Hinako straitened but kept her eyes on the ground. "Princess Shiori asked me to deliver a message Your Majesty."
"Oh," Asahi noticed the stares he got and bit his lip to hide his smirk. "Follow us inside then."
Natsuo opened the door for him and the rest of them came in after Asahi. Asahi settled himself on his comfortable chair and stippled his fingers under his chin while his friends sat on the chairs beside him. Hinako, meanwhile, stopped a respectable distance at front.
"So, what did Shiori say?"
"My Princess is requesting to visit Nine Tales Mannor tomorrow and if Your Majesty is free to accompany her?"
Asahi's brow furrowed. "Nine Tales Mannor, huh?"
"Yes Your Majesty," Hinako said. "Pardon my boldness but it has been years since a member of the Fox Clan set foot in that place. The current lord used to reside there when he was courting lady Shion and it was said that Her ladyship designed everything from the rooms to the gate before they left for the Northern Lands."
"I see."
Hearing Asahi's lack of reaction, Hinako wrang her hands and added. "Princess Shiori may not look like it but she misses her mother greatly and had always wanted to visit the places lady Shion went to. My Princess presents a sharp and uncaring persona but I can assure you that along with her beauty and intelligence, she has a soft heart."
Ashai laughed. "You know, I actually heard that before."
Hinako blushed. "I-I beg your pardon?"
Asahi tapped his chin thoughtfully. "Shiro came to me recently. He delivered some papers and just happen to talk about Shiori.
's good qualities."
Sweat gathered on Hinako's forehead but she gave the Emperor a confused blink. "Oh my, what a coincidence. Master Shiro is the cousin that dotes on my princess the most, he knows everything about her. Surely he is just smoothing the way for my princess."
Asahi nodded at her reasoning. "Maybe. But let Shiori know that I will be accompanying her."
Hinako hide her smile as she bowed. "Thank you, Your Majesty."
Hinako left eagerly and quickly looked for the twins, for she has good news to share. In his office, Asahi raised a brow when he saw Tatsumi and Natsuo exchanging glances.
"What is it?"
Natsuo looked confused. "Did Shiro really say anything to Your Majesty?"
"It's not like him." Tatsumi sounded doubtful.
"It's true," said Asahi. "He told me that his little cousin is good at managing a household, expanding businesses, even tempered and intelligent. He also said that though her sharp tongue may offend me at times, Shiori had a tender heart."
Tatsumi snorted at that. "At times? More like often."
"And where is this soft and tender heart they speak of? I don't see it." Said Natsuo.
Asahi grinned. "I know right."
"It's like they are pushing the princess in your arms. Mused Tatsumi.
"But don't you think it's too obvious?" asked Natsuo.
"It is," Tatsumi nodded. "That's why it's worrying."
"It's fishy Your Majesty," Natsuo frowned. "One should be subtle when praising their Empress candidate. For the Fox Clan to be this careless, could it be that they are planning something?"
Asahi looked relaxed. "No, I don't think so."
"But why?"
"Do you know something?"
Asahi just smiled at his friends, his jade eyes twinkling. "I do, but a gentleman does not kiss and tell."
Natsuo looked incredulous. "As if you kissed her."
"She'll probably karate chop you to hell and back." Scoffed Tatsumi.
Asahi flushed with embarrassment. "Shut up, the both of you. I just won't tell, okay?"
"Sure, sure." Tatsumi and Natsuo said in unison.