Not too long after this event, Princess Hitomi had her ceremony transitioning from Crown Princess to Empress of Japan. But right before the ceremony, Honoka was summoned by her mother to her chamber.
"It has been a while, Honoka," Empress Kasumi said.
"Greetings, Mother," Honoka replied politely. "I'm happy to see that you're in good health and spirits."
"And what about you?" her mother asked. "Did you give birth without any complications?"
"...I had a miscarriage," Honoka lied, in order to protect Chisa's privacy. Even though her mother had absolutely not wanted her to have the child, Honoka had no idea what she—or the Namites—would do if they learned of Chisa's existence.
Empress Kasumi couldn't hide her happiness upon hearing of the supposed miscarriage.
"...God works in miraculous ways, doesn't He?" she said. "Granting us what we need when we need it. It simply wasn't the time for you to have children yet."
"What did you want to discuss with me, Mother?"
"Nothing in particular. I just wanted to see you again, after not having seen you for months. I've missed you, you know."
"Then you shouldn't have sent me away to give birth in secret..." Honoka mumbled.
"Your sister's ceremony is around the corner, you do know that, right?"
"Yeah..."
"She's about to become Empress of Japan, and you'll therefore inherit Kimba's Crown, as promised."
"I know..."
"But, as it turns out," Empress Kasumi sighed, visibly uneasy—something Honoka had never seen before. "You are my firstborn daughter," she admitted. Honoka was stunned.
"You came first, slightly before Hitomi," she continued. "So, you are more eligible to inherit the throne of Japan. However, I, the Namites, the Japanese, and the entire world have all been preparing for Hitomi to become Empress. As the Crown Princess, she has already traveled the world and established connections with important figures globally. To throw all of that hard work away—just so that you could receive your birthright—seems ridiculous, don't you think?"
Honoka saw right through her. Even though it was her birthright to inherit the throne and become the Empress of Japan, her mother clearly preferred Hitomi. And likely, so did all the other Namites.
"I actually didn't even want to reveal this to you—that you were born before Hitomi," Empress Kasumi confessed. "But the Namite Elders urged me to tell you, so we could receive your permission to allow Hitomi to become Empress. According to tradition, you should succeed me. And thus, we cannot allow Hitomi to sit on the throne without your consent."
"It's not because Hitomi prepared diligently for her role as future Empress that you want her to succeed you," Honoka sighed. "It's because you simply prefer her. You've always favored her over me, ever since we were young."
"Honoka..." Empress Kasumi scoffed. "Don't be bitter like Esau, son of Isaac—peace be upon him."
Honoka didn't argue any further. She knew there was no winning a debate with her mother. But deep down, she was frustrated—infuriated—by the overwhelming unfairness she had endured in life.
Now that the truth had surfaced—that Honoka was in fact the Empress's eldest daughter—her own descendants would automatically have a stronger claim to the throne than Hitomi's, especially Chisa, who was her eldest child. That made it even more vital to keep Chisa's existence hidden from the world.
Empress Kasumi gestured for her daughter to come forward and turn around. Honoka obeyed.
Empress Kasumi removed Kimba's Crown from her own hair and used it to tie Honoka's ponytail.
"From today onwards, you are Mother Kimba's vicegerent on earth," Empress Kasumi declared. "All the descendants of King Benda and Queen Kimba must respect and honor you. Your authority extends to all families that trace their lineages to the ancient Badilites—except for the Badila Patriarch, Matriarch, and their children. And except for the Japanese Empress, Emperor, and their children. May God preserve this line until the Last Day."
The day of Crown Princess Hitomi's ceremony had come.
Crown Princess Hitomi was about to become Empress Hitomi. The event was broadcast live on national television. All of Japan, all Namites, and politicians and rulers worldwide were watching and attending.
The transition from Crown Princess to Empress in Japan is marked by a series of traditional ceremonies and rites, each holding its own deep significance.
First came the Kenji-to-Shōkei-no-Gi (Ceremony for Inheriting the Imperial Regalia and Seals). This ceremony signifies the official accession to the throne. The new Empress inherits the Imperial Regalia—comprising the Seijo no Bēru (sacred headscarf of Mother Akela), and the three treasures Mother Umi received from her husband, the Emperor of Japan: the sword Kusanagi no Tsurugi, the mirror Yata no Kagami, and the jewel Yasakani no Magatama.
These four items represent the primary virtues: sanctity (the headscarf), valour (the sword), wisdom (the mirror), and benevolence (the jewel).
Empress Kasumi began by handing over the sword, mirror, and jewel to her daughter, Crown Princess Hitomi. The three items were stored in luxurious boxes and are kept from public view to symbolize their spiritual authority.
The only item made visible was Mother Akela's headscarf, which Empress Kasumi wore on her head. She removed it and gently placed it onto Crown Princess Hitomi's head. With this, Crown Princess Hitomi officially became Empress Hitomi.
Empress Hitomi then received the State and Privy Seals—symbols of legitimacy and imperial authority.
Next came the Sokui-go-Chōken-no-Gi (First Audience after Accession): after inheriting the regalia, the Empress granted her first audience to representatives of the people, including members of government. This event served as her formal introduction to the nation.
Then followed the Sokuirei-Seiden-no-Gi (Ceremony of the Enthronement at the Seiden): a public proclamation in which the Empress formally announced her ascension. Seated on the Takamikura throne in the Imperial Palace's State Hall, the Empress addressed both domestic and international dignitaries.
"Peace and blessings of God, the Most High of Japan and all of the world, upon Japan and all of the world," Empress Hitomi began. "By the permission and favor of God, I have ascended to the throne of Japan and become the Empress of Japan.
"I have already served the Japanese nation as their Crown Princess, and I will continue to serve them—now as their Empress. It is a great honor and gift from God to have this position. And thus, to give it due diligence, I shall perform my duties as Empress of Japan accordingly.
"Just as all my predecessors have done, I will contribute to the growth of Japan and her people, and make her a rising sun for the entire world to benefit from. Its long-awaited warmth and guiding light shall shine upon all the children of Adam. Blessed be God, the Most High of the House of Nami, the God of our Mothers—Kimba, Akela, and Umi."
The Daijōsai (Great Thanksgiving Ceremony) followed. As a central religious rite, the Daijōsai involved the Empress performing a prostration of gratitude to God toward the Qibla, facing the holy city of Makkah. The Imperial House of Japan had adopted Sunni Islam—Mother Umi's faith—since she descended from King Benda and Queen Kimba of Badila, who were both Muslim.
Empress Hitomi then raised her hands in supplication, asking God for divine support and assistance, and for the nation's prosperity. This sacred ceremony, underscoring the Empress's role as a spiritual leader, was held in a specially constructed complex within the Imperial Palace grounds.
Empress Hitomi then returned to her husband, and their two children—Prince Yusha and Crown Princess Ame.
And Princess Honoka could not help but feel wronged. She knew that she should have been the one standing there.
"How much I wished that it was me, Kabula, and Chisa standing there... receiving blessings and congratulations from the mightiest politicians and leaders on earth," Honoka lamented. "This should've been me... But they robbed me of it. Of my lover, my daughter, and my birthright.
"But they're all celebrating, laughing, and enjoying themselves. Most of them don't even know that I am the one they should be crowning as Empress. And those who do know—refuse to let me reclaim what is rightfully mine.
"Injustice is what governs the world order..."
Princess Honoka was married off to a Namidame nobleman of her mother's choosing. Prince Kabula was likewise married to a Badilitess noblewoman chosen by his brother. Both had children. Both lived lives that were not truly their own—but the lives their families forced upon them.
"If I had the bravery and courage of Mother Akela," Honoka reflected, "I would have left my family and forged my own path in life, as she did. But I don't have that. I am a coward—naive and timid. A failure of a woman... a shame of a mother.
"That's why my mother didn't want someone like me to succeed her.
"I'm sorry, Chisa... that you had to have someone like me give birth to you..."
That... was the backstory of my parents, Prince Kabula and Princess Honoka.