The Rise of the White Lotus

After Tora dropped her declaration, she didn't care if someone heard her or not as she left the manor without saying a single word. Meanwhile, the elders sent servants to make sure that no one heard the family head as it would be regarded as treason.

Although it was a surprise that Tora now showed interest to the throne which was too close yet so far in their hands, deep down, they would support the clan's master. After all, the Chisaka Clan was the most powerful clan, and to them, it was only right that their family should be the one ruling the kingdom — not the incompetent royal family of fools.

Regardless of what's in their heart, Tora only wanted her child back. She knew that merely talking it down to him would just a waste of energy. After all, the royal seal already sealed the edict and they could consider it as something already set in stone.

Therefore, if the emperor didn't want her to be his ally, then so be it. She would be his greatest enemy that he wouldn't be able to sleep at night knowing she was existing. She would show him how fear feels like every day for using her child as the bargaining chip.

Later that night, Tora headed to Aki's private manor so she could inform him that she would be away for a very, very long time. However, just as she reached the place, she noticed an unfamiliar palanquin while people were guarding it.

Thinking that it was Aki's guest, Tora didn't enter the manor via the main entrance, but rather, she climbed over the wall that she would often use whenever she wanted to visit Aki unannounced. Tora made a faint noise as she landed on the narrow space. She then tiptoed her way to the direction of Aki's bedroom as she was certain that he received his guest on the other wing of this residence.

However, just as Tora could exit the narrow shortcut to Aki's room, she noticed some men, clad in black clothing which made her halt from her tracks. Slowly, she took a peek at them and seeing their physique; the swords clung on their waistbands, and their covered face with a black cloth, Tora instantly discerned that they were assassins.

'What happened to him?' She thought inwardly as her initial thought was that Aki was being held captive or he has entangled himself with assassins. With that concern on her head, Tora was about to make a move and take them down. 

However, just before she could execute her plan and rescue Aki, she heard Aki's voice chuckling. Tora was relieved to hear that he was fine, but the next second, she heard the cracking sound of her world that was starting to crumble down.

"The royal edict has been received and the general's daughter had probably arrived at the imperial harem." Tora was certain that the voice of the person who uttered such remarks was none other than Sumeragi, the emperor she now despised.

But, what was the emperor doing in this place? And sounded as if he has close ties with Aki?

"Poor child," Aki bitterly chuckled as what he has done was a rather low move. However, if he needed to have the full grasp of the power that was supposed to be his, he must do what needed to be done. Even if he has to take in a child as a concubine.

Atrocious, but everything must put at stake if he wanted to rule and protect his loved ones. Little did he know, Aki wasn't protecting his adopted daughter and lover, but instead, he unknowingly destroyed the little family he was eager to protect.

Tora was rendered speechless at the conversation she was hearing. She felt that someone had her heart in their grasp, clenching it tightly by the minute. Alas, just as she thought she was shocked enough, the next second flipped her world upside down.

"Your Majesty, I am afraid that the general would just sit still knowing we took her adopted daughter in the Imperial Harem." Kei uttered his concern as offending Tora was akin to waging a war to another nation. Yet, even if he was concerned about it, Kei knew that it would be inevitable.

"She can't do anything for now…" Aki emotionlessly muttered as he looked at his reflection on the cup of sake he was holding. "Or rather, what can she even do? I could label all her efforts as treason. Unless, the general could sacrifice her whole clan for a mere child."

Tora could not believe her ears that she was hearing such vile words coming out from his mouth. How could Aki, the man she loved, the man that Churu called as her father could say such a thing? Didn't he adore Churu? Or everything was just a facade to deceive her?

Regardless, Tora's heart was pulverized by this revelation of betrayal. The emperor she knew wasn't the real one, but Aki? The man she spent her last several months loving? Does he also know that she was the general? Did he do what he had done knowing that the person he wanted to bring despair was her?

She could not wrap everything around her head as this was too much for her heart to handle. She didn't know what to think, but what she was certain was the excruciating pain in her heart was caused by Aki.

Tora had the urge to barge in, slay the fake emperor, Aki, and everyone she could see. However, she didn't. She couldn't. She was in pain and yet, her foolish heart could not bear to kill him in this instant.

Therefore, instead of wreaking havoc by knowing the truth, Tora returned to the wall she came from. She left; the once safe haven she acknowledged for the three of them with a wounded heart and tearing eyes.

'Aki...' Her mind weakly whispered as she could not even question him, afraid that it would shatter everything she ever believed in.