Chapter 78: Returning Moments, Not...

The next month passed quietly—a rare gift in Rin's life.

Back in the White Flower Palace, things had returned to their usual routine.

At the moment, Rin stood in the kitchen, expertly handling the stove and preparing a meal.

Across from him?

Harumi, the 2nd Apprentice of the White Elder.

Pouting.

Her arms were crossed, and her lips were slightly puffed out in frustration as she watched Rin cook.

"Come on, Rin… at least let me chop something," Harumi whined, leaning against the counter.

Rin didn't even look at her as he effortlessly flipped the ingredients in the pan.

"Last time you touched a knife, we had to call a healer."

Harumi grumbled.

"That was one time."

"Four times."

"...Okay, but they were all accidents!"

"An accident is once, maybe twice. Four times is a talent," Rin deadpanned.

Harumi let out a dramatic sigh, resting her chin on the counter.

It wasn't just about cooking.

These days, both she and Rin had something else weighing on their minds—their Master, the White Elder.

Even though he was resting, his body had not recovered.

But the worst part?

It wasn't his injuries.

It was his age.

He had simply grown weaker.

Even when Rin and Harumi pressed him about it, the White Elder had only smiled and told them:

"My time is nearing its end. You two should focus on the future, not an old man like me."

But how could they?

They owed him everything.

And so, both apprentices had quietly doubled their efforts—handling all affairs, making sure he didn't need to worry about anything.

Still…

No matter how much they worked, they couldn't stop time.

The afternoon sun bathed the garden in a warm golden glow as the four consorts sat around a beautifully arranged table, delicate porcelain teacups in hand.

It had been a month since Rin returned to the White Flower Palace, and yet, none of them had seen Izumi or Aya making any moves toward him.

This should have been a relief.

And yet…

It only made them more cautious.

Chinen Suzuki, the Azure Princess, sighed as she swirled her tea.

"I'm relieved that those two haven't gone near him since that day, but…"

Takigawa Rei, the Vermillion Princess, tapped her fingers on the table impatiently.

"But it doesn't make sense. Back then, they were all over him. Acting like lovers, even though they barely met him! And now… nothing?"

Urakawa Miharu, the Black Princess, adjusted her glasses, deep in thought.

"It's strange. It's almost like they were just… teasing us."

That thought made all three of them pause.

Had they been toying with them?

Suzuki frowned. "They definitely looked at Rin in a way that wasn't just admiration. But for the past month, they haven't even visited him? Something's not adding up."

Rei crossed her arms. "Maybe they're just waiting for us to drop our guard."

Miharu, however, remained silent. Something about this situation felt off.

Why did Izumi and Aya act so intimate with Rin back then… but suddenly stop?

If they had truly fallen for him, wouldn't they be more aggressive about getting close to him?

And yet, while the three of them were still struggling with navigating court politics, Izumi and Aya had returned to the Imperial Palace and… continued being superior to them in every way.

Rei groaned, setting down her teacup.

"Honestly, I can't even focus on Rin when we have to deal with those two in the palace."

Suzuki nodded, exasperated.

"I thought we were doing well in our court training, but every time we go to the palace, Izumi and Aya just…"

"Completely outclass us." Miharu finished, pushing up her glasses.

It wasn't just that the two Imperial Princesses were ahead of them in court etiquette—they were practically untouchable.

Their words were always calculated.

Their presence commanded respect.

Their strategies in court politics were simply on another level.

Suzuki bit her lip. "How are we supposed to compete with them? Even if they aren't making a move now, we still—"

Their frustration, however, turned toward Princess Akane.

Unlike them, Akane was completely unbothered.

While they were stressing over Izumi and Aya, she was… playing board games with them.

Right now, across the tea garden, Akane sat with the two Imperial Princesses, engaged in an intense match of shogi.

Aya's brows were furrowed as she gritted her teeth, trying to counter Akane's last move.

Izumi, meanwhile, sat with arms crossed, tapping her fingers in thought.

Akane?

She was smiling.

The three consorts stared.

Why?

Why was Akane—who was just as in love with Rin as they were—acting so relaxed around the very two people who could be their biggest rivals?

Suzuki narrowed her eyes.

"She's enjoying herself too much…"

Rei nodded. "Shouldn't she be as worried as we are? If anything, she should be more aggressive toward them, right?"

Miharu remained silent, but inside, she felt the same confusion.

The way Akane interacted with Izumi and Aya was strange. It was too natural. Too comfortable.

It was almost as if…

She wasn't worried at all.

Miharu's grip on her teacup tightened.

"What does Akane know that we don't?"

As the shogi match came to an end, the three consorts observed closely.

The board was nearly empty, with only a few pieces remaining. Akane smirked, having just secured victory.

Aya let out a frustrated sigh, leaning back.

Izumi clicked her tongue. "Tch… you're better at this than I expected."

Akane chuckled, resting her chin on her hand. "It's just a game of strategy. You two play well, but you're a bit too aggressive at times."

The three watching consorts exchanged glances.

Akane had won.

Out of the four consorts, she was the only one who could read the Imperial Princesses properly.

Suzuki whispered to Rei, "I hate to admit it, but Akane might be the most dangerous one out of us."

Rei nodded. "She's the only one that doesn't get caught up in emotions. Even against Izumi and Aya, she keeps a level head."

Miharu, who had been silent, finally spoke.

"She's not just playing shogi with them. She's learning them. Figuring out their habits, their weaknesses."

The thought made all three uneasy.

Izumi and Aya were friendly—too friendly.

Ever since that day when they had practically draped themselves over Rin, the Imperial Princesses had been kind to all four of them.

Too kind.

They treated each consort nicely—even with warmth.

And that made the three consorts uneasy.

It was clear as day that Izumi and Aya were more skilled in court politics, more experienced in maneuvering around power struggles.

So why were they being so friendly?

Suzuki crossed her arms.

"I don't trust them."

Rei agreed. "They were way too close to Rin back then. And now, suddenly, they're treating us like we're friends?"

Miharu narrowed her eyes at the Imperial Princesses, who were now playfully arguing over their losses.

"What are they planning?"

The atmosphere shifted the moment Azure Empress Nao and White Empress Asami stepped into the room.

The consorts gracefully stood, bowing in perfect harmony.

Izumi and Aya followed suit, their expressions carefully composed.

Nao, with her regal elegance, spoke first.

"You have all done well in your training. The Imperial Palace acknowledges your efforts."

Asami nodded, smiling gently. "Now, it is time for the next step."

The consorts tensed.

Aya tilted her head. "And that is?"

Nao's words dropped like a stone.

"The Courtship of the Crown Prince will officially begin."

The room fell silent.

Not because of shock—but for a very different reason.

The four consorts exchanged glances.

Akane's lips curled slightly, though her sharp eyes remained unreadable.

Suzuki's fingers clenched around her cup.

Rei's eyebrows twitched.

Miharu lowered her gaze, gripping her skirt.

"The Crown Prince, huh…?"

Nao continued, her tone calm but unwavering.

"This should have happened earlier, but due to the Crown Prince's… reluctance, the process was delayed."

Asami sighed. "But we can no longer wait. The High Officials have decided to initiate the courtship event."

She smiled, though there was a hint of weight behind her gaze.

"It will be a one-week event where the consorts will accompany the Crown Prince."

"In other words," Nao finished, "a one-week date."

The three silent consorts felt a complicated mix of emotions.

They had devoted themselves to this path, training for years—yet their hearts had long been stolen by someone else.

Shimuzu Rin.

And now, they were expected to woo a man they barely even knew.

Akane, however, remained calm, sipping her tea with an unreadable expression.

After all… she was the only one who knew the truth.

The Empresses continued, their voices steady, detailing the structure of the upcoming event.

"The Imperial Convoy will travel across the Empire's most renowned locations," Asami explained.

Nao nodded. "Each site has been carefully chosen to reflect a different type of date. From elegant palace gardens to lively festival streets, even serene moonlit lake cruises."

The consorts listened, their expressions calm, but beneath that… turmoil brewed.

Their duty was to the Crown Prince.

But their hearts? They were already elsewhere.

"As this is a highly publicized event," Nao continued, "ensuring safety is paramount."

"The Red Palace Guards will oversee security, but additional elite warriors will be recruited."

A moment of unease flickered across the consorts' faces.

Elite warriors?

There weren't many who could meet the standards for such a high-risk duty…

And the first name that came to their minds was—

Shimuzu Rin.

That man was everywhere.

He was always there—watching, protecting… capturing hearts without meaning to.

And if he were involved in this event…

They didn't know if they would feel relieved—or if their already restless emotions would spiral into deeper chaos.

The Empresses observed their consorts with knowing eyes.

They saw through their forced expressions, their restless minds, their true emotions.

Of course, they knew why.

They had known for a while.

The heart of each consort belonged to one man.

Rin.

The 2nd Imperial Prince.

The commoner.

It was already impossible for them to change their hearts.

The Black Empress Minako's reports confirmed it.

The testimonies of Izumi, Aya, and even Rin himself—proved it.

Yet, Rin had never intended for this to happen.

He was merely fulfilling his duties as the White Elder's apprentice…

Yet, in doing so, he had captured more than just admiration.

The Empresses had chosen to remain silent about what they knew.

Not because they didn't care—

But because they saw an opportunity.

This Imperial Courtship was more than just a matchmaking event.

It was a trap.

Not for the consorts—

But for Rin.

A chance to pull him back to the Imperial Palace.

A valid reason to bend the Golden Princess's decree.

But they had to tread carefully.

Because while they could protect Rin in the shadows—

The High Officials had a different opinion.

To them, Shimuzu Rin was just a commoner.

And if the truth of the consorts' affections became public knowledge…

The punishment would be execution.

Asami's calm yet piercing voice pulled the consorts' attention back.

"It would be great if you could keep being consorts."

Those words landed heavily.

Suzuki flinched.

Rei's breath hitched.

Miharu's fingers clenched her dress.

Only Akane remained still, her sharp mind analyzing the words, searching for their true meaning.

She found nothing.

Yet, she knew there was something there.

Nao, with a gentle smile, spoke next:

"Follow your hearts… and hopefully, they will be answered."

The words were kind.

Yet layered with deeper meaning.

Were they supporting their feelings?

Were they testing their resolve?

The consorts couldn't tell.

The two Empresses continued, speaking of their future roles.

One day, each of them would replace the current Imperial Royalty.

This was not just about their love lives.

This was about power, duty, and the Empire's future.

Izumi and Aya, acting as true Imperial Princesses, nodded regally.

"It will be a difficult path," Aya stated.

"One that will test your resolve," Izumi added.

Their words hung in the air, a challenge to the consorts—

A reminder that love alone would not be enough.

Would they endure?

Would they fight for their hearts?

Or would they be forced to submit to Imperial duty?

In the end, they could only nod.

Because they had to.

Because they must.

Even though their hearts already belonged to Rin, they were bound by duty, family, and expectations.

Suzuki, the Azure Princess, bore the weight of her family's obsession with perfection.

Her every move had to be flawless, her emotions controlled.

Rei, the Vermillion Princess, carried the pride and passion of her lineage.

Her heart burned for Rin, yet duty forced her to smother the flames.

Miharu, the Black Princess, was different.

She was not bound by royal blood, but by the oaths and expectations of the White Flower Palace.

She was trapped in a different kind of cage.

And then, there was Akane.

Unlike the others, she knew.

She knew the truth about Rin's identity.

She knew that while the others struggled between love and duty…

She only needed to wait.

They wished they could run away.

To throw away their titles.

To abandon the Crown Prince.

To follow their hearts without fear of consequence.

But they couldn't.

Not yet.

For now, all they could do was move forward.

And pray—

That somehow, they could reach Rin in the end.

Rin sat in his room, staring at the letter sealed with the Imperial Family's authentic symbol.

His grip on the parchment tightened.

"Goddammit… am I joining this as part of the escorting guards?!"

Harumi, who had been standing nearby, tilted her head in curiosity.

She didn't know about Rin's true identity, but she knew that his name—Shimuzu Rin, First Apprentice of the White Elder—was already well-known throughout the empire.

With a playful smirk, Harumi leaned closer.

"Well, well… Seems like you'll be entangled with those four consorts again."

She clasped her hands together, mockingly closing her eyes as if offering a prayer.

"I pray for your safety, my dear fellow apprentice."

Rin let out an exasperated sigh, rubbing his temples.

"They're going to be with the Crown Prince, not me."

He waved the letter in the air, irritated.

"I just need to hide and do my duties. That's it."

Harumi raised an eyebrow.

"Oh? And yet, somehow, you keep getting dragged in."

Rin groaned, leaning back in his chair.

"Don't remind me…"

With a resigned sigh, Rin and Harumi made their way to the White Elder's chamber.

The once mighty sage now lay on his bed, his body frail but his gaze sharp as ever. His piercing eyes landed on Rin the moment they entered.

"You received the letter," the White Elder stated rather than asked.

Rin sighed, crossing his arms.

"I did. But I don't want to leave you alone, not when you're sick."

The White Elder chuckled weakly, shaking his head.

"You're not leaving me alone, Rin. Harumi is still here."

Rin clenched his fists, hesitant.

"But—"

The elder raised a hand, silencing him.

"You have something to do there," he said firmly.

Then, his gaze shifted to Harumi, lingering for a moment before looking back at Rin.

"You must go."

Harumi, standing beside Rin, smirked and clasped her hands together.

"Once again, I pray for your safety, dear apprentice."

Rin groaned, shooting her a glare.

The White Elder merely chuckled at their antics.

Harumi, however, felt a twinge of concern deep inside. She knew things were changing.

And fast.

As they left the elder's chamber, Rin turned to Harumi, guilt clear on his face.

"Sorry for leaving most of the duties to you," he said sincerely.

Harumi waved him off.

"I don't mind."

Then, in a voice barely above a whisper, she murmured to herself,

"We've got bigger things to worry about in the future, Rin…"

Rin blinked.

"Huh? What did you say?"

Harumi, grinning mischievously, suddenly slapped his back.

"Nothing! Just help me out until you leave, okay?"

Rin stumbled forward, groaning.

"Seriously, what was that for?!"

Harumi laughed, already dragging him off to finish their remaining tasks.

Rin chuckled as Harumi firmly grasped his wrist, pulling him along like an impatient child.

"Come on, you still have work to do before you leave!" she said, grinning.

Rin let himself be dragged along, shaking his head.

"You're acting like I won't be back."

Harumi glanced back at him, her expression momentarily softening.

"…Who knows?" she murmured.

Rin raised an eyebrow.

"Huh?"

Harumi spun around, smirking again.

"Nothing! Now hurry up before I make you cook all the meals for the next month."

Rin sighed dramatically.

"Why do I feel like I'm being bullied?"

Harumi just laughed, tightening her grip as they continued walking.

For a brief moment, amidst the chaos and uncertainty of the future, it felt like nothing had changed.