Shangri La Pt. 1

147: Betrayal

Now that both pairs had learned everything they should've about the Empress, Izumi, Katsuki, Momo and Shoto knew that their lives were on the line to make sure the Empress doesn't take their gems. 

Because of this, the Emerald Dragon, the Great Pisces and the White Lotus' have instructed these four to start a bit of a distance with one another, that way the Empress doesn't start aiming for two at once. Not only did they all keep sure to not bother others in the palace, but it appeared as if the security in the palace had increased tenfold compared to long before when the Young Prince arrived the first time 3 months prior. 

Not only this, but this following day led to nothing but preparation for the Royal Wedding that would be taking place the day after today.

And as much as Izumi promised that she would be extremely careful, she knew that she had to take care of something that could only be done on the day of the wedding. So while everyone was off busy still making the last adjustments for the wedding to be held in just a few hours, Izumi used the secret tunnel to leave the palace grounds so no one would notice her leave. 

She knew that if she told anyone that she was going into the city–especially a certain Captain–she'd be left having to stay in the palace when she knew that what she had to do was important. 

She climbed through and out of the tunnel in a hurry to see the people in the city working and showing it to be as crowded as usual. So, she pulled the cloak's–she was wearing–hood over her head and made sure to disguise her hair to be black as she then went into the deep alleys to get to where she needed.

'Finally...' Izumi thought as she approached the small building for it to be the public library that her friend Shinso has been working–and living–in. 

'Let's just hope he's here so I can just be short and brief with him so I can go back to the palace like I never left for the day.' she thought as she pulled the hood to cover her head a bit more as she rushed towards the door and entered the small building. 

The second she entered the library, she forced the door to close behind her and then she turned around to see how dark and quiet it was inside. 

'Is he here?' 

"Hello~? Shinso... Are you here?" she called out as she walked further into the building as it remained pretty silent. 

"Ah– Shinso, are you here? Listen, if you're here, then there's something I need to tell you that–"

"Tell me what?" 

The greenette swirled her head around to see the purple-haired man standing before her with a subtle smile on his lips. 

"Ah– Shinso, there you are." 

"You came here to see me and tell me something?" 

"Y-Yes, I am." 

"I see, then why don't you sit down and I'll make you some tea and you can tell me after–" 

"N-No no, I-I need to head back to the palace as soon as possible before anyone notices I'm gone. I only came here to tell you something quick and then I need to go." she interrupted, leaving the man a bit perturbed. 

"Ah– I see, then what is it you want to tell me?" 

"Well, I came here to tell you goodbye." This instantly caught Shinso's attention and he made sure to make eye contact with her. 

"Come again?" 

"I... I'm leaving... this city." she added.

"And... When are you leaving?"