CHAPTER SIXTY ONE
"Your Majesty." They said, "Your Highness." They added as they greeted Imperial Consort Toyomike who smiled heartily at the both of them.
"What brings you here?" Emperor Bidatsu asked.
"We were worried about your health father and seeing and hearing that you were quite sombre we brought gifts to present you with to cheer you up." Imperial Prince Kasuga replied as he bowed his head.
"What is it?" Emperor Bidatsu asked as the valets walked up to the front and then opening the boxes in their possesion the Emperor and his wife stood stood up.
Imperial Prince Kasuga carried out of his box a very small book that had been compiled while his brother Imperial Prince Naniwa pulled out what looked to be a small potted plant.
Immediately, the Emperor was startled.
"What's this?" He asked.
"Father, allow me to present the book of accounts of the state that is summarized and quickly helps us to understand everything there is concerning the National expenditures." Prince Kasuga said.
"What about you, Naniwa?" Emperor Bidatsu asked.
"All that I have to offer you father is this small plant, there is not much that is important about it except that if you can watch it and care for it day and night then I am convinced all your worries shall be relieved." Prince Naniwa replied.
"One is worried about Your Majesty's heavy work the other worried about your leisure and relief." Imperial Consort Toyomike said.
"You are all Filial children." Emperor Bidatsu said.
"We only worry so much about your health father and ours as your sons is to make sure that no matter what it takes, it is upon us to see to it that your life if not improved then we can at least render everything most easy to you." Imperial Prince Kasuga said.
"Thank you so much." Emperor Bidatsu said.
"Your welcome father." They all replied as they each returned their presents into the boxes which they left open on the floor while Sato carried them away.
"You all are very good to your father." Imperial Consort Toyomike said.
"Thank you so much Your Highness." They all replied as they bowed their heads while they stood up onto their feet.
"If you don't mind then on behalf of His Majesty I wish to invite you all to the Eastern Palace for a feast this evening." Imperial Consort Toyomike said.
"Thank you so much Your Highness." They said joyfully.
"You must have been busy compiling the book and nurturing this plant and the rest of the Palace hasn't been that lively in a while I believe that the Imperial family should come together." Imperial Consort Toyomike said.
"That's a very good thing Your Highness." Emperor Bidatsu said.
"As it is that we are all worried then why don't we take some time apart to relieve your stress?" Imperial Consort Toyomike said.
"Yes Your Highness." Emperor Bidatsu replied as he turned to Sato and he smiled at him.
"Your Majesty." He said as he bowed his head.
"Go out through all the Palaces and please invite all the members of the Royal family from the Imperial wives and Concubines and tell them to gather at the Eastern Palace tonight for a feast." Emperor Bidatsu said.
"Yes Your Majesty." Sato replied as he walked out of the room.
"We shall take our leave Your Majesty." The Imperial Princes said as they withdrew from the Emperor's presence.
"What do you think about them?" Emperor Bidatsu said.
"Your Majesty, they have grown and they have all come of age, they seem to understand your burdens and they also have a sense of responsibility so I certainly can point out that they each boast a remarkable political acumen." Imperial Consort Toyomike replied.
"I couldn't agree with you more." Emperor Bidatsu said with a smile on her face.
Dowager Empress Ishi Hime read through the paper that had been sent to her.
"What is it Your Highness?" Empress Hirohime asked.
The Dowager Empress folded her paper and she placed it on the table.
"Her Highness the Imperial Consort Toyomike has called for a feast at the Eastern Palace and his Majesty acquisced to the offer, on the other hand the Imperial Princes Naniwa and Kasuga have also presented their father with gifts one being a book of accounts of the state that is summarized and quickly helps to understand everything there is concerning the National expenditures and the other a small plant for the Emperor to look after and relieve himself of worry." Dowager Empress Ishi Hime said.
"They all have thought much further than we have." Empress Hirohime said.
"We might have underestimated Consort Kasuga because that book couldn't have been compiled recently, it was certainly compiled some time ago." Dowager Empress Ishi Hime said.
"She perhaps foresaw the possibility that the issue of naming a Crown Prince would come much earlier than we had expected." Empress Hirohime said.
"But that's the least of our worries we need to know what Her Highness the Imperial Consort Toyomike is up to." Dowager Empress Ishi Hime said.
"Hotaru has reported to me, she doesn't receive letters from anyone, she is always looking after her child and she rarely walks out of the room." Empress Hirohime said.
"That's how she was able to compile the Manner of the Imperial women the last time and challenge you for the Position of Empress and even now there is a reasonable amount of power that she wields behind the scenes of the political sphere she must be up to something even if we aren't fully aware what it could possibly be." Dowager Empress Ishi Hime said.
"You are right." Empress Hirohime said.
"Why did she call for this feast to begin with?" Dowager Empress Ishi Hime said.
"Even I can't see why?" Empress Hirohime replied.
"Regardless of the situation it shall require us to turn up." Dowager Empress Ishi Hime said.
Consort Kasuga was seated in her own Chambers when Teru walked in.
"Your Highness." She said as she bowed her head.
"How is it?" Consort Kasuga asked.
"His Majesty the Emperor was with Imperial Consort Toyomike but with the arrival of the Imperial Princes he was pleased nonetheless." Teru replied.
"They did a good job." Consort Kasuga remarked.
"But of all things why did Prince Naniwa present a plant?" Teru asked.
"You don't understand." Consort Kasuga replied.
"Even I am curious Your Highness." Teru said.
"Unlike Prince Kasuga who is talented with the pen and he is seen to be intellectually enlightened and upright in all disciplines, Prince Naniwa us best known for his grip of the sword.
If you can look at him closely if Naniwa was in the position to present a plant to his father, rather than being viewed as someone who is heartless, it attaches another image of himself bring gentle as we." Consort Kasuga replied.
"I see Your Highness." Teru said.
"What more happened and what was the expression on Imperial Consort Toyomike's face?" Consort Kasuga asked.
"I was surprised as it is she was rather pleased and as a result she called for a feast at the Eastern Palace and she invited all the members of the Imperial family." Teru replied.
"A feast?" Consort Kasuga asked.
"Yes Your Highness, even his Majesty acquisced to it." Teru replied.
"I see." Consort Kasuga said, "We shall turn up just so that we do not make His Majesty feel so offended." He added.
"Yes Your Highness." Teru replied.
Imperial Consort Toyomike was seated in her room as she was being dressed up in the most beautiful clothes and she stared at herself in the mirror and appreciated her own Beauty.
"You look so beautiful Your Highness." Sina said.
"Thank you." Imperial Consort Toyomike said as she smiled brightly. "Is the Imperial Prince Takeda ready?" She asked.
"Yes Your Highness." Sina replied.
"Then my heart is at ease." Imperial Consort Toyomike said.
"What are you up to Your Highness?" Sina asked.
"To of the elderly Princes are worried about their father, one of the youngest should give him a reason to smile." Imperial Consort Toyomike replied as she smiled at herself in the mirror while she offered her left hand to Sina who helped her stand up while she held her dress.
"Your Highness is so intelligent but how do you think the others shall take it?" Sina asked.
"I don't really care how it looks like in the eyes of others, all that I care about is what they are going to do afterwards." Imperial Consort Toyomike said as she slowly walked away.
The Princes and Princesses had all gathered and there with the Dowager Empress, Empress Hirohime sat at the right side of the chair that had been prepared for the Emperor while farther to the left Imperial Consort Toyomike's throne had been set as well.
The doors of the Eastern Palace were flung open and right inside, the Emperor Bidatsu and Imperial Consort Toyomike walked in hand in hand with one another while smiling at the others as everyone else bowed their heads.
"Greetings Your Majesty, greetings Your Highness." Everyone said in unison as they walked down the aisle to their seats that were prepared up ahead.
"One would actually think that she is his most legitimate wife." Empress Hirohime remarked.
Emperor Bidatsu and Imperial Consort Toyomike sat down happily while the others that were present bowed their heads to them.
"Greetings father." Imperial Prince Oshisako no Hikohito no Ōe said and all the others following his example they did the very same while Emperor Bidatsu smiled at him.
"I wonder what Her Highness is up to." Empress Hirohime whispered.
"As it seems to me at the moment, she boasts a remarkable appearance and looks far too normal than I had expected." Dowager Empress Ishi Hime said.
"You see that too?" Empress Hirohime asked.
"It's quite obvious." Dowager Empress Ishi Hime replied.
The Empress and her mother in law stared right across to the place where Consort Kasuga was seated and while she showed a sense of reserve and tranquility they'd known that perhaps she like themselves was playing along.
Everyone had eaten and they had drunk and at that moment Consort Kasuga turned to her husband.
"Greetings Your Majesty, if I may?" She said.
"What is it?" Emperor Bidatsu asked.
"I am very grateful to her Highness for having organized this wonderful feast but as it is it is her door and yours that we have visited I took the liberty to at least present something as a gift to the both of you if you don't mind?" Consort Kasuga said.
"Go ahead." Emperor Bidatsu replied and at that moment his wife clapped her hands and there into the rook there were a couple of people who walked in with a wooden frame on which two brocades were suspended.
"What's this?" Emperor Bidatsu asked.
"Your Majesty, a token of my gratitude both to Her Highness and Your Majesty I had these fine brocades prepared Your Majesty, the flower brocade for Her Highness Imperial Consort Toyomike and the Cloud brocade for Your Majesty." Consort Kasuga said.
"Allow me Your Majesty." Imperial Consort Toyomike said as she turned to her husband.
"Yes." Emperor Bidatsu replied and offering her hand to Sina, she was helped out of her seat and then taken in front to the brocades.
She stood in front of the floral one and she touched it.
"Such fine silk and satin with gold and silver thread, how intricate the designs must be judging from the stitchery there is it is only professional and perhaps it couldn't have taken less than a month to make." Imperial Consort Toyomike Said.
"Yes." Consort Kasuga replied.
"Her Highness prepared in advance." Imperial Consort Toyomike said.
"May be." Consort Kasuga replied, "As it is this quality of work is hardly made in Wa it's best source is the mainland itself." She added.
"Thank you Consort Kasuga." Imperial Consort Toyomike said as she turned to the Emperor.
"Your Majesty, with your permission I also have a gift to present to Her Highness and all the other ladies of the Imperial family." She said.
"Very well then." Emperor Bidatsu said and at that moment, another group of men carried a large number of brocades into the room and there's looking much more expensive than Consort Kasuga's.
The Emperor was amazed.
"Your Highness." Emperor Bidatsu said.
"Everyone here looked out for me at the time that I was with child and I hoped to return the favor myself and hence I decided that I would reward each and everyone here with not only this banquet but I hope that in the future to come, when we can get people from the mainland to visit this our humble abode then it shall in deed be our best opportunity to show case the Grace of the women of Wa." Imperial Consort Toyomike said.
"Wow." Emperor Bidatsu clapped for her while she bowed her head and she smiled before she walked back up to her throne while the brocades were carried away and distributed to everyone else.
"Such benevolence from the Imperial Consort Toyomike." Dowager Empress Ishi Hime remarked.
"Consort Kasuga had been phased out by this act of hers." Empress Hirohime said.
"There's something more because even I can't help but wonder myself, what exactly is Her Highness playing to?" Dowager Empress Ishi Hime asked.
"Thank you." Emperor Bidatsu said as he held his wife's right hand.
"It's nothing Your Majesty, if you can look at me and smile like this seeing your family very peaceful then in my heart that peace is eternal as well." Imperial Consort Toyomike said.
"To have a wife like you I have possesed much more than I ever needed, you have no idea how I am moved by this." Emperor Bidatsu said.
"You don't have to express it in words, as your wife I can feel your gratitude." Imperial Consort Toyomike said.
At that moment, one of Consort Kasuga's sons stood up.
"Your Highness, Father." He said as he bowed his head.
"What's the matter my son?" Emperor Bidatsu asked.
"Her Highness is most benevolent but like my mother even I too have a gift for her." Prince Naniwa said.
"Everyone has so many gifts to present at the moment, please proceed." Emperor Bidatsu said and one of the Eunuchs walked into the room carrying something that was veiled on a platter and standing by the Prince's side.
"Hmmm." Emperor Bidatsu muttered as he nodded his head to show his approval and at once, the scarlet veil was removed and there in a chest there was a very beautiful golden headdress.
"All Filial sons must show gratitude where their parents have given and Her Highness is also like a mother to me." Prince Naniwa remarked.
The Dowager Empress smiled at herself while all the other ladies of the Imperial Court looked away trying to hold in their laughter as well.
"Good." Emperor Bidatsu said.
"What's funny mother?" Empress Hirohime asked.
"This just got interesting." Dowager Empress Ishi Hime replied.
"Why?" Empress Hirohime asked.
"Can you not see?" Dowager Empress Ishi Hime, "all there is for Her Highness to give is nothing but beautiful brocades and the Imperial sons have been forgotten by her yet he remembers his step mother then he must be more benevolent." She added.
"Thank you." Imperial Consort Toyomike said, "There is such a very precious metals but I hope that you realise with my intents I do believe that there is something much more precious a gift." She added.
"Family?" Prince Naniwa asked.
"Take this banquet for instance." Imperial Consort Toyomike said, "I could give brocades and swords but what last much more than those fabric's wearing out and those swords becoming blunt or broken is the memory that we'll all share tonight." She added.
"Yes Your Highness." Imperial Prince Naniwa said as he bowed his head and walked away while the young Prince Takeda suddenly walked up into the room.
Everyone was surprised to see her.
"Father, mother." Prince Takeda said as he bowed his head.
"My son." The Emperor said as he clapped his hands loudly while the Prince still stood there.
"What is it my dear?" Emperor Bidatsu asked.
"Your Majesty, I also have a poem to present." Prince Takeda said.
"So young and also compassionate, at that age if you are that smart then you are someone this Country shall need." Emperor Bidatsu said and immediately, the Dowager Empress and her daughter in law sipping at their cups of tea they halted upon hearing those words.
"What?" Empress Hirohime muttered under her breath.
"Can I recite it father?" Prince Takeda asked.
"Yes, go on." Emperor Bidatsu replied and the young Prince smiling heartily he started.
"WHERE ARE THESE PETALS THAT BLOSSOM SO BRIGHT, WHERE ARE THESE STARS THAT GRACE THE NIGHT SKY, WHERE US WONDER IN THOSE LINGERING EYES , WHERE IS THE PASSION THAT'S WARMEST WITHIN YOUR HEART?
HAVE I YOU OR THIS KINGDOM, HAVE I LIFE OR I BELONG TO THE WORLD ALONE, YET I REGRET WHAT I CHERISH THE MOST, BEING WHAT I MUST GIVE AND EXPECT BACK NOT.
WHERE ARE THEY MY DEAR PEOPLE, WHERE IN THIS WALLS AND PILLARS THAT STAND TALL, WHERE ON EARTH AND IN HEAVEN, WHO IS THERE TO INHERIT THE HORRIBLE GLORY OF MINE." Prince Takeda said.
"Marvellous." Emperor Bidatsu said as himself alongside Imperial Consort Toyomike they applauded him.
"Thank you." Prince Takeda said.
"Come here to your father." Emperor Bidatsu said and his son hurriedly walked over to him while he spread out his arms with a smile on his face.
He lifted him up and carried him in the air while everyone was watching and Imperial Consort Toyomike smiled.
"Your Majesty." She called.
"The young Prince has grown and I am in deed impressed by his skills so I shall reward him." Emperor Bidatsu said as he looked at his son.
"Don't you think so?" He asked.
"Alright father." Prince Takeda replied.
"From this day onward, you shall be known as the Prince of Heian." Emperor Bidatsu said.
"Thank you father." Prince Takeda replied as he sat down with the Emperor in his seat.
All the others closely looking at him Consort Kasuga picked up her cup of tea and sipped it while Imperial Consort Toyomike took up her cup and looking at everyone else she smiled as well.
Dowager Empress Ishi Hime strode through her quarters while she was being followed by Empress Hirohime.
"Mother." She called while the old woman clenched her fist and smacked it at the table.
"That wench has gone too far." She said.
"Calm down Your Highness." Sakae said.
"It's Impossible, we are now being bombarded from both sides and at the moment everyone of the Princes is making a move so where is your son?" Dowager Empress Ishi Hime asked as she turned around and looked at Empress Hirohime .
"That ungrateful child." She said, "It seems to me that he trusts the automatic because he is drowned in his businesses and I have a reason to believe that at the moment, he doesn't feel threatened." She added.
"We must do something immediately." Dowager Empress Ishi Hime said.
"What are we going to do now mother?" Empress Hirohime asked.
"Leave it to me, I want you to do something else at the moment." Dowager Empress Ishi Hime replied.
"Please tell me mother." Empress Hirohime said.
"Gather all the Courtiers and the people that follow me from every corner of this country and have them assemble right here in Nara first because before the volcano can erupt, we need to apply more pressure on it." Dowager Empress Ishi Hime said.
"Yes Your Highness." Empress Hirohime replied.
"Make sure that you write to all of them personally." Dowager Empress Ishi Hime added.
"Yes." Empress Hirohime replied as she walked out of the room leaving the Dowager Empress behind alone in her room with Sakae.
"Sakae?" Dowager Empress Ishi Hime called.
"Yes Your Highness." Sakae replied.
"Who's the minister in charge of the weapons?" Dowager Empress Ishi Hime asked.
"If my memory serves me right Your Highness, it should be Soga no Umako." Sakae replied.
"It's good enough." Dowager Empress Ishi Hime remarked, "It's high time that I toppled the Imperial Princess' clout." Dowager Empress Ishi Hime said.
"How Your Highness?" Sakae asked, "They are quite cautious these days, won't they be able to survive?" She added.
"If they survive well and good, whether they don't someone must still stand up for them, how awful it shall be that in the eyes of the Emperor they have become over confident and we'll use this as the opportunity we have." Dowager Empress Ishi Hime replied.
"What should I do Your Highness?" Sakae asked.
"There's a shipment of arms from Shilla, and I have every reason to believe that it shall have landed here in three days time.
The Emperor should be at the dock at that moment to see every transaction for himself because the most remarkable one shall certainly shock him." Dowager Empress Ishi Hime replied.
"Yes Your Highness." Sakae replied.
"Make sure that all the men are ready and I am sure that they know what they must do." Dowager Empress Ishi Hime ordered.
"Yes Your Highness." Sakae replied as she walked out of the room leaving her Mistress alone.
"You just wait and see Toyomike, how I uproot you without sparing a thing." Dowager Empress Ishi Hime promised to herself as she smiled ghastly.
Imperial Consort Toyomike walked through the doors of her Chambers while she was being followed by Sina.
"Congratulations Your Highness." Sina said.
"It's nothing." Imperial Consort Toyomike said.
"Why Your Highness, I see that the Emperor has finally showed that above all his children, his son the Imperial Prince of Heian is the best." Sina remarked.
"Takeda is a very smart child, it was only natural for him to one day find favour in the eyes of his father and I must say I was impressed by his poetry." Imperial Consort Toyomike replied.
"He takes after both his parents." Sina said.
"Perhaps." Imperial Consort Toyomike said as her face suddenly looked gloomy.
"What is it Your Highness, aren't you happy?" Sina asked.
"It is sad." Imperial Consort Toyomike replied, "I intended to finally cause my enemies to act up, I provoked and maneuvered disrespect and now that favour is certain for me in the eyes of the Emperor the war is coming much quicker than I expected." She added.
"Don't worry Your Highness, Kabane and I along with all the other guards that have been loyal to you are here and the enemy shall not dare to come close." Sina said.
"Thank you." Imperial Consort Toyomike said, "I am most grateful for your support." She added as she walked off towards her bed where she sat down and stared outside the window.
The doors of the study were flung open and at that moment one of Koteko's ladies in waiting walked in.
"Your Highness." She said as she bowed her head.
"What is it Koma?" Koteko asked as she faced her while she remained seated at her table.
"The Banquet." Koma replied.
"What happened?" Koteko asked.
"Her Highness Imperial Consort Toyomike gave out expensive brocades to all the ladies present and her son the Imperial Prince Takeda upon reciting a poem to the Emperor and everyone else, he was very articulate that all the other Imperial sons and Daughters were phased out.
The Emperor was most affectionate with both him and his mother and he decided to name him the Prince of Heian." Koma replied
"How wonderful!" Koteko exclaimed as she stood up from where she was seated and started walking around the room back and forth before she eventually halted while facing her servant.
"The Emperor showing favours for his son then I believe that is not enough alone to get the Dowager Empress and all the others to act up like we want." Koteko said.
"What should we do Your Highness?" Koma asked.
"The Dowager Empress and the Empress herself must strike and the Imperial Consort should have a reason to retaliate so we shall begin with the former." Koteko said.
"I'm listening." Koma said.
"Rumour should become seen on paper consequently and the word should spread, THE EMPEROR HAS ALREADY MADE UP HIS MIND AND THE IMPERIAL PRINCE TAKEDA IS CERTAINLY GOING TO BE NAMED HIS CROWN PRINCE, IF IT ISN'T HIM THEN IT CAN NOT BE ANOTHER." Koteko said.
"I'm on it Your Highness." Koma replied.
"No matter what happens, see to it that Her Highness the Imperial Princess doesn't learn of this but contrary to that, I believe that the Dowager Empress and the Empress should be informed first-hand." Koteko said.
"Don't worry Your Highness, I shall certainly take care of that." Koma replied as she bowed her head and she withdrew from room leaving her Mistress alone while she smiled at herself.
"Let the games begin." She said to herself as she turned around and looked through the window where she saw the Imperial Palace standing in a distance.
Imperial Consort Toyomike was still seated on her bed when her husband walked through the doors up to her.
She stood up at once.
"Your Majesty." She said as she bowed her head to him.
"Why must you be so formal now, stand at ease." Emperor Bidatsu said and Imperial Consort Toyomike complied while her husband walking up to her he ceased her while she looked into his eyes.
"Has anyone told you yet how extraordinarily beautiful you looked like tonight?" Emperor Bidatsu asked.
"Other than yourself your Majesty, who else can dare to appreciate me?" Imperial Consort Toyomike asked.
"I believe that you are right, who can really dare to appreciate you other than myself." Emperor Bidatsu asked as he sat her down on the bed while she smiled at him as well.
"For how long have we been married Your Majesty?" Imperial Consort Toyomike asked.
"Five years now." Emperor Bidatsu replied.
"Have I asked anything from you?" Imperial Consort Toyomike said.
"What is it that you want this time?" Emperor Bidatsu asked.
"How well have you been feeling lately?" Imperial Consort Toyomike asked.
"I am Alright." Emperor Bidatsu replied.
"You haven't been eating the same Your Majesty, you have been too busy." Imperial Consort Toyomike said.
"It's a trivial matter." Emperor Bidatsu said.
"It could be but you are my husband and above all I wish you knew much better than anyone else that in my eyes there is nothing very trivial about you." Imperial Consort Toyomike said.
"Fine then, if you want me to eat well enough then you must be willing to have every meal of the day with me." Emperor Bidatsu said.
"And if you don't eat then know that I won't eat as well and if I am hungry I hope that you'll be considerate enough to at least remember that I depend on you just as much that I want you to live." Imperial Consort Toyomike said.
"Alright." Emperor Bidatsu said as he pulled his dear wife into a hug and there on the bed she embraced him as well.
"All that I am is for Your Majesty, I hope that you can have me without any complaints at least." Imperial Consort Toyomike remarked.
"I should be the one saying that for you Your Highness." Emperor Bidatsu said, "at last I am a body that has gained life and I am a bone that's possessing flesh." He added.
"How was Takeda?" Imperial Consort Toyomike asked.
"Beautiful." Emperor Bidatsu replied, "you taught him?" He asked.
"Of course your Majesty, I had taught him before but who would have thought that tonight our little son made me so proud?" Imperial Consort Toyomike asked.
"Who really would have?" Emperor Bidatsu asked.
Sina and Kabane stood at the balcony outside as they looked at the rooftops whole dawn was starting to linger over Nara.
"It's a splendid view." Kabane said.
"I agree." Sina replied.
"Is Her Highness still not yet up?" Kabane asked.
"With His Majesty." Sina replied.
"I see." Kabane remarked.
"Why did you seem too concerned?" Sina asked.
"It appears that she is calm recently." Kabane replied.
"Perhaps." Sina said.
"So is the Palace." Kabane remarked.
"Do not be fooled that this too is the most peaceful abode for her." Sina remarked.
"I believe so to." Kabane said, "Sometimes I can't help but think about how many volcanoes are going to erupt and when?" He added.
"Let's just be watchful, somethings I trust her Highness has already predicted." Sina said confidently while she smiled at the sky.
At that very moment, there was someone that hurried through the gates of the Courtyard and running Sato was carrying news towards the Emperor's Chambers.
"Your Highness." He shouted while Kabane and Sina looking at him they were surprised that they descended down the stairs up to the old man.
"Where is Her Highness?" Sato asked.
"Inside." Sina replied.
"Please tell her that I want to see her." Sato said.
"Is there anything urgent?" Kabane asked.
"I need to see Her Highness." Sato replied and at that moment the doors of the room were flung open while Imperial Consort Toyomike walked out still dressed in her plain night attire.
"What is it Sato?" Imperial Consort Toyomike asked.
"Please forgive me Your Highness, I have failed you and we all have." Sato replied.
"Would you tell me what has happened Sato?" Imperial Consort Toyomike asked.
"Imperial Prince Wohari." Sato replied.
"What's wrong with him?" Imperial Consort Toyomike asked.
"Sato looked down.
"What has happened Sato?" Sina asked.
"I asked, what has happened to my son?" Imperial Consort Toyomike asked furiously.
"Pardon me Your Highness but, His Highness has shuffled off this mortal coil." Sato replied and immediately, the Imperial Consort widened her eyes as she looked at him surprised and at the same time speechless.