Golden Era (Book 2)

29. Before I Go

After another night of fragmented sleep, Ayuna woke up to another dreary, rainy day. Already, the northern mountains were showing blotches of red, indicating the cold front was sweeping in from the Sea of Okhotsk. Soon, the city of maples would be dyed scarlet.

With the morning chill came the equally chilling reality. There would be consequences, Ayuna knew. She couldn't take off without leaving a blood trail behind. In real life, nobody got a free pass; her difficult decision meant difficult actions. 

Ayuna devised a master plan while she sat through the day's classes: after breaking the engagement, she would leave Hikari and Kyoto to spare Sachi drama. She would then re-enroll at the University of Tokyo to resume her previous studies. She and Fuji would be separated for one last year, which would be ideal until turbulences with the imperial family settled. They would alternate visits and live together after Fuji's graduation. 

The first step, of course, was breaking the news to Sachi. 

***

Back at home, attendants let her know that the crown prince was working in the library den. Taking several measured breaths, she walked up to the door and knocked.

When no response came, she eased it open and let herself in. Sachi sat at his desk, his elbows on the table and his head in his hands. Thinking he might be napping, Ayuna considered coming back another time. Just as she was about to leave, she heard him say, "I thought I ordered no interruptions."

Ayuna turned around. "Sachi? Are you okay?"

He perked up at the sound of her voice. Looking up, he apologized, "Ayuna. Sorry, I thought you were staff."

"Is your migraine bothering you again?"

He shook his head. "I was just thinking. You wanted to see me?"

"There's something I need to tell you." Studying his pinched expressions, she said, "You seem upset. Is everything alright?"

Sachi took a moment to collect himself. Easing the library door shut, he led Ayuna towards the chairs next to the bookshelves and sat down.

"I just got a call from Tokyo," he began slowly. "It's from my mother. She told me that her doctor found something in her latest medical exam."

"Found something? Like what?"

"A lump in her stomach."

Ayuna tensed up, her voice near a whisper. "As in, a tumor?"

"It's unconfirmed," he clarified hastily. "She's been referred to a specialist and they're running more tests. She called to give me an advanced warning, so I'd be mentally prepared for the worst-case scenario..."

Ayuna stared down at her hands, her stomach churning. This news was the most hideous joke in the world. The empress was the most proper and refined woman she'd ever known. As far as Ayuna was aware, she had zero risk factors for cancer. She never glanced at cigarettes, never touched alcohol and had no family history of cancer. She went on daily walks, tended to the palace gardens, had a preference for mountain vegetables and regularly visited temples to pray or meditate. She checked off every box to live a long life. Or so they believed.

If she were ill, the Imperial Household would be in mayhem and Sachi would be devasted... Could she be heartless enough to start another crisis?

Taking her silence as despondency, Sachi pulled her into his arms. "Please don't worry just yet. Her diagnosis hasn't been confirmed and I'm going to figure it out with her together."

"You're going back to Tokyo?"

Sachi nodded. "I could tell she was afraid over the phone. For something like this, waiting is a form of torture in and of itself. As her son, I have to offer support."