Upon entering the throne room, Ranma's eyes were immediately drawn to Akane. She was kneeling gracefully on a plush purple pillow, her posture rigid and composed, her gaze fixed straight ahead on the imposing figure of King Genma. Her expression was a mask of calm, giving no indication that moments earlier her eyes had been brimming with tears.

Ranma approached the second pillow beside her, his steps hesitant. He knelt down stiffly, acutely aware of the tension radiating from the room.

King Genma sat on his throne, his heavy gaze sweeping over them with palpable displeasure. "Let's get the formalities out of the way first," he began, his tone clipped. "I am to announce the engagement of Princess Shampoo to Nobleman Mousse. The wedding will take place in a few days, and we will be attending the celebrations in The Center, staying for several days."

His sharp eyes turned toward Akane. "I am not sure how familiar you are with The Goddess's domain in Alganon. Nobleman Mousse is of her bloodline, and as such, the wedding will be hosted on her lands."

Akane blinked, her calm exterior cracking slightly as confusion flickered across her face. "The Goddess… has relatives?"

Genma let out an exasperated sigh. "Before she ascended to divinity, she was a mortal woman."

Akane opened her mouth to question further, but the king's glare warned her against it.

"And," he continued, his tone growing heavier, "don't think I have overlooked Happosai's report about last night's misconduct. Akane, explain yourself. Why were you alone with Prince Toma?"

Akane bowed her head respectfully. "It was an accident, Your Majesty. We happened upon each other and started talking. It was not a planned meeting, and it will not happen again."

King Genma's lips pressed into a thin line, his barely restrained anger evident. "I assure you it won't. From this moment onward, you will have a personal guard with you at all times."

At his signal, Ryoga stepped forward and knelt before the king. "I humbly accept this position and vow to protect Princess Akane with my life."

"See that you do," Genma ordered.

Ranma's jaw tightened, his frustration bubbling over. "Wait a minute, Pop! You can't make Ryoga her guard! He's in love with her! That'd be like letting her hang out with Prince Toma all day. It's insane!"

"SILENCE!" King Genma's voice thundered, reverberating through the chamber. "You will not question my authority, boy. The decision is made. Ryoga knows his place, even if you seem to have forgotten yours."

Ranma flinched but didn't back down completely, though his words faltered. "But—"

"And another thing," Genma interrupted, his scowl deepening. "Happosai tells me you tried to deceive him into thinking you and Akane had consummated your marriage. Is that true?"

Ranma bowed his head, swallowing his pride. "Yes, Pop."

Genma's gaze darkened as he looked between the two of them, his disappointment cutting deeper than any rebuke. "You live a life of privilege, yet you cannot fulfill your one responsibility? Pathetic." His eyes settled on Akane. "As for you, Princess, you will begin attending intimacy training with courtesans and court ladies effective immediately. You'll continue until you 'feel ready.' This is your duty."

Akane's expression shifted from shock to pure indignation. Her voice trembled with unrestrained fury as she snapped, "I refuse to share a bed with a man who thinks I'm 'built like a brick' and disrespects me behind my back with his guards!"

Ranma's eyes widened in horror as he began to sputter, desperate to explain. "W-wait, Akane, that's not—! It's not what you think! I didn't—!"

"Enough!" Genma's voice boomed, cutting through Ranma's frantic protests like a blade. "THAT is precisely why this training is necessary. You must learn how to entice your husband, Akane. It is not his role to chase after you. You will do what is required to maintain the union. The rumors about you are clearly true—you do not know your place."

Akane's face turned scarlet with rage and humiliation, her fists clenched tightly in her lap. For a moment, it looked as though she might stand and storm out, propriety be damned.

Ranma turned his gaze toward her, his heart sinking at the sight of her obvious distress. He wanted to defend her, to tell his father off for treating her like this—but the weight of Genma's authority kept him rooted to the spot.

"Pop, please, there's been a misunderstanding between her and me," Ranma implored, his voice tinged with urgency. "Just give me a chance to talk to her. I swear she doesn't need this intimacy training." He cast a sideways glance at Akane, hoping for some sign of acknowledgment, but she remained stiff and impassive, her gaze fixed forward as though he weren't even there.

King Genma leaned back on his throne, his expression unyielding. "You'll have plenty of time to sort out your 'misunderstanding' tomorrow. I've already arranged for a carriage to take you both to the city for fittings for Shampoo and Mousse's wedding. However," he added, his tone sharp, "Akane will continue attending this training until your marriage is consummated. That is non-negotiable."

Before Ranma could respond, Genma raised a hand, signaling the court ladies who stood waiting at the edges of the room. They moved swiftly, their elegant gowns sweeping across the floor as they approached Akane.

"Princess Akane, if you would follow us," one of the women said with a polite but authoritative tone, extending her hand.

Akane didn't move. She sat stiffly on the pillow, her jaw tight and her eyes flashing with defiance. "No."

The court ladies exchanged uneasy glances, clearly unused to resistance.

"Your Highness," another of them said carefully, her voice tinged with practiced patience. "It is imperative that we begin your training. King Genma has ordered it."

"I don't care what he ordered," Akane snapped, her voice sharp. "This is ridiculous! I don't need training to entice him!" She shot a glare at Ranma, who flinched under her fiery gaze. "I'm not some toy you can mold into whatever shape suits you!"

"Princess," the first court lady pressed, her tone hardening slightly, "your compliance is expected. Refusing the king's orders could have serious consequences."

At that, Akane's resolve faltered, though her expression remained stormy. She looked away, her fists clenched tightly in her lap. She knew deep down though that she was here to protect her family, and protecting them meant she had to play along.

"I don't need their training," she muttered, but the fight in her voice had dimmed.

"Of course, Your Highness," the lady replied smoothly, sensing her opportunity. "But appearances must be maintained. For your family's honor."

Akane closed her eyes, taking a deep breath as if steeling herself. When she opened them again, the fire was still there, but it was subdued, hidden behind a veneer of forced composure. She stood slowly, her movements stiff and reluctant, and turned toward the waiting ladies.

"Fine," she said through gritted teeth. "Let's get this over with."

The court ladies nodded, their relief evident, and began to guide her toward the side doors.

Ranma stood frozen, guilt churning in his stomach as he watched her being whisked away. Just before the doors closed behind her, Akane glanced back at him. For a fleeting moment, her mask slipped, and the hurt in her eyes was unmistakable. Then the doors shut, and she was gone.

He swallowed hard, realizing with a sinking feeling that he was now alone with his father.

Genma's piercing gaze settled on him, his disapproval almost tangible.

Sigh* "She has quite the fire in her. So, you told your wife she was 'built like a brick'?"

Ranma shifted uncomfortably under his father's scrutiny. "Not… not to her face," he muttered. "It was after the ceremony. The guards were talking, and I said something stupid. She overheard me. But I apologized for it! She forgave me for that." He hesitated, then continued, "She's upset because of something else that just happened. That new guard you assigned me, Taro—he's been aggressively insulting her. She overheard him and thought I was agreeing with him, but I wasn't. I need to talk to her, Pop."

His eyes flicked toward the door Akane had disappeared through. "And putting her in training right after all this? It's only going to make it harder for me to explain what happened."

Genma sighed, leaning forward slightly, his initial anger giving way to a more contemplative demeanor. "Taro does have a reputation for a poor attitude. I'll summon him and address his behavior personally. But, boy, I'm hearing a lot of excuses from you." His tone hardened again. "For now, the training stays in place. All I've heard from the staff is report after report of you and Akane fighting. I tried to let you two resolve things on your own, but clearly, that hasn't worked. I need results, Ranma. Fix it."

Ranma's shoulders sagged slightly, but he nodded. "Yeah, Pop. I got it."

Without wasting another moment, Ranma turned and strode quickly toward the door where Akane had been escorted. Once in the hall, his steps grew faster, urgency driving him as he searched for her. He moved up and down the corridors, peering into room after room, his frustration mounting.

Then it dawned on him. The courtesans' wing.

His stomach twisted at the thought, but he sprinted toward the section of the palace reserved for the courtesans. As he approached, the faint sound of women's voices reached his ears, light and melodic. He spotted a slightly ajar door and paused for a moment before pushing it open.

The small foyer beyond was richly decorated, with plush furnishings and ornate fixtures. Another set of grand doors stood wide open, leading into the main chamber. Ranma stepped forward hesitantly, his eyes scanning the scene inside.

Akane stood on a raised platform, her arms outstretched as several ladies surrounded her, draping measuring tapes over her shoulders and pinning fabrics against her. She was stoic, but there was a stiffness in her posture that betrayed her discomfort.

Ranma clenched his fists, trying to steady himself, but his attention was drawn to the conversation unfolding beyond the doors. Unintentionally, he began to eavesdrop.

Tsubasa, with her graceful poise, sat on the floor in front of Akane, who stood stiffly on the elevated platform. The courtesan's voice was as warm as sunlight.

"Princess Akane," Tsubasa began, her tone kind, "do you realize you are the envy of every woman in this room?"

Akane blinked, her guarded expression shifting into mild disbelief.

Tsubasa continued, smiling brightly. "I know it might be hard to understand, given your position at the top of the hierarchy, but for us—courtesans and court ladies—we would trade places with you in a heartbeat. Not only are you a princess, guaranteeing any child you bear preferential treatment, but you are also married to Prince Ranma."

At that, Akane's brow furrowed, but Tsubasa pressed on.

"You may not know this," she said, her voice dropping as if sharing a treasured secret, "but Prince Ranma is the dream man for many of us. He has an entire court of courtesans dedicated to him, yet he only visits one of them, and even when he does, it's never frivolous. He treats all of us—servants, courtesans, court ladies, even the guards—with kindness and respect, as though we were equals. That's rare, Princess."

Akane's lips tightened. "You are his equals," she said firmly.

Tsubasa chuckled softly, her eyes warm with understanding. "That is kind of you to say, but the world doesn't treat us as such, and we have learned to live with that. When we look at you—a woman who seems to have it all—we can't understand why you rebuff Prince Ranma. We're here to help you, Princess. Not only to learn the arts of sensuality but to see the good in your husband and how fortunate you truly are."

Akane let out a frustrated sigh, crossing her arms. "You don't know anything about my situation."

Tsubasa tilted her head slightly, curiosity flickering in her eyes."

For a moment, Tsubasa's expression softened further, "We all have our struggles, Princess," she said gently.

Akane frowned. "Women should dream of more than being a specific man's wife or earning his affection."

"I agree," Tsubasa replied, nodding earnestly. "But that world isn't here—not yet. Hopefully, one day it will be. Until then, we must work within the roles we are given."

"Why?" Akane demanded, her tone both genuine and exasperated.

Tsubasa's smile turned bittersweet. "Because we have loved ones who rely on us."

The words struck a chord with Akane, her posture softening. She realized then that these women, despite their elegant attire and practiced poise, were not so different from her. They likely worked to support their families, sacrificing for them in the process. Their lives, though more luxurious, were no less constrained by the system that trapped them all.

Akane sighed, a deep, resigned breath. Her expression shifted, the fire in her eyes dimming. "Ranma doesn't find me attractive," she said, her voice low and flat.

Tsubasa smiled warmly. "Hmm, that's where I come in. I'll teach you how to use your natural charm to win him over."

Akane frowned. "Not every girl has 'natural charm.'"

"True," Tsubasa conceded with a soft laugh. "But it can be learned. Do you think every courtesan here is thrilled to spend their time with drunk noblemen or cruel royals? No, we learn the art of persuasion—how to use our voices, our bodies, and even our silences to make our roles easier. You already have strengths, Princess. You're a skilled martial artist, and you don't flaunt your status. Those are things Prince Ranma values deeply."

Akane snorted lightly. "It's easy to say that when you're beautiful. It's a lot easier to win a man's affection if you're drop-dead gorgeous."

Tsubasa's smile widened, and there was a glint of mischief in her eyes. "I thank you for saying so. But I wasn't born this way, Princess."

Akane blinked, confused. "What do you mean?"

"I wasn't born a woman," Tsubasa said simply. "I was born a man."

Akane's mouth fell open slightly, shock rendering her momentarily speechless.

Tsubasa chuckled at her reaction. "It's true. And a man may not welcome you in public, but will receive you in the bedroom if you accept him. So long as you understand their desires and how to meet them."

Akane's face turned a shade of pink, and she covered it with one hand. "I… I guess I'll try my best," she muttered, clearly flustered.

From his hiding spot behind the pillar, Ranma felt his heart pounding. He couldn't believe what he was hearing. Akane, the woman he thought would never give in to something like this, was actually considering it. And Tsubasa—charming, clever, and utterly disarming—was a force to be reckoned with.