Northstar Vale When Stars Align

More bodies gathered and Hime scrutinized each of them. Her eyes travelled from person to person, narrowing slightly when she noticed and recognized Awenfen, only to fade to indifference again as she looked to others - a glimmer of mirth entering her eyes as she peered upon Saarthal. She held her tongue while her sister spoke, declaring various truths: that the slut was to wed herself a peasant king, and that Takeshi was to be viewed as their Emperor, both of which made Hime want to roll her eyes, though she remained composed.

Finally the news faded to silence, and Hime decided to take the floor. She emphatically cleared her throat and stepped forth from where she'd been waiting alongside her sister, poised, brimming with pride. She parades before the gathered wolves as if they had all come to see her, rather than the Empress. But her words are sweet and full of love, antithetical of what the Izukas know of her.

Praise be to my lovely sister, and her noble husband! We should celebrate them foremost, of course. How fortunate that two such wonderful people see fit to house us, feed us, and love us all equally as family! There was a slight derision to her tone that she could not hide, a natural overabundance - she was speaking as truthfully as she could, utilizing her position as sister-to-royalty to hold the floor. Their love is boundless, indisputable - merely look to their children and you know that they are true royalty.

Her gaze flashes briefly upon both of them, as if she is testing the waters, watching for a response from either of them. A tremble of a lip, maybe. Anger, from Takeshi. She verbally applauds the changes as they've been outlined but there is a tension there, too. A suspicion. Hime knows there is a secret hidden here within the royals, though she does not speak openly about it, merely tugs at it as one might scratch a scab, wondering how far she can push them before a grand reveal.

She turns to them both and with a flourish, bows to them. I pledge my heart and soul to you both, my liege, Emperor Takeshi, and of course to my blood sister - Empress Reiko. May your rule be lasting and fair.