A/N: Hope you are all having a good start to your November. Currently, I am thinking that this shall be the last multi-chapter fanfic I will finish, and in the future, I will only do one-shots. The reason is that it takes me so long to plan these multi-chapter fanfics out and I have to put in so much effort. And quite frankly, I think not many people are reading my fanfics anymore. So, unless I decide to write a murder mystery fanfic idea that I scrapped, I don't see any point in writing if hardly anyone is going to read them.
But anyway, here is Chapter 34!
IMPORTANT! PLEASE READ: "Bloody Crown" involves a lot of jumping back and forth behind the past and the present. So, to avoid any confusion, here are some notes:
Italics—The Past (Flashbacks)
Normal Text—The Present
Chapter 34: A Mother's Love
On the deck of her galleon, a young woman with short white hair stood at the bow looking at the city upon the horizon. Even though her expensive religious habit was completely lined underneath with fur, High Priestess Hitakami Makoto still could not help shivering like a leaf. The weather here up North and the tropical climate of the Kingdom of Osafune were as different as chalk and cheese. However, she was going to have to ignore her chattering teeth and her blood literally being chilled frozen in her veins. After all, when trials and tribulations came their way, the martyred saints did not beg their Holy Mother to save them; they delighted in suffering for her sake. Ahead of Makoto and her fellow crusaders would be more than just eternally biting-cold conditions. They would certainly face persecution amongst the many heretics Queen Yuzuki foolishly offered refuge in her dominion. But Makoto and the Tamayori Crusaders had sworn a public oath before the blessed Amaterasu and of course, their righteous queen, Origami Akane, and the rest of the Mokusa Republic. Now, they were missionaries bound to spread their beloved religion and the true faith.
From the snow-covered shores of Crystal City's harbour, people going about their daily duties of fishing, trading, and shopping, paused to look towards the horizon of the sea. A fleet of fifteen galleon ships was gliding towards them with the Mokusa Republic's sigil of the golden sun and red dragon upon their large billowing sails. On a normal day, vessels from outside the snow kingdom's borders were no uncommon occurrence to those who lived in Crystal City. Visitors were always made welcome—provided that they announced beforehand of their arrival, and had legal documents signed by Queen Yuzuki that gave them permission to enter. Though the Tamayori Crusaders met all the criteria required, some of the onlookers at the harbour could not hide the disturbed expressions on their faces.
No one was in any mood to listen to more of Akane's religiously fanatic supporters judge and criticize them all. Everything about them was so hypocritical. How could they say their goddess was a kind and loving deity if they themselves did not show the same mercy and compassion? That wasn't to say there were no followers of the Church of Amaterasu in Crystal City; the Kingdom of Ayanokouji embraced all faiths equally—Queen Yuzuki herself was a believer in the sun goddess. However, the Mokusa Republic's intolerance and self-righteousness were like a disease, even to the most devout followers of Amaterasu in the North. The way Akane's advocates promoted and spread their faith was through force.
Never had the citizens of Crystal City expected the most feared of her allies to step foot upon their frosty shores. But once she did so, they all recoiled back, ducking their heads down and pretending to be busy with their work. Nobody dared look up lest they make eye-contact with the one individual infamous for burning hundreds of people at the stake for refusing to pay reverence to Amaterasu. Prominently vilified, her tyranny was comparable to even the notorious Queen Origami Yukari and Lady Hiiragi Kagari. Though Akane had given her the honoured title of "Defender of the Faith"—to the rest of the world, the high priestess was known as..."Bloody Makoto".
Her long, white and gold robes blowing in the wind, Makoto proudly surveyed the gleaming structure of Crystal Castle in the distance. Behind her, the rest of the Tamayori Crusaders were disembarking, ready to obey their leader.
Turning around to face them, Makoto asked, "Shall we begin?"
Sitting at her desk, Yuzuki looked up from the new manuscript she was writing to peer at the white-haired girl now living as her ward. Although the snow queen had several noble children under her tutelage in the past, she did not want the responsibility of teaching a member of the Mokusa Republic—much less one who was feared to have killed hundreds of innocents. But Akane wrote in her letter that Hitakami Makoto showed promise in education.
"She will be good company for Their Highnesses, Prince Wataru and Princess Yume," Akane had written. "Your Majesty knows that because of the wars being waged from all sides, it is near impossible for noble children in the Mokusa Republic to be sent to any of the other kingdoms to receive instruction. Houses of the gentry, along with the monasteries, abbeys, etc...in my dominions are filled to capacity, due to massive floods of refugees. Please allow Your Majesty's most humble servant to send High Priestess Hitakami Makoto and my most prospective group in academic and intellectual studies to be placed under the care of Your Majesty and the noble peoples of Crystal City. I shall gladly pay whatever wages Your Majesty sets."
Much as she distrusted the Tamayori Crusaders, Yuzuki reluctantly accepted. Oil was starting to become scarce in Crystal City and without it, people could no longer light their lamps. Now dependant on firewood, another meagre resource in a climate too cold for trees, Yuzuki signed the legal documents necessary to allow Makoto and her followers in.
Though she didn't trust them any less than she did before, Yuzuki had to agree with Akane on Makoto's potential. The girl was a strange little thing, wary-eyed, and very small and thin, even though she had a good appetite. Even at such a young age, she had staunch views about Amaterasu and refused to wear anything but her religious habit.
"Sobriety makes a good daughter of our Holy Mother," she told Yuzuki, eyeing her blue elven gown disdainfully. It was like talking to one's spinster aunt. Yet, Yuzuki could not but slightly admire Makoto's piety and learning. She was formidable. For all her primness, she even had the makings of a great queen in her.
Yuzuki could not help but feel conflicted. In the first few weeks of Makoto's stay at Crystal Castle, the queen soon gained the impression that the young girl had been unhappy living with her parents. They had fled their ancestral home, Hitakami Estate, to the republic, after Archbishop Hitakami Genzan and his cult took over. From what Yuzuki could tell from Makoto's testimonies, the girl's parents were clearly ambitious for her and had driven her hard to shine at everything. This belief was confirmed when the white-haired girl expressed surprise at students in Crystal City not being beaten or reprimanded if they did not excel at their lessons.
Hearing the past of her ward, so traumatic for a child, made even cold-hearted Yuzuki concerned. Since then, she took care to be kind to Makoto and praise her, even drawing her out of her shell and making her laugh. As Akane wrote, Makoto quickly became good friends with the twins, reading with Wataru and sparring with Yume. Unfortunately, Yume sensed a rival in her elder playmate and therefore, adopted a distinctly superior attitude. But Makoto was so pleased to be able to study in peace and enjoy reading at her leisure that it clearly did not matter. Slowly gaining Yuzuki's trust, she was even given permission to give sermons to the court—but only when carefully supervised by the snow queen.
Yuzuki often sat in on her ward's lessons, watching the white-haired girl bend over her books, making suggestions that took her in new directions, and influencing Makoto with more open-minded ideas. It was a peaceful, happy time as the months went by. She had put her distrust for Makoto and the Tamayori Crusaders behind her, after good reports from the other nobles in the city, and resolved to be grateful for these joys that Amaterasu gave her. And it was stirring to watch Makoto blossoming under her care, and to be praised by the girl's tutors and the scholars with whom they corresponded.
Even Akane, who after receiving word about Makoto's progress, wrote back:
"When I consider, most gracious Queen Yuzuki, the great number of noblewomen in the empire given to the study of human sciences and strange tongues, and also thoroughly expert in religious scriptures, I am overcome with thankfulness."
Her charge, Akane enthused, compared with the best writers in their godly treatises, which were fit to instruct and edify the whole realm in the knowledge of the blessed Amaterasu. Notably, she praised Makoto's ability to translate books from the common tongue to other foreign languages.
"And it is now no news at all to see queens and ladies of the highest estate, instead of courtly dalliance, embrace reading, writing, and earnest study, applying themselves to the acquiring of knowledge. I hear that my most faithful high priestess continually reads psalms, homilies, devout meditations, etc...and has memorized them all in several tongues. Your Majesty's household is now famous as the superior place for the pursuit in fields of learning."
'And I bet you are jealous of it,' Yuzuki thought, after reading the pious queen's letter and throwing it away.
Yuzuki looked once again at her ward, who was still absorbing a huge tome of information on the history of noble families. She now wondered if there was really any credible truth to the rumours of Makoto burning people alive. Clearly, she was just a girl eager to learn and yearning to be loved. Yes, she was stubborn in her religious beliefs and rather prejudiced, but after being under her parents' thumb for a long time, who could blame her? For a brief second, Yuzuki wondered if she could change Makoto. As much as her old self would have wanted to deny it, the snow queen had become very close to her ward and developed a relationship with her almost like one between a mother and a daughter.
She loved Makoto.
Loved?! Could it be possible? How could it be after she froze her own heart so many years ago? If it were true, what would that mean? More importantly, did Makoto love her as well? Did she love her enough to be more open-minded in changing for the better?
Biting her lip, Yuzuki finished writing her last sentence before putting down her quill. "Alright Makoto, that is enough for today. Let's take tea together, shall we?"
With a smile bright enough to light the whole library tower, Makoto closed her tome and followed the queen like a loyal puppy. Five minutes later, they were peacefully relaxing together before a warm fire in Yuzuki's sitting room, drinking tea with generous amounts of honey just as they liked it.
"I passed my exam on pre-Kamakurian law and trade," Makoto piped up.
Yuzuki took a short draught of her tea. "Very good. I know you had some trouble with that particular section."
"Pfft, it wasn't so bad. I don't find things difficult."
Yuzuki let out something that sounded almost like a chuckle. "There's no need to be so defensive, Makoto. We all have shortcomings."
Shaking her head, Makoto looked at her guardian with endearment. "You don't, Your Majesty."
Putting her cup down, Yuzuki said, "Even I am not infallible. I have made errors that have taken years to fix."
They both entered their own realms of thought while they sat in silence, drinking their warm beverages. Makoto looked at Yuzuki with all of her elegance and poise and knew the queen had been probably exaggerating. Yuzuki was perfect.
"So, other than my niece and nephew, have you interacted with any of the other people in my kingdom around your age?" Yuzuki asked.
"No," was the high priestess's flat reply, bracing herself for her weekly lecture on the importance of everyone deserving love and respect, even if they were different. Why Yuzuki continued to try, Makoto would never know.
"Makoto, why don't you want to make any connections with your peers? You can't spend the rest of your life alone."
"I'm not alone. I have the rest of the Tamayori Crusaders and most importantly...I have you." Makoto's look of serenity faltered under Yuzuki's withering gaze. "I'm sorry, Your Majesty, I just don't see any gain in making other friends."
"But, Makoto, there's so much to be gained from making friends with all kinds of people. You can learn all sorts of things from them and even perhaps, share common interests."
Makoto took another sip of her tea while she mulled over the queen's words. It wasn't as if she had never tried to make friends in Crystal City. She had done so once on Yuzuki's behalf, just to make her happy.
Yet, Makoto loathed the company she found herself in. Hardly anybody wanted to talk about academics or the Church of Amaterasu. It seemed only elderly people, who lived before the Kamakurian Reformation, were the only ones who had sense. Nobody was as invested in learning and the true faith as she was.
No, social interactions with diverse people were a waste of time. From then on, Makoto had decided there was only one person in Crystal City worth talking to. The person who she was now sitting with.
Yuzuki inhaled deeply and looked at Makoto with her wise, loving blue eyes. "I know opening up to others can be difficult, Makoto. But please, just promise me that you'll try."
The young girl dipped her head. "Fine, I promise."
"Thank you." Yuzuki leaned over and gave Makoto a gentle embrace, something she rarely did for anyone else even her niece and nephew. Though she returned the hug, it was hard for Makoto to fully enjoy it with the guilt eating at her from within.
But who else could say that they had such a level of affection from the snow queen? Only one and that was herself. It could be nothing but destiny that they had so much in common, especially their love for learning. Yes, Yuzuki was a follower of Amaterasu too, although a bit too lenient with those that weren't. But Makoto chose to ignore that fact out of the love she bore for the snow queen, her guardian. They had a connection nobody else could imitate.
Feeling the warmth emanating from the older woman, Makoto vowed to be just like Yuzuki someday.
Powerful, regal...
And magical.
"Shall we begin?"
Their hoods casting shadows over their faces, Inago Akira and Toribane Yuuki smiled at the deliberate words of their leader's question. They were the first ones Makoto uttered when they first stepped foot in Crystal City. The expressions of her two friends gave Makoto all the affirmation she needed. It had been far too easy sneaking into the castle with the rest of the crowd. The flood of guests, from nobility to ambassadors and delegates, did an excellent job of masking their approach. When one was awestruck by such extravagant jewelry and eye-catching clothes from foreign lands, three cloaked figures hardly proved worthy of being distracting enough to immediately grab one's attention.
'What a fool Queen Yuzuki is to be so hospitable,' Makoto thought.
And then, at the reminder of the monarch she so loathed, a trigger was released inducing a wave of resentful thoughts. It wasn't the first time the high priestess fed off her ill feelings of what she viewed as being unjustly wronged.
'She'll throw you out afterwards, just as she had before like some sort of broken toy that's no longer useful!'
The dark thoughts kept whispering in Makoto's head as she and her two closest friends made their way with the throng into the ballroom. Impatience, frustration, and anger were prominent, but what she felt the most was something that screamed louder than all of them combined, bleeding into every corner of her mind.
Hatred.
Such an intense hatred on a level that Makoto didn't think any other person could feel. It bubbled like an ugly, open wound left to fester. It was an all-encompassing hatred for a woman who had rejected her, manipulated her, and abandoned her when she needed her most.
What was she missing?
Makoto continued her circular pacing, wondering how long before she created a rut. She paused to look at the tower of books next to her and shook her head. She had gone over every religious book in the library, practiced reciting her sermons day in and day out, yet still, her audience was skeptical about converting back to the true faith!
Raising her head to the aurora-filled heavens, she let out an enraged scream and kicked over her pile of books. She had done everything she could possibly think of. She even talked with her most loyal followers, Akira and Yuuki, and the rest of their fellow Tamayori Crusaders. They too were unsuccessful in their missionary work. How were they supposed to save all these pagans from eternal damnation if they continued being stupid blockheads?!
'Maybe...maybe it's hopeless. Maybe I'm doomed to be forgotten, just like the blessed Amaterasu.'
Makoto shook her head. No, that was the talk of a quitter, and she was no quitter! But she tried every single way...
Makoto's eyes widened. 'Or maybe I haven't.'
She moved down the row of books, leaving the comfort of the only flaming brazier in the library. With a thought, she lit an oil lamp and continued on her way. At the very back of the library was a bolted black door with a faint green aura around it.
The dark tomes. Guarded more zealously than the books in the wing of the House of Aradama. The room before Makoto contained all of the most powerful and dangerous spell books known to mankind. Makoto wrung her hands. Was she really going to dive this far to become like Yuzuki and reverse the Kamakurian Reformation? Some said these books could drive a person mad.
'But if I can overcome it, it'll prove to everyone that I am Amaterasu's chosen voice! Then, they will have to listen! I'll make them see...and then Queen Yuzuki will have to love me for it!'
It was Makoto's last hope. Reaching to touch the door, she could hear whispers coming from inside and a foul air chilling her skin. Even the smell was grotesque, like the stench of...decomposing human remains. There was no other description for it. She blocked all her senses out, forcing herself to grab the handle.
To then be sent catapulting back into the air and crashing into a bookshelf.
Heavy volumes and manuscripts fell on top of her, burying her underneath. Bruised all over, Makoto could not initially register what had happened. Then, it struck her.
'Blood magic...'
Of course, Yuzuki sealed it with blood magic. What better security measure and protection than an enchantment that only responded to the queen's bloodline?
"Makoto!"
All of the whispers and cold air instantly vanished. Somehow the sound of Yuzuki's severe voice was more intimidating than all of that.
Pulling the books off of her pupil, Yuzuki exclaimed, "What in Amaterasu's name were you thinking, Makoto?!"
The girl looked up at her guardian, reading her angry and disappointed expression. Yet, just underneath it, she could see fear and concern waiting to burst forth.
"I'm sorry, Your Majesty, I was just—"
"You know how dangerous those spell books are! Why would you deliberately seek them out?"
Makoto's mouth felt stuffed with cotton and her stomach filled with hot lead. She had never seen or heard Yuzuki this upset before. "I...I..." Bowing her head and clutching the bottom of Yuzuki's dress in her two fists, Makoto cried, "I'm so sorry, Your Majesty! Please forgive me!"
Yuzuki knelt down and put her arms around the weeping girl, enclosing her in a world of just the two of them. "Makoto, of course, I forgive you. But I want to know, why? You know better."
"I...wanted to learn about magic," Makoto confessed. "You've taught me everything, but not about magic. I wanted to discover more about it."
"Including the forbidden arts? Makoto, there are very few people across all of history who have read some of those books without losing a piece of their sanity or being lured in by darkness. The only reason I keep them is for a countermeasure against such forces."
"I'm sorry. I just...I wanted..." The young girl sniffed and buried her face into the pillow that was Yuzuki's shoulder.
"Wanted to what? Prove something? Make me proud? Makoto, I'm already proud of you. I always have been."
"No," Makoto mumbled into the snow queen's blue hair. "I wanted...I wanted you to love me."
"What?" Yuzuki eased Makoto to look her straight in the eye. "Of course, I love you, Makoto. Don't ever think otherwise."
It was the first time the queen had ever said such words of endearment. She knew it now clearly. Her frozen heart had melted. Her ice magic was rendered useless against the powerful force of love Makoto had ignited in her again. Yet, Yuzuki knew her heart started to thaw even before the high priestess came to Crystal City. So, what was it that really changed?
Feeling her eyes begin to tear up again, Makoto hid her face once more. "Your Majesty...every friend I tried to make here left me...my parents never wanted me, except as a pawn. I don't make friends with anyone else but those in the Mokusa Republic because I don't want to be left alone again."
Yuzuki's face softened into a sympathetic frown. "Makoto..."
"But you're different from your subjects. You can't leave. You picked me. It's destiny that we're together; it has to be. So please, just promise me...promise me you'll never leave me."
Yuzuki's embrace tightened, as she rocked Makoto back and forth. "I promise, Makoto."
Makoto cringed at her words. It wasn't enough. It was just Yuzuki comforting her.
Makoto wanted more.
Walking next to their leader, on each side of her, Akira and Yuuki were starting to become more aware of how close Makoto was to actually spitting out venom. They could almost feel the heat emanating off of her. Though they were mere distant relations to Makoto—and bastard daughters at that—the three of them had been closely tight-knit for several years.
Inago Akira was a girl abnormally tall for the average Kamakurian, with long black hair streaked with red. With a rather lawless personality, she was a difficult trial to control to most of those in the Mokusa Republic. Only the rest of her fellow Tamayori Crusaders knew her to secretly be a girl easily moved to tears—a fact Yuuki always loved teasing her about. With short choppy light-brown hair held together by a green crescent hairpin, Toribane Yuuki appeared a stereotypical spirited girl. Harmless and full of energy—a stark contrast to serious Makoto and rough Akira.
Despite their differences, they were of one mind when together, which was almost every hour of the day. Neither of them had to speak a word for the other two to understand their emotions. Nothing could tear their trio apart. Even after discovering the horrifying truth that Akira was having a secret affair with Satsuki Yomi, Makoto and Yuuki eventually forgave her, despite how wounding the betrayal was. Losing Akira to her lover was better than having to lose her friendship entirely. Even the worst circumstances were not strong enough to divide the three young women. They relied on each other, supported each other through thick and thin, and always confided their emotions whatever they were feeling.
So, it wasn't exactly settling to Akira and Yuuki to see Makoto silently brewing, rather than speaking up.
"Mako-chan, is everything alright? You look rather pinched there," Akira said.
Makoto never kept secrets from her friends, and she wasn't going to do so this time either. "I'm thinking about her."
Neither Akira nor Yuuki had to second-guess who Makoto meant by "her", having been first-hand witnesses to their friend's falling out with the snow queen.
Placing a hand on the high priestess's shoulder, Yuuki consoled, "Our focus is revealing Asakura Mihono's true lineage to the world. It is Queen Akane and the blessed Amaterasu we must please, not the ice witch. Try not to think about her too much, Sister Makoto. Anyway, we're here."
Even before they entered the massive double doors, they could hear the sweet melodies and tunes being played by the minstrels up in the gallery. At first, the sight was overwhelming, though the three girls had been in the ballroom before. There were so many things to look at, it was impossible to focus on any one thing long enough to comprehend what it was. There was so much movement and colour.
The biggest crystal chandelier ever hung from the ceiling above the dance floor, which was made entirely of ice enchanted by magic (so no dancers would be disgraced with the humiliation of slipping, of course). Hundreds of formally dressed men and women filled the space waltzing a pavane traditional to the Northern Kingdom, while some stood to the sides where several tables laden with food were placed—these of which immediately caught Akira's hungry eyes.
At the back of the room was a large ceremonial staircase which was divided into two divergent flights of stairs that led up to the balcony that rang around the entire ballroom. And standing on the stair landing looking on at the people was Queen Yuzuki herself, veiled as usual to hide her face.
Just the sight of the snow queen alone was enough to make Makoto's blood boil again...
Makoto sat alone in her bedroom. She had barely slept the night before. Her stomach was still flooded with dread over her ensuing conversation with the queen of the Northern Kingdom. Had she been out of line when she said all that to Yuzuki? Did the princess not feel the same way?
Makoto's skin was red under her eyes from constantly crying. She snapped her book shut, before her tears could ruin the inked parchment, and swept away the fresh droplets trailing down her cheeks. Who was she kidding? Of course, Yuzuki didn't love her.
She contemplated leaving but had no idea where to go. She had no loving family to return to, and she'd rather go live in the Tower of Kamakura before returning to Akane and telling her she failed. Before Makoto could pull out a map of the empire, there was a soft knock at the door.
"Makoto, are you in there?"
Gasping, the girl flung herself at the door and threw it open. In front of her stood Queen Yuzuki, looking regal as always. A frown, however, disrupted her heavenly face.
"Makoto, did you get any sleep at all last night?"
"N-No, Your Majesty."
Briefly pondering something, Yuzuki looked past Makoto before saying, "It's best you have a long nap then, before joining me for luncheon. But first, I think we need to talk." She gestured with a hand.
Makoto stayed within her shadow the entire time they made their way through the castle. They reached the very heart of it: a round hall with a crystal chandelier, a balcony overlooking the city, a tapestry covering the back wall, and a shimmering tree in the very centre of the room. The Crystal Heart of Life, as Makoto was told once by Yuzuki.
"Makoto," the queen began softly, touching the crystal tree's trunk, "do you remember the day we first met?"
Makoto nodded. How could she ever forget? She couldn't voice that though, as her throat decided today would be a good day to stop working.
"On that day, despite my previous doubts, I thought I had found a bright young girl who was exceptionally gifted. But I was mistaken."
Makoto's heart stopped. She turned and looked up at Yuzuki...
And found majestic blue eyes looking back at her, brimming with tears. "I had found so much more than just a prized pupil."
Life flooded Makoto for what felt like the first time. She breathed in an air of relief, restoring function to the rest of her body. "Really?" she asked, her voice croaking.
"You showed such great promise from your studies, and I wondered where exactly they would lead you. But then, I began to think for a while."
"Think what, Your Majesty?" Makoto continued to read Yuzuki's eyes, which were harder to decipher than any other ancient runes she studied upon.
"I began to think that maybe destiny had a far greater plan for you than being just my protégé." Yuzuki turned back to the Crystal Heart of Life. "Makoto, do you remember I once told you about the powers the silver apples of this tree wield? Aeons have passed since anyone ever consumed one of these. Fruit said to restore lost power, strengthen magic, heal physical injuries and disabilities, and...grant immortality. This is a question I ask every one of my students: why do you think no one in my kingdom ever dared to eat the fruit of the Crystal Heart of Life?"
"I-I don't know, Your Majesty."
Yuzuki smiled. "One day, you will. But on a more serious note," here her face turned grave, "would you ever eat of the forbidden fruit?"
Makoto thought for a long time. The temptation was so great. Yet...it wouldn't be right.
"No, Your Majesty."
Yuzuki's eyes filled with tears. Not of despair but of joy. Never had she had a student who passed such a difficult test.
"And why is that?" she asked.
"Because I want to be with you."
Placing a palm on Makoto's shoulder, Yuzuki said, "I have taught so many before, Makoto, and no one has ever shown such wisdom and self-control. I have waited countless years to find someone just like you: brave, wise, strong, compassionate, fair...and you have many of these traits, Makoto."
Makoto's heart pulsed; the blood rushed through her veins. "Your Majesty...are you saying...?"
"I told you many times before that you have great potential, Makoto. And I meant it. Indeed, Makoto, I want you to stand by my side as my equal. And then, my nephew's."
Makoto was breathless again, the range of emotions she had undergone in the past ten minutes starting to take a toll on her. Still, she couldn't believe what she was hearing. She had always dreamed it would come to this, but to hear it with her own ears!
Yuzuki regarded Makoto with a cautionary eye. "I will not lie to you, Makoto. It is a long and arduous road, one that will take time—"
"But I've been walking it, haven't I?" the high priestess interrupted. "I mean, all these months of training, of history and politics—you've been grooming me for this for a while now, right?"
"Yes, I have. Even I would have not believed it at first when I first received Akane's letter. But now I see how wrong I was."
"So why are you telling me now? Why not before or..."
Yuzuki faced her fully, spread her arms around Makoto and blocked her from the outside world. Makoto felt all of the tension leave her body. Wrapped in this heavenly cocoon, she felt completely safe. Yuzuki's face, as radiant as the northern lights outside, beamed down at her.
"Because of what happened last night," Yuzuki admitted. "I was genuinely concerned when I found you trying to get into that forbidden room. Less for their content and more of what it represented, many people have sought to use dark magic for their own means and all of them have failed, meeting only terrible fates—my own cousin, Lady Hiiragi Kagari, being one of them."
Makoto squirmed in Yuzuki's embrace, a guilt-laced knife cutting at her heart.
"Part of it is my fault though. I should have sensed this and watched you more closely. I failed as a guardian on that part. I did not wish to tell you all this because I feared the knowledge would disrupt your learning, though I see now it is because I didn't tell you that you sought out other resources. I'm telling you this now, Makoto, so you do not have to believe that I am not proud of you—that I am demoting you, or punishing you, or that I don't love you. It is hard for me to find a moment when I didn't."
Makoto smiled at Yuzuki. Her heart felt light and relieved, though only for a moment. She recalled the words that had been spoken just moments after she was caught trying to enter the restricted section of the library. Her smile faltered and she thought to bring it up but decided against it.
"There is also one other reason I speak of your destiny, Makoto."
Her heart did a backflip.
Yuzuki leaned in closer, and Makoto could feel the magical frostiness upon her breath. "You shared something very personal and intimate with me. Something I can see was on your heart for a long time, just as what I am about to say has been on my heart for a while too."
Makoto's mind wiped itself clean. Even amongst the heavenly down, her body went rigid.
"I told you I loved you, Makoto, and that is so very true. And over our time together, you have made me smile and laugh in ways I haven't in a very long time. Indeed, I want you to be my equal. And I will help you along that road as your mentor, and...if you'll truly have me..."
Makoto threw herself into Yuzuki's chest. "Yes, yes! Of course, I'll have you, Mother!" she cried. Joy and relief took liquid form and ran down her face in rivulets. "Thank you! Thank you so much! I love you!"
Yuzuki rested her head atop Makoto's. "I love you too...my daughter."
"Look, it's the two lovebirds," Yuuki commented, pointing in the direction of the two dancing girls. Oblivious to their onlookers, including the many people around them who were wagging their tongues, Kanami and Hiyori had eyes only for each other. Akira wanted to barf at the sight.
"We should search for Asakura Mihono first," Makoto said, trying to not unleash her full hatred at the sight of the "Crow Queen".
"No need to look hard. She's right there," Akira said.
Standing alone behind a pillar like a wallflower, Mihono watched the social gathering with a faraway look. Like everyone else, she had dressed as becomingly as she could in the clothes loaned by Yuzuki. The only personal touch of embellishment that she had was a dragon-shaped necklace and matching ear cuff. Her appearance was so beautiful and bright that she would have overshadowed all the others in the room, had she not been so deliberately trying to conceal herself. In fact, this was the very reason why the dragon rider wanted to avoid being seen. She was never one to steal the spotlight. Besides, this was Kanami and Hiyori's moment—not that she really cared about the latter, but she did care for her second-cousin.
Akira couldn't help thinking that Mihono looked rather pitiful, like a forlorn lamb that got lost from the herd. 'Where the heck are her other friends?'
She got her answer once she saw Kiyoka and Mirja struggling to drag away Kofuki, who had obviously been drinking like a fish. Slung over the shoulders of her two friends, the assassin was completely incoherent, blabbing nonsensical ramblings and eventually just throwing up on the floor, much to the disgust of those around her.
"Go up to the balcony and take your places. I shall speak with Asakura Mihono," Makoto said.
Her two followers obeyed, leaving the high priestess to walk up to the dragon rider. "Asakura Mihono," she greeted. "I've waited to meet you for a long time."
"Who are you?" Mihono asked.
"High Priestess Hitakami Makoto," was the reply. "Your ally, a member of the Mokusa Republic, and the founder of the Tamayori Crusaders."
"What do you want?" Mihono asked, cautiously, not liking the look on Makoto's face.
"To put you on the Kamakura Throne as the rightful heiress," Makoto replied.
Groaning and putting her face in her hands, Mihono said, "Not you too! It's stressful enough that my friends want the same thing. Can't anyone see I don't want it?"
"But you shall have it whether you want it or not," the high priestess said, sternly. "Ever wondered why your family has used Kanayamahime as a mount for generations? Ever wondered why a dragon should be tamed so easily by you and your ancestors? You are descended from the Royal House of Atago, believed to have been extinct for hundreds of years. You are the descendant of the eldest Aradama sister, Princess Tagitsu. The descendant of the House of the Dragons who breathe the fire of the blessed Amaterasu's sun!"
"And you know this how?" Mihono demanded. "Where is your proof?
"You shall soon see. To start, I suppose I should speak of why I can tell you this in the first place. Our noble houses, the Asakuras and the Hitakamis, are related by blood. The Atagos changed their surnames to Asakura so as to avoid being hunted down by the Origamis and Hiiragis. They wanted no part in the Cousins' War anymore, and so went into hiding. The House of Hitakami originates and is a branch of the Atagos."
"I-I didn't know that. So, you mean...we're related?"
"Very distantly, but yes. Unlike me and many others, however, you are the most direct descendant of the House of Atago—and therefore, the true heiress to the Kamakura Throne with an even better claim than Queen Origami Akane and Lady Juujou Hiyori. You are destined to rule more than any other person in the entire empire!"
"And just how does concern me? I care not a smidge for my lineage," Mihono said back.
If everyone found out about this, what would happen? Definitely, the Mokusa Republic would jump upon the advantage, including Queen Akane. The Mokusa Republic monarch would prefer her, a devout follower of Amaterasu, rather than Lady Juujou Hiyori. The thought of what the latter would do made Mihono shudder. Hiyori would never forgive her. And if she did indeed kill Chie, she would most certainly kill her too without hesitation.
"You are implying that I should turn my back on Kanami, my own flesh and blood, and Lady Juujou, the princess dowager," Mihono said. "She is the true heiress."
"Is that really what you think?"
'No,' Mihono thought.
"Anyway, what I am advising is that you should do what is best for the Kamakura Empire—by turning them back to Amaterasu, the real goddess. She has blessed your family with holy fire—so use that fire! Be a dragon!"
Mihono was beginning to think there was dragon fire all around her right now, due to how hot she was becoming, sweating buckets in her stress. No! No, this couldn't be happening! She didn't want to be a pawn! She wanted no throne nor any crown. She just wanted to fly freely in the skies upon Kanayamahime.
Never had the sound of Mirja's stern voice been such a relieving distraction. "What is going on here? Who are you?"
"You must be the renowned scribe, Kitora Mirja," Makoto commented.
"Yes. Asakura Mihono, is this young woman bothering you?"
"I saw you and the rest of the Akabane Sword Team that fateful night," Makoto said, not even allowing Mihono to reply to Mirja's question. "You were kneeling in reverence before the true heiress of the Kamakura Throne."
"Please don't..." Mihono gasped. "Don't tell her..."
"Why should I not...Your Highness?"
Enough was enough. Done with how harassed Mihono looked, Mirja yanked off the hood of the person daring to antagonize her friend. That distinctive short white hair did not go unrecognized by those around them. It was that of the same girl who gave several sermons amongst the court.
"It's Bloody Makoto!" people began whispering.
It was time. With a glance up at the balcony where Akira and Yuuki were, Makoto gave a nod of her head. At their leader's signal, the two girls threw down in the air what had to be hundreds of papers—papers on which the hidden records of Mihono's lineage were copied.
"People of the North!" Makoto bellowed. "Behold the truth of your true princess!"
In stunned silence, everyone picked up the papers from the floor, their eyes widening at this revelation written in ink. Makoto, Akira, and Yuuki smiled—finally, their ultimate mission was complete. Their one true goal for coming here had been reached. Having recently found the legitimate lost records in the Kingdom of Ayanokouji—the one realm that held everything that had ever been printed—they now had the proof that their sovereign, Queen Akane needed.
At this new discovery, all the people in the ballroom began whispering to themselves. Could this indeed be true? Then, was the prophecy of the "two birds" wrong? What if it was fake? Who could they trust? Who would be the real heir to the throne then?
Only one person was silent, her face stony with rage and paranoia. Mihono caught her onlooker staring at her almost immediately and cringed at Hiyori's expression. And—was her brain working properly? Or had Hiyori's left eye turned blue for a split second?
"What are you three doing here? Get out! Out! At once! You are not welcome here," Yuzuki yelled. Striding up to Makoto, she said, "I warned you against showing your face here again. I will not be as tolerant the next time! Now go! Your religious cult fanaticism has no place in my castle!"
"Oh yes...Mother," Makoto drawled, emphasizing the last word. "I know that very well, especially since you have a new...favourite."
Her eyes slowly fell on Hiyori, who was still glaring daggers at Mihono.
"Don't you dare call me that, you saucy girl!" Yuzuki spat.
"Enjoy your new daughter then," Makoto said, using her anger to conceal the hurt she still felt within. "But I am warning you, there is a storm brewing in that girl, and it won't be held back for long."
Akira and Yuuki now at her sides, she said, "Let's go. We are done here."
Everyone watched them depart with a wide range of expressions from disbelief and fear to anger and suspicion. None of the three girls took notice of them, as though they were all invisible. But before they left, Kanami could feel a piece of paper being put into her palm when the three passed by her.
"Remember what our goal was, Countess Etou..." Makoto crooned.
Realizing her mouth had fallen open, Kanami quickly snapped it shut. She anxiously looked about to see if anyone noticed or heard, but everyone was too preoccupied with talking rapidly over the drama that unfolded. Opening the note handed to her, Kanami's heart pounded with each word her brown eyes read:
"Meet us at the Tsumetai Tavern at midnight."
"What is that, Mother?" Makoto asked, looking over Yuzuki's shoulder.
"A letter from the Duchess of Gojou."
"The Duchess of Gojou? Why would she be writing to you?"
"She is telling me that my goddaughter has just been engaged to Prince Origami Jun," Yuzuki said.
"Y-Your goddaughter?"
"Lady Juujou Hiyori."
Makoto had heard rumours about the younger girl. She honestly didn't see why Hiyori would be a good marriage match for Prince Jun. He was a devout follower of Amaterasu, but Hiyori was not. Yes, from what she knew, Hiyori didn't really care for religion. Period.
'Had I not sworn to be a pure virgin when I took my holy vows, I would be a better choice for His Highness!' Makoto thought. 'And as Mother's equal, our match could have united the empire and restored the true faith! If only that could have been possible...'
No, there should be no "ifs"; she had to make it possible! The only question was how? Yukari would never want a priestess as a daughter-in-law. She'd want someone with power. Makoto had that, yes. She was born in a high-class family and as a high member of the clergy, she had power within the church. But there was one thing she lacked...magic.
Hiyori had that. Well, in her blood anyway. She had not yet shown any sign of her powers awakening. Yukari most likely agreed to the stupid match not just for an alliance to end the Cousins' War, but also to control Hiyori herself—and maybe use that magic herself. Makoto envied the House of Hiiragi for having such power. Even Yuzuki herself...Makoto could never fully be on her level.
'If I somehow obtain magic, I would be unstoppable. I can rule this empire and change it for the better! And I will truly be Mother's equal.'
But what to do? How could she acquire magic that was only inherited through birth?
Unless...
Excusing herself from her adopted mother's study, Makoto rushed over to the heart of the castle where the Crystal Heart of Life was. It would be so easy... Just one bite...
Plucking a silver apple from the tree, the high priestess held the fruit in her two palms with awe. She could not help looking at it from all sides and smelling it over and over again. It was like Amaterasu's Holy Land in one single fruit.
She raised the apple to her lips...
When a blast of ice knocked it from her grasp.
"M-Mother..." Makoto trembled. For the first time in her life, she did not see disappointment nor even frustration in Yuzuki's eyes.
She saw anger.
With the cold talons of dread grabbing around the throat, Makoto stood with Akira, Yuuki, and the rest of the Tamayori Crusaders at the foot of the dais in the throne room. Yuzuki sat upon her ice throne, her face just as cold and frigid. The guards were dismissed; the evening court had been cancelled. Yuzuki had not even looked at Makoto since she caught her in the act. Even now, her blue eyes were closed. A shrouding dark cloud of negative emotions covered her face, eclipsing the moon.
"Hitakami Makoto," she said in an iron voice. "Explain to me why you did what you did."
Makoto flinched at the absence of all warmth from Yuzuki's voice. "I wanted to obtain magic to become your equal. I did it for good reasons. You know I did. I'm sorry, Mother, but I did it for you."
There was a prolonged pause.
"If you think your manipulation of truth will work on me, you are very sadly mistaken. I have forgiven your past grievances, but not today! Only the truly desperate or foolish would try to eat that fruit, and you clearly are both. I know full well of what you really wanted."
"I truly did it for you—"
"That is no excuse." Yuzuki finally opened her eyes, freezing Makoto's soul with righteous ice. "I knew the slightest possibility existed that you might try regardless, but never did I suspect you would actually go through with it! Makoto, if I had not arrived when I did, that magic could have inflicted irreparable damage to you, both physically and mentally. The fruit of the Crystal Heart of Life, when taken for selfish desires, does nothing but bring despair and darkness to those who eat of it."
'But how do you know that when you've never eaten it yourself?' Makoto thought, something hot beginning to boil up inside her. 'Sounds more like you are too chicken to do it and because of that, you are the one who is selfish. If you want it but can't have it, you'll likewise prevent others from having it too whenever they deserve it, like me!' She held her tongue, however, diverting her effort into keeping her face neutral.
Yuzuki leaned forward on her throne. "What were you thinking?" she whispered harshly.
"I was thinking I wanted to have magic. To be as powerful as Amaterasu herself. To be as powerful as you!" Makoto responded in an equally harsh whisper. "I was thinking that this was the final push I needed to ascend to holiness! It's selfish of you to keep such a gift from me and everyone else! I know almost everything except what is kept in that restricted section! I'm so close...so very close...close to the destiny you promised me! But you keep holding me back!" Makoto panted hard. Liquid magma flowed through her heart, her chest burning. "I've worked so hard...I've worked for so long!" Her neutral face cracked, and she bared her teeth, the magma running through her whole body. "I've given everything to you, but you won't make me a queen like you! Why?"
"Because you are not ready!" Yuzuki stood from her throne. "You still fail to grasp the most important lesson I've tried to teach you! Your actions today have served only to prove that you still have a very long way to go...if you are even still worthy of such a title!"
"If? If?!" Makoto stamped her foot, making the Tamayori Crusaders jump a little. Never had their leader shown such wrath before. "I am worthy! I know almost everything! I know how this kingdom runs! I know how to handle the nobles and the peasantry and any crisis that threatens us! I know a damn lot more than your stupid goddaughter, Lady Juujou, that's for sure!"
The magma was overflowing, and Makoto finally understood what it was. But she had never felt such anger for her mother before. Never this level of resentment. Never this volume of hatred.
"It is that kind of arrogance that holds you back, Makoto!" Yuzuki's overbearing presence made Makoto wilt like a flower exposed to the cold. "This is not a competition between you and my goddaughter."
Yuzuki's iciness receded, but now it was Makoto's turn to run cold. "Of course, it's not a competition because clearly, Lady Juujou's winning! She is nothing but related to you, the Hiiragis, and the Origamis. She does nothing but wins through the merit of her blood and suddenly she's a princess! She is your goddaughter and now is suddenly the princess of the entire empire! I fight my way to the top and strain myself day after day to acquire knowledge and prove my worth, and somehow, she is more royal than me!"
Yuzuki's eyes softened. "Makoto..."
"No!" Makoto couldn't stop. She couldn't turn the flow of hatred back into the volcano of her emotions. Her heart was bleeding too fiercely for her to allow Yuzuki to try and bandage it up with a simple "I'm sorry".
"I swore to you that I would work hard and make you proud! I kept my end of the promise, didn't I? Yet Lady Juujou comes swooping in and steals everything! You told me I had a grand destiny! You said I would rule by your side someday!"
"You will, Makoto—"
"Then what about Lady Juujou?" Pearly tears found their way out of the corners of Makoto's eyes. "Why is it the longer I stay here, the more I get shunned aside? You love her more, right? I'm not good enough to be family, is that it? You told me you loved me! You called me your daughter! Or were those just words to you?"
"Makoto, cease this foolish talk at once." Yuzuki's voice retained its firmness, but her tone of sympathy had returned. "I love you, Makoto. You know that—I know you do. But you are too clouded by delusions of grandeur to see it clearly. I..." Yuzuki's voice quivered for a moment. "I'm not a prize to be won, Makoto. You can't have me all to yourself."
"But you're the only person I want and the only one I need!" Makoto dropped onto her knees. Her anger began to harden, and she looked up at Yuzuki with sparkling eyes. "I love you, Mother. Nobody else loves you as much as I do. We were destined to be together. That's why I want to have magic just like you. Without it, I can't be your true equal. As a sorceress, I can stand by your side for all eternity. Mother and daughter ruling together!"
Yuzuki bowed her head. "Makoto, having magic is not a blessing. It is a curse and is not synonymous with immortality."
"But you can do it, can't you?" Makoto's grin split from ear to ear. "Just let me eat the fruit!"
"I will never allow you to become immortal, Makoto. Nor will I let you have magic."
Makoto stared up at her, her smile quickly evaporating. "Why?" she whispered. "Why? Why?"
Yuzuki bowed her head lower, falling upon her throne again in her frustration. "I love you, Makoto, truly I do—"
"Then make me family! Make me a sorceress! Show me off to the world! I will bear your name proudly, more proudly than anyone else! You don't need Lady Juujou, you don't even need Princess Yume nor Prince Wataru! You only need me! I'm the strongest person in the world, and I demand that you make me a sorceress!"
"No!" Yuzuki smashed a fist into one of her frozen armrests, cracking the ice beneath. "You are not ready, and if this is the path you wish to follow...perhaps you never will be."
Makoto's voice shook. "What are you saying?"
Yuzuki looked up from behind her ethereal blue hair, her eyes flooded with tears. "I have let my love for you cloud my judgment for too long. Makoto, this meeting is not about our relationship or whether or not you can ascend. Your actions have nearly put an entire kingdom and perhaps the whole empire in mortal danger. And I need to know—" there was the slightest plea in her voice "—do you feel any regret?"
Makoto drank Yuzuki's image in. She wanted to lie. She wanted to say yes, that she was regretful and sorry, and everything would go back to the way it was supposed to be. But kneeling in Yuzuki's presence, feeling her overpowering aura, Makoto could not find the strength to do it. She turned her head.
"No, Mother...I do not."
The throne room's empty air choked both of them, trying to get them to speak. Makoto had no other words to say, none to defend herself and no more to accuse Yuzuki with.
"Very well..." Yuzuki's voice was thicker than lead. "If...if that is how you feel, Makoto...then I'm afraid...I have nothing left to teach you."
Makoto jerked her head up, her eyes wider than the glass windows, her pupils almost nonexistent. "...What?"
For the first time, Yuzuki put her veil down, covering her face and blocking it from Makoto's view. "You refuse to accept harmony and friendship, opting merely for power and religious obsession. I cannot teach you if you no longer want to learn, Makoto. It is clear to me that you need to find your own path, one that does not consist of only trying to please me."
"You're kicking me out over one mistake? Over Lady Juujou?"
"That is not the point, Makoto! You have disobeyed my rules before, and you have shown me you care not for what happens to anyone! Those are not the actions of a princess—those are not even the actions of a decent person!"
Makoto's voice rose. "This isn't fair! You can't do this to me! I'm High Priestess Hitakami Makoto! I'm heiress to your throne! I'm your daughter!"
"No! You! Are! Not!" Yuzuki bellowed. "Your name may be Hitakami Makoto, but you are heiress to nothing! You are not the daughter I tried to raise!"
The throne room was deadly silent. Akira, Yuuki, and the rest of the Tamayori Crusaders could not see Makoto's face as she had her back to them, but they knew what she must look like in her shocked despair.
All of the air left Makoto's lungs. She doubled over, suffocating on Yuzuki's words while her heart bled from innumerable cracks. It crumbled to pieces, each jagged point stabbing her in the chest. This couldn't be happening. Not to her. Yuzuki's eye twitched. Her own mother was abandoning her? After everything Makoto had tried to do for her?
"You...you don't mean that," Makoto croaked, her eyes fixed on the crystal floor. "You can't mean that." Makoto looked up only to find Yuzuki had stood up from her ice throne and turned her back towards her.
"I won't banish you, Makoto, nor your followers..." Yuzuki's voice barely made it through the screaming turmoil in Makoto's mind. "You are all free to remain in Crystal City, but you are no longer welcome in this castle. I tried my best...but you seem insistent on walking this path. Perhaps this will teach you a much-needed lesson."
Makoto sat there, her entire body convulsing as the storm in her mind raged on. This was happening. She was being denied everything.
'No. I'm supposed to be a princess. She doesn't love me anymore. I'm being replaced. She's scared of me. Mother, you can't do this. I love you. Mother...'
"Mother." Makoto finally drew in a breath. "You can't do this! You can't!" Her eyes vanished in a lake of brilliant light, as tears blinded her vision. "I won't let you!" she screamed, lunging forward, and grabbing Yuzuki by the dress.
Yuzuki turned and waved her hand, sending Makoto back a few metres in a wave of snow. Her blue hair whipped in the wrathful blizzard blowing around her. "Do not trifle with me, Hitakami Makoto!" Yuzuki's voice echoed into eternity. "You may have power within the church, but I still have powers you can only dream of!"
Makoto fell back and quivered in the shadow Yuzuki cast. Before her aura had been overpowering, yet it had not tried to smother and strangle Makoto. Now, Yuzuki's aura consumed all, as mighty as Amaterasu itself. Who was she but an insect challenging a giant? A distant star compared to the full glory of the moon the queen was named after?
Yuzuki closed her eyes and took deep breaths, letting her magic calm down, her ethereal hair hanging limp, her almighty aura gone. "Leave, all of you," she said wearily. "You are dismissed." With a gait that only a queen burdened with a heavy crown would have, she turned and walked towards a door in the back.
"Fine! Go!" Makoto yelled, choking back her sobs. "Leave me as my parents did! I don't need you! And if that bitch of a goddaughter you have, along with perhaps even her wretched mother, your cousin, throw the world into darkness, don't come crying to me!" She watched Yuzuki's retreating form pay her no mind. "Did you hear me? You'll rue this day, Yuzuki! You'll rue it!"
Yuzuki continued to ignore her.
Makoto felt the last of the sun's rays vanish from the shattered remains of her heart, a bitter chill replacing it. She bit down on her lip, building up the coming scream until it was a crescendo in her throat. She had no mother now. Only her Holy Mother, Amaterasu. Just as Yuzuki exited the room, Makoto's final words tore through her and shook the throne room.
"I HATE YOU!"
A/N: That is Makoto's backstory. Leave any thoughts in the reviews!
Points to anyone who can guess how Yuzuki's heart actually thawed. (Hint: it's not because of Makoto.)
Some additional information in case you missed/didn't understand it...
1) Yuzuki allowed Makoto and the Tamayori Crusaders into Crystal City, in exchange for oil from the Mokusa Republic.
2) In the medieval era, it was common for noble children to be sent to the houses of other nobles for education.
3) Makoto and Yuzuki's relationship is based on Queen Elizabeth I's with her stepmother, Queen Katherine Parr (the wife who survived King Henry VIII). When she was a girl, Elizabeth was put under the tutelage of her stepmother but was sent away by Katherine, like how Makoto was by Yuzuki.
4) "Tsumetai Tavern" literally means "Cold Tavern". Both "Tsumetai" and "Samui" mean "Cold", but "Tsumetai" can also apply as an adjective for someone who has a cold heart.
5) Mihono is the true heiress to the Kamakura Throne since she is a direct descendant of Princess Tagitsu, who was the eldest of the three Aradama sisters.
6) The mission of the Tamayori Crusaders wasn't just to convert people, but also to search for the lost records of Mihono's lineage. They were sent by Akane because she knew that the Kingdom of Ayanokouji contains many forbidden records, and therefore, it must have the legal documents of the House of Atago.