The Gathering at the Asakura Residence

Heian-kyo, Onmyoryo, within the Astronomical Pavilion.

The Great Onmyoji Ashiya Doman was originally settled peacefully in the Astronomical Pavilion, handling official business as usual. At that moment, her friend and colleague—a Great Onmyoji who rarely stayed at the Onmyoryo—paid a sudden visit, which caught her quite by surprise.

"Hey, I say, you..." While writing an official document, Yura glanced sideways at Miketsu, who was leaning against the railing, leisurely watching the clouds in the sky.

"Haven't you been busy lately helping your daughter with that public marriage selection? It's become the talk of the town... Why aren't you busy with all that trouble instead of coming here to bother me?"

Hearing Yura's words, Miketsu smiled slightly, then turned her head toward her.

"It is precisely because I have been so busy lately that I am taking advantage of a little leisure time to relax a bit."

"Hmph, then you shouldn't have come to my place. This isn't exactly a place for relaxation..." As she spoke, Yura glanced at the mountain of documents piled on her desk. Ever since Seimei had gotten into trouble and lost his memory, she had been almost entirely submerged in this special battle until now.

"Hmm... It is true that I shouldn't have specifically come here to disturb you, but while I was busy with the marriage selection, I suddenly discovered something interesting by chance..." Miketsu continued, causing Yura to tilt her head toward her with a look of utter confusion.

"Something interesting?"

"Indeed. Regarding this, you can see for yourself." As Miketsu spoke, she pulled a proposal letter from her sleeve and tossed it toward Yura. In her confusion, Yura reached out and caught it accurately in mid-air, but her expression changed instantly upon seeing it.

"Sei... Seimei?! What is going on? Seimei sent a marriage proposal to your daughter, Princess Kaguya! Why?!" Yura's tone carried an unmistakable shock, and her entire face darkened.

"Ah, yes. Although I was also quite surprised, that is the current situation. If you ask me why, I am not entirely sure either... I suppose perhaps he just felt bored for a moment and wanted to try something novel. After all, he does spend all day alone in his courtyard... wouldn't you agree?" Miketsu spoke while looking at Yura playfully. Yura stood completely frozen in place, and the formal proposal letter slipped from her fingertips, fluttering to the floor.

"Bo... Bored? Perhaps so. I have been quite busy lately and haven't visited him often, but for him to join a marriage selection just to kill boredom, that's just too..." Yura spoke with a strange expression. On the other side, Miketsu slowly approached, picked up the proposal letter from the ground, and tucked it back into her sleeve.

"In any case, I have told you about this matter. It is up to you to decide what to do next. My residence is still very busy, so I shall head back now. Farewell~"

With that, Miketsu stepped out of the Astronomical Pavilion, leaving only Yura standing there in a daze, at a total loss.

...

The news of the marriage selection for Princess Kaguya, daughter of the Great Onmyoji Asakura Hao, did not merely circulate within Heian-kyo; it spread throughout the entire Kinki region. For a time, it attracted countless merchants who were not of noble birth to join the competition. Marriage proposals were delivered one after another to the Asakura Residence, and the spacious courtyard was filled time and again with the gifts that accompanied them.

"There truly are many, far more than we previously anticipated..." Inside an elegant room of the Asakura Residence, Princess Kaguya looked at the many proposal letters piled high on the table and spoke with a sigh of wonder.

"This proves that your fame and charm, little Kaguya, are much greater than expected. Hah, as expected of my daughter, this spectacle is perhaps even grander than that of the legendary Princess Kaguya from the Tale of the Bamboo Cutter." Sitting to the side, Miketsu spoke with a smile.

"Regardless of my future potential, Kaguya is still just a young girl who has not yet fully matured. It is a bit too early to speak of charm. Being able to attract so many people is mainly due to your transcendent status, Mother. The Princess Kaguya of old did not have a Great Onmyoji for a mother," Princess Kaguya replied with a smile of her own. The mother and daughter exchanged a round of mutual flattery.

"However, there are a bit too many people now. This far exceeds the number you intended, Kaguya. Originally, we planned to select a few fillers in addition to the pre-selected candidates and decline all the rest. But now that there are so many, declining them all at once might lead to negative consequences. It will inevitably cause many rumors and scandals..." Miketsu continued in a heavy tone. She had not expected this volume of suitors. Rejecting them all without a good reason would cause a great deal of resentment. While Miketsu herself might not care about such things, she still had to consider Princess Kaguya's reputation.

They now had to find a reasonable way to eliminate the vast majority of the current suitors, leaving only the intended spots.

"Do not worry, Mother. I have already thought of a method for the screening. Please inform the suitors who sent proposals to send a representative or come in person three days from now at noon..." Princess Kaguya spoke slowly with a smile, and Miketsu nodded in understanding.

"Three days from now? Very well... I shall send the word out immediately. I also wish to see what kind of method you have, Kaguya..."

...

In Heian-kyo, the storm caused by the marriage selection of Princess Kaguya of the Asakura family continued. Countless nobles and merchants, after sending their gifts and proposals, waited anxiously at home. They did not know what method the Princess Kaguya would use to choose her husband.

During this waiting period, some playboys who thought they understood a woman's heart tried to take the initiative. They attempted to contact Princess Kaguya in advance by scaling the walls of the residence or sending secret letters, hoping to win her heart in the shadows. However, facing an Onmyoji's mansion filled with spells, these opportunists ultimately met with quite miserable ends. From then on, no one dared to make any more self-righteous moves. All the suitors waited quietly at home, and finally, the long-awaited news came from the Asakura Residence.

Heian-kyo, the morning three days later, at the Asakura Residence.

In a spacious courtyard of the Asakura Residence, countless noble young lords dressed in aristocratic attire were gathered. These young lords from various families either huddled together whispering or secretly kept a wary eye on the rivals around them. The entire garden was filled with low murmurs and mutual suspicion, making it feel like a bizarre garden party.

Young Lord Aka of the Fujiwara stood alone in the crowd without any attendants. The noble scions around him kept several paces of distance from him. Looking at the situation around her, she could not help but frown slightly.