Oblivious

Heian-kyo, Upper Capital District, within the Asakura Residence.

Inside an elegant room at the Asakura Residence, Princess Kaguya, dressed in splendid robes, and Mokou, in noble attire, sat facing each other. Both held several cards in their hands, as a miniature yet realistic battlefield duel unfolded on the table.

“Well then… Uncle Aka’s life points are now at zero. Kaguya wins this round again, you know…” With a faint smile, Kaguya played her final card. As the invisible rules implicitly declared Mokou’s defeat, all the miniature Secret Lore Yokai on her side instantly turned to ash.

“Ahhh… I lost again. It seems I can never beat Kaguya,” Mokou said, scratching her head, visibly frustrated. Kaguya, in turn, began to neatly collect the cards on the table, responding with a smile.

“Uncle Aka, you’re too hasty and impulsive when you play. You attack without any regard for consequences. Many times, you have an advantage, but you push too aggressively, giving me, Kaguya, the perfect opportunity to use traps and turn the game around.”

“Ugh… I can’t help it, I suppose. That’s just my nature… it’s a bit difficult to change,” Mokou said, crossing her arms with a hint of helplessness. Accustomed to an immortal body, she was used to aggressive, no-holds-barred attacks in combat. Since she couldn’t die, the cost of an attack didn’t matter. Her personal fighting style was purely reckless, a headlong charge regardless of the consequences.

This style of action became quite problematic when it spilled over into other aspects of Mokou’s life, such as card games. Her reckless assaults were repeatedly thwarted by Princess Kaguya’s traps, yet she showed no sign of learning.

“Alright~ it’s getting late now, so I’ll head back. I’ll bring you another gift next time, little Kaguya…” Mokou said as she stood up. As was her custom, she reached out and patted Princess Kaguya’s head, and Kaguya, clearly doted upon, narrowed her eyes contentedly.

Afterward, Mokou stood and left. Watching Mokou’s retreating figure, Princess Kaguya’s eyes showed a hint of hesitation. After a moment of apparent thought, Princess Kaguya softly called out as Mokou was about to exit the elegant room.

“Uncle Aka, please wait a moment…”

Hearing Princess Kaguya’s words, Mokou, who had just reached the elegant room’s door and was about to slide it open, paused. She then turned around, looking at Princess Kaguya with a puzzled expression, and asked with confusion in her eyes.

“What is it?”

Under Mokou’s questioning gaze, Princess Kaguya’s demeanor became slightly bashful. After much hesitation, she seemed to steel herself, her cheeks faintly flushed as she spoke to Mokou.

“Um… Uncle Aka, that promise between us… when will it be fulfilled…?”

“Huh? A promise? What promise?” Hearing Princess Kaguya’s words, Mokou looked utterly bewildered. She scratched her head, speaking with uncertainty.

Mokou’s reaction made Princess Kaguya anxious for a moment. First, her small cheeks puffed out slightly, then deflated. After a brief hesitation, she gathered her thoughts and spoke urgently to the somewhat confused Mokou.

“It’s, it’s about when I was little… the promise you always told me about. You said I had to grow up to be like a perfect princess, and then after I grew up… then…” Princess Kaguya’s cheeks grew redder as she spoke. With Princess Kaguya having brought the topic to this point, Mokou finally understood what she was talking about.

“Oh… you mean about little Kaguya marrying into the Fujiwara Clan, is that it…?” Mokou said, tapping her fan against her palm, finally understanding. Kaguya, her face flushed, nodded slightly.

Mokou’s intention in having Miketsu adopt Princess Kaguya and then endlessly visiting with gifts was to one day have Princess Kaguya marry into the Fujiwara Clan, thereby avenging the past humiliation inflicted by Princess Kaguya on the Fujiwara Clan. It now seemed that Mokou’s diligent efforts over the past decade had indeed been effective, and Princess Kaguya’s current intentions were crystal clear.

“Hahaha! Little Kaguya, don’t be so impatient. While it’s true you’re like a princess now, and your beauty and wisdom are widely praised throughout Heian-kyo, which makes me very happy, you’re still a bit too young, you know,” Mokou said with a hearty laugh, finally realizing the situation. Princess Kaguya, hearing Mokou’s words, looked at her with hopeful eyes.

“Kaguya knows her age isn’t quite enough yet, but Uncle Aka, can you tell me… how much longer do I have to wait?” Princess Kaguya asked, her eyes full of expectation. Mokou thought for a moment before replying.

“Hmm… not much longer. About two more years should be enough, I suppose. I still need to make some preparations on my end, after all.”

“Preparations… Uncle Aka is working hard on his end too…” Princess Kaguya said, her hope evident.

“Yes, that’s right. After all, it’s for marrying off little Kaguya. Don’t worry, little Kaguya, I’ve already found the most outstanding and excellent young man from the Fujiwara Clan for you. You’ll definitely be pleased!”

Mokou spoke directly and with full confidence. But after hearing her words, Princess Kaguya froze in place, her expression stiff.

“Un-Uncle Aka… what, what did you just say?” Princess Kaguya’s mouth opened and closed, her stiff expression filled with disbelief.

“Hmm… I said the person I’ve chosen is definitely the most outstanding young talent from the Fujiwara Clan. Princess Kaguya, you won’t be disappointed…”

“Young… talent?”

“Yes! Absolutely, I’ve carefully selected and nurtured him. Little Kaguya will surely be satisfied, you know.”

Mokou continued to speak confidently, oblivious. She didn’t notice that, as she spoke, Princess Kaguya’s head slowly lowered, her eyes sinking into shadow and becoming unreadable. Her entire demeanor turned incredibly gloomy, completely devoid of her earlier joy.

“So… so that’s it… Uncle Aka, your true intentions, they’ve always been like this?”

Enveloped in an inexplicable shadow, an extremely eerie aura surrounded Princess Kaguya. At this point, even Mokou, no matter how oblivious, realized that Princess Kaguya’s current state seemed off.

“Hmm? Little Kaguya, what’s… wrong?”

“Ah… it’s nothing, Uncle Aka. I just feel a bit unwell and want to rest. You can go now…”

Princess Kaguya spoke slowly, her tone cold. Hearing this, Mokou felt an inexplicable chill run down her spine.

“Unwell? Do you want me to find a doctor for you…? I can…”

“No need. It’s just a minor issue, nothing serious enough to trouble you with your concern…” Kaguya said, slowly rising and sliding open the door on the other side, walking out unhurriedly…

“Also, as I wish to rest quietly for the next few days, you needn’t visit for a while. Thank you…”

Watching Princess Kaguya slide the door shut and leave, Mokou scratched her head in distress. She had a strange feeling she had just done something terribly wrong.