Chapter 85: To Share a Burden

The three consorts—Akane, Miharu, and Rei—sat in the lavishly decorated living room, each occupying their own space while their respective head maids stood attentively nearby. The air was tense, though not outwardly hostile, as if an unspoken agreement had been reached to avoid certain topics.

Rei, ever composed, sipped on a cup of tea, her expression calm. "That was… an uneventful courtship stroll."

Miharu huffed, leaning against the armrest of the couch, arms crossed. "Uneventful is an understatement. I don't know if His Highness is even trying."

Akane let out a soft chuckle, elegantly resting her chin on her hand. "Well, it simply means we are free now, doesn't it? I, for one, don't mind that at all."

Rei sighed, setting her teacup down. "Regardless, the courtship must continue. It is our duty as consorts to support His Highness."

Miharu rolled her eyes. "Support what? His Highness barely acknowledges us."

Akane, amused, glanced at Miharu. "Oh? I would have thought you were used to difficult men by now."

Miharu stiffened, instantly recognizing the hidden jab. Her expression darkened. "What's that supposed to mean?"

Akane simply smiled, her eyes sharp. "Nothing at all."

Rei, who had been observing quietly, raised an eyebrow. "You two seem particularly restless today."

Miharu clicked her tongue and looked away. "It's nothing."

Akane merely smirked, but her eyes held something knowing—something mischievous.

Just then, Emi, Akane's head maid, spoke hesitantly. "Princess, I have some news regarding—"

Akane shot her a quick look, silencing her. Now was not the time.

Rei, however, caught the exchange and narrowed her eyes. "News? About what?"

Miharu's ears perked up. She, too, had a suspicion about what—or rather, who—the news was about.

Akane feigned innocence. "Oh, just some minor details about security. Nothing of concern."

Miharu smirked. "Security, huh? You wouldn't happen to be talking about a certain someone, would you?"

Rei blinked, confused. "Who exactly are you referring to?"

Miharu grinned, enjoying the moment. "You don't know? Interesting."

Rei frowned, glancing between them. The way both Akane and Miharu seemed to share an unspoken understanding made her feel like she was missing something.

Akane sighed, standing up with an air of finality. "Well, I suppose we all have our own ways of passing time now that the courtship stroll is over. If you'll excuse me, I have matters to attend to."

Miharu smirked. "Let me guess. Security matters?"

Akane gave a soft, knowing smile but said nothing as she left.

Rei, now more suspicious than ever, turned to Miharu. "Explain."

Miharu simply leaned back, a playful glint in her eyes. "Oh, you'll find out soon enough."

Rei didn't like the sound of that. Not one bit.

Rei let out a tired sigh, pushing herself up from her seat. "I'll take a walk," she announced, signaling to Yori, her head maid, to follow.

Miharu and Akane barely acknowledged her departure, their gazes locked in a silent battle of wills.

Akane was the first to speak, her lips curling into a smirk. "Since when?"

Miharu tilted her head, playing innocent for a moment before answering smoothly, "The rooftop. Last night."

Akane's smirk widened. "You seem awfully composed for someone who encountered him."

Miharu shrugged. "I was careful. Besides, I hold a special title, don't I? Former co-worker of Rin."

Akane's eyes glinted as she countered, "Oh? I didn't even need to see him. Suzuki was already heartbroken—when she was the most obsessed with him. It wasn't difficult to put two and two together."

Miharu narrowed her eyes. "So you're saying deduction is better than actual confirmation?"

Akane's smile turned saccharine. "I'm saying that I don't need to stumble upon him by accident."

Miharu leaned forward slightly, a competitive glint in her gaze. "Then, by all means, find him first."

The air between them grew thick with unspoken rivalry.

Meanwhile, their head maids—Emi and Fumiko—watched in silent exasperation as their mistresses exchanged increasingly sharper words, their argument shifting from logic to sheer stubbornness.

At some point, Miharu huffed, standing up abruptly. "Well, since you seem so confident, let's put it to the test."

Akane rose as well, brushing off imaginary dust from her robes. "Gladly."

As if on cue, both consorts turned to their head maids.

"Come, Emi."

"Fumiko, we're leaving."

The two maids sighed in unison, exchanging a knowing glance. They had long since accepted that their mistresses could be impossibly stubborn when it came to Rin.

Still, as they silently followed, both internally lamented the fact that they served such troublesome women.

As the sun dipped below the horizon, Rin adjusted his uniform, preparing for his night shift. Tomorrow, the Imperial Convoy would set out for the third and final destination of the Imperial Courtship.

He walked along the designated patrol route, his sharp gaze scanning for any signs of danger. Though he was alone, the solitude never truly bothered him. Or so he thought—until a familiar voice called out from behind.

"For a former Imperial Prince, you play the role of a soldier well. If I didn't know better, I'd say the Empire would have acknowledged you as an officer by now, Rin."

Rin halted mid-step, his expression unreadable as he turned to face the speaker.

Draped in flowing white robes, yet moving with casual ease, stood none other than Akane, the White Princess Consort. At her side, her head maid, Emi, looked tense—her wide eyes betraying shock at her mistress's words.

Rin's gaze flickered toward Emi, silently assessing her reaction. Before he could say anything, Akane shifted slightly, positioning herself between them.

"Don't worry, I trust her enough to know," Akane said smoothly, her tone firm but laced with amusement.

Rin exhaled through his nose. "Just don't say it aloud again," he muttered. "Ever."

Emi trembled slightly, still processing the revelation, but Rin's voice pulled her from her thoughts.

"Treat me the same as always," he instructed, his tone leaving no room for argument. "I am a commoner now. That's all there is to it."

Emi swallowed and nodded stiffly.

Akane, however, remained unfazed, her keen eyes studying Rin with quiet intrigue.

The fading light of the sunset framed her in gold, making her already striking features appear almost ethereal. Despite knowing her manipulative nature, Rin had to admit—Akane was undeniably beautiful.

A thought crossed his mind.

If he had to rank the most comfortable faces to look at, she would be second.

He didn't dislike her face at all.

Rin straightened his posture and, with the utmost precision, executed a flawless formal salute.

"It is an honor to meet you, White Princess Consort."

Akane smiled at him, warmth laced in her expression. "No need for such formality, Rin. I came to see you, after all."

Rin took a deliberate step back, his gaze unwavering.

"My sisters, Princess Izumi and Princess Aya, told me that you have feelings for me," he stated matter-of-factly. "That makes you the same as the other three consorts—a danger to my life."

Akane flinched slightly but recovered just as quickly, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear.

"They must be overthinking things," she replied smoothly. "And besides, you won't really die."

Rin's expression remained unreadable. "I trust my sisters' words more than yours." His tone was cool but not unkind. "And being exposed would mean the death of my identity as Shimizu Rin."

Akane bit the inside of her cheek, but she refused to falter. Keeping her face neutral, she changed the subject.

"I have something important to discuss with you," she declared.

Rin's eyes narrowed slightly. "And what would that be?"

Too quickly, Akane responded, "It's about the Crown Prince Kazuo."

Rin gave her a long, scrutinizing stare, making her shift slightly under his gaze. A faint blush dusted her cheeks as she instinctively touched her face.

"Is there something on my face?" she asked, her voice carrying an edge of defensiveness.

Rin exhaled, shaking his head lightly. "No. It's just that you're really the same as the others now."

Akane's eyes darkened, and she shot him a sharp glare. "You really know how to test someone's patience, don't you, Rin?"

Rin's gaze remained steady as he finally asked, "What of my older brother?"

Akane's glare faded, her expression turning contemplative. As expected, she repeated the words Kazuo had spoken—his cryptic regret about splashing water on the sun, his current emotionless and despondent state.

"Do you remember having a falling out with him?" Akane asked.

Rin shook his head. "No… not that I believe to remember."

Akane stepped closer, falling in stride with Rin as they walked, Emi following a few paces behind. Rin allowed it but remained cautious, making sure their proximity wouldn't draw any unwanted attention.

Lowering her voice, Akane spoke carefully. "I believe it's a misunderstanding on the Crown Prince's part."

Rin glanced at her, waiting for her to continue.

"I also believe it has something to do with your departure," she added. "It may be a coincidence, but the timing lines up too well."

Rin narrowed his eyes slightly. "And how sure are you?"

Akane met his gaze without hesitation. "About ninety percent."

Rin exhaled quietly, looking ahead as they walked.

"You can't be fully certain, though," he remarked.

Akane nodded. "Not without knowing the real reason you left your title."

Her words hung in the air between them. Rin said nothing, his thoughts too tangled to give her a proper response.

Rin's voice was calm but firm as he reminded Akane, "I cannot share the reason."

Akane frowned slightly, but Rin continued before she could protest.

"But I can assure you this—it was never my intention to hurt Kazuo. If anything, it was to ensure that he took his rightful place."

Akane narrowed her eyes. "Rightful place?"

Rin glanced at her before looking ahead. "The title of Crown Prince."

A moment of silence passed between them as Akane processed his words. Then, realization flickered in her eyes.

"You left… so that Kazuo could be Crown Prince."

Rin neither confirmed nor denied it, but his silence spoke louder than words.

Akane exhaled sharply, a mix of frustration and curiosity in her expression. "Why must it be him?"

Rin remained quiet.

Akane sighed, folding her arms. "You're being difficult."

Rin allowed a faint, almost tired smile. "It is my own personal reason to keep… until the day I die."

Akane clicked her tongue in irritation but didn't push further. Even she could tell that Rin would never willingly reveal what lay behind his decision.

Emi carefully kept her distance, her eyes shifting between her mistress and Rin. The conversation she had just overheard was something she never could have imagined—Shimuzu Rin, the Imperial Prince.

It made sense in hindsight. His noble demeanor, his perfect etiquette, the way he carried himself with effortless authority… No commoner, no matter how talented, could replicate such presence so naturally.

But why was he hiding it?

Emi couldn't dwell on it for too long. The air between Akane and Rin was tense, their steps perfectly in sync as if locked in a silent battle of wills.

Their gazes met, unwavering. If Emi didn't know any better, it almost looked like—

Like a wife demanding to know if her husband was cheating.

The thought nearly made Emi choke, but she held her breath. The way her mistress was pressing Rin for answers, the way Rin was stubbornly keeping his secrets… The push and pull between them was different from anything Emi had seen before.

Akane, for all her calculating nature, was showing something rare—genuine frustration.

And Rin, usually so composed, looked… tired. As if he had long accepted that no one would understand his choice.

Emi knew she had no place in this conversation, but she couldn't shake the feeling that something between them was shifting.

Akane pulled out her card, her tone smooth and confident.

"We have a mutually beneficial relationship, don't we? I want to help you solve your problems, Rin."

Rin didn't hesitate in his response, his voice steady and unwavering.

"The only problem I have is the affections of the four consorts… which now includes you."

Akane sighed, shaking her head. "You're being difficult."

"And you're being persistent."

She folded her arms, her sharp gaze meeting his. "I need to know, Rin."

Rin exhaled, closing his eyes for a brief moment before responding. "All you need to do is focus on being a consort. The issue with Crown Prince Kazuo will solve itself—by the same four consorts who were originally meant to help him… yet now seem preoccupied with someone else entirely."

Akane narrowed her eyes at his words. It was subtle, but she could hear the weight behind them—like he was speaking of a future already lost.

Rin clenched his jaw. He had read The Golden Girl's Rise. The entire story revolved around the four consorts pulling Kazuo out of his despair and guiding him into becoming a worthy emperor. But now… the novel's plot was shattered beyond recognition.

It was his fault.

Akane tilted her head slightly, reading the tension on Rin's face. Then she spoke with absolute certainty.

"That's already impossible. Suzuki, Rei, Miharu, and I… we're no longer competing for the Crown Prince. We're competing for you."

Rin's expression darkened. His sharp gaze landed on Akane, cold and unreadable. For a second, it almost looked like he was going to lash out—but instead, he took a deep breath and closed his eyes, regaining control.

When he spoke again, his voice was calm, but final.

"Then kill your feelings for me."

With that, Rin stepped forward, quickening his pace as if trying to create distance between them.

Akane, caught off guard, tried to catch up. "Wait, I'm not done talking—!"

Her foot caught on a loose stone.

She stumbled.

The ground rushed toward her—but before she could fall, Rin moved.

In a blink, he was there, his arm wrapping around her waist, catching her effortlessly.

For a moment, time seemed to pause.

Akane found herself held against Rin's chest, her heartbeat pounding in her ears. His grip was firm yet gentle, his warmth dangerously close.

She looked up at him, stunned. Rin simply stared down at her, his face unreadable.

And yet… for the first time, Akane felt something undeniable.

Her heart had skipped a beat.

Akane stared at Rin, her grip firm on his arm as she steadied herself.

"If you truly believe you had nothing to do with Kazuo's despair, then you should be the one to clear it up with him," she said, her voice unwavering. "Not leave it to the four consorts to fix it for you."

Rin's expression twisted, his composure faltering for the first time.

"It's not that simple!" His voice rose slightly, betraying the emotions he had been trying so hard to suppress.

His hands clenched into fists. He shouldn't have been involved with the consorts. He shouldn't have interfered. But every time he saw a problem, his body moved before he could stop himself—his instincts screamed at him to help.

And now, because of that, the four women who were supposed to stand by Kazuo, to help him rise as emperor, were instead chasing after him.

Rin let go of Akane as she steadied herself. He exhaled sharply, as if trying to release the weight pressing down on him.

"I don't know what to do anymore." His voice was quieter now, filled with exhaustion. "I tried to follow fate. I tried to keep things on the right path. But no matter what I do, it all keeps going in the opposite direction… and the worst part is—"

He looked at Akane, and for the first time, his expression was raw—tired, lost, vulnerable.

"—it feels right to me."

Akane inhaled sharply.

For once, her calculating mind didn't immediately search for an advantage. She had a chance to manipulate him, to pull him further into her grasp—but seeing the weight in his eyes, the conflict tearing him apart… it felt wrong.

She had a soft spot for him.

"Rin…" she reached for him, her fingers grasping the sleeve of his uniform.

He flinched but didn't pull away.

"It isn't your fault that Kazuo is like this, right?" she asked gently.

Rin lowered his head. "No… it isn't."

"Then stop blaming yourself."

Rin exhaled shakily. "I love my brother. I love my siblings. I love the Imperial Family. I only wanted what was best for them."

His hands trembled at his sides.

"That's why I left."

He closed his eyes.

"Because fate showed me…"

For a moment, silence stretched between them.

Then, as if the burden had finally become too much to bear, Rin began to speak.

Slowly, hesitantly, he recounted the story he knew—the path that had been set, the destiny he had tried so hard to preserve.

And the only ones there to hear his truth…

Were Akane and Emi.

Miharu sat in the living room, arms crossed, her expression sour as she sulked. Across from her, her head maid, Fumiko, let out a quiet sigh of relief.

They hadn't been able to find Rin tonight.

For Miharu, it was a disappointment. For Fumiko, it was a blessing. The last thing she wanted was for her mistress to get any closer to the man who only seemed to bring her pain.

"Mistress, perhaps it's for the best," Fumiko said, trying to soothe her.

Miharu huffed. "You're just saying that because you don't like him."

"And am I wrong to feel that way?" Fumiko countered. "Every time you're with him, you end up like this."

Before Miharu could respond, the door to the room opened.

Princess Akane and her head maid, Emi, stepped inside.

But something was off.

Their expressions—tired, worn, and distant—were nothing like before. Akane, the ever-composed White Princess Consort, carried an air of quiet sadness.

Miharu sat up. "You found him, didn't you?"

Akane didn't answer right away.

Instead, she met Miharu's gaze with something unreadable—understanding, regret… and resolve.

"Don't chase him anymore."

Miharu's breath caught.

"What?"

"Rin has too much on his shoulders already," Akane said softly. "We shouldn't burden him more than we already have."

Miharu frowned. "What do you mean? What happened?"

Fumiko watched as Emi's expression mirrored her mistress's—exhausted, conflicted. Whatever they had learned from Rin, they weren't willing to share.

"If you truly love him, then give him space," Akane continued. "Let him breathe. Let him walk his own path."

Miharu shook her head. "That's not—"

"This isn't just about you," Akane interrupted gently.

Silence stretched between them.

Then, Akane took a breath and straightened her posture, her usual grace returning.

"I will dedicate myself to seeing through what Rin envisioned."

Miharu's eyes widened.

"Even if it means I have to kill my feelings for him."

With those final words, Akane turned, stepping into her quarters with Emi following closely behind.

Miharu and Fumiko remained still, watching the door close.

Whatever had happened tonight…

Akane had learned something.

And she wasn't telling them.