CHAPTER TWENTY SEVEN

Princess Toyomike's Palace was bustling with so many decorations as the palace maids roamed about preparing the house for a very grandiose celebration.

Princess Toyomike walked out of her Chambers and was greeted by Sina and Kabane along with the rest of the staff that ran her household.

"Happy Birthday Your Highness, may Your Highness live long." They hailed her as they bowed their heads.

"At ease." She replied, "I am one for you all." she added.

"Thank you Your Highness." They said and as she smiled she walked and descended the stairs as she saw a large train of gifts that were headed in her direction.

"Your Highness." The carriers said as they bowed their heads.

"I'm glad to meet your acquaintance." She replied gracefully and she bowed her head.

"we bring you these gifts to wish you a happy birthday." They said and offering them, Princess Toyomike turned around and looked at Sina who ordered a group of palace maids to collect them all.

"Keep them in my study." Princess Toyomike said.

"Yes Your Highness." The servants replied as they took them away while the Princess continued her way while she was closely followed by Kabane and Sina.

"The Palace is in very high spirits today and quite a number of gifts are coming in." Sina said.

"Everyone in the inner court must have heard of your parley with the Empress much as the walls are very thick.

Under the guise of winning my favour they intend to entirely put themselves ahead and show their thin crusts of allegiance when actually they're still seated at the fence." Princess Toyomike said.

"Either way not for you or the Empress but whoever prevails they can save themselves and perhaps find some redemption." Kabane said.

"But they shall be of use one day." Princess Toyomike replied. "I'll wish to know the names of all those that sent me gifts from within the Inner Court." Princess Toyomike said.

"Yes Your Highness." Sina replied. "But may I ask why?" She added.

"Of course." Princess Toyomike replied. "I intend on writing to them more frequently." She added.

"Why Your Highness?" Kabane asked.

"You just wait and see." Princess Toyomike replied as they continued to walk in the direction of the Throne room.

"Your Highness, don't to think that you are quite early as the Courtiers haven't yet left the meeting?" Sina asked.

"Of course, I need them all to see for themselves." Princess Toyomike replied.

"Very fine then." Sina replied as they walked up into the main quadrangle of the Palace and there before she went farther ahead, she crossed paths with someone else who bumped into her.

"Your Highness." Sina and Kabane said they tried to hold her but it was too late.

"Your Highness." A group of retainers called on the other side and the Imperial Princess Toyomike looked up to see who she had bumped into.

"My apologies." She said as her eyes travelled up to the man who was still looking down.

"No need the man replied as his eyes travelled up to see who was stationed right ahead of him and the very first thing that he was able to see was a face so gentle and beautiful which wore a look that was gracious, immaculate and angelic.

"My apologies." The man said as he seemed to be of the nobility.

Princess Toyomike bowing her head turned around to leave the place when she was halted by the man.

"Excuse me Your Highness." He called out to her and at once, Princess Toyomike turned around and looked at him.

"How may I help you?" Princess Toyomike asked.

"Your name Your Highness, I wish to know which maiden it is that you are so fair." The man replied.

Princess Toyomike walked up to him a d then ceased his hand as he was simply watching.

"With warmth you can have the mind of telling which arms are warm or cold and which are and are not worth embracing.

Those so soft and smooth are designated for the service that is righteous and those that are rough and hard for hard work.

A combination of such hands go hand in hand with one another, if you wish to know my name then can you tell which of the two is a personality of mine?" Princess Toyomike asked.

She wished to know for herself if the intentions of this man were pure and if in deed he did not know her by name.

"Hands are not enough to tell the story of a man, it's with the fullness of the heart one has showed and the other has seen." The man replied.

"Good answer." Princess Toyomike said. "You must have heard of me at least." She added.

"Hearing is very different from seeing Your Highness, the only things that we find more striking and much easier to remember are not those that we hear but the ones that we see." The man replied.

"Very fine then." Princess Toyomike replied. "Since you asked I'd certainly be humbled to tell you my name." Princess Toyomike replied.

"The honour is mine your Highness." The man said.

"I am Princess Toyomike Kashiki ya Hime." The Princess replied.

"The famous Princess of Nara?" The man asked.

"Yes." Princess Toyomike replied as she nodded her head in acceptance.

"I'm humbled." The man replied as he bowed his head.

"For any Prince that I have seen you are quite simple." Princess Toyomike said.

"I only wish to live more humane." The Prince replied.

"And You are?" Princess Toyomike asked.

"Prince ANAHOBE NO MIKO." The Prince replied.

"Dignified and smart but quite reserved in personality." Princess Toyomike said.

"Her Highness has certainly heard a thing or two about me." Prince Anahobe replied.

"We are family after all, from the same father and the same maternal grandfather." Princess Toyomike said.

"In this huge capital and in a very grandiose Palace, we are all but strangers to one another even when bound by the same blood." Prince Anahobe replied.

"You're right." Princess Toyomike said as she turned and faced the entrance to the main courtyard and she walked inside while the Prince followed.

"The Courtiers should be leaving by now." Princess Toyomike said.

"Are you waiting for anyone in particular?" The Prince suddenly asked and that was when the Princess turned around and looked at him.

"Sure." Princess Toyomike replied with a smile on her face.

"That's good to know." Prince Anahobe replied.

"Why?" Princess Toyomike asked. "Are you perhaps waiting for someone as well?" She added.

"Yes." Prince Anahobe replied. "I'd been to HIDA the past couple of days and I chose to return to the Capital today and first pay Father a visit." Prince Anahobe said.

"Assure me that I am as popular in His as I am in Nara." Princess Toyomike said.

"Yes." Prince Anahobe replied. "Any man would be honoured to have you for a wife." He flattered.

At that point, the courtiers led by the Emperor and the Crown Prince walked out of the Throne room a d there in the Central Courtyard they saw the Princess Toyomike standing with her brother.

"May Your Majesty live forever." Princess Toyomike said as she fell to her knees and then bowed her head to her father.

Prince Anahobe who was right by her side did the same and the Princess was surprised as the Emperor and the rest of the Courtiers descended the stairs and they came up to the two.

"Your Highness." The Emperor said as he faced the Princess, "what business have you with the Imperial Prince Anahobe?" He asked.

"Pardon me my father, I just came across him at the entrance and he too was here to see you" Princess Toyomike replied.

"That's good, you both rise up." The Emperor said and the two complied.

"Tell me Your Highness." The Emperor said as he turned first to the Prince. "To what pleasure do I owe an unexpected visit from you?" He added.

"Father, I had travelled from Hida all the way to Nara today, It did not feel right for me to stop by my Manor before at least paying you a visit." Prince Anahobe replied.

"Then Filial piety it is." The Emperor said as he turned and looked at the Princess.

"What about you Princess?" The Emperor asked.

"Father, as you are well aware that today is my birthday, I wished to invite you and all your Courtiers to celebrate with me this evening in my palace in person." Princess Toyomike replied.

The Courtiers murmured amongst themselves and the Emperor looked. at the Princess and studied her eyes.

"You needn't have gone through the trouble my dear." The Emperor said. "An invitation would have been good enough." He added.

"How dare I ask his Majesty to see me, perhaps I was too faulty in my ways when I was young but now I behold the radiance of maturity.

I am but a Princess and I must be exemplary when it comes to Royal disciplines, a lot of reports burden His Majesty that I feel if I add more to your table to read I might make the burden more unbearable.

As the saying goes, he that calls you in person understands your best interests at heart than he who does not." Princess Toyomike replied.

"You are in deed my daughter, very smart and very virtuous, your diligence and dignity are untrascended amongst all the women that do reside here in Nippon and Nara." The Emperor said.

"Thank you Your Majesty." Princess Toyomike said as she bowed her head and then looked at the Crown Prince from a distance that seeing her he smiled at her while she smiled in return.

"No thank you my dear daughter for being so considerate." The Emperor said.

"I wish that all the Courtiers here meet my acquaintance and at least turn up with all your families, I shall suit your perfect delight as it is more blessed to give than to receive." Princess Toyomike said.

"Her Highness is in deed benevolent just as you are your Majesty, she even has the time to consider us the weary servants of the state and take us in as guests of her abode." Mononobe no Suke.

"We won't disappoint you Your Highness." Moriya said as he bowed his head.

"And I won't disappoint you either the Emperor added as he looked at the Princess.

"I am very grateful to all of you and all the more grateful to you father." Princess Toyomike said as she bowed her head and moved to the side paving way for the Emperor and the other Courtiers to walk by.

Eventually, three of them remained and it was Toyomike, the Crown Prince and Prince Anahobe as the servants maintained their distance.

"Your Highness." Princess Toyomike said as she greeted the Crown Prince.

"No need." The Crown Prince replied as he held Princess Toyomike by her shoulders the Imperial Prince Anahobe realized it.

"Happy birthday." The Crown Prince said to her.

"Thank you Your Highness." Princess Toyomike replied.

"You needn't use the honorifics every time." The Crown Prince said.

"Then where is the virtue in me as a Princess?" Princess Toyomike asked.

"I'd prefer Abe much more." The Crown Prince said.

"Abe was well acquainted with Jinsuke." Princess Toyomike replied.

"Then perhaps let me be Jinsuke to only you." The Crown Prince said.

Hardly had he spoken when Prince Anahobe coughed before the Imperial Princess Toyomike would give her reply.

"Greetings brother." He said as he bowed his head.

"Welcome back brother." The Crown Prince replied as he bowed his head as well.

"I think that my time here is done and I still have a lot to prepare for the celebrations." Princess Toyomike said. "I respect that you are men and perhaps you haven't seen each other in a while you'd have a lot in common to share." she added as she bowed her head and then she walked away.

"She is quite the marvel." Prince Anahobe said.

"A true beauty that transcends generations and cultures, above all, her heart is the most confident and the purest that I have ever seen." The Crown Prince said.

"Are you swayed by her?" Prince Anahobe asked.

"No." The Crown Prince replied. "I am deeply in love with her." He added.

"Does she know how you feel about her?" Prince Anahobe asked.

"Yes." The Crown Prince replied. "I still have a long way to go to see to it that I totally win her over and prove the reality of my love and affection." He added.

"Good luck your Highness, she is quite the catch." Prince Anahobe said. "I'd heard praises of the people singing of the beauty of the Princess of Nara.

Her calm yet strong nature, her surpassing wisdom and her good grace and character compared to all the Princesses and the women of the Inner court.

Her dignity and her might all of which are things that could render anyone the proudest man in the country." He added.

"I wish to marry her before any other man does." The Crown Prince said.

"That could be ordurous now that she is well known I am certain that a number of suitors and perhaps all the Courtiers themselves are willing to fill the Palace with their sons today." Prince Anahobe said.

"It doesn't matter." The Crown Prince replied. "In her heart the only man that can fit there is one that shares her common interests and desires." The Crown Prince replied as he walked away proudly and was followed by his people.

Prince Anahobe remained inside the courtyard and watched as the Crown Prince vanished.

"Just as you wish to possess her Your Highness." He whispered to himself. "My desire is tens of thousands of times greater." He added as he smiled ghastly and following the Crown Prince's example, he walked away.

"Your Highness." Sina called as they continued walking towards the Princess' Palace. "Inviting all the Courtiers and their sons what could you be up to?" She asked.

Everyone of the courtiers has a particular interest and I am certain that a number of them are now worried and thinking on who I shall choose to marry for a Royal Son in Law." Princess Toyomike replied.

"Your Highness, do you have any idea?" Kabane asked.

"A number of them shall put their sons on display and to foster my influence in the near future I must secure the support of as many of them as possible." Princess Toyomike replied.

"You are going to befriend them?" Sina asked.

"Of course." Princess Toyomike replied.

"As I grow older and older, the choice of a husband comes to everyone's mind and much as they can not openly utter it, it doesn't mean that they do not think about it." Princess Toyomike said.

"Eventually because the choice is uncertain, all the Courtiers providing their sons as suitors shall strive so hard to jockey for your favour at last until they have won your support." Sina said.

"And when that happens can you imagine how much influence I shall have gained in the Imperial court?" Princess Toyomike asked.

"Your Highness is in deed very wise." Sina and Kabane said.

"Don't worry, no one including the Empress will be in the position of telling what's headed their way." Princess Toyomike replied.

"What is it that the Imperial Princess Toyomike is up to?" The Empress asked.

"I don't know Your Highness." Sakae replied. "She seems to have been very careful these days she I quite hard to tell." She added.

"Earlier on she trained an elite force of her own Palace guards trying to see to it that her defences in the future would be impenetrable." The Empress replied.

"Your Highness, was she really suspicious in the first place?" Sakae asked.

"Of course she must have prepared herself, she was already willing to contend with me in the very first place, I just raised her in my shadow and was too slow witted that I underestimated the fatal design that I had created for myself." The Empress replied.

"Her Highness is really brilliant." Sakae said.

"Perhaps not." The Empress replied.

"Why Your Highness?" Sakae asked.

"She is far too innocent to tell apart the hearts of men." The Empress replied. "Unlike me who is quite definite in my perception, she is stirring for herself a fire that she can not extinguish." The Empress added.

"A number of people from the inner court sent over a lot of expensive gifts to her Palace earlier this morning as today is her birthday and she has chosen to invite everyone including the Courtiers and their families." Sakae said.

"Those wenches are all unfaithful underdogs as it is that word inside the Inner Court circulated that the Imperial Princess wishes to contend with my might, they are trying to show some distant support.

If the Princess lost then they'd use it as an excuse to later in their defence that it was just her birthday and nothing more." The Empress replied.

"What shall I do Your Highness?" Sakae asked.

"Prepare for the Imperial Princess' birthday and also prepare some very expensive gifts as well.

It'd be very rude of me not to show up at the birthday of my daughter and Keep watch of all those other Imperial Consorts and Princesses as well. At a time like this we should be in the position of telling our allies and our foes." The Empress replied.

"Yes Your Highness." Sakae bowed her head as she walked away leaving the Empress in the room alone.

"Sato?" The Emperor called.

"Yes Your Majesty?" Sato replied.

"What do you think about the Princess Toyomike?" The Emperor asked.

"Your Highness." Sato called. "She is without flaw and she is very clean." He added.

"That's Impossible." The Emperor said.

"She hardly leaves the Palace and barely sends out people, she is not connected to any politicians I am reliably informed." Sato replied.

"Then that's strange." The Emperor said as he tried out some of his best clothes.

"Why Your Majesty, do you perhaps suspect that the Imperial Princess Toyomike is conniving with Courtiers of her own?" Sato asked.

"Isn't that a possibility?" The Emperor asked.

"Her Highness is too smart to foolishly associate with the politics of the country knowing that she could be accused of treason." Sato said.

"Aren't you Afraid that she is perhaps to smart to be caught either?" The Emperor asked.

"I dared not think about that Your Majesty." Sato said.

"Of course no one would." The Emperor said.

"Do you not trust her Highness Your Majesty?" Sato asked.

"People are quite stubborn and so is she, it's natural that the harder that you try to protect them from danger, the closer they walk up to it." The Emperor replied.

"But I still don't think Her Highness to be that capable." Sato said. "It's been a while since the Courtiers brought her up as an issue in the Imperial Court, let alone even if she wished to join forces with a number of them many dislike her.

On top of that, her tracks have been empty that leaves her without any power base that could sustain her, and by law, the only hierarchy for women that is efficient and effective to keep them out of Political affairs of the state is the inner Court." Sato said.

"So what is it that you are trying to say?" The Emperor asked.

"If there was an institution that the Imperial Princess wished to have control of and could still be in her reach then it's the Inner Court of the Imperial women." Sato replied.

"She would realize it that no one except the Empresses gets to dominate the Inner Court." The Emperor said.

"Yes Your Majesty but you know very well that the Imperial Princess is a person who wishes to go against all odds, she is stubborn in nature that she could always be thinking the unthinkable." Sato replied.

"She shall never be an Empress." The Emperor said.

"How certain can you be Your Majesty?" Sato asked.

"Her marriage must be to a General but never to a Prince because I fear that should she marry even one of them, the country won't avoid another bloody war within the Inner Court." The Emperor said.

"Your Majesty wishes to terminate her heritage to the throne?" Sato asked.

"It's the only way that I can protect her from herself." The Emperor replied as he turned around and looked at Sato.

"How do I look?" He asked.

"You look smart Your Majesty." Sato said.

"I was expecting you to say that I look old." The Emperor said.

"I wouldn't dare be disgraceful." Sato said.

"You wouldn't entirely be truthful either." The Emperor said. "Sadly, even if they don't tell a thing or two, I know it that I do not have much time left in this world either." The Emperor said.

"Please don't say that Your Majesty." Sato said.

"Why?" The Emperor asked. "Is the truth really that unbearable even for myself?" He added.

"No." Sato replied.

"Let's not waste time, let's go to the Imperial Princess' Palace." The Emperor said.

"Yes." Sato replied as he bowed his head and then he walked away.

Princess Toyomike sat down inside her quarters as a group of maids tended to her.

Her hair was knotted and adorned with previous ornaments and he dress was entirely made of silk and linen, coloured with black and gold and a small train that was about three feet long.

She had a pair of golden earrings and there were floral patterns and spirals that adorned her garment.

Looking in the mirror, she admired her own Beauty as she dismissed the maids and was left all alone.

There was some silence that prevailed for a while before she felt a slight headache.

She massaged her temples and then she looked at herself again and she admired her own Beauty in the mirror.

At once she stood up and walked out of the room.

Opening the doors, the people outside in the Courtyard beholding her radiance bowed down their heads and then greeted her.

"May Your Highness live long." They said as Princess Toyomike descended while Sina and Kabane held her hands while she walked up towards the gates of her Palace.

At that moment, the guests had started coming in and as the Princess had guessed most of the Courtiers turned up with their sons who were elegantly dressed in expensive robes.

"Your Highness." They greeted as they bowed their heads.

"You are most welcome." Princess Toyomike replied as she signalled for them to be led inside while she smiled at a number of the probable suitors that they were trying to show her.

She kept her charm and at that moment her beauty by far surpassed that of anyone that had ever lived on before her.

Next were the Consorts and Princesses of the Inner Court who turned up dressed so beautifully as well.

"Your Highness." They said as they bowed to the Princess.

"How delicate your features are." Princess Toyomike praised.

"Nevertheless I can not compare to the Princess of Nara." They each replied as they walked in.

The sun was already about to set when finally as she had waited quite long, her Father the Emperor turned up and with him came the Empress.

"Your Majesty, your Highness." She said as she bowed to the two of them respectively.

The Emperor's eyes looked around and he quickly appreciated the venue.

"It seems that the Palace has received the touch of heaven on this auspicious day." The Emperor said.

"Thanks to you Father." Princess Toyomike replied as she bowed her head.

"Her Highness has in deed blossomed into a rare beauty, just like the blue rose and the plum blossoms that grace the sides of the floss." The Empress said.

"But how can I compare to the beauty of her Highness?" Princess Toyomike asked.

"I am too old my dear." The Empress replied with a smile on her face.

"Nevertheless." The Princess said. "Beauty is eternal that even in old age it can be told to have existed at the time of youth." She added.

"You do have a mouth that is so sweet to the elderly." The Empress said.

"You are my mother and teacher after all, to be graced by Your presence is something that I am entirely very thankful for." Princess Toyomike replied as she pointed and let them pass.

The Empress smiled at her before she sashayed away with the Emperor and at that time, The Crown Princess followed.

"Your Highness." Princess Toyomike said as she greeted her.

"Happy birthday." The Crown Princess said as she bowed her head.

"I've noticed your presence before a number of times, it's a pity that we never actually talked that much." Princess Toyomike said.

"At last I can see how exceedingly beautiful the Princess of Nara is." The Crown Princess said. "By the time even I can not resist that charm of yours how can all the men in Nara both young and old even try." She added.

"But I'm not graced to be married as you are." Princess Toyomike said.

"Do not worry, someday you'll find a good husband." The Crown Princess said.

"You must be lucky being the wife if the Crown Prince." Princess Toyomike said.

"You must be close to him to know how lucky I really am to have a man like him." The Crown Princess replied.

"Pardon my impertinance." Princess Toyomike said with a smile on her face.

"No need, we are both women after all and it's your birthday, no one would understand your intentions and desires better than I can." The Crown Princess replied as she turned around and walked into her Courtyard.

Her mother walked up to her.

"Mother." She said as she bowed her head.

"Get up." Consort Katashishime said.

"Happy birthday." She said.

"Thank you." the Princess replied.

"It is quite colourful." Consort Katashishime said.

"Thank you so much for appreciating." Princess Toyomike replied.

"I feel that you have really grown from being a naive and small young girl to becoming a very wise and strong woman." Consort Katashishime said.

"I also miss the days I was still very young." Princess Toyomike said as she kept on bowing and greeting the people who walked right through it.

"Trust me my dear, we all do." Consort Katashishime said.

"It's funny how everything has to change so drastically." Princess Toyomike said.

"The responsibility of youth is something that is too great to bear." Consort Katashishime remarked.

"Mother, are you finally with me?" Princess Toyomike asked.

"I couldn't bring myself to accept the fact that you chose to contend with your step mother." Consort Katashishime replied.

"Perhaps I am just a desperate Princess who has dreams of her own." The Princess said.

"Why should you let your dreams and responsibilities dictate the kind of person that you become?" Consort Katashishime asked.

"Because to me, I love living to fulfill my responsibility." Princess Toyomike replied.

"And what is your responsibility?" Consort Katashishime asked.

"My responsibility is the welfare of my people." Princess Toyomike replied.

"Don't you think that sometimes what you want is unfeasible?" Consort Katashishime asked.

"I don't let that weigh down my opinion." Princess Toyomike replied. "Within this very household are the people that I've nurtured and some that I have grown up with.

Others that are gathered here have watched me since I was very tender of age and the satisfaction that I feel in my soul and the wholesome peace that I get is from seeing other people happy.

Free from oppression and disgrace, free from suffering and slavery, a world that is very beautiful like that and a paradise that is full of love is what I dream of for this country and that is what makes me happy." Princess Toyomike added.

"You are far too complicated to understand." Consort Katashishime said.

"And this complicated daughter of yours very much isn't willing to become simple for the world to understand." Princess Toyomike replied.

"I see." Consort Katashishime said as she walked away and then left the Princess right when the Crown Prince arrived through her gates.

"Your Highness." Princess Toyomike greeted him.

"Happy birthday." He spoke in a deary tone as a group of servants walked from behind him carrying a lot of gifts for the Princess.

"Thank you." Princess Toyomike replied as she looked at him with a warm smile on her face he returned her look of affection with calmness before he entered inside.

At last, the celebrations began and as the dancers graced the floor a number of troupes and many playing instruments, the people were feasting as the Courtiers themselves talked amongst each other.

Princess Toyomike who was standing next to her quarters was being gifted by a number of young men all of which brought with them very expensive gifts.

Prince Anahobe walked up to her at that very moment and she looked at him.

"Happy Birthday." He said to the Princess.

"Thank you." She replied.

"Could you please give me your hand." Prince Anahobe asked and at that point the Crown Prince drawing closer was attracted by the sight that he was forced to look clearly.

"Sure." Princess Toyomike replied as she gave him her right hand.

He got from his hands a very beautiful Jade bangle that was inlaid with semi precious stones and had golden strips around it.

"Thank you." Princess Toyomike said as she appreciated it on her wrist.

I understand that you are the type of person that loves Buddhism." Prince Anahobe said.

"It might have taken you quite a while to figure out what it is that I like." Princess Toyomike asked.

"Women fancy what's beautiful." Prince Anahobe said. "Unlike them, you fancy what's unique." He added.

"The Jade is very pure and nearly clear as crystal, the rubies and the sapphires that grace it all the same so bright like small stars, the dragon strip made of gold thoroughly polished all over." Princess Toyomike said as she studied the Masterpiece. "An object like this must be from Sui and not Nippon." She added.

"You know the origins very well." Prince Anahobe said.

"Jade considered so pure and sacred, to ward off all evil and protect the one wearing it." She added.

"Life is an entirely ordurous path." Prince Anahobe remarked.

"And to guard against the evils that come along with it and prevail in all its ordeals I believe that you have gifted me this bangle as a charm." Princess Toyomike said.

"All the better to protect you." Prince Anahobe replied.

Hardly had he spoken when the Princess started to feel dizzy slowly and slowly.

"Is anything wrong?" Prince Anahobe asked as he noticed while the Crown Prince out of so much concern walked up to the Princess.

Before she'd give her reply, Princess Toyomike feeling her head becoming heavier was betrayed by her legs and at that very moment she fainted falling into Prince Anahobe's strong arms while the Crown Prince was watching.