The Rise of the White Lotus

"I heard the general is adopting a daughter?" Moments later, Aki unhurriedly placed the book down as he turned to the man that was acting as the emperor of the nation.

"She's determined to defy the heavens just to not submit to you, your majesty." Sumeragi or rather, Kei, the original emperor's shadow guard who was pretending to be the emperor while Aki, the real king go around the kingdom, strengthening his forces.

"Is that what she said?" Arching his brows, Aki sighed. The image of Tora whom he knew as Yamada flashed in his mind. Why was it whenever he would want to give her the benefit of the doubt, there would be an incident that was likely to the general? 

"Where is the general?" 

"I believed she has returned to patrol the capital." 

"Kei, send a proposal invitation to the Chisaka Family, offer a betrothal to the first miss of the general." Without a bit of hesitation, Aki ordered, which slightly took Sumeragi aback. 

"Your majesty," 

"She had been mocking the royal family for bending the requirements of the queen. The king could never accept a queen who has a child but given with their status, her daughter would suffice. I won't spare that family of traitors." Uttering his words with deep-rooted hatred towards the Chisaka Clan, Aki was determined to make them kneel before him.

The royal family had always succumbed to the Chisaka Clan's power. Although it all started in the past, it still affected the current generation. Hence, if only the Chisaka ancestors weren't greedy for powers, this nation would have been united.

However, it could never happen as the Chisaka Family held most of the military power. Having to control the imperial military forces, even the words of the king wouldn't matter if they have to choose which they wanted to side with.

And Tora, although she has done nothing, her existence shouldn't have existed as everyone looked at her as the real ruler. Making the whole royal family a laughingstock. Humiliation, hatred, betrayal, were the only ones that the royal family had for generations.

Hence, Aki swore he would stop it. Hence, after the war five years ago, he fled with the name Suzuki Akihito and left his guard to be the acting emperor in his stead. Since the palace walls were mostly filled with contemptuous greedy officials, Aki had to strengthen his forces in secret all the while weakening the Chisaka's power.

He would use every means to gain power: whether he has to investigate the minister's misconduct and use it as blackmail to get them on his side or make acquaintance with felons under his false identity — he had used every mean.

Therefore, a single betrothal with a little girl to make her his concubine, it was nothing if it meant putting a leash around the general's neck. This move might have displeased her, but she wouldn't do anything about it, as they would conduct any retaliation as treason and ungratefulness of his benevolence.

At the very least, there were still advantages for the emperor against these powerful noble families.

"Yes, your majesty." Kei bowed his head in respect to his king's order.

****

"My, my, isn't this Yamada-san?" Later that night, Aki headed off to the capital's main city. On his way to the pub, he caught Tora's figure looking around at hairpins stall. She wasn't wearing her uniform but in civilian clothes.

The moment Tora heard his familiar voice, her ear twitched before she turned to meet him. "Suzuki-kun, what a pleasant night to bump into you." She greeted with a forced, fake smile on her lips.

"You're looking for hairpins?" Glancing at the hair ornaments and accessories laid on the table's merchant, Aki arched his brows. It was quite a surprise for him that Tora would go to places like this to find a hairpin. Perhaps she still has some feminine side hidden in her, he thought inwardly.

"For my daughter. I haven't given her anything yet." A faint sigh escaped her mouth. Well, she wanted to gift Churu a personal item she had chosen and thinking that aside from her weapons and skills, she has nothing more girly to give. 

However, all these hairpins before her looked so ugly in her eyes. Well, aside from her dangerous toys, all these things could not par with the beauty of the sharpest sword. The reason it conflicted her which to choose.

Tora wanted Churu to be strong, but also, she wanted her to have the freedom to choose on the path she wanted to take when she had grown older. Hence, Tora could train her into a strong woman who could protect herself and, at the same time, enjoy the women's activities if ever Churu has grown fond of it.

"Should I help?" Aki seemed to understand her dilemma as she appeared that she was pondering hard while staring at the accessories. "This would look good on little Churu," he said, pointing at the pair of pink small lotus ornament. It has a few gold thin strands, dangling two pieces of beads of the same hue and a mini fan on its tip.  

It looked exquisite and eye-catching. Even with just a glance, a noblewoman would have already purchased it the moment they lay their eyes on it. And yet, Tora seemed she didn't appreciate its beauty.

"Is it?" Innocent at his suggestion, Tora leaned closer at the pair or hair ornament he suggested. Well, upon closer look, it doesn't look that bad at all. "I'll take this." She smiled as she lifted her head to the merchant.

Aki didn't realize that a subtly smile formed on the side of his lips while he watched her carefully observe the merchant wrap the gifts for her daughter. He glanced at her up-do hair and traveled his gaze on her body. 

He never noticed it before that Tora doesn't have a single accessory on her. If one didn't know, she would be mistaken as a beautiful nobleman. After all, her clothes were like a man's clothes.

"Thank you for your help," As Aki was on his trance observing her, Tora turned to him and courtly bowed at him as she relayed her utmost gratitude. Aki just nodded with a meek smile plastered across his face before Tora began taking her leave.

He then gazed at the hair ornaments and noticed a simple jaded pin. It was simple yet, just thinking that Tora would wear it, it would perfectly match her personality. Aki smiled as he pointed at the hair ornament, which made the merchant grin from ear to ear and wrapped his purchase.