Three days have passed since the incident at the imperial hunting ground, yet Yetsune remains unconscious. Erya, eyes red and swollen, watches in despair as the Imperial Physician checks her pulse once more and leaves, shaking his head without offering any hope.
"Please, wake up. I beg you," Erya whispers, kneeling beside the bed, her hands tightly clasping Yetsune's. Tears stream down her cheeks. The physicians have warned that if Yetsune does not regain consciousness by the end of the day, all hope will be lost.
"Yetsune," Erya whispers, the formality between them forgotten. "I deserve to die so I'm not afraid of losing my life once my crime is discovered. What terrifies me is—" She falters, choking back a sob. "What truly terrifies me is losing you, my friend and Princess—" Her voice breaks, giving way to a heart-wrenching sob.
She bows her head, tears splattering onto the bedsheet. "I would gladly exchange my life for yours, so please, open your eyes."
The silence in the room is deafening, amplifying the sound of Erya's pounding heartbeat. She realizes her fear, sorrow, and regret run even deeper than she had acknowledged. If only they hadn't left Aisin, they would now be in the West Palace. Yetsune would be receiving etiquette lessons to prepare for her future in Aushasal, and they would be playing mischievous pranks on the tutors whenever Yetsune grew bored. Afterwards, they would visit Lord Azryn's palace. He feigns surprise at their arrival but always has peach blossom wine or his special brewed tea ready. Erya is never excluded from the wine or tea since Yetsune always shares. A faint smile forms on Erya's lips as her imagination begins to detach her from the harsh reality.
Lost in her reverie, she hears a faint voice say, "Foolish girl."
"I know. I am undoubtedly the most foolish person in this world," Erya responds absently.
A soft chuckle follows, jolting her back to reality. She snaps her head up, eyes wide in disbelief at the sight of Yetsune weakly smiling at her. "Your Highness…"
"I've missed hearing you call my name," Yetsune teases in a soft, frail voice as she sits up in bed. She is thinly clothed in a delicate white robe, akin to an undergarment. Her hair cascades freely around her shoulders, with loose strands framing her face. The slightly dampened front strands tell the tale of the night's sweat.
Erya engulfs Yetsune in an embrace, fingers interlocking behind her back as if she might disappear. "I'm not dreaming, am I? You're truly awake," she questions, fearing this might be a figment of her imagination.
"Silly girl," Yetsune murmurs, returning the embrace with a comforting pat. "Never consider trading your life for mine, it would be unbearably to survive alone."
"You wouldn't be alone," Erya says, sniffling. "You have the First Princess and Lord Azryn."
Yetsune gently breaks their embrace, meeting Erya's gaze. "And you have Arya. Your life is far from dispensable," she says softly, making Erya's effort to stop the tears futile.
"Always remember, in my heart, you are never merely an aide or a guard," Yetsune says softly, cupping Erya's face and tenderly wiping away her tears with her thumb. "Yettiri wanted me to choose Arya as my aide but I chose you because I wanted you to be my lifelong companion and confidante. So you must never think of sacrificing yourself for me." Her pale lips curve into a fragile yet heartfelt smile.
Erya's chest swells with emotion at Yetsune's words. Though she's always sensed their bond transcended the typical master-servant dynamic, hearing it directly makes her heart feel warm.
"Then promise you'll never leave me," Erya replies, wiping her tears with her sleeve. She extends her pinkie finger toward Yetsune. "Promise."
Yetsune lets out a soft chuckle. "I promise."
Erya pulls her into another embrace, nestling her face against Yetsune's neck. She inhales deeply, Yetsune's familiar scent reassuring herself that this is real.
"You'd better not call me 'Your Highness' when we're alone again," Yetsune says as she reciprocates the hug.
"Hm," Erya hums.
They remain like this, savouring the moment, until a voice shatters it, "His Majesty is here!"
They quickly detach from each other. Erya leaps to her feet, assuming a formal posture with hands clasped at her abdomen. Yetsune stays seated on the bed, her heart suddenly racing as reality crashes back – a stark reminder that her carefully laid plan is ruined.
The Emperor enters, accompanied by the Head Eunuch and Captain. Erya immediately prostrates herself, while Yetsune merely stares. He is strikingly different from the man on the verge of death. This is the Emperor of Aushasal she's been prepared to meet since childhood. His presence exudes the imposing aura of a ruler far surpassing her father's.
"Insolence!" the Head Eunuch thunders. "You dare not greet His Majesty?"
Yetsune flinches and scrambles to throw off the quilt when the Emperor extends his hand, gesturing for her to remain lying down. She glances at Erya for guidance and settles back at her nod.
The Emperor notes their wordless exchange as he dismisses the Captain and takes a seat at the tea table. Erya suppresses a shiver as the Captain's gaze lingers before he departs. Does he suspect the fabricated tale she told during interrogation?
Yetsune's breath catches as the Emperor's eyes studies her. 'Those Aisin eyes,' he muses. Her russet brown doe eyes gaze bears an uncanny resemblance to someone he owes and detests.
"Your name?" the Emperor inquires, breaking the taut silence.
"Yet-"
"Yetsu. That is her name, Your Majesty," Erya interjects quickly. She raises her eyes to find the Head Eunuch's disapproving frown.
The room hangs in tense silence once more. It turns out that seeing the Emperor of Aushasal in person is more nerve-wracking than they thought.
"The Captain tells me you are beggars who trespassed the imperial hunting ground for spoils. Where are you from?" the Emperor questions.
Yetsune defers to Erya with a glance, knowing her nerves might betray them.
Erya steels herself. "Your Majesty, we are children of Asanan immigrants. We've had to live as beggars after our parents died ten years ago." She takes advantage of the observation the guards made at the city gate.
"No kin?"
"We never visited Asana while our parents were alive, so we do not know any relatives," Erya responds decisively. Yetsune exhales silently, grateful for Erya's composure.
"A difficult like you both lived," the Emperor remarks, his tone inscrutable. The girls exchange uncertain glances.
"Your selflessness in saving me merits reward. I shall grant you a wish," the Emperor declares, taking them by surprise. "You may ask for anything."
Yetsune suddenly shoves the quilt away and kneels on the bed. "If Your Majesty permits my boldness," she begins, ignoring Erya's worried look, "I ask that my sister and I be allowed to dwell within the palace."
Erya's breath catches in her throat, fearing that Yetsune's request might put them in danger later if not now.
"How presumptuous!" the Head Eunuch bellows at her audacity.
The Emperor silences him with a raised hand. He leans back in the chair, his piercing gaze fixed upon Yetsune with an intensity that makes her earlier bravado waver.