Marble floors gleam beneath soft recessed lights. Traditional wood latticework frames the walls. Portraits of my parents hang in a place of honor. The faint scent of hinoki drifts through the entry hall, a subtle reminder of home.
Yamada-san and Sato-san flank me as we bypass the public reception area and head straight toward a private elevator. Staff members bow as we pass, but their eyes flicker with recognition at the emperor’s eldest daughter.
Normally, I would stop and acknowledge each one with a nod, a smile, a moment of the grace I was raised to project. But today, I can’t muster up the energy to do so.
When the doors open, Ambassador Shimada stands waiting for me. He bows deeply. “Your Imperial Highness. It is an honor to welcome you here. I only wish it were under more fortunate circumstances.”
“Thank you,” I reply. I follow the ambassador down a hushed corridor for a debriefing, even though all I want to do is retreat to my hotel, curl in on myself, and keep calling Theo until he answers.
He gestures for me to enter a room. A hand-brushedcalligraphy scroll hangs on the far wall. A single white orchid rests in a narrow porcelain vase. There are no tatami mats, but the wooden floor gleams. A long table occupies the center of the room, set neatly with a tea service and a plate of light refreshments.
The two people inside rise and bow deeply to me, then to the ambassador. I recognize them as one of his assistants and the head of the embassy’s security.
We take our seats. Ambassador Shimada pours a cup of tea and sets it gently before me. “Please,” he says softly. “I know you enjoy oolong. This one is from my private supply.”
“You’re very kind.” I wrap my hands around the cup but don’t drink. My fingers are trembling, and the last thing I need is to spill scalding tea down my lap. Or onto the priceless table.
I look at the dark, swirling liquid and see my own reflection. It’s a jarring contrast to the perfection of this room. Only an hour ago, I was an engineer fighting for my job and the man I love. Now I’m a princess inside a gilded cage.
“Your Highness,” he begins, “while you were en route, we received multiple inquiries from the Foreign Ministry in Tokyo and the Home Office here in London. Furthermore, given your residency in the United States, the State Department has reached out to confirm your status.”
“I didn’t realize so many agencies would get involved,” I murmur. “So quickly.”
“Unfortunately,” the ambassador replies, “in the age of social media, news travels at the speed of a bullet train. And in your case”—he inclines his head respectfully—“your family’s profile acts as an accelerant.”
The aide leans forward, angling her tablet toward me. “Ambassador. Your Highness. We’ve analyzed the digitalfootprint of the initial reports. We’ve discovered that the first articles were published before you even reached the car in the Excelsior lobby.”
“I’m not surprised,” I say, the tea sitting forgotten in my hands. “I’m sure Mr. Harris had the stories prewritten and queued for release the moment a photo hit the wires.” My eyelashes flutter as a cold realization settles in. “I should have known he’d have an insurance policy ready if I gave him an answer he didn’t like.”
The room goes still. The ambassador’s polite composure fractures. “Mr. Harris threatened you?” he asks, voice crisp. “Explain.”
So I do. I strip away the emotion and give him the engineering version—just the raw data. The blackmail folder. The threats against Theo’s career. The manufactured narrative of misconduct. The staged ambush in the lobby.
When I finish, the ambassador is vibrating with fury. “One does not threaten a member of the imperial family,” he says, each word clipped and precise, like he’s hammering nails into the table. “Not under any circumstances.”
Across the table, the aide and the head of security exchange wide-eyed, startled looks. I’ve seen Ambassador Shimada at state functions for years; he is famous for his jovial, unshakable calm. Seeing him this angry is like holding a winning lottery ticket—you have better odds of being struck by lightning than witnessing the jackpot of his temper.
“This behaviorwill be addressed.And swiftly.” Ambassador Shimada inhales slowly, regaining control. “But for now, the priority is your safety and protecting your family’s honor.”
His assistant types rapidly, the quiet staccato filling the small briefing room. “We’re drafting a preliminaryreport for Tokyo,” she says. “The Imperial Household Agency confirms they’ve begun internal coordination. Their directive is firm—You are to refrain from any public statement while the situation is evolving.”
“Yes, that’s what they mentioned on the phone.”
The imperial family stays above the fray. We don’t comment on personal business because we aren’t supposed to have any. We are symbols, and symbols don’t have messy breakups or blackmailing bosses.
I can see it now... After this, the IHA is going to lobby for me to quit my job and strongly urge my father to have me move home. Which, honestly, may be an option I should consider. Will I even have anything left when this is all over?
“I’ll monitor online traffic and major outlets,” the aide adds. “If the narrative shifts or escalates further, we’ll adjust our approach.”
“Thank you,” I say.
Ambassador Shimada turns back to me. “You’ll remain here at the embassy tonight. A secure suite is being prepared.” His gaze softens. “I know this is distressing, Your Highness. Is there anyone you’d like us to contact on your behalf?”
I wish I could ask them to call Theo. They’d probably have a better chance of getting through to him than I would. But I’m the last person he’d want to speak to. The look on his face when I told him the truth still plays on a loop in my mind—hurt, shock, betrayal. I understand why he asked for space. I would’ve asked for the same. But space doesn’t mean leaving him alone with everything. I hope Leon’s managed to keep an eye on him.
“No. I’ll take care of calling people myself.”
The ambassador inclines his head, accepting theanswer without pushing. “Very well. My staff is your staff. For now, I’ll have Ms. Ikeda escort you to your suite.”
