"Forget it… maybe I've just been overthinking everything."
Touka muttered softly to herself and quickly left the area.
She knew very well that it wouldn't be long before what happened here triggered yet another earthquake.
Tonight, the Tsukiyama family was destined for unrest.
The massive castle remained brightly lit, as if night itself dared not approach.
Inside a western-style bedroom, Kanae, handsome and impeccably dressed, paced back and forth anxiously.
"What's going on?"
"It's been so long already… the news should've come back by now."
"Why hasn't Sister Matsumae responded at all?"
He had sent multiple messages to Matsumae, yet there was no reply whatsoever.
"Don't tell me… don't tell me something happened to her!"
The moment that thought surfaced, cold sweat broke out across his forehead.
"No no no, impossible."
"Sister Matsumae brought so many people with her this time. There's no way she couldn't deal with that guy."
Another half hour passed.
Still nothing.
"Damn it… I'll go check myself!"
With that, Kanae hurried downstairs.
The moment he reached the grand hall on the first floor, a calm voice stopped him.
"Kanae, it's quite late. Where are you going?"
Kanae turned around
and saw Tsukiyama Karren, the family head, seated leisurely on the sofa.
One leg crossed over the other, she calmly sipped her coffee, her posture elegant and composed.
"Madam… I I just felt like going out hunting for a bit,"
Kanae lied.
Matsumae's assassination attempt against Fushimi Kyo had not been reported to Tsukiyama Karren.
It was an action Matsumae had taken on her own initiative.
Within the Tsukiyama family's upper ranks, only Kanae was aware of it.
"And where is Matsumae?" Tsukiyama Karren asked casually.
Her tone was unhurried, her demeanor that of a refined aristocrat.
"She… she should be out helping Young Master find food."
"Recently, Young Master's appetite has been quite large."
Kanae answered stiffly, forcing the words out.
"Kanae," Tsukiyama Karren said calmly,
"do you know what happens once you tell your first lie?"
"You'll need countless more lies to cover it up."
"And one day… you'll slip."
"Tell me did Matsumae go to seek revenge against that boy?"
Her voice dropped, heavy and decisive.
Realizing he could no longer hide it, Kanae finally told the truth.
"Yes, Madam."
"Sister Matsumae did go after that man tonight to avenge Young Master."
"And it's already been more than two hours since they moved out… yet there's been no news at all."
"I'm afraid they may have run into serious trouble."
"So you're planning to go provide support?" Tsukiyama Karren asked.
"Yes, Madam!"
At that moment, Tsukiyama Karren slowly stood up.
Holding her coffee cup, she walked to the window and gazed out at the night sky beyond the glass.
"No."
"You are not allowed to go."
"Although it's regrettable, I can say with certainty Matsumae and the others will not be coming back."
"Madam, but maybe "
Kanae grew anxious and tried to object.
"My son was injured to that extent," Tsukiyama Karren interrupted calmly.
"Do you really think I wouldn't investigate the person responsible?"
"Take a look at this."
She reached into her pocket, pulled out a photograph, and flicked it toward Kanae.
Kanae caught it and examined it closely.
In the photo
A colossal figure roared toward the heavens, locked in confrontation with a blurry human silhouette.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
If you're interested, you can read advanced chapters:
pat reon .com / Samorash