The doors opened as my father was striding back to his screened chair. A glimpse of the back of the emperor was rare enough, today it would be something to gossip about for weeks. I swallowed hard and prepared myself to be the poised daughter he needed me to be, to justify the international incident he was about to commit with an ambassador. I breathed shallowly, glad I had bathed and gotten myself fully ready, not wishing to be the talk of the court for my fashion choices. I turned around as the Rus approached, sliding to thr right, towards a dear friend - one of the stewwards, Suzaku, an old man who had been with my family for longer than I have been alive. We could not embrace, but I could gain comfort from his presence.
The man looked so angry as he passed me, eyes flashing with defi
