Through Fire and Water

Chapter 14 - Empress Izumi

Assume that the guy in the picture is wearing a proper gold Japanese crown similar to the one on the book cover instead of just the hair ornament.

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Izumi pov:

"I still can't believe you accepted the mission." Haji san said. He was leaning against my room's door frame with his arms crossed over his chest and a displeased frown etched onto his face.

"It's an order from the Blood Emperor. I don't exactly have a choice in the matter, do I?" I snapped back and shoved a few more of my belongings into my bag. I was to move into the palace and into one of the so called Royal Chambers during the time I was to pretend to be the Blood Emperor's Empress.

"That is true, I suppose, but I'm not happy that you're going to be doing something so dangerous."

Tired of having him nag me and voice out his displeasure since he found out this morning, I threw whatever I had in my hands onto the floor roughly and looked up at Haji san. He didn't cringe in the slightest under the sharp glare I was giving him and merely watched me with his displeasure in place.

"That's all you've been saying this whole time! I'm annoyed enough that I have to play a part I thoroughly hate and it's even more irritating hearing you say that you're worried for me because it's a dangerous mission! What's so dangerous about pretending to be the Empress, huh?? I won't have anything to do besides act like a pompous spoilt brat who can't live without any luxury! It's just to make Prince Taheji jealous anyway." I hollered. "And for the record, I didn't want to come serve as a member of the Elite Division in the palace in the first place! I was forced to take on this responsibility and now I'm just being shoved even more out of my comfort zone!"

"I'm afraid there is much more than wanting to make Prince Taheji jealous, Sweetheart. He has been plotting things for many years now – ways to dethrone His Highness with the most extreme solution – killing him. Having an Empress is a sign of stability, authority and order and gives the message that the Emperor is being diligent in his responsibility of watching over the people. An Emperor's love is power in itself. With you in the picture now, Prince Taheji no longer sees only His Highness as his enemy but you as well. He will do whatever it takes to kill you to ensure that there is no heir to the throne and make people begin to doubt the strength of the Blood Emperor. If he couldn't protect his own wife, how can he protect his Empire, correct?"

"What exactly has he plotted before?" I asked, now a little calm and mildly curious.

"Many things. He is a master of deception and can strike when one least expects it and from where one would least expect it. Many have lost their lives to his onslaughts and I too have nearly become a victim. If it wasn't for His Highness stepping up in the very last moment, I wouldn't be here today." Haji san explained.

"You do realize you didn't give me any useful hints on Prince Taheji's plots, don't you?" I deadpanned.

"I can't quite give you details of instances that really happened, however, I can give you a heads-up on what you should be careful about." Haji san said. "Poisoning, assassination and misleading into a fatal trap by someone you trust and have absolutely no doubt on. It can happen with the one leading you knowing about the trap or completely unaware of it until it's too late. The strongest and most reliable advice that I can give you is – don't trust anyone."

"Not even you and Koharu?" I close to mocked.

"Not even Koharu. But perhaps you can trust me a bit because I can tell when there's a trap around the corner. It may not sound like much but I promise that I will look out for you and protect you as much as I can."