Crown of Amethysts | A GiyuShino(?) Story

THIRTEEN

DISCLAIMER:

This chapter contains violence. Please do not read it if you are disturbed by bloody scenes. 

ありがとうございます!

─── ⋅ ∙ ∘ ☽ ༓ ☾ ∘ ⋅ ⋅ ───

That evening was disastrous. The whole ceremony was annulled, and everyone was told not to worry and sent back to their manors. 

Despite their warnings, Lady Shinobu was the most startled and apprehensive person there was at that moment. 

The grand entranceway was a clutter of soldiers and members of high society. Most were demanding more knowledge based on the matters. Another clan of palace guards strapped the cloaked man with a rope. 

Everything was an unmitigated disarray. Shinobu was more overwhelmed than she had ever been throughout all her years of living. 

"Shinobu-sama!!" Aoi briskly ran up to the lady. She was quite so fast it looked as if she were merely flash stepping towards her lady.

"Hm? Is everything all right, Aoi-san?" 

"Oh, do stop minding everything! Are you well, Shinobu-sama! I thought such an ethereal young woman would've fainted dead by now, but may I say, you are quite a firm being, my lady!" 

If it was on a typical day, Lady Shinobu would've replied to the young maid's humor with a brusque reply of the same humor. But the weather had suddenly become somber and unstoppable rain began to pour from the gloomy sky. The day was all disastrous.

Aoi had noticed this detail, so she spoke, "My lady, perhaps you shall allow his majesty and the knights to resolve these matters instead and retire to your chambers?"

The lady desperately desired to dismiss her handmaiden off in disapproval, but she knew better than anyone alive that the young woman was anything but incorrect. Shinobu knew she was tired and exhausted. 

"Alright. Please explain to the members of high society and palace knights that I have retired to my chambers for a rest and will be out in a few hours." She then left Aoi behind. As she walked down several corridors, the same thought swarmed her head. 

Was this all Nightfall's doing? 

Her eyes strayed away from the ends of the corridors, which were unexposed to the human eye. The concealed purple gaze of the lady drifted to the immensely massive glass windows of the palace. 

Ah... I see. Even as a queen, my opinion is useless in these matters. I cannot control what the citizens do. I can only command...

"My lady!" Hanami stood at the entrance of Lady Shinobu's chambers, "Your presence is ordered in court!"

Shinobu was staring blankly out the window. She jerked her head towards her other maid. 

As much as she was exhausted, she knew better than to turn the order down. Even if she had yet to become queen of the Sunlight Kingdom....

Letting no words liberate from her lips, she mimicked Hanami's steps. After several minutes of walking, the royal court was merely a few steps away.

Knights raised their flag, which epitomized the fact that a court case was taking place, and no one was allowed to interject. 

Sighing, the lady knew that this court case would be more serious than any one she had ever perceived, for someone had attempted to steal the most powerful crown.