The Escape

We all noticed the servants fleeing the palace garden.

"Cowards! Cowards!" Hina yelled loudly through the

They didn't seem to mind at all. The women were leaving with only the clothes on their backs, knowing that there would be no mercy. As Yuita decided to join us later by instructing the troops, he must now be present to direct the soldiers by preventing the enemies from entering.

As we attempted to flee, Amida's troops arrived. Soldiers carried valuables from each chamber, but there was no guarantee they would reach the safe location.

My mother's gaze shifted to the head maid. "You are not required to stay. We don't know what will happen tonight."

The maid shook her head bravely. "Let us face that uncertainty together,"

My mother turned to the newest maid, who had only been working for a week. Despite being only thirteen years old, the girl's gaze was unwavering. "I'll stay as well," the maid said.

"We'll have to pack after that. Take only one bag, Hina, and please pack some for yourself and some for Shinsuke!"

We sped down the corridors, but Hina stopped outside my chamber.

"Are you afraid?" Isabel inquires.

I nodded with trepidation. "No, nee-san?"

"I don't think the king will leave anyone alive, but your sister will protect you," Hina hugged me. It was strange because I'm now in my third life and will die at a young age. I must flee, remain strong in the face of adversity, and protect my family.

As everyone was getting ready, a maid said "The flames consumed everything. Cattle and grain fields are also included; however, the fire was not started by him. When King Nomura captured it, he allowed those people to live."

"And their rulers?" inquired the young maid. "He was responsible for the murder of all of them."

"However, why would the Amida army wish to harm children?" mother queried

"Because our father is an enemy of theirs!" Hina stated

I became terrified. "How about Yuita Oni san?"

"He's the son of our previous father." Yuita joined the soldiers after the commander left, leaving us behind. No one is in greater danger than he. Do you know why our mother sent him?

In the aftermath of his wife's and father's deaths, our brother was enraged. He knew he was going to die, but he would do anything for his family. What we can do now is pray.

"What about Yamato Oni-san?" Hina exclaimed.

Yamato was our only half-brother, and I'd only met him twice. Despite our father having children with his mistresses, he was a lone wolf. He joined his father's ranks and went to war as their second commander.

"If Amida's king is as ruthless as they claim, he will also go after Yamato. However, there is a chance he will spare our lives. We're females with a young child who we must protect at all costs. And who knows, perhaps when he realizes how clever we are—"

"However, what good is wit if it doesn't keep them at bay?" Hina burst into tears, and she didn't care if crying was considered childish.

"We don't have the time, my ladies," mother's maid said when she saw the two of us standing in the corridor.

I swung my arm around her shoulders. "Let's pack your belongings!"

We entered my room, where I and Hina had indicated, and immediately began looking for our belongings. Hina brought her sketchbook. Then she stuffed ink bottles and loose sheets into her bag. I was standing next to our mother, peering towards the door. She'd traded in her kimono, which had been hand-picked by top designers. "It's time," she said immediately.

I wondered what would happen to the dozen troops who were trailing us as we drove away. If they were wise, they could lay down their weapons, but even then there was no guarantee that their deaths would be spared.

According to my father, the Amida king killed anyone who stood up to him, and he would kill his own mother if she slandered his name.

Two carriages were waiting for us as we exited.

"Ride with me," Hina murmured, sweat on her brow and her corset undone.

My sister held my hand as the horses in the chariot we shared with the young maid began to move. As we rushed through the gates, I could hear the birds yelling to one another as they swooped and dived along the breakers from the Harbor.

As my gaze was fixed on the blinding sun, I inhaled deeply and exhaled forcefully. Hundreds of thousands of soldiers had descended on the city. My sister fists were clenched. What the people would do was impossible to predict. They were as silent as reeds as they lined the road leading from the palace to the safe house. They stood there, staring at our carriages as they passed by.

Hina took a step forward and looked me in the eyes.

Mother screamed, "They need to get out of here as soon as possible!"

"Perhaps they don't expect Nomura's army to show up." said the maid

"They should be leaving soon!"said Hina

"I'm confident they do. The palace is well aware of the situation." mother's maid said tensedly.

My sister expressed her displeasure with the current state of affairs with a shake of her head. "They're a bunch of idiots, then," she snarled.

"Then they'll be here for us," Hina says.