Chapter 60: Sudden Chance

For the past few days, things had been progressing smoothly in the reconstruction efforts.

The four Princess Consorts had immersed themselves in their work, no longer concerning themselves with Rin's presence.

Princess Suzuki focused on ensuring food distribution ran efficiently.

Princess Rei had mastered construction resource allocation.

Princess Miharu ensured workers were properly accommodated.

Princess Akane continued her precise management of supplies.

Rin had noted their diligence and dedication and, as a gesture of goodwill, had taken it upon himself to provide them with desserts every evening.

The consorts enjoyed them immensely, their headmaids helping in the kitchen to prepare them.

However, they never realized that the one actually making the desserts was Rin himself.

It had become a routine.

A quiet yet pleasant rhythm.

Even Akane, who always sought ways to gain leverage over Rin, found herself annoyed—not because he was ignoring her, but because he gave her no opportunity to use his kindness to her advantage.

She smiled, but inside, she was frustrated.

And then—

The peace was shattered.

The day had been like any other.

Rin was with a group of Imperial Officials, assisting them with logistics and planning.

He was calm, composed, and efficient—as he always was.

There were no signs of exhaustion, no moments of weakness.

And yet—

As one of the officials was speaking, Rin suddenly stumbled.

A second later—

His body gave out, and he collapsed onto the ground.

—

"RIN?!"

The officials rushed to his side, their expressions filled with shock.

One of them quickly called for a medic.

Rin's breathing was shallow. His skin was unnaturally cold.

Yet he had shown no prior symptoms.

—

When the medics arrived, they examined him carefully.

Their verdict came swiftly.

"This is a case of magic-induced illness."

The room fell into stunned silence.

—

With utmost urgency, Rin was transported to his quarters within the White Flower Palace.

The atmosphere, once filled with steady progress, now felt heavy and uncertain.

Rin, the one who had been holding everything together, now lay unconscious in his room.

And the four Princess Consorts…

Would soon learn of his condition.

The evening air was thick with unease.

The four Princess Consorts sat at their respective tables, yet something felt off.

The day's work had been busier than usual—the pace more frantic, the atmosphere more tense.

It was then that their headmaids entered the dining hall, their expressions solemn.

Fujiwara Rina, Niwa Yori, Ito Fumiko, and Nakamura Emi stood before their respective consorts.

Each of them took a deep breath before delivering the news—

"Shimuzu Rin has collapsed."

The words barely registered before Princess Miharu pushed back her chair with a loud scrape, standing up in an instant.

"What?! Where?!" she demanded, her voice louder than she intended.

Fumiko hesitated but quickly responded. "The servant quarters, Your Highness."

Miharu didn't wait for permission.

She ran.

Her slippers barely touched the ground as she raced through the corridors, her silken nightwear flowing behind her.

She knew where Rin's room was.

Even if she had left the White Flower Palace to become the Black Princess Consort, some things never changed.

The remaining three consorts were silent.

Princess Suzuki gripped her dress, her knuckles turning white.

Princess Rei's lips pressed into a firm line, her unreadable gaze betraying the concern she refused to voice.

Princess Akane, however, tilted her head slightly, her eyes narrowing.

"That guy… collapsed?" she muttered to herself.

For someone like Rin, who always maintained his composure, to suddenly fall—

It was strange.

Even suspicious.

Yet, before she could ponder further, the remaining three followed Miharu's lead and left their meals behind.

By the time they arrived, Miharu was already there, standing breathless in front of the White Elder and Harumi.

The White Elder, who was supposed to be bedridden, had come out, supported by Harumi at his side.

His aged eyes swept over the newcomers before he offered them a dignified bow.

Despite his weakened body, he still carried himself with the grace of a master.

"Your Highnesses," he greeted them, his tone calm yet firm.

Miharu flinched.

It was the first time in a long while that the White Elder addressed her as a princess consort rather than his former disciple.

Her fists clenched, and she lowered her gaze, realizing that she had acted out of impulse and worry—forgetting her position.

Harumi adjusted her grip on the elder, her expression serious.

"Rin is suffering from Constitution Overload."

The words made Suzuki freeze.

Her breath caught in her throat, and she immediately spoke up.

"Is it the same… as what I had?"

Harumi and the White Elder turned to her.

The elder nodded solemnly. "Yes, Princess Suzuki. But unlike you, Rin was not prepared for it. The timing is… unfortunate."

A heavy silence followed.

Princess Rei, who had been silent until now, frowned. "What exactly does that mean?"

The White Elder sighed, his voice tinged with exhaustion.

"The soul undergoes a forceful change, disrupting the flow of magic. His body will struggle to contain it, and as a result, his magic will become unstable."

"So it's dangerous," Rei concluded, her voice tight.

The elder nodded. "That is why, until Rin stabilizes, no one is allowed near him except for Harumi and myself."

Miharu's head snapped up. "What?! You can't be serious!"

The White Elder remained firm.

"Princess Miharu."

Miharu's heart stopped.

Hearing her title from her former master stung more than she expected.

But he wasn't done.

"This is no longer your place to question. You are no longer my disciple, but a princess consort of the Black Palace. You must focus on your duties. Leave this matter to the White Flower Palace."

Miharu bit her lip.

He was right.

She had left.

She had chosen a different path.

And yet…

Her chest tightened as frustration built within her.

The elder suddenly staggered, and Harumi immediately caught him.

"Elder, don't push yourself!" she scolded.

The old man chuckled weakly. "Ah, but I can't let my apprentices suffer alone."

Harumi clicked her tongue but said nothing.

Turning to the four consorts, the White Elder straightened.

"You all have your own responsibilities. Do not concern yourselves with this. Focus on your work, and leave Rin to us."

Princess Suzuki nodded stiffly, but her clenched fists betrayed her concern.

Princess Rei exhaled slowly, her unreadable expression returning as she processed everything.

Princess Miharu trembled slightly, but she ultimately lowered her head.

Princess Akane, however, simply sighed.

"Fine," she said, a hint of irritation in her tone. "I don't like wasting my time on something I can't control anyway."

Still, her fingers tapped against her arm, as if she was contemplating something.

—

As they left the servant quarters, none of them felt at ease.

But there was nothing they could do.

For now.

The White Elder and Harumi had left, their presence replaced by a heavy silence between the four consorts.

Princess Rei, Miharu, and Akane turned to Princess Suzuki, their gazes sharp yet unreadable.

She was the only one who had experienced Constitution Overload before.

She would know what Rin was going through.

Princess Rei was the first to break the silence.

"Princess Suzuki," she began, her voice steady, "what was it like?"

Suzuki clenched her fists.

The memories that surfaced were not ones she wished to recall.

But she had no choice.

She took a deep breath, then spoke.

"It lasted two full seasons. Two full seasons of constant agony," she admitted. "At times, I was certain I would lose my mind before my life."

Miharu frowned. "That bad?"

Suzuki chuckled, though there was no humor in it.

"I wanted to die."

The air grew cold.

Rei and Miharu stiffened, while Akane's eyes narrowed slightly, observing Suzuki's face.

But Suzuki wasn't done.

"My magic—illusion and psychic—turned against me. I was trapped in nightmares, unable to tell what was real and what wasn't. The pain was unbearable. I even tried to force others to kill me, but…"

She exhaled slowly.

"Rin resisted."

Rei's brows furrowed. "Resisted?"

Suzuki nodded.

"He was stronger than me. My magic had no effect on him, so he wasn't swayed by my desperation."

She paused, recalling that moment—the warmth of Rin's hand on hers as he guided her magic, grounding her.

"That was when he started visiting me in my master's chamber. He taught me a technique to lessen the pain… day after day, until I could endure it."

Her voice softened.

"His hand was warm."

Miharu and Rei exchanged looks.

It wasn't hard to misinterpret Suzuki's words.

Princess Suzuki was in love with Rin.

And now, Rin was suffering just as she once had.

She had every reason to want to be at his side—to be the one to help him, just as he once helped her.

Miharu gritted her teeth.

Rei crossed her arms, deep in thought.

This was a rare opportunity.

Rin was at his weakest.

If Suzuki was planning to take advantage of this moment, then they couldn't let her get ahead.

They had all been waiting for a chance like this.

A chance to close the distance.

To have Rin look only at them.

Akane, watching the shift in their expressions, sighed inwardly.

"How easy," she mused.

She had already known that Suzuki was obsessed with Rin more than the others.

But to hear it directly from her?

No wonder.

Akane understood why Suzuki had fallen so hard—a person who saved her from despair, whose very touch had been a source of warmth.

It was inevitable.

But now, Rei and Miharu had caught on too.

Akane watched as they subtly steeled themselves, preparing to keep Suzuki at bay.

It was almost entertaining how quickly things returned to normal.

After days of hard work and focus, the three of them were back to competing for Rin's attention.

Of course, Akane wasn't interested in this foolish game.

She only wanted one thing from Rin.

Favors.

Favors from Shimuzu Rin—or rather, Hoshimi Rin.

Because unlike the other consorts, only Akane knew the truth.

Shimuzu Rin… was one of the Imperial Princes of the Hoshimi Empire.

And that information was far more valuable than romance.

Unbeknownst to the four consorts, their headmaids had been listening.

Their expressions remained composed, but inwardly—

They were all thinking the same thing.

Fujiwara Rina, Suzuki's headmaid, subtly shifted as she realized the undeniable truth.

Princess Suzuki was in love.

She clenched her hands in her sleeves, suppressing a reaction.

The other two headmaids, Niwa Yori and Ito Fumiko, had already accepted it.

They exchanged knowing glances, as if saying:

"Yes, it is difficult."

Meanwhile, Nakamura Emi, Akane's headmaid, remained neutral.

She was the only one who did not share their worries.

Because her mistress, Princess Akane, was different.

Unlike the others, Akane wasn't in love with Rin.

At least, not yet.

For now, Emi was safe.

But for the other headmaids—

The fact that their princess consorts were hopelessly in love with Rin was a dangerous one.

A secret they would take to the grave.

Because no one—not even the Imperial Palace itself—must ever know.

The four consorts sat together, their minds occupied with thoughts of Rin.

They had just learned that only the White Elder and Harumi were allowed to tend to him.

A fact that stirred a mixture of frustration, jealousy, and curiosity within three of them.

Harumi…

The girl who was always beside Rin.

The girl who worked with him, ate with him, and understood him in ways they couldn't.

The girl who was currently at his bedside.

Princess Suzuki folded her arms, her expression unreadable.

Princess Rei tapped her fingers against the table, deep in thought.

Princess Miharu clenched her fists on her lap.

Princess Akane, on the other hand, simply observed.

She could already guess what the others were thinking.

And honestly?

It was amusing.

Suzuki exhaled, her voice laced with irritation.

"Of course, it's her."

Rei glanced at her. "You're talking about Harumi?"

Suzuki nodded. "Who else? She's the one always near Rin. Now, she's the only one allowed in his room. Tell me, are we really supposed to be fine with that?"

Miharu remained quiet, but her grip on her dress tightened.

Miharu had known Rin and Harumi's relationship longer than anyone here.

Back then, she thought their closeness was nothing more than friendship.

But now?

Now that she liked Rin herself, she needed to be sure.

Were they truly just friends?

Or had Harumi… always been in Rin's heart?

That thought bothered her more than it should.

Rei let out a humorless chuckle.

"It makes sense, though."

Suzuki and Miharu turned to her.

"They've always been a pair. Wherever Rin goes, Harumi follows. If Rin is struggling, Harumi is the one helping him. If Rin needs something, Harumi already knows."

She leaned back, arms crossed.

"Tell me, at this point, what exactly separates them from a married couple?"

That statement hit too close to home.

Akane, who had been listening quietly, sighed inwardly.

These three were already cautious of Harumi before.

Now that Rin was at his weakest, and she was the only one by his side, they were beyond wary.

Akane didn't care.

But she understood.

Their thoughts were too easy to read.

"They're imagining it now," she mused. "Rin, looking at Harumi in a different light. Maybe even… falling for her."

She glanced at them.

"Would he, though?"

"Would a hidden Imperial Prince allow himself to fall for a mere commoner?"

Akane doubted it.

If Rin had any self-awareness, he'd know that such a relationship would only bring trouble for Harumi.

But then again…

He was unpredictable.

And that was a problem.

Not for Akane personally—she wasn't here for love.

But if Rin truly fell for Harumi, then the other three consorts were in for an even harsher battle than they expected.

Akane let out a small smirk, tilting her head.

"What if it were me?"

She imagined herself in Harumi's position.

If she were the one beside Rin in his weakest moments.

If she were the one he depended on.

Would she be able to bind him with love?

Even if it was one-sided?

If that meant unlimited favors from an Imperial Prince, then perhaps…

It was worth considering.

But for now—

She'd simply sit back and watch.

The four head maids observed their respective princess consorts, and what they saw was… not good.

Each consort had a different expression, but none of them looked calm about the situation.

They had heard everything.

They had seen everything.

And they all knew one thing for certain—

This was bad.

Rina swallowed, forcing herself to remain composed.

Her mistress' expression was dangerous.

Princess Suzuki was not someone who wore her emotions openly, but right now, her frustration was barely concealed.

And that was what worried Rina the most.

Suzuki was a proud princess.

She had already suffered from Constitution Overload once before.

She knew what Rin was going through.

She had felt his warmth before.

And now…

She was desperate to be the one by his side.

Yori sighed internally.

Her mistress, Princess Rei, was someone who always kept her pride intact.

She didn't like losing.

She didn't like falling behind.

And right now—

She clearly saw Harumi as an obstacle.

Yori knew that Rei wasn't in love with Rin at first.

It started out as curiosity, then competition, then…

Something deeper.

Something she wasn't willing to admit yet.

But now?

Now that Rin was weak and vulnerable, and Harumi was the only one by his side…

Rei wasn't going to sit still.

Fumiko looked at Miharu with concern.

Of all the princess consorts, Miharu had the most history with Rin.

She had lived in the White Flower Palace before.

She had trained under Rin.

She knew him.

And yet…

She had only realized her feelings now.

Her hands were trembling slightly.

Her eyes were filled with conflict.

Fumiko didn't need to ask—

She already knew what Miharu was thinking.

"Was Harumi always by Rin's side like this? Was she always this important to him?"

She was afraid.

Afraid that, maybe, she had realized her feelings too late.

Among the four princess consorts, only Akane looked completely calm.

No, not calm—

Amused.

A small smile curled on her lips, and that was the most dangerous expression of all.

Emi wasn't foolish.

She knew her mistress well.

Akane wasn't in love with Rin.

That much was clear.

But the fact that she was smiling meant one thing—

She wasn't going to sit still either.

It wouldn't be long before Akane made her move.

And knowing her mistress…

She would find a way to turn this situation in her favor.

The four head maids turned to each other, exchanging silent looks.

It was clear as day—

All four consorts had no intention of backing down.

Whether it was love, competition, or personal gain—

They all wanted Rin.

And Harumi was in their way.

The head maids lowered their heads, their thoughts the same.

"Rin… may the heavens protect you."