Chapter 2: One
1608年3月13日 (13th March 1608)
The sun was beaming through her blinds causing the woman to stir.
"Caulifla!"
Her eyes opened like two flashlight beams, the new temporal inserts providing enough light to illuminate whatever she looked at.
It was morning.
"Caulifla!"
Caulifla heard her name again as she quickly got up. Her room door opened suddenly as Ōjo Aika, the eldest daughter of the Tsumago Emperor came in, fuming with untold anger.
"Ohayō gozaimasu" (Good Morning).
Caulifla bowed in utter fear.
"Did I not painstakingly inform you that I will have to get ready as soon as the sun rises? And here you are, still sleeping like a piece of dead wood"
Ōjo Aika said, ignoring Caulifla's greetings.
"I... .. Gomen'nasai"
("I.....i am sorry )
"I want you in my chambersin the moment I step in. The meeting will start by quarter to noon and goodness knows what I will do to you if I am even a minute late"
"Hai anata no megumi" (Yes your Grace)
Caulifla bowed as Aika left the room, her footsteps still heard down the hallway. She let out a sigh of relief as she hurriedly put on her Rōbu.
Today was the meeting of the Council and all royals, including all the Royal children of the Emperor. Everyone was expected to be at attendance.
Looking at the sun from her window, it seemed to still be quite early. Maybe if she hurries up and does her sister's make up, she will have some time to spare. She hopes the rest won't call her today.
She quickly made her way out of the room, down the hallway and into her elder sister's room.
Quarter to noon;
1608年3月13日 (13th March 1608)
The throne room is the largest of the palace's audience halls, measuring ca. 9.8 X ca. 45.7 meters. All its walls were lined with bas-relief decoration and probably had painted plaster and brick decorating the upper parts of the walls.
Entering the Throne Room from the Great Northern Courtyard through the western portal (so-called Entry 'D'), one is always confronted immediately with many images: across from the entrance, bas-relief (depicting the king at war) in two registers with a panel of inscription separating them; and, to the right, a pair of lion-lamassu administered by eagle-headed geniuses to the right flanking a portal to an anteroom (Area C).
Turning to the left, the length of the Throne Room will be faced towards the seated king and his attendants at the other end. It was at this moment that the visitor could see that the whole length of the room.
Both sides were decorated with more bas-relief scenes of war, except for the panels beside the doorways which were framed with more geniuses, a pair of bull-lamassu at an entrance to the far right near the throne (B-b-2 and B-b-1), lion and bull hunts in the far right corner beside the throne (B-20 and B-19), and two sets of religious scenes depicting the king with divine attendants attending on the Assyrian "Sacred Tree",
One directly behind the throne and taking up nearly the whole eastern wall (B-22, B-23, and B-24), and another directly opposite the main entranceway to that room, which was in the middle of the northern wall to the left, and on the southern wall of the Throne Room (B-12, B-13, and B-14).
The throne room was only used for meetings with only the royals and the Council.
"Subete jōshō" Someone shouted.
Everyone stood up in respect as the Emperor made his way into the throne room with three of his personal guards.
"Kōtei no nagaiki ga arimasu yō ni" ("Long may you live Emperor")
Everyone said as they bowed, the Emperor sitting down on his throne, raising his hand as a sign that all should sit.
Clearing his throat, he began to speak;
"I gathered you all here for a particular reason. You all know well that The Persian Empire is seen as the most powerful empire in the world. It has been a problem for our empire because we have called for war many a times but still, they always come out victorious. We have to bring that empire down so that our empire will be known and feared"
"You are right My Emperor, it is high time we take that empire to its knees,but the question is how are we going to bring it down?" One of the high Shunin asked, his eyes resting on his Emperor.
No one said anything as murmuring ensued. Everyone tried to get a good suggestion but no one seemed to have.
"Subete shizuka" (All Quiet)
The King ordered as he raised his right hand up and suddenly, everyone became quiet at once.
"As you all know, the Persian King is the real power behind The Person Empire. Before it can be conquered, he has to be eliminated"
"Who will bring me the head of The Persian King and prove his loyalty to my Empire. Who will make me proud and become a legend in our history? Who will make our Empire the most feared and powerful Empire?"
Everyone became silent as no one seemed to want to do as the Emperor had said.
The silence was like a restorative draught after the frenetic rush of the day. The silence covered the room as a fresh, pristine, white blanket of snow on a winter's day.
"Dare mo?" (No One?") The King asked again as he looked around.
"I will go" A voice said and everyone turned to the direction. Murmuring ensued as Caulifla stood up from where she sat and walked towards the throne, stopping just some metres after the seven steps leading to the throne.
"I will go" She repeated and then bowed her head in total respect, the Emperor gasping in utter surprise.
"Kore wa jōdande wa arimasen Caulifla" (This is not a joke Caulifla)
"If it is a way to prove my loyalty to my Emperor then let it be done"
"You are incapable of this task. You will die Caulifla. The Persian Empire is a merciless ruler. You will not live to see the next day if caught"
"Actions speak much louder than words my Emperor. If I die then so be it. I will do anything for my Empire, even if it costs me my life"
The Emperor looked dumbfounded as his eyes were on his youngest daughter. She looked and sounded so determined. He knew he could not convince her so he agreed.
"How will I be sure you will bring me back the head of our worst enemy?" He asked.
"I swear to you today, i will bring ye all the head of The Person King and prove to you that I am ever loyal. If I do not fill this mission then I die. I am ready to lay down my life for my kingdom and kingdom alone"
"Sorenara sore de ī" ( Then so be it) The Emperor said.
"I will be expecting the head from you Caulifla" He said again and then he stood up, walking out of the throne room, not minding the murmuring that ensued in the hall.
Everyone stood up in respect as he made his way out.
Caulifla raised her head as she looked at her father's departing figure.
Now was her chance to win his heart.
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone