Chapter 72: The Two Imperial Princesses

The morning sun bathed the White Flower Palace in a soft golden glow as Rin adjusted the straps on his travel bag.

In front of him, Harumi stood with her arms crossed, a teasing smirk on her face.

"You've gone through the list three times, Rin," she said, rolling her eyes. "I know what to do."

Rin frowned. "I just don't want things to fall apart while I'm gone. You do remember how much trouble you caused last time when I left things in your hands, right?"

Harumi gasped, clutching her chest in mock offense. "Excuse me! That was one time! Besides, everything turned out fine in the end, didn't it?"

"Only because I fixed it when I got back."

Harumi just laughed, waving a hand. "Details, details. Don't worry, Rin. I've got this. The White Elder trusts me, and you should too."

Rin let out a sigh but couldn't help a small smile. "Fine. I'll leave things to you. Just don't burn the kitchen down."

"No promises!" she said cheerfully, giving him a hard shove on the back.

"Now go! You're gonna be late to your fancy new job as a glorified babysitter for the princesses!"

Rin stumbled forward but didn't turn back. He raised a hand in a lazy wave as he walked away.

Harumi stood there, watching until his figure disappeared beyond the palace gates.

Her smile softened.

"...Stay safe, Rin."

The sun streamed through the ornate windows of the Imperial Palace, casting a warm glow over the luxurious chamber where Vermillion Empress Hikari sat with her arms crossed.

Across from her, two young women sat at the long table, each embodying regal grace—at least on the surface.

Princess Izumi, daughter of the Vermillion Empress, rested her head lazily on the polished wood, her crimson hair spilling over her shoulders. She tapped her fingers rhythmically, a clear sign of boredom.

Princess Aya, daughter of the Black Empress, sat by the window, staring outside. She was listening, but her mind was clearly elsewhere.

Hikari exhaled through her nose, resisting the urge to rub her temples.

"Are you two even listening?" she asked sharply.

Izumi groaned, dragging her cheek across the table as she turned her face towards her mother. "We are listening, Mother… but do we really have to do this?"

Aya sighed. "We just got back from an inspection trip to the Northern Provinces. Can't someone else handle this?"

Hikari shot them both a pointed look. "This is an official invitation from the Raksha Sword Kingdom. Declining would be an insult. You two are the perfect representatives."

The princesses groaned in unison.

Then Hikari smiled. A knowing, mischievous smile.

"Well, if you truly don't want to go…" She paused for effect. "I suppose I'll have to tell Rin that he won't be needed after all."

Silence.

Izumi's head snapped up so fast that she almost hit her forehead on the table. Aya turned away from the window, her golden eyes suddenly focused.

"Rin's coming?" Izumi asked, now completely alert.

Hikari hid her smirk. "Yes. He will be your bodyguard."

The reaction was immediate.

Izumi and Aya sat up properly, suddenly filled with a sense of seriousness.

Izumi nodded. "Understood. We'll take the mission."

Aya smiled slightly. "If Rin's there, things will be fine."

Hikari shook her head, amused.

Even after all these years, Rin was still the glue that held the Imperial Children together.

As young girls, Izumi and Aya had always looked up to their older brother. Rin had been the one to calm them when they cried, solved their childish fights, and kept them in check when they got too mischievous. Even though their Crown Prince Kazuo was their elder as well, he was distant and rarely interacted with them in the same way.

And even though Rin had left the palace years ago, his presence in their lives never faded.

Their memories of him weren't just of a powerful older brother.

He was also their reluctant babysitter, the one who had always been patient, yet knew how to discipline them when needed.

Izumi still winced at the memory of being forced to sit on corn pellets after one of their pranks went too far.

Aya shivered, recalling the one time Rin completely lost his patience.

Even so…

Izumi and Aya looked at each other, their eyes filled with excitement.

They were going to see their big brother again.

Izumi and Aya sat upright, their excitement barely contained.

"When is Rin arriving?" Izumi asked, her crimson eyes gleaming with anticipation.

Aya, who was usually more reserved, turned toward her mother with rare enthusiasm. "Yes, when?"

Hikari crossed her arms, her expression unreadable. "He's already here."

Both princesses blinked.

"What?" Izumi looked around the room, scanning every corner. "But there's only the three of us—"

Aya furrowed her brows. "Mother, are you messing with us?"

Just as the confusion settled in, a familiar voice echoed from nowhere.

"You two still don't pay attention to your surroundings, huh?"

Izumi and Aya's eyes widened.

The space beside Empress Hikari shimmered, like ripples in water, before an illusion spell dissipated—revealing a tall, dark-haired young man standing with his arms crossed.

Rin.

Before he could react, both princesses bolted from their chairs.

"RIN!"

Izumi reached him first, tackling him into a hug. "You're really here!"

Aya followed, wrapping her arms around his waist, her grip much stronger than usual. "You idiot! Why didn't you just walk in normally?"

Rin sighed, though his lips twitched in amusement. "Would you two have reacted any differently?"

Izumi pouted but refused to let go. "Still, you could've given us a warning!"

Aya rested her forehead against his shoulder. "It's been too long…"

Hikari watched the reunion with a knowing smirk. She had expected this.

Rin sighed again but didn't push them away. Instead, he placed a hand on each of their heads, ruffling their hair like he used to when they were kids.

"I see you two haven't changed," he muttered.

Izumi grinned. "Of course not! We're still your cute little sisters!"

Aya looked up at him, golden eyes filled with warmth. "And you're still our big brother."

For the first time since arriving, Rin genuinely smiled.

Yeah… even after all this time, some things never changed.

Izumi and Aya, overjoyed by their reunion with Rin, wasted no time in getting silly.

Izumi clung to Rin's arm, swinging side to side. "Nee, nee, Rin! You've been gone for so long—shouldn't you give your cute little sisters some gifts?"

Aya, still hugging him from the side, nodded seriously. "That's right. I believe a proper reunion requires presents. Don't you agree, Mother?"

Hikari smirked but said nothing.

Rin sighed. "I did bring something for you two, but now I'm reconsidering it."

Izumi gasped dramatically. "HOW COULD YOU?"

Aya clutched her chest, pretending to be wounded. "Truly heartless. Our once gentle brother has turned into a cold, cruel man…"

Rin rolled his eyes. "Alright, enough of that."

Before either princess could protest, an invisible force wrapped around them, gently lifting them off their feet.

"Eh?!" Izumi flailed her arms. "Wait, wait, what is this—?"

Aya's eyes widened. "Telekinesis?! Since when?!"

With a small motion of his fingers, Rin floated them back to their seats and firmly placed them down.

Both girls sat there, stunned.

"YOU HAVE PSYCHIC MAGIC?!" Izumi yelled, slamming her hands on the table.

Aya pointed at him, accusingly. "That wasn't listed in your last known elemental affinity report!"

Rin smirked. "You think I'd let everyone know all my cards?"

The two pouted. Izumi dramatically slumped forward. "This is too much… first you disappear, and now you come back stronger?"

Aya shook her head in mock betrayal. "To think you'd be this harsh to your adorable younger sisters…"

Rin flicked her forehead lightly. "Quit acting."

Both immediately sat upright, grumbling but now behaving.

Satisfied, Rin sat down between them. "Alright, let's focus. What's the mission?"

Hikari watched, amused, before finally continuing.

Now, the air in the room grew more serious as the true purpose of their meeting was finally revealed.

Hikari folded her hands together and spoke with her usual calm authority.

"The Hoshimi Empire has been invited to the Annual Sword Festival of the Raksha Kingdom. As you know, Raksha is one of our strongest allies, but they are currently undergoing a shift in administration. The previous king has passed his throne to his eldest son, but the faction supporting the second prince remains dissatisfied."

Izumi leaned back, arms crossed. "A power struggle, huh?"

Aya twirled a lock of her hair. "Typical. The moment the old king steps down, all the little snakes start slithering out."

Hikari nodded. "Your task is to observe the situation, gather intelligence, and report anything concerning. However, this trip is not just about politics. You two will also be expected to mingle with the nobility and—"

She paused before giving them a pointed look.

"—consider finding suitable partners."

Silence.

Then—

"No." Izumi said flatly.

"Absolutely not." Aya added, shaking her head.

Hikari raised an eyebrow. "That was fast."

Izumi pouted, throwing her hands up. "Most men aren't even half as good as Rin. Why would we waste our time?"

Aya sighed dramatically. "Seriously. Every time we meet a noble, it's just disappointment after disappointment."

Rin, who had been listening quietly, rubbed his temples. "That's because your standards are too high."

Izumi pointed at him immediately. "That's your fault."

Aya nodded. "Mhm. You raised the bar."

Rin sighed again, this time longer and heavier. "Look, I treat you two differently because you're my sisters. Stop being so spoiled."

The two of them grumbled under their breath, not exactly denying it.

Hikari smirked slightly before continuing.

"Regardless of your preferences, you'll be attracting a lot of attention. You two are very popular outside the Empire, and there will be many suitors trying to win your favor. Rin, your job is to keep an eye out for any bad men and make sure no one unworthy gets too close."

Rin nodded. "That's fair. If either of them falls for some idiot noble, it would stain the Hoshimi Family's reputation."

Aya crossed her arms. "Why do you say it like we're guaranteed to make bad choices?"

Izumi pouted. "Do you have so little faith in us?"

Rin gave them a deadpan stare.

Both princesses looked away, unable to argue.

Hikari chuckled. "That settles it, then. You leave at sunrise tomorrow."

As soon as Hikari left the room, a heavy silence lingered for only a moment before Izumi and Aya groaned dramatically.

"Ugh, I don't want to find a suitor," Izumi slumped over the table, resting her chin on her arms.

Aya nodded aggressively. "Same. It sounds like such a pain."

Rin, who had been leaning back in his chair, sighed. "You two don't have to choose anyone. Just be careful. Love can happen in a single moment."

Both sisters froze, their eyes snapping to him in unison.

Aya narrowed her gaze. "That was… strangely profound."

Izumi tilted her head. "Yeah, big brother. That sounded like something someone with experience would say."

Rin clicked his tongue. "I've seen people fall in love before. It wasn't exactly… ideal."

He didn't say it, but the four consorts immediately came to mind. Their infatuation, their rivalry, and the sheer chaos that followed was more than enough proof of how quickly love could turn into a mess.

"I just don't want either of you making a bad decision," Rin continued. "And for the love of the heavens, please don't fall for the same person. That would ruin everything."

Aya and Izumi exchanged looks.

Then—

They suddenly jumped back and got into mock combat stances.

"Oh no, Aya!" Izumi said dramatically. "It seems we have fallen for the same man!"

"Impossible, Izumi!" Aya gasped. "We are sisters! There is only one way to solve this!"

The two of them began shadow boxing, throwing light punches and dodging in an overly exaggerated manner. It was clear they were completely joking, but they played it up way too much.

Rin, watching them with an exasperated expression, rubbed his temples. "You two are unbelievable."

Izumi grinned. "What? You said not to fall for the same guy. We're just preparing in case it happens!"

Aya nodded, dodging an imaginary strike. "Yeah, big brother. We have to be ready for battle."

Rin rolled his eyes. "Yeah, yeah, very funny."

Then, as if suddenly remembering something, Aya clapped her hands together.

"Wait! We actually have the whole day free right now."

Izumi perked up immediately. "Oh! That means we can—"

Before Rin could react, both sisters grabbed his arms and started dragging him toward the door.

"It's been so long since we've had a proper sibling day," Izumi said excitedly.

Aya nodded. "We're sneaking out and having fun. No excuses."

Rin sighed in defeat but allowed himself to be pulled along.

"…Fine. But if we get caught, it's your fault."

Izumi and Aya cheered, happily dragging their older brother off for a day of mischief before their upcoming mission.

The Imperial Capital had recently finished its reconstruction, and yet, the talk of the city wasn't about the grand new buildings or the efficient recovery efforts—it was about two Imperial Princesses and their poor, suffering escort.

Throughout the day, Izumi and Aya had shamelessly dragged Rin around to whatever whim they felt like pursuing. From high-end tea shops to blacksmith forges, to toy stalls (because Izumi insisted she needed a new collection), they paraded through the streets like it was their personal playground—and the first apprentice of the White Elder had no choice but to go along with it.

Rin sighed for the hundredth time, walking a few steps behind as his sisters gleefully chatted away.

This was normal for them.

But for everyone else?

It was shocking.

People whispered, pointing at the three figures walking openly in the streets.

"The Imperial Princesses are walking around like normal people?"

"And who is that man with them? He looks familiar..."

"That's the White Elder's first apprentice! Why is he being dragged around like that?"

The rumors spread like wildfire, reaching four particular women—who each had very different reactions.

In her lavishly decorated room, Chinen Suzuki sat frozen, her fingers tightening around the delicate porcelain cup in her hands. The tea inside trembled, the liquid dangerously close to spilling.

"...Rin?"

Her voice came out soft, barely above a whisper.

Across from her, Rina, her head maid, stiffened, already sensing the storm coming.

"M-My Lady, perhaps it's just a political matter…"

But Suzuki wasn't listening.

Her mind reeled at the implications. Rin—her beloved Rin, the man she had been desperately longing for—was being openly seen with the Imperial Princesses?

More than that, he wasn't avoiding them.

Her hands clenched into tight fists, the cup finally cracking under the pressure.

"Why…?"

She wanted to march out and demand an explanation. But she couldn't.

Because she knew why Rin had been avoiding her.

He was a commoner. She was a consort. If anyone found out about her love for him, he would be executed on the spot.

That was the cruel reality.

But right now, he wasn't avoiding them.

That terrified her.

Takigawa Rei stood in front of the mirror, gripping the edge of the vanity so hard her knuckles turned white.

Her red eyes burned with jealousy as she listened to the reports from her maid, Yori.

"So Rin is spending the whole day with them?" Rei asked, her voice eerily calm.

Yori hesitated, then nodded. "Yes, My Lady."

Rei let out a sharp exhale, tilting her head slightly.

"How unfair…" she whispered.

Rin had always refused to see her alone. He had pushed her away at every turn, no matter how much she persisted.

But now—

"With them, he doesn't hesitate?"

Yori bit her lip. "My Lady, perhaps—"

"I should've been there," Rei interrupted, her tone filled with bitterness.

She hated this. She hated how helpless she felt.

And above all—

She hated how Rin was slipping further away from her grasp.

"…I see," Urakawa Miharu said quietly, after hearing the news.

Her maid, Fumiko, shifted uncomfortably. "My Lady, it's not unusual for the Imperial Family to spend time together. Perhaps—"

"That's not what bothers me," Miharu interrupted.

Fumiko flinched at the coldness in her tone.

Miharu looked down, gripping the fabric of her sleeves.

She was different from the others. She knew Rin before all of this.

Back when he was just a fellow servant—before she even became a consort.

Back then, they had been equals. They could talk freely, joke without worry, and share secrets without the weight of status looming over them.

But now…

Now, he avoided her like she was poison.

And yet, with them, he smiled.

The feeling in her chest was crushing.

Unlike the others, Shinegori Akane did not react with rage or jealousy.

Instead, she smiled.

A small, knowing smile that made her maid, Emi, nervous.

"My Lady?" Emi hesitated, watching Akane carefully.

Akane simply set her teacup down and leaned back.

"…It makes sense."

Emi blinked. "Huh?"

Akane turned to her, amusement dancing in her golden eyes.

"It's interesting, isn't it? Rin has avoided all of us like we're a plague. But with the Imperial Princesses?"

She let out a soft chuckle.

"He doesn't need to fear them."

Because Rin was still under the belief that he was just a commoner.

He thought that being loved by a consort would ruin him—that it would lead to his execution.

But the Imperial Princesses?

They were his family.

They were safe.

For now.

Akane's fingers tapped against the table, her thoughts racing.

She had the upper hand.

Unlike the other three, she could still approach Rin. He didn't suspect her true feelings.

She just had to be careful.

And patient.

Because in the end, she would make sure—

She was the one standing beside him.