The Koto Region, nestled in the northern reaches of the Hoshimi Empire, was a land of endless snow and towering mountains. Once a formidable stronghold in the empire's past, it had since transformed into a renowned tourist destination.
However, with the Imperial Courtship currently underway, the entire region had been closed to the public. Only the Imperial Convoy and its security detail remained, scattered across the area—some resting, others indulging in winter activities.
While always on high alert, the guards weren't forbidden from enjoying themselves. After all, even warriors deserved a break.
At this moment, Shimuzu Rin was tearing down one of the mountain courses on a snowboard. From the starting line above, Officer Tsutomu watched, arms crossed, as the young warrior executed flawless tricks with effortless grace.
"Unbelievable," Tsutomu muttered to himself. He had already known Rin was exceptional in combat, but to see him adapt so naturally to an entirely different skill was something else entirely.
The way Rin moved, twisting mid-air before smoothly landing back on the snow, it was as if the board was an extension of himself. His usual composed demeanor had melted away, replaced by an almost childlike joy.
"Who would've thought the famed First Apprentice of the White Elder acts like this when given the chance?" a nearby guard chuckled.
"He's enjoying himself, huh?" Tsutomu mused. But as his gaze lingered on Rin's retreating figure, the faint frown on his face remained.
For the past six days, Rin had seemed… off.
At first, it had been subtle—the kind of unease only a trained observer would catch. But as the days passed, the cracks in his usual mask became more apparent. His once unshakable composure had begun to erode, little by little. His eyes, normally sharp and unreadable, carried a weight that Tsutomu couldn't place.
Even now, as Rin shouted in exhilaration while carving down the snow, something about it felt more like a distraction than genuine joy.
Tsutomu sighed. Even if he was only a temporary subordinate, he cared about the well-being of every soldier under his watch. As an officer of the Red Palace Guards, it was his duty—but more than that, it was his nature.
As Rin reached the bottom of the course, he turned his head up and grinned, waving at Tsutomu.
The officer raised a hand in return but didn't smile back.
"Just what is bothering you, Shimuzu Rin?" he wondered.
Just as Officer Tsutomu was about to push off on his skis, a familiar voice called out from behind him.
"Officer Tsutomu?"
He stiffened for a moment before quickly recovering, turning around to see Urakawa Miharu, the Black Princess Consort, standing before him. Beside her, with her arms crossed and an expectant look on her face, was the Vermillion Princess Consort, Takigawa Rei.
Immediately, Tsutomu straightened and gave a crisp salute. "Your Highnesses."
Miharu tilted her head slightly, a soft smile forming as she studied him. "It's been a while, hasn't it?"
It had been. Back when Miharu was just an apprentice maid of the Golden Dragon Palace, their paths had crossed more than once. He had helped her a few times—small gestures, really, but he still remembered how grateful she had been back then.
Once, he might have had a small crush on her. Nothing serious, just admiration wrapped in a fleeting, youthful sentiment.
But now?
Now she was a Princess Consort, someone of a far higher station than him. That chapter had closed long ago, and he had moved on without regret.
Still, seeing her standing there in such elegant attire, standing beside another imperial consort, was a strange experience.
Miharu's gaze softened for a moment, perhaps remembering the past as well, but she quickly returned to the present. "I heard you're leading the Advance Squad in this mission?"
"Yes, Your Highness," Tsutomu confirmed. "Is there something I can assist you with?"
Rei, who had been silent until now, stepped forward, her piercing eyes locking onto him. "We're looking for Rin."
Tsutomu blinked. Rin?
His confusion must have been obvious because Miharu let out a light chuckle. "You seem surprised."
"Forgive me, Your Highnesses," he said carefully, "but I wasn't aware you two had any business with him."
There was a brief pause. Miharu and Rei exchanged a glance, their expressions unreadable before they both straightened, regaining their noble composure.
Miharu was the one to answer. "He has helped us before, in ways we cannot forget. We simply wanted to speak with him."
Tsutomu considered this. Rin was talented—he had no doubt he had done something impressive for them. But for two of the Crown Prince's consorts to seek him out so directly? That was… unusual.
Still, it wasn't his place to question it.
"You just missed him," Tsutomu finally said. "He went snowboarding down the mountain course a moment ago."
Rei frowned slightly, glancing toward the slope. "Tch. Should've gotten here sooner."
Miharu, however, focused on something else. "Did he seem well?"
That made Tsutomu hesitate. He recalled the past week—Rin's gradually crumbling composure, the exhaustion hidden in his gaze, the rare moments where his mask slipped.
"To be honest," Tsutomu admitted, "he seemed… off. I can't say for certain what's on his mind, but he looked a little depressed before heading down."
That got a reaction.
Both Miharu and Rei stiffened, their expressions immediately shifting from mild curiosity to genuine concern.
Miharu's hands clenched slightly. "I see…"
Rei clicked her tongue. "Damn it. And he just went down, huh?"
Tsutomu nodded, glancing between them. "If you want to catch him, he'll be at the bottom of the course soon enough."
Rei turned on her heel immediately. "Then let's go."
Miharu hesitated for just a moment before nodding, following after Rei.
Tsutomu watched them go, still uncertain what to make of it all. He had no idea why these two Princess Consorts were so concerned for Rin, but… something told him it was best not to ask.
With a sigh, he adjusted his skis and pushed off down the slope—but the nagging feeling in his gut didn't fade.
"Just who are you to them, Rin?"
Miharu and Rei exchanged glances before turning back to Officer Tsutomu, their expressions expectant.
"Can you help us find him?" Miharu asked, her voice gentle but firm.
Tsutomu hesitated. He wasn't exactly Rin's keeper, but with two Princess Consorts personally requesting his help, refusing wasn't an option.
"...Of course, Your Highnesses," he said with a respectful nod.
Without wasting time, Tsutomu strode over to a nearby sled rental station, where a sturdy sled and a team of six snow hounds awaited. The massive white-furred dogs, trained for the region's treacherous slopes, barked excitedly as they sensed impending movement.
Switching out his skiing gear, Tsutomu climbed onto the driver's seat of the sled. "It'll be faster this way," he explained, tightening his grip on the reins. "If Rin's still doing those tricks, we can catch up if we take a direct route downhill."
Miharu and Rei nodded in understanding, their winter robes billowing as they stepped onto the sled. Their head maids, Ito Fumiko and Niwa Yori, quickly followed, taking seats behind them.
"Thank you," Rei said, adjusting her grip on the sled's railing. "Let's go."
Tsutomu gave a sharp whistle, and the sled lurched forward, the dogs immediately bounding down the slope, cutting through the thick snow with practiced ease.
The cold wind whipped past them, and Miharu instinctively tightened her hood, her gaze locked ahead.
Somewhere down this mountain, Rin was riding alone.
And they were going to find him.
As the sled glided swiftly down the mountain, the group scanned the snowy landscape, but Rin was nowhere in sight.
"Where is he?" Rei muttered, her sharp eyes narrowing as she searched the slopes.
Then, they saw it—a strange, erratic trail in the snow. The marks left by Rin's snowboard kept disappearing and reappearing, almost as if he had taken flight before landing again.
"What's with this trail…?" Miharu murmured, leaning forward slightly.
Tsutomu, still focused on steering, let out a short chuckle. "No need to worry—he's just doing tricks."
Rei's brows furrowed. "Tricks?"
"He's probably flipping off ledges, maybe even jumping off rock formations," Tsutomu explained. "I saw him doing crazy stunts earlier. I think… he's using this to clear his head."
Miharu and Rei exchanged glances, their expressions tightening.
"Clearing his head…?"
Akane's words echoed in their minds—about how Rin was burdened, carrying something heavier than anyone realized.
They had both felt it. Even when Rin tried to act like everything was fine, the weight on his shoulders was undeniable.
Rei clenched her fists, her grip on the sled's railing tightening. "Then shouldn't we be there for him?"
Miharu nodded slowly, her voice quieter but firm. "Akane chose to give him space… but I can't just watch from afar."
Rei scoffed. "Neither can I."
They knew he would push them away. They knew he might refuse their help.
But even if they hurt themselves in the process—
They were going to help him.
As the sled came to an abrupt stop, the snow hounds barked, their instincts warning of the sudden drop ahead.
Tsutomu's heart pounded. He had barely managed to stop in time, and for a brief moment, the terrifying thought crossed his mind—
"Did he fall?"
But before anyone could spiral into panic, a calm voice reached their ears.
"You're all quite loud," Rin muttered, leaning against a frost-covered tree nearby, watching the cliffside with an unreadable gaze.
The group snapped their heads toward him, their expressions shifting from fear to relief—to frustration.
Miharu and Rei dismounted from the sled, their winter robes fluttering as they marched toward him.
"You—!" Rei started, but stopped herself, inhaling deeply. Instead, she crossed her arms.
Miharu, calmer but equally firm, tilted her head. "What are you doing all the way out here?"
Rin, still seated on the snow, raised a brow at their presence. It wasn't every day two Imperial Consorts ventured into a snowboarding course.
He let out a small chuckle. "I should be the one asking why you two are here."
Rei ignored his attempt to dodge the question. "Rin… why are you running away?"
Tsutomu flinched. Running away? His gaze flickered between Rin and the Consorts, piecing something together.
Rin sighed, rubbing the bridge of his nose. "I'm not running."
"Then why are you out here alone?" Miharu pressed.
Rin glanced at the snowy expanse beyond the cliff, his expression unreadable.
"…Just clearing my head."
There was a weight in his voice, one that neither of them missed.
Rei narrowed her eyes. "And yet, every time we try to reach you, you push us away."
Miharu's gaze softened. "Rin… if something is wrong, you can talk to us."
Rin remained silent for a moment. His breath fogged in the cold air, his hands tightening around his gloves.
"Misunderstandings," he finally murmured. "That's all this is."
But the two Consorts weren't convinced.
And they weren't going to let him walk away from this one.
Rin kept his calm, unreadable expression as the two consorts stepped closer, their gazes unwavering.
He knew where this was going.
Akane had already backed off after uncovering his two greatest secrets. He could only hope the others never found out.
But Miharu and Rei… they were relentless.
Their presence alone was suffocating—not out of fear, but because their emotions were too raw, too real.
He didn't deserve that.
Meanwhile, Tsutomu, still trying to process what he was witnessing, leaned toward the headmaids, lowering his voice.
"…What exactly is happening here?" he asked, eyes darting between Rin and the two princess consorts.
Fumiko, Miharu's headmaid, sighed tiredly. "A troublesome situation."
Yori, Rei's headmaid, nodded. "One that Lord Rin… didn't intend to create."
Tsutomu raised a brow. Didn't intend?
Then why did it feel like he was watching a man being cornered by fate itself?
Rin exhaled sharply, realizing he had no way out. Miharu and Rei weren't giving up, and Tsutomu—though oblivious to their true feelings—was starting to piece things together.
His mind raced. He couldn't let this escalate.
So, with a sudden and dramatic motion, he dropped to his knees, his voice ringing through the cold air.
"Officer Tsutomu! I have committed a grave sin!"
The entire group froze.
Miharu and Rei's eyes widened in shock as Rin pressed his forehead to the snowy ground.
Before they could stop him, Rin's next words shattered everything.
"I… I have seduced the Crown Prince's consorts!"
Silence.
Absolute, stifling silence.
Even the winter wind seemed to hold its breath.
Tsutomu blinked. Once. Twice. Then slowly turned to stare at the two Imperial Consorts, who—against all logic—were reacting like it was true.
Miharu's lips parted slightly, her usual composure utterly shattered.
Rei's eyes flickered with desperation, her fists clenched at her sides.
Tsutomu finally understood.
"This... is why he's been depressed."
Rin had been trying to run—trying to keep these women at a distance—but they had pushed too hard, and now, he had thrown himself into the fire just to protect them.
Duty demanded that Tsutomu act.
So, despite the sinking feeling in his chest, he stepped forward, gripping Rin's arm firmly.
"...I'll keep quiet about this," Tsutomu said solemnly, helping Rin to his feet. "At least until the Imperial Courtship ends."
Miharu and Rei snapped out of their shock.
"Wait—!" Rei reached out, but Tsutomu stepped between them, shaking his head.
"When we return to the Imperial Capital…" Tsutomu's voice was heavy. "He'll stand trial."
Rin didn't resist.
He simply lowered his gaze, accepting his self-imposed fate.
Tsutomu clenched his jaw. He pitied him.
These two wouldn't stop chasing him, and now that they had pushed him to his limit, Rin had thrown himself off the edge just to protect them.
The wind howled softly over the snowy cliffside as Rin silently observed the two women before him. Miharu and Rei were still desperately trying to reach him, their emotions laid bare, but this was as far as he would let them go.
Before Tsutomu could react, dark tendrils of shadow coiled around the two consorts, holding them in place.
"Rin—! What are you—?" Miharu's voice wavered, her eyes filled with shock and betrayal.
"Rin, stop this!" Rei struggled against the magic, but the binds were unyielding.
Rin's expression, however, remained sorrowful.
"Sleep."
A wave of dark mana pulsed through the air, and within seconds, the two consorts collapsed into their head maids' arms, their breaths steadying as they succumbed to unconsciousness.
Tsutomu stiffened.
Rin had just attacked the Crown Prince's consorts.
His instinct screamed at him to act—but then he saw Rin's face.
There was no defiance in his expression, no malice. Only quiet resignation.
Why?
Tsutomu took a deep breath. This man… really is something else.
"You're willing to be cuffed, aren't you?" he muttered, watching as Rin silently lowered his arms, making it clear he wouldn't resist.
Rin nodded.
Tsutomu sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. Damn it…
"Forget the cuffs," he finally said. "You don't seem like the type to run. I'll trust you on that much."
Rin blinked, mildly surprised, before silently nodding in gratitude.
Tsutomu turned to the head maids.
"What about them?" he asked, motioning to Miharu and Rei.
Fumiko and Yori exchanged a look before bowing their heads.
"Apologies, Officer Tsutomu," Fumiko said softly. "We… failed to stop them."
Tsutomu frowned. There was something in her tone.
Then it hit him.
The head maids knew—they had known all along.
Yet they hadn't interfered.
They trusted Rin.
"So you all knew what was going on." Tsutomu exhaled, shaking his head. "This whole thing… Rin, you were cornered, weren't you?"
Rin gave a small, bitter chuckle.
"It's better this way."
"Better?!" Tsutomu snapped, finally losing his patience. "You do realize what happens once the Imperial Courtship is over, right? You'll be branded a criminal!"
"I know."
Tsutomu stared at him. Rin's voice was too calm, his acceptance too absolute.
He wasn't doing this out of recklessness.
He was doing it because he had already lost.
Tsutomu clenched his fists but ultimately let out another sigh.
"Damn it… fine." He turned back to the sled. "We're going down. You keep acting like nothing happened."
"And after the Courtship?" Rin asked quietly.
Tsutomu hesitated before muttering, "I'll do what I have to."
Neither of them spoke further.
Rin grabbed his gear, stepping forward as Tsutomu guided the sled down the slope.
The officer wanted to ask—wanted to understand how things had come to this.
But in the end…
He stayed silent.
Things were already complicated enough.