Chapter 23: Princess Troubles

As almost a month passed, life in the White Flower Palace had settled into a lively routine. Harumi and Rin continued their usual duties, now joined by Miharu, who had adapted quickly to her role. Miharu found herself appreciating the dynamic between her two companions. Harumi's bubbly, happy-go-lucky personality often lightened the atmosphere, especially when she fumbled in the kitchen and earned an exasperated scolding from Rin. Meanwhile, Rin, calm and collected as always, had proven himself to be a reliable mentor. Miharu was often surprised at how knowledgeable and skilled he was, capable of answering any question she had about the palace.

Their relatively peaceful life was interrupted one morning when a worker came to the kitchen with an announcement. "A carriage from the Azure Dragon Palace has arrived."

The air immediately shifted. Both Harumi and Rin froze, their faces turning pale. Rin looked particularly stricken, as if his soul had left his body.

Miharu, confused, looked between the two. "Why are you two so panicked?" she asked, frowning.

Rin groaned, rubbing his temples. "Why is she here, Harumi?! Isn't her lesson with the White Elder done?!"

Harumi nodded, her face full of panic. "It is, but she's probably here for another reason. Rin, you know what this means, right? The White Elder isn't here since he had to visit the Imperial Palace. By ranking, you're the senior apprentice, so it's your responsibility to welcome them!"

Rin slumped down on his seat, his head in his hands. "Can't you do it, Harumi? Just this once?"

Harumi shook her head vehemently. "No can do, my friend. You're the most reliable when it comes to dealing with people of authority. Besides, it's your duty!"

Rin sighed deeply, a heavy look of resignation on his face. "Fine... Go prepare the receiving room," he muttered, standing reluctantly.

As Rin left, still muttering complaints under his breath, Miharu turned to Harumi. "What's going on? Who is this visitor from the Azure Dragon Palace, and why are you both so terrified?"

Harumi glanced toward the door to ensure Rin was out of earshot before answering. "It's the Azure Princess, Chinen Suzuki," she whispered dramatically. "She's one of the consorts of the Crown Prince, and she has a... history with Rin."

"History?" Miharu asked, tilting her head in curiosity.

Harumi nodded, leaning closer as if she were sharing a deep secret. "Back when she was sick, Rin helped her recover. And let's just say... she might have fallen for him. But since she's a consort of the Crown Prince, it's a really delicate situation. If anyone found out about how she feels, it could spell disaster for Rin."

Miharu blinked, processing the information. "That's... complicated," she muttered, watching the direction Rin had gone with a newfound curiosity.

In the receiving room, Rin sat across from the Azure Princess, Chinen Suzuki, maintaining his usual composed demeanor. His calm expression, however, masked the unease stirring within him. He had faced countless situations as a warrior, but handling Chinen Suzuki's intense, lingering gaze was something entirely different.

"Princess Suzuki," Rin began, his tone steady and polite, "may I ask the reason for your unexpected visit to the White Flower Palace? The White Elder is currently away on imperial matters."

Chinen Suzuki's eyes softened as they remained fixed on Rin, her emotions veiled only slightly by her poised composure. Her sleeves rose to partially cover her lips as she spoke, the gesture delicate and deliberate. "I had hoped to consult the White Elder about refining some aspects of my magic. But since he isn't here... it's a pleasant surprise to find you instead."

Her voice carried a subtle undertone, a mix of genuine happiness and something Rin wished he could ignore. She hummed softly, almost as if the absence of the White Elder had worked perfectly in her favor.

Rin inclined his head respectfully, ignoring the faint tension in the air. "I see. It's unfortunate that the White Elder is unavailable. However, if there is anything I can assist with, please do not hesitate to ask."

Chinen's smile grew, though she kept it hidden behind her sleeves. "You're ever so dependable, Shimuzu Rin. I almost feel as though the White Elder planned this," she mused, her tone teasing but faintly serious.

Rin's polite façade didn't waver, but internally, he sighed. Her love for him was palpable, and no matter how much he tried to remain distant, her persistence never seemed to falter. He carefully chose his next words.

"I am here to fulfill my duties to the White Flower Palace, nothing more," Rin said, bowing slightly. "If my presence is helpful to you, then I am honored."

Chinen's humming paused for a moment as her eyes searched his. She didn't press further, instead allowing a serene expression to take over her face. "You're always so formal, Rin," she remarked softly. "But I don't mind. It makes moments like these all the more meaningful."

Rin, sensing the conversation turning into dangerous territory, straightened. "If there's anything specific you'd like to discuss about your magic, I'll do my best to relay it to the White Elder upon his return."

Chinen only hummed again, her expression unreadable as she carefully studied him.

The Azure Princess feigned a small sigh of disappointment, placing a delicate hand on her cheek as if lamenting her inability to meet with the White Elder. However, her expression quickly shifted, a faint smile forming as a memory surfaced. She recalled the time Rin had helped her control her mana flow when she was gravely ill. The thought of his steady hand guiding hers caused her cheeks to flush faintly, a fact she tried to hide behind her sleeves.

Rin noticed her fidgeting and tilted his head slightly, his calm expression giving way to subtle concern. "Is something troubling you, Princess?" he asked, his tone even and composed, though a hint of worry lingered.

The Azure Princess quickly shook her head, brushing off his concern with a graceful smile. "It's nothing to worry about, Rin," she replied, her voice light but tinged with fondness. She hesitated for a moment before adding, "I do recall, however, that you possess remarkable control over your mana. Perhaps... instead of the White Elder, could you be the one to teach me?"

Rin froze for a moment, the request catching him off guard. Despite the calm demeanor he maintained, his thoughts raced as he searched for a way to decline without offending her. "That's... I may not be worthy of teaching you, Princess," he said, carefully choosing his words. His tone was respectful yet firm, hoping to dissuade her gently.

But before Rin could step back, the Azure Princess reached out, her hand lightly grasping his. The unexpected touch sent a shiver through him, though he suppressed any visible reaction. Her eyes met his, earnest and unwavering. "You taught me once before, Rin," she said softly, her voice carrying a warmth that made him uncomfortable. "Back when I was ill, you helped me control my mana, and it truly eased my pain. Will you teach me more? Please?"

Rin's calm mask faltered for the briefest of moments as he felt himself cornered. The sincerity in her gaze was disarming, and though every fiber of his being told him to refuse, he knew he couldn't outright deny her request without risking suspicion—or worse, hurting her. Carefully, he composed himself and nodded ever so slightly.

"If that is what you wish, Princess," he said with a quiet sigh. "I will do my best to assist you."

The Azure Princess's face lit up with unrestrained joy as she clasped Rin's hand tighter, her excitement pouring out like an unstoppable tide. "Really? Then can I come every day to learn from you? No, wait—maybe you could come to the Azure Dragon Palace instead! We'll have tea, and then... Hehehe..." She trailed off, her laughter carrying the weight of her barely-contained affection.

Rin felt the invisible chains tightening around him. He bit his tongue, his calm facade beginning to crack under the onslaught of her enthusiasm. "I can't decide on teaching you every day, Princess," he said carefully, each word measured. "I would still need to get permission from the White Elder."

For a moment, he thought he had created an escape route, but the Azure Princess, undeterred, quickly countered. "Then I'll send a formal letter to the White Elder to borrow you. It'll be fine..." Her tone was resolute, her determination unshakable.

Rin swallowed dryly, feeling like a cornered animal. The room felt smaller with every word she spoke, her plans spiraling into endless possibilities of lessons and tea sessions. He nodded faintly, unable to muster the strength to interrupt her as she continued to ramble excitedly about all they could do when the arrangements were made.

Meanwhile, Harumi, Miharu, and the head maid of the Azure Dragon Palace, Fujikawa Rina, stood at a distance, their expressions a mix of worry and pity. Harumi's usual teasing smirk was replaced with genuine concern as she whispered to Miharu, "He's doomed, isn't he?"

Miharu nodded silently, her brows furrowed in sympathy. Fujikawa Rina, standing tall and composed, let out a quiet sigh as she observed the scene. "The Princess is quite... relentless when it comes to things she desires," she murmured, her tone tinged with amusement. "Poor Rin doesn't stand a chance."

The three women exchanged glances before continuing to watch the spectacle unfold, each silently rooting for Rin to survive the onslaught of the Azure Princess's overflowing affection.

In the grand master chamber of the Vermillion Bird Palace, Princess Takigawa Rei lay on her luxurious silk bed, her mind restless despite the serenity of her surroundings. Her thoughts lingered on Rin, the steadfast warrior who had saved her during the Subspace Kidnappings. She clenched the edge of her blanket, her heart heavy with worry and longing.

Rei couldn't forget the way he carried himself, reliable and calm even in dire circumstances. She knew it was unreasonable for someone in her position as one of the Crown Prince's consorts to harbor feelings for a mere warrior, but her heart ignored the dictates of her mind. The memory of Rin's lone, burdened expression haunted her, and the ache in her chest refused to subside. 

Her head maid, Niwa Yori, entered quietly, her sharp eyes immediately noticing the princess's somber demeanor. Yori knew that Rin occupied Rei's thoughts more often than she let on. The maid hesitated but decided to speak up. 

"Your Highness, it is clear you care deeply for Shimuzu Rin," Yori began gently. "You've been like this ever since the Subspace Kidnappings. He's a remarkable man, and it's no wonder he has left such a mark on your heart."

Rei turned her head slightly, her eyes dim with a mix of sorrow and confusion. "But I cannot afford to feel this way, Yori. My duty is to the Crown Prince, not to myself. Yet... it pains me to think of him walking that lonely path."

Yori knelt beside the bed, placing a comforting hand on Rei's. "Perhaps duty binds you, but your heart has chosen its own course. And I would not see my lady suffer silently. I've been gathering news from the White Flower Palace daily to ease your mind about his well-being."

Rei's eyes widened slightly at the revelation, a flicker of hope lighting within her. "You've... been doing that for me?"

Yori nodded with a soft smile. "I thought it might bring you some solace to know he is safe. However, today's news... I hesitate to share it."

Rei's heart tightened at Yori's words. "What happened? Is he hurt? Tell me, Yori."

The head maid's expression was conflicted, but she sighed and relented. "It seems the Azure Princess has taken quite the interest in him. She visited the White Flower Palace today, requesting Rin to teach her mana control. From what I've heard, she was... rather insistent."

Rei's chest tightened, a pang of jealousy and worry washing over her. She clenched her fists, unsure how to respond. Her feelings, kept tightly sealed until now, threatened to overflow as her heart warred with her sense of duty.

Rei sat up in her bed, her fingers gripping the edge of the silk sheets as her memories unraveled. It was Suzuki, the Azure Princess, who had indirectly brought Rin into her life. Rei had insisted—no, demanded—that Suzuki allow her to attend one of the White Elder's lessons. She needed to see for herself if this warrior was worthy of being her partner in the intricate and symbolic sword dance of the Vermillion Bird Palace.

She recalled vividly how defensive Suzuki had been about Rin. At the time, Rei hadn't thought much of it, chalking it up to mere possessiveness over a capable warrior. But now, with the news that Suzuki was actively pursuing Rin for mana control lessons and, perhaps more, the picture was clearer. The Azure Princess wasn't just defensive; she harbored deep feelings for Rin.

Rei's chest tightened as jealousy clawed its way into her heart. The image of Rin, calm and steadfast, tending to Suzuki during her illness was a wound that wouldn't heal. He had been there for Suzuki in ways that Rei could only dream of. She could almost see him sitting by Suzuki's side, his gentle hand guiding hers to ease her pain. The thought stung.

It wasn't just the idea that Suzuki might have feelings for Rin. It was the knowledge that Suzuki, unrestrained by the same level of duty and decorum, was boldly pushing through Rin's walls while Rei held herself back. She didn't want to force Rin into anything, not when she loved him so much. Yet, that same restraint felt like a blade, cutting into her resolve as she imagined Suzuki getting closer to Rin.

Rei placed her hand over her heart, feeling its erratic beat. She loved Rin deeply, and she could no longer deny it. But what could she do? Duty demanded she step aside, but her heart yearned to fight for him. The conflicting emotions churned within her, leaving her restless and longing for the strength to act without fear of the consequences.

"Why must you make this so difficult, Suzuki..." Rei whispered to herself, her voice laced with a deep, unspoken frustration.