The Fake Legend of Princess Mei Mei - Episode 3.2
After finishing breakfast and taking a short rest, Ganki summoned her. He wanted to talk.
Gekka eagerly accepted and quickly made her way to the temple as instructed.
“Houmei.”
As soon as Gekka arrived, Ganki smiled and reached out his hand to her.
She ran toward him but suddenly stopped in her tracks, as if realizing something.
“What’s wrong?”
Ganki tilted his head in curiosity at her sudden hesitation. Gekka glanced at him shyly.
“Um… may I call you… Father?”
Hearing her hesitant and uncertain words, Ganki was overwhelmed with joy, his heart tightening with emotion.
“Of course! Come, closer to me.”
“Yes, Father!”
With a bright smile, Gekka rushed to him. Ganki gently placed his hands on her cheeks.
“You truly look like Ranran… What a wonderful miracle this is.”
He murmured with teary eyes, gazing into her face. Seeing the deep happiness on his face, Gekka thought to herself—he really must have longed to meet “Houmei.”
But having him stare at her so closely was inconvenient.
Although her facial features strongly resembled her mother’s, her thin lips and unusual golden-tinged eyes were inherited from her father. If he looked too closely, he might notice.
Gekka narrowed her eyes slightly in a smile, careful not to seem unnatural. Satisfied, Ganki slowly stepped back.
As Gekka let out a quiet breath of relief and straightened her posture, Ganki gestured toward the altar before them.
“This is the temple where our ancestors are enshrined. Now, go ahead and report to them that you have returned safely.”
“Yes, Father.”
Gekka accepted the incense sticks, placed them on the altar, and knelt, bowing deeply.
Ganki watched her with a satisfied expression.
After the prayers, Ganki led Gekka to the back of the temple. Following his lead, she arrived at a small courtyard where a large willow tree stood.
“This tree is our family’s guardian spirit.”
Looking up at the thick, sturdy trunk, Ganki explained.
“Long ago, before going to war, our ancestors prayed to this tree, which grew behind our house, for protection. A divine spirit residing within the tree appeared and handed them a leaf, instructing them to use it as a talisman. They followed the advice, and not only did they achieve great victory, but they also returned unharmed.”
Since then, the tree had been worshiped as a sacred tree, Ganki explained.
Gekka nodded in understanding and looked up at him.
“So, it’s a very important tree.”
“Yes. We must honor it for generations and never harm it.”
Hearing the seriousness in his voice, she nodded and smiled.
(It’s just a tree. How ridiculous.)
She had heard that people of high status could be superstitious, and now she saw it was true.
Whether or not it brought blessings, to her, it was just an old tree. If it had been standing since before this country was founded, it must be at least five hundred years old. Surely, it would start decaying soon.
And when that happened, what would they do? Would they despair over losing their divine protection and fall into ruin? Ridiculous.
Though these thoughts filled her mind, Gekka kept them hidden behind a gentle smile. It was better to appear as a kind and obedient daughter.
Unaware of Gekka’s true feelings, Ganki smiled as he watched her gaze up at the willow tree and continued his explanation.
“Since that time, before heading into battle, warriors have always carried a leaf from this tree as a charm. Nowadays, we engrave its symbol directly onto our bodies.”
He quickly rolled up his sleeve, revealing his right forearm. Gekka’s breath caught in her throat.
Just below his elbow, a willow leaf was tattooed onto his skin.
She recognized it immediately.
(It’s the same leaf charm!)
There was no mistake. She had seen this symbol countless times since childhood.
Her older sister, Keigetsu, had the same mark on the back of her neck.
Their mother had once said she had placed the charm on Keigetsu when she was a frail baby, wishing for her survival.
But that was a lie. It was simply a tradition passed down in this family.
What a revelation.
Gekka had suspected it, but now she had proof—Keigetsu was not their father’s child.
She was the real Princess Houmei.
Gekka clenched her fists inside her sleeves, biting her lip.
(So it really was her…)
Now that the truth was undeniable, she felt furious.
Why was it her sister? Keigetsu, who never cared about her appearance, who always stained her clothes, who worked in the fields under the sun without a second thought—why was she the one with noble bl00d?
Gekka, who was far more beautiful, graceful, and suited for elegant clothes and jewelry, should have been the rightful princess.
(But there’s nothing to worry about.)
Ganki had already accepted her as Princess Houmei.
Unless their mother revealed the truth herself, nothing would change.
He trusted her completely, never even questioning her identity. All thanks to her face, which so closely resembled their mother’s. For that alone, she was truly grateful.
“Father.”
Lifting her gaze from the tattoo, Gekka looked into Ganki’s eyes.
“Houmei does not have this marking.”
“I see…”
Ganki’s expression darkened slightly, and he adjusted his sleeve with a small sigh.
“That’s understandable. Tattoos are usually given to criminals. Who would willingly scar their child’s skin?”
He murmured, as if sympathizing with her mother’s hesitation.
Gekka gently placed her hand on his arm.
“…Is it too late to receive one now?”
“Hmm?”
Ganki tilted his head, unsure of her meaning. Gekka’s eyes glistened with emotion.
“Would it be too late to have the leaf engraved on me now?”
Her voice trembled with sincerity, making Ganki widen his eyes in surprise.
“It’s not too late, but… there’s no need to scar your beautiful skin.”
His hesitation was clear, but Gekka quickly pressed forward.
“I want the same mark, in the same place as you, Father. So that I, too, can truly feel that we are parent and child.”
Her tear-filled gaze and earnest plea overwhelmed him.
Ganki’s lips trembled, and he suddenly pulled her into his arms.
“Even without this mark, you are my daughter.”
Gekka returned his embrace, whispering in a shaking voice:
“Father.”
“I wish I could have held you like this when you were a baby.”
Hearing the sorrow in his voice, Gekka nodded.
“I’m sorry for these eighteen years we were apart.”
“It’s okay.”
“Not a single day passed without me thinking of you and Ranran.”
“Me too, Father.”
She nodded, quietly smiling.
“I always wished for the day I could meet you.”
Upon hearing this, Ganki could no longer hold back his tears.
As he choked out repeated apologies, his voice wet with emotion, Gekka, unseen, smiled to herself and silently nodded.