Hayasaka lays her feet onto the carpeted floor, softly wiping her eyes and tucking away her hair. It was still early dawn, and the first light has yet to come. Her morning routine was once again set in motion.

Taking the oil lamp with her, she went through the activities, like grooming her hair and dressing up. Then she walked down her hallway - formerly her mother's palace, now the governmental facility where most of the other bureaucrats and lesser nobles reside.

She did what she would do everyday, ever since she became a vassal: first taking an assessment from the head of the Night Watch, as well as the weekly relay from the chief of the militia. Then she made her rounds of the palace, rousing the servants to duty and making sure nothing is out of place. Then as the evening shift officials are about to call it a night, Hayasaka asks them to compile the papers in neat rows, this time delivering them to her for assessment.

As she was about to wrap up, she paused by the window to gaze at the dawning sun illuminating the dark sky. She has been doing this for quite some time, and she will probably keep doing this for much longer. It's starting to define her daily life. Not that she would outright reject it, but what else is there to do? Turning away, she came face-to-face with her mistress. "Good morning, Hayasaka."

"Milady," Hayasaka tilted her head. "I didn't expect you to be awake yet."

"Isn't that a surprise?" she replied. "I don't mind a usual change of pace. Anyways, follow me. We have something to discuss. Don't worry, it won't take long."

Arriving at the small cafeteria on the upper floor where the horizon overlooks the sleepy city, Kaguya walks over to the refreshment stand and gestures to the nearby table. "Take a seat, Hayasaka."

"Shouldn't I be the one preparing tea, milady?" Hayasaka inquired.

"No need. I'll do it myself. Just sit down." Hayasaka just shrugged, but she obeyed at once. With her hair waving in the morning wind, the princess took an expensive powder and poured it into a teapot, and then took the tray over to the table. Kaguya poured out the tea while Hayasaka watched. Then Kaguya took her seat.

A few moments of silence hung in the air. Hayasaka almost seemed to waver under her steady gaze. Eventually she realized she needed to speak up, so she started by clearing her throat politely. "I'm assuming milady wants to hear from me?"

Kaguya nodded imperceptibly. "How is our coal construction project going?"

"The necessary equipment has been delivered, milady." Hayasaka began to pull the documents out of her pouch, but Kaguya raised her hand, no need for that. "...and the accommodations bunks are ready for the foremen. We just need to draft workers from the nearby towns and villages to work in the mines when the time comes."

Kaguya clasped her hands. "Well done. Now, about the provincial economy... It's improving since the last time, but some parts are still lagging behind."

Hayasaka glanced at the scenery overlooking the horizon. She turned back, "We're going to fund new endeavors. I'll be seeing to it myself."

"Really now? Do tell."

"As vice-governor, I've taken to restoring my home's former glory." After it got burned down. "Since then I've ordered the roads to be repaired and new bridges to be built to accommodate more routes in and out of towns. I've also set up outposts to serve as toll gates and security checkpoints to earn some revenue back and keep out the rebels of the unaligned clans.

"I've also taken to not only restoring the agricultural strengths of the region, but I also decided to invest in industrial production. I've taken the time to creatively deliberate the course of action. It has led me to discover better ways for a lot of things."

This caused Kaguya to raise an eyebrow. "...interesting. Go on. You have my attention."

Hayasaka blinked at the acknowledgement, but quickly said, "T-thank you, milady. Now for starters-" she took the bundle of toothpicks from the cylinder, and then placed them one by one on top of each other to form a long grid of squares. "-this is how we used to farm rice, and occasionally some other crops within the season.

"However the space allotted to farmland in our province is insufficient and poorly distributed compared to that of others, encroaching developed areas that could otherwise be used for expanding. While we're not quite there yet, there will be a time when the population will grow larger than the area it can comfortably stay in, and it will become a great issue if left in its current state. Therefore, I suggest we make use of the terrain to its utmost advantage."

"That's very fine indeed, but can you get to the point?" Kaguya tucks a lock of her behind her ear.

"My apologies, Lady Kaguya," Hayasaka mumbled, half-wincing. "The region is mostly mountains and hills, with the main sets of towns and villages along the shore at the baseline. The plan is to use the hillsides as the fields instead, forming terraces for compact planting, while also allocating money into urban development to increase the size of the main towns.

As for industrial production: plenty of products go in and out of this province, either by the port to be exported or imported, or to pass through the other provinces. The market is sufficiently big enough, but what if we could process some of the produce instead of selling it as is? I've reserved space for a miller so people can process rice and wheat, to experiment."

After this, Hayasaka went quiet. She wondered how Kaguya would respond, but after a long period of pondering, she lifted her cup to her lips. She looked at her. "You thought this out well."

"Indeed milady?" Hayasaka asked noncommittally.

"It's ambitious, coming from you. I think it would do quite well, but you must pull it off appropriately. I believe in the potential, so if you need extra funds secured, you may ask."

"Why, that's very generous, milady Kaguya."

"If I see that it can work, it has a better chance than you think." Hayasaka felt Kaguya's eyes on her again. This time she can faintly yet noticeably distinguish another scent apart from the aroma of the tea. It was the subtle fragrance of Amaryllis flowers which had a mild and delicate sweetness akin to soft wine. It came from Her Ladyship who had been trying out a new perfume. She thought to look it up herself later.

A pair of fingers snapped for Hayasaka's attention. If she could openly sigh, she would've done so by now. "Yes milady?"

"You're still as quietly insubordinate as ever," lightly quips Kaguya. This time, there wasn't a hint of sternness. No, the glint in her eyes had a different meaning, like she's being commended. "If there's one thing you and your clan are known for, it's stubbornness. For better or worse, it's done you many things. The lengthy campaign taught that well."

"Though certainly we were no match for the Imperial Army, milady." Hayasaka almost drawled the last part out. Kaguya just chuckled.

"You can drop the flattery, your reluctance is plain. You obviously don't believe that. After all, it's simply not true. Your defeat was only brought about by being worn out, and not knowing how to deal with attrition over the long term. But before that, we had to pull out all stops." She tapped her cheek indicatively. "No other clan has made us do so."

Hayasaka remained quiet.

"Hayasaka, for once let's not talk as master and servant, but rather as one royal to another. Only a creature of immense pride can understand someone similar. The look on your face means you still believe you can take back your home?"

Her eyes widened, but she kept her expression fixed.

"You must accept that it won't happen. We will not allow it, and any attempt at a coup will be fiery yet short lived." The two girls continued to stare at each other, the atmosphere becoming tense.

After some more thought, Hayasaka decided to speak, not bothering to be polite anymore. "Why are you telling me this?"

"I've been observing you," Kaguya pointed out. "You have a brash and strong willed personality that's equally charming and free spirited. You probably think being subjugated is a humiliation. I'm here to say that it's not."

"Is that so? It doesn't seem like you're the one serving another princess."

"That's true, I'll admit that. But I don't believe you should envy me. Rather, I'm the one who envies you. The way you are is a product of your upbringing as well as your past thoughts and actions. If you compare us, you've lived a much freer life than me. Sometimes I wish I wasn't forced to keep on airs all time."

Hayasaka was still not convinced. "I'm supposed to pity you then?"

A sly smile formed on Kaguya's lips. "You don't have to. It doesn't matter to me, anyways. But you're different, different than the other servants, and the other nobles and royals, for that matter. I'd sooner spend a day with you than five minutes with them."

"I don't think I can bear with that."

Kaguya laughs. "You might be surprised. But see? We're not so different, Hayasaka. I hope we can find more things in common."

After this, Kaguya rises. "That's it for today. I'll be leaving later in the afternoon for an envoy, so I expect you to arrange my carriage before the appointed time." The face that she always considered irritable and condescending was now making an amiably playful smirk. "It's been nice speaking with you, Lady Hayasaka."

Hayasaka looked away, but eventually she mumbled, "And as with you, Lady Kaguya."

With the flick of her wrist, the last throwing knife sank into its target with a clean and satisfying thunk. Hayasaka surveys the dozen knives she's been throwing over and over since she came here. After her talk with Kaguya, a lot has been going on in her mind. It's gotten to the point where it might interfere with her duties, so she decided to delegate someone else to her tasks and dispel it while she can, paying a visit to the indoor training grounds used by the civil militia.

Hayasaka takes out the knives and carries them back to the armory. Then she went to the backroom to change clothes. As she undid her training uniform, she heard the low rumble of thunder above. Monsoon winds swept a billow of clouds inland, and with the sky blotted in grey, it was almost definitely going to rain soon.

Pulling down her clothes, her mind drifted to a memory of her mother and herself doing storm flying for the first time. Lumenkind in general holds in common sense that one's mind should be free from inner clutter as much as possible, as one's mental state must be ready to harness the chaos brought about by the vertigo of one's surroundings. In a sense, flying in a thunderstorm would be maddening as one is basically inviting a challenge into her mind, one that they have to deal with in the middle of flight.

But the Hayasaka clan was different. She knew from the back of her hand the principles that her mother taught her long ago. She was panicky during her first time, but her mother was an experienced flyer, and helped her understand in a way for her to pick up quickly. Not too long after, she would begin to fly out on her own, and even play games of chase with her cousins under an orchestral display of weather enraged.

Since their capitulation, she has so far refrained from practicing it again. Her special training group considers it insane, and are very vocal about it. Although she knew they secretly understood that storm flying was one of the key reasons the Imperial Army was trumped in the early stages of their campaign.

Hayasaka stopped to look in the mirror. She glanced at her own hair, shoulders, arms, and face. In her head she made a split second decision. She nodded to her reflection, in mutual agreement with herself. She loved to flirt with risk, and today she thought it was time to allure him again.

She changed into her regular attire and stepped outside. It's a pity this dress will just get wet, but it is what it is. Going back to the armory to pick up her dagger, she fastened the sheath to her waistline. Then she left the training hall.

Hayasaka walked out to be greeted by the drizzling rain. Dark clouds encompassed the sky. The sun should be right above my head, she thought. She took a sniff, judging the level of humidity in the air. The way it is, flying is going to be especially difficult at this level. But then again, she wasn't going to back down from a fight.

Her boots moved forward, and stepped into a puddle. Raindrops fell onto her face. She took another breath, but this time in relief. She found the nostalgic feeling familiar and comforting. She looked around. Nobody was out and about, but still she needed to find an open space to take off. She ambled on as a gust of cold wind blew through her, fluttering her skirt and soaking her a bit. Hayasaka giggled involuntarily.

Eventually she found an open space on some plains. At this vantage point, the sky can be seen divided between the storm and the part where sunlight can peek through. It's far away, yet the distance doesn't feel like a barrier to the experience she's having. So beautiful.

Hayasaka closed her eyes and went through her mental exercises. Although from an outside perspective, she is simply trying to calm herself, that is not the only case. A Lumien's flight is controlled by her imagination, one that must be disciplined in order to master it. The energy they use to fly is similar to that which gives the weather its power. Thus it is paramount that a Lumien prepares herself for anything, no matter how big or small.

The more jarring thing to note is that a thunderstorm is a highly violent natural phenomena; a mass of chaotic energy. A Lumien can quickly lose control; it's easy to be blinded and disoriented just by being inside, not to mention the constant struggle to stay elevated while wrestling the monstrous winds. Traditionally speaking, storm flying is suicidal.

But there is a way to work around it, and that is by working with it. Just as dangerous as storms may be, they can be a source of incredible power. Instead of fighting the currents, Hayasaka can embrace it, and let the winds take her fast, high, and far. The rush was absolutely breathtaking, and it wasn't until this moment did she realize she wanted to experience it again. But of course she must ready herself first.

With a sharp mental push, Hayasaka let off a gust of energy in all directions. Her aetherfield - her 'wings', - manifested, sprouting from her back once more. The air circled around her in a spiral. She could feel the static within the draft she'd created. And gently, she opened her eyes. Become one, resolute as the earth, and free as the air wrought by water and fire.

This wasn't a speed climbing test. Most Lumiens don't take off like that anyways. Instead, Hayasaka concentrated. She inhaled deeply as she levitated off the ground, her feet dangling beneath her as she rose. Her wings shimmered with elegance and intensity.

The rain falling onto her face was being swept up in the current of her aura. She propelled herself forward, intent to get herself to where the action is. Her wings gleamed in reply. She could feel her body tingle, the urge to envelop her entire body in the energy of the storm. But not yet, she reminds herself. Getting carried away will only forsake what she's built up to so far.

As she approached the altitude level generally advised for normal travel, Hayasaka paused to take in her surroundings. She could really feel it, her spirit circuits flowing with energy, begging to be used. In a more turbulent squall, she wouldn't have the liberty to stop like this, and she's grateful that this drizzle is the perfect scenario. She smiled, a genuine smile, in a way that trumps all the fake ones she shows when putting on airs.

She drew her dagger and took one more breath. Then, she reached into her mind and covered herself, as if pulling a veil upon a candlelight. Almost instantly, her wings disappeared. Hayasaka plummeted from the sky.

Then she picked up enough speed and uncovered that veil, and her wings reappeared. She focused on the burning flame within her heart, and thoroughly embraced the passion that drives her to push to the limits. Her arc tilted upwards in a clean swoop. Her wings blazed as it channeled the static in the air.

Now it's time for some fancy moves. Acrobatics was a strong suit of Hayasaka's, and due to her storm flying talent, it makes for some very unique maneuvers. She dipped and swerved in the air, as water does in a rocky stream. She cut and slashed her blade through the wind, taking advantage of the current of the storm to provide her both the confidence and the energy she needs.

She tucked into a roll, her hair and dress flurrying about. She raised her dagger extravagantly and brought it down on an imaginary foe. She let herself plummet down and reignited her wings, as if she were playing a game.

Hayasaka felt what it was like to be free. Back in the real world, where she is still a servant and still another Lumien, she can forget about that for now. All that matters is that she is in control of her domain, and only the sky is the limit.

She dipped towards the sea, feeling the rush of as she sped across the splashing waves. That moment a fuzzy feeling began to encompass her and her wings. All of a sudden, the sky and earth were illuminated by a flash of bright light, followed by a resounding boom thereafter. Then her normal senses returned as quickly as they went awry. The wind and rain had become much more intense.

Hayasaka decided she had her fill of storm flying. She careened back towards the palace, flying over rooftops and tarps along the way. While watching the buildings pass by, she caught something moving swiftly in the corner of her eye, traversing the sloped scales of the palace's extensions.

She concentrated, and switched to her primordial sight, which describes the world that can be seen through the four key elements. Despite the weather almost blurring her vision with hazy ethereal light, she could make out two moving masses with all four elements swirling in one whole blend.

Her previous good cheer vanished immediately after she realized what the figures potentially were: assailants, possibly armed and disguised. Nobody else would be out in a storm otherwise, for maintenance or flying. For the most part, they could most definitely be aiming for Lady Kaguya.

Whatever their purpose may be, if they post any feasible threat to her Ladyship, it would be my utmost duty to protect her. She didn't need to think twice about it. Dereliction would amount to betrayal, and the Hayasakas and her people would pay the price. She mentally gauged the knew if she engaged them then and there, and swiftly dispatched them, that would eliminate the threat. There could be more, but at least this pair will do no more harm. Decision made, she made a beeline for the nearest of the two, dagger at the ready.

Flaring, she descended upon her targets. From the looks on their terrified faces, they never expected an ambush from the skies in this weather. With her heartbeat rushing to her ears, Haysaka dissolved her wings and landed next to the trespassers, who drew their swords.

Don't let them get their bearings. Hayasaka jabbed the knuckle of her index finger into the first assailant's ribs, and then stomped down on the back of their knee to make them buckle. She raised her dagger to deflect a swing from the second assailant. She turns back to the first and whacks them with the edge of her hand, knocking them over.

The second one grunted in frustration. Hayasaka feinted a stab before ducking underneath their sword arm. She caught their wrist and twisted it. They growled in agony and subsequently let go of their weapon. She finished the job by pulling them close and kneeing them in the abdomen, and they promptly folded over.

She scrutinized the two bodies sprawled across the roof, then pulled their cloaks back. Adult men, middle-aged. Probably foreign sellswords. There was little time to waste. She had to get back to Kaguya as soon as she could. She left them unconscious, as the roof isn't steep enough for them to slide down anyways. She picked up the sides of her skirt and dashed across the rooftop.

Plenty of things were racing in her mind. She had just begun to warm up to Lady Kaguya. Was today the day she meets an untimely end? Could her failure mean terrible consequences for her? For her mother, or her people? And who was behind this? She wanted to know. But she didn't get far enough to contemplate these thoughts, as a loud crash shook from somewhere below, followed by an explosion.

Hayasaka struggled to maintain her balance against the rattling. When it stopped, she exhaled and made a sharp mental push, reigniting her wings. She jumped over the edge and swooped down.

She spotted a set of windows damaged and blotted with white powder on the second floor, including one that has been completely blown out. It was the palace kitchen, a room which connects a lot of hallways. There wasn't enough time to find an entrance, so she made note of the sharp glass and carefully climbed through the broken window.

What she saw struck her as odd. The room was filled with smoke and powder. Three cloaked assailants were groaning on the floor among the fallen shelves and debris, coughing limply. One of them was desperately rolling back and forth to get rid of the fire that started on his clothes. She looked down at her feet and saw the burnt remains of a bag of flour.

She didn't know what to make of this, but she still had to find Kaguya. It was paramount that she located her soon. Yet she also needed to make sure these assailants were knocked out cold. So she proceeded to give each one of them an endearing blow to their faces.

She jogged into the next room. She stopped upon noticing a message etched below the doorframe. Fourth jar. Hayasaka furrowed her eyebrows. What does 'fourth jar' mean? What kind of convolutedly non-descript message is this-

Fourth jar…

Suddenly understanding, she looked around the room. There were no jars of anything here. Well granted it seems to be a storage room for uniforms. But then she remembered the kitchen. She backtracked to the ruined kitchen, stepping over one of the assailants as she scanned the shelves.

Some of the containers have fallen down during the explosion, and the ones made of glass broke into pieces. But true enough, there was a row of cookie jars with different flavors of cookies fastened in place by a wooden slot holder. And in the fourth one, behind the brand label, she could see a small piece of paper.

She unscrewed the lid and pulled it out. She unfolded it, and went silent at the message, which read, "Get everyone out safely, Hayasaka. That's an order."

Hayasaka pursed her lips as she read the message once more. "I don't know what's going on, milady. But telling me to do this, instead of coming to rescue you… this is not going to be as simple as it seems." Nor will it end that way, I can guarantee it.

Sighing, she put on a serious face and walked out into the hallway. She cannot betray a direct order from Kaguya, even if it contradicts her other purpose. But it is what it is. Rallying the nearest people to her, she began the evacuation plans.