The Rise of the White Lotus

Five months later…

"Hanako-san…" Aki dearly called as he strode towards Tora who was meditating under a tree in a manor's garden. It had been five fleeting months since he started pursuing Tora and after his eagerness to love her freely, he had done extreme measures.

And now, he could say that everything was worth it as Tora had opened her heart and accepted him as her lover.

"Aki," Slowly, Tora opened her eyes and a blooming smile instantly plastered on the side of her lips upon seeing the person approaching her. Until now, Tora could not believe that she would be intimate with him. Well, actually, she was more surprised that there would be a man who would capture her heart just like how he dominated hers.

"Father!" Suddenly, Churu peeked from behind the tree where Tora was meditating. Seeing that Aki had arrived at Tora's secret manor — their little secret haven — where only peace and love existed. She ran towards him with her arms spread wide, which was welcomed by lifting her in his arms.

"Little Churu, how was my little Churu?" Just like how a dotting father, Aki carried her towards Tora.

"Churu missed father just like how mother yearned for him!" Grinning from ear to ear, Churu blurted out that instantly brightened up Aki's mood to another degree.

"Is that so?" Playfully smirking, Aki cast Tora a knowing look which made her shook her head. Aki stared at the healthy, adorable little girl with tenderness. The first time he saw Churu, although she looked like a dirty peasant, she has her own unique charms.

However, after she was groomed and fed, she was radiating with cuteness. Her complexion turned fairer and though she gained weight, it just made her look so huggable. Actually, Aki wondered how a mere soldier could afford to sustain such luxury of Churu. But he never asked.

Because what's important to him was this little family of his. Tora being the wife and accepting Churu as if he was his own. The three of them were happy and contented. Sometimes, Tora and Aki had their own questions in their mind, but perhaps it was the fear of breaking this dreamlike family of theirs that they would pretend not to have such thoughts.

They were foolish — foolishly in love with each other that even the obvious hints; they pretended not to hear or see.

"Hanako-chan, have you preserved your strength? I think we would proclaim a victor today!" Aki grinned as he showed his fist with oozing confidence. Although he and Tora had become lovers, their bonding wasn't like any normal lovers.

Their bonding was usually arm-wrestling, a sword fight, or a horse race — although they would often end in a draw. After all, Tora was only inclined in those things which Aki never saw as an inconvenience. After all, he doesn't have any hobby aside from reading and Tora's routine helped strengthen his body and mind one way or another.

"As much as I am inclined to see my victory today, unfortunately, I am being called to the base." Letting out a heavy sigh, Tora briefly raised her brows as she said in a matter-of-fact tone. It has been a while when her last encounter with the emperor and so far, he seemed to behave.

He never opened up about their marriage and neither did he mentioned her adoption to Churu. Thus, Tora and Churu's life run smoothly for the past months they were here. Moreover, Churu hasn't encountered any trouble in the Chisaka main residence as they were all afraid of Tora and how far she could go if they touched even the tip of Churu's hair.

"Oh…" Nodding his head in understanding, Aki altered his gaze from Tora to Churu.

"Little Churu, can you play with Kaze for a while?" Tora smiled as she turned to Churu. The little girl returned the smile and nodded her head as she obediently abided her mother's wishes for privacy.

When Churu left, Aki just arched his brows, secretly worried about what she wanted to talk about. "Hanako-san, is there's something wrong?"

"No," Tora mildly shook her head sideways as she stretched her lips upward. "When I come back, I want to confess something." Her hand slid over his, holding on it tightly before loosening her grip.

It has been a few months since they officially got together and yet, Tora hasn't revealed who she truly was. The reason? Nothing in particular. It just her instincts and whenever she tried to reveal her real identity, there would be an incident that would interrupt her. 

Therefore, she decided to be honest with him after everything settled in the palace. After all, talks about an uprising had been circulating around the capital and as a general, she had to go to the bottom of it.

"Hanako-san, will you stay if I asked you?" Guessing the reason she was being called out in the military base, Aki figured that it was the rumored uprising. And as a 'soldier', every single one of them was being gathered to prepare and investigate its validity.

"Fret not, I am stronger than you think." Tora chuckled as she perceived his remark as his concern. "After this, let's go somewhere, somewhere far away from the capital. You, me, and little Churu." Determined to this decision that she contemplated for a long time, Tora proposed.

She had been selfless for the nation and served it with all her heart and strength. However, after gaining her own family, Tora had this fear slowly implanted in her that her position might put Churu and Aki in danger. Therefore, she would be selfish for the first time and give all her power and status, and live as a normal wife and mother.

"Hanako…" Surprised by her sudden proposal, Aki stared at her in disbelief.

"You don't have to answer me now. Hear what I would have to say when I come back. Regardless of your decision, I will respect your it wholeheartedly." Squeezing his hand once again, Tora shook her head sideways as she smiled.

"Come back to me, alright?" Aside from his overwhelming curiosity, Aki was more worried about her welfare. He stroked her cheek and stared at her facial features, memorizing the structure of her pretty face. Little did they know, the last days of these beautiful times would soon come to an end.