Chapter 37: The 4 Princess Consorts

The **Vermillion Bird Palace** stood as a grand symbol of elegance and power, its red and gold architecture radiating an aura of fiery strength. The intricate carvings of phoenixes adorned the tall, lacquered doors, and the scent of blooming camellias from the lush garden outside wafted through the open windows. Inside, the tea room was a masterpiece of serenity, with soft crimson silks draping the walls and delicate porcelain tea sets displayed on low mahogany tables. The glow of sunlight streaming through the latticed windows illuminated the polished floors, creating an atmosphere of regal anticipation.

Today, however, that serenity was undercut by palpable tension. The **2-Week Tea Ceremony of the Four Holy Consorts** was about to begin—a rare and significant gathering of the empire's most powerful women. The room currently held the Azure, Vermillion, and White Princesses, all seated gracefully on embroidered cushions. Despite their poise, a heavy silence hung between them as they awaited the arrival of the newly appointed Black Princess.

For the first time in decades, the position of Black Princess had been filled. Yet, unlike the usual process, this appointment had bypassed the twelve officials due to their inability to reach a decision. Instead, it was the **Four Empresses**—the empire's ultimate arbiters—who had selected the candidate. Their decision was controversial: **Urakawa Miharu**, a scion of the disgraced Urakawa family, had risen to the position despite the weight of her lineage. 

The three consorts present were keenly aware of the imperial family's emphasis on talent over bloodline, but the appointment still stirred mixed emotions.

For the **White Princess**, **Shinegori Akane**, the decision felt like a betrayal. Her family, the Shinegori, had suffered greatly during the Urakawa family's infamous rampage. The very thought of an Urakawa holding such a revered position made her blood boil. Though she maintained an outward appearance of calm, the oppressive energy in the room was unmistakably hers—a manifestation of her inner turmoil and unspoken disdain.

The **Vermillion Princess**, **Takigawa Rei**, and the **Azure Princess**, **Chinen Suzuki**, shared a different perspective. They had heard much about Miharu's skills and rise to prominence, particularly from the revelation at the last tea ceremony: Miharu had been trained by none other than Rin. This detail gnawed at both of them for reasons beyond mere curiosity. Both women were deeply in love with Rin, though neither dared to admit it aloud. 

Suzuki, with her gift of perceiving emotions, could sense the subtle but unmistakable feelings Rei harbored for Rin. Conversely, Rei, perceptive in her own right, had discerned Suzuki's affection for him long ago. It was an unspoken rivalry, a delicate balance of mutual respect and guarded tension. They kept each other in check, their shared knowledge a silent truce. 

Still, the knowledge that Miharu had been personally guided by Rin filled them with unease. They needed to know: what kind of woman had emerged from his teachings? The question lingered unspoken as they waited, the tension building with each passing moment. 

Then, the soft sound of approaching footsteps echoed down the hall, signaling the arrival of the Black Princess.

The door to the tea room slid open, revealing the Black Headmaid, a stern woman whose presence commanded respect. Behind her entered Urakawa Miharu, the newly appointed Black Princess. Miharu moved with practiced elegance, her posture regal, her steps deliberate, and her expression serene. Her attire—a finely tailored black and gold hanfu embroidered with tortoise shell patterns—highlighted her position and authority.

Yet, beneath her composed exterior, Miharu was a bundle of nerves. Her heart raced as she took in the sight of the Azure, Vermillion, and White Princesses, each an embodiment of power, beauty, and influence. Their gazes, though polite, seemed to weigh and measure her, making the room feel far more imposing than its lavish décor intended.

Summoning the composure instilled in her through Rin's rigorous teachings, Miharu stepped forward and executed a flawless bow, her voice steady and clear as she introduced herself.

"Urakawa Miharu, honored to join you in this sacred gathering," she said, her tone carrying the perfect balance of humility and confidence.

The three other consorts watched her intently. Shinegori Akane, the White Princess, maintained a neutral expression, though the faintest flicker of disapproval danced in her eyes. Takigawa Rei, the Vermillion Princess, observed Miharu with a raised brow, her lips curled slightly in curiosity. Meanwhile, Chinen Suzuki, the Azure Princess, offered a small, polite smile, her keen gaze delving deeper, as if searching for Miharu's true character beneath her polished demeanor.

Miharu gracefully moved to take her seat, the only available spot beside the White Princess, whose stiff posture made the air between them feel icy. Ignoring the tension, Miharu carefully poured herself a cup of tea. Her movements were measured and deliberate, every detail of her actions exuding the poise she had trained so hard to master. The soft clink of the porcelain against the table punctuated the silence, and the subtle aroma of brewed tea filled the room.

Though Miharu had nothing to say, she was prepared to answer any questions directed at her. Her hands rested delicately on her lap, and her eyes, though lowered respectfully, remained sharp and attentive. She was determined not to falter under their scrutiny, her resolve bolstered by the countless lessons she had endured under Rin's watchful eye.

As the others silently observed her, the tension in the room thickened, like a storm cloud waiting to break.

The silence was thick, the air heavy with the weight of unspoken words, until Takigawa Rei, the Vermillion Princess, decided to break it. With an elegant sip of her tea, she looked directly at Miharu, her eyes glinting with a mix of curiosity and slight tension.

"Black Princess," Rei began, her voice smooth yet laced with an underlying challenge, "I've heard rumors about the Contest you participated in. It is said that you showed an extraordinary performance in the Personal Talent event, battling an illusion of someone… someone with the same appearance as Rin."

The mention of Rin caused Miharu's heart to flutter. It was the first time anyone in this room had spoken of him, and for a brief moment, her composure wavered. But she quickly masked it, keeping her gaze calm and unwavering.

"Yes," Miharu responded with poise, her fingers lightly touching the necklace she wore—a subtle, deliberate gesture. "Rin gave me this necklace before the contest. It is infused with his mana. It manifested the final trial I needed to overcome, and I fought against the illusion of him while protecting the civilians."

As Miharu spoke, she noticed a shift in the room. The Vermillion Princess and the Azure Princess both flinched, just for a moment, at the mention of Rin's gift. It was subtle but unmistakable, and Miharu, ever perceptive, noticed their reactions.

Her mind, though still composed on the surface, couldn't help but wonder, "Ugh, don't tell me Rin seduced the Vermillion Princess as well…"

She had known of Azure Princess's feelings for Rin, thanks to an unexpected conversation with Harumi during one of the Azure Princess's visits to the White Flower Palace. But this… this was new information. Could it be that both of them harbored feelings for him?

Her resolve hardened. "If I protect him, will he praise me?" The thought flickered through her mind, and she quickly pushed it away. She couldn't afford distractions—not now. As the Black Princess, she had to focus on her new role and responsibilities. Yet, deep down, hidden intentions began to swirl in her chest. She had made a promise to herself to protect Rin, but she couldn't deny the stirrings of something more complicated blooming within her.

The Vermillion Princess seemed to sense the shift in Miharu's demeanor, but before she could press further, Chinen Suzuki, the Azure Princess, spoke up, her voice smooth as she tried to steer the conversation away from Rin's influence.

"You've certainly earned our attention, Black Princess," she said, her tone polite but with an edge of calculation. "It's not every day that we see someone trained under Rin perform so spectacularly. I wonder how your training will serve you in the future."

Miharu gave a small, respectful nod, but the words struck something deep within her. She knew that the two Princesses were no longer simply talking about her abilities—they were assessing her worth, especially in relation to Rin. And that, more than anything, made Miharu resolve to be careful in the days ahead. She would have to protect Rin, but she would also need to guard herself from the games of these powerful women.

The Vermillion Princess, Takigawa Rei, clenched her hands tightly under the table, her fingers curling slightly as she processed the conversation. "This girl..." she thought inwardly, her gaze narrowing ever so slightly at Miharu, "Urakawa Miharu is a rival.

The brief flicker of change in Miharu's expression when Rin's name was mentioned hadn't gone unnoticed. Rei's eyes lingered on Miharu for a moment longer than usual, observing the subtle shift in her demeanor. A necklace from Rin himself… The thought gnawed at Rei's insides, stirring a deep-seated jealousy she was determined to hide.

She didn't show any external signs of her emotions, keeping her face neutral, but inside she was seething. The fact that Rin, the man she secretly longed for, had given Miharu such a personal and meaningful gift—a necklace infused with his mana—made Rei's heart burn with a fierce possessiveness she couldn't quell. That was supposed to be hers, not Miharu's. She couldn't deny the ugly feelings bubbling up inside her, but Rei would never allow herself to be caught off-guard or reveal weakness.

Meanwhile, Chinen Suzuki, the Azure Princess, had her own battle raging within her. Her sharp, calculating eyes remained focused on Miharu as she listened intently to her responses. But the sight of the necklace, shimmering so elegantly on Miharu, struck a chord within her heart.

It looks so beautiful on her, the Azure Princess thought bitterly. Rin's necklace... He gave it to her. Does that mean she holds a special place in his heart? The jealousy she had buried deep within her soul resurfaced like a sudden storm, swirling and threatening to engulf her.

The Azure Princess's expression remained composed, but her inner turmoil was plain to anyone who knew her well. She hated the fact that Miharu, a rival, existed in the first place—someone who was so close to Rin, trained under him, and now gifted such a meaningful token from him. It only fueled Suzuki's frustration, knowing that Miharu had already captured Rin's attention and, in a way, a piece of his heart.

But what bothered Suzuki the most was the realization that, while Miharu was no stranger to Rin's affections, she was also a reflection of the very qualities Suzuki herself admired in Rin—strength, wisdom, and an unyielding resolve. Suzuki hated the idea of someone like Miharu being so intertwined with Rin's life and training.

With these thoughts swirling in both Princesses' hearts, the air in the tea room became thick with unspoken emotions. Though the room appeared calm and collected on the surface, inside, both Rei and Suzuki were slowly coming to terms with the fact that Miharu was not only their rival but also a woman they both felt was taking something precious away from them.

Miharu, on the other hand, sat there with the calmness and grace she had been taught to maintain, unaware of the emotional tension brewing in the room. As the conversation moved on, she found herself silently contemplating her position. " Ah, they're really staring at me.... she thought, but she refused to show weakness. She had a role to play and a promise to keep. Even if it meant navigating the complicated emotions of the women in this room—especially the two who had feelings for Rin.

The White Princess, Shinegori Akane, slowly sipped her tea before setting the cup down with deliberate slowness. She then fixed her sharp gaze on Miharu, the tension in the room rising at her every word.

"Tell me, Black Princess," Akane began, her voice calm yet dripping with an edge of disdain. "How exactly did Rin end up training someone from the Urakawa family? A traitorous family, no less. I would have thought a man of his caliber, the so-called Hero of the Subspace Kidnappings, would have better judgment than to waste time on a rebel like you."

Her eyes narrowed as she continued, her tone turning colder. "It truly is a foolish decision, don't you think? To place your faith in someone from a family responsible for so much bloodshed... His loyalty, his wisdom... I question whether he truly saw the danger you pose. A fool's move, if you ask me."

The words were sharp, each one laced with the venom of Akane's true thoughts. Her intentions were clear—she wanted to discredit Rin's decision to train Miharu, attempting to portray it as an unfortunate, misguided mistake. She wasn't just insulting Miharu, but also Rin himself, questioning his judgment and character.

As the silence fell after Akane's words, Rei and Suzuki exchanged fleeting glances. They had already suspected Miharu's feelings for Rin, and now, it was undeniable. The way Miharu reacted—her eyes flashing with anger at the mention of Rin—told them everything they needed to know. It was clear Miharu was deeply connected to Rin.

Neither Princess spoke up immediately, both sensing the conflict was best left for Miharu to handle on her own. They had their own concerns about Rin, but now, the issue was no longer about them. They would wait and see how the Black Princess responded.

The tension in the room deepened, and in the heavy silence that followed, Miharu found herself on the edge of her patience. She had braced herself for harsh words about her family, but the venomous criticism of Rin, the man who had saved her and trained her—that was something she couldn't let go unchallenged.

Miharu's fingers tightened around the teacup in her hands as she took a breath to steady herself. She was aware of the eyes of the other two Princesses on her, but right now, nothing mattered more than defending the one person who had believed in her when no one else would.

Her voice was calm, but the underlying heat in her words was undeniable. "You seem to speak of someone you barely even met, Princess," she began, her tone steady but laced with a quiet fury. She met Akane's icy gaze with her own unwavering stare. "Rin has done more for me than you could ever comprehend. He trained me when no one else would, he believed in me when I had nothing. And now you question his judgment? You insult the man who brought me out of the darkness and helped me grow stronger. You may insult me all you want, but you will not insult him in front of me."

Miharu's words were firm, but there was a quiet fierceness in her eyes. She wasn't about to let Akane tarnish Rin's reputation—especially not in front of her. She knew that no matter what Akane thought of her family, Rin had chosen to train her because he saw potential, and that was something no one could take away.

"Rin's decision was not a foolish one," she continued, her voice now almost a whisper but still sharp. "He did what he thought was right, and unlike some, he doesn't base his judgments on revenge or past grudges."

Her words hung in the air, and Miharu finally lowered her gaze, her composure returning. "You can say what you want about my family, Princess. But Rin is not the fool you think he is. And neither am I."

With that, she fell silent, but the fire behind her words lingered. The other two Princesses—Rei and Suzuki—watched, silent and tense, as the conversation reached a boiling point. It was clear to both of them now: Miharu was not just a pawn in Rin's life—she was someone who deeply cared for him.

Just as the tension in the room threatened to escalate, the head maid of the Vermillion Bird Palace stepped inside, bowing deeply before addressing the four Princess Consorts.

"My sincerest apologies for interrupting, Your Highnesses," she said, her voice steady and respectful. "I have come to announce the arrival of two apprentices from the White Flower Palace. They are here under the orders of the White Elder to inspect the holy palaces' barrier, which has been reported to be waning."

The maid's announcement shifted the atmosphere, momentarily dispersing the brewing conflict as the Princesses exchanged glances, their attention drawn to the unexpected arrival.