[YAMASHITA]
Kujo followed Ayami the moment she stepped out of the throne room.
She was tempted to tell Ayami the identity of the Kurayami queen, but she had a feeling that Yuzuki would definitely keep her word and do to Kujo what she had promised to do if Kujo outed her.
It was the most dangerous position Kujo had found herself in, and the messenger who had come to the kingdom barely three days after the meeting with Yuzuki at the river border was just no coincidence.
Worse, Kujo didn't even need to ask to know that the scroll had been scented. That Ayami had breathed Yuzuki in. That's why she was so determined.
The truth was right there in front of everyone, parading in the form of a servant from Kurayami, while Kujo didn't even have the guts to say a word because if she did, Yuzuki would flatten Yamashita.
She knew it by heart.
And she also couldn't even tell Ayami that there was a chance that Yuzuki was manipulating her because… Well, Yuzuki would start a war with Yamashita in the name of Kujo.
Whichever way, there was no valid way to get out of this and save everyone.
"Aya, wait!" Kujo called out when Ayami was hurrying to her chambers.
It only ever meant one thing in this place.
That the enforcer was desperate to go to the river border. And while that would have been something easy to talk Ayami out of before, right now that scented scroll was doing most of the work.
And Kujo... She knew it was deliberate.
That Yuzuki had done that on purpose.
Because Yuzuki had to have known that Ayami read the scrolls before they even reached the king.
That Ayami would be the first person to get any message. She had left it there for Ayami to breathe in, and if it was intended to get Ayami looking for her, then it was working.
But how was Kujo supposed to talk the woman out of it?
How was she supposed to explain to Ayami that the woman she was so in love with, the one she was getting ready to go see, was also the Kurayami queen?
That the servant she was seeking out was also the one who had sent the scroll and, worse, the craziest and the most powerful woman the realm had ever come across? How was she even to say that without coming off as insane herself?
"Not now, Kujo. I have to go to the border. I promised Yuzu I'd be there. And I'm not falling back regardless of what happens here. I won't keep her waiting," Ayami stated, like it was the one thing that even Kujo wouldn't be able to talk her out of.
It was dangerous, really.
Maybe not for Ayami, but if ever Ayami found out, would she still look forward to the meetings?
Then again, on the other hand, Kujo had seen the way Ayami had suffered this last year. The way Ayami called for Yuzuki in her sleep. The way Ayami cried out for the woman she hadn't seen for over four hundred days.
To deny her that would be cruelty, yet to tell her the real truth would also be worse. And Kujo didn't know what to do for the first time since she had known Ayami Araki.
"Don't you think it's too soon? That mad queen just sent her decree. Shouldn't you be with the king discussing the way forward?" Kujo asked.
Frankly, it was the most rational choice after everything.
But then it also coincided with the only day Ayami would be able to see Yuzuki again. The only time she would see the love of her life again, and councils be damned, she was going.
"Kazuya has a council that helps him understand things and discuss the next course of action. I'm his enforcer. I'll do whatever he asks me to. But not now. I am busy.
"Now, if you will excuse me, I have a border to go train at," Ayami said, as if she wasn't making it obvious that Yuzuki affected her.
Then again, with Kujo, she didn't have to pretend.
Kujo knew she and Yuzuki were mates.
Kujo knew just how much she loved Yuzuki and wouldn't compromise any chance of seeing Yuzuki again. It was just what her life was like, and gods be damned if she wanted this day to end with Yuzuki believing that she wasn't coming.
"Fine. Be careful then," Kujo sighed when she noticed she wouldn't be able to talk Ayami out of this.
"When am I never not careful? Besides, if I have to die, I'd rather die beside the woman I love," Ayami said casually before she disappeared down the hallways, armor in hand.
She really was going to meet Yuzuki.
Meanwhile, at the border, Yuzuki waited.
She had made a promise to Ayami. Sure, Ayami wasn't there yet because Yuzuki had come earlier than she had suggested, but she didn't mind. She wanted to be the first one to see Ayami approaching.
She wanted to be the one who saw what Ayami looked like before the woman even crossed the river. It was such a simple gesture, and frankly, Yuzuki didn't mind. All she wanted was Ayami.
So an hour later, when she saw the Yamashita enforcer on the other side of the river, Yuzuki couldn't have been more excited.
Of course, Rinko had come with her to apparently keep her safe when in truth Rinko was only there to make sure Yuzuki didn't disappear into Yamashita with Ayami.
It was painfully hilarious how Rinko was convinced Yuzuki had only half a brain cell when it came to Ayami. She deadass believed that Yuzuki would elope with Ayami to Yamashita.
And didn't trust anything that Yuzuki said about it either.
So when Ayami crossed over, Rinko was the first one she had to face.
"If you take her back to Yamashita with you, I will burn down your precious kingdom, and I won't need my queen's permission to do it," Rinko warned before Ayami could even say hello.
Ayami looked at Yuzuki, who was a few feet behind Rinko, with a smile on her face.
"I know the rules, enforcer. Trust me, I wouldn't put her in a position where she has to choose between her family and me," Ayami said in earnest.
Strangely enough, Rinko believed her.
"I'll be back for her in three hours. If you do more than just kiss her, I will skin you alive," Rinko warned, and Ayami gulped thickly.
She knew Rinko was protective of Yuzuki, and frankly, it made her feel a bit relaxed, however terrifying the woman was when it came to Yuzuki. Because she knew that was how Rinko kept her sister safe.
That was more than enough for Ayami to respect.
"Three hours, Yuzu," Rinko said to her queen before she walked back to the kingdom, silently praying that Yuzuki didn't talk Ayami into disappearing together and starting life on a farmland in a distant kingdom.
And with Rinko gone, it was just the two of them.
Two women smelling like peaches.
"You look so beautiful, little dove," Ayami greeted, closing the distance between them.
"I'm glad you like the look... I had Rinko help me look pretty for you," Yuzuki said like a simple-minded servant with nothing to worry about.
And Ayami just stared in awe...
"Fuck," Ayami groaned, as the last of her restraint withered beneath Yuzuki's familiar scent.
Before she pulled Yuzuki into a heated kiss.