Chapter 6: A Farewell For Now

In the receiving room of the Azure Dragon Palace, Rin sat with a composed demeanor, addressing the head maid, Rina, who stood anxiously before him. "Lady Suzuki is currently resting," Rin began, his voice calm yet authoritative. The tension in the air eased slightly as a wave of relief washed over the head maid's face. 

Rina clasped her hands together, her tone tinged with both gratitude and worry. "Thank you, Master Rin. What are the next steps we should take?" 

Rin leaned forward, his gaze steady. "The next phase involves teaching Lady Suzuki a technique to ease her Constitution Overload. It will be a gradual process, but it's the only way to stabilize her condition without modern tools or methods." 

The head maid nodded attentively, but Rin continued with a note of caution. "However, the psychic magic she's been using may still surface as a defense mechanism, especially in moments of distress. Because of this, I'll need to continue entering the master chambers alone for at least a week." 

Rina's brow furrowed slightly in concern, but Rin's firm and confident expression seemed to reassure her. "I'll take full responsibility for tending to her during this period. My defensive magic is sufficient to handle any psychic influence, and it's safer for everyone else to remain at a distance." 

Understanding the gravity of the situation, Rina bowed deeply. "We will support you however we can, Master Rin. Please, save Lady Suzuki." 

Rin gave a polite bow to the head maid before leaving the receiving room. As he stepped out into the corridor, he found Harumi waiting for him, her arms crossed but a small, relieved smile tugging at her lips. 

"I reserved two rooms in a nearby inn," she said, her tone light but with an undertone of weariness. "Also, good job in there, Rin. You handled it well." 

Rin nodded, his expression softening slightly. "Thanks, Harumi. It's not over yet, though."

Harumi shrugged. "One step at a time. Let's call it a day for now." 

Rin then took a moment to close his eyes, the faint purple glow of his Quantum Eyes flickering for a brief second before they returned to their usual black hue. His defensive magic receded, and the sharp, heightened awareness faded, allowing him a moment of clarity. 

With that, the two exchanged farewells and walked out of the Azure Dragon Palace. Rin's mind remained focused on the plan ahead, while Harumi quietly admired how much Rin had taken charge in such a tense situation. For now, they left the palace behind, readying themselves for the challenges yet to come.

As expected, Rin and Harumi made daily visits to the Azure Dragon Palace. Rin maintained a strict routine, entering the Master Chamber three times a day—morning, afternoon, and evening. Each visit was purposeful. He carefully fed the Azure Princess, ensuring she regained some strength, and spoke to her in a calm and encouraging tone. Gradually, he began teaching her the technique to ease the pain of her Constitution Overload, breaking it down into manageable steps so she could grasp it despite her weakened state. Rin's consistent efforts became a steady source of hope within the palace, even as progress remained slow and arduous.

Rin provided his daily reports, sharing with the Head Maid and the gathered maids that the Azure Princess was beginning to recover her vitality. He held up an empty plate and said, "Today, Lady Suzuki finished almost all her food. It's a small sign, but it's a good one."

The Head Maid's eyes widened slightly, her usual stoic demeanor softening. "Truly? That is wonderful news, Sir Rin. It's been so long since she had an appetite."

One of the younger maids clasped her hands together, a bright smile breaking across her face. "That's amazing! I was so worried she would never eat properly again."

Rin nodded, a faint smile on his lips. "Her strength is returning little by little. However, it's still important to remain cautious. She's not completely stable yet, and there's still a lot of work to be done."

The Head Maid stepped forward and bowed deeply. "We owe you so much, Sir Rin. Your efforts have given us hope. Please, if there is anything more we can do, just let us know."

Rin's expression turned thoughtful. "Actually, there isn't much more to do. Lady Suzuki has learned the technique to manage her Constitution Overload on her own. She's progressing well, and I'm confident she can maintain this pace without my direct involvement. Tonight will be the last visit I make to her chambers."

The announcement surprised the maids, and a quiet murmur spread through the group. The Head Maid looked concerned but trusting. "You truly believe she can handle this on her own now?"

"I do," Rin replied firmly. "She's endured so much, but her will is strong. I've seen her determination firsthand. Now, it's up to her to continue on this path." Harumi, standing beside him, smirked and said, "Guess that means your work here is done, Rin."

Rin gave her a wry smile. "Almost. Let's not celebrate too soon. I'll see her through tonight and make sure everything is in place before I leave."

That night, Rin entered the Master Chamber one last time, carrying a tray of dinner for Princess Suzuki. The room felt lighter, free from the oppressive aura that had once consumed it. His eyes fell on the Azure Princess sitting upright in her bed, her gaze fixed on the stars outside the window. The soft glow of moonlight illuminated her face, which now held a quiet serenity. The psychic magic she had once used to force others to kill her was gone, leaving only a fragile but determined young woman who had finally reclaimed herself.

"I'm glad that you are starting to enjoy the little things in life once more, Princess," Rin said gently as he placed the tray of food on the bedside table. 

Princess Suzuki turned her head toward him, her eyes soft but tinged with emotion. "I never thought I'd get the chance," she admitted, her voice barely above a whisper. "It feels like I've woken up from a long nightmare." 

Rin smiled kindly as he fed Princess Suzuki once more, the gentle rhythm of the act now carrying a sense of finality. "This will be the last time," he said softly, as he set the spoon down. 

He paused, looking at her with a reassuring gaze. "The maids will be taking over the duty of tending to your needs from now on, as it should have been."

Rin had already seen that Princess Suzuki could now lessen the pain of her Constitution Overload on her own. She had mastered the technique he had taught her, her progress undeniable.

Yet, as he stood there, preparing to leave, Rin noticed the sadness in her eyes. The Azure Princess, usually so composed, seemed reluctant to let him go. "You're leaving?" she asked quietly, her voice carrying a hint of sadness.

The Azure Princess reached out and gently grasped the sleeves of Rin's robes, her fingers trembling slightly. Her eyes, once distant and aloof, now looked at him with a different kind of intensity—there was something vulnerable in her gaze, a mixture of gratitude and something deeper, something Rin couldn't quite place.

"Please… stay a little longer," she whispered, her voice barely audible. Her grip on his sleeve tightened, as if afraid to let go.

Rin kneeled down beside the bed, his hand gently enveloping hers as he offered her a reassuring smile. "You'll be fine on your own, Princess," he said softly. "You've grown stronger, and now you can handle it. You don't need me anymore."

The Azure Princess's heart fluttered as she looked at him, her emotions stirring in a way she hadn't anticipated. She had always been a woman of power and poise, but in this quiet, vulnerable moment, she found herself relying on someone else for the first time in a long while. As he spoke of her independence, something inside her began to shift. Little did Rin know, his kindness, his dedication, and his unspoken care had begun to plant the seeds of something more in her heart. 

She clung to his hand just a moment longer, the warmth of his touch lingering in her thoughts as he finally pulled away. The Princess felt a pang of longing, realizing that as he drifted away, so too did a part of her heart.

As Rin left the room with a soft smile, the Azure Princess lay back on her bed, a fire igniting in her heart. She hated the feeling of helplessness, of being bedridden. The idea of staying in this state any longer, dependent on others for every small thing, stirred something fierce within her. I will get better, she vowed silently, her fingers gripping the sheets in determination. I won't be weak. Not anymore.

Before her condition worsened, she had been visited by countless individuals—officials from the Imperial Palace, members of the Chinen family who had adopted her, and various others who felt obligated to check on her. Yet, none of those visits had left a lasting impact on her. They were polite, distant, and functional. But then there was Rin—Shimuzu Rin. He wasn't just another healer or visitor; he had been different. The way he cared for her and his quiet confidence had touched her deeply. It was as if, in that short time, she had found something more than a healer. Her desire to see him again, to feel his presence near her, was strong, almost overwhelming. It was as if she had found her soulmate in him, and the thought of being apart from him now stirred a longing she couldn't ignore.

Rin and Harumi bowed respectfully to the head maid, bidding her farewell as they prepared to leave the Azure Dragon Palace for the night. Before leaving, Rin provided the head maid with a set of notes, outlining the care procedures for the Azure Princess should any similar situation arise again in the future. "Take good care of her," Rin said with a serious tone. The head maid nodded gratefully, her eyes filled with respect for his efforts.

Once they left the palace grounds, Rin and Harumi made their way back to the inn, where they would rest for the night.

As they walked back to the inn, Harumi began to ease her pace and glanced at Rin with a small frown. "I'm starving," she complained lightly, rubbing her stomach. "All we've done today is work, and I haven't had a proper meal since morning."

Rin chuckled softly at her sudden change of mood, a playful smile tugging at his lips. "I think we can find something to eat once we get back to the inn," he replied, his voice calm yet with a hint of amusement. "A good meal will help you recover from all that tension, Harumi."

Harumi let out a sigh of relief, her complaints quickly fading as she looked forward to a warm meal.

Rin glanced over at Harumi with a thoughtful expression. "By the way, with the compensation for our stay, we've got a bit of extra money now," he said casually. "If you'd like, we could buy something to bring back to the White Flower Palace. I was thinking we could get some of the local ingredients. There are a few dishes I can make with them that I think you'll enjoy."

Harumi's eyes lit up at the mention of food, her previous hunger now fully evident in her expression. "Really?" she asked, her voice filled with curiosity. "What kind of dishes are you planning?"

Rin chuckled, a hint of pride in his voice. "Something simple yet flavorful—maybe a hearty stew or a savory pastry. It's always good to bring a taste of where we've been. What do you think?" 

Harumi grinned, her earlier complaints forgotten. "Sounds delicious. Let's do it!"

As they walked through the quiet streets towards the inn, the passersby couldn't help but glance at Rin and Harumi, assuming they were a couple enjoying a peaceful evening together. The way they strolled side by side, sharing light conversation and an easy camaraderie, painted a picture of familiarity and closeness. Yet, beneath the surface, they were merely colleagues from the White Flower Palace, having wrapped up a long and exhausting commission. The evening wore on, and with each step, the weight of their mission seemed to lessen, replaced by a quiet contentment. They continued walking, unaware of the assumptions swirling around them, knowing their shared journey was far from over but grateful for the respite the night offered. The chapter of their task in the Azure Dragon Palace was complete, but the road ahead remained uncertain, as always.