CHAPTER FORTY ONE

"You Men are quite funny, do you know why?" Princess Toyomike asked.

"Enlighten me." Umako replied.

"Unlike women who find it easier to mould devotion and die for it, men would rather do whatever they can as long as it saves their necks " Princess Toyomike replied ghastly.

"I think that I understand Your Highness." Umako said.

"If you really wish to perfectly wield that power that you possess Uncle, take if from me that the first thing you should do it get rid of those that are not your people.

A ruler can not rule without the support of his people and if it is Moriya that you wish to contend with make sure that you steal away all those that he is proud to call his own." Princess Toyomike said.

"I think that I already know that very well Your Highness." Umako said, "I am here to convey my gratitude to you." He added.

"Uncle, if you were grateful I need you to do me a favour." Princess Toyomike said.

"What should it be?" Umako asked.

"Rally up all your supporters and tell them that you must prepare for the future." Princess Toyomike replied.

"What for Your Highness?" Umako asked.

"I due course as the Emperor won't have much time left, I desire that should the Crown Prince ascend the throne then at that time I wish to be by his side as his Empress." Princess Toyomike replied.

"Do you realize what it is that you are asking for?" Umako asked.

"I know it very well, much better than anyone else." Princess Toyomike replied.

"That is quite unfeasible." Umako asked.

"I can not come up to a conclusion unless I have given it a try." Princess Toyomike replied.

"Very well Your Highness." Umako said.

"Look after Fujiwara no Shige for me and also for yourself." Princess Toyomike said, "I am certain by now that there are people that have already been drawn to him an the other antagonistic factions shall try their best to have him." She added.

"Then why did you give him to me if you didn't trust him?" Umako asked.

"It's not that I do not trust him but rather I am very cautious if my enemies much more than anyone else.

They could do anything but his family is with us and in our best care, as long as we see to it that he is closer to you, the harder that it shall be for him to betray you." Princess Toyomike replied.

"Very well then Your Highness." Umako said as he stood up from where he was seated and he bowed his head.

Princess Toyomike nodded in acceptance with a smile on his face and at once Umako withdrew from her presence leaving her alone.

"What happened at the Assembly today?" Empress Ishi Hime asked Sakae.

"Mononobe no Moriya reported that the Minister for State Granaries and Military works was impeached today." Sakae replied.

"Impeached?" Empress Ishi Hime asked.

"Yes Your Highness." Sakae replied.

"By who?" Empress Ishi Hime asked.

"Some lowly Courtier his name is Fujiyaro no Shige." Sakae replied.

"How could a lowly minister such as himself try to go up against someone who was so powerful?" Empress Ishi Hime asked.

"I don't know your Highness but as it was the Courtier played a trick which the Emperor himself carried on.

They said that they had in their possession a book of accounts which gave the accountability for all the relief food that as being sold and the Military weapons as well.

Everyone was devastated and Mononobe no Mori in confessing to the Crimes the Emperor threw the book to him which turned out to be empty.

Many of the antagonistic faction were watching and no one would plead his case fearing that they could also be dragged down with him and the Emperor stripped him of his title before he had him sent out." Sakae replied.

"So who was his replacement?" Empress Ishi Hime asked.

"The Emperor decided to award the young man and Fujiwara no Shige took up the position of Mononobe no Mori as the New Minister for State Granaries and Military works." Sakae replied.

"Mori was our man that was serving as a subordinate under Umako, he was in fact the most powerful of the Primary six of them." Empress Ishi Hime said.

"Do you think that this is the work of the Princess Your Highness?" Sakae asked.

"No." Empress Ishi Hime replied, "I can't be too certain that it was her doing." She added.

"Why do You think So Your Highness, apart from her who else wishes to contend with your might?" Sakae asked.

"She could be the one against me but why did she not use Umako and Fujiyaro to impeach the minister?" Empress Ishi Hime asked, "For all that we know it is the first time that we are all hearing about that name so automatically he must have lived a quiet and destitute life and if someone was behind him then it couldn't be Princess Toyomike because in a way it would be showing the incompetence of his Uncle." Empress Ishi Hime added.

"I see." Sakae said.

"Aren't you curious as to why the Emperor decided to play along with the scheme to expose Mononobe no Mori?" The Empress asked.

"As long as I have known him he is someone that is impartial." Sakae said.

"Yes, in deed what he did today was contrary to his nature that it is possible he is trying to now show favour and fright at the same time." Empress Ishi Hime said.

"But why Your Highness?" Sakae asked.

"The more that I can think of it, he is safeguarding the Crown Prince." Empress Ishi Hime said, "that's the only explanation that my mind can conjure up at this moment." She added.

"He distrusts his Ministers?" Sakae asked.

"Most of those that are serving under him supported him when he chose to succeed my father over his sons and make me the Empress.

The Crown Prince returned to Nara after a very long time it's possible that he'd be worried that History could repeat itself and the same happens to his son.

He's trying to pull up new people that can not rally up crowds and if my imagination serves me right, he wishes to form a strong faction that can support him." Empress Ishi Hime replied.

"Many of the Courtiers have aged greatly and this is the only remedy that is there that he can find." She added.

"So what shall we do about Fujiwara no Shige Your Highness?" Sakae asked.

"I am sure that the Imperial Princess being strategic is going to win him over to her side but we also must put a stiff competition on her side.

That way we could at least get to him before she does and bring him over to our side." Empress Ishi Hime replied.

"You are in deed wise Your Highness." Sakae praised her Mistress as she bowed her head.

"Go and find out whatever it is that you can about his family." Empress Ishi Hime ordered.

"Yes Your Highness." Sakae replied and bowing her head she walked away while the Empress was left there wondering.

Umako was walking out of the palace while being escorted by Shizu when he saw the Crown Prince standing at the gates if the Palace and looking at him as he approached.

"Your Highness." Umako said as he bowed his head.

"At ease." The Crown Prince said as he held him by his shoulders.

"How may I help you Your Highness, is it me that you have been waiting for?" Umako asked.

"Yes." The Crown Prince replied, "Please come with me to into the Palanquin and J shall send you home, I have something to discuss with you in private." He added.

"If you say so Your Highness, from me there is no need to ask because your every wish is my command." Umako said as the Crown Prince signaled for him to enter into the Palanquin.

They sat down as the Palanquin was lifted from the ground and they started moving.

"Is something bothering you Your Highness?" Umako asked.

"I was merely concerned about your well-being, as it is we shall soon be a family so I should perhaps start treating you like my father in law." The Crown Prince replied.

"Thank you your Highness but I am merely a Courtier, I believe that even when you become an Emperor, that ettiguette is something that I am unwilling to drop." Umako said.

"As of now I am the Crown Prince I only wished that we'd be more open with one another." The Crown Prince said.

"Very well Your Highness." Umako said.

"You are the only Courtier that I can find it in my heart to trust and on top of that I entirely believe that after you saved my life before you are a very loyal servant." The Crown Prince said.

"I would die a thousand deaths for You Your Highness, your life compared to mine is much more important and you are the Future of this country that I couldn't be selfish hence I singlehandedly dived and took the arrow for you without any hesitation." Umako replied.

"And your loyalty since that day had amazed me." The Crown Prince said.

"Thank you so much for your gratitude your Highness and your faith in me, I am in deed moved by it." Umako said.

"I have great plans for you." The Crown Prince said.

"Enlighten me Your Highness." Umako said.

"Since I can find it in my heart to trust you above all the other people I have decided to ask that you and all your followers swear allegiance to me.

I shall do my very best to support them and I shall reward them with so much wealth and power." The Crown Prince said.

"No Your Highness." Umako said that the Crown Prince looked surprised.

"Are you turning down my offer?" The Crown Prince asked.

"I don't mean to sound offensive and I ask you to pardon my impertinance but I do not wish that you should attach a price to my loyalty." Umako said.

"Then how can you be my people?" The Crown Prince asked, "How can I protect you when you do not have the powers to go against those other evil Courtiers that are nothing but traitors only waiting to benefit from the power they have at the expense of the Innocents?" He added.

"Pardon me Your Highness, I did not take it to heart, I can serve you regardless of the position that I hold." Umako said.

"But that alone is not sufficient." The Crown Prince replied, "You have no idea what it is that is going through the minds of the other Officials.

There are some that see me as an incompetent ruler and on top of that a number of them could resent me because of my position and my favours.

My father having spent all those years without having to form for himself a league of favourites has caused trouble for me.

The Court looks peaceful on the outside but I can see turbulence coming to us and rising like a cloud above the mountains.

The Courtiers have secretly established for themselves cliques and I can tell the unsteadiness especially at the time that everyone was competing for the position of Imperial Chieftain." He added.

"Your eyes have seen all this Your Highness." Umako said.

"You are not the only choice available alone but you are also the best one that I need on my side if I must match up to the power of those factions and cliques." The Crown Prince said.

"Aren't you worried your Highness, I am not as smart as my father." Umako said.

"But you are not so foolish either." The Crown Prince said, "Because had you even been so then you wouldn't have chosen to keep quiet and allow the Emperor back you up with someone that is very intelligent.

You wouldn't have let those imbeciles lower their guard down and get exposed and you wouldn't have contained your aggression and maintained your peace to look like a fool in the eyes of all of them when you can read their thoughts." The Crown Prince said.

"You know me very well Your Highness, if there is one thing that I learned from my father it was to always first assess the situation and think before you act." Umako replied.

"Because of that I find you to be very reliable." The Crown Prince said.

"Fine then Your Highness." Umako said, "I am willing to join you with my people but as you give please contain your excitement and don't offer excessively." He added.

"Don't worry Your Excellency, I understand why. " The Crown Prince replied.

The Palanquin after riding for a while was lowered at the entrance of the Soga household and Umako stepped out.

He turned and looked at the Crown Prince's Palanquin.

"Thank you Your Highness." He said as he bowed his head.

"Your welcome." The Crown Prince replied with a smile on his face.

"You may go." He added as his Palanquin was lifted and at once the Crown Prince was carried away while Umako remained with Shizu to see him off until he has vanished from sight.

"Your Highness." Shizu said as Umako smiled.

"What's with the excitement?" He asked.

"I was right." Umako replied, "The Crown Prince eventually came to me." He added.

"I thought that our allegiance was with the Imperial Princess Toyomike?" Shizu asked.

"At this point in time we serve both the efficient and the dignified, this is part of me and the Princess' plan, if there can be two Masters then it shall be difficult for our enemies to distinguish between the two." Umako replied.

"I see Your Excellency." Shizu said.

"The Princess intends to lower the suspicions from the Courtiers and on the other hand she intends to catch the Empress' clique along with all her supporters by surprise." Umako added as he turned around and he walked into his Manor.

The Crown Prince's Palanquin halted for a while and Miwa no Sakau sat inside it.

"Your Highness." He said, "So what happen between you and Ōmuraji Soga no Umako?" He asked.

"He is trustworthy for now." The Crown Prince replied.

"It's not like he has a choice." Miwa no Sakau said.

"He actually has one." The Crown Prince replied.

"What is it Your Highness, if not you then who could it be?" Miwa no Sakau asked.

"There is another emotion that is his master, it could be vengeance, jealousy, hate, worry or envy but certainly not greed, that's why I told you that he is trustworthy for now because each one of the feelings that I have mentioned could be equally fatal as it is useful to us." The Crown Prince replied.

"If you say so Your Highness." Miwa no Sakau said.

General Fujiyaro was in the courtyard of his manor when someone jumped over his fence and landed right where he was.

He looked at the figure of the person and they looked quite familiar but their face was veiled with a black attire.

The launched themselves towards him as they pulled out a small hidden sword and General Fujiyaro who was with his katana unsheathed it as he launched himself towards the attacker.

The attacker was quite flexible in their movements as they swang around with their sword.

General Fujiyaro threw himself into the air and the sword passing beneath him he descended with the might of his own trying to cut his attacker but they guarded with theirs.

"Who are you?" General Fujiyaro asked as he stared into the familiar eyes.

"You know me " The attacker replied in a very soft voice and at once, General Fujiyaro relaxed while the attacker also sheathed their sword.

The attacker removed the veil that was hanging over their face and General Fujiyaro seeing who it was smiled.

"Who is it that you work for?" He asked.

"The person that helped you of course, she is the only one that ever saved my life " Sina replied.

"Normally you only deliver messages, right now you fought with me, why?" General Fujiyaro asked.

"I believe you know the reason just as I do, not everyone that doesn't hold a sword is not a fighter." Sina said.

"Her Highness must be pleased." General Fujiyaro whispered, "She has another person of her own." He added.

"For her everyone is valuable." Sina replied.

"She would have annihilated the Empress' followers in one single move." General Fujiyaro said.

"Except that as we all can't understand her mind she believes that there are still some that could be quite valuable in the future and on top of that she is reluctant to force most of the Courtiers into rebellion." Sina replied.

"What does she want me to do?" General Fujiyaro asked.

"It's quite simple Your Excellency." Sina said as she handed over a piece of paper to him which he took into his hands and unfolded immediately.

Reading what was inside his eyes were wide open that he folded the piece of paper in his fist.

"Is her Highness serious?" General Fujiyaro asked.

"Yes." Sina replied as she turned around and faced the wall.

"Everyone she tasks she trusts and there is not a single human that can much up to your capabilities.

Whoever it is that is written on that per could be an old politician but that doesn't mean that he is flawless so you must find whatever dust there is on him that you can find." Sina added.

"Yes." General Fujiyaro replied as she climbed the wall and jumped over it leaving him in his Courtyard alone.

He opened the piece of paper that was in his possession and read the words that had been written on it.

"IMPEACH ŌMURAJI OTOMO KANAMURA NO MARO."

He crumpled the piece of paper in his hands and then he looked up at the skies.

The Imperial Princess Toyomike's Palace was being decorated with a series of lamps and other decorations.

Red banners were tied about the place.

She walked out of her room and stood outside on top of the stairs with her child at hand as she admired the view of her courtyard which had become very busy.

Today is the day that we have been waiting for." She whispered when Kabane walked up to her.

"Your Highness." He said as he bowed his head.

"What is it?" Princess Toyomike asked while she gently shook her daughter who was smiling while looking at her.

"The Empress." Kabane replied.

"What has happened to her?" Princess Toyomike asked.

"She's been sending people over to Fujiwara no Shige's residence to persuade him with a series of gifts." Kabane replied.

"I wouldn't have expected any less." Princess Toyomike said.

"Why Your Highness?" Kabane asked.

"Haven't you looked around the Horizon?" Princess Toyomike asked and Kabane looked.

"What is it that you see beyond these Palace walls?" She asked.

"I see very many roofs." Kabane replied.

"No." Princess Toyomike replied, "It's not just the roofs." She added.

"What is it Your Highness?" Kabane asked, "What is it that you see beyond me?" He added.

"I see people." Princess Toyomike replied. "For ages the Empress has dominated because she has secretly won over a number of them with bribes and as usual she shall always expect to by each and every talent with expensive gifts and bribes." She added.

"Isn't that in her nature?" Kabane asked.

"To beat the Empress we must first Begin by annihilating her from within." Princess Toyomike whispered.

"By that do you mean that you intend to give her Fujiwara no Shige as a decoy?" Kabane asked.

"He is quite competent and if he could get closer in the circle of my enemy then it shall be easy for me to know what it is that my enemy is up to." Princess Toyomike replied.

"Aren't you afraid that he could be discovered?" Kabane asked.

"I am most confident that he won't." Princess Toyomike replied, "There is also no possibility of him crossing over to the Empress because what he has between himself and her is a blood feud." She added.

"A blood feud?" Kabane asked.

"Yes." Princess Toyomike replied.

"How did you know that Your Highness?" Kabane asked.

"To obtain all the power that she currently possesses, her Highness has been partial, she has committed very many crimes and atrocities to Innocents and those who threatened her might she buried them.

Her Palace is so fertile with very many corpses buried around, the forests that surround us have been abodes to the ghosts of the Innocents that cry for revenge each and every day.

To think that she is human some people even feel their skin crawling and I knew If I wanted to get people to watch her from the inside then I needed to put those who bear very deep grudges towards her." Princess Toyomike replied, "After all if the enemy if my enemy is my friend then only I could put their talents to good account." She added.

"I see Your Highness." Kabane said.

"Where is Sina?" Princess Toyomike asked.

"She went to see Honourable Fujiyaro in the morning and she hasn't yet returned." Kabane replied.

"He had just spoken when Sina walked up behind her.

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

"Here you are." Princess Toyomike said, "Did you deliver it?" She asked.

"Yes Your Highness." Sina replied.

"Good." Princess Toyomike said.

"I am curious Your Highness." Sina said.

"What about?" Princess Toyomike asked.

"Why him?" Sina asked.

"Patience." Princess Toyomike replied.

"I am worried that Mononobe no Suke might not fall that easily." Sina said.

"Do not worry." Princess Toyomike asked, "After what happened I am certain that they'd all be suspicious that someone is after them but that someone is not me." She added.

"Why Your Highness?" Sina asked.

"It's nothing, you just wait and see for Yourselves." Princess Toyomike replied.

"Alright Your Highness." Sina and Kabane said in unison as Princess Toyomike turned around and walked back into her room.

"What do you think her Highness is up to?" Kabane asked Sina.

"I do not really know." Sina replied.

"Whatever it is it must be something that is quite risky." Kabane said.

"This is the price of everything, it shall become costly for her Highness of her plan is distorted and when something like that happens she could be accused for factionalism." Sina replied.

"But the Empress on one hand is doing the same thing as well." Kabane said.

"You don't understand, she is feared and very many courtiers depend on her given the fact that their prominence is attributed to her cause. If the politicians were to do that on their side it would be like severing their own limb.

If you look at her Highness, herself being very young makes a number of Courtiers reluctant to follow her.

It is quite easy for most of them to abandon her and the only way that she can safeguard against such a possibility is if she were to rise to prominence in the inner court and assure them that their investment is not for nothing." Sina replied.

"You have never told me." Kabane said, "why is it that you are so devoted to the Princess that you'd do anything for her?" Kabane asked.

"I am greatly indebted to her Highness and all my days I am thankful, the debt there is between the both of us can never be paid in full by another because even when I do often remember it was the Empress herself who was against me." Sina replied.

"What happened?" Kabane asked.

"We'll never be as privileged as the people that live within the palace, we'd never be as strong as they are, they can manipulate anything in nature to fulfill their cause and all that we can do is to watch from a distance and let nature take it's cause.

I was hungry but she fed me with food for the Emperor's table and because I was rugged and without a place to call home she took me in under her roof.

I remember vividly that others accused me of being an assassin and she was willing to get punished on my behalf.

She spoke up to the Emperor and defended me and it was on that day that I felt so important to someone for the first time in my entire life." Sina said.

"She really is so generous." Kabane said.

"Others worship the Kami and others Buddha but I worship her because as the Empress and other Royals treat their maids as maids, she trusts me so much she is the only one who treats me as her sister." Sina said.

"I was also insignificant when she called me not more than two years ago, so much has changed for me and my family.

"Her heart knows no malice." Sina replied, "If she is against you it is simply because she loves the very people that you torture you yourself." She added.

The Crown Prince was seated in his office but he was gazing at the pendant that he had bought a while ago.

Miwa no Sakau then walked into the room.

"Your Highness." Miwa no Sakau said as he bowed his head.

"Miwa?" The Crown Prince replied as he stood up.

"Your Attire for tonight is here Your Highness." Miwa no Sakau said as The Crown Prince walked over to him and ceasing the garment he examined it.

It was navy blue with some dark designs of flowers all Over it.

"Who made this?" The Crown Prince asked.

"Her Highness the Crown Princess." Miwa no Sakau replied.

"I suppose that she hasn't changed after all." The Crown Prince said.

"You could be unwilling to give her your heart your Highness but I can see that she is quite devouted if it's to love you she always will." Miwa no Sakau said.

"But there is only one woman that I can ever love all my life." The Crown Prince said, "And that woman can never be her." He added.

"I understand Your Highness, but at least I think as your friend it would be very hard for you to believe me but at least once be kind to her." Miwa no Sakau said.

"You?" The Crown Prince said as he raised his hand.

"It was just a suggestion Your Highness, after all she did stake her life and so much more to marry you.

At least if you can show her some affection I think it could at least change the relationship between the both of you." Miwa no Sakau said.

"I wish it was that easy but I do not wish to show her hope and at the same Tim me crush it in front of her eyes.

I keep wishing that she could break free from that torment and I find her quite pitiful but if I let myself get to close then each and Everytime that I'll keep on rejecting her will be more painful than the first." The Crown Prince replied.

"I am worried for Your Highness, I understand human beings too well, if she can not yield your affection in peace, she'll take away everything else there is that you cherished.

When she becomes obsessed over you she would be willing to do very many unimaginable and awful things.

There is nothing that shall be more painful on your side than the day that she herself will turn against you and worse she might even not survive.

When that happens Your Highness, you'll live in constant regret and you shall keep blaming yourself for being the Primary cause that led her to go astray." Miwa no Sakau said.

"I see." The Crown Prince said, "I'll see what I can do." He added.

"Thank you Your Highness." Miwa no Sakau said as he placed the cloth on the table and slowly, he withdrew from the room.

The Crown Prince walked over to the garment and then he touched it.

His heart wasn't moved at all.

"Despite all the good things that you do, even out of pity my heart can not beat for you, is it because I am afraid and I find you so suspicious, or is it because you have already started to walk down a very destructive path?" He asked himself.

The Crown Princess was seated at her dressing table and she was being adorned with ornaments and all the expensive jewels by Hotaru.

"You look so beautiful Your Highness." Hotaru said as she smiled at her Mistress.

"In deed." The Crown Princess replied as she touched her cheek and feeling how flawless her skin was she wore a ghastly expression.

"Did you send over the attire to the Crown Prince?" The Crown Princess asked.

"Yes Your Highness." Hotaru replied, "I am certain that he shall wear it tonight." She added.

"Don't be too certain." The Crown Princess said, "I am quite envious of the Imperial Princess." She added.

"Why your Highness?" Hotaru asked.

"If I could have her face all to myself, if even I had that look that could bewitch him to fall for me." The Crown Princess said.

"You'll always be better Your Highness." Hotaru said.

"But His Highness shall never notice me." The Crown Princess replied, "Comparing me to the Crown Princess, she is like a goddess while I'll forever be nothing in his eyes." She added.

"His Highness is quite heartless to you Milady, I still don't understand why you hold such strong affection towards him?" Hotaru said.

"Other meh could come and go, but just like I can not beat his obsession over the Imperial Princess no other man can beat my obsession over him." The Crown Princess replied.

"He is unfair to you Milady." Hotaru said.

"He wasn't that much excited even when I bore him the most legitimate issue to inherit the throne yet he is over the daughter of the Imperial Princess." The Crown Princess said.

"Your Highness, as long as the Imperial Princess Toyomike is alive you'll never have peace." Hotaru said.

"Her days in the Inner court are short-lived because I am no longer the Innocent and tolerant person I used to be.

Very soon when she is defeated, I shall be the very person that shall bury her because no one can have what I don't." The Crown Princess replied as she smiled at her reflection ghastly.