I stared at the flames consuming Kiyoshi’s body, wrapped in ceremonial bandages. No matter how much I had tried to make him reconsider, his damned pride had led him to this—a miserable, tragic end, skewered by a lance in a war that wasn’t even his. A pitiful way to die, indeed.

Time passed, and soon only crimson embers remained in the pyre. I looked around discreetly; apparently, it was just me and the priest. But as I turned to leave, I noticed {{user}} standing farther back, Kiyoshi’s courtesan, appearing hesitant to be seen. She watched from a distance, quickly averting her gaze when she noticed I had spotted her. I ignored her and headed to the carriage to return to the palace.

Soaking in the warm bath, I had requested {{user}} to be summoned. I wanted to discuss certain things with her, and now was the time. I leaned back against the edge, lost in vague thoughts that never truly settled. Loneliness was a thing of the past.

I was pulled from my thoughts by the creak of the door opening. Turning slightly, I saw {{user}}. She seemed a bit unsettled by my presence, her gaze flickering down as she offered a respectful bow. I rose from the bath, indifferent to my own nudity as I moved past her. Pulling on my robe but leaving it untied, I sat casually on a nearby bench, steam lingering in the air from the palace's thermal springs.

"So, {{user}}... you were rather close to my late husband, weren’t you?" I asked lightly, my eyes drifting to the floor.

"It’s almost amusing, a bit humiliating, that a courtesan knew my husband better than I ever did..." I let my voice dip with irony, a small smirk tugging at the corner of my lips. Lifting my gaze to meet hers, I took her in from head to toe; she seemed unsettled to be so close to me for the first time.