The Rise of the White Lotus

"My wish huh…?" Tora lightly chuckled at the old man's sudden question.

It was quite silly to be asked for someone's wish, especially if it came from a peasant like him. Regardless, for some unknown reason, Tora wondered, and images of Aki and Churu during their last several months together flashed across her eyes.

"If someone asked me before, I'd say the peace of this nation. However, perhaps, I am no different from the rest and I am as selfish as them." Looking at the unconscious man she knocked down, a glint of bitterness flashed across her eyes. "Because right now, what I just wanted, was for my kin to meet an honest person — no," She paused as it reminded her that she was never that honest to Aki as well.

She hid the fact that she was the general of this nation and even used a false name; just like what he had done. If only she and Aki were transparent since day one, they might have saved themselves from this heartache. However, it was all too late.

"Rather than meeting an honest person, I desire that they meet an honest love. A love that can make them bloom and flourish, a love that would last until the end; regardless of whatever catastrophe that may come. The kind of love that heals their heart and soul, not destroy." As she uttered her wish, Tora was initially thinking of her daughter, Churu.

She didn't wish for Churu to experience the same heart-wrenching pain she was currently undergoing as it was painful than a physical wound she had ever inflicted. In her mind, she accepted that the family they wanted to build, it may only happen in the next lifetime.

Therefore, if this love of hers ended in tragedy, she hoped that her kins wouldn't have to experience the same. The same disappointment, the same pain, the same betrayal, and so on. If she could only have just one wish, she would use it for her family instead of other people.

Indeed, Tora wasn't that different from anyone. She was also selfish when it comes to her family's concern, especially to her daughter Churu. But she doesn't have the slightest regret about it.

"The deity hears your request, young lord." The old man just smiled as he nodded his head. Tora just cast him a side glance as she chuckled. She assumed that he was a loyal devotee of whoever deity he worshipped and didn't take his words to the heart.

"Did he?" She humored before downing the sake she had been drinking before she assisted herself up and bid her farewell to the old man.

When Tora left, the old man remained staring at the direction in which she faded away. He smiled gently before he slowly disappeared. If one witnessed how he vanished into thin air, they would think that he was a wizard or used some black magic. However, none witnessed it as the time suddenly stopped from ticking for a moment.

******

Two days later…

Churu watched the still pond with a pair of yearning eyes. It has been two days since she became a lady-in-waiting until she reached the age before she could officially marry the emperor. 

Despite the situation she was well aware of, Churu wasn't worried about that. Instead, she was more worried about Tora and what she has been doing. After all, she swore to take her home. Moreover, she missed her and Aki.

She missed their peaceful days together, just like a real family. If only she could travel back to the time, she would have done it. However, she couldn't. 

Churu could attempt to kill herself so they could just dump her host's body and then she could crawl back from the grave and return to their home. But that was silly. Tora and Aki weren't suspicious the first time she returned from the dead but, the second time? She was afraid that it would scare the two.

"The emperor is here to see the lady-in-waiting! Give respect to his Majesty." Just as Churu thought of a ridiculous escape plan, she heard a eunuch's announcement regarding the arrival of the king. Thus, Churu turned her head to the entrance of the pavilion and saw a tall figure approaching.

'Troublesome human,' She hissed inwardly before Churu followed the proper way to welcome the emperor — by bowing her head and lifting her arms at shoulder level.

"Greetings to his Majesty." Churu half-heartedly greeted. Kei, who was now known as Sumeragi the emperor, looked down at her small bowing figure. 

Such a small innocent child and yet, she was caught in the power struggle of the kingdom. Also, she was forced to marry the emperor who was thrice her age. It was her misfortune to be loved by the emperor's number one nemesis.

"I — lift your head." Trying to sound less scary, Kei ordered which Churu slowly abided without making a single noise. He hadn't seen the face of the low-born child Tora took in under her wings. 

If he didn't know better, he would think that Churu was born in a noble family as she knew how to act like one. Not just that but also, she seemed she was properly groomed ever since. Truly, with enough riches, even a low-born peasant could look like a noblewoman.

"Will you accompany me for the time being?"

"It's my honor, your Majesty." Keeping her manners intact, Churu didn't dare lift her head up as she accepted the invitation she could never refuse even if she wanted to.

With that said note, the fake emperor and Churu shared an afternoon tea in silence. Kei not knowing what to say to this child as he wasn't good at talking with children, while Churu was immersed in her own thoughts of what Tora might have been doing now.

It also flashed in her mind about Aki: did he hear about the news?

"Are you worried about your mother?" Kei broke the silence which made Churu for the very first time make an eye contact with him. 

"Your Majesty, how was my mother?" Blinking her eyes once, Churu worriedly inquired.

"She has been acting odd. That's why I came here." Without further ado, Kei bluntly explained as he thought it was the perfect timing to control Churu while she was mentally vulnerable. "The general was worried about her daughter's well-being. If she could only rest assured that you're being treated fairly here, I believed that she would be at ease." 

Churu just stared at the veil that covered his face. Since she wasn't seeing his face, it was harder for her to discern if he was telling the truth or not. After all, considering what Tora did to Shuren's group, it wasn't impossible that she might cause a ruckus.

"Although you are a low-born commoner, the general had adored you so dearly. Thus, she had been causing problems, and I am concerned that my general might completely destroy the reputation she built." 

'Low-born commoner?' Upon hearing that address, Churu disregarded the rest of his words as she was utterly displeased on his remark. Still, she hid it beneath her innocent front. 'Young man, I hate you and my mother will kill you if he hears you.'