Beneath the Red Throne

KAEDE'S POV: With my right hand I dipped my brush into the soft pink paint, the color of cherry blossoms, and hesitated. The canvas seemed to stare back at me, waiting for the truth I couldn't quite express. I stare at it for a bit too. As I mixed the paint, memories of my mother's gentle critiques flooded my once innocent mind. A mind which would not be ready for the events that would occur later in life with my family. She truly loved my art and encouraged me to keep creating. “Go on my little Akakae, never stop being the creative and expressive young woman you are.” She would follow up her sweet and almost stern words with a gentle forehead kiss and a pat on my shoulder. I miss her the most. I muttered a curse under my breath as I ruined the simple petal shape. “Stupid, Kaede”. You'd think after all these years, I'd have mastered the art of painting cherry blossoms. I try to add other colors to hide my mistakes. Hana's soft knock at the door broke the spell of quietness in my private painting chamber(Hime-gako-beya). A gentle tap-tap-tap, of course it was her. I smiled, expecting her usual gentle teasing about my artistic struggles as I let her in. But instead, her eyes seemed clouded, her voice hesitant as she delivered the message from Lord Nobuhiro,my uncle. As I got back to work with my paintbrush, the silence between Hana and me grew thicker, like the paint on my canvas. I knew she was waiting for me to respond to my uncle's summons but I couldn't bring myself to answer her. I didn't want to see the people I knew would be waiting and she knew. I feel a slight ache in my throat, a mix of sadness and frustration that had become all too familiar since my family's assassination ten years ago. But as I looked at Hana, I saw a flicker of concern in her eyes. “You really have to go, you know.” She said ever so gently. I turned to look to the right and for a bit, the scent of the sakura flowers outside seamlessly wafted through the open paper windows, carrying with it the silent whispers of my past. I closed my eyes, letting the fragrance transport me to a time when life was simpler, when my parents and brother were still alive. As I stood still, I thought about the stories my father, Lord Hamato, used to tell me about the Kokoro no Sakura celebrations. How the rulers of the provinces of Japan would gather to strengthen their alliances, and how the cherry blossoms would bloom in time with the joyful festivities. I clench my fists thinking of this but relieve them in quiet surrender. There was nothing I could do to bring them all back. "You're not going to ignore Lord Nobuhiro summons, are you?”.Hana asked, her voice laced with a hint of teasing, but her eyes betraying a deeper concern as she let a fake smile appear. I raised an eyebrow, trying to appear nonchalant, but Hana's gaze held mine, and I knew she saw right through me. For a moment, we just looked at each other. I smiled faintly, as i replied to Hana with my hands on her shoulders, "You may wait outside, I'll be ready shortly." My tone was polite, but firm, conveying my desire to attend to the visitors without delay. Hana bowed and replied “Kaede-hime(princess Kaede),” and departed, leaving me to prepare on my own. I leave the painting chamber and walk in its opposite direction to enter my room. As I washed my hands, I couldn't help but think of my uncle's persistence. "He keeps doing this, knowing it's futile," I muttered under my breath. With a final glance in the mirror, I exited my room and met Hana in the large hallway. The walls were of emerald color and reminded me of my races within them with my older brother years ago. We walked in silence, our footsteps echoing off the walls. The servant's hurried, tea tray in hand to serve the guests at the Kyakuden (guest hall). Upon entering the Kyakuden, I spotted my uncle, his face a mask of politeness but also seriousness as he conversed with the young men. Adjusting my royal robes, I took my seat on the throne. Hana positioned herself beside me, fan at the ready. My uncle's gesture for me to stand and greet the visitors was met with a deliberate frown, my eyes flashing with visible annoyance. I always hate these predictable sessions that happen almost every week. The discussions begin, each prince delivering an obviously rehearsed speech, their words dripping with dreadful insincerity. I listened, my gaze piercing, as I searched for any genuine emotion. Sipping my tea, I looked at my uncle. I'm sure he already knew how this would end. As the last prince finished, I squinted my eyes looking at him. Was this a joke to all of them. Staring at the ceilings for a moment, i let out a short sigh. Look towards Hana by my side, i reached out to a servant to take my teacup. The servant's hands trembled slightly as he took it from me. My uncle's voice, laced with fake confusion, cut through the air. "Dear Kaede, you can't keep—". I interrupted him, my tone somewhat rude, and stood to leave. "I wish to speak to these men no further, they may return when their lips betray the slightest of genuine emotions through them." My uncle stepped closer, his whisper dripping with malice, "You're only delaying the inevitable, delusional as you are." His smirk was a thinly covered threat. Betraying no emotion, I turned and walked away. I learnt this from my mother, the most confident woman I've ever known. Hana followed closely, her presence a subtle reminder that I was not alone. Although in a way, I felt as if I was. The courtyards beckoned as I walked away from the now awkward atmosphere of the Kyakuden. A single tear escaped, rolling down my cheek, as the weight of my situation threatened to overwhelm me. I wiped them off immediately and continued walking remembering the words of Nobuhiro. Sitting on one of the seats in the courtyard, I relax. I know my time would soon be up and try to predict what was going on in the mind of my uncle. As I sat in the courtyard, I also paid attention to the gentle rustle of the trees and the soft chirping of the birds almost in a poetic-reflecting kind of way. I closed my eyes.But despite the calm atmosphere, my mind remained anxious, my thoughts consumed by the weight of my responsibilities and the uncertainty of my future as the last remaining heir to the throne of the Owari. Hana sat down beside me after standing for a while. We sat in silence for a moment, watching as the servants hurried past, their footsteps echoing off the stone pavement. I know she had an idea of what I was thinking about and would soon try to distract me. "They seem busy," Hana said finally, breaking the silence. I nodded, my eyes still closed. "I know what you're trying to do Hana; just let me think.” I say this letting off a slight chuckle. Hana's voice was soft, and she sounded concerned . "You're not thinking of what happened, are you? Don't worry about them I know you will make the right decision for your kingdom.”