CHAPTER SIXTY FOUR

Consort Kasuga was seated inside her chambers when the doors were flung open and through them Imperial Consort Toyomike walked through.

She halted and turned around to face her and at that moment she bowed her head.

"Your Highness." She said.

"Are you here to mock me?" Consort Kasuga asked.

"Then why did I save you in the first place?" Imperial Consort Toyomike asked.

"Why did you plead my case?" Consort Kasuga asked.

"Because to me this is the very least that you deserve." Imperial Consort Toyomike replied.

Consort Kasuga sighed.

"It doesn't matter of the Emperor already gave the permission for his sons to be executed." Consort Kasuga said.

"He didn't." Imperial Consort Toyomike replied, "that document was falsified by me." She added.

Consort Kasuga raised her head and she looked at her.

"Aren't you satisfied, you already got what you wanted?" Consort Kasuga said.

"Did I?" Imperial Consort Toyomike said.

"What more is there for me to give?" Consort Kasuga asked.

"You were so heartless, do not blame me, you were smart enough to orchestrate my loss from which you would profit in the end to me you had to become a political pone in my game." Imperial Consort Toyomike replied.

"Our own fault was in loving the same man and our other fault was that as mothers we wanted the best for our children." Consort Kasuga said.

"Thanks to me your children can never be rulers, thanks to me they are alive and in this capital they are prisoners." Imperial Consort Toyomike said.

"Life is much more precious than power, of you can live today then you are certain of fighting tomorrow." Consort Kasuga said.

"But are you?" Imperial Consort Toyomike asked.

"Yes." Consort Kasuga replied.

"Thanks to the crime that you have committed you are faulted and regardless of your seniority you shall never become an Empress.

On the other hand unlike you or any other enemies of mine I look beyond the very point than that of the Empress title being on my brow." Imperial Consort Toyomike said.

"What for a woman like you and me could be much higher than the position of an Empress?" Consort Kasuga said.

"I believe that the annals of History alone shall tell." Imperial Consort Toyomike replied.

"All this time I was scheming and I took myself to be too smart, are you any different from me, perhaps you are even much worse." Consort Kasuga said.

"Perhaps I am even much worse but like you I am a mother, I can do whatever it takes to protect both my husband and my children, protect his legacy and also his name.

I can protect them all only if I have much power and no one can rival with it, this vast country and it's people that I have fervently loved and cherished." Imperial Consort Toyomike replied.

"But there is hate in your eyes, there is grief and mourning all of which you can not ignore." Consort Kasuga said.

"You are beneath me but if there is one thing that I can tell you that you should know it is that all my life, my enemies have deprived me of the people that I loved and cared about.

I have buried those close to me and I have been distanced from those that I could rely on in this inner Palace this heart of mine has become very hard that I can not simply forgive those crimes that they have made." Imperial Consort Toyomike said.

"And you think that I killed your son?" Consort Kasuga asked.

"Regardless of who did it, your hearts are all the same, I never expected you to be merciful to the offspring of another other than your own, but the Dowager Empress is the murderer of my grandfather and she is someone that I won't forgive." Imperial Consort Toyomike replied.

"From this point on, I hope that you know we are only going to be enemies." Consort Kasuga said.

"I don't mind." Imperial Consort Toyomike said, "you can come at me with everything that you have but you should rest assured that if you don't topple me then you shall fall and if there is any harm that should befall my husband because of you how then shall I spare you in this life." she added as she turned around.

"You'll never be an Empress." Consort Kasuga said, "you are a conniving witch." she added.

"It's a pity that the pages of History for myself shall have a more beautiful picture than they shall for you, it's a pity though that you'll never see it." Imperial Consort Toyomike said as she walked out of the room leaving her co wife inside.

"I lost." Consort Kasuga said, "but this is my begining Toyomike because I assure you that stronger I shall rise again." she cursed angrily.

"What happened Your Highness?" Sina asked when she stepped out of the room while Kabane held an umbrella out for her.

"She isn't the murderer." Imperial Consort Toyomike replied.

"Then if she didn't kill the Imperial Prince Wohari, that means..." Sina muttered.

"It leaves only two suspects on the sand side and both my mortal enemies." Imperial Consort Toyomike said.

"The Dowager Empress and Empress Hirohime." Kabane said.

"Yes." Sina said.

"Today the Imperial Prince Oshisako no Hikohito no Ōe was invested in front of the Courtiers as the Crown Prince Your Highness, isn't his position secure?" Kabane asked.

"Nothing is certain but I have come this far that I can not turn back now." Imperial Consort Toyomike replied.

"What are you going to do Your Highness?" Kabane asked.

"How much of their peace can those two women hold?" Imperial Consort Toyomike asked.

"I don't know Your Highness." Sina replied.

"Then don't worry, we are all about to see." Imperial Consort Toyomike said as she sashayed away and vanishing out of the Courtyard of the Noble Consort Kasuga, she was off to her very own Palace.

"Mother, we have succeeded." Empress Hirohime said.

"Don't speak up too soon." Dowager Empress Ishi Hime said, "this battle I believe has just started." She added.

"Mother, Oshisako has become the Crown Prince, in my opinion as long as Imperial Consort Toyomike still resides within the walls of this Palace then it'll be very difficult for us to consolidate his position." Empress Hirohime said.

"Something's not very right at the moment." Dowager Empress Ishi Hime said.

"Why?" Empress Hirohime had just asked when Sakae walked into the room.

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

"What is it?" Dowager Empress Ishi Hime asked.

"Her Highness the Imperial Consort Toyomike." Sakae replied.

"What happened to her?" Empress Hirohime asked.

"Princess Uji." Sakae replied.

"What happened to my daughter?" Empress Hirohime asked.

"Her Majesty received a memorial from Soga no Umako through which Her Highness has been elevated to the rank of Saio." Sakae replied.

"What happened to Saio Shinaga?" Dowager Empress Ishi Hime asked.

"Her Eminence, has passed on." Sakae replied.

"What?" Dowager Empress Ishi Hime said a little bit surprised as her eyes widened.

"Your Highness." Shizu said as she halted in front of the Imperial Consort Toyomike.

"What's the matter Shizu?" Imperial Consort Toyomike asked.

"A message from his Excellency." Shizu replied as he handed over the piece of paper to her while she unfolded it.

At that moment her eyes were wide open.

"Heaven's doing." Imperial Consort Toyomike said.

"What happened Your Highness?" Sina asked.

"The High Priestess is dead." Imperial Consort Toyomike replied.

"How?" Kabane asked.

"How did she perish?" Imperial Consort Toyomike asked.

"She contracted a fever a couple of days ago and she passed on early in the morning in her Chambers prior to the Crown Prince's investiture." Shizu replied.

"And who is the new High Priestess?" Sina asked.

"Her Imperial Highness Princess Princess Uji." Imperial Consort Toyomike replied.

"Should I tell His Excellency anything Your Highness?" Shizu asked.

"No need." Imperial Consort Toyomike said, "I only have a very simple message to deliver to him." She added.

"Please tell me Your Highness." Shizu replied.

"Let him draft a memorial asking to Impeach the Imperial Chieftain Mononobe no Moriya." Imperial Consort Toyomike said.

"Yes Your Highness." Shizu replied and bowing his head he walked away.

"What's happening Your Highness?" Kabane asked.

Imperial Consort Toyomike pulled out a small piece of paper from her sleeve and she handed it over to Kabane who opened it and read it.

"Your Highness?" He said a little bit surprised.

"The Imperial Edict that was left behind by His Late Majesty the Emperor dictates that because Her Highness the Dowager Empress has been unfaithful and she has slandered my tongue in all her conduct and factionalised my Court with His Excellency the Great Imperial Chieftain Mononobe no Moriya, of all my Imperial wives and Concubines she shall be sent to the Nunnery at once and there let her repent her mistakes for the rest of her life." Imperial Consort Toyomike said.

"Yes Your Highness." Kabane replied as he bowed his head and he walked away while Sina moved to the front of Her Mistress.

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

"All the best preparations should be made to send Her Highness to the Nunnery at once and if the Empress won't see to it then myself as the protector of His Majesty's last words I shall certainly see to it." Imperial Consort Toyomike said.

"Yes Your Highness." Sina replied and bowing her head she walked away.

Emperor Bidatsu was still seated in his study when Miwa no Sakau walked in hurriedly and stopping right in front of him he bowed his head.

"What's the matter with you Miwa?" Emperor Bidatsu asked.

"Her Highness the Imperial Consort Toyomike is on her way and she has urgent news to deliver." Miwa no Sakau replied.

"Her Imperial Highness Consort Toyomike." Sato announced and the doors were flung open while the Emperor's favourite walked in and in her own possession she was bearing the Imperial Edict which was a golden scroll that was no different from the ones that they had received five years ago.

"Greetings Your Majesty." Imperial Consort Toyomike said as she went down onto her knees.

"Please rise." Emperor Bidatsu said.

"Thank you Your Majesty." Imperial Consort Toyomike said as she stood up and faced him.

"I have been told that there is something urgent that you are here to tell me." Emperor Bidatsu said.

"Yes Your Majesty." Imperial Consort Toyomike replied as she lifted her hands with the Imperial Edict and Sato taking it into his arms he took it to the Emperor and handed it over to him.

"What's this?" Emperor Bidatsu asked.

"His Late Majesty the Emperor's Last Edict prior to his death." Imperial Consort Toyomike replied.

"Father?" Emperor Bidatsu asked.

"Yes." Imperial Consort Toyomike replied while her husband unfolded it and there right inside there was another white piece of paper on top of the Imperial order in a handwriting that was to him so familiar.

He started to read Through.

"My dear son, if you are reading this then I am dead, all that I ever wanted for you was to rule and like me be a great Successor to the Chrysanthemum throne of whom the future generations shall be proud of.

Other than Sato there is not a single person that I can trust, Her Highness the Imperial Princess Toyomike I gave you because I trusted that you of all people would love her and cherish her very much while coming to a mutual understanding.

Very many shall slander my final tongue and others take advantage of it, yet you I trust can undo all of that and I do believe you to be most upright and most Filial.

Regardless of whatever it is that could befall this country upon my death, let not your mother reside in the Imperial Palace any longer than I have, it's the only way that I can protect both yourself and her, because you mean the world to me." It said as the Emperor folded it and putting it down his eyes read through the Edict.

"What does it say Your Majesty?" Miwa no Sakau asked.

"These are His Majesty's final words." Emperor Bidatsu said with his eyes a little bit teary and everyone that was present in the room went down onto their knees immediately and they bowed their heads.

"HIS HIGHNESS THE CROWN PRINCE NUNAKAKURA SHALL BE MY SUCCESSOR IN FRONT OF MY COFFIN AND HER HIGHNESS THE DOWAGER EMPRESS HAS BEEN UNFAITHFUL AND SHE HAS SLANDERED MY TONGUE IN ALL HER CONDUCT AND FACTIONALIZED MY COURT WITH HIS EXCELLENCY THE GREAT IMPERIAL CHIEFTAIN MONONOBE NO MORIYA, OF ALL MY IMPERIAL WIVES AND CONCUBINES SHE SHALL BE SENT TO THE NUNNERY AT ONCE AND THERE LET HER REPENT HER MISTAKES AND PRAY FOR ME THE REST OF HER LIFE." Emperor Bidatsu read.

"Long Live His Majesty, Long Live our Emperor." Everyone said in unison.

"Everyone else may leave, I am interested in having a word with Her Highness Imperial Consort Toyomike in private." Emperor Bidatsu said.

"Yes Your Majesty." they all said and standing up, everyone walked out while Imperial Consort Toyomike remained kneeling down before her husband.

"Get up." Emperor Bidatsu said and at once she stood up so gracefully while he folded the scroll and he threw it down.

"What is this?" Emperor Bidatsu asked.

"I understand Your Majesty that you are very angry." Imperial Consort Toyomike said.

"And if you understand can you give me an explanation?" Emperor Bidatsu asked.

"Yes Your Majesty." Imperial Consort Toyomike replied.

"Tell me." Emperor Bidatsu said, "How did app this happen in detail?" He added.

"Yes Your Majesty." Imperial Consort Toyomike replied and at that moment she started her presentation.

"Father as we both know he was someone foresighted and at the time that his illness was worsening he was all the more cautious.

After very many numerous attempts to find out the political mastermind in the Imperial Court he had us all being watched carefully and as it appeared someone sneaked into the Imperial study one night and they attached the mark of the Imperial seal onto an empty edict.

Sato knew so many things and that he reported to his Majesty himself that someone had broken into the Imperial study but they stole nothing and the only way that he drew a conclusion about what could have happened was when he noticed the slight change in the way the seal was placed from where he was seated it faced downwards when for his case it had to look the opposite direction.

Because of that alone he wrote this edict prior to another episode of his illness about a week earlier when from an investigation through Fujiwara no Shige, he learnt that the Dowager Empress' Palace was up to date with everything that was going on in his own.

Eventually he started to trace the footsteps of Her Highness and her servants and he realised that constantly, they were in touch with the Mononobes.

Investigating the death of the Imperial Chieftain Soga no Iname, he realised that all the physicians that treated him and the suspects of the case though missing had been in contact with Shikishima no Kanazashi Palace and in particular the East side.

Eventually wary of Her Highness he carried out one last final investigation and at the time his sickness had started to worsen, his guards were shuffled by Her Highness which proved that she was in deed championing her own clout in the Imperial Court with which she consolidated her position in the Inner one." Imperial Consort Toyomike replied.

"And the Edict?" Emperor Bidatsu asked.

"When he was close to breathing his last, Emperor Kinmei handed over this Edict to Sato and he told him that he must not let the Empress be the Absolute power should he perish because he was afraid that the Female Ruler that the Sages and Priests perceived is her.

When Sato received the Edict, he knew that there were very many watchful eyes which was why he waited until the mourning period was over and there he brought the Edict and entrusted it to me personally." Imperial Consort Toyomike replied.

"Why didn't you tell me back then, why didn't you at least mention a word to me and tell me what the real situation was, why did you keep quiet?" Emperor Bidatsu asked.

"She is your mother and she is also the woman that raised me Your Majesty, she can hate me but how could I ever hate her because she gave you to me, and since it was likely that these were merely thoughts of His Late Majesty I didn't want to see you heartbroken or appear to be unfilial a son in front of your mother's eyes because it wasn't something that I myself dared to trust." Imperial Consort Toyomike replied.

"So mother fabricated all those three edicts?" Emperor Bidatsu asked.

"That can not be the only excuse." Imperial Consort Toyomike replied, "I have confirmed and her Highness Consort Kasuga being misinformed about the Coup and the Crown Prince Oshisako no Hikohito no Ōe being ready Her Highness knew everything.

The men that disguised themselves as Courtiers were her own and I have confirmed with my own eyes through the investigation that they were led by Hinote.

This scheme was to consolidate the position of the Crown Prince but alongside that there are a number of things that you haven't known." Imperial Consort Toyomike said as she got a large pile of papers and she placed them in front of the Emperor.

"What are these?" Emperor Bidatsu asked.

"Statements, results from the Investigations." Imperial Consort Toyomike replied.

"For more than thirty years your mother's clout is deep rooted, she has many officials at both the lower and the Higher administrative levels of work.

The blood of Emperor Senka that runs through her is her justification and to her very many people in the country bow.

Her accounts, her wealth, she owns private lands that aren't part of the Royal estate and these she had given to her people and sold to accumulate a fortune.

All the guards that watched the Chambers of His Late Majesty vanished without a trace and some of them were found dead much later and while I dug more and we carried out our most thorough investigation we learnt that they had all served under Her Highness." Imperial Consort Toyomike said.

Emperor Bidatsu sat down so surprised because of what he was hearing.

"Why now?" He asked.

"I was silent all those times because I never wanted Her Highness to notice that I had seen through her from the very beginning, she must have hated me out of suspicion that I am not certain but on many occasions I knew that if I didn't surrender then I couldn't in the future fight to protect you." Imperial Consort Toyomike said.

"All this time I have been forced to think that I have a political rival in the Imperial Court that I couldn't fight and with mother on my side I was perhaps most confident I didn't realise that she was the one that I dreaded." Emperor Bidatsu said.

Imperial Consort Toyomike walked around the table and there she sat down by his side abd embraced him.

"Don't think so much about it, all will be well." She said.

"No." Emperor Bidatsu said, "I love my mother, I love her so much." He added.

"But there is nothing much that we can do unless perhaps if you want I can help you." Imperial Consort Toyomike said.

Emperor Bidatsu raised his head and there he looked up at his wife.

"Tell me." He said.

"We won't send your mother away to a nunnery and we won't let her know that we posses this Imperial Edict." Imperial Consort Toyomike said.

"What should we do?" Emperor Bidatsu asked.

"We must destroy it and I understand that on your orders not a single one of the people who heard it shall ever mention it and even if they did there is no evidence." Imperial Consort Toyomike said.

"Wait." Emperor Bidatsu said.

"Why?" Imperial Consort Toyomike asked.

"What about Her Highness' clout?" Emperor Bidatsu asked, "what about those Courtiers, I can't impeach them without a reason and they are too many as you have said.

Besides if mother is really involved with them then....." Emperor Bidatsu was still saying.

"No." Imperial Consort Toyomike replied, "I am sure that one way or another those Courtiers should have some dirt on them which we can use to have a large number of them moved and replaced in a short while and blood is thicker than water, your mother I know she'll never go the extra mile of rebelling against you because you are her only son that she loves and she trusts." She added.

"Thank you so much." Emperor Bidatsu said as he hugged her tightly.

"I'll never let anything happen to you Your Majesty because as your wife I swore that I would protect you with everything of mine." Imperial Consort Toyomike said.

"Thank you." Emperor Bidatsu said while Imperial Consort Toyomike tightly hugging him a series of thoughts were going through her mind.

"Thank you so much father." She thought to herself, "I shall protect this Great Wa that you and Emperor Senka built." She added inwardly.

Dowager Empress Ishi Hime was seated inside her chambers and sipping at a cup of tea when Sakae hurriedly walked in.

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

"I have received to much news for one day." Dowager Empress Ishi Hime said.

"This is very critical Your Highness." Sakae said, "our source from the Emperor has reliably informed us that His Late Majesty the Emperor left a secret Imperial Edict and Her Highness Imperial Consort Toyomike has taken it to His Majesty and revealed it." she added.

"What does it say?" Dowager Empress Ishi Hime asked as Sakae handed over a small white piece of paper which she took in her own hands and opening it she read.

"HIS HIGHNESS THE CROWN PRINCE NUNAKAKURA SHALL BE MY SUCCESSOR IN FRONT OF MY COFFIN AND HER HIGHNESS THE DOWAGER EMPRESS HAS BEEN UNFAITHFUL AND SHE HAS SLANDERED MY TONGUE IN ALL HER CONDUCT AND FACTIONALIZED MY COURT WITH HIS EXCELLENCY THE GREAT IMPERIAL CHIEFTAIN MONONOBE NO MORIYA, OF ALL MY IMPERIAL WIVES AND CONCUBINES SHE SHALL BE SENT TO THE NUNNERY AT ONCE AND THERE LET HER REPENT HER MISTAKES AND PRAY FOR ME THE REST OF HER LIFE." It said.

At once she folded it into her own arms.

"No." She said.

"What are we going to do Your Highness?" Sakae asked and the Dowager Empress recalled the words that Imperial Consort Toyomike had once said to her.

"You'll never be an Empress." She'd boasted in her face.

"My dream and my ambition is much greater than any of yours." Imperial Consort Toyomike had replied.

"What's going to happen when everything falls apart?" Dowager Empress Ishi Hime asked.

"Your Highness?" Sakae said.

"What more were you able to hear?" Dowager Empress Ishi Hime asked.

"Our mole told us that His Majesty prior to his death had received a message that the Sages and the Priests perceived a Female Ruler who would one day sit on the Chrysanthemum throne." Sakae replied.

"And the Late Emperor must have thought that it was me." Dowager Empress Ishi Hime said.

"It seems so Your Highness." Sakae said.

"Very well." Dowager Empress Ishi Hime remarked as she placed her hands on the table before her and she started massaging her temples.

"Anything else?" She asked.

"I heard that Her Highness the Imperial Consort Toyomike is making preparations for you to be sent to the nunnery at once." Sakae replied.

"It is time." Dowager Empress Ishi Hime said, "I underestimated the ambition of Her Highness and at last I can see all the prophecies from twenty five years ago." she added as she stood up

"Give me your order Your Highness." Sakae said.

"Have my best warriors ready and together with my supporters round them all up and at once, we are going to march to Osada no Miya Palace." Dowager Empress Ishi Hime said.

"Yes Your Highness." Sakae said and bowing her head she walked out of the room.

"Toyomike, if His Majesty had it for me then I shall most certainly bring it to pass." Dowager Empress Ishi Hime said to herself as she smiled ghastly.

Umako was standing on his balcony when Shizu walked up to him.

"Your Excellency." he said as he bowed his head.

"What did Her Highness say?" Umako asked.

"She took it and she asked me to tell you to submit a memorial asking for the impeachment of the Imperial Chieftain Mononobe no Moriya." Shizu replied.

"That's it." Umako said.

"What's it Your Excellency?" Shizu asked.

"That's the signal." He added.

"What signal?" Shizu asked himself totally confused.

"Have all your men surround Osada no Miya Palace and let not a single person enter it without the permission of His Majesty." Umako said.

"Yes Your Excellency." Shizu replied as he walked away.

"All those people that Your Highness has buried, in the end like them you shall fall only much louder having lost everything that you ever tirelessly worked for." Umako said to himself so confidently with his head raised up.

Emperor Bidatsu was still inside with the Emperor and there in his wife's embrace he lay comfortably as he exhaled and inhaled knowing that he could entirely lean on her.

Miwa no Sakau walked Through the doors and fell down at the Emperor's feet that at that moment awakened he turned to him while he forged a distance between himself and his wife.

"Your Majesty." Miwa no Sakau said his face entirely overwhelmed with worry.

"What's the problem?" Imperial Consort Toyomike asked.

"Her Highness." Miwa no Sakau replied.

"Mother, what's wrong with her?" Emperor Bidatsu asked.

"Imperial Soldiers have Fortified her Palace, she marched to Osada no Miya right now with Courtiers behind her." Miwa no Sakau replied.

"What?" Emperor Bidatsu said as he stood up.

"Dear." Imperial Consort Toyomike said.

"What's the meaning of this?" Emperor Bidatsu asked.

"Your Majesty, it's a revolt." Miwa no Sakau replied as he bowed his head.

Emperor Bidatsu was struck with a headache immediately and at that moment holding onto the table with his left and his forehead with his right, he started to fall back into the chair.

"Your Majesty." Miwa no Sakau said.

"Hurry up and call the Imperial doctor." Imperial Consort Toyomike said as she ceased her husband's face.

"Your Majesty, Your Majesty." She said as she shook her husband violently but to no avail there was no response.

The Crown Prince Oshisako no Hikohito no Ōe and his mother were seated in the Empress' Chambers when the doors were slid open and Hotaru walked inside.

"Your Highness." She said as she fell down on her knees.

"What's the matter with you?" Empress Hirohime asked as she stood up from where she was seated along with her son.

"There are Imperial guards outside and we are entirely surrouned." Hotaru replied.

"Why?" Empress Hirohime asked.

"Her Highness the Dowager Empress." Hotaru replied.

"What happened to her?" Empress Hirohime asked.

"Her Highness has started a revolt." Hotaru replied.

"What?" Empress Hirohime asked.

"Yes." Hotaru replied, "Her Highness is marching to Osada no Miya right now with a large number of Imperial guards and troops." she added.

"Mother what's going on?" The Crown Prince Oshisako no Hikohito no Ōe asked.

"We have been implicated." Empress Hirohime replied.

"Why?" The Crown Prince Oshisako asked.

"You don't realize we have got this far because of your grandmother but at the moment we can't do anything except hope that our security is guaranteed when she storms Osada no Miya." Empress Hirohime replied as she turned to Hotaru.

"How did this happen?" She asked.

"I don't know Your Highness." Hotaru replied.

"Forget it." Empress Hirohime said. "This must be the doing of Toyomike." She added.

"Then we must do something because if Grandmother's revolt fails then we won't survive in here as well." The Crown Prince Oshisako said.

"We will." Empress Hirohime said.

"There are Imperial guards that are already surrounding us outside mother and we are practically under a house arrest, if we don't act up right now then I fear that by the time we might realise it, it'll be too late." The Crown Prince Oshisako Said.

"So what are you going to do, get yourself killed my son, that way everything that I have worked so hard for and everything that I have sacrificed to come this far shall have gone to waste, think about all the dead people that I have killed and those that have died to try and see to it that our great cause is realised." Empress Hirohime said.

"It's too late mother and we must choose a side." The Crown Prince Oshisako no Hikohito no Ōe said.

"Alright then." Empress Hirohime said, "I'll choose the side." she replied.

"We underestimated that witch." Hotaru said.

"If your grandmother takes the Palace then we must pledge our support to her." Empress Hirohime said.

"And if she doesn't?" The Crown Prince Oshisako no Hikohito no Ōe asked.

"You can't be apprehended, someone else shall take the fall." Empress Hirohime replied.

"Yes Your Highness." Hotaru said.

"How far are Her Highness' troops?" Imperial Consort Toyomike asked Kabane as she walked ok top of the watchtower of Osada and she looked in a distance.

Still preparing themselves but as it is that Her Highness has very many supporters it's going to be very difficult to subdue her." Kabane replied.

Imperial Consort Toyomike stood and gazed in a distance at the Dowager Empress' army marching towards them.

"Make sure that His Majesty is asleep." Imperial Consort Toyomike said.

"Your Highness." Kabane said.

"He'll be hurt when he realises what his mother has done and because of that I'd prefer he didn't witness this revolt." Imperial Consort Toyomike said.

"All this Your Majesty, the most cruel reality is before us." Sina said.

"I had expected Her Highness to do nothing of the sort but as it is no one can really know the true intentions of a person." Imperial Consort Toyomike said.

"What had you hoped for Your Highness?" Kabane asked.

"Surrender." Imperial Consort Toyomike said, "I'd never thought that for Her Highness, her immense power would be something that in the end over her son she was most willing to relinquish." she replied.