~The Imperial Palace~
The pale crescent moon shone like a silvery claw in the night sky with stars that stretched to infinity.
The occasional croaking of faraway frogs and the loud continuous chirping of crickets broke the silence of the night, giving off an eerie feeling to the few whose eyes were still open at this time.
In the middle of the night when most people were already deep into sleep, Empress Himiko was among the few still awake by this time.
A moment ago, she had been sleeping peacefully on her bedding with her black long silky hair sprawled behind her, when her lashes suddenly fluttered, and her eyes flew open.
Immediately, her lean body rose effortlessly, propping itself into a sitting position as the rays from the moonlight seeping in from the open window, cast its dull lights on her face.
Her peerless beauty was revealed even more with her long hair cascading down her back and fluttering lightly as the night breeze brushed across her face.
