CH 3.1

Volume 1.3.1 - Reirin, Moving to Paradise (Part 1)

As Reirin was pondering what to do now that the Beast Interrogation Rite had finished, a young woman with striking reddish-brown hair approached her and called her name expressionlessly. “Lady Shu Keigetsu.”

(Plain pale red1 garments…she must serve the Shu clan.)

The ladies-in-waiting were supposed to wear the colors of the element of the clan that they served. The higher the rank, the darker the color, so this sour-looking girl dressed in pale and dull vermillion must be a lower ranking lady-in-waiting who did laundry and cooking. She was probably worried about “Shu Keigetsu,” who hadn’t moved from the Pear Garden in a long time, and came to urge her to return to her room.

However…

“I have been ordered by the Noble Consort to help you change your chambers. I hope to have your room ready before nightfall. Please hurry.”

Reirin blinked at the unexpected words that had come out of her mouth.

“Changing chambers?”

“…The Noble Consort says that even if you are innocent, she couldn’t treat someone who has caused such discord in the inner palace in the same way as before.”

She guessed that her room would be downgraded or she would be placed in house arrest in some sort of reflection room.

“Um…”

The palace was strictly partitioned in order to prevent interference between the clans. Reirin was confused as to whether she, a member of the Kou clan, should be allowed to enter the palace of the Shu clan, but after a moment, she nodded her head.

“I see. I shall place myself in your care.”

The Nestlings spent the daytime studying diligently inside the Nestling Court, but spent the mornings, evenings, and holidays in their rooms assigned to each palace. In other words, if they didn’t live under the roof of one of the palaces, they couldn’t secure a place to sleep. In this situation, if she were to show up at Kouki Palace2, she could expect to have Tousetsu throw poison dumplings at her while shouting, “You sewer rat!”

(First, let’s take the course of explaining the situation to Noble Consort Shu.)

The lady-in-waiting stared unblinkingly at Reirin as she politely told her that, but she seemed to switch gears and said, “This way,” and began walking through the Pear Garden.

“Thank you very much. Um, your name is…”

“…It is Riirii.”

There was a slight pause before her answer.

She was walking ahead of her, so she could only see her back, but she could sense an inexplicable hostility in her low voice that sounded like she was stifling her emotions.

“For the past year, I have been by your side, gritting my teeth and serving you, but I am sure that is how far your awareness goes.”

She added those words in a mutter, as though she couldn’t hold them in any longer, and Reirin clutched her head inwardly.

Apparently, she wasn’t a low-ranking lady-in-waiting, but a personal attendant—someone whose name she should remember.

Even if that was the case, it bothered her that Riirii was quickly convinced that “Oh, you don’t remember anyways.”

(I-It’s okay to be a little more suspicious!? “Not remembering me, you are a fake, aren’t you?” Don’t give up there!)

She wanted to shake her shoulders and encourage her, but after all, she was in a position where she couldn’t even say the name of “Shu Keigetsu.”

(Kuh…even if I were to meet with Noble Consort Shu, how would I explain the situation to her?)

Keigetsu said that she couldn’t “express” the switch, not “can’t talk about it.” When she was in prison, she tried to write the name of Reirin on her palm with her fingers, but she couldn’t even move her hand to do so, so she must have been prevented from writing anything about the switch.

(Can’t talk about it, can’t write about it. If that’s the case…um, how about writing in the air with my behind…?)

Reirin gave it serious consideration, but dismissed it, as she couldn’t imagine any atmosphere that would allow someone to patiently watch her hips swing until she finished explaining this complicated situation. Probably, even if she did try to write with her behind, her movements would be restricted by the mouth-sealing technique.

They passed through the vermillion-painted gate and walked along the gravel that was so white it was shining. A fierce richly painted horse, Shuku3, scowled down at her from the gate. The whole palace was full of brilliant and powerful designs, as befitted the people who ruled the southern territory and had long revered fire.

Immediately after passing through the gate, they were met with the chambers of Noble Consort Shu, the mistress of this palace, under the largest arched roof. However, Riirii didn’t go there, but walked silently along a path that was like a crevice.

“Riirii. Um, shouldn’t I go give my greetings to Noble Consort Shu?”

“…The Noble Consort has informed me that you are to be placed under house arrest immediately, without spreading impurities within the palace.”

So she didn’t even want to see the face of a Nestling who was suspected of being a criminal?

(I can’t believe my ears…In the inner palace, the consort and Nestling are supposed to be as close as mother and child.)

Reirin was shocked at the contents of the directive.

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If this was Empress Kou Kenshuu, she would try to listen first no matter what suspicion Reirin was placed under. However, if Reirin was truly guilty, she would give the punishment with her own hands. The people of the Kou clan were fundamentally honest, loved their strong bonds, and if one of their relatives committed a crime, they would take responsibility even if it meant killing them with their own two hands.

(Could it be that Noble Consort Shu is actually a cold-hearted person…?)

She thought, but when one heard the name Noble Consort Shu, what came to everyone’s mind was her gentle drooping eyes and gentle laughing face. In addition, shortly after Reirin had joined the Nestling Court, she had once seen her putting her own hands into the trees of the Pear Garden and gently moving the insects. It was hard to believe that she, who looked at even insects with such kindness, was a cruel person.

(If that is the case…then that is how out of place Lady Keigetsu is in Shuku Palace, isn’t it.)

The future seemed quite difficult.

As Reirin and Riirii walked on the gravel, the ladies-in-waiting looked down at them from the corridors.

They looked at them with vivid disgust in their eyes, concealing their faces with their sleeves or hiding sneers.

“Oh, the stink.”

“Really, I wonder if there’s a rat crawling nearby.”

“It looks like there’s two, a black rat and a red rat.”

She had caused turmoil in the inner palace, but she was being thoroughly abused verbally. Those women also wore rust colored clothing, a shade darker than Riirii. Reirin was greatly bothered by this situation, as even the middle-ranked ladies-in-waiting had blatant contempt for her.

If this was Kouki Palace, where she lived, even the senior ladies-in-waiting in saffron clothing would say things like,

“Lady Reirin! You haven’t had a fever for ten days now. I’ve picked some flowers to celebrate.”

“Lady Reirin! The next time you faint, please put me underneath you. I’m meaty, so I’m sure it’ll be comfortable falling on me.”

They spoke to her in an intimate and familiar way.

(…Oh? It’s so routine that I let it slide, but now that I think about it, that is also a bit unusual.)

She didn’t realize it because she didn’t have anyone to compare them to, but now she thought they were probably quite overprotective. Especially the last person.

(I pride myself on my stout heart, but it doesn’t come across very well, does it. No, it’s just that I need to be more independent so that it comes across naturally. In fact…I would like to try being more independent. The self-reliant and hardworking life of my dreams.)

In the case of Kouki Palace, even if Reirin didn’t mind being pampered by the ladies-in-waiting, all she had to do was cough once and they would go over to her, exclaiming, “Oh my, this is an emergency!” This loyalty made her happy, but it also made her wish a little—well, a lot—that she could be more independent.

Since ancient times, the Kou clan had revered the gods above and were single-handedly in charge of the cultivation of this country. They confronted the rugged land and carefully worked on it, and as a whole, they were perseverent, extolled hard work, and also enjoyed looking after others. They would rather love than be loved.

As a member of that clan, or rather, as someone with the strong blood of the main house, Reirin was a person with a very passionate ideology. Unfortunately, because of her delicate looks, which were rare in the Kou clan, she was prone to being perceived as “one to be protected.”

As she walked along, pondering the meaning of independence, her surroundings suddenly became dark, and Riirii stopped in her tracks.

“Your new room is here.”

When Reirin saw where she was pointing to, her eyes widened.

“…Here?”

There, standing underneath a large tree as though buried by it, stood a crumbling storehouse that could be called an abandoned house.

The roof barely remained, but the walls were rotting and the plaster was torn, and she could see the rotten wooden beams peeking out. The space, which couldn’t be called a path or a garden, was covered in moss and grass, and the dense scent of greenery was suffocating.

“This used to be a pantry. But now that it has been abandoned, it has become a breeding ground for insects and fungi.”

It seemed that whether it was the sunlight or humidity, the weeds in this area grew so quickly that they gave up using it as a food storage facility because it was too much trouble to manage. The wall that stretched out behind her was the border between them and Ranko Palace4, which was owned by the Ran clan. In other words, this was the furthest reaches of Shuku Palace.

Banishment. That was the most appropriate word to describe the current situation of Reirin, or rather, “Shu Keigetsu.”

“…Am I going to live here?”

Reirin’s voice was hoarse and trembling as she stared at the grass that grew wherever it pleased.

“Don’t tell me, here…?”

“——Aah, that’s right.”

She was responded to with an affirmation in a rough tone.

“Riirii?”

As Reirin was startled, Riirii turned around quickly and punched the wall of the storehouse as though to vent her anger.

“This is all your damn fault. It’s ‘cause you’re an arrogant and tyrannical idiot woman who tried to hurt ‘His Highness’s Butterfly’ that you were forced into a place like this.”

It was awfully——no, it was such a vulgar manner of speech that this was the first time Reirin had ever heard something like that. Yes, it was as though it was being spoken by someone from the lower town.

She was more surprised by the way she spoke than what she was saying. The corner of Riirii’s mouth lifted, as though she had perceived that.

“What are you so shocked about? You’re the one who keeps making fun of me for being the daughter of a lowly dancer. Telling me that no matter how much I try to keep up appearances, the blood of my mother who seduces men won’t disappear…It’s no one else but you and those Shu clan ladies-in-waiting who came to trample all over my hard work like that, isn’t it!? Isn’t it funny that you get scared when it comes time for me to show who I really am?”

Her eyes that were glaring at her were a near amber color. Reddish hair and light-colored eyes. Her manner of speech, like she was from the lower town. As a lady-in-waiting, she was definitely a member of the five clans, but she was probably a child born to an immigrant dancer by someone from the Shu clan.

Realizing why she was wearing pale red—the lowest rank―garments despite being a personal attendant, Reirin’s eyebrows creased together. The other person seemed to take that in some sort of way and punched the wall again, as if she was in a rage.

“You falling so low is your own doing. But don’t drag me into it! If I complete the years in my contract, I’ll receive a stipend…I believed that and endured everything patiently, coming all the way here. But now I’m stuck in this abandoned shack taking care of a woman who has fallen into sin…it’s the same as being told to die!”

Noble Consort Shu must have taken away a large number of maidservants from “Shu Keigetsu” along with her chambers. However, it would have been an abdication of her duties as a consort if she didn’t give her Nestling, imperfect as she was, even a single lady-in-waiting. Therefore, Riirii, who was in a weak position among the ladies-in-waiting, was chosen as the human sacrifice.

She thrusted a finger at Reirin, a fierce color in her eyes that still had traces of childishness.

“Listen up! Now that things are like this, I’m not going to hold back anymore. I’ll tell you this from the start. I’m not going to take care of you. I still have a lady-in-waiting room. You’re the only one living here. You’re the only one who’s going to do the weeding, cleaning, cooking, all of it.”

“Eh…?”

“I’m telling you this, none of the ladies-in-waiting in this palace will cooperate with you, because all of us who have been tyrannized by you until now are clapping our hands with joy when we found out you’ve been ruined.”

Riirii let out a big exhale, like she was changing gears, and then turned on her heel.

“Well, I’m off. Oh yes, because of what you’ve done, the Nestling Court is barred to you for seven days in order to exorcise impurities. You’ll be under house arrest here. Noble Consort Shu also stated that you don’t have to attend the Midsummer Festival’s ceremony after the impurities are cleared. Do you know what that means? You’re to stay here forever and become insignificant. There’s plenty of time, so please, enjoy your stay here leisurely.”

So there, she spat out a sharp parting remark.

Reirin, left behind, watched the small back as it jauntily walked away, and then turned back to the storehouse.

“…This is where I’m going to live?”

She finally murmured.

“In such a wonderful place…!?”

Her hand that she was unconsciously pressing to her chest was trembling slightly.

It wasn’t from grief——it was joy.

Yes. Since earlier, she had been puzzled by the sudden “good fortune” that had come her way.

“The whole ground is covered in grass!”

Reirin dashed out and plunged her hands into the thick grass.

A strong, lively sensation. What a worthy thing to pluck. She had no idea the opportunity to exercise “Shu Keigetsu’s” strength to the fullest would come so quickly.

“Rich soil!”

Then, she parted the grass and touched the soil.

The damp soil had the abundance of a mother, being able to support such a large number of plants.

“And——freedom!”

Finally, she turned around.

There was no one on the path anymore. All that was there was the lush greenery and a private room that promised complete silence. A staggeringly ample amount of free time, unmonitored by anyone.

(Kyaaaah! Kyaaaah! I’m allowed to live here!? I can grow as many herbs as I want, experiment, and sleep! I’m allowed to live without anyone worrying about how much I eat, checking my color, or rushing to me every time I cough!?)

She put her hands over her mouth and bounced up and down on the spot.

“Ah…I don’t have to suppress my voice anymore!”

After realizing that, her hands quickly flew from her mouth.

Reirin was still a girl of her age. Her emotions fluctuated as much as anyone else’s, but if she shouted aloud, her ladies-in-waiting would get worried, and if she got too excited, she might inadvertently faint, so she had learned to suppress those outbursts as much as she could.

But now that she had this healthy body and out-of-the-way environment…

“I don’t have to hold back any longer…”

Reirin let out a deep sigh.

She was truly happy to be free——and more importantly, to not have to worry about anyone else.

“…No, I mustn’t. Lady Keigetsu hated me so much that she switched our bodies. It’s too much a violation of her wishes to be happy about this.”

She, whose fundamental nature was desiring to respond to people’s expectations, jolted and meekly shook her head.

However——

“But…I see. This garden is all mine…ufufu.”

The next moment, her eyes were transfixed by the ferocious nature all around her and put her hand to her cheek in ecstasy.

The Kou clan was a clan of the earth. They were proud to stand on the ground with their own two feet and loved difficulties.

While thinking, I mustn’t, this isn’t the place for this, Reirin couldn’t help but feel that the environment before her eyes was like a sparkling treasure chest.

Sorry this is so late, I had a bunch of exams in the same week but now I’m free. Next part might be a bit short

Footnotes

The word used here is 洗朱 which also suggests a red color that has been washed so much it has turn paleKouki literally means “yellow qilin”Shuku means “red horse”Ranko means blue fox.