"My council, Lady Kazumi has delivered safely and she has borne us a charming Prince," the announcer proclaimed, and the words ignited a blaze of joy within Lord Yamato. A triumphant smile spread across his face, a beacon of pride that radiated through the council chamber. The council erupted in applause, their voices rising in a harmonious symphony of congratulations, each member eager to bask in the glory of this new life.
As the warmth of celebration enveloped him, Lord Yamato's mind raced with thoughts of Lady Kazumi and their precious son. He was ready to conclude the meeting, to rush to her side and embrace the joy of fatherhood. But just as he prepared to rise, the announcer's voice cut through the air like a clarion call, "Her Majesty, Queen Miyuki, the first wife and queen of the land, arrives!"
The atmosphere shifted instantly, tension crackling like electricity. All eyes turned, and the air thickened with anticipation as Queen Miyuki entered the chamber. She was a vision of regal power, her presence commanding and undeniable. Every step she took resonated with authority, her gaze sweeping over the council with a mix of scrutiny and grace. The council members bowed deeply, acutely aware of the delicate balance that now hung in the air.
Lord Yamato felt a surge of urgency; he knew he must navigate this moment with the utmost care. "Greetings, my council," Queen Miyuki proclaimed, her voice resonating with authority as she surveyed the room. "My Lord, I must insist that you do not go and meet Lady Kazumi in her chamber."
Lord Yamato, caught off guard, rose to his full height, his presence commanding the attention of all to also rise. "Why do you wish for that, my queen?" he asked, his tone a blend of confusion and concern.
"My power will be overstripped from me," she retorted, her gaze fierce and unwavering. The tension in the room was palpable, each council member holding their breath, sensing the storm brewing between the two rulers.
"I will not take your power as a Queen from you," Lord Yamato asserted, his voice steady, yet the weight of her words pressed heavily upon him.
Queen Miyuki's eyes flashed with determination. "I haven't given you a heir yet, since I can't give birth, and I don't trust you on this because you told me before that you—" Her voice faltered, the unspoken accusation hanging in the air like a dark cloud.
The council shifted uneasily, aware of the stakes. Lord Yamato stepped forward, his heart racing as he met her gaze. "My queen," he declared, his voice rising with conviction, "our destinies are intertwined. You are the heart of this kingdom, and I would never seek to undermine your power. Together, we can forge a legacy that will echo through the ages."
He took a breath, letting his words sink in. "Trust in me, for I am bound to you by loyalty and love. I will not betray that bond, nor let our kingdom falter."You told me before that you will never marry a second wife, but you did it! You told me nothing will make you change your mind!" Queen Miyuki's voice thundered through the grand hall, each word dripping with disbelief and fury.
"I did it because the people of Hoshizora demanded it, and I couldn't turn them down," Lord Yamato replied, his tone unyielding, a cold resolve settling over him like a dark cloud.
"You mean if they tell you to make Lady Kazumi the Queen, you will actually do it?" the Queen shot back, her disappointment morphing into a fierce storm of betrayal, her eyes blazing with intensity.
"The will of my people is my concern, my queen," Lord Yamato declared, his voice steady, yet the weight of his declaration hung in the air like a sword poised to drop.
Queen Miyuki felt her heart race, a tempest of anger and hurt swirling within her. With a fierce glare that could cut through steel, she turned and stormed out of the court, her footsteps echoing ominously against the marble floor. The court announcer, sensing the gravity of the moment, declared her departure with a tremor in his voice, the air thick with tension as the assembly remained frozen in disbelief, acutely aware that a seismic shift had just shattered the fragile peace of their kingdom.Lord Yamato's gaze remained fixed on the silhouette of his Queen, a mixture of determination and concern etched across his face. The tension in the air was palpable as Kazuki Saito, the council leader, stepped forward with an assertive tone. "Lord, you cannot deny Lady Kazumi her right to ascend as the next queen. If your brother discovers Queen Miyuki's predicament, he will undoubtedly lay claim to the throne. In these two years, Lady Kazumi has provided a heir, and she is the only one capable of supporting you in upholding the Yamato legacy."
With a heavy heart, Lord Yamato weighed the gravity of Saito's words. The implications were clear: the future of the Yamato title hung in the balance, teetering on the edge of a political storm.
"I will take my leave," Lord Yamato declared, his voice steady yet laced with the weight of his responsibilities. The council's murmurs faded into the background as he turned to exit the palace court, the shadows of uncertainty trailing behind him.
As he stepped away, the looming challenge of securing his family's legacy pressed heavily on his shoulders, a reminder that the path ahead would be fraught with difficult choices and formidable adversaries. Lord Yamato was leaving the palace court now, but the battle for the throne and the heart of his kingdom had only just begun.