The sun was beginning to dip, bleeding streaks of gold and red across the high walls. A hush had settled over the path, broken only by the faint clatter of a palanquin being lifted.
From a distance, Astra watched as Maihime gracefully stepped into the ornate palanquin. As the bearers turned toward the gates, Maihime glanced over her shoulder meeting Astra's gaze with a smile that was equal parts mocking and victorious.
Astra rolled her eyes and let out a grunt. "Wonderful. The noble peacocks get their feathers… and we get fog."
Beside her, Shion exhaled, arms folded across his chest."She's finally gone." He muttered, rubbing his stomach. "I swear, the way she kept staring at me… I felt like I was going to be sick."
Astra let herself collapse onto a low stone step, groaning, "We should've just stayed in the Middle Sector. For some reason, I miss those Laughing Lantern special dumplings—the ones that came in pairs."
Ryoma, who had been quiet until then, shifted and glanced toward the gate.
"Wait here. I'll go try asking the guards again—"
Before he could take a step, Astra was already pushing herself up, brushing the dust from her sleeves.
"Nope. This time, leave it to me." She gave him a mock salute, a mischievous glint in her eyes. "They've had enough of sharp glares and grim expressions. Time to let a beautiful girl give it a try."
Ryoma raised an eyebrow. "Astra—"
"Let her," Seiya cut in with a grin. "It all started with her, anyway. She should be the one to fix it." He gave Astra an exaggerated bow. "Go. And do return with an entry permit, O mighty spark of chaos."
Kaen chuckled, while Xue mumbled in his half-sleep, head resting on Kaen's shoulder.
Astra rolled her eyes and strode off toward the main gate.
As she rounded the turn near the path, Astra suddenly collided shoulder-first into someone just a few steps ahead she hadn't seen him pause.
"Ah! Sorry—!" she gasped, stumbling back as a small bag slipped from the stranger's hand and hit the ground with a dull thud.
The young man crouched down at the same time. "It's alright," he said, his voice calm and warm. "Mistakes happen."
He picked up the bag and stood while brushing it off and offering her a smile—one that was soft and kind, reaching all the way to his eyes. The fading sunlight caught in them, turning them a molten shade for just a moment.
"You didn't get hurt, did you?"
"…No. I'm fine. Thanks," she said slowly, still watching him.
The young man gave her a respectful nod before turning away, heading down the inner path. He disappeared behind the columned gates just as they closed behind him.
have I seen him before? she wondered, her brows furrowed.
But there wasn't time to dwell on it.
Astra approached the gates with a bright smile, brushing a few stray hairs from her face as she neared the cluster of uniformed guards. They straightened instinctively at her presence—two of the younger ones even stepped back slightly.
"State your purpose."
"Evening, gentlemen," she said sweetly, hands folded behind her back. "Lovely sunset today, isn't it?"
One of the guards cleared his throat, another suddenly found the edge of his spear fascinating.
"We… yes, uh—it is," the taller one stammered. "How can we help you, miss?"
"Oh, I certainly hope you can," Astra said, leaning in just enough for her voice to soften, almost conspiratorial. "See, my group was delayed and when we finally arrived early this morning, we were met with a Calamity we couldn't possibly avoid. Because of it, we were denied entry." She tilted her head slightly. "But we've been waiting patiently ever since. So I thought—why not ask the kind, understanding gatekeepers if they might help clear up a simple little misunderstanding?"
She offered a grin that danced somewhere between charm and mischief.
The guards exchanged nervous glances.
"I'm sorry, miss," the taller one said, his voice tight with discomfort. "But we can't help you in this case. If your entry was denied earlier, then… by standing order, you're not permitted to enter. Without a permit, no one can pass."
Astra blinked, her expression all wide-eyed innocence. "Oh? That's strange." She tilted her head slightly, "Because I just saw someone else walk through those gates not ten moments ago. And she was denied earlier just like us."
She let the silence hang, then added smoothly, "Not to mention the three guests you allowed in before noon. None of them showed visible permits either."
The guard flinched. "That was… different," he said stiffly. "The order for her entry came directly from the High Notary. And those three were from the House of Jinlong. They have ancestral rights within the Inner Sector."
Astra let out a frustrated breath, muttering something unkind under it. Then she smiled again brighter this time, more calculated.
"I see. A direct order. Of course. But tell me—how direct was it? Because if the High Notary himself sent that message, there would've been a formal token, right?" She looked at them carefully. "Which means you received it by runner? Or perhaps a sealed glyph?"
The guards hesitated, visibly thrown off.
Astra folded her arms loosely, her tone now casual, coaxing. "See, you could verify if such a message truly arrived today—just as a formality, of course. Because if it didn't… well, then technically, no rules were broken, and our case is just as valid."
One of the younger guards opened his mouth to reply, then glanced at the others. A quiet, unsure murmur passed between them.
Just as one of them seemed on the verge of giving in, all four suddenly went rigid. Their spines straightened like arrows, faces blanked with practiced discipline.
Astra's brows furrowed. "What—"
The sound of steady footsteps echoed across the stone. A voice followed, smooth and precise:
"Which noble clan do you belong to, miss? May I see your family crest?"
Astra turned, her stomach sinking.
The man from earlier—the same one who had denied them entry that morning—stepped forward. He wore formal red-and-black robes with scaled embroidery across the sleeves. A narrow silver insignia rested on his belt: a sword crossing a lotus bloom.
The guards immediately dropped into deep bows. "Glory to the Gate Marshal," they said in unison.
Astra forced a polite smile. "We're just travelers," she said quickly. "We don't belong to any noble house—"
"Then you may leave now." His voice was like polished stone. He turned to the guards. They flinched as he spoke again, "Enough. The time to enter ends with the setting sun."
The shadows now fully touched the gates. Behind him, The air grew still as the bells began to toll from the eastern spire.
Astra cursed silently.
The Marshal's brow furrowed. "The day has ended… yet still no sign of the Bloom. Not a single petal. It's unnatural."
Behind him, the guards lowered their heads. One murmured, "Could it be the Supreme God is displeased?"
Another whispered a prayer under his breath.
Astra cleared her throat gently, drawing their attention. "Gate Marshal, earlier—there must've been a misunderstanding," she said, her voice softening. "We've come a long way just to take part in the Crown Prince's birthday ceremony. It would truly dishearten me to miss the chance to witness His Highness on such a sacred day."
The Marshal studied her for a long moment, then gave a measured sigh. "I understand your sentiment," he said at last. "And in light of that, I will lift the rejection mark placed on your names."
The guards stirred at his words.
"However," he continued, his tone firm, "the law is clear. Once the sun has set, no one may enter until dawn. We cannot open the gate."
Astra's shoulders slumped slightly. Wait until sunrise? Ugh. Waiting is boring.
The Marshal, as if reading her thoughts, added, "Besides, today is Bloom Day. The laws are even stricter on sacred dates. You shouldn't waste your night lingering. Return at first light."
Astra opened her mouth. "But—"
"Enough." His voice wasn't unkind, but it left no room for negotiation.
Astra gave him a look somewhere between a pout and a glare before turning on her heel with a huff. "Fine. Sunrise it is, then," she muttered as she walked off, brushing past the guards with theatrical flair.
The younger of the two guards watched her go, then leaned toward the Marshal, voice low. "Gate Marshal… did you just lift the rejection mark? And grant them entry for tomorrow? Isn't that against the code?"
The Marshal didn't pause. "Return to post," he said flatly. "I know what is right and what is necessary."
With that, he resumed his steps along the stone path. From the corner of his eye, he saw Astra rejoin her group near the huge tree. She was already explaining something to them, arms moving as she grinned.
"We've got the permit," she announced triumphantly. "Just have to wait until morning. See? Told you a little charm works."
The Marshal let out a tired sigh, adjusting the silver crest on his belt.
"Why did the order to lift their rejection and grant a special permit come directly from Central Military Command…?
His gaze lingered a moment longer on the group, Astra laughing softly, Ryoma crossing his arms like he hadn't just been impressed, and Kaen still quietly tense.
Then he turned away, muttering under his breath,
"Heavens… why do I feel like I just permitted a disaster to walk right in?"