Autumn leaves painted the landscape in vibrant hues of red, brown and gold while preparations for the annual Fall Festival surged through the Chika Palace grounds. Drafted as the host to this time-honored tradition, the grand event brought together the realm's royalty and elites for celebration and unity.

  With the day of the festival looming over the horizon, an air of excitement and unease permeated the palace.

  The palace grounds churned with activity. Servants hung lanterns in the trees, its ambient glow promising to cast magical ambiance over the evening festivities. Elaborate pavilions rose in the gardens, each adorned with the emblems of the four clans: Chika, Kokoro, Nami, and Takeshimego.

  Bearing political implications beyond celebration, Kaito presided over the preparations with stern efficiency in awareness of King Mari of the Kokoro clan, King Masahiko of the Nami clan, and King Izimaru of the Takeshimego clan intent to attend with their young heirs, wives, and prominent families.

  Amidst the festival preparations, Kaito's thoughts clung to Kaname. A child, too young to face scrutiny yet too mysterious to trust, heightened his concerns. The hollow uncertainty gnawed at his insides as he walked towards Airi who stood in the spacious closet of the master's chamber. Contemplating her choice for the opening ceremony, her fingers trailed over the selection of exquisite kimonos, drifting the sumptuous whisper of silk around her.

  "Airi, do you think there's something wrong with Kaname?" Kaito tentatively ventured, pressing his pressed to the wall and arms locked in a defensive cross.

  "Hmm... Why do you ask?" she replied. Her tone blithe, selecting a deep blue silk kimono adorned with voluptuous silver embroidery.

  Aggravation flickered across Kaito's face at her apparent lack of concern. He moved to assist her with the kimono, his hands deftly adjusting the fabric as he spoke.

  "Well, for starters, she's oddly quiet and calm, yet indisputably advanced for her age. She possesses all of the intuitive skills of a warrior, but her combat skills are less than mediocre. I'm concerned that she lacks the capability of controlling elements."

  Airi turned to face Kaito, placing both hands on his chest. The kimono, half-draped around her, catching the light like oil on water.

  "You should give Kaname more credit, you know. She's very exceptional, intelligent and a fast learner. So what if she hasn't exhibited a birth element?"

  Dismissing his concerns with a wave of her hand, she shrugged and turned away.

  "Plus, Yasushi is happy with her as she is. They're practically inseparable. There's nothing to worry about. She's perfect."

  A sharp static of pique crackled in his chest. He resumed garmenting her, his movements becoming more abrupt adjusting the folds of her kimono.

  "How can you be so indifferent about this! Doesn't it bother you that we know nothing of her origins? She looks like she belongs in legends rather than my palace! Even if she stemmed from a different realm, a child her age should have at least experienced their awakening by now. It's the fucking basics!"

  His voice boomed in the spacious chamber, ratcheting the brittle tension between them.

  Airi sighed, placing a calming hand on his arm. "Calm down, Kaito. Kaname isn't like everyone else in this realm. So what if she doesn't have a birth element."

  Before Kaito could respond, the chamber's door burst open with a bang. Yasushi rushed in, his eyes basking in pride with conviction etched on his face.

  "FATHER! I'M NOT GOING!!,” he shouted, his voice perturbed.

  Kaito pivoted to face him, his composure thinning. "Why?... I thought you got along relatively well with the young heirs."

  "I... It's... It's not that," Yasushi stammered, slouching his shoulders. "I don't wanna go without Kaname. We always leave her alone, locked in her room, while everyone is at the festival. I hate it. I don't get why she can't come with us!"

  Visibly annoyed, Kaito's patience frayed. "Yasushi, Stop! You're getting too old for these childish tantrums. How many times do you expect me to answer the same damn question!"

  The friction in the room escalated, the air thick with unspoken emotions. Airi silently observed the exchange, her half-dressed state momentarily forgotten.

  Yasushi stood up facing his father, his eyes boring determination mirroring Kaito's stubbornness. "But Father...!!" Yasushi wailed. “I don't care! I-”

  His words cut short as the door quietly opened and Kaname stepped inside, her presence immediately shifting the chamber's atmosphere. Holding a teddy bear in one hand, she calmly strolled over to Yasushi, grabbing his hand with the other.

  This content has been misappropriated from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

  "Yasu? Are you okay?"

  His face lightened at her touch. "Kana, I'm fine! I just want you to have fun at the festival and see the fireworks with me."

  A fist cracked against the wall, the sound sharp as a gunshot.

  "SON! IT'S JUST NOT POSSIBLE! STOP FILLING HER HEAD WITH NONSENSE!”

  Yasushi flinched, tightening his hold around Kaname's hand. Airi grabbed Kaito's arm and forced him to face her, her eyes locking onto his.

  "Enough," she silently mouthed, shaking her head from side to side.

  For a moment, Kaito held her gaze, then reluctantly nodded. He diverted his eyes downward, avoiding her stern glare.

  "I'll be on my way. I need to go over security protocol for tonight's festival," he muttered, straining the hostility in his voice.

  Taking a deep breath, Kaito rotated back to Yasushi. The earlier frustration replaced by a cold authority harshed his eyes. "I expect everyone to be at the designated areas to welcome our guests. No exceptions!"

  Yasushi quivered under the intense gaze, promptly shifting his eyes to the side in defeat.

  Turning his attention to Kaname, Kaito's expression relaxed, gently patting her head. "Kaname. Please go to your room after your lessons conclude. For the remainder of the day, you’ll stay there. Dinner and a snack will be brought to you."

  He paused, staring into her eyes. A hint of regret seeping through his voice. "...I'm sorry, but Airi or I will be able to read you a bedtime story tonight, but I promise to make it up to you."

  "Okay," she nodded, meeting Airi's eyes.

  Without another word, Kaito strode out of the master's chamber.

  Airi walked over to the children fully dressed in her kimono and knelt before them. "I know it's not fair Yasushi… but it's for Kaname's safety that she stays within the palace. She can't defend herself if anything happens."

  Grappling with his emotions, his face soured with chagrin, looking at her. "Then what's the point of having guards if they can't do their job, Mother? Nothing will happen because I can protect her!"

  Her lips ghosted toward a smile. "I'm sorry. Your father and… I aren't willing to take the risk. I mean, after all, is Kaname not your future wife?"

  Yasushi's face flushed a rosy red, small streams of smoke spurting from his head.

  Airi chuckled at his flustered reaction, her laughter lightening the residual tension. "Focus on taking care of Kaname and spending time with her while you still can. I have high hopes for the both of you. "

  He looked down at Kaname and grinned, his eyes sparkling with admiration, melting away his built-up irritation. "Kana, I'll come back to you as soon as the festival is over. I'll bring you back tons of gifts and win you a new teddy bear."

  Kaname looked up at and smiled, confirming the silent promise passing between them.

  "KANAME!" a loud voice unexpectedly thundered from behind. "Break's over. It's time for you to resume your lessons. We need to go."

  Immediately, she released Yasushi's hand, obeying the command without hesitation. Swiftly exiting the chamber, she walked over to Haru standing a few feet outside of the doorway and bowed.

  "Haru, I'm coming as well," Airi asserted, rising from her knelt position. "Yasushi, please finish getting ready for the festival. Our guests will be here soon."

  "Yes, mother," Yasushi replied, watching Kaname stand before Haru.

  Upon reaching Kaname, she took her hand and followed behind Haru. As the chamber's door closed, Yasushi narrowed his gaze on Kaname's departure, his anxiety steadily increasing.

  Rounding the corner, the mirth curdled on Kaname's face, leaving behind a detached glare.

  "A… I mean, your Majesty," Haru whispered once out of earshot. "Are you certain we shouldn't inform Kaito? He has the right to know."

  Airi continued looking forward, annoyed by Haru's suggestion. "He'll be informed in due time. As of right now, let's focus on Kaname's lessons."

  His jaw clenched and face tightened at her dismissal. She transitioned her hand onto Kaname's shoulder, guiding the child with firm pressure.

  As they walked through the palace's lavish hallways, their footsteps reflected off the honey-toned floorboards. The air brimmed with the scent of incense and the distant sounds of festival preparations. Grand, narrative arras lined the hall, their intricate weaves chronicling the rise of the Chika line.

  Veering down a hidden corridor, the opulence abruptly died. The polished wood yielded to smoothly brisk stone, and the vibrant tapestries gave way to simple metal sconces. Progressing deeper, the distant thrum of the festival preparations transitioned into a profound, unsettling quiet.

  The hallway ended at the stark, bare door blending into the stone around it, its surface weathered and nondescript. Haru produced a key from within his uniform, its byzantine design at odds with the simple door.

  With a soft click, the lock disengaged, revealing a narrow and dimly lit veiled conduit. Rudimentary stairs, roughly chiseled from the earth, spiraled downward into the shadows.

  Designed to disorient, staccato flashes of light from the guttering torches created dark, distorted outlines on the walls. The air grew cooler and damp with each step as they descended to the clandestine heart of Kaname's training grounds.

  Emerging into a colossal, derelict undercroft, scarred by the weathered violence. Wooden torches lining the walls sprang to life upon entry, lighting the massive Chika clan insignia engraved into the stone at its center.

  Kaname walked towards the insignia, her small figure dwarfed by the immense space surrounding her. Steadily inhaling, her eyes pierced Airi's with focus as she shifted her weight sideways, realigning her body into a defensive stance.

  Writhing at the sight of dark energy prying from Airi's body, he searched her face, his gaze questioning her ethics.

  She uncurled her fingers, manifesting a massive double-bladed axe into existence. A darkly pleased smile smothered with pride graced her lips as her eyes inspected Kaname's stance, her demeanor unflinching in the face of the imposing weapon.

  Sensing his wavering obedience, Airi shot him a glance brimming with vitriol from the corner of her eye, instantly calcifying the expectations.

  He raised his hand, igniting a roaring orb of flame onto his fingertips.

  Her smirk deepened, sliding her attention back to Kaname.

  The room humming with silent intentions.

  "Let's begin!"