Chapter 9: Azure's Visit

Somewhere in the empire, nestled within the grand and imposing Vermillion Bird Palace, a young woman was sparring fiercely with a man on the training grounds. The sun beat down upon them, casting long shadows as the sound of clashing swords echoed through the air. Her movements were a blur of speed and precision, overwhelming her opponent with each calculated strike.

The man, though skilled and experienced, struggled to keep up with her relentless onslaught. Her technique was flawless, her strikes swift and calculated, leaving him little room to defend. With a final well-placed slash, the man's sword flew from his hands, landing several feet away. He stood, breathing heavily, looking at the woman with a mix of admiration and disbelief.

"You're incredible," he said, wiping the sweat from his brow. "I didn't think anyone could move that fast."

The woman, her expression focused but tinged with a quiet pride, lowered her sword and nodded slightly. "Speed and technique are key. Strength alone won't win a battle."

The young woman, known as the Vermillion Princess, sheathed her sword with a swift motion, her victory over the sparring partner clear. The head maid of the Vermillion Bird Palace handed her a towel and draped a red robe over her shoulders. With her fierce, determined expression, the princess, trained in both swordsmanship and strategy, glanced toward the horizon. 

The Vermillion Princess, a striking and formidable figure both on and off the battlefield, was another consort of the Crown Prince. Unlike the Azure Princess, whose psychic magic made her renowned for her intellect and grace, the Vermillion Princess was known for her mastery of the sword and fiery temperament, embodying the spirit of her palace. Despite their differing natures, both shared the prestigious role of being wed into the imperial family, each representing the strength and unity of the empire through their unique talents and backgrounds.

As the Vermillion Princess adjusted her red robe, the head maid stepped forward, bowing slightly. "Your Highness, news has come from the Azure Dragon Palace. The Azure Princess has made a full recovery. Shall we prepare a gift to congratulate her on her health?"

The Vermillion Princess paused, her sharp eyes narrowing thoughtfully. "A gift?" she repeated, her tone measured. After a brief moment, she nodded. "Yes, but ensure it is something meaningful. She has endured much, and the gesture must reflect our respect."

The head maid bowed again, acknowledging the command. "It will be done, Your Highness."

The Vermillion Princess wiped the sweat from her brow as her head maid continued, "Your Highness, the Crown Prince's birthday celebration will feature a special event. The four princess consorts are expected to present their talents before the imperial court." 

"Talents, you say?" the Vermillion Princess asked, raising an eyebrow as she draped the red robe over her shoulders. "It's just another chance for the palace to flaunt us as ornaments, isn't it?"

The head maid offered a small smile. "Perhaps, but it is also an opportunity to show your strength and skill, Your Highness. The court will be watching."

"Hmph," the Vermillion Princess scoffed, her lips curling into a confident smirk. "Then I'll make sure they remember me—not as an ornament, but as someone who commands attention."

As they walked through the palace corridors, the Vermillion Princess contemplated the upcoming celebration. Her hand brushed against the hilt of her sword, a thoughtful expression on her face. The head maid, noticing her pondering, broke the silence. 

"Your Highness, if I may suggest," the head maid began, her tone careful but encouraging, "a sword dance could be a perfect way to showcase your grace and skill during the Crown Prince's celebration. It would highlight your mastery and set you apart from the others." 

The Vermillion Princess stopped and turned to her maid, her eyes narrowing slightly. "A sword dance? Intriguing. I've never performed one for such an audience before. But it's an excellent idea. It will remind them all why I'm not just another consort." 

The head maid nodded, encouraged by her mistress's approval. "Indeed, Your Highness. A dance combining the elegance of movement and the precision of the blade would be a perfect display of your talents." 

The Vermillion Princess smirked. "Very well, then. Begin preparations immediately. And make sure to find a worthy partner—I won't have this performance tarnished by someone unskilled." 

"Actually, Your Highness," the head maid added carefully, "I've heard of a warrior from the White Flower Palace. Shimuzu Rin, one of the White Elder's apprentices, who played a key role in the Azure Princess's recovery. Perhaps he would make a suitable partner?" 

"Shimuzu Rin?" the Vermillion Princess echoed, her interest visibly growing. "If he's talented enough to be the White Elder's apprentice and help the Azure Princess, he might just be worth my time. Send word to the White Flower Palace—I want to test his skills personally."

Rin stood at the gates of the White Flower Palace, composed and formal as the Azure Princess's entourage arrived. The procession was impressive, led by her head maid and accompanied by senior maids carrying ornate gifts. However, all of it paled compared to the sight of the Azure Princess herself.

Fully recovered from her ordeal, she carried herself with undeniable elegance, her beauty now fully restored. Yet, it wasn't her regal demeanor that unnerved Rin—it was her gaze. Her eyes locked onto him, intense and unwavering, as though silently commanding him to look at her, to acknowledge her in a way that went beyond formality. It felt as if her stare was boring a hole through his head, heavy with unspoken words.

Suppressing any visible reaction, Rin stepped forward and bowed deeply. "Welcome to the White Flower Palace, Your Highness. It is an honor to receive you. Please allow me to escort you and your entourage to your accommodations."

The Azure Princess gave a small, almost knowing smile, her voice soft yet purposeful. "Thank you, Rin. I trust your guidance will ensure my stay is... everything it needs to be."

Rin straightened, his expression calm despite the subtle tension in her words and the lingering weight of her gaze. "I will see to it, Your Highness."

As he turned to lead the way, he could feel her eyes still on him, silently demanding his attention. Harumi, observing from the sidelines, muttered to herself, "This is already going to be a headache," before hurrying to catch up with the group.

Upon arriving at the receiving hall, the atmosphere shifted as the White Elder stood waiting to speak with the Azure Princess. His presence exuded calm authority, ready to guide her through the upcoming psychic lessons. As the two exchanged polite greetings, Rin, finally free from the weight of the Azure Princess's intense gaze, quietly stepped back, allowing the White Elder to take the lead. 

Relieved to be out of the princess's direct attention, Rin quickly excused himself and made his way to the kitchen. There, he was met with the familiar clatter of pots and pans as he began preparing lunch for everyone, trying to focus on the task at hand. 

Not long after, Harumi entered the kitchen with the head maid of the Azure Dragon Palace, both carrying baskets of ingredients. "We're here to help," Harumi announced cheerfully, setting down the baskets. 

The head maid nodded, offering a polite bow. "We understand the weight of the duties here, and we wish to assist with preparing the meal." 

Rin glanced over at them, still slightly worn from the earlier interactions. "I appreciate it," he said, though he couldn't hide his exhaustion. "Let's get to work then." He knew that even with help, the process would still take time, but he welcomed the company. It was, after all, a distraction from the complex situation surrounding the Azure Princess.

As Rin focused on preparing lunch, the kitchen hummed with the usual activity. Harumi and Rina, the head maid, worked alongside him, organizing the ingredients and setting up everything for the meal. The clattering of utensils was the only sound until Rina glanced over at Rin, her expression serious. She hesitated for a moment before speaking in a low, cautious voice.

"Rin," Rina began, her tone quiet and deliberate, "there's something important you need to know about the Azure Princess." Rin paused, his hand frozen mid-motion. He looked up at her, brow furrowing. "What is it?" he asked, curiosity mixed with a slight apprehension. Rina sighed, her gaze softening as she glanced around to ensure no one else could overhear. "The Azure Princess... she's fallen for you."

Rin's grip tightened on the knife, his heart skipping a beat. "What do you mean?" he asked, voice tense. Rina's eyes flickered with a mixture of sympathy and concern. "I've seen the way she looks at you when she thinks no one is watching. She's told me how she feels. She's in love with you, Rin." 

Rin stood still, stunned. "But... she's the Crown Prince's consort," he muttered, disbelief creeping into his voice. "I know," Rina replied, her expression serious. "That's why I haven't said anything until now. It's dangerous for both of you if anyone finds out. She's caught between her duty and her feelings for you, and it's tearing her apart. I thought you should know, but I'm keeping this a secret—for her safety and yours."

"When you visited last time, the gift she sent was a sword knot. You know what that means, right?" Rina's voice was quiet, but it carried the weight of a truth that made the air in the room feel heavy. She shivered as she spoke, knowing the deeper implications behind the gift. The sword knot wasn't just a token of gratitude; it was a symbol of a far deeper connection, one that tied the Azure Princess to Rin in a way that could not easily be undone. 

Rina's eyes hardened with concern as she continued, her tone shifting to something more cautious. "That's how long she's been falling for you. A woman of her status doesn't give such a thing lightly. It's not just for anyone. The Princess—Chinen Suzuki—has clearly developed feelings for you. And this, Rin, is dangerous." Her words hung in the air, and the weight of them settled around him like a heavy cloak. The idea that his simple role as a healer, one who helped her recover, could have stirred such feelings seemed almost surreal.

Rina's voice dropped to a whisper as she added, "If the Crown Prince ever finds out... It would be catastrophic. Be careful, Rin. The stakes are higher than you think." Rin felt a chill run down his spine, his thoughts whirling as he processed the reality of the situation. 

Rin turned to Harumi, his face full of mock despair. "Can I still run away? Just disappear?"

Harumi rolled her eyes. "Again with this? You've said that a dozen times already."

The head maid, Rina, sighed deeply as she watched them bicker. 

In the dining hall of the White Flower Palace, the White Elder and the Azure Princess were seated across from one another, with the head maid standing behind the princess, while Rin and Harumi stood by the White Elder's side. The room was filled with the soft sounds of clinking dishes and casual conversation. Yet, the conversation between the Azure Princess and the White Elder was far from ordinary.

The White Elder, a twinkle of fondness in his eyes, began speaking of Rin. "You know," he said, turning to the Azure Princess, "Rin here is a genius in many ways. It's not just his talent with magic. When you fell ill, I knew there was no one better suited for the task than him. His ability to control magic, his attention to detail, and his calmness in a crisis made him the perfect person to handle your condition."

The Azure Princess raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "Really? He doesn't seem like the type to have such a calm demeanor."

The White Elder chuckled lightly. "Ah, that's exactly what makes him such a unique individual. Most would panic, but not him. He calmly assessed the situation, and it was thanks to him that your condition improved. Not only that, but he's also a skilled cook. You'd be surprised how many of us in the palace are grateful for his meals. The way he can prepare food that soothes both the body and the soul... it's a talent not many possess."

The Azure Princess glanced at Rin, her gaze sharp and admiring, as she let the White Elder's words sink in. "I see," she said softly, her eyes lingering on him a bit longer than usual. "It sounds like you're quite the extraordinary person."

Rin felt a bead of sweat trickle down his temple as he realized just how closely the Azure Princess was looking at him. The admiration in her gaze made him feel as though a scythe was hovering over his neck. He tried his best to remain composed, but the pressure of her attention was unbearable.

The White Elder, oblivious to the tension, continued to speak highly of Rin. "Indeed, Rin's talents are a gift. It's rare to find someone so versatile—both a warrior and a healer, with a talent for cooking on top of that."

Rin felt the weight of the Azure Princess's gaze intensify, and his heart raced. She looked at him with admiration, and a small, almost imperceptible smile played at her lips. Her expression only served to heighten his anxiety. "Well," Rin said quickly, trying to deflect the attention, "I just do what I can."

Harumi, who had been quietly listening, leaned in with a teasing grin. "Don't be modest, Rin. You're practically a one-man army and a five-star chef," she joked, but even she couldn't hide her amusement at the growing tension in the room.

Rin's face flushed a deep red as he shifted uncomfortably. He could feel the weight of the Azure Princess's gaze on him, her admiration making his unease grow. As much as he wanted to remain composed, it was becoming increasingly difficult with her eyes fixed on him in such a way.

Rin sat there, trying to keep his composure, but his mind was racing. Please, Gods, let nothing extreme happen while the Azure Princess is learning here... he silently prayed. The pressure of her gaze and the weight of the situation were almost too much to bear. He couldn't afford for anything to escalate, especially with his hidden identity as one of the princes of the empire still a secret. The last thing he wanted was to draw even more attention to himself.

He glanced at Harumi, who was trying her best to hide a grin, and then quickly looked away, hoping that the discomfort didn't show on his face. Meanwhile, the White Elder continued to speak highly of him, further adding to his anxiety. This is going to be a long few weeks... he thought, bracing himself for whatever might come next. The Azure Princess was already making things complicated with her admiration, and he knew all too well that things could quickly spiral out of control.