Verdant Skies

Her heart felt heavy as she walked downstairs with Koumei, Kouen glanced back at them with a slight smirk on his face from beside the door. Walking towards him as she noted the particular silence that had settled over the palace, she spoke softly, "Your siblings are already gone?"

"Headed to the Main Palace," Kouen confirmed as she reached his side and he reached out to cup her cheek with a surprisingly tender look on his face, "Koumei and I will have to join them," He stroked his thumb along her cheek, "If it weren't for Gyokuen, you would be coming with us to the main palace at the very least,"

Lips pulling into a wry smile, Iris reached up to curl her fingers around the back of his neck as she murmured, "Well...I've never been one for lengthy goodbyes...or goodbyes in general. And from what Kouha's said during his visits since this whole thing was announced, the whole ceremony that's going to happen is pretty lengthy."

"It is," Koumei chuckled as he stepped up behind her and she reached back toward him.

As their fingers threaded together, Iris felt a pang of nervousness and unease hit her chest. She squeezed Koumei's hand as her fingers tightened around the back of Kouen's neck. Speaking softly, she looked into Kouen's wine-red eyes, "I...you have those potions I've been making and it'd be foolish to ask you to be safe. Just...come back to me? Please?"

That heavy feeling in her heart was an unfamiliar and familiar one, Iris felt like her tongue was laden with something unsaid as the feelings she felt for both Kouen and Koumei begged to be called by their name. As Koumei's fingers tightened around hers and Kouen's expression softened, she felt as though the same sentiment was being echoed back. Something deep was settling within Kouen's eyes as he pressed a kiss to her forehead, he spoke softly as his thumb ran underneath her eye, "Iris, we'll return to you. I promise."

Her head turned as Koumei spoke, the warmth in his eyes was mixed with that deeper feeling that Iris still didn't dare to name, "We'll make it back safely. You have my word."

Almost wanting to laugh at the fact Koumei had twisted around her words, Iris smiled weakly at him. She pushed back the unease curling through her gut, "Alright..." She looked between them, "I trust you..." She bit back the feelings that wanted to come out, "Take care of yourselves out there, you won't have a dragon backing you up this time."

There were a pair of soft snorts from the duo, Kouen tugged Iris into a soft kiss before releasing her. Koumei kissed her gently before moving to head outside where the final carriage packed with the final things they required for their campaign awaited. Following until she stood in the doorway, she watched as they boarded the carriage and waved as they left the gates. Only when the gates closed behind them and the carriage was out of sight did she stop, a maid walked up beside her with a somber expression, "M'lady, would you like some tea?"

"No...I think I'm going to head into my studio for a bit," Iris shook her head softly while trying to ignore the way her eyes burned, "I...I think I want to be alone..."

"Of course," The maid bowed lightly.

Iris made her way to her studio with slow, deliberate steps, each one heavier than the last. As she entered the familiar space, she felt the weight on her shoulders grow even more burdensome. Closing the door behind her, she leaned against it for a moment and took a deep breath to steady herself. The air in the studio was thick with the scent of paint and the memories of countless creations, but today it offered no comfort. She slowly moved toward her worktable, her eyes scanning the scattered sketches and half-finished paintings that adorned the room. The sight of her unfinished projects seemed to mock her, a reflection of the uncertainties that lingered in the air. Her vision blurred, and she realized her cheeks were wet.

Blinking away the tears that had silently escaped, Iris touched her face, surprised by the dampness on her fingertips. The reality of Kouen and Koumei's departure hit her like a bludger to the chest, and she slowly sank into a nearby chair as her arms curled around herself. Her chest was tight enough that it was a struggle to breathe, the ache running through her echoed the emotions she wasn't ready to name. Closing her eyes tight against the feelings, she bit back the sob that wanted to tear itself from her throat as she tried to shut out the overwhelming emotions threatening to crash over her. Taking another deep breath to try and settle herself, she attempted to regain some form of control over her thoughts and raging emotions.

The elaborate ceremony hall felt stifling, and Kouen's patience wore thin as Emperor Koutoku continued his speech layered with self-praise. His ceremonial robes felt heavier with each passing moment, he just wanted to yank them off and let the servants take them away again. The scent of incense hung thick in the air, intertwining with the hushed whispers of courtiers almost making his head fuzzy. His gaze shifted from his father to Gyokuen, the woman whose insidious influence seemed to seep into every crevice of the imperial court. Her smug expression, partially hidden behind a fan, irked him. Ever since they had arrived without Iris in tow, the woman had been reveling in the witch's absence, seizing the opportunity to savor her perceived victory.

His fingers clenched beneath the heavy sleeves of his robe, Kouen's jaw barely tensing as he struggled against the urge to gut the bitch. The elaborate ceremony felt like a facade, a charade of familial unity concealing the underlying tensions. As Emperor Koutoku continued to embellish their virtues, he found his mind wandering to Iris. He wondered how she would feel during this entire ceremony and almost wanted to chuckle. If there was one thing he knew she'd dislike, it was this if only due to how constricting the ceremony was. If anything, she'd be struggling against the urge to fall asleep like Kouha and Judar were.

Beside him, Koumei wore a stoic expression though a shared glance showed his younger brother was just as done with the entire ceremony as he was. While neither of them wished to leave Iris to fend for herself against Gyokuen, they would do their duty and ensure it was done far quicker than they had in the past. Finally, as the pomp and circumstance reached its peak, Emperor Koutoku bestowed his blessings upon his sons. The courtiers followed suit with polite applause, their insincere smiles adding to the artifice of the occasion. Only their siblings offered sincere smiles save for Hakuryuu, the small group waving to them as they turned to leave with those that would be heading out alongside them.

As the ceremony hall doors opened and Kouen walked out into the sunlit courtyard beyond, he breathed out a sigh of relief. Stripping out of his ceremonial robe, he tossed it to a waiting servant before heading towards his stallion. Mounting his stallion as a cool breeze swept across the palace ground, he felt a small grin form and his heart started to quicken. Despite not wanting to leave Iris behind, he admitted that there were certain pleasures to be found at war. Urging his horse to the front of the imperial procession alongside Koumei where their Households were waiting, he felt a small pang surge through his chest as the faint memory of the last time they were in such a situation hit him. Mind going to Iris, he tightened his grip on the reigns and mentally reaffirmed his promise to her that they'd finish this quickly.

Despite the depression that had initially fallen over her, Iris had managed to force it back mostly due to Kouha dragging her out of Kouen's palace to explore Kou with Judar's assistance. The duo even dragged Hakuryuu and Kougyoku in on these 'field trips' as she'd taken to calling them mostly because that's what it was starting to feel like. Her magic and skill with various bladed weapons were exposed when Kouha 'tripped' into a bandit camp, Kougyoku tried to beg for lessons and was depressed to learn that her magic was something that couldn't be learned. Weaponry practice was quickly tacked onto the lessons that she was giving to the shy princess, she had to laugh when Kouha demanded that she spar with him.

Landing in one of the many clearings in a mountain range fairly far from Rakushou, Iris lowered her body and the three royals tumbled off ungracefully as Judar plopped onto the ground. Kouha's attendants and household along with Kougyoku's landed beside him. The magi was pouting at her as she shifted back with a soft snicker. Flopping onto the ground beside Kouha, she tilted her head at Judar as he scowled at her, "It's no fair! You have fucking wings!"

Merely sticking her tongue out at him, Iris chuckled as he flipped her off. Clicking her tongue at him, she stood up and brushed off her clothes, "Now that is not something I plan on doing with you."

Kougyoku squeaked as Hakuryuu made a choking noise behind her and Kouha snorted loudly. Judar's scowl deepened as he jumped to his feet, "You-"

"Now, now," Kouha spoke up with a grin, "How about we get a move on? We're here to explore the nearby town. Not watch you two fight, I don't think En and Mei want to hear about how explosive things can get when you two fight,"

Clicking her tongue, Iris was tempted to argue though wouldn't do so for the moment. She mainly wanted to see their reactions in person rather than hear about it via letter. But...Kouha did have a point, she didn't think either of them would appreciate the collateral damage that came from her fighting with Judar. Fighting with the magi was a fun distraction from her feelings, the potential destruction it brought was indeed a concern. Exploring the town seemed like a more agreeable plan. So with a nod, she gestured for Kouha to lead the way as Judar continued to mutter under his breath.

Nestled among the mountainous region, the town they ventured to was quaint with crisp air and hard-working people who went about their day. The small market boasted interest trinkets that pulled in Kougyoku and Hakuryuu though the boy tried to act like he wasn't interested in them. Iris drifted towards the books on herb lore that were for sale and local paints. Judar drifted about with Kouha as the boy flirted with the various women who inhabited the town. All of them found their way to a small food shop that sold some unique dishes specific to this part of the region, she felt her heart warm as almost familiar flavors close to her old world danced across her tongue.

After the surprisingly hearty meal, they all drifted apart once more with Kouha sticking at Iris's side. She wove her way through the more scenic portions of the village. Had she known this was going to happen, she might've brought a sketchpad along. Dropping onto a low stonewall, she peered out into the forest as Kouha settled down next to her. She spoke softly, "I almost expected you to find another bandit camp...this...this was nice."

"I don't always have to cause chaos," Kouha puffed up his chest though after a minute his smile faltered and he frowned, "You're not doing alright, are you?" She opened her mouth to deny it when he continued, "Don't bother trying to lie, I might not have been spending as much time with you as of late, but I can tell somethings been going on since En and Mei left. So spill," He turned towards her and crossed his arms with a scowl, "What's wrong?"

A soft laugh left her, Iris's eyes burned despite the fact she'd practically screamed at herself after that first day that she wouldn't cry over this again. Breathing in slowly, she rubbed at her face as she let her head fall back. Fingers digging into the stone beneath her, she muttered, "I...Admitting that something is wrong is practically saying to the world what's going on in my head and that's...it's not easy, Kouha...it's never been easy..."

"What do you mean?" Kouha sounded so very confused and Iris felt bad for causing it.

Sucking in a deep breath this time, Iris tried to find the words to answer him without going into detail. Opening up to anyone besides Kouen or Koumei was an odd feeling, it rubbed her the wrong way. She twitched her fingers as the words started to form. Voice low and hesitant, she spoke, "I...En and Mei leaving like that-" She shook her head, "I don't do change, Kouha. Not very often because when it comes, I always have bad things follow after it even if there's good," She wished that Kouen and Koumei were there to hear this though supposed she'd be writing that in her letter to them later, "This...what's been forming here in Kou? It feels like a fragile house made of glass right now," she licked her suddenly dry lips, "One that can crack and crumble away if someone isn't careful...all because Kouen and Koumei left. Duty or not, I...the uncertainty of it has been eating at me-"

An arm wrapped around her waist, Iris jolted as she realized Kouha was hugging her. He spoke softly, "I get it, Iris. I don't like it, but I get it," She slowly set a hand on his arm though didn't hug him back as she doubted the emotions currently swirling within her would stay back, "But even with Entei and Mei gone, you've got me. You also have Judar even if he's an asshole. Kougyoku too."

Lips pulling into a faint smile that didn't reach her eyes, Iris nodded softly, "Y-yeah..."

"Entei and Mei asked me to look after you," Kouha pulled away from her with a determined look on his face, "And I will," He pressed a hand over his heart, "That means you can count on me for anything that's troubling you, alright?"

Seeing that determined look on his face, Iris's smile grew though she knew that some things would remain within the letters sent to Kouen and Koumei. She nodded to Kouha, "Alright."

"Good," Kouha got up from the stonewall, "C'mon, we've got daylight to burn before we have to head back. Let's go explore!"

Shaking her head in amusement as she stood up as well, Iris followed after Kouha slowly as he took off back into town with a bright grin.

The incessant rain had turned the once-firm ground into a quagmire, each step a battle against the clinging mud that sought to impede Koumei's progress through the camp. His light robes now clung to him like a second skin, they had become saturated with the persistent rain and the muck of the battlefield. The scent of wet earth and damp fabric permeated the air, a reminder of the harsh conditions they faced in this foreign land. Despite the chill that clung to his skin, he pressed forward with a determined stride. His typically composed demeanor belied the exhaustion that settled in his bones. The campaign had proven more grueling than anticipated, the elements and the tenacity of the enemy exacting a toll on both body and spirit.

His route took Koumei past rows of makeshift tents, the canvas flapping in the wind and rain. The rhythmic sounds of the camp created a dissonant symphony that mixed with the pouring rain. The muttered conversation around a carefully contained fire, the clatter of armor, and the distant cries of soldiers training, all created a muted echo around him. As he approached the central command area, he noticed the flickering light of a pair of lanterns. The war room, a haven of strategic discussions and planning, awaited him. The raindrops clung to his lashes, distorting his vision momentarily. Wiping away the moisture as best he could, he felt only wariness and worn resolve as he finally stepped into the warm tent.

Muted candlelight greeted him, Kouen sat at one of the two small desks that lay within the room beside the large table. The maps, marked with symbols and annotations, mirrored the complexity of their current situation. Scrolls decorated both their desks, the large piles made his stomach want to drop though Koumei perked up as he saw a green-edged piece of parchment sitting on top of his desk. Slowly making his way over, he glanced toward Kouen while unlatching his robe. His outfit underneath was damp enough that he would need to change out of it sooner rather than later, he was thankful that they'd had the forethought to bring around a trunk filled with changes of clothes for them both into the war room earlier when the rains didn't stop for longer than an hour each day. Slipping into his seat, he grabbed a dry rag and wiped away the excess water as excitement burned within his chest.

Without looking up from the papers in front of him, Kouen spoke with amusement coating his voice, "Iris sent us both letters. Without spoiling it, Kouha has been doing as we've asked alongside Judar though..." A low chuckle left his elder brother as he picked up the letter, "Let's just say Iris and Judar's interactions are not anything that I expected."

Picking up his letter, Koumei broke the wax seal with practiced ease and unfolded the parchment. Iris's handwriting adorned the page in a gentle looping scrawl as a soft aroma wafted up from the parchment. His nose almost twitched as the scent he knew to belong to her hit his nose, he felt his heart ease and settled back against his chair as he finally began to read. His lips quirked as Iris spoke of Kouha dragging her out of Kouen's palace, her 'fights' with Judar that usually resulted in widespread messes that she had to use magic to clean up, and the quaint mountainside town they'd ventured to. He had to shake his head at finding out Kouha had provoked Iris into revealing her magic to Kougyoku and Hakuryuu. While it was somewhat frustrating that their younger brother had forced that information out, he knew Iris was relieved that she wouldn't have to hide as much and she was likely enjoying the extra time she could fly in her dragon-form.

His heart ached though when Iris mentioned her feelings of loneliness, Koumei wished that he could be there to steal her away from them, but it wasn't possible right now. His fingers tightened around the parchment as she wrote about how much she missed them, the things she wished they could be doing at that moment. Warmth flitted through every word as she finished the letter, she expressed her hope that they continued to watch each other's backs and couldn't wait to see them again. There was a pang in his heart as he set the letter down, he felt as if something had been missing at the end of it though couldn't put his finger on what. Shaking his head, he folded the letter up and placed it into the charmed box Iris had gifted him to keep things safe not long before they left.

Even as his heart yearned for the warmth of back home, Koumei straightened as he shared a glance with Kouen. Speaking as he reached out to tug some of their current strategies to himself, he spoke softly, "We're adapting well to the shitty conditions though the men are all complaining," Kouen snorted softly, "Our enemies are faltering in some areas. I believe they aren't expecting us to be able to deal with the rain for long."

"Most likely," Kouen stood up and moved towards the map, "Which means we can take advantage since our men are more than capable of dealing with rain," Kouen set a hand on the map-coated table and his lips pulled into a grimace, "Though even then...we likely won't make it back until winter starts in a few months..."

"Unfortunately..." Koumei clicked his tongue as he considered the fact they wouldn't be seeing Iris for a few months at the very least, "But a few months is better than the year some campaigns can take,"

"True enough," Kouen's grimace remained firm.

Much as Kouha had, Hakuei had begun seeking Iris out more regularly as of late before finally managing to coax her into the main palace for a visit. As they navigated through the opulent halls of the main palace, the air became increasingly thick with tension and a sense of artifice. She couldn't help but notice the contrast between this grandeur and the genuine warmth of Kouen and Koumei's residences. The nobles around them seemed more interested in appearances and political maneuvering than in an authentic connection. Despite her grace and elegance, Hakuei maintained a warm and genuine demeanor. Though even Hakuei couldn't banish the cold that seemed to haunt the corridors that surrounded them as she led the way through the main palace, she shivered beneath the light kimono that she'd been helped into by the maids not long ago.

As they stepped into a perfectly manicured garden, Iris relished in the sunlight that draped across her visible skin and dispelled the cold. She strolled beside Hakuei as they slowly made their way along the pathways. Soft smile on her lips, Hakuei's tone was warm as she spoke, "I'm glad you finally agreed to visit me here, Iris. I know the main palace can be overwhelming, but it's an essential part of the empire, and it wouldn't be right if you didn't experience it."

Letting out a low laugh, Iris offered the princess a wry smile, "It isn't that I didn't want to visit you before...I was just busy trying to assist En and Mei," She belatedly stopped herself from rubbing at her neck where the maids had covered her scar with a light dusting of make-up, "It's quite different from Kouen and Koumei's places. Not that it's bad, just... different."

A low chuckle leaving her, Hakuei nodded, "They were quite busy before leaving," Iris noted that they were turning towards a more secluded portion of the gardens and her head tilted, "But yes, different is a polite way to put it," Iris smiled along with Hakuei as they began walking through some hedges, "The main palace is a display of power and authority, whereas my brothers' residences reflect more personal aspects. You can feel the weight of responsibility in these halls."

"I can-" Iris cut herself off as she felt that strange, unsettling feeling she'd only felt around Gyokuen and those strange priests reared up.

Fingers clasping around her wrists stilling her, Iris glanced at Hakuei as the princess murmured under her breath, "I apologize for springing this on you, Iris."

Before she could question the princess, Hakuei was tugging Iris around the last few hedges and into a hidden gazebo where Gyokuen sat with a full tea service set up before her. Heart hammering in her chest and mouth drying as she realized that she'd been led into a spider's web by Hakuei, she stumbled slightly as the Empress lifted those cold eyes from the tea she'd been pouring. The empress offered them a cold smile that didn't quite reach her eyes. Tone coated with a deceptive sweetness, Gyokuen stood as she looked toward Hakuei, "Oh, Hakuei-dear, I wasn't aware you were bringing along Lady Iris!"

Biting the inside of her cheek, Iris mentally gagged even as Hakuei stepped further into the gazebo. Offering her mother a polite nod, Hakuei's lips twitched into the slightest smile, "I thought it would be nice for Iris to experience a more intimate gathering. Besides, you did mention wishing to meet her on a more personal scale not too long ago."

Like a noose was coiling around her neck, Iris felt the tension in the air grow as Gyokuen's eyes glittered dangerously. Composure unbroken as her smile remained unwavering, Hakuei seemed to stare down her mother for a long moment. Finally, the empress waved a hand for them to sit down. As she unsteadily settled down beside Hakuei, she noticed that Gyokuen sat down across from her rather than Hakuei which only made her far more tense. As the stifling air within the gazebo seemed to grow tenser, she couldn't shake the feeling that she'd walked right into a spider's web. Pouring tea for both newcomers, Gyokuen spoke with feigned warmth, "Lady Iris, it's such a pleasure to finally have you here. Hakuei has spoken highly of you."

Instincts screaming at her to be cautious and get out of there as quickly as possible, Iris merely nodded with a light smile as she slowly took the offered teacup. She couldn't forget Gyokuen's role in the past events, and being in such close quarters with her felt like dancing on a razor's edge. Her inner dragon was seething at having to be this close to an enemy without getting a chance to kill them, the beast within her rumbled around anxiously and would do so until they finally left. Beside her, Hakuei sipped at her tea with a composed face.

As they engaged in small talk, Gyokuen's questions took a subtle yet probing turn. She inquired about Iris's background, her family, and her experiences. Clipped and cautious answers left her lips, she could taste a trace amount of poison within the tea though it was one she'd long since become immune to. Rather than comment on it, she drank the tea and kept composed even as her inner dragon raged at being poisoned. She noted as the conversation continued that Gyokuen's questions seemed to be following a pattern and realized that the woman was searching for something through what was the question. As the conversation continued, the tension in the air continued to thicken especially as she tasted more trace amounts of poison within her tea with each new cup.

As Gyokuen delved into more personal matters, the questions probed into Iris's relationship with Kouen and Koumei as well as why she'd lingered so long inside Kou. As the questions continued, Hakuei's gaze remained on her mother, it became apparent that the empress's intentions weren't lost on the princess though she doubted Hakuei knew that her mother was poisoning the tea. Sipping at her tea as she navigated the questions with care, she feigned obliviousness while wondering where the woman got off trying this. Hakuei subtly redirected the conversation away from sensitive topics without appearing to challenge her mother directly. There was a delicate dance going on, one that could end rather badly if they weren't careful.

Eventually, Gyokuen gracefully brought the tea gathering to a close, rising with a calculated smile. Every word she spoke dripped with a sinister undertone, the woman's eyes gleamed as she stared down at Iris, "It has been a delightful afternoon, Lady Iris. I do hope we can have more such intimate gatherings in the future."

Offering a polite smile as she rose, Iris merely nodded and began to leave as Hakuei stood. The princess offered her mother a few soft words before rushing to her side. Hakuei's voice was soft as they walked around the hedges, "Iris, are you alright? I'm sorry-"

"Don't apologize," Iris held up a hand to stall the princess as they left the hedges and began leaving the gardens, "En and Koumei warned me that you might be persuaded into creating a chance for a meeting like this to happen," She dropped her hand and finally took in a deep breath, "I just wasn't expecting such a...thorough inquiry."

Expression dropped as she sighed heavily, Hakuei grimaced as she murmured, "I still need to apologize. I wasn't expecting her to ask such things," Iris shook her head at Hakuei, "Are you alright though? I mean you were quite composed, but..."

Even if her body wouldn't be truly affected by the poison, Iris still needed to get it out of her system. She inwardly grimaced knowing that she'd need to dig out one of her bezoar at the very least if not take a purging potion which was never fun. Offering Hakuei a light smile as they entered the main palace, she shook her head, "I'll be just fine though I'd rather not do that again for a while, alright?"

"Alright," Hakuei smiled brightly back at Iris.

"For now though, I think I'll head back to Kouen's palace," Iris giggled at the way Hakuei's face dropped, "I'm sorry to say, but your mother drained me,"

Sighing heavily as she walked beside Iris, Hakuei's lips pulled into a sad smile, "Somehow I'm not surprised to hear that...alright, I'll walk you to your carriage. I'd go with you, but I should probably attend my duties."

"Probably," Iris agreed with a soft laugh.

Despite her laughter, Iris felt unease seep through her. Just what had been Gyokuen's goal? The poison that she'd used wasn't deadly especially not in small amounts. If anything, she would have been bedridden if she were not immune to the poison. So the question was what Gyokuen planned to do especially when Kouen still had so many guards keeping an eye on his palace.

His entire body ached from the skirmish they'd gone through just to take the small village, Kouen was glad that they finally had solid material over their heads even if it would only be for a matter of days until they could take a town. His men had spent the last few hours securing the village and they'd finally set up their camp, he walked into the former village leader's home and tugged off his wet cloak. Tossing it onto one of the few unbroken pieces of furniture within the large main room, he dropped onto the soft mat that had been set out. While he'd need to get cleaned up and change into dry clothes soon, he wanted to rest and take a few moments.

As his mind slowly began to wander, the door opened and a messenger stepped inside with a nervous expression on his face. Bowing deeply to Kouen, the messenger rushed over to him and extended a sealed scroll, "Letter from Lady Iris, M'lord."

Face carefully blank, Kouen took the letter though didn't open it. The messenger bowed again before leaving just as quickly as he'd arrived. Eyeing the sealed scroll with a soft snort, he glanced up as the door opened again and Koumei entered holding a second sealed scroll. This one was edged with verdant green, he could pick out a similarly colored seal on it as well. He raised the scroll in his hand for Koumei to see earning a confused look as his younger brother asked, "Who sent that?"

"Iris, apparently," Kouen saw Koumei's eyes narrow, "A present from our step-mother,"

Expression tightening at the mention of Gyokuen's name, Koumei settled down across from him with Iris's actual letter held carefully in his hand. He spoke with a wrinkled nose, "What's in it?"

Rising the letter and showing the blank seal red seal where the faint image of a dragon would have been this time, Kouen snorted softly, "I haven't opened it yet. I was debating whether it would be a good idea to just burn it though that would only provide me with a small amount of amusement and no information," Koumei shook his head, "Iris?"

"As she only sent one letter this time, I decided to wait until we were together to open it," Koumei frowned slightly and Kouen couldn't blame him as Iris usually sent two, "You don't think something has happened, do you?"

"I don't want to think it, but..." Kouen's eyes went to the letter that had likely been sent by Gyokuen and he scowled, "We best open it and find out,"

Nodding to him, Koumei opened the letter and began to read aloud, "

Dear Koumei and Kouen,

I hope that you both are still doing well despite those gods awful. Despite my yearning to be beside you, I know that my spirits would likely have dimmed by now which is funny given where I come from. The country where I come from, England, dealt with a lot of rain especially when I was young. If it's still raining a lot during your next letter to me, I will send along some potions that will assist with some basic problems that always arise with the constant rain. Can't have either of you growing ill while away from me, I'd go bonkers with worry from not being able to look after you.

On another note, I was finally badgered enough into accepting Hakuei's invitation to visit the main palace. It was an interesting experience, to say the least. That place is far colder than either of your homes...I dislike it to my core though that could just be because of Gyokuen. Yeah...Hakuei and I ran into the bitch during our walk through the gardens which your sister got conned into. I think I might avoid her for a bit even though I feel sorry for her. Anyway, Gyokuen spent the entire time trying to dig up information from me without much success.

I...I almost don't want to put this into the letter as I'm sure you're going to be furious with Hakuei for allowing it to happen, but you two need to know about it. First off before I say anything though, I'm fine, your bitch of a stepmother still doesn't have much information about me. Second off, I doubt Hakuei knew this was going to happen. Now that I've probably wound you both up with that bit...Gyokuen put trace amounts of a poison known for weakening the victim in our tea. There's also a certain chance of the victim vomiting up their blood and stomach lining as well, I'm in no danger of that happening as I'm immune to that poison. However to be on the safe side, I've taken certain precautions and as I've put this letter together, I'm fine.

However, I have a more pressing matter that I think you might need to be aware of before I finish this letter. This morning a letter arrived, the sender goes by the name of 'Joel' and claims to be a friend of mine. Much like with anything written by Luna, the contents are cryptic, but the handwriting is unfamiliar. I'd almost think it was someone I might know from the Goulon Empire or even hope it might be someone from my old world had I known anyone by that name. The one person from the Goulon Empire I did know by that name died via dragon fire two years ago. Because of how confused I am, I've attached the letter to this one in hopes that you two might have some answers. While I'm sure it might be a ploy from Gyokuen especially after her attempts to gain answers from me...I cannot be truly certain.

While I know you've both said that it will likely be a few months until we next see one another, I hope it will be sooner. Please watch over one another, I yearn to hold you both again.

Ever yours,

Iris.

The emotions stirred within Kouen were a complex blend of concern, frustration, and a wave of simmering anger directed at Gyokuen. The mention of the poison in the tea sent a sharp jolt through him, even though Iris reassured them of her immunity. Eyes going to the unopened letter, he glared at it. Gyokuen's vindictive actions left a bitter taste in his mouth. As Koumei finished reading, he took a deep breath, attempting to quell the rising storm of emotions within him. Iris's words about the poisoning and the encounter with Gyokuen were unsettling, but her safety reassured him, if only slightly. The situation with the mysterious letter, supposedly from a friend named Joel, added another layer of complexity. Voice low and filled with restrained anger, he finally spoke after a few moments, "While I never trusted that woman," He scowled darkly, "To think she would resort to poisoning..."

Expression mirroring Kouen's frustration, Koumei took out the second letter that had been attached to Iris's, "Iris seems to have handled it well, but Gyokuen's actions are unacceptable. I'll ensure Hakuei knows what transpired during that meeting."

Nodding in agreement, Kouen ran a hand through his hair. "And the letter from this 'Joel.' It's suspicious, especially with the cryptic contents and the unfamiliar handwriting. We need to be cautious."

Setting down Iris's true letter, Koumei read out the letter from 'Joel' and Kouen's scowl deepened. Underneath flowery words that coiled together in a confusing mess, the letter carried a mess of threats. He clenched his fingers around the still sealed scroll in his hand as Koumei muttered, "Definitely a plot by Gyokuen, I doubt this 'Joel' exists. If they do, they're among her priests."

"More than likely," Kouen raised the still unopened scroll, "Shall we?"

As Koumei nodded to him, Kouen cracked open the seal and unrolled the scroll. Immediately his nose was hit with the scent of stale lavender and apple blossoms which made his nose wrinkle. Nearly wanting to toss the letter away, he barely needed to glance at the handwriting to know that someone had attempted to copy Iris's unique writing style. Likely via her signature on the back of a painting, he showed it to Koumei. His brother's nose wrinkled in disgust at the overwhelming scent coming off of the letter, Koumei covered his nose, "Definitely not Iris's scent or handwriting, they're copying the signature she uses specifically for her paintings and using that as a basis for her handwriting without realizing she uses a completely different handwriting style when sending letters."

"It also doesn't help that they chose the wrong seal and didn't both coat the parchment edges," Kouen glanced over the words and snorted, "A love letter...someone sent us a love letter,"

The absurdity of the situation hit them both simultaneously, and they exchanged incredulous glances. Kouen's scowl deepened as he muttered, "Gyokuen's plot is growing increasingly desperate. A fake love letter? This is beneath even her."

Crossing his arms with a contemplative expression on his face, Koumei's eyes narrowed, "It's a crude attempt to sow discord or perhaps distract us. But Gyokuen underestimates our intelligence."

Nodding in agreement, Kouen glanced at the poorly crafted letter. He finally stood and mentally winced at the way his muscles protested at the movement, "We should inform Iris about this. She deserves to know what's happening, and it might give her some insight into Gyokuen's machinations."

Standing as well, Koumei took the fake letter from Kouen and folded it into Iris's true letter with a faint look of irritation. Turning towards the small writing desk they had set up during the last hour, Koumei began to walk toward it, "I'll send it to her along with our next letter. Might as well allow her to see exactly what Gyokuen is attempting to do," Kouen shook his head and started heading towards the large bedroom that he'd be sharing with Koumei, "Though," He turned his head and saw a slight look of contemplation on Koumei's face, "I think we can both agree that any kind of...confession would be best done in person."

Heart jolting at the thought, Kouen wasn't sure how to reply or even if a reply was necessary. Merely shaking his head after a moment, he headed into the bedroom and finally stripped himself of the wet clothes that chilled his skin. As they slopped onto the ground, the scent of damp earth filled his nose and the distance between them and Iris felt more significant than ever. The urge to be with her, to protect her from Gyokuen's schemes, grew stronger. Yet, the reality of the campaign and the miles between them created a frustrating barrier.