Culinary Chronicles of the Court Flower: Volume 11 [Parts 1 to 2] by Miri Mikawa

Author:Miri Mikawa
Language: eng
Format: epub

III

“We’re shifting formations! Be ready!

“Prepare for attacks from the left and right!”

All around, tense voices called out to each other. The carriage with Rimi and the four consorts moved up closer to the center of the formation where Shohi, Kojin, and the ministers waited. Everyone from the soldiers who had been protecting the emperor, his council, and the civilians, began charging ahead.

Rimi’s carriage came to a stop right behind Shohi.

“Your Majesty!” she cried as she leaned from the window.

Shohi seemed surprised to hear the consort call to him, but he smiled.

“Get back inside. You’re going to hurt yourself,” he said.

“Is something going on?” Hakurei asked.

“The enemy has more men than we thought. We’re going to change formation and cut through them,” Shohi explained as he drew his sword. “But we’re going to have fewer soldiers protecting us. We might be exposed to attacking soldiers. Be ready, Hakurei. Rimi and the four consorts are under your care.”

Hakurei seemed to glean from the emperor’s pained admission that things were growing dire. He looked at his little brother with unfocused eyes.

“Understood, Your Majesty. Take care.”

“I will.”

Hearing the brothers’ exchange, So and Yo popped out of the window alongside Rimi, unable to hold back any longer. Ho and On leaned out of the window on the other side.

“Your Majesty! Don’t do anything drastic!” Ho shouted.

“Remember to take care of yourself!” On pleaded.

“Take care of yourself! Please!” So cried tearfully.

“That’s right! You’re a lot skinnier than those soldiers!” Yo added desperately.

“Don’t be rude!” So said, sharply pinching Yo’s cheek.

“Ow ow ow ow ow!”

Shohi looked shocked by the consorts’ sudden appearance but began to chuckle.

“Leave things to me, my consorts. And you too, Rimi and Hakurei. Relax. I’m here with you,” the emperor ordered.

Jotetsu drew his sword as well and gave the worried Rimi and Hakurei a teasing wink.

“He’s right. There’s nothing to worry about, so all of you can get back inside,” the spy said with a cheerful smile. The consorts couldn’t help but answer with a smile of their own.

“Good luck in battle,” So said calmly, serving as the usual representative for the others.

“I’m not going to lose,” Shohi responded with a smile and a nod.

He seemed so dazzling to Rimi.

He is the emperor.

Of course, he’d been the emperor of Konkoku from the first day that Rimi had met him. But now, more than ever, he seemed to rise above everyone else as a leader. Despite being betrayed and on the run, he could still smile at his servants. He was surely wracked with uncertainty, but he managed to smile for those supporting him.

I’m certain of it. He’s the one and only ruler of Konkoku.

Rimi continued watching Shohi in a daze. He rode up beside the coach and lightly poked her cheek.

“Empty-headed as ever, aren’t you? You’re the only one who hasn’t pulled their head back into the carriage, you know.”

“Oops!”

Rimi hadn’t even noticed the other consorts had slipped back into the coach and were braced for it to start shaking again.

“I’m sorry! I was just daydreaming!” she apologized.

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