After the Royal Hunt, there was a party being held at the hunting grounds. After Prince Shiro left the tent, I changed into an evening wear appropriate for the occasion. He told me they'll be a lot of people today so we can sit next to each other and discuss some things.
"Hima, the Emperor wants you to sit at the Royal family's table. Is that alright for you? If it isn't just tell me and I'll make sure to inform the Emperor." My father asked. I did
It was the day after the Royal Hunt. Word spread out quickly about how I had participated in the hunt. There were gossips and rumors going around that I participated in the hunt to challenge the Royal Family. I don't know how that rumor came to be but there was no truth in it. The reason I participated is because I didn't want to mingle with all the snob ladies in the mingling area."You'll be having tea with the Emperor today." My father reminded
I waited for any word from Prince Shiro. It's been two days yet I still haven't received a letter from him. I admit I'm worried about him since his life was recently in danger but I just have to trust him."You look worried, Hima. Is there something bothering you?" My father walked into the patio where I was pacing. I looked at him and was considering telling him but I knew I couldn't. I just have to keep this a secret even from my own father. 
I walked out to the gate to see who was there for me. It was one of Prince Shiro's men. He handed me a parcel and left just like that. I knew he couldn't stay because people were watching us. I quickly took it inside and opened it up. It was a single incense stick. I clutched it to my chest and silently thanked Prince Shiro for being able to get this for me. I quickly took out my indicators and I tried testing it."I was right." I whispered to myse
The day for our vacation had finally come. Prince Shiro would be arriving here in our Manor using the carriage that the Emperor specifically prepared for us. All of my stuff was ready when he arrived. The servants loaded them all up on the back of the carriage and Prince Shiro helped me to get inside. We didn't say anything to each other when he arrived. I just got inside the carriage, waited until everything was loaded up and we finally were on our way to our estate. I looked over at Prince Shiro and he was just being quiet. His eyes were close and he just seemed to be peacefully enjoying the ride. I, on the other hand, have a lot of things on my mind. I don't even know where to begin.
As I was hugging Prince Shiro from behind, I could feel his breathing getting heavier and his heart started to beat faster. I'm not sure if he's nervous or scared or somewhere in between. I have to tell him what I had uncovered."Your mother wasn't in an accident." I said. I could feel Prince Shiro's hand on mine. He was trying to make me let go of him. I loosened my hold on him and he turned around and faced me. Our eyes met and I could tell he re
During our stay at the estate, Prince Shiro and I have grown closer to each other. We spent most of our time talking about the things we both had in common. It turns out we have a lot in common and I'm happy that I was able to get to know him more. I am engaged to him so it makes sense that I want to know who he truly is. However, we weren't here just to kindle the fire of love. We're here to plan ahead.
Our vacation was short but it wasn’t fruitless. We had devised a plan for when we came back to the Empire. We had also spent this time getting to know each other more. We needed to pretend that we had become distant when we came back to the Empire. We can’t let our enemies know that we were on good terms. We have to make them think that I’m on their side. It’s easier to get information from the First Prince so I decided to go down that path.We arrived back at the Empire. The carriage stopped outside my house. Before I left the carriage, I told Prince Shiro to be careful and to be wary when he gets back home. He kissed me before I left the carriage. I stood outside my house and I looked as the carriage left my view. I went in where my father was waiting for me.“Welcome back, Hima.” He greeted me. I ran to him and gave him a hug. I spent the rest of the day talking to my father about what happened at the estate. Of course I left out a few details but he was m
I asked all of the servants when the last time they saw my father and they told me that they all saw him leave for court this morning. He never came back after that. Usually, he would come home before me but this time he's not even here yet. Could there be something wrong? I started overthinking about my father's whereabouts. Could it be that something happened to him? If so, who would target him and why? Could it have something to do with the Royal family? All of these thoughts ran amok in my head. I couldn't sit still and I paced the room."My lady, please calm down." The servants tried to calm me down but it wasn't working. I needed to know if the bad feeling I have in the pit of my stomach is related to my father. Although he's not my real father, I've treated him as if he was my real father. Just when I was starting to fully panic, there was loud banging on our gate. I came out with the servants and some guards. I asked them to open the gate and there I saw my fathe