Chapter 69: Last Day, Last Chance

White Princess Consort Shinegori Akane walked through the grand corridors of the Imperial Palace, her white and gold robes flowing behind her with each graceful step. The polished marble floors reflected the soft glow of the lanterns, and the air carried the faint scent of cherry blossoms from the gardens outside.

She had been summoned by the Emperor himself. It was unusual. As the consort of the Crown Prince, her affairs were tied to him, not the Emperor. What could he possibly want from her?

Her sharp mind raced through possibilities as she approached the Emperor's office. Was it a political matter? A reprimand? Or—she smirked slightly—perhaps something more intriguing? Whatever it was, she would handle it with her usual finesse.

The imperial guards bowed as they opened the heavy doors, and she stepped inside. The room was bathed in warm candlelight, the scent of ink and parchment thick in the air. Scrolls and documents were spread across the Emperor's desk, but what caught her attention was the person seated there.

A familiar face.

Her eyes widened slightly.

"Shimuzu Rin…?" she murmured under her breath.

No, that wasn't right. The man before her, dressed in imperial robes, wearing the insignia of the Emperor himself, was not Shimuzu Rin. He was Hoshimi Rin—the Second Imperial Prince she had once known, the one who had hidden his true identity.

And now, he was Emperor.

His piercing black eyes met hers, and for a moment, she felt as if he was seeing right through her, peeling away the carefully crafted layers of her composed mask.

Then, to her utter shock, his face lit up.

"Akane," he said, his voice warm and filled with something dangerously close to affection.

Before she could react, he stood up, abandoning his work, and crossed the room in swift strides.

And then—he hugged her.

She stiffened, utterly caught off guard.

"I missed you, my White Empress," Rin whispered, his arms tightening around her as if he was afraid she would disappear.

Akane's sharp mind momentarily halted.

White Empress?

Her?

The pieces weren't fitting together.

"I—" she started, but before she could form a coherent thought, he pulled away just enough to cup her face in his hands.

"You worked hard today," Rin murmured, his thumb brushing against her cheek in a way that made her heart pound—something that did not happen often.

She wasn't used to being handled like this. She was the manipulator, not the one being caught off guard.

Still, she managed to keep her voice steady. "And what exactly did I do to earn such praise, Your Majesty?" she asked, her tone smooth and laced with intrigue.

Rin chuckled, low and rich. "You've done more than you realize," he said. "And for that—" His fingers traced down to her chin, tilting her face up.

"You deserve a reward."

Then, before she could react, his lips met hers.

Her breath hitched, her mind racing to grasp the situation, to control it—to bend it to her will.

But before she could even begin to scheme—

She woke up.

The warmth, the embrace, the kiss—gone.

She was back in reality, lying in the grand silk sheets of her bed. The golden morning light streamed through the delicate curtains, casting soft patterns on the white walls of the White Flower Palace.

A dream.

It had all been a dream.

Her heart still pounded as she stared at the ceiling, her fingers brushing her lips—where she could still feel the ghost of Rin's kiss.

"Milady!"

The sound of hurried footsteps snapped her out of her daze.

The doors to her chamber burst open, and Emi, her head maid, rushed in, eyes wide with concern.

"I heard you scream!" Emi exclaimed, approaching the bed quickly. "Are you hurt?"

Akane exhaled slowly, forcing herself to regain her composure.

"I…" She sat up, brushing her silver-white hair over her shoulder. "It was just a dream."

Emi frowned. "A nightmare?"

Akane hesitated, then let out a small chuckle. "No," she murmured, a dangerous glint flickering in her crimson eyes.

"Not a nightmare… Something far more interesting."

As Emi fussed over her, preparing tea and arranging her morning attire, Akane leaned back slightly, deep in thought.

Why had she dreamed of Rin?

More importantly…

Why did it feel so real?

The grand dining hall of the White Flower Palace was bathed in the golden glow of candlelight. Outside, the capital buzzed with life as the reconstruction efforts continued, but inside, within these walls, a different battle was taking place.

At the center of the hall sat four women, the Four Imperial Consorts, each representing the sacred beasts of the Empire.

Chinen Suzuki – Azure DragonTakigawa Rei – Vermillion BirdUrakawa Miharu – Black TortoiseShinegori Akane – White Tiger

Despite their shared status, the tension in the air was always subtly present. Allies in name, rivals in reality.

Tonight was no different.

Suzuki, Rei, and Miharu sat together, engrossed in their usual conversation—one that Akane found exhausting.

"Three months already," Miharu sighed, resting her chin on her palm. "I thought by now, we'd have made more progress with Shimuzu Rin."

Rei nodded, stirring her tea with a frown. "He's as unreadable as ever. It's frustrating how little ground we've gained."

Suzuki, the ever-determined one, scoffed. "We just need to try harder. We can't afford to waste any more time."

There it was again.

Akane sipped her tea to hide her smirk. These three… utterly hopeless.

They were so focused on Shimuzu Rin—the First Apprentice of the White Elder, the man who had piqued their interest from the moment they arrived.

It was entertaining, really.

Because none of them knew the truth.

None of them knew that Rin was not just an apprentice.

None of them knew that he was actually the Second Imperial Prince, Hoshimi Rin.

Only Akane knew.

She rested her chin on her hand, watching them with lazy amusement.

These three were in love with a man who had no intention of reciprocating.

It was a shame, really. Because unlike them, Akane actually benefited from her connection with him.

She helped manage his interactions with the other consorts, allowing him to maintain his façade. In return, he helped her gain power and influence within the Imperial Court. It was a simple, beneficial arrangement.

And yet, they were still talking about winning him over.

Foolish.

Then, as expected, the moment came.

The three turned to her.

"Akane," Suzuki said, eyeing her over her cup, "You've been spending a lot of time with him, haven't you?"

Akane didn't react immediately, taking another sip of her tea. "Oh?" she said smoothly.

"Don't 'oh' us," Rei pressed, leaning in. "You and Rin are always together during the day. What's really going on between you two?"

There it was.

Akane's grip on her cup tightened slightly, but she kept her expression calm, unreadable.

Her mind worked quickly. She couldn't afford for them to become suspicious.

A gentle laugh left her lips. "Rin and I are simply working together," she said with an easy smile. "We're both involved in the reconstruction efforts. That's all."

Miharu frowned. "That's all?"

Akane tilted her head, eyes gleaming with amusement. "What else would it be?"

Rei sighed dramatically. "You're so lucky. We hardly get to talk to him, but you see him every day."

Lucky?

Akane barely held back a chuckle. If only they knew.

Still, she kept her mask of innocence. "It's just work. Nothing more."

She let the words settle, watching as the three eventually moved on, continuing to complain about their lack of progress.

Akane sipped her tea again, her smirk returning.

Hopeless.

This entire conversation was a waste of time. Rin had already made it clear to her—he had no interest in becoming the Crown Prince.

While the others dreamed of a romantic future with him, Akane focused on reality.

And reality was simple: She and Rin were using each other.

She helped him with the consorts.

He helped her gain power.

Nothing more, nothing less.

And yet…

Her fingers brushed the rim of her cup as she remembered her dream from the previous night.

The warmth of his embrace.

The way he had called her his White Empress.

The way his lips had felt against hers.

She shook her head, brushing the thought away.

It was just a dream.

And dreams… meant nothing.

The morning sun bathed the Imperial Gardens in golden light as the four consorts gathered, their graceful figures casting long shadows on the finely paved pathways. Each carried themselves with the poise expected of their station, but beneath the elegance, there was a silent war—a battle of gazes, a quiet struggle for the attention of a single man.

Shimuzu Rin.

He stood near the White Elder's pavilion, speaking with an official, his usual composed expression unwavering. Yet, despite his apparent focus, the air around him felt charged—as if he could feel the weight of the four pairs of eyes watching him.

And they were watching.

The consorts, each so different, yet bound by the same dangerous sentiment.

From a short distance, four women—each dressed in the distinct uniforms of the Head Maids of the Consorts—stood together, observing.

They did not speak. They did not need to.

Each of them knew that this delicate game was slowly spinning out of control.

Rina's sharp gaze flickered toward her mistress. Suzuki was the most obsessed among them all. There was no denying it.

Her lady's eyes never left Rin.

Even now, as she sat gracefully, hands folded over her lap, there was an undeniable hunger in her expression.

Rina swallowed. This was dangerous.

Suzuki was a woman who did not give up. She was relentless. And in this court, obsession could be deadly.

If she pushed too hard… If she forced Rin into a corner… It would be his end.

And the worst part? Suzuki did not see it.

Yori clenched her fists, barely resisting the urge to sigh aloud.

Rei was—as always—intense.

Her lady was not subtle. She was aggressive and passionate, emotions ruling her actions. It was no surprise that her sharp golden eyes had zeroed in on Rin, watching his every move with undisguised desire.

Yori knew how this would end.

If Rei pursued him openly, there would be no escaping the court's watchful eyes.

And once the court focused on Rin…

He would not survive.

Fumiko's gaze rested on Miharu, the Black Tortoise Consort.

Unlike the others, Miharu's connection with Rin ran deeper.

Before all of this—before the titles and the gilded cage of the palace—she and Rin had been co-workers. She knew him in ways the others didn't. That familiarity gave her an edge.

And yet…

Even Miharu was falling into the same trap.

Fumiko sighed internally. It was impossible. Even if Miharu won his heart, even if Rin cared for her—what then?

He was a commoner. A man with no noble lineage, no protection.

If he accepted any of them, he would be signing his own death warrant.

Emi's dark eyes subtly flickered toward her mistress—Shinegori Akane.

Unlike the others, Akane's expression remained calm, unreadable.

She wasn't staring at Rin with longing or desperation. If anything, she looked mildly amused.

And yet…

Emi knew her mistress well.

Akane had always claimed that her relationship with Rin was purely political. A mutual exchange. Power for protection. Influence for control.

But Emi had begun to see the cracks.

The way Akane subtly shielded Rin from court scrutiny. The way she deflected conversations that could harm him. The way her eyes lingered on him just a little too long when she thought no one was looking.

Akane did not realize it yet.

But she was already protecting him in the name of self-interest.

Rin was already in her heart.

And that was the most dangerous thing of all.

Because unlike the other consorts, who foolishly chased Rin despite the risks—

Akane was the only one who knew the truth.

That Rin was not just a commoner. Not just an apprentice.

He was the Second Imperial Prince.

And if the court ever found out…

Everything would change.

Tomorrow, the Four Consorts would return to their respective Imperial Palaces.

For Suzuki, Rei, and Miharu—this meant one thing.

Today was their last chance.

Akane noticed it immediately.

The way the other three consorts exchanged glances. The way their conversations became shorter—their focus entirely on one thing.

Shimuzu Rin.

She sighed internally, setting down her teacup. How predictable.

They were going to try something reckless.

And as expected…

When Rin was nowhere to be found that morning, the three consorts decided to do something desperate.

They marched toward the servants' quarters.

Akane tried to stop them.

"Why are you heading there?" she asked, her voice smooth, calculated.

Miharu glanced at her. "We just want to see where Rin spends most of his time."

Akane smiled. "And what do you plan to do if you find him?"

The three fell silent.

They had no real answer—because they didn't think this through.

Akane's grip on her sleeves tightened. This was bad.

If they got too close to Rin's personal life… If they started asking too many questions…

They might find out the truth.

She had to redirect them.

But before she could, they had already arrived.

The Servants' Quarters

Inside, sitting at a wooden table with a stack of linens beside her, was Harumi.

Her sleeves were rolled up, her brown hair tied in a loose bun, and her sharp eyes immediately caught sight of the approaching consorts.

For a brief second, a flicker of surprise crossed her face.

Then, just as quickly, she returned to her usual self.

Cheerful. Relaxed. Unbothered.

The same Harumi who had always been unshaken by status or formality.

She leaned back, lazily stretching her arms. "Well, well, well. What brings you ladies here?"

Suzuki was the first to speak. "Where is Rin?"

Harumi tilted her head. "Not here."

Rei frowned. "Then where is he?"

"He went to the Imperial Capital. Buying some stuff."

Akane kept her expression neutral, but internally, she clicked her tongue.

Of course. Rin must have anticipated this and made sure he was far, far away.

Harumi continued, casually flipping over a folded linen. "Said he wouldn't be back until night. Maybe he'll stay there."

Stay there?

Suzuki, Rei, and Miharu visibly stiffened.

The idea of Rin staying overnight somewhere they couldn't reach him—it clearly bothered them.

Akane almost laughed. Idiots.

They had no control over him, and yet they still thought they had a chance.

But then—a dangerous thought must have crossed their minds.

Because suddenly, Suzuki spoke.

"…Harumi," she said, eyes narrowing slightly. "You're always with Rin, aren't you?"

Harumi raised an eyebrow. "And?"

Miharu crossed her arms. "You know him best."

Rei leaned forward. "So tell us… What do you think about Rin?"

A heavy silence followed.

Akane's fingers twitched.

This was bad.

If Harumi spoke too freely—if she revealed anything too personal—they might start digging deeper.

And if they started digging deeper—Rin's secrets could be exposed.

I have to cut this off.

Akane stepped forward, lips parting to interject—

But before she could—

Harumi smiled.

"Sure," she said casually. "I'll talk."

…What?

Akane's eyes widened slightly.

Even Suzuki, Rei, and Miharu seemed caught off guard.

"You'll… tell us?" Miharu repeated cautiously.

Harumi shrugged. "Why not?"

She set the linen aside, resting her chin in her palm.

"Ask me whatever you want."

Akane stared at her.

What the hell are you planning, Harumi?