Later that night…..
Maihima and her two ever-loyal shadows, arrived before a grand, opulent building nestled at the heart of the city's most lavish district. It was the kind of place only the elite stepped into a hall known as The Vermilion Pavilion, famed for its extravagant events and moonlit feasts. it was a mix between a royal banquet hall and an high-class social club, where music flowed like wine and secrets bloomed in whispers behind fans.
Without hesitation, Maihima adjusted the fall of her embroidered sleeves and smoothed the folds of her silk dress, the gold threads shimmering under lantern light. The twins followed her lead, each perfecting their appearance with practiced ease.
Maihima flicked open her fan and strutted forward, heels echoing against the polished stone. The moment the ornate doors parted, a wave of warmth, fragrance, and music spilled into the air.
Inside, the Vermilion Pavilion was bathed in grandeur—ruby red curtains cascaded from the ceiling, golden chandeliers shaped like blooming lotuses swayed gently above, and the air was thick with the scent of incense and freshly poured wine. Elegant dancers floated across the floor like petals on water, their sleeves trailing in rhythm to a delicate string melody played live on a raised platform.
This wasn't just a normal event—it was a celebration held in honor of visiting nobles from the imperial capital, and the entire hall gleamed with the prestige of that purpose.
Maihima's eyes darted across the room as she began circling slowly, taking in the faces and details. She noticed the wealth in every corner—cloaks lined with fox fur, laughter behind jeweled veils, and too many noble crests to count.
Before she could take another step, a cluster of maids in uniform approached swiftly and bowed.
One stepped forward politely but firmly. "Honored guest, may we see your status badge for verification?"
Maihima arched an eyebrow and clicked her tongue softly behind her fan."Don't you know who I am?" she said with a scoff, her voice laced with aristocratic disdain. "One glance at the crest embroidered on my robes should be enough to tell you my bloodline. Only the blind need a badge to recognize the daughter of the Minister."
The maids exchanged anxious glances before one of them stepped forward, her head bowed low in deference.
"We're deeply sorry, Lady Kogane," she said humbly. "It's truly an honor to have the Minister's daughter here. We meant no disrespect. But… the rules for tonight's event are strict. Only those holding a high-status badge are permitted entry, no exceptions. Showing the status badge is a must. We kindly ask for your cooperation."
Maihima rolled her eyes in visible irritation and snapped her fingers. Without missing a beat, Miaomiao stepped forward and fished through her sleeves then placed a golden badge into Maihima's outstretched palm. the crest gleaming beneath the carvings of the official rank.
The lead maid examined it carefully. Once she was done, She lowered her head once more, her voice laced with newfound respect. "Thank you, my lady. Everything is in order. Please, allow us to escort you to your reserved seats."
With that, the maids stepped aside, guiding Maihima and her entourage into the heart of the hall as the music swelled once again.
As soon as Maihima reached the designated seats, her sharp gaze swept across the area—and instantly lit up when she recognized a familiar face seated among the guests.
Her pace quickened in a heartbeat.
"Father!" she called out joyfully.
Minister Muzui turned at the sound of her voice, just in time to catch his daughter as she practically lunged into a hug, nearly stumbling him back. A soft chuckle escaped his lips as he patted her head gently.
"Did my daughter miss me that much?"
Maihima pulled back, her eyes bright with a childlike spark. "Of course I did! A lot!" she said, puffing her cheeks. "Why did you come back so late from the capital?"
Minister Muzui smiled wearily and motioned for her to sit beside him. "Ah, the workload was heavier than usual. With all the upcoming festivals and nobles flooding in, the capital's been buzzing like a kicked beehive. The preparations this year are grander than ever."
Minister Muzui smiled wearily and motioned for her to sit beside him.
"Ah, the workload was heavier than usual. With all the upcoming festivals and the nobles flooding in, the capital's been buzzing like a kicked beehive. The preparations this year are grander than ever."
"You still shouldn't stay away from home for so long," Maihima pouted as she took her seat. "You know I'll be left all alone."
"Alone?" Muzui raised an amused brow. "But Maihima, you have Meimei and Miaomiao with you all the time."
Maihima spared a glance at the two girls behind her, then turned back to him with a faint sigh.
"Yes, they're always there. But still… it's not the same. If you're far away, I'm alone."
Before Muzui could respond, their conversation was smoothly interrupted by a voice from the side lightly teasing, but clearly watching.
"Looks like the minister and his daughter are finally enjoying a long-overdue reunion."
Maihima's shoulders stiffened. Her smile wavered, then vanished behind her fan. Slowly, she turned her head toward the voice, her eyes narrowing as she instantly recognized the voice.
Seated beside their table was none other than the Defence Minister, accompanied by his family.
And right next to him, sitting quietly in a pale pink dress with her hands folded in her lap, was Arisu. Her posture was straight, her gaze carefully cast downward, as if she were trying to shrink into the background. But Maihima's glare found her anyway.
Minister Muzui gave a small chuckle and leaned back in his seat, glancing toward the man beside him. "Of course we are," he replied warmly. "I suppose I'm not as lucky as you, Ruoyan. You weren't summoned right away—you had more time to spend with your daughter."
Minister Ruoyan gave a short laugh, resting a hand on his knee. "So what if I wasn't summoned first? I've been called now, haven't I? With the unrest near the borders and all these imperial guests arriving, the defence workload is going to be a nightmare. If I leave now, I may not return until after the entire ceremony is over."
"Then we're both trapped in duties we didn't ask for," Minister Muzui said with a tired smile.
The two friends continued exchanging words with mutual ease, their voices calm and friendly seasoned statesmen well-used to the tug of responsibility.
But just beside them, their daughters painted an entirely different picture. Maihima's gaze flicked toward Arisu again, her eyes cool behind the veil of her fan. Arisu, sensing the glance, shifted in her seat. She looked up only for the briefest moment, just enough to catch Maihima's eyes before quickly turning away, her fingers tightening in her lap.
There was no warmth in their silence. No greeting, no smile. Where their fathers chatted like old comrades, the air between Maihima and Arisu crackled with thinly veiled tension two opposites forced to sit side by side in a cage of silk, etiquette, and golden chandeliers. They turned their faces away from one another at the exact same time. As if even eye contact was a battle neither was willing to lose.
Moments passed just like that, the golden laughter of nobles and the soft melody of flutes filling the hall. Suddenly, a man in formal robes approached their table with measured steps. He bowed deeply, his voice respectful but firm.
"Forgive the intrusion, Minister Muzui, Minister Kaneko. A message has arrived from General Yelan of the Western Command. He requests your presence in the Room eastern wing. It seems there is a matter he wishes to discuss urgently."
Both ministers exchanged a brief glance. Duty called, and they both recognized it with the practiced ease.
Minister Muzui sighed, standing. "Seems I won't be able to accompany you tonight after all," he said, turning to Maihima with an apologetic look. "Make the most of the evening, alright?"
Minister Ruoyan added, "You girls enjoy yourselves and Arisu….after the event is over head straight to home just don't go roaming around." And with that, the two Friends departed, their footsteps echoing lightly across the lacquered floors, followed closely by their aides and the waiting messenger. Leaving the rivals alone.
Maihima rested her elbow on the table and propped her chin lazily in her hand, fanning herself with slow, theatrical elegance. Her gaze slid sideways toward Arisu like a blade sheathed in velvet.
"Well, well…" she said sweetly, "how lucky I am to be seated next to the silent blossom of Reikoku. How's the air down there in the background, Arisu?"
Arisu didn't glance at her. "Peaceful. You should try it sometime," she said quietly, sipping her tea with perfect poise.
Maihima let out a light laugh, not amused. "Still speaking in whispers, I see. Tell me, is that your style or just fear of saying something embarrassing?"
Arisu finally turned, her gaze sharp though her tone remained cool. "I speak softly because I don't need volume to be heard. Some people scream with presence and still go unnoticed."
That jab struck clean. Maihima's fan paused mid-wave.
"Well, at least I'm not dressed like I wandered out of a temple festival for children," she scoffed, eyeing Arisu's pale pink robe.
"And at least I don't look like I came to steal someone's fiancé," Arisu replied without blinking.
Maihima's fan lowered just enough to show her smirk. "Turns out you do have claws, Arisu. You've definitely changed a lot after hanging around that troublemaker. That loud, reckless girl you drag around like a lucky charm. Her voice dipped into syrupy mockery. "Where's the silent, loyal, obedient Arisu I used to know? The kind-hearted girl who knew her place? All I see now is a disobedient, sharp-tongued brat." She leaned in slightly, eyes gleaming. "Or was this the real you all along, hiding behind those soft smiles?"
Arisu's lips twitched more from amusement than anger. "You can say that," she replied calmly. "But I think being with her helped me realize I have this side too. Not exactly the way you said it, of course."
Maihima's voice sharpened. "Oh really? Realizing your so-called 'voice' doesn't mean you have to turn into a copy of that reckless girl."
"And clinging to your father's title doesn't make you superior, Maihima," Arisu said, her voice growing firmer. "You walk into every room thinking people should kneel just because you inherited your status not because you earned it."
The air between them turned electric. Several fans stopped fluttering. The lute player missed a note.
Maihima took a step forward, lips curling. "And what exactly have you earned, Arisu? Don't forget you inherited your status too. Just a lower one."
Arisu rose from her seat, meeting Maihima's glare without flinching. "True. But I don't throw it around to belittle others. I don't use my title as a weapon, and unlike you, I'm not obsessed with stealing everything someone else takes interest in."
A teacup rattled somewhere nearby.
One of the guests whispered behind a raised fan, "Aren't they the daughters of the ministers?"
Another leaned closer. "Shouldn't they be getting along? I thought they were childhood friends… like their fathers."
"Look at them, How they are arguing," someone else muttered "You'd think it was a street brawl at the night market, not a noble banquet."
Maihima tilted her head toward the murmurs, then back at Arisu. "Congratulations. You're causing a scene."
"So are you," Arisu replied coolly, brushing off her sleeves. "I'm leaving before more people to notice how far this has gone. It'd be a shame if our fathers found out their daughters aren't friends anymore… but rivals."
Maihima gave a sharp laugh. "You think like that? So do I. And don't worry I've got no interest in ruining a perfectly good evening by staying near you."
With that, both girls turned sharply on their heels, flipping their hair in perfect sync as they walked in opposite directions.
Somewhere in the crowd, a guest whispered, "If the ministers saw this… they'd question the years they spent calling each other brothers."
Maihima strutted through the hall, as Meimei and Miaomiao followed closely behind each of them. The trio moved like swans through the golden-lit space, drawing glances as they passed.
Still fuming from the encounter, Maihima's lips curled in annoyance. "Did you see her? The nerve she had to raise her voice at me as if we were equals! I can't believe that silent mouse grew a spine."
Meimei leaned in, fanning herself lazily. "It's probably that her. Girls like that are bad influences."
Miaomiao nodded. "Absolutely. That's what happens when you start hanging around orphans and street girls you forget your manners."
As Maihima scoffed and picked up her pace, her heels clicking lightly against the floor, a shrill yet oddly High pitched voice called out from behind.
"Excuse me! Are you by any chance… the Lady Kogane?"