Life of Hoshi
by Shar
(Part 2)

Chapter 5: Daughter of the Sun

"What?" I breathed out, swallowing the lump in my throat.
"I don't know why you'd want that, Hoshi. I offer the most excellent life anyone has ever had. Is it not good enough for you?"
"My Queen, all I wanted was to meet my beloved" I stuttered
"You have no beloved anymore!" She hissed and grabbed hold of my wrist.
I gasped, but kept my hand still. My mouth went dry. I was trembling. The Queen sensed my fear and pushed me back a little. "Very well then" She said.
"I will call every one you love. For one last time… If that is what you want."
I stood there, transfixed. I could not believe my ears. I just stood there, waiting for more to come; some awful condition maybe… But the Queen was still and smiled a delicate smile at me.
For the first time since I came to the palace, I saw a different expression on the Queen's face. Was it… love?
I nodded slowly, trying not to tremble more.
"Tonight, then" She nodded and smiled a little. I extracted myself from her grasp and started down the corridor.
Kaori joined me and linked our hands as we walked to the dining room. "What did she say?" She asked after a while.
We sat down together at the table. "She told me I could meet everyone. Just this once. I don't understand, Kaori. Why would she change this rule for me?" I blurted out, rubbing my hands together even though I wasn't cold.
"She must really like you"
I looked at Kaori in surprise. The Queen. Really. Liked. Me
"No." I shook my head vigorously. "No. no no"
Midnight
I breathed in and slowly washed myself. I dressed carefully, tying the sun-colored sash carefully at my waist. I had to look not only presentable, but also beautiful. And I had to show my family that I was happy at the palace. Which was the biggest lie I had ever thought of.
I rubbed cherry blossom petals against my arms and put my feet into velvet slippers. I walked quietly down the hallways and suddenly, out of nowhere, the General appeared in front of me. I swallowed; my eyes wide.
"She has called you to her personal orchards" He simply stated and led me through a maze of wooden stairs, corridors and rows of guards. I followed quietly. I did not wish to speak to him after our little conversation that morning.
He seemed stern. And I did not care. We reached a large golden door and he threw it open.
I gasped.
My mother, Hiiro. My sister Yuna. Even my father, Kokoro was present. But there was no sign of Akio. I gulped down my tears and ran into my father's arms. He was a fisherman and he barely came home. He lived his life on the stormy seas.
Yuna and mother hugged me tightly and gripped them hard, as if they were my last chance of life. The tears flowed down uncontrollably. I extracted myself from their embrace and smiled, despite the tears. "Thank you for coming!"
"If you want to thank anyone, thank the Queen" My mother's sentence sent shivers down my spine. I could feel the Queen's presence in the garden. Slowly, I turned. There she was.
"My Queen. I cannot thank you enough for the kindness that you've shown to me" I said earnestly, rubbing my eyes.
"I called them here because I wanted to announce something. I wanted you and your family to hear it before the rest of Yamatai." The Queen stated, a smile on her beautiful face.
I could feel Yuna and my mother draw in their breaths.
"I am pronouncing your daughter, Hoshi of Yamatai as a Daughter of the Sun. The highest honor any woman could ever have." She exclaimed, raising her arms to the moon.
"What?" I whispered, blowing air through my teeth.
"Indeed. She will sit next to me. Now and forever. She will be my little one. She will be taught languages, etiquette, history, warfare. She will want for nothing. I assure you, she will be happiest here."
I was stunned. I had never seen it coming. I put one hand to my forehead. I could hear my mother burst into tears. I turned to my father. He was smiling.
This could not be happening.

Chapter 6: Answering The Call

Till that night, I was Hoshi, daughter of Hiiro and Kokoro. Tomorrow I would be Hoshi, Daughter of the Sun. The Queen has spoken. Every girl in the village dreamt of this honor. Mother couldn't stop crying. Father was beaming with pride. I had never seen him smile so much. Yuna is smiling too.
This greatest of honors would raise my family to the heights of Yamatai society. They would want for nothing. And someday the Sun Queen might even choose me as her successor.
The thought sent shivers down my spine. I pretended to smile. For my family. I could never deny the call, to do so would invite ruin to my family.
And yet, I couldn't refuse my feelings. At first, I thought it might be simple nerves. But the unease grew as I was led away. I was afraid of the Sun Queen.
I would get a separate bed chamber from now on. I wouldn't reside with the rest of the Priestesses. I bit my lip as the General showed me my large chamber. There were satiny soft, crimson curtains and there was a velvet-covered featherbed, much larger than the one I used to sleep in. The General nodded and walked away.
"Hoshi, here are your robes. You will wear these everyday" The Sun Queen was right behind me. I looked at her. She handed me golden robes, a scarlet sash and red velvet slippers. I took them and nodded.
"The announcement will take place tomorrow." She smiled, touching a finger to my chin. "All of Yamatai will hear it! Everyone! I hope you're happy"
I nodded quietly. "I'm sure you'd like some sleep. Have a good night, my little one"
I bowed and wished her the same.
As soon as she left and closed the wooden doors, I fell onto the featherbed, sighing. At least I would get to see Akio tomorrow.
My hands caressed the soft covers of the bed as my eyes closed.
Morning
I washed myself and perfumed myself with spice flower and cherry blossom. I put on the robes and the slippers that were handed to me. Two Sun Priestesses accompanied me to the venue. The gallery was made overlooking a cliff and facing the east; so that the rays of the early sun warmed it.
Underneath was the whole of Yamatai. It's people standing, looking right at me. I searched for a familiar person amidst the sea of faces that were staring.
"People of Yamatai" The queen's voice boomed from behind me. And I waited in silence.
Afternoon
It was over. I was declared as a Daughter of the Sun. I was swarmed with well wishers. All priestesses seemed very happy. I was crowned with the golden, jewel encrusted crown that was not less fancy than that of the Queen.
I sat through the meals, right beside the Queen. She kept on staring at me with this strange smile on her face. I bit my lip to keep myself from crying. I could not see Akio. And now I would never be able to.
Kaori nodded meaningfully to me as we passed each other in the corridors. Two samurai would accompany me from now on. Anywhere I go.
The Queen said it was for my safety. But I believed it was to keep an eye on me.
Tomorrow, I would begin my first day as a Daughter of the Sun.

Chapter 7: At Her Side

I want for nothing now. As a Priestess of the Sun Queen, I stand above all others in her court. I am being instructed in languages, eitquette, history, warfare - all the skills needed to rule.
And the Queen has been like a mother to me. Warm, attentive, loving. But it all feels false, like some kind of performance. When I talk to the other Priestesses, I sense disquiet. Some of them feel as I do, perhaps all of them. But why? What is it that we all fear?
Morning
The Queen cleared her throat and my eyes flipped open. Her hand was on my shoulder. She handed me a cup of herbal tea. I took it politely. I sat by her side, on a smaller Golden Throne.
She was holding court. The Throne Room was empty except for the General, the Queen, I and a few guards. There were two men in front of us. One was shaking with sobs, while the other was looking on angrily at the Queen.
"What do you think, my Daughter of the Sun?" She asked in her tranquil voice.
"I'm sure Masao had a good reason… I mean, if he stole the apples because he wanted to feed his son, I think instead of punishment, we should give him a job… A right method to earn his daily bread" I murmured, trying to sound confident.
"What sort of justice is this?!" The angry man shouted, pointing at the Queen and then at Masao. "I thought the Queen punished the guilty! This isn't what Yamatai is famous for! I deserve justice. This man… This thief, deserves punishment!"
I can feel the red colour creeping into my cheeks. Why did I say that? I bit my lower lip and glanced at Queen Himiko and then back to the cup of tea in my hands.
"I have to say… My priestess has a point…"
My eyes flitted to her face. She had a smug smile on. What did it mean? Did she think I was correct in passing the judgment?
"But" She stopped shortly and got up. The ends of her kimono brushed the ground tenderly. "Justice will not be taken away from you. Not in my kingdom!" She announced and pointed to Masao. "In the name of Yamatai, take him away. To the Weeping Willow. Ready the equipment. The execution will take place as soon as the sun sets for West!"
Her order shocked me. I felt tears coming on, but I managed to stop them before they spilled over. I looked at her, my mouth dry. A death sentence for theft? What sort of justice is that? The lump in my throat stopped me from saying anything. It was probably for the best.
I knew she wanted to maintain peace in Yamatai… But this was inhumane. Even for the likes of her.
The thief was taken away by her guards when she spoke again. "How dare you? How dare you question the Queen's justice?" She shouted at the other man. "Take him to the Fire Pits. Leave him there until he learns his lesson… No one questions me…" The last part was in a hushed tone. The smile returned to her face as she sat down.
Fire Pits were underground caverns full of lava… Where prisoners of war were held… Where they were tortured…
Dusk
My handmaiden filled the wooden tub with warm water. I sat next to the tub, watching the water splash around and the steam rising up. Suddenly, everything about the palace, everything about the Queen was thrown into a different light for me. It all seemed terrible. Evil.
"Hoshi" I could recognize the Queen's voice by now. Instinctively, I got up and bowed. With a wave of my hand, I dismissed the handmaiden and looked at her face.
"Tomorrow, I'd like you to wear this. They're my favourite robes. And don't make your hair. I'll do it for you… Just the way I like it" She smiled and handed me another set of robes for the next day. I nodded and looked down at the clothes in my hand. They were pure silk, navy blue in colour…
As soon as the Queen left, my handmaiden returned and I stripped off my clothes. She kept the Queen's robes onto a wooden table and helped me into the bathtub. She added some spices and perfumes to the water and then unbraided my hair.
"What are we all afraid of?" I asked loudly and turned my head towards her. She bit her lower lip before continuing to unbraid my hair. I turned and grabbed her hand.
"Something isn't right… Yamatai is just pretending to be peaceful… In reality, the picture is different" I added, emphasizing on my words to convey the importance.
"I'm sorry, I'm not allowed to speak to the Daughter of the Sun…"She told me before running her fingers through my hair and taking the tangles out. By the time I could say anything else, she had left.

THE END

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All rights reserved. Story by Shar