Rin sat back in the chair, his mind racing, but his demeanor calm. He wasn't the type to panic easily, but this situation was complicated, even by his standards. His real identity as one of the imperial princes wasn't something that worried him in itself—not being the crown prince meant he wasn't in line for the throne, and thus, there was less scrutiny on him. In theory, he should be fine. However, the issue lay in his current life as a warrior in the White Flower Palace. This was the life he had come to cherish, the life of a commoner, free from the suffocating expectations and political maneuvering of the imperial court.
If his true identity were to come to light, it could all be taken away in an instant. He could be thrust back into the palace, subjected to the rigid and oppressive rules of royalty. His days of freedom, of living as a commoner, would vanish in an instant, and the possibility of being entangled in the web of imperial politics once more was the last thing he wanted. Rin had grown accustomed to his current life—the simplicity of it, the camaraderie, the feeling of being valued for his skills and not his status. To lose that would be a fate worse than any threat from the royal court.
He exhaled deeply, trying to steady himself. His mind, usually so sharp and decisive, was clouded with the weight of the choices before him. Rin could handle the political storm that would undoubtedly come if his identity were revealed, but the thought of losing everything he had worked so hard for kept him on edge. He glanced over at Harumi, who was still standing there, her face full of worry, and he knew he had to tread carefully from here on out. He couldn't let his personal feelings, or the attention of someone like the Azure Princess, complicate everything.
Harumi, unaware of Rin's true identity, was panicking. She believed that this could be a death sentence for him, especially considering the dangers of royal scandals. Rin, however, remained calm on the outside. He worked hard to convince his father, the emperor, to give him the life of a commoner—one that allowed him to escape the burdens of royalty.
" Harumi, please tell me that this is a nightmare..." His eyes looked hollow like a void.
Harumi's eyes widened as she saw the distress in Rin's face. She hesitated for a moment, unsure of how to comfort him. "Rin... I—I'm sure it's not as bad as you think," she said weakly, but even she knew it didn't sound convincing. Her mind raced as she tried to figure out how they could fix this, but the reality of the situation seemed overwhelming.
Harumi looked at the sword knot curiously, picking it up from the box. She traced her fingers along the intricate designs of the Azure Dragon Palace, which only made her more puzzled. As she turned it over in her hands, she suddenly realized the significance of it, and she glanced over at Rin, who had just collapsed back into his chair, eyes wide in shock.
The sight of Rin, who usually maintained a composed demeanor, now looking flustered and caught off-guard, made Harumi raise an eyebrow. "Rin?" she asked, her voice filled with confusion. "What's wrong? Why the sudden reaction?"
Rin groaned, rubbing his face in exasperation. "This... this is too much," he muttered. "This sword knot... it's not just some random gift. It's a personal token from the Azure Princess. It's a symbol of the Azure Dragon Palace, something far more meaningful than I expected." He ran a hand through his hair, clearly flustered. "She's serious about this... far more than I thought."
Rin took a deep breath, trying to calm his racing thoughts. He glanced down at the sword knot in Harumi's hands, his expression serious. "These... they're usually given to a man the Azure Princess trusts the most," he explained, his voice heavy with realization. "A symbol of deep trust and affection, something usually reserved for someone like the Crown Prince."
He paused, his brow furrowed in frustration. "But for her to give this to me..." Rin shook his head, his fingers tightening around the arms of the chair. "This shouldn't be happening. The crown prince should be the one receiving such an honor, not me. My current position as a warrior of the White Flower Palace only complicates things further."
Rin's frustration began to boil over, and in a moment of panic, he impulsively stood up, his voice filled with anxiety. "Maybe I should just leave! Move to another country or something! I can't deal with this—it's too dangerous! I'll start a new life somewhere far away!"
His hands gripped the edge of the table as if preparing to make a dash for the door. But before he could take a step, Harumi, acting quickly, grabbed the back of his collar and yanked him back into his seat with a force that nearly sent him tumbling over.
It was a comical scene, Rin flailing slightly as Harumi held him firmly in place, her expression a mix of exasperation and disbelief. "Rin, you're being ridiculous," she scolded, trying to hide the smile threatening to form at the absurdity of the moment. "Running away to another country? Are you serious? You're acting like a child!"
Harumi, still holding him firmly, let out a deep breath, trying to calm herself before speaking with a bit more reasoning. "Listen, Rin, this situation might not be as bad as you're making it out to be," she said, her voice a mix of frustration and reassurance. "Princess Consorts usually have very valid reasons to leave their palaces. The Azure Princess isn't going to suddenly show up here every day just to see you. There's no reason for anyone to suspect anything unless she starts making it obvious."
Rin, still looking concerned, let out a long sigh, but Harumi continued. "We don't even know what the letter was really about, do we? It might be a thank you, or some formal gesture. For all we know, the Azure Princess was just showing her appreciation for everything you did for her. You're worrying over nothing."
She finally released her grip on his collar and sat back down, trying to offer some comfort. "As long as you keep your distance, it's not like anyone's going to connect you two. It's not like she's going to start openly courting you. If anything, we've got more important things to focus on."
"You're right," Rin sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. "Maybe it's just a fleeting feeling. The Azure Princess is still young, and based on the rumors, she'll likely forget me if I don't meet her often. It's not like I'm someone important in her life."
Harumi folded her arms, leaning against the doorframe with a small smirk. "Exactly. You're just a warrior from the White Flower Palace. Sure, you helped her, but there's no way she'll be obsessed with you forever. Princesses have their own lives to live. Besides, her duty is to the Crown Prince, not some random warrior."
Rin ran a hand through his hair, trying to ignore the tension in his chest. "Yeah, I guess you're right. It's just... surprising, you know? One minute, I'm just doing my job, and the next, I'm getting involved in palace politics and royal affection."
Harumi chuckled lightly. "You really didn't see that coming? I think you underestimate the effect you have on people, Rin. You're strong, calm, and helpful. Not many men are like that. Even if she forgets you, I wouldn't be surprised if some other lady catches your attention." Her voice held a teasing note, but there was a warmth behind it.
Rin shot her a wary look. "Harumi, don't get any ideas. I've told you already, I'm perfectly happy with the life I've chosen. No room for distractions." He paused, his face softening. "But... I appreciate you being here. I know I can rely on you to keep me grounded."
Harumi rolled her eyes with a smile. "Yeah, yeah, I'm your anchor, I get it. But seriously, you've got enough on your plate without worrying about the Azure Princess." She stepped toward him and placed a hand on his shoulder. "Just focus on what's important right now—our work at the White Flower Palace, and you, of course."
Rin gave her a small smile. "I suppose that's the best course of action. Thanks, Harumi. For... everything."
"No problem," she said, her voice light. "Now, how about we call it a night? Tomorrow's another day of not being involved in royal drama." She grinned, nudging him toward the door.
Rin chuckled, feeling a sense of calm settle over him. "Yeah, that sounds like a plan." As he followed her out of the room, he couldn't help but feel a little more at ease, knowing that with Harumi by his side, he could handle whatever life threw his way.
At least that's how they both thought, before the White Elder delivered the unexpected news. The Azure Princess would be taking psychic lessons at the White Flower Palace next month.
Rin froze, his back slumping against the wall as if his soul had just left his body. His mind was racing in a panic. "A month?" he muttered under his breath, trying to process it.
Harumi, noticing his sudden shift in mood, rushed over, shaking him gently. "Rin! Hey! Snap out of it!" she urged, trying to bring him back to reality.
Rin's eyes slowly blinked, his thoughts scattered. "The Azure Princess... here, at the White Flower Palace... for an entire month?" His voice trailed off as the weight of the situation settled in. "This is a nightmare. A royal visit, and I'm going to be in the middle of it."
Harumi pulled back slightly, watching him struggle to comprehend the news. She crossed her arms, her expression softening with understanding. "Well, looks like things just got more complicated. You can't catch a break, can you?"
Rin groaned in frustration, running a hand through his hair. "I didn't sign up for this," he muttered, pacing around. "I just wanted to live peacefully, away from all the royal nonsense. And now I've got the Azure Princess, of all people, staying here for a whole month?"
Harumi shook her head, a small grin tugging at the corner of her lips. "Well, Rin, this is life at the White Flower Palace. Just when you think things are going smoothly, life throws a curveball at you."
The White Elder was a renowned master of Psychic magic, his skill unmatched across the entire empire. His deep knowledge of psychic techniques had earned him respect from even the highest echelons of the imperial court. As the most skilled practitioner, he had cultivated a reputation that drew the attention of many, including those with innate psychic abilities like the Azure Princess. Her powers were formidable, but she was still young and unrefined, and the opportunity to learn from the legendary White Elder was an invaluable chance for her to sharpen and expand her abilities.
Rin had completely forgotten this fact, and now it weighed heavily on his mind. As one of the direct apprentices of the White Elder, he was bound to communicate with the Azure Princess during her lessons, which created a ticking time bomb of potential complications. His role in these lessons would involve not only teaching her but also interacting with her on a regular basis. The thought of that made Rin uneasy, especially considering the feelings the Azure Princess had developed for him. It was a situation he'd hoped to avoid, but it seemed inevitable now.
Each encounter with her would bring the risk of his secret being exposed or, worse, of stirring emotions that were better left untouched. Rin had worked so hard to distance himself from his true identity and avoid the entanglements of royal life, but now, with the Azure Princess coming to learn under the White Elder, he found himself standing at a precarious crossroads. The coming weeks would be filled with uncertainty, and Rin couldn't help but feel the weight of the storm slowly gathering around him.
Rin, feeling the pressure of the situation mounting, muttered to himself, "You know, running away to another country is still a good option." He sighed deeply, thinking it might be the only escape from the mess he had found himself in. But before he could indulge in his escape plan further, Harumi, who had been quietly observing him, smacked his head firmly.
"Not a chance," she said with a mix of exasperation and amusement. "You're not running away. We've dealt with worse, haven't we?" Harumi crossed her arms, standing her ground. "You'll handle it. We'll handle it. Running away isn't going to solve anything."
Rin rubbed the spot where she'd smacked him, sighing. "I really think you're underestimating how complicated this is." But deep down, he knew Harumi was right—he couldn't run forever.