Chapter 24: The Warrior and The New Apprentice

Inside the opulent Azure Dragon Palace, the three princess consorts—Chinen Suzuki (Azure), Takigawa Rei (Vermillion), and Shinegori Akane (White)—gathered for their customary tea meeting. It was a rare moment of formality amidst their roles, a time to discuss the affairs that shaped the empire's future. Though their personalities and alliances differed, an unspoken truce held during these gatherings. Respect for their shared status as the Crown Prince's consorts kept their interactions diplomatic.

This time, the topic of conversation revolved around the ongoing deliberations for the Black Tortoise Princess Consort. The Imperial Palace had been embroiled in daily discussions, with officials scrutinizing the eligible candidates. Most came from distinguished families whose political alliances could dramatically shift the balance of power in the court. The deliberation had dragged on for weeks, reflecting the gravity of the decision.

Suzuki took a delicate sip of her tea, her expression serene but her eyes sharp. "I've heard the deliberations are narrowing down to a handful of names. Each one comes with a faction vying for influence." Her voice was soft, but there was an edge to her words that hinted at her careful observation of the court's undercurrents.

Rei, seated opposite her, placed her teacup down gently. "It's inevitable, given the importance of the position. The Black Princess Consort will complete our circle, and her alliances could define the Crown Prince's reign." Her tone was measured, but her mind wandered momentarily to Rin, wondering if he had heard of this development through his connections in the White Flower Palace.

Akane, ever composed and with an air of pragmatism, added, "The weight of this decision is more than political. The candidate will have to endure the same scrutiny and challenges we face. Not every family understands what their daughters will be stepping into." Her words were calm, but there was a subtle challenge directed at the other two, a reminder that their positions came with more than just power—they came with sacrifice.

The three women exchanged glances, each lost in her own thoughts about the future and the implications of the impending decision. Despite their surface-level respect for one another, the underlying currents of rivalry, duty, and personal ambition swirled in the air, as palpable as the fragrance of the tea that filled the room. 

The conversation among the three princess consorts shifted from the serious political matters to their more personal lives. The White Princess, Akane, smiled sweetly, her demeanor as angelic as ever, but her words had a subtle sharpness to them. "It's so admirable how you manage to balance your duties, Suzuki," she said, her tone innocent enough, but her eyes held a knowing glint. "I heard you've been visiting the White Flower Palace quite often lately. What's been keeping you so busy there?" 

The mention of the Azure Princess's visits caught Rei off guard, a slight tension crossing her features before she masked it with a serene smile. Her grip on her teacup tightened ever so slightly, but she maintained her composure. 

Suzuki, ever poised and unbothered by the subtle undercurrent of the conversation, answered smoothly. "Yes, it's true. I've been visiting the White Flower Palace a lot recently, but it's not just for the sake of my personal interest. The White Elder has been frequently summoned to the Imperial Capital for the ongoing deliberations regarding the Black Princess Consort position." She paused, glancing at both Rei and Akane before continuing, as if revealing a private matter. "With his absence, the apprentices of the White Flower Palace have taken on more responsibility. I've been studying magic control with them, particularly with Rin, since he has such expertise in the field."

Akane hummed thoughtfully, as if taking in the explanation with no ulterior motives. But Rei felt a small pang in her chest, though she tried to suppress it. Her thoughts went to Rin—was he teaching Suzuki willingly, or had she forced her way into his schedule? She couldn't help but feel a flare of jealousy, though she fought to keep it under control. She believed that she knows Rin for more than Suzuki, yet somehow, it was Suzuki who seemed to get closer to him with every passing day.

Suzuki continued, her tone taking on a hint of wistfulness. "It's unfortunate, really. I had hoped that Rin could come to the Azure Dragon Palace to teach me personally, but with his duties as the senior apprentice and warrior in the White Flower Palace, he's been unable to. Nevertheless, I'm grateful for the lessons I've been able to receive from him during my visits. I've learned so much about controlling my mana, and even a little about him... It's been such a valuable experience." She glanced out of the window, her eyes softening as she recalled her recent visits, though she left out the more personal feelings she harbored toward Rin.

Rei, unable to hide the unease that had begun to coil in her chest, took a deep breath and set her teacup down. "It sounds like you've been quite fortunate in your studies, Suzuki. I'm sure Rin is an excellent teacher." The words tasted bitter in her mouth, but she forced a smile, trying to mask the storm of emotions that threatened to surface.

Akane, sensing the shift in the atmosphere, decided to steer the conversation away from the tense undercurrents. "Well, it's good to hear that you've been learning so much, Suzuki. But we must all remember that our duties come first, and we should always keep our focus on those. The deliberations for the Black Princess Consort are still ongoing, after all."

Rei nodded, though her thoughts were far from the topic at hand. Suzuki's words echoed in her mind, and she couldn't help but wonder if there was more to Suzuki's visits to the White Flower Palace than just magic lessons. Why was she so focused on Rin? And what was it about Rin that made her—someone so powerful and influential—feel this way?

The tension lingered in the room, unspoken but palpable, as each princess grappled with their own thoughts, desires, and the ever-present uncertainty of the future.

The conversation continued as the Azure Princess Suzuki casually brought up the topic of Rin's new apprentice, Urakawa Miharu. 

"That said, Rin also had the duty of teaching another person," Suzuki began, her voice smooth, yet there was a slight edge to her tone. "A new apprentice was recently taken in by the White Elder. Her name is Urakawa Miharu."

The mention of Miharu immediately caught Rei's attention. She hadn't heard of this new apprentice before, but Suzuki continued, almost as if trying to downplay any sense of concern. "I've been keeping an eye on her," Suzuki said, though there was an underlying hint of suspicion in her words. "She seems close to Rin, learning many things from him. I've even seen Rin teach her how to speak with authority—how to properly address someone based on their position, posture, even how to perform a tea ceremony. I was surprised by this, honestly. It's not something you would expect from someone in her position, let alone someone like Rin, who's still an apprentice himself. He seems to know a lot, doesn't he?" 

Her words were laced with subtle curiosity and suspicion, though Suzuki did her best to hide any deeper jealousy she felt toward Miharu. It was almost as though she couldn't help but wonder why Rin, who had so much to offer, would be wasting his time with someone like Miharu—especially when Suzuki herself had been trying so hard to gain his attention. Still, she kept her tone measured, as though she were simply noting the facts.

Rei, who had been listening carefully, didn't let her own feelings show. She didn't question how Rin had acquired such knowledge. After all, she had always known Rin to be someone of exceptional talent, someone who could easily pick up on things others might struggle with. What concerned her more was the fact that Miharu seemed to be in Rin's favor so quickly. There was something about Miharu that didn't sit right with her, though she couldn't quite pinpoint what it was. It was almost as if the girl had a hidden agenda, something Rei couldn't put her finger on. She would have to keep an eye on her, but for now, she chose not to voice her concerns. 

The White Princess Akane, who had been unusually quiet until now, couldn't keep her thoughts hidden any longer. Her fingers tightened around her teacup as she asked, almost to herself, "Urakawa Miharu…?" Her voice was barely a whisper, but the tension in her tone was palpable. She paused, her gaze growing distant, as if the name triggered something from her past.

Suzuki and Rei exchanged a glance before Suzuki spoke, noticing the White Princess's sudden shift in demeanor. "Is something the matter, Akane?" she asked, her voice soft but with a hint of curiosity.

Akane quickly masked her expression behind the sleeve of her robe, hiding her face from the other two. She was trying to keep her composure, but the name 'Urakawa' had clearly stirred something deep within her. "It's nothing," she replied curtly, but the flicker of emotion in her eyes was unmistakable. "Just a family name I recall hearing from a long time ago." 

Her mind was now racing, remembering a family her own had always despised—the Urakawa family. They had once been a noble, respected family, but their fall from grace had left a stain on their reputation. The White Princess had been too young at the time to understand the full scope of it, but the name Urakawa had always lingered in her thoughts. The idea that someone from that family might be in the White Flower Palace now was unsettling. She didn't know if Miharu was truly connected to the Urakawa family, but the mere possibility was enough to make her uneasy.

"Fallen family," she muttered under her breath, still hidden behind her sleeve, her gaze now focused on the delicate patterns on her teacup. 

The room was silent for a moment, as if the air had thickened with the weight of Akane's hidden thoughts. Suzuki, sensing the tension, shifted in her seat, eager to steer the conversation elsewhere. Rei, too, seemed deep in thought, though her concern for Rin hadn't abated. Both of them remained silent as they waited for the White Princess to speak further or dismiss the topic entirely.

Akane's expression slowly softened, and she placed the teacup back on the table with a quiet clink. "It's just… a name that brings back unpleasant memories," she said, her tone quieter now, almost apologetic. "I'm sure there's nothing to be concerned about."

Suzuki didn't push her further, sensing that the conversation had veered into a delicate area. Instead, she nodded, her voice neutral. "I suppose we'll see how things unfold at the White Flower Palace," she said, her gaze flicking briefly to Rei. "But it seems like Rin has quite a bit of responsibility on his shoulders with all these new apprentices." 

Rei nodded in agreement, but her mind remained fixed on Miharu. Something about her bothered her, and she couldn't shake the feeling that trouble was brewing. But for now, she would wait and watch, keeping her thoughts to herself.

In the quiet yet bustling atmosphere of the **White Flower Palace**, Rin sat across from Miharu, meticulously guiding her through the delicate art of knitting. The room was filled with the soft sounds of thread moving through needles and the occasional gentle corrections Rin made to Miharu's posture or technique. Despite the serene exterior, Rin's mind was filled with a whirlwind of thoughts, carefully concealed behind his calm demeanor.

Miharu, completely unaware of Rin's true intentions, assumed that these lessons were simply part of her duties as the apprentice of the **White Elder**. To her, Rin's insistence on refining her skills—be it in etiquette, tea ceremonies, or even knitting—was just another expectation tied to her new position. What she didn't realize was that Rin was deliberately preparing her for a much greater role: the **Black Princess Consort**.

Rin knew the stakes all too well. In the storyline of *The Golden Girl's Rise*, Miharu was destined to ascend from her humble beginnings as a maid in the **Golden Dragon Palace** to become the **Black Princess Consort**. Her rise would not only transform her own life but also save the **Crown Prince**, Rin's older brother, from the icy grip of his imperial obligations and the hollow emptiness that haunted him. Miharu, the illegitimate child of the fallen Urakawa family, carried no blame for her family's downfall, a tragedy orchestrated in part by Rin himself during his time as **Hoshimi Rin** the other imperial prince who to a select few in the imperial palace knew.

Though guilt lingered in the recesses of his heart, Rin saw this as his opportunity to make amends and ensure that Miharu succeeded. He needed her to play her part in the story, not just for her own sake but for the stability of the empire—and, selfishly, for the freedom he cherished as a commoner. If the story veered off course, the delicate balance of the empire could crumble, and Rin himself risked being dragged back into the imperial palace, stripped of his autonomy.

Miharu glanced up at Rin as she struggled with a particularly tricky stitch. "Rin, how do you and Harumi manage to be so… perfect at everything?" she asked, her tone tinged with both admiration and disbelief. 

Rin chuckled softly, shaking his head. "Perfect? Hardly. We just do what needs to be done. The White Flower Palace relies on everyone pulling their weight, especially in the White Elder's absence."

"But you make it look so easy," Miharu said, her voice earnest. "You've been teaching the Azure Princess, managing the palace, and even stepping in to handle cooking when Harumi... um…" She trailed off, giggling slightly, clearly recalling Harumi's latest culinary disaster.

Rin sighed, a faint smirk tugging at his lips. "Let's just say I've had practice. As for Harumi, she's always been capable in her own way, even if her cooking is... unique."

Miharu nodded, her admiration for both Rin and Harumi growing. To her, they were the perfect models of what an apprentice should be. Rin's unwavering competence and Harumi's cheerful determination seemed almost unattainable, but Miharu couldn't deny the inspiration they provided.

As Miharu returned her focus to her knitting, Rin observed her silently. He saw glimpses of the strong, resilient woman she was destined to become, even if she didn't realize it yet. She had already begun to adapt to the palace life, learning quickly and integrating seamlessly into the daily routines of the **White Flower Palace**. It was no wonder that even the other workers had started to notice her progress. 

Despite his intentions to stay detached, Rin couldn't help but feel a sense of pride in her growth. Miharu had a long road ahead of her, but Rin was determined to guide her every step of the way, ensuring that she became the person who could fulfill her destiny as the **Black Princess Consort**—the one who would change the fate of the Crown Prince and, by extension, the empire itself.

For now, however, Rin focused on the task at hand. "Keep your tension steady," he said, his voice patient as he leaned over to adjust her grip on the needles. "You're doing well, Miharu. Just remember, every skill you learn is another step forward."

Miharu smiled, a mix of gratitude and determination shining in her eyes. "Thank you, Rin. I'll keep trying my best."

Unbeknownst to Miharu, her journey was already shaping the future of the empire, and Rin, ever the watchful guardian, was determined to ensure she reached her destination.