Year of the Boar, Twelfth Month, Day 20. Postscript.

 Haru returned shortly after I had finished breakfast to dress me in orange silks with a purple chrysanthemum print and a silver sash. I was surprised at how fetching it looked given that I usually prefer plain fabrics; she finished the look with a bird-shaped, jewelled pin in my hair. It appears that Kaede was not joking about taking my dress sense in hand... 

Haru took a step back as if admiring her work and nodded in satisfaction. "You look... tremendous, Lady Pale Twilight..." I allowed myself a slight smile - not at the compliment but because I had taught her the word 'tremendous' and she looked so pleased with herself for using it... I laughed at that and reminded her that I was perfectly happy for her to call me Seira... Haru pursed her lips and told me that The Lady Silent Thunder would not be at all happy to hear her using the given name of honoured guests. I acquiesced but suggested that we agree on 'Lady Seira' at least. There would no be impropriety about that if Haru is to intents and purposes, my Lady's maid while I am here. Before Haru had helped me put on my shoes, I asked her if she could help me with my... problem; she told me that she would and then escorted me to meet Kaede in her private sitting room. 

Kaede was ready to serve tea and as she whisked the bitter liquid with a perfect turn of her wrist, I was struck again by how very elegant she is. Is it innate or has she learned this...? Yuika is the same way; it is as if they were born with Hospitality in their veins whereas I can barely manage to kneel at the table without looking as if I am some sort of sack... It was strange; we have known each other for many years but sitting there in her drawing room, I felt as if we had just met. I suppose it is not surprising; we have both changed a great deal in the time since we last saw each other... I hope we can become great friends; I do not like many people but I believe that I like Kaede very much and it would be nice to think that she could like me, even just a little bit.

 We had been talking for about half a stick when we were interrupted by Sasanuma's arrival. I should really address him as Lord Sasanuma; his family hailed from Shimmering Dawn but many, many generations ago, so the story goes, one of his forefathers fell in love with a girl from Silent Thunder and moved here to start a family. In an astonishing act of bravery, he saved the life of The Ruling Lord and was honoured with a title for his efforts; that led to a friendship with The Lord Silent Thunder and Sasanumas have acted as advisors and aides to Silent Thunder ever since. The current Lord Sasanuma was, I am told, a very close friend of Kaede's father.

He looked at me with the hint of a smirk and said he was glad Her Ladyship had sent me a decent hairdresser before smiling broadly and honouring me with a deep bow of greeting. Why is it that all and sundry seem obsessed by my hair; I have been so much more comfortable since I cut it off... it seems to me that they ought to try it before they mock it! Once the pleasantries were over, he insisted on pouring more tea and then knelt next to Kaede, still smiling.  I can see why Kaede is attracted to him; he has an extremely pleasant face; the faintest of stubble covers his jawline and crows' feet crinkle around his dark eyes whenever he smiles, which is often. His hair is thick and makes a fetching topknot despite being shot through with grey and he exudes a confident, capable, competence which makes one feel safe in his presence.

Every now and then, perhaps when he thought I would not notice, I caught him looking at her and it is absolutely clear that he is utterly besotted. I felt the tiniest pang of jealousy; how wonderful it would be to have someone in my life who looked at me that way... or at whom I would want to look at in that way... Despite the jealousy, I am so pleased for Kaede... for both of them... She deserves some happiness..

A stick or two later, after we had exhausted the usual pleasantries, I brought up the question of Rani. I cannot shake the feeling that she is up to something dreadful although I have very little upon which to base that feeling. Kaede does not disagree but I sensed that there were things she and Sasanuma had decided they would not say...  It seems that no one can decide whether she is actually a princess of the Sixth and has been sent on behalf of the King and Queen or ... if she is a complete imposter. They have sent messages to the other Houses in an attempt to warn them but it is too early to have had any responses and so we are at an impasse...