Chapter 13 - Mission

I'm finally updating this story! Yay!! TwT I had the chapter ready for almost a week but my computer wasn't charging so I couldn't even turn it on ToT I've finally got it back after getting the problem fixed so here's the long awaited update!

Happy reading! ^^

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Izumi pov:

"Woah, you're really fast at this! I've been doing this for years and I'm still not that efficient." Koharu said in awe as she watched me chop vegetables for the stew we were having for dinner.

"I have a bit of practice." I responded with a shrug before pushing the chopped vegetables off the cutting board and into a bowl with the knife. I proceeded to wash the rice and handed it to the barracks' cook so she could prepare our meal.

Koharu and I finished up with our chores quickly and headed to the gazebo in the courtyard beside the barracks so we could just laze around for a while before getting back to training. We passed Haji san on the way who rubbed in the fact that he was free from chores this week and gloated about how efficiently he had been lazing around. But Koharu and I just waved it off with a laugh before going our separate ways. When we got to the gazebo, we sat down on the stone slabs opposite to each other and leaned back comfortably.

Koharu began to talk about something she had seen in a jewelry store in the marketplace when she had gone there a few days ago but I couldn't concentrate on that. I was distracted by the most recent happenings with the prince I had been running into more often that I wanted to. First was the bothersome deal he had forced me to agree to and then was the thing about his name. He had introduced himself as Ryuu before disappearing from the library. I hadn't heard his footsteps when he left and the doors of the library had been in front of me. He might have left from the window and he had done so without the slightest sound. He was no ordinary prince, that's for sure.

Although, I was beginning to wonder if he really was a prince at all. His behavior was unusual, his name was unusual – a bit too similar to the Blood Emperor's name Ryuusei – and something about him was just dark and dangerous. Was that man really just a sibling to the Blood Emperor or was he the Blood Emperor himself? How and from whom could I find out more about him? When would he summon me and for what reason? Was this all a trap??

"Earth to Izumi! Are you listening to me?!"

I was jolted back to the present when Koharu yelled my name and gave my shoulder a violent shake. I finally blinked and looked at her noticing her watching me annoyed and with a hint of inquisitiveness.

"Honestly, what are you thinking about so seriously that you can't even hear me calling out to you? And what's with that really sharp expression on your face?" She asked and let go of me, having realized that she now had my full attention.

"Oh, sorry about that, Koharu. I was just thinking about something."

"What were you thinking about?" She pressed and I contemplated for a moment on whether I should ask her for some information or not.

"Koharu, do you know the names of any of the princes living in the palace?" I asked as casually as possible and she raised a brow. She was silent for a few moments but then broke out into a mischievous grin and leaned back.

"Ah, so you're finally becoming a mature woman! You're showing interest in some handsome and rich men." She teased and I rolled my eyes.

"Sorry to burst your bubble, Koharu, but that's not the reason I asked about their names. I happened to meet another prince when I was with Prince Shichiro – someone named Araishi. I just wanted to know the names and possibly the appearance of the others so I won't end up being impulsively hostile to them and land up in any sort of trouble."

"You met Prince Araishi, huh? And you were hostile to him?? That was quite a dangerous move, Izumi, but I have to say that anyone who doesn't know who he is would most definitely be hostile towards him because of his personality. He's quite the sour face, isn't he?" She said with a frown. "He thinks he's above every other person so he treats everyone, including his siblings, like dirt at his feet. The only one he does show respect around though is the Blood Emperor. Not because he really respects him but because he has to."

"I figured." I said with a slow nod. "So do you know any other members of the Royal Family?"

"I haven't got a chance to properly observe the looks of most members of the Royal Family but I do know their names. Prince Araishi is the eldest of the siblings but he didn't get crowned as Emperor. I don't know why things turned out like that but it's not our place to poke our noses into." Koharu said with a shrug. "Besides him and Prince Shichiro, there's Prince Eisen, Princess Fumiko, Princess Naora and Prince Ryuunosuke. As I've heard, there's another prince living in another town – I think his name is Taheji. Apparently, he's not living in the capital because there's some sort of rivalry between him and the Blood Emperor. A dark, blood rivalry."

I narrowed my eyes at the names of the Blood Emperor's siblings. So there was a prince with Ryuunosuke, the name 'Ryuu' being a part of their full name. Was it possible that I had met the prince named Ryuunosuke?

"What about the Blood Emperor's name?" I asked.

"No one knows. No one is allowed to know, even."

"I see. What kind of person is this Prince Ryuunosuke?" I pressed but tried to sound merely casual.

"He's absolutely charming!" Koharu answered, a sudden excited spark coming to her eyes. "He's probably the nicest of all the members of the Royal Family. He's kind, sweet and an absolute gentleman. He's really so refined when he talks to anyone, and respectful. And he has the most gorgeous dark eyes that you could see in anyone!"

She gave a dreamy sigh and I raised a brow wondering why she was getting all woozy just talking about him. But I suppose what she thought of the prince didn't matter. The way she described him was quite the opposite of the 'Ryuu' that I had met. If he had dark eyes and a kind personality, it wasn't possible that I had met him. So could it really be Ryuusei, the Blood Emperor himself that I had met and got tangled with? Why would the Blood Emperor be interested in me anyway? Why me specifically?

The rest of the day passed by in a blur. I was glad that it was my day off from guarding Prince Shichiro and it gave me all the time I wanted to think about this matter. I was distracted for most of the time but I didn't let it dampen my concentration during training. I hid it well so no one would suspect anything but Haji san, being a rather observant person, was somehow able to figure out that I was restless. So he had questioned me if something was bothering me or if there was something I needed help in. I had passed off his question with a laugh and got back to the daily routine soon after.

We retired to our respective rooms after dinner even though Koharu wanted to spend some time chatting together. She even suggested that we go to the bath house and take a soak to relax our bodies but I had kindly refused. Soaking in hot water with the bruises from the sparring trial that were yet to heal sounded like a splendid idea but I wasn't really in the mood for it at the moment. I had too much on my mind and I was sure I wouldn't be able to enjoy a soak as much as I wanted to.

I took a seat at the low height study table in my room and lifted the floorboards below the table to get out some papers. They were sheets on which I had written down information that I had been gathering lately from books and rumors that I had overheard from people in the palace. I had made note of some points from the book Prince Ryuu had given me when he confronted me in the library a couple of days ago – the area where the strange appearances had happened, people who were found to act strangely when they saw the appearances, a couple of people with no records about their place of birth, childhood and such that was apparently kept track of by the Blood Emperor as well as his preceding emperor but with no particular action having been taken against them until now. It was a lot of work and effort to constantly keep track of such details considering how this time didn't have technology to help with maintain such records.

One of the persons with no records was Lily san – the lady the shopkeeper had spoken about when her old father had called me a person not from this time. It was only known that she was found by a group of travelers when she was lost in the forest with amnesia. She traveled with them for several weeks before settling in Sei'an three years ago. Secret investigations on her house and her belongings had confirmed that she had small objects not seen or heard before in her possession – objects that somehow resembled those that appeared on Yokobu Shore. It wasn't enough to prove that she was a threat but her house was being kept under constant surveillance now.

"Lily san...perhaps I should go talk to her sometime. If I get the chance to go out of the palace alone, that is. Then again, I could sneak out...." I mumbled to myself and flipped the sheets to read about unusual weather phenomena that happened on particular parts of Yokobu Shore at particular times of the year.

I then pulled out a map that I had managed to get my hands on. It had the layout of the whole of Nihon – well, the whole of Nihon that was under the Blood Emperor's control – as well as its names, trade routes, barricaded settlements and buildings, significant shrines as well as water routes that were use by the military. There were also water routes that were forbidden for many men had disappeared there without a trace and risks of losing men to such areas wanted to be avoided.

"But why is this particular place so heavily guarded?" I asked to myself, narrowing my eyes and circling one part of the map with an ink brush. It was a single building with three levels of fortification, which I have to say was odd. "And it's on Yokobu Shore no less. Is something being hidden here? The strange objects that have appeared over time? Or is it a place where the time-travel or inter-dimensional travel is being controlled? Could it be that I was brought here by force?"

My train of thought was interrupted when I heard three sharp knocks on my door. Tensing, I hurriedly rolled up and folded the sheets on my table and shoved it into the secret store under the floorboards below the table before shutting it closed. I then spread out another sheet of paper with some scribbles on training tips that I had taken note of.

"Who is it? The door is open." I called out but no one entered. I didn't hear another knock either and I frowned.

Getting up from the floor, I walked to the door and slid it open. There was no one outside – not in front of my door, not in the open grounds ahead and not on either side of the corridor. However, I did notice a neatly folded parchment of paper placed on the floor. It had my name written on it in stylish calligraphy. I picked it up, looked around once more before shutting myself in my room again. I took a seat at the table and opened the simply folded envelope to reveal a letter written in the same calligraphic style as that on the cover.

Good evening, Love.

It has been several days since we got to see each other and so I am sending you this letter to let you know that I wish to see you now. I will be waiting for you in the cherry blossoms garden behind the palace. I assume you know how to get there unnoticed.

Also, I would be glad if you present yourself in elegant attire for our rendezvous.

Prince Ryuu.

The paper in my hand crumpled when my hands twitched in annoyance. I took a deep breath and let it out of my mouth to make sure that I didn't end up ripping the paper to a zillion pieces. I placed the paper on the table and stood up. I headed to the cupboard and scanned through some simple 'elegant' dresses hung there that happened to be complimentary gifts for being a member of the Elite Division. I picked out a simple lavender colored one and put it on, struggling a bit with the obi, and tied up half my hair in a bun while trying to keep my mind as blank as possible. Just for the heck of it, I put on the hair ornament that Prince Shichiro had gifted to me and proceeded to head out of the room.

I was glad that everyone in the barracks was either asleep or shut in their rooms. None of them were outside to see me taking a midnight stroll, in a fancy dress no less. I never wore yukatas or dresses like this – not even during visits to the marketplace or on days off like how Koharu did. I'm sure anyone who saw me like this would become suspicious and question me about the sudden change in dressing style.

It took me a few minutes to get to the cherry blossom garden behind the palace while making sure I wasn't spotted by any of the guards. When I entered the garden, my breath was taken away. It was absolutely beautiful with all the trees in full bloom and the sweet scent of the cherry blossom flowers filling the air. Standing and leaning against a pillar of a gazebo in the very center of the garden while watching me with a smile was Prince Ryuu. He was dressed in dark blue elegant silk robes, like the one I had usually seen him wear on our previous meetings, but didn't have his flute with him. He had a fancy hair piece with pearls dangling from it adorning the side of his head close to the back though which, surprisingly, suited him well.

[A/N: Hey there, Handsome! >w> XD]

"You arrived quicker than I expected." He said and walked towards me.

"I'm not much for dressing up." I said flatly, hoping that he would get to the point quickly so I could leave quickly.

"I can see that, Love. You haven't even bothered to put some color onto your lovely lips – it seems you are yet to learn how to woo a man with your looks."

My brow twitched at his comment. Was it just me or was everyone in this palace so concerned about impressing those of the opposite gender?

"I have no plan of wooing anyone, Your Highness. I have no interest or need for it." I stated flatly earning a chuckle.

"I'm not surprised to hear that either." Prince Ryuu said with an amused smile still lingering on his lips. "Well, no matter. I'm just happy to see that you at least put on a beautiful dress on my request. You look beautiful."

I resisted from rolling my eyes and instead looked to the side. When I looked back at Prince Ryuu, I noticed him eying my hair ornament with narrow eyes. When our eyes met again, I noticed an expression of amuse and perhaps....gratitude?

"Your hair ornament is lovely. You have a good eye for jewelry, it would seem." He complimented.

"Actually, it was a gift. I don't shop for jewelry." I corrected and he raised a brow.

"Is that so? Who was it from?"

"I think I'd rather keep that to myself, Your Highness." I said with a sarcastically sweet smile.

"Very well, if that is what you wish." He nodded with a light chuckle. "Shall we go for a walk around the garden now? It's such a waste to sit when we have the joy of seeing such a vast spread beautiful site."

I let out an inaudible sigh but smiled. "I think that's a good idea. Let's go."

We walked around for quite some time and I began to get rather restless when we were just halfway through the gardens. The small talk that Prince Ryuu had been having with me was getting more and more difficult to stay neutral about so I was glad when we returned to our starting point after a full tour of the cherry blossom garden. I assumed that it was time for us to split up and my job for this meeting of ours as a part of the deal was done. But Prince Ryuu didn't dismiss me and I was kindly requested to join him in the gazebo and have a midnight snack of freshly prepared small sized manju along with green tea.

"Your Highness, I don't mean to sound rude, but I really should be getting back to the barracks. It's late and I have guarding duty tomorrow." I finally said, unable to go on with this nonsensical charade.

"Oh come now, Love. You should be pumping with energy at this age whether you get enough sleep or not. Besides, it's not often and long when I get to spend time with you and I'd be very sad if we didn't finish this midnight snack at our leisure." He teased. "Would you like another manju? It is exceptionally delicious today, isn't it?"

I watched him silently for a moment. They way he looked enjoying the manju, I could almost picture an innocent child. Yet the atmosphere around him was thick and dark and definitely pointed in the opposite direction. My curiosity seemed to get the better of me and I put down my half drunk tea so I could get answers to the one question I had been pondering on off late.

"Your Highness, I have been curious about something and I was hoping that you would be able to give me an answer." I said gaining his attention.

"What is it you wish to know, Love?" He asked, unnoticeably narrowing his eyes but keeping his smile in place. I also found it odd that his tone was unusually gentle when he called me by my official nickname.

"What is your real name, Your Highness? I happened to hear from someone that Prince Ryuunosuke is a kind and gentle person, quite the opposite of you. I have also heard that no one knows the Blood Emperor's name. But I got the chance to find out that piece of information. Are you Prince Ryuunosuke or the Blood Emperor Ryuusei? I'm betting on the latter because it seems to fit you better." I said curtly.

"I feel hurt to hear that you don't think I'm kind and gentle, Love. But I have to say, you're not just sneaky but quite observant, aren't you? You know how to find out even the most hidden of secrets and you are quick to analyze, decipher and connect facts. That's one thing I really admire about you, Love." He said and reached out to cup my face with one hand. But unlike how I expected this casual gesture to be, his grip was tight and firm, enough to make me feel a sharp pain though my cheek and jaw. "And it's what I find to be a great strength for success."

"You didn't answer my question, Your Highness. And I believe I told you I dislike casual physical contact." I said, not hiding my annoyance. I also pried his hand off me and stood up with my brows deeply furrowed.

He stood up as well and held his hands behind him. He tilted his head up and looked down at me with sharp eyes making me feel mildly uncomfortable. But I stood my ground and stared up dead into his eyes waiting for him to answer.

"I really like that fiery look in your eyes, Love. Since you've impressed me so much, I will reward you with honest the answer to your question. Your guess was right – I am the Blood Emperor and my name is Kogen Ryuusei. I am the son of the late Emperor Kogen and Empress Tsune and ruler of all of Nihon. My words are absolute and even one step out of line results in severe punishment. You are well aware of that, are you not?" He said in a soft voice yet what screamed authority.

For the very first time since I came to this world, I felt a nervous knot in my stomach. His eyes suddenly looked so sinister, flickering with pure malice and raw power, and his presence felt unbearably overwhelming. Clenching my fists hard enough to feel the painful digging of my nails into the skin, I took a few steps back and got down on one knee with my head down in respect.

"I deeply apologize for speaking so rashly, Your Highness. It is truly an honor to be in your presence." I said closing my eyes.

"Get up, Love. I didn't tell you that I am the Blood Emperor so you could begin acting like all my other subjects. I rather like your brave and headstrong personality and I would be happy if you continued to be so on our further meetings." He said and took the liberty to grab me by the upper arm and make me stand, just as he had done so in the library.

"Why? Why would you want me to not be submissive in your presence? It is a given that all those of lower standing must be submissive. Am I wrong?" I asked with narrow eyes, resisting from slapping his hand away when he once again cupped my face with one hand.

"Let's just say that even I need to be around normal people once in a while. It's boring if everyone is always so submissive. Your rebellious and impulsive personality is entertaining."

Entertaining, huh? So that's what I was to him – a toy, an object of entertainment. I wasn't surprised to hear about it nor was I hurt. I was angry, furious even, to know that I was being played around with. But I kept my mouth shut and gave him an amused smile.

"Well, isn't it a relief that you find me at least entertaining?" I said with heavy sarcasm dripping off every word. "I suppose you feel that I'm not worthy of anything more, hmm? Seeing how I'm here doing nothing but wasting my time."

He chuckled and then smirked. He took a hold of my upper arm again and tugged me forward to himself. It was sudden and I didn't have the time to resist so all I could do was struggle when he held me to himself with an iron grip around my waist. He held my chin with his other hand to make me look him in the eyes and I didn't hesitate to give him a glare, thoroughly irked by what he was doing. Just because he was royalty, it didn't give him the right to act as he pleased. Where was that 'I-won't-do-anything-to-offend-you' part of the deal now, huh?

"I feel insulted hearing the disappointment in your voice. Are you not pleased to have the attention of the Blood Emperor, Love?"

"As a matter of fact, I am not." I said curtly and shoved him away from me. He let me go but his smile didn't falter and he watched me with slightly raised brows. "I didn't come here to gain your attention, Your Highness. I merely came here to serve as a part of the Elite Division and..."

"And get a chance to access secret information from the Royal Library." He said, cutting me off. "What exactly is it that you are looking for? Surely you know that I will not allow you to wreck havoc in my Empire or do anything to jeopardize my place on the throne. Besides, now that you know who exactly I am, you should watch what you say to me and do in palace, Love."

I narrowed my eyes at him. I suppose one of my reasons for coming here was to access the books in the Royal Library but it definitely wasn't for the reasons he was thinking about. He didn't need to know that though. In fact, he had no right to poke his nose in my personal business even if he is the Blood Emperor.

"What I look for isn't any of your business, Your Highness. Just to make things clear though, I have no intention of interfering with your rule over Nihon." I said. "Since things have been cleared up, I assume I can leave now?"

"Who said things have been cleared up?" The Blood Emperor mocked and I felt a sudden chill down my spine as his eyes turned dangerously dark. He looked at me as if I was his prey and he was ready to devour me.

"What else is there to clear up?" I pressed tentatively.

"Your behavior and skills are obviously questionable. No normal wanderer can be so good at sensing people's presences, being precise in hand to hand combat and gaining victory without killing the enemy. How are your skills so good?" He asked, now narrowing his eyes.

"You're the one who had someone spying on me, aren't you?" I asked with a frown instead of answering his question. Everything finally seemed to add up.

"I was curious, Love. And intrigued." He said with a shrug.

"Then even our first meeting was planned out by you. It wasn't a coincidence." I said with an annoyed laugh. "I knew that something about that meeting wasn't quite right. Even that of your attitude."

"Good, good. Your skills of perception are far greater than I imagined. And so is your skill of evading questions not in your favor." The Blood Emperor nodded and walked a few steps to the side. "You didn't answer my question, Love. How did a wandering peasant like you learn such high level skills? Did you train with someone or perhaps...are you a spy for the rebels? If you are, it would be wise of you to confess the truth right now. I may consider sparing your life."

Feeling another chill run down my spine, I took a step back from him and toughened my stance. He too seemed to get a little guarded and his smile finally turned to a displeased frown. With the light expression no longer on his face, he looked just as I thought the Blood Emperor would look – vicious and predatory. I regretted speaking to him boldly for a moment but stood my ground because I knew that I had done nothing wrong.

Well, probably except for sneaking into the Royal Library without permission.

"I am not a spy for the rebels." I stated confidently. "I may have sneaked into the Royal Library but it is only for a personal matter. I am in no way related to the rebels let alone have even the basic idea of who they are and what they are planning."

Even before I could understand what was going on, I landed on my back harshly, causing the wind to be knocked out of my lungs. A tight grip on my throat prevented me from getting enough air into my system and I clawed at the Blood Emperor's hand that held me down by the throat. I froze though, my eyes going wide and fear bubbling fiercely in the pit of my stomach for the very first time in my life, when I met the Blood Emperor's gaze as he hovered over me. His eyes were dangerously narrow and glowering and the shadows on his face caused by the veil of his hair only made it look even more sinister.

"You will do well to remember your place as a servant to me. Not just as a part of my army but personally as well. I will make sure to keep an even sharper eye on you from now on and you will follow every order I give if you wish to remain out of suspicion. And it will begin with becoming my direct subordinate." He said and his lips then twitched up into a devious smirk. "I have a very special mission for you, Love – one that only you are good enough to fulfil. Perhaps, it will even help in proving your loyalty to me and change my mind about locking you up in the dungeon prison hold."

I bit back on voicing any words of refusal and instead continued to stare at him dead in the eyes with a frown. He chuckled amused and let go of my throat only to run his fingers though my hair. He then traced a finger down from my ear to the base of my neck and then over my shoulder and arm, thankfully, over my clothes without breaking eye contact.

"Why don't we sit down more comfortably to discuss the mission, hmm? Unless, of course, you're as comfortable as I am in this amiable position." He said and got off me. I was quick to get up as well and dust my clothes.

Much against my wishes, I joined him in the gazebo again, taking a seat at a comfortable enough distance away from him. He poured himself another cup of tea and drank it as if nothing had happened between us. I sat silently with no mood to be a part of the Blood Emperor's tea party anymore.

"Now listen well, Izumi." The Blood Emperor spoke and I narrowed my eyes finding it unusual for him to call me by my name. "You've heard of my siblings, have you not? Particularly Taheji."

"The one involved in your 'bloody rivalry'?" I asked indifferently.

"Yes, a bloody one indeed." He nodded slowly. "He's become more troublesome lately, and insistent on taking my place on the throne. Your mission is to aid me in ending his efforts to overthrow me. Permanently."

"And what am I supposed to do?" I asked narrowing my eyes. I felt even more wary when he looked at me with a mischievous and rather cunning smile.

"You are going to become my Empress."

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*stares at readers, curious about their reaction to the bomb just dropped*

Mwahahahaha!!!! I have finally made you all fall off the edge of your seats with a twist and a major cliffhanger (just like always)! XD

Izumi has finally found out that she has got quite tangled up with the Blood Emperor and his plans. And it would seem that the Blood Emperor, our one and only Ryuusei sama, has a very special mission for her to take on - become his wife and bear him an heir!

Lol, just kidding! XD

Anyway, tell me what you guys think of this update! Hope you all enjoyed the continuation after the long break!

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:D