Through Fire and Water

Chapter 19 - Secrets Unravelled

This chapter is dedicated to FTEmperial for being the first to vote on Chapter 18! Happy reading :3

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Izumi pov:

"So are we going to see you again anytime soon?" Haruko asked as we walked to the front door.

"I don't know, Haruko. There's a lot to be done and I can't tell how long it will take. Besides, there's also the travel plan...." I mumbled with a sigh.

"C'mon, Sweetheart. We have to be back in the palace in a few hours. The Blood Emperor will be mighty angry at me if we're even a few minutes late and you won't be the one to be blamed for it. I'd really like to keep my head on my shoulders." Haji san said. Prince Shichiro was waiting patiently next to him and gave me a smile when I met his gaze.

"I'll be right there." I responded and turned to face Haruko, Kanzaki san and Mira san. "Well, I guess I'll see you around. It was really nice staying here for a few days - I enjoyed the change of pace and environment."

"We're glad to hear that, Izumi dear. But....will you really be alright? I know you're the acting Empress but will you really be alright being in such close proximity to the Blood Emperor? I'm quite certain that he must be a frightful man." Mira san said and reached out to cup my cheek with one hand.

"You have nothing to worry, Mira san. The Blood Emperor isn't as bad as you think he is and I can take care of myself." I said with a chuckle. "Besides, there's a lot more than what meets the eye."

"What is that supposed to mean??" Haruko asked with a frown but I was quite certain that Mira san understood what I meant. She held back a knowing smile and merely nodded.

"Anyway, I'll see you later then. Take care of yourselves and don't worry about the shady people going around. I'll make sure that the Blood Emperor takes care of it before it gets out of hand." I said.

"Alright. You take care too. Be safe and don't go looking for trouble." Kanzaki san said sternly.

"Of course, Kanzaki san. Shall we head out now, Haji san?"

"Yes please. Before I end up having my butt handed to me." Haji san responded making several of us laugh.

With words of gratitude for the hospitality we had received, the three is us set out back to the palace. It was a pleasant day and the streets were filled with people as it was on any other typical afternoon. There were even some faces I recognized and we exchanged greetings as we passed each other. Some of them knew me well enough to ask where I had disappeared to in the past few months. Haji san saved me by lying - he said we were married and we lived in a different village. As expected, the gullible and naive civilians believed us and wished us a happy future together as well as telling us to visit Sei'an often so they could see how we were doing.

"Husband and wife....of all the possible things you could have given as an excuse, you had to give this one." I muttered in annoyance when we were away from another bunch of old ladies giggling about how good a couple we were. "Couldn't you have said something like us being long lost siblings or something? These people are gullible enough to believe that too."

"Not a chance, Sweetheart. We don't have the slightest resemblance in looks. There's no way people are stupid enough to believe something so farfetched." Haji san answered.

"Fine. Half siblings. That would have worked, right?"

"Aww, c'mon! It's not every day I get to do something fun like this!" He said with a grin. "Let a guy have some fun while he can, alright Sweetheart?"

"Ha ha, very funny." I snapped in return and looked ahead with a huff.

"Um...." Prince Shichiro spoke up hesitantly and Haji san and I looked his way. "I know Haji san only said that to help but it won't be good if Onii sama hears about it, will it? Onee san is the Empress, after all...."