Chapter 58: A Trial of Emotions

The Imperial Capital was a city in recovery. Though scars of destruction still marred its streets, the rapid reconstruction efforts had begun to restore a sense of normalcy.

At the heart of these efforts, the White Flower Palace had become a crucial headquarters for the reconstruction of the southern sector.

It wasn't just a place of administration.

Here, food, accommodations, and logistical support were provided to the thousands of workers who toiled to rebuild what had been lost. The palace grounds, once a place of serene training and quiet meditation, now hummed with activity.

And at the center of it all—

Rin and Harumi.

The two most famous apprentices of the White Elder had stepped up. With their master bedridden, it was Rin and Harumi who oversaw the palace's role in the reconstruction efforts.

Rin, despite his usual preference for working in the shadows, had become a prominent figure. Workers respected him, not just for his tactical mind but because he was always present. He ensured supplies arrived on time, that rations were fairly distributed, and that no worker was left struggling.

Harumi, on the other hand, handled the people. Where Rin worked in efficiency and logistics, Harumi ensured morale remained high. She kept spirits up, dealt with complaints, and made sure there were no conflicts between different working groups.

The two worked in tandem, a perfect balance of sharp strategy and compassionate leadership.

But even with their efforts, a question lingered over the White Flower Palace.

The White Elder's health was failing.

And when the time came for him to pass on his position…

What would Rin do?

For now, however, there was no time to dwell on the future.

There was work to be done.

Today had been another typical day of overseeing logistics and ensuring that the reconstruction efforts remained smooth. Rin and Harumi had become accustomed to the constant movement, the never-ending issues, and the ceaseless demands for solutions.

But that calm and normal routine was about to be shattered.

From the entrance of the White Flower Palace, the sound of approaching carriages echoed across the courtyard. Four grand carriages, each adorned with the emblems of the Four Holy Palaces, came into view.

Azure Dragon.

Vermillion Bird.

Black Tortoise.

White Tiger.

Harumi raised an eyebrow, already sensing trouble. Rin, on the other hand, closed his eyes, as if preparing himself for some divine punishment.

Then came the messenger—an imperial official clad in the Imperial Palace's formal uniform. He stepped forward, presenting a letter sealed with the Emperor's insignia.

With a deep breath, Rin accepted it.

His eyes scanned the contents.

—The 4 Princess Consorts had been officially assigned to oversee the reconstruction efforts in the southern sector.

—They would be stationed at the White Flower Palace.

—Effective immediately.

Silence.

Harumi watched as Rin's face slowly drained of color.

Then, with the deepest sigh known to mankind, Rin let his head drop as if his soul had left his body.

"…Harumi."

"Yes?"

"I accept it." Rin's voice was solemn. "I accept the trials set upon me by the heavens. If this is my fate, then I shall walk into the abyss."

Harumi tilted her head. "…So dramatic."

Rin ignored her.

"Yes… More trials." He clenched his fist. "Yes… let them come. Let them break me. I shall die over and over again and repent for my sins."

Harumi patted his shoulder. "At least die quietly. We still have work to do."

Rin took a deep breath.

Then, with the heaviest steps, he walked toward the carriages, already bracing himself for chaos.

The entrance of the White Flower Palace was alive with murmurs.

The workers whispered among themselves, trying to make sense of why the 4 Holy Consorts—the future empresses—had personally come to this place.

Was it official business?

Or something else entirely?

As the last of the carriages came to a stop, Rin and Harumi stepped forward to receive them.

Rin, as always, maintained his calm and unbreakable composure.

His expression was neutral, his posture perfect, and his presence dignified.

And yet…

Harumi, standing beside him, could see it.

Rin's soul was visibly trying to escape his body. The sheer weight of impending suffering was pressing down on him, making him want to collapse on the spot.

Still, he endured.

The first carriage opened.

Azure Princess Consort—Chinen Suzuki

—A woman with a mysterious air, yet her smile was nothing but radiant.

—She stepped out gracefully, her calm demeanor betraying the happiness in her eyes.

—She looked at Rin with an indescribable expression.

The second carriage opened.

Vermillion Princess Consort—Takigawa Rei

—Her presence was as strong as ever.

—With a determined gaze, she stepped forward with firm confidence.

—She had the aura of someone ready to seize control of the battlefield.

The third carriage opened.

Black Princess Consort—Urakawa Miharu

—Unlike the others, her eyes were filled with nostalgia.

—She had once been a commoner. She had been here before.

—Her gaze swept across the familiar palace grounds, bringing back old memories.

And finally…

The fourth carriage opened.

White Princess Consort—Shinegori Akane

—Her smile was unreadable.

—Unlike the others, her enjoyment came from a different source.

—She wasn't here to reminisce. She was here to make sure Rin owed her even more favors.

And the moment all four of them stood together—

Their gazes locked onto Rin.

He felt it.

A powerful sense of impending doom.

Harumi glanced at him. "Are you okay?"

Rin: "No."

Regardless, he took a deep breath and greeted them.

"Welcome, Princess Consorts." His voice was steady.

Harumi added, "Due to the suddenness of the Imperial Order, it will take some time to prepare your rooms."

Normally, such a delay would be unacceptable for members of the Imperial Family.

But—

Suzuki, Rei, and Miharu didn't mind at all.

Suzuki smiled mysteriously.

Rei nodded, as if this was expected.

Miharu simply closed her eyes, enjoying the moment.

"No need to rush," Suzuki said. "We'll just… watch."

Rin's eye twitched.

"...Watch what?"

Rei crossed her arms. "Watch you work."

Miharu nodded. "We'd like to see how you manage things."

Rin, internally: Oh. No. No, no, no. That's not good at all.

Meanwhile…

Akane was absolutely enjoying this.

"That said," she cut in, her voice smooth, "we did bring our maids along. They will assist in preparing our rooms."

She smiled knowingly at Rin.

—She was having fun.

—She was enjoying his suffering.

And so, with no way out, Rin accepted his fate.

With dead eyes, he turned to Harumi. "So this is how I die."

Harumi patted his shoulder. "Rest in peace."

The four princess consorts had arrived.

And Rin's trials had truly begun.

Rin sighed internally as he processed the situation.

There was already so much work on his plate.

Now, he had to entertain the four princess consorts on top of it all.

He just hoped they wouldn't cause trouble.

Keeping his expression calm and composed, he gestured towards the receiving room.

"For now, please make yourselves comfortable," he said smoothly.

Meanwhile, he turned to Harumi.

"Harumi, please escort each consort's headmaids and maids to their quarters."

Harumi, understanding the unspoken plea in Rin's eyes, quickly led them away.

Now—

Rin was alone with the four consorts.

Despite wanting nothing more than to escape, he accepted reality and prepared tea for them.

As expected—

Suzuki, Rei, and Miharu were immediately put in a good mood.

The tea was perfectly brewed, and the act of Rin serving them personally only added to their delight.

Akane, however, simply watched Rin.

A small knowing smile played on her lips.

She was different.

She knew who Rin really was.

She knew why they had been sent here.

And she knew that Rin had no time for pointless chatter.

Still, she remained quiet and observed.

As Rin expected, the conversation quickly turned towards him.

Despite his formal small talk, the three consorts kept pressing for more.

They wanted to know him.

To understand him.

To make him talk about himself.

Rin, of course, answered politely but never revealed anything personal.

And then—

Something shifted.

Rin cast a disappointed expression.

For the first time, the three consorts saw a look of disappointment on his face.

It was subtle.

It was brief.

But they noticed.

And it shook them.

His gaze moved to Akane.

"Princess Akane," he said, his voice calm yet firm, "Can I entrust you with the paperwork regarding today's material deliveries?"

—He wasn't disappointed in her.

—She knew why she was here.

The three consorts turned to Akane in confusion.

And when they looked back at Rin—

The disappointment was gone.

His face had already returned to its usual composed state.

"For now, you three can rest in this room," Rin said, his tone polite yet distant.

"I still have work to do, but I will try to find time to help you get settled in."

His words were formal.

Professional.

But underneath—

A clear barrier had been set.

"You may walk around the palace and watch."

And with that, he turned, motioning for Akane to follow him.

The door closed behind them.

And the three consorts sat there—

Silent.

Because for some reason—

They felt like they had failed.

They had disappointed Rin.

But why?

They didn't know yet.

But one thing was clear—

They had been sent here for a reason.

And right now—

Only Akane had passed.

Akane followed closely behind Rin, a delighted expression on her face.

Despite her ambition, despite her power-hungry nature, she truly wanted to help.

And more than that—

She wanted Rin's recognition.

"Why just me?" she asked, her tone light yet curious.

Rin didn't break his stride as he responded.

"Because you were the only one who didn't demand anything from me earlier."**

His voice was calm, factual—no trace of flattery or indulgence.

"You seemed to actually want to help."

Akane's smile widened.

Of course, she had enjoyed watching Rin struggle under the curiosity of the other three consorts—but when it came down to it, she understood why they were here.

Rin led her to a large, bustling area—

The material delivery site.

The air was filled with voices, footsteps, and the sound of wooden carts rolling over stone.

Workers moved in rhythm, transporting wood, stone, and metal for the city's reconstruction.

It was lively, well-organized—yet relentless.

Seeing it with her own eyes, Akane finally understood.

Rin was drowning in work.

There was no room for distractions.

Rin handed her a stack of documents.

"I'll teach you the basics," he said, his tone brisk but patient.

He quickly explained the format, the required signatures, and what to track for the inflow and outflow of materials.

Akane listened intently, absorbing everything with sharp focus.

She was smart.

She was skilled at office work.

And—more than that—

She was capable of handling responsibility.

Rin watched as she quickly grasped the task, her sharp eyes moving across the papers with efficiency.

A small smile tugged at his lips.

She'll do well.

Satisfied, Rin turned to leave.

"I'll leave this to you."

Without waiting for a response, he walked away—already moving to his next task.

And for a moment—

Akane simply watched him go.

A rare sincere smile crossed her face.

"Hmph. At least he acknowledges my talent."

With that, she turned back to the documents, her fingers gliding over the pages.

She would not disappoint him.

The receiving room was quiet—save for the gentle clinking of utensils against porcelain.

The three consorts ate their dinner with a distracted air, their minds elsewhere as they processed the events of the day.

Despite their status, despite their intelligence—

They couldn't shake off the feeling of Rin's disappointment.

Even now, it lingered.

Then—

The door opened.

Akane entered.

Her expression was unreadable, but there was a certain satisfaction in her posture.

She moved with a calm, effortless grace, taking her seat without hesitation.

The other consorts exchanged glances.

They knew she had been with Rin—but not once had he returned to them since he left earlier.

Finally, Suzuki spoke up, voice curious but cautious.

"Why were you late?"

Akane picked up her chopsticks, taking a small bite of food before answering—

"It was a busy day."

Nothing more.

Nothing less.

Just that.

Rei frowned slightly. Miharu narrowed her eyes.

It was rare for Akane to be so vague.

But the way she held herself—

The subtle pride in her demeanor—

It was clear.

She had done something.

And Rin had acknowledged her for it.

That fact alone bothered them—more than they wanted to admit.

Still, they said nothing.

Dinner continued in uneasy silence.

And Akane?

She simply ate—her hidden smile never fading.

The headmaids entered the receiving room, bowing respectfully before speaking.

"Your Highnesses, your rooms are ready," one announced.

The three consorts put down their utensils, a sense of relief washing over them. It had been a long day, filled with unexpected emotions and an overwhelming amount of unfamiliarity.

However—

Akane did not move.

She remained seated, calmly finishing the last bites of her meal.

Then, without looking up, she spoke—

"I'll go when I finish my assigned tasks."

The three consorts paused, exchanging glances.

Rei furrowed her brows. "Assigned tasks?"

Akane nodded. "The material shipments arrived just before dinner. I need to verify everything before I rest."

There was a beat of silence.

Miharu leaned forward slightly, watching Akane carefully. "You mean... Rin assigned this to you?"

Akane merely smirked, setting her chopsticks down in a deliberate motion. "Who else?"

The room grew heavy.

Suzuki's usually playful expression dimmed, replaced by something more serious.

"Can we watch?" she asked.

Akane regarded her for a moment before giving a simple nod. "If you want."

Without another word, she gracefully stood up and walked toward the door.

The three consorts hesitated—just for a second—before rising from their seats and following her.

They didn't understand why, but—

They needed to see what Rin had given Akane that he hadn't given them.

The material delivery site was still lively as workers finished up for the day. The scent of sawdust and fresh stone filled the air as Akane moved with practiced efficiency, scanning the newly arrived materials, marking them down, and checking for discrepancies.

The three consorts stood slightly behind her, watching as she swiftly organized the final checks.

"All done," Akane finally said, rolling up the document. "Now, I need to pass this to Rin."

She glanced at the others before casually adding—

"He should be in the office, organizing paperwork."

Without waiting for a response, she turned and began walking.

The three consorts exchanged glances, then followed.

As soon as they stepped inside, the three consorts froze.

The room was overflowing with papers. Several officials were working tirelessly, sorting documents, signing approvals, and relaying information. The scent of ink and parchment mixed with the subtle stress that filled the air.

At the center of it all—

Rin and Harumi.

Both were moving with practiced ease, discussing with an Imperial official who seemed particularly grateful.

"I swear, you two are lifesavers," the official sighed, rubbing his temples. "If the White Elder weren't bedridden, I'd assume he was still handling this himself."

"He taught us well," Rin replied calmly, finishing his notes before handing the official a separate document. "Here's the final report on logistics flow for the west sector."

Harumi nodded. "We'll continue assisting as needed."

The Imperial official sighed in relief, nodding before looking over the papers. "Thank you again. You're both free to go for now."

At that moment, Rin finally turned to face the four consorts.

His gaze was neutral, but—

The three consorts could feel it.

That same quiet disappointment.

"Princess Akane." Rin acknowledged, taking the report from her. With a simple glance, he handed it to the Imperial official. "This is the final delivery and outflow report for the day."

The official took it with a nod, immediately reviewing the contents.

Meanwhile, Akane simply watched.

The three consorts, however—

They felt something heavy sink into their chests.

Finally, Akane broke the silence. "What's next on your list, Rin?"

Rin didn't hesitate.

"Harumi and I need to check on the White Elder. After that, we'll be getting you four settled."

Harumi, standing beside Rin, suddenly grabbed his sleeve and tugged.

"Not before we eat, Rin." She pouted. "We haven't had dinner yet."

Rin blinked, then sighed. "Right. We'll eat first. Then we check on the White Elder."

Harumi groaned but nodded in reluctant agreement.

And in that moment—

The three consorts finally understood.

They had wasted his time.

They had come here under the guise of helping but had only gotten in the way.

Rin wasn't cold toward them.

He was simply busy.

And Akane?

She had realized that from the start.

The three turned to her—

Only to find Akane tilting her head in faux confusion.

"What?" she asked innocently.

The realization hit even harder.

They had been so focused on getting closer to Rin that they forgot the reason they were here in the first place.

They weren't guests.

They were supposed to be helping.