Emperor Kammu

"Are you here to argue about irrelevant matters or to come up with a solution?" The Shogun asked in a menacing tone as his gaze bore through their line of vision.

Instantly silence ensued as none of the Daimyos dared to say a word, knowing better than to respond to that question, but they could breathe without fear as though they had a right to that one.

Giving them one more penetrating stare, he retracted his gaze and shifted it to Lord Date.

"What is your resolve on this?"

Feeling the intense gaze on him, Lord Date quickly tilted his head to the side.

Realizing from the fixed gaze of the Shogun that he was the one being referred to, he hurriedly bowed his head slightly before starting to speak.

"The best way to resolve this issue is to schedule the ceremony soon. The ceremony should be National so everyone would partake in it on the same day, leaving no room for mistakes."

"My Lord, I will also suggest that we keep this ceremony to ourselves to avoid anyone cutting the corners," Lord Shiba added as his brows creased slightly.

He was determined to see to it that there would be no loophole left out for their plans to fall out. They had to get that young lady no matter what.

This time around, the other Lords agreed with him as they all had the same thought.

They couldn't put the kind of ceremony about to take place out there, as it would be as good as exposing their intention to the one, they were searching for.

After all, was said and done, they came to a conclusion as the Shogun announced his verdict.

*******

~The Imperial Palace~

'Whhooosh'

Sounds of books and tablets crashing on the tatami floor resounded in a grand-styled room with intricate designs and carvings.

On the golden chair set upon a high place sat a middle-aged man in a disheveled golden robe and a black cap on his head.

A scowl stood on his face as his gaze pierced through the man in a grey kimono kneeling below his eye level with his forehead kissing the hard floor.

Beside the Eunuch silently pleading for his life, were the objects the Emperor threw at him from his reading table.

As his chest rose and fell rapidly, the anger emitting from him increased. Pointing his finger at the man not daring to speak a word, he said, "Are you sure of what you just told me? Your head could go for it."

His threat came off so smoothly that anyone who couldn't see his gaze would think that he wasn't the one throwing a tantrum a minute ago.

To his question, the eunuch replied in a muffled voice, not daring to lift his head from the floor.

"Yes, your Majesty."

Instantly, the Emperor threw a fit while pointing fingers at him and anywhere he could. His voice thundered without bothering if the spies placed in his inner palace could hear him.

It would be good if they heard him so he would have an excuse to behead them.

"How dare they hold a meeting without my consent? Do they no longer see me as their Ruler?"

The Eunuch still in the same kneeling position, cried in his heart as he was regretting coming to deliver the bad news to him.

If he was found by the Shogun's spies to be the bringer of their secrecy to the Emperor, he would be rid of immediately by the Shogun who wouldn't spare him.

"Tokugawa truly has no fear now because his immense support made me the Emperor!" Emperor Kammu bellowed through gritted teeth as his fierce gaze tore through the thick walls of his study chambers.

He was truly a Figurehead without any power.

The Shogun was indeed the one ruling the entire Nation.

*******

As soon as Naoki stepped into the empty medicine store, his nose scrunched up as his gaze darted around the almost abandoned large room.

"Is this what this place has turned into in my absence?" He asked, to no one in particular as black lines appeared on his forehead.

Daisuke who was following him while carrying the wooden box with him quickly replied before he would end up misunderstanding the store manager.

"My Lord, you were gone for quite a long time."

At that reminder, Naoki turned to glare daggers at him. A glare that meant to ask, 'Did I ask for your reminder?'

Being smart which was an attribute he received from staying by Naoki's side for a few centuries, Daisuke hurriedly shut his mouth and offered a small bow before turning to walk a few paces faster than him before he would receive a smack at the back of bis head.

Since the beginning of a new day, his Master has been itching for a fight, and haven satisfied that aspect about an hour ago, he didn't want to stir up the urge again.

He has been beaten enough already.

"Mr. Ikeda!" Daisuke called out as he walked into the large room with empty dusty shelves lined up neatly against the walls of the four-corner room.

Looking around, he sighted a waist-length wooden table at the center of the room and walked up to that spot.

Putting the box on it, his gaze darted around.

'Where did he go to?' He thought worriedly as his brows furrowed slightly.

He was worried about his absence for fear of his Master throwing a fit.

Coming into his store to see how the manager was running it even though it housed no item, and seeing the place empty, Naoki was bound to be angered as he would think the manager wasn't serious.

Naoki expected that a position he gave out, should not be jeopardized whether it was still relevant or not.

Doing as one liked because he was absent or because something went wrong somewhere without receiving any instruction from him, was what he deemed as an insult.

Knowing his Master's personality, and the possible thoughts that could be going on in his head, Daisuke prayed silently for the medicine store manager to return quickly.

Otherwise…

He didn't even want to think about it.