Chapter 25: The Start Of Her Rise

The grand deliberation hall of the **Imperial Capital** was alive with the murmur of voices, the tension in the air palpable as the debate raged on. At the center of the hall, the **Round Table**, an imposing symbol of unity and authority, was surrounded by the twelve officials: six generals led by **Grand General Takigawa Yoshito** and six ministers led by **Prime Minister Shigenori Arata**. Above them sat **Emperor Hoshimi Masaki**, his piercing gaze surveying the room from his elevated throne. Beside him sat the **Crown Prince**, his expression empty, his presence more symbolic than active.

The deliberation over the **Black Princess Consort** had reached yet another impasse. Two prominent candidates, both from powerful families, were locked in a stalemate. The generals and ministers were deeply divided, their arguments reflecting the competing interests of their respective factions. The heads of the empire's most distinguished families watched from the stands, their whispers adding fuel to the already charged atmosphere.

The emperor let out a quiet sigh, his fingers lightly tapping the armrest of his throne. His sharp eyes flicked to the **Crown Prince**, whose lifeless demeanor only deepened his disappointment. Masaki knew his eldest son's apathy stemmed from years of being molded into a tool of the empire, stripped of his humanity by the unrelenting weight of duty and manipulation.

Masaki could have ended the deadlock with a single vote. As emperor, his authority was absolute, and the Crown Prince's predictable abstention meant the final decision rested with him. Yet, he hesitated. In his hand rested a sealed letter sent by the **White Elder**, the revered guardian of his younger son, **Hoshimi Rin**, now living as **Shizumu Rin**. The letter bore a simple yet profound request: **do not decide on the Black Princess Consort yet.**

Masaki's thoughts turned to Rin, the son who had once outshone all expectations with his brilliance. Even as a child, Rin had displayed unmatched acumen in governance, developing solutions for the empire's most complex problems—solutions that had cemented his place as a prodigy. Yet, Rin's genius had come with an unyielding desire for freedom, a wish to cast aside the shackles of royalty. Masaki had granted this wish, influenced not only by his son's desperation but also by the intervention of the **Golden Princess**, whose words carried the weight of destiny itself.

The White Elder's message suggested that Rin had identified someone he deemed suitable for the position of **Black Princess Consort**, though the identity of this candidate remained unknown. Trusting Rin's judgment, Masaki had decided to wait.

The heavy wooden doors of the hall creaked open, silencing the room. All eyes turned toward the entrance as the **White Elder** entered, his long robes trailing behind him. At his side was a young girl dressed in the pristine uniform of the **White Flower Palace**. Her steps were measured, her head slightly bowed, yet her presence commanded attention. 

Masaki's gaze sharpened. This must be the girl Rin had chosen.

The generals and ministers exchanged murmurs, their confusion evident. Who was this girl? Why had the White Elder brought her into such a critical deliberation? The heads of the prominent families leaned forward, their curiosity piqued.

The White Elder stopped before the emperor and bowed deeply, his expression calm yet firm. "Your Majesty," he began, his voice steady. "This is **Urakawa Miharu**, my third apprentice. I bring her here today because I believe that she holds the qualities necessary to serve as the **Black Princess Consort**."

The room erupted into a chorus of astonished whispers. **Urakawa Miharu?** The name was not unfamiliar to some. The Urakawa family, once prominent, had fallen from grace during the **Official Purge**, a political purge orchestrated years ago that had wiped out several families deemed threats to the empire. That a girl from such a background would even be considered for the position of **Black Princess Consort** was unthinkable.

Masaki studied Miharu closely. Her hands were clasped in front of her, betraying a hint of nervousness, but her eyes held a quiet determination. She had the air of someone who had endured hardships yet remained unbroken. Masaki could see why Rin might have chosen her—there was a strength in her that belied her unassuming appearance.

The emperor raised a hand, silencing the room. "Urakawa Miharu," he said, his voice resonating with authority. "Step forward."

Miharu took a steadying breath and stepped forward, her head held high. She bowed deeply. "Your Majesty," she said, her voice clear despite the tremor in her hands. "It is an honor to stand before you."

Masaki nodded, his expression unreadable. "The deliberation over the **Black Princess Consort** is not one to be taken lightly. Tell me, Miharu, why do you believe you are worthy of this position?"

Miharu hesitated for a brief moment, then spoke with quiet conviction. "Your Majesty, I do not claim to be worthy. I am but an apprentice, learning and growing under the guidance of the White Elder and Senior Apprentice Shizumu Rin. If I am to be considered for this position, it is because they see something in me that I have yet to fully understand. I can only promise to dedicate myself wholly to the role, should it be entrusted to me, and to serve the empire with unwavering loyalty."

The hall fell silent as her words echoed. Masaki's gaze lingered on her for a moment longer before he turned to the White Elder. "And you vouch for her?"

The White Elder inclined his head. "I do, Your Majesty. And so does Rin."

Masaki leaned back on his throne, his mind racing. Rin's faith in this girl was enough to give him pause. For now, he would delay the final decision, but Miharu's presence had already begun to shift the tides of the deliberation.

"Let's continue the debate," Masaki declared, his voice firm. "But remember this day, for it may mark the beginning of a new chapter for the empire."

The room fell into a tense silence as the officials absorbed the White Elder's words. The presence of Urakawa Miharu, a third apprentice of the White Elder, was already a surprise, but the revelation of her abilities and the new technology brought an unprecedented shift in the deliberations. The officials exchanged uncertain glances, still processing the impact of what they had just seen and heard.

Grand General Takigawa Yoshito was the first to speak, his deep voice cutting through the murmurs. "This… device," he began, still clearly stunned, "it's an impressive piece of technology, no doubt. But it also raises more questions than answers. What is its true purpose? If this device can record such intimate moments, what other secrets can it capture?"

The White Elder, his expression unruffled, answered calmly. "The purpose of this device is to document and preserve knowledge, nothing more. It serves to create accurate records of training, lessons, and other crucial moments without the influence of magic. It is a tool, not a weapon. The records you've seen today are simply evidence of Miharu's progress."

Prime Minister Shigenori Arata, usually the voice of reason, interjected, his brow furrowed. "You say it's a tool, but it's clear that these recordings are far beyond what we've known. If Rin and Harumi have created such a device, why have we only just learned of it now? What is the true purpose behind its use?"

The White Elder's eyes narrowed slightly, but he maintained his composed demeanor. "It is not my place to discuss the intentions behind my apprentices' inventions in full detail, but rest assured, it is in the service of the empire's advancement. This is the future. What Rin and Harumi have created will serve as a foundation for many fields of study, including magic, governance, and diplomacy. Their work will shape the future, and it is not something to be dismissed lightly."

The emperor, who had been silently observing the exchange, finally spoke up. "We are not here to discuss the potential of these devices, nor the advancements in technology. We are here to decide on the Black Princess Consort. Miharu," he turned his gaze to the girl standing before him, her composure still unwavering despite the overwhelming scrutiny. "You've shown extraordinary promise. But how do you respond to these concerns? How do you plan to serve the empire, and more importantly, how do you envision your role within the imperial family?"

Miharu's hands tightened in front of her as she stood tall, meeting the emperor's gaze with a quiet determination. "Your Majesty," she began, her voice steady despite the weight of the room's attention. "I cannot deny that I am still learning. However, I have been trained by the best—under the guidance of the White Elder and Senior Apprentice Shizumu Rin. I have been taught the importance of humility, duty, and loyalty. If I am chosen for this position, I will dedicate myself fully to the empire and its future. I will serve the royal family with everything I have, just as I have served those who taught me."

Her words were met with a mix of reactions. Some of the officials nodded, while others remained skeptical. But one thing was clear: her presence had stirred the room. Crown Prince, who had been silent for most of the deliberation, now shifted slightly, his eyes flicking briefly to Miharu before turning away, his face unreadable.

The White Elder continued, sensing the wavering support from the officials. "As I mentioned, Miharu's talent lies in her speed and memory. In the short time she has been with us, she has demonstrated unparalleled adaptability. To dismiss her potential is to squander an opportunity that could benefit the empire greatly."

He paused before adding, "Rin himself has recorded these lessons not to boast of Miharu's achievements, but to present them as proof of her capabilities. She is ready. It would be a disservice to keep her in a position that limits her growth."

The generals and ministers exchanged more words under their breath, clearly unsettled. Grand General Yoshito seemed particularly skeptical, but he couldn't deny the truth in the White Elder's words. Miharu's potential was undeniable, and her training under the White Elder was rigorous.

"Your Majesty," said Minister Fujiwara, a senior minister who had been relatively quiet until now. "While I respect the White Elder's judgment, we cannot ignore the fact that Miharu's family is not of high standing, nor is she a known commodity in the courts of the empire. The position of Black Princess Consort is not one to be taken lightly. It is not only about talent, but about the ability to navigate the intricacies of politics, alliances, and the expectations of the people. How do you intend to handle those challenges, Miharu?"

Miharu lowered her head slightly in a gesture of respect, taking a moment to consider her response. "I understand the challenges, Minister Fujiwara. But my training has not been limited to magic and physical disciplines alone. I have studied the workings of the palace, politics, and diplomacy, all under the guidance of the White Elder and Rin. I may not be from a prestigious family, but my loyalty and dedication to the empire are unwavering. I will adapt to whatever is required of me, as I have done in my training."

Her words were carefully chosen, but they carried an undeniable conviction. Prime Minister Arata regarded her with a calculating gaze, and even General Yoshito seemed to pause, considering the implications of her potential.

The emperor nodded, signaling that the deliberation would continue. "We will take a short recess," he said, his voice firm. "We must deliberate further. But Miharu, know that your presence here today has already made an impact."

As the room began to empty, whispers once again filled the air. The fate of the Black Princess Consort was far from decided, but the weight of the decision had shifted in unexpected ways. Miharu, standing silently before the emperor, knew that she had taken her first step into a world of unimaginable challenges. 

In the private break room, the air was heavy with unspoken thoughts as Emperor Masaki leaned back in his chair, the golden embroidery of his imperial robes catching the light of the lanterns. His sharp eyes rested on his eldest son, the Crown Prince, who sat motionless across from him. The prince's empty gaze was fixed on the polished wooden table, his presence more a shadow of duty than a spark of leadership. 

Masaki's thoughts, however, were far from his firstborn. They lingered on the unexpected move of his second son, Rin—Hoshimi Rin, now living as Shizumu Rin. The letter that Rin had sent through the White Elder weighed heavily in his mind. It wasn't just the audacity of Rin's endorsement of a candidate for the influential position of Black Princess Consort—it was the message beneath the words. 

*"Hoshimi code Section 7,"* Rin had written, quoting the ancient tenets of their family. *"In selecting people for influential positions, one must prioritize talent wielded despite their beginnings. A Hoshimi will earn the loyalty of a talented individual on their own."* 

It was as much a reminder as it was a declaration. Rin had always been one to uphold the core ideals of the Hoshimi lineage, but never in the way Masaki or anyone else expected. His second son had the ability to see the strengths in others, to cultivate loyalty through mutual respect rather than obligation. This was something the Crown Prince lacked, and Masaki could not ignore the stark contrast between his sons. 

The emperor's lips curved into a faint smile, tinged with melancholy. For years, he had watched Rin excel, his brilliance illuminating the imperial court like a flame. But flames could not be caged without being extinguished. Rin's plea to leave the palace had been both a surprise and a risk. Yet, the Golden Princess—the vessel of the Golden Dragon's will—had supported Rin's decision with unwavering conviction. 

Masaki's fingers traced the edge of the letter. The Golden Princess's words echoed in his memory: *"Rin's path lies beyond the palace walls. To tether him here would be to stifle the destiny he must fulfill."* 

The emperor sighed, glancing at the Crown Prince once more. He had always wondered—if Rin had remained in the palace, would he have met the same fate as his elder brother? A life consumed by duty, stripped of vitality, reduced to the hollow shell that now sat across from him? 

"Rin," Masaki murmured to himself, "you've always been unpredictable. Even when you're far from the palace, you find ways to shape its course." 

The introduction of the camera—the invention of Rin and Harumi—was proof enough of that. The device, with its ability to capture and preserve moments, had not only substantiated Miharu's candidacy but also demonstrated that Rin had not entirely abandoned his responsibilities. He worked quietly, indirectly, but his influence was undeniable. 

Masaki leaned forward, his gaze sharpening as he began to plan. He needed to ensure the officials saw what Rin saw in Miharu. Talent, loyalty, and potential were qualities that transcended lineage, and Rin's endorsement carried weight—even if the officials didn't realize it yet. 

"Rin," he said softly, almost to himself, "if you're going to place people in these positions, I'll hold you accountable for the empire when you return." 

A wry smile tugged at his lips. He didn't know when or if Rin would return to the palace. But Masaki had made up his mind—when that day came, Rin would not only bear the title of a prince but also the mantle of the empire itself. Until then, Masaki would do everything in his power to ensure the empire was shaped by Rin's vision, even if it meant pushing the officials to support Miharu's candidacy. 

The emperor's gaze fell back on the Crown Prince, his expression softening with a trace of regret. *"Perhaps Rin was right to leave,"* he thought. "But if he ever returns, I'll make sure he carries the Hoshimi legacy forward." 

For now, the deliberations would continue, but Masaki knew one thing for certain: his second son, even from the shadows, had already begun to change the empire's future.