The Rise of the White Lotus

After Tora ordered Arakaki to take the women to the northern border and give them shelter until they were capable to live on their own, Tora together with Churu and Aki set to go on her journey back to the capital. 

Meanwhile, her steed Kaze was also transported to the northern border as he couldn't travel for a long time as his wounds were still fresh. On the other hand, Chiharu was forced to travel with Tora for her own reason, which no one knew.

The original seven to eight days to travel to the capital took a little longer as they traveled by group. Nevertheless, they reached their destination without running into bandits.

On their journey, Aki mostly remained silent as he just watched the mother and daughter duo did what they usually do. Looking at the direction of Tora, she was riding on a horse with Churu in front of her while Chiharu guided it as he walked.

Recalling the memory days ago, Aki sighed.

After Churu asked him such a question, he instantly denied it as it was true. Granted that he was somehow amused at Tora and her exceptional skills, alas, that doesn't mean he bore romantic feelings towards her. After all, who would want a woman who wasn't ladylike that would take good care of him?

"I reckon this will be the end of our journey together." Slowly, Tora turned as soon as they reached the Capital's gate.

"Mhmm," Humming a tune, Aki just nodded before Tora's steed resumed on her tracks. Aki glanced at Churu, who didn't glance back at him.

"Suzuki-sama, if you won't adore my mother, please don't bear any feelings for her." was what Churu said back then. However, Aki was bothered as to what does she meant by that. Any feelings? Like what exactly?

Moreover, how can a child speak like that? For a split second, she sounded mature and certain on the words that came out from her mouth.

As they reached the Capital after confirming their identity, Tora together with Churu and Aki with his companion bid their farewell to each other, again. As they went into separate ways, they were certain that their fate wouldn't cross again. 

However, little did they know, their encounter would be more often than when they were in the northern border.

***

Two days later: Imperial Palace

"General," As Tora patrolled the palace after she attended the imperial court, she heard the emperor's voice from behind.

"Greetings to your Majesty." As she turned, Tora knelt down to the king. As usual, there was a veil that covered his face while his legion of servants followed wherever he goes.

"Rise. I heard about what happened." Gesturing her to stand up, the emperor held his hands behind him. "Will you accompany me to a walk?" He asked. Tora just pursed her lips in a thin line before she followed his highness towards the pavilion.

When they reached the pavilion that was in the middle of the pond, white lotuses brought beauty to the pond. It looked serene, the complete opposite of the current intense power struggle inside these palace walls.

"General, is it true that you adopted a child?" The emperor peered on a certain blooming white lotus as he calmly asked.

"If his Majesty gives me his blessing," Standing behind the emperor, Tora said. She already announced that Churu would be her adopted daughter. God knows what kind of ruckus that took place in the Chisaka Family two nights ago.

Some elders even fainted for the ridiculous decision of their family head, even without asking for their advice. After all, although Tora was the family leader, she was still a woman. The most eligible candidate to be the Queen of this nation at that. Hence, how could they let her give away her right to marry if she has a daughter?

Regardless, since she remained adamant in her decision, all the complaints and sweet talk were all for naught. Now, Churu was being taken care of as the first young miss of the Chisaka Clan. Despite the dislike they had towards Churu, Tora already made sure that not even a mosquito must touch her or else. 

Now, all Tora needed was for the emperor to acknowledge and bless that she adopted a child. It was for the very reason that if the emperor approved, Churu would be known as a legal first daughter of her generation. It would secure her future and title.

"General, you already know that we are already seeking the divine sign of our wedding date." Still staring at the pond, the emperor lowly said. "Are you that against to acknowledge me as your king?" This was the first time Tora heard the emperor sounded so gloomy that she was slightly taken aback by it instead of the words that were dropped.

"I dare not go against you, your Majesty." In an instant, Tora knelt down as she bowed her head. "Even if I will not wed in this lifetime, I will stake my life to protect his majesty and his subject." Firm and sincere, Tora humbled as she hoped that for once, the emperor takes her words seriously.

She had been hinting him that she never wanted to snatch the throne. However, it appeared that the emperor never once believed her words. In contrast, he was indeed a fool to believe his advisors and see her as a threat.

Tora knew that once she took Churu in, it would put a wedge between the already strained relationship she has with the emperor. However, whatever the emperor would perceive her action, she could never care less. He never trusted her anyway.

"Is that so…?" The emperor just whispered before he began staking strides away from her. He never said a word after that until he vanished from the pavilion where Tora was kneeling down. He didn't bless her or reject it. Either way, as long as he won't intervene, that was fine.

****

As Sumeragi headed back to the palace, he raised his hand, which made the eunuchs slowly leave. Slowly, without anyone around, Sumeragi, the emperor Tora knew, headed inside the imperial library.

 As soon as he entered, there, a dashing figure was sitting while reading a book. Although Aki sensed the "emperor's" presence, he didn't turn his head to his figure and remained flipping the pages.

As the emperor approached Aki's figure, a mind-blowing scene that would take everyone aback if they witness it: the emperor knelt down before him.

"Your majesty," Sumeragi, the emperor Tora knew politely addressed him.

"Kei, stop with the formality. I am not the emperor now, but you are." Aki calmly cast Sumeragi, whom he addressed as Kei, a glance as a noble smile formed on the side of his lips.