Chapter ten

Ei groaned turning around on the bed before pulling over blanket over her head to keep the sunlight from her eyes.

"Miss, it's time to get up." Heiy urged gently shaking her shoulder.

"Ngh. Five more minutes." Ei grumbled refusing to get up.

"But, you have to come see Miss Kana!."

"Why?." Ei questioned opening an eye.

"She's a little weak and asked to see you."

"Okay fine." Ei grumbled throwing the covers off her body.

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"Ei, good morning." Kana greeted coughing into her fist.

"How are you doing, big sister Kana?." Ei asked sitting on the edge of her bed.

"I'm fine, the doctor said I just need some-." Kana tried to say but was cut off when she coughed loudly.

"Are you sure?." Ei questioned worriedly handing her a cup of water.

"Don't worry. I just need rest I'm be okay before tonight's cleansing ritual then we can visit the festival with Eiji and Rumi."Kana said, Ei, nodded hesitantly

"O-Okay."

"Now I need you to go to Nina's shop, she said she's done with your dress. Heiy will escort you."Kana informed.

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Ei grumbled when she noticed her shoelaces had come undone, she bent to try and reach it but she was beat to it when Haruto helped her tie it.

"Here, let me help."

"A-Ah, thank you." Ei said and he nodded.

"I was actually looking for you."Haruto began.

"Oh, why?."

"Kana asked me to teach you some of the things I know since you're refusing every tutor she got for you."Haruto said as her eyes widened in surprise.

"Oh, I'm sorry. But, I don't really see the point in learning when what they just want to teach me is how to act like a lady." Ei said jokingly.

"Eh? So you don't want to act like a lady?."Haruto asked as her face flushed in embarrassment.

"I'm not saying it's a bad thing! I'm just saying that I'd rather learn about other things than that!." Ei rambled on but were cut off when he began laughing.

"Issey was right about you! You really are different!." Haruto chuckled.

"I-I'm glad?." Ei questioned raising a brow.

"I didn't mean it that way, but don't worry I don't make my teaching all about being a lady!."Haruto assured.

"That's a relief."

"I'll see you after the cleansing ritual on Monday!."Haruto waved walking away.

"Okay!."

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"Ei!." Issey called and Ei snapped her gaze away from the book in her hands.

"Hm?."

"Look! I got something for you!." Issey said brandishing a beautiful necklace with gold and diamond designs for Ei to see.

"Wow! It's beautiful!." Ei exclaimed.

"I thought it might look good on you for tonight's ritual." Issey said handing it to her.

"Thank you." Ei mumbled tracing the designs, her heart raced with fondness as she clutched it lovingly. But this is wrong. Ei thought shaking her head. "I can't accept this."

"Why, don't you like it?." Issey asked surprised.

"No! No! I love it! But instead of giving this to me, shouldn't you have given it to Kana?…your fianceé?." Ei questioned in a hurt voice.

Issey shifted awkwardly before clearing his throat."Ei, I wanted to give you this before you had the accident. So I thought it would be a perfect opportunity to give you now that the cleansing ritual is tonight, I'm sorry if I've offended you."Issey murmured reaching out to take the necklace.

Ei's eyes widened and she snatched it back before he could reach it.

"I-I'm sorry! I didn't realize!." Ei stuttered embarrassedly.

"He he, you're cute when you're flustered."Issey chuckled and Ei's cheeks became redder.

"S-Stop laughing, and help me put it on!." Ei stuttered trying to glare at him but failing when he didn't take her seriously.

"Okay, okay."

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"Kana, are you feeling alright. Why have you asked to see me?." Queen Yu, mother of Issey and first queen asked sitting herself on the edge of the bed.

"Mother, I've asked the doctor regarding my pneumonia, he has done everything he can, but he says I have but a few days to live."Kana said looking at Yu.

"Don't say that! You'll be fine! I'll make sure of it!…I'll hire the best doctors, so please, don't lose hope!."Yu pleaded grasping Kana's shoulders.

"No, please don't worry yourself about that. I am ready to die because it is inevitable but I have one request," Kana said solemnly.

"What is it? I shall grant you anything that you ask for!."

"I've seen the way Issey looks at my sister, the fond and loving look I always prayed to Kairuk that he looks at me with, he is in love with her, I suspect she feels the same but she's in denial because she fears she'll hurt me. But mother, when I die please find a way for Ei to get married to Issey please!."Kana cried getting on her knees before erupting into fits of coughing.

Yu's eyes widened in horror when she saw the blood stained hands of Kana.

"Kana…I promise to do whatever I can to ensure that Ei gets married to my son."Yu said as Kana smiled solemnly with blood trailing down her lips.

"Thank you, mother."

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