The Rise of the White Lotus

Another three months had gone by…

"Your Majesty, the group of revolutionaries had been growing stronger. Even citizens had supported the leader of the group…" Staring at the pond from the window of the royal library, Saionji reported. "Your Majesty, even soldiers who initially supported you waned. You must flee before they could arrive in the palace. Their numbers had grown and continued on growing." 

"Saionji," Without turning her eyes away from the direction she was looking, a subtle smile formed on the side of her lips. "Don't you see? We united everyone to defeat evil." 

"Your Majesty, why… why must you do this?" Hanging his head low, Saionji's shoulder shuddered while his hand balled into a fist. Tora had done things that defied her beliefs and even turned her back to her morals because of her own selfish wish.

Saionji could only listen to her commands as he watched her fall deeper and deeper into the trap she had set for herself. To his understanding of her perspective, to bring peace and order in this kingdom, it must unite while its subjects must be willing to stake their lives and faith to their ruler.

"If they arrived here, serve the rightful king with all your life. Protect him and guide him to be a wise ruler."

"Your Majesty," Gritting his teeth, Saionji mustered his courage to listen to her. However, how could he do that? He knew that the king he acknowledged would die in a war she would fight alone.

Saionji had sided with Aki's group under Tora's command. Although they were still wary as they knew him as a loyal right-hand man of the Queen, however, they knew how righteous of a man he was. Hence, using the excuse that he could not bear the queen's insanity, they let him in as his words weigh heavier to the soldiers under him.

With that, Saionji's crimes for following the queen's orders were sworn to be forgotten when Aki reclaimed the throne. Also, he had been giving pieces of information and preparing his troops for their attack to take Tora down, which she was well-aware of.

"Your Majesty…!" Saionji could not control his emotions as he knelt down, unsheathing his sword and placing it in his neck. "I committed treason, which was punishable by death. Your Majesty, I shall be punished for colluding with the enemy!" with that said note, Saionji was about to slit his throat but before he could, Tora clipped her fingertip on it, stopping him while shaking her head.

Although Saionji said those words, both of them knew that he had done what he did because she ordered him to. Still, Saionji felt he had truly failed Tora in every angle of being a right-hand man. She had tainted her hands while trying to keep her trusted one's hands as clean as possible.

"Saionji, this is my last order. I can only trust you so, heed my order and execute it without fail." Tora gently smiled as she slowly guided the sword on his neck away from him. She saw Saionji's eyes well up as if he was already grieving for losing her.

"Your Majesty!" Sobbing, Saionji broke down, showing his vulnerability for the first time. His heart ached, even if Tora was still alive. However, knowing that her life would end soon, Saionji could not help but weep.

Truly, Tora was his one and only king. She only thought of this country even if she has to used extreme means to bring the right order and trust to the rightful owner of the throne. She had grown tired of people labeling her as the true ruler, the suspicions of the emperor, and all the schemes that followed her name.

To her, as long as she lived, even if she didn't do what she did, Aki would forever be wary of her. Not just that, he would continue to live in fear and lived as a figurehead. Hence, Tora had chosen what her heart wanted.

And what her heart desired was a peaceful life for Churu, Aki, and for this kingdom she dearly loved. She knew that desiring a peaceful life together was impossible. Aki and Her, their relationship had already left a deep scar on their heart and they couldn't share the same lifetime. 

Therefore, Tora decided to let them live free from fear without her in their lives. That was what she chose in the end: Churu and Aki. They might get a little sad, but the world would continue to revolve even if she would perish. Not just that, but they would label Aki as the savior of this nation from this curse regimen of hers.

Overall, it would finally set everything in their rightful order. Churu, living in peace on the northern border and would be raised with a normal life as a normal little girl. On the other hand, Aki would reclaim the throne with a clean slate and could prove that he was a capable ruler.

"Don't let him know about it. I want him to live hating on me." Tora was surprisingly calm despite the situation she was about to face. Holding on Saionji's shoulder, Tora let go as she slowly stood.

Looking down, Tora placed her fist on her chest as she made a salute to the new general, Saionji. Saionji lifted his head to see his former general made a salute as respect. Mustering his strength and steeling his heart, Saionji slowly stood, saluting to her with the utmost respect he could only offer to her.

"Your wish is my command, My Queen." Through his gritted teeth, Saionji swore to do her last wishes without fail. Upon seeing this, Tora subtly smiled before heading out of the imperial library.

In several days from now, Aki's group would have reached the palace. Therefore, Tora wanted to make some preparation before she would stand before the new king because if dying was her ending, she would rather die in his arms and by his sword.

"I'll see you soon, Aki." She whispered as a glint flashed across her eyes.