Spitting Embers

Chapter Six: A Beautiful Union

In Rokensera, it was said that the most auspicious time of the year to marry was the summer. Monks of the old faith were never more busy than in the summer, the empire’s many shrines bustling with marriage ceremonies. McQueen had dreamed of such a wedding ever since her teen years, and knowing she would be wed at the capital’s shrine made the many dress fitting sessions more bearable. Even as the summer crept into the city and left her sweating after each session, her mood only improved.

Chapter Five: Darkness in the Distance

The thought of Teio’s lips against hers brought a drowsy smile to her face, and it lingered as she got out of bed and prepared for the day. She sang to herself as she bathed, as she brushed her hair. It was only when someone knocked on her door as she was finishing brushing and oiling her tail that she stopped singing, but she continued to smile because it was Teio at the door with servants bearing food and drink.

“I thought you might like a private breakfast this morning,” Teio said.

Chapter Four: In the Emperor's Name

“It is true,” Rudolf eventually said. It sent another wave of murmurs throughout the room.

“So it wasn’t just gossip from the newspapers,” Ramonu said quietly.

“How many deaths?” one man asked.

“Has Istvian replied to any missives?” another woman called. “If so, what have they said?”

“What does it mean for us, your majesty?” came yet another woman’s voice.

Chapter Three: Embers, Dwelling and Stoked

“There is a way,” Rudolf said.

“Father?”

“There is a way to unify the nobility. By my reckoning, it would unify most of them behind a singular cause.” She looked at Teio over her shoulder. “Tell me, Teio. Surely you have an idea of what it is.”

Chapter Two: Of Night, Of Day

Teio huffed a joyless laugh. “Calling me your partner now? You must be serious.”

“Is a wife not a partner?” McQueen said. “Surely you would be happier to have a partner than someone distant.”

“I…would, but…”

“But what?”

Chapter One: The Duchess and the Prince

In the empire of Rokensera, land is everything. The country’s great tracts of land were parceled out to the nobility, and the vast number of umamusume amongst the nobility built racecourses on their land for the glory races. The seventh-crowned emperor, Symboli Rudolf, is set to change the glory races, to the nobility’s chagrin.

Among the houses that supports the emperor’s mandates of change is the Mejiro house, with its duchy’s roots as old as the empire itself. The reigning duchess, the young Mejiro McQueen, receives a letter from Emperor Rudolf after expressing her support. To her surprise, the letter is quite lengthy, and soon after the letter arrives, so too does the crown prince, Tokai Teio.

Along with an arrangement.

--------

chapter five: to the stars we come from

The end of the school year brings with it mended friendships, family visits, New Year’s prayers, a graduation—

And a promise made.

--

chapter four: as the sun does for the sky

Teio is relieved and deeply pleased to have her answer from McQueen, and the two of them get to spend a pleasant time together over the weekend.