Author's note: I'M BACK! Sorry for making you wait. Here's the next chapter. Review :)

Chapter 3

My rival(s)

Mayumi sighed in exasperation and lethargy. She had no more strength to deal with the consequences of being the Emperor's favourite, especially when said Emperor was the most wanted bachelor and did not have ANY consorts in his palace. It had been one month since she and Akina had time-traveled to the past but the amount of troubles and less than interesting situations made her wanted to have mini episodes of conniption.

Granted, Akina had her fair share of troubles as well but neither of them wanted to go through it anymore. Yes, the food was great and exquisite. Yes, Minato showered them, Mayumi in particular, with expensive gifts and clothing. Yes, everyone of rank lower than hers bowed to her and greeted her with utmost politeness. But, it did nothing to deter the scheming Ministers, namely Shimura Danzo, Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura, that wanted their daughters in her place.

The other Ministers were fun and easy to get along with as they genuinely cared for Minato and wanted him to be happy. Now that she really thought about it, except for the three annoying Ministers mentioned earlier, everyone seemed to go out of their way to make Minato, Mayumi and by proxy, Akina, happy. Especially a certain long, white-haired pervert that the young Emperor would like to call "Sensei." Mayumi shivered involuntarily as she could still remember how said pervert greeted her on her first day at the Imperial Palace.

Minato clasped Mayumi's hand in his and guided her through the confusing hallways and corridors of the Imperial Palace. Mayumi and Akina could not contain their amazement and wonder while looking at the beautiful architecture of the equally beautiful palace. Minato smiled at his obviously excited future lover and said, "Do you like it, love?"

The servants that heard what he said gasped silently and looked at their possible future Empress. Looking at the woman beside their Emperor closely, they finally understand why their Emperor fell for her. She had long, dark brown hair and stunning green eyes while her companion had short, vibrant green hair and cheerful pink eyes. They both wore beautiful kimonos and looked as regal as any nobles. But what stood out the most was that the future Empress seemed to exude ethereal elegance and kindness.

The Emperor led her to a huge hall where a lot of people were gathered and when they entered, the once noisy place went silent and they greeted Minato like how the soldiers and Shizune did. Mayumi felt a lot of eyes on her, judging her and trying to see her worth. It made her feel uncomfortable and Minato noticed her distress. Clearing his throat, he spoke in a loud, clear voice, "Everyone, this is Lady Nanahara Mayumi and her companion, Lady Kasugano Akina. Mayumi here will be staying here in the Imperial Palace as my future Empress. Lady Kasugano will be keeping her company."

Chaos ensued.

The Minister of Defense, Mitokado Homura, looked at Mayumi critically before he spoke to Minato. "My apologies, Your Imperial Majesty, but you cannot bring a woman of an unknown origin and status to the Imperial Palace. What if she is an assassin sent by your enemies?"

His words were supported by the chief of Human Resource department, Utatane Koharu and the Governor of Fukuoka, Shimura Danzo while the others just kept silent. Minato was not pleased and he made it known. His cold blue eyes looked at the source of his anger and he said, "Tell me, Ministers, who is the Emperor here?"

"You, of course, Your Imperial Majesty."

"Then, why are you questioning my decision? Mayumi is not an assassin and if any of you dare to insinuate such things about my beloved again, it will not be tolerated. Understand?"

Danzo, Koharu and Homura gritted their teeth in silent anger but managed to say, "Yes, Your Imperial Majesty. Our apologies, Lady Mayumi." The Emperor then turned towards his other subordinates and said, "The same goes to all of you. No one is to treat Mayumi or Lady Kasugano badly."

"And who are this Mayumi and Lady Kasugano, Minato?"

The sudden interruption made everyone jumped in shocked and Mayumi clutched her chest in a vain attempt to make it stop palpitating. They turned their heads towards the direction of the voice and sitting on the windowsill was a man in his fifties with long white hair. He also wore a kimono, though it was green and less formal so that it would not restrict his movements.

"Jiraiya-sensei!"

"Yo, brat."

Jiraiya pushed himself off the windowsill and ruffled Minato's hair, much to the younger male's chagrin. The former then looked at Mayumi and walked around her in circles as if he was inspecting a rare, exotic creature. Suddenly, he broke out into a definitely perverted grin and swiveled towards Minato. He gave Minato two thumbs up and said, "I don't know how you scored this beauty but I approve. Her breasts are definitely top-notch!"

Everyone gaped shamelessly, Minato frowned, Akina smirked while Mayumi's head was tilted down. Shikaku looked at her and said, "Lady Mayumi, are you alright?"

"Mayumi, are you okay?"

Forgetting his homicidal rage towards his perverted teacher, Minato started to walk towards Mayumi but was greeted with the sight of Mayumi giving him a roundhouse kick to the face while yelling "You insufferable pervert!" Akina burst out laughing while everyone could only looked at the supposedly gentle lady cussing up a storm in English towards the knocked out pervert on the floor.

"Oh my God! That was priceless! It's been a while since I've seen that!"

Mayumi glared at Akina for that comment. Akina smiled sheepishly, holding up her hands in a placating manner and tried but failed to suppress her snickers. Eventually, Jiraiya woke up and needless to say, he gained a healthy fear of brunettes.

Mayumi smiled lightly remembering the memory and its subsequent successors but she let out a tiny frown when an unpleasant memory resurfaced.

Danzo, Koharu and Homura were up to something. Mayumi knew but kept her silence, while Akina who was sitting beside her squeezed her hand for moral support. Minato was sitting on a raised dais with Mayumi and Akina sitting slightly behind him. Minato looked at the three ministers in front of him and said, "Could you repeat that, Minister?"

"Certainly, Your Majesty. My daughter, Lady Sakuya of the Mitokado household, along with Lady Tsukasa of the Utatane household and Lady Kyoko of the Shimura household would like to meet Lady Mayumi and Lady Akina in hopes of becoming friends with ladies of the same age group."

Minato looked at the emotionless Mayumi and smiled tenderly. Mayumi glanced at him and he started, "What do you think, love? Do you want some company, apart from Lady Kasugano?"

As much as Mayumi wanted to say 'no', she knew that the jealousy bubbling inside her was a dangerous feeling and unfair to her unknown fiancé so thinking that Minato would fell in love with one of the noble ladies, she answered with an answer that broke her heart.

"Yes, please. Akina and I would love the company, Minato."

Akina scoffed lightly and muttered "Idiot." under her breath but was not noticed by anyone. Minato smiled wider and turned his attention back to the awaiting ministers.

"Alright, you have my approval. Your daughters should come as soon as possible to meet my beloved."

"Thank you, Your Majesty, Lady Mayumi. Our daughters will be ready to meet Lady Mayumi and Lady Kasugano the day after tomorrow."

"That will be great, Ministers. Dismiss."

"Whatcha' thinking 'bout?"

Akina lightly patted Mayumi on her arm to snap her out of her daydream. Mayumi glanced at her best friend who was currently paying more attention to the scenery around the pavilion they were currently having a tea in. The pavilion, like many of its kind, was similar to a gazebo, only in olden Japanese-style. It was built above a pond inside the Inner Palace and countless floras of different sizes, shapes and colours accentuated its beauty.

"No wonder they call this place The Palace of Celestial Beauty. It's like you're in the garden for the gods."

"Perhaps."

Mayumi sipped her tea while Akina quirked an eyebrow.

"You're being awfully quiet today. Something wrong?"

"Not quite."

"Is this about yesterday?"

Mayumi's grip on her teacup tightened to the point cracks started to form. Akina sweatdropped.

Three women bowed in front of Mayumi. They were wearing kimonos, haoris, zoris as well as priceless jewelries even more extravagant than Mayumi and Akina. They straightened after a while and introduced themselves. A woman in her early twenties stepped up and began.

"Greetings, Lady Nanahara, Lady Kasugano. I am Lady Sakuya of the Mitokado household. It's a pleasure to meet you."

She was a beauty and she knew it. Mayumi despised dealing with people like these as they often thought that they were better than anyone else and treated you like dirt if you were no longer of use to them.

"As do I, Lady Mitokado."

Her full red lips, her pink cheeks, her beautiful auburn hair, her bewitching golden orbs. Anything and everything was perfect and she knew that this woman was used to getting what she wanted effortlessly.

Mayumi directed her attention to the woman to Sakuya's right and again, she was as beautiful as Sakuya. Her vibrant pink hair and charcoal-coloured eyes complimented her. Sakuya gestured to the woman and introduced her.

"This is Lady Tsukasa of the Utatane household."

"I'm honoured to be given the chance to meet you. Mayumi hime-sama."

"Likewise, Lady Utatane."

The last woman introduced herself without any prompting.

"I am Lady Kyoko of Shimura household. Pleasure to meet you, Lady Mayumi."

She had the usual brown hair and black eyes but no less elegant than the two beside her. Mayumi and Akina smiled politely and the five of them walked towards their destination.

"Today, we'll be having tea in one of the pavilion of The Palace of Serene Melody. We-" Mayumi started but was cut off by someone. That person being Sakuya.

"Eh? The Palace of Serene Melody? But I thought that the Palace of Celestial Beauty is the Inner Palace's official name."

Mayumi gritted her teeth silently but before she could answer, she was interrupted. Again.

"Of course it is. But what makes you think that outsiders, other than the maids of the inner Palace and I, are allowed to even look at the inner Palace without the Emperor's permission?"

Akina hated the noble ladies and she made sure they knew it.

"B-But, aren't we allowed there?"

"What are you talking about, Tsukasa? Just because the Emperor said you can meet us, doesn't mean you can be at the Emperor's private palace."

Kyoko was about to say something but Mayumi cut her off with a firm "Enough." They continued their walk in silence and soon, they arrived and were politely having tea. Though, the passing people could feel the tension in the air. Suddenly. They saw Minato passed by the garden in front of them while talking to Shikaku, Akimichi Chouza and Aburame Shibi. He caught Mayumi's silhouette from the corner of his eyes and turned to give her a grin and a wave. Mayumi smiled softly and waved back but her good mood was destroyed instantly when she heard dreamy sighs beside her.

"You are so lucky, Mayumi hime-sama. The Emperor loves you so much."

"Thank you for the compliment, Lady Utatane. But, what doo you mean by that?"

The three women were surprised to hear her reply and it was reflected on their faces.

"You mean, you did not hear the rumours, Lady Nanahara?"

"What rumours, Lady Mitokado?"

They glanced at each other before nodding.

"They said that the Emperor were not on good terms with some of his Ministers right now because he said that he only wants you."

"Eh?"

Mayumi and Akina were shocked. They knew Minato loved Mayumi but not to this extent. Kyoko, misunderstanding their reaction, continued Sakuya's explanation.

"Indeed. He even rejected all the noble ladies at the Imperial Spring Banquet."

"Imperial… Spring Banquet?"

Akina tilted her head to the right.

"Yes, Lady Akina. The Imperial Spring Banquet is an event where the whole palace gathers to watch the cheery blossoms blooming. It happened a few weeks before you entered the Imperial Household, Lady Mayumi."

Interested, Akina asked for elaboration.

"Well, this year's banquet was organized by the Royal Advisor, Jiraiya-sama, to help the Emperor to find his bride. But, the Emperor did not even attend it."

"Oh? Were you guys there too?"

"Yes, Lady Kasugano. All noble ladies that had come of age were invited to the banquet. It is a pity you missed it. With the cherry blossoms fluttering and beautiful maidens everywhere, it was like a gathering of celestial maidens."

They looked downcast and Mayumi felt a weird sense of victory and satisfaction that Minato did not attend the banquet. They continued chatting and soon, it was time for them to go. But before they could be escorted by the Imperial Guards, Minato suddenly showed up and wrapped his arms around Mayumi's small waist. Everyone gasped and bowed except for Mayumi, due to Minato's arms, but Minato just waved it off.

"I hope all of you had a great time. I do not wish for my beloved to be bored."

Sakuya immediately replied the Emperor.

"O-Of course, Your Majesty."

Minato smiled and directed his attention to Mayumi. He smiled apologetically and said, "I am sorry, love. I am not able to spend time with you today as I have important matters to attend to."

"It is alright, Minato. I understand."

Minato grinned and swooped down to steal a kiss from Mayumi's soft lips. He laughed at Mayumi's stunned expression and started to walk away. When he joined Shikaku who was waiting for him at one of the hallways, he turned around and yelled, "I am so lucky to have such an understanding wife."

Mayumi blushed and quickly turned away while muttering she was not Minato's wife yet under her breath. She turned her attention to the three noble ladies but was shocked to see them looking at her with jealousy. They were escorted to their house after that and it was all Mayumi could do not to flop on the bed in exhaustion.

Akina looked at her obviously seething friend and said, "If you grip that cup any harder, it will break into pieces, cut your hand and cause your beloved Minato to worry."

Mayumi relaxed considerably.

"Shut up."

She only received a smirk as an answer.