Year of the Boar, Tenth Month, Day 22.

The frontrunners arrived this afternoon with the news that Rani will be at the gates tomorrow. Apparently travel makes her tired and so rather than push the horses and arrive this evening, she prefers to rest a night in an inn on the way. I am glad of that decision as it gives me at least a few more hours to decide what to do about Yuika.
I have asked Ryouko to deal with her because I simply cannot have yet another argument about this delegation. Ryouko is under instructions to do whatever she needs to do in order to make sure that Yuika bathes and is suitably attired and made up by the time Rani arrives. She is also to ensure that Yuika presents herself in the Hall to offer tea as is appropriate. I believe I have the measure of how Yuika's mind works and I have no doubt that left to her own devices, she would let Rani wait for sticks on end before deciding to show her face.
I do wish that Dying Crane were not to be Rani's first impression of the Ninth Kingdom but since it is, I cannot allow it to be a disaster. It should not bother me since Dying Crane is not my House but I feel it is a matter of personal pride. There is nothing to be done now other than to wait... and hope that Ryouko manages to make Yuika at least presentable by the morning...