Walking to the edge of the pond in the courtyard, she gently sprinkled the food from her hand into the water, causing the fish in the pond to scramble for it.

"Ninja, do you think I'm being selfish?"

Tamahime asked the person who wasn't actually present in front of her.

But she knew that the Ninja must be in some hidden corner, silently protecting her safety.

This feeling of being protected by someone felt a little sweet in her heart.

Even though she knew that the other party was only protecting her due to her father's orders.

But even so, it was enough to satisfy her.

Hearing Tamahime's soliloquy, Akakage just felt that this woman was really boring.

Why bother coming out in such heat and making life difficult for yourself?

Oh well, he'll prepare her a glass of iced water later.

As expected of the princess of a poor little country, unable to even enjoy ice cream in the summer.

"These fish, kept here by me, are just like how my father keeps me... What does freedom feel like?"

Freedom, to her as a princess, was a luxury she's never tasted.

She was, in her father's eyes, just a commodity waiting to be sold at a good price.

Someday, under her father's arrangements, she would marry a powerful man, moving from one cage to another.

Resentment and anger, those feelings didn't really exist.

Whether she resisted or complied, the result would be the same.

So, if compliance made her a bit happier, why not?

She knew the Ninja in the shadows wouldn't answer a girl's soliloquy.

But pouring out her frustrations was her only way of venting.

Every time she finished venting, she felt much better.

"Next, let's study flower arrangement."

Having decided on such a thing, Tamahime's lips curled into a slight smile as she prepared to head back to her room.

As she turned, for some reason, she accidentally misstepped, her body slanting, falling toward the pond.

Seeing herself about to fall into the water, Tamahime instinctively closed her eyes in fear.

"Huh?"

Without the imagined engulfing by water, Tamahime slowly opened her eyes.

What she saw was Akakage standing indifferently beside her, standing on a wall in the courtyard, and herself being held aloft like a chick by Akakage.

Seemingly feeling Akakage's gradually impatient mood, Tamahime softly exclaimed, "Ninja?"

Indeed, the Ninja was watching her, never allowing her any harm at all.

"Please be more careful, Princess."

Trying to make his tone sound less gritted.

"Umm... Can you please put me down?"

Tamahime's face was sheepish, her neck flushed red.

This being picked up like this was truly too embarrassing.

Why couldn't the Ninja have caught her in a more elegant manner?

Like the heroes in stories who save beauties, catching her in a princess carry.

And speaking of stories, Tamahime couldn't help but think of the most common storylines... A noble lady and a family guard pledge their lives to each other, only for the profit-driven father to find out, forcing them to elope together to a secluded peach blossom spring to live and raise children...

Pfft!

Tamahime felt her face become intensely hot.

"?"

Seeing the princess's unbelievably red face, Akakage felt a wave of exhaustion.

Surely, this princess's brain wasn't functioning properly.

How careless could one be to slip under such circumstances?

However, on another hand, if something were to happen to the princess, the Daimyo of the Land of Bear would certainly question his capabilities, affecting the Land of Demons' overall planning in the Land of Bear.

Why must this woman interfere with his task?

Could it be she sensed Haku's maneuvers in the Land of Bear?

Was that foolish act just now actually deliberate obstruction?

Akakage narrowed his eyes slightly, giving another deliberate glance at Tamahime.

No matter what, anyone who obstructed Hakushi's plans must be completely eliminated without exception.

Only Hakushi's will must be carried out to the end.

Tamahime shivered subconsciously, unable to help but shake, as the Ninja's eyes suddenly turned terrifying, as if he was about to devour her.