"So, what is the conclusion?" Lady Blossom murmured as she leaned back in her high seat, crossing one leg over the other and resting her chin lightly on her hand. "The Akarawa master has not arrived. Another rude behavior. And yet… she wants justice? Justice indeed."
She listened with a faint smile as Shion spoke, recounting the events of that night and explaining the butterfly's involvement. Blossom already knew most of it, she had investigated long before this trial. But hearing Shion speak, watching her crush speak so passionately and clearly, it was… intoxicating. Each word was a small gift, a glimpse into the mind of the girl she had quietly adored for years.
Blossom barely noticed Rei Akarawa entering the hall, her presence subtle until she finally took her seat among the other clan masters. Across from her, Akari had taken her father's vacant seat since he had failed to appear, leaving a heavy emptiness. Shion, the one being judged, was next in line, standing near Akari, while Rin remained by her side, observing everything with quiet scrutiny. She looked at the faces in the room—the hardened expressions, the subtle glances, the tension in the air—and for a moment, she wondered if these were the same people who had once been close, even in love, just weeks ago. Rei didn't even look at Akari's face, and Akari's gaze met Rei's only to find the girl she had loved was gone, replaced by a stranger.
Blossom straightened, clearing her throat as she composed herself. "Okay… so the real problem of all these conflicts is actually a butterfly, huh?" Her voice was calm, commanding, but there was a playful edge to it. "Since it is connected to the dark stone, where is the Ice Queen? Isn't it her job to protect the stones of Kaida? How did the stone—or the butterfly—attach itself to you in the first place?"
She muttered the last part under her breath, almost to herself. The words floated through the hall but were still audible to all. "No one is meant to be attached to you, but me only," she added, a low, almost intimate whisper.
"Did you say something, my Lord?" one of the clan masters asked.
"No, no, nothing. That was for me," Blossom replied smoothly, then turned her gaze to Rei. Her voice took on a mocking tone. "Master Akarawa, you demanded justice. Turns out… your justice is a queen butterfly. My lady Shion has nothing to do with your clan tragedy."
Shion blinked, not entirely sure what to make of the words, but she felt the subtle warmth behind the title. Lady Blossom had called her my lady, and for a moment, Shion wondered if this was a sign of favor or perhaps just Blossom's own amusement.
Rei's glare sharpened. "But it was done by her hands. How are we supposed to believe your lady Shion? She is a murderer. She massacred everyone present at that land."
"My sister is not a murderer," Akari said immediately. "It might have been by her hands, but she wasn't in control...."
"And who are you to speak?" Rei snapped, eyes flashing with rage. "You're not even a clan master. You know nothing about what is happening here. All you are is an annoying, brainless fly buzzing where you do not belong...."
Akari's eyes narrowed. "Annoying, brainless fly. And you? What do you know about justice? All you've done your whole life is crawl up and down walls and wander the market like a lovesick idiot, hunting for anyone, anyone at all, to cling to."
Rei smirked, sharp and unyielding. "Oh really? Coming from someone whose favorite hobby is wrapping herself around everyone else's neck like a desperate little vine."
The hall's attention wavered between the two as they traded barbs. Heads turned side to side with each retort, whispers spreading as the tension built like a storm.
Rin leaned close to Akari and whispered, almost in awe. "Wow… this is so sick. You two can continue. Maybe it will end with you getting back together."
Even amid her own heartbreak over their breakup, Rin couldn't help but feel a flicker of hope. Seeing their fiery exchange reminded her that love, even complicated love, still lingered.
"Enough, enough you two!" Blossom finally snapped, clapping her hands sharply. "Stop! I didn't know this hall came with front-row seats to your breakup tour!"
Her eyes shifted to Shion, still standing at attention. "Can someone bring a chair for her? She's been standing like forever."
A guard quickly stepped forward, and Shion sank into the seat with a small, polite bow.
"Thank you, my lord," she said softly.
Blossom smiled, tilting her head slightly. "It's Blossom. Call me Lady Blossom, or just Blossom. Any way you wish to name me, My Lady Shion."
The courtroom seemed to pause at that moment. Even the invisible butterfly hovering on Shion's shoulder seemed to recognize the tension, the charged intimacy of the scene, though Shion herself remained oblivious.
"Cut this nonsense," Rei barked from her seat, her voice slicing through the room. "I want my justice. What is your decision, Clan Lord?"
"My decision is what I said earlier," Blossom replied smoothly, still focused on Shion. "Lady Shion is wonderfully innocent. She has nothing to do with your clan tragedy. But the butterfly on her shoulder… it is guilty for two things. First, for massacring guards on both sides. And second… for clinging far too close to that beauty."
She winked at Shion, who flushed slightly without fully understanding why.
Rei's patience snapped. She stood, moving in front of Shion to block Blossom's view.
"What is your problem, fire master, or whatever you call yourself? Kindly step aside."
"Really? You call that a decision? Where is the butterfly? Do you see it? You believe her lies just because you cannot think straight? She is lying!" Rei voice rang out sharp and filled with rage.
"She is not lying!" Rin's voice rang out unexpectedly, catching everyone off guard. Rei turned to glare at her.
"Really? Are you defending your cousin now? That's not fair, Rin."
"I'm not defending anyone," Rin said, her eyes sharp. "The butterfly is purple. It's on her shoulder. And… plus… is that a breakup glow? you really are way hotter than you were when I last saw you."
"Cousin Rin!" Akari whispered, leaning forward in disbelief.
"I'm right, right?" Rin continued, ignoring her cousin. "Come on, look at your ex-girlfriend. Isn't she hot?"
Akari studied Rei intently, taking in every detail, her posture, her hair, the sharpness in her gaze. "I mean… wait. Did she trim her hair? It was longer the last time we met," she muttered, shaking her head. "Stop this nonsense, Cousin. This is an actual gathering. I need to look like a leader, not a… just stop."
Blossom's eyes sparkled as she leaned forward slightly. "What do you want to do, Master Rei Akarawa? Do you want to kill the butterfly because you cannot kill a queen? They are immortal. Dangerous. Untouchable. The Ice queen is an example."
"I don't care!" Rei shouted. "I want Lady Shion dead. And the butterfly too!"
Blossom leaned back again, laughing softly. "Alright then, how will you kill an immortal? You cannot. I have spent my whole life studying immortals. That dark stone… it is not something you can meddle with. That butterfly is far more dangerous than Queen Selene Kurosuki herself. Even the Ice Queen could not kill her. And what makes you, Rei Akarawa, think you can kill a dark queen?"
She leaned forward and let out a sharp laugh, shaking her head.
Rin's mind raced. Bingo. This obsessive, kind of a yandere girl, Blossom might just be someone who could help her learn more about her powers. Someone who could teach her about this world. And if that was the case… she didn't need Selene to explain the dark stone anymore. Blossom would do it.
The tension in the hall thickened. Every eye turned, every breath held, as the battle of wills and words continued, and Rin realized just how dangerous and unpredictable this court could be.