Northstar Vale When Stars Align

Yuudai hadn't anticipated the meeting, and so had wandered farther than he should have. He felt guilty. Of course he did. With Kazuhiko still so young, Yuu should have remained closer. Only he hadn't realized how far he had gone until the faint sound of Reiko's howl flowed on the wind.

Not catching sight of Hiromi, but finding her scent easily enough, Yuudai assumed she was in the den with the princesses and prince. The Marquis lingered at the back of the group, listening. He arrived just as Rei announced Takeshi's promotion. He had been about to sit, but instead he remained standing anger simmering in his chest. His eyes narrowed as Hime spoke. Clenching his jaw, Yuudai step forward, "Excuse me." He spoke softly as he asked any in front of him to move.

Yuudai looked at Hime, and then Takeshi, but ultimately his pale lavender gaze sought Reiko's. "No." He spoke softly, but with conviction. He had never refused Reiko or Hiromi. He had never sought to undermine his Empress, always her courteous and devoted warrior. But this? No he could not stand by. He would not stand by. "You are my Empress, your highness." The samurai dipped his head in submission to her, before rising to his full height and glared at the now Emperor. "But I will not submit to him. Never." He knew what he was doing, knew what the potentially outcome was. The consequences of his failure.