He turned a deaf ear towards them as he walked into the building his mind lost elsewhere.

"What is it?" Miwa no Sakau asked one of the guards that was standing right there.

"An Imperial messenger arrived here a while ago with an invitation for the Crown Prince." The guard replied.

"An invitation?" Miwa no Sakau asked.

"Yes." The guard replied as he offered the cream envelope to Miwa no Sakau who took it into his possession.

"I'll deliver it to him." He said.

"Thank you Sir." The guard replied as he bowed his head.

"No need." Miwa no Sakau replied as he walked and followed the Crown Prince to the building.

Upon entering, he found the Crown Prince seated with his head being supported by his left hand while he leaned in the table.

"Your Highness." Miwa no Sakau said.

"What is it?" The Crown Prince asked.

"You look so off today." Miwa no Sakau replied. "Forgive me for prying but I have noticed that there has been a transition in your mood ever since you interacted with that boy during the procession." He added.

"He is no ordinary boy." The Crown Prince said.

"He looks pretty much like one to me." Miwa no Sakau said.

"You have no idea how many times I feel that I have found my redemption thanks to him." The Crown Prince replied.

"I'm confused Your Highness?" Miwa no Sakau said.

"It's natural for you to be." The Crown Prince replied. "it was he alone who showed me the real path of life, he who enlightened me on my responsibility as a Crown Prince.

It was entirely him and him alone who saved me from the face of slavery and showed me that the world can never be a better place unless we become better people." He added.

"Your Highness, it seems that you know him too much." Miwa no Sakau said.

"That's been the feeling from the very time that I met him." The Crown Prince replied.

"He looks badly off, his life seems too uncomfortable." Miwa no Sakau said.

"Surprisingly, he doesn't find discomfort in his own lifestyle." The Crown Prince said.

"I have never seen someone so comfortable in the misery of poverty like he is, the contentment in loving and cherishing others, helping them and putting himself on the line to see that he foregoes his own worries to offer comfort to those who need it." He added.

"You are praising him too much Your Highness." Miwa no Sakau said.

"I find him worthy of it." The Crown Prince replied.

"You must be so close to him." Miwa no Sakau said.

"Human beings are never content with what they, generosity to them only comes once in a while and on top of that, they are propelled by greed and envy they care less about the welfare of others or those entrusted to their care." The Crown Prince said.

"Do not depress yourself." Miwa no Sakau suggested.

"I am not depressed." The Crown Prince replied.

"What feeling could it be that you hold towards him?" Miwa no Sakau asked.

"Awe, amusement, I feel challenged as a Royal and small when I am next to him, for if I failed to know my people even as their future ruler, it is disheartening that someone as lowly as he is took it upon himself to fulfill the duty that was required of me." The Crown Prince replied.

"There are things you can not always control your Highness." Miwa no Sakau said.

"Fate has been cruel enough to me." The Crown Prince replied.

"You speak this way, I can't help but wonder, I am with you most of the time, yet it is only on two occasions that I have seen you cross paths with that young lad." Miwa no Sakau said.

"You couldn't be there to protect me against those human traffickers yet he was, you never showed me the tribulations that shook the depths of Nara like he did." The Crown Prince replied.

"Pardon my incompetence Your Highness." Miwa no Sakau upon hearing that fell to his knees.

"I don't blame you any more than I blame myself, I had to sacrifice walking with you oftenly as I had to conceal my identity from him in the fear of aggressing him and I still have no intentions of making myself known to him so soon." The Crown Prince replied.

Miwa no Sakau rose.

"There's more to what is in your words." Miwa no Sakau said.

"Of course." The Crown Prince replied. "There is certainly more to Abe that makes me feel strange and awkward, there is a sense of comfort that surrounds me when I am with him and an aura of peace that I could openly find myself vulnerable in his presence." He added.

"I understand Your Highness." Miwa no Sakau said.

"Forget it." The Crown Prince said.

"I have some news for you." Miwa no Sakau said as he offered the envelope to the Crown Prince.

"What is this?" The Crown Prince asked as he took the envelope in his possession.

"An invitation." Miwa no Sakau replied.

"An invitation?" The Crown Prince said.

"Yes." Miwa no Sakau affirmed as the Crown Prince opened the envelope and then pulled out a cream parchment.

"You read it for me." The Crown Prince ordered as he handed over the paper to Miwa no Sakau who took it.

"Yes, Your Highness ." He said as he bowed his head before opening it and perusing through it with his eyes.

"HER IMPERIAL HIGHNESS THE PRINCESS TOYOMIKE CORDIALLY INVITES YOU TO THE GION MATSURI FESTIVAL CELEBRATIONS IN THE SOUTHERN PALACE THIS EVENING BEFORE SUNSET." Miwa no Sakau read.

"Princess Toyomike." The Crown Prince said.

"Yes." Miwa no Sakau replied.

"She is....?" The Crown Prince asked

"The daughter of Consort Katashishime, your step sister." Miwa no Sakau replied.

"Yes, I remember." The Crown Prince said as he pointed at Miwa no Sakau and then shook his left finger.

"She is quite the talk of the Town." Miwa no Sakau said.

"Can you believe it, by the time that I left the capital she was very small and she had barely weaned." The Crown Prince said.

"Yet I have come to hear currently that she is a strikingly beautiful young woman, with grace and elegance, kind and dignified that any man can't help themselves but fall for her heavenly beauty." Miwa no Sakau praised her.

"There's no such thing as heavenly beauty." The Crown Prince said.

"What makes you say that Your Highness?" Miwa no Sakau asked.

"It is only that everyone is just far more beautiful than the others or than anyone else that we have ever seen." The Crown Prince replied.

"Nevertheless Your Highness, she has stirred up for herself quite the most remarkable reputation amongst the Royal women in Nara." Miwa no Sakau said.

"What's with her these days?" The Crown Prince asked.

"Remember when Your father proposed that you train the Imperial guards of your own?" Miwa no Sakau asked.

"I was present at the court during that time, it came quite surprising to everyone and it is known amongst the smartest officials that it was my father's way of saying that the Crown needs the best talents to aid it's military survival under the guise of my attempted assassination that arose from incompetence in the abilities of the Royal guards." The Crown Prince replied.

"Apparently, his idea of doing so I hear was entirely orchestrated by the Imperial Princess Toyomike." Miwa no Sakau said.

"It's strange that she is a woman without naivety." The Crown Prince said.

"Certainly not an average Princess, in her childhood she took quite an interest in mastering archery and on top of that I heard that her fighting skills are brilliant much as she has spent so much time adjusting to the rules of the inner court and the conduct of Royal women." Miwa no Sakau said.

"Come to think of it, hearing all that from you I feel encouraged to go given that I haven't seen her in quite a very long time." The Crown Prince said.

"You notice your mother has never really been supportive of Consort Katashishime and I can tell you I do not think the two are on good terms." Miwa no Sakau said.

"In the inner court I heard that Consort Katashishime has risen to prominence yet while compared to my mother she wields not as much power." The Crown Prince said.

"Surprisingly enough, your mother was invited as well." Miwa no Sakau said.

"Then that's perfect enough." The Crown Prince said.

"Are you going Your Highness?" Miwa no Sakau asked.

"Certainly." The Crown Prince replied.

"I'll make preparations." Miwa no Sakau said.

"Aye." The Crown Prince affirmed as Miwa no Sakau walked away.

Princess Toyomike barged into her room so quickly.

"Your Highness." Sina said as she rushed over towards her while she ceased her by her arms.

"Have you heard them?" Princess Toyomike asked.

"Heard what?" Sina asked.

"The Rumors about me." Princess Toyomike replied.

At once Sina looked down and was speechless.

"So I was the only person who was unaware." Princess Toyomike said.

"I also learnt about it this afternoon Your Highness the very moment that you made your departure from the palace." Sina replied.

Princess Toyomike let her go as she slowly withdrew and stood at a distance.

"If you are aware." She said as she walked past Sina and approached the table in her room. "Then I suppose by now Father is already aware of it too." She added.

"Do not be sad Your Highness." Sina said.

"How can I possibly not be?" Princess Toyomike asked.

"It is just a rumour and I am certain that it won't provoke his Majesty." Sina said.

"The rumour jeopardizes the fate of Nippon as it is bound to create endless tension between both me and the Princes." Princess Toyomike said.

"I doubt that they could be that foul mouthed and your father would care that much." Sina replied.

"Even if he didn't, the courtiers, officials, ministers, name it all, they'd force him to do something about it and for me it could only have turned into an awful path as Father is bound to choose between the welfare of the state and me and certainly, the state is far ahead when it comes to redemption." Princess Toyomike replied.

"Forgive me if I thought so shallow." Sina said.

"I must clear all the necessary doubts and suspicions before this becomes an entirely big issue." Princess Toyomike said.

"How are you going to do that Your Highness?" Sina asked.

"Today, in front of all the guests that I have personally invited to celebrate the Gion Matsuri festival in the palace I must act and showcase the grace of the Nippon Imperial women." Princess Toyomike replied.

"You're saying that you intend on using that card?" Sina asked.

"The only way to win the heart of a man and beat his doubts is through charm." Princess Toyomike replied.

The moment the evening approached and the sun was nearly an hour from setting, all the people that had been invited into the Southern Palace made their entrance into the Imperial Princess's courtyard.

The place was well decorated with lanterns and flowers and long and vast tables filled with food and liquor along with seats from end to end surrounded the quadrangle as they created a small stage withing the centre.

The Princes and the Princesses had all gathered about and they talked amongst themselves.

"Did you hear the rumours?" They kept on asking one another as they exchanged rumours and some even evolved into rather exaggerated talks about the Imperial Princess herself.

"I hear that had it not been for her excuse of playing the loving daughter then father wouldn't have fallen for her tricks and granted her a portion of the Royal guards to train differently." Some said.

"Meanwhile, if her brain could conjure up such an idea to solve the Crisis of peace within the family and she is a woman, before the rest of the world she is the smart one while we are the idiots." The other Princes agreed.

"This is intolerable." They said.

"The Empress arriving into the courtyard despite being welcomed warmly relaxed to the music that filled the air.

"Do you hear that Sakae?" The Empress asked.

"Yes Your Highness." Sakae replied.

"Such wonderful talk is very pleasing to my ears." The Empress said..

"When the Princes of the Imperial household are against the Imperial Princess?" Sakae asked.

"And they are quite many at that." The Empress whispered.

"What do you think the Princess is going to do about it Your Highness?" Sakae asked.

"There is nothing that she can, even if the Emperor wished to protect her from the wrath of the Princes he certainly can not protect her from the wrath of the courtiers and even the people." The Empress replied.

"So she dug her own grave as it is." Sakae said.

"One would say that." The Empress replied. "She might as well regret having become invincible in the first place." She added with a ghastly smile on her face.

"What shall I do Your Highness?" Sakae asked smiling ghastly as well.

"We'll take advantage of the situation and this could be our perfect chance to win over our control of the Princess because the Inner court is in jeopardy it is only natural that with time it rests with me as a head to punish her." The Empress replied.

After a while, the sun had already started to set and all the guests were already inside and had adapted to the atmosphere.

The Crown Prince had made an appearance with the Crown Princess and seated with the Emperor and the Empress along with his consorts, his eyes were searching about and waiting for something exciting.

It was only a matter of time when the sound of music filled the air all of a sudden and everyone's attention was diverted.

The sound of drums and strings being plucked became dominant as the noise simmered down and was replaced with the silence of the guests.

A group of horns were blown and a coloured troop of female dancers made their way inside the courtyard their faces veiled with silver masks.

The women halted and formed a serpentine as a few of them carried with themselves a large box that was veiled with scarlet fabrics that were sewn with golden thread.

The spectacle was magnificent as the dancers spinner around and formed a hexagon, their hands raised in the sky, they calmly waved them about, their robes hanging loose were blown about by a gentle and mild wind as they moved about their joints softer than usual.

Eventually, a group of people in the congregation started to toss the petals of flowers in the air and four of the twelve dancers holding the box spread it from both sides to reveal another, a THIRTEENTH dancer fully dressed in scarlet, blue and golden robes and her mask entirely gilded.

On her head was a miniature headdress and everyone starting with the Emperor was quick to recognize the still woman as the Princess herself.

"Princess." The Emperor called but Consort Katashishime held her his hand and then looked at him in the eyes while nodding.

The Empress seated on the left side of the Emperor found something to be amiss.

She turned and looked at the dancers whose garment lighter than usual was blown about by the wind that it sparkled and glittered in the rising moonlight.

The Crown Prince was awed witnessing the dancer in the Golden mask that he couldn't help but stare with interest a part of him feeling already familiar and we'll acquainted with the dancer behind the mask.

The Princess waved her hands about as she moved her body with grace.

Her feet lightly rotating on the ground the Crown Prince looking at that very familiar move appeared to be reminded of Abe who had danced back at the Procession earlier in the day.

The Princess halted when one of the spectators in her audience appeared familiar but she maintained her dance as she lifted her right hand and slowly moved it from her upper left pointing to the audience on the right.

Eventually, she was joined by the rest of the troupe as they marvelled the audience waving around their dresses in the shower of flowers.

Finally, the music stopped and everyone was still.

"It's the Princess." The courtiers figuring out the identity of the woman behind the golden mask whispered amongst themselves.

"Her grace is immense and unequalled." A few of the Princes said while she stared right next to her father and not so far she beheld the Crown Prince.

"Jinsuke." she whispered having realized at that very moment that the son of the noble she had long befriended was none other than the Crown Prince himself.