After yesterday's talk with Prince Shiro, I believe he doesn't take my words seriously. Even though I've told him that I suspect the First Prince, he was still reluctant to believe me. I don't know why he doesn't want to think that it's the First Prince. When I went home, I thought about it for a while. I don't think the First Prince and Prince Shiro are even in good terms, especially after what happened between the three of us. The First Prince attempted to take me away from Prince Shiro, I believe that's enough reason for them to be in bad blood with each other. Although I don't know what else happened to them while they were younger but that's certainly a big enough reason to doubt a person's character. I wonder why Prince Shiro doesn't want to suspect his brother. I thought about the other possibilities too. It was unlikely for any of Prince Shiro's other brothers to be the suspect for the assassination attempt. Apart from the fact that they were also victims, I cou

As soon as I left the inn, I immediately made my way back home. No one must know that I asked help from the information guild; especially my father. In Himawari's memories, the chancellor's hate for the information guild was apparent. From what I can recall, the chancellor once asked help from the information guild regarding a serious matter, however the information they provided was false thus creating a whole set of new problems for the chancellor. This explains my father's distrust of the guild.  "Where have you been, miss? I've been looking for you." Mei asked me when I went down to the kitchen to get some food. I snuck back in to my room when no one was around and I hid the envelope before I went down to show my face. I smiled at Mei and diverted her attention.  "I'm really hungry, Mei. What are we having for dinner?" I asked. Her excitement quickly grew and as such, she talked about the dishes that were being prepared for dinne

I had to know more. I had to be sure that my father was innocent and that he wasn't involved in any way. There was an unsettling feeling in the pit of my stomach and I didn't like it. I didn't know how to go about with my day knowing that my father could be an accomplice. But I couldn't understand anything. If it was true, why would he do that? Why would he work with the first prince to kill the Emperor? If I was right that the First Prince was the one behind the assassination attempt on me and Prince Shiro, that wouldn't make any sense. He's my father, he wouldn't do anything to hurt me.  "Miss? Are you still awake?" Mei knocked on my door. I quickly composed myself as to not seem too suspicious. I told her that I was still awake and she slowly opened the door and peeked her head through.  "The master is calling for you." She said. I felt my heart drop to my stomach. This is such a coincidence. My father calling me right when I was being suspicious of him.

I didn't know how long I was trapped in my room but it felt like forever. The shadow guards would put water and food down by my door during meal time. I tried talking to them but they were silent as usual. The maids never came around to my room either. Even Mei, who would usually be with me, never came to visit. Did father do something to her? DId she leave or is she just following my father's orders? Either way, I really have to get out of here.  All my windows had shadow guards under them. I couldn't even try to escape through them. There was no other way for me to contact the outside world. I was locked up and trapped inside my room. It's been a few days and maybe Prince Shiro will figure something out. Unless my father talked to him about my whereabouts, he would surely try to look for me.  "Hima..." I heard father's voice on the other side of the door. I walked closer hoping to hear what he had to say.  "I hope you're not putting your fait

"The Emperor knew of the Empress' schemes however he was unable to stop her. The fight for the throne was a battle that your mother shouldn't have been a part of yet she was killed because of it. The Chancellor was blinded by his grief and anger over the loss of your mother. Ever since then, in his heart, he blamed the Emperor for the death of his wife." The shadow guard finished his story. I couldn't believe what I heard. How could something like this happen to Himawari's family? Is this the price the chancellor had to pay by being so close to the Imperial Family?  "But it wasn't because the Emperor didn't do anything for the Chancellor, he was unable to do anything for fear of the people's reaction towards the Imperial Family. He had to keep everything in secret and so the crimes of the Empress were never investigated and she was never found guilty for all the people she killed and all the crimes she committed. Until recently, when you exposed her crimes for the whole