Chapter 3

Sneaking back in was the easy part. Most of the palace was already asleep, and the guards on duty never looked up. Moving about her room and changing into her sleep clothes without waking a maid. Now that was tricky.

She gnawed on the inside of her cheek as she mulled over what she knew for certain.

What? She was marrying a ninja.

Why? For her protection, apparently.

From who? The emperor and empress had been vague about the group that was organizing, but if she had to guess, it was the group she'd been building over the last few years. When had she gotten on their radar? That's what she'd like to know.

When? That was… a little more unknown. She'd be meeting the ninja in a couple of hours – long enough to get some sleep, at least. That afforded her a little time to try and figure out a new plan.

A new plan.

That all hinged on whichever ninja she would marry. There was no doubt that both the emperor and the ninja's master had perfectly selected whoever it was.

She might be able to fool the Earth Ninja and the Green Ninja, but the Ice Ninja? He was an android. He would miss nothing. But maybe him being an android would disqualify him? She could only hope.

The Green Ninja was around her age, so she might be able to slip things past him more than any of the others. She highly doubted she could get that lucky. Besides, it would be too perfect.

And the Earth Ninja? She didn't know much about him, personally, but he seemed more observant than he let on. He was also older than the rest of the ninja.

A worm of discomfort wriggled in her chest at the thought. They really wouldn't make her marry someone that much older than her, would they?

Harumi's eyes dragged over to her vanity mirror. A frowning face with bags under the eyes stared back at her. Slumped shoulders were weighed down by a thin nightgown.

She sighed and flopped down onto her bed, sore legs thrumming and aching as she lied there.

After the afternoon introductions, she decided she would start making plans around the whole marriage issue. Contacting the others, that would prove to be a little difficult. But maybe she could sneak out using one of the hidden passages?

She flipped over onto her back, her eyes tracing the shadows of the ceiling.

To do that, though, without the knowledge of whoever she married was going to be… Well, it was going to be a feat in and of itself.

Plans tomorrow, she reminded herself, after the introductions.

That simple thought helped lull her to sleep.

Harumi was woken late in the morning by a maid, who's eyes flicked to the door every couple of seconds.

"Please, your highness," the young woman said. "Please wake up. I shouldn't have let you sleep this long, but… Oh!"

Harumi sat up and stretched, the bones of her spine and shoulders popping as she did. Both she and the maid winced at the sounds.

"How long do we have?" she said, sliding out of bed.

"An hour and a half."

"Not enough time to shower."

"Should I," the maid stuttered. "Should I have gotten you out of bed earlier?"

"It's fine. We'll manage."

Between the two of them, they got to work in making Harumi more than presentable. After quickly washing and moisturizing her face, Harumi got started on painting her face. In the meantime, the maid got started on her hair.

"You must be nervous," the maid said, sectioning off a part of Harumi's hair.

"Yes," she said, focusing on a particular line she was making with the kabuki makeup. "Very nervous."

"At least you're marrying a ninja. Everyone knows of them, at least. And they all seem so nice."

Harumi gave her a tight-lipped smile from the mirror.

"You didn't happen to overhear any gossip on who it'll be, did you?"

"Unfortunately, no, your highness. I believe the Emperor and Empress are the only ones who do know, besides the ninja and their master."

Harumi sighed through her nose and pursed her lips.

"They," the maid said, blinking at Harumi in the mirror. "They didn't tell you? Who it would be?"

"I'm the princess," Harumi said, the words coming out as bitter as they tasted. "I'm not told anything unless it's deemed important for me to know."

"Well… That's not fair." The maid stopped her work and knelt at Harumi's side, grasping the closest hand. "No one deserves to have their life bartered away like that."

She gave the maid a sad smile. Perhaps this maid could be useful. She could use as many allies in this as she could get.

"Thank you." She tugged the maid back to her feet. "We've got to finish before Hutchins comes to check on me."

From the other side of the door, Harumi could hear several people file into the tea room. They were a little loud, but after being shushed by someone, they quieted down.

If she actually tried, she could probably place each person based solely on their voice. She'd seen enough of their interviews over the years.

"Wonder what she's like?" someone asked.

"She's a princess," said another. "So she has to be pretty."

She pursed her lips at that.

"No, I meant like… personality wise."

"We will find out soon enough," said a third person.

Someone else hummed in response.

"Awfully quiet over there," said the first person.

"I'm nervous," said a fourth person.

"I would be too, if I was in your shoes."

The sound of a door snapping open quieted them down. The shuffle of feet and soft silks were the only sounds until Hutchins cleared his throat.

"I present to you," he said, "the exalted Emperor and Empress of Ninjago."

"We are honored by your presence," the emperor said. "Master Wu, it is good to see you again."

Harumi grit her teeth and let out a staggering breath. She needed to keep her features as smooth as possible. After she learned who she was engaged to, she could start making a plan.

There had been plans in place. Mr. E's trip to Borg Tower to steal the Mask of Deception had been a success.

It had also, sadly, led to this whole mess.

None of them had seen it coming. None of them had even thought it was possible. It had been so far out of the realm of possibilities.

And yet…

And yet it was happening, and here she was, being summoned forward by an introduction.

The door in front of her softly slid open, and she took two tentative steps inside. She gave a deep bow and welcomed them with practiced words.

She knew she straightened, she would meet the eyes of her betrothed. He had been instructed to sit in a particular spot, Hutchins had told her, so that she would be aware of just who she'd been engaged to.

Heart thudding in her chest, she rose to her full height and fluttered her eyes open. Be pretty, be charming, and be welcoming, the empress had said.

Her heart stuttered when she locked eyes with him.

She had to bite the inside of her cheek from grinning with glee.

The original plan she had made? It was back on.