Asami's Shadow (Ryoma's POV)

Chapter 16

The ride to the imperial palace was second nature. Having grown up here as a child and pretty much still living here after the estate was built, no one even blinked as I dismounted and strode through the front door. I paused, this was actually the longest I'd stayed in my own home.

I shook my head and went straight for the dining room. I should have made sure Kaida had something in case she got hungry at least. I'll send a messenger... "You look like you fucked up... in the dog house already?"

I frowned as my train of thought was broken to see a smirking Youta. A knowing smile was on Emperor Wu's lips. "Well she didn't kill you at least, how's the hand?"

I shook my head, this is the happiest I'd seen them in a while and beckoned a servant girl forward. "Send word to the estate to have food prepared for our guest."

She smiled. "Is that all My Lord?"

I frowned as I recognized the suggestion in her tone. "Yes, please don't delay."

She fought to maintain her expression as she bowed her head. "Of course."

I turned to the men, ignoring as she still hovered. "Yes, I fucked up. No, she didn't kill me. Slapped the hell out of me though." I softly touched my cheek, speaking almost mindlessly. "No girl should be that strong, nearly had me in the floor..."

Both began to bark with laughter and Youta paused. "Wait... what did you do?"

I glowered at him. "Nothing, mostly words."

He narrowed his eyes. "Mostly..."

I sighed. "Long story short, had a small skirmish... Minister Bao is dead by the way or I'm pretty sure he is... you know how that goes, and I said some reckless things that in the end pissed her off. I didn't touch anything more than her wrist... very roughly."

He sat back. "To do..."

I pursed my lips. "To stop her from slapping me again... maybe it hit the wall behind her... possibly."

He rolled his eyes. "Sure, so what brings you here since you've been strangely occupied."

Now, I got serious. "I need that empress dead."

Emperor Wu frowned. "Because..."

I glanced around. "A more private setting is appropriate." With that they rose and we retreated to his study. Memories of Keiko hiding in here surfaced and I began to pace. "Remember a year ago... the brothel?"

Youta frowned. "We nev-"

I met his gaze. "I'm damn near certain it was her and she killed that man."

It deepened, he refused to believe his cousin was in such a position. "She..." I debated on how to present it to them. "Before she almost knocked me out, I may have been prying... she admitted to being with men, but never being interested."

His fist clenched. "Wait... so, she was nervous as she was cleaning my wounds, but when she said that I... may have asked why since she made it sound like something that was normal since she was never forced?"

He lounged and I let him shove me into the floor. "Yo-"

I held my hands up defensively. "I tried nothing, only words and suggestions."

He lifted me by my collar. "Finish..."

I gulped. Please don't kill me... "I may have caught her peeping in the bath house and made another move, again all words... but that's how her wrist got slammed against the wall. She was very uncomfortable until I made her mad with another suggestion. Then she stormed off somewhere. Please don't kill me."

He shoved me back into the floor and began to stew as he sat again. "I won't get the chance if you keep that up and I will enjoy watching."

His father cleared his throat. "Okay, what does that have to do with the brothel?"

I stayed in the floor as he was glaring at me. "She was flustered, so I was convinced it wasn't her until she confirmed about the men. In my mind, if you weren't interested in the money or sex... well, you two know her."

Youta's eyes widened. "Then... she wanted him dead, but how? It was from medicine."

I sighed. "Remember the girl tasting the princess's food for poison?"

He paled. "But... how? Why?"

I shrugged. "I can only think he either was a threat to the princess or..."

The emperor had a grave expression. "The empress ordered it." We both looked at him. "It was always my fear, but without all the pieces..."

I returned to my seat. "You seem to have an idea of what is going on."

He sighed dismally. "All I can say is her skill set may not be all that honorable. And if that it so, her world is very dangerous. To say anything more would put her in more danger."

I clenched my fists. "That says nothing."

Youta shook his head. "It says everything. Think about it, she just vanishes into thin air, no one can know or her life is at stake. I heard nothing of her until that bitch took power. She did this."

I nodded. "So... I guess now is a good time to tell you why the minister is dead. He sent word to Shu that the princess may be here, she's coming in maybe six days?"

They perked up at that. "How di-"

I frowned. "Apparently, he sent someone to spy. I'm finding out who, but... what will we do about her?"

The older man sat back. "What's she doing about it? Clearly, she didn't run right after, so..."

I shrugged. "She seems completely unbothered about the princess or her whereabouts. In addition, she didn't even react to the empress being told."

He laced his fingers in front of his mouth. "Then, the princess is most likely coming here as well. We have to let her ask us for help or she will vanish to work by other means."

I gaped. "So, do nothing."

He met my gaze. "You know her mind best. You tell me."

I thought for a moment about her actions since waking up, disappearing into the forest, the hawk... "Yeah, but how will she get here unnoticed? She's a princess."

Youta lowered his gaze. "The same way a girl can show up and leave only a memory. She has people who specialize in this, we have to trust them as she does."

I bit my lip. "Seems... we have no choice."