The Nightingale

Chapter 87: Just keep moving

Winter — x494 / February 18

The first thing Rukia felt when she woke up that day was the absence of Ichigo's warmth in the bed. She stirred a little between the sheets and searched for him in the room with her eyes, until she found him sitting in a chair in front of the table, with breakfast served and several papers in his hand.

Ichigo had an annoyed expression as he went through the papers, and Rukia sighed as it was clear they couldn't stay isolated from the world any longer. She got out of bed, took her sleeping robe and went to where the bowl of clean water was placed for her to wash her face.

— Good morning, my winter princess. — Ichigo greeted her from his seat as she carefully wiped her face. — Tatsuki brought breakfast. They brought you beets and liver.

— No again! — Rukia complained, setting the towel aside to go with him and check that, indeed, they had brought beets and liver for her to recover the blood she had lost. — I still have nightmares about this.

Ichigo chuckled a bit at that, but pulled her closer to him and gave her a very soft kiss on the lips. Rukia could taste the coffee in that kiss, and she gave him one more kiss without wanting to pull away from him. The cookies from the day before had helped her heart, although it wasn't really because of the cookies but Ichigo's intention to try to make her feel better.

— Good morning, my summer prince. — Rukia whispered and gave him one more kiss. — Is there a lot of work to do?

Rukia asked that question as she moved away from him to sit in her own chair and devoted a little attention to what they had been brought for breakfast. Ichigo had a normal breakfast, but hers was the one meant for blood recovery and she didn't even want to touch it because it was disgusting.

— Not so much. Renji and Uryu are doing a good job, but I have to let them rest. — Ichigo handed her the basket of bread and jams, as if he knew she didn't intend to eat the liver or beets, and she thanked him for that. — Kaien also delegated some work to Nnoitra and Aaroniero. He's still recovering from the assassination attempt.

— I still can't believe the king punished him like that. — Rukia took a piece of bread and spread some apricot jam and cream cheese on it. — I thought the king loved him more than life.

— The king still loves him more than life. Kaien simply spoke too much and that deserved a punishment. — Ichigo handed her a large sheet so she could read. — We have to do something with this, we can't let them keep talking because it could affect us in the future.

Rukia took the paper and began to read what was there.

In a size that obviously couldn't be ignored, was an engraving of her and Ichigo, as well as several columns of text recounting what happened on the day of the roses. Tatsuki had mentioned it to her the day before, but that didn't stop her from being surprised to read the way they talked about her relationship with Ichigo and the loss of their son.

It also didn't stop Rukia from being surprised to read what Kaien had said or the overly dangerous conclusions the reporter reached. Only those directly involved knew about those rules, so the reporter was endangering his life by suggesting such conclusions and letting the people talk.

Rukia couldn't deny that she was happy about what they published because surely the news angered the king and queen, especially the queen because in a certain way they were blaming her for what happened, but Ichigo was right. In the future, when she put the War Crown on her head, she would be the one they would talk about and point their finger at.

—

The man in front of Kaien was old, not old enough to be considered an old man, but he was definitely older than the king.

The teacher who came from Entabeni dressed in the clothes used by the teachers of that city, always proud to wear the white of the Deities and the embroidery on their clothes with religious motifs.

Those men said that it was the Deities who facilitated knowledge and allowed understanding to be greater in those who studied in Entabeni, and Kaien did not intend to contradict those men who, in addition to teaching, were faithful believers of the Deities.

— I thought that Entabeni College had forgotten my request for a private teacher. — Kaien commented, pointing to a seat in the common room where he received his guest.

— We never forget anything, Your Highness. — The man responded as he sat down where Kaien had pointed. — My delay was because I was not on the mainland. I specialize in foreign languages and therefore I travel a lot trying to learn and understand, always with the favor of the Deities, the way of speaking in other peoples.

Kaien sat across from the teacher and nodded slightly. A teacher in languages was what he needed and he had to be careful in the way he treated the man, because he knew that the city of Entabeni was a danger to the peace of the kingdom with its policy of "we are not part of the kingdom, but you must protect us and not take away our holy soldiers".

— I have always wanted to travel to other towns and learn their language but my duties prevent me, therefore I have had to settle for learning those languages inside this castle. — Kaien explained with that friendly smile that he used for those social moments. — Sometimes I fear that in the future, when I need to use what I have learned, I won't be able to pronounce the words correctly.

— If your highness has learned it well, then I don't think it will be difficult for you to speak any language. At first it feels like something foreign on the palate, but with practice the tongue gets used to it. — The teacher paused. — There are many language teachers in Entabeni, why did you ask for me? What language do you want to learn that my colleagues can't teach you, your highness?

Kaien looked away very subtly, as if in an embarrassed gesture, and smiled. It was obvious to Kaien that the man knew perfectly well why he had been called to the castle, as well as that this question was because he wanted to corroborate the information they had given him in Entabeni.

— Because I want to learn the language of the Jade Lands.

The teacher was too surprised when Kaien said that because the Jade Lands are incredibly far away and the people who lived there rarely saw each other on the mainland. People from that place were more likely to be seen in the Dawnlands than on any other continent.

— The language of the Jade Lands? — The teacher asked, still surprised by that.

— Exactly. — Kaien continued, with that hopeful expression on his face that he knew worked well for convincing people. — The Entabeni teachers told me that only you knew that language properly, and so I have asked them to send you to the castle. Could you teach me?

— Of course I can, but… your highness, why do you want to learn it? Nothing good comes from a place like that. In that place…

The master seemed reluctant, but what bothered Kaien was the comment he made, since his mother, Kala, was from that continent.

— I don't want to travel to the Jade Lands, but I want to learn the language. — Kaien had to use all his self-control to keep the anger from showing on his face. — My mother was a woman who came from the Jade Lands, and although I never met her because she died prematurely, I thought that knowing the language would somehow bring me closer to her.

Kaien watched the teacher hesitate for a moment, as if debating with himself whether or not to teach him that language, until he finally agreed to do so. Kaien smiled and called a servant to prepare everything for the teacher's stay in the castle.

He would finally learn that language, he would be able to read the book, and he would know why the love potion he had created didn't work. His mother had translated the recipe for him, and he had followed it to the letter, but when he tried it on someone, it just had no effect.

Kaien was aware that the chances of this potion being successful on the first try were low, since he was not a jade warlock, but he was frustrated to know that perhaps, because he did not know the language, he had made a mistake in the chants and spells.

—

After Rukia and Ichigo talked for much of the day about what they should do now, they came to the conclusion that they had to get out of the room or they would incur the wrath of the king and queen.

And they've had enough of the wrath of the king and queen.

They both knew that nothing would be the same again, words had been said that were difficult to forget and there were actions that left deeper wounds than those made by daggers. They both reminded themselves that they were in a power game, the two of them against the world, and that if they wanted to make it to the end of that game alive, then they had to be more careful.

Kaien was moving on the game board, no matter what truce they were holding, he was moving and they couldn't sit still, licking their wounds and crying out their own self-pity.

They too had to start moving.

Winter — x494 / February 19

The clothes and hairstyle, even the makeup that she had to wear at the time, was meticulously planned to generate empathy in people. She was a princess who was going through a weak moment and had to make people see her as weak and vulnerable.

The queen had put on a circus with her on the day of the roses, and Rukia intended to use that to her advantage.

The first thing Rukia had to do when leaving Ichigo's room was to visit the queen, but Rukia didn't feel like facing the queen because she still didn't know what position to take in front of her, so she preferred to go to the temple of the Deities in the city.

Ichigo didn't go with her. Praying to the Mother for the loss of a child was something that was only allowed for women, so Tatsuki and Ioana were the ones who accompanied her, although Rukia would have preferred that Ichigo accompany her.

Rukia felt strange having to pray to the Mother after having sworn allegiance and devotion to the Shadow, having made a pact with an entity that was true, and wielding powers that not even in her wildest dreams would she have imagined.

The prayer to the Mother felt strange and sticky on her tongue, as if the words themselves refused to be spoken, preferring to be returned to their own source rather than echo around the place. The woman on the throne, that queen who was still tied with silver threads, let out a laugh that echoed in that immensity that was the throne room inside Rukia, and Rukia had the impression that the dark queen was making fun of the statue of that woman with a benevolent and kind face.

It was a bitter laugh, as if the dark queen knew the woman depicted in the statue and resented seeing her again. Rukia asked the queen inside her why she had scoffed, but that dark queen simply said "I know the Mother, she was a foolish and naive woman."

At that moment, Rukia imagined the Shadow in a meeting with the Deities having tea, and had to suppress a laugh because she knew that there were people who were watching her.

Asking about the origin of the Deities and the Shadow, as well as the other Gods that were prayed to in the various parts of the world, would be to enter into a subject full of gaps that are filled with a lot of imagination.

When Rukia got up after reciting all the prayers, she realized that there were too many people in the Deities temple and that the soldiers Ichigo sent to protect her were preventing them from getting close to her. The news that the People's Princess was in the temple of the Deities spread like wildfire and the curious had arrived as fast as they could.

Rukia noticed that there were several noble ladies among those people, as well as too many common people, and she quickly went over the words she had prepared to say to the people who asked her questions about the day of the roses.

The memory was sad, but it was her payment for playing the power game she had entered into with her marriage and for thinking that she wouldn't bleed after making more people bleed.

Naivety, they say.

— I thank all of you people for the concern you have shown me, and for the letters and presents you have sent to the castle. It was a very sad time for Prince Ichigo and me, because we expected to break the news when it was safe, but the Deities had a different design for us. — Rukia spoke after a soldier signaled for the people to keep quiet. — The queen and king, who have been like parents to me in this situation, are very affected so please do not listen to malicious comments. It is a difficult time for everyone.

Those were the only words Rukia said, being careful to control her expressions and emotions, and she left the place being protected by the soldiers amid words of encouragement from the common people. No one could touch her, but that didn't stop some people from reaching out their hands to try and reach her as a gesture of support.

When she arrived at the castle, the Kahya was waiting for her and led her to the queen's room in silence.

Rukia knew that this would happen when she returned from her visit to the Temple of the Deities, so she did not resist being brought before the queen's presence. The relationship between Rukia and the queen, which had grown cold since the day the queen suspected that she was one of those responsible for Nelliel's death, ended up freezing on the day of the roses.

Rukia knew that declaring war on the queen openly was risky and dangerous, so it was better to stay alert and not make the mistake of trusting her fully again. The queen's fury was fearsome, and Rukia had experienced it firsthand.

Entering the room, Rukia paid her respects to the queen with a curtsy and sat in the chair the queen pointed out to her. Rukia remembered with overwhelming clarity the words of the queen in the temple of the Deities regarding tea, so when the maid was about to serve the cups of tea, Rukia raised her hand and stopped her.

The queen silently contemplated that gesture and waved her hand for the maid to leave the room and they were left alone, it was at that moment that Rukia served both cups of tea.

— How should I interpret what you said in the temple of the Deities, Rukia?

The queen's question didn't surprise Rukia, as she had delayed her arrival at the castle in the hope that someone would tell the queen what she had done at the temple. It was easier that way, answering a question than finding the right words to start a conversation she didn't want to have.

— It is a peace offering. — Rukia answered, with a tone of voice that showed the anger and exhaustion in her. — You have already collected your retribution, regardless of whether we were guilty or not, your majesty. I want to forget everything and move on with my life.

Rukia's words carried a certain dose of truth, she wanted to continue with her life and her plans, she wanted to put the Crown of Eagles on Ichigo's head and dethrone the queen after getting rid of Kaien. The idea of a quiet life had died on the day of the roses.

— You'll never admit it. You will never say that you were partly to blame for Nelliel's death, will you?

The question made Rukia look up from the tea in her cup and stare at the queen.

— I won't admit to something I didn't do, but if admitting a fault that isn't mine makes you feel peace in your soul for what you did to us, then I will.

— You will do it?

The queen's question was laced with disbelief, so Rukia set her teacup down and reminded herself that the woman in front of her was a ruthless queen.

— I will do it right now. I will leave this room, I will go to the king and I will give myself up as guilty for the death of Nelliel, you can execute me accordingly and you can avenge the death of the woman who was like your daughter. — Rukia rose from her seat and bowed to the queen. — Thanks for my last tea, dear mother.

After those words, Rukia headed towards the exit with a calm step and her head held high.

She was putting her own life in danger but she was trusting that Ichigo would save her from the punishment they could inflict on her, that he would prevent it one way or another. However, before she reached the door, she heard the queen's voice asking her to stop.

— I accept your peace offering, kiss my hand and all will be forgotten.

Rukia smiled, enjoying the moment, and regained her serious expression before turning on her heel to return to the queen and kiss her hand.

They were at peace, but Rukia didn't say "dear mother" to the queen again during that talk.

Hi!

I apologize for the delay, but I couldn't find how to develop the following events. Now that I have found the way, we return to our regular post.

By the way, have you read "Just Friends" and "Chocolate Heart"?

See ya!

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