“But Yae is in such pain, why would she be like this if not for Sakura?”

 “Do you really think Sakura, a slight girl, can hurt Yae, who’s twice her size?” Itagaki patiently explained to Madam Sanjō while pointing to some watermarks on the floor. “See? Sakura has just wiped the floor, it’s very likely Yae just tripped. This is a misunderstanding. M’am, please return to the inner court. You shouldn’t hurt yourself. Tsuru is waiting by the entrance, I’ll send her here so she can guard you on the way back.”

What a clever man, using just a few words to stop Madam Sanjō and Yae’s outbursts. Sakura breathed deeply, watching Tsuru and a few other maids, who rushed over from inner court to guide them back. She thanked Itagaki. She should be relieved her attack was quick, and there was still water leftover on the floor, which made the story more believable.

 “No need to thank me, Sakura. I have my orders from the young lord to watch over you.”

 “What? He... the young lord asked you to help me?” Sakura couldn’t believe it.

Itagaki chuckled, “you don’t have to believe me. I’ve raised the young lord since the beginning. It’s the first time I’ve seen him so nervous over a girl, he wasn’t like this, not even for Masuko.”

 “Masuko?”

 “You’ve heard of the Battle of Ida? When the young lord used the tactic of returning after first leaving to conquer the city, he met a wounded girl there, and she was Masuko. She was from the refugee island, just like you. Her parents died in the war, and she was sold to Ida. The pitiful girl made the young lord fall in love. But since Kai had to make an alliance with the Suruga estate, the family’s oldest daughter married into the Imagawa family, and the young lord had to marry the Imagawa family’s third daughter. And Masuko, who was living in a temple then, was found by Madam Sanjō. To protect her mistress’ position, Yae attacked Masuko when the young lord was away at war. The young lord was devastated then...” Itagaki shook his head.

What? So she’s just a subst.i.tute? Sakura felt a little heart-broken, but she could see Itagaki’s meaningful gaze when she finished her ruminations. Maybe he’s trying to remind her that she needed to be careful at the seemingly calm Tsutsujigasaki Castle.

Time-traveling may seem magical, but just like Itagaki has warned, she shouldn’t depend on her luck here. Ancient eras have their own social turmoil, no matter where she was, battles were inevitable. Her recent experiences were almost as if she has stepped into the working world early, after just one year of college. Back in elementary school, her grandfather has taught her j.a.panese and she’s read a lot of j.a.panese books, but she was still just one person. She couldn’t control the era, nor did she have the power.

After Harun.o.bu went to Suruga for a month, he still hasn’t returned to Kai. Sakura thought Madam Sanjō might plot something, but neither she nor Yae were seen since that fight a while ago.

Kai is nestled inside mountains; in the middle of a basin, it’s not too cold in the Fall. But while watching the fiery maple leaves in the yard, Sakura felt a deep chill.

She couldn’t find secrets to the dragon horn rock, nor could she go into the inner court without permission. She has only occasionally seen Madam Ooi in the outer court; the only person she’s really talked to is good old Itagaki. The more Itagaki talked about Harun.o.bu, the more home-sick she became. If history didn’t change with her appearance, Harun.o.bu was destined for greatness. Even if his father didn’t like him, his mother and servants adored him.

Whereas she has lost her parents when she was young. She was raised by her grandfather, and she might never see him again. She may seem independent compared to her peers, but she felt helpless now.

 “Harun.o.bu! You think you can isolate me, but I don’t care how you explain when you get back, don’t think I’ll fall for you! I’ve got to get out of here!”

She crushed the cherry blossom flowers into powder and tossed them into a pond in the yard. Her sense of independence has replaced her sense of belonging. She has decided to leave tonight with the dragon horn rock. It’s better to be a hero in this time than being manipulated at every turn. As long as she traveled, she could find connections and maybe she can start her own Robin Hood-like venture.

 “Sakura, m’am wants to see you.” Tsuru’s voice interrupted her musings.

When she went inside and heard Madam Ooi’s news, she was stunned. Madam Ooi has asked everyone to leave the room and gave her a letter. It was a letter written from Harun.o.bu to his wife, which said that Sakura has bewitched Harun.o.bu and offended Madam Sanjō, and caused her unborn baby to suffer, who needed medical care to recover. In order to prevent more occurrences of this, Sakura couldn’t be kept here.

 “M’am, is the young lord asking you to kill me?” Sakura could see Madam Ooi’s red eyes and her fragile expression.

Images of Madam Sanjō and Yae appeared in her mind. Just as soon as she’s decided to leave, an order of death arrives? Could this more of a coincidence?

Madam Ooi’s shaking hand covered her own ice-cold one. Her tone was full of pity, as if she was trying to comfort her own children. “Sakura, even though Sanjō was blaming things on you and said you can’t stay here, and Harun.o.bu is not aware of her plot, but I know that he doesn’t want you to die like how Masuko died years before.”

 “M’am, you’re --”

“Lord has told me that he and Harun.o.bu will return in seven days. Next month, my third daughter, Nene, is marrying the Suwa family in s.h.i.+nano and she needs a dowry. I’ll of course have you be her dowry maid and leave Kai. This way, you can stay alive.” Her gaze seemed determined.