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Creating hope has never been one of my best characteristics, on the contrary, I suck at giving people hope. Too bad that was exactly what I had to do.
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It took less than one day and one night to reach Yamato, the capital of Mikayo and the home of the Emperor. The ride was silent, none of the men spoke and I was kept alone with my thoughts. It didn't annoy me though, having some time to think was nice.
Also the view surprised me, I had never been out of Yukaia and I had never paid time to listen to any stories over how Miyako looked like. Which meant that the hundreds of small lighted villages, decorated by little lampoons and crowded with smiling and waving people were very unexpected.
Noticing that we didn't stop at any of the villages made me realize that I was probably the only girl from the North of Mikayo to be chosen as one of the Kishijoten - which was also the Goddess of luck and beauty - but it was also known as the eleven girls that were lucky enough to spend a year in the Emperors Palace and maybe even win the Emperors heart and marry him.
It was a centuries old tradition, and it happened every year. From the Emperors 16th birthday, every year eleven girls visited his home and tried to win his heart. Forty-four girls have already been sent home and now eleven new girls have been given a try.
It was a huge honour for you and your family if you were chosen to become a Kishijoten, I never expected to have that opportunity. However, when a letter was dropped off at our home while me and Yushi just came home from school, saying I was invited to the Emperors Palace to be a Kishijoten... I cannot remember a moment that I've been more happy then that day.
My life could easily be described as terrible, it might not always look like, but deep down me and my memories know what happened. The conditions in Yukaia were to keep you breathing, not to keep you living. That letter was my chance to give me and my family a better life and now, I was going to grab it.
I wasn't planning on becoming the Emperors wife though, it sounded nice, but unfortunately from all the stories I did listen to the Emperor was not described as the most likable person and the opposite of serene.
I should've listened to the stories about Mikayo instead of the stories about the Emperor.
"Lady Azalea?" It was again my name that took me away from my thoughts. The voice came from no one less than Aduchi Naru, one of the samurais from the Emperor, that was requested to escort me to the palace. His black hair was tight up in a high ponytail and a calming smile looked like was stuck on his face.
"Yes?" I replied softly, not wanting to break the silence roughly.
"We're here," he spoke again, "welcome to Yamato, the capital of Mikayo."
If I wasn't blown away by the looks of Mikayo, I was definitely blown away by the looks of the impressive, gorgeous and huge city dooming up in front of us, enclosed by beautiful red gates braided by the same flower in my hair, the Momo flower.
The Momo flower was originally from the North part of Mikayo, but since it was one of the only flowers that were able to survive the cold winters it was quickly imported through the whole country.
"Wow..." I whispered, my eyes widening in shock and inhaling the wonderful view. "It's so... Alive, exciting!"
Aduchi smiled, "and you haven't even seen the palace yet."
He was right, I was already shocked by the city that I didn't even realize the Palace that was dooming up in the distance. Accessorized with golden dragons and a blood red roof.
As Aduchi encouraged his horse to ride along, I did the same. People from all sides came outside their houses to wave and smile, which was very strange compared to Yukaia where everyone immediately ran away from the streets if someone passed the gates.
However, it was a nice change, I look around and waved happily. Aduchi stared a little stunned and I wondered why, it didn't stop me from smiling nicely to everyone. It was such a relief to finally be here, I've never had such a long ride.
It was already evening and I was definitely getting hungry. After Aduchi ordered his men to go, and it was just him and me, we rode towards the stables and after we saddled of the horses I followed him to the Palace.
"Uuhm..." I started as we walked up the stairs to the Palace. Aduchi stopped and turned around impatiently.
"Yes, my Lady?"
His tone made me freeze, then it hit me, the reason we were in such a hurry.
"We're a little late, aren't we?" I wondered.
He laughed shortly. "A little, now hurry up, my Lady." He turned around and scurried inside the building, I followed him immediately.
When we entered the hall a girl with braided blond hair walked up to us and began to talk to me:"Lady Azalea, the other Kishijoten are already in the dining room and have already met the Emperor. Don't worry, he knows you are late. Just sit down on the empty spot and start eating quickly, if the Emperor says something you can reply. If not stay quiet like all the others. A maid will pick you up and bring you to your room, you will get your schedule and you can change into the night kimono, follow me, my Lady."
I was shocked that she was able to say all that in such a short timing, but I quickly nodded and followed her. Without purpose I realized Aduchi hadn't followed us when we reached the dining room and the girl opened the door. I carefully entered the room and the door were closed behind me. All eyes turned to me.
Just sit down on the empty spot and start eating quickly.
I remember what she said and without a word sat down on the closest empty seat. I didn't dare to look up, scared to see the Emperor. I just took the chopsticks and started eating.
"Lady Yshra?" A cold voice dreaded through the room and I heard someone place their chopsticks down.
"Yes, your Highness?" The reply came from a girl with long brown curls. An honest and sweet smile was plastered on her face as she replied the Emperor.
"I remember that you told me you came from Akoto, didn't you?"
"Yes, I am from Akoto, your highness."
"Akoto... Didn't they have strict rules about two particular things?" He wondered.
Yshra stopped eating and placed her chopsticks down slowly. Her eyes widened and her smile disappeared. I frowned, was I the only one not understanding what was happening?
"Yshra?" The Emperor asked again.
"Murder," she whispered, "murder and being too late."
I froze. In Akoto murder was equal at being too late? Every village had their own rules, created by the Chief of the village, some were extremely strict and some didn't even have any. The Emperor looked delighted with the answer and focused his aim to me, instead of Yshra.
"May this be a warning, Lady Azalea. We wouldn't want any problems, would we?"
This was the first time I looked up at him. Staring straight at his green piercing eyes, my eyes scanned his face. He was handsome, as in really handsome. Mischievous eyes, oval shaped face, dimples when he smirked and a pair of full pink lips.
"No," I replied coldly, not wanting to show him he affected me in any case, "we wouldn't, your highness."
"Good," he said, and I noticed the tiny frown on his forehead. He didn't expect me to reply like this, I knew. However, not long after I took my chopsticks into my hand and threw a last glance at him, his lips curled up in a smirk.
He was up to something, and I knew it meant no good for me.
