“Your Majesty, you should get some rest. Allow us to keep watch over the princess," Said the healer.

“There would be no need for that, thank you," His voice was impassive. Akira had bitten his lip in anxiety, almost drawing blood. He had been in a vigil for the past twelve hours now, watching as his sister’s wounds were treated. Perhaps he had made a mistake in allowing her to attend the festivities?

“Please, leave us," He said.

The healers obliged.

“Father… Please let everything be alright," He prayed. Holding his little sister’s hand in his. They were stone cold. Her breathing was shallow.

After what felt like an eternity, she opened her eyes.

“Brother?”

“You’re alright," Akira smiled in genuine joy. “Thank the gods you’re alright," He moved to embrace his sister.

“I’m sorry for causing you trouble," She said. “I also caused trouble for Lady Katagiri and Lord Morimoto.”

“It’s alright. You’re safe now. That’s all that matters. I should be the one sorry. I shouldn’t have let you go.”

Yuriko shook her head. “I had fun while it lasted. The abduction was a blur, anyway. I can’t remember a thing after I broke Lady Fujimori’s bracelet.”

This gave Akira a tinge of panic. Lady Fujimori and Lord Morimoto were among the most intelligent denizens of the palace. Should they figure out why his sister lost consciousness when she activated a Sorcerous Instrument, all his family’s work to protect her would be for naught.

“How are they?” She asked. “Lady Katagiri and Lord Morimoto?”

“Lady Katagiri is fine. I heard she’s a bit hungover, though.”

“And Lord Morimoto?”

“Still unconscious.”

“I see," She looked dejected.

“Go get some more rest," Akira instructed, laying her back down on her futon.

She finally set herself down into the futon, as instructed. He pet her head, lovingly removing the stray strands of hair from her pale face.

“Do you remember that puzzle I had you solve?” He asked.

Yuriko closed her eyes in thought. “Lance threatens King, Check. Knight blocks, opens threat to Lance. Bishop takes Knight, Promotes to Dragon Horse. Check.”

Akira pinched his chin, recalling an earlier conversation with her sister regarding a certain strategy in Shogi. “The next move would be Silver General Blocks Dragon Horse. The Dragon Horse needs to stay still, right?”

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Yuriko nodded, excitedly. “That’s the only way the game ends in three moves. Should the game drag on any longer, I can’t say what moves are required to win.”

“So, Knight moves forward. Silver General takes Dragon Horse, Lance moves under knight’s protection…” Akira traced the movements in the air, his eyes to the ceiling, visualizing a shogi board that wasn’t really there.

“Promotes to Gold General, threatens King. Checkmate!” She exclaimed.

Akira smiled. “Clever as always…” He stroked her head. “Now go back to sleep,” he said, standing up.

“Brother?” She called out to him as he stood to leave.

He turned back to her, noting that her expression changed from excitement to longing.

“I dreamt of Mother.” She hung her head.

“And what did Mother say?” He asked.

“She says she’s always protecting us. She says we will endure. She says she loves us… very much."

Akira smiled. “I know.”

“I love you, Brother.”

“I love you too, Yuriko," He adjusted the sheets of her futon, and stood to leave the room. As he closed the door behind him, he sighed.

“Father… Why is this your will?” He prayed.

----------------------------------------

Sunbeams awoke Lord Morimoto with their warmth, coaxing him to open his eyes. He was in his room at the Eastern Keep, bandages covering his body, which ached all over. He tried to stand up, and found it impossible.

“You should stay in bed. You’re not used to fighting yet," Said a deep voice nearby. Yuuichi looked and found Lord Hyakuya sitting near his head.

“Lord Hyakuya… What are you doing here?”

“I came to see you. When I heard you fought off two Order of Kuusai agents, I couldn’t believe it. A lot of people were surprised when they brought you in. Lady Fujimori was hysterical.”

Yuuichi settled back on his pillow. “So it wasn’t a dream," He couldn’t believe it himself. Sages weren’t trained to fight. In fact, much of their magic is academic in nature, trying to test the limits of what they can and can’t do with magic. “And the Kuusai agents? What happened to them?”

“They’re in our custody. Lady Katagiri should be interrogating them today, but she’s still recovering her Awakening. I think she got intoxicated last night.”

Upon hearing Lady Katagiri’s name, Yuuichi sat bolt upright. He had forgotten all about her during the chaos. “What happened to her?”

“She’s fine”, Lord Hyakuya replied. “She continued to look like the Princess well into the night, until a group of Market Officials escorted her back into the palace. I think she enjoyed the attention a little too much. She wouldn’t dispel the illusion until His Majesty got cross at her.”

Yuuichi heaved a sigh of relief. Having her scolded by the King would not have been the worst outcome, he thought.

Lord Hyakuya stood up. “I’ll have some servants bring you food. Lady Fujimori says she’ll check on you come noontime.”

“Thank you, Lord Hyakuya.”

The Captain of the Royal Guard nodded, and then left. Soon, some servants brought him food to eat, he had asked to be left alone as he ate, which they obliged. As he ate, he reflected on the things that transpired. It turned out that he had been unconscious for sixteen hours.

If he was to continue being the Princess’ protector, he’d have to face tougher opponents and not just survive off the sheer luck of being found just before he was to die. He took a deep breath and looked outside his window. Spring had already yielded to Summer, and with the coming of summer would be the storms.

The augury ran through his mind once again. An ill wind blows over the Capital. Prepare to avert disaster. Watch out for upheaval.

He closed his eyes. And his mind’s eye drifted to Usui’s face, and he felt the chains tighten around him again. His breath was strained and his chest tightened. He struggled, gasping for air. As soon as the visions came, so too had they left. He was left panting and sweating on the floor.

“No,” he whispered to himself. “Don’t give in to fear. Do what must be done.”