"Are you planning on returning to the sect again?"
The prince paused for a moment, as if deeply contemplating the question, then casually replied,
"Anytime soon… But isn't the junior entrance exam scheduled on the day of the last bloom?"
Daita raised an eyebrow, "Yes, it is. Why? Don't tell me….you're planning to come back on your birthday?"
"My birthday…?" the prince repeated softly, almost to himself.
Daita gawked. "Wait don't tell me you forgot your own birthday! Rumors are already flying around that you're making an appearance."
"Am I?" The prince tilted his head slightly, genuinely confused. Daita sighed, running a hand down his face. "So you haven't heard a thing. What about your ever-loyal Zuzu? Didn't he say anything?"
"Zuzu might've… or maybe I didn't give him enough time to finish."
"Akira!" Daita groaned. "Uncle sent a flood of messages the moment you disappeared demanding your return, all for this! It's your first public appearance! You should be excited."
The prince looked thoughtful for a second. "Hmm… Maybe I am."
"Maybe?" Daita leaned forward. "You, are making an appearance!"
"Alright, but before that, I need your help with something. Will you do it?"
"You don't even have to ask," Daita said pretending to be serious, placing a hand over his chest and giving a half bow, his other hand extended forward.
"Just tell me what needs to be done—this loyal servant is at your service, Your Highness."
The prince slapped his hand with a swift motion, then firmly placed that hairpin into Daita's palm, making him straighten up.
"I need you to do two things."
"Two?" Daita raised an eyebrow.
"Yes, two." The prince started pacing slowly, sounding serious. "First, I want you to return to the place where you found this hairpin. Find who owned this before and gather every detail you can about them. Second, you'll go to the City of Reikoku the one in the west and personally invite someone for the upcoming ceremony." He paused, then added,
"Take Zuzu with you. And this time, make sure they agree. Whatever it takes."
Daita tapped his chin, processing it for a moment before raising a brow. "Akira… that's basically one task, The place we found the hairpin, it's the same city you just mentioned." The prince paused mid-step and turned to him. "Good. That makes things easier. It will save time."
Daita nodded but then furrowed his brow. "Wait you still haven't told me who I'm supposed to invite."
A small smile tugged at the prince's lips as he finally answered, "You remember our old royal physician?"
"Grandpa Renshou?!" Daita's eyes lit up with excitement, but his voice quickly dropped, thoughtful. "But… ever since he left the palace, he never came back. Not even once. It's like he made up his mind to cut all ties. Every time someone from the palace went to see him, he either ignored them or refused to open them, If all of them failed, how am I supposed to convince him?"9
The prince let out a long breath, "You need to make sure he agrees because this time, I need him at the ceremony."
Daita looked down at the hairpin in his hand. "I don't know if he'll even listen to me…"
"That's why I'm sending you," the prince said firmly, walking over to place a hand on his shoulder. "if anyone can talk his way into a grumpy old hermit's house, it's you."
Daita looked up, surprised. "You really think so?"
"I do," the prince nodded. "And besides, after all you're annoyingly good at manipulating people."
Daita scoffed, his mouth twitching into a smirk. "My manipulation skills might work on girls, not on Grandpa Renshou."
"Then just use your tricks. Who knows….you might end up needing to manipulate a few girls just in case."
"Huh?" Daita raised an eyebrow and shot him a look. "Akira… are you sure you're not the one manipulating me right now? Am I falling into one of your traps again?"
The prince feigned innocence. "Don't you trust me?"
"No," Daita said without a second's delay making The prince chuckle, but Daita remained firm. "Just tell me, what are your intentions this time?"
"How could you doubt me?" the prince said, placing a hand over his chest. "My intentions are as clear as ice. That being said… I won't lie you might run into some troubles."
Daita gave a small nod, half-serious now. "I still don't trust you. But I'll try to make sure he agrees."
"Good," the prince said, stepping back. "Now don't you think you should leave? Zuzu will be waiting for you tomorrow."
"Ugh… Zuzu?" Daita groaned, slumping onto the windowsill. "Can't I take someone else?"
"Nope," the prince replied without a hint of sympathy. "Zuzu's already been there once. He might actually be useful this time."
Daita muttered under his breath, "If I get a chance, I'm dumping him in a river." Without another word, Daita pushed himself off the windowsill. Just as he dropped into the courtyard below, the sky lit up behind him with a burst of fireworks. Colors bloomed across the dark canvas—reds, golds, and blues crackling in the sky.
Two palace guards stationed below flinched at the sudden noise, startled.
"Did you hear that?" one whispered, glancing around.
"The fireworks," the other shrugged, yawning. "They haven't stopped yet."
"No… something else."
"Maybe the wind."
A few steps behind them, hidden behind a stone statue, Daita crouched with a grin. He dusted off his robe and muttered, "Yeah… just the wind."
He looked up, catching one last glimpse of the prince still standing by the window, stood silent, with a faint smile barely visible in the flickering firework light.
And then, in a blur, Daita vanished. He slipped past the guards like a streak of wind, silent and swift, leaving only the sharp brush of air in his wake. The sudden gust hit both men square in the face, causing their balance to falter.
"Ugh! What was that?" one grumbled, rubbing his cheek.
"Told you," the other muttered, squinting into the shadows. "Just the wind."
Back inside, the prince remained by the open window, the smile slowly fading from his lips. His shoulders stiffened, growing more serious.
"Daita…," he murmured under his breath, his voice quieter, just make sure to get along with what's coming towards you."