Read Novel Full Chapter 1021: Kaede Fujimori
Chapter 1021: Kaede Fujimori
"Now presenting! Duchess Kaede Fujimori of Silverwind!"
The room stirred.
Ayame’s fists curled tightly under the table.
Kaede entered the banquet hall with serene grace, not emitting any haughtiness one might expect from a woman who had just recently betrayed her sister to become the duchess in her stead.
In fact, Kaede was so serene that she glided forward as if she were a painted doll come to life. Her silk kimono was elegant, pristine, perfectly folded in all the right places. Every step she took was measured and refined. <subtex>.</subtex>
She shared the same fine bone structure as Ayame, the same jet-black hair, and the same blue eyes, though hers seemed to be veiled in a placid mask.
That’s where the similarities ended.
None in the harem doubted that if Ayame were to stand next to this woman, she’d be mistaken for being the younger sister.
Kaede was taller and curvier. Her long hair was coiled into an intricate style pinned by golden hairpieces, and her face was touched with a great deal of makeup, creating soft red lips, pale powder skin, and artfully drawn brows that never quite moved. Not even when she made eye contact with the king’s table.
Where Ayame had the trim, honed physique of a lifelong warrior, Kaede carried herself like a ceremonial weapon. She was gorgeous and ornamental. And where Ayame’s emotions often lived just below the surface and could explode at any time, Kaede seemed to have mastered the art of showing nothing at all. At least, such was their first impression of the woman who looked a lot more similar to a Japanese princess doll than an actual living, breathing human.
(Picture)
Quinlan didn’t need to glance at Ayame to feel the storm brewing in her chest. It was in her posture. Her silence. The unnatural stillness of her breath.
<Who even is this...?> Ayame finally whispered with a great deal of emotion evident in her fragile voice.
<Does that mean this isn’t your sister?> Iris asked while openly examining the newcomer.
<No, I highly doubt that,> Vex replied with confidence. <I’ve seen her before, and I believe this is her.>
The Hexwitch leaned back in her seat before she continued speaking. <Back then, she was bubbly. Energetic. Always grinning. Like a lot less chaotic version of Feng, but still bright. Loud, even. But this... This woman changed a lot.>
Ayame’s lips parted slightly, but no words came out.
Instead, she stared. And stared. And stared some more.
She couldn’t even blink.
<Vex is right,> she finally admitted. <That is Kaede. That’s her... but it’s not the sister I knew.>
No one interrupted.
<She’s changed a lot. More than I thought possible,> Ayame added after a breath. <She was always taller than I. And sure, she developed early. But she wasn’t like this. Not so silent. Not so polished. Not so... still.>
Her thoughts tangled up in her throat, refusing to untangle.
<Kaede used to run through the palace barefoot when our tutors weren’t looking. She cried when I cut my finger in training. She was afraid of frogs.>
Ayame stopped for a moment, struggling to align this poised duchess with the girl she used to share secrets and sunrises with. <She was so full of life. Now... she looks like a painting.> ℞𝐀ƝО𝖇ЕⱾ
A thick silence followed her words.
<I would think a woman who gained so much power a little over a year ago would walk with her chin held high... considering the atrocities she committed to get to this point,> Aurora voiced her own thoughts.
Lucille was quick to agree. <Yeah. This is the first big official banquet she has partaken in ever since taking the seat of power. This is a big day to legitimize herself in front of the whole kingdom.>
<Before we jump to conspiracy theories, I think we should consider taking things at face value,> Kitsara spoke up, earning herself a few raised eyebrows due to how uncharacteristically poised she was.
However, what some in the harem didn’t realize just yet was that she might be the Slutty Foxy with a very active libido, but she was still a fifty-year-old princess who knew her way around such events—even if the dogkin were a lot more straightforward people.
<What do you mean?> Jasmine asked.
<Ayame saw her over a year ago. Vex even longer, and that must’ve been from a distance and for only a passing time, meaning she couldn’t get a good understanding of the woman. What I’m trying to say is that I can tell you’re thinking she’s unhappy to be here instead of giddy, but what if this spineless bitch simply practiced this act for hours on end every single day ever since she cheated on the duel with Ayame and ruined her life? Probably even before that. It’s not that hard to wear such an emotionless face once you get the gist of it. I can easily do it, and you know I’m not an icy princess.>
<Yeah... You’re anything but that.> Lucille agreed.
<Hey. Mind your tone.>
<Is Ayame okay? Blossom is worried!> Blossom intervened in the conversation with an incredibly sincere tone, making it clear she was truly concerned for her friend. The dogkin woman placed her hand on the samurai’s trembling hand.
Ayame paused at the sudden warmth wrapping around her hand. Blossom’s fingers were softer than her calloused palm, but steady. Secure.
She turned her head and found the dogkin woman watching her with wide, worried eyes that were earnest, with no hint of performance. Just concern and care for a person she deeply adored.
The gesture made Ayame’s throat tighten, but this time, the emotion behind it wasn’t pain.
She smiled. A full, heartfelt smile that reached her eyes, pushing away some of the storm that had gathered in them earlier.
"No, you can’t eat just yet..." she giggled out loud so as not to cause concern in the minds of the people watching them. Blossom randomly touching her hand, her looking at the dogkin in response, and then smiling brightly, all the while both remained mute, might cause some questions to be asked. She gave an answer to the unsaid question so that it would remain that way.
But under the surface, she was saying something else entirely.