Reishin leaned against the frame of the door, still watching the shallow breathing of the maid while she slept. He shut his eyes and recalled his conversation with Houju earlier.

"Poison," the Head of the Kou Clan left the room. "She's been poisoned."

Unmasked, Houju looked away so his friend would not see his expression.

Snapping his fan closed he continued, "I don't think I have to tell you what your actions have brought about. Will you take protection now? Those threats were very real. If it continues there may be more people like her."

Chamberlain Kou rose from his seat and brushed past his friend wordlessly. He entered the spare room of the Crimson Clan's household and bent over the now vaccinated Michiko. "I'm… sorry… "

Reishin had watched closely but stayed silent. His eyes slid over to the girl. Was she the one who has been slowly lightening the eccentric Chamberlain of the Department of Treasury and Taxation's countenance?

She stirred and wearily sat up in bed. Raising her arm to her forehead, she asked, "Where am I?"

"You're at my house. I am Kou Reishin."

"Why?"

"Because of your work, your body became fatigued and you fainted. The Chamberlain would have treated you at his house but his reputation might have been ruined… and yours."

Her shaking, violet eyes widened considerably. Her head spun around towards the window, "What time is it?!"

"Almost noon."

Thrusting the covers away, she hastily shoved on her shoes, "I'm sorry for disturbing you. Thank you very much Kou-sama."

He blankly stated, "You shouldn't be moving yet. You're body is still unwell."

Michiko shook her head. "I must go."

"You won't loose your job. I'll explain to them what has happened."

"That's not it, thank you very much," she bowed quickly before running out the door.

He blinked, unsure of what to make of the situation. Then wondered what on earth Houju saw in her. Shrugging to himself, he opened his fan and continued on his way.

---

Houju scowled slightly behind his mask at the town market in front of him. Why was he here? He had work that needed to be done. If it wasn't for the fact that he was interested in how Zhao Michiko was doing, he would not have been in such a public place while the threats still kept up.

"Her family works a little booth in the market for wheat. They're there everyday, sun up until sundown," Reishin smirked behind his fan.

"What are you rambling about?" he asked tiredly.

"That girl you brought to me the other day, go visit her sometime," he waved his fan over his shoulder as he left the office.

He admitted to himself that he was curious on her condition. She hadn't returned to work and no one has seen her since. It was… rather dreary to work late at night now. Truth be told, life had become boring and endless since then and if to find out how she was doing was the cure for that- then so be it.

In his hand he held a thin flower, something he had only done for Shuurei. Why? Why was he acting like this? He was going to marry Shuurei. He didn't want to lead the girl on or give her any false hopes of something that would never happen between them. So why?

"I have returned Father!" the familiar voice reached his ears above the bustle of the crowd. Turning, his eyes fell on her. She was only ten feet away.

A weathered, older man smacked her across the face. "You're late!"

"A cart overturned on my way home so-"

"Don't give me excuses!" he slapped her again.

Shocked, Houju began to make his way towards them, hoping to stop the man.

Her father's face contorted into rage, "You've better not have done anything to ruin your engagement! We can't afford for it to be cancelled! And Jun won't accept a bride who's been in suspicious circumstances twice!"

Engagement… Engagement… Engagement…

The words echoed in Houju's head and froze him in his step. Dropping the flower, he turned on his heel and crushed it as he strode away.