I took a breath and rushed back to the entrance relieved to see her sullen friend with her hawk on her arm, Ayama and Asami in tow. Even the tiger was trailing behind menacingly. "Where is she?"
I wanted to hug her as I saw she had a packet and looked prepared for whatever was about to happen. "The throne room, the-"
She brushed past me without another word and held her hand up as she cracked the door, soundlessly. Okay... not the time, but impressive considering the weight... "...treason, kidnapping your crown princess, and bringing physical harm to your empress."
I glanced in to see my betrothed perfectly relaxed as the charges were stated. "I only admit to making Horuma fall, the rest is false."
Ministers moved restlessly. "You stand accused of intimate relations with a lord causing him to forsake his vows."
She tensed as I stopped breathing. That's not entirely true... lie anyway... "That's true..."
The hall fell silent as the emperor nodded. "Bring her in."
Homura was brought in from a side door, not in chains, not even in distress. What in the hell? She tried to kill her?! "Where is Asami?"
Sunako glared at me. "Do nothing."
I gaped unable to form a response as she stared me down. "I don't know."
She pushed me back as I moved forward when the empress neared Sayomi. "Lies!"
I caught her wrist, still impressed with her strength. "She literally tried to stab her."
She frowned. "You think I don't know? Stand back, My Lord."
"She has taken the princess, assaulted me, and laid with a Lord and minister! She should be put to death."
This, I knew was more than a warning, it was an insult. Something was amiss that I couldn't see, pieces being moved at precise moments. "You tried to have her kidnapped and they got me instead!"
Sunako turned her attention back to room as Sayomi sounded pissed. "Where is your proof?"
Finally, she went in and we all followed. "Right here!" She didn't hesitate to approach the throne and handed him the bundle of papers. "These are the intercepted correspondence between Homura and bandits of Shu."
He was stunned as he looked at the empress. "What do you have to say?"
Homura glared at Sunako who met it with an indifferent gaze. I may actually like this girl a little... "All lies, and what of the other charges?"
The emperor sat back on his throne. "Witnesses say you attacked the girl first and have done so on many occasions." The corners of his lips turned up. "So far as Ryoma, well these two have been engaged for over 10 years... something like this was bound to happen eventually."
Her jaw fell and as I froze and searched the floor for a explanation I couldn't provide when she looked at me. He's trying to get me killed... he could have lied or... shit... "Engaged?"
He kept going, unfazed by her shock or my dismay. "You wanted him to bring his betrothed forth as proof of his engagement, well here she is."
As much as I wanted to comfort her and explain I couldn't. She gave up her virginity to her future husband?... That she agreed to when she was five and her memories were still intact. "This is a set up! I order I be taken back to the Kingdom of Shu, safely."
I looked up as Youta leaned forward unwilling to let the woman leave. Sayomi seemed to be over her her shock she prepared for her to flee. "You expect us to just allow you to leave after you've been accused of treason."
Homura's smirk was devilish. "I expect nothing." We heard a crash and closed ranks around the princesses as we were surround by the guards of Shu. How did she... I glanced at Sayomi, ready to fight calculating. Even she can't think we can take them all... She eyed each face and the corners of her lips turned down as she git closer to Asami. Good... hopefully it won't come to a fight just yet... you may not value your life, but I do...
The emperor rose as Wu guards barged in, surrounding the Shu. "Stop! I will not have blood shed here!"
Homura chuckled, an evil sound. "Then allow me to go, no bloodshed." No...
Sayomi's jaw clenched as my heart sank. If she's allowed to leave... what will she do? "Very well. You and your army go. The princess and her friends will remain here until you are found innocent of treason."
I could see her fighting to maintain composure as I looked at the emperor, the dismay on his face mirroring my own. You can't just let her... I knew there was nothing any of us could do without putting Wu at risk, but it was painful to watch her go. Sayomi looked to her friend, who had a warning in her eyes as she shrugged and shook her head. What's their plan?
When they were gone she sheathed her blade, her face betraying her rage. "She wins this time."
Sunako gently touched her shoulder. "We knew it would come to this. All Kingdoms are ready, Yao Lin Kingdom is playing a neutral party due to a plea from their princess."
She subtly nodded and looked at Ayama, smirking. "You're a princess, never would have thought."
She crossed her arms and looked away, blushing. "We have to avoid a war with Shu, it is our home."
Asami looked between her handmaidens sadly. She knows something... "You have a plan."
Sayomi smiled softly at her. "You don't approve." The princess tensed as she averted her gaze. Say no... she's asking permission... just say...
It was useless as she remained silent, looking at the floor and I turned to maybe talk her down. "What will you do?"
As she met my gaze, I knew it was useless. "Be the person she has molded me to be."
The emperor approached with his son. "We will ready our army."
She softened as she smiled at them. "Thank you, Your Majesty. Hopefully, there will be no need for you to use it." No... if you go then... what about us?
