The Fake Legend of Princess Mei Mei - Episode 5.1

After two days of traveling on horseback,
Keigetsu finally arrived in Rokugen, the capital of the Ryu Kingdom. She widened her eyes in surprise at the grand gate in front of her.

“…Is this your house, Enshou?” she asked.

Enshou, who had just handed his horse’s reins to a servant, turned toward Keigetsu. He hesitated slightly before answering.

“This is my mansion,” he said.

Instead, Junkei was the one who answered.

“Oh…” Keigetsu blinked in surprise. Embarrassed by her mistake, she blushed.

Since Junkei worked as Enshou’s bodyguard, she never imagined he lived in such a grand residence.

Then, where was Enshou’s home? Keigetsu tilted her head slightly. Since he had asked her to marry him, she assumed he would take her to his family’s home.

“The fortune-telling results weren’t good…”

When she asked about it, Enshou hesitantly explained.

Apparently, his family relied on divination before making decisions. The results said that bringing someone new into the household was unlucky, so they had sent a messenger last night to delay the visit by four days.

“I see…” Keigetsu nodded. She knew nothing about divination, but if that was their tradition, then following the results must be natural for them.

“So, in the meantime, I would like you to stay at my house,” Junkei said with a warm smile.

“Right now, I live with my younger sister, and my aunt and her child live in the separate wing. But they never come to the main house, so there are plenty of rooms available. The maids handle all the cooking and cleaning, so you won’t have any inconvenience.”

He assured her that her stay would be comfortable, but Keigetsu felt guilty about being treated so well. She wondered if she could help out with cleaning at least, but that would take work away from the servants.

After some hesitation, Keigetsu bowed her head and said, “Thank you for your hospitality.”

Junkei chuckled and told her to lift her head.

When she stepped through the gate, she was met with a well-maintained, spacious garden. It was clear that Junkei’s family was not of ordinary status.

“Are you hungry? If you wait a little, I can have something prepared for you,” Junkei offered.

Receiving a clean towel from the maids at the entrance, he turned back to her after giving instructions to the servants.

“No, I’m fine,” Keigetsu replied.

“Are you sure? Please think of this as your own home and don’t hesitate to ask for anything.”

“Thank you.”

When she thanked him, Junkei smiled and nodded lightly. His gentle demeanor reassured Keigetsu.

After instructing a maid to take Keigetsu to the guest room, Junkei watched her leave.

Then, he turned to Enshou.

“Your Highness, why don’t you talk to her while having tea?” he suggested.

Enshou looked a little uncomfortable.

“I understand how you feel, but you can’t stay silent forever, can you?”

During their two-day journey from Hato Village, Enshou had not revealed his true identity to Keigetsu.

Junkei had been waiting for him to say something, but they arrived in Rokugen without him mentioning it. With another four days of delay from the palace’s orders, Junkei felt it was time.

Seeing Enshou still hesitate, Junkei gave him a look of mild exasperation.

“If you wait until she’s already at the palace and then suddenly reveal that you’re the Crown Prince, how do you think she will feel?”

At those words, Enshou sighed and finally relented. “I’ll tell her. Right away.”

Junkei nodded. “Then, let’s have Kouji join us. That will make things easier.”

“Please do,” Enshou agreed, sighing again, but this time with determination. Junkei nodded and told a maid to bring his sister.

However, when they arrived at the guest room where Keigetsu was waiting, they found Kouji already there.

Junkei frowned in surprise and looked at his sister. Kouji, noticing his gaze, smiled at him.

“Welcome home, Brother. Thank you for your hard work.”

She spoke with a refined tone, then gracefully knelt before Enshou.

“Welcome to our humble home, Your Highness.”

Enshou’s eyes widened in shock. He quickly glanced at Keigetsu, but she did not react—perhaps she did not understand. She simply sipped her tea calmly. Seeing this, Enshou felt both relieved and strangely disappointed.

“Why are you here…?” Junkei asked, bewildered, as he sat down.

Kouji grinned and waved a letter in her hand. “I was curious about the person I’ll be serving.”

Then, she turned to Keigetsu. Just like with Enshou, she respectfully knelt and bowed deeply.

“Keigetsu-sama, allow me to introduce myself.”

Keigetsu, who had been casually drinking tea, was startled.

She had never expected such a high-class lady to address her with honorifics.

“Huh? Me? Wait… what’s happening?”

Panicked, she looked back at Kouji, unsure of how to respond.

“P-Please stand up… um…”

She wanted to ask Kouji to rise but realized she did not know her name.

“I’m sorry, what is your name? Please lift your head…”

Keigetsu gently placed a hand on Kouji’s shoulder. Finally, Kouji raised her head.

She was a dignified young lady. Though she resembled Junkei, her sharp, upturned eyes were the opposite of his gentle ones.

“My name is Jo Kouji.”

Her clear, confident voice gave her a noble air. She felt more like a young lord than a lady.
Kouji gazed firmly at Keigetsu, then smiled reassuringly.

“Starting today, I will serve as your bodyguard.”

Keigetsu was speechless.

She could only stare back at Kouji, unable to find words.

She turned to Junkei for help, then to Enshou, who both sighed in discomfort.

“You really don’t understand proper order,” Junkei muttered, then helped Kouji stand before urging Keigetsu to sit again.

“Keigetsu-sama, we have something to tell you,” Junkei said.

Keigetsu, still confused, nodded.

Enshou took a deep breath, then placed his hand over hers.

“I have been keeping something from you.”

“Something from me?”

Keigetsu repeated his words, trying to process them. Seeing her unease, she rubbed the back of her hand.

Enshou could tell she was overwhelmed. She had already been through so much—losing her mother, leaving her village—now, this revelation would only add to her burden.

But he had decided to tell her. He had to.

“I am the Crown Prince of this kingdom.”

Even though he spoke slowly and clearly, Keigetsu could not process his words.

She blinked and tilted her head.

Enshou smiled wryly and explained again.

“I live in the Eastern Palace, and a room has been prepared for you in the Inner Palace.”

“Inner Palace…”

Keigetsu repeated, unfamiliar with the term.

“Yes, but it only houses the Queen and Princess now. The King never took concubines.”

Keigetsu stared at him, then cautiously asked, “Enshou… you are the Crown Prince?”

“Yes.”

“That means… you will be the next King?”

“That’s right.”

Finally, Keigetsu understood.

She felt like fainting.

“Shall I bring you some medicine?” Kouji asked.

Keigetsu immediately nodded.