"Princess Koyuki, are you ready?", Outside the doors of the sleeping hall, Sandayu Asame's voice rang out.
"The ceremony is already prepared. We're only waiting for you now."
"Just a moment, Sandayu. Go and keep them occupied for me first," Kazahana Koyuki spoke to Sandayu Asame.
"…Yes," With no choice, Sandayu Asame could only leave first.
Though really, it wasn't much of helplessness. His whole face was glowing red, his spirit brimming.
The dream he had struggled toward for ten years was finally realized. Right now, he was overflowing with excitement and satisfaction.
The only reason he felt a bit helpless was because he had only just heard that Princess Koyuki wanted Aoba to accompany her on stage for the succession ceremony.
'It isn't as though it has never happened before that two people went on stage together, but… that has been the daimyo and his wife.'
More than helplessness, it stirred emotion in him.
He had never expected Princess Koyuki to one day open her heart to another.
After all, Kazahana Koyuki had wandered since childhood, her personality far more mature than others her age, her heart long locked away.
If she had truly met someone she liked, Sandayu Asame instead felt tears of joy. He had always worried that Kazahana Koyuki might develop some mental illness.
But clearly, she had not.
Princess Koyuki was about to become daimyo of the Land of Snow. Small as it was, it was still a country, and in the coming time there would surely be many problems.
On her own, the pressure might be immense.
But Aoba was still the hero who had saved the Land of Snow, powerful beyond compare.
With him, alongside the loyal retainers, and perhaps even as a strong husband, it would without doubt ease her burdens a great deal.
"A disciple of the Hokage, eh…", Sandayu Asame made up his mind. Once Princess Koyuki had ascended and the country stabilized somewhat, he would go to Konoha and ask the Hokage to formally arrange this marriage.
"We should take the stage now," Hearing Sandayu's departing footsteps, Kazahana Koyuki reached out and took Aoba's hand.
"Uh… we need to hold hands too?", Aoba felt somewhat awkward. After all, Yakumo and Hinata would be watching from below.
"I'm nervous. Once we're outside, I'll let go," Kazahana Koyuki gave him a gentle smile.
———
"Damn it!"
All around the sides of the Snow Country castle, tall purple banners hung down to the ground.
Against the snowy backdrop, the color scheme stood out especially vividly.
For this succession ceremony, the castle had been temporarily renovated.
In the front courtyard, a tall open-air platform had been built.
The terrace faced the castle's front, so that standing upon it one could take in the sight of all the people in the courtyard below, and the people below could see clearly.
Here, Kazahana Koyuki would receive the blessings of the people of the Land of Snow.
Yakumo, Hinata, and Kurenai waited nearby.
But Yakumo was clenching her fists now, teeth gritted in anger, "Who would have thought Kazahana Koyuki, with her honest face, would resort to such petty tricks!"
Hinata said nothing, but with her Byakugan open, her expression was all the more fierce.
Kurenai could only watch her two students helplessly, sighing.
That morning, Kazahana Koyuki had used the excuse that there might be an attack to call Aoba away.
And he still hadn't come back.
"Hinata, what are they doing in there?", Yakumo suddenly leaned toward Hinata's ear, whispering.
"They're here already."
"Huh?"
Just then—
DONG!
A deep, resonant bell sounded.
The courtyard, moments ago buzzing with voices, fell instantly silent.
The people spontaneously parted into two rows, facing the castle, ready to cheer.
Click!
The great palace doors opened slowly.
A row of guards stepped out, shouting loudly in unison, """WE WELCOME HER HIGHNESS!"""
As the words fell, Kazahana Koyuki stepped forward gracefully, a gentle smile on her face.
Her maiden's features were cool and elegant, her lips curved lightly, her purple and red ceremonial robes dazzlingly radiant.
Aoba followed half a step behind.
He wore matching purple robes, his posture straight, his expression warm and calm.
The two walked together, surrounded by cheerful music from those leading ahead, while the crowds' voices burst with joy. A lively scene.
Thousands of citizens raised their heads, witnessing the succession of the new daimyo of the Land of Snow.
And also—
The boy at her side.
"Who is he?"
Many of the younger people asked in puzzlement, while the older generation wore expressions of realization.
"Why does it look less like a succession, and more like a wedding…", Kurenai frowned and muttered softly.
Then she quickly covered her mouth, nervously glancing at Yakumo and Hinata.
Their faces were already as dark as soot, in perfect contrast to the joy shining on the faces of the Snow Country citizens.
Kurenai hurriedly tried to speak up in Aoba's defense, "It must just be that Kazahana Koyuki wanted to thank him, so she invited him to stand with her."
"Kurenai-sensei, you don't need to explain for him. Once this is over, we'll be questioning him thoroughly. Very thoroughly," Yakumo said coldly.
Hinata also silently nodded.
Kurenai could only cough dryly and close her mouth.
It wasn't her concern anyway. She was only the team leader, and this mission had been won without her lifting a finger.
Kazahana Koyuki and Aoba together stepped onto the high platform, looking down at the people of the Land of Snow as they blessed and cheered.
At last, she understood the true meaning of what Aoba had said to her on the ship.
Even if she didn't have strength like Kazahana Doto, she could still cast a giant shadow on the wall.
Every word and every move of hers would affect this country, and she must take responsibility for it.
"Everyone, first let me introduce the one at my side…", Kazahana Koyuki did not begin with any declaration, but instead introduced Aoba, explaining his role in helping her become daimyo.
By doing this, she undoubtedly let Aoba win the respect of the Land of Snow's people as well.
Only then did Kazahana Koyuki formally begin the succession ceremony.
After a long and intricate ritual, the attendees began mingling freely, chatting and drinking.
Kazahana Koyuki and Aoba stepped down from the platform to rejoin Yakumo, Hinata, and the others.
"Heh, so you finally came down. I thought, Aoba, you meant to stay here in the Land of Snow as the 'daimyo's husband'," Yakumo's face was still dark. Because what had just unfolded truly looked like a wedding.
"This wasn't Aoba's fault. I invited him up to thank him," Kazahana Koyuki explained.
"Then why not invite us too?"
"You wouldn't have been suitable."
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